Bring on the Weekend!

Is it Friday yet?  Thank goodness!  I don't know what I would do if it wasn't.  This week has been extremely busy and I am totally exhausted! 

I began the week, returning from a very rewarding Bloggy Boot Camp conference. The SITS girls hosted in Atlanta which afforded me an opportunity to visit with family.  I have several, first-cousins that live in  Atlanta and the surrounding area and now a new member has joined the family. 

Welcome Baby Ari...

This little princess is so loved and I'm sure you can see why!  It is such a blessing to be able to  spend time with family, but all good things must come to an end. Bummer!  Now its time to hit the road and begin the long journey home (I really should have taken Monday off).   The 5 hour drive wasn't too bad because my cousin got me fueled up on a couple of cups of piping hot Joe! Tasty and toasty for this cool Autumn day.  It definitely kept me alert.  

Driving can definitely take a toll on you and  mix that with the fun and excitement of a women's conference, it can be very taxing on one's body. A good night's rest was definitely due, but morning came quicker than I expected.  I returned to work on Monday, approached with all the happenings of Friday past.  Some of my students just didn't know how to behave while I was out of the building.  Of course their actions are confidential, but you should know I was one unhappy mama.  

Assessment Day is upon us and there was a lot to do to prepare.  Each grade level will be participating in some sort of college and career readiness assessment.  Some of our students would be taking the PSAT, while others would be taking a practice assessment to prepare them for the SAT in January.  It's bullying prevention month so I am also preparing a few classroom lessons. My focus is on Cyberbullying and Internet Safety.  I love this lesson and I know my students gain valuable information from it.  Since I was out of the building last Friday, I also have students that are waiting to see me.  A counselor's job is never a slow one.  :)


This is a lot to cram into one week, right?  Well add an evening of fun with  friends and it can be more overwhelming than you think.  A new restaurant 
had a "soft" opening in the middle of the week and how could I resist free food.  I mean, really?!?!   Well, hanging out in the middle of a busy week only added to my exhaustion.  Now I am paying the price and will definitely need the weekend to recuperate.    Hopefully I will find time to write about my conference experience so be sure to check back soon.  How was your week?

I'm Attending My First Bloggers Conference!!!

OMG!!! How can I say this?!?! I'm so excited to announce that I will be attending my first bloggers conference this weekend!!! Bloggy Bootcamp is being sponsored by the SITS girls and it's being held this weekend in Atlanta, GA. Who are the SITS girls? They are a group of AWESOME women who have dedicated their time to help guide us into the world of the infinite wonder. The world of many, many inspirations. The world of the unexpected. They are our voice for blogging. If you need to know anything about blogging, this is the group to follow.

 At the conference, I hope to gain knowledge on how to increase traffic to my site. I also hope to gain the confidence I need as a writer. I am a newbie and so nervous that I am doing this all wrong. I don't have a particular focus, just the random interactions of my day. Is that a bad thing? This is what I hope to learn. 

 I so looking forward to networking. I know this may sound so cliche, but I look forward to meeting new people. I love learning what makes others tick. What makes them who they are. I am excited for the interactions that I will experience this weekend.

 I'm looking forward to the parties. Yes, there will be social parties for us to attend. A kind of meet and greet on Friday and an after-conference social on Saturday evening. I am a social butterfly and I'm ready to spread my wings.  So if you are attending, I can't wait to meet you!  See you on Friday!!

World Smile Day

I'm naturally a happy person.  I guess I was just born that way.  I tend to look for the good in everyone and everything that crosses my path.  I enjoy the simple things in life, like the smell of rain, the sounds of birds chirping,  and children laughing. The first Friday of October has been hailed as World Smile Day.  It was founded in 1999 by Mr. Harvey Bell, the gentleman who created the famous yellow smiley face .

 World Smile Day is a day to pay it forward so to speak.  A day to perform an act of kindness and put a smile on someone's face.   So it got me thinking, what can I do to brighten someone's day?  Buy a co-worker a cup of coffee, leave someone a note of thanks, take a sick friend a bowl of soup.  The list could be endless.  So what makes me happy?  I've compiled a list of 10 things that truly bring a smile to my face.  

Me, myself, and I....I crack myself up!  I love my smile.   I think my laugh is weird, but others seem to like it.  I'm thinking it's definitely unique because people will say, "I'd know that laugh anywhere" if they hear me before they see me.

My twin boys...                                                

They have made me smile every since the day I met them. 

 March 9, will always be special to me.  It was the day I became a mom.  Not one, but two beautiful babies, unique in their own way.  They continue to bring joy to my life.

The students I work with.  I'm a middle school counselor and kids can sometimes say the darndest things. 

I love chocolate.   I repeat...I LOVE CHOCOLATE!   Its one of my two addictions.  My other comes up later.

Reality TV...yes I love reality TV, but not the wild, outrageous stuff like The Housewives series.  I'm more of the "real" reality show watcher.  Shows like Survivor, The Voice, The Bachelor/ Bachelorette, Shark Tank,  America's Next Top Model, The Amazing Race, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition....oh how I miss that show, Extreme Makeover Weight Lost, and The Biggest Loser...Ummhh, Ummhh, Ummhh  love watching me some Dolvett! !!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Ellen Degeneres...

Enough Said!         

Helping Others

Doing things for others and knowing that I've made a difference in their lives in some way.  I'll never be rich because I love helping people  If I ever became rich, I'd be able to help more. 

Coffee... even just the smell of it. 

Wine (my other obsession) it's just makes everything better; a bad day, a happy day, time with friends, whatever.  Its the perfect ending to any day! Mirrassou is my favorite!

My family and friends

I am truly blessed to have a wonderful, fun-loving family who supports each other and just simply love each other.  We get together for various occasions.  Two special times are Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve.  For many years now, we have been gathering for Thanksgiving dinner and  Christmas Eve.  You will find about 25-30 of us feasting and in  fellowship.  About 15 of us are a regular staple and the other family members are those that live afar who interchangeably come when they are able to.  My friends are like family and truly that's how I see them.  I enjoy spending time with my family and friends and wouldn't change them for anything in the world. 

What makes you smile? Share a list of 10 things that make you happy.  :)