Learning on a Saturday

This is the second Saturday in a row that I've gotten up at 5am to drive somewhere in the state to do something related to being better at my job. I love the people I spent last Saturday with and am sure I'll enjoy my company this weekend, too. My work as an educator is important, and I need to always be finding ways to improve. But, I cannot tell you how much I'm looking forward to next Saturday when I don't need to get up and don't need to drive anywhere and don't need to talk about being a teacher.

I do think, however, that there is a Grande, non-fat, no-whip Caramel Mocha in my future. A girl needs a little something to get her going!

"Learning is not attained by chance,
it must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence."
-Abigail Adams

Friday Funnies! 3/30/2007

With spring coming, I thought journaling about our vacation plans might be in order...

I am not the type who wants to go back to the land; I am the type who wants to go back to the hotel. -- Fran Leibowitz

Have you created lately?

"The woman who works
with her hands only
is a laborer.

The woman who works
with her hands and her
head is a craftswoman.

The woman who works
with her hands,
her head and her heart
is an artist."

---St. Francis of Assisi

I've got some time set aside over the next few days to be creative. There's some scrapping I want to do, some cool photographs I know I need to take, and quilting project just begging to be started.

3/28/2007 - Sugar and Spice or NOTHING nice

First things first, congrats to SHELLEY last weeks winner for trendy tuesday. Please email your address to fancysimple@gmail.com and I have a fun little treat for you! Thanks to everyone who bared their soul about their old tv boyfriends. Perfect reading!

Don't forget to do Barb's mail call challenge for this week - brighten someone's day with a little mail love (but not ecard love, she hates that!).

On to today. Yesterday I had to deal with a situation that involved "being nice". I talked about it with Barb last night and she said, "but that is who you are, I have known you for ten years!" Even though she was intimating that I am not "nice" she understood what I was getting at.That is my inspiration for today's quote.

Your friend is the one who knows all about you and still likes you anyway. -- Elbert Hubbard.

Mail Call!

Ever look--I mean really look--at what you get in the mail?

Mine is kind of depressing:

• bills
• catalogue with beautiful things I can't afford
• junk mail (lots and lots of junk mail)
  

Rarely do I ever get something unexpected that is actually fun and exciting. Usually the unexpected is just a notice about some bill I forgot to pay. Here's a little more about my mail, if you're really curious.

My challenge to you this week is two-fold.
1. Watch the things you get in the mail. Tell us about the most unique and interesting.
2. Brighten up someone else's mail call with some fun and exciting, unexpected mail.

And since this all about FUN mail, it would only be fitting if it ended in a RAK. Drop us an email or leave a comment!

3/26/07

Well ladies - I am happy to announce that Spring may have arrived! Outside my window this morning is sunshine, warm temperatures and the beginning of green grass... YAY.

"Just another Manic Monday. Wish it were Sunday. Cuz, thats my fun day" -- The Bangles.

Do you struggle with Mondays? Have a hard time getting going? Or do you look forward to the start of something new?

Rainy Sunday

A rainy day comes as a relief. Rain is your pass to stay inside, to retreat. It's cozy and safe, hanging out on this side of the gray. But then the sun comes out in the afternoon, and there's disappointment, even fear, because the world will now resume, and it expects your participation. People will get dressed and leave their houses and go places and do things. Stepping out into the big, whirling, jarringly sunny world--a world that just a few minutes ago was so confined and still and soft and understated, and refreshingly gloomy--seems overwhelming.

-Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life, Amy Krouse Rosenthal

Wrapped in a quilt, laptop perched precariously on my lap and coffee on a table beside me, I come to you from my living room where I am able to look out the window at a rainy Sunday morning. Here's to hoping that it stays this way all day. This way there won't be a need to face the sunny world.

3/24/07

Love is saying "I feel differently" instead of, "You're Wrong".

Friday

I think we all have a little voice inside us that will guide us. It may be God, I don’t know. But I think that if we shut out all the noise and clutter from our lives and listen to that voice, it will tell us the right thing to do.

-Christopher Reeve

Okay. So those are some heavy thoughts for a Friday.

Not quite sure why I was so drawn to this quote. I'm not in the midst of any major decisions. But, when asked to make a split second decisions, I often either second guess myself or make the complete-and-total wrong choice. Maybe I need to shut out the "noise and clutter" and just ground myself in what really matters. Let those things guide my decisions--no matter how small or large they are.

3/22/07 - On the Road Again

I am blogging this morning from St. Louis - looking right out at the arch. So a travel themed quote for today -

If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there. -- Lewis Caroll

Do you ever get so hung up on "the plan" that you miss an adventure? A new road? Is there anything we can do about this?

Wednesday

You live longer once you realize that any time spent being unhappy is wasted.

-Ruth E. Renkl

I'm afraid these quotes I'm choosing are starting to make the annoying-always-positive person. Really, I just need a lot of reminders lately to stay positive.

Don't forget about Trendy Tuesday. Keep those celebrity crushes coming. Hilarious stuff so far!

3/20/2007 - Trendy Tuesday Tv Husband Challenge

Good morning ladies! Today's trendy Tuesday? Tell me about your tv husband... you know, that guy on tv that you crush on? Obsess over?

My first tv boyfriend was Mike Seaver from Growing Pains. .... Sigh.

Now, I have moved on to tougher, meaner pastures. I am officially Mrs. Jack Bauer. I want an ass kicking, hero kind of tv husband.. Unless of course Michael Vartan from Alias returns to tv, then I will be Mrs. Whatever Character Michael Vartan plays. (note, he was also a kick ass hero kind of guy)

My husband informed me that he would be Mr. Jennifer Gardner in whatever show she was on (I guess we are an Alias kind of family). Look out Ben Affleck!

Monday 3/19/07

Are you bored with life? Then throw yourself into some work you believe in with all your heart, live for it, die for it, and you will find happiness that you never thought could be yours.

-Audrey Hepburn

As I stare down the start of another work week, I'm going to try a new outlook on work this week.

3/18/2007 - What are you earning right now?

This might be my favorite quote yet. Really. Hope you have a wonderful Sunday!

In old age you must put up with the FACE, the FRIENDS, the HEALTH, and the CHILDREN you have EARNED. -Fay Weldon.

Happy St. Patricks Day!!! 3/17/07

May your blessings outnumber
The shamrocks that grow,
And may trouble avoid you
Wherever you go.
~Irish Blessing

Do you celebrate St. Patricks Day? Green Beer? Corn beef and cabbage? Do you celebrate your ethnic heritage on another (less green) day?

3/16/2007 -- Hoop Dreams

Unbeknownst to most historians, Einstein started down the road of professional basketball before an ankle injury diverted him to science. -- Gary Larson

I am sure that many of you are fired up - cheering for your teams in state and national basketball tournaments. I am equally as sure that many of you couldn't give a hoot about basketball! Around here at Fancy Simple - we like to stay topical and talk about what is going on! I liked this quote because I know I am not alone in that I had some crazy dreams about what I wanted to be when I grew up. I like the idea of Einstein, someone who went on to greatness, having a "hoop dream."

So, what did you think you would be when you grew up? What held you back - diverted your attention?

I also wanted to add - YOU LADIES RULE. I don't always comment on your posts, but I love reading them and following along on your lives. Some of the photos from the Scavenger challenge were so cool. Thanks for playing along with us - and don't forget to let us know you are out there!!!

Thursday: 3/15/07

“Life Machine: This is a machine that takes your life and does all the hard parts and leaves you all the parts you enjoy and almost everyone discovers they’re not the parts you’d think they were at first glance.”

-Story People / Brian Andreas

Keep track today. How many parts of your day do you allow yourself to enjoy? That's my goal for today. Enjoy.

3/14/07 JACKPOT!!!

I'm going to do a lot of fishing.
— ED NABORS, 52
a Georgia truck driver who stepped forward to claim half of a $390 million jackpot, the richest lottery prize in U.S. history



So what would you do?

Scavenger Hunt

Capture the here-and-now with a few photographs that fit the following categories:

1. A sign of spring

2. A meal you’re about to eat

3. Something red

4. Self-portrait

5. Something that makes you smile

Note:
I saw Latharia post a similar challenge for a crop at another site. I need to give credit where credit is due for the idea. Thanks!

3/12/07 - A little better...

Spread love everywhere you go: First of all in your own house... let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile, kindness. -- Mother Teresa

I sure hope that people leave my house happier and better than when they arrived. I try to face the world with kindness and grace - don't always succeed in this endeavor but I sure try! Do you have "tricks of kindness"? When I was younger and living with my parents, my dad always went to work really early in the morning, before anyone else was even awake. He often left me and my brother little notes to get us a "good start" to our day. Something that probably took him just a few minutes was such a cool thing to us, and it let us know that even though we didn't see him in the morning he was thinking about us. Very cool!

Half Full

Real life isn’t always going to be perfect or go our way, but the recurring acknowledgment of what is working in our lives can help us not only to survive but surmount our difficulties.

-Sarah Ban Breathnach

I'll admit it--I might be a little bit of a half empty person. I think it's closely related to the fact that I'm a bit of a perfectionist. But, I should really take the time to realize and celebrate the things that are going right.

3/10/2007 Burn off that anger!

They say that March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. Well, around here, we have been using some very lamblike quotes. I know your life is not just lamblike! It swirls, rages, competes, fails, gets hurt, laughs, and all of the good stuff too! Since we are trying to write about our life, (with all its bumps and bruises) I wanted to give you a quote about anger today. Yesterday, I had an angry afternoon. Took me most of the evening to "shake off" the anger. Feeling better today, and have some very fun events with Miss Barb planned, but I think I want to write about the anger....

When angry, count to four; when very angry, swear. Mark Twain

Friday = Pay Day

It’s easy to make a buck. It’s a lot tougher to make a difference.

-Tom Brokaw

I'm a teacher. One of my least favorite things about being a teacher is when other teachers complain about their pay checks. Seriously. We knew the pay wasn't there when we chose to teach. But, oddly enough, I'm also very annoyed by the cheerleader-esque attitude about the difference that teachers make.

Truthfully? I believe anyone can make a difference in the way they choose to do their job or live their life.

3/8/07 -

"In a world where you can be anything, be yourself" -- Unknown.

Been thinking about this a lot lately as I am interacting with old and new friends. Have you ever had a friend who seemed to truly change? Like you don't know her anymore? I am blessed to have some "old friends" who have been in my life for ages, but I struggle with how to feel/react/go forward when it appears that either I or that person has changed. Anyone else experience this?

Wednesday 3/7/07

It is always better to be an original than an imitation.

-Theodore Roosevelt

Today is my little sister's birthday. I won't try to pretend we have a great relationship (it's rocky, to say the least). But, this quote today is perfect for her. She excels at being "an original."

Trendy Tuesday 3/6/07 -- I Must Admit

Well ladies, pull up a chair to today's coffee hour. I am a Chai Latte girl myself, how about you? Today's trendy Tuesday topic ... admit something!

Here are a few of mine -

• I am not a pet person. With a few exceptions (Barb's dog, Memphis) I do not really want a pet or to play with others pets. This doesn't mean I hate animals - I really don't, just don't want any myself!
• I hate watching movies more than once. There are very few movies that I have seen over and over - Top Gun, Legally Blonde, Braveheart. I also hate watching tv show reruns.
• I do not crave sweets - candy, chocolate... much more of a salts girl!

What about you?

Monday: What do you want?

The first step in getting what you want out of life is this: decide what you want.

-Ben Stein

Seems like a big thought for a Monday.

And. . . one more thing.
The winner from last week's Trendy Tuesday is Greta. Send your info to: fancysimple@gmail.com

Sunday 3-4-07

What I feel more and more is how important it is to live your life in a better way, and not to worry about it. What happens will happen.

-Barbara Walters

I need to work on this--just letting life happen and accepting what comes my way with confidence, grace, and style.

Saturday 3/3/07: Coffee

"Coffee: creative lighter fluid."
-Floyd Maxwell

Except the one morning a week I treat myself to a fancy coffee from Starbucks, I'm usually a tea-drinker in the morning.

Not this morning. This snow, cold Saturday morning I've been pounding the coffee (jazzed up with some flavored creamer) and hanging out in my crafty space.

Friday 3/2/07

Continue to expose yourself to new ideas. Trust your instincts and think for yourself. Make art, or at least value it.

-Samuel L. Jackson

New Month = New Start

If you want anything to actually change or to move ahead in your life you actually have to do it yourself, you can’t sit there and wait for somebody to talk about what you might want. . . you should actually keep dreams and desires inside and let them burn a little bit, and then they might come true.

-Russell Crowe

How is your year going so far? If you made resolutions are you sticking to them?

I can't remember what my resolutions were (not a good sign). But, I do remember my word for 2007 is balance. Not doing so well with that. I'm not working too much, but work is weighing far too heavily on my mind. I started out journaling about every Fancy Simple quote to gain some perspective on my daily life. That lasted until about the end of January. Then I just started writing the quote down. That lasted until about the middle of February. Now, I'm not doing anything besides posting. I need to get back to writing.

I'm glad to have a fresh start in a new month.