Student Teaching

After a two month hiatus, I decided it was time to come back and post. I've been so focused on my student teaching and graduate classwork that I haven't had much of an opportunity to post here. So far, my teaching experience has been great. I imagine that I am "normal" in that I have good days and I have better days. Only once have I cried and I think even that was normal. My expectations are too high, I suppose.

What I find most interesting is that it's a moment-by-moment profession where each child requires something and the continual effort by teachers is astounding - to reach each child where they are and lift them higher in their educational pursuits.

Here is the first Journal entry I made as a part of my Student Teaching requirements:

1. The school I am in is more like a family than a school. The principal and assistant principal are so devoted to the students and faculty. I was welcomed immediately. I am student teaching in a first grade classroom that is filled with wonderful, well-planned learning opportunities. My mentor teacher, Courtney Pine, loves to teach. She’s a sweet young lady with a great attitude. I am fortunate to be in such a wonderful environment.

2. During the first few days, I felt most engaged with the education process and teaching when I was reading to the students. I love to see them enjoying learning.

3. I felt most distant while observing the planning session with the first grade teaching team. They all seem to have such a grasp of the process of teaching that I felt like I had SO much to learn.

4. My mentor teacher is always good about helping me keep my perspective within the learning environment. When I was feeling a bit “low” last week due to some classroom management issues in another classroom where I was filling in, she was quick to remind me that I am a student teacher and that I am in the classroom to learn and that what I experienced was a part of the process of learning to be a great teacher.

5. I really do not foresee any problems in the student teaching situation. I am with a wonderful team of teachers who are very willing to help me learn.

6. What surprised me most during this first period of time at school is the students and how they can be so completely unprepared to learn. What pleased me the most is that I was able to learn the students’ names very quickly. What frightened me the most is that some students are not getting the kind of support the need at home. What worried me the most is that I will not be able to apply classroom management techniques as well as I want to.

7. My two goals for the coming week are to start teaching Morning Message each day and ask for more feedback from my mentor teacher.

People who don't believe in retaliation...

What to do if you fall into a conversation with someone about the terrorist attacks who doesn't believe in retaliation:

1. Engage in conversation, and ask if military force is appropriate.

2. When he says "No," ask, "Why not?"

3. Wait until he says something to the effect of "Because that would just cause more innocent deaths, which would be awful and we should not cause more violence."

4. When he's in mid sentence, punch him in the face as hard as you can.

5. When he gets back up to punch you, point out that it would be a mistake and contrary to his values to strike you, because that would be awful and he should not cause more violence.

6. Wait until he agrees, and has pledged not to commit additional violence.

7. Punch him in the face again, harder this time.

8. Repeat steps 5 through 8 until he understands that sometimes it is necessary to punch back.

Some Americans don't seem to "get this".

Reflection on Elementary Education 514

Reflection for Dr. Stryker:


Two weeks can seem like an eternity when you are waiting to go on vacation. Two weeks seems like a lifetime when you are expecting test results. Two weeks zip past incredibly fast when you are studying Eled 514 with Dr. Aggie Stryker.

One thing strikes me most when reflecting on this class and it nearly brings me to tears every time I contemplate it. I am humbled by this profession I have chosen. There is no question that I love children and that I get excited when working with them. I adore watching them learn. At the same time, I hold a question in my mind and ask myself, "Will I be good enough?"

I have heard it said that teaching is an honorable profession and of this there is no question. My goal is to be the kind of teacher who reflects that statement in my daily life, both inside and outside of the classroom.

There are many things I have learned as a result of taking this course. Teaching encompasses far more than I ever imagined. Let me try that again. Being an effective teacher encompasses far more than I ever imagined. For example, I now know how important classroom design is to set the stage for learning. I am also aware of the significance of monitoring students.

Will I be able to remember all of this and integrate it into my classroom in such a way as to positively affect all students as a good teacher should? I doubt that I will be able to hold all of this in my mind when I first start teaching. I am so thankful to have the opportunity to student teach this fall. I can "practice" without the overwhelming concern that I am going to fall flat on my face. There will always be my mentor teacher to guide me along the way.

Mentoring is so important and it's a role you play, Dr. Stryker, with amazing talent and grace. I promise I'm not trying to butter you up. I am simply in awe of all that you know and how simple you make teaching appear to your students. I know that you have taught for many years and you have content knowledge that most teachers can only dream of, me included. Teaching really is not easy. I know that. You have shown us all in class that with preparation and attention to detail, that we, too, can impact the lives of others.

While I have learned a great deal of information in this class, I have many ideas and concepts yet to fully grasp. Some of those concepts are: providing appropriate lesson plan extensions, properly assessing for mastery, effectively closing a lesson, being proactive in my classroom management style, and re-teaching in a different way when students are not understanding my explanations.

This class has been awesome. I only wish we had more time to explore some of these topics in depth.

A sliver of eternity

A sliver of eternity

I hold a sliver of eternity in my heart
for moments embossed
in the purity of you

a truth, simple, whole, real
expresses the embrace of us
the oneness
the unrelenting rightness

I touch the truth
when I touch you

Peace and simplicity
piece of hope
reigns in my soul
as tomorrow finds today

truth does not forget

Every eternity beyond
this moment
tugs at the reality
of you and I

I touch your soul
and the sliver of eternity
is now.


'04/'08

New Online Option for Copyright Registration

Future Development
In the future, the Copyright Office will offer the option to file a copyright registration online through this website. A limited number of participants are beta testing the new system this summer. Once testing is complete, the system will be available to members of the public. Advantages will include:

Lower filing fee of $35 for a basic claim
(for online filings only).
Fastest processing time
Earlier effective date of registration
Online status tracking
Payment online by credit card
or Copyright Office deposit
account

Alternatively, the Office will also continue to offer the option to complete an application online,

print it out, and mail it to the Copyright Office.


Beginning this summer of 2007, enhanced versions of our forms will be available. These forms will be programmed with special, scannable barcodes that contain the information you type into the form.

With new scanning software, the Office will be able to process these forms faster and more efficiently. Check back at this website for availability of the new versions.

Note that the current $45 fee for a paper application will be retained.


Online service is at the heart of improvements coming to the Copyright Office as part of a major reengineering effort. In addition, streamlined internal processing using better-integrated information technology systems will result in faster service overall and better tracking of work in progress.

These improvements will extend to many Copyright Office services including registration, the recordation of documents, and the provision of information and copies of Copyright Office records.

This information was listed here: http://www.copyright.gov/eco/index.html

Brought to you by: Vaughan Instant Publishing, LLC

Democrats are not going to win support this way

Democrats trying to kill a bill that would protect public from being sued for reporting suspicious behavior

Unconscionable. "Democrats want 'John Doe' provision cut," by Audrey Hudson in the Washington Times:

Democrats are trying to pull a provision from a homeland security bill that will protect the public from being sued for reporting suspicious behavior that may lead to a terrorist attack, according to House Republican leadership aides.
The legislation, which moves to a House and Senate conference committee this afternoon, will implement final recommendations from the 911 Commission.

Rep. Pete King, New York Republican and ranking member of the House Homeland Security Committee, and Rep. Steve Pearce, New Mexico Republican, sponsored the bill after a group of Muslim imams filed a lawsuit against U.S. Airways and unknown or “John Doe” passengers after they were removed for suspicious behavior aboard Flight 300 from Minneapolis to Phoenix on Nov. 20 before their removal.

“Democrats are trying to find any technical excuse to keep immunity out of the language of the bill to protect citizens, who in good faith, report suspicious activity to police or law enforcement,” Mr. King said in an interview last night.

“This is a slap in the face of good citizens who do their patriotic duty and come forward, and it caves in to radical Islamists,” Mr. King said.

“I don't see how you can have a homeland security bill without protecting people who come forward to report suspicious activity,” Mr. King said.


Indeed.

Sweet Lady with the Nasty Voice

Museum of Art to screen film about Rock and Roll Singer Wanda Jackson, The "Sweet Lady with the Nasty Voice."

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City Museum of Art will screen the award winning documentary film about Oklahoma's own "Queen of Rockabilly," Wanda Jackson. The film entitled "Wanda Jackson: The Sweet Lady with the Nasty Voice" will screen Thursday, September 6 through Sunday, September 9 at the Museum of Art's Noble Theater. Ms. Jackson will appear in person at the final screening on Sunday, September 9 at 2pm to meet fans and sign CDs.

After appearing as a country singer on an Oklahoma City radio show, Wanda was invited to record with country legend Hank Thompson on the Decca label in 1954. Then she began dating a young Elvis Presley who convinced her to begin performing rock and roll songs. Before long she was touring with Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis and Buddy Holly. Wanda signed with Capitol Records in 1956 where she had her first chart success with the song "Let's Have a Party." Wanda Jackson is often called the first female rock and roll singer.

Wanda Jackson has been inducted into the Oklahoma Country Music Hall of Fame, the Rockabilly Hall of Fame, the International Hall of Fame, the International Gospel Music Hall of Fame, the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, and the German Country Music Hall of Fame, but remains conspicuously absent from the Rock and Roll and Country Music Halls of Fame.

During her 2005 U.S. and European tour a camera crew filmed her performances from her latest album release "I Remember Elvis" in venues ranging from New York City to Sweden. This footage combined with archival film footage, photographs and interviews with Wanda, her husband and manager of forty-five years Wendell Goodman, as well as artists such as Bruce Springsteen and Elvis Costello, tells the story of the "Sweet Lady with the Nasty Voice."

"Wanda Jackson: The Sweet Lady with the Nasty Voice" world premiered at the 2007 deadCENTER Film Festival in Oklahoma City where it won the Founder's Award. The film is produced and directed by Joanne Fish and Victor Kralyevich.

Oklahoma City Museum of Art

Would you like fries with that?

16 July 2007


Would you like fries with that?

Exploiting interactions between food and drugs could dramatically lower the rapidly rising costs of several anticancer drugs, and perhaps many other medications, two cancer-pharmacology specialists suggest.

University of Chicago oncologists Mark Ratain, MD, and Ezra Cohen, MD, call attention in today’s issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology to the flip side of recent studies showing how certain foods can alter absorption or delay breakdown of precisely targeted anti-cancer drugs.

Instead of seeing such studies as highlighting a dosing problem, Ratain and Cohen argue that results like this one should point researchers toward a partial solution, a novel way to decrease medication costs while increasing benefits from these effective but expensive drugs.

The commentary was inspired by a study presented in June at the American Society for Clinical Oncology. Researchers from Dartmouth showed that taking the breast cancer drug lapatinib (TYKERB) with food—instead of on an empty stomach as suggested on the label—resulted in more of the drug being absorbed and available to treat the cancer.

Patients currently take five 250 mg lapatinib tablets on an empty stomach. The study found that taking the drug with a meal increased the bioavailability of the drug by 167 percent. Taking the drug with a high-fat meal boosted levels by 325 percent.

"Simply by changing the timing, taking this medication with a meal instead of on an empty stomach, we could potentially use 40 percent (or even less) of the drug," said Ratain. "Since lapatinib costs about $2,900 a month, this could save each patient $1,740 or more a month."

Topping off that meal with grapefruit juice, "which may also increase plasma concentrations" according to the package insert, could increase the savings to 80 percent, the authors suggest, "minus the cost of the food and juice."

"We expect the one 250 mg lapatinib pill accompanied by food and washed down with a glass of grapefruit juice may yield plasma concentrations comparable to five 250 mg pills on an empty stomach," Ratain said.

Such a "value meal," the authors add, may have other benefits. The major toxicity associated with lapatinib is diarrhoea, probably caused by unabsorbed drug. So taking a lower dose with food should "reduce the amount of unabsorbed drug, and therefore theoretically also reduce the frequency and severity of diarrhoea."

Patients should NEVER launch such experiments on their own, the authors caution. Such food-drug combinations should be studied to assess the effects, note person-to-person variations, and enable physicians to predict how individual patients will take up and metabolize specific drugs in the presence of certain foods.

"The one thing that should not be anticipated is an efficacy study by lapatinib's sponsor," the authors write. Such studies could be mounted by other entities, however, such as the Federal government, other payers or advocacy groups.

Ratain and Cohen are currently conducting such a study, a phase I trial of the combination of oral sirolimus (rapamycin) taken with grapefruit juice, which contains substances that delay the breakdown of many drugs.

Dozens, perhaps hundreds, of drugs ought to be studied in this way, the authors said. "If we understood the relationship between, say, grapefruit juice and common drugs, such as the statins, which taken daily by millions of people to prevent heart disease, we could save a fortune in drug costs," Cohen said. "And patients would get a little vitamin C to boot."

Brought to you by: http://www.biochemist.com/news/page.htm?item=23551

Laptop Joy

For anyone who doesn't own a laptop, let me tell you how mine has come in handy over the course of the last couple of months. It has paid for itself over and over again in so many ways.

I write. I write a lot. MY web sites require updates regularly, I blog and I send an insane number of emails. Not only that, but I write for the graduate classes I take. I just finished a research paper for Educational Psychology and the beauty is that I started it in Gulf Shores, AL. I researched it in AL and wrote the outline on my laptop, then emailed it to my instructor in Texas.

On the way home, I fired up the laptop and worked on some projects from the comfort of the front passenger seat of our SUV. You can't do that on a desktop. :)

The kids also watched DVD's while we drove to and from the beach. The screen is larger than most personal DVD players, too.

Last, but not least, we uploaded our digital pictures while we were still at the beach house and made CD's to send home with the other family members.

It's amazing to me how much this computer has come in handy - for just one trip.

I just had to share. If you're thinking about getting one and aren't sure they're worth it, believe me, they are.

Enjoy!

Vacation in Gulf Shores, AL

Took a wonderful vacation to Gulf Shores, AL. If you ever get a chance to go, please do. It's an amazing place. We always rent through Fort Morgan Realty and they have never let us down. We stay closer to Ft. Morgan than Gulf Shores. The traffic is less and the beaches are quieter.

The weather was amazing, the kids were wonderful and we had such a great time. I even joined in to go deep sea fishing and had a blast. I couldn't believe how sore my arms were the next day, however.

The only bummer about the whole situation was that my father spent a large portion of the trip in a hospital in Foley with an infection that just didn't respond to treatment as it should have.

We had fun for him, which wasn't the same for him, but it was the best we could do. At least he will enjoy the fish we caught... red snapper and king mackerel.

Bethany Update

Bethany is doing well. She came home on Wednesday evening after 3 days of testing and 30 hours of sleep deprivation. She had to endure many others tests as well, but she is recovering nicely.

She is now off her epilepsy medication and we're really praying that she never has to go back on it again. Her EEG is still abnormal, but isn't indicating seizures at this time. There is more going on with the left side of her brain than the right, but again, no seizures are evident.

The doctor was unable to determine the cause of the "episodes" she'd been having as nothing happened while we were in the hospital. Isn't that how it always works? We will keep a close eye on Bethany until we're convinced nothing is going to happen (which for me may take months).

At this time, we are cautiously optimistic about her future - without epilepsy. We have been this route before with her going off her meds and doing well for years, but I'm trying to be hopeful that it's really going to "stick" this time. :)

Thank you for your prayers. God is truly taking care of us.

My Student Experiences

This is a portion of a discussion for a class I am taking at Texas A&M University at Commerce. The course is Educational Psychology.

Tell about a favorite teacher and how his/her teaching methods made a difference in your life:

I wish I had a teacher that really stuck out in my mind, but unfortunately, I do not. None of my teachers in elementary school, junior high school or high school made much of an impact on me. In fact, I can't remember hardly any of their names.

I remember my fourth grade teacher used alcohol on her hands to clean them from the germs in our class, but she told me to never do it myself.

My sixth grade teacher had the girls in her class file her nails and brush her hair for her.

I had one teacher in junior high mark one of my answers on a test wrong even though I could prove that it was right - but it wasn't the answer she was looking for.

The only thing I really remember about high school was a creative writing course I took and the teacher said my writing was very good. I don't remember a single teacher's name from high school.

I went to at least 9 schools from K - 12. I wasn't a bad kid and we only moved one time. Desegregation, building a new school, going to a private school for awhile, and so on meant I didn't end up with a lot of continuity.

In spite of all of that, I was a straight-A student.

In college, I did have three teachers stand out. One because she helped me to see that a written work I created could be critically evaluated without it becoming a criticism of me personally. Another teacher stood out because he had principles and was very demanding of his students. The third stood out because he truly believed my writing was good and gave me opportunities to share it within the university setting and outside of it as well.

I know I added more to this discussion than necessary, but I also think it's important to note all the teachers who failed to make an impression on me as well.

~Carla

Student Teaching

Earlier this week, I was told where I would be placed for student teaching and I wrapped my mind around the fact that it wasn't my first choice. It was my second choice, but it's the farthest possible school from my home. The good part is that it's likely the best school in the district located in one of the most amazing parts of town. The teacher that I would be working with is a "teacher trainer" for the district. They are on the cutting edge of all new education concepts.

My first choice, however, is the school where my youngest daughter attends and is walking distance from our house. It is demographically diverse and has a principal that I adore. In fact, this principal caught me yesterday and said that apparently my placement drama isn't over as he received an email asking if I could be placed in his school afterall - even though I'd already been told it was not an option. Ugghhhh. I keep praying about it, but I'm not sure what would be best for me. Do I step in? Which school is best? It's so frustrating.

I am not fond of these kinds of roller coasters. This has been going on for 3 weeks. Back and forth.... I mention this as it was actually a goal this week to get it all nailed down finally.

You Are The Expert

You Are The Expert
By Sarah Bolme

I recently spoke with a gentleman who had written and published a book on terrorism's threat to our water supply. As we discussed avenues for marketing his book, this gentleman remarked that mostly academicians had purchased the book, which he found scary. Here was an individual who had the knowledge and the foresight to write a book on an important subject of concern to our country, and yet he did not recognize the position this placed him in. The first thing this gentleman needs to do in marketing his book is to accept the fact that, since he wrote the book, he is now the expert on the subject of how terrorism could affect our water supply.

The same is true for you. When you author a book on a particular subject, you become an expert on that subject. In marketing your books, you must accept this and proceed as an expert.

1. Think like an expert.

Experts don’t wonder who might want to read their books. Rather, they think, "Who needs this information?" "Who would benefit most from this information?” and "Who can help me access my book's intended audience?" Thinking like an expert opens doors of opportunities for you. Experts seek out other experts in their field. They find others who are writing or speaking on the same subjects and network with them. Experts also think, "The world would be a better place if more people knew about this," thus they take and make the most of every opportunity to educate and inform others about their subject of expertise.

2. Act like an expert.

Our actions flow from our thoughts. What you think influences what you do. If you are thinking like an expert, then you will begin to act like an expert. Experts approach others with confidence. Confidence engenders respect and trust. Experts make the most of every opportunity to alert others to new information without being overbearing. There is no need for arrogance or dominance when you know you possess knowledge, only a determination to help others learn the information also.

3. Talk like an expert.

Experts speak with authority. They don't lead conversations with "I believe," or "I feel that." Instead, experts speak with conviction. They invite people to see and believe what they are presenting through clear reasoning. Experts say things like "Five reasons you need to know this information," "Studies show or research indicates," or "History reveals." Speaking with conviction to an audience invites and encourages people to learn more on your subject.

You are an expert on your subject. Whether you are approaching a radio station to book a guest interview, speaking at a local bookstore on your book, or writing an article for a magazine, when you think, act, and talk like an expert, people will sit up and take notice. When you conduct yourself as an expert, doors of opportunity open for you to promote your book's subject and increase your book's sales.

Sarah Bolme, is the author of Your Guide to Marketing Books in the Christian Marketplace

www.marketingchristianbooks.com

and the director of Christian Small Publishers Association

www.christianpublishers.net ©2007

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarah_Bolme
http://EzineArticles.com/?You-Are-The-Expert&id=531284

Scary School Crisis

My oldest daughter attends the local High School. A couple of weeks ago, someone wrote in indelible black "ink" - "It's Coming May 25th" in a couple of the boys' bathrooms. I learned about it via another mom before a band performance last week. Yesterday, we received a letter from the school saying the matter had been thoroughly investigated and no immediate threat was found, but the school would have extra security on hand as well as parent volunteers to keep an eye on things. They also said they respected the right of parents to keep their children out of school that day.

Now, in truth, "It's coming May 25th" could mean anything. Pirates is out, there is a new video game out (teen flavor) or anything really. You know, Half Price Books is having a sale today. BUT, in light of VA Tech, it could also mean something much more scary. Unless the school knows what is in the mind of the person who wrote that message, there is no way to be sure what it means.

I asked my daughter what her feelings were and she said she had to much to do to miss school. Yes, she's an amazing kid. If I were given a chance to skip school with my parent's permission, I'd be all over that.

SO, I drove my daughter to school early this morning as she has band practice. Her and a group of other students will leave at 3:00pm to go to the state solo and ensemble competition.

I'm a nervous wreck. I don't think there's enough Paxil in the world to handle the anxiety I'm feeling right now.

To make matters worse, I drop off youngster #2 at school and her teacher tells me about a boy in driver's ed (who goes to the same high school) who said he'd make Va Tech look like a walk in the park. He said over a month ago and the police looked into it, but who can say if he's the one who wrote the message?

I call my husband and he says I'm over-reacting. Is this a mom-gland thing and guys just don't get it? I was in tears when I told him that story. It just scares me out of my wits. Ok, so I'm a bit overprotective. My kids are alive and no stranger has abducted them, no one has abused them and at least one of them still believes in Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy.

I'm going to keep praying. That's all I know to do. God is bigger than the whole issue and he's certainly bigger than Paxil. He'll see me through this.

Pray, too, ok?

~Carla

The Highlights

There are a few things about this past weekend that stood out. First, Jack Canfield is still using the same material he used 20 years ago. He did add a bit from the Secret and that was valuable, but for me, the highlight was just getting to hear him speak. You see, my dad gave me a set of audio tapes titled "Self-Esteem and Peak Performance" when I was just out of college (I hope I'm not repeating myself) and they have made a huge difference in how I approach my life. I have listened to those tapes dozens of times over the last 20 years. The message is no less powerful than it was the first time I listened to it.

Another thing from this past weekend stood out. Donald Trump is really a very unpleasant person. It really goes well beyond that, but I don't want to even bring myself down talking about him. Suffice it to say he is the most negative, hateful, mean person I have ever heard speak in my entire life. He is the complete antithesis of what I value in my own life.

Did I ask Donald about the band needing support for their trip to Carnegie Hall in NYC? Well, even jerks can do something right I suppose. I couldn't get past the screeners to ask my question, but I did hand over a packet of information which may or may not have made it to Mr. Trump. Who knows? It may have been trashed, but I did the best I could. If I had tried to rush the stage, I'd have been horribly mangled and battered by security, so I ruled that out. I do have an email address that one of the screeners gave me and I will give that my best effort as well.

All in all, it was a very interesting weekend. I learned more about who I really am and in what I believe. I know that I have no desire to be filthy rich. I will be quite pleased to live comfortably, perhaps more comfortably than I live now, but not to any great extreme. I don't ever want to forget that God is my source and my strength.

~Carla

Daring to Ask

This weekend, I'm attending a conference hosted by The Learning Annex. I have already heard George Foreman speak and loved every minute of it. I skipped Tony Robbins and Erik Estrada (saw him on stage and was not impressed). Tomorrow, I'm getting up very early to see Jack Canfield, rush to church, then back for an afternoon of additional speakers. My main purpose in going back is to see Donald Trump, not because I'm a fan or because I like how he does his hair, but because he's having an hour of Q&A after his speech.

I am going to find a way to ask him a question that has nothing to do with real estate, The Apprentice or motivation. I want to ask him to financially support the Rockwall-Heath High School band's trip to New York City to perform at Carnegie Hall next Spring. They are one of only 12 bands in the country who have been asked to perform. You probably guessed this, but my oldest daughter is in the band.

What makes the invitation all the more poinant, is that the school is brand new - so new that there aren't even seniors this year. This is only the second year the school has even had a band. They've already played in Dallas' Neiman Marcus Parade and they have won dozens of contests and competitions - one even in another state. They've been highlighted on the news (which is one thing if you live in a town of 1200 and something entirely different when you live in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area) and are sending a very large slate of students to state competition next week (yes, my daughter is performing a solo and is also in an ensemble).

Next year, the school will have seniors and will, for the first time, have a full slate of students (200 or so). I can't imagine how they will sound as they are so amazing now. Anyway, all those students need to get to NYC and that's not cheap, thus my request for Donald Trump.

I know, I lose nothing by asking, even if he says "no". I know that if I am going to have a chance for him to say "yes", he has to be asked. I know that I have to "no holds barred" go for what I want.

That doesn't mean I won't be shaking in my boots tomorrow evening when I find my way to a microphone.

So, now I am accountable to you. I'll report back with the results as soon as I can.

~Carla

(maybe I can start shaking early and get it over with)

Making a Book

Our business looks like it is picking up already. I took a sample of a book to a local scrapbooking store to show them what we could do and the owner absolutely loved it. On the spot she asked me to get pricing to her for three different sized books. I was a little surprised at her response, not because the book wasn't of good quality, but because she responded so favorably. Many times, it takes several attempts to get a person to realize the full possibilities of a new product. She grasped it immediately.

The book was really quite a simple little thing to make. Here are some pictures.






The inside pages are from an Anna Griffin line of papers that I adore. I took a 12" by 12" sheet, cut it into four pieces and trimmed it to the size I wanted. The cover is a piece of heavy cardstock with a few small embellishments to dress it up.

The binding machine takes about 15 - 20 minutes to warm up, so I was working on trimming the pages while that was taking place. Once it warms up, a book can be bound in less than a minute (more like 30 seconds). It's amazing to watch.

Once I finished the binding process, I decorated the cover of the book and now I have a cute little journal or a book for pasting pictures, writing quotes - well, you can imagine all the possibilities.

Creative endeavors are the best.

~Carla

Self-Publishing

Today, we begin our printing business in earnest. Oh, we've printed things before, but they've always been friends, family, or people we know through "work". This is the first author who found us by word of mouth and wants us to print her book for her.

It's really a great book, too. :) I'll save that for another post sometime.

Being able to help other people realize their dreams is such an amazing thing. It is one reason we went into this business. The other, of course, is to make money.

I have two books which should have been accepted for publication by one of the major publishing houses (yes, of course I think they are that good), but no one has given them more than a cursory nod. So, I'm going the next best route and publishing them myself. Self-publishing is such an awesome avenue for authors who want to see their words in print. Not only do you keep control over your material, but you earn considerably more money since you get to keep all the profits.

Earning a royalty from a book publisher is fine, but it does not generate a lot of money. You have to sell considerably more books to earn as much as you otherwise would as a self-published author. When you work with a publishing house, you also have little say in how your book is marketed. What if the company doesn't bankroll it properly? You may have a published book, but you don't reap many of the rewards, like earning income.

If you do go the route of self-publishing, you will need to consider a solid marketing plan. You'll be doing the same basic things you would if your book was published by a large publishing company, but you'll have to make the arrangements yourself. At least you have control over this, too.

Writing is a delight. If you have a book that you would like to have printed, please contact me at the website listed below. We'll work with you.

Carla Vaughan

Self-Publishing Solutions

My Resume-Writing Web Site

I want to plug my resume writing web site. Shameless self-promotion, yes, but I happen to believe strongly in the information on that site and how much it can help others.

Professional-Resume-Example.com

The site focuses on resume writing, cover letter writing, how to succeed in the job search, career planning and a host of other topics. There is no cost to access the site. Everything is provided free of charge. I truly want to make a positive difference in other peoples' lives.

Trying to find a great job is difficult enough without having the added pressure of figuring out how to write a resume and cover letter. I try to make it easy with examples, templates and complete descriptions of the various resume formats.

The site is reaching hundreds of people each day, so I know the information is getting out there. I just want to extend the reach as much as possible. If you know of anyone who might benefit from this information, please pass it along.

Thanks,

Carla

3 Tips For Scrapbooking Material

I absolutely love scrapbooking and since yesterday was National Scrapbooking Day, I think I'll publish an article here on behalf of the "holiday".

3 Tips For Scrapbooking Material
By Elizabeth Stewart


When buying scrapbooking material, you should really read the labels to ensure you are getting top quality material. There are plenty of scrapbook stores, along with the big box chain retailers selling scrapbooking supplies right now and rightfully so. Did you know the number of people scrapbooking has continued to grow at a steady rate over the past 4 years? Because of this, and so many new people getting started, you are now seeing scrapbook stores popping up all over the place. So, when shopping, here is what to look for in scrapbooking material.

1. Acid Free Products: This is paper having a basic or neutral pH around 7.0 or higher. This is extremely important in helping to preserve your documents and pictures. Almost all paper manufactured now is acid free. This is due to a shift of using China clay to a cheaper chalk. Which makes sense: when your stomach is upset, or you have heartburn, you take Tums, which is essentially chalk. This chalk helps to remove the acidity from your stomach, just like it does the paper.



2. Lignin Free: This really goes with acid-free, as they are sort of the same thing. Lignin is a main component in the walls of the plants, including trees. While a very good strength component, this chemical compound must be removed from wood pulp, which in turn is used to make paper. If the sun hits this lignin, it will start to turn yellow. Have you seen those older photo albums, which are now yellow? This is why. And if the pictures are yellow as well, it is the photo paper, which was not lignin free, as well as the acidity of the photo album paper causing this.



3. Buffered: This means the paper has been treated with an extra chemical, such as bicarbonate, which will increase the papers alkaline reserves. The reason for this is to help protect the paper from any other acids in the environment or in the paper itself.

These 3 things should be the first key phrases you are checking for when you are buying scrapbooking materials: acid free, lignin free, and buffered. They may cost a bit more, but how valuable are your pictures? Why spend the time taking the pictures, then placing them into a scrapbook, only to have them deteriorating in the next 5 years? Take care of them now. Preserve them now, and keep them in their original state for as long as possible. Just make sure you are buying quality scrapbooking material.


For more information about scrapbooking, visit Making A Creative Memory

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Elizabeth_Stewart
http://EzineArticles.com/?3-Tips-For-Scrapbooking-Material&id=553002

Notecards for Military Servicemembers

I spent two days creating some red, white and blue notecards for folks at our church to send to military servicemen and women overseas. Our congregation (Eastridge Church of Christ) sends cards, letters, pictures and packages to military folks on a regular basis. Our goal is to let them know that they are cared about and prayed for by many people.

Making notecards is really a small effort, but it's something that I can do. I hope to provide a variety cards each Sunday so that anyone who wants to write a personal note can do so without feeling the need to go out and purchase a card or try to write a long letter. The convenience of having the cards and envelopes at the church will hopefully make it easier for others to jot down a note of encouragement right on the spot. I know I often forget to buy a card for someone and don't want to make a special trip sometimes. This eliminates that worry.

Right now, I have 16 cards made and I hope to have more ready by this Sunday. No two cards are alike. I love being creative and I love doing things for others, so this is a treat for me.

Making notecards for military servicemembers...consider doing this yourself. It doesn't matter if you believe in the war or not. Making another person feel important doesn't have anything to do with politics. You make someone feel special is something that you do because it's the right thing to do.

First Day of School Letter

This is a copy of a letter I gave to my daughter's teacher when she started Kindergarten. It is meant to convey my thoughts and wishes for the school year.



Dear __________________,

You are to be my precious daughter's teacher this year. I entrust her to your loving care and pray that both of you will be a blessing to one another. She is only one of many children in your class, but she is MY child. Her gifts are unique. Her outlook is vibrant. Her desire to learn is great. Each child in your classroom has a wonder of their own. I long for you to discover what makes each one special...but most of all, I want you to know that my Kaley is special. She is special to her Dad, Brent. She is special to her Mom and to her big sister, Bethany. I give her to you for the next year with the desire that you will give her and all of her classmates your very best. I believe in my heart that you have this same desire in mind.

This letter is meant to convey to you the heartfelt wishes I have for the coming year. I hope it will be one filled with many exciting experiences and moments of enlightenment for everyone. The respect I have for you is immense, as teaching is a career of unparalleled commitment. I have no doubt that in the coming months, you will be challenged with tasks and demands above and beyond what most people are even aware of, myself included. We offer our assistance for any need you might have and hope that you will call upon us if you have any requests, even if it is just to talk or ask for special prayers. Please know that my husband and I are so thankful that you have chosen to teach. It is a rare and wonderful thing to share in the life of another person. We look forward to getting to know you better in the coming months.

Warmest Regards,

Me

Seed Tapes

Seed tapes are an easy way to plant a row of seeds with precision spacing. This is a valuable technique when you have a short supply of seeds, or each seed is expensive. It provides for uniform spacing and avoids the need to thin out sprouting seedlings.

Simply put, seed tapes are just seeds fastened to some sort of thin biodegradable paper by an adhesive that is also biodegradable. This allows for the plant roots to grow through the paper as the adhesive dissolves around the seed. This allows the plant to grow unobstructed.

In a small pan, dissolve 1 tablespoon of cornstarch in 1 cup of cold water. Cook over a medium flame, stirring constantly to prevent the mixture from getting lumpy. Once it starts to boil and turns into a translucent gel-like mixture, remove it from the stove and let it cool to room temperature.

Cut the length of some paper towels as long as you would like your strips to be. The width should be about 1/2 to 3/4 inches wide.

Space your seeds according to the packaging they arrived in or according to your planting design.

Take the cooled cornstarch mixture and put a few spoonfuls into a small plastic bag. Work the gel mixture toward one corner of the bag, removing as much excess air as possible, then seal the bag. Next you'll need to snip off the corner of the bag to create a pastry bag like tool, similar to those that bakers use to ice cakes. If you are doing more than one type of seed, think about the size of the cut you make in the bag first. Smaller seeds will only need a tiny speck of gel, while larger ones may need a glob. It's always possible to put a bigger notch in the corner of the bag if you need bigger globs, so start with your small seeds first.

At this point it's a simple matter of dabbing on the gel at the right spacing and putting the seed in each dab.

One creative use of seed tapes is to plant them in patterns. This would allow you to precisely determine where various flowers or foil age will grow in relation to each other.

I'm not sure where I learned this, but it is certainly not an original thought on my part. I love the idea, though.

Where to Learn About Job Openings

Where to Learn About Job Openings

Personal contacts - Eighty percent of available jobs are never advertised, and over half of all employees get their jobs through networking, according to BH Careers International. Therefore, the people you know—friends, family, neighbors, acquaintances, teachers, and former coworkers—are some of the most effective resources for your job search. The network of people that you know and the people that they know can lead to information about specific job openings that are not publicly posted. To develop new contacts, join student, community, or professional organizations.

School career planning and placement offices - High school and college placement offices help their students and alumni find jobs. They allow recruiters to use their facilities for interviews or career fairs. Placement offices usually have a list of part-time, temporary, and summer jobs offered on campus. They also may have lists of jobs for regional, nonprofit, and government organizations. In addition to linking you to potential employers, career planning offices usually provide career counseling, career testing, and job search advice. Some have career resource libraries; host workshops on job search strategy, résumé writing, letter writing, and effective interviewing; critique drafts of résumés; conduct mock interviews; and sponsor job fairs.

Employers - Through your library and Internet research, develop a list of potential employers in your desired career field. Employer Web sites often contain lists of job openings. Web sites and business directories can provide you with information on how to apply for a position or whom to contact. Even if no open positions are posted, do not hesitate to contact the employer and the relevant department. Set up an interview with someone working in the same area in which you wish to work. Ask them how they got started, what they like and dislike about the work, what type of qualifications are necessary for the job, and what type of personality succeeds in that position. Even if they don’t have a position available, they may be able to put you in contact with other people who might hire you, and they can keep you in mind if a position opens up. Make sure to send them your résumé and a cover letter. If you are able to obtain an interview, be sure to send a thank-you note. Directly contacting employers is one of the most successful means of job hunting.

Classified ads - The "Help Wanted" ads in newspapers list numerous jobs. You should realize, however, that many other job openings are not listed, and that the classified ads sometimes do not give all of the important information. They may offer little or no description of the job, working conditions, or pay. Some ads do not identify the employer. They may simply give a post office box to which you can mail your résumé, making follow-up inquiries very difficult. Some ads offer out-of-town jobs; others advertise employment agencies rather than actual employment opportunities.

Internet networks and resources - The Internet is an invaluable resource. Use it to find advice on conducting your job search more effectively; to search for a job; to research prospective employers; and to communicate with people who can help you with your job search. No single Web site will contain all the information available on employment or career opportunities, so in addition to the Web sites listed below, use a search engine to find what you need. The different types of sites that may be useful include general career advice sites, job search sites, company Web sites, trade and professional association Web sites, and forums. Internet forums, also called message boards, are online discussion groups where anyone may post and read messages. Use forums specific to your profession or to career-related topics to post questions or messages and to read about other peoples’ job searches or career experiences.

State employment service offices - The State employment service, sometimes called the Job Service, operates in coordination with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. Local offices, found nationwide, help job seekers to find jobs and help employers to find qualified workers at no cost to either. To find the office nearest you, look in the State government telephone listings under "Job Service" or "Employment."

Federal Government - Information on obtaining a position with the Federal Government is available from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) through USAJOBS, the Federal Government's official employment information system. This resource for locating and applying for job opportunities can be accessed through the Internet at http://www.usajobs.opm.gov or through an interactive voice response telephone system at (703) 724-1850 or TDD (978) 461-8404. These numbers are not tollfree, and charges may result.

Private employment agencies and career consultants - These agencies can be helpful, but they may charge you for their services. Most operate on a commission basis, with the fee dependent upon a percentage of the salary paid to a successful applicant. You or the hiring company will pay the fee. Find out the exact cost and who is responsible for paying associated fees before using the service.

Although employment agencies can help you save time and contact employers who otherwise might be difficult to locate, the costs may outweigh the benefits if you are responsible for the fee. Contacting employers directly often will generate the same type of leads that a private employment agency will provide. Consider any guarantees that the agency offers when determining if the service is worth the cost.

Community agencies - Many nonprofit organizations, including religious institutions and vocational rehabilitation agencies, offer counseling, career development, and job placement services, generally targeted to a particular group, such as women, youths, minorities, ex-offenders, or older workers.

This information was obtained from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For more information, follow this link: BLS

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Making Money With PayPerPost

I have a friend who has earned some income from this group and I intend to start using them with another blog that I have. If you're interested in getting paid to blog, then check out the link.

A Very Special Letter

This is a letter from my sister:

Dear :

I hope this letter finds you well. We are doing great with spring in full swing in the Midwest. The green grass, buds on the trees and daffodils in bloom remind us of God's infinite power and the blessings He has bestowed upon us. However, not everyone is as fortunate as we are. There are individuals in this country and around the world who live in unimaginable poverty.

In July, Lauren and I will go on a 10 day mission trip to Honduras to assist those who are less fortunate. We will be visiting hospitals, giving out clothing, delivering food and building homes for families.

I know this will be a glorious experience for me, but more important, I believe it will be an exceptional opportunity for Lauren to learn more about those who are less fortunate than she is AND to draw her closer to the Lord. Words cannot convey my pride when Lauren asked if she could join me on this trip. She has even been joining me in a Spanish class that I offer at the church each week in order to improve her ability to communicate with the Hondurans.

Lauren and I have to raise $3,000 ($1,500 each). This will pay for our airfare, two meals a day and supplies to build homes and feed families. We would be so appreciative of any donation you can make to assist us in our goal of helping others to know the Lord better through our love and our example. Whether you are able to donate or not, we need, more than anything, your prayers for a safe trip and for God's love to shine through us on these precious people.

The enclosed self-addressed, postage-paid envelope is provided for your convenience. Our goal is to have all of our funds raised by June 15th. Please make your check payable to TORCH if you would like to receive a receipt.

Thank you in advance for helping us to help others.

In Christian Love,


(If you would like to assist in this effort, please let me know)

Just Ask

How many people actually go around asking for what they want? Go ahead, raise your hands. If you see something that you want, do you "no holds barred" go after it? Or, do you contemplate what other people will think, worry about rejection, fear what might happen if you have to compromise or imagine what kind of failure might be in store for you?

Those thoughts and feelings limit your potential to realize success.

Do you have any idea what amazing opportunities lie ahead of you if you simply open yourself to the possibility that you can have everything you want? So often, we are paralyzed by fear, pride and our own emotional boundaries. What would happen if we simply let ourselves experience a world where nothing was beyond our reach? Let go of all of those boundaries that hold you in, keep your spirit in check and reign in your prospects for success.

Do you want to succeed?

Some people are truly afraid of success. They sabotage their own efforts to create the life they really deserve. Other people are unable to even envision what their lives would be like if they had everything they wanted. Are you on either end of those extremes or are you somewhere in the middle?

Many of us flounder around in the middle unsure of what we really want at all. It is no wonder we have trouble realizing our dreams. They aren’t attached to anything. Do you really know what you want? What do you want from life? How about from your website? Your self?

You have what it takes to be successful. You have proven that. You are here – reading this article. You are here – at SBI. What do you want to achieve?

You can have everything you want – you just need to clarify exactly what it is that you DO want.

You have to ask for everything from everyone who has anything that can help you achieve what you want. That's pretty simple, yes? Just ask.

Do you want help writing an article for your site because you have writer's block or you simply can't find the perspective you need? ASK someone to help you. Do you want that amazing incoming link from the .gov site that doesn't even link to anyone other than other .gov sites? ASK them for it. Would you like to attend a conference like the Chicago conference? ASK!

Ok, so not everyone is going to give you what you want. I asked to go to the Chicago conference at least a half dozen times. Well, I'll be honest. I begged to go. I started with "Please, I will learn so much and be so helpful in the forums" all the way to "Ok, what if I just sit quietly and get coffee and tea for the coaches". I wanted to be there so badly. I even had my in-laws lined up to babysit. Did I get to go? No. I didn't get to go. Was I upset? No, not really. Why not?

I learned a little secret from Jack Canfield about 20 years ago (long before the Chicken Soup books ever came out). It is from a set of audio tapes my father gave to me titled "Self-Esteem and Peak Performance". I've listened to them many, many times over the years. The secret is: My situation didn't get any worse when I was turned down. It stayed the same.

Let me tell you what can happen when you ask for something you want. My parents were visiting me for my birthday and we went to Bricktown in downtown Oklahoma City. We hopped on a water taxi and headed down the beautiful canal. I told the pilot/driver that it was my birthday and I wanted to drive the boat. He said he wasn't supposed to, but smiled and motioned for me to join him on the landing. Out of sixty people on the boat, who got to drive? Me. Why? Because I asked.

My daughter understands this, too. When she was nine, she wrote the Mayor of Montgomery, Alabama and asked if he could make the sidewalks "stroller friendly" so what when we walked to school, her little sister wouldn't have such a bumpy and potentially unsafe ride down the curbs. She received a letter from the mayor two weeks later and within the month, all the curbs were turned into ramps.

There are so many stories I could relate about the things I have done, been given, enjoyed and paid less for simply because I was willing to ask a simple question. Pride is silly when you can ride on a fire truck in a parade or walk on a major league baseball field after the game or get someone to pay for half of your fax machine.

Ok, so those don't exactly relate to building a web site, but they do relate to building a happy life. If you want to know about how asking can help you create a better web site, check out www.studentsavvy.com in October. I will be writing a weekly column for their site complete with live links to my site. They asked me for some articles. I asked them for more. I have written for dozens of web sites and have in-pointing links from each one of them – because I asked.

Oh, and I do have that link from a .gov site that doesn't link to any other sites except .gov sites BECAUSE I ASKED. In fact, the guy I asked requested the webmaster create a whole new category heading for me.

Define what you want to achieve and go for it – "no holds barred". Ask for what you want and especially for what you need. You lose nothing by asking – even if you are told "no". Move on. Ask again or ask someone else. I've already asked to go to the next SBI conference.

You can be outrageously successful. Give yourself permission to realize your dreams.

Tornadoes Too Close to Home

Last night was a rough night. Threats of tornadoes loomed everywhere. My husband was nearly finished working for the day, but he'd not make it home before the storms hit, so I suggested he stay where he was until everything had passed.

It was a fast moving storm.

I watched the TV reports as the storm hit Fort Worth. Reports of damage were already pouring in even before the storm landed in Dallas, less than an hour away. Since we live east of Dallas, we just watched and waited to see how the storm progressed - and wondered if we were directly in the storm's path.

We were. Directly.

Earlier, in preparation for the storm, I cleared out the downstairs closet making enough room for both girls, and if need be, myself, too. We store comforters and blankets in the closet anyway, so I knew that aspect would be helpful if we had to stay there for any length of time. I also unplugged our little power station and brought it in from the garage. It holds power for quite awhile, has a radio, flash light and I'm not sure what all else. It went in the closet, too.

Around 7:15pm, both girls were also ushered into the closet as the storm began to reach our city, dropping hail a little smaller than a ping pong ball. It was rather strange that the hail was dropping before the rain even started. I'd never seen that before. The TV station noted that any tornadoes could be rain-wrapped, so I decided to quit looking out the front door and stick close to the closet. I kept the TV on and watched as the storm tracked its way right over us.

We were lucky that no tornadoes hit our city. Several did drop down from this storm, but two were west of us and two were east of us. We also did not see the baseball size hail that fell in Ft. Worth. I saw pictures of some of the larger hail stones on TV later in the evening and couldn't believe how huge they were.

When the storm passed us, I called my husband on his cell phone to tell him that we were ok. He had stopped at a McDonalds in Caddo Mills and waited until the storm went through there before heading home. I was so glad to see him when he arrived home safe and sound. The girls were, too.

We'd prayed before the storm came through and we prayed again when the storm left us in its wake. We were ok.

Some other people weren't so lucky.

We prayed for them and their families, too.

President's Radio Address - April 7, 2007

THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. This week, people around the world celebrate Passover and Easter. These holy days remind us of the presence of a loving God who delivers His people from oppression, and offers a love more powerful than death. We take joy in spending this special time with family and friends, and we give thanks for the many blessings in our lives.

One of our greatest blessings as Americans is that we have brave citizens who step forward to defend us. Every man or woman who wears our Nation's uniform is a volunteer, a patriot who has made the noble decision to serve a cause larger than self. This weekend, many of our service men and women are celebrating the holidays far from home. They are separated from their families by great distances, but they are always close in our thoughts. And this Passover and Easter, I ask you to keep them in your prayers.

Our men and women in uniform deserve the gratitude of every American. And from their elected leaders, they deserve something more: the funds, resources, and equipment they need to do their jobs.

Sixty-one days have passed since I sent Congress an emergency war spending bill to provide the funds our troops urgently need. But instead of approving that vital funding, Democrats in Congress have spent the past 61 days working to pass legislation that would substitute the judgment of politicians in Washington for the judgment of our generals in the field.

In both the House and Senate, Democratic majorities have passed bills that would impose restrictions on our military commanders, set an arbitrary date for withdrawal from Iraq, and fund domestic spending that has nothing to do with the war. The Democrats who passed these bills know that I will veto either version if it reaches my desk, and they know my veto will be sustained. Yet they continue to pursue the legislation. And now the process is on hold for two weeks, until the full Congress returns to session.

I recognize that Democrats are trying to show their current opposition to the war in Iraq. They see the emergency war spending bill as a chance to make that statement. Yet for our men and women in uniform, this emergency war spending bill is not a political statement, it is a source of critical funding that has a direct impact on their daily lives.

When Congress does not fund our troops on the front lines, our military is forced to make cuts in other areas to cover the shortfall. Military leaders have warned Congress about this problem. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Pete Pace, recently testified that if Congress fails to pass a bill I can sign by mid-April, the Army will be forced to consider cutting back on training, equipment repair, and quality of life initiatives for our Guard and Reserve forces. In a letter to Congress, Army Chief of Staff Pete Schoomaker put it this way: "Without approval of the supplemental funds in April, we will be forced to take increasingly draconian measures which will impact Army readiness and impose hardships on our soldiers and their families."

If Congress fails to pass a bill I can sign by mid-May, the problems grow even more acute. The Army will be forced to consider slowing or even freezing funding for depots where pivotal equipment is repaired, delaying or curtailing the training of some active duty forces, and delaying the formation of new brigade combat teams. The bottom line is that Congress's failure to fund our troops will mean that some of our military families could wait longer for their loved ones to return from the front lines. And others could see their loved ones headed back to war sooner than they need to. That is unacceptable to me, and I believe it is unacceptable to the American people.

The full Congress will not be back from spring vacation until the week of April 16th. That means the soonest the House and Senate could get a bill to my desk will be sometime late this month, after the adverse consequences for our troops and their families have already begun. For our troops, the clock is ticking. If the Democrats continue to insist on making a political statement, they should send me their bill as soon as possible. I will veto it, and then Congress can go to work on a good bill that gives our troops the funds they need, without strings and without further delay.

We have our differences in Washington, D.C., but our troops should not be caught in the middle. All who serve in elected office have a solemn responsibility to provide for our men and women in uniform. We need to put partisan politics aside, and do our duty to those who defend us.

Thank you for listening.

Making Books at Home

My book binder arrived today. I messed up on my first attempt to make a book. My bad. In my defense, the machine did not come with an operation or owner's manual. It was sort of guesswork trying to figure out which buttons to press. In the end, I had to call the company I bought it from and ask for instructions.

Tomorrow, my husband and I will work on a book he has ready to go. The process is amazing. I almost can't believe we can print books in our home. And while we started our company to make money, I can see a lot of possible book-making opportunities for students/teachers in a classroom setting. The children would gain so much from the experience.

I wonder if the school will allow the children to come to our house for a field trip. We're barely 100 steps from the school grounds. I might have to look into that for next year.

I can't wait to play with the book binder again tomorrow.

Snow in Texas?

Something happened on Saturday that hasn't happened in Texas in over 70 years. It snowed in April. Where we live, there were only a handful of flurries, but it did happen twice during the day and both times, my children went crazy.

What was so strange is that it really wasn't cold enough to snow. Our thermometer in back of the house read 42 degrees, so I'm not sure how the snow even made it to the ground, but it did. We watched it. We loved it.

Further south than here, it snowed even more. Yet again, another sign that we have no clue about weather as much as we have studied it. God is still in charge and we are still being delighted and bewildered by His creation.

About Teaching

On Thursday, I took a tray of hard-boiled (cooled) eggs to my youngest daughter's classroom to give the children an opportunity to dye eggs. The children were so well-behaved - even helping one another choose colors and dip the eggs in and out of the dyes. It was a lot of fun.

Working with children is such a delight. Yes, they can be loud and boisterous, but that's just a part of who they are. They have so much energy and such a desire to explore that it's a challenge to keep their minds and bodies reigned in. What a treat to get to share in their lives, though. Every moment is filled with growth of one kind or another.

Curiosity is everywhere in that classroom. The questions the students ask and the way they interact with one another is so amazing. Their little minds just don't slow down for anything.

I've discovered that teaching is really an almost incomprehensible responsibility. I am humbled and awed by my ability to impart knowledge and I ask myself if I am going to be able to do the children in my care (hopefully someday) justice. Will I be able to satisfy their thirst for knowledge? Will I teach them without prejudice? Will I instill in them a love of learning? Will I give them hope? Will I ever say anything to rob a child of his/her esteem? Will I offer them my very best every day?

I scare myself, sometimes, when I wonder about such things. I want to give each child the best of myself. I can only hope that through my studies, my time in the classroom and my devotion to God will provide me with everything I need to do the job well.

So many little lives depend upon good teachers. I want to be one of them.

Earth Boxes

I started building my own Earth Boxes today. I have two "real" Earth Boxes that I bought a couple of years ago and I love them, but they are pricey. So, I did a Google search and found instructions on how to make my own using a Rubbermaid container and a few extra items easily purchased at our local home improvement store.

It's a fun project and my husband helped with cutting the pvc pipe that is used for watering. I think he took a sadistic satisfaction from my destroying two Rubbermaid containers since he works for Rubbermaid right now. :)

Everything is set up and all I'm waiting for is the potting mixture that he's off buying. It didn't take very long at all to create these growing containers. Compared to the $30+ for a real Earth Box, these cost less than $10 and are twice the size. We could have made them even less expensively, but we're just not interested in all the extra work that would have been involved. We cheated a bit from the instructions we found on-line. :) For instance, instead of purchasing a 10 ft long piece of 4" pvc pipe and cutting it into sections, we bought smaller pieces that were the perfect length to install without cutting. It's still a lot cheaper than buying the real thing.

In my "real" Earth Boxes, I already have tomatoes and peppers.

There's something about providing food for my family that just resonates with me. It's basic. It's life-giving. It's also a great experience for my children who enjoy the growing almost as much as the harvest. :)

It's not even lunch time and I've already accomplished one big goal for the week. Gotta love that.

Thoughts from someone I recently met

whatever happens to us, good or bad, to our like or dislike, happens for a reason

it is the way god communicates with us, to teach us

we are here to learn lessons of life, we are students of life, and he is the ultimate educator

unlike what most organized religion's dogma, which make god to be a punitive force, someone to be feared, as opposed to source of education, and love

to me, god is ultimate love, source of grace, kindness, and mercy, who is there to teach us, to ultimately become god-like, meaning better human beings, working on ourselves to perfect our souls, and rejoin our true source, god

i agree, he does discipline, but it is out of love, with the purpose of education

the ultimate punishment is not being burnt in hell's fire, it is being away from divine love and grace

to some extent, sin does exist, but it is not as crippling of a misdeed as the religions depict it

we do many misdeeds, but god helps us through them

the most valuable lessons of life are learnt when we are faced with defeat and hardship in life

the problem is, that when we succeed, we think it was us who did it, forgetting god and others who helped

and when we fail, we blame god and everyone else, except us

we need to do the exact opposite

blame ourselves for failures, looking within, delving within, and finding the reasons for the hardship and failure, and learning the lesson, so that we can have a better chance of success next time around

and when we succeed, we should thank god first, and others he used as his instruments second

and different people at different times, come into our lives for us to learn things

big deal is learning - accepting that we all have flaws and make many mistakes -
but appreciate things and don't let the many errors and misdeeds slow us down, make us sad and sorrowful, or induce too much fear us, hampering our growth and continuation

Flower Blessings

I mentioned a few days ago about going to my youngest daughter's class and teaching the children about plants, flowering bulbs and such. What I didn't mention was how I obtained the flower bulbs that each of the children planted that day.

While driving around our town, I noticed a few places that had muscari (grape hyacinths) blooming in large patches. They are such pretty, dainty flowers. In one location, I saw thousands of these adorable flowers and noticed that the property was for sale. I pulled over and called the number. When the fellow at the other end of the line answered, I told him I was sadly not interested in buying the property, but that I was hoping to dig some of the flowers that were growing there.

I love to scavenge, especially plants - and even more so if they might be getting bulldozed due to new developments. What a great way to add to your plant collection for only a bit of labor. Most of the time I get permission without any questions asked. Sometimes I have to do some convincing. :) Only once was I told a definite "no" and that was due to liability concerns.

All of the flower bulbs the children planted in their peat pots were dug from this one property. I had enough to plant some in my own yard, give some to a neighbor and offer a nice amount to the classroom teacher, too.

Close to thirty people blessed because one man said "yes" to a simple request.

How many blessings can you provide to others by simply saying "yes" when asked?

~Carla

Rain is such a blessing right now.

It's raining in North Texas. For many people, that isn't much to get excited about, but around here, it's HUGE. Our lakes have been down and we've been on water restrictions since we moved here about a year and a half ago. One lake was so low during last summer that the police recovered 6 stolen cars, two ATM machines and various other crazy stuff. Oddly enough, no one reported finding any guns, which I found surprising. One class ring was found with a metal detector and returned to it's owner 20 years later.

I did get my permit to take my metal detector out to Lake Lavon, but I never made it out there to actually play in the dirt near the shore. Part of the reason was when the park staff showed me where I was allowed to use my detector, the area was so small, it didn't seem worth the effort. I don't have a mad urge to find fish hooks and sinkers and that was about all I'd find in their limited locations.

This is the first rain of the spring for us. It smells so good. We have a few windows open since it's not windy. I would have never done that when we lived in Oklahoma City. It never rains straight down in OKC. The wind would have whipped up a puddle in someone's room if I'd left a window open there.

It's so refreshing to hear the sound of the rain on the roof. It's relaxing.

The only pitfall is that my husband is likely to have to mow again pretty soon. He's already had to mow twice. The grass is just turning this gorgeous green that makes you want to lay down and watch the clouds go by. Of course, there's a pitfall with that, too, as there are a lot of fire ants here, so it could be dangerous to watch the clouds from that position. I think I may have to invest in a hammock. It may not solve all of my problems, but it surely would be better than begging the little critters to bite me.

The thunder and lightning has passed for now. Even that is enjoyable when you don't get to hear or see it very often.

So, I'm off to get my feet wet and maybe take a stroll with my youngest daughter in the rain. She has a pink umbrella that she's aching to use. :)

The Power of Saying Thanks

There are over 20 children in my youngest daughter's first grade class. They are all precious and beautiful. They each bring something special to the wonderful moments of learning. Every child is unique. Every word, every action is authentic and real. It is poetic joy to witness the wonder in their little faces as they grasp a new thought and make it their own.

When I went to my daughter's school to talk to them about the flowers the other day, I experienced their passion for learning. They asked amazing questions, some of which I couldn't answer and I'm a Master Gardener! :) They really WANT to learn.

I cannot get over my own delight at sharing what I know with these children.

Apparently, they enjoy my being in their class, too. It is the best of all worlds.

Their classroom teacher is a lovely lady. She is so good about reaching the children where they are and lifting them to new levels of learning. Anyway, she had the children write out thank you notes to me. When my daughter gave them to me after school yesterday, I was so touched. Most of the notes had flowers and/or hearts on them. Some cards said, "I love you" and others had happy faces drawn on them. Of all the cards I read, one actually brought me to tears. The outside of the card had a flower drawn on it and the inside said, "Your a grate teacher." It was perfect. It was what I needed to hear.

The classes I am taking for my Master's degree are focused on early childhood education. I still have so much to learn about being a good teacher, but to receive such a sweet card from a little boy confirming my love of teaching made a tremendous difference to me. Yes, I cried, but I did so because this little boy helped me reaffirm that I am making the right choice in choosing the field of teaching.

I also learned two things:
The power of one card, one thought
The power of saying thanks

A Little Bit About Yesterday

Yesterday was an eventful day.

I went to my youngest daughter's school and worked with her classmates on planting flower bulbs in pots and teaching them about all sorts of plant-related stuff. They learned about the use of common names and botanical names, plant propogation (although at their age, we called it making babies) and what plants need to survive. I had a great time and I think the kids did, too.

Later in the afternoon, I went to a local community college to make a presentation about a class I want to teach and it looks like I'll start teaching the class in the fall of this year. I won't make a lot, but it will be a neat experience. It's kind of funny - as my husband pointed out - I'll be going to college (working on my Master's degree) and teaching at a college at the same time.

Yes, I do sleep. :)

Will Melany Say 'Yes'?

I contacted a very talented lady yesterday about illustrating my children's poetry book. This is her web site: Simply Clean Digi Scraps

While my husband and my daughter are great at drawing, neither of them draws in a style that suits my needs. Not only that, but they aren't exactly jumping at the chance to provide illustrations. So, last night while I was browsing digital scrapbooking to get some ideas, I came across Melany's site.

This seems like a great solution for my needs and it could really offer an excellent opportunity for Melany. She's extremely gifted and her talent could be put to such great use as an illustrator for childrens' books. It could open a whole new world for her.

Of course, I win, too, as I get beautifully illustrated pages for my poems.

Can you see a group of children sitting on a rug listening to the poems being read, creating the scenes in their minds, then being wowed by Melany's interpretation of the poem, too? The little ones who experience this book will have such a delightful time and the exposure to poetry is so valuable.

Now, all I need is to hear a positive word back from Melany - like YES!

Say a prayer, ok?

~Carla

Self-Publishing and Print On Demand

I've been learning more and more about self-publishing and how to offer print on demand services to authors who want to see their works in print. Developing a model or business plan is not an easy task as the approach I am taking isn't commonplace, nor is it easy.

My business is called Vaughan Instant Publishing, LLC. I have identified the book binder I want to purchase and am awaiting the invoice right now. It will be able to bind a printed a book in about 30 seconds.

One of the important aspects of purchasing a book binder was, for me, the ability to create books of a variety of sizes. I want flexibility. So many book binders are only designed to bind 5" by 8" or 8 1/2" by 11" paperbacks. I want to be able to bind books up to at least a 12" by 12" size.

Why?

I'm not telling you. :) You can't expect me to reveal all my secrets, right?

Anyway, I hope to soon have everything in place to start printing books, starting with my own. It will be good practice.

As I delve deeper into the POD world, I will discover many options that other book printers/publishers offer. What I will need to do is remain focused on my particular market and not get sidetracked chasing the almighty dollar. When one loses focus, one sinks. I don't want to sink. I want to walk on water. (See posts below for more on that).

In the coming weeks, I'll be posting more about Print on Demand and Self-Publishing. It will help me to clarify my objectives and share a part of what I truly value in life and that is helping others.

~Carla

Being "Available"

I went to the airport at DFW today to pick up my daughter. She was flying in from a school trip to Canada. She'd been gone for 5 days with some of the members of the French Club at her high school. It was an adventure-filled trip including being diverted to a different airport due to bad weather, sleeping on a chartered bus, which was not a part of the itinerary and dog sledding, of all things. That's not the story I want to tell, though.

What was special about the trip to the airport began before my daughter ever landed in Dallas.

I met a lady. She spoke only broken English. She was Arabic. I do not know her name. She was dressed in traditional Arabic clothing and approached me as I watched a myriad of people walking in all directions looking for luggage, family members and even strangers. She asked me how to get out of the airport.

On the surface, not a difficult question to answer, but the underlying thought was nearly palpable. "I don't know where I am going."

I could have pointed to the door and said, "That door will take you outside." I would have responded to her question appropriately and I could have gone about my business. Instead, I asked her if she was meeting anyone. Thus, a confusing and disjointed conversation took place between two people from two worlds, brought together by need and held together by compassion.

How many people were in that airport and yet, she approached me? Why me? I don't know. Maybe I was the most "available" or maybe I was the first person she saw. It really doesn't matter, but in my heart, I think I was put in that place at that time for that very purpose - to help her.

Many questions were asked and answered and in time I came to understand that her daughter was supposed to come to the airport to pick her up, but that she had not arrived yet. She had no phone number for her daughter and no address. I could not think of a single way to help her.

Meanwhile, my daughter's flight arrived. I told the lady that I had to greet my daughter and that I would be back to help her again as soon as I could. I touched her arm before walking away. I wanted to encourage her. I'm not even sure she understood all that I was saying. I was truly worried about her, but I had no idea what to do.

My daughter appeared and I hugged her tightly, then pointed her toward the bag claim area. I then went in search of someone else who might help me, or rather, the lost lady. I mentioned my concerns to the French Club teacher who immediately called out to one of her students. His father spoke perfect Arabic.

He and I went to talk to the older woman. I listened to their conversation, delighted to know that she had someone with whom to communicate. They went back and forth as I stood there - a part of the event, but left out of the process.

In the end, we made no progress in helping her find or contact her daughter, but we did give her some comfort in allowing her to fully discuss her plight with someone who understood her. (I think back to that situation now and wonder how many times we just really want someone to listen to us. Even if they can't help or change the situation, if they just listen, we somehow feel better.)

We ended up encouraging her by telling her that Dallas traffic can be difficult and that her daughter would very likely be there soon. It wasn't much to offer, but it was the truth... and it was really all we could say. I touched her arm again and this time, she touched mine, too. It was a silent gesture that said more than anything my words could have said - even if I had been able to speak Arabic.

In between the time we gathered up the luggage from the Canada trip and saying our goodbyes, the lady disappeared. She's probably having a delightful time at her daughter's home, glad to be among family.

I, too, am home and glad to be surrounded by my family.

I learned a little bit more about compassion today and I was reminded again of the value of meaningful touch. It was a good day.

~Carla

Children's Poetry

As a part of my Master's program, I am writing poetry again. I haven't written much of anything poetic for a long time. I haven't had much reason to. The poems we have been expected to write are based on very specific forms of poetry, such as the triangle triplet, haiku, quadrangle, terquain and so on. Since I love to write poetry and form does not bother me, this project has been a blessing compared to many of the others.

When time allows, I will post some of the poems I have written recently. They come from a book I titled, "6 Going on 7" which reflects my youngest daughter's joy in growing up.

If all goes well, in the not-too-distant future (2 months maybe), I should have this book available for sale. I have undertaken yet another project which now puts me in the driver's seat for publishing books. I am the owner of Vaughan Instant Publishing, LLC. My goal will be to assist aspiring authors/writers in getting their written works in print.

So, be prepared to revisit your childhood... and hopefully the best parts of it.

~Carla

Here is poem #1 from the book:

Her hand in mine in winter
Cold and soft, small and trusting
We walk to school each morning
Our breath in white puffs escapes
As we talk of teachers and friends
Sharing our lives along the way

No Child Left Behind (NCLB) - It's Working, but How Well

"The No Child Left Behind Act Is Working

Under NCLB We Are Measuring Results - And Holding Schools Accountable For Teaching Every Student To Read, Write, Add, And Subtract. Measuring results helps teachers spot problems early, so they can help students catch up, and gives parents valuable information about how well schools are doing.

We See Good Results From No Child Left Behind Across The Nation. Between 2003 and 2005, 46 States and the District of Columbia improved or held steady in all categories of fourth grade students tested in reading and math. In addition:

More reading progress was made by 9-year-olds between 1999 and 2004 than in the previous 28 years combined.
In math, 9-year olds and 13-year olds earned the highest scores in the history of the test.
African American and Hispanic students' reading and math scores were up in the five years ending in 2004, and these students are beginning to close the achievement gap.
We Must Build On This Success And Strengthen No Child Left Behind

Keeping America Competitive In The 21st Century Depends On No Child Being Left Behind. We must ensure our children have the skills to compete and succeed in the increasingly competitive global economy. Meeting this challenge will require us to raise the bar - and strengthen No Child Left Behind."

This message was taken from the White House web site: http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/education/

Since I am working on my Master's degree in Education, I have to say that teachers, administrators and school districts have to jump through a lot of hoops to make NCLB a functioning reality. It is not an easy task. We've had many discussions about where NCLB works and where it fails - even with the best of intentions.

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) recognizes the pros and cons of the NCLB legislation that was passed, but the law does have flaws in their opinion. One of the most fundamental issues is the lack of funding needed to support the schools who truly want to provide excellent learning environments.

To read more about AFT's position, click here: AFT

Stay Focused and Take Action

Some of you are likely to believe in God and others are not. The story below has a neat message no matter what your personal beliefs are.


In the New Testament, there is a story about Jesus walking on the water. The sea is in turmoil and the Lord's disciples are in a boat quite a ways from shore. They KNOW that they left Jesus on shore before they pushed off. Yet, in the distance, they see a man walking on the water. Jesus tells them to not be afraid. (OK, well I happen to think I'd be a bit frightened too). Peter hollers out to him (that's Texas talk, by the way – hollers) "Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you." Jesus tells him to hop out of the boat. Peter does and walks toward Jesus. But, the winds and the waves scare him as he looks around and then he starts to sink. He calls out to Jesus, who grabs him by the hand and lifts him up.

Now, many things can come from this story. I'm going to share two points with you.

The first is that if you lose your focus, you are at risk for failure. You may even drown. Peter stopped looking at Jesus and paid more attention to what was going on around him instead of staying focused on where he was going. That's point #1.

Point #2 – Don't be afraid to get out of the boat. Yes, Peter had to ask for help to get out of a tough situation, but he GOT OUT OF THE BOAT. Are you going to stay where it seems safe or are you going to take some risks in an effort to achieve what you want?

Peter had to get out of his comfort zone, didn't he?

When I contemplate my web business, I realize that I easily get distracted by the hype on the net. Let's face it, there is so much to read and do, it can keep a person occupied for the rest of their lives. My reason for being on line isn't just for entertainment, though. I am also here to make money.

If I waste my time reading a bunch of articles, daily news reports and even blogs, I lose my focus. I can virtually drown in all of the information. Stay focused on what really matters.

The other thing that I think is extremely important is to TAKE ACTION. Sometimes I think, "Well, this would be a neat idea." But I don't follow through and do anything about it. Not good. I have to be willing to take risks and take action if I am to achieve my goals.

I guess a sideline thought is also to ask others for help when you need it. :)

So, that's today's bit of wisdom. You've likely heard it before, but hopefully you will be encouraged to TAKE ACTION on something that matters.

~Carla

Web Sites for Writers - Do you Need One?

You want to be a successful writer. You want to make money at it, too. How many books have you read about "self-publishing", "understanding the writer's market" or "how to make your articles sell"? It isn't so easy for unpublished authors to break into certain markets. It doesn't matter how many books you read.

There is one avenue, however, that is virtually untapped by many writers and it is open to EVERYONE who wants to see their works in print. It also allows any writer the opportunity to make money at the same time. You can finally take control over your own writing destiny.

Millions of people will have access to your authored pieces, too. Will publishers come looking for you? It's a definite possibility. Will you have more credibility in the publishing world? Oh, yes. You will also have solid proof of your ability to reach your target audience, too.

Before I tell you how successful you can be, let me tell you the caveats.

First, it is not especially easy. It takes time and effort. If you are a serious writer, you already know what that is all about, though. Second, you will be writing more than you otherwise would. In fact, you will very likely be writing every day for the next couple of months. At least that is what I found myself doing. I love writing, though, so it is not a problem at all for me.

Last, it will most likely become your favorite thing to do. Be prepared to spend a fair amount of time on this because you will enjoy it so much you won't want to do anything else. I am absolutely telling the truth. My kids can't drag me away from the computer some days. I just love what I'm doing.

So, those are the pitfalls. All in all, not too bad.

Now, I can tell you about the good news. You have a myriad of ways to earn money with your writing. For less than $1 per day, you can reach hundreds of thousands of potential readers "buyers" of your works. You can also sell your material in a variety of ways. In addition to this, there are a variety of other ways to make money that don't even have anything to do with writing.

I have an e-book that I sell and I'm in the process of publishing a paperback version which I will also be able to sell very soon.

Ok, enough of that. You can read more of the details if you're interested. For now, let's focus on how you can accomplish this.

If you're like me, you have probably been writing for awhile. I have two books, actually. Both of which have been rejected by big-name publishers. I can handle rejection pretty well, so that's not a real problem for me. What bothered me was that I knew I had good material and no way to reach my intended audience.

Why should I be limited in what I can do just because someone else doesn't see things the same way I do?

My answer? Find another way to reach my audience. That's exactly what I have done, too. I created a web site dedicated to one of my books. I intend to do the same for the other book, too, but I have a few more things I need to accomplish with this first site still.

I am living my dream of being published. Not only am I reaching my target audience, but I am also having numerous articles published on other sites. I have been contacted by two other sites to write for them as well. A third site asked (and I agreed) to provide advice to the members of its site on the very subject I wrote about. I am an instant expert.

I pay less than $1 per day and I am published, in demand and am receiving monthly checks from my site.

Just think about it. It might work for you. It might not. I just know that as writer, it is extremely hard to get your name out there for the right people to see it. This gives you one more opportunity to make a name for yourself.

Best of luck.

~Carla

A link to the book I'm selling How to Write a Professional Resume

How you can create a website about your book(s), too: My Passion