More fun in the snow.

All we need now...is a sled, a snow shovel, and some snow boots! :)

Its Beginning to Look a lot like....Spring?

Last night it started to snow...a lot! The snowflakes were huge (~2 inches in diameter). Of course Goose (aka Eskimo) loved it! He would run and jump in it. Last weekend we were playing on the beach...this week, in the snow. Weird. This is what we woke up to looking off our deck:

Does Low Pay mean Low Grade?

Before jumping into any new profession, it is always a good idea to check out salary ranges. I'm sure everyone has heard about "living off a teacher's salary." With this said, I knew teachers were not getting paid much, but I wanted to know how much exactly. I found this chart listing the pay for teachers in Washington State. BA means bachelor degree and the number to the right of it means additional college credits beyond the bachelor degree. MA means Masters etc. With this said you can figure out how much teachers make. One word. Wow. And people wonder why our education system is a disgrace and continues to fail. Just glancing at the table, hmmmmm.. you can have a PhD with more than 16 years of experience and you are making $64,887! (and by the way Washington State teachers make more than most). Wow, now if that is not a slap in the face, I don't know what is. I was inspired to look into these salaries, not only by my own interest in becoming a teacher but also because I watched the Presidential Address last night, and it mentioned some changes in our nations educational system, one being salary. When looking at this table, a question comes to mind. Does low pay mean low grade? You hear over and over and over, how our educational system lacks in the math and sciences. Is it really a mystery why? Folks who are qualified to teach math and science would have to cut their salary in half (literally) in order to take their knowledge into a classroom. Not many people are willing to do this. It is absolutely absurd to me that teachers can teach math or science without an expertise in that field...even at the elementary level, and this is taking place in each and every school, more often than not. I think this country has a wreckless mindset about teaching and here is what it is: To teach a 5th grader, you only have to be smarter than a 5th grader. WRONG! Give me a break. Even at the elementary level, we need teachers in the classroom who know their subject...at an advanced level. Unless one knows the professional applications of a skill, I do not believe one can teach it properly. For example, I was helping my little brother with his math homework (4th grade) and he was multiplying. There was not one equation in sight. Everything was a picture, or a chart. This is fine, as there are visual learners out there...I get that, but it becomes a problem when they are never taught how to write or even understand an actual equation. Rather than ever learning how to multiply using equations, they jumped right into division, and the old ways to learn this are gone as well. He is half way through his fourth grade year, and he has yet to write a multiplication or division equation. To me, this is a disgrace, and this...upsets me greatly. Advancing in math, without this basic knowledge of how to "correctly" solve a problem is going to be an issue. Who is making up these math curriculums? Certainly no one that has ever used math at an advanced level. So yes, I do believe our education in math and science is an issue...a big one, and I do believe it starts with the preparation of our teachers. I don't agree with the majority of Obama's policies, but I do agree with him on the educational front (thus far). He states that teachers should get paid more, but he also expects more from them. We should require our teachers to know their subjects at an advanced level, and thus get compensated for teaching it. Until we require more expertise from our teachers, our students will not get the educations they so deserve. On the flip side, we need to fairly pay folks who have this expertise to teach or we will not see this necessary knowledge in our classrooms.
My hope for the future is to see the bar raised for teachers. Until this bar is raised, the bar can not be successfully raised for our students. A career as a teacher needs to be looked at differently. We need to start treating it more like a profession, including a professional level salary. I have several friends who are teachers, and they are extremely good at what they do, and they are certainly experts in what they teach. I also see them having to spend their own money to buy supplies for their classrooms. Not only are they not getting paid enough, but they are having to spend their own money to do their job. There are BIG issues with this!
Anyway, I could go on and on an on about this, but I'll hop off my soap box for now.
Thanks for listening! :)

The Blogger Boutique

I have fallen in love with digital scrapbooking. It is a great creative outlet, and...unlike "real" scrapbooking...there are no messes to clean up when you're done....oh, and with digital scrapbooking there are endless materials! One of the things that I have really enjoyed doing, is making my own blog backgrounds. I started out by using digital scrapbooking kits I would find online, but I've been making my own kits recently and have been having a ton of fun. Needless to say, I have made a ton of blog backgrounds...and unless I change out my blog background every day, they'll go to waste. With that said, I'm introducing "The Blogger Boutique!!!!". The Blogger Boutique is a blog I set up with free blog backgrounds, made 100% by yours truly (embellishments and all!!!).

All you bloggers out there...take a look and grab a new background!

http://thebloggerboutique.blogspot.com/

A Goose's Day at the Beach

We took Goose on his first trip to the beach. We figured he'd like it...but he loved it! We found a small little beach where no one else was around and we let him run around off his leash. He went crazy! He loved it. He just ran and ran and ran. He even liked the water ...a little bit. He would get his feet wet and then run back out. It was a ton of fun. Craig and I tried racing him...and he is fast on that sand! Needless to say, Craig and I had to join in and try out the water with him. Brrrrrr doggy it was freezing. Of course we just got our feet wet, but it was unbelievably cold! The best way to describe it...it felt like a brain freeze but in your feet. Craig isn't as tough as me (hehe) so when he got out...his big toe was twitching. We were only in there for maybe...4 or 5 seconds...but his big toe did not like it. It was hilarious, we both couldn't stop laughing, it was like his toe had a mine of its own. Goose thought we were crazy and just sat and watched :). Once we got home...Goose slept through dinner and all through the night! We need to take him more often. It pooped him out!

I'm Famous...sort of :)

So...my old boss at NASA just wrote me an e-mail telling me that I was famous! She is working in DC for the next 6 months and she went to the National Air and Space Museum...and there was a picture of the flight control team from 10A hanging next to the Apollo 11 crew module..and I was in it! Now that...is cool. So all your NASA folks...if you worked 10A (night shift), your picture is hanging in the National Air and Space Museum! Pretty sweet!

A Must See

We have been trying to go to Coraline 3D for three weeks now. The first weekend we went, we made it into the theatre to realize that not all Coraline movies were 3D...only certain theatres were playing it in 3D. When we saw no one was wearing 3D glasses we returned our tickets. The 3D version was playing in Everett so we headed there on valentine's day. Once we got there...it was all sold out! Dang! So this weekend, we made our way back to Everett and watched it. I had heard a ton of great reviews on it...and it was good! The story was...pretty good, not incredible but good (kinda spooky for young kids...but aren't all fairy tales?). The 3D was awesome! It really did feel like you were a part of the movie. It was really neat. There were a couple of memorable scenes. At one point Coraline is sitting at dinner with her family and the camera angle is such that it feels like you are sitting at the table with them. All the food looks like it is right in front of you... and it looks so real! Definitely go see it...if you can make it to a 3D theatre...otherwise wait until it comes out on video. I'm totally pumped for more 3D movies!

On another note...is it just me, or are people pretty rude in theatres these days. I don't remember the last time I went to a movie and people were actually quiet during it. This time...there were two people sitting behind us and they were literally narrating the entire movie! They never stopped talking! Geesh....maybe I'm getting old ;).

One Day...

One of these days, I'll finally figure out what I'm meant to be. Have you ever had too many options...so many that you feel paralyzed? It is a good problem to have...it is just a little overwhelmeing at times. This where I have been at for the last several of months. Here are my options and here is where I am at with all of them (they are all so completely different....if I could only have them all).

1) Photography business. Love it, and always looking for new clients. I am working with a local tulip farm to take family pictues during the annual tulip festival this year. A great way to get some new clients! I'll always be doing photography...but it isn't keeping my busy full time.

2) FBI. Most of you know that I did apply for the FBI, I got selected to go through phase I testing, passed, and was asked to continue to L.A. for phase II. A really interesting option...with some minor problems. First, the FBI can stick you wherever they need ya...and they can move ya whenever they want to. Second, before going to phase II, I have to pull together 15 regular push-ups and a LOT of situps...I can manage....but it will take some dedication, and unless we're ready to get up and move and keep doing so, I'm not sure I want to go that route...

3) Nursing. Thank you for those of you that wrote me wonderful recommendations. I sent in my application for the Seattle Pacific University nursing school. It is not an accelerated program, as the only one near us requires enrollement into a masters program as well. School would start in August and I would be required to finish up four more pre-req classes by the end of this spring semester...meaning I would need to make a decision on this one this week! The problem, this program will take 2 years to complete...this means 1.5-2 hours (one way ) commute to school for two years...am I out of my mind?.

4) Hold out for an engineering job. There are a few here and there, but many are in construction, and I am not interested in construction (I refuse to work on HVAC for the rest of my life). ConocoPhillips did interview me, and they have selected me for the second round of interviews...but....they were put on a hiring freeze in December, so HR said they would contact me when it was lifted (sigh).

5) Last but not least...teaching. As I love kids, I love to teach, and everyone keeps telling me I'd be a great teacher so...I have started heavily considering this. Thanks again for those of you that wrote me some great recommendations. There is a program at the Seattle Pacific University for post-bacs with science/math degrees (i.e. engineering). It is a one year program in which you student teach for a year and you come out with a MAT (masters in teaching) and teaching certificate. This option is tempting because it is only one year, and I get to get in the classroom staring in August.

Every time I feel like I have made up my mind on which direction I'm going to go, I change my mind and feel like I'm going down the wrong path. My biggest fear is that I will make my decision and wish I'd gone another way. I hate regrets and I try to avoid them at all costs, but this is easier said than done. As class registrations are quickly approaching, I need to make up my mind quickly. I am praying for some clarity on the matter, so I can finally put this to rest...I'm tired of worrying about it and my poor husband...I think he's tired of hearing about. it ;).

On another note...updates on Goose. He is turning out to be a wonderful dog....even though he snores really really loudly. He is fitting right into our family, piggy and maverick are really warming up to him, as they realize he is too slow to catch them. He is getting bigger every day!

With that said...I'm off to do some errands. Maybe...I'll find some inspiration while I'm out! :)

A long time coming...

Finally! I have been wanting a "big" dog for a loooooooooooong time. Sunday...we got our new little, big baby! His name...Goose (compliments our yorkie's name (Maverick) perfectly...as Goose is Maverick's wing man). His breed...an Old English Sheepdog. I know, I know, he is going to be a fur factory, and he'll require a lot of grooming, but all my research indicated that an Old English Sheepdog would be the perfect fit for our family. I began my obsession with OES's, oh about 3, maybe 4 years ago. Yes, they have a TON of hair, but it isn't like normal dog hair. It is more like human hair, as they don't shed like other dogs. One of my biggest requirements was to get a dog that would rather live inside rather than outside. I didn't want a dog that just stayed out in the yard all the time. OES's like to run and play outside but they like to be a part of the family and live indoors. They are also good around kids...affectionately known as "nanny dogs" as they have been known to "babysit" children by "herding them around. Once we have children, having a dog that is good around kids is paramount. Lastly, I love their look. I can't help looking at a Sheepie and want to hug em...all that fluffy hair...gotta love it.

So...my official search for our sheepie began back in October. It was really important to us to find a very good breeder, as I am scared to death of puppy mills and everything involved with them (supporting a terrible industry, health issues, poorly breed, etc.). After a lot of research I settled on a breeder in Seattle ( http://www.snowdowne.com/). The prefix for all their sheepies is Snowdowne. You can read where this originated etc. on their website. Because I had never actually been around an OES (just read a lot about them) the breeder invited Craig and I over to meet all their four legged kids before deciding on the OES breed. They were the sweetest things. They were big and hairy and sweet as can be. The show dogs were particularly funny because they had just finished a show the weekend before so their hair was long and they sported pigtails. It was hilarious. Craig's words, "If we get a boy OES, he is NOT wearing pigtails!". Uh huh...right ;). wink wink. After meeting all the OESs, we went home, built 30 spreadsheets, talked it to death, talked it some more, contemplated, and finally made our decision...yes indeed, we wanted a Snowdowne OES. All we had to do was be patient as a litter was going to be ready to come home in just 2 short weeks. We loved Snowdowne OES's because their temperaments are incomparable. Every puppy comes from two show parents, which is kind of neat. Goose's parents' registered names: Sire - Haystack Let's Roll

Dam - Snowdowne Bright and Beautiful

What is interesting is that Goose's dad lived back in the 80's, so he passed many many years ago...so....um...really? How does that work...oh...frozen semen of course :). Apparently his dad was a pretty big show dog (good enough to have his semen frozen nonetheless;)). Goose isn't going to be show as he only has one testie (poor ting). We're having a lot of fun with our new little guy running around the house. Maverick and Piggy are warming up to him slowly but surely. Maverick is trying to be the alpha and piggy comes and checks him out every now and again. He is learning quickly too. He is doing great on his leash and he is even learning to ring a bell to go outside. Enjoy his puppy pictures, as he won't be so "small" for too much longer. When his hair gets long enough for pigtails I'll take some pictures! I'm certain Craig will warm up to them...as long as I don't sport them with bows...maybe blue bows..but no pink bows :).

The Power of Staying Positive

Talk about words of wisdom. This came from Craig's upper management (forwarded on to everyone). I'm a HUGE believer in this.

"Our thoughts are not simply ethereal pieces of information that enter our minds and then disappear. The words and ideas that we think can shape our lives and drive us toward success and happiness or failure and distress. How you think and feel can have a profound effect on your ability to recognize opportunity , how well you perform, and the outcome of the goals that you've set for yourself. When you maintain and optimistic outlook and make an effort to harbor only positive thoughts, you begin to create the circumstances conducive to you achieving what you desire. You feel in control and few of life's challenges seem truly overwhelming because it is in your nature to expect a positive conclusion. An optimistic mind is also an honest one. Staying positive does not mean that you ignore difficulties or disregard limitations. Instead, it means spending time focusing only on the thoughts that are conducive to your well-being and progress.
Positive thinking dramatically increases your chances of success in any endeavor. When you're sure that you are worthy and that achievement is within your grasp, you start to relax and look for solutions rather than dwelling on problems. You are more likely to imagine positive situations or outcomes and disregard the thoughts related to giving up, failure, or roadblocks. What the mind expects, it finds. If you anticipate joy, good health, happiness, and accomplishment, then you will experience each one. Thinking positively may sound like a simple shift in attention - and it is - but it is a mind-set that must be developed. Whenever a negative thought enters your mind, try immediately replacing it with a constructive or optimistic one. with persistence, you can condition your mind to judge fleeting, self-defeating thoughts as inconsequential and dismiss them.
It is within your power to become as happy, content, or successful as yo make up your mind to be. Staying positive may not have an immediate effect on your situation, but it will likely have a profound and instantaneous effect on your mood and the quality of your experiences. In order for positive thinking to change your life, it must become your predominant mind-set. Once you are committed to embracing positive thinking, you'll start believing that everything that you want is within your grasp."

Swimming Lessons

So, for fun, in my spare time, I'm teaching swimming lessons. I used to teach lessons in high school and in college so I've done it a lot but I'm having trouble recalling old swim lesson songs and games. Ones I remember:

- "Ring around the Swish...pockets full of fish...bubble bubles... we all blow bubbles."
- "Hokey Pokey"
- "Motor Boat Motor Boat, Go so slow..."
- "This is the way we kick our feet, kick our feet, kick our feet...etc."
- "I'm a little starfish..."

That's all I remember. I used to know tons. Anyone have a good game or song suggestion for swimming lessons? I need a refresher!

Jersey Update

Winning quarterback Jersey Purchased!

Happy Birthday Little Brother! :)

It's "Appetizer Sunday"...aka "Super Bowl Sunday" :)

I love super bowl Sunday! I'm not one to sit down and watch a football game (on TV anyway), but I do love super bowl Sunday...my reason...yummy food! Today after church we went to the grocery store and bought a bunch of yummy treats....

- Tiny hot dogs to put in BBQ sauce
- Crackers
- Cheese Ball
- Chips
- Nacho Cheese
- Flat bread with garlic and goat cheese (The Davis Family Recipe :))
- Pickles
- Olives

Yummmy...sounds like a good day to me! Who's playing in the super bowl again? ;)

On another note... My brother's 10th birthday is coming up on Feb. 15th. He is a HUGE sports fan...any sport...depending on the season. Well, I called him up yesterday and asked him what he wanted for his birthday and this is what he said, " Now Katie, I know it may be really hard to find, but I want the jersey of the quarter back from the winning team...and if you can't find that..than get the running back of the winning team."
Of course he knew all their names but he also gave me a back-up running back from a team not playing in the super bowl...just in case the winning team's was all sold out.

So ...right after the super bowl, I'm going to run to my computer to see if I can't find one of these jerseys. Fingers crossed that everyone else won't be doing the same. Wish me Luck!