Horse Racing - AGAIN!

About a year ago, I wrote a post about my strong opposition to horse racing.

I got a LOT of heat about it from some readers.

But I stand by my convictions and opinion.

This video breaks my heart.

Auction Open Until Midnight!

Our online auction closes tonight at midnight!

Click HERE to be directed to our website where you can access the online auction!

We have some wonderful items.

ALL money goes to STOP human trafficking!

Tee Off eBay Auction is LIVE!

The Eastside Women of Purpose' 2009 Tee Off Against Trafficking online auction is now LIVE on eBay.

If you aren't a golfer but have been looking for a practical way to get involved with this cause, check it out and place a bid!

We have a TON of amazing items this year, and you don't want to miss out!

100% of the proceeds go towards the fight to STOP human TRAFFICKING throughout South East Asia. By slowing trafficking in SA Asia, we drastically reduce the number of children and women trafficked into the US.

Now how is that for smart shopping!?!

Just click HERE to start bidding and change lives.

For more information and about our cause, click HERE.

If you win an eBay auction item, please considered all money bid over the value of the item, tax deductible.

Daily Humor

I have a student who always says funny things.

Here is one from last week ...
(Walking the kids to the bus in the afternoon)
Me: What a beautiful day!
Student: Yah, it's really sunny outside.
Me: I think I'll take Cooper on a walk when I get home.
Student: Our you could run. And get some exercise.
Me: Nah ... I think I'll walk (exercise is so overrated!)

And one from today ...
(As I'm walking out of the staff room after recess)
Student: What is that?
Me: M&M's and almonds.
Student: Is that your snack?
Me: No. Not really. It's not very good for me.
Student: Oh. I know what you mean. Like you weren't planning on eating it ... it's a surprise. Like you saw it and it looked good.

I love that he 'gets' me. :)

---

"Ms. Diederichs, my glue stick smells like sticky rice."

-- age 7

April 22, 2009

Happy Earth Day!

Confession

I have friends who are AMAZING photographers.

Like this friend and this friend and another and another and another and another (you know who you are!).

They take breathtaking pictures that stir emotion and memories.

I like to pretend that if I had a nice camera, that my pictures would turn out that good too.

But I know that isn't true.

So ... I'll just continue to marvel at their excellence!

Love you girls!

Live Simply - Organically

I'm such a sucker for *Patagonia's clothes.

Particularly their jackets.

Looks at this cute new line of Organic Cotton T-shirts they have now.

* Said interest in Patagonia's clothes does NOT in ANY way mean I can afford them. But if you hit up a sale ... you can find amazing deals!

If anyone wants to buy me the pink one with the purple whale ... I'd totally wear it (it's worth a try!).

My Ring

I feel weird posting a picture of my ring.

But a lot of people keep asking me "When do we get to see a picture of YOUR ring?"

So .. here it is.

Two bands.

I'm only wearing one of them right now.

The other one will be for my wedding day.

Fun!

The Pit In My Stomach

I have a huge pit in my stomach.

And it's called "The lay-offs and proposed items to be cut because of the economy and the district's debt are making me sick."

Items proposed are:

• Project Hope (the alternate program for Junior High aged students): ELIMINATED
• Camp Casey: ELIMINATED
• Junior High Sports: ELIMINATED
• Interventions For Struggling Learners: ELIMINATED
• Employee Assistance Program: ELIMINATED
• Teachers: LAYOFFS for non-continuing contracts and RIF'S based on district seniority
• Dual Language Program: REDUCE
• Limit secondary schools to 6 periods a day
• Increase class size
• Elementary Staff - LASERS (our reading specialists): ELIMINATE some, others will be REASSIGNED (our building LASER will be gone)
• So many more items ...

You can read the complete list and see the proposed budget cuts by going to the Northshore School District website HERE and clicking on 2009-2010 BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS. There is an Adobe version and a Power Point version.

It will make you sick.

If you live in Washington State, there IS something you can do to help.

If you go onto Washington Education Association's website, you can download 10 postcards and mail them to our legislator.

It's super easy.

Select the style of postcard you want.

Enter your name and email.

A form letter is already written for you.

There is a section for you to add your own words if you want.

Print the post cards.

Sign your name.

Fold in half.

Slap a stamp on.

Mail it off.

Our goal is to have our Legislators receive 10,000 post cards in the next 10 days.

So far, 3,429 post cards have been sent!

Thanks!