This is a sign I keep in my classroom..I want my kids to know that I am a reader too..During the school year I must admit these signs do not change near as much as I wish they did..why?? because I don't have as much TIME to read during the school year..
One of my favorite past times of summer is reading..I finally get to read books without feeling guilty about doing "real work"..so I thought I would make a short review/list of some of my reads this summer..don't judge me on my book selections..they are purely for enjoyment!
One of the things I always find myself doing as a teacher is trying to get my own kiddos interested in the books I read when I was a child. A) I don't think that I really picked up on reading independently until sometime in 2nd grade (I wish I could go back and visit Mrs. Morris's 2nd grade classroom at Austin Elementary because I have no idea what she did but she made me into the biggest book worm (aka nerd) as a child. I have many memories of going to the old Hastings on South 14th and my mom not buying books that were not a certain number of pages. Her reasoning?? I would finish the book that night and beg to go BUY ANOTHER book the next day..I would like to say I was reading very high quality books with lots of important knowledge but it was usually Sweet Valley..Babysitters Club..R.L Stine..but hey I was reading, right?? ;) On a WHOLE another topic..my grandmother loves to tell the story of when I spent the night at her house (~7-8 years old not completely sure on the exact age) and what does she do?? She goes to sleep. She leaves her young granddaughter who had already finished her own age appropriate book by herself..I am in her living room..and find what else but a shiny, THICK library book...Unaware of the author I pick the book up and read until the early morning...I couldn't put the BOOK down. The title of the book was The Accident by Danielle Steel. That's right..I at a very early age finished one of Danielle Steel's racy love novels. Let's just say my Nina was horrified that I had found this book she was reading (I didn't know grandmothers read such)..but not only found this book, READ it..she was a little worried that I would not be allowed to have sleepovers with her anymore. Needless, to say I am not trying to persuade my first graders to read Danielle Steel novels..not matter what their interests are!
but B) I have learned as a teacher that some students might like your books but you have to let them read what interests them..not all the little girls are going to like the American Girl dolls. My first year teaching first grade I brought in my own Felicity American Girl doll..and Lind's very own Kirsten doll..and Jordan's THREE very own dolls (Molly, one that was after my time so do not quite remember the name, and Samantha) That's right Linds & I got ONE doll in our childhood..and our little BABY sister got THREE!!!! (including ours that we had outgrown) haha..I think I could write a blog post about being the middle child..and the birth order but I will save that for a later blog and I might add that anyone that knows my sisters and I would be able to tell who owned which doll..Lind's doll?? It looked like it could still be on the shelf at the American Girl store even after 20+ years..hers even had the wooden spoon in her pocket! Mine and Jordans??Let's just say that our dolls definitely looked well loved! so I do not get way off topic on this blog post..where was I?? Back to books..I think the key idea I have learned from trying to get my kids to love to read as much as I did and do..is let them find their own interests..my little first grade boys?? they love Gernomino Stilton...they also love to read the Scary Stories series I remember as a child. My girls?? Fancy Nancy..Judie B. Jones I think I should save first grade reading interests for another blog as well..
1. Tori Spelling
Uncharted TerriTORI
(I love how Tori Spelling has come up with creative titles..her first book was called Stori Telling and her second one was Mommywood get it Hollywood??) I must say this was the same as the first two..entertaining..light read..for anyone that watches her and Dean's show on Oxygen it pretty much just gave details that went along with the last season..I recommend it for readers who want to read something light & easy!
2. Izabella St. James Bunny Tales: Behind Closed Doors at the PLAYBOY mansion
Ok..I know. This book is about the PLAYBOY mansion..I am not sure why (Okay, yes I do don't you find their lifestyle interesting??) I do not quite understand it and still don't after I read the book but I was hoping the book would enlighten me on what makes these women choose this lifestyle. Entertaining yes..do I understand it after reading this book?? still confused
3. Kendra Wilkson Sliding into Home
Ok..You are probably ready to QUIT reading my book reviews because let's be fair they are not very substantial reading material..but isn't that what summer reading is about?? reading for enjoyment?? yes..so as a fan of the Kendra show and the Girls Next Door I read her book. I have to say it was very entertaining (she had a ghost writer) and some of the things she experience in life I am amazed at how well she turned out..I enjoyed it..and am very glad that Kendra turned her life around!
4. Original Gangster Frank Lucas
Ok..so I read this book after watching the movie American Gangster..(I have noticed a trend in my reading of celebrity biographies..this is not always true but definitely has been lately) This was such a good book! I could not put it down..his life was so interesting..and I learned so much more from the book versus the movie.
5. The Naked Truth: The Real Danielle Staub
Ok..ok..this was about the crazy woman on the Real Housewives of New Jersey so I am not going to go into great detail because I am not sure how much of this book I believe after watching the show..but I do give her this she had a hard life..I feel for her but not sure if I believe everything she says or writes..
6. The Accidental Billionaires The founding of Facebook
OK..highly recommend this read..what made me interested was the preview for the movie..I read this in one DAY..actually about eight hours working at Flirt Boutique..but it was good! Once again..I question who wrote this book..(was it people in favor of the twins) because they were obviously not on Mark Z's side..but read the book..it is interesting and keeps you turning the pages..I could write a whole blog post on what I think about the controversy behind this book but I will save that for a later post and hope you go pick up a copy..
So, I am off to find my next book..happy reading friends!
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Saturday, July 31, 2010
The Final Rose..
Who will she pick? What do you think?
I have to admit as many times as I promise to never watch the show again..every season I tune in on Monday nights..and I secretly am even more excited about ABC's new show Bachelor Pad. What a fabulous idea..just put all of your "characters"/contestants from past seasons that stole the limelight & put them in one house..
Back to the present..Chris or Roberto?
Although, I think Roberto is very good looking..I think if Ali is wanting husband material she should pick Chris. Stay tuned..
Christmas in July
Meet my new niece..she is the best "Christmas in July" present ever..Linds & Jay did a great job and are blessed with a beautiful baby girl.
Is this not the sweetest picture ever??
Check out these magnets I made on kodak..they are inexpensive & make great gifts!
I was so busy playing around on the website..you can make practically anything! You can even have a picture on a deck of cards..I was thinking Christmas in July (starting early)..
I found myself putting pictures of Lucy on everything from mousepads to pillowcases..she's so cute! I wish Austin was closer to Dallas.
On another note..check out Ms. Lucy's closet..AMAZING! I wish we wore the same shoe size..
Merry Christmas in July!
Hello! I can not wait to safely return you to me in a few weeks. I know you are anxiously awaiting my arrival. I will be sure to retrieve all your toys from Ms. Ellie May. I even have signed you up for a doggy daycare class. Your grandmother (Lindalang) does not think you will enjoy this because your love for sleeping throughout the day but I figured we could give it a try. I live right behind the Katy Trail..so please rest up for lots of evening walks to work on our womanly figures. :) I might even bring your red dog stroller back from Abilene if you think you will need it. I can't wait till you are back at home and hope you are not mad at your dear mother. Please forgive for the long extended stay at your grandmother's but single moms do what they have to do. Rest up & see you soon!
Love your darling dog mother
P.S. Your new doggy friend Cosmo says RUFF! RUFF!
For the ones that are unaware of who Martini (or as my students know her "Tini) is exactly..she is my precious King Charles Cavalier Spaniel dog who is 3 and 1/2 years old. Due to circumstances out of my control, my dog has been camping out at my precious mother's house for the past year. Just recently, I moved into a one bedroom apartment and am anxiously awaiting the return of Martini to Dallas. I know my precious pup has had a great time with Ellie May (English bulldog) & her fellow Cavalier friend Ollie (Martini & Olive get it??) in pretty ol' Abilene but for the ones that know my dog she will be on cloud 9 to get return to me.
After Tini's puppy years and as she began to get older (women you know what I am talking about) the pounds slowly began to creep on..so today as I was playing around on orvis.com & ordering Ms. Tini a very own personalized RED dog collar..I saw this..
My first thought WOW?? REALLY?? WHO SPENDS THIS KIND OF MONEY ON A DOG?? However, I thought it was entertaining and fitting for Tini because she (don't worry she won't be reading this) could stand to lose a few lbs..which we will soon be hitting the Katy Trail to work on. My second thought was how in the world do you get a dog to stay on this??
Select an Item
$550.00 Small (SI3C0X1051)
$698.00 Medium (SI3C0X1052)
$850.00 Large (SI3C0X1053)
Check basket?? I think not! Sorry, Ms. Martini looks like we have to stick to the old fashion way of dropping our pounds.
Hugs to all,
Megan Leigh
Martini representing the lumberjacks!
XOXO
Don't you just love the black & white English bulldog? (Ellie May)
Dear fellow Blog friends,
Wow! I never knew the blogging world could be so complicated. I even found myself googling "how to write your first blog post." Embarrassing?? Yes..but true!
I found myself changing colors, adding pictures, and having my blog even more of a mess than when I started! I finally chose this turquoise background..because I love turquoise..However, I also love pink, red, yellow, BLACK & WHITE..the color scheme I have right now could quickly change so don't get too attached. ;) Hence, the reason I am writing in turquoise so I can always remember my first color scheme for my first OFFICIAL BLOG BACKGROUND.
Well..let's see from my googling (you will quickly learn I rely on google for EVERYTHING!) Seriously, how did people live before they could google someone, something..someplace but it said to address these major four points.
1 - Who you are. Tell me about your business, but also introduce me to the blog's writers. Share pictures. The more information about yourself and your business that you are willing to share, the easier it will be for me as a reader to trust you.
2 - Why you are blogging. Possibly the most important question you can answer, because it will force you to spell out your intentions to your audience. And as always, consider your audience when answering this question, ask yourself, 'Why would someone come to this blog, what would they be looking for?' Hint: They won't be coming to your blog so that you can market to them.
3 - What will you be blogging about. Answering the above question makes this one much easier to answer. Will you be blogging about your business, or perhaps the lifestyles of your customers? Spell out the content on your blog so that I know what to expect when I arrive. And remember that this will also serve as a 'bookmark' for your writers to keep them focused on what the goal of your blog is.
4 - How I can leave feedback. Tell me how I can be involved. Can I leave comments? Do you encourage comments? What if I want to email you? Spell out exactly how I can contact you, and don't be afraid to encourage feedback, and even disagreement. In fact this would be a good place to formally spell-out your comment policy, which again can serve as a reference tool for your writers as well. But do everything you can to make sure that my feedback is appreciated, and encouraged.
So, I what do I get from this helpful Google advice? I don't want my posts to seem like a formal essay that will be graded by an English professor. (Remember I am a teacher but definitely not an English teacher) So, I am going to ignore my Google advice and hopefully write my first successful entertaining blog! I am starting this blog in the hopes of entertaining my friends & family..I love looking at the different blogs of my friends & families! I find myself clicking on their own friends' blogs (people I don't even know) and reading about their life..looking at their pictures..and wanting to be half as creative as some of the bloggers I see. I love the way blogs can be an online journal but a lot more colorful & exciting then just writing your thoughts down on boring white paper where no one can see. So, this my dear friends and family is the reason I am joining the blogging world. I hope to keep you updated on my life's journey..so bare with me as I change my colors, background, and figure out the secret to writing a successful blog! Happy googling to all!
Hugs to all,
Megan
Dear Google,
Thank you for making my life much easier..I don't know what I would do without you.
Sincerely,
Your biggest fan ML
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