15 Things Tara is Doing

1. blogging here 

2. painting this



and this

to this

3. potting these

4. missing them

5. planning for holidays

6. going to concerts

We went to a Chuck Ragan concert 2 weeks ago at UC Riverside. We recorded some of his awesome songs and even a conversation with Chuck after the show on our Flip camcorder. When we got home I accidentally deleted all the video clips while trying to load them on the computer. Well, we still have the memories, right? 

7. playing with Sean

8. decorating the bedroom

9. hanging shelves

10. to lazy to workout....darn, sorry cute running shoes

11. baking gluten free bread

12. trying to find a perfect lamp shade

13. wearing these

14. loving Tuck

15. watching football



RoRo's Big 3 Shoot Out Sheriff Birthday Party

Dayna's more than creative mind and eye did up yet another unforgettable event.

For Roman's 3rd birthday she created a Sheriff themed carnival style party geared especially for preschoolers and youngsters.

Tuck and I headed up to the Snow's house on Friday where we had play time and an adults night out dinner. At night all the boys snoozed while D and I loaded up the goodie boxes with hand cuffs and Sheriff badges.

The morning was filled with the set up of plastic table cover canopies (no help from the wind), candy filling (and eating), and the creation of all the booths in and around the house.



Tucker entertaining the boys all while checking his Fantasy Football.





Cannon practiced his dead guy face with a nail through his head.



Us fixing the plastic table cover canopy while Boden supervises.

Dayna is posing for a test picture at the mug shot booth.



Yummy candy table





Tucker and Garrett had more fun inhaling the helium then filling the balloons.

 Tucker maned the squirt gun balloon shoot out, I ran the artsy fingerprinting station, Garrett traced the children's bodies with chalk at the body outline station, Dayna was taking the photos at the mug shot corner, Hadyn collected the kids tickets in exchange for candy at the candy table, and the parents sat to socialize.
Then, the moment where all the other moms were sure that Dayna was the best mom ever.....a real life Sheriff showed up at the door to show the kids his big boy toys and cool cop car.

Roman and Cannon got to get in the driver's seat and push the siren buttons.



Roman tore through the gift wrap.



It was such a fun filled day that Boden was pooped and couldn't help but to take a well needed nap. 

Thank you Ro for letting us share in your special day with all your friends and family and please don't grow up too fast.

Yessssss! It's Crock Pot Season!

I dug deep into the cupboard and dusted off the crock pot a couple of weeks ago. There's nothing like a cold Fall evening with a fresh meal stewing in the crock pot.

A New Dawn, A New Day, A New Blog

Tomorrow I make a decision if I can still stand hearing five letters strung together ....L A U S D. I've been through the ringer in the last three years, trying to start my career as a elementary school teacher, to struggling to keep my career, to getting the boot, to finding happiness in a temporary job as a substitute teacher, to yet another predicament.

The Employment Development Department notified me last week that LAUSD is disputing my unemployment claim. And I quote, "You do know that your previous employer is disputing your claim, right?" Uh, NO! So, tomorrow I have a phone interview/hearing so that I can plea my case to why I deserve to get Unemployment reimbursement.

LAUSD's case is that they are providing me with work as a day to day substitute teacher, therefore I wouldn't need any EDD reimbursement. What kind of (excuse my French) CRAP is that? In May I received another layoff notice (certified mail) notifying me that my long term substitute position won't be extended to the 2010/11 school year. Duh. In addition to the layoff notice, I am on LAUSD's sub list yet haven't had one phone call to substitute this school year. My case is simple, I received a layoff notice and haven't been provided with any day to day work as a sub. period.

If it is that easy tomorrow I will keep my negative view of LAUSD mum for the time being. I've shed too many tears over the last few years because of LAUSD and I realize that I am as meaningless to them as the actual students who occupy their schools. I'm just a stat that they don't want to pay another dime for.

My new life plan is to look for full time work as a full time classroom elementary school teacher while running my own tutoring business. I started this business last school year, I've been on hiatus, but I'm back- in a different city, with no clients, no word of mouth, no pressure. I'm starting with a new blog @ livelearngrowtutoring.blogspot.com that I plan to debut sometime in the next week, I have cute little business cards that I created, and cute community board tear offs to post at local librarys.

Stop by my new elementary education blog. I would be so grateful if you left a comment and/or became a follower. Tomorrow is a new day, a new start to what should have been ended much earlier.

Staycation at The Wild Animal Park

At the beginning of September Tuck and I took a fun day trip to San Diego Wild Animal Park. We were very hesitant because we have a soft spot that makes us want to cry when we see caged animals. Who doesn't? But, we sucked it up and went to the Wild Animal Park because it was initially not created as a zoo but as a breeding and healing sanctuary for endangered and hunted animals in the wild. The exhibits and enclosures are very large, some are acres rather than crowed and relatively roomy. Next time we venture to Escondido we are going to pack a lunch (Pirates Booty was the only G-free food item) and maybe think about going when the temperature is under 90.

A Greater Power

As adults we have a great power to instill equality, peace, love, and acceptance to future generations.

Pass it on.

Ellen did.