Three Time Thursday

Some of your may remember, in an effort to teach Matthew the days of the week, I have affectionately named each. Monday is Munchkin Monday (we love donuts). Tuesday is Cartoon Tuesday; Wednesday is Wacky Wednesday; Thursday is Three Time Thursday; Friday is Fun in a Box Friday; Saturday is Sleep In Saturday (wishful thinking); and Sunday is of course... Ice Cream Sundae (for more about these, check out posts dated 2/25 - 3/2).

Today I take advantage of Three Time Thursday - the day we do things in threes. I have three items of business to cover. Short, sweet, and to the point.

Make Your Mark: This is my last ditch effort. You wouldn't respect me if I faded slowly into the sunset and just let this issue drop. Would you? Here's the thing. Today I was getting my hair cut and while killing time I read Shape Magazine (a girl can dream , can't she?). Below is snippet found in the bottom right hand side of page 34.

5. The number of dollars it takes to buy happiness. The catch: You need to spend it on someone else, according to a recent study in the journal Science. This small gift of generosity brings more joy into your life than purchasing something you want for yourself. So take a friend out for coffee or a smoothie - spending that time together will boost your mood all the more.

Coincidence? I don't think so. So please, please consider taking 15 minutes out of your day and typing me a short paragraph about a teacher who has impacted your life. Send your paragraph along with $5.00 to Claudia K. Beeny, 4012 Harvestwood Court, Grapevine, Texas 76051. We'll send your inspiring story, along with a package of Crayola Markers, to an unsuspecting teacher somewhere in the country. Stories and markers will be packaged up this weekend and mailed on Monday.

Countdown to Super Bowl: It seems we have firmly secured 12 people in our Countdown to the Superbowl: Half-Time Snack Throw Down. Here's what the line-up looks like so far...

• Richard v. Brian, September 8
• Stacie v. Tera, September 21
• Nicole v. Julie, October 5
• Katie v. Maureen, October 19
• Melanie v Treye, November 16
• Heather v. ?, November 30
• Cheryl v. ?, December 7

As you can see we have two dates open right now. November 30 and December 7. Who will be the engaged members of our Highlowaha community to sign up first? Cassie, Kat, Sue, Montana, or Boone, N.C.? Jump right in and help create some Highlowaha fun! Lurkers, my offer from Monday still stands.

Helping Hand: Please take a second to read the post Heather left on Helping Hand yesterday (just click on Helping Hand in top right hand corner of my blog). She brings up some excellent points with regard to the service project that the Highlowaha community has committed to doing this holiday season. My biggest take away... to truly help a family in need, we need to think as much about what is important to such a family, as we do the gestures that will make us feel good.

Also, regardless of whether or not we are able to settle on a particular family this week... we can begin fund raising or conducting a "drive" for general items all families might benefit from (money for groceries, household items). Then, once we settle on a a family (or families), we can finish off our effort with "gifts" for the family members.

Finally, we can think big as suggested by Toni last week and Heather this week. Maybe we can consider a family somewhere in Northern Kentucky, a family in the Dallas area, and a family somewhere else in the country.

Visit the Helping Hand post and let your voice be heard.

I wish I could deliver on a more exciting post today, but we have lots of business at hand and somewhere along the line we have to square up on details. Is that the case or do I just run hot and cold? Hmmmm...

Signing off until tomorrow...

Now I've Done It. Now I've Really Done It...

I've gone and fallen in love with a new idea!  Ugh, and all this on the eve of the Olympics.  

That's the thing about a great idea... you can't pretend you didn't think it.  You can't will the idea away, knowing if you just didn't think of it, that life would be so much simpler.  That's not the way it works.  A great idea will gnaw at you... reminders showing up in all the wrong places.  It's as though road signs, dreams, passing conversations, and newspapers conspire to wear you down - until finally a concession is made and implementation of that great idea is underway.  Phew... isn't creativity exhausting?

But first, a reminder...

10 Events; 10 Winners

1 CHAMPION

4 Days to GO!

*****

Virtual Highlowaha Dinner Party

Friday, August 8, 2008

8:00 p.m.

Eat Chinese food, watch the opening of the Olympic Games 

AND

Be home for the unveiling of...

Highlowaha's

NEXT BIG EVENT

*****

Teachers.  That's what I can't get off my mind.  Back to school is in full swing.  And yes, while aisle after aisle is filled with new school supplies (trust me, we'll spend a whole day on this topic alone), it is teachers I am most thinking about.  Maybe it's because as grown adults our entire schooling experience can be reduced to a list of  about 8 teachers names.  For me... Mrs. Mueller, Mrs. Miller, Mrs. Arcidiacono, Mrs. Pincus, Mrs. Knowles, Ms. Jahoda, Mrs. Mitrou, Mr. Urbatis, and Ms. Boniello.  High school was much more hit or miss in terms of remembering names.

Maybe it's because my dad was a teacher and emblazoned in my memory is that proud feeling I got whenever I heard a student called him Professor Kamhi.  Maybe it's because I have two young boys who haven't even embarked on a single day of their formal schooling yet and I'm wondering... HOPING... that the teachers lucky enough to get to know my boys will realize the incredible amount of lasting impact they can have on a child's life.

Whatever the reason, I am feeling the incredible urge to honor teachers.  I hope you will join me.  

I'll try to be clear and I'll try to be fast, because I know all of you are busy.  I want to start a "Make Your Mark" campaign for teachers.  Below is the vision.  Feel free to print off the instructions and pass along to colleagues, friends, neighbors, or even your kids!

MAKE YOUR MARK TEACHER CAMPAIGN 

It's as easy as 1, 2, 3

• Each of us... avid readers, lurkers, occasional visitor, friend of a reader, second cousin of a lurker spend a few minutes and THINK about a teacher who has positively impacted your life.  
  
• Take 15-20 minutes to WRITE a thoughtful description of how/why the teacher positively impacted you. The more specific the more meaningful.  Be sure to include: (1) the teacher's name; (2) the school at which he/she taught; (3) your first name and age.
  
• (If you would be so kind)... MAIL that excerpt to me with $5.00 (to pay for markers, mailing envelope, postage).  My mailing address is Claudia K. Beeny, 4012 Harvestwood Court, Grapevine, Texas, 76051.  
  
• I, in turn, will attach your story to a package of Crayola markers and then mail it to a random teacher somewhere in the country (you will get to help generate the list of recipients).  If you already have the name of someone you think should receive one of these packages, include it on a separate piece of paper in the envelope you mail.

My goal is to mail 100 inspiring stories with 100 packages of markers to 100 unsuspecting teachers around the country.  Surprise me.  Make me go buy more markers!

Envelopes must be received by Friday, August 22

We can do this.  It's the right thing.  To honor the work of one great teacher, by presenting a piece of his or her legacy in writing, to another teacher is a meaningful way to express our deepest appreciation and admiration for the work they do.  

I want to leave you with plenty of time to compose your note, so I'm signing off until tomorrow...