Every Inch Matters

You heard me right.. every inch matters!  5, 6, or 7 inches won't work.  But luckily enough, when you have 8 inches -- it's life changing!

I just completed my third hair donation.  And I feel like this is the perfect way for me to educate people about these organizations and the hair donations.

Here's some throwbacks to my first two donations!

I donated the first time to Locks of Love the summer between 8th grade and freshmen year.

 For some reason I don't have any before photos-- but it was a 10 inch donation.

The first time I thought it was a no brainer to go to locks of love.  But then I heard some chatter and I had to go do some research before my second donation.  What I've found out is that the Locks of Love minimum donation is 10 inches and they do use dyed hair. But I wasn't impressed with everything I found regarding Locks of Love.  So before my next donation I did some research.

Here's some before and after photos of my second donation.

My second donation went to Pantene Beautiful Lengths.  Their minimum is 8 inches but I went for 10. 

As for Pantene Beautiful Lengths, it is connected to the American Cancer Society. Wigs are free, and recipients can make an appointment to choose a wig and keep it the same day, sometimes without leaving their hospital room or treatment room.  Their minimum is 8 inches and they do not accept died or bleached hair.  
Another great option is Wigs for Kids! The minimum donation for Wigs for Kids is 12 inches, they do accept gray hair, but don't accept bleached, dyed, or highlighted hair.  If a temporary dye is completely washed out that will be accepted.  (Side note- Wigs 4 Kids (4, not for) is a smaller organization providing hair pieces only for kids in Michigan.) 

Below are before and after pictures from my third donation- just cut this week!  I donated over 14 inches to Pantene Beautiful Lengths.  Someone needs it more than I do! 

I encourage you to think about donating!  Whether hair or money.  Pantene has an 8 inch or $8 challenge.  $8 is doable for sure!  And if the parameters of an organization work for your hair, guy or girl, think about it and let it grow!  You'll be happy you did!

leave the eh behind
hugs,
abi 

You know you're a young teacher when..

Tell tale signs that you're a young teacher 
(you've been one or maybe this never ends!)

1. When there's free food in the faculty room you RUN. 

• Whether you have a decent salary or not, as teachers we run when we hear there's free food.  Drop the grading, the emails, whatever.. and you're off to feast.  I think that's how most of us probably put on some pounds our first year teaching.  It doesn't happen often but when it does, you'll break a sweat to make sure you get to the food!

2.  You've got the 18 minute lunch down pat

• 18 minutes either while walking around doing lunch duty, when having to heat up your food for 4 minutes, or having to grade, plan, and chat with kids in your room at the same time.  Who am I kidding, 18 minutes to eat in peace.. that's a teacher's dream!  

3.  You ask yourself daily why politicians are in charge of education 

• While planning, completing, and crying over every assessment, showing growth, and endless paperwork you ask yourself daily why politicians are in charge of education.  Why are people that have never taught making these dumb regulations?  I'd love to see them in my inclusive room of 31 kids with clay, lots of sharp objects, and lots of "personalities".  

4.  You've had a wardrobe malfunction

• You either fell up the stairs, causing your skirt slit to go all the way up your back end, your button popped off, or your zipper just won't stay up on your pants.  You either had to find a hideous cover up, you pray no kid notices, or you teach from your desk.  

5.  You have to double check you don't look too much like a teacher when going out

• Going out with your group of guys or gals, put on some clothes and you have to think to yourself do I look like "Miss Elementary" or "Mr. Middle School".  No one wants to walk up to the bar, order a round of shots, and the guy next to you asks where you teach.  Sometimes we want to be sure we can leave our "teacher identity" behind.  

6.  You ask yourself daily if you get paid enough  

• You wonder if you get paid enough to break up fights, to do other people's work, to counsel kids on top of teaching, to be a part of multiple clubs or organizations, to take home work (both mental and physical), and to be this exhausted. 

7.  You are ten times more excited about a snow day

• The kids think they're excited to have a day off school... nope!  Their excitement is nothing compared to a teacher's excitement.  Not having to brush your hair, put on a bra, or real pants are just the beginning of the awesome things!  You can feel like a stay at home wife, stay at home dad, or a college student all over again.. the amount of productivity is insane!  But it's all up to you whether you want to be productive or not, and that's the glory of it. 

8.  You'd rather have snot running down your nose than make sub plans 

• But seriously though, there's a reason I've never taken a sick day.  No one wants to write detailed sub plans, with seating charts, etc.  It's harder than writing the actual lesson plan itself.  And forget about your room making it.. it always seems to look like a tornado came through when you return.  So we tough it out and just come, feeling like crap, just to avoid the horrible dark cloud of sub plans.  

9.  You've walked into a meeting, store, or gym in ridiculous clothes because of a spirit/theme day

• Between wacky tacky, a halloween costume, or throwback day you've walked into a public establishment in a ridiculous outfit, hoping that people assume you're a teacher and not insane.  And yes, maybe even a bar in a onesie for an after school happy hour.  

10.  You were asked to prom or to dance more times then you were back in your day

• So you were chaperoning a middle school dance, who would've thought you'd be asked to dance more times at this one, than at your own middle school dance.  Or you teach at the high school level and you've been asked to prom multiple times.  Lookin' good folks!  (but no thanks!)  

11.  When you have a teacher happy hour planned, you get out of school faster than the kids  

• You've ran, or walked extremely fast out to your car because all you want is that cold draft beer, shark tank, or that fresh margarita after a long day.  And yes, we've all had a countdown until you were sitting at the table, drink in hand, surrounded by your favorite coworkers complaining about all things under the school roof.  

12.  You love the dollar spot at Target

• Target in general sucks ya in.. but that dollar spot is amazing!  There's always something there you can find between chalkboards, planners, clips, worksheets, and more.  It's so easy to drop an easy $30 at the target dollar spot alone.  And it just makes your room so cute!

13.  The copy machine always seems to be down when you have serious last minute copying to do

• It's Monday morning and you've got some last minute copies to make, crucial to your lesson, and of course the copy machine is down.  Big ol' sign just putting your day to a major halt.  And that's when your power of winging it comes into play!  

14.  You learn the apple doesn't fall far from the tree

• Whether you coached a team, had a parent teacher conference, or attended a school function we learn very quickly that normally the apple does not fall far from the tree- normally that crazy apple kind. (or even the super sweet, normal apple)

15. You believe in some superstitions

• You're driving into work and notice how beautiful the moon looks.  Beautiful, big- holy cow it's a full moon!  Then you check the date, and it's Friday the 13th.  On the same day... get ready because the animals inside your students are comin' out.  The full moon and Friday the 13th are bad enough but when they land on the same day.. you're in for a day you'll never forget.  Maybe those sub plans don't sound so bad right now...  

I wish you the best in the last few months of the school year.  Let's just remember to laugh- whether at ourselves, the kids, or laugh because you don't want to cry!

leave the"eh" behind

hugs,

abi

Your Dash

Bucket list? psssh well for this girl, that's obsessed with lists and goals and not knowing when my day will be to pass on, a bucket list just seems too undefined.  And they say if you make a goal it needs to be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Timely.  

HA!  a bucket list is not cutting it as a "smart" goal.  I'm not hating on a bucket list.. it's great to have thoughts on what you want to do and where you want to go.. but I like having a "finish line".   (even if some days I'm crawling or stumbling my way there)  So 30 before 30 seemed just right for me. So you're 40.. oh well!  Even though you're over the hill, you can still make an awesome set of goals for yourself. Make your own set up.. 45 before 45 or 20 before 2020.. whatever suits you!

So here's what my 30 before 30 looks like.. I have it framed, sitting on my dresser so that I see it as a constant reminder.  (It's also nice to be reminded daily, I'm not 30 yet!)

  

If we don't have any goals or dreams.. then are we just aimlessly walking through life?  Driving to work, eating the same lunch every day, checking emails, feeding the dog, checking social media, and going to bed to do it all over again.  WHAT?!? We're only on this amazing earth once, I don't want to be the one that went to work everyday, got married, had kids, and died. I want to make a difference in my community, see places, grow as an individual, and truly live out my dash. Who knows what number will come after my dash.. it could be 2017 for all I know. 


I'm not necessarily saying we should take life advice from middle schoolers and 'YOLO' our rear ends off.. but they're onto something there.  No I don't encourage you to go rob a bank since 'You Only Live Once', but I do encourage you to write down those things you want to do, see, and the person you're aiming to be.  We can hold ourselves accountable and know if we're on pace if it's written down and like every educator knows, if you physically write it down, it's more likely to stick.  So go!  Dream, write, go big, go cheap, donate 20% of your salary, go hard, or go home with not much to say for in your dash.  

leave the "eh" behind

hugs,

abi

leave the "eh" behind

I'm a firm believer of the earth without art is just 'eh'.


Art?  What does that have to do with me?  Well if we really think about it, we're technically all art.  God created us as unique individuals in his image and likeness. Literally created, how cool is that?!   It's like we were a masterpiece being worked on for 9 months, and even light years prior.  

So I encourage you, to be the best version of you, the art, that you are.  Leave the "eh" feeling out of your earth, your atmosphere, and the people around you.  I know we all have the thoughts of "I don't want to go to this staff meeting where no one listens, the gym that's too crowded, or do the laundry that is piling up."  But our attitude is something we have complete control of, so don't let things creep in and turn you into an "eh" person.


 I understand bad things happen to good people, but it's how we bounce back from a bad moment, a bad day, or rough patch.  We can be what's going around.  Not the gossip, the swine flu, or hate, but ones' attitude is contagious.  And we should ask ourselves if ours is worth catching.

If you're a great piece of art to be around then there will be no "eh" surrounding you.  Your attitude will catch on and those around you will also be the best version of themselves.  Wouldn't that be awesome?  To be surrounded by positive people, that support you and bounce back from missteps with an attitude of change.

We can get stuck in a rut if we get caught in a wave of negativity through ourselves or through people around us.  Trust me, I know it's hard especially if you're a Negative Nick or a Realistic Rachel... I can be both.  But it's amazing what will happen if we just make the choice to see things differently in our lives.  When we change, when we start to be the art we were meant to be.. our world around us will look more like art.  

leave the "eh" behind
hugs,
abi

How's That Resolution?

I hope that your new year's resolution is still kicking.. being the last week of January.. it's hit or miss.  The gyms have started to empty out, drive through lines are getting their length back, and snooze buttons are being slammed near and far. I think we're all guilty of at least letting one resolution fall through the cracks before February was even here.  Just look at the meditation book I was going to read every morning last year.. bookmarked still on day 9.  #failedresolution

 New years resolutions as a couple.. or as an individual, there's all kinds out there.  From therapy, to morning walks or writing letters to each other, making more YOU time, or even incorporating more surprises in your day to day life.  Resolutions don't have to be expensive, I think a lot of times it feels like they do.  Clean eating, a gym membership, or expanding your reads- we know are not free, let alone cheap!  Whether it's for you or you and your other half-  no need to drop a lot of cash in search for better.

It's not like we come across 5K every time a new year greets us.. or at least David and I don't! (Ha, I wish) David and I error on the side of cheap.  We hold a "budget meeting" prior to the start of every month.  We took Dave Ramsey's financial peace class and we realized this works really well for us.  By doing this we can be sure we have money in the budget for the things we are going to do that month.

What we decided to do for our 2017 resolution was to make the time, literally.  I know this sounds a little crazy but this is coming from the girl who makes about 5 lists each day.  So when we calendar we are sure to set some dates.  Like we used to, in college when we low-key celebrated "month-iversaries". (cheesy I know, but that's what you do)  So we set a date for 'date night' and we also set a date for a tech free night- which could consist of anything from making a meal from scratch together, board game night, hot tub night, home project night-- as long as there's no tv, iPads, phones, etc.

Two nights (or even days if you're feeling up for it or your calendar allows)- it's just really doable!  I know we all feel busy- full time jobs, with part time jobs, coaching, home responsibilities, family responsibilities and more.. but if it means enough, we can all find the time!  I also know some of ya'll are thinking, well we always go on "dates" or we normally put our phone away at dinner.  I'm not discounting that at all.. I just think we needed a bit more.  A date night does not have to cost an arm and a leg.. David and I don't have an arm, leg, or toe to spend on a date night! We're all about those gift cards, coupons, and any kind of discount- but seriously, David is the coupon king.  Date night does not have to be on a Friday or Saturday.. check out discount movie tickets during the week or week day trivia, hit up a local brewery.. whatever works for you!

So what, you're single.. your cat is your best cuddle buddy, your wine glass sits on your night stand, or your guys are always ready for a night out.. that's okay.  You also, can do this.. we all strive to understand ourselves more.  Most of us have probably used the excuse to get out of a relationship, "I just need to figure out me" or "I need some me time".  Well do that now!  What are you waiting for?  I have no room to judge a good binge watching of Netflix.. my love for law and order SVU, New Girl, and Greys can speak for it, but you can also set aside 2 nights.


Two nights.. put away this technology crap for one.. let go of the facebook checking in, the cute instagram caption, or the snap chat filters.. do something for you, and don't worry about the rest of the world.  Read a new book, pick up a magazine (and a bottle of wine too if you'd like), grab coffee with your best friend, go shopping with your mom, or go somewhere new but dare not to take your phone.  The feeling is amazing! (just remember where you put it, since we've all had those freak out moments of thinking we lost our phone, even if it's in our freaking hand)
The 'date' night when you're single.. so what you you're not married or have a significant other- just schedule a night to do something you really want to do. Grab your bestie and go to a wine and paint night, grab your bud, purchase tickets, and go catch a game.  Or get a whole group of people together and hit up a new brewery or a festival.

It's not that our marriage hit a halt or was boring.
There's just something about being that 19 year old girl that intentionally picks out an outfit, does her makeup, etc because her boyfriend or bff is coming to pick her up outside her dorm and go out.  Don't get me wrong, I'm all for winging it- often on a Tuesday discount movie night or an Applebee's dinner all while happily rockin' sweatpants and a top knot.
There was just something inside me the week of our dates.. a little piece in my heart that kept me smiling because I knew what was coming.  When our date night got there, it was great! It was another night of falling in love with David all over again.  Yeah, we had to wait to get our table at Outback since we went on a Friday at 7:00.. but even that, was time just the two of us.  Before dinner we went to the range, and man I was guilty of checking him out.. but who can blame me, my adorable husband shooting at a target of ducks, in his dark wash jeans!

I'm not saying this is for everyone... but it could be.  You don't have to start a resolution right on January 1st.  What do you have to loose?
I believe relationships (including our relationship within ourselves) are a lot like our bodies..
if you're not working on it, then there's a chance you could be causing damage.  Think about it!

leave the "eh" behind
hugs,
abi

The Beginning, A Very Good Place to Start

So where is this coming from.. Why would I write a blog?

Well, let's back up a bit.  Starting a blog is on my 30 things to do before 30 list.  I heard of this idea from a friend in my Bible study and I absolutely fell in love with it!


I always had a bucket list.  I actually found the one I created freshmen year of high school on my mac a couple of weeks ago.  And what's awesome.. I did some of the things listed without being aware!  Going to Europe and getting married are two that I'm lucky to have enjoyed off my list.

But on my new list, the 30 before 30, I put down start a blog.  This idea is almost foreign to me because I tend to be a very "closed book" and introverted kind of girl.  The idea that people can look into my life and thoughts that I'll never meet is slightly scary.  It's like letting someone other than myself or my husband wash my underwear.  Talk about up close and personal!


So who am I?  For those of you that don't know me, feel free to check out my about me page.  But really I'm just a 20 something girl that's starting to figure it out, well, I think. Maybe not the whole "it" of life.. but bits and pieces with my husband, family, and friends by my side.

My weight fluctuates and so does my level of sarcasm; but as for my favorite color and passions, they're static.  Other then cuddling with my husband, my favorite part of the day is teaching the fashion design course to my high schoolers.  I'm not sure as of now what the content will be here in this space but I've always been one to write and reflect.


My life goes in many directions so I have a feeling this blog may do so as well.  Hopefully not in a broken wing bug kind of way but a hand in hand with life way.  They say you should write about a niche.. well I cannot guarantee that, but I can guarantee things relating to heels, aprons, and cuddles will definitely be written about.  And if one person reads and laughs, finds comfort, inspiration, or a friend in me then writing was worth it.  I hope you join me.. for whatever this ride is about to be!

leave the "eh" behind
Hugs,
abi


Any thoughts or interest please share, post, comment, and more!