Biscuit Blunder

Jim has been on me lately to try my hand at making homemade biscuits. Well, after gathering all of the necessary ingredients (and that took 3 trips to Publix), I got a wild hair today and thought I'd see what I could do.

Let's say I am NO Paula Deen. . . or Rachel Ray. . . or Sandra Lee. . . you get the picture.

Here are my very bitter, mis-shapen, not-quite-hockey-puck southern biscuits.

I did redeem myself with a yummy meatloaf- made with Jim's latest deer.

Practice makes perfect. I guess.

Happy Times

Isn't it funny how you can be so sad one day and then lay eyes on a beautiful child (namely my 3-year-old niece Cameron) and feel all the clouds float away? Cameron knows how to cheer me up just when I need it.
Her little sister Callie is due December 22nd and I can't wait to meet her too! Here are a few new pictures of our little ball of sunshine.

Cameron loves her Uncle Jimbo

Cameron and her pony

Cameron being silly

Life Lessons

I thought that getting married and moving away from my family and friends was hard. I’ve struggled for nearly two years to complete my master’s degree and have faced many up-hill battles along the way. Last year, our entire office got laid off.

But earlier this week I lost a baby. I can honestly say that it is the most painful and difficult experience I have ever been through in my 28 years on this earth.

It’s easy to blame God when things don’t go our way. Sometimes he does things that we don’t understand at the time. They hurt too much to grasp the meaning and truly see that they are for the best.

I’ve thought a lot this week about how God could let the Devil be so mean to us. Then I thought about Job and the many struggles that God let him go through. In the end, Job persevered and realized that all the pain he endured didn’t kill him. It only made him stronger.

I hope that I too can find the strength and determination to continue on. I know that God will bless us with a happy and healthy baby when the time is right.

"I can do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens me." - Philippians 4:13

Taking a Blogger Break

Jim has started a new business (in addition to his work at AT&T and his lawn care side-job he's had since he as a teenager) and he's put me to good work lately. My blog is suffering and I've decided to take a break for a while.

As far as my education venture goes, I take yet another English test on June 13th (wish me luck) and have to finish my student teaching this fall. After that, I'll start on my specialist/doctorate and hope to find my niche in the classroom.

We are hoping to welcome a baby early next year and I know it will be tough to get back into the workforce, especially in a classroom with 30+ kids.

I'll keep up with everyone's blogs and continue my neighborhood blog, www.lafayetteridge.blogspot.com.

Happy blogging!

How Does Dr. Patty Sound?

I'm starting to get serious about working on Ph.D. (or Ed.D. in the world of education). I've completed everything for my master's with the exception of my 60 days of student teaching and think that perhaps I should go ahead and pursue my Specialist/Ph.D. after that. I will switch programs and go with either Kaplan or Walden.

I want to be able to pay cash for my doctorate like I did my Master's though, so I know I'll have to save some more money (and sell more stuff on Craigslist) in order to do so.

I promise not to be like some people with Ph.D. degrees who insist on being referred to as "Dr" all the time. I always have been and always will be . . . (just) Lauren.

I'm Going to Be an Aunt Again!

Yeah! After 10+ months with no luck, my brother and his wife are finally expecting their second bundle of joy - They are going to welcome another child late this year. I am so excited! I hope that we'll get to welcome baby Ian, a boy. But, we'll be just as excited if it is baby Callie, a girl. We just are hoping and praying for a happy, healthy baby. My parents are equally thrilled.

Ki-Ki will make a wonderful big sister!

UPDATE: Baby Ian or Baby Callie is due Dec. 22nd! Everything is looking good and Brooke is doing well. Cameron is so excited about the "baby in Mommy's tummy."

UPDATE #2: Jim and I are not having a baby right now. We are the 1% error rate that the EPT box warns about! We are sad, but we know that we'll have a baby when the time is right.

Blue Willow Inn

My in-laws, along with Jim's aunt who is visiting from Denver, invited me to a wonderful lunch at the Blue Willow Inn in Social Circle. What a better way to spend a rainy day? This beautiful place is home to one of the yummiest buffet restaurants in North East Georgia (and it's only about 30 minutes from our home). Jim couldn't join us because he is out workin' in the rain.

We enjoyed fried green tomatoes, tons of sweets, and a delicious new creation - pecan and cheese rolls. The front entrance/garden areas are beautiful with several flowering trees, plants, bushes and flowers in full bloom.

Here are a few pictures:

Huh, Say What?

Saturday's test went as well as possible considering I didn't see the Medieval, Arabic or Chinese Literature questions coming! I studied all of the test preparation materials, which clearly emphasized the importance of poetry, prose, and British Lit. So when I got into the test and was asked about the Pyrrhic Victory and Chinese Lit, I checked my test booklet twice to make sure I was taking the correct test. Unfortunately for me, I was.

I think I did really well on the 2 essay questions and I guess I'll know the results in one month.

And, I've started studying up for the Special Education and Early Childhood Education exams. I looked over the Social Studies/History and PE exams and don't think that's the best route for me (as of yet).

All this to become a teacher who rarely sees respect and is belittled by children! Ah, the irony.

Another Day, Another Test

I know I haven't posted in a while, but things have been crazy around here as I prepare to take yet another standardized "teacher" test. How many of these do I need to take? Tomorrow I will take a second portion of the Georgia High School English exam (GACE II).

I think that I am going to make friends with the test givers as I set out to take every test possible. I think that I should go back every chance they offer the test (only 4-5 times per year) to take different tests like Social Studies, Special Education, Physical Education and what ever else I think I may be able to pass. I hope that in doing so, I'll have a better chance to get hired on full-time.

The more tests I take and pass, the more areas I'll be certified to teach in. Say a prayer that tomorrow's test goes well. The results don't come back for a solid month. That's torture.

It's Gettin' Hairy

I never thought I'd see the day when teachers are being laid off. Clayton County and Fayette County are both laying off 150 teachers (or furloughing them) respectively for the upcoming school year. The state's largest district, Gwinnett County (where my hubby attended) is cutting part-time and many parapro positions.

Walton County (where we live) is seeing a $34 million budget shortfall for the upcoming school year and even though they are opening a new high school, they are hoping to cut the number of teachers they'll need by increasing class size. Did I mention that the classroom in which I've been observing has 31 students in first period? There aren't enough desks for everyone to actually sit down.

Pray that there are actual full-time openings available for the many teachers and first-time teachers in the fall.

Ain't too Proud to Beg

Okay, so I really want to continue on and get my Specialist and Ph.D. But the question is, how on earth will I pay for it?

I didn't realize how fortunate I was to have my undergraduate degree paid for by the HOPE Scholarship until I paid for my own Master's degree. It hurts! I can't imagine paying another $30,000+ for additional degrees. So here's my plan. . . . .


I have emailed Ellen Degeneres (yes the TV talkshow host/comedian) and asked for her help. I don't think it's too crazy of a request! Ha. I told her that I would be happy to set up a Web cam or Skype in and dance, sing or do whatever she requests of me to earn my keep/degree. How funny would that be?

You never know, she may just call me and take me up on my offer! Wouldn't that be wonderful!

Snow Pics, Part 2

Here are a few new pictures of the snow we received yesterday. We had a blast! My neighbors kids came over to play (they think I am their age I believe) and they built me a snowman.

It's Snowing!

Yeah! We are finally seeing some snow in the South! Loganville hasn't seen much snow yet, but it is still coming down. I'm a little disappointed that my parent's weren't able to join us for lunch today, but we all agreed that they shouldn't make the 65-mile trip with this weather. Besides, they wanted to stay home and play in it too!

Here are a few pics of our house and yard as the snow is beginning to fall. (Oh and one of me playing in the snow and all bundled up!) . . .

Cross Your Fingers

Okay, I'm not saying that I am giving up on public school just yet, but today I applied for a Language Arts position with a wonderful local private school in Monroe. I would love to call George Walton Academy my new teaching "home." I've seen some crazy stuff at my local high school and have come to realize that I've really become old-school. (Never thought I'd say that).

GWA is amazing. I know some of the students and several of the parents. I've witnessed the awesome parental involvement first-hand.

Check 'em out - Here's the link - http://gwa.com/

Cross your fingers that I hear something back. The teachers are renewing their contracts next week and the school's administration said they should have an idea about what openings they will have after that.

Weekend in Pictures

We had a great time at Natalie's party. Glad to see so many old friends.

What Exactly Can I Afford on a Teacher's Salary?

Everyone asks about how I'll handle the teacher's salary and all I can say is this: It's really increased over the years and is pretty competitive in regards to other jobs that most women take. With that said, I'm already spending like I'm earning the salary of a teacher with a Ph.D. Is that wrong?

My latest purchase comes in the form of new stainless steel appliances. Jimbo and I updated the kitchen with granite countertops and tile backsplash over the summer and the old white appliances really stood out as being outdated. We are still working on installing the new dishwasher. Here are a few pics of the updated kitchen.

La-La Loves Ki-Ki

I know that all children are special (at least I am trying to tell myself that as I become a teacher). But, I have to share the most special girl (and person) in my life.

My niece Cameron is 2 1/2 years old and she has brought the most joy to my life (and my entire family) in such a short period of time. She calls me La-La and I call her Ki-Ki and we have so much fun together. She's sassy and bossy (just like a typical Kosko) and so full of life.

I love babysitting her and I am so glad that I'll have summers and holidays off so that I can keep spending time with her.

Love is: Family!

What Have I Gotten Myself Into?

Either I'm older than I thought or I'm just way out of touch, but I'm shocked at what goes down in high schools today. Student teaching has been an adventure and I've still got a long way to go! These kids say things, act certain ways and express themselves in ways I could have never imagined! I may have the best student teaching experience ever - especially if I get to help deliver one student's baby (literally due any day now).

I must be so transparent because the teacher felt the need to explain a few things that stunned me after 4th period yesterday. All I can say is WOW!

I think I've entered the Twilight Zone.

Crossing the Hurdles

I crossed another hurdle! I passed the GACE II High School English exam and will be able to finish up my masters now! I have taken so many tests lately that my mind is in a fog and I am so excited to have passed this phase in my program.

Now I am looking into starting on my Specialist degree and then I can move onto my Ph.D. My pocketbook is in dire need of help before I can begin on my doctorate though. How funny will Dr. Lauren Patty sound? Love it!

We Survived - Camping 101

Our camping trip was great. We headed out to Amicalola Falls in Dawsonville yesterday morning and I had enough stuff packed to stay a week instead of one night! Jim laughed at all of my "necessities."

Here are a few highlights of our trip:
1. It took us forever to figure out how to set the 2 beds up on the camper. This camper is 10 years newer than our old one, so we had a lot to learn about everything.

2. I made Jim sleep closest to the door in case someone came in on us (he'd be the 1st person they'd attack). Well, I didn't think about sleeping closest to the window and hearing every little noise all night long. Needless to say, neither one of us got much sleep. I kept imagining Jason (or Freddie) slicing and dicing us through the camper windows.

3. We were camping in the mountains, but still in touch with our inner-tech-geek-selves. Thanks to Jim's iPhone, we were able to look up the rules to Crazy 8's.

4. We had the most wonderful meal (to celebrate our 4th wedding anniversary) at the Smith House in Dahlonega. I ate so much I nearly got sick (literally).

5. I didn't make it all the way up the trail to see the falls. After gorging myself on roast, green beans and 3 helpings of corn bread, I just didn't have it in me to walk all the way up to the top.

Here are a few pics from our adventure.

Adventures in. . . Camping

Jim and I got a new pop-up camper and we are going to take "her" out this weekend for a mini camping trip. We've gone once before in our old camper, but this one actually has heating and air. I hope the weather is nice.

I think we are going to head up around Dawsonville and I hope to get some Outlet Mall therapy shopping in. Does that take away from the whole camping idea? I think I deserve it after finishing my classes and earning only one B out of 12 classes! Now if I could just get him to pay for something . . . .

I'll post some pics of our camping adventure when we return.

My First Post

I decided to create this blog in order to chronicle the challenges, excitement and adventure of becoming a first-time teacher. After five+ years of marketing and public relations, I decided to enter graduate school and pursue a masters in secondary education degree.

During the past year, I have taken 12 classes and have to complete my student teaching in order to finish up my degree. Working on my masters degree has been a wonderfully challening experience. I doubled up on my classes and am so pleased that it took me less than one year to finish all of my actual coursework.

Loganville High School will serve as the setting for my Adventures in Babysitting (as I like to think of it). 11th and 12th grade English to be exact. I pray that these 17 and 18-year-old kids aren't the spawns of Satan and that we will have a wonderful relationship in the classroom. I have a feeling that I'm going to have my first mugshot taken after this adventure.