Monday, November 22, 2010
days 17-20
I am thankful for Diet Coke.
Yes, I did just say that.
No, I do not care if you are judging me right now.
Diet Coke has been my energy source is Clearwater Beach Summer Project 2008. I completely blame Kerianne Bethea for my addiction. She's probably giggling herself into a frenzy over in Spain having just read that.
But in all seriousness, I drink at least a can a day. Whenever I get my Harris Teeter VIC Card emails alerting me to what is on sale for the week, the first thing I check is to see if Diet Coke products are Buy 2, Get 3 Free. It doesn't matter how many refrigerator packs I have in the house at the moment...if they're B2G3, you best believe I'm firing up The Reba and heading to HT.
Thank you, makers of Diet Coke, for helping me pull all-nighters, get through crazy days, and sometimes just calm down during a movie at night. I greatly appreciate your genius invention.
Day 18.
Erin Byrnes Green. This name means nothing to some of you, but to me, she's been my constant companion for the past three months. Erin is my cooperating teacher here at Garner and she is uhhh-mazing! Her energy level keeps me happy all day. She has amazing ideas for the classroom and just how to effectively love your students. I have learned so much from her.
Some of the other LTN girls do nothing but complain about their CTs. I only remember complaining about her once. Some of the other girls don't like their CTs at all--Erin and I talk on the phone every weekend, text little stories to one another; we've been to each others' houses; we plan double dates that one day we will go on if I ever get a boyfriend. I've all ready warned her that next year I'm going to be sending her an email a day asking what I should be doing with my students. My life would be vastly different if I had been assigned anyone else. Thanks, Big Guy, for having a hand in the small details.
Day 19.
On that same note, my kiddos are such blessings. I know that I've complained about them a ton, but oh my heavens! I miss them on the weekends and I hate the fact that I have planning 2nd period because that just puts 90 more minutes between me and them! My future students have such shoes to fill!
Day 20.
I am incredibly thankful for my job. No, not my "job" at Garner...but the real one that writes me a paycheck every now and again. I love working for Barnes & Noble! I have so much fun and I adore the people I work with. On top of that, I have the world's greatest boss! Lynn has been so understanding about my demanding schedule outside of work from my second interview a year and a half ago, until this very day. I've never had a problem not working on Sundays or taking off two months to go to the Middle East. I could complain about some other people in charge, but it all boils down to Lynn. I've been told that I could probably get better hours at another store or definitely have less of a commute at another store, but because of my most fabulous Lynn and the absolutely fantastic people I work with, I could never leave. It would be really easy for them to fire me because I request so much time off, but they keep me around, and I am so happy they do! I miss it during my stints of not working and I look forward to my alarm going off at 4:30am during the holidays so I can go open shop. Now how many people can say that?
Friday, November 19, 2010
a whole bunch of THANKS! (days 6-16)
But, now that I have given back two of my classes to Mrs. Byrnes, my time has freed up and I can relive the joys of blogging again! Yay!
Since I'm on my school computer and therefore have no pictures, I'm going to be doing the silly little things to be thankful for so the rest of my posts can be of the utmost detail and pictures!
Day 6.
I am thankful for kind text messages. I have blogged before about how people have forgotten about kindness and how badly our world is in need of it, so although "kind text messages" might be something silly, it's still true.
I was having a rough day at school a few days ago. It was a bad day--I've certainly had worse--but my kids were just really needy and I had enough. Then I checked my phone in between classes and I saw a few text messages from friends saying "Hey! I love you!" or "I miss you and would love to grab coffee sometime." or "You're my favorite". The first thought in my head was "SOMEONE LIKES ME!" Silly, I know, but the smallest things can mean the world to somebody.
Day 7.
I am thankful for music. Music puts me in the best of moods. I had a stocked iPod and can always enjoy a tune or two to either cheer me up or pump me up or something. I grew up around music. Nearly my entire family sings and some of my best childhood memories include singing Christmas carols or jamming out in the car. My favorite present of all time is a mixed CD. They're precious!
Day 8.
I am thankful for my LTN Girls. For those of you that don't know what "LTN" means, it's the graduation code that State has assigned for English Education. I have no idea why, but that's what it is. I am very, very thankful for the girls in my major that supported to me, listened to me, let me cry on their shoulder, passed along ideas and lesson plans. We've been through some insanity together but we've pulled through. The six weeks before student teaching we had two classes together for a total of 4 hours together. We also normally spent the two hours in between those classes together.
These women have edited my writing, critiqued my teaching, encouraged my laughter, and loved me unconditionally. Some of them drive me crazy, some of them I couldn't live without, but in the end, I know that we were all placed together for a reason.
Day 9.
I am thankful for books. Big shocker there I know, but seriously. They are my escape. They're one of my guilty pleasures. They are my ability to travel without leaving my couch. They provide me with an education and common sense.
Day 10.
Along the same lines, I am thankful for stories. My kiddos and I normally have "story time" about every other day. They'll give me a theme, topic, or word for me to tell them a story about my life. It's fun for me and it's a break for them. I think I reeled them in to this idea when they gave me the word 'bacon' and I was able to tell them a 10 minute story about my Clearwater family. My kiddos also have amazing stories that they tell me through their journals or just after school. It's entertaining and educational all at the same time.
My grandparents have always been great story tellers and have let us into pieces of their past. My dad also has some amazing stories from his childhood. It's his dream, as well as my Granddaddy's, for me to write down a lot of our family stories so that we can pass them down.
About a year ago I spent an afternoon with Granny and Granddaddy (my mom's parents) listening and writing down their stories. It was an amazing afternoon. I learned so much. It has really inspired me to continue this idea with both sides of the family. It's one of the items on my bucket list and I'm hoping to work on it this upcoming summer.
Day 11.
I am thankful for crafts. Once again, silly, I know, but I've been doing them forever! My mom was creative in ways to keep us kids entertained and out of her hair when we were little and that desire has not gone away since then. I knit on a regular basis; I have Disney princess coloring books that I pass Saturdays with; I cross-stitch. I am even having a "cheap and crafty Christmas" this year. Megan and I have no money so we're going to take simple, cheap decorations and put our own special twist on them this year to decorate our apartment. My girls are even coming over to help!
I am also planning a "crafty weekend" this weekend. A friend of mine has her own Etsy shop and makes greeting cards and other fun things. Laura is incredibly creative and if you ever need something, I highly recommend you give her a call! She also took the photos of me and siblings for Mama's Mother's Day gift this year. I was in a pinch for a birthday card and decided to give her a call. She helped me out with a super cute card at the last minute and it gave me an idea! 'I could do this!' I thought. 'Not as good as Laura, but I want to do something cute for my kiddos...I can make them each a cute little card!' So this weekend I'm planning on cleaning off my DVR, knitting, scrapbooking, Christmas decorating and making fun cards for my kiddos! Yay!
Day 12.
I am thankful for my self-esteem. I have taken plenty of psychology classes and so I am sure that someone along the line has told me how one develops their self-esteem, but I don't remember. After working with girls through Crusade and reading the journals of some of my students, I am so thankful that I know my worth. That I know how to make myself feel better. That I know that the lies that the media tells us are not true and that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Of course, like any other girl, I have my days, but overall, I think I'm pretty well off.
Some of the girls that I have spoken with are their own worst enemies. Their dreams will not come true because they won't get off the couch long enough to make them happen. I have a fantastic life with fantastic friends and a fantastic family and fantastic prospects for where I am to go from here.
Day 13.
I am thankful for discounts! As a college student, I love anything free but I realize that we live in a capitalistic society so therefore I sometimes have to fork out cash. But I do LOVE those moments when I have a coupon or I have a discount card or there is a sale and I can save a bit of cash or get more for the same price. Whether it's Buy 2, Get 3 Free Diet Cokes at Harris Teeter, or 50% off Kim Rogers cable knit sweaters at Belk (seriously, my favorite tops for cold weather!) or just a free cup of coffee because of my Panera Card...that little bit of saving makes me smile! May I please add that this past weekend I ran to HT to pick up a few things...and I finally did it!! I SAVED more than that I SPENT!!! I have been told by a few of my coupon-queen friends/relatives that this is the thing that sets apart queens from just coupon-ers! :)
Day 14.
I am thankful for my daily reads! If you haven't noticed, I haven't been big on the whole blogging thing for very long. My cousin, Hannah, has been doing it for nearly forever and is nearly a whiz kid at the whole thing, but me, not so much. I would rather have a cup of coffee with you and tell you about my life. Nevertheless, once I got into the "blogging community" a bit more than as a visitor, I have become quite the fan! I have a handful of blogs that I check daily, and then a few others when I'm looking for a way to pass the time. But this one goes out to my daily reads:
Laura is a friend from school. Sophomore year, for some reason I signed up for this awful literature class. Seriously, it hurt to wake up and run across campus for this class every other day at 9:10. One of the two things out of it: Laura Underwood. Not only did we have Renaissance Lit together, but we also had an equally painful Spanish class right after it. I believe these classes were the start of my notorious skipping of my college classes. (ATTN PROFESSORS: Please do not tell me that I have three days to miss your class. Because I will take all three. And possibly a few more. Tell me attendance is mandatory and you're worse than Hitler when it comes to stipulations.) Anyhow, Laura is absolutely precious. She's a funny writer, an amazing photographer, a sweet friend, a creative artist, a vegetarian--but don't let that turn you away!--and a runner! She's honestly an inspiration to me and my blog. You should check her out too! :)
Laura is also the girl that took our Mother's Day photos. She even put some on her blog! I was so honored. Please note that these pictures were taken before my brother decided to chop off his helmet of hair. Laura, I think we Sandersons may be in need of another photo shoot soon :-)
Hannah is my first cousin on my mom's side. She's the one older than me. She's a pretty fabulous cousin and the closest thing to a big sister than I'll ever have. Hannah works for our family's gun store. A few of the other featured people on her blog is her sweet husband Lee who we are so thankful that she brought into the family, and also my "niece" Eden, who we are also so thankful she brought into the family. Hannah's a riot and writes in a stream of consciousness. Her blog keeps me updated on the happenings of Wendell that I miss out on while living here in Raleigh.
The Pioneer Woman is the newest addition to my reading list. I adooorrreee her. She's sassy, Southern, and sweet as can be! I don't normally read "celebrity blogs" because they're probably fake and are also pushing some type of advertisement...but how can a mom of four who lives in the middle of no where on a cattle ranch be fake? I feel like that's a life that would keep you pretty humble and pretty straightforward. I feel like if we ever met in real life, we would be friends. Our humor seems very similiar and also our writing styles. What more can a friendship need?
She's also an author of a book (not just a cookbook, but a real one, with stories!) "Black Heels to Tractor Wheels". It's all about her courtship with her husband, whom she has affectionately named "Marlboro Man." On top of this book, she also came out with a cookbook just over a year ago. Oh, Santaaaa?
Last but certainly not least, is Miss Christin A. Kubasko! I've known Christin since I started coming to Crusade and for her last three semesters of school I was in the same Bible Study as she was. Since graduating from Meredith back in May, she is now at Appalachian living the good life as a grad student. Her blog is as cute and glittery as she is, and sassy to boot! I absolutely love her and her blog!
Thanks ladies for keeping me entertained day in and day out!
Day 15.
I am thankful for snail mail :) Silly, but true. Writing letters is one of those things that I wish I were better at doing. It's not that I don't have the time, it's just that I seem to fill the time with other things. But, I truly enjoy getting letters. Sweet emails are cute too, but there is just something about the joy that I get when I find a letter in my mailbox.
Day 16.
I am thankful for Western medicine. I don't know how many of you have had to encounter hospitals or medicines or doctors from people that don't live in the States...but wow! America is so blessed. Whether it's a simple OTC drug or my prescription glasses/contacts--my life would be incredibly different if I didn't have access to the prescriptions I do.
I am quite certain that this is the longest post that I will ever write in my time as a blogger. I'm not caught up yet, but I'm thinking that a few hours at Panera tonight will fix me up right.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
thankfulness: day 5

I am thankful for a dad who knows how much I love surprises and being the center of attention, so he picked a song for us to dance to at my 18th Birthday/Graduation party in front of the 300 guests that he let me invite.

I am thankful for a dad that will let me take 1,000 pictures of him.
Remember how I mentioned that we're both afraid of heights?
Well, this picture was taken at the bottom of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, Italy. I forced myself to go to the top but had a panic attack. Daddy was smart enough to stay at the bottom and was waiting for me when I came running out of the elevator.
I am thankful for a dad who taught me the important things like how to fish and how to shoot a gun and change my oil.
I am thankful for a dad who required me to touch the gross, slimy fish.
"Rebekah, it builds character. My daughters are going to have character."
I am also incredibly thankful for a dad who teaches. Thursday, November 4, 2010
thankfulness: day 4
Today, above all else, I am thankful for chocolate and Tylenol. Can I get an amen???
It wasn't a bad day at school...it was just incredibly overwhelming. There were lots of kids and lots of needs and just lots of stress in one room which all compiled together to give me one massive headache. So what did I do? I came home, grabbed a Pepsi, some brownies, some Tylenol, and landed on the sofa with my remote in my hand for the next two hours.
Judge all you want, but there's my thankful thought for the day.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
giving thanks
I personally, LOVE this idea. Since it's November 3rd, I'll need to back track a few days...but here goes nothing.
November 1st
November 2nd
Seriously. I was trying so hard to not laugh. She was so confident and she "was going to be first to knock on a door!" But then reality set in. But I don't think that I have ever been more proud of anyone in my life. She marched up to the next door and do the same thing, but better.
"hi. mynameiskaitlynandi'mwith a bible studyhereoncampusandiwaswondering if i could take out your trash."
Last night, my girls separated themselves into three groups and knocked on every suite door in Sullivan Hall. They took out many loads of trash and talked to countless people, and never once complained.
This was my first ever group picture with my girls.
It makes me giggle because to this day it causes an uproaring between us about appropriate Fall Retreat attire.

Today, the very day that I am writing this, I am thankful for laughter.
I have always loved to laugh. Always. I have never not beeen a gigglebox. My nickname with the girls in my major is "Gigglebox."
I played two review games with my Honors kids today: Fishbowl and Jeopardy. Throughout both of them, my kids and I laughed and learned. I had kids jumping up and down screaming Shakespeare facts and quotes at the top of their lungs. I knew when I saw that happening that I could die happy.
Laughter makes the world go 'round.
Laughter is something that I witnessed very little of this summer, outside of our apartment. I think that was one of the things that hurt me the most. For being such a beautiful city, it was bleak. Maybe that's why God sent me...for that side of the world to finally hear some laughter.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
found it!
This is Chance Sutton and me on our very first Halloween. Chance is almost ten months old and I am just over five months old.
I know this is kind of a creepy picture of me, but I seriously love this picture. Chance and I run in two completely different circles these days. He goes to UNC-G and I go to State. He does theatre and I'm in education...okay, well, they're just two different types of theatre. I've known this kid forever...if you couldn't tell by the picture. When we introduce each other to our friends and they ask how we know one another, we've always done this little eye-contact-cute-grin-head-nod thing before answering. I don't know what he's thinking, but my brain goes immediately to this picture. I love you, Chancetopher!
Here is my Cinderella costume picture that I went scavaging for. According to my mom, she snapped this picture as my dad was talking in from work and I'm screaming:
"Daddy! I look like CINDERELLYYYYY!!!"
Precious, I know.
Hope you enjoyed folks. I loved finding old pictures so I'm hoping to keep this idea running.
Monday, November 1, 2010
true confessions.
01. i have become obsessed with panera bread.
no really. it's a problem for my bank account. i remember down on clearwater when a huge group of people would always want to go to panera after church at grace and i always thought they were crazy! "there's nothing there!" "you just want to spend a bunch of money on sandwiches???" but NO! a couple of friends of mine kept tweeting about their myPanera card and free stuff..and i'm ALL about some free stuff. so i decided on a whim to go get some soup on a fabulous fall afternoon, and OH. MY. GOODNESS. i went back again today :)
they have soups. and sandwiches. and salads. and sweet things with sugar all over them. what more does a girl want? oh yeah, and they have sweet tea.
02. i love the tv show friends.
you probably all ready know this. however, i needed to put it in writing. i fall to sleep every night with an episode that i own on dvd. i will get every single reference you ever make. i can probably also tell you who said the reference and the surrounding context of the reference. i normally make little references to myself that no one knows are friends references, but they make me smile.
03. kindness and respect mean the world to me.
these two things seemed to have been misplaced in our society. kids don't say "ma'am" anymore. a kid in the hallway dropped her folder and no one stopped to help her pick anything up. i had a stack of books in my hands and no one opened the door for me.
on the other hand, when i was camped out at panera on sunday for about six hours grading, one of the waitress ladies came over and picked up my glass and said 'more sweet tea honey?' she went over to the pitcher and poured me some and brought it back and said, 'here you go sunshine!' it made my day! if i had any cash, i would have given her a tip. but i did fill out a comment card for her. i hope she gets a raise.
04. my love language is acts of service.
i don't think i've ever really told anyone this. the reason for that is because it's a double edged sword. if someone starts taking care of me, i start to trust them. i start to hope that they continue to do things for me. and then, when it stops, it hurts so bad. this is why i hate when people take care of me. the first act of kindness immediately brings the thought of 'well, it won't happen again.' the second act brings 'it's just a coincidence.' the third act is when all hope breaks through the doors and eventually it gets really cold because the fourth act never comes.
i fell for a guy about a year and a half ago for a single reason: he took care of me. he would call and make sure that i had eaten that day, because i was busy and forgot to on more than one occasion. he would just show up at my apartment so i could hug him. he hung some pictures in my place and once he cleaned my bathroom. he always called or IMed me first. it was one of the best friendships i had ever been in. it was also one of the best relationships i had ever been in. homeboy set the bar. and he set it really, really high.
05. today, i disliked being a teacher.
well, i take that back. today, i disliked everything but my interactions with my kids. i had to develop a few lesson plans at the last minute. i had to send emails to everybody and their brother. i watched a few of my students do nothing during their independent work time, which is going to result in a HUGE zero tomorrow. i graded quizzes today that scored a class average of 18. i had to deal with some psycho parents. it was just a crazy day.
but, there's this one kid that always walks into my 3B class and says, "hey miss sanderson. how was your day?" the day that najee doesn't ask me how my day is, is the day that i will cry in front of my entire class. it means so much to me that he cares. even if he's faking it.
and, there's another kid that walks into my 4th class and has said since Day 2, "whassup, miss sanderson?" it always makes me smile. the kids rag on him for saying "wassup" to an english teacher, and that just makes me smile even wider.
maybe this entire entry was a waste of your life. but i hope that if nothing else, it reminds you to say "wassup?" to someone that you pass on the street tomorrow. who knows? you might make their blog.