Dare To Be Different! Just Dance!

photo the beautiful work of Lisa Marie Savard

You know the expression "dare to be different"?

Well, I believe it's a great motto. But I learn new things

almost every day. Working in a high school can be wonderful and challenging.

I see students that dress the same and think they look unique, students that look very

different in their own style. We have many cultures and customs.

Then there are the clients from my part- time job ...

my "peeps". They are high functioning mentally challenged individuals

that I help with their daily life skills. They are all one of a kind.

They are usually happy to see me. Happy about most days.

Love to share stories. 

"Dancing like no one is watching" was written for them.

We attend free concerts by the lake near their apartments

every Friday and Saturday evening in the summer...

about 7 to 10 of us, clients and aids.

The band starts up and my peeps go right up front and say "hello".

They know a lot of the performers by name.

And when the music plays - boy, do they swing!

They swish and sway, jump, bounce, smile, laugh and it's their world.

They know the words to all the current songs and sing out loud and with enthusiasm!

"Perfect" by Pink is a favorite.

I smile too.

So do the people in the audience.

You see it's abandon, it's joy, it's pure fun like no other.

I look, I learn, I love.

They inspire me.

So I thought about a lot of people and things that are different today.

Mother Teresa

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Jacqueline Kennedy

Marilyn Monroe

Rosa Parks

Ghandi

So who's your vote on unique?

          
              Just Dance!

An OH Happy Day...

Just A Happy Day

 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,1Pe 1:8

no reason

just fun filled thoughts

it's exam week at the high school

I work in - the Health Room is quiet

getting lots of things done...

 "You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands."Isaiah 55:12

no worries today

just being silly and happy

and I've had my share of sucky days...
but this isn't one of them
I just woke up on the bright side

mango, peach protein shake, Starbucks coffee
good attitude, a custom card order with cows on them
Cool!

 "This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

and I'm wishing you the
sweetest day ever! Jenn

Baby It's Hot Outside Let's Go For My Dip!

Hot Fun In The Summer Time!

Easy Red Pepper Dip
Ingredients:
1 cup pomegranate juice
1 package whole-wheat pitas, 1 pita torn into 1-inch pieces
1/2 cup walnuts, toasted
3/4 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 jar (16 ounces) roasted red peppers, drained, rinsed, and roughly chopped
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Coarse salt
Directions:
1.In a medium skillet, simmer pomegranate juice over medium-high until thick, syrupy, and beginning to brown slightly around edges, 13 minutes (you should have about 2 tablespoons syrup).

2.Meanwhile, in a food processor, process torn pita until coarse crumbs form. Add walnuts, paprika, cumin, and cayenne and process until finely chopped. Add peppers, lemon juice, and syrup and process until mixture is a smooth paste. With machine running, slowly pour oil through feed tube and process until combined. Season with salt and serve with remaining pitas, toasted and cut into wedges.

Avocado-Corn Salsa
Nutritional Info (Per serving):
Calories: 101, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 75mg, Dietary Fiber: 4g, Total Fat: 7g, Carbs: 11g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Protein: 2g  Carb Choices: 0.5

Ingredients:
3/4 cup(s) corn, frozen, thawed
1/2 cup(s) tomato(es), grape, quartered
1 medium avocado, diced
1 tablespoon cilantro, fresh, chopped
2 teaspoon lime juice
1/4 teaspoon salt, Kosher
Preparation:
Toss avocado, corn, tomatoes, cilantro, lime juice and salt in a medium bowl.

No Biggie!

now let's partee!

The Freedom Of A Puddle Pouncing!

whether it we pooch or playfriend... i firmly believe in splashing in puddles!

i don't really like to use an umbrella when it rains

i love storms

thunder

roaring winds

aren't rain boots fun to look at?

i think umbrellas are kinda cool looking...lol

this morning as I was getting in my car for work at 6 am

a dad and his little boy (probably 18 months) were heading out to day care

the dad said "look puddles! want to jump in them?"

and he did. with joy, spirit, gusto, messily, dripping

and dad said "look, here's another one! here's a bigger one!"

now how cool is that!

Rain bashing, rain crashing,

In the puddles, children splashing,

Mother's tongue has started lashing,

Everyone is wet!

Rain slopping, rain stopping,

In the puddles, children hopping,

Mother's hands have started mopping,

Everyone, I bet!

Sun waking, sun breaking,

In the puddles, children quaking,

Mother's arms have started shaking,

Everyone, she'll net!

Sun applying, sun drying,

In the puddles, children crying,

Mother's breath is now a sighing,

Everyone's upset!

Sun gleaming, sun scheming,

In the puddles, children steaming!

Mother's smile, now is beaming,

Everyone's her pet!

No Time Like The Present - Enjoy!

Pack up your pre-holiday stress....please?

Don't get all tangled up in the rush of things.

Take time to see the ones you love.

Love the ones your with.

Don't be swept away by lists,chores, tasks.

People come to see YOU - not check out your dust bunnies.

Mmmmm, ooops - just daydreaming about my

favorite football team the NY Giants, lol.

But if that relaxes or revives you - go for it!

Another big mmmmm!

Dance...

dress up or...don't!

I hope you're happy whatever you do!

jennifer



photos compliments of Martha Stewart

You Just Haven't Met Them Yet! Etsy Jewelry Sellers....

open the door

peek in!

Etsy sellers I've found and items I think are cool

 and reasonable!

lifedream

mylavaliere

smilesophie

danglingjewelry

Personnallytagged

atralfamadore
so go sightseeing, shopping, check out ETSY,
encourage sellers and
Just Have A Fun Day Girl!

What Can You Do In A Day?

Good Morning, Good Morning!

I'm trying to think of new ways to make a difference. Little ways, big ways, asking for ideas, finding ideas. I am having soooo much fun doing it! It can be free or cost very little. Earlier this week I bought several bags of candy corn, divided them into smaller bags, tied and tagged them with notes that said " maybe a little corny but thanks for your support". The staff I work with are the very BEST! One day I put bottles of bubbles in my friend's mail cubbies with a note that said "you're never too old to be young!".

soooo,  saying "thank you" is really pretty darn easy!

Balinese (Bali) Matu suksama       Cherokee (United States) Wa'-do
  Farsi (Iran) Mamnoon          Gascon (France) Merci

Yesterday I stopped at The French Confection bakery and picked up fresh baked crossiants for a few of my co-workers ... just 'cause.

                           almond

chocolate

strawberry                 apple

   I had so much funny handing them out and seeing the surprise on my co-workers faces.......

I did it again today for the 5 Security Guards, the Principal and 2 Guidance Counselors.

man was it fun!

Gong (Thailand) Ang kêun      Hawaiian (Hawaii) Mahalo
Italian (Central Europe, E Africa) Grazie          Japanese (Japan) Arigato
It's 9:10 am and I can't stop smiling!



Valencian (Spain)          Gracies              Welsh (Wales)  Diolch yn fawr
Yiddish (Europe) Dank  Zulu (South Africa, Lesotho) Ngiyabonga

P.S. I had my usual java and a strawberry and cream croissant (not my usual or I'd be HUGE) = no calories on Fridays.

(lunch = salad dinner = salad breakfast tomorrow = salad)

Life is just a chair of bowlies! Jenn

God's fingerprints on my life... the ability to smile and try to do good. I don't always win but I always try.