Post Thanksgiving!

Greetings to all of you out there in "Blogland!" I wanted to write a Thanksgivng post but I was up at my parents home in Grass Valley and it was storming and as a result, the internet was down. "Sigh!" What's a girl to do? Anyways, with times such as these, there is so much to be thankful for. I am thankful for family and friends and for the fact that I have a great job and get to work with the most amazing people on a daily basis. I also have a nice apartment and a car that works...FINALLY! The latter is a long story but many of thousands of dollars later I have a car that runs! Praise the Lord! With Thanksgiving, it really is the start of the holiday season and I hope that you will be blessed mightily and immensely!

"If you want to turn your life around, try thankfulness. It will change your life mightily." -Gerald Good

This is a photo of my dad and I taken by my very own hand...not great but we were trying out my parents new camera. I am so proud of them...they're going digital! Mom opted out of the photo! :( She doesn't like taking pictures but when she's NOT looking, watch out for I will shoot and post! LOL! Aren't families fun? They truly are and when I think of mine, I truly count my blessings! To God be the glory for the things HE has done! Be THANKFUL, THANKFUL, THANKFUL!

Time Out!

I didn't mean to do it! It wasn't intentional...it just happened! How? I really don't know...I think that it was the devil that made me do it! Okay...not really, and if I am really honest with myself it was just sheer laziness! "What is it Robin that YOU are talking about?" Okay...I am ashamed to admit that I haven't paid hardly any attention to my blog and that makes me sad! I just got so bogged down with the pressures of work and life that I really neglected my blog and when one of my dear friends thought that I had given up blogging for good, I knew that it was time to finally get with the program and jump back into action so to speak. I got a new camera for my birthday and I have taken lots of pictures and really do want to share many things with you so please forgive me for my laziness and hang in there with me! With that all said and done, let me give you a little preview of what has been happening in my little corner of the world....

We went on a trip to Apple Hill and got to tour a real apple farm! We were introduced to several varieties of apples and even go to taste some homemade apple juice. It was all so delicious! We saw a commercial apple peeler in action and then got to go out into the orchard to see how apples are grown and cared for. Then to top it all off, we went to a pumpkin patch and got to select our own pumpkin. It was a way to end a fun filled day! So here's to many more fun filled days to come and I REALLY can't wait to share them all with you in "Blog Land!"

A Picture is Worth 1000 Words!

Someone took this random photo of me on a trip to Apple Hill that I took with my cousin Lani and her family. In the background is her "oh so happy" daughter Amanda. One of us didn't want to go that day and was literally forced! Can you guess who? I love this photo even though it isn't a very good shot...I literally can feel her pain and my lips look like the Joker's from Batman! LOL! :) P.S. Don't feel too bad for Amanda...I bought her a carmel apple and she cheered right up! I just love, love, LOVE that girl!

"The Bluebird of Happiness!"

As you can see, Robin decided to get a lil' body art done! Yes...you guessed it right I got a tattoo! It was something that I always wanted and while some people might say that it is me just having a "midlife crisis" I say that is sooooooooooooo not true. I have finally gotten to the age where I have decided that "Life is too short" and you should go out and fulfill your dreams! LOL! I actually did put A LOT of thought into this because if you are going to mark up your body it better be with something that has meaning and purpose. So I chose a little bluebird. The reason why I chose this was because when I was a little girl, my grandmother always called me her "Little Bluebird!" I was called that because when I was a baby I had bright blue eyes but gone are those days and now I have hazel eyes...sigh! Also, I chose to have my lil' bluebird carry a yellow rose because my mother's favorite flower is a yellow rose and the meaning of a yellow rose signifies strong feelings of pure joy, gladness, happiness and friendship! I just LOVE that! So with all that said and done, I now have a "Bluebird of Happiness" to watch over me and guide me and that makes me very happy! :)

"Busy, Busy, Busy!"

"Yippie skippy!" I have finally made it through the first month of school! Let me tell you, this is ALWAYS a busy time for me and even after ALL these years of teaching, it hasn't gotten any easier. I have taught for 15 years and if you have ever taught, then I bet you can relate! You have to just get in sync as you get acquainted with each little personality, establish a routine which means going over the rules again and again, and saying the same things so many times, that you start to sound like a broken record. You even start to wonder, "are these babies gonna ever catch on?" Then you start to miss some of the kids you had from last year, who of course by the end of the year did get it! So each and every year has its new challenges and getting back into the swing of things takes lots of time, love and patience! With ALL that said and done, can I just say, that I love, love, LOVE my new class. They are just so sweet and well behaved! I keep waiting for the "honeymoon" to be over or for the "the other shoe to drop" but I think that I can safely say that we are in for an amazing year. Even my fellow grade level teachers say that I have the "Dream Class!" I feel like a proud mama and I'm counting my blessings!

We always end our first month of school by having our "Annual Teddy Bear Parade" where we make bear hats and bring our favorite teddy bear to school. It is one of my favorite traditions that we do in kindergarten! Aren't they adorable? I'm am excited to see what this new year will bring and I feel very blessed and privileged to be a teacher! Here's to a GREAT year kids!

"Sweet Lil' Miss Rylie Kay!"

My dear friend Carrie has the most adorable little baby girl named Rylie Kay who I think looks a lot like lil' Cindy Lou Who from "How the Grinch Who Stole Christmas." Don't you agree? I think that she is absolutely adorable and I could just eat her up with a spoon! Now since I don't have children of my own, I get my "baby fix" by spending time with her and just loving on her to "bits and pieces!" There is also one thing that me and lil' Miss Rylie Kay have in common other than our love for each other and that is our genuine dislike for peas as evidenced here in exhibit #1...

Now I had to come to lil' Miss Rylie Kay's defense here as she was making her feelings known rather loudly at dinner time the other evening and boy do I mean LOUD! Seriously, you can't deny that the girl has a great pair of lungs! So...I said to her mama that while I know that a baby needs her veggies, if she honestly doesn't like it, then get some other veggie that she would prefer instead! Honestly, if you had to eat something that looks like "Shrek" green colored vomit then you would be upset too right? EXACTLY! With that I rested my case! and she didn't have to finish and has now moved on to carrots! Now she is known as"Smiley Rylie" as evidenced in exhibit #2...

See? Now THAT'S more like it! Love you baby!

"Labor Day...Flavor Day!"

One of the GREAT things about "Labor Day" is that it's really the last holiday of the summer for you to go out and enjoy the day with your friends and family! I know that there will be LOTS of BBQ's today! I, unfortunately am NOT a cook...that wasn't my gifting! LOL! Paula Deen I am NOT but I can follow a simple recipe and one that intrigued me was a recipe that I got for "Watermelon Salsa!" It is very easy to make and sooooooooo good too! While I can't take credit for it, I did look at various recipes on the web and you can also include other things such as pineapple, peaches and avacado! ( I will admit that I am an avacado fiend!) So here is the recipe to try and ENJOY!

"Watermelon Salsa"

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup lime juice
• 2 tablespoons browns sugar
• 3 cups chopped watermelon (about ½ full sized watermelon)
• ½ cup minced red onion
• ¼ cup mint leaves
• 2 tablespoons minced jalapenos (about ½ jalapeño)
• 1/3 cup cilantro
• ½ cucumber
• Salt to taste

Directions:

1. Whisk the lime juice and sugar until sugar has completely dissolved.
2. Add the rest of the ingredients in a medium size bowl. Toss gently. Refrigerate overnight.

So go out there my friends and turn your "Labor Day" into a "Flavor Day!"

"Down and Out!"

Hi there!

"Happy Labor Day" to all of you in "Blog Land!" I know that I have been out of commission lately. Working summer school kept me busy, then I took a mini vacation to my parents home in Grass Valley only to come home and find out that my computer was on the "fritz" and my camera died! LOL! "Oh no! Say it ain't so!" Well of of you in "Blog Land" know that computers and cameras are essential when it comes to keeping a blog. Now that I am "back in action" so to speak, I am excited to share with you some of what has been going on in my life and I want you to be able to meet my new class! I have 22 kindergartners and they are absolutely adorable...wait till you see them! Pictures will be coming soon!


Well my friends, enjoy those last lazy days of summer! That is what I intend to do! Me and my friend Carrie love to spend the days hopping in her Jeep with the top down and let the wind mess up our hair and get bugs in out teeth! LOL! (Okay, maybe not THAT) But before you know it, Fall will soon be here and it will be time to put the top back up on the Jeep and get out our colorful Fall sweaters! In the meantime, I hope that you have a "Happy Labor Day!" and I will post again very soon! I PROMISE! For I'm baaaaaaaaaaaack! :)

"Summertime and the Livin' is Easy!"

25 Things That I LOVE the Most About Summer...

1. Lounging by the pool with "Charlie the dog" and my sweet little cousin Anna too!
2. The smell of sunscreen but NOT the feel! I don't like feeling greasy! :)
3. Ice cold lemonade
4. Snow cones that give you a brain freeze!
5. Going to the drive in movies...yes, we still have them in Sacramento!
6. BBQ's
7. Going to yard sells and thrift shops
8. Flip flops
9. Getting pedicures so I can wear my flip flops
10. Watching fireworks
11. Going bowling
12. Going to old book stores and finding a bunch of good, cheap books
13. Running through the sprinklers
14. Going to free concerts in the park
15. Visiting museums
16. Working in my garden
17. Going to street fairs, eating cheap food and finding flea market treasures
    
18. Going to the zoo
19. Going to the library
20. Going to San Francisco
21. Hanging out at the beach
22. Going river rafting
23. Going to the State Fair
    
24. Going to San Diego...my hometown!
25. Celebrating my birthday!

So my dear friends, what kinds of fun and exciting things do you like to do during the summer? Do tell! :)

Wordless Wednesday...Almost!

I know that you're not EVER supposed to play with your food, but sometimes you just can't help yourself! Mr. Turtle came out of his shell when he heard that pancakes were going to be served. Little did he know...LOL!

I've Been a Lil' Behind!

I am soooooooooooo sorry that I have been a lil' behind on my blog! Summer has just flown by hasn't it? I have been working summer school and have been granted just one week of vacation time off! Yippie! I also just celebrated my birthday where I decided that I have "Age Dyslexia!" I am declaring myself to be 34! This is a rare occurance because next year it won't really work to my advantage and actually won't occur for me again until I am 50 when I turn 5! LOL! Why it's "The Curious Case of Robin Hellgren!" It's kind of like "Leap Year" where it only occurs every few years for you really only want to use it when the second number is lower than the first! So...if you haven't guessed already I am really 43! Honest! Don't you love my photo? I wish that I could deny that it is me but the hair is a dead give away! So NO WISECRACKS okay? Well my dear friends I hope that you are all having a wonderful and relaxing summer for we all deserve it don't ya think?

My Lil' Trooper!

Once upon a time, there was a little boy who "forgot" that when his big sister tells him to leave something alone 10 times, that he is actually supposed to do it!

Oh how life lessons can be difficult and at times, can be rather painful...poor lil' thing!

Meet my adorable little cousin, Andrew! He is also known as "Andy Bob" and he is my absolute pride and joy! Well, as you can see, sweet little Andrew had an encounter with an "ungarded" bicycle chain which required a quick trip to the doctor to get 6 stitches. "OUCH!" However, he did make the doctor's night, he was a perfect angel and didn't even flinch when they gave him shots to numb him! (Honestly, he is FAR MORE braver than I could ever be!) He sat there and watched everything and of course, asked a ton of questions! Who knows maybe someday he will grow up to be a doctor! :)

I love you my brave "lil' Trooper" and remember the next time someone says, "Don't touch!," do it okay?

Robin's 26 ABC's

As some of you may know, I am a kindergarten teacher and I always start the year off by teaching my little ones their ABC's so with that in mind, I thought that it might be fun to share a little bit about myself using an ABC format. So here it goes...

A - Age: 42 soon to be 43 next month!
B - Bed size: Full
C - Chore you hate: Cleaning Toilets
D - Dog's name: Bella
E - Essential start your day item: Clothes
F - Favorite color: Pink

G - Gold or Silver: Silver
H - Height: 5'2"
I - Instruments you play: None
J - Job title: Kindergarten Teacher
K - Kid(s): None
L - Living arrangements: I live in Sacramento, CA
M - Mom's name: Joyce
N - Nicknames: Bluebird, Robbie and Obbie
O - Overnight hospital stay: Not yet...knock on wood!
P - Pet Peeve: Moody and rude people
Q - Quote from a movie: "No MORE wire hangers EVER!" from Mommie Dearest and "You had me at Hello" from Jerry McGuire
R - Right or left handed: Right handed but "Lefties" are smarter! :)
S - Siblings: Just me, myself and I!
T - Time you wake up: 5 a.m. but I don't get out of bed until 6:30 a.m. I am NOT a morning person though I try!
U - Underwear: I am sooooo boring "BUTT" (LOL) I'm a "granny panty" girl
V - Vegetable you dislike: Radishes
W - Ways/Reasons you run late: I'm way too tired and I'm a slow poke! Like I said before, I'm just NOT a morning person!
X - X-rays you've had: My teeth and full body x-ray for my physical
Y - Yummy food you make: I make a killer macaroni and cheese dish! Yum!
Z - Zoo animals you like: Giraffes, monkeys and Elephants,"Oh my!"

Thanks for taking the time to get to know a little bit about me BUT I would love to learn more about YOU!

It's Back! Not Me Monday!

Well here we are again at the start of a brand new week and you know what that means...It is time for another fun round of "Not Me Monday" where I tell you about ALL of the things that I did NOT do last week. Yeah, right!

I did NOT lose my keys at Target this week only to discover that when I got home that they were not with me...I also won't tell you that when I called to see if I left them there that I had to identify them by claiming that yes, I was indeed the proud owner of the keys with the cute lil' pink plastic fish toy that's attached.

I won't tell you that even at my age I still play with "toys!" Yes, I work with five year olds ALL day long so really now, what do you expect? I also like drawing with chalk on the sidewalk and blowing bubbles too! Whoa! I didn't say that out loud now did I? "NO. NOT ME!"

I also won't tell you that when I went back to Target later that week, my car battery did NOT die on me! NO, NO, NO...say it ain't so! I was so poised and calm that I didn't call my father in a frenzy to ask him what to do next! Why didn't I call Triple AAA in the first place you ask? Because I was hoping that a Genie would appear and wave a wand and make my damn car work! Do you really think I would think that? "NO. NOT ME!"

I do NOT have a love/hate relationship with my car. "NO. NOT ME!" Seriously, why after replacing the breaks, rotors, a head gasket and a battery to the tune of about $5000 all within a few weeks of each other, would I be angry? Is it possible for me to get a divorce from my car and site "irreconcilable differences?" NO...That's just plain silly.

Finally, I won't admit to my foolish mistake of the week/year/century because honestly, I don't make mistakes! "NO. NOT ME!" So therefore, I wont tell you that when I contacted one of my friends on "Facebook" that somehow I foolishly mistook her answer to making "new friends" as a slap directly aimed at me for not making enough time for her and our friendship in my rather busy work schedule. I'm also not going to admit my embarrassment that when after I wrote her an apology note stating that fact, that she had to explain to me that the "new friends" she was actually referring to was her "brand new boob job!!!" Oh my! Robin Dana...honestly, how did jump to THAT conclusion? "OH NO! THAT WAS NOT ME!" I guess that open communication REALLY is the key to maintaining good relationships! Sooooooooo my friends THAT was my week! How was yours?! :)

More Childhood Memories!

"Aw...the Sweet Memories of Childhood!"

My dear friend Christy, from elementary school has been going through some old photos and came across this sweet birthday photo of her from one of her infamous birthday parties that she always held every year as we were growing up. Now let me be the first to tell you that Christy ALWAYS had the BEST parties and we all couldn't wait to go to her house especially when it came to celebrating her birthday! Her house was always a "hustle and bustle" of fun filled activity! There was always lots of kids, noise, music, animals and of course, there was the swimming pool! Oh how I LOVED it and I not only miss but truly cherish those times together.

Christy also is the granddaughter of Charles J. Correll who was best known for supplying the voice of "Andy Brown" on the long running radio show "Amos 'n' Andy" (1928-1955). Her mother Barbara was his daughter and they were (and still are) such a dear family. Christy's father was a coach and he was my U.S. history teacher when I went to high school and he ranks right up there as being one of my very favorite teachers. It's always fun to go down memory lane and as I get older it makes me realize what truly is the most important thing in life...your friends and family.

In the photo above, Christy is the cutie in the left corner proudly smiling with the birthday cake that her mother made. You can't really see it here but she always made the most gorgeous cakes and Christy has grown up to be quite the cake baker and decorator herself! Watch out Rachel Ray and move over Martha Stewart! LOL I am the one under the yellow arrow and with THAT hairstyle, I look like I could be the long lost daughter of "Squiggy" from the "Laverne and Shirley" television show! :)

5th Grade Memories!

My dear friend Christy who I grew up with just recently came across these school photos at her parents house and "my oh my" how they brought back fond memories for me! My teacher's name was Miss Borich and she was one of my very favorite teachers. She taught the 5th grade at Hilltop Elementary School and she was also a photography buff hence the black and white photo. (Yes, that's me under the yellow arrow. Don't you love the plastered hair and chipmunk teeth? LOL)

Anyways, I remember that she was going to get married that following summer so all year she would give us updates about her wedding plans...us girls loved it! The boys...not so much! I even remember her fiance coming in from time to time and can I just say that they were the human models for "Barbie and Ken!" They were a stunning couple and very much in love. Well at the end of the year, we gave her a farewell party/bridal shower for she was going to be moving up north to start her "new life" as Mrs. Passoth. I even got a card and wedding photo from her that summer. She was a gorgeous bride and it meant so much to me. It truly made me feel special.

As I grew up I always wondered what had happened to her and upon finding this photo, my friend Christy found out the Miss Borich/Mrs. Passoth had three children of her own, continued teaching and became "Teacher of the Year 2005-2006" within her own school district and was also given the honor of being chosen as "Los Angeles County Teacher of the Year" as well...AND oh yeah, how could I possibly forget...she also became "Ms. Elite 2008" with the United Nations International Pageant System Organization! Now talk about impressive! Here is a recent photo of her that I found...isn't she absolutely beautiful?

Trust me...she is as pretty on the inside as she is on the outside! She was and obviously still is an amazing teacher and I am so proud of her! Now here is a comparison test...who would you rather have as YOUR teacher?

This...

"Ms. Elite United Nation International 2008"
Mrs. Christy Passoth
(She looks just like Barbie!)

Or This?....

"Miss Googly Eyes 2009"
"Rockin' Robin"
(She looks like...a Muppet!)

You don't need to answer, for I already know...I would choose the tiara over the googly eyes too! :)

"Summer's a Comin'! Hop to it!"

One of the sure signs that summer is coming, is when I start to hear the frogs croak at night! Some of my friends may not already know, but I am a teacher and this is always the time of year where we get ready to say "Good-bye" to our lil' friends and get ready for the Summer! We also have a BIG Open House Night where the students invite their parents and show them the various projects that they have been working on throughout the year! It is a fun time for all of us who participate. This year we had an "Animal Theme" and we chose to make frog hats for each of the students to wear. They are absolutely adorable but if I am truly honest with myself, they are SUCH A PAIN TO MAKE! (I didn't say that out loud now did I?) Well actually I did because my philosophy is that if the teacher is doing more work on the project than the student, then it really isn't a "Student Made" project now is it? LOL

Well long story made short, I caved into the pressure and made the stinkin' hats and willingly admit that now I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THEM! My co-teacher and good friend Vonda came up with the idea and also pointed out that F.R.O.G. also stands for "Fully Rely On God!" Well how can you go against that?! :)

Now here is a picture of me and Vonda! She's my fellow co-teacher, mentor and one of my very best friends. Vonda truly is the most amazing teacher that I know and I just love her to bits and pieces! I also appreciate the fact that she really truly loves me "frog warts and all!" :)

So my friends....Be a F.R.O.G. and "Fully Rely on God!" Take that "leap" of faith! That's what we did! (Now if I start turning green and begin to eat flies, then I'm gonna be in BIG trouble!)

"Amanda and Robbie Sitting in a Tree..."

This is my sweet cousin Amanda and her wonderful boyfriend Robbie. (With a name like that how could you NOT like him?) LOL! Well, anyways, Amanda is a "Disney"-aholic. If she could, she'd probably spend every weekend in Disneyland. It has often been said that "a dream is a wish your heart makes." Ever since she was a little girl, she's dreamed that her "Prince Charming" would propose to her in front of the castle at Disneyland. Three weeks ago her dream came true. Her boyfriend Robbie, took her on a surprise trip to Disneyland. As is customary, they found the perfect "spot" to watch the fireworks that evening but about 5 minutes before the show started, Robbie took her by the hand and went up to the security guard (the one who makes sure no one gets too close to the castle.) He whispered to him to ask if he could go up the ramp to propose to her. The guard obliged warning that he only had a few minutes. Well, that was all he needed! And of course, she said "Yes!" I am sooooo happy for them and I am begging them to let me be the "flower girl" at their wedding! LOL! "Live, Laugh and Love" you two for you're in for the time of your lives! I love you both!

Congratulations Amanda and Robbie!
May ALL your dreams come true!

Dusty...

My friend Diana, had the cutest little Cocker Spaniel named Dusty and I had the opportunity to dog sit for him from time to time. Can I just say that he was the sweetest dog EVER. Honestly, I never met a dog as sweet as the "Dust Buster!" That was my special pet nickname for him for seriously one's heart would burst with love within minutes of being with him. He didn't have the affect on just me...he was that way with EVERYBODY. Well these past few months, Dusty was in poor health and he was very old...14 years old to be exact. Anyways, my precious friend did ALL that she could to make him comfortable and finally had to put him to sleep last weekend. This was really one of those moments that I so dreaded! I told Diana that if Dusty were human...I think that he would have been a minister. Why do I say this? Because that little dog showed me that we needed to be "anxious for nothing" (Philippians 4:6-7) and despite his poor health, it was evident that the "joy of the Lord was his strength!" (Nehemiah 8:9-12) Seriously people could learn a thing or two from animals! They live day to day and just accept their circumstances and move forward because they have to. I know that some people don't believe that there will be animals in Heaven, but I don't believe that is true for in God's word it says that the "Lion will lie down peacefully with the lamb" (Isaiah 11:6) and I believe that Dusty will be right there in the midst of them! I really do! I even like to think that I can hear God say, "Here boy" and see Dusty come a waddling after him with his cute stubby little tail wagging just taking a stroll on the infamous "streets of gold!" So I believe that he isn't gone...he's just in a better place...waiting...that's all...waiting along with our other loved ones who have come and gone and made such an impact on our lives. So "Live, Laugh and Love" for tomorrow it may all go away...

P.S. The photo of my "sweet little Teddy Bear" was taken with my camera phone...I wish that I had a better photo but it was all that I had and his sweetness still shines through! :)