Teacher Appreciation Week

As we enter into Teacher Appreciation Week I wanted to write a blog posting about the educators that have really made a difference in my life.  When I actually thought about whom to include, the answer was easy...all of them!  Now some of you may raise your eyebrows, or even give a roll of the eyes while saying "Really?!"  It's true, every single one of my teachers from Kindergarten all the way through my Senior Year in High School have left an impact on my life. I had a different relationship with my professors in college, and I'm not discounting their importance or mark they left, but in this posting I really want to focus on my K-12 teachers.

In recent times I feel like the profession of teaching has taken a beating, a brutal sort of attack on all fronts. Everyone wants a piece of them: students, parents, administrators, local and national governments.  To be a teacher in the U.S. was once a revered, respected, venerable position that many young students aspired to become. Sadly, this is no longer the case for many reasons.  That discussion is for another day, today I want to focus on raising up the educators that have helped shape my life. 

I want to honor the men and women that worked tirelessly deciphering and grading handwritten papers, spent their own money on games like "Go To The Head of The Class", took our class on field trips to museums and plays, came up with ideas like painting glass bottles to look like Egyptian pottery, came to after school ice cream socials because they knew we loved seeing them outside of school, listened to us when we didn't notice, chaperoned school dances, cried with us during our tragedies, embraced us in our victories, and were a comforting constant in our lives year in and year out, whether we realized it or not.

*I apologize in advance for the funny spacing here, it became misaligned and I can't seem to get it even!

SS Peter and Paul

• Kindergarten   Mrs. Perkovitch      
• 1st Grade        Mrs. Hull
• 2nd Grade       Ms. McKelsky
• 3rd Grade       Mrs. Perkovitch
• Gym                Ms. Perkovitch
• Art                  Mr. Fox

Fordline Elementary

• 4th Grade         Mrs. Goodrich
• 5th Grade         Mrs. Owen / Miss Wright
• 6th Grade         Mrs. Roland / Mrs. Svaluto
• Gym                 Mr. Moore
• Band                Mrs. Zeld
• Computers       Mr. Ronco

Gerisch Middle School

7th/8th Grade -  Mrs. Dunaway, Mr. Davidson, Mr. St. Pierre, Mr. Figurski, Mr. Ronco, Mr. Owen,

                          Mr. Dunaway, Mr. Volumenous, Mr. Salzcinski, Mr. Dubois, Mr. Skura, Ms. Foreman

Southgate Anderson High School

9th-12th Grade- Mr. Skura, Mr. Davidson, Mr. Robinson, Ms. Pauline, Mr. Gallinat, Dr. Taylor, 

                          Mr. Guzman, Mr. Anderson, Ms. Jackson, Mr. Figurski, Mr. Weimer, Mr. Conte, 

                          Mr. Smay, Mr. Wineke, Mrs. Bianchi, Mr. Litzsky, 

                          Mrs. Kowakowski, Mr. Kasenow, Mr. Lagina, Mr. Wisnewski, 

I may have misspelled some names, but the feelings and memories that come to me when I write the names of these teachers will always be in my heart.  It may be something small like the smile they used to give or a phrase that was said repeatedly in class. It could be a lengthy conversation that I have kept with me all these years. It might even be a couple of funny stories that I still tell to my kids involving them. Whatever the case may be, all of the men and women named above hold a place in my heart forever. There is no test or measurement that can adequately showcase the impact they have had on my life and countless others over the years.

I want to simply say: Thank You.

Second Stitch Fix

I received my second Stitch Fix Box yesterday and I was happy as the first time! If you aren't familiar with Stitch Fix, read all about it in my previous blog post.

This time I received 4 clothing pieces as well as 1 jewelry item.  Right away I could see fresh spring colors peeking out of the box.  The first item I saw after excitedly opening my box were earrings, they were gold colored hoops with crystals.

The Octavia Shadow Crystal Teardrop Earrings were lovely. I like the way they looked, but the price at forty-eight dollars was too high for me to consider keeping them. I am usually pretty cheap on my costume jewelry purchases. My track record with earrings is not stellar, because of this I usually frequent the clearance section at Kohl's or Target.

Next, was the Colibri Solid Tab Sleeve Blouse in a beautiful Aqua color. I was immediately drawn to the color and soft texture of the shirt.  I liked that there was an option to roll the sleeve up with a button tab or leave it down at a 3/4 length.  I tried it on with dark cropped jeans and flats.  The shirt tucked in looked better, and I also liked the sleeves rolled up a bit more.  I decided not to keep the blouse however much I liked it because of the low quality of craftsmanship.  There were many threads hanging that had not been finished off. Also some of the sewing seemed a little off line. The pocket on the front of the blouse was also crooked.  It was unclear if this was intentional or not. The cost was forty-eight dollars.

One sleeve up, one sleeve down.

I tried on the Corinna Striped Dolman Top next.  This was a gray colored to with black horizontal stripes.  I wasn't too crazy about the stripes at first glance. I am not a big horizontal stripe fan.  Again, I paired this top with the same dark cropped jeans and black flats.  I liked the softness of the material, but that's where the positive ends.  I felt this top did not flatter my figure in any way.  The stripes near the end of the sleeves were also strange because they wrapped around the arm, rather than following the pattern on the rest of the top. This is for sure going back. The price was forty-eight dollars.

I didn't like this at all!!

The Freddy Sleeveless Chiffon Dress was next.  This dress was soft and appealing in a springy coral color.  I wasn't too sure how it would look on. This style isn't something I normally try. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked this dress after putting it on. I first paired it with some jeweled sandals, an aqua cardigan and aqua necklace. I really liked the way it looked. This was a maybe for sure.  Fifty-eight dollars was the price and as I am usually a very budget conscious shopper, the price gave me pause.

I almost kept this dress, I wish I wasn't such a cheapskate!!

Last to be tried on, was the Huebert Space Dye Open Cardigan. I have several open cardigans that I really like.  They are versatile pieces that can be dressed up or down.  The color was a marbled gray which I liked as it can be paired with many other colors successfully.  At first I used a v-neck aqua shirt and dark jean to try the cardigan out. It looked ok, but nothing spectacular.  I decided to change the top to something different.  I changed into a blue-violet ballet neck tshirt with the same jeans and I was very pleased.  The cardigan is lightweight so I can wear it late into the spring and even on a cool summer night.  The front is swingy with extra material and I love that too! This was a keeper, the cost was fifty-eight dollars.

Keeper! I already wore this to work :-)

Overall, I was extremely happy with this stitch fix box.  I already scheduled my next one for early in June.  I also adjusted my style profile. This is a great tool so you can customize what you want your stylist to focus on. The next box I wanted to have no jewelry but perhaps a scarf or purse. Prints were also something I noted that I would like to see.  Can't wait till next month!

First Stitch Fix Box

I am so excited about Stitch Fix, that I decided to do a Blog posting immediately after receiving my first shipment.  

First let me explain that Stitch Fix is a personal styling service that sends you 5 items in the mail to try on and see if you like.  You can send all the items back if you don't like them, keep everything or keep only the pieces you love. Stitch Fix sends a postage paid envelope right in the box with your picks.  I happened upon this service after reading a Face Book posting from a high school friend.

Let me say, I was skeptical at first...but it's AWESOME!

The first step is to go online to the Stitch Fix website stitchfix.com and sign up for the service.  Next, in order to set up a profile, you will answer a lengthy questionnaire about your current style, body sizing, and cost of the items you would be willing to purchase.  You are also able to link your profile to a Pinterest page so your stylist can see what kinds of items you are attracted to.  Last, is scheduling when your "fix" will be delivered. There is an automatic delivery option, but I chose to only schedule one fix and see what I thought.

          

I was like a kid on Christmas morning when I saw my box was waiting on my porch.  At first glance I was in love with everything. The colors were great, and I couldn't wait to try on the striped dress.  I was also happy to see I received a necklace in my first fix.

This is the style card that is included with each shipment. Lots of suggestions on how to use the pieces sent!

I tried everything on right away and had my 12 year old take pictures, so I apologize for the quality. The lighting was poor too, but I didn't want to waste any time setting up a better staging area.  

First up was the Aleah V-Neck Heatherd Dolman Sleeved Shirt.  I liked the texture of the material and loved the aqua color right away.  I paired the top with some jeans and the Ramona Arrow Pendant Necklace that was also one of my fix items. 

I didn't really care for the top after I put it on.  The neckline seemed too large and I wasn't a fan of how it fit at my waist.  I also thought the sleeves looked like I had wings ;-)  Kind of disappointing because I really loved the color and texture.  The pendant I thought was great with this top and decided to try it with something else as well.  I will keep the necklace in the maybe column for now, the top will be sent back.

Next up was the Redish-Orange Moni Stud Detailed 3/4 Sleeved Blouse.  I initially liked the color and thought the studded detail on the neckline and sleeves were appealing.  This is the type of blouse I would take a second look at the store, but maybe not try on and certainly not buy because it's different than my normal conservative/casual clothing.  The fabric was very sheer and would be great for Spring and Summer.

I liked the the blouse, but the fit wasn't great.  It was tight across the bust and so that affected how the rest of shirt fit.  The sleeves did not lay correctly either.  I really did like the metal studded detail on the neckline and won't be afraid to buy a similar top in the future.

I was hoping after the first two tops were discarded the dress and cardigan would be better suited for me.  

The Spencer Striped Jersey Dress was uber comfortable and felt

great on.  I slipped on some brown flats and a gold necklace I  

already had. Also tried it with a white cardigan from my closet.

I was sure I was keeping the dress.

Last I tried on the Abrianna Longsleeve Knit Cardigan.  On the style card they suggested pairing the cardigan with the striped dress.  The sweater was a blue-purple color and the dress more of a navy and when I tried them together I wasn't sold that they matched.  I did love how soft the cardigan was and the fit was good.  A little long in the sleeve, but not bad.  I paired this cardigan with the same pair of jeans from before and a white tank top.  I also put the gold pendant back on.  

  

Overall, the experience was a positive one.  I haven't totally decided on what items I am keeping.  So far the dress, the cardigan and the pendant are all on the list of keeps.  I have three days to decide and send back what I don't want.

If you are thinking about trying this service out, please feel free to use my name/code as a referral!  https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/3532014

Winter Happenings

Can't believe it's been so long since I posted a blog entry!! I'm not going to try and cover everything that's happened since the last one, just what we've been up to lately.

This winter in Michigan has been COLD. The boys and I have had many days off of school for Snow Days and Cold Days because the temps were dangerously low. We have enjoyed those extra days of sleeping in and staying in our PJ's, but hopefully we won't have any more.  We have been able to enjoy the massive amounts of snow on warmer days going to a few different sledding areas.  The shoveling has certainly been great for exercise too LOL!

Ben has been staying busy with his first year in middle school half way complete. He plays the trumpet in the school band, is a member of Student Council, and has achieved the rank of 1st Class in his Boy Scout Troop.  All of these things with keeping straight A's in school. Ken and I are so proud of our almost 12 year old boy!

We are equally proud of our 10 year old Zach, who is in his last year of Elementary School.  He is a member of the Safety Patrol, is getting ready to cross over from Cub Scouts into Boy Scouts, has just started Piano Lessons, and is signed up to play Little League this Spring.  He has also kept all A's in 5th grade while keeping up with all his extracurricular activities.

All in all, a pretty great Winter so far!