You know how things can be just fine one moment and then the next it seems like everything is a out of sync.  It has been one of those days.  I can’t seem to say anything right, do anything right.  I know after reading the previous post you may think I’m just a tad moody but I promise I know that this is one of those bottom of the ferris wheel cycles and that as on any ferris wheel, the car comes back around to the top and the sky is still blue but when you are at the bottom – well it is very hard to believe you will climb back to the top.

We had some bad family news today and that is part of it.  I ache for their pain.  I don’t even know what else to say, just that I am praying for them and have been for a long time.

I’m also praying for family that lives near the coast.

Time to slow down and check my direction.

The first official week of school is complete.  I think it went pretty well and I think it is a GIFT that Monday is Labor Day!!!

I still have to get back in the habit of NOT taking an afternoon nap if I want one.  I am happy to be back at work though, really.  I work with some of the best people you will ever find anywhere, hands down.

Pointy Haired Dilbert had an article entitled “What They Don’t Teach You In Any School – Appreciation” and it really made me think about my job in those terms.  I always feel appreciated where I work and I think that is a blessed thing.

It makes me want to do more, be nicer, give more help, and generally be glad to come to work.

The writer of the article mentioned a boss from the past and how he thought he was the best boss he ever had. The reason?  He knew how to appreciate people and mean it.

I too want to practice appreciation and master it as a skill.  I think more than that I want to slow down and notice the things people do that I appreciate in passing but let get by too quickly.  I know that when I experience it coming from others I remember it and respond to it.  I want to give that gift back to others and give them a bright spot in their day to remember and maybe turn a bad day around. Sometimes that’s all it takes for me.

I don’t always have a lot of direct interaction with students but maybe by having an effect on teachers around me I can “pay it forward”.  Thanks guys – all of you.  You will never know – really!

photo by http://flickr.com/photos/devnull/

If you haven’t visited Pioneer Woman’s cooking site then you are missing some treats. My new favorite is Hot Crash Potatoes.  Easy and sooo good.

Boil new potatoes in salted water – she recommends kosher salt.  When they are “fork tender” remove and drain.  On a large cookie sheet, drizzle olive oil.  Place the potatoes on the cookie sheet and using a glass, push until the potato is flattened to about an inch – not completely smushed but split open.  Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with kosher salt, pepper, and whatever herbs you like. Use plenty of salt.  I used chives and garlic but you could use rosemary or whatever you prefer.

Bake at 450 degrees for 20 minutes.  The skin will be nice and crispy and the center soft and delicious!

http://www.dumpr.net/
has a free and a pay level but lets you apply cook effects to photos.  There are a lot of nice free effects here.

http://www.photofunia.com/
This one was my favorite just because I liked the effects they offered.

http://www.cameroid.com/
Lets you take a picture online using your computer webcam.  You can choose a filter or a distortion method, frame or even scene – kind of hokey but fun.

picresize.com
lets you upload photos and resize as well as apply several different effects like soften, sharpen, change contrast, greyscale, ad text, and more.

primpz.com
goofy but fun – upload an image and add props but more important – speech bubbles!  Free and no registration required.

Sorry if you visited today and the links were not working – I posted late and evidently not fully awake LOL!