Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Simple Easter Mantel


Easter is quickly approaching, less than two weeks away.  We've started getting ready in my household with a little bit of decor and the Easter bunny has ordered a few items for Easter baskets.  One of my favorite things about the holidays is decorating my mantel.  I am not spectacular in home design, so simple is best for me!  I hope you enjoy my simple Easter/Spring Mantel!

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Spring Forward


Just a reminder to everyone to "Spring Forward" today, officially at 2 am. One of my favorite things about setting our clocks forward an hour is that it's usually not dark when people get home from work. I'm not currently a 9-5'er, I'm a stay-at home mom who does some contract work for an adoption agency, but I still appreciate that it won't be dark when my husband gets home from work :). Plus, it just means that we're getting that much closer to Spring! It's going to be in the 70s this week- what!?! :)

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Project 365

I've decided that I want to attempt Project 365. Project 365 in it's simplest form is the attempt to take one picture every day for a year. Many people use expensive cameras and try to improve their photography skills, while others just take photos with their iPhone. I will be doing the latter. Since I always have my iPhone close by, this will increase the likelyhood that I'll actually get that one picture a day. I also just downloaded an free app appropriately titled Project 365. This app will send me reminders each day to take a picture and has a calendar set up to add a picture to each day in the calendar.

As a mom, this idea is really intriguing to me because it's true- time flies when you're having fun! I can't believe how quickly my boys are growing up, already 6 and 3, no longer babies! I do not have the greatest memory, so these pictures will help me to remember some of the little everyday things that mean so much!

Most people start this project at the beginning of the year or maybe even the beginning of the school year. Me? I'm starting it at absolutely no special date in my life of March 8!

Feel free to come join me on this fun project!

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

My 1st Vlog Post on Youtube! March Old Navy Shopping Haul



Oh my goodness, I'm am not thrilled with the paused part that is shown, it totally shows off my lazy eye- this is what I usually look after 2 glasses of wine haha.  I hope you enjoy my first vlog post!

Monday, March 5, 2012

Monday's Grants: Fuel up to Play 60 Grant- Deadline 6/1/12

Monday's Grants


Fuel Up to Play 60 Grant

Deadline:

There is one funding application deadlines left during the 2011-12 school year:
  • June 1, 2012 (If approved for funding, the money will be distributed after June 30, 2012, and will count toward the school’s funding for the 2012-13 school year.
Amount: $300-$4,000 per year


What is the purpose of the Funds?
The purpose of Funds for Fuel Up to Play 60 is to help your school increase:
  • student awareness of the importance of healthy eating and increased physical activity;
  • student access to and consumption of nutrient-rich foods, including low-fat and fat-free dairy, fruits, vegetables and whole grains;
  • student opportunities for and participation in physical activity in school;
  • sustainable changes in making your school a healthier place.
How can our school use the Funds?

Funds for Fuel Up to Play 60 may be used to support a range of different program-related activities. Perhaps you need funding to help implement specific Healthy Eating or Physical Activity Plays. The Fuel Up to Play 60 Playbook provides dozens of possible Plays, or action strategies, your school can use or adapt – or you can develop your own Plays.

Additionally, you might ask for Funds to help with project expenses, equipment or other out-of-pocket costs. Or perhaps you want funding to assist with the costs of general program initiatives, such as promotion, student engagement and motivation, staff engagement, family engagement and outreach and/or tracking and measurement.

Whether you’re requesting Funds to help with specific Plays or to support general program initiatives, you must explain how you’re addressing both healthy eating and physical activity in your Fuel Up to Play 60 program.

Funds for Fuel Up to Play 60

Up to $4,000 per year is available to any qualifying K-12 school enrolled in Fuel Up to Play 60. The competitive, nationwide funding program can help your school jumpstart and sustain healthy nutrition and physical activity improvements.
Whether you’re just starting out with Fuel Up to Play 60 or looking to expand and extend an initiative that’s already in motion, Funds for Fuel Up to Play 60 can help.

UPCOMING APPLICATION DEADLINE:2/1/2012

Eligibility
Schools applying for Funds for Fuel Up to Play 60 must:
  • Be enrolled in Fuel Up to Play 60 for the 2011-12 school year (if your school is not enrolled, enroll here)
  • Participate in the National School Lunch Program
  • Complete and submit an online Funds for Fuel Up to Play 60 application form (download a PDF of the application form here)
  • Complete the School Wellness Investigation (schools may work on the funding application before completing the School Wellness Investigation, but before the funding application may be submitted, the School Wellness Investigation must be completed and submitted online)
  • Have support and involvement from the school principal, school nutrition professional, lead physical education teacher and the school’s Fuel Up to Play 60 Program Advisor
Remember: Your school must be enrolled in Fuel Up to Play 60 for the 2011-2012 school year to be eligible to apply for Funds. Enroll today

Application Deadlines
There are four funding application deadlines during the 2011-12 school year:
  • October 1, 2011
  • December 1, 2011
  • February 1, 2012
  • June 1, 2012 (If approved for funding, the money will be distributed after June 30, 2012, and will count toward the school’s funding for the 2012-13 school year.)
Schools may submit an application during more than one funding cycle per school year. The request for funds in the June 1, 2012, application deadline can be up to $4,000 and will count toward the school’s funding for the 2012-13 school year.

To apply, please visit: Fuel up to Play 60