My teaching experience in Los Angles, California

We recently had a work function where they asked us to tell others something they didn't know us. I talked about my time teaching in Los Angeles. I thought I would post on my blog as well -- since I did go to the trouble of digging out the pictures :).

I grew up on a farm in Herriman, Utah. I then attended college at Utah State University in Logan, Utah. Both of these places are/were fairly rural. Once I graduate college I moved out to Los Angeles and got a job teaching High School students -- right on Hollywood Blvd.

This was no ordinary High School. It was an all girls school school. And, these were no average girls. All the girls in this private school were sent to this school because they had been in some type of trouble. The ages ranged from 12-18 years of age.

I remember walking into the classroom and was really nervous once I saw my class. I felt like Michelle Pfeiffer on the movie "Dangerous Minds". I knew this was going to be a huge challenge for me.

The first few months were hard and I was really intimitated by the girls. They used to say to me, "Why you got a ghetto name like Chanel?" I called my mom crying telling her my name wasn't cool like the designer "Coco Chanel". It was actually "ghetto" from what the girls told me.

Once I realized that you have to be tough like the girls in the school, I learned to love it. They taught me so much about life and the hardships. It also helped me to appreciate growing up on the farm (which I once could't wait to leave).

All the times my dad and mom had me help feed the animals, drive the tractor, haul hay, etc. was what made me who I am.

I ended up living in Los Angeles for a few years then decided to move back to my roots. But, of all my travels and life experiences, teaching these girls ranks in the top.

Below are the darling girls I taught and who taught me.

Facials with my son and I.......

I thought I would give myself a facial (with my $1 mask from Smith's....I am classy like that). I put it on and my son kept asking if he could be "SPOOKY" too. I told him it wasn't to be "SPOOKY", it was just to make my face soft. But, he insisted he get one as well. We did a facial on him and I swear he wore it for almost an hour. It was fun....and no joke, he has the best skin now. I bet all the 6 year olds at school are jealous :)

Autumn/Fall Posterboard Picture

I didn't manage to get this one in the frame, but this is the most recent board I made. I made it for my daughter Libby's school teacher. She is one of those teachers that try so hard and the kids ADORE her. I love knowing my kids get to be taught by her. Her favorite Season is Fall so I opted for a Fall board.

Christmas - Foam Board Decoration

Also, here is the Christmas one (using the same frame as my Halloween and Thanskgiving foam board decorations). These are all from decorations that were in my "Get Rid of Pile". They were old and falling apart. The only thing I had to pay for was the foam board. Worked out well for using old decorations.

Autumn/Fall, Halloween, Easy, Fun, Inexpensive Holiday Decorating

I went to go buy some holiday decorations. I must be out of touch because the wreaths alone were about $75 and very generic. I decided I was going to do my own project. This way I could do it cheaper and it would have some personality.

I found a large 20x30 poster frame at Walmart for about $12. I then removed everything so I just had the frame. I bought a foam board there for $3. They come in 20x30 size so this is the reason I got the frame in that size. I didn't want to do any cutting (I can't cut a straight line to save my life).

I bought a few cheap decorations for Halloween and Thanksgiving. The dollar store has a lot of little things that are fun for this project. But, you can always go to Hobby Lobby, Walmart, or other craft stores.

I then took my foam board and hot glue gun. I didn't even lay things out before I started. I just began to glue until I had all my items glued on. Once I got it all glued, I put it in my frame. The foam board popped right in and the latches on the back of the frame held it tight.

I did the Halloween and Thanksgiving/Autumn board to show how easy it is. You literally use the same frame and just swap out the Holiday. This is great for any Holiday. Christmas, Easter, 4th of July, etc.

It is so easy because the foam boards are so cheap and you can store them year after year and use your same frame to showcase the Holiday in your own way.

I have a spot on my wall where that picture hangs year round and I change out the theme.

People that come over love it and ask where I got the "Art Piece". I usually just lie and tell them it is an original and they could never afford it *wink*.

Good Things Utah Segment.......

 http://www.abc4.com/content/about_4/gtu/featured_on/story/Baby-Shower-Ideas/6ZL_Y1w7B0OYzmLEVeLO9A.cspx

Halloween Candy Guessing Game

I made this for work. Everyone in the department puts their name in the spooky box and guesses how much candy is in the jar. Whoever guesses the closest wins the candy and a $50 gift card. The spooky Halloween box has an opening for people slip their guesses in. It makes it fun for people to guess all month. Then, the winner is announced on Halloween.

I think those flowers could work......

My mom gave me some flowers (picture 1) that had purple with purple vases (I took the picture after I painted them). I wasn't sure what I was going to do as my house is more autumn colors.

Once I  painted the vases, I picked out the flowers I could use, and now I have some decorations at my home for free :)