Shutterfly Christmas

Merry Christmas! Time flies, whether you’re having fun or not. So let’s get crackin’. Shutterfly is doing a really cool Christmas promotion! They’re offering fifty free Christmas cards if you blog about it on your blog site. I looked at their Christmas cards and they have tons of really cute options. Their photo cards with the candy stripes are some of my favorites. Look here, and you can see for yourself.
http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-photo-cards
So, my plan this year is to use a photo of my kids that I took with big wax lips in their mouths. They are so hilarious! Lauren looks rather amazingly like Lucille Ball. Emma is, of course, a little more reserved, but she participated willingly. I think this will be so adorable with a red candy stripe card. This will be my first time using Shutterfly and I’m really looking forward to it.
Of course, they also have really cute invitations if you have an event coming up, ya know, like your big New Year’s Eve party. Check these out… http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/party-cards-stationery
While you’re checking out this stuff, hop on over and take a peek at their equally cute Christmas address labels. Your Christmas cards will definitely be the most stylish ones on the post office conveyer belt.
http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-address-labels

So, do you like any of these pictures? Which one would you choose?

Open letter to VP Biden (still under construction

September 27, 2010

Dear Vice-President Biden,

I respect the sacrifice that you have made of your time to serve your country in a rather thankless job. I understand that being the vice president of the United States must be extremely stressful and difficult.

I would like to share one idea with you. I believe that, as a role model for our nation’s children, it is important not to curse. I recall Charles Barkley’s famous quote when a similar complaint was directed at him, “I am not a role model.” I even appreciated the message that he followed with, that parents and others closer to the children should be the true role models, not a sports star. I’m sure that in the situations that you are in, there are rarely children around and they probably don’t come to mind during your conversations. However, in the position that you hold, children should look to you as a model and a successful guide.

I am a school teacher. (So I can relate to the thankless job.) I realize that I am presenting anecdotal evidence; however, it seems pretty consistent. Having taught sixth grade for a few years, I began to notice a pattern. Children who swear at school seem to demonstrate less regard for their parents, teachers, and education in general. I don’t know what the statistical correlation actually is, but it is there. Students who consistently swear generally perform less well in their studies and have more discipline problems. Interestingly, some of my most difficult students were the ones whose parents didn’t care if they cursed.

Of course, I know you are an adult and have many freedoms that children should not be allowed. We restrict children from drinking alcohol and place the age for voting at an age when they have had a chance to mature and improve in reasoning skills. Adults are capable of deciding what is appropriate in their own lives. However, when children hear respected adults use foul language, they believe that using similar language makes them more adult as well.

I have heard throughout my life that swear-words are vocabulary for the uneducated. Obviously times have changed and such language is heard in every walk of life. It is simply my opinion that the dignity of the office you hold is denigrated by the use of foul language, and that hurts us all.

Thank you for your time and consideration,

Monique Fullmer

Grade school

So, I've been playing on a new FB page created by John Rubalcaba called "Chandler People". Wherever else I may have been, I am definitely and will always be Chandler People. Luckily, we're back in Chandler. Mom and I were looking through old pics and I found these. This one is from Mrs. Blocker's 1st grade class. Before she got married, that year, she was Celeste Celeste. I'm right up front in the red. I was always in front, because I was one of the shortest. One of my best friends was Shelly Hudson, and I'm pretty sure that is her behind me to the left in the yellow dress. She lived right next door to me. I also remember being friends with Lynn Row in the green on the right. She was always very nice. Monica Boles was in the purple gingham in the middle row. We both ended up at Knox School and often sat by each other because of the whole name thing. One day I opened up a Catsup packet and accidentally squirted her across the table. I don't think she ever spoke to me again. 1st grade was weird for me. I started school in 1974 when I was 4 at John Hancock Academy. When I moved the next year to public school, they wouldn't let me start 1st grade because I was only 5. Well, back in those days, kindergarten was where you played with play dough and colored for half the day. I had learned to read at the private school and so half way through the year, they moved me up anyway. I did love Mrs. Blocker. She made me feel very welcome in her class.

This was 3rd grade at Hartford. I think that Mom moved me over here because she liked the principal, Mr. Ethington. I am in the front row again, right behind the sign with my hair pulled back in a tight bun. (Thanks Mom) My best friend here was Heather Allen, front row, red skirt. One day on the way to school, she got hit by a car. I remember being very sad, especially that she was gone from school for so long. She was very seriously injured and lost about 1/2 of her blood supply, but she recovered well and came back to school. I actually student taught at Hartford when I was getting my degree. The secretary there remembered me (almost 25 years later) when I told her who I was. She said oh yeah, you're the one who wouldn't stop screaming when your friend got hit by the car. The teacher told the class what happened and you started screaming. We had to call your mom to come pick you up. The boy at the top, second from the left, was Ray. His Grandpa lived by us and worked for the farm. We would play when he came to visit his grandparents. I loved to chase him around the playground and kick him in the shins. That is how you show that you like someone, right?

just a note

Well. School's out and I'm not going back. This should be interesting. The fam is moving in with Nana B. and Grampy. Lauren and Emma are so excited to be heading to Chandler. I think they love it almost as much as me. I'm a little emotional right now, but not about this. My dear friend from years ago, Celeste's father passed away this week. I just imagine how difficult this must be. He was always such a kind, gentle soul with a witty sense of humor. My prayers are with their family at this time. If anyone knows when the funeral is, will you let me know. I looked for an obituary and didn't see one.