Hello, my name is Ms. Frazier, but you can call me Randi :)

Taylor asked me last week if I would like to be a mentor.  "To who?" I asked.  Now, here's a little background information before I begin.  Taylor is a teacher at Garinger Math and Science Magnet School (a small subset of a larger high school).  It's near downtown Charlotte and is an older school in a lower-middle class area.

Now, I half expected to be talking to some kid who has problems with family or substance abuse (of which I really don't have any background in).  BUT NO!!  I get to mentor a girl who is doing a project in herpetology!!!  Like a teaching mentor!!  Yes, these are my first feeble steps in gaining experience in a school system in North Carolina.  And the heavenly voices are ringing :)

I'm going to meet her today, but apparently she is doing research (not the college-type research I'm used to) on poisonous snakes...and my research paper in Herpetology in college (can I  get a drum roll) Toxicology of Several Species of Venomous Reptiles.  What a perfect fit!!  I'm not quite sure how long this process lasts, but I get a nametag from the front office and have to fill out some paperwork so it's pretty important.  I'm excited :)  I'll post pictures and details soonly.

To Do

1. Wake Up
2. Get dressed
3. Make tea
4. Eat Breakfast
5. Brush Teeth
6. Go To Work
7. Work
8. Go Home
9. Eat Dinner
10. Relax
11. Shower
12. PJ's 
13. Go To Bed

Ah, I love it when I complete my "To Do" lists.

No, it's not a tan line.

So I came home after a long day at work and took of my keens....and just had to take a picture.  I just couldn't resist such a flawless design of dirt caked on my feet.  When I wear tennis shoes, I don't get the picturesque effect, but I still have the dirt on my feet...which I can't really explain.  I will just say now that the bathtub has to be scrubbed weekly due solely (no pun intended) to my feet.

Meet Codi (with an i)

My grandparents recently got a new dog, Codi, from Brother Wolf Animal Rescue (a "no kill" rescue shelter) in Asheville, NC.  If my story is correct, she was left at a shelter with all of her new pups.  Just left there :(  She was transfered to Brother Wolf waiting to be adopted.

Brother Wolf Animal Rescue

My grandparents had a dog before her: Mac, a rescued golden retriever who won the hearts of all the family.  Last April, Mac was put to sleep due to a tumor in his chest and his loss was like losing a close family member.  They didn't want another dog, but after a year and a half, it was clear that something was still missing.  So, back to Brother Wolf...

My grandmother had been secretly looking at dogs from shelters but just couldn't decide on one.  She went to Brother Wolf and the lady asked her what type of dog she was looking for..."Not a big dog". She asked what types of dogs she had had before..."Goldens".  The lady smiled and brought my grandmother to the back of the shelter and showed her Codi.  Now, Codi is a golden, but she (we think) is the runt of her litter and is very small.  Perfect!  My grandparents were sold.

Codi smiling at the camera

Bringing Codi home and adjusting her was a completely new thing.  Codi was origionally an outside dog and was scared of everything.  The fans, the ceiling, the couches, the hardwood floors, the carpet, the table, and especially the screened doors.  But after much love, tenderness, and patience, (not to mention tutoring thanks to Bailey, our chocolate lab) Codi has adapted well and continues to learn and grow.

Enjoying the shade and keeping watch for trespassers!

Getting some serious MacDaddy lovin'....

...while Bailey watches over.

Playtime!!  She hasn't quite gotten the concept of "dropping" or "fetching" or "toys" for that matter...but that's okay!!

Ooo Mr. Baldwin!

I took my first trip to Math & Science at Garinger High to see Taylor's classroom.  Not surprisingly, it was a very neat, organized, computer-filled room.  Tay's desk was at the back...you know...to monitor the computers of sneaky students :)

See!  Needs decoration and love!

Mr. Baldwin, hard at work :)

I've set my mind towards finding something to decorate the classroom in a "manly" sort of way.  But the question is, "What do you decorate a computer classroom with"?  And I'm not talking about those awful computer posters...blah.  I'm in an orange, Halloween mood so I'm thinking of something warm and inviting (no candles though).  Any ideas?

Ehow.com has a list of how to "properly" decorate your office work space:

1. Assess your environment.  i.e. keep decor professional
2. Think about function.  i.e. instead of a green vase, perhaps a green paper organizer?
3. Get inspired.  i.e. inspiring art instead of painting the walls...or a picture of the best girlfriend... :)
4. Stick to a scheme.  Fun!

I said "theme", right?  And who doesn't love Halloween??
landofpics.blogspot.com

Fox News Rising: Rock Climbing at US National Whitewater Center

Check this link out!!

Fit Right Now: Rock Climbing

Take your workout to the next level--literally!  FNR's Anna Kooiman heads down to the U.S. National Whitewater Center to get a lesson in rock climbing to get Fit Right Now!

Fantastic Cookies (Halloween style)

So I've discovered this recipe for sugar butter cookies.  They are insanely delicious and even more so when you make them into delectable shapes.  I found some Halloween cookie cutters and even though fall isn't here yet, I just couldn't help myself...so my cookies are in the shapes of pumpkins :)  Food dye is imperative to make these since the frosting and cookies are the same color.

You will need:

Cookie

6 tbps. cold butter

1 C. flour

2 1/2 tsp. cream

granulated sugar (for dipping)

Frosting

1 C. powdered sugar

2 tbsp. butter

1 tbsp. cream

1 splash vanilla extract

**This recipe does not make a large portion, so I like to double or triple the recipe for more people!**

Pumpkin Cookies with orange sugar coating before baking

Directions:

Cut cold butter into smaller pieces then add flour and cream and combine together.  You might have to get your hands dirty for this.  Roll the dough into about 1/8 inch thick layer--be careful when using cutter because dough is delicate!  After they are cut, dip one side into granulated sugar (I like dying the sugar but white is fine too) then place on cookie sheet sugar side up.  The cookies can be placed close together since they will not expand. 

Cook them for about 7 minutes or till they barely change color to a light golden brown.  The frosting is delicious and can be put on to the non-sugar coated side when the cookies have cooled.