Teaching in NJ vs. Teaching in CO & a Help Request

Hello Readers and Friends. I have been working as a teacher in Colorado teaching 4th grade for 3 and 1/2 years. I have a lot of frustrations about the poor education system out here and have been doing a lot of journaling about it. I know that Julie Bateman feels it too as this is her 2nd year teaching in Colorado. Since we both came from the Edison, NJ experience, we can tell you Jersey folk that YOU HAVE IT GOOD. In the famous words of Nicole Cirillo, "Kelly, you don't know how good you have it." That phrase dances in my head constantly because she was right. I truly didn't know.

I plan to write a book about all of the things that upset me so much about the education system in general, but more specifically, in Colorado.

Here is a somewhat brief rundown...

• This is my 14th year teaching and I am making $47,800. Keep in mind that I started at Edison at $41,900. Colorado is 48th in state funding for education. I have made huge financial adjustments. The cost of living is quite similar to NJ minus the mountains.
• I used to complain and even dread the weekly Tuesday faculty meeting from 4-5, but now I would take it back in a heartbeat. Here in Colorado, we still have faculty meetings, but they happen every other week from 3:05-4. While students attended specials (art, music, gym, language) I used to have a "prep period" (according to Edison lingo). If we missed our prep because of a meeting, we would get paid for it. Now, my "prep" has become a "plan period." Out of the 5 days per week that this happens, TWO are taken up by planning meetings. Colorado LOVES to have teachers plan to plan but never actually have time to PREP anything. They don't even create or prepare anything during these meetings, they just sit and talk about all the things they are going to do. I am sure you can imagine how my head wants to explode as I SIT chatting about plans without making any steps toward execution.
• It is not uncommon for teachers to come to work on the weekends and DURING THEIR BREAKS. What the?! This proves my point that teachers are so overwhelmed, they have let their demanding job invade the boundaries of their personal lives. Where is the balance? We all need a balance.
• Since I started teaching in Colorado, I have never had a class size less than 30. THIRTY! Edison teachers, this one is for you---last year, I had 8 students on IEPs and one on a 504. NO co-teacher. The Learning Support Specialist popped in to accommodate the minutes 2-3 days per week and only during 1 or 2 subjects. Each day, as the only teacher on the grade level that had students with IEPs, I had the fun job of tracking their accommodations for EACH subject for EACH day of the week. I counted and that was 72 boxes I had to check DAILY. Also, I had 19 boys in my class. NINETEEN.
• Coaches...Did Edison Public Schools get on the Every Teacher Needs a Coach Bandwagon? I remember CRTs and thought it was a great position, but coaches require weekly meetings. For what? You guessed it, more planning.
• Overnight 5th-grade trip = 4 days...3 nights...NO compensation for teachers. I miss you, Camp Bernie.
• The CO teaching license expires every 5 years. By next Feb. I need to gain a certain amount of hours in specific classes (ELL) to renew it. And pay a fee of course. $$$$
• 4 Days of parent-teacher conferences 3 of them after teaching a FULL DAY of school. My current school just went down from 30-minute conferences to 20.
• Major budget cuts which will no doubt lead to cutting paraprofessional support and decreasing the hours for some full-time teachers.
• School day- Teachers: 7:40-3:30 Students: 7:55-2:43

Yes, there is positive too, but it is basically that I haven't written a lesson plan since I started teaching here. I fill in lesson titles or unit numbers or names of projects, in a plan book, WITH A PENCIL. Also, there is no testing pressure nor test prep. After you Edison employees pick your jaw up off the floor, please read on.

My intention for writing this post is because I have a student in my class whose family is going through a financial struggle. His mom was just diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer. She is scheduled to receive 12 chemotherapy treatments while working 2 jobs. Dad isn't in the picture and Mom's boyfriend is helping out.

Now that I have explained my financial woes, you see why I am not in the position to help this family on my own. When I first read the information in the e-mail below, I wanted to help cover a bill or two. Then I realized that I have my own bills that are piled up. I am still paying off Puggle's vet charges and my own medical bills. (I miss Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield SO MUCH. I can't believe I used to complain about $10 copays! That was a dream.) However, I plan to donate $20 and my time and words of persuasion.

So, if you have a spare dollar to send via Venmo (@kelly-miragliotta-1 label it for the "Lopez family"), I will collect money until March 15th, 2020. Then, anything I get, I will turn over to the family or pay their bills via invoices. I would ask the school to do a fundraiser, St. Baldrick's style, but it is a title I school and many of the families are already struggling. Anything you could send would be greatly appreciated. Apparently, I have 523 Facebook friends, so if everyone sent a $1, that total would definitely help them.

Here is what the family could use help with (I copied and pasted from my work e-mail).  

"Mom has given me her monthly costs to see if we can find a donor or person who might want to help with some of them. These are: Energy ($75 a month), Car insurance ($45 a/m), telephone ($100 a/m), rent ($1400 a/m). She can provide invoices if somebody would like to pay them directly online."

Thank you for reading this post. And Edison teachers, take a moment to appreciate how good you have it. Nicole was right. ;o)

Peace and Love,

Kelly

My Puggle

Love, at first sight, is real. I felt it in December of 2005. I looked into the eyes of a 4-month-old Puggle puppy who was chewing on the tag of a purple t-shirt in a cage at the Puppy Shoppe in Edison, NJ. I had to have her. She made me feel something when we locked eyes. 

To my surprise, she was waiting for me a few days later in the kitchen as a graduation gift. She was the cutest puppy I had ever laid eyes on and we were best buds immediately (thank you, Carolyn, for the best gift). 

One thing was clear right away, this puppy loved food. Although she didn’t have a name for at least two weeks, I finally settled on Puggle. It was the perfect name and always gave people a chuckle when they learned it.  I easily house trained her with Cheerios in the snowy winter of 2005-2006. 

Puggle loved everyone and everyone loved her (except Maya the German Shepard). She wore a thermal maroon hoodie (thank you Mary) and a cute red, white, yellow, and blue striped t-shirt in those beginning days. Yes, I was that mom. 

She slept on my neck like a scarf at night and wrestled with her older roommate, Puppy, Cece’s Pomeranian during the day. We went for runs together and the word run came in handy when many dogs, male or female, would try and mount her at the dog park. I’d yell, “Run Puggle!” And she would take off, putting distance between her and the randy dog. She was good looking, so I get it. The hot piece at the dog park. I remember not being able to say the words “dog park” because when she would hear it, she would instantly spin in circles, tail wagging and wide-eyed wondering When? Now? Let’s go! We started to abbreviate using “D.P.” until we were actually ready to leave. “Cookie” was another word we learned to spell around the Puggle. 

Puggle was a bit of a snob at the dog park, preferring to play with other Puggles and Pugs almost exclusively. They would all run full speed in circles chasing each other, their curled tails oddly straightened. It was the cutest. 

Puggle traveled with me almost everywhere I went (even though she despised the car) and even had her own purple blanket waiting for her at Jorj’s house. Puggle loved blankets just as much as her Aunt Jackie. 

Carolyn and I shared custody for a short time and Bobby Brower became her first male parent. I know you loved her Bob, even though she was very needy and I am pretty sure she pooped in your suitcase or something like that. 

When her Aunt Lindsey was diagnosed with Leukemia and had long stays at the children’s hospital, Puggle came with me to visit her. Lindsey would love it when Puggle came to visit and would take a nap on her bed. Aunt Lindsey taught her the ballerina trick and showed it off to her nurses. Puggle learned other tricks too like sit, lay down, speak, and rollover (we called it the retarded rollover because she was so round it was hilarious how unsmooth her roll was). 

In addition to being a snob at the dog park, I am proud to say Puggle was a beer snob too. She preferred pumpkin ale just like her mom and wouldn’t even lick a drop of Miller Light. Champagne, Puggle? Always. She was loved by Fia, Adam, and Nick in my first house. Thank you for always helping me with her and giving Puggle so much love. 

She had a few lovers in her life. Three were stuffed dogs (see the video Two Dogs Fall in Love to meet one of them), but another happened to be my Aunt Rosemarie. One sniff and Puggle immediately started humping her leg.  Maybe it is because she is always baking or cooking and smelled like food. Or maybe it was something else entirely. All I know is that was one funny Halloween.

Evelyn and Buck became her roommates and Buck fell in love just like I did. Evelyn would sing a “perpetual hope” song to Puggle as she tap danced (begged for food) in the kitchen. Evelyn and Buck were Puggle's family too. 

Grandma Josephine was Puggle’s next roommate. They shared apples and sunbathed together on the back porch of 28 Seymour Ave. Grandma broke the rule all of my roommates did- "Please don’t give Puggle any human food. She is a vegetarian," I would say. It was an easy rule to break as Puggle had a Master's in persuasion tactics. Her face is just too cute. 

When I took a trip to Thailand and my sister Jackie was Puggle sitting. We always wondered how much food Puggle would eat if nobody limited her. Jackie found out. Puggle sneakily broke into the duffle bag where a brand new box of salmon treats was tucked inside. She ate the entire box of salmon treats except for ONE. We had our answer. 

Puggle was great with kids and brought so much joy to my niece Brooklyn as she was kicked in the head and given sooooo many animal crackers. Puggle learned quickly that kids = food. Puggle would kindly vacuum the carpet every time I would bring her over to see Jackie and her family. When the twins were in high chairs, Puggle was scoring big time. 

Puggle was certified as an emotional support animal after my accident in 2016. This was so that she could travel to Colorado with me in the cabin of the airplane. Little did I know, she would provide emotional support throughout my huge transition from NJ life to CO life. After the accident, I was pretty messed up injury-wise and Puggle was the only reason I HAD to get out of bed. 

Puggle was my support through almost all of my breakups. She was happy to lick my tears away, she provided companionship, and gave me purpose. She taught me about responsibility and what it means when her butt smells like fish—-time to get those anal glands expressed. Gross. 

She accidentally consumed edibles on more than one occasion...passing out by the fire in a deep sleep for 3 hours and the other time, she started walking into walls. She is a trooper because she recovered quickly and was begging for food soon after (probably because she had the munchies-ha). Thank you to Dr. Julie Jones for always giving great advice and for coining the statement, “Lesbians are the best pet owners.” 

Puggle was also a resilient dog. She traveled all over with me. She hiked in NJ, ransacked coolers on the dog beach of the Jersey Shore, played in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, and camped there too. In 2017, we both had surgery. Mine, hip, and her 2 ACLs each 4 months apart. Thank you to Carolyn, Fia, and Nikki for flying out to Colorado to take care of both of us. 

After the short time Puggle and I spent moving around Colorado we lived with chickens, a crazy lady and her 2 dogs, a pimp, and finally we rented an apartment in downtown Denver with Joe Foster, her final daddy. Joe loved my Puggle even though she was a whiny old lady by then and started showing signs of dementia. Thank you for all of your help, humor, and love, Joe. 

Love, at first sight, happened to me again when I met Katie on October 26th of 2018. I think Puggle knew this as she saw me the happiest I have ever been. Katie, Ruca, and Bodhi (Puggle’s first feline roommate) welcomed us into their home. Bodhi would playfully attack the unsuspecting Puggle and by the time Puggle reacted, he vanished. I learned that cats are amusing. The 3 animals, Katie, and I made the ultimate cuddle puddle on the couch. Katie loved Puggle as if she were her own and really got to know her. The 4 of us camped together a few times. Puggle's whining got out of control and Katie always had a peaceful way to try and calm her. 

Over winter break, Puggle and I took one last adventure together. We drove to Crestone, Colorado where we rented a studio and I spent time writing the book I keep talking about writing. We cuddled and watched movies. This is when the vomiting began. I thought it was because she eats the same treats and food every day, but I let her consume the Christmas gifts from Grandma & Grandpa. I was wrong.

She vomited again this past Thursday night, but this time it was just her food. She NEVER has done that before. My heart was pounding and I had a terrible feeling as I cleaned it up. Friday morning, I cooked her rice and planned to go to work. She ate the rice and 10 minutes later threw it all up on the bathroom floor. In tears, I called out of work (Thank you, Jenn) and made an appointment at the vet. 

Dr. Dan had given Puggle a root canal about a month ago and everyone at Columbine Animal Hospital was familiar with Puggle. She received warm greetings and we were placed in a room. I explained the situation, he felt her belly, she yelped with pain, and he feared pancreatitis. He suggested an X-ray and blood test. I went for a 30 min drive until they were finished. 

The look on the tech's face as she placed me in a room told me this was not going to be good. Dr. Dan wore the same expression as he told me that he does not have good news. He showed me the results of the X-ray and revealed the massive inoperable tumor in her abdomen. I teared up as he explained my options. I asked what he would do if Puggle was his dog and he recommended euthanasia. I needed tissues at this point. He told me what could happen if the tumor ruptured and how uncomfortable she is now and will remain without meds. He sent me home with pain meds and anti-nausea medication for 4 days. Nikki, a tech that has worked with Puggle a lot came in to say goodbye with tears in her eyes. They assured me that I have given her a good life and that she looks wonderful for being 14 years old. 

I drove home (ugly crying) and told Katie the sad news. We thought through all of the options and after a full day of watching how uncomfortable Puggle was and how she just paced around the house, I decided euthanasia would be best for her. Thank you to my family, Evelyn, and Katie for helping me think through this difficult and crushing decision. 

Puggle was a dog who always was down to go for a walk with me, despised wet grass, refused to eat lettuce, let her ears flap in the wind on road trips, went temporarily insane when toweled down after a bath, moved with me at least 10 times, snorted like a pig, slept under the blankets, loved peanut butter best, attempted to swallow the triangle of a quesadilla whole, followed me around the house, always got along with other doggies, was a go with the flow type of dog (unless it was time for food) and only destroyed expensive things like reading glasses and Invisalign. 

Puggle passed away in my arms surrounded by her lover, Katie, and I. She was loved until the very end. She has touched so many hearts in her 14 years and she will be missed. 

You left me in good hands, Puggle. I love you.♥️

Thank you to everyone who helped enhance Puggle’s long life. 

I want to create a memory book, so if you have any photos or videos that you are willing to share, please e-mail them to me. Thank you. 

My Cute Little Puggle September 29, 2005 - January 12, 2020

Things I've Learned in 2019

Another year = more knowledge

Enjoy!

1. Twitterpated- Bambi (Thanks Katie)

2. Cats are fun to play with.

3. Queen bee 🐝 

4. censored

5. Starfish- censored

6. Wisconsin Lunch Box-a light beer, shot of OJ, & shot of amaretto

7. Feb-March is Coyote mating season...dawn & dusk beware

8. Siberian sport slapping is a thing took place in Russia link

9. Dos Equis Xx beer & Miller Light -RIP = GROSS

10. I SUCK at chugging beer and putting up curtains 

11. Seuss books are NOT JUST for kids. Oh, the Places You’ll Go has serious life advice.

12. censored

13. My tequila shot face can't get below a 7. Katie's however...scores a 1.5!!!! 

14. Fireworks in Idaho Springs- yes! 

15. Wilderness on Wheels is a campground near Kenosha Pass in CO that is for people in wheelchairs. 

16. Clean your bathtub with the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser and wonder how you have lived your life up until this point. 

17. A Chipotle is a smoked & dried jalapeño pepper. Thank you, Julie.

18. Eight people get stuck in Denver elevators daily. This year, Puggle and I were in that situation together with our recycling. Thanks, Joe!

19. Daily Mail dot com is made up of horrible human beings, especially Andy Abrams, who publishes fake news without the permission of others. I don't know how to take them down, but if anyone else does, I would love to be pointed in the right direction. They just want a good story and don't give a s*** if my picture is forever on the internet side by side with two killers. Kayla Brantley is an even bigger piece of s*** who only cares about a story and doesn't care about how her privacy invasions have an effect on people's daily lives. 

20. Teachers in the USA get a free Headspace account. Yay! 

21 My parents are awesome in so many ways. Thank you for always loving me no matter what crazy things I get into. 

22 The Norovirus is a nasty, nasty beast. #ThanksgivingBreak2019

23 Hanky Codes are a real thing gay men use to signal others about their preferences- JF my Gayru

24 Erik was homeschooled. So many things make sense now. 

25 There is nothing more confusing than a room filled with hairspray, humans, and normal conversation. Especially when nobody is saying, "Run for your life. The air is toxic!" hmmm...

26 Sailboat races on Lake Dillon are not to be infiltrated by kayakers...but it is really funny if it happens to your mom and sister. 

27 When the town you chose to celebrate NYE has zero Uber drivers, the band will bring you home. 

28 The water on Dillon Reservoir gets pretty crazy for kayaking. It is SO much fun! 

29 During the Great American Beer Fest in Denver, local liquor stores have new stock. The brewers do drops of their beer and people like me get to go buy it without paying $80 to attend the actual GABF. Maybe when I am rich. Maybe. 

30 I finally used a composting toilet. It only took me 3 years living in Colorado and it finally happened. I was intrigued but grossed out because it was shared by strangers and was located behind a curtain in our studio cabin. Maybe if it was only used by me and Katie...Maybe. I am probably going to opt for indoor plumbing if I have the choice. It is one of the best inventions ever made. Go without one and you will forever appreciate the luxurious flushing toilet. Trust me.

31 Small pieces of wood can be perfect outdoor grill cleaners

    

32 Puggle's new favorite sleeping position is hungover. 

33 Wood burning stoves heat a room up QUICKLY.  

34 Chewy Runts are IMPOSSIBLE to find. Please help me. 

35 It is still fun to build a living room fort and watch movies from inside. 

36 Google Quick Draw and Google Feud are both fun to play

37 Solo hiking in the desert of Moab is awesome. Bring your camera and journal. 

38 VIP Kid will pay me to teach Chinese children English while I sit at home in sweatpants.

39 I can sell my salsa. Thanks, Kel!

40 Disco Fries & Taylor Ham exist in Denver. The Grateful Gnome & Rosenburg's Bagels

41 I know the best camping spot in Moab, Utah...and it's free

42 I love snowshoeing and now I OWN snowshoes! 

43 Marty O'Riley and the Old Soul Orchestra - see them live. You're welcome. 

44 Lord Huron in concert at Red Rocks...awesome. 

45 Sometimes it takes weeks for bears to fully wake up from hibernation. 

46 The wood frog- freezes and unfreezes...seriously this frog has a superpower. Google it. 

47 Orphan Peaks- outliers 

48 Isaac Bateman puts pizza in his coffee. 

49 The dollar store sells pregnancy tests!

50 The FJ Cruiser was discontinued in 2014. Sad. I will have one. 

51 Katie hoards Neosporin. 

52 A Beany in Canada is called touque. Thanks, Tyler

53 Kirkland Vodka is Tito’s & the expensive one is Grey Goose

54 Stephanie was on a jump-roping team called The Jump Masters. 

55 Topeka means “a good place to dig potatoes” according to Native Americans. Thanks, Katie

56 once I spent too long organizing my maple candy into 3 piles: zip lock, road trip, and I just acquired this stash, it can wait. I depleted 1/3 of my stash. Lesson learned: never organize your maple candy because you will eat too many, you maple candy hoarder. 

57 This is a yak! 285 drive & Crestone

58 Elevation Ketchup is my favorite. 

59 French fry soup exists- Crestone Brewery- queso & veggie green chili 

It isn’t actually advertised as french fry soup, I think the cook got aggressive with the ladling. 

2019's Funny Moments

This year was a rough one. Despite the struggles and darkness of 2019, laughter was had, and here are the memories. I did crack up reliving each moment, so thank you to everyone involved for the laughs.

Shout out to my 5-year-old niece Brooklyn & my girlfriend, Katie for being the most entertaining people in 2019! 

Enjoy! 

I wish I had a maid. She would mostly do nothing because I would feel bad, but right now, she would whip me up a snowcone 🍧 

1-4-19 

KS

I was already having a crappy day and I needed ramekins.

JB

1-4-18

A text from my sister: 

Mom took Brooklyn to McDonald’s to get French fries, this is the convo at the drive-through:

Brooklyn: Grandma did you get me a toy with it?

Mom: No. I didn’t order a happy meal. I just got french fries

Brooklyn: So you got a sad meal then? 

1-4-19

A text from my sister: 

The boys are fighting over snowballs in the kitchen. I walk out and say, “I’m going to sit with B.” I sat down and said, “Oh those boys B...” 

Brooklyn: I feel bad for you mommy.” 

Jackie: It’s ok B, I love those boys. They are just boys. Totally different than girls. That’s for sure. 

Brooklyn: Yup, they have wieners.

1-25-19

If you have a rabbit allergy or any farm animal allergy, you shouldn’t be a sub. 

EJ 1-31-19

Mermaids are the biggest tease for a guy. Because there is NO WAY to fuck them. 

KS 2-3-19

Jackie: B do you want to come with me to get decorations for your party or do you want to be surprised?

Brooklyn: I want to be surprised.

Cole chimes in: Me, me, me!

Jackie: Okay, Cole you can come with me to get them for her, but you can’t tell her.

Brooklyn: Actually mommy, I want to go. I want to be surprised so once we get the decorations,  I’ll just erase them from my memory.

2-4-19

Google DONT Drive your ass to work today.

Virtual Day

RT

I'm a gluten plus, dude. I am not gluTEN, I am glutELeven” 

RT

We Willie Winkie - YouTube (Maybe I should have made 2019 Creepy Moments List)

I have met 12 gay Saras. Every other gay person I meet is named Sara.

JB

Mama raised a homosexual, not an idiot.

JF on Scientology propaganda in Los Angeles

2-8-19

You are changing my life, my lezguru.

JF

2-9-19

Kelly: When my dad and I used to bowl together on a league, he’d promise me that if I  knocked down a 2 10 split, he’d take me to Kiddie City (which was like a Toys R Us). 

Katie: I would have robbed an old woman if someone would have told me they’d take me to Toys R Us...AT AGE 5!

Did I tell you my too young rule? 

If I ask them where they were on 9/11 and they don’t remember, they’re too young. 

JF

Brooklyn's 5th birthday

“Mommy! My butt bigger!”

2-12-19

****************************************************************

The following quotes are basically one commercial for 

NJ PEOPLE VACATIONING IN COLORADO 

3-9-19

That fuckin altitude bro. Don’t get me started on that altitude.

AF 

These doughnuts. 

And it was THAT chair.

My mind and body were in two different places 

I was in that chair when I was about to take off. 

JA

JA: I felt like I ate for a full hour. I swear I couldn’t even breathe. 

AF: Yeah, dude. All you kept saying was, “Man. I can’t talk.” 

****************************************************************

A text from Ed: Your mom and I were talking over b’fast speculating on someone’s behavior.

Cindy: What’s your opinion Freud? (sarcasm)

Ed: I’m the closest thing to Freud you will ever meet.

3-3-19

UHaul Has Gift Cards LOL 

3-9-19

Me

3-16-19

Mom: Oh my god! You're going to run that bag over!

Ed: It doesn’t have feelings.

New music to me is like a new car.

KS

Mommy, I didn’t go to school today.

Brooklyn (age 5) at 12:43am on Sunday, March 24th 

She was awake for over 15 hours. 

March in NJ by Kelly 

JF on Dealing with Xfinity

Kelly, I was about to throw my phone into the pool and move into Civic Center Park for the remainder of my life.

3-25-19

I understand IPA fatigue but guess what. I understand oxygen fatigue too. I’m not giving up oxygen and I’m not giving up my New England IPA either.

4-6-19 EB

5-2019

It’s not about the bagels. It’s the creamed cheese. 

EJ (<-----obviously this person is NOT from NJ or NY and has no idea what he is talking about.)

6-2-19

I brought my compost to New Mexico. 

CD

He NEVER finishes a cliff bar. 

CD

Our Natives are Jersey Strong

They don’t run from rain 

Me

I don’t like redheads wearing orange. 

KS

After guessing what year Pocahontas came out. 

Katie: How old were you in 95? 

Kelly: 15...

Katie: What were you doing? 

Kelly: Getting my period for the first time and hanging out in a dirty river.

Katie: I was figuring out that I was attracted to women. I went to see Pocahontas and I was like DAYUM! 

Hahahahahaha

We’ll find all the gays on the island and we will have a gay party 

KS

There’s no T in can!! 

KS 6-11-19

You know money has got the best of a man when he has to leave work early to go get a facial! 

KS

6-18-19

We got our deli stickers and the lady in the bathroom took a video.

KT 6-22-19 @Red Rocks: Umphrey's McGee

I cried more at your wedding than I did at any funeral I’ve ever been to. 

Sammy  (Nina’s dramatic friend) 3-24-19

K: I forgot my glasses. This is going to suck

Linz: Kel, it’s already going to suck. 

Kelly to Brooklyn: Can we trust him? (Asking Brooklyn if we could trust Cole about secrets about mommy‘s birthday.) 

Brooklyn says no and then proceeds to explain how every time she tells Cole something he tells mommy. 

Jackie chimes in: He can’t even talk!

3-21-19

Trivia Names: Quizzle Me Timbers, Whiskepedia

I am just going to sit here and act like I'm in my 40s. RT

VHAB- What other team name has a song? KT

Every time I do mushrooms I end up naked. I punched a guy in the face on a bus and we became friends. 

6-24-19 

Poudre?! One of my red neck cousins named her cat Poudre. 

7-26-19 CD

Kelly: Stephanie! You should be a detective! You are so observant! How do you do it? 

Stephanie: Oh, no way. I would fall asleep during stakeouts. 

Kel: Um...who is asleep on my lawn?

CB: Is there any white paint? 

JD: Of course, there is white paint. We are in Colorado. Everyone on our plane was white. 

Brooklyn: I’m going to move to Colorado when I grow up and Mommy can visit as much as she wants. Brooklyn's CO Experience

Brooklyn after waking up from a long afternoon nap in a new time zone (MT): Aunt Kelly could we do something today?

Jackie: B, It’s still the same day! 

This is the longest day I have ever been alive -Jackie 8-1-19

9-2-19 Text From Jackie, my sister. 

So Hunter just had poop in his diaper. Before he ate, Fred sent him into me to change him (in the living room). So I laid him down and said, "Oh man you stink!" I pulled his shorts off and threw them at him as a joke saying, "Ewww!" He naturally threw them back at me.  I felt like my face was wet. I go to wipe it with my hand and look down... I HAD SHIT ALL OVER MY FACE. 

I screamed to Fred, “YOU HAVE TO CHANGE HIM! I GOT SHIT ALL OVER MY FACE!!” As I’m running to the bathroom to wash my face all the kids are screaming, “Mommy!" 

How did that even happen? Fred’s gaging going, “Oh my god it smells. It’s everywhere.” 

I couldn’t stop laughing. Hunter thinks it’s the funniest thing ever. Fred’s gaging, Cole's following me trying to see what is happening, and Brooklyn’s saying, “Mommy has poop on her face! I can’t believe it!”   😫

We just had a heated discussion about the American education system right over Stephanie in the hot tub. 

SB:(leans head back and closes eyes) "You guys are such losers. Get on my level."

I have yet to meet a person who was born amongst a nondescript forest of maples. 

Mona 

First day of Kindergarten 9-5-19

Jackie: Brooklyn, did you buy lunch?

Brooklyn: No, I ate what you gave me.

Jackie: Then where did the money I gave you go?

Brooklyn: I gave it to the girl.

Jackie: What girl?

Brooklyn: I don’t know.

Jackie logs into her school lunch account...

Jackie: Brooke, it says you bought a hot lunch.

Brooklyn: Well, I went up there, but I didn’t like anything and I didn’t know what the lady was talking about so I just gave her my money. 

😂😂😂😂😂😂

Shoop Playing on Alexa

Remember when you were listening to these songs and I was still a baby? 

KS 9-15-19

Only SUCKERS say lollipop! 

It’s like you guys are from the fifties. May I please have a lollipop?! 

KS 9-15-19

Okay. Football and whatever you’re doing. KS

(Kelly making iMovie about chickens)

9-15-19 Broncos vs Bears

Katie’s thoughts on kombucha 

I need some lettuce with that drink.

I think I am going to spend money on a 12 rack of Pepsi. 

Katie 9-26-19

Putting a firefly in a jar is like killing a fairy. Like Tinkerbell. You may as well be a unicorn killer. 

9-28-19 KS

Sips are gross.

9-28-19

While Brooklyn was face timing with me, she lost her tooth. As she’s showing me her tooth up against the phone, she crinkled her nose and said, “What’s the tooth fairy want this for?"

10-15-19 Mom 

Conversation before bed last night w/ Brooklyn (age 5)

Jackie: I’m going to go to the doctor tomorrow to get my nose fixed.

Brooklyn: Why?

Jackie: Because I’m tired of having nose bleeds.

Brooklyn: And I’m tired of getting your tissues!

😂😂

10-28-19

THEY want a baby? Not even a Medicaid baby...just a regular-ass baby? 

BV 11-1-19

The best place to go to jail here is in the mountains. The worst place is in Denver. 

11-17-19 KS

Does it make me a bad person if I eat the chili crunch by the spoon? I can’t help it. It is so good!!! 

12-1-19 EB

I just want an adult bathroom to have diarrhea. I was going every 30 seconds in a stall next to a 3rd grader.
MF 12-6-19

I like fucking weirdos. You can read that sentence and know I mean both potential meanings. 

MF 12-6-19

It’s hard to do an Irish goodbye with a cooler full of salsa. 

MF 12-6-19

I’ve always wanted to meet someone who was going to wear a cascade dress.

RT 12-8-19

A jet pack seems so scary. I’d break ALL my teeth. 

SB

She’s totally finger banging the cobbler right now.

R.T. 12-8-19

KT: Eileen - Get it? She walks on one leg.

RT: In Japan she’s Irene 

12-8-19

Teachers don’t just get a holiDAY off, you get a holiWEEK! 
12-13-19 KS

KT: Eileen - she walks on one leg

In Japan she’s Irene 

RT

I have infant hair. I am probably balding. 

Elmers 

Shredded Lizard 🦎 

Lauren 

An Attitude of Gratitude Project

An Attitude of Gratitude Project 

After reading this article about gratitude, I decided to participate in some of the action steps mentioned in it. Thank you to my step-sister, Carly for sending it to me.  I wrote up this post to share a brief summary of the article, include important quotes, and highlight action steps. 

I plan to print and post it in my house to be read over and over. 

I encourage you to participate and comment here about your experience. 

happiness is an inside job

Having an attitude of gratitude changes the molecular structure of the brain, keeps gray matter functioning and makes us healthier and happier. When you feel happiness, the central nervous system is affected. You are more peaceful, less reactive and less resistant. Now that’s a really cool way of taking care of your well-being.

The Facts: Scientists have discovered that feelings of gratitude can actually change your brain. Feeling gratitude can also be a great tool for overcoming depression and anxiety. Furthermore, scientists have discovered that the heart sends signals to the brain. 


Reflect On: Every time we struggle with depression, why are we constantly encouraged to take prescription medication when mindfulness techniques actually show more promise?

Gratitude is a funny thing. In some parts of the world, 

1. somebody who gets a clean drink of water
2. some food
3. a worn-out pair of shoes

...can be extremely grateful. Let's all remember THAT!

Action Steps

1. Write a letter of gratitude to another person every week for a month or more. gratitude writing can be beneficial not just for healthy, well-adjusted individuals, but also for those who struggle with mental health concerns. 
2. Keep a short gratitude journal to describe 5 things you are grateful for that have occurred in the past week. Ten weeks later, participants in the gratitude group felt better about their lives as a whole and were a full 25 percent happier than the troubled group. They reported fewer health complaints and exercised an average of 1.5 hours more. 
3. Do a “pay it forward” when you are feeling grateful. distinguish between actions motivated by gratitude and actions driven by other motivations like obligation, guilt, or what other people think. This is important because you can’t fake gratitude, you actually have to feel it.

• Gratitude unshackles us from toxic emotions

• Gratitude helps even if you don’t share it

• Gratitude’s benefits take time & practice. You might not feel it right away.

• Gratitude has lasting effects on the brain

CONSCIOUSNESS

In a world where emotions aren’t really taught in school (but oh, they should be) and the importance is put on striving for high grades, it’s not abnormal to have difficulty feeling grateful. This is especially understandable if you’ve been brought up in the western world, which is full of consumerism and competition, a world where we’re constantly made to feel we are lacking so we need to strive for more.

...when a person is feeling really positive emotions like gratitude, love, or appreciation, the heart beats out a different message, which determines what kind of signals are sent to the brain.

“We are fundamentally and deeply connected with each other and the planet itself.” 

Research findings have shown that as we practice heart coherence and radiate love and compassion, our heart generates a coherent electromagnetic wave into the local field environment that facilitates social coherence, whether in the home, workplace, classroom or sitting around a table. As more individuals radiate heart coherence, it builds an energetic field that makes it easier for others to connect with their hearts. So, theoretically, it is possible that enough people building individual and social coherence could actually contribute to an unfolding global coherence. – McCratey

Every individual’s energy affects the collective field environment. This means each person’s emotions and intentions generate an energy that affects the field. A first step in diffusing societal stress in the global field is for each of us to take personal responsibility for our own energies. We can do this by increasing our personal coherence and raising our vibratory rate, which helps us become more conscious of the thoughts, feelings, and attitudes that we are feeding the field each day. We have a choice in every moment to take to heart the significance of intentionally managing our energies. This is the free will or local freedom that can create global cohesion. – Dr. Deborah Rozman, the President of Quantum Intech (source)

Overall, this type of work suggests that human consciousness, in general, can change the world.

Emotions and other factors associated with consciousness have the power to transform our inner world in ways we don’t fully understand yet. These findings show how consciousness can actually transform the physical/material world, and that’s huge. This validates the idea that if we can change our inner world through gratitude, empathy, compassion, and meditation, we can make our outer world more peaceful.

Please join me in my Attitude of Gratitude Project and together we can change the world one thought at a time.

Kelly Miragliotta

October 30th, 2019

A snow day in the beautiful state of Colorado.

P.S. Most of what is written above are exact quotes or paraphrasing from this article. #TakeThatMLACitations