Looking for a job?

I would love to see a resume from some who actually meets the qualifications of this ad for my company, specifically a teaching degree and teaching experience! If you know anyone looking to get out of teaching until all the NCLB dust settles, or someone who just loves to write curriculum, have them send a resume to HR@gibbs-smith.com.


Job Title : Associate Curriculum Developer

Job Description :Local publishing company is currently seeking a full-time associate curriculum developer to join its team. Skills necessary for position: an education degree; teaching experience (preferably elementary);  ability to write clearly and succinctly; ability to communicate clearly and must have the ability to manage time effectively and to meet deadlines; must be able to quickly learn to use different technologies such as a MAC operating systems, Adobe InDesign and XML coding.

Lies My Father Told Me

"Hard work is it's own reward."

I guess it would be if I were working for free. But I'm not. I don't work hard and take on more responsibilities just for the sake of feeling good and chipping in. I guess that's always the initial motivation. But as time moves on, you'd like to see fruits of you labors (and by fruit, of course I mean cash). And the corporate, non-government world is where those dreams can come true—where your hard work will finally be rewarded! NOT. I was under the impression that leaving the public sector and working for a private company would allow me to progress in my job so far as I had the ability to. I am standing proof that this is not the case. You see kids, sometimes adults work hard, and nobody cares about how hard you work... it's never enough. Oh, you learned what skill and streamlined what process? Great, we'll reward you by sending more responsibilities your way. And then to top it off, we'll slap you in the face and give you a swift kick in the pants. Welcome to adulthood. And boy am I glad to be here.

Also, when your dad actually notices a change in your hair for the FIRST time in recorded history, you know it's not good. Monday morning I was feeling brave and asked my sister to cut me some real bangs. Monday afternoon I was feeling remorseful and was quickly reminded by the mirror reflecting my short bangs that I have an ugly face. I know that sounds dramatic, but that's how I felt. Now that I've calmed down, I know I don't have a completely ugly face, maybe just not the face for real bangs. Plus. as I've been styling them, I'm having flashbacks to 5th grade... and the Utah claw bang that I used to sport, courtesy of my two-inch Conair curling iron. Those were dark, ugly times in my life. But when I stopped by my parents for lunch today, Norm said, "About your bangs, I really like them. They make you look a lot younger." Which is just what a 26 year-old who typically can be found wearing hoodies and pony tails needs.
So, let me ask you this bang inovators (Sig, Lindsay, Cambria, etc): How on earth do you style them to look not circa 1992? Round brush gets them too round, and flat iron too flat. What is a girl to do?!

Here we see Megan attempting the very popular full-bang, but not completely succeeding.

 We also note that it looks as if she's picking her nose... it was an itch. 

And, yes, that is absolutely chipped, black nail polish.

If you are a girl, boy, or anyone not married to me, read this...

... if you are my husband, close the browser window immediately.... OR ELSE!


So I have this great idea for Valentine's Day, since I'm a newlywed and I'm an over-achiever sometimes. I want to do something nice/romantic/fun for my husband everyday for the week before the big day. Mostly just little, thoughtful things... nothing big and expensive. I have some ideas rolling around the ol' idea mill, but I would love to hear what you have done for someone special, or what someone special has done for you. SEVEN nice things is a lot for anyone to come up with... especially someone as selfish as me.

Let's hear it, people... spread the love.

And, since I like you folks, a little something to get you in the mood:

A Time for Sharing

So the husby and I are looking for some new traditions to start this holiday season. We have only thought of a few so far. Those include:

• Exchanging new pajamas each Christmas Eve
• Sleeping under the Christmas tree (he doesn't care so much for this one... especially since we have a Charlie Brown Christmas tree)
• Making Dutch Babies Christmas morning (some family tradition from his father involving yummy pastries)

As you can see, our list is rather lacking.

What do you do?

What should we do?

I can't wait to hear your ideas!

Survey Says....

Well, that's what I'm hoping to find out!

I need YOUR help!

Calling all music lovers. I am developing a playlist of songs to play while guests arrive at and leave the wedding dinner, and a list of songs to play for dancing after dinner.

Here's the criteria: songs must have been written and recorded prior to 1970, and preferably around 1960. I need timeless, not over-played, non-cliché love songs (I know, I set the bar impossibly high sometimes). I would love your suggestions, particularly in the dancing genre (slow and fast).

A little photo to get you in the romanticy-song mood:

Kissy, kissy