5 Pennies - Day 262 Recovered

1. Made Whoopie Pies for Staff-
                   WHOOPIE! We made it through the first full week of school! The custodial staff has really put a lot of time and energy into making the school look very clean. We hold close to 800 students and various families have been in and out for welcome programs, but yet everything thing still looks so nice. So I decided that it was their turn to receive some baked goods. Whoopie Pies are actually really easy to make because it is just cake batter in small round gatherings and the frosting goes in between.

                   

2. Wrote a Welcome Note to a new staff member
                 We have a new English as a second language teacher within the school, so just a simple note & a piece of candy to say hi!

3. Sent a birthday card to staff members
         The first one went to an admin and then I bought him his favorite Frostberg Bologna snack stick.
         The second one went to a math teacher and was sent through the mail, just to wish her a happy day.

4. Made Neighbors Zucchini Bread
             I'm honestly a novice at baking. I find it as a stress releasing activity to bake for others. First, I get to use my hands to release tension. Second, I know that I am doing something good for someone else. It is also a great way to try out new recipes. So I found myself looking at these really great looking zucchinis at the grocery store yesterday and thought about how long it has been since I made some zucchini bread. Instantly, I knew that my next door neighbor, who has had some health issues recently, deserved this tasty treat.

     

FYI - since it is September, my next baking adventure includes apples :-)

5. Gave homeless couple a box of snacks
              I have decided to keep an extra box of snacks in my jeep at all times. I do have a box for me and my son when we are on a road trip, but an additional box will be given to an homeless people that are in need. Today met that need. Although it was just a simple box of fruit bars, I knew that it was something that was good for them and possible family. As I pulled up to the corner where the woman was standing with a sign and the man was sitting on the curb, I rolled down my window and handed her a box. Instantly she smiled and sincerely thanked me.

5 Pennies - Day 261 Recovered

Happy First Days of School!!!

Nothing like the smell of freshly sharpened pencils and the sight of new back to school sneakers :-)

1. Wrote and encouraging note to substitute
               One of our staff members needed some extra time with his family, so there was a long term substitute in our school for the next few weeks. She has worked at our school before, but the beginning of the school year is always very stressful for everyone. Bless her heart she got really confused with locker combinations and in moments she was completely frazzled - with it being just the first day. So I helped her get everything situated, wrote her an encouraging note, and gave her some chocolate.

2. Wrote my son's teacher a Thank You note
               Not only is it back to school for me, but my son as well. He transferred to a different school this year and with some anxiety worried about meeting his new teacher. She on the other hand was extremely welcoming and very friendly at the back to school night. Just wanted to let her know how nice it was to meet her and how much Sean feels better at ease.

3. Bought extra supplies
               So my son's teacher has a giving tree request in her room and before I knew it I was taking down the post-it that said Hand Sanitizer. Yes, this is when OCD becomes helpful. I have it now posted on my refrigerator as a reminder to buy it every time I am at the grocery store - including this week!

4. Bought Chocolate Coffee Creamer
               My school as a new Administrative Intern this year, which is a change up because she is a woman. Its been 5 years since we have had a woman as an Admin, which is nice because now I don't have to talk to so many girls about dress code policy. Anyway, I don't know much about her except that she does love coffee and York Patty Creamer. So while I was at the grocery store this past weekend, I checked out the creamer section. Nope, no luck! Instead I bought her some Chocolate Creamer - which still sounds very delicious.

5. Made Monkey Bread for Staff Meeting
                 What a great way to brighten up a staff meeting, especially since it was about suicide prevention!

Recipe- http://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/grands-monkey-bread/7a1e41b1-4708-4028-8ce6-fcb5baebbc19