T and L Final Reflection Text

This is just the text from the podcast below as we need to post a reflective blog as well....

I realized that the technology I knew and have come to appreciate and feel so comfortable using was part of Web 1.0. I was skeptical of including the use of tech in my own classroom, b/c I have always thought it to be e-mail and the suite of Windows programs. Little did I know that there was this whole huge world out there of new and improved web 2.0 tools and applications just waiting for me to discover.

Prior to this class, I was aware and using google docs in a college level writing class to conduct writing conferences. Personally, I use tech to stay in touch with friends and family that are located all over the US and the world—Germany, Iraq, and Afganistan. I have used gmail and skpye to accomplish this. I knew too that a vast majority of students used the tech in the same manner.

My main desire for this class was to actually learn some new technology for me. It’s really typical that in most tech courses I have taken, I could have taught the course. The tech class that was originally in my program of studies to take, would have been one of these—thanks, but no thanks to paying 1200$ to learn how to use google docs in a classroom. I’ve already mastered that trick. With this mindset, I enrolled in this class with a skeptical mind.

However many weeks later, I must say, I am so excited to teach and to use these tools, techniques, applications and more that I have learned about and become so comfortable around. I have already created a unit plan that utilizes a wiki, glogster and I’m thinking about adding a podcasting project for students as well (we’ll see how my 1^st podcast goes). I’ve been observing a middle-school English teacher all semester and have so many ideas for my own student teaching and classroom (podcasting book reviews, character glogs).

I’ve also become addicted to my google reader and check it at least twice a day. Through this, I’ve discovered so many great educational and tech based blogs that I am continuing to learn more and more. All of these I keep track of on diigo. I talk about the course so much, that others have expressed wanting to take it as well.

This has been one of the best courses I have taken and also has the most real-world applications for me. My fingers are crossed that I eventually am in a school district that supports and embraces Web2.0 in the class. And if not, I’ve learned some tips and tricks from this class to show how vital these tools are in ones curriculum.

T and L Final Reflection and Podcast

Here is my final reflection in podcast format. I must say, using the podomatic software was a breeze and I could really see myself using podcasting for lessons in the future. It was also super easy to embed in the blog. Anyone know if it's as easy to do so in a wiki?

Now I just need to practice speaking to record and if I didn't have a cold, it would have been better. Also, I feel that I sound like a young boy in recordings :-(

T & L Final Reflection

Vanessa Alander's Podcast

Webinar--Using Glogster in a Classroom

I found this a while ago on the archive list of webinars on Classroom2.0. I've really taken away and taken glogs to heart and am looking forward to using them in the classroom. I can see their use as endless... So I really wanted to watch this webinar...

Again, I like that glogster has a private (educational use only) side and a public side--as this presenter pointed out. This is key re: using in a school... Glogster.edu is safe and monitored by teachers. The use of glogster in interactive and integrates cross-curriculum disciplines.

33%of online teens share their creations online... we as teachers need to harness this power...

This site has lots of links for music that can be used for free w/o copyright infringements. This is something to keep in mind and fair use and copyright issues are huge; however, you can use this as teachable moment to teach copyright law to students...

This webinar addressed something I was interested in--the use of glogs from a teacher point of view....

• as a way to communicate with parents re: administrative information of going on's in the classroom
• links to a wiki site
• fosters development and communication between parents, teacher, classroom and school

I also like how edu glogster allows one-click relationships with other Web2.0 tools (wikis, vokis, blogs and more)... And they also focus primarily on the safety and privacy of students forefront.

Glogster is also key to allow for differential instructions for a mixed ability classroom.

This is a GREAT example of a timeline glogster... What teacher wouldn't want to use this???

These glogs are able to be embeded into wikis, blogs, facebook and MORE!!!

Is the world flatter?

After viewing the info on our wiki, I looked up the title of the book on wikipedia and found this to be helpful in understanding the concept. I do understand what Friedman states. The most powerful statement I found Friedman state was that, "when the world was round, people downloaded information but now that the world is flat people are uploading information."

Wow... Think about that... The power has shifted from the larger corporations and organizations to the individuals.

Friedman also states that by having the world being 'flat' and people interacting horizontally instead of vertically, the educational productivity gained is unmeasurable. This makes me think back to the idea that if we are sooo connected, is the gain worth it? Again, not sure... I understand his idea and think he's right, I'm just not sure if I want the world to go down this rabbit hole.

My lil' Monster just turned two and someone called and asked if he had a laptop yet? Huh? A laptop geared towards toddlers that hooks up to your TV. The Monster barely watches Sesame Street and you want him to have a laptop? Technology and connectedness needs to be balanced... And I think Friedman would agree.

affordable plan book software...

Again, stumbled upon this (there is so much other stuff I should be doing)...

$30 for planbook software developed by a fulltime teacher... looks decent...

Interactive Whiteboar-- $50 or $2000???

I just discovered this information and wanted to share with all of you.  A common brick wall in tech in classrooms is cost.  An interactive white board is an amazing piece of technology, but not many school districts can afford them for each classroom; however, most classes now have the projectors.  A researcher, Johnny Lee has developed an easy way for teachers and others to create their own interactive white boards using the $40 wii remote and a simple DIY LED pen.  Lee's homepage is here.  Here is Lee introducing his researching in a youTube video...





Here, Lee shows how to actually set it up...



There is now an interactive website, discussion board and wiki re: this low-cost, high-impact technology.

This great resource has a full-length pdf file, more video and more re: this technique by Lee.  This video is very helpful and I'm fairly confident that most anyone could do this...





This is a GREAT video based on Lee's concept.  The software that is necessary is FREE!!!  How amazing is that.... (available from Johnny Lee's website)... There is now also Mac versions available...

Just thought I'd share this great, affordable resource...

Thoughts on Web2.0 tools in schools - good, bad and the ugly?

I have personally and academically evolved my thoughts regarding the use of not only computers but specifically Web 2.0 tools in the class. 

The Good

Students are already using the web in ways that are not academic (as evidenced in a section of college comp that I'm teaching this semester).   Use of these tools when used in a school setting, through the lens of curriculum and pedagogy, Web 2.0 tools I could see as being an extremely effective tool of the everyday classroom. 

The Bad

Teachers not being 'up to date' with the new tech tools, schools, principals, and administrations not being open to the use of these tools and these web based (typically free) tools being blocked from the schools network. 

The Ugly

Fears of being the only teacher who wants to use these tech tools in a school and not being supported by co-teachers and administrations.

Chapter 5 Professional Development

I believe that the role of technology does have a role in today's classroom (different frame of reference from when I started this course); however, I see co-teachers, principals and perhaps even parents being understanding of technology and how it can be used academically not just for entertainment and social purposes. 

Perhaps a way to get fellow teachers and principals 'hooked' into this new technology may be to begin by using it in staff development, meetings, other opportunities.  If school personal could use wikis, blogs, etc in this manner then they may benefit from seeing not only how effective this technology is but also how easy it is.  If you can 'hook' the teachers, then the students should not be that far behind. 

Another technique to show parents how important the role of technology may play in the classroom would be use a class blog/wiki to share and communicate with parents.  If parents can see the value of these Web 2.0 tools, ten they might be more open and receptive to classroom time being dedicated to the teaching with these tools.

Use of Wordle

Hi All...

I just created a Wordle for my Unit that I'm creating for another class. I've embeded it in my wiki (found here)... Just thought I'd share. After a little trial and error, it was pretty easy.

Intergrating technology and helping the relectant writer....

One of my passions is teaching others to find their authentic voice and to improve their writing.  I just found out about this website which has soooo many applications for not only the English teacher's website but so much more... pic lit...  I just wasted thirty minutes instead of grading student papers!!!

Glogster Links...

Some interetsing links i found re: use of Glogster and education...

Sample Glogs from education--http://www.diigo.com/user/glogstereduman

Website with tutorials, examples, applications for glogster --http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2009/05/great-glogster-tutorial.html

List of Web2.0 tools....

Found this list the am and thought I'd share it... 

http://file2.ws/web16
 

My Journey in Podcasting...

Ok... I have been familiar with podcasts for a couple of years (subscribe to a few on iTunes)... and I am very interested in learning how to do this for not only blogs but wikis as well as i am IN LOVE with wikis and am looking forward to actually using them in real classrooms not just hypothetical ones.  I also see the benefit where I could add a podcast re: my lecture and embed it on a project page on a wiki...

This post will chronicle my journey to see if i am successful or not re: my question of:

Can I not only create a podcast, but embed it as well--not just link to it...

My first website I visited was on ehow .  This taught me how to link to it from a different website.  Not exactly what I wanted.  I thought that if I Googled how to embed verses how to link would provide better search results...The next website from How to Podcast was based, again, on hosting a podcast on a server... NOT what I wanted...

I finally found this slide show which was helpful  and even gave links for free music... This slide show was SOOOO informative and a real lifesaver... Highly suggest this for help!  Discovered that I need to create an account at a podcast hosting website... (starting to click!)  I checked out Podbean, Podomatic and Snapdrive.. I decided on Podomatic..

Next step is to play around with podcasting.. will have to do when The Monster and Husband are a) asleep or b) not home... we'll see...

Glogster/Wiki work in progress

Per Kim's request... Here is a wiki I'm creating for a High School Literature Unit. The opening page is a glog. My final project is also a glog and will post on the class wiki when done...

http://feedyourworld.wikispaces.com/

NH Online Education

This is a great site for NH based online education. The classes are created by NH educators for NH edcuators. Also, it seems pretty cost effective (~$100 each)...

http://nheon.org/opennh/

vanaessa

edu.glogster.com --week 10 choice blog

I've actually been using Glogster a lot lately (for this class final project and for a secondary literature unit i am developing based on the novel Feed). If you log on to edu.glogster.com this is the site for educators and you do not have access to the rest of the glogs out there. ALso, you can create up to 200 student accounts. Another benefit is that the glogs are private AND you can easily embed the glogs into wiki and other social networking sites. So far, i have created two glogs for two different wikis and they have been quite easy. I've uploaded images, linked video from the web, added animation and embeded them into wikis! They look great and am excited to actually get in a classroom and to use them. I've been observing an 8th grade class and helping them write book reviews. I mentioned the idea to the teacher about using glogster to create interactive book reviews and will be showing her the program in the next few weeks. She seemed really excited and open to exploring this option.

Response to "World w/o walls"

"But [technology] does suggest that we as educators need to reconsider our roles in students' lives, to think of ourselves as connectors first and content experts second."


This statement is key to the whole article and, I think, hits to the core as to the importance of Web 2.0 and the classroom setting. This article, in particular, this statement REQUIRES teachers to look at the role that they are playing in and out of the classroom and to closely examine it.  It also requires teachers to think what the students are learning in & out of the classroom and to draw connections to the students outside world to that of their world inside the classroom. 

"The technologies we block in their classrooms flourish in their bedrooms. Students are growing networks without us, writing Harry Potter narratives together at FanFiction.net, or trading skateboarding videos on YouTube. At school, we disconnect them not only from the technology but also from their passion and those who share it."

Students are immersed in this technology as the writer of the article states it is an important question as to how much of this technology to bring into the classroom.  In my experience in teaching college comp, I've realized that while students may be knowledgeable about technology, they do NOT know how to use it in an academic setting.  I've tried to use Google docs for virtual writing conferences in lieu of person-to-person and after 3 weeks of trying this out, the students said that it was to complicated.  I'm not sure if I track it to the technology being difficult OR if they are just a little lazy. 

I know that students are using technology in their everyday lives.  I think that we, as teachers, need to not only impliment the use of technology into the classroom but how to use this tech in an academically viable and responsible manner. 

Chapter 8 Thoughts on PodCasting

Just what is Podcasting? Wikipedia defines podcasting as  a "series of digital media files (either audio or video) that are released episodically and downloaded through web syndication. The mode of delivery is what differentiates podcasts from other ways of accessing media files over the Internet, such as simple download or streamed webcasts"  This was helpful for me in determining what the definition is.  This is a great article from the University of Minnesota regarding the use of podcasting in education.  While it is a couple of years old, it still provides some basic, introductory information (at least I think so). 

This website contains a podcast (is it interactive...unsure) but I listened/watched the entire thing (not too long) and found it interesting.  He is basically questioning about allowing RSS feeds to branch out and to become more interactive with content about making choices regarding what is being offered and what you want to do next.  He calls it a "choose your own adventure RSS feed."  I also discovered this wiki re: podcasting in education. 

I searched and tried to find a sample interactive podcast or two and was unsuccessful.  Not really sure why this was.  I would really like to see an "interactive podcast" so I could get a feel for them. 

Anyone have any links???

Use of Wiki's in Education

I have a bunch of different blogs set up on my Reader and this morning as I was skimming them, I found these two interesting articles re: the use of Wiki's in education. Just thought I'd pass them along. The first one from The Journal, is about ways to move the students from passive to active and from a teacher-driven class to a student driven class. The second article comes from The Journal as well and is titled, "3 Challenges to Wiki Use in Instruction."

Just thought I'd share them....

Project Based Learning...

Yet again, another conflicted moment for me.  Currently in my Comp course I believe that I am currently using some concepts of Project Based learning.  I NEVER assign the students topics for their writings.  They have weekly writing (3-5 pages) as well as four larger papers to complete over the semester.  Students are able to write about what they know, enjoy and want to learn more about.  Their topics do have to be run by me so I can make sure that they are appropriate but they are free otherwise. 

In a true project based learning classroom/school, I wonder how the students fair post-this experience.  How do they test on the SAT/ACT?  What about in college?  Does this model of education mesh with meeting standards and NCLB (which I do have issues with, but we, as teachers, must acknowledge, embrace and help our students to meet and exceed state and federal benchmarks).  I'm also interested in when this video was produced? 

Now, all that being said, I could see myself using a PBL as a culminating activity.  for a larger unit so at least its framed in that context, but I think teachers do this already... grr.... don't have any final thoughts, just more questions...

Goggle Wave

So, I just stumbled across this and from the limited about of info I've found, it reads as if this new software is going to merge together email, social networking, wiki and IM in one, real time site. Google Wave may make some of what we're learning in this class "old tech" and might usher in a new Web or make Web 2.0 easier and more accessible. This is a great article/interview re: Google Wave.

Oh, how quick technology evolves...

Watch What you Post Week 5 Choice Blog

I am currently teaching a section of English Composition at Plymouth State. This course is required of all students and is typically taken in the first semester of their first year. We have talked about what is writing and have collectively decided that even their status updates to Facebook, Twitter and texting are examples of their writing. When I stumble/find information regarding these sites and their use that might challenge the students preconceived notions, I bring in copies and we discuss briefly.

"How Facebook Ruins Friendships," and "Facebook Exodus" are two articles that I have brought to the class (both from NYTimes). At this time, I mentioned that in my previous life when I was an Assistant Program Director for an Early Intervention Program in New Hampshire and I had to hire and fire employees I Googles all potential interviewees. The students thought that this was nuts and some weren't sure it was even legal. I then explained that what is placed online is there, potentially, forever for anyone to view. After a brief discussion, I got the feeling that most of my twenty students thought I was nuts.

Not the next day on my Google Reader I found the article titled, "Obama School Speech Addresses Facebook for 'Glass House' Generation." This article so beautifully backed up everything I said and we talked about and was timely. Plus, it had the added bonus of coming from the current President. This article really cemented in the students minds that while social is quite cool and for all its worth, students really do need to pay attention to what they post. This article listed the results from a study done by CareerBuilder that interviewed companies on thier use of researching prospective employees and whether or not what they found inhibited their offering an interview with that person.

This study is really quite revealing and a way to keep students grounded in what they are posting on the web.

Using Tech to Create Knowledge--Constructivism and Connectivism

The question from this weeks outline, "How can we use these tools, connect with others to "create" knowledge?" completely sums up my ambivalence regarding the use of technology and at what level of intensity. Websites like Moodle, Glogster, Wordle, Diigo, PBWiki, Lulu and Classchatter are just a few possible tech tools to utilize.

To begin to answer my own hesitations and questions I have regarding technology in the classroom I am going to start small, using a few things I have already picked up from this class. I would never have found out about these on my own without working together to "uncover, discover, communicate and find information."

I am currently enrolled in a graduate course titled "Teaching Secondary Literature." One of our larger projects is to create a unit using Young Adult Literature. The unit needs to be 15 lessons long in total over any length of time. Having checked out other student blogs and exploring some of their links I'm excited by what I've discovered and the ease of which I might be able to incorporate some of these tools into my classroom.

While I don't know really what I will be doing for my unit yet (detail-wise) I could easily see how for the text "The Great Gatsby" I might have students work in groups of two and adopt a character. For a culminating project, they would need to utilize Glogster to create a poster on their character to present to the class. This activity would also provide a focus for the students as they read a text that is typically seen as 'not interesting, relate able, and boring.'

This type of activity utilizes both constructivism ideals (students constructing their own knowledge) and connectivism (students using technology to construct their own knowledge). In this sense (and I might say limited) then I could possible see how bringing technology into the classroom effectively and, more importantly, powerfully.

T and L Week 4: Media Sharing

Media sharing... uh... It's kind of funny to have a big ol' technical term for something that almost everyone accesses daily--video game systems, cell-phones, computers, PDA's and websites such as YouTube, Facebook, ning, and others.

Does media sharing have a place in the classroom? I don't know. I'm hoping this class will help me to begin to answer this question. Or at least point me in some direction. I think that the use of media sharing may also depend on the structure and personality of the class on a whole. I'm stuck on my opinion on this. Reading other's thoughts and blogs have only raised more questions. I know this is a short post but I am conflicted...

P.S. I had drafted this last week and when I checked my blog today, I realized that it was saved as a draft not as a final post, so here it is.... My apologies.

T and L Week 4: Social Bookmarking

My thoughts on social bookmarking are duo-fold.

1. Personally, I really like the idea of social bookmarking. I had never used this tech before. Yes, I had heard of it, but never used it. I can completely see the use of using it for my own personal uses. I also really like the fact that I don' t have to always the same computer to pull up a bookmarks. Or keeping the websites listed in a journal that I tote around with me everyday, everywhere. Also, sharing and connecting with groups is a cool feature. No more randomly Goggling for websites. Instead I can find some less popular resources that might think outside of the box...
   
2. I'm not sure I would use this in a class except maybe to have students chronicle their web search process that is involved in an I-Search paper. That might work... In an upper-level English course. Otherwise, perhaps my information and/or thinking is 'stuck in the box' but I'd like to see/read/hear some innovative ideas for utilizing this in a classroom setting.
   

T and L Week 3: Media Literacy...

In this video, Portal to Media Literacy, I really connected with Michael Wesh's point that although students may know how to navigate Web 2.0 tools like Facebook, Wikipedia, and YouTube they need to taught how to use these tools critically. The need to be taught how to use the critical thought, analysis and introspection to apply to these tools.

I easily equate it to a child learning how to write. A two-year-old 'writes' by marking on a paper. If we don't foster this interest, point them towards letter, invented spelling, and then help them as the gain the skills with sentence construction, idea development, etc., etc., then yes, the may know how to write but they will be able to write in such a way that is socially acceptable and required.

"To learn is to acquire information," he states. Teachers need to be able to gently guide and direct their students towards acquiring information. This will then have the students internalize that information so they will truly learn and remember this info in the future.

T & L week 3--Google Reader

Prior to this course I had never been exposed to Google Reader . I had heard of RSS but never really played with it. As soon as week three was posted on our wiki, I immediatly checked it out and set up an account. I enjoyed being able to "forget" about my rather long list of bookmarks in multiple web browsers. Google reader changes the direction of information. Instead of going out to my different sources (HuffingtonPost, MSNBC, friend's blogs, NYTimes, and other web pages) updates now come to me.

I kind of like this idea on one level. It saves time, is more efficient and seems completely logical. The appearance is nothing fancy, but it doesn't really need to be. It's just a portal for reading new updates to websites/pages I frequent. It gets the job done and it gets it done well.

On another level, technological advances such as Google Reader have surely contributed to the decline in newspaper readership. This is sad. There is something about turning the newsprint to read the news. Google Reader isn't the only culprit. A 24-hour news cycle and peoples insatiable demand to be constantly updated as preceded these technological inventions.

I am conflicted. Yes, I want to use the most up-to-date and helpful tech tools in the classroom; however, does this mean that such tried and true methods such as newspapers have to become extinct? This is a question that I, along with others I'm sure, are struggling with to answer. And I probably will be struggling with for a while to come.

T and L--Week 2, part 2

Thoughts on this course... 


I am 'tech savvy' in Web 1.0  and at my places of employment I am typically the defacto IT person.  I can solve a majority of computer glitches, I'm really good at all Office products and am able to manipulate them to do  my bidding ;-) ... I've used my skills to write and win two grants from the Neil and Louise Tillotson Fund at my last "grown-up" job and I'm currently using these same skills in PR development of materials for the Plymouth Writing Project.

However, will all of this under my belt, I find that I am now lacking in my skills (although I know that my skills are far above what some of my peers are including the husband).  I am excited to learn more about this Web 2.0 movement.  It seems as if Web 2.0 is the way to go, especially in education.  Students are already using these tools are unaware that there was a Web 1.0.  Wikis, podcasting, blogging, and more Web 2.0 tools are just a part of the everyday web/internet experience for students today and it is imperative that their teachers use and incorporate them in an effective yet limited manner.

Why limited?  This is where I am still trying to figure out my own ideas regarding tech in the classroom.  When  Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv came out, I readily devoured it.  I do have some dissonance with the amount of technology and inside entertainment that children today are accustomed to--wii, video's/games on iPods, and children spending their time in structured activities (participating in team sports, music classes and more) and then the rest of their time watching television.  I think educators have a responsibility (that some parents tend not to participate in) to artfully balance the use of technology with time outdoors.

I am hopeful that this course will expose me to the latest tools and tricks available and will also address how to balance their use in the classroom.

Chapter 1

In the text on page 22, the author states that "as educators, we can't sit on the sidelines watching it happen.  We have to recognize that students' use of technology is stronger and work from our own strength, which is pedagogy."  This quote really speaks to me.  While an educators knowledge may be lesser than that of their more adept students, that shouldn't matter.  It is the teachers goal to introduce and utilize these tools to enhance what we teachers have spent time and money on--pedagogy .  Teachers can bring our skills on how we teach, merge it with the tech tools and then throw in some of the balance that I am interested in learning.  That is a powerful classroom that can engage and educate the students.

An issue I have is that while all of these tools are out there, free and easy to use, you have to have the backing of administration to do so.  A quick survey of some of my local schools websites was dissapointing.  Bartlett Elementary, where I've done most of my observations and teaching is basically a space holder for a website.  My local school, Madison Elementary, just updated their website but in reviewing it, it is obvious that they are clearly stuck in Web 1.0 terminology.    So, I would also like to read or learn about how to introduce these tools into a school setting that is not open to these tools and methodologies.

Week 2 part 1--T and L post...

I am enrolled in a course for my MEd titled, Teaching and Learning in a Networked classroom... One requirement is to create/post to a blog. I figure that instead of creating a brand new blog, I would just use this one and then my use of this blog would translate to me actually updated and keeping this blog up to date... High hopes... maybe... We'll see...

This afternoon I've been sucked in and all consumed by the site Diigo and the fact that now all the websites I have bookmarked on three different internet browers and written down on all types of paper scattered all over the house can now be in one location. I may also be newly addicted to Google Reader as well...

I stumbled upon this video, which I thought was very cool and thought I'd share... I'll post more re:T&L requirments soon... Still working on readings...

Best Dance Moves... Ever...

Just thought that you'd all enjoy this... Make sure that you have your speakers on.  The music is a big part... And just in case you were wondering, yes, the song is Forbidden Fruit by Jessica Simpson...

Pic Updates...

Ridin' my bike... Which I can now climb on an off of all by myself! :)



Eating cornbread at the ice harvest festival at the Remick Farm!!! I loved seeing all the cows and sheep...

Chillin' with my daddy's shades while being pulled in my sled on Silver Lake...

Updated blog...

I will add updated monthly photos and post his 1st b-day and christmas photos shortly... I'm working on two differnet papers right now, but I will get to them... 

Promise..

~~v

1st Sledding Trip...

For christmas this year (and for last year and while we're at it, probably for christmas next year too) JPA got a pull sled.  I came across it last year at LL Bean (a wicked good deal).  Two weeks ago we took JPA out on it.  At first, he didn't really know what to do or why to react.  It was really funny cause 1. He was in his snowsuit so he couldn't really move and 2.  It was his first time with an extended trip outside in the winter.  He really did well.  Once we got back home nate had been snowblowing a starting ramp on the backyard hill and Nate and JPA did a few trips down the backyard hill.   Don't believe me, here are the pics!

All bundled up and ready to go!!!

Yahoo!!! More, more, more!

Faster mama faster!

1st trip (out of many) in the big sled down the backyard hill!!!

New Year...

Okay, so I've been really, really bad about keeping this blog updated but I've also been very very busy... Graduate school, a running 14 mth old, working 3 nights a week (5 during x-mas vacation)...

BUT...

New year = new year resolutions... Blogging several times a week with actual, meaningful text.. and pics... and scrapbooking too... :o)

However...

Our newish camera broke (the image sensor) so I have to mail it back to Canon (thank god it is still under warranty).  It's going to take two or so week so I have to use the old one... Which I am not that fond of but am excited that appreciative that I have it...

So, from here on out... I will TRY to post more regularly... Here's hoping!!!