Meet the Students . . .

Some new student profiles are up to view on PledgeMyRide

On the site, you can also look for more details about the ride and our technology wish list; as well as a donation tracker to see what progress we are making (Slowly, but hopefully, surely!)

Check it Out! :)

www.pledgemyride.wordpress.com

Compromise

I wanted a new trash can. 

Ours looked something like this:

When we first were in the market for a trash can (when we got married 4 1/2 years ago) my sweet husband Robbie would only let us spend 10 cents. So here we are. 

This has no lid. I HATE looking at trash. I was wasting money positioning perfectly clean paper towels over the garbage. (I know- that's weird.) One day I was looking at our gross trash can and thought- why did I even agree to this in the first place? I don't remember ever being that submissive- even as a new wife looking for my first married trash can. We needed an upgrade . . . fast. 

I wanted something like this:

Something sleek and stylish. Something with diamonds or gold plated. BUT, I already told you that Robbie's trash can budget was 10 cents, and trash cans are more expensive than you think. All the ones I liked were like $75 and up. Whew! What to do??

We settled on this:

A plastic, swing top garbage can for our kitchen. It was very cheap since it was heavy plastic, rather than stainless steal (about 30 bucks). It has a lid and a I don't have to look at the hair ball I swept up every time I throw away a tissue. It was an excellent compromise. A wonderful example of the give and take within relationships. 

And there you have it. 

My marriage is symbolized by a trash can. 

Steelers Hoedown Weddin', Y'all! (I mean, Yinz)

Once upon a time, in the kingdom of Pittsburgh, 

there was a HUGE Steelers fan who was getting married. 

Here name was JoAnna.

Of course the colors of her wedding were Black and Gold.

And of course the whole wedding was Steelers theme.

And the cake was camo . . . 

Of course. 

This is a fairy tale, Pittsburgh wedding after all!

So the fam got together to celebrate the blessed event.

Uncle Keith (you made it!) and Robbie

We even got in a little time for some face squishing.

Nice.

(I hope this one makes it in the wedding album)

JoAnna and Josh were married in LDS Washington D.C. Temple

Just like me and Robbie!

JoAnna made her own jewelry and all the bridesmaids jewelry- 

She's got talent and looks and hunting skills! Whew!

Now THAT is a happy couple!

The reception was in our backyard

So . . .  a camouflage cake fit right into the landscape. 

Camo cake: $400

Hunter cake topper from Cabela's: $41.25

Toy deer and moose set: $9.99

Giant log cut fresh this morning: sweat and man-power

A wedding cake that puts you in the mood to kill something: priceless

Bide and Groom Jerseys 

Oh yeah. 

Yes, those are Steeler Terrible Towels on the head table. 

AND yes, that's Liz and Robbie chowing down on corn on the cob and fried chicken.

Ain't nothin' fancy, but it sure tasted good!!

It truly was the perfect wedding for lil' sister JoAnna.

I don't love hunting.

But I do love JoAnna and Josh together.

Congrats, yinz guys!!

"GO STILLERS!"

Y'all come back now!

Behold . . .

Our new car!

I have been wanting a navy blue (well, kelley blue) car forever

We visited a lot of dealerships (from the glamorous to the ghetto) 

Finally, we fell and love and the price was right

So, 2009 Hyundai Elantra, it's you and me, baby . . . 

You and me. 

Ch-Ch-Changes

And David Bowie said it best. Changes: scary and exciting . . . 

1.) JoAnna, #2 in the Neeley family line up, will be getting married August 14th. Black and Gold wedding colors to honor our Steelers and a camouflage wedding cake, complete with hunter cake topper- it's totally Jo. 

2.) Victoria, #4, (my little, baby sister!) is also engaged! Wedding date TBA, but it will be here before we know it, I'm sure.

3.) Change of Grad School. I have been decently happy with Chicago State (and Pizza Hut University, if any of you remember that delightful encounter) but it is hard that they offer very few online or hybrid classes; and I am working full time and often try to work a lot of after-school or tutoring programs for students. So, I'm changing to a program that is a little more money, but offers way more online classes: Grand Canyon University. For some reason online always made me nervous, like my degree will be only available through Facebook or something. But, I would rather have my Masters in Reading and Literacy sooner than later, and with Robbie working on being Dr. Rob full time, it's what will be best for our little family. 

4.) On the way to my family union at Holden Beach, we got into a little fender bender. A little fender bender that totaled our car, that is. Poo. The silver Hyundai of our early years of marriage is now dead. So now we are in the market for a new car. Yikes.  (See- exciting and scary.)

5.) As I recently survived my first year helping out with our Church Girls' Camp, I am now the official Camp Director for our stake (region) of Chicago. I think it will be great- and although I'm not the most "campy" person,  I am happy to share what skills I have with the girls. And my skills, I mean my skill of being able to pretend that I like the outdoors. (This is more scary.) 

6.) School starts Wednesday for me. Teachers come to "batten down the hatches" this week and then students come the following Monday. A new school year- full of possibilities . . . and I mean, anything is possible- as soon as you think you've seen it all, there's something else ready and waiting (new schedules, student raps,  crazy parents, awesome parents, pledge my ride, operas, peeing pants, love notes, ISAT, new slang and more).

And . . . here . . . we . . . go. (Do you think I should dress up like the Joker for my first day of school? It might loosen the kids up, right?)

It's Pledge Time!

At long last- the time you all have been waiting for: Pledge Time! Well, you might have not been waiting for it, but it is "time". 

As you may know, or may just be learning at this very moment, our friend Tyson Ward (and his biking buddies) are doing a charity bike ride around Lake Michigan this September. The beneficiaries of this ride will be my very own 5th grade students at Claremont Elementary in the Englewood neighborhood of Chicago. Our hope is that we can raise enough money- our goal is $5,ooo- to give my class a greatly needed technology make-over. This will benefit not only my current and future students for years to come in their learning and technology skills, but also provide a valuable asset to our school and community.  

For more details and our donation link (via Paypal) visit www.pledgemyride.wordpress.com or click on the picture at the top, right-hand side of my blog. As the clique goes: "Anythig will help!", and this is 100% true. Whatever you feel you can donate will help to expose high need, inner-city students to new technology and career building opportunities.  Besides greatly needed monetary donations, you can also help by forwarding the link to the Pledge my Ride blog to your friends and family who would be interested in donating to students in need. You can also join our Facebook group or get Twitter updates through links on our Pledge my Ride blog, as well. 

Every student should have the chance to have experiences that build their confidence, open their mind and lay the foundation for practical skills that will help them ensure success in the future. You can be a part of giving this to students through our charity bike ride. 

Thanks for your time!