HodgePodge by Amanda

308 = 60,000

No really it does!  Check out the article here. 

See I told ya!  Great job everyone!  I hope to do it again next year!

A few questions have been asked via comments, and I would like to respond.

Yes, I did take the plunge.  I even touched the target that was supposedly 20 feet out from the shore.

No, I did not strip down to my skivvies.  I went in fully clothed.   While we were waiting in the shelter of the tent, we started to question whether or not this was a good idea.  All those clothes combined with all the wind...  I can tell you that getting out of what I was wearing was not easy. 

Not sure, if there are good photos of me actually doing this.  I have to ask my team if any of them got a good photo.  One said her hubby got some great pics, I just have to wait and see.  Most of the pics I have seen so far are BEFORE shots.  The ones during the actual plunge show me from the back, in front of the rest of my team.  So I will keep looking. 

Thank you again to all those who sponsored and supported Tacky Penguin and the torch runners.  It was a fun day!

Priceless

Costumes and props....        $30
Entry fee for the Plunge.... $50
Freezing my toes (not to mention other things) off for the Special Olympics...

PRICELESS!!!!

Finding out that my family missed seeing me take the plunge....  (insert a variety of 4 letter words here)

Yep that's right, My DH, mom, and 2 boys came out to see me plunge and missed it.  We were one of the last teams to go, so for those waiting to see their loved ones plunge it became a very chilly wait.  The wind coming off the lake was bitterly cold, and to keep my boys from shivering to death, my mom and DH waited behind the tent just off to the side.  They patiently waited to hear our team name, and waited, and waited.  They came down a few times and had an excellent spot to take pictures, but soon had to retreat back to the shelter of the tent. 

By the time they heard our team name, we were already on our way back up the beach.  I hope the event photographer got some good ones, because this is all I got.  It was far too cold to take anything after the fact.  I just wanted to put on some dry clothes.  So here are the before pics.

this was both comforting and disturbing.  Thankfully, no one on our team needed their services. 

This is pre-plunge!  Notice there are no people standing around waiting.  There is also no target in the water yet.  As the start of the event got closer this area was wall to wall people.  It was crazy!!!

Michelle is on the left, she is Cameron's classroom teacher.  Chandra is on the right, she was Michael's teacher before he moved up into the butterfly room. 

Here's the team...  Tacky the penguin and the torch run.  Those who are familiar with children's stories might recognize the name.  It's from a children's book.  These are the wonderful ladies I have the priveledge of working with from time to time.  Can you guess which one is me?  Hint- I am wearing my favorite color of glasses.

All in all it was a great time, even when I couldn't feel my toes!  I would do it again, lots of fun, everyone having a great time joking around.  The funny thing was it was over before I knew it.

A big THANK YOU to all those who sponsored me!  I have a few more names to add to my list of sponsors -

• Fellow Bella and friend, Julie
• friend and former co-worker, Deb
• friends, Diane and Josh

I also want to thank my Mom, DH, Michael, Cameron, Ember, and fellow Bella Bianca for coming out and supporting me today (See I do have witnesses!)

Thank you all so much!  And Yes, I will have after pictures soon.  Dawn's DH took pictures as we were going in, plus the event photographer was shooting as well.   I can't  wait to see them myself. 

Have a great weekend!

2 more days!

I hear it is going to be a steamy 32 degrees on Saturday here in Lincoln!  Perfect weather for making frozen treats!
Yep, me as a popsicle!  Ya gotta love photoshop!

All kidding aside... I want to thank everyone for their support!  I reached my original goal of $150 and have since set a new goal of $200.  Even with only 2 days until the plunge, I am confident that this goal can be reached!  Wait until you see the costumes!

I received an email from Natasha today.  I had the winning bid for her son's artwork!  A fab piece of artwork, and the knowledge that I have helped those in need.  Does it get any better than that?

I am still working on my 10,000 words.  There are some great photos to share, they just need a bit of fixing up.

Back to work!  I have a few felt ornies to finish up!  Happy creating!

4 days and counting!

Check out the total so far!  I am so close to meeting my goal.  I have to thank some very generous sponsors -

• My BF Cara
• Aunt Anne
• Mom
• fellow Mad Doll Maker, Kathy
• fellow Mad Doll Maker and Owner of the Cosmic Cow, Roxann
• fellow Mad Doll Maker, Cindi
• Kara

Thank you so much for allowing me the opportunity to become a giant Popsicle! 

Another 10,000 words post is coming soon!  I have lots of things to share!

Polar Bear Plunge update...

With the support of a dear friend and a few family members, I will be joining in the with the others to do my first ever plunge!  The first hurdle has been cleared, and now I am focused on another hurdle... clearing my goal and then some. 
In my professional career as a teacher, I work with many people of varying abilities.  To see the sense of pride and accomplishment on a child's face is one of the greatest gifts I receive as a teacher.  This is just one small way to give a little something back. 
So please, help me clear the next hurdle.
Thanks!

a helping hand!

Last fall, I had the pleasure of meeting this fabulous artist from down under! 
Here is a pic of Me and Natasha at her first prom EVER!   Okay so it wasn't a real prom, but we had a lot of fun getting all dressed up!

Kim Kwan insisted that we strike the infamous prom photo pose. 

Natasha and I had a few classes together.  She had some great stories to share while we worked.  And the little bits she brought with her to incorporate into her work!  Each time she brought something out, there was a little story of how it came to be in her stash!  It is so inspiring to see other people create.  They ofter do things that you would never think to do!  It was so much fun to meet her along with all the Bellas new and old!

Natasha is hosting an auction on her blog to benefit those in Australia devastated by the fires.  Please go and check it out!   There are currently 2 original works by Natasha and 1 original piece by her son!  Too cute! 

For those wanting to see a picture of me in all my insanity (ie the Polar Bear Plunge!) I need your help.  Each Bear needs to raise $50 min to take the plunge!  I figured that if each person who stops by my blog pledged just $1, I would have enough to take the plunge plus a bit more.  $1, that's one bottle of soda from the vending machine. 

Thanks!

Etsy update

I have uploaded a few items to my etsy store.  I will donate 20% of the each sale to Special Olympics for every item purchased in the month of February from my etsy, Glitter and Grunge, or LolliShops web stores.

The past few weeks have been busy around here, and the future looks to be even busier.  I have been filing in at my sons' daycare the last few days and will continue for a few more weeks until the new teacher is trained.  I do miss having time during the day to create.  Maybe now I will appreciate that time more!

In April, I will be taking on a long term sub position at a local elementary school.  I am really excited about this opportunity.  It is such an amazing school, and I have already spent a few days subbing there last semester. 

In creative news, I participated in The Vintage Dragonfly Vintage Valentines Swap.  I received my piece in the mail the on Friday.  It's such a treat opening a package like that.  I will try to get a picture posted soon.  I am also participating in Stacy and Natalie's spring heart-felt ornament swap.  The ideas have been flowing, and now I just need to locate the supplies... I know there are around my studio somewhere!

Boy this is turning out to be a rambling post.  Sorry! 

My DH and I took the boys to the Omaha Zoo on Saturday.  It was a gorgeous 60 degrees here in Nebraska... so not the norm.  The gorillas were in rare form, striking a pose every now and then.  One even decided to show the visitors his bottom by sitting on the domed viewing bubble.  I can only imagine what that looked like.  Our view was pretty funny, because he was just so smug looking about what he had done.

Today I took my oldest to see Coraline.  It is truly an amazing movie.  Michael is only 4, but he enjoyed it all the same.  Only one part seemed to scare him a bit, other than that, no problems.  The imagery was stunning and very inspiring!  A must see, especially if you are a fan of The Nightmare Before Christmas!

Well, it's time to get the boys off to bed and maybe squeeze in a project or two that have been begging to be finished.

Happy creating!

I'm taking the plunge!

Image found at www.greenpeace.org/.../polar-bear-in-arctic

The Polar Bear Plunge that is! 
When - Feb 21 at 11 a.m.
Where - Holmes Lake in Lincoln, Ne
WHY???? to help raise money for Special Olympics!

Please help by donating your hard earned money!  I have hopefully loaded a handy dandy widget to my side bar for donating funds online.  If you wish to donate via Paypal or by personal check, please contact me for the necessary information. 

Thank you so much!

No worries... Of course I will obtain photographic proof that I did indeed jump into the frigid waters of Holmes Lake and post them for all to see.