Happy Friday, RISERS! I hope this week has been good to you. TCAP testing is FINALLY over, much to the delight of teachers and students statewide. While it is important to take these exams in life, it is much sweeter when they are over. So, parents, students, and teachers…be sure to have fun this weekend.
Quote of the Week: “Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising every time we fail.” –Confucius
Song of the Week: One of the songs I have on my novel-writing playlist is “Bad Day” by Daniel Powter. This song talks about a person who smiles through struggles, takes sad songs and makes them positive, and other things. It is easy to let negativity overwhelm you, but I encourage you instead to change your thought process and keep moving.
Joke of the Week: Why did the tailor get fired? He wasn’t a good fit.
Nugget of Wisdom of the Week: I bet you can tell from the quote, song, and joke that this week we are talking about failure. Successes and failures come hand in hand.
I think I told you that I have been trying to get the screenplay for My Forever Christmas, one of my novels, to someone connected to the movie business. This past week, I thought I almost had a done deal. But after more conversations, it looked like it would be hopeless. I had to give up, and I was devastated.
While I seriously wondered if it was a “sign” that I needed to give up on the idea, those closest to me said absolutely not! This goes back to my earlier advice about listening to the people around you for guidance. I plan to move forward and just take a different route next time. The coolest thing about this entire situation was that two extremely prominent entertainment-based people told me that they were impressed by my work. That means more than I could ever say.
Recipe of the Week: BLT Salad
What you’ll need:
1 bag of lettuce, shredded
1 pack of bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 tomato, diced
Shredded cheese (optional)
1 hard-boiled egg, chopped (optional)
salad dressing, either ranch or creamy Caesar
Put the shredded lettuce in a bowl. Add the bacon and diced tomatoes, then toss thoroughly. To pack in extra protein and flavor, add in the shredded cheese and eggs. Toss around again, then cover with your favorite salad dressing. Serve chilled or eat it immediately.
Shout-Out of the Week: This week I want to give a shout-out to the school resource officers, fire fighters, and school maintenance personnel who attended to us today when the school where I work experienced a mechanical “failure” on something in the kitchen. These trained professionals took good care of the entire school and helped solve the issue. We are truly thankful for individuals who work well in crisis situations!
Have a great weekend. Remember, you are most awesome, and YOU ROCK!
Marion Rhines is a foster-turned-adoptive parent. She lives in Knoxville, Tenn., with her husband and five children. She has written and published two children’s books as well as two foster-care-themed novels. She has a Facebook blog, Tips from the FLIP Side, and enjoys working with children of all ages.
