My Nomination Was Dr. Deb Currier

I have a Bachelors of Arts in Theater from Western Washington University, focusing on Acting and Theater Education. (For those who know me....Shocking, right?!) Well, Last December, I took some time out to nominate a former college professor of mine, Deborah Currier, for the Stephen Sondheim Inspirational Teacher Award. 

Unfortunately, Deb (as I called her) didn't win this time, but I wanted to share my entry publicly in honor of her dedicated work. This is only a itsy-bitsy part of what I loved about her. I owe my sanity and much of my confidence to my many teachers (K- college) who gave me opportunities to learn theories, workshop new ideas, and meet people I would have never known had I not gotten an education in the arts. 

People Who Can

Nominee: Deborah Currier

Nominated by: Lindsay Weldon

Many new mothers hope their children will be healthy and happy. Sure, I wanted those, but I also wanted my babies to do theater exercises and improv for fun! So, the moment I gave birth to my first son, was the day I founded the “Weldon Youth Theater Troupe”. The troupe’s motto came from my college Theater Professor and Advisor, Dr. Deb Currier, who while never having birthed any children of her own, knew a lot about them. I’m not even sure this particular instruction was part of her lesson plan for the day, but her words, which seemed to be written in the air with a glue stick, quickly stuck to my ears and worked their way inside my brain, to the treasure chest I keep of real pearls--and open only for special conversations: “Children can do anything. Never tell a child they can’t do something that they can.” She expanded, “When telling a child they need to have their lines memorized by tomorrow, don’t apologize or say it’s hard. Say it nonchalantly; believe in them…and they will learn their lines, they will read a play, analyze a script, they will do it because they don’t know they can’t.” Deb’s insight has informed my role as a supportive mother and as a teacher working with children in the community today.

Poop Crib

"What can we do?" I asked my husband, Mr. Weldon. "We can't take away his ability to poop?" 

He stared at the little balls of poop sprawled across the carpet of our 2 year old son's bedroom, and replied, "I don't know. We could put duct-tape around his diaper." 

"No, we can't do that! How are we going to have the babysitter change his diapers? With scissors?" I spouted out immediately.

This is the crib before it had it's side removed...age  1

I carefully tip-toed through the maze of poop to retrieve our only child from his crib and take him to the bathroom for a impromptu bath after his eventful nap. Mr. Weldon was stuck with the job of cleaning it all up. By the time the bath was over, he was still cleaning. I took our son to the living room and had him play with some toys. That's when I heard my husband say, "OH NOOOOO...." I hurried back to the bedroom to see what had happened. 

Middle School: "At least they got out of my way so I'm not late."

"Middle" is often the less popular option. People like to be first (place, born, string, in line, edition, etc.), or last (born = baby of the family, piece, day of school, appointment, etc.). There are good middles (of life, of truffle, grilled cheese sandwich), but all too often there is one middle that is hard to face, and that is middle school. Today, I would like to share with you a bit about my middle school social experience and hope it can uplift others who may feel stuck in the middle.

I moved to Wenatchee, WA, at the end of 6th grade. I found myself being thrown into middle school and becoming a "Foothills Falcon". My previous school had 6th grade as part of the elementary experience, so, I was nervous to change classes ever hour, worried I be late everyday. Nobody ever told me that middle school was looked at by adults as a torturous state of being for transitioning youth from childhood to adolescents. So, I was very optimistic as I started my first day of middle school in the last month of the school year. 

Things seemed to come together. I figured out how to get to all my classes. (Side note: I still have nightmares of this particular middle school's halls as an adult, rushing around not being able to find any of my classes.) My teachers introduced me to everyone on the first days of class. I started riding the bus everyday. I was the first stop and the last stop of each day, so, it was a long 45 minute trip each morning and afternoon. But, things started to get difficult soon after that. 

Winco Bulk Food Price List

I went to Winco in Moscow, Idaho, last week to buy many items from their extensive bulk department. It was 8:30 pm on a Thursday...and not very busy. I love the prices in bulk, especially for baking.The prices seem to be cheaper or equal in most instances I've done a price comparison on items. 

So, I asked an employee, wearing a tag that stated he was the Bulk Foods Manager, if I could get a copy of the list of the items they currently carry with the price. The man surprised me by stating that their pricing was a secret. I pointed at the items behind him and I said, but all the prices are right there. It saves me time. It's all in your store computer. He said it didn't matter. At least I would have to take the time to write them all down....like it was a punishment. I told him I wasn't interested in any formulas or algorithms for how they priced items....just the price next to the food item. Nope... he said they would never do that. I told him that all the items in bulk are generally listed on Winco's website --but not each item was in this particular store....and I just got shut down. This bothered me...so, I proceeded to take pictures of all the items I would ever be interested in on a regular basis. (Not candy, pet food, processed foods, pre-made mixes, granola mixes...since I could make my own if needed. --I don't have a pet either.)  

I put together a list of all the items using their list of items on their website and an Excel Spreadsheet. It wasn't that hard, but a boring task. For my fellow NW Winco go-ers, I want to share my list to avoid loosing out on the best deal. I've stood at Costco in front of the All Purpose Flour...wondering if it was cheaper at Winco. (It turns out there the same....32 cents a pound.) I hope this can aid comparision shopping and knowing what products are available to you in bulk.