Help Please

A library in need...

I LOVE books. I LOVE to read. I want everyone to LOVE to read or at least have the opportunity to read. When I came across this post I knew I had to share. We have to many books to move again so I am just going to bite the bullet and let them go. I hope you have some to pass along or can buy some nice used books from your local 2nd hand book store and support local! Win, win for all involved.

The original post comes from Danielle ~ here http://www.frenzyofnoise.net

"The literature section of Ballou Senior High School's library in Washington, DC has 63 books, not enough to fill five small shelves. In the area marked "Pure Science," there are 77 volumes. The generally accepted standard for school libraries is 11 books for each of Ballou's 1,104 students."
Why we should care:


"It's a challenge for kids to take their literacy seriously when they don't even have books to read. Ballou is located in the most dangerous ward in our nation's capitol. Right now, the library serves as a physical safe space and a refuge for students in off school hours, but wouldn't it be great if they had something to read while they were there--even choices across genre?....This is not the only school in the country with needs, but when the flare went up we saw it and chose to respond."
What they need:
Everything. From Shakespeare to Octavia Butler to Richard Wright. Fantasy, sci-fi, YA, adult fiction, history books, poetry, classic literature, science. Basically anything and everything suitable for teens. She said they would take anything as long as it is in GOOD condition and has no writing in it.
I've asked if they would accept ARCs (new or old), and the director of the book drive, Lisa, said YES.

How to donate:
If you have books you want to give, please mail them directly to:
Perry School
c/o Margaret Pegram
128 M St. NW suite 318
Washington, DC 20001
Inside the box put a note that says "c/o Lisa P. Ballou Book Drive".

The school will be accepting books until August 22nd.

(Also, if you'd like to include some kind of quick note for the kids, words of encouragement, that would be awesome!!)

Spread the word!
Reblog this post on your blog. Tweet this post. (we're on twitter at #HSBookDrive) Tell everyone. Send books

My baby graduated!

Wednesday evening was my youngest daughters graduation!

I'd like to say it was bitter sweet, I cried, had a hard time but...

I'd be lying

We are so excited to put this chapter behind us.

We are very proud of all she has accomplished but lets be honest, High School is so full of drama.

We are looking forward to her fulfilling her dreams of becoming a chef, enjoying her years at Johnson and Whales.

Proud Parents!

Aunt and cousins

Aunt, Uncle and Grandparents

What a poser

No her Mother wasn't a photographer or anything.

This is one of her best friends. They graduated preschool together and I did the portraits so we have been planning on recreating this image for several years.

Love it!

Jen, Emma and Miranda. BFF's since 5 years old!

Jen giving Valedictorian speech

Emma giving her valedictorian speach too.

Miranda keeps good company!

They had a graduation to remember.

Only Xenia students would experience this around here.

Wed. evening the same strong super cell storms that came through OK came through during the ceremony. The tornado sirens began to sound and the students were evacuated to a safer area.

Considering our little towns experience with the deadliest tornado on record in 74 and then 3 more over the past 25 years this was a little ironic.

Here are the students filing out of the arena. Everyone remained calm and after a 1/2 hour delay the ceremony went on. We did not have the rough weather there at the arena but many families arrived home to serious hail damage to homes, cars and landscaping.

We are thankful though we did not have another tornado.

Our kids are resilient and strong. They will face their futures with courage that many other kids do not possess. I am proud of Miranda and all of her friends. I wish them all the success they deserve!