Let's Try This Again...

I haven't blogged at all this past school year. I have no reasons why.  I will tell you that I thought my teaching was so much better when I was blogging.  So.....

I am starting over.  Let me introduce myself

I am linking up with The Teaching Tribune for Week 2 of their Summer Bloggin' linky party.  I thought this was a good way into getting back into the blog world.  I am planning on linking up tomorrow and Wednesday too.  So please come back and visit!

Let's Talk About Me! {Teacher Week '13 Linky}

I wanna talk about me
Wanna talk about I
Wanna talk about number one
Oh my me my
What I think, what I like, what I know, what I want, what I see
I like talking about you, usually, but occasionally
I wanna talk about me

If this title doesn't make you think about the Toby Keith song I don't know what will.  Now that this song will be stuck in your head all day enjoy this linky party hosted by Blog Hoppin'.  With this linky party you can find out about all your favorite bloggers.   

Now here is a little bit about me:

My name is Mechele Barrow and I am the face behind Barrow's Hodgepodge.    

This year starts my 21st year as a teacher. I have taught kindergarten, first, second, third and fourth grades. I have also taught technology classes and specialized reading and math classes to struggling fifth and six graders.  I have held a variety of positions over the years.  I am currently a second grade teacher in a self contained classroom.




I hold a bachelors degree in early childhood/elementary education and a masters degree in elementary education from the University of Montevallo. I am considered Highly Qualified by the State of Alabama.  I am fully AMSTI trained for second grade.

Outside of school I am a wife and mother.   

I have been married to the same man for the past 21 years.  We will be married 22 years on the 17^th of this month.




 




My oldest daughter is a sophomore in high school.  She is talented musically.  My daughter plays two instruments.  She is a wonderful pianist and talented flute player.  This year begins her third year in the high school band in which she plays the piccolo.  





 



My youngest daughter is entering the eighth grade. She is very active. She loves her horses and helping with animals on the farm.   She is on a local equestrian team and he shows on a thoroughbred.  

 


In February my family was given two Great Pyrenees puppies.  I have fallen in love with these dogs.  They are currently six months old and are growing larger every day.  I have a brother and sister pair.  My girl is named Daisy Doodle and my boy is Buster Bear.  My dogs should grow to be about 80-100 pounds.







I am a home grown girl! I have lived in this area of Alabama my entire life. I can't imagine living anywhere else. I love to travel and visit other places, but, none are like my home.

Top Ten Things to Know About Me

Go 4th with Mrs. Owens is having a linky party with a cool freebie attached!
The topic:

Ten Things To Know About Me

• I have lived in my small rural community my entire life! I love all my neighbors and my church family!
• In August my husband and I will celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary. My husband and two girls are my life.
• I love the reality show "Amazing Race". I can't find anyone to try out with me. I really think I would be good at it. In general I love reality TV.
• My favorite color is read
• I love to read. I love my Kindle.
• I love to travel.
• I love Red Diamond Sweet Tea
• My oldest daughter is a first year band marcher in the fall. So every Friday night I will be at the local high school game in the fall. My youngest daughter cheers for the Jr. Football players and we will be at those game every Saturday night. I think I will be exhausted this fall!
• I love The Alabama Crimson Tide Football Team! Roll Tide!!!
• I love organizing a Postcard Exchange. We still have plenty of states available. Click HERE for more information
  

A Few of My Favorite Things

Little Miss Kindergarten is having a linky party to share your favorite things. I have many favorite things, however, I narrowed my list down to five.

My Family

This photo was taken on Christmas Eve. Pictured from left to right are My husband Jason, Me (Mechele), My Mom, My Dad. My youngest daughter Abby who is 11 and my oldest daughter Katie who is 13. I also have a sister. Her and her husband have a beautiful 8 month old little boy!




My Kindle

I love my Kindle. I take it everywhere, it fits into my handbag perfectly. I love to read. Currently on my Kindle I am reading a historical romance (my favorite). At the end of the month I will probably purchase the Kindle edition of The Book Whisper so I can follow along on another book study.

My Camera

I am currently using a Nikon D5000 which I love! I love to take pictures of my family, my home, my school children and class. My husband likes to use this camera just as much as I do. I am currently looking to purchase a point and shoot that I can carry anywhere. Do you have a favorite point and shoot camera?

My Time Off

I love to have time off from work. The best days are just staying home and enjoying my family. However, I love to get away, sometimes just for a weekend, other times for a week. In March we had the opportunity to do a stingray excursion on our latest cruise. I only have a couple of weekend trips planned for the rest of the year, due to all the other comments we have at home this fall. I should mention I don't like to travel in the summer. I particularly don't like the heat. My family finds that funny since I live in the deep south and temps here have already been close to 100 on several days.

My Blog

WOW! I have learned so much from all the teacher blogs. I hope to improve this blog over the summer. Please follow along with me as I am currently changing classrooms and grade levels to 2nd grade.

Be sure you check out Little Miss Kindergarten's My Favorite Things Linky Party.