11 DAYS of GIVEAWAYS

*Note the change in time below!*
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME
My birthday is March 11. I LOVE my birthday. I'll be 29 this year. I'm already planning my 3oth and I'm SO excited about it. But that's a whole year away, so let's talk about this year. This year, I want YOU to love my birthday, too.

THE GIVEAWAY
Each day from March 1 thru March 11 you can enter for a chance to win aquamarine (march birthstone, which I love) cluster earrings. The cluster is sterling silver, with freshwater pearl and aquamarine sea glass from The Beadin' Path. These mini clusters are just the right size and super cute.

HOW TO PLAY
To be included in this giveaway, follow these steps.

1. Visit my etsy shop and find your favorite item (I've been adding items almost daily, so be sure to check back every day).

2. Email kouklamoudesigns@gmail.com between 6:00 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. (EST) each day March 1-March 11 with "GIVEAWAY" in the subject line. Include your favorite item from my etsy shop in the body of the email (you must include your favorite item in order to be entered).

3. If you are the 11th person to email me for this giveaway between 6:00 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. (EST) you will receive the aquamarine cluster earrings.

Winners will be announced each evening.

Have fun and tell your friends!

busy busy

This is going to be short and sweet this week. I'm so busy and thinking about writing a blog is very overwhelming. School is busy because it is the time of year we start planning for the following school year. You can imagine all of the planning, observing and meetings for kiddos that I don't even teach yet. And teaching on top of that.

Today I was in a rush, spilled coffee all over myself, because I was late for the bus (I had to ride the school bus again) and was very unhappy that I had no coffee to drink. The rest of the day was much of the same. When I got back on the bus at the end of the day, I didn't want to talk to, look at, or "do a staring contest" with ANYONE. "GET ME OUT OF HERE!" I want to scream some days. Yeah, that wouldn't fly so well....

One huge thing I learned this week...don't make a chicken on a Friday night, when trash day is Friday morning. My garbage has smelled SO BAD all week. Just don't do it. Take my word for it.

Okay, so the next blog is going to include a giveaway, and your help is needed. So stay tuned, and I hope to have more exciting experiences to share next time.

"Do you want to have a staring contest? Because I'm really good at them." -first grader

What To Expect on 295

This morning, I drove north on 295 from Portland to Augusta, then got on routes 2/27. There are a few things you can expect when driving this route. They are strangely comforting, as some things never change.

92 Moose
I LOVE 92 Moose. I don't get this station in Portland, so as soon as I'm in range, I tune in. It's always exciting to listen to China Dine-ah commercials ("China, china dine-ah...a stone's throw away from 202") and to the lucky 9th caller. Let me tell you a little about the 9th caller today. She was from Winslow. She needed to answer a question correctly in order to win a meal at China Dine-ah. The question: "How many states border Alaska?" She said "two", then changed her answer to "one". Keep in mind one of the multiple choices was "zero". Seriously?! I wonder what her answer would be if she was asked the same question about Hawaii...

Random People
I laughed right out loud today when I drove by a man on routes 2/27. He was taking a leisurely stroll right along the road....while reading a book. I wanted to put the car in reverse and ask him what exciting book he was reading that he couldn't put down for a walk. I wanted to take a picture. I thought better of it. I kept driving. And smiling.

Frost Heaves
Rural roads are often posted with bright orange "FROST HEAVE" signs. About 3-5 meters after the sign, you better slow right down or you will bottom out. I always know I'm "home" when I see these signs. There is one specific frost heave in New Sharon that has been there for about 20 years...but only at this time of year. You better believe I slowed right down for that one today.

Advice
Next time you're driving on 295, grab a camera, tune into 92.3 and enjoy the ride.

REMEMBERING

big yiayia
I turned my apartment upside down this morning looking for a random note I saved several years ago. Instead of finding it, I came across memory upon memory. In the piles of memories, there was Big Yiayia. Big Yiayia was 103 when she died. We called her big yiayia, because she was my great grandmother. She was not, however, big at all. She was full of life and love and purple hair. And she told the most hilarious stories. She is the reason my business is named Koukla Mou. She would grab my cheeks and repeat "rachel, rachel, rachel, koukla mou, koukla mou (my doll, my doll)" again and again. She never failed to ask "how are the cats?" even when I didn't have cats anymore. She was always smiling, always bobbing her head just a little bit, sometimes singing old greek songs, and always sharing stories. There is one story that remains my favorite.

ice cream
Big Yiayia came to America "on the boat" when she was 16. Her uncle picked her up and bought her an ice cream. A while later, he turned to her and asked, "Jennie, how was your ice cream?" Her reply, "I put it in my pocket for later."

just smile
I didn't really understand Big Yiayia when I was little. I understood "cat" and "rachel" but the rest was Greek. I just smiled and nodded. Although she spoke mostly Greek and broken English, I never doubted her love for me. She loved in her smile, her body positioning, and with her eyes.

Thank you, Yiayia. For loving without even having to say a word.

MY UNLOVELY BONES

28 going on 89
I am 28 years old. Twenty-eight. So why do I feel like I'm turning 89 instead of 29? My knees ache when it rains (so painful!), I can't put any pressure on my wrist, and if every vertebra in my spine isn't stuck, my sternum is popping. If it's not one thing, it's another. So what's the problem? Why do I already have degeneration in my vertebrae and arthritis in my wrist?

Calcium?
I drink about a pot of coffee a day. With cream. I get plenty of calcium.

Exercise?
Have I mentioned I'm a special ed teacher? For little kids? They are wicked quick. I should wear a pedometer. I get plenty of exercise.

Weightlifting?
I actually did start lifting at the gym again. And these little kids I chase after...yeah, I also pick them up from time to time. I lift plenty.

Injuries?
Well there was the time I got a concussion when chaperoning a middle school dance a couple years ago....and the first time I tried snowboarding, went to the top of the mountain without a lesson and ended up with lots of bumps and bruises. Come to think of it, I developed a small ball in my wrist after that... Injuries? I've had plenty.

Ergonomics?
I sit on a stool that's too short and work at the kitchen table. If I'm not at the table, I sit on the couch and work. And my chair at school...I can't even talk about it. It's so old there's probably a small colony taking up residence in the underside. Ergonomics? What's that?

The Truth
I'm getting older. I'm not 17 anymore (even though I act like I am sometimes). If I don't make changes now I will be a hunchback when I'm 30. Who wants a hunchback with unlovely bones?

SO MANY SWEETHEARTS

Thank you
Several beautiful, selfless, passionate and caring nominations were received for the SWEETHEART necklace. It was difficult to choose just one recipient. Thank you to all who participated!

The Winner
Casey Ryder, your nomination has been chosen as the winner!

The Twist
If you know me at all, you might expect this coming...Casey, YOU will also be receiving a SWEETHEART necklace.

*Free Shipping: If you order a SWEETHEART necklace from now until Valentine's day, you will receive free shipping on your order.