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I am enjoying learning how to knit which I have discovered is fun but requires patience and focus. I only have 40 more inches to go. Wish me luck! I will be the proud presenter of a beautiful blanket for my great nephew hopefully before he goes to college. Haha.

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I wrote my first children's book and my 2nd one will be out early this year!!! This book is about me and one amazing student at our school. It is a story about a typical day at school - science experiments, Math tests, Social Studies, Art and Physed....

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My kids and I want to learn how to make more interesting and authentic Mexican food. This month we started out strong with birria tacos! They were delicious, but a lot of work! Grateful we had my husband to clean up the huge mess that was made in the kitchen! Next up, tamales!

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I am trying to take time to do my own thing. I usually am looking for time to sleep. I am trying to find extra time to do something new. I am a work in progress.

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This is what 500 cookies looks like all boxed up and ready to go.

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My daughter and I decided to do a cookie fundraiser to raise funds for our friends in Tanzania. We baked 500 cookies and raised $1065 to send to them to use at their school.

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I have not picked up a piece of stamped embroidery since the 1980s. I am out visiting family in Ontario for the holidays and picked up this kit. I finished this little guy in under a day.

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This year my neighbor convinced me to surprise my family with some Christmas baking. So I decided to make some shortbread cookies and Mars Bars. I was happy with the result and cannot wait to share them with my family over Christmas. I may now have the baking bug and will have to invest in some new equipment.

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The Kiwanis Club is a big part of Ralston School and after a year and a half of them giving so much to Ralston School they convinced me to join the Gas City Kiwanis Club 1961. During the summer I will be able to help with lots of the fundraising BBQs and breakfasts they do. The trailor they use for the events is in the picture.

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My book club (of over 15 years) enrolled in a Grinch tree class at Botanicals last week. It was fun to try something new with great friends!

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This is so out of my element but why not. I got these little guys back in October and I have learned that they like to nip at me when they are hunger and they like to hide in their hay. they are so cute and love when they talk

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I am currently teaching myself to sew. I have made a sweatshirt and an apron so far, but am going to try to make stuffies next. So far so good!

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This summer my daughter and I started learning embroidery together. This is the project we've been working on, embroidering symbols/quotes from books that we've read!

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I took a wreath making class with my mom and sister in November at Botanicals. We started with a wire base and then added all the greenery. The process took 3 hours, it was an enjoyable evening learning something new with the ladies in my family. I did feel a bit of pressure to complete the project in the time frame we were given! I used a lot of wire…those branches aren’t going anywhere!

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This year my daughter and I decided to try making homemade bath bombs as gifts for a few of her close friends. We has fun mixing different colors and scents. Pictured here are waffles, donuts, macarons and cupcake bombs in cotton candy scent. It was a fun way to spend time together and get messy. Not all gifts come from a store!

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Pottery is something I have always wanted to try. I signed up for this hand building class through Cosmic Clay. I learned basic clay techniques like rolling, adding texture, creating seams and making sure my vessel was leak proof. I can hardly wait to get it back once it has been fired. Going to try wheel next!

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My sister and I make molded chocolates yearly for Christmas. This year we learned how to make a new kind of chocolate. We made chocolate clusters.

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Making chocolates for Christmas is not new to me but making chocolate clusters is a new recipe this year. Its quite easy but uses ingredients I don't usually use. Trying new recipes is always fun because you never know how it will turn out, and I wasn't a fan of these! I think I'll stick making filled chocolates!

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I saw a tutorial on creating little paper holders that can be used for pictures, gift cards, pretty much anything small! So I gave it whirl and made a few for gifts for Christmas!

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This year my sister and I made pickles for the first time. We used a family handed-down recipe. It was a busy, great day of connection. We are going to open the first jar(s) at our annual Christmas feast!!

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🌟 Duolingo + Determination = Big Wins!
This year, I set out to learn enough Portuguese to confidently travel to Portugal in the summer - and I did it! What started as a travel goal turned into a passion for learning this language. I even got to use it with one of our EBHS students this Fall!

If you’ve ever thought about learning a new language, Duolingo makes it fun, achievable, and addictive (in the best way!).

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I have been dabbling in water colour painting. My late father was a wonderful artist, I wish I had gotten into this while he was still alive.

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It seems mundane to most, but this past summer I used all my hubby's tools (while he was on night shift) to put together this saucer swing for my kids. I had never even turned on a drill before, but this had me drilling, cutting down the legs for proper height & anchoring. I was so proud of myself!

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I recently learned how to fish from a boat off the river. I have gone ice fishing or from the side of a lake, but I have never used a boat to try fishing! We did catch 1 fish, but it got away too quickly before I could take a picture!! I can't wait for the summer again to get back out.

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I'm so excited to be on the stage for the first time as an adult! I have always loved the threatre and have enjoyed every aspect; I've been backstage, directing, producing, creating props, painting sets, doing makeup and hair, organizing and more! Now it's my turn to be on stage and learn some new acting techniques. If anyone is interested in a hilarious (please note strong language) and entertaining play, buy your tickets with Medicine Hat Musical Theatre for POTUS in February!

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I have started drum lessons! A couple of years ago, I took bass guitar lessons and had such a great time. It was fun to learn something new. And so challenging as a wind player! I had a whole new respect for bass and guitar students! This year...drum lessons! My son takes drum lessons and makes it look so easy, and, while I'm a relatively coordinated person, this is challenging. My teacher has recently given me some fairly challenging music to learn and I am spending many minutes and hours learning, going through the frustrations of not getting it right away, and feeling great when I finally can get that beat down!

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Biking is not new for me, but e-biking is. While recovering from an injury, this seemed the perfect way to tour on our holiday. Not as easy as one may think, but definitely easier and more enjoyable than hiking/walking. We saw a lot of this wonderful city, and I became less snobby towards "e-bike people". It really was a workout!

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Dana and the AgPro class learning about bees

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Dana and the AgPro class learning about bees

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Not only is learning and working with bees completely new to me and to these students, working with students is a new experience to me as well. I have absolutely loved getting to know and learn about them, connecting with them, hoping I am making a positive outlet with hands on learning through agriculture.

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Tried out a pilates class on the reformer machines at Studio on Second. I quickly became obsessed and started buying monthly passes. Such a great workout and have met some wonderful ladies in the process!

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I recently consulted with an owner of a golf course as to how to become better at short range golf shots. I was told the quicker the ball gets on the green and starts rolling the better. He helped me adjust my stance and feet location to do this bump and run approach. After lots of practice, I do not think it is a coincidence that I had my first chip in!

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I started a Freeze-Dried candy business last summer, and the accounting part has been the most challenging (Kayla in Central Office might argue that accounting is a challenge in my day job as well.)

Because of last year's terrific PD on writing effective AI prompts, my new bestie Gemini was able to direct me to a Canadian company called Wave. Since signing up a few days ago, I've learned how to input deposits and expenses, so I'm finally starting to feel like a proper girl boss!

P.S. Kayla, if you're reading this, I also bought myself a receipt scanner, so I'm hoping for fewer errors in my submissions this year. No matter what, though, thanks for being awesome!

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Gluing Rocks isnt just ART...it is therapy!!

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Gluing Rocks isnt just ART...it is therapy!!

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Rock art is like therapy for me. I find so much relaxation, happiness and calmness gluing rocks and that is exactly why I do Rock Art with the kiddos at school. It definitely brings out ones creative side!!! Check out rocks next time you are out walking...if you find a heart that is good luck...