{staff photo by Cameron Ingalls}
There are two reasons to celebrate today:
1. It’s FRIDAY!
2. Our new series introducing SLOCA’s staff starts today!
“Raindrops on roses
And whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things…”
This year we have a fun new take on introducing everyone… you’ll get to know at least a little bit about all the fine people who work around here by viewing a few of their favorite things! We asked each and every person on staff (“Team SLOCA”) to gather a few favorite items, or things they use every day, or objects that represent something important to them, and to lay them out and snap a photo to share with our blog readers. Sound fun?
Some opted to include a list or description of items in their photo, while others did not. (You’ll just have to track them down and ask them about their items if there’s anything you’re curious about!)
Today we will start with our Safety Team: the people who are keeping our kids safe on the playground (and forging character out there too). Thank you, Safety Team – we appreciate you! This is a big group, so settle in for a bit…
Erin Luton, Interim Dean/Safety Team Lead:
- Cookbooks…I enjoy food, eating it, making it, watching TV shows about it. We have an entire bookshelf dedicated to cookbooks. And it doesn't even fit all of them.
- Go Hawks! I love watching my favorite team (moved here from Washington State a little over two years ago) and I love watching football with my husband and sons. Saturdays and Sundays in the fall, you know where to find me!
- Reading is one of my favorite pastimes and I have a serious soft spot for mysteries. I could read Agatha Christie over and over and never tire of her. I do love to immerse myself in an English mystery (Masterpiece Mystery! is sooo good). And Clue, yes it's not Oscar-worthy but it's my favorite movie.
- I have always enjoyed puzzles and crosswords are my mental exercise.
- My (dirty) running shoes. They get used all the time, on hikes and neighborhood walks (see the SLO Hikes book). I really enjoy being active and outside. It's good for the body, mind and soul.
- Favorite restaurant in the whole wide world–Palace Kitchen in Seattle.
- Chocolate. Must. Have. Chocolate.
- Music just makes everything better.
- Travelling…One of the joys in life is being able to visit and experience new places, near or far.
Pam Bartel, Safety Team Track A:
These things: sunshine, trees, flowers, rocks, feathers, umbrellas, toys, books and God's words bring beauty, perspective and joy into my life!
Gina Jenkins, Safety Team Track A:
Some of my everyday items:
- A hot, and now blended, drink to start the day.
- I'm always reading something, this year I'm attempting to keep up on the High School literature with my sophomore.
- My Apple Watch is an even better PA that I can't believe I lived without for so long.
- Lip protectant is a must right now as my lips have suffered greatly with our move to North County.
- Fitness clothes as I teach Barre classes most days.
- Water, of course.
- My wallet and keys are given, obviously, but what they tell you are: 1) My wallet acts as my purse most days and 2) My keys have a big furry ball as I experienced lost keys last year too many times (thank you 3yo).
Jack Mahar, Safety Team Track A:
- Broncos. My favorite team since John Elway started as quarterback.
- Dodgers. Kershaw is the man.
- Bruce. I’ve been Born to Run for years.
- Dog collars. From two doggies who recently passed away but now we have two more precious dogs.
Ellie Schliep, Safety Team Track A:
- Coffee – because sometimes life needs a pick me up.
- Daisies – my favorite flower and I absolutely LOVE having fresh flowers in our house.
- Beads, scissors and wooden ring – I LOVE to make teething accessories for babies. Its a fun little hobby/side business that has brought me lots of joy
- Harry Potter – my husband and I read the entire series out loud together and they are still some of my all time favorite books.
- Grey Blanket – grey is my favorite color and I love being cozy wrapped up in a blanket.
- Markers and journal – I ALWAYS have this journal with me. I do a thing called “Bullet Journaling” which is a combo calendar/journal/sketchbook.
- Live it well – this is a line from a song by my all time favorite band, Switchfoot. The full line is “life is short, I want to live it well”. My desire in life is to live life well. To make a difference and to live my life in a way that pleases God.
Serena Thadani, Safety Team Track A:
Dawn Tyra, Safety Team Track A:
Nancy Anastasia, Safety Team Track B:
- Shoe la lah! – Truly …. just give me ALL the Shoes! There was a point in my {young} adult life when I owned 94 pairs, now its 1/3 of that. If they're cute, comfy and classy they're my style!
- October/monthly planner – because it's right in the middle of my favorite time of year FALL & this trusted planner goes with me everywhere!
- Pic of my Littles – that 4×4 sits on my dresser, in a frame titled “the sweetest story”.
- Bible Verse print – Inspiration. A gift from Noonday Collection, a marketplace I support that empowers women and vulnerable communities.
- Chocolate – new favorite. I once was one of those peeps that didn't care for chocolate especially dark but sea salt & almonds, enough said!
- Serendipity – A fave since my teens, yea they did have dvd's back then… & true in my life how the best things have happened unexpectedly!
- Map – I love traveling, in real life and in my dreams. Road trips, girl trips, international flights, trains, camping, big City or small town just anywhere. I just wanna go.
- Tea – yes! Hot & cold.
- Oatmeal-Raisin cookie – Not all are created equal. No choco chips and you can substitute raisins for Craisins.
- Family – It is Everything.
- Mustard yellow – I love the color.
- Tiny Pig – I love piggies!
- LA Dodgers – If it ain't blue it ain't true….a loud fan since day 1!
- Paper bead Earrings – Handcrafted in Uganda by a local artisan business that Noonday helped launch enabling them to provide dignified jobs through fair trade.
- Self-exploration journal – I fell in love with this. My first journal of any kind. Beautiful artwork and quotes and thought provoking prompts that vary from list making, drawing or writing.
Kary Antoniadis, Safety Team Track B:
Danyelle Bayly, Safety Team Track B:
Cheryl McCabe, Safety Team Track B and Records & Admissions Assistant:
Shelli Rohr, Safety Team Track B:
Michelle Stahnke, Safety Team Track B:
We hope you enjoyed getting to know our Safety Team – come back next Friday to “meet” more SLOCA staff!
