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Dirt & Noise

A blog by a left leaning mom of 2 boys

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North Carolina

About Me

Ilinap · June 1, 2014 ·

When I was in first grade I wanted to be President of the United States. In a not so nice (or PC) manner, my teacher, Mrs. O’Neal smirked and told me to pick something else because I could never be President since I wasn’t born in America. Then I swear she pointed at me and … [Read more...] about About Me

Tags: 5:00 Fridays, community, education, motherhood, North Carolina, parenting, politics, writing

Caged No More – RIP Maya Angelou

Ilinap · May 28, 2014 ·

All the time I have lived here in North Carolina I felt a tingle every time I passed through Winston-Salem. I had hoped in the hoping kind of way that makes your nose crinkle and eyelids squish into your forehead and heart patter more as a thump than a beat that I might run into … [Read more...] about Caged No More – RIP Maya Angelou

Tags: Maya Angelou, North Carolina

Teachers, we want to hear your voices.

Ilinap · May 27, 2014 ·

Those who can, TEACH. Those who can't, didn't pay attention in class.   Wake County teachers, our county commissioners need to hear from you. Please send an email sharing some snippets of your day. Tell these people, many of whom have nary stepped into a classroom since … [Read more...] about Teachers, we want to hear your voices.

Tags: children, community, education, kids, North Carolina, politics, responsibility, values

We are refusing the test in North Carolina.

Ilinap · May 1, 2014 ·

Anyone who has chatted with me for 40 seconds at a cocktail party or has seen my Twitter feed knows this about me - 1) I revere teachers, and 2) I loathe what standardized testing has done to education. Our third grade son will refuse the test this spring. Our older son … [Read more...] about We are refusing the test in North Carolina.

Tags: children, education, North Carolina, politics, responsibility, school, values

Feeling Testy

Ilinap · March 27, 2014 ·

"I'm thankful Case 21 testing is over."   Every night before we eat dinner we hold hands and say our "thank yous." The only rule is that we can't say anything about getting material things. Last night Deal said, without hesitation, that the one thing he plucked from his … [Read more...] about Feeling Testy

Tags: children, education, kids, North Carolina, parenting, school

Opting Out

Ilinap · March 11, 2014 ·

I challenge you to find one person who likes standardized testing. That person cannot be someone who profits from said testing. Neither teacher, nor parent, nor student supports these tests. Administrators don't either, but they'll never admit that to you. The feds have their … [Read more...] about Opting Out

Tags: children, education, North Carolina, school

20 Reasons to Support SAFEchild

Ilinap · March 3, 2014 ·

    SAFEchild, Wake County's only child abuse and treatment organization, is commemorating its 20th year this year. I shan't say "celebrating" because it's simply heartbreaking that our community even has the need for the existence of this organization. I … [Read more...] about 20 Reasons to Support SAFEchild

Tags: children, community, family, North Carolina, parenting, SAFEchild, values, volunteer, women

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Writer. Marketer. Energizer.



Progressive, mom, writer, reader, traveler. Believe in good manners, home cooking, spending $ on experiences, not things, Oxford comma. ENFJ.

There are certain shades of limelight that can wreck a girl's complexion. - Holly Golightly
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