Tom Osborne {The TeamMates Program}

This past weekend I had the opportunity to meet Tom Osborne.  In Nebraska he is legendary. There is a level of respect for him that is hard to explain.  And not because he took our Huskers to three national championships and 255 victories (although that is awesome!!!) but because he is an amazing individual.  He has amazing values, morals and religious understanding.  You don’t have to follow football to know who Coach Tom Osborne is. 
He has done a lot for our state {and beyond}!!! 

(source) 

So why did I meet him?

Well he came to do a presentation at our summer gathering for our local economic development committee.  He came to specifically talk about the TeamMates Program.  I have to admit I have heard of the program and I knew the overall concept but I never knew details. 

The mission of TeamMates is to positively impact the world by inspiring youth to reach their full potential. The TeamMates Program began in 1991 with the vision of University of Nebraska Head Football Coach Tom Osborne and his wife Nancy. The program began with twenty-two football players who met with middle school students in the Lincoln Public Schools. TeamMates has expanded and currently there are more than 6,000 youth in 115 communities across Nebraska, Iowa and California!
Tom shared some startling stats about our nation’s youth. Along with his statisics he also inclued jokes and bible verses.  All which made you think, think deep, and realize what a valuable program this is.  I wish I would have recorded the presentation (or taken notes).  I went there thinking “Yay I get to listen to Tom Osborne” but I had no idea how impactful he would be.  His presentation was very inspiring! {which I should have expected}.  If you or anyone you know would be interested in being a mentor please PLEASE look into it.  It is really amazing the impact one mentor can have.

Join the Team! Be a Mentor!

TeamMates Mentoring Program is a one hour a week school-based mentoring program. 

Who can volunteer? 
Any adult 18 and over with an interest in supporting a young person can become a Teammates mentor for a youth grades 3-12.

How much time does it actually take?

Just 1 hour a week!

What time of day would I meet with my mentee?

As a school based mentoring program, you can meet with your mentee anytime during the school day.

What do we do when I go to mentor?

You should let your mentee take a lead in deciding what to do during your time together. Play a board game or cards, do a craft, play on a computer, read, talk about your week, do homework, or go to the school gym! Visit the TeamMates.org resource library for more ideas!

I don’t want to be matched with a student who doesn’t want to meet with me. How does that work?

All students have indicated to the TeamMates Coordinator that they want to have a mentor. the TeamMates Coordinator meets with you before making a match – this is your opportunity to let the coordinator know your interest and hobbies and schedule. Matching is made based on similiar interests.

My schedule changes every week. Is that a problem?

Not at all. Just communicate your schedule with the TeamMates Coordinator.

Can we meet off school grounds?

Yes, occasionally. However, meeting outside of school should never replace the weekly meetings at school.

What types of support and programming does TeamMates offer their mentors?

TeamMates Coordinators have regular contact with mentors offering guidance and support. TeamMates also offers ongoing training opportunities and an entire resource library dedicated to helping you make the most of your mentoring relationship.

1. Apply 2. Train 3. Meet your Mentee

Questions? Call 1-877-531-TEAM (8326)

Visit the TeamMates Website

http://teammates.org/ 

Thanks Tom!

Thank you to you and your wife for coming up with the TeamMates Mentor Program!

(source)

What do I drive???

 It’s Wednesday so once again us Nebraska Bloggers are doing another 

“The Good Life” link-up.

Anyone can join in even if they are not from Nebraska!

The more the merrier.

So if you see a theme and you would like to blog about it PLEASE link up with us!!!!

This week’s theme is…

your vehicle

Drum roll please………..I drive a 2011 Ford Fusion

I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!

And it had DARK tinted windows which I insisted on when I bought it.

I took it in to get the windows done ASAP after I bought it.

It has GREAT gas mileage and a wonderful car for the 2 girls and 1 but

I do have to admit that it does get tighter when we fit the whole family in it.

I knew when I got it that it was my last small vehicle for quite a while 
and I really wanted to enjoy the good gas mileage one last time.

I use to drive a trail blazer and it was nice to have when

the girls were smaller and I had all the baby stuff to pack. 

But now they are both at an age where I don’t pack so much “extra” stuff

EVERYWHERE we go but they are still small so they don’t take up much space.

Soon I’ll be driving a Suburban, Tahoe, etc. to accommodate the growing family.

NOT growing in number just in their individual sizes! :)

and because I can......
Here is a picture of my first car
 
(This isn't my photo, I found it here, but mine looks exactly like this)
It was my favorite vehicle ever!!!!!
It was a 1980 Oldsmobile cutlass supreme.  
I bought it 3 days after I turned 16. I paid for it in full on my own.
I was SO PROUD OF IT (and of me).
My grandpa helped me pick it out 
and he told me that your first vehicle should be older then you.
I loved that.  My grandpa is amazing!!!!
It even came with an 8track player! which i quickly replaced with a CD player.

LINK UP AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST

Don’t have time today??

That’s no problem the link is open for 6 days!

Follow me on Instagram (chores_chandeliers)

use the hashtag #nebraskabloggersconnect

Rules:

1. Follow the hosts:
Kelsey from Keeping Up With Kelsey

AND
Suzi from Chores & Chandeliers 

2. Write a post pertaining to this weeks "theme"

3. Link-Up the LINK (not your whole blog)

4. Hop around and check out other's posts

5. Add the button so other's know you're linking up with us!

Next week’s theme will be….

Your favorite blog post

Cheddar bacon dip {Suzi HomeFaker Style}

I’m adding another Suzi HomeFaker recipe.

Suzi HomeFaker just means that it 

tastes great and is EASY and quick to make!

This one definitely fits that’s, almost too much so!

I wasn’t even going to post it but……

Well, I made 2 dishes to take over to a friend’s BBQ this past weekend.

One was my pasta salad that I often make and one was a cheddar Bacon dip.

The dip was a hit!!!!

Like it was gone before the meal was even read kind of hit.

I had some ask me what was on in it and I just skirted around the question.

But then afterword I got a text asking for the recipe.

I figure if people are thinking about it once they leave then I should share!!!

It’s only fair right???

OK brace yourself……

{I’m feeling guilty, not to guilty because it was GREAT!}

I bought a container of this cheddar bacon dip

Added a handful of shredded cheese about a 4^th of a package of real bacon bits.

Then put the mixture in my own container to serve out of.

I served it with Freetos Scoops

****BLUSH****

Yes that is all I did!

I do feel a bit bad about taking any credit for this "recipe" but

it was DELISH and no one was upset that I brought it!  :)

Click here see my other Suzi HomeFaker recipes