If it's Wednesday, It Must be Hodge Podge!

Today's HodgePodge. Link up here and join the fun!

1. Share your Christmas Eve traditions.

Christmas Eve is relatively laid back. On Christmas Eve, one of us will get my MIL to spend a night or two with us. I'll put out a vegetable/cheese tray and some shrimp for supper. We'll then go to see the lights at the neighborhood speedway or maybe just around town. When we return, we'll see what Christmas movie is on TV and watch it.

2. What was the best book you read in 2010? (we're not going to include The Bible here)

I know I read some books this year, but cannot for the life of me remember any of them...guess they weren't very good. (I'm still trying to finish Moneyball that I started in the summer.)

3. Do you have pets and if so do you allow them on the furniture?

I do not have any pets. If I did, I would not allow them on the furniture.

4. What event from 2010 are you most thankful for?

I had to think hard about this one. I would say the weekend of April 16. L picked me up from work on the 15th and we drove to see our son play ball. Then on the 16th we headed back. But first we stopped at the Loveless Cafe to try out their biscuits since we weren't in any hurry. We then stopped about three hours from home to watch our son row on the 17th. Just getting away with L for a weekend and seeing our boys doing what they love to do was great!

5. What did you do in 2010 that you'd never done before.

I have never attended an international conference before this year. Not only did I attend (alone mind you), I gave 2 presentations. It was certainly an experience I won't soon forget.

6. Brussel sprouts...friend or foe?

Foe, no thought needed!

7. Who would you nominate for man/woman of the year?

I'm going to nominate the men in the Chilian mine accident and the men/women who worked so hard to rescue them.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Here are two pictures I want to share. The first, I was standing in the parking lot of a local grocery store to take this. I thought if anyone saw me they would think I was crazy. However, when I came out of the store, while I was putting the groceries in the car, I turned and saw a guy standing about where I stood, taking a picture!

This next picture is a picture of a googlie which I wrote about last Saturday in my Flashback Friday post. The tag was still very easy to read: Mattel, The googlies, 1966! Mom still has my sister's so I thought I'd take a picture.

Hope ya'll are keeping warm!

Flashback Friday (On Saturday)

Here I am again, a day late and a dollar short! Oh well, I'm playing anyway!




This week's Flashback Friday was about Christmas presents. My sister asked if I'd participate (I was planning to anyway.) If you haven't read her response, check it out here. I haven't read it yet, so you be the judge: Do you think we shared the same Christmas or not?

1961

Growing up, we celebrated Christmas on Christmas Day. No presents were opened before Christmas. Being one of ten children, we drew names. (Can you image having to get nine presents every year for your siblings!!) We also drew names with our cousins who lived in Texas. That was a hoot...getting a gift for a cousin that you really didn't know very well. Sometimes the presents were homemade but I remember most of them being bought. And I think we paid using our own money as we got older. I really don't remember Mom paying for them. We would gather around the kitchen table and wrap our presents. That's funny, isn't it, because here you are wrapping a present for a sibling that may or may not be across from you or next to you but definitely there with you.

At first, Santa didn't wrap his presents. He did, of course, have to put names on the gifts he brought so we'd know whose was whose.

1964 or 1965

Later, he did start wrapping the gifts.

1970 or 1971

There are a few things I remember getting for Christmas: a googly, a ring, a bracelet, dolls, nightgowns (that Mom usually made). My younger sister and I are close in age so it seems like we got a lot of the same thing, only in a different color...except the googly.

The googly was a type of stuffed animal that when you squeezed the stomach, the eyes, which were plastic with colored spiral cardboard in them, went around. The body was blue and the hands and feet were pick. My sister and I both got one one year exactly the same. I guess my sister wanted to be able to tell them apart so she wrote her initials on one of the feet of her googly.

I still have the bracelet I received. I was holding on to it for the daughter I never had...guess I'll keep holding on to it for my granddaughter?

My bracelet and my ring (I think that was the ring...it still fits so I'm not 100%)

And, yes, by sister got one also, only with her name on the bracelet and her birthstone!

The stockings were filled with nuts, candy, and a tangerine, always. There was usually some little toy or such as well.

Sadly, I don't remember buying my parents gifts. I know some years we went in together to buy them a gift.

I do remember there have been years when it has been chaotic on Christmas morning. But that is what made it fun!

Oh, the Weather Outside Really is Frightful!

Pictures from this morning's ice storm...not as bad as it could have been...but, snow day #6!

How do you like the natural fringe on the table?

Yoo Hoo! Hodge Podge Time!

Time to share in the fun with Joyce's Hodge Podge. And yes, I have been known to say "Yoo Hoo!" ...especially at students who are not paying attention.



1. What does it mean to have the 'holiday spirit'?

Saying "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays" and seeing everyone smile and laugh.

2. What sits atop your tree (s)? Why?

An angel sits atop our tree. I'm not sure why. I think it's because an angel announced the birth, and angels sang during the birth, and since the angel is high above everything and can see us and help protect us.

3. When was the last time you gave yourself a pat on the back?

When haven't I? I mean, every time I blog about something to announce, or brag, about what I have done.

4. Which of your senses is most sensitive this time of year?

My sense of smell...unless my sinuses get messed up and then my sense of sight. I love seeing the beauty of Christmas.

5. What do you have too much of in your kitchen?

Spices...I don't really cook but I have just about every spice you can buy from the grocery store.

6. What do you do for meals on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day? Big meal? Breakfast tradition? Open the cookie tins and have at it?

On Christmas Eve, we usually have a vegetable/cheese tray and shrimp. (We're preparing ourselves for Christmas Day.) On Christmas Day, L and I usually fix breakfast before going to church and then we have our Christmas Day meal around 2:00.

7. What is the best thing about winter?

The snow! I love watching the snow fall. And then knowing spring is right around the corner!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Have you ever used a "nettie pot" for your sinuses? Disgusting. Every time I use it I swear to myself that I will never do it again. But as they say, "Never say never." It does help. With this cold, dry air I needed some relief!

So there you have my hodge podge answers! Don't forget to link up!

Deja Vu?

Last week I blogged about being out of work unexpectedly due to two snow days. Well, two days into the new week and we have eaten up 2 more snow days. And guess what? We're off tomorrow (Wednesday) as well.

Hopefully, we'll be able to go Thursday and Friday. It's iffy though. A winter storm is coming from the south/southwest late tomorrow afternoon which will bring sleet and ice and then change to rain by Thursday morning. (I'd rather have snow. ) The temperatures have been extremely cold. I believe it's suppose to get up to above freezing Thursday morning (hence rain instead of snow).

Oh, well. I've gotten my decorations up and a couple of presents wrapped. C is coming home for Christmas break tomorrow (hoping he'll make it in before the storm hits). We'll have a full house again...if you can call 4 people a full house :)

Plus it will be easier to link up with Joyce for tomorrow's HodgePodge!

Sleigh Bells Ring, Are You Listening?

Today's HodgePodge by Joyce is titled "Sleigh Bells Ring." Joyce is doing a great job providing thought-provoking, life-sharing questions. Oh, and please give me a round of applause for answering this week's questions on time! (Thank you, thank you very much!)

1. Have you ever been on a real sleigh ride? How about the warm weather version-a carriage ride?

I have not been on a real sleigh ride; however, I have been on a carriage ride. My husband and I honeymooned on Kaiwah Island near Charleston SC. We took one day to tour Charleston and took a carriage ride while there. I would love to go on a real sleigh ride with L...I think that would be so romantic!

2. What's your policy on 'chain mail'...you know, the emails you receive that are often some sort of poem/blessing/good wish that ask you to send it on to 10 or 12 friends? Do you delete without opening, read and trash, read and trash and then worry you won't be blessed/lucky/protected? Do you delete the sender from your contact list or just go ahead and send the love onward?

HeHe. I received one just last week. I do not respond. And you know what? With this last one I received and did not pass on, I have had two unexpected days off and today I found out our class won "Pasta for Pennies" competition (money is collected for leukemia and the class that collected the most won a pasta lunch from Olive Garden). Doesn't sound like bad luck to me.

However, I also received a recipe "chain mail"...I have to send a recipe to the first person on the list and forward the list to x number of people. Now I have participated a time or two with this one. I remember one that I only received one recipe. So, if you want to participate, send me your email address.

3. Who is your favorite character in any of the Christmas movies and why?

You are asking for just one?!? If I have to pick one, it would be George Bailey from "It's a Wonderful Life." I think it's because for 20 years I didn't do what I really, truly believe I was meant to do, teach. So I can kind of relate to George.

4. Share a favorite quote.

I can't believe Joyce is asking for just one! Right now, because the end of the semester is getting nearer, I like the quote from Yogi Bearra: "It ain't over til it's over."

5. What's your favorite holiday scent?

Wow, that's a tough one. I like the smell of fresh pine, but also love cinnamon and just backed cookies.

6. Does the Christmas season stress you out? In what way?

Not really, not anymore. The boys have finally figured out they need to give me details so they get what they really want. Cyber shopping has made it easier. Now, I can go to the mall/shopping and just look.

It's not that stressful for me because we really aren't a social couple so we do not host or go to parties. Nor do we exchange presents with everybody and their brother.

7. What's the best thing about your life right now?

I have my health. I've recently gotten to quit taking my blood pressure medicine and insulin. I'm feeling better and am enjoying my family more.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

All I can think of right now is "Baby, it's cold outside!"

Link up with Joyce and join in the fun and sharing.

Have a wonderful Wednesday.

A Sign of Things to Come?

Can you guess by my title what I'm getting ready to say? Yep, another snow day. Two down, eight left. And those eight will go fast if the past weekend was a sign of how our winter will be. (You do know it's not winter yet, don't you?)

It didn't snow much last night at my house, but in the county where I work there was some snow on the roads. The county is one of the top 10 counties in size so it covers a lot of territory...some of which, I believe, is mountainous. And the temperatures have been freezing, literally. We haven't been above 32 in a couple of days. We're suppose to see higher temperatures tomorrow and on into the weekend, but then another storm comes in on Sunday, starting with rain and then snow on Monday and Tuesday with temperatures like they are now. Of course, it is very hard to predict the weather and we just have to wait and see if that is really what happens.

In the meantime, if I've learned one thing about being a teacher, it's "You have to be flexible!"

Have a terrific Tuesday! (I am!)

An Unexpected Day Off

I am home today. Want to guess why? Thankfully, no, not another kidney stone. And no, I'm not sick.

School is closed today.

On Saturday, I woke to a nice dusting of snow. I'm positive it was not just a heavy frost. It really was snow on December 4! The weather was certainly frightful Saturday. We had: snow showers, rain, sleet, more rain, flurries, more snow showers, more sleet, and finally more rain.

It was snowing on Sunday when I went to church. After mass, when I went outside, there was about 1/2 - 1 inch on the ground. Thankfully, not much on the road. L and I went to breakfast then just driving around. I finished my school work, prepared for today's lessons.

I woke up this morning, as usual. I looked outside and saw a little bit of snow on the sidewalk and front steps. Very little was on the road. So, I thought maybe a delay. Image my surprise when I saw on the news our school system was closed!

So what have I done? I've gotten caught up on some blogs, made my Christmas wish list, drank 2 cups of coffee while looking through yesterday's sales ads from the newspaper. I watched N do his Christmas shopping (he brought his laptop into my room and cyber shopped). I need to redo my lesson plans and look through some of the new textbook resources. Will I? Can't really answer that. I also need to get a flu shot, work on our review activity for both semester exam and end-of-course, plus some other things.

Here is what it looks like around 11:30 a.m. today. (It looked this way Saturday morning by the way.)
Have a marvelous Monday!

My HodgePodge Answers

I may be a day late and a dollar short, but here are my answers to this week's HodgePodge:



1. What is the most interesting thing you've done in the last year?

Participating in Texas Instruments' T3 (Teachers Teaching with Technology) International Conference as a speaker/participant. This was my second conference I attended and my first as a speaker. What a great experience. It was in Atlanta. I was so excited when I found out both my proposals to be a presenter were accepted!

2. What is your most meaningful family heirloom?

Wow, I don't really think I have any family heirlooms. My dad made our kitchen/family table so it means a lot to me. He also made C's captain's bed. C is now using a bedroom suite that L's uncle made. L's dad made a bookshelf N is using and my dad made a couple of bookshelves we have.

3. What food festival would you most like to attend? If you're not sure click here to see a list of possibilities.

I've attended the Best of Tri-Cities before. There is also a Chocolate Fest in the area that I would like to attend some time.

4. Snow...do you love it or is it considered a four letter word where you live?

I *love* snow! And I love it even more when I don't have to go anywhere in it!

5. Can you ski? Do you ski? Are you any good?

I don't ski and can't ski so I don't know if I'm any good at it. ;) I don't remember ever having the opportunity to try it and I believe I'm too old too try now. But I have to tell you about C's first ski trip: His scout troop leader is a big skier. The leader's family skis alot out west and had been wanting to take the troop. C went and learned to ski. After skiing on the beginner's slopes he went with his troop leader to the top!! His leader said C did very well and didn't know C had never been skiing before!

6. What quality in your spouse or best friend are you most thankful for?

He's romantically surprising? He isn't romantic very often so he surprises me when he does do something romantic.

7. Describe the coziest spot in your home.

Sorry, I really don't have one.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

If Nay talks like she did on Survivor, I'm glad she's not a teacher in my district!

What a Weekend!

I always have so much to be thankful for. I am truly blessed.

The weekend before Thanksgiving, I went to get C. They get the entire week of Thanksgiving off. So I had both my boys home for an entire week.

C mentioned that he wanted to learn how to cook. (Can you believe I'm the one to teach him?) On Thanksgiving he helped me fix some of the food. I purchased a smoked turkey breast. It's the only way we end up with turkey that tastes good!

L went to get his mom. She had told him she wasn't going to spend the night. Guess what? When he walked through the door he was carrying her overnight bag. Our guest room is the room where I spend my time...my work is done there, my scrapbooking stuff is there, my "stuff" is there. So, after everything was cleaned up, I went and gathered everything from the guest room and "temporarily" stored it in my bedroom.

On Friday, I went to the grocery store. When I got back, L and his mom had already eaten lunch. Guess I should be glad he can take care of himself. Later, he and N went hunting. I and MIL took C back to school. C wanted to go back early so he could tailgate the next day. He never had been able to tailgate, being in the Corps of Cadets. They have to sit together, wear their uniform, and they go in together. This was his last chance to experience tailgating.

On my way home, I took MIL back to her apartment. I got home around 8:00 p.m.

N woke up Friday morning with hives. His face was blotchy. We thought it might have been an allergic reaction to something he ate. On Saturday morning, he still had the hives and was still itching. I went with him to Urgent Care. The doctor didn't think it was something he ate, but something airborne. When we got home, I changed his bed sheets and pillow cases, vacuumed his mattress, washed his comforter, vacuumed what I could of the floor, and L changed the air filter. He looked better Sunday but today the swelling is down, but the redness is still there. (He has an appointment for the dermatologist tomorrow.)

I spent Saturday afternoon until bedtime typing out a practice test. (That's no small feat when you talk about math problems!) Then Sunday afternoon was spent creating two semester exams. And you know, after all that, I had a hard time falling asleep last night!

It was a busy weekend. I'm thankful I got to live it!

Better Late than Never?

I had planned to join Joyce's Wednesday Hodgepodge but when Wednesday came around I didn't even look at the computer. I didn't finish grading the quizzes and I went to bed at 9:30! It was bus duty week for me and it absolutely wore me out!

So, I'm answering the questions but won't link up. Hopefully, next week (I mean this week), I'll be able to do it on Wednesday.

1. What is the most amazing weather you've ever seen?

Gee, I don't know that I've ever seen "amazing" weather. The blizzard of 93 comes to mind. I don't think I've ever seen so much snow at one time. The electricity was out until 11:00 a.m. in my neighborhood but it was out for days in our surrounding area.

I took a picture of a morning sunrise outside my front porch. My mom liked it so much she painted a picture and called it "yellow sky." It was really pretty.

2. What is a sound or noise you love?

Where do I start? I love the sound of rain on a tin roof, the sound of the ocean, and a baby's laugh!

3. Do you like seafood? What's your favorite seafood dish?

Well, sort of. I don't like to cook it (surprise huh?) mostly because of the smell. There was a place in Knoxville L and I would frequent that had wonderful grouper. It was my favorite. I also like crab cakes.

4. What part of your day requires the most patience?

I'm a high school teacher...what part of the day do I *not* need patience!

5. What's your favorite shade of blue?

I like the shade of blue that appears in the sky on one of those rare beautiful days that is accentuated by a few white fluffy clouds.

6. Do people underestimate you?

Wow, tough question. Probably not.

7. When was the last time you had butterflies in your stomach?

The good kind or the ones that made you sick? Hum, I need to think about that one. I really can't think of the last time.

8. Insert your own random thought here, and remember...I have a wooden spoon and I'm not afraid to use it.

Something that has been on my mind is the Christmas decorations that are up before Thanksgiving...and not just in the stores. I've seen a few houses already decorated. I don't decorate until about two weeks before Christmas and don't take them down until a week after Christmas. I'm hoping that the houses I've seen decorated are getting ready for family that will be coming for Thanksgiving and so they are having Christmas at Thanksgiving. I could agree to that. But come on, Christmas right after Halloween?? That just doesn't sound right. I not only like the different seasons spaced out, I also like the different holidays spaced out.

See you on Wednesday (if not before).

On the Road Again

November 13! My gosh! Where did the time go???!!!! (I know, very cliche.)

I have no reason to give you for not posting during the last month except I just have not had the desire. (I haven't even been reading my favorite blogs!) Oh, I've had lots to share...like:

• a trip to Cades Cove with L. We rode our bikes around the loop (I walked more than rode, I admit). It was a nice last minute trip.
• final training on the TI Nspire (a trip to Murfreesboro). Now the classroom set is mine, alllll mine!
• breakfast Sunday morning at Shirley's in Hampton and then a nice drive between Hampton and Mountain City...beautiful, simply beautiful! (A church had this sign: "East Tennessee: God's coloring book.")
• my third kidney stone in 15 years (the second in 18 months!)
• and now I've read that one of my favorite blogs has a new meme (I caught up on another of my favorite blogs before I decided to post this)
  

And now, I'm in Nashville waiting to leave for a meeting that isn't going to start for another 2 hours! (Nashville is CST and I live in EST.) You would have thought I'd been able to sleep in!! (I love, love, love sleeping in on Saturday mornings!)

With the holidays fast approaching, end of semester coming even faster, there's no telling when I'll write again. So, please keep checking back. (I'll have to at least check out Joyce's meme each Wednesday!)

Have a great week!

The Technology Information Age

A couple of weekends ago, we had our "sister weekend." It was very nice. However, the highlight for me was meeting my great niece via Skype. She got to meet seven of her great aunts and her great-grandma. Isn't technology great!

Have you ever tried to get help by pressing F1? For me, there have been many times that it hasn't helped. Wonder if this guy got help:


Today's generation of kids seem to be on information overload. Or are they? My husband said something like this: Today's kids don't necessarily know more, but what they do know is different. Hummmm..... I thought that was rather thought-provoking of him.

Ya'll have a great Monday!

Saggy, Baggy Pants

This is homecoming week where I teach. That means each day the students dress up according to the theme of the day. Monday was nerd day...didn't need to dress up for that. Tuesday was sports/college team day...I wore a Seattle Mariner's patch. Wednesday was superhero day and today was 80s day. Well, I got Wednesday and Thursday mixed up. Yesterday I dressed preppy style: khaki skirt, knee socks, sweater around my neck, collared shirt with the collar pulled up, "pearl" necklace...you get the idea. When I realized it wasn't 80s day, I took the sweater off and fixed my collar. I decided I'd just wrap Monday through Thursday into one day: a super, nerdy, preppy sports fan (my shirt had my son's college logo on it).

Because I wore knee socks with my skirt, I wasn't wearing panty hose. And all day long I keep thinking of the picture of the elephant on the children's book "The Saggy, Baggy Elephant" because that's how I felt.


So when I got home from work, I went straight to Wally World and purchase a pack a size smaller. All day long today I felt like yelling through the halls what my brother said in the store many years ago when he was around 3 or 4: "New Underwear!"

Today, life was good!

Tagged Again!

Steel Magnolia tagged me Thursday. I have to answer 8 questions then tag eight bloggers with 8 new questions. Here are the questions/answers:

1. What is your favorite season and why?

Fall is my favorite season. I love the crisp, cool mornings and the warm afternoons. The smell of fires in the fireplace, cuddling, sleeping late on Saturdays when L goes hunting, the changing colors of the leaves, and sweaters. I got married in October and instead of flowers on the wedding cake, my sister and Mom (who made the cake) used edible fall leaves. It was very pretty.

2. Do you have a Bucket List and what is one thing you have on it?

No, I don't have a bucket list.

3. Do you go to Starbucks(or another coffee chain) and what is your favorite drink there?

No, but I have been to Starbucks a few times. A couple of times I went to meet some friends/classmates to work on a project.

4. What book are you currently reading(or just finished)?

Moneyball

5. Do you take pictures? What kind of camera do you have and share a current picture with us!

Do I take pictures????!!!!! I have too many!! I've tapered off now that the boys are grown, but there are still too many!

I used to use a Nikon 35mm, switched to HP digital then to Kodak. Now I use the Kodak and Sony. The Sony is both video and still.

Since hunting season is just around the corner, I thought I'd share this picture of L and N with the deer they killed last Thanksgiving. (And, yes, we eat the meat or give it to a friend or "Hunters for the Hungry".)



6. What is your favorite genre of music and favorite group, band, individual from that genre.

I really like all types of music, however, heavy metal and gangster rap is at the bottom...the very bottom. Which means I really don't have a favorite group, band, or individual.

7. Where was your most favorite vacation and what made it your favorite?

My most favorite vacation had to be in 2002 when N was a member of a traveling team that made it to the national finals (most were between their junior and senior years of high school). The finals were in Orlando, FL, home of Disneyworld. We had not taken the boys there before. The team made arrangements for each family to rent a condo (new condo complex--very nice). We saw baseball games and went to Disneyworld and MGM Studios. N went with part of the team to one of the waterparks so L and I took C to Universal Studios. One day I took C to the Blizzard waterpark (got to see Goofy there!).

It was a favorite because each of the boys got to do pretty much what they wanted, we got to go to Disneyworld and see some baseball. (The fields where the boys played is the home of the minor league team in Orlando. The minor league team was practicing one day and some of our boys were "hanging" on the fence watching. I'd say many of them were dreaming that they were out there!)

8. What is your favorite thing to cook/prepare and share the recipe.

Uh, this one is hard, because I don't really like to cook. There isn't really anything that I fix that I would call my favorite. So, I'll share what I made tonight.

Broccoli Ham Ring

Now I must pick 8 bloggers (bet you can't guess who one of them is!). Your questions are below.


Life in a Small Town
From This Side of the Pond
Land of Fluff
Belly Blogging
Tempo and Speed
The Frat Pack + Me
Auburn Chick
Sincerely Shannon

Now for your questions:

1. What would you say was your best age?
2. Do you read the Bible?
3. Who is your favorite Biblical character?
4. Who is your favorite author? What book by the author was your favorite?
5. Who was your favorite teacher? your least favorite?
6. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
7. Do you think today's tv shows are better or worse than the ones you grew up watching? Please explain your answer.
8. What do you like to do most on the weekends?

Please answer the questions and tag 8 bloggers with 8 new questions.

Have fun!

What Season is It?

The teacher said to little Johnny, "Johnny, please name the four seasons." Johnny stood up straight, smiled, and with much confidence said, "Deer season, rabbit season, turkey season, and duck season!"

A couple of weekends ago, L and I travelled west. We passed, or were passed by, vehicles that were flying those orange and white window flags with a big "T" in the middle. We travelled right passed the stadium exit and kept travelling west, because we were going west...way west...as in the other side of the state west. We weren't going to a football game, we were going to a baseball game. And this past Saturday, I was just checking the football scores...and listening to a baseball game. We went to a baseball game last Thursday, Friday, and Sunday.

So just what season is it? Well, it may be "football time in Tennessee," it is still baseball season in this household. The seasons overlap. N is home for now but will be leaving Sunday to go to Arizona to play in a pre-fall league (16 games--gone about 4 weeks).

And the weather?!! Wow! High 50s, low 60s in the morning to low to mid 80s in the afternoon. Sounds/feels like fall to me...my favorite season.

Then we'll start hunting season...then the holiday season...then tax season.

What season is it where you live?

9/11

My sister posted a wonderful video on her blog about 9/11. I'm going to ask you to follow the link to her blog.

As an aside, we must remind our young children what 9/11 is. My students are juniors and seniors meaning they were only in second or third grade when this happened. Many don't seem to understand the true significance of this event. We must never let our children forget!

Here is her blog: http://mary-lifeinasmalltown.blogspot.com/

God bless America!

Hitting Too Close to Home

On Monday of this week, around 9:00 am, a man entered a high school, held a gun to the principal's head. The School Resource Officer (SRO) calmed the man enough for the principal to escape then led him away from the cafeteria and the library filled with students to the science pod. The Sheriff's Department arrived. The man brought the gun back out and the deputies shot him. He died some time later. All faculty, staff, and students were safe.

Did you hear about this? I heard about it around 10:30 Monday morning. This is a true story. It happened at a high school in the county I live in. A school that I passed by on my way to work on Wednesday. A school about 20 miles from the school where I work. A school where my son's school team played. A school where I know one of the teachers.

The SRO acted quickly. The Deputies arrived promptly. The school was locked down quickly. But there were students who heard the gun shots. The students knew the lock down was not a drill.

We had a lock down drill today. And I heard the principal say we will have many more this year. Last year we had one lock down and that was when the drug dogs came. The year before we only had one lock down, again when the drug dogs came.

Monday's incident was too close for comfort. I'm thankful we have an SRO. Can you believe that when the Sheriff requested more money from the county commission for SRO officers, the request was turned down? I remember reading a few years ago that the schools may have to for go having SRO officers. Maybe the Sheriff needs to find out how many people in the county are on anti-depressants, how many students live in unstable homes. Maybe that will help get the money. (The man did not have a student at the school. His motive has not been determined. But I did hear that the man "was not right." And that he was arrested a few years ago for possession of a weapon.)

Please continue, every day, every morning, to prayer for our public schools...for the safety of our students, faculty, and staff.

http://www2.tricities.com/news/2010/aug/31/incident-sullivan-central-high-school-ar-479580/

I Want a Do-Over

Do you remember growing up, playing games, and when you didn't like the way your turn went, you asked for a "do-over"? You then got to do your turn over. Golfers have do-overs when they play in amateur golf tournaments--they're called "mulligans" and you have to buy them. But if a golfer bought a mulligan, didn't like the shot he/she just made, he/she "uses a mulligan" or he/she gets a "do-over."

Well, I have a couple of do-overs I want.

You know I love my husband (and no, I don't want a do-over with a new husband!). We'll be celebrating our 28th anniversary the middle of October. But it never ceases to amaze me that when two people have lived together for so long that they still don't see eye-to-eye or still don't do things the same as the other.

Here's my first do-over (although it is more like a rewind and record): Several years ago, L mentioned to me that his dad doesn't close doors--closet door, cabinet door, etc. I want a do-over and record his comment because, guess what? The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Maybe his definition of close and mine are not the same. To me, close means shut. When you pull on the knob without turning it, the door doesn't open. I don't think that's his definition. Maybe to him, close means cracked, even a 6 inch crack is closed. And the closet...he keeps his casual shirts in a closet in the guest room and right now the doors are wide open!

Here's another do-over: Growing up, I always thought that as long as the bed was made neatly, it didn't matter what else was on the floor, or on the dresser, or hanging over the chair, the room looked neat. And I love crawling into bed at night when the bed has been made, neatly. I just seem to sleep better.

Since I have gone back to work, I get up before L does and am usually out the door before he gets out of bed (I leave between 6 and 6:15). Here is L's definition of a made bed:

So, yes, I "do-over" the bed, even if it is two minutes before I'm crawling in to dreamland.

And just so you know, I "do-over" the dishwasher too after he has so kindly filled it for me.

No More Children

Today my baby turns 21. That means I now must include the adjective "adult" when I refer my boys, as in "adult children".

It does not seem that 21 years have gone by. I had a stressful pregnancy, only because my alpha feta protein level remained high. The many ultrasounds found nothing, the amniocentesis found nothing, yet I was told to make a decision. We made the right decision.

I have too many pictures to decide which ones to use for a slideshow. So here is what I think C is like.

Happy Birthday, C!

Devotional Prayers

A couple of weeks ago, while I was on sabbatical (at least that's what I'm calling it), my sister tagged me...again. This tag asked to tell about your three favorite devotional prayers. Even though it is late, here are my favorites:

1. The rosary. I pray the rosary when I can't sleep instead of counting sheep. The rosary is mostly Hail Mary's and Our Fathers. There are 5 decades that you pray Hail Mary and between each decade you pray an Our Father and a Glory Be. I'm suppose to pray another prayer but I didn't learn it so, unless I have the words in front of me, I don't say it. There are four mysteries that correspond to a specific day. I know the Sorrowful Mysteries are on Friday and the Glorious Mysteries are on Sunday. (Can you tell I don't pray it correctly? I do if I have my booklet in front of me.)

2. The Hail Mary. Since we are Jesus' brothers and sisters, the Virgin Mary is our mother also. The Hail Mary is such a pretty prayer. I especially love the praying the prayer by singing the song. It is beautiful.

3. Novena to St. Theresa the Little Flower. A novena is a prayer you pray for x number of days. Usually you are asking for a specific request. I first heard of this novena when my brother was deployed during the first Gulf War. My mother received a set of earrings shaped like a rose from someone (don't remember who). She started crying. When we asked her about it, she told us that when you pray the novena, St. Theresa will send you a rose to let you know she hears you. Mom had been praying for my brother's safety. I tried it when we were selling our first house. On the day that the house was being shown by the couple that bought the house, I received a card from my aunt. The card had roses on it...not a drawing or painting, but a snapshot of real roses! And I prayed it another time (forgot what I was praying for) and received my rose in a very mysterious way: I had gone to the grocery store back in the day when the groceries were placed in brown paper bags. When I turned the bag over to fold it up, a small rose bud fell out of the bag. Where did it come from? I didn't buy any flowers and I didn't go anywhere near the floral department! I believe it could only have come from St. Theresa!

Have a blessed week! (And don't forget to say your prayers!)

Oh, You Can Tell

You can tell...

• ...I'm feeling better. After numerous baseball trips, getting ready for the start of school, the start of school (we just finished our second week), and a minor health issue, I'm feeling good and ready to get back to blogging. (The health issue--I have lost weight and was having problems with my blood pressure...I got to quit taking the blood pressure medicine--wah hoo!)

• ...N was home...if just to spend the night...see the evidence? (N is my baseball player.)
  

• ...C returned from Washington and Korea and prepared for his return to college.

He said this is organizing his stuff.

• ...the NASCAR race is approaching. (It is actually going on as I write this...I took these pictures on Tuesday.)
  

The view from my back porch.

The view from my front porch.

Thank you for checking back!

My Week in History

Well, it's not really a whole week. I haven't wanted to write anything, mostly because not much has occurred. So here's the exciting (at least to me) and the boring (most definitely to me).

Friday: exciting -- C called from Korea. Technically, he "skyped." (If you are not familiar with Skype, it is a communication tool you use from your computer (or iPhone or iPod whichever the case). You can chat (instant message), use voice (talk like you would on the telephone), or use audio (actually see each other on your computer screen--webcam is required for this feature).) We have been using the audio. It is fun to see each other as we talk. He has held up some of the drinks he's had (cola and water) and has showed us some of the Korean money. Isn't technology great?

also exciting -- N pitched and did a great job. The Jaxx were tied when he went in, then at their next at bats, they went ahead and stayed ahead to win the game. That meant N was recorded with the win.

Saturday: boring -- We painted the garage...two coats. And it was hot! I could not wait to get my sweat-wet clothes off and take a shower! First time in a loooonnnnng time that I took a lukewarm shower on purpose. We did go out to eat. The restaurant was a BBQ place and guess what? They don't have air conditioning! It wasn't hot because they had ceiling fans, but it was warm. Then we went to Lowe's because we ran out of paint and hadn't done the trim. And guess what? It was hot. Can you image their cooling bill if they had air conditioning? Couldn't wait to get back into the car to run the a/c.

Sunday: boring -- We both slept late which unusual for L. But we had to get up and get the rest of the painting done. And it was hot! I didn't work as hard as I had the day before but my clothes were still wet. L cooked out some steaks for us that evening. When I looked at the outside temperature it read 101!!! Yet he still grilled out. What a man!

Monday: exciting (at least to me) -- Workshop on the TI Nspire. I didn't really learn a whole lot of new things but made some new contacts so I hope I can make some more presentations. I really enjoy doing that. The workshop was held at a local company's lodge in a mountainous area. As I was leaving, my co-worker who attended also pointed to a part of the parking lot beyond my car. I walked over and saw a deer, very oblivious to us. It was certainly use to humans.

Tuesday (yesterday): boring -- I don't even remember what I did. Oh yeah, I cleaned "my" room. Actually, it is the extra bedroom or guest room. I use it to store my scrapbooking supplies and school work. When we have an overnight guest, I throw my junk that is laying around the room into 2 or 3 boxes and move them to my bedroom. I wonder, if we had more overnight guests more often would the room stay neater? Oh well, I guess we'll never know.

Wednesday: exciting -- the Jaxx are playing a five game series with the Tennessee Smokies in Sevierville. That means I'll be seeing N again!

Also exciting, I received an email that had these two links:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JF_HXTQ7Quo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2qlHoxPioM&feature=related

Check them out! They are amazing (and a little scary that technology has come this far)! If we aren't in the Jetson era, then we are definitely on the fringe! Isn't technology great!

I hope your week has been filled with exciting memories!

Flashback Friday

Today's Flashback Friday is about family meals.

I remember we ate supper together just about every night. Mom was a good cook although she told me Dad had to teach her. (I seriously wonder if that is true. Dad does a lot of cooking now so maybe it is.)

Mom and Dad sat at either end of the table. There were four chairs on one side of the table and a bench on the other side. No one really liked to sit next to Dad because if we got out of line, he'd hit the wall above our heads. (I'm surprised there isn't a dent in the wall!)

Being practicing Catholics, we always had fish on Friday nights. Mostly, I remember fish sticks with macaroni and cheese or a tuna casserole. I have on occasion craved the tuna casserole; however, I'm the only one in my house that likes it so I don't fix it.

Another dish I have sometimes craved is what Mom called "hash." It was just left over roast beef cut into bite size pieces warmed up in the gravy with any other meat that was left over. Mom would fix biscuits (made from scratch) to go with it.

I also remember Mom's "fried" chicken was actually baked. She did use a lot of butter and shortening, but she did it in the oven.

Saturday mornings was usually pancakes or maybe waffles. And for Saturday lunch, many times it was hot dogs. Sunday we would usually have brunch, eating between first and second mass. (Mom played the organ at both masses.) Sometimes, the priest would join us. It was usually scrambled eggs, sausage and toast. I remember one Sunday, I was smelling the sausage. I must have been really hungry. My brother smacked me and told me to quit breathing on the sausage!

I don't remember ever going out to eat when I was smaller. Mom cooked just about everything from scratch. On occasion, Dad would work late and not be able to eat with the rest of the family. Being such a daddy's girl, I would eat, again, with Dad because I didn't want him to eat by himself.

When we made our first communion we were allowed to choose the menu. The only thing I remember choosing is lima beans (funny, I don't like them now) and "graham cracker pie" (cheesecake...I didn't know it was called cheesecake until I was a teenager.)

Mom always made us a birthday cake. I think we got to choose the flavor. If we did, mine was probably always chocolate.

As I got older and many of the older siblings had moved out, Dad changed jobs to shift supervisor of security. That meant his schedule changed every week. When he worked the 2nd shift, meaning he wasn't home for supper, we'd have pizza (usually homemade) or something like that that Dad wasn't too keen on having for supper.

Now, Mom and Dad eat out a bit more than we did growing up (I wonder why?). My husband and I have taken our kids out certainly much more than I did growing up. (Let's see--10 kids vs 2 kids...it's a no brainer as to why.) Most of what I fix for supper is easy to fix. When the boys were little we ate a lot of hamburger helper. But one thing was the same: We always ate together. It's amazing to me, now, how L and I will eat in the den in front of the tv but the boys will still eat at the kitchen table when they are home.

Something that is different is that Mom always fixed our lunch for school. I did get to buy my lunch when they were serving chili. However, I maybe fixed school lunches the first week N went to school. Then L found out I was sending pretty much the same thing and didn't like that so the boys pretty much always bought their lunch. (Summer was different. They went to daycare and we had to send their lunch with them. But by that time, they were old enough to help and tell me what they wanted.)

I hope you enjoyed learning about how my family shared our meals. What about your family? Head over to Mocha with Linda and link up to tell us your story.

A Makeover

There are two weeks left before I return to work. So I've been thinking about what I want my students to do when they write notes. When I was attending a large retail store that is very popular all over the country (you know the place...I haven't heard of anyone who hasn't been there before), I saw the composition books for 25 cents! (They're regularly $1.00 or 2/$1.00 at "back-to-school" time.)

I thought, "This would be perfect!" and the cost was definitely worth it.
But to me, those books are so ho-hum and, even though the covers may vary slightly, they still look so much alike. So I made over a book for each course I'll be teaching:

Integrated Math II
(sorry about the blurry title)

I sent in a proposal to teach this course but haven't heard anything yet so I'll be ready just in case:

(Sabermetrics is the
Science of Baseball Statistics)

I thought they turned out pretty well! And they are so easy to do! Just cover the front and back with thick scrapbook paper (I used double sided tape), trim the paper, and embellish! Du-Dah!

Not Pictured

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. But what happens when you forget your camera, or you misplace your camera, or you simply couldn't get to the picture fast enough? We can't go around with the camera permanently held to our eye (if you use the eye piece) or with our arms held out so we can view the screen. So what happens when we have that "Kodak moment" but don't have the Kodak? We have...

Snapshots of My Heart

Click!
The love in your eyes
When our first child was born
Can never be captured on film.

Click!
The surprise on your face
When your unborn brother
Kicked you when you were
Trying to squeeze in between Dad and me.

Click!
A cuter ghost was never seen
Wearing your dad's white t-shirt
Your face powdered and
Brown eye shadow around your eyes
Giving you a more ghostly pale.

Click!
You screamed and couldn't believe
Your team had won and was going
To Nashville to participate in the state's
Odyssey of the Mind.

Click!
That leap of enjoyment when
Your team beat Kingsport in the
District tournament.

Click!
Determination on your face as
You and your fellow Scouts drove
Your Klondike sled through the
Streets of Bristol.

Click!
Round bicycle helmet perched atop your head
Cowboy pistols on each hip
Toy rifle in hand
Pacing the deck, keeping guard
So no more NASCAR fans took
a shortcut through our backyard.

Images unable to be captured on film
But will always be scrapbooked on my heart.

The above poem was written in 2005 and published in our community college's literary magazine. Do you have any images scrapbooked in your heart?

Another Award

My sister, in true nepotism spirit, has bestowed upon me another award. (Now, really, as many blogs that she follows, she couldn't find someone new to give it to? Maybe she just likes me, she really, really likes me.)
Sis believes that my blogs embrace a variety of subjects. And, yes, I think she's right to some extent. Any way....

The rules for this award are:

1. Thank the person who gave you the award...Thanks Mary! (Just remember, what goes around comes around! You know--"You'll get yours, my pret-ty!")

2. List 7 things that people may not know about you...

This one is easy since I'm so new to blogging I still have some secrets up my sleeve. So here goes:

1. After 2-1/2 years, I dropped out of college.
2. One year later, I graduated from a junior college with an Associate degree in Secretarial Science. (You figure the acronym.)
3. Six years later, I went back to college...going at night...while being a wife and mother of a toddler and working 40 hours a week.
4. I graduated six years later with a Bachelors degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Operations Management. (After #2, I decided there would be no BS for me!)
5. Some time during those six years, I received the Certified Professional Secretary rating.
   
6. Ten years after the BBA, I went back to school to take the necessary classes to get my teacher certification and begin a Masters in Education (MEd) program at a local college.
7. Then, after 18 months, I received my MEd.
   

3. Pass it on to other bloggers who deserve the award.

Everyone on my list deserves this reward! That list you see on the right? That's not all of them. I have a few more bookmarked in my favorites list. And since the rules don't say how many, if you are reading this, Congratulations, you have been bestowed the "Versatile Blogger Award." If you choose to accept the award, please follow the above rules and let everyone know.

Happy Blogging!

I See a Bar! Whar? Over Thar!

Today and yesterday I attended the 18th annual Northeast Tennessee Special Education Conference in Gatlinburg, TN. It was a good conference with plenty of good presentations (especially the one on the TI Nspire--he,he because I was the presenter :D ).

The keynote speaker was Darrell Scott, the father of Rachel Scott who was the first student killed in the Columbine H.S. shootings in 1999. What a presentation! I now know why we were given a box of tissues in our goody bag! The presentation was so powerful. Three of Rachel's diaries were published, so now I can add three more books to my reading list. The Scotts have created a nonprofit organization called Rachel's Challenge in memory of Rachel. Very positive! Please check out the website when you get a chance.

After Tuesday's sessions were over, I went to dinner with 3 co-workers. We met up with one of the co-workers' son and his girlfriend. It was very enjoyable. We then headed to Cades Cove but decided we were running out of time so we just drove past our hotel to check out an education center on up the mountain (we are teachers after all).

While there, this is what we saw:

We were all trying to take pictures with our cell phones, hence the quality of the photos. We had an opportunity, albeit very short opportunity, to get a really good shot but the bear took one look at us and headed into the woods.

I can't tell you how exciting that is! It has been years since I have seen a bear in the Smokey Mountains. (I know, I know. They are pretty prevalent now.)

One of my co-workers said that when we returned to the hotel, he was standing out on the balcony talking on the phone when he saw another bear at the property next door. Wonder if that was the same bear just wanting to check up on us?

Why, Why, Tell me Why!

Please help me understand why...

• ...bride's dresses are strapless. Everywhere I look, in the display window, on a bride, the dress is strapless. Some are pretty, the bride is pretty wearing it, but some are not. Honey, if you are a size 18 or over, you may want to rethink the strapless dress.
  
• ...men with flabby stomachs want to show them off. Come on people--please don't encourage them. They are not funny!
• ...baseball fans who grab a foul ball after it has bounced around in the bleachers a couple of times want the rest of us to cheer for them as if they caught the ball!
• ...eighteen wheelers want to suddenly change lanes. I almost gave one the finger the other day.
• ...drivers put on their brakes, then turn on their turn signals. You are suppose to "indicate" that you are turning before you put on your brakes. That helps the people behind you know what you are doing.
• ...drivers in the left lane put on their brakes when the driver in the right puts on their brakes. You're in the left lane so you can pass the person in the right lane for goodness sake!
• ...drivers slow down when they see a police car hiding with radar. Sugar, when you've seen it, its too late. He's done got you!
• ...drivers slow down when they see a police car in the same lane (or next to them). That police car is going to go the speed limit, or faster. You do know you can be pulled over for going slower than the speed limit, don't you.

Thanks for your help!

It's Nepotism, pure and simple

I'm behind on my blogs, mostly because I went to see my son over the weekend.

Anyway, on Wednesday, I received a blog award:




I know in my mind what "substance" means, but I really needed to look it up anyway. From www.m-w.com: 2 a : ultimate reality that underlies all outward manifestations and change b : practical importance : meaning, usefulness. When I check the thesaurus on MSWord, I get "matter."

So, my blog has meaning or usefulness or you could say it matters. Well, mostly it matters to me. I'm not real sure how meaningful or useful it is. It's probably useful if you want to know what is going on in my life or how I feel about certain subjects.

Anyway, I haven't received many awards as an adult. Even attempting to receive an award is few and far between. So I am honored and humbled to receive this award, particularly since I have only been blogging since April of this year.

But then again, maybe it's just nepotism, pure and simple since I received the award from my sister.

Now, the hard part. My blogging philosophy, motivation, and experience--in 5 words:

sharing
learning
with
family
friends

Now, the other hard part: bestowing the award on 5 other bloggers who I feel have blogs of substance (it's hard for me because (1) I don't read that many blogs (2) half of them my sister has already given the award to and (3) I don't read anything that isn't useful or matters or "has substance"...I don't have the time.):

Mocha with Linda
Sweet Tea
Tempo and Speed
Mountain Woman at Heart
Living Brightly

I See the Moon and the Moon Sees Me

I know it sounds corny, but it is comforting to me that the same moon I see is the same moon my sons see. I am missing them a little more than I care to admit.

N hasn't called, but they have been playing out of town. They are back at their home stadium today through the weekend. We are planning to go see him this weekend.

C hasn't had a chance to call until last night. I was so excited to get his postcard last week and even more excited to hear his voice. He sounded good. He said he was doing well. But he gave us, at least in my opinion, a shocker: He will not be coming home as originally planned. He was given the option to job shadow an officer in Korea! I know this is a great opportunity for him; and I'm very proud of him! But I was so looking forward to having him back home next week...and now I have to wait another four weeks.

So, when I see the moon I know that my boys are seeing the same moon and that is a little comforting.

Happy Wednesday!

4th of July = Family

My brother and sister-in-law hosted a pool party for the Fourth of July. Most of my brothers and sisters, with their spouses, came, as well as some of their kids. Some of my sister-in-law's family were there also. It was really nice to see and get to chat with everyone.

This was the first time I'd seen my great-niece, who will be turning 1 in August.


It had been two years since I'd seen one of my great-nephews and couldn't believe how he had grown! The last time I saw him he was in a baby carrier!

Everyone enjoyed the pool...from the oldest to the youngest!



The squirt guns were a big hit!


Basically, I just enjoyed the day!


I hope you all had a great Fourth!