A View from a Hill

Tagged! Really?

2012-01-16T13:50:00.002-05:00

My sister (dare I really claim her since she did this?) tagged me. I'll answer the questions because I don't always know what to blog; however, I won't be following all the rules of the game. Here are the rules:

1. Post these rules.
2. You must post 11 random things yourself.
3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post.
4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
5. Go to their blog and tell them that you've tagged them.
6. No stuff in the tagging section about ‘you are tagged if you are reading this.’ Blah blah blah, you legitimately have to tag 11 peeps!

I will not be following rules 4-6! But, here is an opportunity to get to know me better.

1. Who is your favorite singer/music group? I like all types of music; therefore, I do not have a favorite. Most of the time I do not even know who the singer or group is!

2. Do you have a favorite game to play on the computer/tablet/iPad/iPod? If so, what is it?
I am addicted to Drop 7!

3. What is your favorite movie? My favorite movie is "A League of Their Own". A movie about baseball and sisters.

4. How long did you know your spouse when you got married? If you're not married, what is the longest you have seen someone? I knew my husband for 9 months before we got married. He asked me to marry him 4 months after we'd known each other.

5. Were you involved in music in high school/college? Yes, I was in the band in high school and played a couple of terms in college.

6. What special group were you involved in during high school/college? I wasn't involved in any special group in college or high school.

7. When you're all alone, what do you like to eat for dinner? Pizza, L doesn't care for pizza so that gives me a chance to eat it.

8. Left or right handed? Right handed

9. How tall are you? I'm 5'5". (I used to say 5' 4-1/2" but the last time I was measured I was 5'5"! I think it had something to do with exercising.)

10. What is your favorite pair of shoes? Good grief! I'm going to be thrown out of the sisterhood! I don't have a favorite pair.

11. How long have you lived in your house/apartment/condo? We have been in our house for 20 years! Gosh, that seems like such a long time! I remember when we moved in, C was 2 years old. The house has the bedrooms upstairs. L and I were upstairs. We heard this little, frightened voice coming from downstairs, "Daddy, where are you?" L called back, "Where are you?" C: "I don't know!" (He was so cute! C, not L.)

Now, 11 "random" things about me. (This is going to be difficult!)
1. I have been married over half my life. (I was 22 when I was married.)
2. I got married 30 years after my mom and dad.
3. I am 30 years younger than my mom.
4. I played the French horn in high school and college. (So did my mom.)
5. I marched with a different instrument each year of high school: single french horn, double french horn, mellophone (I think I spelled that wrong), drum major.
6. I was in the flag corp two marching seasons in college.
7. It took me 25 years after high school to finally do what I always wanted to do -- teach!
8. I am an Army mom (N served in the Army and C is now in the Army)
9. I enjoy mystery movies/tv shows.
10. I'm a Zumba instructor (ok, I think you already know that one).
11. I've lost 40 lbs. since April 2009.

I do not consider myself a rebel; however, I am rebelling against the rest of the rules! So you are safe!

HodgePodge Wednesday

2012-01-04T18:48:00.002-05:00

I'm back for the first HodgePodge Wednesday of 2012! Don't forget to link up at Joyce's blog.

1. What are three words you would use to describe your 2011?
I would say:
unusual due to the fact that this was the first summer since I started teaching that I had so much time on my hands;
life-changing because my son graduated from college and headed to Officer Training leaving my husband and I to a truly empty nest;
stressful also comes to mind with reasons that include my work, subbing for Zumba instructors, and breaking a bone in my foot.

2. Do you like shrimp? What's your favorite way to have it prepared?
Shrimp is probably my most favorite seafood. There was a place in Knoxville, TN, called "The Half Shell" that we would go to that served stuffed shrimp. It was so good!! (I really liked their grouper also.)

3. Is your house de-Christmased? If so when did you tackle that job? If not, when will the decorations come down?
I "de-Christmased" on the 30th this year. Usually I wait until either the first or shortly thereafter. I did it a little earlier this year because I needed help with getting the tree back to the attic and C was the only one healthy enough to do it and he left on the 31st. However, my candles are still in the windows and the wreath is still on the door, so I guess I'm not finished.

4. Do you like to watch scary movies?
Not the movies that are out now. There is just too much blood and gore in them. I can stand to watch some of the older movies (before 1980).

5. ice skating~sledding~skiing~snowboarding~of the four listed which wintertime activity do you most enjoy?
I would have to say sledding because I have only ice skated twice in my life and have never been skiing or snowboarding. I used to sled all the time when it snowed enough growing up. There was a great hill just across the street from where I lived. I remember having so much fun!

6. Did you have a childhood hideout? Describe it.
I don't remember having a childhood hideout. I do remember when we played hide-and-seek there was a dogwood tree that had branches leaning over enough to hide under. And across the street there was a park (yes, where we would sled) that had good places to build forts. But I don't remember an actual hideout. Does that mean I was deprived?

7. What's a place or space that motivates you?
Tough question. I have never really thought about a place or space motivating me. I love the mountains--looking at them, being on them, even looking at pictures.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
I read a blog yesterday about the blogger's "last first kiss" and was thinking about it today. Then I heard a message from the Proverbs 31 lady (I don't remember exactly what it is called) on the radio station I listen to. She talked about how her husband prayed for God to send him a wife. I got to wondering: my husband and I were at the university at the same time but didn't meet until a year or so later when I moved back home and he moved to that area. While we were at the university, he dated a girl with the last name "Fletcher" and I dated a guy with the last name "Fletcher". Do you think we were suppose to meet at school but we took a different path so that we couldn't?

Thanks, Joyce! These were good questions this week.

Didn't I Tell You?

2012-01-03T11:11:00.003-05:00

Happy New Year! Did you make any resolutions? Mine was to not make any! If I had, I probably would have included to blog more. I didn't realize that I hadn't blogged since August. Wow! Of course, I did tell you that when I kept a diary I usually didn't do a very good job writing in it.

Once the school year started last August I found it difficult to blog. The first semester was really strange. Tennessee started a new teacher evaluation system which includes how the students do on their end-of-course assessments. That lead to some very stressful meetings. I taught Algebra II semester long, Algebra II year long (I will have most of the same students this next semester also), and ACT Prep. We had new textbooks which meant changing some of my SMART Board files (powerpoint type files). (The publisher gave us an iPad so I've been playing with that.) ACT Prep was new for me so I was always trying to figure out what to do for that class. Three teachers taught it so we combined the three classes and split them in half. Two of us taught each class for 45 minutes each day which meant a total of approx. 60 students during that class period. And of those 60 students, about 1/3 of them really wanted ACT preparation. Now do you understand why it was hard to figure out what to do?

I also joined Facebook (I have two pages...one is my Zumba page), so much of my spare time was spent over there. How do you find time to blog, write on facebook, and I see so many of you have a Twitter account?! I want to ask,"Do you not have a life?" but that sounds mean. So, how do you do it?

By the way, I'm writing today because we have a snow day! Yep, we were scheduled to return to school after 11 days off (not counting the weekends).

Doesn't look like much but it is now 11:30 a.m.

I hope to join in with HodgePodge Wednesdays, so I'll see you tomorrow.

This Week's HodgePodge

2011-08-24T18:48:00.002-04:00

Don't forget to add your link at Joyce's blog.

1. What is something that bothers you if its not done perfectly?

Just about everything...although I am getting better. I've been known to redo some things if they aren't to my liking (see what I mean here).

2. Do you think a 6th sense exists? Explain.

I think it does...only I don't think I have it. I've not ever had "a gut feeling" which is what I think a 6th sense is.

3. Do you say your goodbyes slowly, quickly, or not at all?

Depends on who I'm saying goodbye to. My students I say it quickly...there have been some times when I have actually said to them "Please leave!" Usually with my family, it is slow. I've watched my boys pull out of the driveway, down to the end of the subdivision and then until I can no longer see them. Or telling my sisters goodbye...it can take 15 minutes or more after I've started heading toward the door.

4. On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being hot hot hot, what level of spice do you like in your food? What is your favorite spicy dish?

I do not like spicy food. And some of it doesn't like me. So, I would say 3 and I don't have a favorite.

5. What is one of your all time favorite commercial jingles?

Hmmmm, that's a tough one. I'll have to get back to you on that one.

6. Plane, train, boat or auto...your preferred method of travel?

Ok, that again, depends...where I am going and for how long. I'd rather drive if I can get there within 12 hours. By the time you get to airport, report in, connecting flights, etc. etc., it's easier to drive. Plus then you have your own car to drive around in (then if you go slow in the left lane like you're trying to find a turn, with out-of-town plates, maybe you won't get too many dirty looks), and you're not tied down to someone else's schedule.

7. What is something you take for granted?

The love of my family and friends.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Busy week...quizzes to create, progress reports to print out, meetings, doctor appointments, Zumba (can't forget that! I led my own class for the first time Tuesday! So much fun!) and this is race weekend. (So maybe I'll get some things done at home this weekend since I won't be leaving the house!)

Wednesday HodgePodge

2011-08-17T21:54:00.002-04:00

This week's questions and answers! Join in and don't forget to link up!

1. Using what's in your frig right now, what sort of meal would you be able to make for guests who are standing on your front porch this very minute?

If I have time to defrost, hamburgers. Otherwise, egg sandwich with bacon and cheese. Love breakfast anytime of day so my guests would have to also.

2. What is something about yourself that you hope will change but that you know probably never will?

My sensitivity...I'm so easily hurt and take too much personally.

3. What is something about yourself you hope never changes?

My good heartedness.

4. Do you usually send serious or funny greeting cards? Why?

It depends on who I'm sending it too...mostly funny though...if I send them.

5. Bird watching, shell gathering, star gazing-your choice for whiling away the hours?

Star-gazing...I love looking at the night sky, especially when it's full of stars.

6. Do you double or triple check things? If so, what?

I double check and double check again. Mostly if I'm packing for an overnight or when I'm taking something to work. I also double check my writing...but I think I should double, double check that also.

7. What's your favorite place for people watching?

Definitely not work (high school)! Hmmmm, anywhere really.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I'm going to be leading a Zumba class at work starting next week! I'm so excited! Today I went to Curves, then to an hour Zumba class. After a trip to JC, I worked on the routines. Think I need to work on it some more!

Hope you have a Wonderful Wednesday!

Copy Cat

2011-08-16T21:58:00.002-04:00

I just read my sister's blog from the other day and decided that it was (almost) exactly what I would want to say. So I decided to copy hers.

8/15/2011

Where Does the Time Go?

I've been really, really bad at blogging lately. I have no idea where my time is going, especially since school started back. It's not that I have nothing to say...I've been doing "stuff" lately, I just haven't been blogging about it.
Not only have I been terrible about posting; I've also been bad about reading. All of a sudden I have no time. What the heck am I doing? If somebody knows, fill me in! (And, no, I haven't been spending my spare time vacuuming!)
I finally started seeing students last Wednesday. I was so ready to just get started. And now I feel like I need a break! You laugh, but I'm serious. I was talking with another Speech Pathologist (SLP) the other day, and we both agreed that we just felt overwhelmed this year. Aside from the difficulty with scheduling, everything else is the same. Scheduling seems to get more difficult every year with the increased demands on the teachers to get in all of their instruction. Maybe it's just that the teachers are more stressed this year and it's filtering to us.
The state has a new teacher evaluation this year, which means more observations and a little bit more paperwork. Teachers that are used to getting the top rating will be lucky if they get a '3' (out of 5) this year. We've been told a '3' is where you want to be. Ms. Principal told us that if you get a '5', you're Jesus.
Hopefully I'll get back into the swing of blogging very, very soon. For those of you who are sticking with me, thanks!

Posted by my sister.

Meet Me on Monday

2011-06-06T20:50:00.003-04:00

1. What is was the last piece of candy that you ate?

Rollo (chocolate and caramel...what a combination!)

2. Do you "read" in the bathroom?

Definitely! That's usually where I read my "Guideposts" magazine.

3. I can't stand when someone _________?

Lies to me.

4. Do you do daily, weekly or monthly grocery shopping?

Actually, none of those fits. I despise grocery shopping and will only do it when I have to. I go when we are out of most of the everyday items we consume. Which seems like it is daily.

Stormy Weather

2011-04-28T14:22:00.003-04:00

You have probably heard about the storms that occurred in the south. Where I live, we received hail and thunderstorms. There was unconfirmed tornadoes (I think I heard two or three). The death toll in my area is 16. So very sad. School (work) was called off today and also in the neighboring counties. Greene County got hit the hardest. The devastation is horrible!

Here is a sample of what we received last night:

That's a hail stone in the middle!

I spent the night in the basement. L stayed upstairs. The sound was absolutely scary! But we are safe! There was damage to our house. We are going to have to replace the siding. (On the bright side, maybe we can have a different color!) One of our windows was broken. That was pretty much the extent of the damage. Our neighbor had two windows broken as well as the siding being blasted. Our neighbor two doors up had about a fourth of their siding torn off the side of their house. The siding was in the neighbors' yard across the street.

Reports are that this is the worst storm since the early 1970s. I wasn't living in the area at that time. This is the worst storm I have ever lived through, that I remember.

If you are in the south, I hope all is well with you. Please pray for all those who have lost family members and for those who will need strength to clean up after the storm.

Meet Me on Mondays

2011-03-28T20:28:00.002-04:00

1. Crunchy or soft tacos?

Normally, I prefer soft, but here lately, I've been going after the hard, crunchy tacos.

2. Do you scrapbook?

I collect the stuff to make scrapbooks. I've made a few pages. I did an album for my parents 50th wedding anniversary that I think turned out nice. And I have a book of my son's travel baseball team when he was 12 and 13.

3. Do you take any daily medications?

Unfortunately, yes. I was taking 2 more than I do now so I'm happy that how many I take is decreasing and not increasing!

4. What is your favorite sound?

I have to say rain on a tin roof...but I don't have a tin roof. I like the way the rain sounds hitting the chimney cover. (Almost the same thing.)

5. Where were you born?

I was born in the same state that I now live.

Hi Ho! Hi Ho! It's Back to Work I Go!

2011-03-27T16:29:00.002-04:00

Spring break officially ends today. So what did I do?

Catch up on grading papers. Check. (I was out the Wednesday before break so I had a lot of papers to grade.)

Put grades on the computer. Check.

Go to exercise class in the mornings. Check. (Went Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday mornings.)

Go to Zumba! Check, check, check, and check! (I got to go 4 times! Monday and Tuesday evenings, Wednesday and Saturday mornings! Wednesday was free because I won a pass from Monday!)

Clean refrigerator. Check!!!

Straighten work room. Check!!!!

Attend Future Teachers of America Convention in Nashville. Check! (I'm co-sponsor of our high school club and took our club president. No one else could go or wanted to go. We started the club last school year but had trouble getting it off the ground. Going to the convention was good for our president to see what the other clubs in the state do. She's going to do a presentation at our April after-school meeting.)

Prepare for next week. Not yet.

A word of note: Virginia Commonwealth University has just upset Kansas to make it to the Final Four!

I hope you have a great week!

Hodgepodge during Spring Break

2011-03-23T19:14:00.002-04:00

1. Sunday was the first day of spring. So they say. Ahem.

What is your favorite outdoor springtime activity?

Walking and baseball!

2. Who would you want to come into your kitchen to cook dinner for you?

Bobby Flay and Rachel Raye

3. When did you last fly a kite?

Hum...probably when I helped C when he was about 9...so 12 years ago?

4. What topic puts you to sleep faster than anything?

Just about anything right now...

5. Which flowers do you associate with specific people, places, or events?

Roses: Valentine's Day
Mums: Mother's Day
Jonquils: spring

6. What significant historical events took place during your elementary school days?

Is she trying to figure out how old we are?!?!
In fourth grade, a man landing on the moon.

7. Do you swear? Do you pseudo-swear? (You know crap, shoot, friggin'?)

Never heard it called "pseudo-swear" but I have been known to say "shoot" and "crap" a time or two.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

You would think I would blog more during spring break; however, my desire to share is just not there. I have been reading some blogs, but not very many. I think my third period class is really, really stressing me out.

Plus I've been spending some time in exercise class. I have fallen in love with Zumba! I don't like to sweat but I will sweat for Zumba! (Maybe it's because of my third period class.)

Don't forget to link up with Joyce!

Wednesday HodgePodge

2011-02-23T20:00:00.002-05:00

1. Did you know there is a National Day of pretty much everything in the universe? February 23 happens to be National Inconvenience Yourself Day...when was the last time you were inconvenienced?

Yes, I knew there was a National Day for pretty much everything. The last time I was inconvenienced was 2 weeks ago when I had to get a refill for my medicine. I had to go to the pharmacy three times before it was filled. Why so long? The prescription was written by a doctor that I no longer went to! So I inconvenienced myself.

2. When a room in your house needs painting who does the job?

L and I painted the garage together but when we had all the upstairs rooms (4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms) painted, we hired a painter.

3. Are you friends with your cousins?

I would like to think so although I only keep up with them through Mom or facebook.

4. Do you use an alarm clock? If yes-is it an actual alarm, music, or something else?

I use one with three alarms or two. The three alarm sounds that annoying beeping noise, ocean sounds, and the radio. The other two: a beeping noise is one and the other is my cell phone which beeps also.

5. What do you put ketchup on?

meatloaf and french fries

6. What smells make you nostalgic?

fresh cut grass and rain right before it starts to fall...makes me think of baseball fields when the boys were small

7. Have you heard about the high school English teacher recently suspended as a result of some things she wrote in her personal blog? You can read the story here but in a nutshell she vented a lot of frustration onto her blog. She didn't mention individual students by name but she did make some harsh comments about kids in general and their parents.

What are your thoughts-If you're a parent is your child's teacher online and are you 'friend' or 'follower' there? If you're a teacher are you on facebook and do you accept or friend students on fb? How about their parents? If you're a student are you friends with your current or former teachers online? Do any of them have blogs you read? If you're a teacher or a parent do you ever use your blog as a place to vent your frustrations with our educational system? So much to discuss...

As a parent, I only followed the teacher's school webpage. As a teacher, I am on facebook but not as a teacher. When my students asked if I was on facebook, I told my students not to ask me to friend them, I am not a their friend I am their teacher. As for their parents, I do not have a personal relationship with any of them so I do not follow nor friend them.

I have tried not to vent my frustration about the educational system nor any frustration with my class. I know that I have mentioned my frustration a few times, but it was not the topic of my blog. And I would certainly not vent my frustration on my facebook page. (To be continued with #8.)

8. Insert your own random thought here.

(continued) Joyce started this! I will vent my frustration with our state political system and their attempt to shut down the state's education association. If you follow me, you know that I am not from Wisconsin. But some of our state congress people must be because they have started legislation that is very similar to Wisconsin: trying to get rid of bargaining power, changing tenure rules, eliminating payroll deduction for dues, making seats on retirement board political assignments, and a couple of others. These bills have nothing to do with improving the education of our children. I believe that it will hurt the education system in the long run. The governor of Wisconsin remarked, "We are in debt. I have nothing to bargain with." Money isn't the only thing that can be brought to the bargaining table. That isn't a reason to eliminate bargaining entities. I actually live in a "right to work" state so we don't have a union. We have a teacher organization. We can not strike (which I don't agree with as a teacher...I'm a teacher to educate the students). You cannot recruit good people if there is nothing to offer them.

Just An Update

2011-02-19T19:26:00.003-05:00

Again, it has been a few days since my last post. I've just been so tired in the evenings.

The club's Prom Show went very well. We ended up taking in $138 which was all profit! The girls were so pretty. And I had to laugh at the guys...they seemed more nervous than the girls! But they looked great! I think we all had a good time.

We had a snow day on the 10th which meant a school day the following Saturday. I was afraid we would not have the numbers of students who attended to be able to count it, but we did. I brought donuts for my first period class. Half way through the period, we decided to walk off the donuts and walked around the school. Those who weren't there, really missed out! I went to bed that day around 9:00 and got out of bed 12 hours later! (Don't worry, I went to Saturday mass.)

This week was a full week of school. I signed up for a book club (staff development book club) which met on Thursday. I got so sleepy that I had to stand up so I wouldn't close my eyes. (I was embarrassed to say the least!)

Valentines Day was nice. I found the perfect card for me to give to L. On the front was a porcupine that said, "Do you know why I love you so much?" On the inside: "Because you love me even when I'm prickly." (I was upset with him the week before for a few days; however, it was mostly my fault.) I bought dinner from Applebee's and laid out the red tablecloth with red and white candles and (fake) rose petals. He had a big grin on his face when he saw the table.

It's going to be a busy week: faculty meeting on Monday, textbook committee meeting on Wednesday, club meeting on Thursday, and lesson plans to work on.

Have a great week!

It Must be Wednesday!

2011-02-02T19:26:00.002-05:00

Time for HodgePodge with Joyce!

1. Would you rather be seen as a person who did their duty or forged their own path?

Oh, my! This is just the first question and I don't know how to answer it! Now I know how those contestants on the game shows feel when they have to use their "cheats" on the first question! And since we don't have any cheats with the HodgePodge, I am not going to answer.

2. This week's Wednesday Hodgepodge happens to fall on Groundhog's Day. In keeping with that theme, if you could have a do-over of any one day out of the last seven, which day would it be and why. If you haven't seen the movie Groundhog Day this question will make absolutely no sense but that's okay....you can answer anyway.

Another hard one. I'll answer this one since I copped out of the first one: Sunday. I tried to get up and go to church but turned over and didn't get up until 10:45!! Plus, we went to drop off a car for my son at college so I would get to go see him again!

You thought my question was going to be weather related didn't you?

3. Hot cocoa...yay or nay on the marshmallows?

Prefer whipped cream with chocolate sprinkles! (I refer to this as our Christmas "special hot chocolate.")

4. Do you wear makeup every day? What are the top two must haves in your daily makeup routine?

No. If I can help it, I won't wear it. I tend to get eye infections if I wear eye shadow so I never wear that. My must haves would be mascara and chap stick. (My lips seem to always be chapped!) I actually blogged about this very subject last year. If your interested, you can read it here.

5. Is it more important to you in a relationship to be loved or understood?

To be loved...doesn't love conquer all?

6. Parsley sage rosemary or thyme... your favorite?

Ummmm...I don't cook very often so I'm not sure about this one. Again, I used my pass on #1 so I guess I need to answer. I like the way rosemary smells, but don't like the taste...parsley has no special smell in my opinion and I've never used a lot of it to notice the taste...what is sage or thyme? You know what? I do like the color sage so I'm going to say my favorite is....SAGE!

7. What do you do when you feel angry?

Depends on the cause of my anger. If I'm angry because of my students, I do tend to raise my voice although I try really, really, really hard not to. If the cause of my anger is my husband, I just go to my room and watch tv. I've been known to have road rage a time or two. Sometimes I do something productive, like clean or exercise. (Hum, exercise and clean...maybe I should get angry more often.)

8. Insert your own random thought here.

The club I co-sponsor is having a prom show next week. So far, we have not sold any tickets! I'm thinking we should change the title to prom fashion show because several people have asked, "What is a prom show?" I have been having a blast taking our models to the bridal shop to try on the dresses they will be modeling! They have been so excited trying on the dresses. My boys only attended their junior proms (they decided that was enough for them) and I don't have any daughters. The dresses are **so** pretty!! I can see why the girls are so excited!

Meet Me on Monday

2011-01-24T11:07:00.004-05:00

If you notice the date and time of this post you'll notice I'm not at work today. Why? I think you know. ;) Therefore, since I figured you didn't want to hear about why I'm not working and, really, I'm getting tired of talking about it, I'd join "Meet Me on Monday" where you get an opportunity to learn a little more about me.

Never Growing Old asks questions that you answer, questions that your friends would probably know about you. So, for today:

1. What is your favorite kind of fudge?

Anything chocolate! except not with walnuts, any other nuts are ok

2. Is there snow outside your window?

Yep! Take a look at this:
This snow has been there since Wednesday, January 12! There's an old wives tale that says if there is snow after 7 days, it's waiting for more. More came last Thursday night and again last night. (Why is it waiting? To encourage the other snowflakes to fall on the ground: "Here they come boys, get ready! Yes, yes...here we are, over here! You're doing great! Grab my hand. I've got ya. Here comes another flake. Grab his hand. Great job! Now grab that one. We're doing great!") Wonder how long it will last this week?

3. What is your favorite meal of the day?

Breakfast...hands down. Especially if we eat out! (Love eating breakfast outdoors!)

4. Do you text on your cell phone?

Yes, but not very often because we paid per text. I'm sure that will change since we've gotten a package.

5. Waffles or pancakes?

I like the taste of waffles, but don't like making them because they take too long. I usually make pancakes. (Have you had the pumpkin pancakes at IHOP? Yum!! If not, you'll have to wait until next fall because they are seasonal.)

Join in...I hear a song: "Getting to know you. Getting to know all about you!"

Have a great week!

Footprints in the Snow

2011-01-14T13:34:00.005-05:00

My sister showed a picture of her snow covered front yard on her blog. It reminded me of a time when I was younger.

When it snowed when I was growing up, my siblings and I couldn't wait to go outside and play in the snow. We'd sled across the street in the park, build snowmen, and make snow angels. Our front yard was usually the first yard in the neighborhood to lose the snow. Oh, how I wished our yard could stay pretty with the snow like our neighbors! Maybe, I thought, when I was older.

Well, older meant kids of my own. My boys enjoyed playing in the snow. Even last year, they were out building snowmen.

The other day, I looked out my back door and saw many footprints in the snow and had to laugh. We have kids that live next door and in the house behind us. They had been playing with some type of toy gun that shoots little green balls (about the size of bbs but plastic). They must have been going through our yard.

My pretty snow was walked over and soon would be gone before the neighbor's on the other side...the neighbor without the kids. But you know what? I don't care. They were not inside playing video games. I was glad to see them playing in the snow (even if it was with toy guns).

PS: Snow day #14 and holiday on Monday. Praying we go on Tuesday...

Four Letter Words

2011-01-13T21:03:00.004-05:00

I like playing word games, especially crossword puzzles, word search, and word scramble. As a matter of fact, the first thing I downloaded to my Kindle was "Easy Word" where you are given 6 letters and you make 3, 4, 5, and 6 letter words from those letters. If you get the 6-letter word, you unlock the next level.

So, I was thinking...what 4 letter words can I come up that mean joy and anxiety at the same time?

B O Y S (or MALE...same thing)
My boys have been a joy to me. They are funny and intelligent, thoughtful and caring (for the most part anyway). Yet they do at times cause anxiety. They have different personalities. One finds humor in pranks and practical jokes. The other has a sense of humor, it just isn't found in the pranks and practical jokes (especially if they are played on him by his brother). I do worry that they are not close; however, there is 4-1/2 years between them. And all the pranks haven't helped. Hopefully, as they grow older they will get closer.

W A L K
I do enjoy walking for exercise. It does make me anxious that I have to exercise (another four letter word, huh?) but I almost always feel better when I do.

S N O W
Most people are probably getting tired of hearing about the snow. The news stations were reporting that yesterday 49 states had snow...the only one that didn't was Florida! (They said Hawaii had snow on the highest peak on the island of Hawaii.) Well snow can bring much joy. I love the way it looks. I enjoy watching it snow. I love the way it makes the air smell so crisp and fresh (like sheets freshly cleaned). But as they say, too much of a good thing isn't good! Today was snow day number 13. We have 10 days built in with 3 inservice days that can be converted to student days. Not sure what will happen after today (we're on a 2-hour delay for tomorrow as I write this).

What four letter words can you think of?

Wednesday's HODGEPODGE

2011-01-12T16:25:00.002-05:00

1. Every January 1st since 1976 Lake Superior University has published a list of words they'd like to see banished from the Queen's English. Words may be banished due to mis-use, over-use or just general uselessness and they receive over 1000 nominations. Here are the fourteen words/phrases they'd like to see banished in 2011-viral, epic, fail, wow factor, a-ha moment, back story, BFF, man up, refudiate, Mama Grizzlies, The American People, facebook/google when used as verbs, I'm just sayin', and Live life to the fullest.

What word or phrase would you like to see banished from our everyday vocabulary in 2011? You can choose one from the 'official list' or you can get creative and come up with your own.

My first thought: the F word!

2. Do you consider opportunity something that comes to you or something you create for yourself?

A little of both with a lot of help from God.

3. Since we're all eating healthy this month, ahem, what's included in your favorite salad? Is there dressing?

I really like Cracker Barrel's Chicken Salad Salad or their Chef Salad with blue cheese dressing.

4. The fourth Monday in January is said to be Blue Monday...aka the most depressing day of the year. The date was calculated using many factors including weather, debt level, time since Christmas, time since we've failed at our new year resolutions, low motivation and feeling a need to take action. Do you get the blues this time of year and if so what is something you do to lift your spirits?

I haven't in the past, but going to school for 6 days in the last 6 weeks is taking its toll. I'm trying to read (I got a Kindle for Christmas!) and organize my work room. I should be scrapbooking and planning lessons for when we do go back!

5. Do you wear a watch? Any other everyday jewelry essentials?

I am not able to wear any jewelry for any length of time because I break out. I am able to wear my engagement and wedding rings (good thing, because they won't come off!) and can wear a necklace or bracelet for a few hours...I have to take them off as soon as I get home. It doesn't matter what the jewelry is made out of. I do have the most fortunate opportunity to wear a lovely ID badge graced with my lovely mugshot, every day which I will sometimes wear on a lanyard or necklace or just clipped to my top.

6. What is something useful you learned in high school?

Are you kidding? It has been too long ago and most of those memories I've tried to forget!

7. Do you use an accountant when completing and filing your income tax returns or do you attempt to muddle through all by yourself?

I use my personal accountant/financial planner...aka my husband.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Oh, yes! The sun is shining in my eyes as I write this!! (Guess I need to close the blinds.)

Don't forget to link up!

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

2010-12-22T12:09:00.006-05:00

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)

2010-12-18T19:46:00.007-05:00

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!

2010-12-16T18:05:00.006-05:00

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!

2010-12-15T12:07:00.003-05:00

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?

2010-12-14T21:50:00.002-05:00

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?

2010-12-08T18:36:00.003-05:00

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?

2010-12-07T14:29:00.002-05:00

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

2010-12-06T12:17:00.004-05:00

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

2010-12-02T19:52:00.002-05:00

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!

2010-11-29T21:09:00.002-05:00

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?

2010-11-21T12:08:00.002-05:00

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

2010-11-13T08:23:00.002-05:00

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

2010-10-04T19:23:00.003-04:00

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

2010-09-23T19:15:00.003-04:00

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!

2010-09-18T20:33:00.003-04:00

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?

2010-09-14T19:26:00.002-04:00

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

2010-09-11T14:46:00.003-04:00

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

2010-09-02T19:48:00.003-04:00

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

2010-08-31T19:19:00.006-04:00

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

2010-08-29T15:47:00.002-04:00

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

2010-08-23T20:30:00.003-04:00

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

2010-08-21T22:03:00.007-04:00

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

2010-07-28T14:00:00.002-04:00

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

2010-07-23T21:47:00.003-04:00

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

2010-07-22T20:23:00.008-04:00

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

2010-07-20T16:39:00.002-04:00

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

2010-07-19T16:26:00.003-04:00

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:

After 2-1/2 years, I dropped out of college.
One year later, I graduated from a junior college with an Associate degree in Secretarial Science. (You figure the acronym.)
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.
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!)
Some time during those six years, I received the Certified Professional Secretary rating.
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.
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!

2010-07-15T17:59:00.005-04:00

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!

2010-07-13T20:17:00.003-04:00

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

2010-07-12T21:06:00.004-04:00

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

2010-07-07T14:35:00.002-04:00

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

2010-07-05T16:37:00.007-04:00

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!

Happy Birthday USA!

2010-07-03T19:29:00.002-04:00

To celebrate our Independence Day, I've looked up some trivia and facts about the holiday.
What is your Independence Day IQ? Take the following test and find out. Answers follow the questions, so don't cheat!

Questions:
1. What was the colonists' major objection to British rule?

2. Name three of the five committee members who composed the Declaration of Independence.

3. The first celebration of Independence Day was celebrated in what city on July 8, 1776.

4. On July 8, 1776, the Liberty Bell sounded from what building calling all citizens to the first reading of the Declaration of Independence.

5. The Continental Congress adopted the national flag on what date?

6. Who sewed the first American flag?

7. When was the first public Fourth of July event held at the White House?

8. How many men signed the Declaration of Independence?

9. When did Congress declare July 4th a federal legal holiday?

10. Does England have a fourth of July?

Answers:
1. taxation without representation
2. Thomas Jefferson headed the committee. Other members were Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Philip Livingston, and Roger Sherman.
3. Philadelphia
4. Independence Hall
5. June 14, 1777
6. Betsy Ross
7. 1805
8. 56...and they didn't all sign on the same day. Fifty men signed the Declaration of Independence on August 2, 1776.
9. 1941...165 years after the creation of the Declaration of Independence.
10. Trick question...every country has a fourth of July (July 4)...they don't celebrate it as a holiday.

Have a great (but safe) holiday!

That's Ridiculous

2010-07-01T19:13:00.004-04:00

I'm cleaning/organizing the attic. Last January, I had asked N to get all the empty boxes together (he needed something to do). Today, I took 4! count them...4 boxes filled with broken down boxes to the recycle center. Then, later, I found enough empty boxes to fill another box! That's ridiculous!

My boys played with Legos. I knew there was one tub in the attic. I did not know there was another box plus two shoe box sized boxes filled with legos plus a small Bath & Body bag with legos! That's ridiculous!

Note: I will not sell them...this is one thing I'm saving for my grandchildren.

L had 3 boxes plus a suitcase (tote size) plus a foot locker filled with clothes that he didn't even know was in the attic. He opened one box and pulled out a dark orange and black shirt with a short zipper in the front...his high school basketball warm up shirt! That's ridiculous!

With the stuff (yes, I mean stuff) from the attic plus everything else I no longer feel we need or need to keep, we are having a second! yard sale this Saturday. That is sad enough to make a grown man cry! Now that is ridiculous!!!

Baseball is FANtastic

2010-06-29T10:45:00.007-04:00

Here are the essentials every baseball fan should take with them to a ballgame:

a towel: this serves two purposes (1) to wipe the seat if very dirty or wet and (2) to use as a neck wrap--soak in cold water and wrap around your neck during very hot days
a scorebook: the best way I know to learn the game is to learn how to keep score; this also helps you stay focused on the game and can keep you calm if your child is playing
camera: get a camera that will take both video and still pictures or take both
sunglasses: a must! if it is a day game
sunscreen: another must! for those day games; there are very few stadiums/ball fields that have shade
pen/sharpie: you need something to write with to keep score, most use a pencil but pencil will fade more quickly over time; the sharpie is for you to get autographs
emergency poncho: you never know when a summer shower will appear so always be prepared (besides, they don't take up much room)
fan: definite must for the hot/humid/muggy summer days; water spritzer is optional (don't forget extra batteries!)
hat: another definite for day games where there is no shade
bag: you have to have something to carry it all in (baseball theme is optional)
blanket: high school/college baseball begins in late February/first of March so a blanket will be needed--sometimes a couple of sleeping bags are necessary; for those professional games in some areas of the country you will need a blanket well into the month of June (like Seattle--I'm talking from experience)

Optional: a good summer do that will make you look presentable even though you melted for 2 hours

just take the hat off and fluff with your fingers

Oh, How Funny

2010-06-27T22:02:00.002-04:00

My little sister and I have shared many things--a bedroom, clothes, friends. Is it possible to share pain? Last week M said she had hurt her back but wasn't sure how she hurt it. Well, yesterday my back was hurting. Isn't that funny?

The reason my back was hurting was because we moved furniture the day before. From the upstairs, out the front door, down some steps, to the truck. Then we drove to the selling place, unloaded, and placed the furniture in our selling space. Here is how we got the computer desk from the second floor to the truck:

Are your ready? Yes
Wait! Wait! Ok, now I'm ready.
Stop! (set the desk on the step, place right foot next to the desk, left foot on the step below) OK, ready.
Stop! (set the desk on the step, place right foot next to the desk, left foot on the step below) OK, ready.
Stop! (set the desk on the step, place right foot next to the desk, left foot on the step below) OK, ready.

All the way down 10 steps. Then we did the same thing going down the outside steps. I can only imagine how funny it looked.

The alarm goes off. Hit the snooze button. I can get ready in time. Fall asleep and have this dream:

I'm coming back from a business trip. The plane is leaving from New Jersey but I pass a building that says "High Point College" (High Point, NC). Everyone in my group is leaving in separate taxis. I get to my drop off point. I'm still sitting but this time in a high chair like a bar stool. And the chair is gliding down the sidewalk. I pass three wedding parties. One I take particular attention to: the bridesmaids gowns are brown and sage green--different but the colors did seem to go together. My chair starts up the stairs but there are too many people walking down the steps so I have to get off. When I get off, I look back. There is a puddle at the bottom of the steps and right beyond that is my friend from high school. We recognize each other right away. "T you haven't changed at all!" (He didn't...looked just like the last time I saw him 22 years ago at our 10 year reunion.) I go, jump over the puddle, and by the time I reach him he says, "Sure I've changed." He had shrunk himself down, like he folded himself up. All you could see where his feet, half his upper torso, all of his arms, and his head. "I know you haven't changed that much!" I say. "You're right," and he unfolded himself back to full height. Aren't dreams funny?

She Just Had to Do It!

2010-06-26T21:18:00.002-04:00

My sister is playing tag. She just had to pick two people to tag but she decided to pick two more and I was one of them. So here are my answers to the questions:

1- What’s your staple meal (ie. what meal do you cook most often when you can’t be bothered to be adventurous)?
Breakfast: scrambled eggs and pancakes or waffles.

2- What do you want to be when you grow up?
Now that I am, finally, doing what I wanted to do (be a school teacher) I haven't thought any farther ahead.

3- What book are you reading at the moment (if any)?
"Teaching Mathematics in the Block"...our school system is going to block schedule in a few weeks. I did one semester of my internship at a school on block schedule and know I made several mistakes. This time I'll be more prepared.

4- How do you relax?
I like to sit in my recliner and rock.

5- What color are the interior walls of your home?
The lower level is mostly an off-white color. My kitchen has wallpaper--little blue and light red flowers with a border of baskets. The foyer also is wallpapered with blue and pink stripes. (That doesn't sound pretty but it is, trust me.) L's study has a grass type wallpaper with a fox hunting border around the middle and a green border. The dining room has light blue wallpaper below the chair rail and a small blue print border. The upstairs has a burnt orange color in all the bedrooms and my bathroom. (Think golden browned pumpkin pie.) The boys' bathroom is a very pretty blue.

6- What is your guiltiest pleasure?
Chocolate cheesecake.

7- What time is bedtime and getting up time?
Lately I've been going to bed around 11:00 and getting out of bed (notice I didn't say wake up) around 8:00. During work I get up at 5:00 and go to bed when I'm ready which could be anytime between 9:00 and 11:00.

8- How long do you spend reading blogs (per day or per week)?
I've noticed I spend a couple hours reading blogs when I get on the computer and start looking at not just the blogs I regularly follow but ones that those blogs follow.

Now, I get to tag a couple of people:

My niece-in-law and my high school friend's sister whom I'm getting to know through our blogs.

TAG....YOU'RE IT!

Friday Flashback

2010-06-25T20:22:00.003-04:00

Today I'm joining Friday Flashback with Linda. Linda asked about the home where you grew up. So, without looking at my sister's blog first, here's my flashback. Join in the fun!

I grew up in a small town. I don't remember the first home I lived in because we moved when I was two. The first home was a 2/3 bedroom, 1 bath that by the time we moved had 8 people living in it. The home I remember began as a 4 bedroom, 2 bath ranch style house. About 2-3 years later, Dad finished 2 bedrooms and an additional bath in the basement.

In the beginning, I shared a bedroom with 3 other sisters. I'm thinking I had to sleep in a crib until I was 4-years-old, but I could be wrong. Sharing with 3 other sisters lasted until Dad built the downstairs bedrooms. Then I shared the bedroom with my little sister. That lasted until I was in high school. By then, enough of my older siblings had moved out so that we girls could have our own room.

The house is across the street from a park. The park continued across the cross street. We played in that park and would go sledding in that park. I explicitly remember playing king and queen because there was a rock formation in the park that was known as the king and queen's chair. Two of the rocks were formed like chairs that were right next to each other.

We also lived close to the school. From kindergarden through third grade I attend the parochial school. The public school (elementary grades) was across the cross street. I remember being home sick and hearing the kids on the playground. A week or two before my third grade year, the school caught fire. I remember going to the school and seeing all the new textbooks set out on the parking lot. The main school building was destroyed. The gym was still intact and is still there today.

The parochial school closed after my third grade year so I started at the public school. The school had set up K-3 in the gym. The fourth grade was set up in the football locker room. That is where I started my public education. The next year the school system integrated and my fifth grade year was at the old black high school. Grades K-5 were set up there while the new elementary school was being completed. Six grade was at the new elementary school. The old black high school was set up as a junior high (that's what it was called back then--grades 7-9).

The high school and elementary school were within walking distance. The junior high school was not. We participated in a car pool. I remember the lady that was suppose to pick us up one afternoon had forgotten. She was an hour late. We all talked about walking home.

The ninth grade band marched with the high school. When it was time for band, we'd go outside to what was suppose to be a football field, and practice the routine. There were only about 20 of us. Twenty out of 100. Can you imagine how hard it must have been for the band director to tell if we really were in the right place? Let alone what we must have sounded like.

I remember walking to and from the high school many times. Until Mom and Dad purchased a vehicle for us. Mom said it was easier getting us to our after school activities...mostly band practice and football games. There were a few times Dad would pass us when we were walking either to school or from school and would yell out the window, "hubba hubba". Boy, I hated that! Especially when I was lugging my french horn home!

We lived in a good neighborhood. I remember playing kick the can and hide-n-go-seek at our house. My favorite hiding place was behind a dogwood tree. The limbs of the tree bent down enough that the leaves touched the ground making a canopy-type hiding place.

We played softball in our backyard. I don't really see how we did because it really isn't that big anymore. :)

We played fruit basket turn over in our front yard. There used to be about five pine years in a row that we used.

I don't remember much of my high school years, but my childhood was pretty good.

Don't forget to link up and share your growing up home(s).

Picture Day

2010-06-23T13:55:00.007-04:00

Here are pictures from my DC trip that I should have included with yesterday's post but hadn't downloaded them until today. Hope you enjoy!

Was that a Bear?

2010-06-22T19:29:00.003-04:00

Last Thursday L and I went to Richmond VA. L had a seminar to attend on Friday and I went along for the ride. (Actually, I was the driver.) We spent the night in Richmond on Friday and went to dinner in downtown Richmond which L's aunt recommended. (L's cousin attended VCU in Richmond so J knew where to eat.) We ate at the Tobacco Company. The building was built in 1867 a year after "the Evacuation Fire" (Civil War). (If you don't remember your Civil War history, Richmond was the first capitol of the Confederacy.) It was first a grocery distribution then a tobacco distribution. The atmosphere was great and the food was even better. The servers that I saw were all males who wore black trousers, white tuxedo shirts, bow ties, and black suspenders. The females were hostesses and cocktail waitresses and they all wore black dresses with black hose and black shoes. The restaurant even had cigarette girls ("cigars, cigarettes, tiperellos?")! (Unusual to me since you can't smoke in VA restaurants.) It was definitely a treat.

On Saturday we drove into Washington DC. We learned how to ride the Metro. I'm glad we got a pass because you have to have exit fare. I think that is hilarious...you have to pay to exit the subway! L wanted to know what happens if you don't have enough money to pay the exit fare. Anyone know? I told him I guess you have to stay underground.

We got off at the Smithsonian station. That brought us right to the mall where the Washington Monument was on one end and the Capitol was on the other. I understand how excited my sister gets. Did you know the Washington Monument was started before the Civil War? What an impressive building. All the tickets to go up in the monument were distributed for that day so we didn't get to go up in it. We really didn't have much time because we had tickets to the Washington Nationals baseball game. We did go into the Museum of American History. Part of it was disappointing to me. The entertainment, sports, and music section didn't have any sports and there was a musical instrument exhibit that had very little instruments other than string instruments. The rest of what we saw (we were there for two hours) was interesting.

We got back on the Metro and headed for the Navy Yard. (I was hoping to see Jethro Gibbs, but didn't get to see him.) The station took us right to the stadium. We had good seats. The game was good...White Sox 1, Nationals 0. Plus we saw Zimmerman strike out and the Nationals coach get ejected.

After the game, we headed back home. We were talking about stopping at an exit that has a very good restaurant that serves scrumptious apple fritters but we weren't sure about the name of the restaurant. Around 9:00 there was lightning in the sky...down to the earth...it looked like it went all the way to the road. So we decided to take the next exit...which just happened to be the exit we were looking for! There was a hotel attached to the restaurant which had only one nonsmoking room available. L got us some apple fritters while I checked us in. They were great! And we stopped just in time. The rain and wind were horrendous. (If you are on I-81, stop at the New Market exit and visit the Johnny Appleseed. You won't be disappointed.)

Sunday morning we drove the rest of the way home. Now, I have seen a lot of road kill -- possum, raccoons, deer, dogs, etc. But just on the other side of Christiansburg I saw a big black something on the side of the road. As I passed it, I saw the face. Was that a bear?!? Yes, it was. I had never seen a bear on the side of the road. It was bigger than a cub, but not a full size adult. And would you believe I didn't see any deer?

As we got into town, L asked if I noticed this driver ahead of us. He was swerving all over his side of the road...at that time. As we kept driving, the guy was passing the center line. After almost hitting us and a few others, we decided to call the police. The police officer didn't have to follow him very long before he turned on his lights to pull him over. (Don't know what was wrong with the guy. I'm just glad he was off the road.)

The weekend was exciting in several different ways.

Happy Father's Day

2010-06-21T20:35:00.004-04:00

I want to introduce you to three great dads.

The first dad I have known all my life. He is an amazing man. One of eight children, he grew up in a small town on the Texas Gulf Coast. His family were farmers. Born in 1925 meant he spent his early years during the Great Depression. After high school he joined the navy, fighting in the Pacific Theater of WWII. After his military duty, he went to college on the GI Bill and received his degree in chemical engineering. He spent most of his working years as an industrial engineer.

As many of you know, he sired ten kids. I know there were times that were financially challenging, but when all is said and done, he was a great provider. We were fortunate that when management changed where Dad was working, Dad was able to secure a job with the security department. He was shift supervisor and a first responder.

Dad is the quiet, handsome type. He hasn't regaled us very much with stories of his youth. But one story he told was about how at Christmas he and his two brothers received a football. Not one football apiece, but one football for all three boys. After they pumped it up, they went out to play with it. It busted. They stuffed the football with newspaper and taped it up. (And we thought we didn't have much!)

Dad is a great gardener, both flowers and vegetables. I can't remember a time when he did not have a vegetable garden. He grew his own grapes and made his own wine. He was very handy with tools. I can't begin to tell you the furniture he has made--not just for his home but for me and my siblings as well. He also was a great photographer. He not only took the pictures but developed them as well.

I could go on and on about my dad. He is that amazing!

The second dad I have talked about on my blogs before. He is my husband. He is a great dad to both our boys. I like to say my boys get their intelligence from me and their athleticism from him. When we met, L was a golfer. He golfed a lot and was very good at it. He played sports in high school (football, baseball, and basketball) and played baseball in college. C reminds me of him--he'll play just about any thing and does very well. L likes to ride his bicycle. He and C have gone hiking a few times and have camped out a few times. L is N's "personal" pitching coach. He taught N the love of the game. N continues to call L to discuss his pitching. When the boys call home and we don't answer, the next call is to L's cell phone -- both boys. C told me once about a year ago, that he enjoys talking to his dad.

On this Father's Day (I know it was yesterday), I also want to mention L's dad. We lost him in June 2000 to bladder cancer. He was very special to me. He was smart. He was a lot like my dad. After retiring as a mail carrier, he got his real estate license and then became a real estate appraiser. L's dad was handy with tools like my dad. We have several pieces of furniture that he made. One time when he was here visiting, L told about plans he had to build some shelves in the garage. The next day, L's dad went and rented some power tools and built those shelves. He adored his grandsons. And they adored him. We all miss him very much.

I am very blessed to have such great men in my lives. Happy Father's Day Daddy, L, and Poppy! With all my love.

Back on the Job

2010-06-17T09:42:00.003-04:00

The Chattanooga Lookouts are in Jackson playing the West TN Diamond Jaxx for a 6 game series. Yesterday was a double header. But I didn't know that. I logged on around 9:00 thinking the game was in the 3rd inning or so. I was surprised to see they had just started the game. Upon investigation, I found they had already played one game and had started the second game.

Oh, dear. Did I miss N pitching? He thought he would pitch at some point during this series. So I look at the box score. No, he didn't pitch. Maybe he'll pitch this game. So I listen. The announcer never said he sees N in the bullpen warming up. But then, in the 6th inning, the announcer says N is on the mound. I ran to tell L.

N last appearance was April 15. He had surgery to repair a tear in his lateral meniscus in his knee on April 20 or 21. He had been rehabbing ever since. He was placed back on the active list last Saturday, a week ahead of time due to another relief pitcher being injured during a game (elbow).

Last night he was back. Here are his stats from last night:

innings pitched: 1
batters faced: 3
strikeouts: 2 (1 strikeout was a dropped 3rd strike which meant the batter could run to 1st...he made it safely to first...but then N picked him off--which means he caught the runner stealing 2nd base and got him out)
hits: 0
walks: 0
pitches/strikes: 15 pitches/10 strikes
groundouts/flyouts: 1/0

He's baaaaccccckkkkkk!

Today I wore lipstick

2010-06-15T19:33:00.002-04:00

I am not a girly-girly. I am not high maintenance--far from it. But I'm not boyish either. I do like to get dressed up from time-to-time. But I absolutely cannot stand to put on makeup. I hate it! (Ok, maybe hate is too strong a word...I intensely dislike it.)

Which is another reason I like being a teacher. Time off means I don't have to wear makeup. Except on days like today when I attended a Successful Schools Symposium. Then I wear makeup because I know I look better. How do I know? Case in point:

Back in 1991, before my brother got married, his fiance and her family came over for supper. Well, I didn't see any reason to look good for them. So, I didn't put on any makeup. During supper, my sisters and I decided after the kitchen was cleaned up, we'd go out. But first, I had to make myself more presentable. Who knew, I could have met Mr. Right that night. (I didn't.) The in-laws-to-be were still there when I walked into the kitchen, ready for a night on the town. Yes, I had put on makeup. My sister-in-law's sister said, "Wow, what a difference!"

Another case in point: During high school, I only put on makeup when I had my picture made or during band performances (I was drum major). When I had my senior picture taken, one of my classmates kept repeating, "You look really pretty." (You mean I wasn't before?)

I have been blessed with a good complexion. I only use foundation powder, mascara (I was not blessed with long, thick eyelashes), blush and lipstick. It doesn't take 2 minutes to put the junk on my face. Yet I still dislike putting it on. My husband doesn't seem to care. My boys don't seem to care. So why should I? I almost panicked when I got to work a few weeks ago and realized I had not put my makeup on. High school kids can be mean, you know. I went to a co-worker and asked if she saw anything wrong with my face. Other than one eye looking a little redder than the other, no. Good...maybe the students won't notice. And no, no one said anything about it. (Maybe that just means I'm not paid attention to...oh wait...I'm not paid attention to! So I had nothing to worry about!)

But today, because I was going to be meeting strangers, I had to put my best foot -- I mean face -- forward. So I put on my makeup including my lipstick and left my mark wherever I drank.

God's Fireworks

2010-06-14T16:35:00.002-04:00

Friday night was fireworks night at the ballpark. However, I wasn't feeling well so we left before the end of the game. Then, driving home Saturday night, L and I were treated to some of the most spectacular fireworks. I know that a picture says a thousand words, but I was driving so I couldn't take any pictures. Besides, every time I try to take firework pictures or anything that has to do with the sky, they just don't turn out. I wish you could have seen them.

The lightning was in the far distance. I didn't see any streaks. Just flashes of light illuminating the fluffy clouds. Quick flashes, lasting just a split second. Then a long flash, lasting 3-4 seconds. At times the sky turned a shade of light red. This continued as we drove up the interstate. As we got closer to home, streaks could be seen through the sky. Short streaks and long streaks. Each lighting up the night sky.

We may have missed Friday's fireworks, but God's fireworks on Saturday were a sight to behold!

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

2010-06-11T11:53:00.003-04:00

The West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx are playing at the Tennessee Smokies in Sevierville this weekend. The two teams are AA minor league baseball teams. Sevierville is about 1-1/2 hours away. And my son is a pitcher for the Jaxx team. So...we drove last night to the first game of a 5 game series.

N is currently on the team but not playing. On April 20, he had surgery to repair his lateral meniscus in his left knee. He was told he would be out 4 weeks. April 20 was 7 weeks ago. His knee has/is healing. After 5 weeks he began throwing (more like playing catch) but began having shoulder pain. The trainer said it was tendenitis and N had to back off a bit. He is doing much better now but has to gain his strength back before he can be put in a game. He has already thrown several bullpens (I think that means he threw in the bullpen as though he was warming up for a game) and several simulated games (which means he threw to a live batter(s)). He's feeling better...just very frustrated that he has not been able to get back into a game.

But, we got to see him and talk to him last night. We even brought him home with us. And we'll get to do that 4 more days in a row! It was a good feeling having all four of us driving home last night. Each of these times is so precious since we never know how long it will be before the "next time" we are all together. (C will be leaving Monday for his ROTC summer camp...on the other side of the country.)

Oh, yeah. The Jaxx won last night -- 11 to 4!

Are We Moving?

2010-06-08T19:36:00.003-04:00

About a month ago, L and I put a contract on a house. It was a beautiful house. In a very good neighborhood. A corner lot with very little chance of the back property owner developing the land. My husband fell in love with it. However, he is very practical. The contract included a clause that the sale would be contingent upon the building inspection and radon test. We were very uncomfortable with the results of both the building inspection and radon test...so much so that we walked away. We felt we had no choice. My husband really liked the house. But it is not to be.

During the contract process, we talked about what we would need to do to sell our current home. A home we have been in since 1991. A home where our boys grew up. (True story: C was 2...we had not been in the house very long. It is a 2 story house. N and I were upstairs. L came up. Then we hear this little voice, "Daddy?" L said, "C." "Daddy, where are you?" "Where are you?" We hear this little, sad voice, "I don't know.")

There is a saying that everyone should move every 7 to 10 years just so you can get rid of your clutter/stuff. There's some truth to that. Eighteen years is a long time to accumulate not just memories. However, there is some excitement along with it. Kinda like a treasure hunt. I have found:

the old dictaphone recording machine (I was wondering where that was)
the directions for making those composition books look like they're not composition books
three rosaries that are in need of repair (I'm thinking one came from either my mom or my grandmother)
jewelry I can't wear anymore
pictures and pictures and pictures
my boys' baby teeth (now why have I kept those?)
my husband's report cards (hehe...I have a feeling he was not that good of a student)
my husband's grades from ETSU (turns out we attended one quarter at the same time but didn't meet until 2 years later)
a letter my husband wrote to "Sant Nick"
a copy of my father-in-law's discharge paper from the US Army (which I am glad I found because I plan on getting the flag that draped his coffin framed and will need that information for the plaque...oh, by the way, don't say anything, it's going to be a present for Father's Day)
an old valentine card from L which says I'm his better half (maybe I should keep that)

It has been work...with more to do. Hum, more treasures to be found?

Flashback Friday -- per request

2010-06-04T20:23:00.006-04:00

I wasn't sure if I'd do a post this week since this is my first week of freedom (from students, from lesson plans, from driving to work). But my sister sent me an email and suggested I do today's Flashback Friday by Linda at Mocha with Linda. So here it is, without reading my sister's first.

Today's Flashback Friday is about siblings. I am one of 10 kids -- 6 girls, 4 boys. I am the 7th child, 5th daughter. (I think that 7 is my lucky number: 7th child, 7 years between me and my husband, had the 7th grandchild on my side of the family...you get the picture?) However, I also consider myself to be the middle child. I am 7 years younger than the olderst and seven years older than the youngest. (There's that 7 again!)

As a member of a large family, I got hand-me-downs. I remember a dress I received from another family when I was 5 that I absolutely loved. I think it was because no one else in my family had worn it before. Until I was in high school, I shared a room with my sisters--first there were 4 of us in a room and then just me and my sister who is 1-1/2 years younger than me (to the day).

Although I don't remember this, my older sisters told me I would flirt with their boyfriends when they were over. (Me...flirt? You've got to be kidding!?!)

Being younger, I saw a little of the mischief my older siblings got into and the consequences. I don't know if that made me "Daddy's girl" or led my siblings to believe I would join a convent when I was older. (Hey, I believe in learning not only from my mistakes but from others' mistakes as well. And no, I certainly was not "little miss perfect." I think we daughters can all say we were "Daddy's girl".) That may have shaped my personality: quiet until I get to know you, a learner, sensative (the I-get-my-feelings-hurt-easily type of sensative).

My younger sister and I were close when we were growing up. We had our share of fights but I don't think they were bad. She and I were/are different. She was more tomboyish...I was called "Little Suzy Homemaker." I liked to play school and dolls (hand-me-down dolls), she played with trucks. (I remember stepping on one that was in our room and, since I stepped on the rusted part of the truck, I had to go get a tetnus shot.) We had some of the same friends. It is funny, when we were growing up, we looked a lot alike. Whenever people asked if we were twins, we'd ask who was older. They almost always would say her -- which she thoroughly enjoyed. I reminded her one day that when we were older she wouldn't like that answer. Of course, now, we don't look anything alike.

She was the only one I really felt close to growing up. Now, I do feel closer to my siblings. Not as close as I would like since I don't live near them. (I feel left out sometimes when we get together and they are talking about things they have done together.) We have a ladies weekend every year...sisters, sisters-in-law, and Mom.

There are way too many memories that stand out -- vacations to Texas (two-day trip in an unconditioned station wagon with 10 - 12 people), Sunday trips to the mountains, Sunday brunch, Christmas. I will mention a memory that stands out that has to do with an older sibling having her younger siblings do some work for her:

Friday. Parents home later. Almost time for party goers to arrive. Go downstairs to the basement rec room and vacuum. Ok. Little sis, come with me. It's scary down there. Have to go to the bathroom. Come with me. Bathroom downstairs in the dark, scary basement. Push the door all the way open to make sure no one is hiding behind the door. Door doesn't go all the way to the wall. Scream. Little sis runs into the rec room and slams door. I run up the stairs. Big sis meets me at the top, "There's someone down there, and M is still down there!" Big sis runs next door to neighbor (parents not home yet). Neighbor brings shotgun and investigates. Other big sis's sneaker blocked the bathroom door. Big sis is embarrassed/mad. Turns out it was Friday, the 13th. So now, on Friday the 13th, we email/call each other and ask if we know where our sneakers are.

I love my siblings. All of them. We are all alike yet so very different!

If you haven't already visited my sister's blog, please do so. (No, I still haven't yet.)

Have a great weekend!

Memorial Day

2010-05-30T20:34:00.007-04:00

The following is from the U.S. Memorial Day History and Information website:

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. There are many stories as to its actual beginnings, with over two dozen cities and towns laying claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day... It is not important who was the very first, what is important is that Memorial Day was established. Memorial Day is not about division. It is about reconciliation; it is about coming together to honor those who gave their all.

Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.

After World War I the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war.

How can we observe Memorial Day today? According to the website:

The "Memorial" in Memorial Day has been ignored by too many of us who are beneficiaries of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. Often we do not observe the day as it should be, a day where we actively remember our ancestors, our family members, our loved ones, our neighbors, and our friends who have given the ultimate sacrifice:

by visiting cemeteries and placing flags or flowers on the graves of our fallen heroes.
by visiting memorials.
by flying the U.S. Flag at half-staff until noon.
by flying the 'POW/MIA Flag' as well (Section 1082 of the 1998 Defense Authorization Act).
by participating in a "National Moment of Remembrance": at 3 p.m. to pause and think upon the true meaning of the day, and for Taps to be played.
by renewing a pledge to aid the widows, widowers, and orphans of our falled dead, and to aid the disabled veterans.

The words to "Taps":

(Note: there are no "official" words to Taps
below are the most popular.)

Day is done,
gone the sun,
From the hills,
from the lake,
From the skies.All is well,
safely rest,
God is nigh.

Go to sleep,
peaceful sleep,
May the soldier
or sailor,
God keep.
On the land
or the deep,
Safe in sleep.

Love, good night,
Must thou go,
When the day,
And the night
Need thee so?
All is well.
Speedeth all
To their rest.

Fades the light;
And afar
Goeth day,
And the stars
Shineth bright,
Fare thee well;
Day has gone,
Night is on.

Thanks and praise,
For our days,
'Neath the sun,
Neath the stars,
'Neath the sky,
As we go,This we know,
God is nigh.

In 1951, the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts of St. Louis began placing flags on the 150,000 graves at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery as an annual Good Turn, a practice that continues to this day.

Below are pictures from 2001 when C was in scouts and his troop (along with several other troops from our area) placed flags at the gravesites at Mountain Home National Cemetery.

It was very moving to see those boys decorate the cemetery. As you can see above, the scout would plant the flag, step back, read the tombstone, and salute. There were times when I felt that I was intruding.

Happy Memorial Day! Remember: Freedom isn't free.

It's a Thriller...or not

2010-05-28T15:26:00.002-04:00

You know what it is like at work when you get ready for vacation? Making sure everything is taken care of before you leave; cleaning off your desk even more then you do for the weekend. Teachers do the same thing before summer break. (I prefer to call it a break.) Only teachers make sure their valuables are locked up or packed up and taken home. But the excitement is still there. It's also a time for me to look back at the year I just had.

All in all, this was a good year teaching wise. In one sense it was unusual. Can't put my finger on it exactly, but I'm not the only teacher that feels that way. I had challenges, both in the concepts I taught and the classroom management.

Teachers do strange things to keep their students' attention. At least, I think I do. I have acted like an old southern Baptist preacher--"preaching" my lesson. (Example: "Now let me tell ya, brothers and sisters!") I've taught my students songs to help them remember: (to the tune of the William Tell Overture--scroll to 2:09) "Take the change, take the change, take the change in y..." (Oh, that's the beginning of the definition of slope.) I acted like Erkel (from Family Matters), pulling up my pants: "I'm going to wear you down!!"

This year, I did a very small part of Michael Jackson's "Thriller". That led one student to tell me if I would do the dance, he'd pay attention and try. OK! I'll do the "Thriller" on the last full day of school. I figured that would give me time to learn the dance (and make a fool of myself) and possibly allow time for the student to forget! Well, he told his then girlfriend who was in another period and she made me pinky swear. Later, he was sent to the alternative school (out of school suspension) for the rest of the year and she told me she would be going on homebound for the rest of the year. Yes! I'm off the hook.

But, then, she didn't go on homebound and kept reminding me. Ok, ok. I will do it on the last full day of school (which, by the way, was yesterday, Thursday). And he returned this last week of school. Oh, my. I better learn the dance. So I went to YouTube and found a video that taught you how to do the dance and seemed easy to learn. (No, it wasn't exactly like the real one, but it was close enough.) On Wednesday evening (because I actually forgot until then), I learned the dance.

Thursday morning, my iPod in hand (downloaded the video to help), I watched one last time. First period...7:45. He's not here. No one mentioned "Thriller." One down, one to go.

Fifth period...12:10...she's not here. No one mentioned "Thriller." Whew! I didn't have to do it...but then again the motivation just wasn't strong enough because neither showed up to class. (I saw him second period...he was tardy to school.)

I learned something new. I like that.

Now, to review my schedule to see what is in store for me the next eight weeks: a math workshop, a symposium, two technology workshops, and 2 conferences. Yep, I like to learn!

It's Wednesday (already?)

2010-05-26T19:45:00.003-04:00

It's Wednesday. That means it's Random Dozen for me. Link up and join the party.

1. Would you rather host party or simply attend a party?

Depends what type of party it is; however, since the parties I've hosted have been a bust (no one showed), I'd say it's better for me to attend a party.

2. Tell us about the most memorable party you've been to.

One of my wedding showers. No guests came so it was just me, my mom, and the two friends who hosted the shower. Both of my friends had just gotten married themselves so they told lots of stories that they probably wouldn't have had told if anyone else was there.

3. What is one thing you hope for in the after-life?

To see Jesus Christ.

4. What do you enjoy most about sunshine?

The light

5. When you attend a bridal/baby shower, do you prefer to bring your own gift or chip in with others to buy a larger gift?

Depends...If it is someone I know well, I'd prefer to bring my own gift. If it is someone I don't know very well, I prefer to chip in.

6. Would you rather have a FREE week of having your house cleaned or all of your meals cooked for you and your family?

Meals cooked, no hesitation there.

7. What song describes your mood today?

Uh, what song goes with a gray cloud? I was in a really bad mood this morning...but please don't suggest "Gray skies are gonna clear up." You'll just make it worse.

8. What is something you received for your own bridal shower/wedding that you still own or use? (If you are not married, feel free to sub a gift you received a long time ago.)

How funny! Just about an hour ago I decided to really clean my waffle iron that I received for a wedding gift 27 years ago. We used it last night. (It was a breakfast-for-dinner type of night.)

9. Your favorite flavor of ice cream is?

Chocolate

10. When was the last time you felt "tested?"

This morning. She wanted to use the restroom so I told her to go see our discipline principal about her top. (Did I tell you I was in a bad mood this morning and the first thing she does when she comes in, late, is talk to the guys around her?) Couldn't find the principal so the graduation coach said it was okay. Are you kidding???!!!??? I marched straight to the graduation coach and asked, "Are you kidding me?" Her response: "I didn't even notice her top. I asked her about..."

11. "[Fill in the blank] is a food that once I start eating I find really hard to stop."

Milk chocolate (or maybe anything sweet)

12. "-----" is the best motivation.

Ouch! This is a very hard one for me. I'm thinking simple gratification.

For the record, I did not read any other Random Dozens first!!

Show Us Your Life -- Show Us Your Hometown -- Tri-Cities TN

2010-05-21T21:27:00.015-04:00

This Friday's "Show Us Your Life" is to show you my hometown. I do not consider myself living in one town. I live in one town, work in another, and shop in yet another. The area I live is referred to as the Tri-Cities, TN.

The Tri-Cities is home to a very popular NASCAR race.

There are many colleges in my hometown:

There are also many festivals throughout our area:

Blue Plum Festival
Fun Fest
Rhythm and Roots...just to name a few.

Each major city has a sports complex and very good schools. The county schools are very good also.

We are surrounded by mountains and lakes.
We also have one of the few drive-in movie theaters in the country!

...so there is also something fun and interesting to do!

Thank you, St. Anthony!

2010-05-19T18:52:00.002-04:00

I feel that I misplace things...alot. Maybe I am getting old. Maybe I just have too much "stuff." I'm thankful that St. Anthony helps me find what I'm looking for!

St. Anthony is the patron saint of lost items. When I can't find something, I say a little prayer for him to help me and intercede on my behalf. Then I find it!

My mom introduced me to St. Anthony. She told me a story about how her mom was looking for something (I have forgotten what it was...maybe a button?) She had searched everywhere, including the top of a chest of drawers. She said a prayer to St. Anthony, ran her hand over the top of the dresser again, and found the item! Could that really be true, I wondered?

Well, yes, it can! We were vacationing when the boys were 6 and 2. For L, it was a working vacation (worked in the morning, then spent time with us). Unfortunately, it rained the first 2/3 days...2/3 days in a 2 bedroom condomium with 2 very active boys! When it stopped raining, I rented two bicycles--one for N and one for me with a carrier for C. We also had helmets (of course!). Having those bicycles saved our vacation!

Until the evening before the last day, L took the boys out on the bikes while I finished packing. He came back asking about those little foam pieces that velcro in the helmets that help the helmet fit those little heads. Yes, C had taken his helmet off and took those little black-on-one-side/gray-on-the-other-side foam pieces off while they were riding on the black asphalt paths that meander through the little community with dark mulch on each side of the black asphalt paths! Do you think you could find them?

I took the boys out that next morning thinking how in the world are we going to find them? I stopped N and told him we needed to ask St. Anthony to help!! Guess what? We found each and every one of them!!

Just recently, I was searching for a CD that has Abbott and Costello's "Who's on First?" comedy routine. (I wanted to use it in class.) I looked everywhere! I asked St. Anthony for help. Suddenly, while driving down the road, I thought: "Look in the other car!" Yep, that's where it was!

Last year, I was looking for a booklet I borrowed from my school's library. When I remembered I had it, I looked everywhere! Could not find it. Did not ask St. Anthony for help. Found it a year later. (Good thing the library didn't charge a daily past due fee!)

St. Anthony has helped me many times! There is even a little poem you can say:

Tony, Tony
come around
something's lost
and can't be found!

I need to explain

2010-05-18T21:29:00.002-04:00

My last post had a couple of comments I need to comment on.

One comment stated my son would enjoy a home cooked meal...then the next comment said that made her laugh.

I don't enjoy cooking. I don't like deciding what to fix for supper. I don't like going to the grocery store. Whenever my husband says, "Do you want to go get something to eat?" I don't hesitate.

So, will my son get a home cooked meal? Yes, he's already had several. And we've only had leftovers once. C is an athlete...working out every day. Tonight when he asked what we were having he said, "hamburgers? yes!"

Maybe I don't have a specialty, but my guys enjoy the chili, the broccoli ham ring, the potato salad, and the deviled eggs I fix. Oh, yeah...L likes the quiche I fix too. (Real men do eat quiche!) They don't starve.

He's Home!

2010-05-16T22:09:00.002-04:00

C is home for the summer. He arrived home last Wednesday. He'll be leaving June 14 to fulfill an ROTC summer obligation--on the other side of the country! So for now

my grocery bill will increase

my water bill will increase

my electric bill will increase

I'll have more dishes to wash

I'll have more laundry to do
(actually he does his own)

I'll have more conversations with him

I'll get more hugs from him

I'll worry a little less

My joy is increased!

I'm Sooooo Excited!!

2010-05-11T21:03:00.003-04:00

I am a math teacher; however, I am not a math geek. I like doing math problems but there are times when others are talking math and I'm thinking, "Huh?!? What in the world are you saying?"

I am a techie wannabe. I really enjoy teaching my students to use technology. Especially Texas Instrument's newest generation calculator -- excuse me, it's not a calculator...it's a handheld...that's how powerful it is.

The TI Nspire is a great tool for a math teacher. I first learned about the Nspire about three years ago. I was able to purchase one for myself but was having trouble learning how to use it on my own. I met a wonderful math teacher from a school located in the middle area of my state. She met me at my parents' home one Saturday over a year ago and taught me how to use the handheld. She then told me about a grant that the state was securing to have teachers train on the Nspires and teach other teachers how to use them. She encouraged me to apply for the program. I was accepted...that meant I received a class set (30) of the handhelds. But, I had to do presentations...300 face hours total. I've had since June of 2009 until June 2010. Today, I hit 303 hours!!!! If I didn't get the 300 hours, I would have had to return the handhelds. :(

That is why I am so excited today!!

Now, I just have to submit two more activities to TI's activity exchange and attend one more training session, which I am already prepared to do.

I loved doing those presentations. I'm already planning to do more this summer.

I am now one step closer to keeping those handhelds!!

I Raise My Glass to You, Mom

2010-05-09T21:21:00.005-04:00

Happy Mother's Day!

Mom, I want to thank you for

giving me life

raising me to be a lady

listening to my silly girl problems,
then my silly young lady problems,
then my silly wife/mother problems

teaching me how to listen

teaching me to appreciate music in all forms

showing me how to me a good wife and a good mother

being there when I needed you

being my mommy, mom, and mother

I raise my glass to you!

I love you!

Here is a picture of my mother-in-law and my mom, October 16, 1982.

Mother = Worrywart

2010-05-06T19:48:00.002-04:00

I always thought when your children grew older you worry less. Boy was I wrong! Seems that as they have grown I've worried more. I know we are not suppose to worry. Matthew 6:34 says "Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. " But yet I worry...I think that is one of the job descriptions of a mother.

My worry with my children began before they were born. While pregnant with my first son, I dreamt that I just walked out and left him. (Why in the world would I do that?) For me, that is a nightmare. With my second son, my alphafetaprotein (I spelled that wrong I know) level was high and I was told to make a choice as to whether to terminate the pregnancy.

My children were healthy growing up...just the usual childhood illnesses and scrapes and bruises. But you still worry when their temperature is high or they don't sleep. I remember my son's pediatrician's nurse saying N had "pretty knees". Pretty knees? They had scabs on them! She told me that the scabs meant he was getting out and playing! (I'm glad he had pretty knees.)

As they grew, I worried about the friends they chose to run around with. Fortunately, they made good choices. Both continue to communicate with a couple of their high school friends.

And dating? Well, I worry that they aren't dating! They both are leading unsettled lives right now that serious dating is out of the question. C was seeing someone in high school which I worry that I broke up. One day I told him to be careful about getting serious (I felt like they were). She was graduating h.s. early and going to another country on a mission trip then to Pennsylvania for college. The next thing I know, they aren't seeing each other. (Did I do that?)

I worry about their happiness. Are they happy with the paths they have chosen? N is right now on the disable list due to having surgery for a torn lateral meniscus. He is out for 4 - 6 weeks. When C decided to commit to the Army, we asked if he was sure. He said, "Is anyone every really sure about the choices they make?" (Yes, Army. So soon I'll have something else to worry about.)

But maybe worrying is good. When I start to worry too much, I turn to prayer. God told those of us who are heavily burdened to turn to Him and He will carry the yoke. So I pray...for my children...like a mother.

To all you ladies: Happy Mother's Day!

My Answers to Random Dozen

2010-05-05T21:42:00.002-04:00

When doing Random Dozen, I cheat...I read others before I answer. Why? It makes it easier for me to answer!

1. What was the last thing about which you procrastinated?

What do I not procrastinate about? (Refer to my second post.)

2. How long does it take you to fall asleep, and do you sleep through the night?

Lately, it takes me awhile to fall asleep. Don't know why. I've been praying a lot of rosaries lately. (A rosary is a group of 10 "Hail Marys" called a decade. There are 5 decades in a rosary with a "Lord's Prayer" between each decade.) It's rare that I don't fall asleep before I finish. Mom told me once that my guardian angel finishes it for me.

I don't always sleep through the night. If my husband gets up through the night, I usually hear him or when he comes back to bed.

3. Which decade would you choose to exemplify your favorite fashion styles?

I like the 40s/50s style...that business/professional look. Don't care for the footwear though.

4. What is your personal best dish to feed a crowd?

I don't usually feed a crowd. But I have made cowboy beans to take to a pot luck before.

5. Are you an impulse shopper? What was the last thing you bought on impulse?

I'm not an impulse shopper.

6. What is one wish you have for your own funeral?

I want everyone to celebrate my life...both the old I left and the new one I went to. (I also want the songs On Eagles Wings and Hail Mary to be played/sung.)

7. If it's true that joy is in found in the simple things in life, what does your joy look like today?

My students participated in the activity and enjoyed it.

8. What is your favorite type of bread?

Sourdough!!

9. What trait do you fear developing the most? (Laziness, greediness, grumpiness, etc.)

I can't think of the name...I don't want to become insensitive, especially to the needs of the people around me.

10. What trait would you like most to develop?

Willpower

11. Which room in your house best reflects your personality? Why?

I don't think any room reflects my personality...does that mean I don't have a personality?

12. How do you maintain balance in your life regarding, work, family, church, other organizations and activities, and blogging?

Who says I do? Seriously, it's not so bad now that the boys are gone. Keeping a calendar helps. Making sure I have down time is important to me.

Hope you had a great day today and an even better one tomorrow!

Class Rings

2010-05-01T20:08:00.004-04:00

Wow, this week went by fast! Almost as fast as last week!

Many of you know that I am a high school math teacher. I prefer that my students use a pencil in class...I require it on quizzes and tests. So, if a student doesn't have a pencil, they may borrow one from me. But, they must give me something of value (a teaching moment -- they are learning about collateral!). Students have given me many things. My favorites are cell phones, wallets, and keys. I have been given compacts, chap stick, money, backpacks, and in-school suspension notices. One day this week a student wanted to borrow a pencil but said he didn't have anything to give me. I happen to see his class ring and suggested that. "I am not going to give you a $500 ring for a pencil!!" $500??!!?? for a high school ring???!!! That got to me thinking about class rings.

I still have my high school class ring. It is sorely in need of a cleaning. I like the stone (garnet...the closest thing to our school color) and think maybe, one day, I'll take it and have it reset (along with some other stones that are set in pins I received from previous jobs). We received our rings when we were sophomores so we could wear them at least two and half years. I think I wore mine a year after high school, I just don't remember. It is a mini man's ring really. We may have had a choice of the smaller, more dainty rings, but there wasn't and isn't anything dainty about me. I didn't buy a college ring. I dropped out and when I went back I was working 40 hours, had a toddler and husband to worry about. (My husband did give a Monte Blanc pen for graduation!)

My husband still has his high school ring. I wore it one year as a Halloween prop. I dressed up as a 50/60 teeny bopper. I wore his ring on a chain, pulled my hair back in a pony tail with a scarf, jeans, and his college letter jacket (another item that is usually worn a couple of years depending on when you get the letter). I have no idea how long he wore his ring (I met him after he graduated college) and he did not have a college ring.

Neither of my sons got a high school ring. By that time, the rings were over $100. Both said they didn't see buying something that costly that will only be worn a couple of years. (They are so smart!)

My oldest son did buy a college ring...I don't think he had a choice. Where he went, it is a tradition to get a ring. They even have a special ceremony when they receive their rings. It is all about tradition. They call it "Ring Weekend." We went up and joined the festivities. It is really amazing to watch the ceremony and how excited the cadets get. (I think they are just excited about getting away from base for the weekend!) The freshmen get to harrass the seniors after the seniors receive their rings. It is the only time the freshmen have an opportunity to get back at the seniors. The freshmen recite this:

"Oh my god, sir/ma'am! What a beautiful ring! What a crass mass of brass and glass! What a bold mold of rolled gold! What a cool jewel you got from your school! See how it sparkles and shines? It must have cost you a fortune! May I touch it, may I touch it please, sir/ma'am?"

It's called "the Ring Poop." The freshmen scream this. When N was a freshman, he called and held the phone out so I could hear. It was loud. It's funny, too.

N got me a replica of the top of his ring. Next to my engagement ring, it is the most expensive piece of jewelry I own. I always get compliments when I wear it. They call it a mother's pendent. For the dads, it is a tie tack or lapel pin. L doesn't wear either, so he didn't get one.

I think N's ring is here at home with us. He doesn't wear it much anymore.

My younger son's college also has a special celebration. I remember him telling me when he was a freshman that his mentor gave C his ring to hold until the celebration, "Ring Dance" I believe is what they call it. Couldn't believe a freshman would be asked to hold someone's class ring...more tradition. But C has decided not to get a college ring. I kept asking if he was sure. He told me he would probably not wear it much and didn't see any reason to buy one.

I remember my younger sister wore our mom's nursing school ring for a while. Did you get a class ring? Do you still have it? Do you still wear it?

Married after 9 months -- no I wasn't pregnant!

2010-04-23T11:03:00.007-04:00

I got this from Joyce at from this side of the pond. Since I'm new to blogging, I thought I'd play along with Kelly's Korner and her Show Us Your Life -- How you met your husband. What a good way to get to know me. (Thanks, Joyce!)

I was working at my first "real" job. After about three months on the job, one of my co-workers said she had someone she wanted me to meet. Well, I was supposedly seeing someone at the time so I told her no. I say supposedly because he actually lived an hour away and we hadn't gone on too many dates. Plus he had stood me up one time--had a good excuse. After he stood me up the second time, I told her I was ready to meet this person.

I was working at a bank and L was working up the street for a CPA firm and did his banking business at my bank. One day my co-worker told me L was in the lobby doing some banking business, so I gathered up some papers that needed to be copied and walked through the lobby. I saw him and thought, "Is she kidding??!! He's so old!" (After we were married, L told me he thought I was too young when he was told I was 21...7 years younger.)

A few days later he and her husband (who also worked at the CPA firm and had known L in college), came to her work area (we didn't have offices) and she introduced us. I was polite but then went back to my desk. That weekend she talked me into meeting L at her house where we played cards. (I am not a good card player!) L walked me out to my car when I left and gave me a quick kiss. I asked him, "What was that for?" (Unfortunately I don't recall the answer.)

We saw each other the next week: a basketball game at UT one evening and lunch another day. We had our first date that next weekend. L asked me out to dinner and a movie. He made reservations for dinner at what was to become our favorite restaurant but is no longer in business, "Oysters on the Half Shell" or just the Half Shell. Reservations were for 8:00 so we didn't make it to a movie. He told me he owed me a movie.

L didn't call immediately after. He told me after we were married that I didn't say 12 words that whole first week. But I told my co-worker that he said he owed me a movie. She told me that he had been really busy. It was "tax season" after all...that time of year Jan. 1 to April 15. (Word to the wise...think twice before marrying a "tax man". Honestly, it hasn't been too bad. You just never know when he'll be home for dinner. Thank goodness for microwaves!) He did call to pay his debt. We saw a Diane Keaton movie (I just looked it up...it must have been "Shoot the Moon"). We went to his apartment afterwards. That's when I realized he was the one. I must have said more than 12 words that evening because he did ask me out again! (Duh!)

That was February, 1982. We started dating. We both like to watch TV. One evening at L's apartment, we were watching the mini-series "Centennial" one evening. The show had just talked about concubines. L asked me if I would be his concubine. I told him no, he would have to marry me. "Have you ever thought about it?" was his reply. Guess what I did? Clammed up! Instead of taking me straight home, we drove up through the mountains. I eventually said, "It really is quiet." (I was talking about the mountain night.) He said, "I tried to talk earlier."

A couple of weeks later, we were at my house (my parents' house). We were on the couch, talking, kissing. He moved my arm behind me. I felt something. I thought it was a toy left by one of my nephews so I pushed it back out of the way. L moved my arm again behind me. This time I grabbed the "toy" and took a look at it. It was a box, wrapped in gold paper. I looked at L and opened the box. Yep, it was a diamond ring! I looked at L...he said, "Don't tell anyone, we're getting married." Nope, he did not ask me...he told me! :)

It was a couple of weeks before we told anyone. We told my parents first. I remember sitting in the living room. Dad was sitting in "his" chair. L was sitting beside me. "Dad, L asked me to marry him." "He did?" "Yes, and I said yes." "You did?" That was it. (Wait a minute. I was right in the paragraph above. L did tell me and not ask. How was I going to tell my Dad that L told me we were getting married?)

When we were deciding on a wedding date, the first 5 months of the year were out of the question...tax season plus recuperation time. I didn't want June (too many weddings in June) or Nov/Dec because of the holidays. That left July, August, Sept, and October. My church required (I think they still do) 5 months notice and pre-marriage prep. Okay...it was May. L didn't want to wait another whole year. (What was his hurry?) That left October. Yes, October is a beautiful time of year in our neck of the woods. October it was. Since we were not UT Vol fans...no, not everyone is in TN...we didn't really check the football schedule. Our wedding was on the UT-Alabama weekend...1982...when UT won after a long dry spell!! Some of the guests were listening to the radio at the reception.
October 16, 1982...27 years ago. About 6 years ago, we each forgot. I got to work and saw the notation I wrote on my calendar and gave L a call. We both had a good laugh!

Twice in one week!

2010-04-21T11:14:00.003-04:00

I figured since I'm off for spring break I'd try another post. Today I'll play along with 2nd Cup of Coffee and her Random Dozen.

1. Ever had any run-ins with the "library police?" I don't remember...I tend to block things like that out of my mind. If I have, it was probably at college although that library was always loud. It was the place to be in the evenings.

2. Do you have a special organizational plan and place for wrapping paper, gift bags, etc., or do you just purchase whatever you need as you give gifts? I do keep all my wrapping stuff in one place but I usually purchase whatever I need as I give a gift.

3. Have you ever been in (first-hand witness) a natural disaster? I remember in high school, we were in the area I now live at a band competition. The venue was changed and when we drove to the new venue someone said we drove through a tornado. Does that count?

4. What's your favorite Barry Manilow song? Who? OK...I had to go look at his songs first. My favorite is a toss up between Copacabana and Bandstand Boogie.

5. What's the best costume you've ever worn? Witch...I even made a spider necklace.

6. Which do you use more often, the dictionary or the thesaurus? dictionary

7. What's your favorite breakfast food? biscuits...they're not just for breakfast anymore

8. Have you ever purchased anything from an infomercial? no...unless QVC or HSN counts as an infomercial

9. Have you ever crawled through a window? hilarious! I don't remember (I have a short memory)...but I dreamt last night that I did!

10. Do you believe in love at first sight? I believe it can happen, but not for me.

11. How man pairs of jeans do you own? three

12. If someone were going to bake a cake to honor/represent you, what would it be? (Think creatively, like Duff and Crew on "Ace of Cakes.") They can make some creative cakes!! For me, the cake should be a marble cake with many layers...sports mom, teacher, wife, daughter, sister...etc., etc.

Wow! All that thinking made my head hurt. Now I know how some of my students feel!

Until next time.

Finally, a second postI

2010-04-19T20:11:00.006-04:00

Once a week, huh? I never did write faithfully in a diary either. My not writing here, I think, is because I am still too much of a perfectionist. I use to be really bad, but I have learned throughout the years my life will not end if everything is not perfect. But when I kept reading other blogs and then looking at mine, I kept hearing the Joker from the Batman movie, "Where did he get those wonderful toys?" My blog seems so blah! I will learn though so please stay with me.

I was able to visit with my two sons this weekend. My husband and I took off half a day and drove to Jackson to see our oldest. He really is looking good. We met him after his work and drove him to where he is staying. (We had to bring him his bed and pillow--have to have your own pillow!) We met him again the next day and had breakfast. It was so good to see him again! (We hadn't seen him since he left the end of January to go to Phoenix.)

Here he is at work:
L and I then drove toward home. When we were just outside Nashville, we decided to try and find a place called Loveless Cafe. We had seen it on an episode of "Throw down with Bobby Flay" on the Food Network. The cafe is famous for their biscuits and homemade preserves. It was well worth the stop. The biscuits were delicious. We will definitely be stopping by there again.

On our way home we stopped in Oak Ridge to watch our youngest son compete in the SIRA Regatta. We were able to take him out to dinner. (Wow, breakfast with N and dinner with C...how good can it get!) C was very hungry! He ate a 12 oz ribeye, his broccoli (such a good boy) and potatoes as well as 1/4 of my quesadilla. At 20 years of age, he is still a growing boy!

C's team came in third in their heat which put them in the consolation round. He had about 4 hours before his next race, so we took him to get some lunch. We ended up at a barbeque and grill that one of my sisters recommended. It was real good. L noted that if we were ever out that way again, we'd probably stop and eat there again.

Two of my sisters came to watch him race. They had not been to a race before. (Of course this was only my third and my husband's second race. C just started rowing last semester.) We met C at his team's boat trailer. While we were waiting, we had to move because some rowers came through...you have to get out of their way in a hurry! Someone will yell "heads up" which is short for "move quickly out of our way, we're coming through." One of my sisters replied that when she's been with me before "heads up" meant "look out a baseball is coming your way" and you look up; at a regatta it means "duck!"

I was so glad my sisters came. C was pleasantly surprised. I think it made him feel good that his aunts would come and watch.

C raced again in the consolation round that afternoon. You can see how hard he was working (that's him on the right)--if you look close enough you can see his check puffed out:

They won their heat which put them in the consolation finals. L commented that not only did they cross the finish line first, but out of 48 rowers, C was the first rower to cross the finish line. C thought that was funny.

The consolation finals were the next day, so L and I checked into a hotel. The race was scheduled for 8 a.m. It was a little chilly. I can't image how it must of felt with the water splashing on the rowers. It must not have bothered C's team, though, because they came in second! All-in-all it was a good weekend for them.

While I was walking around between races, I saw a t-shirt that read "If rowing was easy it would be called baseball." I almost bought it for C but wasn't real sure how N would feel about it!

This week is spring break!! I slept in this morning but plan to do some much needed house cleaning and decluttering the rest of this week.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you have a great week!

Happy Easter!

2010-04-04T19:20:00.003-04:00

Easter Sunday. A day for new beginnings...like being a blogger.

It has been a beautiful day today and quiet. Easter dinner was just me, my husband, and my mother-in-law.

I decided to start blogging today because I've been reading a few others and felt that it was only fair that you get to hear from me. I probably won't write every day. There are some days I just don't want to turn on the computer.

I hope you get to know me through this blog. After all, it is my view from a Hill.

Have a great week!