ABC's and 123's

Temporary

2012-01-15T21:12:00.000-05:00

Temporary

Let me warn you that I got to my final thought in an around about way, so bear with me as I express my thoughts.

The other day as I was at the grocery checkout I noticed in one of the many magazines that a Hollywood star is getting married again. I thought to myself, what is this her third or fourth marriage? As I stood there waiting to check out I began to think about Hollywood marriages and the seemly vast temporary status of them. We have all seen the constant media attention on the 72 day marriage of another star. Yes, I am purposely not mentioning her name because frankly I am sick of hearing it.

It got me to thinking, first about how the non-Christians in the world treat marriage as something you can try and if you don’t like it you can just divorce. It just is so opposed to how God created marriage to be. I have been exposed to both good and bad marriages. The bad marriages have sometimes ending in divorce and sometimes continued on. As my friends tell me marriage is great but also takes work on both partners to make it work.

This thought leads me to another one. I began to think how the world and yes, everyone thinks everything is temporary. If I don’t like this house, that’s okay, I can just move. If I don’t like this car, I can just trade it in. If my marriage doesn’t work out then I can get a divorce. If I don’t like my furniture, I can get new. If I don’t like this job, I can quit and find another. If, If,.. and so on. It lead me full circle to one very big thought that there is one thing that we as Christians should remember is temporary: Our life in this world. God has called us to remember that our life here is temporary and our permanent home is with him in glory.

I admit I often get so caught up in my daily life and forget that it’s not the things in my life that are important. God has warned me not to store up treasures here on this earth. As I have been pondering this I keep hearing the chorus in my hear from this Gaither’s song.

Temporary Home:

Sometimes I feel like I´m just walkin´around
With my head with up in the clouds
I´m steady movin´but I´m not gainning ground
Standing the wrong way in the crowd
Then I remember I´m not part of this world
I´m moving higher each day
Upward mobility sounds mighty good t me
And I just can´t wait to get way

CHORUS
I got to remember I´m not here to say
I´m looking forward to a brighter day
I got to remember I´m not here for long
I´m just livin´in my temporary home

When you are bothered by the problems in life
Just don´t let´em get you down
Just look to Jesus, you will not be denied
He´ll take you up to higher ground

And don´t forget you´re a child of the King
You´re and heir to His throne
You may not know just when, but He´s coming back
again
To take us to our happy home, y´all

CHORUS
I got to remember I´m not here to say
I´m looking forward to a brighter day
I got to remember I´m not here for long
I´m just livin´in my temporary home

Time is it Flying By or Dragging On

2011-10-20T23:05:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, I attended the funeral of my friend and former Principal. Jack was a great guy and so funny. I actually told his wife that at the viewing as I was looking at him, he had this smile (like always) and I almost expected him to sit up and crack a joke.

In the midst of his funeral service I began to think about time and how we gage it. Right now I am in the midst of gaging things by 1 more work day in the week before I have the weekend off. But often times we judge things by 1 more hour, day, week, month until...

As I was thinking about this I thought about how the major moments in our lives often take only ... 1 hour: weddings and funerals. The happiest day of our life and the saddest day, both services only seem to take 1 hour or less. Why is this? The service part of the wedding seems long when you are a member of the wedding. Is is because as a former bridesmaid, many times over, that we can only last so long in those high heels before we topple over? Is a funeral service so short because is is easier to quickly say goodbye? I thought of this as my dear friend Sue look so tired and worn out? I can remember feeling that way after my grandma's funeral this past April.

But as I thought about how short time seems in these 2 instants, I also thought about how time was also long in these to instants. A wedding is the beginning of a life. The couples whose weddings I've served as bridesmaid or viewer, are still together. Some of these couples have recently celebrated anniversaries: 18yrs, 12, 24 yrs. The service which joined their life was short but was the beginning of a lifetime of love and family. As I write this I am thinking of my friends and praying for their continued happiness.

When I think of how short a the funeral service was for my friend Jack, I know that he was already in heaven with Christ. He was saved and knew Christ, so he will spend eternity with him. Although, I miss him and still have moments of not believe that he is gone, I know he is in a better place, a place that many days I long to be myself, as it seems our world is getting worse and worse.

Anyway, these are the thoughts I have been having about how time, no matter what we are looking forward to maybe looking back on, we have both the perspective of it can be short or long. As I think about this I am so thankful that like Jack I too know Christ as my Savior and whether my time on earth is short or long, I know where I will spend eternity. I hope that you too know this peace my friends.

Cherished: A Novel of Unconditional Love by Kim Cash Tate

2011-10-17T22:54:00.000-04:00

Cherished: A Novel of Unconditional Love by Kim Cash Tate

Cherished by Kim Cash Tate is an inspiring book that reminds us that it is never too late to find unconditional love and feel cherished. Two young women Kelli and Heather make some wrong choices in their personal life. These choices have consequences and affect their lives. As with all sin, it leaves us feeling unworthy and full of guilty and shame.

It takes the guidance and friendship of other women to guide these two women back to Christ. They are made to realize is that to be truly loved unconditionally, comes from Christ. Their journey to this truth gives us valuable insights into truths that remind us all of God’s grace and love he freely gives us.

Although this book depicts what all girls wish for in life; to be cherished and loved unconditional, it is not a smooth road. These women must first face the choices of their past. It also made me really think about the lives and choices of someone who we would deem as the “guilty one”. Often it is hard to move past judging them to see that they too need God’s grace and love, but often need someone willing to show them the way.

I enjoyed this book, because I got to see things from both view points, the innocent and the guilty. It made realize how often I judged the one I considered “guilty” harshly and didn’t show them the love of Christ.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

A Place Called Blessing, Where Hurting Ends and Loves Begins by John Trent, PhD

2011-08-03T10:51:00.001-04:00

A Place Called Blessing, Where Hurting Ends and Loves Begins by John Trent, PhD

A Place Called Blessing by John Trent, PhD is inspiring and thought provoking book that tells the story of Josh. At the age of 5 Josh and his 2 brothers are put into the foster care system. The boys have the same longing to belong, be part of a family and to be loved. Unfortunately, Josh has a hard time and constantly seems to have trouble. His problems lead him to become labeled as a risk and thus not adoptable. When Josh’s brother’s get adopted it sends Josh even further down the spiral of heartache. He withdraws and becomes a loner. But Josh is given an unexpected blessing in the form of Annie and Mike.

Even though this book was a tear jerker I couldn’t put it down; I enjoyed reading about Josh journey. Reading this book made me realize that I have had many blessings in my life. Realizing my blessings was a great outcome of the book, but we are given a challenge to pay forward the 5 elements of blessing. The book comes with a questions and discussion guide that is great to work through with a group, friend or alone. This book is a companion to The Blessing but is able to read on it own.

A Dead Man's Hand Moved!

2011-06-20T12:27:00.000-04:00

From the time I was young and could remember I went to wakes/calling hours and funerals. Now, first let me explain that my mom's side of the family have their roots in Kentucky. My grandpa always loved to tell that Loretta Lynn lived just up the holler from him. Yes, my family lived in the part of Kentucky where you gave directions like "it's just down the road a bit", "it's about two hollers over", or "you go past the family cemetery and turn..". We are true country bumpkins, who had a family farm that had no running water and this continued until it was eventually sold around 1999. I write about my adventure on the farm some other time but for now this helps explain the wakes I've gone to as a child.

In Kentucky, it was common practice for families to have a wake when a loved one died. The one I remember most clearly is my great Uncle's Bud. The way it worked was that for 3 days the loved one was kept at the home of the family and then moved to the church for the service before burial. At 5 years old this was something a little new for me. I mean it's kind of strange walking into some one's house and seeing a casket set up in the living room. Anyway, when we went to visit before the service I remember it was starting to get dark outside. We went in and my mom greeting all the relatives. I of course just went along with her. Now the set up at this particular wake was that they had moved around the living room and place the coffin in there and then seating was available. So, after the greetings I was given the choice of eating or playing with the other kids. Playing with the other kids won out, so outside I went. Playing on the hill with the other kids was fun and some how why we were there wasn't in my mind until my mom called me inside to eat. Eating was done in the kitchen and the table set up in the hallway.

So, after finishing eating I was a little at loose ends and wandered to the living room. I stood back a little and looked at Uncle Bud. I didn't know him well and so, I just was staring and wandered a little closer. That's when it happened, his hand moved. I jump, scream and ran for my mom. I keep telling her that his hand moved I saw it and I'm not lying. My mom, of course reminded me that he was dead and that it wasn't possible. So, to prove it to me she brought me close to the coffin and then told me to touch his hand to see how cool it was. Needless to say that I did not want to do this, but she insisted so I did. She said "see his hand didn't move?"; frankly I still had my doubts but I agreed with her and then went outside to play again.

I was 5 when this episode happened and now some 36 years later the incident is still vividly clear in my mind. Although, now I will readily admit that his hand couldn't have move at 5 years old I saw what I saw.

Why have I brought all this up. As you know from my last post that I have been to a number of funerals recently. Since my last post I also attended one more funeral, my cousin by marriage Pedro. Pedro died on May 29th and was buried on June 1st. I have know Pedro all my life. He was like an uncle to me, although he was married to my second cousin Donna. He fought a long battle with cancer.

What was brought home to me at this funeral was that I have moved into the role of family representative. This has happened for 2 reasons: first, I am of the older generation, no longer the child who gets to run around and play and still be a child; second with my grandmother gone and my mom unable to attend due to work. It was a weird feeling to experience this. I guess it, as I look back I could have seen it at my grandmother's funeral but at the time was in no shape to be self-respective. But even at her funeral it was part of my role to greet people, help clean up, and write thank yous.

Although, we don't often realize it until we hit it but I am now one of the grown ups. Stocking to realize that age 41, I know. Most time I don't feel like the grown up when I'm around my family because I have all the aunts and cousins and cousins but it's true. The girls (this is what I call my mom and her 4 sisters) have all gotten older and they all have health issues. So, part of my job as an adult is to help them and watch out for them, some of this comes naturally from taking care of my grandma for so long. So, what I'm saying is that this past months have made me realize that I am indeed one of the grown ups in my family, although at times I still feel like a kid. And just maybe most importantly I don't feel old.

All Healing Takes Time

2011-05-21T14:02:00.000-04:00

It has been so long since I have posted on here, it almost seems as if it's been a lifetime, but it has just felt that way. Why? you ask, well let explain.

On March 29, we were told that my grandmother had about 2 weeks to live. Although, we know this was coming when she choose not to do dialysis, the reality is different than the knowledge. My grandmother has been an important part of my life and more like a second mother to me. So, even knowing the end was coming and seeing her decline I was not really prepared to say goodbye.

She was ready and had often talked of going home. She was 93 when she went home to be with the Lord on April 16th.

Each day since there have been little things that have reminded me of her and brought the bitter sweet memories. Losing someone you love is never easy.

This past week has been another hard time for me, 3 more loved one's have gone home. On May 11, my sister Jeanna passed away. She had went to the Cleveland hospital to have a gall stone removed from her bile. The next morning she got up to go to the bathroom and got dizzy and then her blood pressure and heart rate dropped. They were not able to revive her. We won't be sure what cause her death until the autopsy results are in, because she never got to have the surgery to have the stone removed.

Since, Jeanna is a sister from my dad's first marriage, we were not as extremely close and didn't see each other often. Actually, even talking to my other sister Ana about Jeanna's passing seemed so unreal and part of me almost felt as if it weren't true. Denial, I know and reality hit me the night of her calling hours. We buried her Monday, May 16th.

The day after finding out about my sister Jeanna, I learned that my friend's father passed away. J.P. and I have know each other since 1st grade. His father, Peter was always since a great encourager and supporter. The man with the twinkling eyes. At my grandmother's funeral J.P. shared with me that his father wasn't doing well. A few weeks later his father was put in a nursing home. I went to visit him. Although, I had seen Mr. Ducro about a month before, I knew after seeing him at the home he didn't have long left. About a week later May 12, Peter went home to be with the Lord. His funeral was Thurs. May 19th.

The third person who was buried this week was my sister-in law's father Frank. Frank was diagnosed with cancer probably over a year or more. He had been getting chemo treatments. At the end of April they had stopped the treatments because he was too weak. We knew then that he also didn't have long left. Frank passed way Tues, May 17th. His funeral was Friday, May 20th.

As I said this has been a very hard week. I believed that my sister's funeral was already more than enough for me to handle, only God knew what lay in store for me. Today, as I was checking up on old friend's blogs I saw this posting on Hope's blog http://heartnhome.blogspot.com/ and decided to borrow it. It was exactly what I needed to hear and thank you Hope.

Friday, May 20, 2011

Receive the Cup of Sorrow

"Shall I refuse to drink the cup of sorrow which the Father has given me to drink?"
John 18:11, Weymouth

God takes a thousand times more pains with us than the artist with his picture, by many touches of sorrow, and by many colors of circumstance, to bring us into the form which is the highest and noblest in His sight, if only we receive His gifts of myrrh in the right spirit.

But when the cup is put away, and these feelings are stifled or unheeded, a greater injury is done to the soul that can ever be amended. For no heart can conceive in what surpassing love God giveth us this myrrh; yet this which we ought to receive to our souls' good we suffer to pass by us in our sleepy indifference, and nothing comes of it.
Then we come and complain: "Alas, Lord! I am so dry, and it is so dark within me!" I tell thee, dear child, open thy heart to the pain, and it will do thee more good than if thou wert full of feeling and devoutness.
--Tauler

The cry of man's anguish went up to God,
'Lord take away pain:
The shadow that darkens the world Thou hast made,
The close-coiling chain
That strangles the heart, the burden that weighs
On the wings that would soar,
Lord, take away pain from the world Thou hast made,
That it love Thee the more.'

"Then answered the Lord to the cry of His world:
'Shall I take away pain,
And with it the power of the soul to endure,
Made strong by the strain?
Shall I take away pity, that knits heart to heart
And sacrifice high?
Will ye lose all your heroes that lift from the fire
White brows to the sky?

Shall I take away love that redeems with a price
And smiles at its loss?
Can ye spare from your lives that would climb unto Me
The Christ on His cross?'

From today's Streams in the Desert

How Goes the Flux?

2011-03-30T12:38:00.001-04:00

Well, something have finally be fixed and are no longer in a state of Flux. I will be teaching First grade next year. I am very excited about this change. It was one that I requested. I spent the vast majority of my field experience and I did my student teaching in First grade. It was my first love. My first teaching job was First grade. I moved to Kindergarten, when they cut the number of First grades and needed more Kindergarten. Don't get me wrong, I have loved Kindergarten. I'll be honest the first 3 months are the hardest every year and I could do without them but I survived each year. The thing I love about it was that the kids are excited when they are learning and become little sponges. I know that I will also experience this in First grade too. So, now I am very excited to move to First grade, actually I am so excited that I am ready to get my room packed up for the move to the new buildings. I have been having to restrain myself from spending all day packing and cleaning out my room.

My other problem was my continuing sinus infection. I am in the mist of yet another sinus infection and this one much worst than the last. My voice is still not come back. Although I feel better since starting my 6th antibiotic, you can't tell it by my voice. Since last writing at the end of February I have undergone allergy testing. They tested me for 14 of the common allergens around here. The scale goes from 1 to 6, 6 being the highest. I am a 5 for everything on the list (cat dander, dog dander, epidermals- basically all animal dander, mites, MMP Mold, Trichophyton, Candida Albicans, Epidermophyton, House Dust Mix, Orris Root, Weeds, Trees, Grasses, Ragweed). And no surprise to me I am off the chart for grasses (7) and ragweed (9). I knew this since anytime the weather guy would give the counts for these I knew what kind of day I would have, which usually meant finding something to do in air conditioning if the counts were too high.

So, I have begun Allergy shots, which is suppose to help build up my immunity to all the things which I am so allergic. These shots will also cut down on my continuing saga of sinus infections due to my allergies. Besides the weekly shots I will also continue to take a daily Allergy pill, use 2 nose sprays and a Neti Pot. I just want to say I think getting old has made these allergies flare up or my immune system is on the blink. So, I am hoping that all this will help and I will be able to actually breathe and talk without sounding like I a heartbeat away from collapsing. Even my students regularly comment on how different I sound each time I talk. Which I served to remind them that since they know my voice so I well, I also know theirs which is how I can tell who is talking :-)

So, some of my flux has been fixed and I am on the erring on the side of a optimist in regards to my sinus infections. Because honest as I was in line waiting to pick up my medication, I realized how many of the antibiotics on the list I have already used in the last 3 months.

In Flux

2011-02-27T11:20:00.000-05:00

It's seems that I have been in flux for the past few months. Lots of things have been keeping me in this state and as I am hoping that Spring is just around the corner, I am also hoping that my state of flux is soon over.

One of the first things that have been keeping me busy is a never ending Sinus Infection. I have had a sinus infection for over two months. Just when I think that it's clearing up, it hits me again and knocked me for a loop. I am now on my 3rd antibiotic, with some anticipation I want to say that I think this one is finally working. My first antibiotic seemed to be working, but then the ugly infection reared up it's ugly head and dug in deeper. Of course, my doctor gave me a new stronger antibiotic to fight it. Only probably was that I experienced some of the side effects as well as a new one, apparently this one was too strong for me. It made me have heart flutters, which I must admit I remained calm, mainly due to the fact that my energy was at a all time low. Seriously, it was all I could do it drag myself out of bed to make the call to the doctor about the side effects. So, 2 days ago I started on a 3rd somewhat weaker antibiotic and I cautiously began taking this one, even though I had previously taken it before, but what can I say once bitten twice shy. So, I am hoping that this one does the trick.

School is busy and never ending it seems right now. I am still waiting on my assignment for next year. As always happens in our district, they give us a date and then as that date approaches it is pushed farther back. At this point, I don't know when I will hear about my assignment. Right now, we are being told March 10th, but I am doubtful that we will really know. Not knowing my assignment for next year is not as unsettling as I thought it would be for me. Instead, I am torn between teaching and just wanting to pop in a video so I can pack boxes. I have been packing away seasonal things as I finish with them but the itch to just pack it all up and clean is overwhelming. I slowing feel the time slipping away and I am determined that when my last day for the school year is over at 3:30pm, that I will walk out the school door and not return until our first day of the new school year. I don't want to spend the first week or two of my summer vacation packing. So, everyday I struggle with deciding what I can pack now and put in storage, but still be able to teach without missing it. AGHHH!!!!

Silly, that two little things can keep me in state of flux for months. I am trying to rely on the Lord to give me patience in these matters. I know that through him I can do all things but lately I am trying to do it on my own. Oh, the lessons I continually have to learn over and over.

A Snowy Saturday Prayer Request

2011-01-15T10:13:00.000-05:00

This past week we have been hit with snow everyday starting on Monday night. Monday was a glorious day of sunshine and clear skies and then the clouds rolled in. Everyday we got anywhere from 2-4 inches. The roads to and from work were a little dicey, which I can't stand to drive even though on good weather days I only have a 15 minute drive. I can say that I am sick of shoveling my sidewalks, thankfully I have a guy that plows my driveway. Which is another side note that amazes me, we would get 2-4 inches but then at the end of the driveway I would have about 6 inches from the city snowplow driver.

This is a picture of the picnic table taken on Wednesday night.

Anyways, today is Saturday and as I sit here typing snow is falling outside. The prediction is that we could get anywhere from 2 - 8 inches today. I am enjoying today with my coffee and I have downloaded a few books to read. I plan on just curling up on my couch with my coffee and my eReader, today is my day to relax and enjoy.

But before I close off this post I thought I would ask for a little prayer. I have decided I need a change in my life. I am in the process of deciding what I want to do with my career. I have been teaching for 12 years and I have been feeling a little burned out lately. I have seriously been considering leaving the teaching field all together. This has been a shock to myself as I have only ever wanted to be a teacher. Up until last year I have really loved teaching and all the up and downs. But now I am not sure this is how I want to spend the next 20 years before I can retire. One step I have made is to ask to be moved out of Kindergarten and into another grade level (1st, 2nd ,3rd). Our district is building new elementary buildings and we will move into them this coming August 2011. This process involves as major shake up in the staff as all teachers need to be reassigned to the new buildings. We were asked to fill out a request of where we would like to be for next year. We had to put down our 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th choices. I decided that I would like to try a different grade level. I have been in Kindergarten for 9 years and feel that maybe if I got in a different grade level that wasn't so all consuming maybe I would get back my joy of teaching. But in the mean time I have been reading a book called 101 Career Alternatives for Teachers.

This is a hard decision and as I pray to make this decision

I am asking you my friends to pray for me too.

Happy New Year

2010-12-31T09:55:00.003-05:00

Happy New Year

This is me posing in the bag that my mom wrapped my new pillows.

Well, at midnight we will all say goodbye to 2010. As I look toward the New Year, I am reflecting back on this year. As each year does it has been a road of ups and downs, of challenges and triumphs, and of hopes and dreams. Each of these has been looked at as those a blessings or a curse. Today, I would like to reflect on the blessings I have been given.

*My Salvation- as always I am thankful that the Lord has given me such a wonderful gift. A gift that I'll admit to not always being a wise steward.

*My family, especially that my grandmother is still with us at 93 yrs. old. She is hanging in there with 10% kidney function (no dialysis-her choice), diabetes, & congestive heart failure.

*Friends, both old and new, close and far- who love me for who I am, faults and all.

*Employment- that I have a job and am able to pay my bills and have a place to live.

*Possibilities- that they exist and I have the opportunity to hope for them and make changes.

So, Happy New Year My Friends and I pray that you will be blessed in many ways in the coming New Year and that you will take delight in each of the blessings that are given to you.

Welcome 2011!

Christmas 2010

2010-12-31T00:30:00.003-05:00

Christmas was a quiet affair. It was just my grandma, my mom, two of my aunts and myself.

Grandma's little tree I made for her, if it was left up to her she wouldn't decorate, but she allows me to bring her a tree and then my aunts swoop in and do the rest, as you notice gift wrapped picture frames. Sorry, I can't explain their reasoning behind this odd decoration style.

Grandma opening her gifts

I enlarge the picture I took of her and her girls at the Christmas dinner

My mom's favorite things, purses. This year I got her a Miche bag, she changes purses constantly and often loses something of forget something, so I thought this might me the choice for her.

AH, a second purse, beside loving purses she loves lots of colors and bright colors too.

And her favorite gift- BeJeweled for her laptop

Here is my nephew and niece opening their Christmas gifts after the Christmas Dinner. They got to open them early since we would see each other on Christmas. They of course got their favorite gifts cash and gift cards.

Oh, and reese mini cups- yum

Christmas Dinner 12-18-2010

2010-12-31T00:10:00.005-05:00

The Aunts decided that this year we would have a Ratliff Family Christmas dinner. It was held the Saturday before Christmas. We had 75 people attend, which is just a small fraction of the family when you stop to count how many didn't come. Remember my mom is one of 7 children, 5 of the sisters live in same town and my uncle lives in Kentucky. He couldn't make it.

Barb, Emma Jean, Patsy, Phyllis, Mom and Grandma

The buffet line and since this is Ratliff gathering, there is always enough food for an army
Grandma and some of her Great-Great-Children

Norm, Sheila, Wanda

Me and Grandma, excuse my shiny face.

Jimmy and Phyllis

4 Generations: My nephew Willy, my mom, my niece Steph, my brother Waylande, and my Grandma

The Sanchez branch of the Ratliff family

My nephew Willy and his girlfriend Kayleigh

Kayleigh, Willy and Steph

Me, Willy and Steph

5 Generations: the Benson branch of the Ratliff family

My brother Waylande caught doing some work

Dec. 18 would have been my Grandparents 73rd wedding anniversary, so my cousin Jamie made this cake for my grandma

Thanksgiving 2010

2010-12-30T23:59:00.004-05:00

Thanksgiving this year was a quiet affair, since my grandma wasn't feeling her best. It was just a couple of my aunts & their husbands and me.

Aunt Pat, Mom, Aunt Phyllis, Aunt Barb and Grandma

My mom and Grandma
Uncle Wayne and Aunt Pat enjoying the food

Uncle Jimmy & Aunt Barb

Aunt Phyllis and Grandam

Uncle Jimmy trying to work off some of what he ate, so he could have seconds or was it thirds of dessert.

Once, we got back to grandma's apartment, I headed to the kitchen for clean up duty and Grandma went to her chair for a nap.

But she wasn't the only one

Uncle Wayne snoring amongst the overload bed.

My niece Steph 17th Birthday

2010-12-30T23:44:00.003-05:00

My mom and I went to the my brother's to celebrate my niece's 17th birthday.

Steph the Princess

After cake, ice cream and lunch, we took a quick trip up to Bauman's Apple Orchard. While we were there Steph and I took our pictures in their little farmer frame.

We of course had to play some cards, we played Phase 10 and Uno and always there was cheating involved. Only this time it wasn't my brother but my mom and Steph.

My nephew Willy, he's 21.

Grandma's 93rd Birthday Party 10-2-2010

2010-12-30T23:18:00.004-05:00

My grandma's pastor decided that this was the year that he would bake her a cake for birthday. He has been promising for years that he would. He decided he would do it this year and so to make it more of a surprise, we had the party a month early. Her birthday is Nov. 3rd. My job was to get her out of the house and to the church in time for the party. So, I took her to get her hair done before the party. Here she is just after they finished her hair.

This is the cake Pastor Falke made, it was delicious!
Grandma laughing because like so many of us, her favorite gift = cash

Pastor Falke and Grandma

The Massena Family: Mike, Rhonda, Keira & Timmy with Grandma

Uncle Clark & Aunt Barb Rood with Grandma

Grandma and cousin Becky

Rhonda, my mom and grandma

Me and grandma

Me, mom and grandma

Aunt Emma Jean, mom and grandma

Aunt Phyllis & Aunt Barb and grandma

Mom, me and grandma

Me and grandma

Uncle Jimmy & Aunt Phyllis and Grandma

Grandma was truly surprise and she loved the Pastor Falke's cake. We are blessed to have her with us still.

My Niece Steph's Homecoming Sept. 25, 2010

2010-12-30T23:09:00.002-05:00

My niece Steph had homecoming. Below is a picture of her with her boyfriend, Lance and other pictures with her friends. I must say that the dress is too short and the heels are too high, but that is just her old fuddy-duddy aunt speaking. :-)

Steph and Summer, her best friend

Ratliff Family Reunion 8-14-2010

2010-12-30T22:45:00.006-05:00

We had our annual Ratliff Family Reunion on Aug. 14th. It was a hot- hot day, even in the shade of the Lake Shore Park Pavilion. The theme was Luau and as you can see my Grandma was dressed up for it. She won the prize for the most dressed up.

Juanita and Jim MullinsAunt Phyllis & Uncle JimmyHenry, Aunt Phyllis & Uncle Jimmy Lloyd & Vanna Stinson & Mary RatliffAunt Pat, Aunt Phyllis & my mom with Grandma (their mom) Me, my mom and grandma ( you can see that she is tired from the long day and the heat)Rhonda, Keira & Timmy MassenaRuthie, Phyllis, Ricky & Mary Ann & GrandmaBeside the usual gathering and eating, their was also some dancing going on :-)

Multi-Year High School Reunion

2010-08-03T09:46:00.006-04:00

Saturday I attended an Multi -Year High School Reunion. It was for the classes of 1982 to 1990. This was a lot of fun. Although, there were some people who I didn't know it was nice seeing the people I knew a few years ahead and behind me. But it was just so much fun getting together with friends and laughing. There was so much laughing, even remembering a friend who died the summer after graduation. Scott was always such a jokester. The night was so much fun, even though a friend and I decided we needed to leave before the clock struck midnight. We both realize how although we don't feel that old we do get tired, especially when the next day we had early mornings. Lots and Lots of fun.

Grandma Working It

2010-07-17T23:07:00.003-04:00

Since my grandma's recent health keeps her in her recliner with her feet up for the most of the time, she tends to get bored. But she likes to do these wooden puzzles. She had 3 wooden ones that she really likes. Lots of people have bought her different ones, but she does not like the cardboard ones. I don't know if it's the number of pieces or the feel of the cardboard versus the heavier wooden ones. You will find her multiple times a day working these puzzles. It helps with her fine motor skills and keeps her a little sharp.

But mostly I have to say that it makes me smile when I see her working these puzzles. I love my grandma.

4th of July Picnic

2010-07-06T11:41:00.014-04:00

Our family 4th of July picnic was full of the usual people, lots of food, laughs and fun. We ate played softball, entertained the kids and even had fireworks.

Austin's Funeral

2010-07-02T10:13:00.004-04:00

Last night I attended Austin's Funeral, it was a bittersweet time. Bitter because he is gone and seeing him you saw his small frail body- the result of 3 1/2 yrs battle of cancer. Sweet because he was saved and now is with Jesus in heaven and he has no more pain. For this I am truly thankful, he was so young to endure such pain.

His mom got up and spoke at the beginning of the service. She said everyone in this room fit into 3 groups of people those who knew Austin before the cancer, those who knew him once he had cancer and those who knew him through both stages. Being one of the ones who knew him through both I sat and remembered and laughed and cried as she told about Austin. Kym spoke of him before the cancer and after. She said she wanted those who only knew him with cancer to know him before. The reason was that cancer hadn't changed him much. As she spoke of him before and after cancer the one thing that shines through and sits with me today is his smile and bright blue eyes. Throughout the 3 1/2 years Austin was still giving smiles accompanied by his twinkling blue eyes.

The service was truly a celebration of his life and his battle against cancer. His mom said that Austin did not lose in his battle with cancer because he knew the Lord as his Savior. He knew that he would be in heaven with Jesus.

His favorite quote: When life knocks you down, you can choose whether or not to get back up.

His 2 verses:
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7

Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. Revelation 2:10

They played this song by Mercy Me

Homesick

You're in a better place, I've heard a thousand times
And at least a thousand time I've rejoiced for you
But the reason why I'm broken, the reason why I cry
Is how long must I wait to be with you

Chorus:
I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now

Help me Lord cause I don't understand your ways
The reason why I wonder if I'll ever know
But, even if you showed me, the hurt would be the same
Cause I'm still here so far away from home

In Christ, there are no goodbyes
And in Christ, there is no end
So, I'll hold onto Jesus with all that I have
To see you again
To see you again

And I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow

I've never been more homesick than now

Please keep his family in your prayers in the coming weeks. As many of you know who have lost a loved one that many times the days, weeks and special days after are often difficult.

2010-06-27T14:15:00.003-04:00

Austin E. Tome

January 20, 1996 - June 24, 2010

Star Beacon ASHTABULA — Austin Elliot Tome, age 14, fought the good fight, finished the race and kept the faith and is now enjoying the riches of god’s grace in Heaven. We are so proud of him.

Austin was born Jan. 20, 1996, in Ashtabula. He loved life, his family and his friends. He enjoyed playing all sports and was previously in the Ashtabula Little League, the YMCA basketball and soccer programs and played a year in the Jefferson Midget Football Program. Austin loved to run and enjoyed swimming, kickball, flashlight tag and skateboarding. He liked video games, movies, amusement parks and spicy food. He also loved family trips to Ocean City, Md. He played saxophone and electric guitar and his “favorite thing” was his dirt bike.

Austin was a former student of Thomas Jefferson Elementary and was a recent graduate and Honor Society Member of Lakeside Jr. High. He was an active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and all the youth programs there.

Austin’s life dramatically changed in February of 2007, when he was diagnosed with DSRCT-Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor-a rare and aggressive type of cancer. Austin took the news like he did his treatments to come, with an attitude of “Okay, let’s do this.” He was a part of every decision from his chemotherapy to his many surgeries, his liver/pancreas and stem-cell transplants, his radiation treatments, his pain management treatments and everything in between. Through it all he remained positive and often thought of others before himself.

Austin displayed unceasing courage, faith, strength and hope. He was one of three recipients of the Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital Courage Award for 2009. He focused on the bright spots of his three and a half years of treatments, such as old and new friendships, participation in kid’s camps, trips and pro-sporting events. He liked spending time with kids and especially enjoyed being a big brother to Bryce, 13 and Gage, 2. Cancer took many things away from Austin and it ultimately took his earthly life at 1:40 a.m., Thursday, June 24, 2010. However, cancer could never take away who he was-a child of God.

Austin is survived by his parents, William E. and Kym E. (Hughes) Tome Jr.; brothers, Bryce and Gage; grandparents, Dennis and Millie Hughes of Saybrook Township and William and Verna Tome Sr. of Geneva; great-grandparents, Charles and Noma Haas of Westminster, Md.; uncles and aunts, David and Lorie Hughes of Ashtabula and Dan and LuAnn Tome of Painesville; and cousins, Danny and Shannon, Nathan and Taunya and Alixandra and Dillon.

Austin’s great-aunts, uncles and many cousins were tremendously supportive to him and his family.

We, the family, wish to send our heartfelt thanks to all those who have been praying for Austin, you helped keep him strong. Special thanks goes out to: our extended families; our friends and neighbors; our St. John’s Church family; Rosemary Bernato and the TJ family; Kathleen Reichert and the LJHS family; Jefferson Healthcare Lake Business Products; Make-A-Wish Foundation; Hospice of the Western Reserve and last, but definitely not least, Austin’s second family-the amazing staff at the Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital.

Goodbye Austin, We loved you and will miss you!

2010-06-25T12:19:00.004-04:00

Today I am heartbroken to tell everyone that Austin (14yrs old) has went home to be with the Lord. Austin passed away yesterday after a long battle with cancer. As I sit here crying I know that I am crying for myself and not for him. I will miss his smiling face dropping by the classroom to say hi! When I taught him in third grade reading he was a bright spot to my day. I knew I could always count on him to make us laugh. So, today I weep for his family who will miss their son and brother, I weep for all those who knew him and loved him. We know what we have lost. Yet, I know that he is in heaven with out pain. For that I am so grateful for a sweet boy who had endure so much pain in his short life time.

Please keep his family and friends in your prayers during this time of great sadness as we say goodbye to Austin.

Turning 40

2010-05-09T11:01:00.002-04:00

I Turned 40 yesterday. It seems like only yesterday I waiting to graduate from High School and begin my life. Then you wait for those milestone birthdays- turning 21-legal drinking age, turning 25 and then suddenly I was 30 then 35 and now I'm 40. Before this past year, turning 40 seemed like a scary thing and a sad thing. This meant I was getting old. I was on the downward slope to old age. A lot has happened this past year.

I am feeling better physically than I have felt in a long time. Last July I started the Flat Belly Diet. Honestly, I never expected it to work. I have tried so many diets over the year, all to fail and the weight gained back with a few of it friends. Honestly, I'd given up losing weight. My thought was that as long as my clothes fit I'm good. Then I ran across 5 foods to flatten your belly. I click and now I am 45lbs lighter than I was last year. I admit I would like to lose another 55lbs but if I stay where I'm at then I'm okay with it too. I feel lighter and more myself than I have in years. I have no idea why this diet work when so many others failed but I am just happy it did.

Loss of weight wasn't my only loss this year, the death of 2 staff members also affected my look out on life and turning 40. The passing of Cliff (our school custodian) and Harold (our beloved crossing guard) made me realize that I need to appreciate my life for what I have and that I am alive. It was time to stop thinking that I may not be where I thought I should be in my life at this age, but this was the life I was given to lead and it was time to take joy in it. Don't get me wrong, I have been thrown many loops, but my foundation in Christ has held me firm. I know I will face more obstacles but I have chosen to take the best and push forward and know that "My Best Days are Ahead of Me". Amazingly I was listening to the radio and hear this song by Danny Gokey. It is my song and my out look on life.

My Best Days are Ahead of Me by Danny Gokey

click link above to go see video- it's worth it :-)

So, I hope as you face whatever you have to face that you will realize that everything in our life happens to make us stronger and we need to pick ourselves up and push on. Realizing that better days are ahead of us.

Goodbye Mr. Milano

2010-05-02T13:06:00.016-04:00

Our beloved crossing guard Harold Milano passed away recently. Our school paid him a tribute as his funeral procession made their way to the grave site they detoured to come by our school. Our students and parents lined the front of our school. We had to release as the hearse come close. Some students were also holding small stop signs. His family got out and show the students a throw blanket which pictured Mr. Milano with his ever present red and white umbrella, yellow rain slicker and stop sign. It was a very touching tribute and a very hard day to say goodbye to a beloved man.

Mr. Milano Thank You for keeping us safe!

Some first grade students placed pin-wheels and flowers in his cone.

It was truly touching that 7 days later the pin-wheels still were where they were placed. The world weary side of me, expected them to be gone when we came back to school after the weekend.

It is still hard each morning to drive in and not be greeted by Mr. Milano's friendly smile and wave.

Happy 60th Birthday Mom!

2010-04-26T19:28:00.010-04:00

I threw my mom a surprise party for her 60th birthday. She was surprised and she had fun. The hit of the party was a present that said "Big 60", all the sisters took a turn wearing the hat, even though my mom was the youngest so none of them are 60.

She had a lot of fun and took home all her balloons!

Weighty Matters

2010-04-07T16:42:00.008-04:00

Okay! I have lost 45 lbs! Yeah for me!

I started a diet just on a whim last July. It popped up on one of those sidebars, so I clicked on 5 foods to a flat stomach. I did a lot of clicking and a lot of copying. I starting the diet figuring I had nothing to lose (didn't mean to be funny), but over the years I have been on many diets only to lose a few pounds and gain about twice as many back. So, I started my diet and since then I have dropped 3 shirt sizes and 2 1/2 pant sizes.

Today has been one of the days when losing this weight hasn't been that much fun. I go to pull out one of my favorite shirts only to find that it no longer fits. I know many of you are thinking that it's great because it means shopping- only I don't like shopping and since I still have at least 55lbs I want to lose. I don't want to buy a lot of clothes, since they seem to fit for a few months and then I'm into another size.

Here is my weight loss list:

Pros:

*I am feeling great and have more energy.
*I am healthier and my doctor is happy.
*I am wearing smaller sizes than I have worn in over 10 years.
*I hope this keeps my chances of getting diabetes fade away with each pound

Cons:
*Spending money on new clothes that have only been fitting for a few months. I know but since I am a teacher I need to buy clothes that a bit nicer than causal.
*My shoes don't fit as well- seriously they are getting to loose, especially on my right foot which was always a bit fatter.
*Blisters that are the result of the weight shift.
*My favorite clothes, whether my comfy ones or the ones that gave me confidence no longer fit.
*More trips to the laundry mat since I don't have enough clothes to last for four weeks like, I use to. Laundry mat, not my favorite place

I know it's silly to be upset since I am losing the weight I want to lose, but today made me realize I finally need to weed out my closet and ditch the ones that are too big. My sizes are way too big, big, a little big and fits. So, it time to get rid of the way too big and a little big.

If you’re looking for a diet- try the Flat Belly Diet-
I don't know why this one has worked for me, but it has, it has truly amazed me. It's only been the diet, I haven't been exercising. Exercising has never been my thing, so I figure I would start with the diet and see where it gets me and then go from their. I now need to begin to exercise to speed things along (I have been losing 1 -2 lbs a weeks, but now have stalled for the past 2 weeks) and tone up some things.

Grandma

2010-04-03T10:39:00.005-04:00

A few weeks ago, the doctors told us that my grandma's kidney function is down to 16%. She has decided that she doesn't want to do dialysis. She is afraid that if she gets put to sleep for surgery she won't wake up. There are also some complications with her congestive heart failure and other health issues. Since, receiving this news the family decided they would like some good pictures.

I have to tell you that my aunts were better sports about getting their pictures taken than my brother and nephew.

My mom Juanita (she is the 2nd youngest of 7), Aunt Phyllis (the oldest & 1st child), Aunt Barbara (3rd child), Aunt Pat (4th child), Grandma, and Aunt Emma Jean (2nd child) : not picture is Aunt Fran (5th child & she died in 2007) & Uncle Donnie (the baby of the family- he lives in KY & couldn't come up for pictures)

Uncle Jimmy and Aunt Phyllis (she is the oldest and will turn 71 tomorrow)

My grandma and her great-great grandson Sammy

Sammy and his great-grandma Phyllis

Aunt Barb (Barb is the third oldest of the family) and Uncle Clark

I also got individual pictures of each of my grandma's children and also a picture of each of them with their mom.

Family Pictures

2010-04-03T09:46:00.008-04:00

I am the picture taker in the family. Everyone knows that I always come with my camera. Since my mom's 60th birthday is coming up this month I decided that I wanted to get some current family pictures. Of course, I called my brother and told him that we needed to do this for mom so be ready to take some pictures.

Can you tell by their faces how excited they are to be getting their picture taken?

My brother always complains that I take too many pictures and it takes too long- but he tends to forget that he often does this

And this

My nephew is equally excited

My niece is the most photogenic of the family and always has a ready smile

I did get some great pictures that I think my mom will be excited to see in her memory book

The Olympics

2010-03-20T10:23:00.007-04:00

During the Winter Olympics I enjoy watching the down hill skiing and especially the ice skating. But this year I enjoyed something more than watching the Olympics- this-

My local news station didn't have the permission to show video footage from the Olympics, so they had an artist do rendering of Olympic Moments. I love these. Their hilarious but maybe it's because I teach Kindergarten.

Hope you enjoyed these as much as I did!

Healing

2010-03-20T09:53:00.005-04:00

February 16th turned out to be a hard day.

Upon entering the building I was greeted with the news that our custodian Cliff had died that morning. It was very jarring to hear this since he was only 48 yrs. old and not battling a serious illness. He had been off work for a few days because of bronchitis but nothing serious. Death is never easy but this was especially hard because it was my job as the teacher to explain to my students that Mr. Peoples was gone. I thought I was ready for the task but as I began to speak to my students I broke down and spoke through my tears. I explained, answered questions and listened to the stories of how death had touch their lives.

I thought I had done a good job, until 2 days later when one of my students asked when Mr. Peoples was coming back. Due to the fact that I have a bathroom in my classroom and that I some of my students have had a lot of accidents. It was becoming a joke that if the custodian was paged it was going to be to my classroom. So, my class knew Mr. People's well. So, when the substitute custodian brought extra toilet paper and paper towels, a few of my students wondered about Mr. Peoples. So, once again I explained how he would never be able to come back from Heaven.

Although, this was a short 4 day work week, each day seemed especially long and cold. Here in the snow belt we were in the mist of the snowiest weather. We got over 31 inches during February. The piles of snow outside my classroom were getting almost as tall as my students. It was was all of this combine with Cliff's death, as well as little sunshine to make this such a hard week. This is why when Friday, the day of his calling hours, I was uplifted to see this sight on the way to work.

It was like a little promise from God that he was still there and a little bit of the heaviness that had been weighing me down all week had begun to lift.

Cliff was a gentle giant. He was well over 6ft tall and just the softest spoken and kind man. I had worked with his brother John at my previous school and the two looked a lot a like, many a times I would call Cliff - John. He is missed.

Wouldn't you Love to have these?

2010-02-10T08:38:00.004-05:00

What more needs to be said?

I am so envious of these lashes. Why are such beautiful lashes wasted on the young? One would say that I have made my lashes what they are or really aren't today because of all the mascara and eye lashing curling I have subjected mine to over the years.

Although I would love to have these lashes I am not prepared to go this route to get them.

Would you try this?

Way Back When Week

2010-01-17T17:07:00.003-05:00

This week on FB is Way Back When Week. Lots of people posted old photos of themselves. It was fun to go back and look at some of these old photos. Here's one of me. I was about 6 or 7 here.

For those of you wondering- no I don't play the piano. I have always wanted to learn but have never gotten around to taking lessons. I envy people who can play the piano.

Do you have any of these?

2010-01-17T16:47:00.006-05:00

Well, I'm guessing that you may have these too. It seems like whenever winter brings the snow, so comes the icicles. These are the sights that greeted me when I went to return my books to the library. These were by the book drop.

I must say it's a little scary to see these hanging over head when you are trying to use the book drop. It made me wonder a little if the dropping sound the books make would do anything to make these fall.
Even more amazing, I learned that icicles aren't caused by melting snow on your roof but are cause by the heat escaping from your house. How did I learn this? The evening news of course! The new had a contractor who show how to get rid of icicles. You need to plug up all the holes that are letting the heat out.

I have to say I find this interesting. I found myself looking at houses as I drove by them to see which had icicles and which didn't.

I live in an apartment that has lots of icicles. Last night, I was a little shaken thinking someone was trying to break in my back door but no it was just icicles falling off the roof. Then today it sounded like my front porch was destroyed when those huge ones fell off the roof today.

Here's a link if you want to know how to stop these ice dams
http://hes.lbl.gov/hes/makingithappen/no_regrets/icedams.html

Layers

2010-01-04T16:53:00.008-05:00

Well, the snow has come. It began to really fly late yesterday afternoon and then by 9pm, it was already so bad that they cancelled school for today. I have to say that I was shocked by them calling off the night before (usually we have to wait until the morning ) but I was very glad to have an extra day of vacation.

At 6:30am, my snowplow guy came and even shoveled a path from my car to the back door. Here what it looked like by 9:30am, just 3 hours later.

Here are pictures taken before I began to shovel my sidewalks:

A quick lesson in snow shoveling. I had about 12inches to shovel. In order to do this without cause a trip to the doctors, you need to do it in layers. I took off about 6 inches off the top and then the bottom 6 inches. It takes longer to shovel this way but at least I'm still in one piece and not aching.

Here are my after shoveling pictures:

After shoveling I had to do a few errands.

I just have to vent about a few pet peeves.

1. When the roads are slick/slippery and you know you have bad tires- nobody wants to see you do spins at the corners. It's dangerous and childish. Grow up and be responsible or turn in your driver's license.

2. Please leave enough space between your car and mine. I don't like sitting at a stop sign and wondering if the fool behind me will stop or be able to stop.

3. This has nothing to do with driving really, but please dress warmly in this weather. Contrary to popular belief a hoodie is not a winter coat- that's why you are shivering. Sorry, it just bothers me to see people not dressed properly in this weather. It's called layers- which means more than one!

Why is that once the snow begins to fly people tend to forget how to act, dress and drive in it. Please use common sense- if you don't have common sense then just do the opposite of what you would normally do.

Thanks for letting me vent!

Christmas at my Grandma's

2009-12-30T13:01:00.015-05:00

My Grandma opening her gifts.

This is so funny! My grandma has 4 open boxes of candy, so as she was opening this box from me, my mom suggested she put it aside and not open it until l the other boxes were gone. My grandma agreed and then ...

Yes, she began to offer it around and have at least 2 pieces before closing it up.

Christmas dinner
As you can see it's important to dress to the nines.
Princess Adriana
Please note that the little princess above took most of these pictures.
She was very happy to run around and take snapshots.
Uncle Jimmy and Aunt Phyllis
Aunt Emma Jean and Aunt Barb
My mom Juanita and Aunt Pat
Grandma

Aunt Barb- a little shock that the princess had the camera

Uncle Clark

Of course, she needed to take one of herself too!

My grandma and her children (except for my Uncle Donnie who lives in KY)

Juanita, Pat, Emma Jean, Phyllis

Grandma, Barb

Christmas at my Brother's House

2009-12-30T12:03:00.023-05:00

We celebrated Christmas with my brother and the kids the weekend before Christmas. Now that he no longer lives in the official snow belt area, he doesn't want to have to drive through the white stuff to celebrate Christmas in town with us. Really, he's just lazy, so we have taken to celebrating early or sometimes the weekend after Christmas depending on the weather. The usual pics of my nephew and niece opening their presents. Now that they are 19 and 16, they pretty much like money and gift cards. The like having the chance to shop for themselves and get the after Christmas deals. So, here you will only see them opening their stocking stuffers. Does she look lovely-

She had stayed up late the night before and even though it was 1pm she wasn't ready to get up. She has never been a morning person, even in Kindergarten she went to the afternoon class because it was easier for everyone.

Now you will see pics of the newest member of the family. Lady - she is my niece's dog. My brother got her for my niece's birthday last month. Lady is part Pug and Dachshund. She is very cute. I would steal her away if I was allowed to have pets in my apartment.

Lady loves taking pictures and being the center of every one's attention.

A snapshot - that looks hilarious because she was just yawning.

At times she acted like she was paying attention to the games we were playing.

Of course, my nephew provides the rough housing that the puppy needs.

Of course, Lady does like to cuddle too!

My brother trying to update my mom's phone. So often she does things to her phone and we can't figure out what she did to it.

My nephew Willy, Mom and Niece Stephanie

My brother who hates taking pictures, can't stand it when I need to take more than one- but look at his face- I had to take another.

Ah! A good family picture

We had a lot of fun celebrating at my brother's, he cooked and then we played games. It's so much fun to play game with them. Oh, a great game if you haven't played it yet is Scrabble Slam- it's a card game and it goes pretty fast. I got it at Walmart for about $5 for a stocking stuffer. I also got Monopoly Deal- but we didn't get around to playing that one. But it looks fun and not and not as long as the regular Monopoly. How many times have you quit a game of Monopoly early? Maybe saving every one's stash until you have more time to play?

Christmas and Funny Kindergarten Stories

2009-12-24T11:14:00.008-05:00

Well, I have been on Winter Break for almost a week. It has been great to have this time to relax and get ready for the upcoming year. I thank God for my wonderful students who make me remember why I love teaching, because it sure it's the crazy- Magic wonder pill that our it seems keeps popping up in our district that is suppose to make all things better. Can you tell that it hasn't! Enough now on to my funny stories. Oh, this is me- taken by the tree at school.

1: A while ago one my students said to me that he would like to hold my hand. I asked him why and he said he just wanted to. Well, as it happened it was my recess duty day which meant it was my job to make sure all the kids get out to the playground in one piece. Quite a job with 96 little 5 & 6 years excited to go outside. So, I told him I couldn't today but one day we would. I fully intended to follow thru with this but as things go and my short term memory seems to be one of these I forgot. Well, about a week ago he made me this picture.

So, that day when I went to pick them up from recess I made it point to hold his hand as we walked into school.

2: Chocolate: Every year I receive many special and wonderful gifts from my students. This is a very special box of chocolates. I love the beach and of course, seashells are part of that experience. What can one say about chocolate- except I love it too! As my class well knows, as past students have delivered me various forms of chocolate (cupcakes, candy and homemade treats). I told the little boy that they were almost too beautiful to eat. Just so you know I said almost- these were delicious with a wonderful praline filling with hazelnut too! MMMMMM!
3: Thoughtfulness: As I was opening one of my gifts from a student, his mom was standing near by telling that she really tried to get him to pick out something different and more teacherish. As I reached into the beautiful stocking I pulled out a travel coffee mug. Now you probably think no big deal - every teacher gets lots of coffee mugs. But now the story- about a month ago I had dropped and broken one of my stainless steel travel coffee mugs. I have 2, because I never want to be without so my much needed, almost IV drip of coffee is kept warm as I sip on it. I always keep one at school and bring the other home to wash. This way I always have a clean fresh mug. I am a coffee addict- I admit it! Anyway, when it fell and broke, of course my students hear and saw. I said well I guess I need to buy a new one. Well, this little amazing thoughtful boy remembered this and noticed that I had yet to replace my mug. I explained to his mom this same story and said it was exactly what I needed. She has a very thoughtful son!

4: A visit from Santa- every year we have a visit from Santa and usually Mrs. Claus. Unfortunately, this year Mrs. Claus health was too bad and so we had a new Santa. This Santa came with an elf (which was bigger than Santa) and a reindeer. The elf handed out magic pencils from Santa. Here I am with Santa and the Elf.
5: Party Games: Have you ever played pass the present. It's a game where a present is passed around the circle and when the music stops whoever has the present gets to open it. Now, you know that really it's many presents wrapped inside, until eventually you get down to the smallest present which usually contains candy- sort of a pinata without the stick. We played this game at the party last Friday, the parent in charge told the class that when they got to the real present there would be enough for everyone to have 2 each. Now keep this in mind.

In a recent post, I told how at our school's Applebee's night, my mom won this grill.

Well, keeping in mind this grill, at one point this is the box that was unwrapped.

To which one of my students said "it's for you Miss Sanchez to go with the grill that you won." So, I had to remind them what the parent said about everyone getting 2, so that it couldn't be for me. Now, later on to another box- which was the Wii fit box- boy the excited of my class to see that box- was great than my box of cookware. There was also a little disappointment when the Wii box reveal yet another present to open. But once we finally got down to the candy they were excited again.

So, now you can see why I love teaching Kindergarten. My class this year has a lot of great characters who make me laugh or smile each day!

Honoring Paster Falke

2009-12-23T10:44:00.008-05:00

Recently, I went with my family to church to honor Pastor Falke. Pastor Falke has been my grandma's pastor for as along as I can remember. When I was younger I would often go to church with her. Although, this is not the place I choose to worship it is a place which has been a part of my life.

This year is an especially hard year for Pastor Falke. Last year, around Thanksgiving he lost his wife Louise. She had recently had a kidney transplant but unfortunately got pneumonia and her body was too weak to fight it off. So, in remember of this my grandma and aunts decided that they would honor Paster Falke's commitment to the church with a special gift. After the usual Saturday evening singing and testimony time they had a dinner and presented a new suit and shirts to the pastor. Many of the church members pitched in to help pay for this and remember him at a time he could feel alone.

My grandma at the dinner

I had taken a video of singing for my grandma and aunts. One thing that has amazed me about this small congregation is that it is made up of mostly older people. So when they sing things can be off key and awkward but it is all sung in the name of the Lord. It always touches me to hear these men and women sing their hearts out to their Lord. Here is two of my favorite songs being sung. Please forgive my video skills.

Vroom Vroom Baby!

2009-12-13T09:13:00.005-05:00

Tuesday Night was Dine to Donate Night for my Elementary School- TJ. Besides getting to eat great food and our school getting 15%, our Fantastic PTO also got some items donated for the raffle. I not much into grilling, but my mom was all excited and wanted to win. She even the lady selling the ticket to put some extra magic mojo on her ticket. Well, it worked and the next morning one of my students came in to tell me that I had won the grill (my mom had me put both our names on it - since I work at the school it would be easier for them to get a hold of me than her).

When I called my mom she was so excited!

For $5 she got a $400 grill. Merry Christmas!

If you would like this grill or another very unique grill just go to FAB grill.com

On to Cheerleading

2009-12-12T13:10:00.003-05:00

With the volleyball season over, my niece has moved on to her winter sport:

Cheerleading for basketball.

Now you'll notice in this picture her hair is curly/wavy, this picture was taken before she got her beloved InStyler.

Volleyball - and More Volleyball

2009-12-12T12:42:00.004-05:00

My friend's daughter, Zoe is playing Volleyball too. It's all teams of 4th, 5th & 6th graders. It's fun to watch them play. When I go see Zoe play I also get to see a lot of girls that I had as Kindergarten students play too.

Okay, I can tell you right now that my niece would say that these girls don't talk enough and need to go for it, even if it means diving on the hard floor to get a ball.

Now, remember these are girls who have just started playing organized volleyball and don't have the rouged practice schedule of regular team. These are fun loving and sometimes shy girls who play volleyball. I think they are doing well. I can't wait to go see their next game, which is next Tuesday.

GO BLUE TEAM!

Christmas Program Day

2009-12-12T12:13:00.004-05:00

Friday, Dec. 4th was our school's Christmas Program. I took pictures of all my kids in front of our tree for parent gift projects, so I decided to get one of me too.

The Christmas program was fun as always. I love seeing the kids all dressed up and happy to be singing for their family. Kindergarten sang it's usual songs, which they have been practicing since before Halloween (Must Be Santa, Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Dashing Thru the Snow, Up on the Rooftop, and their finale We Wish You a Merry Christmas). During the first program, I had two little sweeties who couldn't take the crowd and came to sit with me after about the first song. During the second performance, I rearranged things and talked to them about being able to stay up their for the program, even if they didn't sing. They did, but the one little sweetie had huge fat tears running down his cheeks. But he refused to come down off the risers.

If you want to see cute pictures- go check out my Kindergarten website www.accs.net/webpages/psanchez

Happy Sweet 16 Steph

2009-12-12T10:51:00.005-05:00

She was once this small, but she just turned 16.

Okay, let me first tell you what happened when I went down to celebrate her birthday. As always I had my camera with me. I took pictures as usual, pictures of her opening presents and blowing out the candles on her cake and then I began to take some of us all playing Yahtzee. At this point my memory card had a fatal error. YES, IT DID! IT DELETED ALL MY GREAT PICTURES. I was betrayed by my camera. So, I made my niece retake some pictures. She loves me so much that she did.

Her blowing out the candles on her first DQ ice cream cake. She has never had one for her birthday because the store is usually closed and there was a brazier store close by, but this year it has stayed opened later this year.
Okay, try not to notice the cake has pieces missing and that the rest have been pre-cut for later when people want an0ther piece. Pre-cutting the rest of you DQ cake before putting back in the freezer makes it easier to get that second slice.
Here is a gift that she has been wanting since it came out last year. The InStyler- you know that one that will straighten your frizzy, curly hair in just seconds beautifully. Well, last year it was so expensive that I said no, but this year I found it on sale one day when I was flipping through channels. So, she was really surprised and loved it. She even used it that day- it really works great and this will help with her fried hair from flat irons and cheap straighteners.

Her next favorite gift and place to eat- Subway- half the time I call her she is at Subway or just left Subway. She goes so often that the workers know her and wonder where she's been if she misses a day or two.

Her mom bought her roses too!

Of course, a picture of me and my nephew.

Oh, by the way she had started driving classes! WATCH OUT! No she is a good driver so far.

Madilyn Mae Rowan is Born

2009-12-12T10:41:00.003-05:00

Madilyn Mae Rowan was born on Nov. 20. (9lbs and 22inches)

Look at all her hair.

Here with the proud parents Bridgett and Dave

Here is a more recent picture of Madilyn with her older sister Jordyn. They are wearing the matching outfits I sent them. Aren't they cute!

Congratulations! Bridgett and Dave- you now have a wonderful family of 4, sorry you're out numbered Dave. I am sure these little sweeties will have daddy wrapped around their little finger in no time, who can say no to such cute little faces :-)

Grandma's 92nd Birthday

2009-12-12T10:24:00.003-05:00

Nov. 3rd my grandma turned 92. That night about 12 of us meet at her favorite restaurant for dinner. It was a good time for all of us.

Then on Saturday, Nov. 7th we had planned a surprise party for her. This is the only picture I have from it, well that's not true- I have a lot of pictures of people cleaning up the party.

Here's what happened. My mom was still in the Cleveland Clinic, so I was at the hospital with her in hopes that she would get out early and be able to stop in the party on the way home. Sadly, this did not happen, so I asked my brother to use the camera I loaned him and because I know my brother I also asked m cousin Rhonda to take pictures too. Okay, my brother left the camera at home and Rhonda was too late to the party to get anything but pictures of people cleaning up. I am hoping that someone will eventually send me some of the cake I bought or of the other family member who were at the party.

But once again we are so THANKFUL for another year with Grandma, her healthy runs in cycles of good to bad, which is consistent with her Congestive heart failure and diabetes. So, despite the many doctor visits and hospital stays we are always thankful to have more time with her.

I have to say that as she ages and begins to get a little forgetful, she is also beginning to speak her mind and boy does she come out with some doozies and it just make me laugh at what my 92 year old grandma has just said. Don't get me wrong, knowing our family and the crazy, almost soap-operaish stories it's nothing that no one in or outside of our family isn't thinking, but it's just funny to hear her say it. For instance, last time she was in the hospital, her nurse asked her how she was doing and she said she "I'm just freezing in here." Now, normally my grandma would suffer in silence or ask one of her family members to get her another blanket. She never would ask the staff, as she wouldn't want to put them out and make them work too much.

I love you, Grandma!

My New Car

2009-12-12T10:16:00.003-05:00

On Halloween, after much waiting, I finally got a new car. I had been holding off due to the fact that our union has not settle our contract and we are still in negotiations, but my old car, it's many needs and the approaching winter made me take action.

I have been thinking about a 4x4 for a awhile, especially since I live in the snow belt and have had many near misses accidents- people need to go back to driving school and remember that a stop sign means STOP and who has the right of way- aka- the person who doesn't have a stop sign. So, I was looking for something a little bigger and more noticeable in hopes of these idiots maybe taking more notice.

It has been such a blessing, because right after I got my mom ended up in the ICU at the Cleveland Clinic. It was so great driving this back and forth to Cleveland. Honestly, it feels like I have always had this car. It's so comfortable and the extra room has come in handy both for passengers and hauling things.

The Boy I Have Yet to Meet, Officially Anyway

2009-12-12T09:58:00.004-05:00

This year I didn't go down to see my niece on homecoming night, it was a little too crazy with my mom in and out of the hospital. I was trying to save my days off for when I needed to go back to the hospital and doctor. But here are some pics from then.

Here she is at the homecoming game, by the way her boyfriend is on the football team. I haven't meet this guy yet, just a casual look from my car at a park- at a time when I didn't even know they were dating.

Here she is at the dance with her boyfriend.
Her and her friends getting pictures together. This is her and her best friend Summer. Summer's most is taking classes to become an professional photographer- thus the canvas background.

The Power Puff Girls

All the girls- trying to look so grown up- and they do - maybe a little too much! Can I say the dress is a little too short for my tastes and yes the guys who will be seeing her.

My Niece Steph Loves Volleyball

2009-12-12T09:36:00.004-05:00

My niece Steph loves playing volleyball. This year she played on both Junior & Varsity teams due to lack of players. Her school has pay to play and some girls couldn't afford to play. But she loves to play volleyball, even though her team didn't do well. Many a time I would call her and ask about how the game went and she would answer "We lost again, our coach says we don't talk enough."

So, even given the bad season her team has had she still believes in going for it with all you got, as evidenced in pictures below.

A funny little story- when asked her about how school was going she told me she had gym. I joking said "why, because you get all sweaty and you're hair gets messed up?" "No, it's so stupid! No one tried to play (dodge ball) right. They are just trying to get out." she disgustingly said. "I told her that is how gym in high school can be especially for girls, since they often don't want to play and get messed up or they just are into sports that much. I can say it was the same when I was in high school."

My Steph so loves to play sports but she loves being a girl and all the girly things like make-up, shoes, clothes and doing her hair.

Pumpkin Pie

2009-11-25T20:33:00.009-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving

Okay, my job as the single relative is to bring a pie to dinner. Of course, I choose the best frozen one I can find: Sara Lee. Picked up at the local Walmart for just $3.00- what a deal. It's also great for me, because although I love pumpkin pie and it goes so well with Thanksgiving and Christmas- my favorite is Cheesecake. If I was suppose to bring a Cheesecake, let's just say that I'm not sure if it would actually make it before I ate it all. By the way did you know that Philadelphia Cream Cheese now has a nice little tub of premade Cheesecake filling- all you have to do is pour it into a graham cracker crust and eat! Sadly, I have to say I don't know how it tastes, because although I've past in the grocery store numerous times I have been disciplined enough not to buy it. I know myself and I would blow a weeks worth of calories by eating a whole pie by myself, so it stays on the shelf. Sorry, I digress- cheesecake can do this to me.

When I opened my pie this is what I found. Let me say that I have bought many a Sara Lee pies and this is the first time I have seen this, so of course I had to take a few pictures. Just a note, it could have happened because I spent more time shopping than I planned.
So, of course I decided to see if I could take the whole filling out, which of course I could.
Wouldn't this crust taste just as good with Cheesecake filling?
But I put it back together and got it ready to bake.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. I hope this is a blessed time for you.

Where Have I Been?

2009-11-17T20:54:00.003-05:00

It’s hard to believe how much has happened since the last time I posted here on my blog. Two days (Sept. 21st) after posting about my cousin’s wedding my mom was admitted to the hospital for chest pains. After being poked, prodded and subjected to many tests, the doctors said that she had 50% blockage and this was causing the pain. Thankfully, her doctor decided she needed to go to the Cleveland Clinic for a Heart Cath. It was first scheduled for the 2nd week of October. Before her consultant with the cardiologist, she came down with the bug that was circulating. This ended up postponing her Heart Cath for about 3 weeks.

Finally, on Nov. 4th, she went to the Clinic and had her Heart Cath. It lasted about an hour and then her doctor came out to give us both the good news – her arteries were clean. He also gave us the bad news that she was being admitted to the hospital because her blood pressure went up to 260 and they were having trouble getting it down. My mom has had Type 2 Diabetes and High Blood Pressure for awhile, so I guess the extreme high blood pressure was attributed to these.

Her doctors told us that she would be admitted and overnight they would be able to get her BP down and she could go home the next day. Unfortunately, within the hour they decided to move her to the Cardiac-ICU. Here they would be able to give her a very potent BP medication on an IV drip, but she needed constant monitoring. So, she needed to be moved to ICU where she would have her own nurse. One night turned into 3 days in the ICU. It was quite the ordeal. I kept wondering if they would ever be able to get her BP down.

Finally, by Friday morning it was down to acceptable levels and they were going to move her to a regular room since she would no longer need the IV drip medication or constant monitoring. One minor complication, during the night Thursday, she had a fever. This meant that she was in isolation. Can I just say that this is wrong! When I went to visit her I was told that I would have to wear mask, gown and gloves while visiting her. I must say that I had a little trouble breathing. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize the extent of what I would experience once she was moved to a regular room. Her nurse at her new room informed me that I would have to wear not 1 but 2 masks, one with a face guard. This would have to go on until they got her culture back to see if she had the swine flu. Okay, at this point I was prepared to visit by sitting in the waiting room across the hall from her room, so I could breathe. Thankfully, within the next hour her nurse let us know that we could toss all the equipment, since she didn’t have the swine flu.

Saturday, my mom was released from the hospital. She went home with almost all new medications. I was very thankful to finally be driving home from Cleveland for the last time- at least from the Clinic.

Over the weekend my mom felt weak and tired. We expected this and figured she would gain her strength back in a few days. This too did not go as planned. On Tuesday, Nov. 10 she went to our local ER. She was feeling extremely weak and almost lifeless. They ran lots of tests and confirmed that she was getting too much medication. She spent the next 2 days in the hospital while they adjusted her medication. I was very glad when she was release from the hospital and feeling better.

This lasted one day, as she now has the flu (no, not the swine flu) we know that she has gotten sick because her immune system has been down for awhile with all that been going on but also being in the hospital is the prime place to catch something. Then again she could have gotten it from a family member, as a number of realities who came for my grandma’s 92nd birthday had flu like symptoms.

So, she is now on antibiotics and hopefully will be well soon and back to work. She is looking forward to going back to work.

Well, that what my last 2 months have involved. I too am looking forward to her being well and me not spending days in the hospital. I will post some pictures of a few things that have happened between the end of September and now soon. Thankfully, although much time has been spent at doctors and hospital I have no pictures. 

A Family Wedding

2009-09-20T08:49:00.010-04:00

My 2nd cousin Alicia got married last weekend. Here is her dad walking her down the isle. Aren't her two nieces so cute as flower girls being pulled in the wagon :-)

Alicia & Jacob exchanging vows Alicia's mom (Debbie) and dad (Mark) watching the vows

The groomsmen - little guy is Alicia & Jacob's son Colton. Her brother Mark is the middle groomsman

Bridesmaids - her sister Janet is the maid of honor in the red dress

(those cute little flower girls are her daughters)

A family: Alicia-Colton-Jacob

The bride's Mom and Dad

The bride's grandmother (this is my aunt Barb) and father

My mom's husband David and my Mom

Grandfather of the Bride- Clark

Bride and groom's first dance

Father -Daughter dance

The little niece who couldn't wait to boogie. Everyone tried to get her off the floor but she was loving twirling her dress

Mother of the groom and groom dance

Grandpa and Grandma dancing with the girls during the family dance

Maid of Honor and her daughter

My aunt Barb- grandmother of the bride

My cousin Sheila and her granddaughter - she loves having me take her picture and getting to see it right away on my camera.

Happy Labor Day

2009-09-07T10:49:00.006-04:00

Well, I have no pictures to show you from our family’s Labor Day picnic, because I have spent the weekend trying to get over this cold. I am so tired of coughing and blowing my nose. I certainly missed the boat not investing in Kleenex.

So, instead of pictures of a picnic I will show you pictures from my nephew’s 19th birthday. I haven’t had time to post these since the beginning of the school year is just too crazy and this year, is EVEN CRAZIER than normal.

Willy blowing out his candles

Opening his gifts. This is one of his favorite colors.
We played a game of Phase 10, my brother and I competing against each other to win. We tied!
My brother shaving in between hands

Family Photo My brother Waylande, niece Stephanie and nephew Willy

Stephanie, Me and Willy-

I'm looking annoyed because as usual my brother was annoying me as he was taking the pictures. I think it purposely waits for me to have a weird look on my face before taking the picture.

David (my mom's husband), Stephanie, my Mom and Willy

Willy and his girlfriend Tori- first time we met her though they have been dating for awhile.

Willy with his High School Diploma

Steph driving- notice my brother's face? Actually she is a very good driver.

Well, I hope you have a great Labor Day Weekend and enjoyed time with family and friends.

Why I Hate Mondays or Maybe It's Just This One

2009-08-24T21:58:00.006-04:00

Okay, today was my first day back to work after a lovely summer vacation. Now, first just let me say that I am not a morning person. I prefer to sleep in deliciously until I wake up naturally; usually around 8 or 9, the reasonable hours of the morning. Unfortunately, my job requires me to be at work by 8am, so no sleeping in for me. I always tell my class how much I look forward to Saturday each week, because I know that I won't have to set my alarm clock and I get to sleep until I wake up.

Even though, I am not a morning person I find a lot of things to like once I am up and going. It just I need a little quiet time to get ready and have 2 or 3 maybe 5 cups of coffee, so that I am ready to be amongst others. Believe me if you have ever been around me before I have had my coffee you know that I need them desperately.

Here are the things I like about mornings:

At Li-Lo-Li I love to sit on the Lodge porch with the coffee, my Bible and watch the fog/mist rise.

Sunrise on the beach is beautiful. I have seen the sunrise on both the Pacific and Atlantic Coast. Although, it's not fun getting up to see the sunrise, it is beautiful.

Watching the way the rising sun illuminates the fall leaves on my drive to work. I often wish I wasn't always running late and could stop and take some beautiful pictures of this vision. But, I know it probably won't happen because my internal clock is perpetually set for late and I don't know how to take the pictures correctly, so they could truly capture what I see.

Now, as I said in the title of this post, that maybe it's just this Monday morning I hate. It was my first day back to work. Today we learned about a lot of new changes that are happening in our school district and our school. DO YOU REMEMBER my post about CHANGE a few post back? Well, today was a real whooper, part of me just wanted to go home and crawl back into my bed and sleep until it was all over. The other part, I'm not sure it just seemed so frustrated and overloaded.

Mondays may not be amongst my favorite things. SATURDAY is my favorite day of the week. I know that Monday will come each week and I do like the Mondays that are No School Holidays like Labor Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents Day, and Memorial Day!

As I close this post I pray that I will have a good year. I know once all these crazy things at school will get worked out and hopefully before I have a breakdown or is it crack-up. I know once I get to know the new little people in my room, I will find things to love about getting up and doing my job just like always. The reason I became a teacher is just a little unclear for me right now.

50 Years

2009-08-17T10:58:00.005-04:00

In my last post I talked about Change, so today it's nice to talk about something that hasn't change. This is my cousin Tommy's in-laws, Norm & Wanda. This past Saturday they celebrated their 50th Anniversary with a vow renewal.

This is what they looked like 50 years ago.

Here they are 50 years later and still in love.

You want to know how much this man loves this woman. It everyday attire, even in this unbearable hot weather is those mechanics one piece jumpsuit type thing. It was funny because he showed up to the church in his blue one piece suit. His wife realized this was who he was and although she was dressed up accepted that he would wear he normal attire. But just before the ceremony he pleaded for a bathroom break and and when he come back he was in this suit. Wanda was delighted.

After the ceremony was over he went an changed back into his usual attire, a blue jumpsuit. But Wanda didn't care, she's love him for 50 years and Norm just gave her a new rock.

So, in a world where change is always abounding it's warms my heart to know that somethings never change.

Change

2009-08-11T12:12:00.004-04:00

Change is not something I like very much. I'm not talking about the kind that can jiggle in your pocket but the kind that put you on a new course. I have been thinking about this a lot lately for 2 reasons. One my local grocery store is making some changes. Oh, it started very small with just the front of the store and some metal plates on the floor that you went over awkwardly with your cart. It was that much of a change and yes the construction was a little inconvenience. But the other day I went into the store and was shocked. Lots of changes had been made in seemly 2 days. This is my favorite grocery store: it's close to my house (5 mins); I know lots of people who work there (I've been shopping there forever and I also worked there briefly to help pay for Master's degree); and of course the biggest reason is that I've shopped here so long I know where everything is ad I can get in and out of the store quickly. Not the case right now. They are in the process of changing isles around and things are everywhere. It's a little crazy that it took me 2 walks around the store to find the A-1 sauce. I know that soon the store will be complete with it's remodeling and it will become my store again.

I guess the second and biggest reason change has been on my mind is that my school district is going through a lot of changes. These changes began about 9 years ago, but at that time they really only affected those in the High School and then the Junior High. This past year these changes began to affect me. Now, I know you are thinking that you have had 9 years to get use to these changes, but in reality they are different. I knew we were building new buildings and since we chose a campus design for the elementaries it was going to be different once we moved into the new buildings. Currently we are about 3 yrs from moving into the new elementaries buildings but the changes have been. Changes to staff, curriculum and long a custom ways of doing things. These are all things that I am going to have to learn to live with for the next few years, until we get into our new buildings and settle into them and a new routine. It's just that I am a little OCD, I like things to be in order and a clear path set. Some of these changes are so new that I don't know how it will work and for me that cause a little anxiety.

Now although, I don't like changes very much there are some changes that I love:

: watching my students blossom and grown as the school year goes by

:the changing colors of the sky during sunset

: a light from red to green

: a rose opening to a full bloom

: the change Christ made in my life and I know that is how I get through all these changes, but today I am struggling to let go.

A Beautiful Setting

2009-08-03T12:12:00.003-04:00

Last night the sky was a very pretty pinkish/orange at sunset. It was very lovely and added contentment and joy to my day. But unfortunately, I didn't take a picture because I live in the city and buildings get in the way. So, instead here's a beautiful Florida sunset. What a glorious view and it has the most calming affect on me. Sunset is one of my favorite times, especially when I'm at the beach. I'm sure there are those out there that sunrise is your favorite part of the day, but for me that's too early. I don't enjoying getting up before the sun. I'm more of an mid-morning riser.

Enjoy your day or whatever is your favorite part.

The End Is Near

2009-07-29T23:22:00.004-04:00

I've had this balloon since my birthday. I have hung on to it,because a very special student gave it too me and it has also been the longest lasting balloon I've ever had. As of today its been 84 days. This morning it looked like this when I woke up. Before it always floated to the top of my curtains.

Now at before bed it's down here by the pictures on my entertainment center.
I believe in the morning that it will probably be laying on top of my photos. But 84 days is a record for me.

What happens when .....

2009-07-26T03:36:00.006-04:00

you don't switch to Decaf coffee sooner in the day, you end up at 3 in the morning surfing the net and watching TV.

First, I decide I will catch up with the latest news or at least whats posted on my AOL mail site. Bad move because I started in on the Health section and got sucked into the world of "I have those symptoms so I must have ??????" But I have to tell you tonight I got a shock. I have family history of Diabetes on both my mother and father's sides of the family. I have been trying hard to be conscience of what I eat, especially too many carbs and sugars. I admit I lack in the exercise depart. So, tonight I got on to this site about the best things to eat to keep Diabetes at bay: whole grains, lean red meat (but not too often, seriously I eat enough chicken that if I had my own farm, I'd save money), fruits & vegetables -lots of green. Oh and shocker of all shockers stay away from fast food. So, all in all the tips in the articles were most just more of the same old same old information I have gotten from my doctor and the many books and pamphlets I have read.

But the real shocker came when I click on the article about who & what make you more prone to Diabetes. These were the real shockers

1:Breast Size (thankfully not my problem)
If you're a size D or larger at age 20, you may be up to five times more likely to develop diabetes than your flat-chested friends, according to a study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. This finding is surprising because it indicates that breast size is a significant factor independent of body mass index (BMI). However powerful these findings are, more studies and research remains to be done to be entirely conclusive.

2:Birth Month (I was born in the Merry month of May- Spring at it's finest)
New research suggests that the month in which you are born could play a role in the development of type 1 diabetes, reports the American Diabetes Association. More than 10,000 children were studied by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Division of Diabetes Translation. The results showed that spring babies were more likely than fall babies to develop type 1 diabetes in the U.S. This trend was strongest in the northern parts of the United States. The reasoning behind this is currently unknown, but may be due to mother's diet or exposure to solar radiation.

3: Diabetes is more likely to strike women who live alone. (what can I say to this, except even though I live alone, I take care of my health)
Women who live alone are 2.5 times more likely to develop diabetes than women who live with a partner, other adults, or children, according to a study published in Diabetes Care. Researchers examined what role household status played in the progression of impaired glucose tolerance to diabetes among 461 women, ages 50 to 64, and found higher risk among women living alone.
But don't freak out if you live solo: Lifestyle factors could explain this finding. Women who lived alone were also more likely to smoke (No, I don't) and less likely to have healthy dietary habits (I'm working hard on this) or consume alcohol (only about 2-3 times a year).

Okay, I always knew I had more of a chance to eventually have Diabetes because of my family history but how depressing is this information. Next time I think I look for something about "Is that a brown spot or more?" Only joking but honestly some of these studies they do about health issues.

Second, late night TV consists of very little enjoyment. I have become my brother who constantly has to flip the channel. At his house you never know what you're watching, because just as you get into the show he flips it and doesn't (well says he doesn't) remember what channel or he has gotten interested in something else. Late at night these were my choices: infomericals, singles chat link & various other sex commericals, bad old movies.

But I got luck because I just flipped and found "The Wedding Singer". I love this movie. Bridgett and I always quote parts of this movie to each other. We also watch it at least once when we visit and we have both bought the movie for the other.

So, even though I still awake and it's now 4 in the morning, I am going to finish watching the Wedding Singer.

Mountain Climber

2009-07-21T23:17:00.003-04:00

This is one of my cousin's hunting dogs. I don't recall the dogs name because he has a few. Anyway, this dog was crazy. She actually climbs the fence. I have never seen a dog do this.

As you see she is almost at the top, I think he will need to add more fence or soon she will be out hunting on her own. Notice the others dogs, content to be on the ground.
Today, I find my self like this dog. Looking for some way to get out of my cage. What is my cage? I don't know! Guess, it's just the typical hum drum summer, but I have been feeling a little restless too.

Random Thoughts

2009-07-14T13:18:00.009-04:00

Here are some random thoughts I've been having lately:

1: If your house just burned down in May and you are currently in the process of rebuilding, do you think it wise or even safe to have a small camp-like fire within 3ft of where you are currently rebuilding?

2: Doesn't anyone remember the rules of crossing a street? Stop and look both ways, not just walking/riding your bike into any part of the street as you continue to joke with your friends and act all cool, cause you know the cars will stop for you. Fortunately, for these kids I remember my driver's ed teacher who said always let the pedestrian have the right of way, but still a small part of me wants to teach them a lesson.

3: Does anyone miss getting snail mail? Hold on the my mailman just dropped my mail in the box. Just magazines, ads and junk mail today. Communication these days is actually very time consuming. I mean with blogs, facebook, myspace, IM's, texting, etc it more to keep up with then a person sometimes wants to do. Some days I only have the strength to check one form of communication. I miss the days of getting an actually snail mail letter and then writing back. Don't get me wrong it's great to be able to talk to people and get information quickly. Like this most recent addition to my large family: Zaden, my second cousin. He was born July 2nd (7lbs 8ozs) and lives in Kentucky. So, without the information highway it would be a few more weeks before I got to see this little cutie.
4: Don't you love it when things change in your favor? Today I was suppose to take my mom and her husband to dinner. She just called to say that she got called into work, so we have to reschedule. I am so glad, since I woke up with a allergy fuzzy head and I had the desire to stay in my PJ's because 90 degrees is too hot to be outside with my allergies. Also their place has no central air. So, I get to stay home and pitter around the house.

5: It's been 69 days and counting for this balloon:
6: The closer it gets to school the lazier I get about getting my self imposed project list completed. I keep thinking the days are dwindling and soon I won't be able to sleep until noon or read until my heart's content. Instead it will be back to getting up at 6am and throwing myself into the beginning of the school year. But today is today and I'm off to read.

Motorcycles, Sales, Cars, Picnics, Tents and Fireworks

2009-07-06T12:36:00.009-04:00

Saturday I packed up my car with all the stuff I was bringing to the picnic. Now, I want to remind you that my cousin's 4th of July picnic is an all day event. It begins at 12:00pm and ends after they (all the little boys, oops I mean men) set off their huge store of fireworks.

As I was waiting to get out of my street (high traffic - due to the weekend- actually every weekend because the Strip-Geneva on the Lake is open now)

I realized that to me the 4th of July is a combination of many things. (1) yard sales or as you see in the sign below BACKYARD sale. These are new signs and I was a little shocked. Whatever happened to the good old yard sale or garage sale sign. I have to tell you that growing up these signs were and still are for my mom a great weakness. Her car pulls over automatically. But it seems as if everyone is having a yard sale. I know for our town it's a high traffic time. But personally, I am glad that I am headed off to relax at a picnic and not manning a yard sale.

Here are a few more signs I saw along the way:

(2)Motorcycles- once the strip opens for the summer the motorcycles come out in full force. When you visit the strip you can see the motorcycles lined up from one end to the next. Sorry, I don't have a picture of motorcycle because I already got beeped at the last stop light because I was taking garage sale pictures, so I figured no pictures at stop lights and the motorcycles are very fast and second I didn't want to drive down to the strip, the traffic is murder especially since it's only 25mph.

(3) Cars parked on lawns- driving to my cousins I saw lots of lawns filled with cars. This is a common site as people pour into visit with family and friends.

(4) Tents- along with the cars I saw tents. Tents for sleeping and some for keeping the bugs out of the food.

(5) Games- People playing games ladder toss, softball, baseball, football- you name it

oh, don't forget the trampoline

Slip n Slide

Swimming

Time out- here is my grandma wearing my uncles hunting cap - she was a little cold

did you notice my aunt playing ladder toss above with her coat and hat - she was cold too

hey, it happens when you get older

(6) Fireworks and of course Sparklers

Sorry, my pictures of the fireworks aren't that great, because I was lazy and just took pictures from where I was. It was late and I was tired.

I hope your 4th of July celebration was filled with family, friends, food, fun and thankfulness like mine was on Saturday!

A Broken Keyboard and WallyWorld!

2009-07-02T17:31:00.004-04:00

Yesterday, did not go as I had planned it. Here's how it happened.

Tuesdays are the day I visit my grandma and fix for medicine boxes for the week. I also visit my mom since this is her day off of work. I also try to cram any errors I need to get done in after visiting them. So, as planned on Tuesday, I went to my grandma's and did her medicine. My mom wasn't home so I decided to go to WallyWorld and get my shopping done. Now, I have to say shopping at WallyWorld is not my favorite thing, actually shopping at all is not my favorite thing. I have decided I like on line shopping much more. When I was young I loved hanging out at the mall and wandering from store to store and just looking. Now my approach is get in and get out. This is hard to do at WallyWorld, since I always seems to run into people I know. This happened Tuesday, I spent probably an hour in the toothpaste & deodorant isle talking to another teacher. At the end of our talk the storm began to rain and she told me that one time she was in a WallyWorld out of town when a tornado was going through town. They were told to go to the center of the building and huddle. She said she was ready to get out before the storm gets bad.

I had another approach, since it was raining so hard I figured I would wait it out by wandering around WallyWorld. I pretty much wandered the whole store before the storm began to calm down. Once it did I got the things on my list (groceries) and found the quickest line to leave. Now, because of running into a few people and the storm I was in WallyWorld for about 2 1/2 hours. WAY TOO LONG!

So, imagine my frustration when on Wednesday morning I found that my keyboard had died, which meant another trip to WallyWorld. Now, my preferred method would be to order a new keyboard online, but you need a keyboard in order to do that and mine was dead. So, I knew I was going to need to go to WallyWorld. I have two choices when going to WallyWorld. One is about a 25 minute drive and in the town where I work. The other is just 5 minutes down the road, in the town next to where I live. Of course, the closer one is the idea choice, unfortunately I have realized that not all WallyWorlds are alike. The closest one does not often carry the items I like. I admit I don't like change very much and prefer to use the same brand of shampoo, lotion and many other health and beauty items as well as foods. The closer WallyWorld doesn't often carry some of my favorite things. My biggest thing is bottled water; yes, I know I'm polluting the landfills, but I'm addicted to Dasani water and feel at least this way I get my required 8 glasses a day. The closest WallyWorld no longer carries Dasani, so I usually don't go there to shop anymore, but I figured I could get a new keyboard there.

It will be a quick trip in and out, since all I need is a new keyboard. Straight to the back of the store and out. Low and behold once I get into WallyWorld it begins pouring again, so once again I am wandering WallyWorld. I ended up buying more than just a keyboard.

But the real problem with me going to WallyWorld two days in a row, was that my plans on Wednesday were so simple : (1) check my email and read my favorite blogs (2) spend the day in my PJ's reading. It was going to be another rainy day, a perfect day to kick back and relax. But, no luck for me. I'm on vacation and one of my favorite things to do on summer vacation is working on the stack of books I have built over the school year for the summer.

Now, I have a new keyboard, enough of my favorite body soap to last for about 4 months (I went a little crazy seeing that it was in stock and quickly bought it all), I also wandered and picked up more fruit and vegetables when I really wanted chips, ice cream, cookies and many other snacks (see what happens when you go shopping hungry or in my case staying in WallyWorld too long because of the weather).

Have a good day and the next rainy day, I don't care what breaks I'm staying home in my PJ's and spend the day reading.

Where Were You?

2009-06-26T11:16:00.008-04:00

Yesterday, was one of those days in history that people will remember where they were when they were told the news. Yesterday, we lost two Icons and for me it was two Icons from childhood and early teen years.

First, Farrah Fawcett

Now this was no surprise as she had been battling cancer for a long time, but it stills means the end of an era. What do I remember about her? That she was one of Charlie's Angels. I can remember watching this show pretty faithfully. I even remember watching the show where she rode the skate board in the picture below.

In my mind she will always bring two memories to me. One as a fun loving Angel on the show and two as the lady who made me want to feather my hair like hers. Unfortunately, my natural curly hair wasn't doing it, oh, sure after hours of straightening I could get this look for all of an hour. Once the wind blew or the humidity kicked in back came the curls. I envied this style and all my friends who could do this with their hair. These pictures show her as she will always be remember by me.

Second, Michael JacksonThis was a great surprise. Where was I? I was watching the early news trying to wait for the weather report, because I needed to go to the laundromat. I had been putting it off, because we have been having temps in the middle to high 80's and high humidity. Needless to say, I was hoping for a cooling day to come along soon so I could get my laundry done. The place is hot enough as it is without high humidity and high temps. (as a side note, I decided I would get up early today and be there when the placed opened at 7am, I did and it was 70 degrees and humid already by 6:30am, but my laundry is done now for at least 2 months). It was during this news program that they had breaking news that TMZ was the only ones reporting that Michael Jackson had died. So, it almost didn't seem real but by the time the program ended it was confirmed.

Now I know a lot of people can only think of the craziness surrounding him. What I remember is funnily connected to my post about the tearing down of my junior high school. It was when I was in junior high that his Thriller album hit and became such a phenomenon. It weird and I don't know why or how it all came together but in 7th grade gym one day we watched the Thriller video in the girls locker room. It was fantastic! My friend, Tricia was a huge Michael Jackson fan and it was her video. I remember watching it as if it was the first time, even though I had seen it on TV already. Now we watched it a number of times that day, why? Well, to work on the dance moves of course. That's what I remember (dance moves) about him and especially his popular albums (Thriller, Bad and Off The Wall) at the time when I was in the 7th grade. Everyone wanted to dance like him (even us uncoordinated fools) and do the moon walk and all his other moves. You know how on most albums there are only a few songs that you like, Michael's Thriller album wasn't that kind of album. It had 8 great songs: Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'; Baby Be Mine; The Girl Is Mine; Thriller; Beat It; Billie Jean; P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing); The Lady in My Life. Each of these songs connects me with junior high and my friends. Thriller, Beat It and Billie Jean are probably the most popular.

I also remember this Michael Jackson

The littlest Jackson 5 member. I enjoyed watching when they showed the Jackson 5 on TV. I love Oldie's music and most of the Jackson 5's music is like that. My favorite song ABC. Some other favorites are Rockin' Robin and Never Say Goodbye.

If you feel like a trip down memory lane, here's where mine took me this morning

http://www.allmichaeljackson.com/index.html

Falling down Memory Lane

2009-06-24T11:03:00.007-04:00

Yesterday, I went to the library and got a little shock. Our library is right across the street from my old junior high and high school. About 5 years or so ago, a new high school was built in a location down the ways. So, they made the whole building into a junior high school. Now, they are in the process of building a new junior high, which unfortunately means knocking down the old to build there. The first picture is one I got of the school district's website. All that you see now is gone. As of yesterday, on the high school gym and the old high school part of the building (this would be off to the right of this picture below.) is all that is standing.
Gone now are some of my junior high and a few high school memories, because although one part of the building was considered the junior high and the other the high school there was a lot of over flow. But gone now is Study Hall 148. This was an opened area where desks were put to basically hold students. It only had 2 walls, one on the north and one on the south side. The two other sides were open to the hallway. So, a lot of study hall was watching people walk by in the hallway. Sometimes friends who knew you had this study hall would make it a point wander by and wave hi to you. The poor sucker who had study hall. Now it was only study hall and what really goes on during study hall? Note passing, sleeping, whispering and maybe even a little studying.

The restrooms were the wall that bordered the south side. This meant a lot of time was spent asking to go to the restroom even when you didn't need to go. See note above about wandering friends. Of course, you meet in the restroom to talk. What a way to spend class time. Now the one striking feature about these restroom is the prison like sink. You know the sink that is round like a circle and has the bar on the floor that you step on and this makes the water come out? It's kind of like a weird sprinkle system. One thing about this sink was you had to pay attention because the water didn't stream clear to the sides, it fell about half way. This meant you had to lean over the sink to complete wash your hands. Again if you were paying attention your shirt, belt or purse would wind up getting wet.

My one other big memory about the junior has to do with when I was in high school. As I said there was a lot of going back and forth between the building. One main reason was lunch. It was served and eaten in the junior high part of the building. Also the library was in the junior high section. By the way going to the library was another way to get out of study hall, you just had to get a pass from one of your teachers. Anyway, the part that connects the two building is a bit of a slope. It was slick and almost like a wheelchair ramp. It was the sight of many kids falling. It just seemed to happen. So, one day I was dressed up in my new teal dress with white pipping and buttons up the front. I also had on my Payless white sling back 11/2 inches shoes to match. I was looking good. Please remember this was the 80's around 84/85. So, the bell rings and it lunch time, so I am walking all cool like with my friends to the lunch room. So cool that I was paying attention to the afore mentioned dangerous slope. Yes, my new slingback heels slipped right from under me and I landed on the floor. Miraculously, it seemed just a minute. I thank my friends who quickly got me to my feet and we moved on to lunch. Now this is a very crowded place with the crowd moving both ways. I didn't look around to see who all was there, my embarrassment was too much. We moved on to lunch, where my friends laugh with me and at me, like all good friends do.

Ah, the memories of junior high and high school!

49 Days and Counting

2009-06-24T10:58:00.003-04:00

The balloon is still floating high. It's looks like it lost a little more air but it's still pops back up when I pull on the string. It's been 49 days.

How Long Will It Last?

2009-06-14T19:48:00.004-04:00

This balloon was given to me by one of my students and and her mom for my birthday. It came with a cute birthday cupcake balloon too. But this star balloon is unbelievable, it was given to me on May 7th and it is still flying. I have never had balloons that last this long. It's been over a month and it's still floating high. I am wondering how long it will last? Any Guesses?

SCHOOL'S OUT!

2009-06-06T10:44:00.004-04:00

I am officially on my first day of summer vacation. YEAH! I am excited, but right now I am a little tired. Our district is in the midst of a huge move. Our new junior high school will soon be completed and students will start there this fall. We are combined 5 of our elementary schools into a intermediate school of 4-5-6 grades and then taking 3 schools and making them primary schools of K-1-2-3. This means there have been a lot of packing and moving. I will still be teaching Kindergarten and staying in my current classroom. But the majority of the teachers in my building had to move classrooms. Their being moved to keep all the grade level classrooms close together. So, teachers have been packing and moving. I've been spending the last 3 days helping teachers who are moving. My body is tired and aching. I am ready for rest and I'm off for a nap!

7th Place

2009-06-06T10:42:00.003-04:00

My niece's relay team came in 7th place yesterday. They were in first until the 3rd pass of the baton when it was dropped and for some reason they stopped. She's a little disappointed but at least she made it.

She's In Columbus

2009-06-04T20:32:00.007-04:00

My niece and her teammates are in Columbus. They run tomorrow and Saturday, if they do well Friday. She is a little nervous, because she is the starter and she doesn't want to forfeit because of a false start.

This is the medal ceremony picture from the regional meets, which got them to Columbus!

Here's Hoping UPDATED !

2009-05-29T19:06:00.009-04:00

YEAH! STEPH AND HER TEAMMATES WON LAST NIGHT AND ARE OFF TO STATE NEXT WEEK IN COLUMBUS!

My niece's relay team is currently at regionals. If her team wins again they go to State meet in Columbus next week. So Here Hoping that they win again.

This her team and their coach.

Here the team is posing, this was after a meet where the relay team won. Notice my niece's tongue sticking out.

Mother's Day Dancing

2009-05-24T21:14:00.015-04:00

On Mother's Day I went to my friend Ann's daughter's dance recital. Zoe is in Wildfire and they do all kinds of dances. It was a lot of fun, even if the bleacher seating is a little hard on the bottom when the show is over 2hrs long.

At the end of the show some of the dancer's fathers got together and performed a little number. It was hilarious and a great Mother's Day present to their wives and the crowd. I can't up load the last part of the dancing because the video is too long, but this was the best!

Steph's Track Picture

2009-05-09T14:42:00.014-04:00

The girls scored 73 points at the Loudonville Invitational

She runs on the relay team and at this meet they won first place, thus the medals hanging around their neck.

My niece has set a personal record: 200m dash: 29.60

Funny note: Before the actual track meets began, I would call her to see how training
was going and she would always say how tired she is and said "it's a lot of running." As a good aunt I calmly told her that was what the word track meant.

The Things You Hear at Recess

2009-05-05T19:13:00.006-04:00

The other day as I was walking my class back inside after recess, I heard this conversation:

Kid 1: Hey, look that is a mailman

Kid 2: I know (giving the other the look of duh!)

Kid 1: Did you know that he comes to my house everyday?

Kid 2: Yes (with the look of duh and an eye roll), a mailman visits every one's house.

Okay, let me just say that almost everyday of the past 150 days we have been in school, we usually walk past the mailman on our way in from recess.

I was a little in shock, considering we have been studying economics and discussing service related jobs. We also studied the mailman earlier in the year when we discussed community helpers and workers. A part of me wonders how can a child not know about the mailman. It was always my nephew's favorite thing to ride his bike to the boxes mail. It saddens me to think what some of these children are missing out on. But, then I think well at least it all starting to make sense to him now.

Just a side note, their favorite topic of discussion at snack time is farting. As much as I try to discourage it and give them some more appropriate topics to talk about, some group brings it up everyday.

Happy Birthday Mom

2009-04-20T19:47:00.003-04:00

Happy 59th Birthday Mom

(my mom when she was 15)

(my mom when she was 20, that's me a few months old)

(I have this little purple dress & the black patent shoes packed away)

Happy Easter?

2009-04-12T10:37:00.005-04:00

Looking at these pictures of me taken when I was 3, I don’t look too happy that it's Easter.

Me (3yrs old) and my brother Waylande (2yrs old)

My cousin Ruthie, me and her sister Maryann- again I don’t look too happy

I think it's funny that I found these two pictures of me looking unhappy, because I can remember always being excited about Easter. I had two reasons (1) new outfits which consisted of a dress, shoes and a purse. I really loved getting the new purse to go with my outfit. Even though as I noticed this purse it, looks more like a Minnie Pearl purse, since it really is wicker, but it was the 70's I was styling (2) the Easter Egg hunt after church and eating the loot we found on the way home on the church bus.

Well, Have a Great Day and remember the true reason for today:

UP FROM THE GRAVE HE AROSE! (my favorite Easter song)
"Up from the grave He arose,
With a mighty triumph o'er His foes;
He arose a victor from the dark domain,
And he lives forever with His saints to reign:
He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!"

Ah! Spring

2009-04-07T11:03:00.005-04:00

Just Joking! Right now it is 32 degrees and snowing outside. Yesterday was my first day of Spring Break. I'm sorry I don't count the non-school days. I love knowing I don't have to set my alarm clock to get up early. Anyway, we got snow yesterday and are still under a snow warning for the rest of today.

So, I'm enjoying my time by trying to catch up on blogs, editing pictures in Photoshop (this has become a little addictive- thankfully I have friends who lets me take their kids pictures and play with them to my hearts content and they love seeing the results) and my favorite activity on this snowy day is getting to make a dent in the books I have been putting aside to read. I have to put them aside for when I have time, because I like to finish a book and that has lead to many late nights and then my alarm going off far too early. It's not good when the teacher wants a nap before lunch time. So, I try to be responsible and make my stack of books for times like this when I can indulge.

Well, just thought I'd check in since, I changed my blog background. Enjoy Spring!

Live Animals

2009-03-22T16:43:00.014-04:00

We had an live animal assembly this past week at school. The man who comes from the Cleveland Natural History Museum always does a great job. The kids are all enthralled. It's so funny, because we had this assembly on Thursday, and on Friday our 4th graders went to the Museum. A former kindergarten student of mine described it as boring, so boring she was falling asleep and couldn't remember one thing the lady giving the lecture told them. I wish I could show you some of their faces, but I can't without permission I love this assembly because I learn just as much as the kids. We tried to have him about every 2 or 3 years. One of our teachers is so grossed out by snakes that she got someone else to bring her kids to the assembly.

Here is what he had to show us this week.

Opossum - see his mouth is making sure that you say O, not just possum

Pouch for babies- who migrate their before they are completely formed

Showing the kids the human like big toe

Poor baby was just trying to find out how to get off this table and back to it's cage which was underneath

Ms. Skunk - the kids all tried to scooter farther away

Showing skunks stomp with their feet to warn predators away, before spraying

A beady eye cute little thing - his description not mine

Killer - the screech owl

A small little thing, but I think the next owl is cuter

Baird Owl

Showing how skinny his neck actually is, so that it allows them to turn their head so far around

I love this face - it's so cute

Red Tailed Hawk

I forget what kind of snake this was - I think it was a boa constructor

Ironic

2009-02-28T09:18:00.005-05:00

Last night, my friend and I decided to get Chinese take-out to eat with our chick flick. This was my fortune.

Ironic after spending $25.oo for take-out!

Guess, we should have gotten a value meal from McD's.

Pictures from the Storm

2009-02-28T09:05:00.005-05:00

Here are a few pictures from the storm that blew the tree branch down behind my car. These pictures show Lake Avenue in Ashtabula. This is a very busy street, the hospital is located just before this pictures. The wind knocked down 6 telephone poles and it was a few days before this was fixed.

Even this flag took a hit, when it was riped in half.

Thankful

2009-02-12T09:24:00.006-05:00

Last week we were dealing with so much snow that we were beginning to run out of places to pile it when we shoveled. At the beginning of this week we got a brief respite and last night the winds began. We have be having high winds of 60+ miles per hour. As always I have trouble sleeping when it's very windy. I have always been a pretty light sleeper, so all night long I could hear the wind blowing. Of course, in my mind I am wondering what is being blowed around? Is my garbage can still in place? Have any more tree branches falling?

This is what I woke up to this morning:

I am so thankful that the tree didn't hit my car.

I am also thankful that my new neighbor (red van across the street) came over to help me try to move it. We didn't move it, because it was much heavier than I thought.

I am very thankful that by 9:00am the City of Geneva work crew was out checking streets and they got out their chain saw and took care of the tree. My driveway is now tree branch free.

As the wind continues to blow I am thankful to be home safe with power and heat, since as I listen to the radio there are many without power and lots of trees and yes even telephone poles down.

Oh! Yes! I am THANKFUL to be home from school today.

Winter Poem

2009-02-01T15:04:00.002-05:00

Ohio Poem

Ohio Winter Poem

It's winter in Ohio.
And the gentle breezes blow
Seventy miles an hour
At twenty-five below.

Oh, how I love Ohio
When the snow's up to your butt
You take a breath of winter
And your nose gets frozen shut.

Yes, the weather here is wonderful
So I guess I'll hang around
I could never leave Ohio
'Cause I'm frozen to the ground!!

Update

2009-01-26T08:05:00.004-05:00

My aunt Phyllis got to come home from the hospital on Wednesday. They gave her a stress test and it turn out good. The doctor found no problems. He feels the stress of the past 2 weeks, with everyone else in the hospital was the cause of her recent problems.

Thank you, Lord!

At the Hospital Again

2009-01-20T19:32:00.004-05:00

Well, this afternoon was spent visiting the hospital again. On Monday, my aunt Phyllis had a doctor's appointment to check out the tightness in the her chest. Well, she went from the doctor to the ER and was admitted. Her doctor decided he wanted to admit her since her blood pressure was high and her potassium was lower. So, she will be having a stress test done on Wednesday morning. She was hoping to get out the the hospital today, but no luck.

Please pray for my mom, grandma and aunts- they all need improved health

Read the last previous few posted for more specific prayer requests.

Thank you!

Finally Home!

2009-01-18T20:17:00.002-05:00

My grandma got to come home from the hospital yesterday. We are so thankful to have her home and she is just as glad to be home.

Prayer Requests:
*My grandma to regain her strength. She is a little weak from being in the hospital, she doesn't like the food very much and then they always put her on a no salt diet which she hates.
*My mom recovery from her emergency gall bladder surgery and also regained strength
*Health for all my aunts, as they have their own health problems (heart and diabetes), right now they are a little run down from the the many hours spent at the hospital

Praise that my mom, my aunt Emma and my grandma are home from the hospital.

Prayer Update

2009-01-16T12:02:00.001-05:00

Well, it’s been quite a week. Since, my last update date both my mom and aunt were admitted to the hospital. Yes, my grandma is still in the hospital.

On Monday, after lunch my mom’s husband called me to say that he took her to the emergency room and they were admitting her to have gall bladder surgery. I left school early; because he wasn’t sure what time they were going to have the surgery. The finally did the surgery at 5:30pm and she was out of surgery by 6:30pm. The surgeon showed us the picture of the gangrene gall bladder, very disgusting, but so thankful that they got it out before it burst. He told us she would get to go home tomorrow (Tues). Unfortunately, Tuesday she woke up with a few and her oxygen levels were still down. So, they decided to keep her. It’s now Friday, Jan. 16th; she was released from the hospital about an hour ago. Her oxygen level is still down and she refused to take home the oxygen tank, as recommended. Please pray for her and her health.

On Wednesday, my Aunt Emma Jean was admitted to the hospital for chest pains. Each night someone takes turns to stay with my grandma. Wednesday was Emma’s turn. As they were (she, my grandma, my aunt Phyllis & Uncle Jimmy) were sitting there talking before visiting hours were over, Emma began rubbing her shoulder. My aunt knows it probably her heart (she has open heart surgery a number of years ago), so she goes gets a wheelchair to take her downstairs to the Emergency Room. She was admitted within an hour. She was released on Thursday morning. She has rebuffed the doctor’s orders so many times that he knows she will not follow his orders. So, as so as he was sure she was stable she was released.

My grandma is still in the hospital. Her blood pressure and sugar levels still continue to vary each day. On Monday, she has a bruise-like sore on her right foot. We say bruise-like because we are not sure what cause this and it could be related to her diabetes. They have been keeping an eye on it each day and since her legs were warm to the touch they put her on an antibiotic. Her blood work also showed that she is fighting an infection, but they are not sure it’s origin at this point. On Thursday, the doctor ordered x-rays of her feet and also an in hospital visit from her podiatrist. On Tuesdays, they began giving her physical therapy. This has been helpful since they want her to be mobile before going home. They first suggested that she go to a nursing home for rehabilitation, but of course we vetoed that idea. We know that once she is home she will be mobile, but since she has had the catheter, she has been in bed except when we sit her up in the chair at different times during the day. She just hasn’t been up walking around. The physical therapist says she has good joint movement, especially considering she’s 91 and still has her original knees and hips.

Next steps for my grandma:
*visit from her podiatrist
*continued physical therapy- which will continue even once she’s home.
*infection to be cleared up
*stabilization of her blood pressure and sugar levels

Prayer Requests:
*Continued prayer for my grandma’s health and her doctor’s wisdom
*Prayer for the health of my aunts as they care for my grandma
*Prayer for my Aunt Emma Jean and her health problems
*Prayer for my mom and her health problems, especially this low oxygen levels