sarahsworld

Book Review- Save the Date

2011-01-30T17:40:00.000-08:00

Lucy Whiltshire is desperate. Alex Sinclair is also desperate. So begins the tale in the new book Save the Date by Jenny B. Jones. Lucy, a non-profit director for a young women's home and Alex, a former professional athlete turned congressional candidate are each desperate for something the other needs. The novel then turns into page turning laughs as Lucy and Alex come together to try and help one another. The novel, set in Charleston, South Carolina is a great read of dreams, love, and letting God have the final say.

Jones takes everyday characters and makes them seem like they are the readers best friends. I literally laughed and got teary eyed with Lucy and Alex and their adventure in this story to the ultimate of realizing their dreams. I was hesitant about this book because I had never heard of the author, but now want to read everything she has written. Jenny B. Jones is a great new voice in Christian fiction for women.

I received no monetary compensation for this review and the thoughts of this review are my own. Thomas Nelson Publishers provided me with an advance copy of this book for my review.

Book Review- Rick and Bubba's Big Honkin Book of Grub

2011-01-05T13:20:00.000-08:00

If you have lived anywhere in Alabama or other parts of the southern U.S, you have probably heard of Rick and Bubba. Rick Burgess and Bill "Bubba" Bussey are the hosts of a local Birmingham Morning Radio Show. They are from the South and proud of it and their books tell the same story. These two wonderful Christian men use humor as a platform to tell the world about what God has done in their life. They bill themselves as the "two sexiest fat men alive" and this book, an actual cookbook, is testament to their love (and southerners in general) love of food. The book tells stories behind some of their favorite recipes. If you are a fan of southern comedy, this book is a delicious read for you. I highly reccommend this book for a quick read and a good laugh.

Booksneeze did not provide any monetary compensation for this review other than a free copy of the book.

Book Reivew - A Rush of Wings

2010-12-06T13:24:00.000-08:00

I was curious about this book because I have read others by Kristen Heitzmann and have had trouble getting into them. This was not the case with this book. I was hooked from the first chapter right until the end. The story centers around Noelle St. Claire who is on the run. From what is learned in the first chapter, a reader would question why she would run. She has a loving father, a seemingly loving fiancee, and lives a comfortable life in New York. She gives all this up and runs to the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.

It is in these mountains that we learn of the fear in her life and Noelle learns to finally trust again. At her final destination, a ranch owned by Christian Rick Spencer, Noelle must learn to face her fears. She does this and more as she learns to face her past, learns to love again, and look towards God and the future.

This book is for anyone who loves suspenseful fiction. There is plenty of action and romance in the novel and it is a page turner to the end. A great novel about love, forgiveness, and God's faithfulness.

DISCLAIMER: Bethany House provided no monetary compensation for this review. I was provided with a copy of the book to review. These thoughts are my own and have no connection with Bethany House publishers.

Hatteras Girl

2010-11-17T14:08:00.000-08:00

I eagerly awaited the arrival of this book from Bethany House author Alice J. Wisler as I had enjoyed her previous book How Sweet It Is. This book is an intimate look at Jackie Donovan as she prays for two things. A man to marry and her own bed and breakfast to run. Along the way she has to deal with many blind dates that her well meaning family set her up on and the realization that God knows exactly the right time to bring someone into your life. In the time before God gives an answer to her prayer of owning a bed and breakfast Jackie works at a local magazine on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

Jackie feels God has answered her prayers when she meets Davis, who holds the key (literally) to the property she dreams of owning. Through the course of the novel, God shows Jackie, through her friends, what trust in God and waiting on His timing is all about. As she is learning to trust in God, He brings the right people in her life not only professionally but personally to help her realize her prayers have been answered, just in a different way than she thought.

This is a great book for anyone who loves a good love story, reading about God's grace in our lives, or people who love the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

Disclaimer: I received no compensation from Bethany House publishers other than an advanced copy of the book in return for this review. The opinions in this review are completely my own and not associated with the author or Bethany House.

It's been awhile

2010-11-17T14:01:00.000-08:00

I know its been awhile. I will try to do better. I am almost fully recovered from surgery. I go for a six month checkup on December 3rd and hope to be cleared for good.

Work is going well,counting down the days until Thanksgiving Break next week. Then we only have 3 weeks until Christmas Break. Where has the year gone?

One Month

2010-07-09T17:26:00.000-07:00

Today is the one month mark from my surgery. To say this was WAY more than I anticipated would be an understatement. I had no idea how hard this was or how involved it would end up being.

I am making good progress though in my recovery. I am now able to live by myself. I have been living alone for the past week. I am so thankful that my mom has the summers off and was able to stay with me. I am thankful I have the summer off as well, I could not imagine having to work and try rehab at the same time. I am exhausted from the smallest things. I have a doctors appointment in two weeks and hopefully will be cleared to drive then. That is 2 weeks before I have to go back to work. My therapist promises me that I will be ready for school when it gets here.

It's HOT out there

2010-06-14T14:52:00.000-07:00

but, thanks to last Wednesday's surgery, I will be resting comfortably in my house for the next several weeks except for my "field trips" to physical therapy.

I have the Avion (I think that is what its called) procedure on my right knee last Wednesday morning at the Hughston Clinic in Columbus, Georgia. Actually, the hospital is across the river in Phenix City, Alabama, but who cares. We came away from this MOST impressed with the hospital. These doctors at the Clinic KNOW how to run a hospital. My pre-op admit on Tuesday lasted less than 30 mins. because they CALLED me on the phone to take my medical history. Wow, what a concept. We were told to arrive at 6:30 Wednesday morning and come in the emergency entrance. When we got there, the people gave me a wrist band, my paperwork and took me upstairs. When I got off the elevator, my pre-op nurse was waiting at my room door. I had been there less than 15 mins. and they had me changed, an I.V. going, had taken my vitals and we were waiting.

Met the medial doctor and he cleared my chest, met anesthesia and they listened when I said I get sick and gave me a patch and some amazing drug cocktail and I was off to sleep. They came to get me just before 9:00 and mom had talked to the doctor by 10:15. According to the doctor, the surgery went better than expected. I did not have as much arthritis as the x-rays made it look, so I should heal better and this give me great relief. I got great relief from the nerve block I got in recovery!! Never felt anything the rest of the day or night. My nurses the entire time I was there were AMAZING!!!! They are trained in orthopedics and were the nicest people I could imagine. Plus I got to keep the same ones day after day. It only changes at shift change or if they are off.

Then came Thursday morning and PT. Those people are brutal, but they had me walking that morning and by that afternoon I was walking 100 feet at a time. The only issue comes with bending. But that is because I have 36 staples in and the trauma to the knee. They promise it will get better, but tomorrow at PT will be murder.

We got home Saturday afternoon and I have been hanging on the couch and in my bed hooked up to my torture device ever since. I have a machine that came home with me that I have to be on 2 times a day for 2 hours at a time. It bends my knee in a motion that don't have to do anything with. Right now we are at 59 degrees and have to get to 127 by July 1st when they come to get it.

All in all this was a good experience and I had to do it, I just did not realize how involved it was going to be. I had blocked the previous surgery from my mind. Hopefully, I will be getting better each and every day and the pain will get less and less as I get more and more movement.

Is it June yet???????

2010-05-04T19:15:00.000-07:00

While the students are anxiously counting down the days of school left.. 13 days and 3 days of exams, their weary teacher is counting them as well. I will miss this year's group of graduating seniors. Several of them hold a very special place in my heart and I will be sad to see them go, but I am excited about what God has in store for them. But, I am counting for another reason.

Last week I went and saw my local orthopedic doctor who has been treating me since I was 14. After consultation with him about my pain in my knee, it was determined that I needed a new MRI and it was probably time to discuss surgery. There is a new procedure out where doctors can replace the kneecap on a person instead of the entire knee. Well, my kneecap is the messed up part. Problem is, this is really new surgery and the only person remotely close to Macon that does them is a doctor at the Hughston Clinic in Columbus.

So we waited for the call, and today, Mom and I made the drive to Columbus to meet with the doctor there. While driving through the beauty of west central Georgia, my phone rings and its the doctors office calling to let me know the doctor is sick, I would be seeing the PA. I was fine with that as long as I got some answers to my pain. Since the plans changed, my appointment time changed from 11:30 to 1:00. Just enough time to have lunch with an old friend of mine and her two adorable kids before they move to Rhode Island this summer... life of an Army Wife.

Back to doctor's appointment. We got to the clinic, and this place is nice. I guess they are world famous orthopedists for a reason. When we were called back I was put in a room and we waited on the PA to show up. Now, if I get to see the PA all the time I am in the hospital this summer, it will be just fine with me.... talk about some EYE CANDY!!!!! Back to the issue at hand, he thinks I am a perfect candidate for a partial knee replacement to happen sometime the beginning of June. I will spend several days in the hospital in Columbus and the home for about 6 weeks of recovery. Of course, this means I will not be going to the summer class I wanted to go to, but oh well, there is always next summer.

Prom Season

2010-04-24T11:16:00.000-07:00

What a few months this has been. TSA Prom was last night and if you had asked me in January how we were going to pull this off, I would have told you that we could not. We were bumped from our traditional location by the Allman Brother's wanting to do a concert. So of course the city of Macon agreed to a concert and bumped both Proms scheduled at the City Auditorium this weekend. I found another venue and have spent the past 4 months assuring them it would be ok. Well, it was more than o.k, it was FANTASTIC. We really did transform that place into a "Night Under the Grecian Moon". The column groupings anchoring the dance floor were the highlight along with the entry way with benches and a working fountain. Thanks to all my moms and dads who helped make this happen, I am now going to sleep for several days and I took Monday off since I have worked every Saturday since February!!!!:)

Book Review

2010-03-13T18:29:00.000-08:00

So, I have been reading Five Cities That Ruled the World by Douglas Wilson. I was really anticipating this book because I am a history teacher and I have heard positive things about Douglas Wilson's books. But, this was a difficult book to read. The premise made me really excited. A look at 5 cities that have played an enormous role in the world both in its history and the world today. Jerusalem, Rome, Athens, London, and New York are all fascinating cities at how they have been founded and their role in world history. I was immediately drawn into the book as it begins with Jerusalem and the way the city was founded. It was neat to me as a Christian to see the Jewish, Christian and Muslim founding of the city. This city is the birthplace of three of the world's religions and its history was fascinating. Rome and Athens were interesting as well, but after that the book became difficult and dry to read. This is a book that I fear only historians and people with a deep love of history will find interesting. While the initial reading was interesting and held my attention, as the book moved further in, to me it read like a history textbook and not something that I would find as pleasure reading. The premise of the book is good, take 5 cities and show how they have ruled the world. However, in the execution, the story got dragged down and seemed like a chore to read. I learned several things that I did not know, but overall this book was a chore to read. I really do not recommend this book to anyone except those with a deep love of history or a professor of history.

To The Makers of Cortisone Shots

2010-03-02T18:48:00.000-08:00

BLESS YOU!!! I had a shot today and already can tell a huge difference. My mom even said my face looked like I was out of the majority of pain. Here is the back story for you.

16 years ago when I was a mere middle schooler, I tore my patella tendon away from the knee cap. Now, this is the tendon on the outside of your leg that keeps your knee in place and allows you the proper turning motion that you are supposed to have in your leg. Thanks to the wonderful medical genes of my parents, I have weak knees apparently to begin with. This injury did not help.

Fast forward almost 2 years to the Summer of 1994. Summer after 9th grade. Looking forward to getting braces off and a driver's permit. But, alas, I got the braces off but my reward for that was knee surgery to repair the patella because scans showed I had stopped growing at 5' 71/2". So, surgery is commenced on a mid June day. Now, with this surgery, you are in a knee immobilizer for 2 weeks. It does just that, you can't move your knee, that and they have torn the tissue and have not bent your knee either. So, the day I am allowed to take a shower/bath unaided by my mother, the great flood of '94 occurs and there goes our water for 21 days. That's right, no water for 21 DAYS!!!!! I did get a shower at a friends house several times a week, but no ice at therapy and no whirlpool.

Fast forward about 12 years. Having knee pain so I return to the doctor who did the surgery. After a MRI, it is determined that I no longer have cartilage between my knee and bone and so its bone rubbing bone every step I take. I can tolerate this since I am too young for knee replacement.

Backtrack a few months, knee is again swelling and causing pain, but I am living with it. Then comes the fateful night a few weeks ago where Barney ran into my knee running full speed ahead on accident. I think his head hurt worse than my knee that night, but it did lasting damage to me.

Which brings me to today. I love my doctor. He is the original surgeon and we go back over half my life. Kinda scary to me to think he has been treating my family that long with our various knee problems. Dad (2 replacements and a tune up in one knee) Sister (2 patella reattachment's) and me. Today, he offered me two options, pain meds or drain the knee and a cortisone shot.

Much as I hate needles, I chose the drain the fluid and the shot. Not watching, I held my breath while he drained 2 vials of fluid and gave me a cortisone shot. Except for some achiness across my knee and stiffness, I have no pain from the actual knee and swelling is already going down!!!! Like I said, bless the men with the cortisone idea. If winter will ever end around here, I can get back to walking in my neighborhood which I love to do!!

When will it ever be Spring

2010-02-25T17:26:00.000-08:00

I am tired of cold weather. Normally by this time, we are beginning to enjoy the onset of Spring with highs in the 60s and lows in the 40s and the promise of Spring coming. Not this winter!! Today the high did not reach 50 and while it was sunny, there was a 20 mph wind and it was COLD. Tonight's low is supposed to be 25!!!! What happened to an early Spring that was depicted by Gen. Lee on Groundhogs Day????!!!??? I think we need a new southern groundhog.

School is going really well. This time of year gets busy as Spring sports begin and people begin looking forward to Spring Break. I know I am. We are headed somewhere to celebrate me being done with my Masters and my sister being finished with her PhD. By this time next week, Angie will be Dr. Angie. (So proud of you big sis!!!!)

Prom is heating up with the first workshop this weekend. The invitations came in this week, the senior girls will love them. And face it, they are the only ones who care about that. This Prom is at a new location so I am apprehensive, but I think it will be good.

Beginning to plan for the summer, and aside from spending a week in Gettysburg at a conference, I have a whole lot of nothing planned. This will be the first summer since I started teaching that I have NO SCHOOL!!!!!!! Super excited about lazy days and reading as much as I want when I want without feeling guilty. Besides, I have a stack of books (27 to be exact) that I got at the Library's Old Book Sale last weekend and there is a new used bookstore in town that I am building a store credit with!!! Super Excited.

Now if warmer weather would just get here!!!!

Life

2010-02-08T14:28:00.000-08:00

I really have to do a better job with posting, but life always seems to get in the way. The past week and this week leading up to Winter Break are extremely busy for me. Last Tuesday night, TSA had the first ever PINK OUT at a basketball game to benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation. We raised over 1800.00!!!! The gym was decked out in pink. The basketball players, girls and guys, wore pink shoelaces and armbands, and athletic tape. The place looked like the church from Steel Magnolias. It was pink and pink!!!!! It was a great turnout and everyone had lots of fun.

The next day it was off to the ATL with the 8th graders to visit the Capital, the Varsity (whadda ya have, whadda ya have) and the Civil War Cyclorama. The kids had a great time and represented the school well. They wanted to know why the representatives did not get in trouble for talking over the speaker. I explained to them that it was politics. We met the governor and had our picture taken with him. Then it was off to the varsity for lunch. After ingesting much grease, it was time to go see the Cyclorama. This is a 42 foot tall painting depicting the Civil War battle for Atlanta. It was amazing and the kids really enjoyed it.

Friday afternoon brought on the trip to go see the prom venue. I had never been in this building, so I was apprehensive, but it will be a good location.

This week brings Region Basketball tournament, another prom meeting, and Y-Club Valentine Balloons. Thankfully I get a 4 day weekend!!!!! Hope to hear about a summer study position in PA this week as well!

Listen to the rythmn of the falling rain

2010-01-24T17:24:00.000-08:00

That's right, its raining again in Macon. I guess we should not complain since we are finally out of a years long drought. But, just once I would like to go seven whole days with no rain or clouds. Some weeks we forget what the sun looks like. Today's weather has been troubling. It was 72 degrees outside at 6:00 p.m in January!!! Needless to say, the dog has been in a tizzy all day because of the coming storms. The storms have started and he has seemed to calm down some. Now, we are listening to the rain.

This past week has been a strange one. It seems that God is throwing things at me to test me and see how I respond. I have had lots of things going on and Thursday topped them all. Its prom time, well planning time at least, and I had a meeting Thursday night with my parents. Now, I found out Thursday morning that our location had bumped us to the next weekend and I was just now finding out. We could not do the next weekend due to state track meet and grad nite at Disney World for the seniors. So, 8 hours before my meeting, we had no place to have Prom. Thankfully, I found a venue in town and it is now booked for us!!! Also have the d.j booked, so that takes some stress off. By the way, found this out in the middle of teaching a class when an administrator came and told me.

But, Friday was a bright spot in the week, even if the sun did not shine (see above). Our school had a "Hats for Haiti" day where students could donate a dollar and wear a hat. We raised over 700 dollars. So excited!!!

Plus, the people of Massachusetts voted and Scott Brown is headed to the Senate!! Never thought I would see the day where a political revolution like this would gain traction in that state. But, we have to remember, our country was birthed there and they were the original "Tea Partiers"!!!

One of those days

2010-01-12T20:32:00.001-08:00

WARNING: This is long, I need to vent before I can sleep.

Do you ever have one of those days? I did today. It was like the day in the children's book, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. The day started off like any other, get ready for work, get out the door and head to school. As I was driving, listening to Lisa and Eric on K-Love as usual, they were talking about some list of the 200 best jobs to have. I kept wondering where teaching fell on the list and I thought about what I loved about my job. I can honestly say that I love my job. I love all (o.k, almost all) aspects of it. I think the thing I love the most is connecting with the kids and as they talked, I thought to myself, I may never know this side of heaven which kids I have impacted, but that was ok. I really do love my job. Then, I got to school...

It was not one thing that made the day bad, it was a multitude of small things that added up as the day went on to where I was counting the minutes till 3:15. First, my room was cold. My room recently is always cold. I am so tired of cold weather and having a classroom that I cannot keep warm. Then my first hour class had absolutely no interest in what we were talking about. Forget that I am trying to help them learn something that is semi-important. I mean, you do need to know about American history and the Civil War. After that, the downhill train was off and running. No class was particularly bad, it was just little aggravations that normally do not bother me, that today set me on edge.

Then came fourth period. Now, I am a stickler for the rules in the classroom. Its the only way to keep control and my students know that and have known it since day one. One of the HUGE no nos in my room is cell phones. Forget the fact that they are not supposed to have them at school to begin with. I took one up almost immediately for texting in class. About 30 minutes later, one boy has his out ON HIS DESK TEXTING!!! And you think I am not going to take your phone up as well?????? Hello, lets use some common sense here. So, I turn the phones over to the principal to deal with.

But, it keeps on heading down hill. My afternoon classes did not seem to remember, really none of my classes have, that we are no longer on Christmas vacation and that its time to get back into school. We are allowed to give homework and tests, it what we do as teachers! My students have no interest in being at school, are lazy, and generally seem to not care and that makes me mad. I work my tail off to prepare for them and they don't care.

So, I left everything on my desk in a true Scarlet O' Hara moment and said at 3:50 that it would all be there in the morning. That's when my day got better. I went home and as I walked in the door, my lovable dog Barney was there to greet me. It amazes me what unconditional love a pet will give and he, for all his odd behaviors is one of my greatest joys. But, the day gets better than just Barney being excited to see me.

At church, we started a Beth Moore study last night on Ester. Its amazing what a little time with God and reading Beth putting it all into perspective will do for your outlook on the day. My day went from horrible to not really so bad in the span of about 45 minutes. One thing this study does is to remind us that God has a miraculous plan for our lives, we just have to let it occur. Today in the study, Beth reminds us of Job and the problems that he faced and that we ALL face problems, and we ALL have issues on a daily basis, but if we let God handle them, there is a great ending waiting for us.

I leave you with this long post a verse from the Ester study.
Even when we're blind to the evidence, God "works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will". - Ephesians 1:11.

God has this in control, we just have to let Him have the controls.

UMMMM

2010-01-07T18:05:00.000-08:00

School was cancelled tomorrow because of the "possibility" that it will sleet tonight and freeze. Now, its 9:00 at night and is still 45 degrees outside. I think officials in Macon are absofrekinlutley CRAZY! I mean come on, its Macon, its not going to do ANYTHING!!! We get measurable snow every 5-6 years and we had 4 inches last March. Any reasonable thinking person knows that we have a slim chance in hades of getting any snow this year.

Now, our school was the last to call off, and I really think its because every other school both public and private were closing. Life in the south is amusing sometimes....

HAPPY NEW YEAR....

2010-01-04T16:46:00.000-08:00

a few days late. My computer has been in the shop since last Tuesday with virus infection. Thankfully, all clear and virus software is updated!! Now, of course in the coldest week in recent memory here in Macon, my heater is on the fritz. I have no idea what is wrong with it other than what the repairman tells me, something to do with alternate heat source and my heat pump. All i know is that I am praying my house stays the temperature its at right now and I don't have to open the 60 dollar heater I bought at Lowe's. Also praying the part gets here tomorrow early. They will work me in as soon as the part is here and I say the earlier the better.

Had to go back to work today. A day of planning before the kiddos come back tomorrow. It was nice having a calm day before the storm. I am looking forward to the spring though. Its always a fun time and hoping that our trip to Europe will get to happen. We already have 2 people interested.

Sorry this post is so random, must be the cold freezing my brain. More later in the week.

Christmas and other things

2009-12-27T17:27:00.001-08:00

Christmas break so far has been nice and relaxing. Of course, the first few days of it were forced as I had a nasty cold that sent me to bed until Tuesday morning.

Tuesday morn brought the advent of my sister Angie and I commencing our annual Christmas bake fest. We made about 20 dozen cookies for gifting and of course our families consumption. This year, the new addition to the lineup, minty melts, are the favorite. A peppermint cookie dipped in chocolate, what is not to like?

Christmas Eve brought church with the family and then dinner and the traditional watching of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas performance. Christmas Eve was spent at mom and dads so I would be there Christmas morning. Christmas is low key at our house since its just the 4 of us, so we are able to do exactly what we wanted. The rest of the weekend has been spent relaxing and enjoying having my sister home.

Tomorrow begins the last week of holidays (teaching is good for vacations), but I have errands to run and stuff to do around the house, so the pleasure of lounging in my new PJ's under my new down comforter are over.

Happy New Year Blog World.

Prayer Request

2009-12-19T19:46:00.000-08:00

I don't know how many people read this, but right now every little prayer helps this precious little girl. Her name is Elizabeth, she is ten years old and she lives in Valdosta, Georgia. Here is her story.

Several years ago, she defeated brain tumors. All was well until earlier this year when she was diagnosed with Leukemia. During testing, it was found that there were some other things occurring making it a miracle that she survived birth. Well, the Tuesday before Thanksgiving she had a bone marrow transplant and had been doing well. She was looking forward to getting out of the hospital in time for Christmas at home with her family. Sadly, over the past 48 hours things have turned worse. She developed memory issues which we were hoping and praying were "cabin fever delirium" as one doctor put it. But, scans of her brain and spine show tumors growing in both places. Her parents now have the hardest decision ANY parent should never have to make. Do we want quality of life versus quantity of life? Please be in prayer for this family, Mom, Dad, Elizabeth, and little sister Madeline. Please pray for guidance about what is best for Elizabeth, strength for the family this upcoming week and above all, a miracle from God that will completely heal Elizabeth.

What a strange day

2009-12-11T18:38:00.000-08:00

Today was the strangest day I have had so far in teaching. It was scheduled to be the annual "Kids Yule Love" program benefitting a local charity. When I got to school this morning, there were no lights in my classroom AND NO HEAT!!!! It was 55 degress in my room and 29 outside. Baby, it was COLD in there.

The power was out in parts of the building. Unfortunately for me since my classroom is there, it was the oldest part. Thankfully the Athletic Complex had lights so the program could go on as scheduled. But, it was a MAJOR Georgia Power problem. The transformer for the middle of the school (the original building) went out this morning. Of course, it was 40 years old. It took GA Power all day to fix it because they had to bring in a crane to replace it and then hook it all back together. (the thing weighs 15,000 pounds). So, at the end of the assembly, Mr. Collins annouced that we got to leave at 12:00. We had to do that cause the lunchroom is in the original building and they could not cook. Of course the kids loved it. I did too cause I was freezing.

Lights and heat are back on so school will be in session Monday morning as usual for exam week. But the experience at the assembly this morning brought tears to my eyes.

The drama this year was the Grinch and the songs about what is Christmas really made me think. This was after we had presented a TSA Family with a check for 5800 dollars to help with medical expenses. That and seeing a nativity played out, the drama, and the gifts that the kids brought in , even in a recession, brought tears to my eyes and made me so proud to be a part of the Tattnall Family. I am now officially in the Christmas spirit!!! Tomorrow I have bell ringing for the Salvation Army with my Y-Club kids and then dinner with two girlfriends to celebrate finishing our masters degrees!!!!!

Finished

2009-12-10T17:52:00.000-08:00

I am officially finished with graduate school. I sent the final drafts of my teacher work sample and portfolio off today. I had my exit interview on Monday and it went extremely well. In fact, my professor wants a copy of my portfolio!! So, I am now done and am so relaxed. I slept the best I have slept in almost 2 years Monday night. While I have been busy with other stuff this week, I am not stressed about anything.

The best part about being finished was getting to return to choir practice. I had to take a break while in school because it was simply too much. But, I can't wait for Sunday and the awesome new version of "Joy to the World" by Chris Tomlin. Go listen to it, its great! Then Sunday night, Sonic Flood is in concert at my church. All in all, a good weekend!!! Then only one more week of school and 4 of those 5 days are half days!!!!!

Life after Grad School

2009-12-05T19:31:00.000-08:00

Yes, there is life after Graduate School. I am discovering that this weekend. I am the most relaxed I have been in two years thanks to being finished. I am so glad I presented on the first night and only have to sit in class for attendence purposes on Monday night. I am not even worried about my interview.

Yesterday I went to the local library, which I love by the way, and got a tote full of books to read. I am able to read as long and as much as I want without feeling guilty. My list of books I want to read is EXTREMELY long. After sleeping in a bit this morning, mom and I headed out into the frigid cold, yes 38 degrees in central Georgia is considered frigid. We had tons of errands to run since we are helping host a wedding shower on Thursday at school for one of our teachers. Had to get last minute things. Then, I managed to get some Christmas shopping done, mom you will love your gift I got today!!! Then, it was Wal-mart on a Saturday afternoon, not really my idea of fun. But, got it accomplished. After a stop at home to drop off packages, I went to mom and dads for dinner and to help put up the new Christmas tree. Mom got a pre lit tree this year and it only took one an a half hours to put up TOTALLY. No more day long process!!!!! Its really pretty, but will take some getting used to a smaller tree. Tomorrow is church and the conclusion of a restful weekend. Two more weeks and school is out for Christmas!!!

We Made It- Part 2

2009-11-27T14:24:00.000-08:00

My Teacher Work Sample and Portfolio are both finished!!! Now, all I have left is a paper to finish, presentation Monday in class and interview before my committee. Then I will be OFFICIALLY FINISHED WITH GRAD SCHOOL!!!! This whole endeavor has been a lesson in patience and God teaching me that I can do anything I put my mind to, but I am glad it is almost behind me.

We also made it through the Black Friday madness with everything we wanted and no injuries. Props to our local Wal-Mart. They were so organized. I know, those two words (Wal-mart and organized) don't really sound right together, but they were. Angie and I got there at 3 and since our item we REALLY wanted was a special but not one of the huge ones, it was not shrink wrapped so we could put it in a cart when we got there. We just could not check out until 5. I wandered and people watched while she took the car down the street to get me a down comforter for Christmas at Kohl's. The Kitchen aide mixer from Wal-mart was for her! After we left Wal-mart we headed out in search of breakfast. We ended up at Waffle House, the only thing open. You would have thought the fast food restaurants would have opened early, but they did not.

We fortified ourselves with breakfast and headed to the Shoppes at River Crossing to meet mom. We spent time there getting things for everyone and I left them there at 8:45 as I headed home for a long nap.

Got my new cell phone this afternoon and have gotten familiar with it, so it is now off to mom and dads for dinner.

We made it

2009-11-22T19:00:00.000-08:00

Well to Thanksgiving Break that is. Even being gone 2 days this month at a conference (more on that later) still had me worn out by the time the bell rang Friday afternoon AND we still had football that night. Football was great, but we lost at the VERY end of the game so it was tough losing in the state semi finals. But, the team can be proud because NO ONE though they would get this far.

Back to being gone 2 days. Mom and I attended the National Council for Social Studies teachers annual convention this year seeing how it was a quick drive up the road in Atlanta. WOW! I had so many options to choose from it was almost overwhelming, note I said almost! It was so worth it the very first day after I got to spend an afternoon "behind the scenes" at the Federal Reserve Bank in Atlanta. WOW what an opportunity. I hope to one day teach econ and take my students on a field trip there. On Friday, we went to many classes and seminars and then hit the exhibit hall. I was like a child in a toy shop the week before Christmas. I went up and down aisles meeting vendors and organizations and collecting everything I could get my hands on. Watch out kids cause I once I get my masters finished, I will have time to go through everything and all the stuff being shipped will be in!!! Needless to say though, the highpoint was Saturday morning when we heard the keynote speaker Greg Mortenson, author of the book, Three Cups of Tea. If you have not read this book, run do not walk to the nearest book store or library and get a copy.

He was simply amazing. He was ill at the time he was there but still gave an outstanding presentation and spoke for over an hour and a half. He then signed books for three hours. He loves what he does and he is changing the world one school at a time. His new book comes out December 1st.

I am almost done with my masters!!!!!! Whoo-Hoo! I am tentatively scheduled for my exit interview on December 8th. My Teacher Work Sample is being proofed and it is done. Now, I have to get finished with my portfolio and one last paper so I can enjoy the break and Angie being home. Back to work!!

Enjoy Thanksgiving with your friends and family. And remember this sign I saw tonight, "Don't have anything to be thankful for, check your pulse"

Happy Thanksgiving Blog World.

Life

2009-10-16T18:31:00.000-07:00

I can not believe that October is half over. I want the world to stop spinning so I can get off. I feel like I am constantly on the go. I hope this feeling eases up when I am done with school.

I did just return from New Orleans with Angie. We were there for her to speak at a National Confrerence (go Angie!!). It was GREAT fun. We had good times, good food, and many laughs along the way. I even survived driving across Lake Ponchatrain with NO WARNING whatsoever that it was coming. All of a sudden you were driving across the water about 5 feet above it and on and on it went. At least this was not the 24 mile bridge, just the 4 mile one. Still, it was nervewracking for someone who doesn't like going across water.

The food and sights were amazing. I encourage anyone who has the chance to go to New Orleans. The city is still recovering, but many areas are back and they want visitors.

Kabal24 Book Review

2009-10-12T13:46:00.001-07:00

Amazing. Simply put that is the best way to describe the book Kabul24. I remember in the late summer and fall of 2001, amidst the devastation of the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, hearing of the kidnapping and imprisonment of the 2 American aid workers in Afghanistan. What I did not remember from this time was that there were 22 other people being held at the same time.

The book opens as the aid workers for Shelter Now International of SNI are working in Afghanistan. Reading about what these people do, and the love they have for the Afghan people really touched my heart and showed such a true image of the fulfillment of the Great Commission. These people were not paid exorbitant salaries, nor did they live in nice homes. They were simply there because of their love for the people and the answering of God's call to go.

The story of their kidnapping amidst the amazing miracles that God performed to get most of the team and their families out of harms way is breathtaking and page turning. Following the story of the leader of SNI, George, the reader is taken on a journey of despair but also of hope that God would come to their rescue in HIS timing.

As you read, you constantly see the hand of God moving and miracles being performed to keep the team of 8 and their 16 Afghan workers safe. At the end of the book, their is a list of all of the miracles that occured to make this story happen. As I finished the book, I was amazed that these people still have a desire for the Afghan people. It goes to show that the call of God is strong and forgiveness is even stronger. I recommend this book to anyone who questions whether or not God still performs miracles today, because these 24 people are living proof of it.

Happy Fall

2009-09-26T18:24:00.000-07:00

I can not believe that September is almost over. What a month it has been. Started the month sick as a dog with my annual back to school sinus infection. What a way to spend Labor Day. But, I did manage some fun. My sister, Angie was home and we went furniture shopping for my den. I had exactly in my head what I wanted. Comfy, cushy, and RED. Well I found it for a great deal and have been enjoying my "reading couch" for several weeks.

While the calendar may say Fall, its still summer here in GA. My air conditioning went out last week. The repair man came and told me we would have to wait until the next day for the unit to cool off. So, Barney and I packed up and headed to mom and dads for the night. He loved the field trip. The next day the repair man came in the midst of a monsoon. I am talking Biblical type rains here. But he got it working. As he worked I watched the house across the street from me flood. That is how bad the rain was. And the rain continued. We have had almost 11 INCHES of rain this month and its raining right now. I feel like I should be growing webbed feet or at least live in Seattle.

School at TSA is going well. I love our new headmaster. It is like working in a different place and God is doing some awesome things in our midst. This week will be crazy cause its homecoming, but we will survive.

Grad school is ok. I am actually beginning to like my reading class. The teacher is really neat. My first observation is Monday, so please pray for that and pray that I find motivation to work on my portfolio.

Randomness

2009-09-02T18:51:00.000-07:00

If you know me well, you know that I can sometimes be quite random. Tonight is one of those nights. It might have to do with the fact that there is so much going on in my brain, or the cold medicine I am taking thanks to the annual back to school sinus infection.

My mortgage company ceased operating in August. Now, how did I find this out? Not through a friendly letter or e-mail, I was LOCKED OUT of the online payment system. So after spending a total of 2 hours over three days of trying to get through, this afternoon I am told that the company was sold to Bank of America and here is the phone number. Thankfully, I got a very helpful (what a suprise) person on the phone who walked me through the whole process of getting a new online account set up. Of course, in the mail today was a letter from BOA telling me what had happened. It would have been nice to know about this say three weeks ago!!!!

School is going well. My history kids are so interactive in class and we are having a good time. They seem to love class and are learning alot. The fun is beginning though because my supervising teacher for my masters will start visiting soon. Cue sarcasm They have been threatened within an inch of their lives to be on their best behavior. We will PARTY in December when its all done!!!!!! I have PROMISED them that.

Grad school is a pain in my butt. I literally hate the thought of going to class. Only GCSU would do this. We are getting a new professor after Labor Day so for the first three weeks, we have had a sub. What craziness. But December is coming....

First week of School

2009-08-14T17:54:00.000-07:00

I AM TIRED!!!

Somehow, I suspect its because I love it so much, but I forget every summer how tiring teaching is until school starts. I am WORN out. I know it will get better because it will calm down now that we are getting in the groove of things.

The first day was great. The kids looked so awesome in their uniforms. They even like them:) Mr. Collins, our new headmaster, challenged the kids to remember two words, Respect and Responsibility. He said that if they remembered those two words and lived by them, we would have a great year. We then headed off to our classes for 10 minutes each. Thursday brought the first "real" day of school. For the most part, it was smooth. My classes are going ok. I love my history kids. They are so much fun and engaging. I think we are going to have a great year together as we explore GA and Ancient Civilizations.

Today was another day of getting in the groove. Kids complaining about homework. Sounds like a normal weekend. I am spending the weekend recharging the batteries, cleaning house, and relaxing.

Tax Free Shopping

2009-07-31T20:31:00.000-07:00

I have to question the intelligence of the Georgia Legislature. Of course, them being politicians, they most likely did not have much intelligence going in and being under the "gold dome" has sucked what sense they had left out.

Yesterday was the start of Georgia's annual "tax free" shopping for back to school. Under the plan, electronics (computers, etc), clothes (up to 100.o0 per item) and school supplies are tax free. Now, mom and I went shopping today and it seemed to us where we were that retailers had marked prices UP to compensate for losing the sales tax. I can understand that in today's economy. I don't necessarily agree with it, but being a capitalistic free market society, until Obama and the Democrats have their way, I see their point. Stores are all about making money. This brings me back to the lack of brilliance of Georgia legislators.

The state of Georgia is in the biggest budget crisis it has ever been in since at least the Great Depression. So, in an effort to "save" money, the governor cut school funding and furloughed teachers for three days. He did this LAST TUESDAY!!! Most school systems were forced to take the days during pre-planning so teachers do not get all the time that they deserve to plan. They were not even allowed in the buildings. Now, this does not effect me because I teach at a private school, but I have lots of friends who are public school teachers.

My question to the legislature is this: Why have you not taken pay cuts? Why has the governor and other top officials not been furloughed. What about the Board of Regents, the head football coaches at State Universities that play football. Why have these people not had to take a pay cut. I realize that they feel they are helping families with the savings on sales tax. But, when stores mark up the prices to mark them down, there is no real savings. Truth be told, the only people we are hurting are the children of the state of Georgia. No wonder we are 49th out of 50 in education. The lawmakers in this state need to remember that Teachers are a powerful voting bloc. We got rid of one governor who screwed up education. This one has a term limit but we sure can vote out the legislature.

Ok, that is my rant against the government for today. Tomorrow mom and I are going to the Office Depot Teacher Appreciation Day (always good for free stuff) and to relax before pre-planning starts. Only a few more days of summer left:(

Back to School

2009-07-29T19:07:00.000-07:00

Well, Summer is almost over. School starts 2 weeks from today!! Of course, I have been working some in my room for the past several weeks to get ready.

This year seems to be shaping up to be interesting to say the least. We have lots of new families and students. As well as a new headmaster, administrators, and teachers. That is exciting. I am praying that our current students welcome the new students with open arms and are as accepting of them as they have been of new students in the past.

What I am teaching is interesting too. Right now, I know I am doing Study Skills and a section of 8th grade Georgia History/Ancient Civilizations. Late last week I was asked to consider doing a section of 5th grade history if needed. Of course I said yes. Now, I don't know anything about 5th graders except that it is between 4th and 6th, but I am sure that will change if needed. I hope I find out if I am teaching it though before pre planning starts. I would like a little time to prepare.

I am excited and can't wait to see what God has in store for TSA this year. I think its going to be a GREAT year!!

Annoyed

2009-07-08T16:22:00.000-07:00

I am so annoyed right now. Much of my annoyance is directed at my former apartment complex and my Latin American professor. What is the purpose of a $500.oo pet deposit if not to clean the apartment after the pet moves out??? I got my statement from them today and they informed me that not only was I not getting ANY of my security deposit back, but I OWE THEM $25.00. Needless to say, I am ticked off. To top that off, I made a B in Latin American History. I know, its a B, but it ruins my 4.00 GPA. Plus, I feel that I learned NOTHING about Latin American History and am not prepared to teach it to my students. I could have taken the easy way out and dropped the course and picked up pedagogy this month, but no, I stuck it out and get rewarded with a B. I am really ticked about that one and I think a letter to the chair about all the crap this professor made us do is forthcoming.

I did enjoy Birmingham with my sister though. The food and company was great. It was awesome to see Wendy in the role of mom with baby Alex. I can't believe he is nine months old already. Such a cutie.

I got an interesting phone call today from a parent. The mom of the new Junior class president called to talk about prom. I am meeting with the moms on Monday night. Hopefully I can convince them to wait a few more months before we start planning. I don't even KNOW the date for prom yet!!! These ladies are more organized then I am. Could be an interesting year with them...

Finished

2009-07-05T17:18:00.000-07:00

I finished the summer term on Thursday. I know I have an A in one class, and will be sweating it out till grades are posted on Wednesday about the other. Angie came home for the long weekend on Thursday and it has been fun just relaxing. Of course, last night I felt like I was in a war zone with all of the fireworks going off. I think I liked it better when they were illegal in Georgia. Of course, this is coming from someone who greatly dislikes being ANYWHERE NEAR fireworks. I love looking at them, I just don't want to be near them. Apparently, my neighbors have a different view. Thankfully, they stopped fairly early and Barney the wonder dog and I were able to go to sleep.

Tomorrow I am off to Birmingham for a few days of r and r by Angie's apartment swimming pool. That's the ONE thing I miss about my apartment. Then is back to Macon to meet with our Academic head on Thursday to find out my teaching schedule and get to work on stuff for fall. Hard to believe we go back in just over a month. But I am going to ENJOY this month with no schoolwork!!

Summer School

2009-06-25T20:23:00.000-07:00

I feel that I have not updated in forever. Its not that I don't care, I am just so tired by the time I get home every day and done with studying the last thing I want to do is something with the computer. But, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel of summer school and its not a freight train that will run me over.

My to do list is getting shorter by the day. I had a presentation in my Modern Middle East class today, so now I have to write the paper to go with it. The paper and making the grad students go first with the presentations is the "extra" work that he assigned to make it a graduate level course. I am confident of an A in that class and I have loved the topic. Plus, he is letting me come to his office in July and "steal", a teachers favorite word, anything of his that I would like to use in my classroom this year or coming years!!! Since I am teaching World History now, that will be useful.

The other class though, on Latin America is getting on my nerves. I am so thankful that there is only one week left. He gave us our final today and told us we could get extra credit if we turned it in early. Now come on, I have a presentation to work on for him, plus a paper and final for my other class and he wants this in by Tuesday. Is he freakin kidding????? But I will try and get it done cause I need all the bonus points I can get if I want to pull an A.

Tonight though, I had fun. A friend hosted a Mary Kay party and we got to play in the makeup and goodies. I tried the makeup years ago and did not like it, however they have changed the formulas around and the skin care has done wonders for me and I really like their mineral foundation. Bare Essentials made me break out and this did not. So I am happy. I am really looking forward to this time next week and being done with school and then heading off to Birmingham after the 4th for some relaxation and catching up time with old friends who I have not seen in a while. I can't wait. Then its off to Chattanooga for the weekend, before getting back in the swing of things for the school year. I am really excited to see what God is going to do this year. Stay tuned!!

Update

2009-06-11T17:54:00.000-07:00

Wow, its been almost a month since I posted. I promise to do better in the future. Life however has been crazy. I am all moved in and put away except for the last drapes to be hung and the missing bottles of perfume. I love love love my house. It is just me and wonderful. Barney loves it too. He will often ask out just to go play in the backyard. He has figured out that its his and he loves it!! The other dogs in the neighborhood don't bother him at all.

Once school was out, it was time for a quick trip to ATL for a conference at the High Museum of Art about how to teach Europe. Very informative with some European Consuls there and put on in conjunction with the SCIS and the EU. Got lots of free stuff AND got to tour the High's new exhibit before it opened. Three of Monet's "Water Lilies" which are on loan from the MOMA in New York. It was breathtaking. The very next day I started grad school again. One semester to go!!!! I am not enjoying the drive part, (74.5 miles rountrip) each day, but it does give me time to get out and look at God's creation as I am driving. I am loving one class and tolerating the other. The Middle East class is fascinating. AND the professor is going to come let me raid his office this summer for teaching resources that he no longer needs!!!!!! I am working hard for the next 3 weeks and then taking some needed time to myself before gearing up for a new school year. August will be here before we know it....

Shopping Nirvana

2009-05-16T18:54:00.000-07:00

I went to one of my shrines of the retail industry today. IKEA at Atlantic Station. I was specifically looking for the coffee table that matches my entertainment center, but came away with a lot of other goodies as well. I have a weird shaped area in my kitchen where the old (1940s) hookup for the washing machine is. There is no counter there, so I have to improvise. I found a great butcher block stand that will go there and look great. I also got a neat mirror to go in my entry way and several other odds and ends that are needed. Of course no trip to IKEA would be complete without a cinnamon roll. Mom and I fortified ourselves for the mission by enjoying coffee and a cinnamon roll before the shopping commenced. At the end to reward ourselves for a job well done, and because we were threatened if we came home without them, we stopped in the food hall for ginger snap cookies for dad and hazelnut chocolate cookies for Angie. Angie, you get 2 rolls of them.

From there we took a roundabout way back to the interstate thanks to the ongoing DOT project that is I75 in Atlanta. Once on 75South, we stopped for lunch at Steak and Shake, Thanks mom for the milkshake. From there it was to Garden Ridge. This place has tons of stuff for your home and garden. I got 2 new pictures to hang and 3 new pillows for the love seat and couch. When we checked out, we had to go home cause I had spent all of my money. It was a perfect way to spend a Saturday since we could not paint due to the weather. Glad it did not rain yesterday for the baseball game. Thanks for going with me mom. One week to go and I will be moved. And yes Angie, I have started to pack. :)

Graduation Week

2009-05-15T17:54:00.001-07:00

Its been an emotional week at TSA. Monday was the last "Real" day of school for the Seniors. We do something neat to let them have some fun. At 3:10, Mrs. Cheek announces "Teachers, please dismiss the Seniors". They then run through the halls yelling and screaming out to the front parking lot. Parents are there and all of the underclassmen line the halls cheering them on. On Wednesday morning, we had Senior Chapel. The seniors get to design the chapel service and speak on what God has laid on their hearts. It was neat to hear several of them speak. Thursday is the emotional roller coaster of a day. We begin the day with the Blessing of the Graduates. They play the Senior Video that follows the class from Kindergarten to Senior year. By then end, EVERYONE is laughing and crying. Then, comes a drama by the students. If the video did not get you crying, this will. Then the seniors line the walls of the auditorium and their parents go and stand with them and there is a prayer or blessing over them. Mom and I stood with a senior girl who is going through a lot in her life right now and her parents were not there to support her.

Then its over to the Athletic Complex for the Moving Up Ceremony. The seniors "Officially" become Alumni and each grade "moves up". Its really neat. The juniors salute the seniors and the seniors give a farewell address. College choices are announced and new class officers are announced. Its an emotional time for the seniors at the beginning, but then its fun. We end everything with them singing the "Alma Matar" one last time.

Sunday is Bacalaurette and Monday night is Graduation!! I am excited for these students to move on to the next phase of their lives, and also about next years Seniors. There is a chance I might teach a class of seniors next year, so that will be fun cause I love this class.

The house is coming along. I am moving NEXT WEEKEND!!! I can't believe it is almost here. I have some painting left to do and cleaning. Of course, I need to start packing. I have a Scarlet O' Hara mentality about that. Tomorrow is always another day!! Angie, I PROMISE to have packed by the time you get here to help move. Mom and I are going to IKEA tomorrow to pick some things up, and I just checked my Bed Bath and Beyond registery and noticed that someone bought something I had not registered for. FUN!!!! Its really cool looking pillow covers. I can't wait.

Sweat Equity

2009-05-09T19:19:00.000-07:00

I am so sore and tired tonight. Mom, Dad, and I spent almost all day at my new house getting ready for me to move. I decided I wanted to paint 3 rooms. We want to get it done before I move in two weeks, so this weekend is painting weekend. Of course, I have to be difficult and go from a red kitchen to a light green kitchen. Two coats of primer and two(? not sure we are going to need 2 will find out tomorrow) coats of paint later, I have a green kitchen. It looks great if I do say so myself.

As I was taping off the den, I realized that I need stock in the masking tape companies. When buying an older home, and then painting, one realizes that there is trim, a LOT of trim work that has to be protected while the walls are getting painted. But, mom and I taped and conquered. Well at least until we ran out of tape. :) We will finish tomorrow. I met some of my neighbors today and I am really going to like it there.

I also got my grass cut today by a student of mine. He is coming back twice more this month to take care of my yard for me until I have time to do it myself. I also got a HUGE surprise from my parents. I had admired a bistro table and chairs at Lowes several weeks ago when mom and I were picking paint colors. When Dad got there today they made me come outside and they had bought me the set for my back patio. I was SO excited because it was totally unexpected, Mom said she would let other people get me the "practical" housewarming gifts for my shower, she wanted to get me something fun!! Thanks Mom and Dad, I love you!!!!!!

Drama, Drama, Drama

2009-04-29T16:47:00.001-07:00

I need to borrow Mom's poster that says, "Save your drama for your Lama". There is so much drama going on surrounding prom, it is causing my head to hurt. Problems with limos, too many people in limos, where people are going to eat, pictures, dates, changing dates, etc. I don't understand the mentality of boys. One senior dumped his date 3 days before prom because someone who needed to get a date since her original one can't go asked him. That set off a tidal wave of changes and I hope and pray all of the date walls will be right. I have a feeling I will be making changes to the lead out script about 7:55 on Saturday night:(.... But I can have solace in the chocolate covered strawberries designed like tuxedos. Of course, I have to have willpower because they will be in my refrigerator on Friday night. All in all, save for this week, the planning and work has gone wonderfully well. My mothers have been the BEST moms that anyone could ask for. They have done the majority of the work. I have just signed off on things and accepted things when they were delivered. I can't wait to see it all come together. And while I love the senior class and loved working with them last year, this prom will be like none other that Tattnall has ever seen. I can't wait....

Spring

2009-04-24T18:58:00.000-07:00

Why is Spring always SO busy? I always say I am not going to be as busy as the last year so I can enjoy spring, and it never happens. We officially have started summer here. The temperature today was close to 90 degrees. You were sweating in the shade. I miss cool temps, now I love wearing my crop pants and Capri pants, but I miss the cool evenings.

I had dinner tonight with a friend. El Sombreo... Yummy. We are both in grad school and even though we live one flight of stairs away from each other, we never seem to see each other. So, we went to dinner tonight and then I showed her the house. She happens to love my chandelier, so I might sell it to her.

God reminded me today how much he loves me and cares for me. I had to go to the dentist yesterday, yuck!! I love my dentist and his office staff, I just hate the process. Anyway, I have had a old filling fall out and have a cavity. :(. $350.oo to fix it since I don't have dental insurance. I called mom last night and told her and she told me not to worry about the money, we would find a way to take care of it. Well, I got home today and checked the mail and found my state income tax refund. You guessed it, it was enough to take care of the dental bill. God has a way of slapping me upside the head to remind me of His everlasting mercy and grace. I wish I could remember that every day.

This week will be busy as Prom is NEXT Saturday. I can't believe that it is almost here. We will be ready and I am just ready for it to be over. When it is over, that means class is almost over for grad school and I can start working on my house. One month from today and I will be living in my house. I can't wait!!!! Hope everyone has a wonderful Saturday and get outside and enjoy the pretty weather!!

It's REALLY MINE

2009-04-19T18:42:00.000-07:00

So, I closed on the house this past Wednesday. Doing my little part to stimulate the economy. Of course, because of scheduling, I could not attend any of the Tax Day Tea Parties. I hated not being able to attend, but I did love watching the one from Atlanta on tv.

We amazingly closed on the house on the original date in the contract. No one involved thought it would happen that day, but God knew it would and he worked everything out. I went over on Thursday night and stood in the middle of my living room and screamed at the top of my lungs simply because I could and no one could hear me or complain!!! Now, I have lots of work to do before I move in. (Paint, yard work, ect.) There is motivation to get it done and unpacked and put away quick once I move because some dear friends of mine are giving me a housewarming party on May 30. So, I have to have everything put away so company can come and visit. My sister did give me my first housewarming gift this past weekend, a bucket of little odds and ends that I will need. Paint brushes, a hose nozzle, citronella candles, gardening gloves, etc. Thanks Angie, I love you bunches!!!

Grad school is beginning to wind down. I am done with the work for one class, I just have two more class sessions to attend. The other classes work is almost done. I can't wait for the month break from school that is coming. Prom planning is going great. We are in the last minute details stage now. The kids and parents have been awesome and its going to be an amazing prom. But, I will be glad when it is over.

I am heading to bed because I have still not recuperated from Gran Nite Friday night at Disney. I am too old to stay up all night anymore. Have a happy Monday!!

Spring Break

2009-04-03T18:52:00.000-07:00

Well, Spring Break is almost over. We actually enjoyed a day of sunshine today. So, mom and I went to Milledgeville to see about my financial aid and we got that straightened out. I also tried to fight paying 300 extra dollars in fees simply because I have to go to Milledgeville this summer instead of Macon for classes. I don't think I should have to pay them since the university is the one that scheduled the classes there and not in Macon. But, to no avail, I pleaded my case and got nowhere. If I had more time and energy this spring, I might fight it, but I don't so I will suck it up and pay the extra money and get out of there in December. Just don't come calling me asking for alumni donations cause you won't be getting any. Samford REALLY spoiled me. This whole public university thing is a bunch of crap!!

Spring Break was fun although it rained cats and dogs for most of it. I am talking flash floods and flood warnings, people being rescued and all that. It has rained almost 10 inches in 10 days in Macon. We now officially have NO MORE DROUGHT!!! Mom and I postponed the planned trip to IKEA for May since I did not brave the storms and go to Milledgeville yesterday. But Wednesday, we did brave the elements, I felt like I needed webbed feet, and headed to Target, Bed Bath and Beyond, and Lowes to look for stuff for my house warming registery. I have not registered yet because we have not picked a date, I will keep you posted. I think mom had more fun than I did and who knew that there were so many choices for a front door light fixture???? I have most everything picked out, but I still have to decide on one final paint color and light fixtures. I can't decide on a shade of blue or what fixture I like for the dining room. The chadelier from the 70s has got to go. Its getting close now, 11 days and the house will be mine.

Ticked off

2009-03-31T19:35:00.000-07:00

As if dealing with the appraiser was not bad enough, someone decided to help themselves to the things in my car last night. Now, being on spring break, I did not go out to my car until 4 this afternoon to go to class. Well, sometime between the time I got home last night and this afternoon, someone or someones let themselves into my car and helped themselves. Thankfully, my drivers door does not lock and they did not bust a window. That REALLY would have ticked me off because I have no spare money. The only thing they took was the 2-3 dollars I had in change in my ashtray. Apparently, they don't like Christian or Country music cause they left ALL of my cds. They did however go through EVERYTHING in my car. They found stuff I did not even know was in there. Needless to say, my car is a bigger wreck than normal. All of this because I had to park in East Buddha last night when I got home from class. I don't understand where all of these cars are coming from when there are empty apartments. I might just start parking in the handicap space. I can't wait to move and get my VERY OWN DRIVEWAY!!! I will always be able to park close to my house then. Only 2 weeks to go till its mine and 7 weeks till I move from this place.

Frustrated

2009-03-30T20:00:00.000-07:00

I met with the man who did repairs on my house and with Gina today. Frustrated is the best word and the most politically correct term I can use tonight to describe my feelings. The appraiser, who by the way gets paid one way or another, will not sign off on my house. Now, I know its an FHA loan, but the only thing the government should and do really care about is that there is no lead based paint and that all of the windows open. Well, all of the windows open, and there are so many coats of paint on that house, it would take sandblasting to unearth any lead based paint. Besides, I am not going to be eating my house paint for dinner! Why won't he take a reading from a lead test kit from Lowes and be done with this. While we're at it, how can he be too BUSY to come meet Gina at the house and explain what exactly the nitpick things he wants done are!!!!!!!!! Can you tell I am frustrated?????? We are two weeks and a day from closing and this jerk, who thanks to appraiser's helping to get us into this housing mess, is trying to CYA at my expense. Please pray that he gets his head out of you know where and signs off on this so we can close on time.

Refuge and Spring Break

2009-03-26T17:55:00.000-07:00

Refuge went really well this week. The devil was there trying to mess things up but our middle school has really stepped up and they are the leaders for Jesus at school. Its amazing to see this in kids so young that you would think were intimidated by the older students. An eighth grader, Conner stood up yesterday and spoke what Jesus had laid on his heart. It was amazing. We have a core group of students who are not afraid to live their lives for Jesus and God is going to work with that. We are also thinking about starting a student praise band for Chapel. We want them to feel like they have some ownership in Chapel and this will help. So, be in prayer for that.

Spring break starts tomorrow at 3:15!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 Can you tell I am excited??? This week has been draining for me and Debbie as term papers are in high gear and the kids are on each others nerves. To celebrate, my kids are getting to watch School House Rock tomorrow. I can't wait for Conjunction Junction, what's your function? and I'm Just a Bill, sittin on a Capital Hill. Of course, by seventh period tomorrow, I may have gone crazy from it. But for lunch tomorrow I get Pannera Bread!! Yum-O!!!!

And then on Saturday, mom and I are going to register for things for my house. A dear friend of mine and her mom are throwing me a house shower and told me to go register for stuff I want/need for the house. I am sooo excited and touched that they are sharing in this special time with me. I close in 20 days, I can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Worried

2009-03-23T16:29:00.000-07:00

I feel like all I do on this blog is list prayer requests. Well, now I have a big one. A senior girl at my school has run away. Apparently, she had a fight with her parents and she has gone to North Carolina to meet up with a guy she met on the internet. Please pray for comfort and peace for the family as they search for her, and also for her safety. Please pray that she will realize that the only running she needs to do is into the waiting arms of Jesus. This is hard to deal with because tomorrow starts our week of Refuge (kinda like a mini church camp) before Spring Break.

Spring Fever and other things

2009-03-17T17:39:00.000-07:00

I have absolutely NO motivation to do anything right now except sit on my porch, finish my book and enjoy the Spring weather.How many days until Spring Break?? Even though Spring doesn't get here for a few more days, it has arrived in Macon and right on time for the Cherry Blossom Festival. I do think that this town is about the prettiest place on earth when the Cherry trees start to bloom. I know Washington D.C is more famous for them, but we have more and I would take our winding mile after mile of trees planted in people's yards than the ones planted in D.C. Driving through some neighborhoods is like driving through a pink tunnel. If you have not experienced it, you don't know what you are missing!

For all those people out there praying for the house, it will officially be MINE on April 15th. I got a call at school yesterday and was told that underwriting had approved my loan. Talk about excitement. Now, Barney and I have to wait patiently until we can move.

More Prayer Request

2009-03-13T19:00:00.000-07:00

This time its for my house. My financing contingency was up today. Its been 21 days since we signed the contract. Now, while my mortgage broker says I will be fine and she has been doing this for years and years, the underwriter has not said yes yet and they are the people that count. So, today we had to sign an extension to next Friday and hope and pray that the seller agrees and we get an answer NEXT WEEK!!!! Monday would be great, but we have to know something by next Friday or we are worried that the seller might walk. So, please be in prayer for that.

Also, prom workshop is tomorrow again. It is supposed to rain and that is not a good thing because we need to be outside some to work on projects. We are doing well and are staying UNDER budget which is great. It is going to be a beautiful prom once everything comes together. I can't wait for the seniors to see their invitations. Now, I am off to relax because grad school work for the weekend is done and I am tired. 2 weeks to go until Spring Break!!!!

Prayer Request

2009-03-09T04:07:00.000-07:00

A student of mine is dealing with his father passing away. His dad was in a car wreck about 3 weeks ago and was in the hospital. He had surgery Thursday and passed away yesterday. This is the third death that my school is dealing with since Christmas. This is sadly the second death the senior class has dealt with in one month. At a time when they should be excited about graduation and all of the fun things coming up for them, they are dealing with things a child should never have too.

Busy

2009-03-08T18:25:00.000-07:00

That is what life for me has been. I was gone from home last week all 5 nights. I am looking forward to no class tomorrow night and coming home from work and STAYING home. Plus I am tired from the time change. I HATE TIME CHANGES. Can't we just pick one and stay on it????

Prom workshop went really well Saturday. The kids did what we asked of them and we got a lot accomplished. Now, if only this trend will continue. Angie got to see the house yesterday and loves it. We then decided on paint colors. I originally thought I was just going to paint the kitchen, but as long as I am painting, I have decided to paint the den and the room I will be using as my home office. I figure why paint again once I have moved my stuff in. Paint now while its empty. Of course, I can't do anything until April 15th when it becomes mine. I have also looked at blinds for my windows and they are not going to be nearly as expensive as I had feared. I can get "faux" plantation blinds, (big wooden looking things) for about 300 dollars. I have to go with "faux" because I can't afford the real deal. Hopefully things will continue to move on and I will clear underwriting with the mortgage company this week.

Snow

2009-03-01T13:42:00.001-08:00

So its actually snowing in Macon, Georgia!!!! Its been years since we have had measurable snow. There is about an inch on the ground and its still coming down. Now, my dog Barney is a southern dog. One would expect him to treat snow like rain, get me out of it, its wet and I don't like it. Oh no, snow he LIKES!! Dare say, he loves it. We just went out so he could take care of his business and his feet hit the snow covered lawn and he was off. He was running around in circles (I swear you could hear him laughing) and playing just like the kids were earlier. He is so funny. Of course, the minute we come in side, he wants to be toweled off and dry. Here's hoping for a snow day tomorrow, cause everyone knows Southerners can't drive when it snows!!!!

So its really going to be mine

2009-02-27T13:43:00.000-08:00

We FINALLY got all of the details worked out about who is going to fix what and pay for what. We got everything settled about 2:30 this afternoon after spending a good part of the day on my cell phone with Gina.

This stress, plus the weather caused a migraine that I have had since yesterday afternoon. It is getting better. I want this storm to start so the weather will stabilize. Of course, snow over the weekend would be fun too.

In 46 days the house is MINE!!!!!

So I bought it...

2009-02-24T18:22:00.000-08:00

I went by the house tonight to leave something in the mailbox for the real estate agent and the seller's agent has put a pending sale sign up. Of course, it was dark so I could not take a picture. I went and signed part of my life away today with my mortgage person. Major Prayer Request is that rates do not go up. The market goes crazy whenever our President opens his mouth, so we are praying rates stay the same or even go down. Right now I am at under 5 but can't lock in until at least Monday.

The inspection went ok. There is nothing to run from and not buy the house, but there are some things like cracked floor joices under the house that need to be taken care of. The inspector said that for its age, built in 1946, that its in great shape. Yesterday while I was waiting for him to finish up, I was mentally placing furniture in the rooms and deciding where all the stuff in my kitchen will go. I was also planning landscaping since I will have a nice front AND back yard.

Its crazy to think, but in 49 days, this house will legally be MINE!!!!! I can't wait!!

The Search is OVER!!!!!!

2009-02-20T14:53:00.000-08:00

I signed a contract today to close on a house April 15 pending inspection and financing coming through. My Realtor and Mortgage broker do not think there will be any problems with the financing.
I am buying a 3 bedroom 1.5 bath home on Ridge Avenue. There is a living room, dining room, and den. Barney will be able to roam free in the fenced backyard and he will have neighbor dogs to talk to.
The seller was asking 115 for the house and I offered 94 and 4 in closing costs yesterday. He came back this morning at 106 and 4500 in closing costs, so I took it. I signed all the paperwork today.

I am really excited and amazed at how fast God has worked all of this out. I had a number that I would not go over for the house and I have to have closing costs paid because I don't have enough for a down payment and closing costs. God answered mine and many others prayers that he would show me an answer.

I promise pictures as soon as I can figure out my camera issues. :)

Update

2009-02-17T17:25:00.000-08:00

I hate when things don't go the way I want them to. I wanted to meet with the mortgage banker today and was not able to, so we have pushed everything back a day. Come to find out, the seller has someone interested in renting the house I want to BUY!!!! We are trying to stall for a few days so I can get my financing lined up. Hopefully he would rather sell the house then rent. More to come once I have talked to the bank.

Has the search ended

2009-02-16T17:15:00.001-08:00

Has my house search ended? I am meeting with the mortgage broker tomorrow to talk about a loan and with my Realtor on Wednesday to go over what we think is a fair offer. We are also getting a home inspection done. My prayer is that he will take my first offer since the house has been on the market since 2006 and two other offers have fallen apart. There has not been an offer on the house in over a year, so we can hope and pray that he wants to just get rid of it and will take what I offer. I promise pictures are coming, my computer is having a problem getting them to Kodak for people to see. I am working on that, stay tuned, more to come.

Valentine's Day

2009-02-14T15:19:00.000-08:00

So, its another valentine's day. The day doesn't bother me being single. I had a great day today doing what I wanted when I wanted. I even bought myself some tulips (my favorite) at the grocery store.

The last week has been CRAZY, but one of the better in recent memory. We met our new head of school on Tuesday. I love him and think he will be a great addition to our school and a great person to work for. Balloon shop went really well. It was organized and we were done by 2:00. Of course, I dreamed about balloons last night, so I am glad it is over. It looks like we will make around 1200 dollars, so that is awesome. AND, there were no problems and everyone was happy.

Last night, Mom and I went to the region basketball tournament to watch the boys play for the championship. It was a close game the entire time, and we were down by 7 with about 2 minuets to go. One of our seniors, Taylor, put the team on his back along with another senior JB, and we WON!!!!! It was an amazing game and always great to beat a crosstown rival. We play in State next week!!

The house I looked at is really nice and a contender. Its on Ridge Avenue, which is a great area of town. It has the cutest backyard that Barney would love and more room than I really need, but a great house to grow in. I am talking to the Realtor tomorrow to see what my options are! I am excited about this one. It will be neat to see if God works everything out.

The Search Continues

2009-02-08T19:18:00.000-08:00

The search for my dream home goes on...

Contender One, the house on Rogers was upon closer inspection going to be more than what I wanted. The floors needed refinishing, the paint was showing signs of wear and tear with three kids, and the yard while it has an awesome porch is not conducive to Barney and his needs. And, I have to keep him in consideration in all of this. He deserves a true backyard not some convoluted yard I put a fence around. All in all, with this house it was more money to fix it up then I want to spend. It helped having mom and dad look at it, and also for me to see it after having not seen it for 2 weeks.

I am going to see another house on Wednesday. This one is on Ridge Avenue, a street famous in Macon for all of the trick or treaters that it gets EVERY Halloween. Hopefully because the house is close to the end of the street, it would not be too bad. Its a cute 1946 house with 3 bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms. There is a fenced backyard and its a corner lot so its a little bigger than most. There are supposed to be hardwoods throughout the house, so we shall see. Melissa, I will take pictures and try and post them. If not, look for them in email.

Off to bed cause this week will be a killer. I have class, a faculty meeting to meet the new head of school, a test in one class, see the house, meet and greet with families and said new head of school, Prom meeting with moms, AND Balloon Shop on Friday for the Y Club fundraiser. It made me tired to type all of this, so Good Night, Sleep Tight!!

I HATE Apartment Living

2009-02-05T18:38:00.000-08:00

I am so ready for a house!!!! My next door neighbors and I do not see eye to eye on music taste, nor the level at which to play such selected music. You know its loud when your upstairs neighbor calls you to ask if you can hear the music. I can listen to their base beat and tap my toes in time to the beat OVER my television. Now, I know its only 9:30, but this teacher is tired and ready to go to bed and I get a lovely Latino base beat as my lullaby. Does anyone notice the sarcasm here?????

On the house front, I am still interested in one in particular. I think now that dad is mobile again after knee surgery, he and mom will go see it with me this weekend. We had a tree guy look at some trees that were a concern to my dad in a drive by tour of the house and he recommended leaving the trees where they are, so we shall see. I got the disclosure and everything looks ok, so its up to mom and dad to see the inside. Keep praying cause Barney and I think apartment life is getting old fast.

Have I found a Home?

2009-01-23T20:34:00.000-08:00

I went looking at houses again today. It was more fun because my sister who is in town this weekend for her birthday came with me. So, I was able to have someone who knows my taste and what I like and don't like with me to offer opinions. We saw 4 more houses today and there was one that I fell in LOVE with. Its on Rogers Drive in Macon for those familiar with the area (kinda in Ingleside neighborhood). Its a 3 bedroom/1.5 bath that is MOVE IN READY!!!! I think all I would do is paint the dining room a different color. The thing that sold me on this one was the deck. While the backyard is steep, there is a great deck off the back of the house that is covered and would be so easy to make into a screened porch. Its like your looking off in the mountains if you did not know better. There is a side yard for Barney to play in, I would just have to figure a fence situation out. I am going to try and see it tomorrow and will post pictures of it if I can. Right now, this is my front runner. Its kinda exciting.

Day One of the Great House Hunt

2009-01-19T18:44:00.000-08:00

Well, I did not find my dream house today, so we will keep looking. In fact, Gina, my Realtor has already sent me some new houses to look at. The first one we looked at this morning was "bank owned" and it showed. It would take ten thousand just to repair the holes in the walls and ceilings left behind by the previous owners. The second house needed a total kitchen renovation and I am just not into spending that much money. House three was one where I knew the owners and it would be too much updating for me. It screams 1970s. The fourth house we skipped because it had NO backyard. Barney would have hated it. The last house has potential. Its the smallest from today, but the least expensive. It needs some updating outside, but the inside it totally redone. I loved the kitchen!!! I am still looking though, so more to come once I have seen more houses.

House Hunter Update

2009-01-14T19:23:00.000-08:00

I really feel like I am on the show "House Hunters" on HGTV. This process has really become exciting. I talked to a Realtor on Monday and she got started right away. Monday night when I got home from class, she had e-mailed me 5 properties to look at. I liked all 5 enough to go see them in person, so Monday, I will begin the search officially as I look at houses in person. Right now, they are all in my price range, or I think I can talk them down. Many have been on the market for quite a while and will be hopefully easy to get under asking price.

The houses are kinda spread out all over the area of town that I am looking. Two of them are super close to my school, I mean like it would take 2 minutes to get there. EXTRA SLEEP FOR ME!!!! Of course, one has pink rooms. Melissa, I don't mean pretty pink, I am talking PEPTO BISMAL PINK!!!! That would be the first thing to go. I would have to paint those before I moved in. Of course, it helps that I have some friends who would help as long as I feed them!!!

On to school. This semester is shaping up to be ok. Dare I say, easy. Both of my professors are laid back people and realize that we teach all day and do not want to be in class all night. In my research class, I think my Senior Thesis in undergraduate was more work than this research class will be. In the Exceptional Child class, I have done half of the work already because of what my job entails. We have to write observations of SST meetings, and I have those all the time, so I just have to write my notes up. Now, the challenge is finding something to take for summer. They are not offering ANY graduate level history classes during the summer. I e mailed a professor who is teaching History of Christianity and asked her to add some work and make it a grad level class. All she can say is no, so we shall see.

American Dream

2009-01-08T16:57:00.000-08:00

I have taken the first step of fulfilling the "American Dream" of home ownership. I went to the bank today and found out that I can be approved for a mortgage. To keep my payments under what I want, I am looking at around $105,000 price range. There is a good inventory in Macon of houses for sale, so I just have to start looking. It is too cost prohibitive to break my apartment lease, so I can't close on a house until May. Hopefully mortgage rates will drop some more by then!!! That gives me plenty of time to find exactly what I am looking for. Now, I just have to find it...

On another note, my students continue to surprise me. I am in charge of Prom this year at the school that I teach at. We have another private school in the area that is in financial trouble. They did not even know if the school would open after Christmas. That junior class donated the money for their prom to the school to keep it open. Our junior and senior class officers decided that it would be a nice gesture to invite that schools junior and senior classes to our prom. They met with me this morning and then with their classmates this afternoon. It was an overwhelming "yes" to do this. Now, we are figuring out all of the details. We don't know if this school will accept the invitation, but it was nice to see our students being so open and caring about other kids. They realize that these students may not have a school next year and want them to have something memorable to remember. I was really impressed with my students today!! They made me proud.

Back at School

2009-01-06T17:06:00.000-08:00

I had forgotten how hard teaching is. Its tough to get back into the game when you have been out for two weeks. But, alas school has started again. I do have a few more days of freedom before I start my classes again, so I am enjoying not having to do anything at night for a few more days. Maybe the real reason I am having such a hard time is the weather. It has been cloudy and HOT here for the past several days. Not really weather that you want to get out of bed in much less go to work in. A major storm is brewing. I wish it would come on and get it over with because my dog and kids are driving me crazy with the weather and barometric pressure changes.

If anyone out there is reading this, :) please pray for a clear answer from God for me. I am beginning to look at houses because I am tired of apartment living and Barney needs a backyard. My lease is up at the end of May, so I want a decision made by then. I need to figure out what I can afford and if this is what God wants me to do or if this is the devil telling me what I want to hear.

The next few weeks at school should be interesting. We are getting a new head of school for the upcoming school year and the final candidates will be on campus next week to meet with the students, parents, and faculty. It could be quite an interesting week as none of the candidates are from Georgia.

Barney is barking at something, I must go see what it is....

Happy New Year

2009-01-03T11:30:00.001-08:00

Here is hoping that everyone out there in Blogger land has a happy, healthy New Year.

I have not made Resolutions, cause I can never keep them. I am however trying to eat right, thanks Mom and Dad for the new pots and pans for Christmas and am trying to save as much as I can to buy a house. I am tired or renting and if I can get a great deal and my mortgage payment be about the same as rent, I want a house. Also, it would be better for Barney to have a yard to play in.

So, those are my goals for the new year. Hope you have a great 2009!!

It's officially Christmas

2008-12-21T20:18:00.000-08:00

I know that we celebrate Jesus and his birth all year as Christians, and my pastor put it an interesting way several weeks ago when he said that "Christmas is annual for everyone, but only eternal for some". He was challenging us to be "relational" and "intentional" in our witnessing to others. But, this weekend really made it Christmas to me.

If you know me well, you know that I LOVE music, especially Christmas music. My family will make fun of me because I will pull out the Christmas music in July. Hey, you have to do something to beat the Georgia heat of summer. But, one of my absolute favorite groups is the Trans Siberian Orchestra. I have wanted to see them in concert for years, but it had never worked until THIS year. I found out they would be in Birmingham when I was on Christmas break from school. I shelled out the money and called my sister Angie and told her to put December 20th on her calendar. Needless to say, it was a show neither of us will forget

They opened the show with the complete playing of their CD, "Christmas Eve in Sarajevo". That in itself is an awesome CD, but the light show, and snow, probably the only snow I will see this year, was awesome. I was a little disappointed when it ended, because I thought the concert was over, boy was I wrong!!!!!! The band leader then asked if we were "Ready to blow some things up?" I had no idea what he meant until the fire and pyrotechnics started. It was UNBELIEVABLE. I know where people get the idea to program Christmas lights at their house to their music. From their concerts. This was an Amazing concert and a great early Christmas present.

Tomorrow is hang out with sister day and make cookies since she is home for a week. This is the first time in 10-12 years that we have both been home for this long at Christmas and neither one of us has to work. My mom is sooo excited. Merry Christmas Everybody!!!!! Remember to keep CHRIST in CHRISTmas this year!!!

Sad Day

2008-12-15T19:13:00.000-08:00

Today was one of those days, where as a teacher, I did not have all of the answers or really any of them. One of my students, a junior, found out over the weekend that his mom has stage II breast cancer. They are doing surgery this week to see how far along it is. How do you explain to 16 and 17 year olds why God allows this to happen? How do you reassure them that everything will work out the way God intends and then tell them to start working on their mid term exams? I am really feeling for this student tonight because he is in no emotional state to take exams this week, but he has too.

The only thing that I could offer him was my prayers and understanding and to be someone to talk to. Its so hard to see someone have to go through this with their family, but its even harder to see a junior in high school deal with it. Today was a hard day.

Kids Yule Love

2008-12-12T19:18:00.000-08:00

Today was an annual event at the school where I went to high school and now currently teach. In 1986, a local man started a charity for needy children at Christmas called Kids Yule Love. He approached the administration at Tattnall and asked if the school would be willing to help. From this was born the annual Kids Yule Love assembly and toy drive. I remember waiting until the day that I could be old enough to be a participant in the production, because it is truly that, a production. This year's theme was The Polar Express and it was amazing as usual. I just watched the footage on the news and it showed the school and students in such a positive light.

Today, we had everything from "Rockettes" dancing, the award winning Golden Girls, to elves dancing, to a toy parade complete with my favorite, Dora the Explorer, to a living Nativity acted by the children of Faculty members.

However, the greatest part was watching the students give back as they have year after year for 21 years. I remember being in school and going shopping the night before Kids Yule Love each year and running into classmates and we would compare toys. Its funny, but that still happens. I think for most of the students, they have the most fun picking out the toys. They were talking all week about what they were getting and this morning in the halls before the bells rang, they were comparing toys. Even with the economy the way it is, our students came thru and the gym was covered in everything from barbies, to hotwheels, to bikes and basketball goals. It made me feel really good to be able to say, I AM TATTNALL. And, I will proudly wear my Kids Yule Love t shirt to show to Macon what a great school we have.

2008-12-07T19:26:00.000-08:00

I stole this from a blog I read regularly. I just thought it was cool. Bolded things are things I've done
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped (are you kidding??????)
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child (I'm counting Compassion here)
16. Had food poisoning (more times than I care to remember)
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France (not all she's cracked up to be)
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a marathon (Seriously??)
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset (Both actually)
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the EiffelTower in Paris ( too expensive, but I have laid on the ground underneath it to take a picture)
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving (Are you kidding me?)
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle (adventurous, not stupid)
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating (Sarah Palin I am not)
88. Had chickenpox (twice)
89. Saved someone's life - eternal life that is
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

Good in the world

2008-12-06T17:59:00.000-08:00

Goodness in this world does still exist. I spent part of my afternoon chaperoning some Y-club kids ringing the Salvation Army Kettle bell at a local Wal-Mart. I really wondered how much people were giving this year with all that we are hearing about the economy. It was great to see so many different people of different economic status giving a little or a lot. One man, who looked like he was a day-laborer gave me a wad of bills as he left the store. I counted them as I put them in the kettle, and this kind man had just donated 23 dollars in one dollar bills. It warmed my heart on a cold, windy day.

It was really neat to watch parents teach their children what it means to give and be compassionate to those who are less fortunate. So many parents came out of the store and had given their children money to put in the kettle. As they walked away, the parents were teaching the children that as one woman put it, "God has given us so much, that this is what we are supposed to do to help others." It almost brought tears to my eyes.

For all the bad that we hear about in the world, it is nice to spend some time witnessing the good as well.

New to this

2008-12-05T20:13:00.000-08:00

I am new to this whole blogging thing. Friends have been after me to start one, so here goes. I am not sure my life is interesting enough for people to read about, but I will find out.

A little about me...
I live in my hometown of Macon, Georgia
I have one older sister and two wonderful parents
I have a big baby named Barney (he is part black lab and part great dane with some boxer thrown in for good measure)
I teach at my high school alma matar, kids with learning disabilities
I am working on my masters in education at Georgia College and State University
I am an alum of Samford University and a huge UGA and Duke fan.

I have just finished all of my work for this semester for grad school, so I am off to bed to read a good book!!