1 More Day

till school is out for Spring Break!!!

Friday night, we're going grocery shopping.

Saturday, we're going to watch Bailey's soccer game and spend some time in my classroom getting things organized.

Sunday after church, I'm heading to Elaine's to help her get the reunion invitations in the mail. I'll head home Monday afternoon.

Tuesday, after I wake up when my body tells me to, I'm heading to Stitching Hens for the day and will probably stay until 8.

The remainder of the week, I plan to wake up every day when my body says its time to wake up.

I'll do some spring cleaning, get Chris' room ready, organize my quilting stuff and quilt to my heart's desire. I plan to get the borders on my quilt and Rachael's and get the backing pieced and get both of them to the quilter. I also plan to start and finish a table runner to donate for the Mushroom Festival.

Saturday, I'm heading to Tyler for the day with the Stitching Hens for a quilt show and shopping. Steven will be at Tres Dias that weekend so I'll be all alone.

Monday, the 30th is another day off. Right now, there are no plans for that day except quilting.

Sounds like the perfect Spring Break to me!

Wear Your Seatbelt

please...

Not only is it the law, it also saves lives.

Yesterday, one of Stephanie's friends was driving to work on 75. She was passing another car, hit the unimproved shoulder, overcorrected, flipped her vehicle and was killed. She was not wearing a seatbelt.

She leaves behind a baby that's close to Rowdy's age as well as her parents and 2 sisters (I think).

Blogrolling

How cool is this?

I used to click on every single blog I read at least twice a day - once in the morning and once in the afternoon. Usually more often than that in reality...

Now, all I have to do is click on my blog and see who's updated their blog. So much easier and faster.

The only problem is that I can tell it's going to be hard to break the habit of clicking on each one.

I think I need to check out the other gadgets Blogger offers...

Chris is Really Coming Home!

I mean, I know he's coming but I hardly dare believe it.

But, it's official.

I know it's real because today we got his first piece of mail.

If his mail is coming here, that means he's coming home, right?

Judging Food

Today was my first experience with the County Fair. None of the kids were ever interested in the fair so I've never even been to the fair.

Today, Steven and I judged the food portion. We both judged different age groups so our opinions wouldn't influence each other.

It was a great experience and I can't wait till next year to do it again.

I tasted some really good food and some not so good food but kudos to all the kids who entered and really big kudos to those that made their own food instead of mom making it.

There were a couple of things I'd love to have the recipe for, I'm thinking I'll find out who baked them and see about getting the recipe. One was a delicious pound cake. I've been looking for an awesome pound cake recipe for years and haven't found one. This one won Grand Champion in its age group and was really, really good.

The only drawback is that it's all sweets so my tummy was upset for a couple of hours after we finished.

Mollie's Home

Mollie got out last Monday and didn't come home. That means someone picked her up since the dogcatcher was arrested and there's no dogcatcher right now. We knew that unless she was chained up, she'd take the first opportunity to escape.

This has not been her first foray into another world. One time when she came home at 2:00 in the morning, her toenails were painted red.

This time we figured she was pretty much gone for good.

Last night when Steven got home, she was on the front porch. She'd ripped part of the screen door trying to get in.

She was skin and bones, her ribs were showing. That means that this foray into another world was not a good one.

She crawled onto her cushion, curled up into a ball and didn't move. Steven says she was despondent. She wouldn't even eat when Steven held food up to her mounth.

I called her and she wouldn't come to me. Steven brought her to me but she acted like she'd rather be anywhere else. She didn't respond when I scratched right above her tail, her favorite place to be scratched.

We were worried about her.

Rachael's home for the weekend so she slept with Rachael.

Today she seems much better and is getting back to her old self.

Hopefully she learned a lesson and will stay in the fence and quit destroying our house but I'm not holding my breath.

When will Chris have his own place?

It's Official

I don't have time to work.

There are entirely too many things I want to do.

Too many quilts to make.
Too many books to read.
Too many thing to stitch.
Too many pictures to scrapbook.
Too many things to knit.
Too much genealogy to research.
Too many things to do.

I wonder if Steven would notice if I quit my job and stayed home doing all the stuff I want to do?

Bird in the House

Yikes! Steven opened the back door and a bird flew in the house.

It hung around a few minutes, scared me a couple of time but fortunately, it was a very intelligent bird and found its way out the front door pretty quickly.

Guess that's what happens when you have 3 bird feeders set up not far outside the back door.

Nice Surprise

Steven hit a rabbit on the way to work last Friday. It tore out some kind of lining under the car.

The estimate was $300. Well actually, it was $299.95 but that's $300 to me.

Today, I took it in (parts had to be ordered) during my break. We picked it up and it was only $240 and change.

Not often that happens and it was a nice surprise.

The car was at the back of the lot and the nice lady wouldn't even let me walk back there and get it, she sent one of the guys to drive it up for me. How nice was that?

Steven took the bike to work today because Jenny needed the truck to take Emily to get her first shots :( so we rode the bike to the shop. It's been a long time since I've been on the back of the bike and it sure felt good.

I'm thinking I need a long ride really soon.

Going to England!

Getting out of debt is officially slowing down a bit because we're going to England next summer!

Just got off the phone with David who has gotten orders for Croughton, England. He reports September 30.

We've wanted to go back to Europe ever since we went in 2000 and now we have a good reason. :)

Can't wait!!!

Want to go with us? Start saving your pennies now!

Tin Roof

No, we didn't put a new roof on our house even though we will do a metal roof when we either build or flip.

Blue Bell Tin Roof

One of our very favorite flavors.

Almost never available.

Our rule is that whenever we see it, we buy it because it may not be there the next time.

Saturday, there it was in all its chocolate, vanilla, peanutty glory.

Of course it came home with us.

I guess my tastes have changed because it really wasn't that good to me even though Steven said it was delicious.

Of course, I'll eat it until it's gone.

Trendy

I don't think I've ever bought anything trendy in my life.

Today I did.

Have you seen the adorable zebra bags with the red trim?

I own one.

I also own a zebra print wallet with red trim.

Most of the zebra stripe bags are too big for me but I found one that was smaller and a great shape. It only has one compartment and I don't like that (I need a divided purses so I can find stuff) but I'm going to do my best to learn to like it.

I also got a red leather purse that is much more my style.

We'll see how this trendy thing goes...

Bitten by the Quilting Bug

I've been bitten by the quilting bug. Steven says I have it bad.

I think he's right.

I have a quilt top for my bed finished except for the border. I had fabric for the border but I didn't like it so I got some more. I need to finish this one.

I made a wall hanging quilt top for Jenny's stairwell. It needs to be taken to the shop and quilted.

Tonight I finished a Christmas quilt top. I love, love, love it! I've got to get the backing fabric bordered because I didn't buy enough. I'll probably get that done tomorrow. Tonight I'm too tired.

I have fabric for Rachael a quilt. Hopefully I'll start cutting it out this weekend.

I'm doing a Buck a Block quilt that will take a year to complete (one block a month for 12 months). I've made 12 samples of the outer square to try and decide which one I like best. I'm still not sure.

I've been perusing lots of quilting blogs.

I'm about to begin a Calendar Quilt. I need to get this caught up before any more of the year passes by.

I'm watching a book on ebay for selvage quilts because I can't figure out how to make them but I love them. If you sew and throw away your selvage ends, please save them for me!

This weekend is an online retreat for making an orange quilt. I don't have many orange fabrics but I'm wanting to do one.

The quilt shop here in town has some retro fabrics that will make great backs for my great-grandmother's quilt tops that I need to get from Mom.

There are many other quilts I want to start from my already large stash of quilt books and magazines.

I'm going to the Quilting Hens group on Tuesday evenings. I can't wait until summer when I can go all day long.

I'm going on a shop hop with the Quilting Hens at the end of March.

Yep, I think I have a bad case of quiltitis.

I Refuse!

I.will.not.turn.the.air.conditioning.on.in.February!

It was 77 degrees in my house when I got home this afternoon. It is February 18. Something is wrong with this picture.

Please bring on some more winter. I am not ready for hot weather. Not even remotely ready.

It's My Birthday!

and it was filled with surprises!

There was a card from Steven, one from mom, one from Mrs. Harper, a balloon with a Hobby Lobby gift card and truffles (not the yummo, delicious ones I'd requested but truffles nonetheless) in my chair this morning.

At school, there were lots of birthday greetings, yummy chicken salad and delicious frozen strawberry dessert, Mary Kay lotion and mini makeup brushes and a cupcake. There was also a voice mail of one of my parents singing Happy Birthday. There was an email from the First Place coordinator (a high school teacher), an email from my former First Place leader (head of food services), an email from my superintendent, a card from PTO (done by Stacy B.), a message on the faculty blackboard, a shout out on morning announcements, a few cards made by kids (one was a total surprise - left on my desk at the end of the day - didn't find it until the kids were all gone)

After school, there were the yummo truffles but they were stale so really not so yummo. :(

I knew Jenny was cooking supper but I didn't know that Stephanie, Rowdy and Rachael were there to eat it with us! I was sooooo surprised to see them! There was yummy steak and gravy and rice, veggies, garlic bread and sweet tea with chocolate cake and cream cheese frosting with Blue Bell ice cream. In the bag were a couple of "real" knives and a cookbook holder.

There was a call from Stephanie (little stinker!), a call from Rachael that I missed because I was talking to a parent, a text from Layne (I'd have texted him back but I've never sent a text before and am not real interested in learning now), a call from Robert that I missed when I left my phone at home while we were at Jenny's and a call from David.

A really awesome day in spite of the parent conference in the parking lot this afternoon and the call I had to make to explain the 50 something on a progress report. Turning 48 wasn't bad at all!

Cleaning House the Flylady Way

We have allowed the house to become a disaster area again so today we're cleaning, the Flylady way.

15 minutes at a time. We're working in different rooms and switching rooms every 15 minutes with 15 minute breaks thrown in occasionally.

Using the timer and switching rooms really helps me stay focused on the area I'm working in but I'm not overwhelmed with one room because I only have to work there 15 minutes and then I'll come back to it later.

If I would just do 15 minutes a day, the house would never get like this but somehow I can't seem to get those 15 minutes done every day. :(

We turned th TV to the Jukebox Gold music station while we work and mostly, they're playing great oldies music that we love with quite a bit of disco thrown in which makes me happy. Right now, it's Prince - I could really do without him but it'll be over soon. :)

My timer is about to go off, I think my next 15 minutes will be in the dining room...

Gobsmacked

I am in shock. I had no idea any one person could do such a thing. 9 instead of 3. How could they? Absolutely unbelievable. I'm not sure I'll get over this one.

Today

Field trip = stress galore - headache - near meltdown

Large sweet tea, medium McDonald's fries and entire bag of chocolate hearts = stress eating stress relief.

Retail therapy at the quilt shop = relief of stress, new quilt in the works

Wonder if it would work for me to boycott all future field trips?

Things that are worse than field trips:

• water board torture
• beating with cat 'o nine tails
• losing a limb

I'm sure there are more things worse than field trips but right now I can't come up with any.

Can you guess how my day went?

Good Eats

Tonight, since it was so cold, we warmed up some soup and made cornbread for supper.

Of course, I had to have 2 pieces of piping hot cornbread drowned in milk.

There are not many things better in this world than piping hot cornbread drowned in cold milk.

Mmmmm, mmmmm, good!

Of course, knowing my particular self, there are some other requirements...it has to be in my ancient Tupperware 2 cup measuring cup and eaten with my big spoon with the blue handle. I have no idea where that spoon came from since I've never owned silverware with blue handles but nonetheless, it's my favorite spoon. I have to have it with pretty much anything that requires a spoon.

There's cornbread left but cornbread and milk is reserved for right out of the oven, piping hot cornbread. Cold cornbread doesn't cut it. Neither does reheated cornbread.

Did I mention that I'm particular about things?

Flowers

I've decided that I enjoy having fresh flowers in the house.

Even though we're working really hard at getting out of debt, I think I'll work on having fresh flowers more frequently.

My only problem is that I don't really have any place to put them without clearing off a flat surface.

Guess I need to do that.

The 44 Presidents

This is very cool - you should go watch it...

44 Presidents

Bizarre Remedy

Some time ago, I read somewhere on the internet that rubbing Vicks Vaporub on the bottoms of your feet when you go to bed would quiet your cough.

Bizarre, right?

So, a couple of weeks ago, I had a cough that wouldn't quit and got worse at night. One night I decided to try the Vicks remedy. Unfortunately, I also took some prescription cough syrup (not that its ever done any good). As a science teacher, I know to only change one variable at a time, not two.

My coughing disappeared that night.

I had no idea if it was the cough syrup (probably not) or the Vicks.

The next several nights I did only Vicks.

I'd cough for just a few minutes and then it would disappear.

I didn't believe it.

I still don't believe it.

But, it has worked for me.

Maybe it's psychological.

Here's what snopes.com has to say (I always check them out when something sounds too good to be true)

Vicks

If you know me, you know I will try almost any alternative treatment before medical intervention so it shouldn't surprise you that I actually slathered Vicks on my feet in an attempt to quiet my cough. :)

Another One Bites the Dust

Today, Steven mailed the check that will pay off the truck. Well, the last payment will be debited on the 25th but the check for the remainder was mailed.

Next up - the motorcycle payment. I'm hoping that will be paid off in about 4 months then we'll have both of those payments to get the CC debt paid down.

Right now, both our jobs are secure but who knows what will happen in the future. I'll feel so much better when we get out from under all this debt. I'm also really ready to build a house. :)

Sanctity of Life Sunday

Today is Sanctity of Life Sunday. This is always a difficult Sunday for me but more so this year. I cried all through church, all the way home from church and then cried until I fell asleep this afternoon. Since I'm not a crier, this was some serious emotional stuff for me. My eyes still hurt and my heart is so heavy that I feel like it's about to burst through my chest.

My heart has always been broken for those precious grandbabies I'll never hold but now that I know there are more than two, I sometimes feel like I just can't stand it.

When I got up from my nap, Jenny and Emily were here. It was almost too painful for me to hold her. My heart is so heavy. Have I said that already? Well, it is.

I'm so very thankful that all those years ago, I chose life for my babies and chose to keep them and raise them. I know I wasn't always the best mother and made a multitude of mistakes but my children are my life and there's no way I can begin to imagine my life without them.

Oh. My. Goodness.

I did not think it was possible for 2 babies to look so much alike.

Emily Elizabeth arrived Friday afternoon at 4:39. She weighed 7 lb. 13 oz. and was 20 inches long.

She is beautiful! She also looks *exactly* like Bailey did when he was born. A couple pounds smaller but that's a good thing. :)

Everyone's home now and doing well.

Never a Dull Moment

So, we're all here for Christmas except mother. Daniel, David and Bailey are outside playing. Daniel comes in and tells us that there's a wild hog in the woods beside our house.

There can't be a wild hog there, we live in town for goodness sake.

But, David confirmed - not that I doubted Daniel, you understand. It was just too unbelievable.

Daniel called his brothers and told them to bring the bow.

There is no longer a wild hog in the woods next to our house.

It was a mercy killing. The poor young hog only had 3 legs and 1 ear had been ripped off. We figure it had been caught in some type of trap.

Zach was going to eat it but decided against it. Probably a good decision.

Never a dull moment...

How Exciting

David is home for Christmas. He flew in last night. His flight was due in at 10:37 at IAH.

His plane was delayed.

It got in at 12:35.

It took forever for his luggage to arrive.

We got home at 2:30 something.

Thank goodness I didn't have to go to work today. I'm sorry that Steven did have to go to work.

How exciting... NOT!

Ticked Off

Last Friday I took 12 pint jars of various jellies and green tomato relish to work and put in the work room. I sent an email to 10 people - the other 8 classroom teachers in my hallway, the computer teacher and the ISS teacher. I took 12 so that no one had to take what was left and not have a choice. I was expecting to bring 2 jars back home.

I went in later and all 12 jars were gone.

Who would assume that they could either take extra or tell someone else to take them?

Next year I'll leave my yummy goodies at home for my family to enjoy and then I won't be ticked off.

Smoke

I've been sensitive to smoke for lots of years now. I can get off the elevator at a hotel and tell if someone is smoking anywhere on that floor. If someone has smoked in a hotel room, I can tell. I also have to have another room. When I'm around smoke, I really, really suffer, I cough, get drainage down the back of my throat and have difficulty breathing.

Burning leaves is probably the worst because it's so invasive, comes into my home and I can do nothing about it.

We came home from the Christmas parade and having supper at Jenny's house.

It smells like the entire neighborhood has been burning leaves.

I'm suffering. I'm having trouble breathing and who knows how I'm going to sleep tonight.

I despise smoke of all kinds...

Who Knew?

that all that sneezing I did Friday would lead to a full blown head cold?

I sneezed several times Friday, a bit unusual for me. Didn't think to much about it, just figured it was something in the air. Sneezed some more at Jenny's house Friday afternoon/evening. Still didn't think to much about it. My nose started running at Jenny's house. I should have known then that something was up, especially since I wiped my nose raw. By the time I went to bed at 9:00, my head was stuffed up and I was having trouble breathing.

Steven woke me up at 9:00 to get ready for Bailey's last soccer game. Didn't happen. My throat hurt, my head was stuffed up, had a sinus headache, my nose was stuffed up/running. I didn't feel like going, it was cold and I didn't want to pass this mess on to anyone, especially Rowdy and Jenny.

Stayed up for about 1 1/2 hours then back to bed for 4 hours. Up for a couple of hours then tried to go back to bed. My body couldn't handle being back in bed again so watched a movie. Wanted to watch another movie but went to bed instead. Still feeling miserable.

Woke up this morning not feeling much better. Been up for 1 1/2 hours and think I'm going back to bed again. I need to go to work tomorrow. I have no lesson plans done, no papers graded for Tuesday folders but I guess it will all work out.

I hate being sick...

Veteran's Day

In memory of:

Thaman Corley - US Army - Vietnam

In honor of:

Chris Crouch - US Navy
David Vantreese - US Air Force
Daniel Butts - Louisiana National Guard - Iraq
Greg Landgraf - US Army - Afghanistan
Layne Crouch - US Army Reserves
Jimmy Wade - US Marines
Hugo "Tex" Santos - US Air Force

I'm sure I've missed someone but it's sure not intentional.

Thank you each and every one for the sacrifices you've made to serve our country.

I can't even begin to say how very proud I am that all 4 of my boys are serving their country.

Public Service Announcement

Today is election day. Please go vote.

Quilt Show

Last Thursday, I took the day off and went to the Quilt Show in Houston with another teacher. According to some ladies sitting at our table at lunch, this is the biggest convention in Houston every year. I know there were lots of vendors, lots of quilts displayed and lots of people.

We saw some beautiful quilts, some ugly quilts, some bizarre quilts and some weird quilts. I made some discoveries about the types of quilts I like. I have eclectic tastes, according to Mary. :) I've long suspected that I loved scrap quilts and that was confirmed. I also like some appliqued quilts and some that are pieced to look like animals. Log Cabin in one of my favorite patterns. Lots of town/village quilts called my name also.I totally dislike pastel colors, no matter what the design.

There was a booth with my wonderful, fabulous Body Sense heating pads. I thought that if they had a show special, I might pick up one or two. They did have a special.... buy 3 and get 10% off all 3. Needless to say, I came home without any new heating pads.

I only came home with 1 book and no fabric (I did stop at Hancock Fabrics and bought some fat quarters) but I was inspired to start a new quilt. Tonight, I'm going to start my Hawaii quilt. When we went to Hawaii, I bought some Hawaiian print fabric squares. They've been sitting in a bag for 5 years now. I think it's time I made them into a quilt.

It's Been Awhile

14 years to be exact.

Tonight, the kindergartners performed at the PTO meeting. It's been 14 years since I've been to a kindergarten program. I forgot how cute and enthusiastic they are. They sang their hearts out.

Except for one.

We thought Bailey was upset because he didn't get to have a part and wear a costume.

We were wrong.

He was scared.

He was scared because there were so many people there. His teacher went back and talked to him and he finally sang some on one of the songs.

He was fine once the program was over and was back sitting with us.

Being in the Elementary cafeteria brought back lots of memories for me. I started working in the school when Rachael was in 1st grade. I was the cafeteria clerk. Now I'm a real live teacher. Some days it's still difficult for me to believe I've traveled that road.

19 Years

Friday was our 19th anniversary. If you had told me I would remain married to the same man for this many years, I'd have called you a liar yet here I am, 19 years later and very happily married.

I almost always forget to get Steven a card. I don't know why I can't remember that but I can't. This year I remembered but didn't write on it. At 11 something Thursday night, I was in the bathroom trying to write something on the card. I'm sure it looked like c*ap but the card was on the computer waiting for him when he woke up, a first for me.

I was slightly disappointed that there wasn't a card waiting for me but didn't say anything. I"m so glad I didn't because when I got in the truck to go to work, there was something even better waiting for me.

Early in our relationship, when we both worked at Circle K, Steven used to take the front of a cigarette carton and write me a little note with his schedule for the week. It was very special to me. When I die and the kids are going through my things, they'll find some of those notes. Now they'll know what they are.

Anyway, there was one of those notes propped up against the steering wheel. I smiled so much my face hurt. I took it to work and looked at it all day and smiled every time I saw it.

I'm sure the ladies at Shell thought he was crazy when he went in at 6 in the morning and asked for an empty cigarette carton and then proceeded to tear off all the sides. I think he did explain what he was doing. He came back home, put it in the truck ( I didn't know until that night) and came in the house to get his phone. I didn't think anything about him coming back in but telling me he forgot his phone was just his ruse for returning home in case the dogs got restless when he drove back in the driveway and I went to look. Wasn't that sneaky?

On to our "date"...

Our anniversary tradition is eating at Outback. We very seldom eat there any other time because that keeps it special. We love Outback. The steaks (me) and fish (Steven) are great, the steamed veggies are wonderful (wonder what they do to them?), the Ceaser salad is divine (very garlicky) and the bread is out of this world.

For the first time ever, my steak wasn't cooked correctly. The 1st half was fine but the second half was red and bleeding. I have no idea how that happened but it did. I'd already cut it into pieces and had eaten half so I didn't send it back. 45 seconds in the microwave the next day took care of all that redness. :)

I was exhausted because the night before was Fall Festival at school so we just ate and headed home.

Just past Briarcrest, we hit a traffic jam. We could see flashing lights so we knew it was a wreck. Traffic was not moving at all, even in one lane. Even the off ramp at William Joel Bryan was not moving. We sat there for awhile before I asked Steven if he was going to turn around (can you believe I actually asked that?) He said that as soon as he did, traffic would start moving and it would take longer.

So - we sat there for 30 more minutes, just yards from the WJB off ramp before Steven finally took off across the median and turned around. There were officers at the Briarcrest on ramp turning traffic back up the on ramp and sending them down the feeder road. Traffic was backed up as far as you could see. When we passed where the accident was, it didn' look bad, one truck had rearended someone but that was the only vehicle. We wondered why both lanes were closed.

kbtx.com reported that it was a 5 car pileup and took 2 hours to clean up. Since we were fairly close to where the accident happened and we waited almost an hour, I'm really, really glad we turned around and came on home.

It was an interesting anniversary "celebration" but that's OK - we're working on year 20 now.

Changing Tastes

It's amazing how a person's taste buds can change over the course of time.

I've never liked kettle corn. It's sweet and popcorn was not meant to be sweet. It's meant to be salty.

At the Mushroom Festival, Bailey wanted popcorn. It was kettle corn. He didn't like it - Jenny didn't like it and I decided to try it. It'd been several years since I'd had any and I know that my tastes do change over time.

Needless to say, it was delicious! Maybe it was just different from what I've had in the past but this stuff was good! It was so good I ate the entire (small) bag. I didn't even ask Steven if he wanted to share. I was so full I didn't eat supper. Not very nutritious but it was sure good.

I'm wondering what's next on my list of things I've never liked that may now tickle my taste buds. It's definitely not baked sweet potatoes. Tried those recently and still don't like them.

Hhhmmmm....food for thought....

I Love My Crockpot

I've been fairly successful in remembering to put something in the crockpot on Wednesday mornings. Steven has choir practice Wednesday nights right about the time supper would be getting started. We can't seem to get supper going any earlier so had to come up with a solution. Crockpot to the rescue!! All I have to do is steam some veggies and make some garlic bread and we're good to go. We have a good meal, Steven goes to choir practice fed instead of hungry, we're not spending money grabbing some fast food and I feel like super wife which happens seldom these days.

Of course, Steven actually put the roast in the crockpot this morning but that's unusual so I'm giving myself a pass today. I do have to put the onion soup mix in so I will have contributed. :)

It's nice to come home to a wonderful smelling house and to know that supper is only a few minutes away.

Here's Rachael

The fall softball picture is up on the website and Rachael is on the front row. It's too bad they don't list the names of the managers and graduate assistants.

Aggie Softball Picture

15 1/2 Pints of Green Tomato Relish AKA I Have The Best Husband in The Whole World

If you don't believe that I have the best husband in the whole world, just ask me, I'll be happy to extol his virtues to anyone who will listen. Unless, of course, you catch me on a day when he's being a man. In that case, I'll still extol his virtues, just not as happily. :)

Saturday, Steven had a board meeting in Waco. I stayed home to watch Bailey's soccer game. On his way home, he called to ask if I wanted him to ATM some money to get me some green tomatoes. Dumb question but that's OK. I've only been trying to grow some tomatoes, without any luck, so I can have green tomatoes for relish.

He was driving by and saw a man on the side of the road selling produce. He saw green things and couldn't tell if they were tomatoes or apples so he turns around and goes back to check. How many men would actually do that?

We went to Robert's to get his grinder (on the condition that I never bring it back to his house) and shopped for the remainder of ingredients for green tomato relish. I also got pint jars from Mom. Thanks Mom! I used all of mine and 9 of the ones you gave me as well as 5 1/2 pint jars (I grossly underestimated how much relish there would be).

There was a small crisis before we began - I couldn't find the recipe I had so lovingly typed out at Birdie's house! I distinctly remember putting it in a "safe" place when we got home. It was very safe - I couldn't find it. A quick call to Birdie - she was demoing at W-M - she would call with ingredients and then type the recipe when she got home. Of course, as soon as I called her, I found the recipe. Thanks for being willing to help Birdie! Thanks for introducing me to this yummo relish and giving me the recipe too!!

Sunday afternoon when we started, the tomatoes had already started turning red but were still firm so they were OK. I had enough tomatoes for 1 1/2 batches and didn't have enough cabbage but a quick trip to the store remedied that problem. We ground veggies until we were blue in the face then I salted them and put them in the fridge overnight.

Thank goodness I was off today. It took me about 3 hours to get the relish rinsed, drained, cooked, put in jars and sealed. The last of them are in a water bath as I type. The recipe didn't say to give them a water bath and I'm sure they didn't need it but they got one any way.

Right now, I'm waiting rather impatiently for my boiled eggs to cool and some relish to cool so I can have a delicious egg salad sandwich.

Life is good...

Soccer

Bailey had his first soccer game yesterday. Jenny is coaching. Yes, 6 month pregnant Jenny is coaching soccer.

It was so much fun to watch. Since it was their first game and they'd only had one practice, they really didn't have a clue what to do. There was at least one little girl that really didn't want to play and most of them had no idea which goal they were supposed to kick at the whole first half. The second half was better in that respect except for one little boy that still didn't have a clue, he was just having a good time kicking the ball!

I tried to remain impartial but I'm pretty sure Bailey was by far the best player. Really, I'm sure he was the best player.

One of the players is the son on the custodian that takes care of my classroom and one little girl is the cousin of one of the girls on my UIL team. I love living in a small town!

Mom just called and asked if I enjoyed watching soccer as much as she did when Chris was in kindergarten, lived with her and played soccer. Of course the answer was a resounding yes!

Grandchildren are such a joy...

MENOPAUSE SUCKS!!!!!

Yes, I'm shouting and yes, that's rather strong language.

I HATE menopause!!!!

I could go on and on about rather personal things here but I'm sure you don't want to read about it so I'll refrain. Not to mention the fact that if you read what I have to say, I probably would never again be able to look you in the eyes.

I always thought menopause would be wonderful without the monthly inconvenience but I WAS WRONG!!

Nuff said....

That Was Fun

The Southern Baptist Convention Disaster Relief of Oklahoma has been here this week cooking meals and the local churches are serving them. I just found out about it last night.

Today I helped serve 500 something meals at lunch and again tonight I helped serve almost 900 meals.

I was working with the local Catholic church and had the best time. I know most of the people I was working with so I didn't feel awkward at all.

I have a teeny bit of sunburn because I forgot sunscreen at lunch but it's not bad.

I'll help tomorrow at lunch if needed and at supper for sure.

There's plenty to do at home but this helps me feel like I'm doing something to help people that are struggling.

Father Mike asked me if I ever slow down. I told him no, that it was in my genes to stay busy. He told me I needed to cut off my jeans. He's such a comedian. He said I was like the Energizer Bunny. Vaughn told him that I was awesome. That will sure swell your head up. :)

I'm Addicted

That's not difficult since I have quite an addictive personality. It's too bad that quality doesn't do anything for my procrastination. :)

So, I'm addicted to Paperback Swap. I'm not even reading much these days since I seem to be addicted to the computer but I'm having so much fun looking for books, mailing out books and even reading a few books. I devoured 3 of them on our trip to San Diego.

If you're a reader and would like to trade books for the cost of postage, check out PBS. If you happen to sign up, I'd appreciate it if you'd use me as a reference. My username is beckydale and my email is stdrcs16@gmail.com.

I've mailed out about 10-12 books and gotten some books I'd wanted to read but didn't want to spend the money on. I've also gotten a couple of fun books for my classroom.

I'm spending way too much time checking out member's bookshelves and looking at books. I also have a healthy wish list. I'm also totally regretting all the books I've donated to various charities because I could have gotten books in exchange. Oh well, such is life. Hopefully they went to good homes and didn't end up in the trash somewhere.

Dreaming when you wake up

I hate to wake up in the middle of a dream, especially when the dream isn't finished and nothing has been resolved. When that happens, it's a really bad start to my day and it seems to linger most of the day.

This morning I was dreaming about Grannie and PawPaw.

The things I remember:

• I told Grannie that she had really pretty blue eyes. She told me there was too much green in them and they really weren't that pretty.

• I told her about Jenny's freckles and about how sometimes she'll rub them and think about Grannie even though she never knew her.

• PawPaw came home and wanted us to go to town. There were 2 small boys there with us but I have no idea who they were. PawPaw, the boys and I got in the car but Grannie hadn't come out yet. He waited all of about 30 seconds to a minute and then left without her. He didn't go back in to see if she needed anything, he just left.

• PawPaw had parked the car in the back yard instead of on the carport.

Now I'm wanting to cry and feeling very melonchalic. It's much better when I dream good things about my grandparents.

Doing a Happy Dance

I know, I know, it's been almost a month since I've blogged. August is a busy, busy month for me. I've got several things to get caught up on and I'll try to get that done this month.

Now for the happy dancing...

When we bought our new car Friday, I qualified for Tier 1 financing, the best Toyota has to offer! I'm so excited about that!! I've worked really, really hard to get it there. Mine was better than Steven's to begin with but his is getting there too.

When we bought the truck, 4years ago, our credit was so bad that I'm pretty sure our interest rate is 15 or 18%. Mostly, I really, really don't want to know. I just want it to be paid for......

It surely feels good for our credit to finally be in a good place and to be making excellent progress towards getting out of debt.

Outside My Mind

It's August.

Where did the summer go?

I had so many plans for the summer and very few of them got done. I guess that's OK because I was in dire need of some down time.

August is when I start working in my room. Since the 1st was on Friday, I waited until Monday to start work. Probably a big mistake since we're going to Alabama to see Birdie and I'll be gone at least 5 days.

The reason I'm outside my mind though is SMAK (Summer Music Activities for Kids). Way back in June, during Bible School, Angela asked if I'd help with SMAK. Of course, I told her to just put me where she needed me.

When SMAK is over, there's only two weeks left before school starts.

She needed me to help with field trips every afternoon.

I despise field trips.

No teacher should volunteer to go on multiple field trips in the same week on school buses in August in Texas unless, of course, they love field trips. (is that a sentence? :)

I told her I wanted to work with my 3rd graders.

I didn't know that was the new 3rd graders.

Now I know several kids I am happy are not in my tripod (we have our lists).

Today is my last day with SMAK because we leave in the morning - hooray!!

Going to California

We're heading to California next month for Chris' Chief Petty Officer ceremony.

I found tickets for $198 if we fly out of Austin. Since they were $303 if we flew out of Houston, we're driving to Austin. With taxes, fees and travel insurance, it's $507. A great deal with the high gas prices and a very small price to pay to see Chris installed (is that the right word?).

It's been way, way too long since we've seen Chris and Audrey so we're really excited.

Should I do a countdown?

Memories

When we lived in Alabama and were so broke we couldn't see straight, one of our payday treats was to take the kids to Krystal's. The itty bitty burgers were .39 ( I think) and the kids could have as many as they wanted. We'd share some fries and everyone was fed and we had a treat.

I miss Krystal's. The burgers weren't that good but there are good memories for me there.

For a very short time, there was a Krystal's in Lake Charles. We only ate there once when we went to see Jennifer and Daniel but it was great.

During all my driving around in Killeen (Fort Hood), I found a Krystal's. It was the middle of the afternoon and I wasn't really hungry but I had 2 Krystal burgers just for nostalgia's sake.

We're heading to Alabama next week to see Birdie. I hope there are still Krystal's there so Steven can have some. If not, he can have his the next time we go see Rowdy.

Fort Hood

Stephanie, Greg and Rowdy are moving to Fort Hood. Greg has to report on August 1.

They ask if I'd be willing to go with them and watch Rowdy while they search for a place to live.

Since Rowdy has been in Virginia for 6 months, what do you think I said?

Actually, I was a bit concerned since Rowdy tends to have a fit if his mom gets out of his sight or he thinks she might be about to leave his sight but what the heck, I can handle fits.

I said I'd be happy to put him in his stroller and cruise the mall while they're looking for a place to live.

Not exactly. Rowdy hates his stroller. But he likes to ride in a shopping cart.

OK, we can hit a store or two or three and let him ride in a shopping cart.

We had the best time!

Our first stop was HEB. He loved looking at all the fruit and anyone that was stocking was of great interest to him. We got bananas, watermelon, a light avocado (I'll make some guacamole with it tomorrow and report on flavor), a cantaloupe, a deli sandwich for me and some tea for me

We found a shady parking lot and ate our lunch. He was exhausted so we rode around till he fell asleep then I found a parking lot and read till he woke up.

We also hit Target, Dollar Tree and Petco. He loved looking at all the animals.

I got a great tour of Fort Hood and now know where all the important things are for when we go visit.

Stephanie and Greg found a place to live, I got to spend some time with Rowdy, he didn't have the first fit and all is well.

AAA Rocks!

In less than a month, with only 2 uses, AAA has paid for itself. How awesome is that?

Steven called yesterday afternoon. He was broke down on the HOV lane in Houston. He'd called AAA and the wrecker would be there in about an hour. In about 15 minutes, he calls back to say the wrecker is already there.

I head to Houston to pick him up.

Have I ever said how much I hate driving in Houston? I'd almost rather give birth. Almost.

Come to find out, the only wreckers allowed on the HOV are wreckers contracted with the City of Houston.

It cost $143.50 for the wrecker to take him ~2 miles.

$143.50.

It only cost ~$63 to have the bike towed about 15 miles to Huntsville the last time he broke down.

I'm very frustrated because we paid for AAA and we've had to fork out $143.50 for towing. But, it's just money and like Steven said, the good news is that we can afford to pay it.

Actually, this is how he put it:
The good news - we can afford to pay for it
The bad news - the bike will be in the shop for 2 weeks
The worst news - it cost $143.50 to get towed

It actually works out this way:
The good news - the towing costs nothing
The bad news - I have no vehicle for 2 weeks
The worst news - we have to pay for gas for Steven's commute for 2 weeks in the truck
The good news - we won't have to do without anything to afford it

So, how does the cost of the towing go from being the worst news to being the best news?

One phone call to AAA.

One reimbursement form.

$143.50 to be reimbursed.

If you don't have AAA Premier, go get it.

I Have the Best Husband!

I've been having an overwhelmed kind of day today. So what does my most wonderful husband do?

He stops on the side of I-45 in the 99 degree weather (I just looked it up). He dials my phone and lets me listen to Ring of Fire ( my favorite song) in its entirety because he knows it will make me smile. He never says a word because he still has his helmet on. He hangs up his phone and continues on home to help me.

How awesome is that?!?

Getting Older

I'm officially getting older.

I've been wearing reading glasses for several years now because my arms are no longer long enough. My distance vision is still OK. Not 20/20 but the only thing I was having any kind of problem with was reading road signss at a distance.

A couple of weeks ago I went and got glasses. I found some really cute ones and got a lined bifocal becuase I've had a progressive lens before and couldn't get used to them.

Big mistake. First off, the guy never got the glasses adjusted correctly and I wasn't happy with them. Second off, I had no intermediate vision at all. So, I wasn't wearing them. Not to mention that I wasn't wearing them because it was such a hassle with sunglasses. I *have* to have sunglasses, my eyes are super sensitive to sunlight.

Lenscrafter has a 30 day guarantee so last week I went and took advantage of it. The cool glasses I had chosen weren't big enough for a progressive lens so I chose different glasses and got them today.

I went to W-M to get some clip on sunglasses. I was sure I wasn't going to be happy with them because I need large sunglasses that don't let in light on the sides and I didn't want fit-overs because they are UGLY.

I tried on clip-ons. Jenny reminded me that I wasn't going to be happy with them so I looked at the fit-overs. Come to find out, they had some that weren't huge but still covered well and were somewhat stylish. Did I mention that they're polarized? Polarized sunglasses are awesome!! Everything is so crisp and clear and there's no glare at all.

So, I have progressive lens glasses and fit-over sunglasses. Somehow that says getting older to me...

I think I have to take the glasses back though because the left eye is fine with the intermediate vision but the right is blurry. I'm going to give it until Monday and hope that it's just a matter of getting used to them.

Memory

My brain makes me crazy.

I know there are over a thousand children's names stored there but don't you think it come come up with a recent name easier than an older name?

The first year I worked at the school, I was the cafeteria clerk. I knew the name of every single student at the elementary school, PK-3 - about 500 names. The next 3 years were pretty easy because I knew all the kids except the new ones when they got to 3rd grade. The 4th year wasn't too bad because lots of them had gone to PK. The year I went back to the school, I was only in 1 classroom and it was Rachael's group so I knew them all already. The next year I was back in 3rd grade and learning ~150-170 new names every year for the next 5 years.

Usually, I remember their faces until they get older and their facial features start changing. Sometimes I can come up with either a first or last name. Sometimes not. Depends on how well I knew them. Sometimes I come up with their name minutes or hours later, just out of the blue.

Luckily, calling them sweetie when they're still young or just speaking to them when they get older works well. They just like to be acknowledged.

So what brought this on?

I was at W-M earlier this week. I saw one of the students in my homeroom cross the end of an aisle. Luckily, she didn't see me because I *could not* come up with her name. I remembered her last name, I remembered her sister's name but hers just wouldn't come. I actually stood in the aisle determined to remember her name in case I saw her again. I'm of the opinion that if that student was in my homeroom less than 2 months ago, I need to say her name when I speak to her. I finally remembered her name but never saw her again so it really didn't matter.

As I was leaving the store, I saw a student who will be in 6th grade next year. His name came to me immediately. Now, he wasn't a troublemaker (you always remember their names!) nor was he anyone that stood out for any other reason, just another student and his name came to me immediately.

There is something wrong with this picture. My brain should work better than that. It doesn't though so I guess I'll continue to muddle through. The good thing is that I only have 60 names to learn every year now and about 20 more if I do after school tutorials.

POP!

I love the sound of jelly jars popping as they seal.

Actually, I love making jelly.

It's been several years since I've made any. Working full time and going to school was grueling and jelly making was one of the things that fell by the wayside.

Jenny had some blueberries and wanted to make jelly so today we did. I've never made blueberry jelly before but it's not any different. :)

We also made peach jam - I'd never made that before either.

Steven is picking up some more plums because I grossly underestimated the amount of plums needed. I love the color of plum jelly. It's a beautiful, rich shade of red. I can't wait to finish the plum jelly.

I missed blackberries so I'm going to get some frozen ones for more jelly. Actually, I just talked to Steven and he's getting them now.

I'm pretty sure I've missed grapes but I think we'll take a drive down the dirt road and see...

Did I mention that I love making jelly? :)

Mmmm, Mmmm Good!

I've been using my crockpot a lot this summer, inspired by A Year Of Crockpotting.
Last night we had Peppercorn Steak and it was delicious! Probably the best thing I've ever cooked in the crockpot. We don't care for mushrooms so I left them out and I only used a little more than 1/4 cup of the W sauce (not even going to try to spell it!)

I've also fixed these:
Tamale Pie
Salsa Chicken

There are lots more things there I want to try, especially some of the soups.

I've also fixed some of my tried and true crockpot recipes and have made the salsa chicken either 2 or 3 times. Once I added some cream cheese but didn't like that as much.

The real delicioso thing I've made this summer though, has nothing to do with the crockpot.

Back in May, we had a First Place celebration/orientation and someone brought the best, light key lime pie. She said the recipe was on the back of the label of the reduced fat graham cracker crust.

I promptly went out and bought a reduced fat graham cracker crust to get that recipe. The best $2.00 I've spent on a recipe in a long time.

Imagine my surprise when I discovered that the recipe calls for yogurt.

I detest yogurt. Let me rephrase. I detest the thought of yogurt. I've never eaten yogurt because it smells horrible and I have a mental block about putting it in my mouth.

I am so shocked that this delicious pie uses 2 containers of yogurt and I love, love, love it!

I want to try some different flavors but then again, I don't want to leave my key lime...

What prompted this, you ask?

I made the pie yesterday. We each had a piece after we ate. We both had another piece before we went to bed.

After lunch, we had another piece. Since there were only 2 pieces left, we went ahead and ate them.

Less than 24 hours after I made the pie, it's gone.

Did I mention that it's delicious?

Rachael at Camp

Rachael finally had a day off today and called. The camp she's working at does not allow the workers to use their cell phones except on their days off. They keep them in the office, turned off.

She's having a good time and working hard. She's a "kitchie". She does all the grunt work in the kitchen - setting out the food, refilling things, sweeping, mopping, doing dishes, taking out trash - you know, all the fun stuff. :)

Her address, if anyone is interested:

Rachael Last Name
K-Klassic
1380 Eternity Lane
Shell Knob, MO 65747

I Heart AAA

I joined AAA when we went to Missouri. With as many miles as we have on the truck, I wanted to be safe. It cost about $210 for the 3 of us to have the Premier plan.

Our membership cards came Saturday. I glanced at the synopsis of benefits and put it aside.

Monday, out of the blue, it hit me that one of the benefits was a locksmith. It just so happens that we're in need of a locksmith. The benefit is $150. Guess how much it cost for the locksmith to come out and make a key? That's right...$150.

We are now the proud possessors of two brand spankin' new motorcycle keys for free.

AAA has almost paid for itself and we haven't even had it a month.

It took several hours for the locksmith to come out but it didn't make any difference since Steven had to work.

If only we'd had AAA before Steven had to have the bike towed a couple of months ago, it would have already paid for itself.

AAA, you're a wonderful thing! :)

It Gets Better

Steven had to go to Houston Friday night for a Conroe team get-together and then work on Saturday at the Houston office. He asked if I wanted to go. I decided not to since I would just be sitting in the hotel room Friday night and I detest driving in Houston so I'd probably just sit at the office with him Saturday.

When I got up Friday morning and called Steven, he had some distressing news.

On his way to work that morning, he was passing a car in the left lane of I-45. As soon as he got around the car, there was a piece of tire rubber that he could not avoid. He didn't lose control of the bike but it jostled him around pretty good. When he got the bike lined back out, he noticed the metal plate right below the keys was up. He put it down and discovered that his keys were missing (the keys come out easily even when the bike is running).

He was just past FM 2989 so he turned around and went back to the scene of the "crime" to look for the keys. No can do...

Of course, he'd lost his spare key in the trailer when he lived in Austin and never found it and never bothered to have another key made.

A locksmith is going to be a couple hundred of dollars and he can't get to it until next week. The bike shop can maybe get another key, depends on whether they can read some number on the ignition. If not, they have to replace the entire ignition (several hundred dollars). The bike shop is moving and can't get to it until Wednesday. That means Steven will be taking the truck every for a few days. So in addition to the cost of getting another key, we've got a couple of tanks of gas to deal with.

It's just money, right?

I was scheduled to work in the kitchen at church for the Kairos prison ministry until 3:00. I left there, packed a bag and headed to Conroe to pick up Steven and head to Houston.

He goes to his dinner, I watch TV and stitch and all is well.

Steven's calling me at 10:30 to make sure I'm up and ready to go by 12:00 when we have to check out of the hotel. He calls and tells me to open the hotel door. It's only 9:30.

He can't get logged on to a computer in the Houston office and there are no tech people working to help him. We decide to go to Conroe and he'll work there.

We get to Conroe and the custodial office has locked his office door. His key is on the side of I-45 somewhere. He'd left the door open Friday night because he didn't have a key (he has a key card to get into the building).

So much for working on Saturday...

So as to not waste the trip, I go to the resale shop (bought nothing), Card and Party Factory (bought nothing), Dollar Tree (bought nothing) and the teacher supply store (bought stuff!). When we got to Huntsville, we went to Home Depot to get cinder blocks for my compost heap.

Tile is on sale.

We now have tile for the bathroom floor, the tub surround and a bathroom light fixture.

We don't have any cinder blocks.

They were out of cinder blocks.

They won't be in until Thursday.

What kind of home improvement store runs out of cinder blocks?

When we get to 2989, we exit and look for keys. Steven says he heard a jingle when he exited there.

No luck.

A couple stops and asks if they can help. They live just down the feeder road and have a metal detector. They don't know how to use it and neither do we. We figure it out but it's not very sensitive to keys (we tried it on the truck keys). Off we go to the off ramp again. No keys.

We go back to where the rubber is. Steven uses the metal detector and I use my eagle eyes. They almost never fail me. Today they did. I walked all the way to the bridge and back on the other side of the interstate and the only thing I found that was of any use was a single dollar bill.

Do you have any idea how very exciting it is to walk down I-45 with big trucks whizzing past at 70+ mph? It's not really.

We gave up, came home and decided that it's just money and what the heck...

Isn't That Special?

Yesterday was Wednesday and Steven had a test seminar in Dallas. I go with him to drive home so he can sleep since he has to get up early to go to work. When he got home about 2:15, he was in a tizzy. Steven is *never* in a tizzy. He had left his billfold on top of a gas pump at HEB in Conroe. He called, they had it and would hold it for him at customer service. No problem.

We stop at Subway to get something to eat. I give Steven my card to pay and I fill up our drinks. He puts the card back in my billfold and off we go.

I start off driving so Steven can talk to someone at the office in Houston. We stop for a bathroom break in Ennis. Steven drives and I reach in the back to get my glasses out of my purse.

My purse is not there.

We're almost in Dallas. Neither one of us has our driver's license, neither one of us has any cash, neither one of us has a credit card, neither one of us has a debit card. Isn't that a fine kettle of fish?

Luckily, we had plenty of gas, the seminar provides pizza for the people attending and there's always enough left for me to have a piece and I had brought water.

The bad news is that I didn't put any reading glasses in my stitching bag so I can't stitch or read. I don't do well just sitting and doing nothing, especially for 3 hours. I was able to get the book far enough away to read somewhat comfortably so I wasn't too frustrated,

I called Jennifer and she went to Subway and picked up my purse. Yes, I left it sitting on the counter there. Thank goodness it was in Madisonville.

On the way home, Steven called HEB to find out what time they close and open so he could get his billfold. What I didn't know was that he needed to be in Houston at 6:00 this morning. He also had to have his billfold because he had to pick some things up from the Conroe office and his key card for his office was in his billfold. HEB closes at midnight and opens at 6:00. Yep, you guessed it. We're heading to Conroe when we get home at 10:30 (the seminar only lasted 2 hours instead of 3 - thank goodness!!).

But wait!! Becky had a wonderful idea! Since Steven needs to be in Houston at 6:00, why doesn't he just spend the night in Houston. That way he can get his billfold, be in Houston at 6:00 and we don't have to go to Conroe and back in the middle of the night.

That's what we ended up doing and it all worked out. Unbelievably, both our contents were untouched. I'll monitor card usage over the next couple of days to make sure cards weren't used but it doesn't look like they were. We are fortunate and very happy there are still so many honest people in the world.

Date Night

Steven's been working long hours the last 3 weeks to get a project ready to print. They printed today and he promised me a date Saturday after we took Rachael to the airport to go to Missouri.

There's been a change of plans.

We're having a date in Branson tonight. We're going to see Bill Medley and Paul Revere and the Raiders (if there are tickets available). We got a hotel for $40 plus taxes and fee ($52) plus the tickets to the show (more than we should pay but what the heck).

You're probably wondering why we're going to Branson and that would be an excellent question.

Rachael piddled around about getting her plane ticket to Missouri and it was going to cost the entire amount of money she was going to earn at camp. Her loving mother (me) offered to take her if she paid for everything - gas, food, hotel. We figured about $400 - lots cheaper than the ticket. The camp she'll be working at is 45 miles from Branson. She has to be there no later than Saturday but we have to be back for church Sunday so we're taking her tomorrow.

We decided that since we were going to be that close to Branson, we might as well go see a show since we may never be that close again and we won't make a special trip there.

Steven's going to have a difficult time topping this date...

We're leaving early so we have some time to see some sights in Branson soI have to get up in 4 hours and 45 minutes. I'm totally wound up and won't sleep much but I better go try...

Yes, we've lost leave of all our senses...

Debt Reduction

Yesterday I listed 7 books for sale at amazon.com. Before I went to bed last night, 4 of them had sold and another one this morning. I now have $55.20 more towards debt reduction. Hooray!!

Two books were textbooks that I never got around to listing, one was a book that ended up not being what I thought it was and the other four were fairly current novels that I have no interest in rereading.

Maybe, as I'm cleaning house, I'll come up with some more books that will be worth more than 1 cent on Amazon. I really need to get the camera out and figure out how to sell things on ebay. Maybe that will be my next project. It would only be for the summer because I don't think I really have time for it during the school year. But then again, I'm sure this year will be easier and I'll feel like I have more time so we'll see.

Off to package up my debt reduction items and put them in the mail to their new owners...

Happy Dancing!

Steven got a mid-year bonus today and it's enough to pay off our house with a little left over!! He's taking off work early so we can go to the bank and take care of it today.

I'm so excited that the house payment can now be used for debt reduction every month and we're that much closer to being able to flip the house.

It's a happy day here!!

**Update**

It's done!! We'll be having a mortgage burning party in 4-6 weeks when the paperwork arrives.

The next credit card should be paid off in 2-3 months now. Debt free is getting closer even though it's still a ways off...

Why I'm Voting Democrat

Why I'm Voting Democrat

I thought this was great! This young man seems to have a great head on his shoulders.

Wii Fever

Yesterday Kevin and Diane had their housewarming. They have a beautiful 22oo sq. ft. house on 1 1/2 lots with a monster garage. The backyard is huge and has a covered deck with a covered walkway from the garage to the house. It's 3 bedroom, 2 bath with a huge utility room and game room with enough room to really play pool. I forgot to take my camera so I don't have pictures. :( It was like a Santos family reunion. Everyone was there except Megan, Brandy and Chris and all my kids. That's the first time so many have been together since Gaile's funeral in February 2000. I got to spend lots of time holding Arin and Celeste's baby Xander who is one month younger than Rowdy.

Kevin and Diane have a Wii. Steven played bowling with Sherrill, Tara and Jeremiah and loved it.

We looked at W-M in Huntsville on the way home last night but they didn't have one.

We looked at W-M in Madisonville today and they did have one.

We are now the owners of a Wii.

Steven is hooking it up right now.

Yes, we've lost leave of all our senses....

Mmmm, Mmmm Good!

Jennifer's birthday is tomorrow and she wanted me to make FS since hers never tastes as good as mine. Now I love FS but it is the biggest pain in the rear to make. So, since it's her birthday and she asked for it, I made a big batch.

I must say that it was quite delicious...

If you love FS and want some, drop on by on your birthday and I'll fix some for you.

Thank you so much Terry for making me try it 24 years ago even though it looked absolutely disgusting and I swore it would never pass my lips.

(If you don't know what FS is and you grew up in my house, just think for a minute and you should get it :) If you didn't grow up in my house, just ask and I'll tell you :)

RIP

RIP dear Samsung phone.

You served me well.

I loved you and no other phone will ever be able to replace you.

Plants

What has happened? I love plants but my entire adult life, I've been able to take a beautiful plant and turn it into a dead stick (in direct contrast to my dad who can take a dead stick and turn it into a beautiful plant). I always tried really hard to keep plants alive but they never made it.

Now, my porch is full of plants that are all doing well. I even have 2 plants from Gaile's funeral in 2000 that are still doing well. What's up with these plants? I don't feel like I'm doing anything differently but apparently I am. I now have to stop buying plants because I have no more room for them!

Movies

We've subscribed to Netflix for about a year now. For the longest time, we did 1 movie at a time with a limit of 2 movies a month. We don't watch tons of movies but do enjoy one sometimes and $4.99 was really cheap for 2 movies. Since Rachael is home, we're doing 2 at at time, unlimited. She has a queue and we have a queue so she gets movies she likes and so do we.

Last night I was in the office and thinking how we needed a DVD player for the office TV because I wanted to watch a movie and Steven and Rachael were watching softball on the big TV. Suddenly, I had an AHA moment and remembered that Netflix has movies on demand that you can watch on your computer. We have unlimited on demand movies so I proceeded to check it out. It only took about 2 minutes from the time I went to the website until I was watching a movie. The quality was great and you can pause when you want to. I'll probably be doing this more often now. Our computer screen is about the same size as our office TV so I might as well save the cost of a DVD player for the office. :) Not all movies are available but there's still a good selection. This is also an option for when we're traveling and staying in a hotel.

Riding the Bike

Steven has to have some work done on his bike tomorrow in Austin (he prepaid for some services before he went to work in Conroe) so we're heading out late this afternoon and are going to spend the night. We got a room at a Marriott through PriceLine (love PriceLine!) and will enjoy the amenities there instead of our usual Motel 6.

This will be our first real ride this year. School has been so difficult and I've worked so late every evening and been so stressed that I haven't even wanted to ride. Steven probably should have made me go on some rides though since it really does help relieve my stress.

Steven will go to the Austin office and work while they're working on the bike. I'll go along and either stitch or read (better than sitting at the bike shop!). After they finish, we'll mess around for awhile and head back late in the evening.
On the agenda:
- a trip to my favorite thrift shop (I always find Steven nice dress shirts and ties for well under $5 as well as books in OK condition for my classroom library for 25 cents)
- a trip to Ginger's - conveniently across the parking lot from my favorite thrift shop
- a trip to a great Goodwill store - they always have great kids' books, in great condition for 99 cents
- if there's time, I want to check out the new shopping center/mall (can't tell from the feeder road what it is for sure) that is where the airport used to be
- maybe a trip to the teacher supply store but probably not
- a meal at Panda Express
- whatever else strikes our fancy

Luckily, I have a wonderful husband who will take me wherever I want to go and shops with me with no complaint. He holds stuff so I get to shop with my hands free. Have I said recently how wonderful he is and how blessed the kids and I are to have him in our lives? If not, here it is. :)

I survived!

My last post was the morning of the first day of school, way back in August. I thought it only appropriate that the next post be after the last day of school here in May.

All I have to say is that I survived! It was a long, difficult year but I survived. I'm already looking forward to next year and everyone says the second year is much better than the first year.

I plan to spend some time this summer getting the house in order, stitching, reading, quilting, working on lessons, sleeping, playing with the grandsons, and whatever else suits me. It's been 3 years since I've had a summer off and I'm really, really looking forward to it!

I'm happy to be blogging again, look for more posts to come...

1st Day of School

Today is the first day of school. I have a really sick feeling in my stomach. Can I call in sick?

I slept relatively well last night. Not good but much better than I thought I would. That is, until right before I woke up at 5:30. Can we say nightmare?

I was dreaming that it was the first day of school. When my kids came into the room, most of them were the size of 5th graders and a couple of them were as big as me. I didn't have my overhead projector set up so I was trying to get it right (it wasn't cooperating) while the kids were just milling around the room talking, moving desks and writing on the board. Of course, once you loose control of them like that, there's no getting it back, at least for that day and if you do get it back, it's very difficult. I finally gave up on the projector but that was how I was doing my warm up so I was having to go to Plan B. Since the kids were already out of control, every time I passed a student in my travels around the room, they would be up writing on the board or moving their desk. I put the desks back in order more than once. I had to leave the room a couple of times and each time, when I got back, the room was a shambles. Once, the ceiling (it was a chalkboard) was completely covered with writing. I finally resorted to yelling and pounding desks, the worst thing to do. At one point, the elementary principal came in, looked around my room, apologized and said there was nothing that could be done, they were all like that.

At some point, it occurred to me that I had rearranged my room to accommodate the overhead projector and I no longer have an inner loop to work so I need to go in early and redo the room. Since I was awake at 5:30, that should be no problem.

The day has to be better than my dream...doesn't it??

Yikes!

We were out and about today and Steven tried to pull a hair off my chin. Ummm, it was attached. I HAVE A CHIN HAIR!!!! I think this means I'm getting old....

Meet the Teacher

Today is my first Meet the Teacher.

I did sleep some even though I was sure I wouldn't sleep at all. It wasn't good sleep but it was sleep, much better than the alternative. :) My stomach is already churning and I'm really stressed out.

The good thing is that the 3 (I'm in a tripod) of us are talking to parents together and I don't have to talk first!! I don't have any problem getting up in front of kids and talking, peers don't bother me much any more but talking in front of a group of parents terrifies me. I know it will be fine but I'm really, really ready for 11:00 to arrive so it will all be over.

*UPDATE*

Of course it wasn't as bad as I'd worked it up to be. The 3 of us met together and each of us took 2 topics to talk about. I did fine - no throwing up or even stuttering. :) It helped that I have connections with several of the students that are in the 3 classes. Let's see if I can remember all of them:

• One girl is the cousin of one of Jennifer's friends. I remember when she was born. I was working in the office when her grandmother called to say she was coming to get her children because their sister was having her baby.
  
• One girl is the daughter of a girl Chris went to homecoming with one year. Her great-grandmother was one of my 5th grade teachers. I know her entire family.
• One girl is the cousin of one of my favorite male students and her great-aunt is one of my favorite people.
• One boy is the nephew of a guy in my class.
• One girl is part of the Bedias Smith clan.
• One girl is the sister of another of my favorite students. (I've been working with kids for 10 years now so I have lots of favorites)
• There were several that I've taught computer to their siblings.
• One boy is the son of a guy I gave recorder lessons to when I was a teenager.

I think I got them all and I'm sure I'll find more connections after I meet them all on Monday. I think I'm going to love teaching in my hometown.

Empty Nest

At 5:29 this afternoon, we walked out of Rachael's dorm and officially became empty nesters.

I was excited because after almost 28 years of parenting, I'm tired. After leaving though, I was sad because it's all over. Well, not over but the day-to-day parenting is over.

The good:
The TV and radio will stay on the channel (station) I put it on.
Any mess will be mine.
I don't have to share the truck or computer.
I only have me to worry about.
I don't have to worry until Rachael gets home at night.

The bad:
The dogs are all my responsibility.
The trash is all my responsibility.
I have to get the mail every day.
I'll find out how much of a slob I really am.

I think I can handle this...

I Guess I Really Was Tired

I worked late every night last week, till 10 two nights and almost that late the other 2 nights. I'm also officially at the "I can't turn my brain off and go to sleep" stage so I wasn't sleeping well even after I got into bed.

Steven came to help me do a couple of things in my room when he got home and I had some other things to do but was so tired I just left about 4:30. I was able to stay up until 6:00 and went to bed. Steven rubbed my back and feet and I was asleep well before 7:00. I got up at 8:30 to go to the bathroom; up again at 8:30 am for the same thing and then back to bed. I finally got up at 10:30.

I think I was tired. I don't think I'll work that late this week since it's in-service and I have to be up and at 'em early every morning.

One Word

1. Where is your Cellphone? - pocket
2. Relationship? - married
3. Your Hair? - brown
4. Work? - teaching
   
5. Your sister? - none
   
6. Your favorite thing? - grandchildren
   
7. Your dream last night? - none
   
8. Your favorite drink? - water
   
9. Your dream car? - Jaguar
   
10. The room you’re in? - office
    
11. Your shoes? - Asics
    
12. Your fears? - darkness
    
13. What do you want to be in 10 years? - retired
    
14. Who did you hang out with this weekend? - husband
    
15. What are you not good at? - waiting
    
16. Muffin? - blueberry
    
17. One of your wish list items? - house
    
18. Where you grew up? - Texas
    
19. Last thing you did? - worked
    
20. What are you wearing? - clothes
    
21. What aren’t you wearing? - makeup
    
22. Your pet? - dogs
    
23. Your computer? - laptop
    
24. Your life? - changing
    
25. Your mood? - tired
    
26. Missing? - kids
    
27. What are you thinking about right now? - sleep
    
28. Your car? - truck
    
29. Your kitchen? - wreck
    
30. Your summer? - hot
    
31. Your favorite color? - blue
    
32. Last time you laughed? - today
    
33. Last time you cried? - dunno
    
34. School? - graduated!
    
35. Love? - unconditionally

Adios Motel 6

We stayed at Motel 6 for the very last time this weekend. It has served us well over the years but it's now time to say adios.

Now that I'll be making more money, we'll upgrade to Super 8 or something.

What were we thinking?

I told Steven that I wanted to go somewhere for the weekend, just us to celebrate the end of college. We needed to wait until after I got my summer school pay at the end of July but I still wanted to go. Originally, we planned to go to Alabama to see Birdie but that trip is so hard to make in a weekend (we couldn't afford to fly) and I wanted it to be relaxing and I wanted Steven to plan it.

He decided on Tyler, to see the Rose Gardens. A perfect trip for us. We love to do things like that and the distance is good. Not too far but somewhere we've never been together (Steven spent a year at Tyler Junior College). There was no rain forecast so we decided to ride the bike. We had a nice ride there, a little warm but not unbearable. Saturday we went to the cross stitch shop and the mall after we got up. So far so good. Today was a totally different story. Somehow we didn't think about having to check out of the hotel at noon and walk around the Rose Garden in the heat of August. Dumb, dumb, dumb.

We did the nostalgic drive through TJC for Steven and went to eat. I don't handle the heat well and by this time I was not feeling well. We decided to come on home and go back in the fall for the Rose Garden.

The ride to Palestine was miserable, to say the least. We'd planned on a break there and another one in Crockett. We downed 3 bottles of water in Palestine's Wal-Mart and spent about 30 minutes wandering and cooling off. We thought about seeing a movie to kill some time and let it cool off but decided we'd rather just get on home.

About 10 miles before we got to Crockett, it had rained so it was much cooler and the ride became bearable. It stayed that way until almost Midway where the heat came back with a vengeance.

It was a long, miserable ride home and put a bad ending to good weekend. Oh well, it will be a trip we'll always remember.

I can't KLUV my oldies anymore. :(

I *LOVE* music from the 50s and 60s. Terry introduced me to it well over 20 years ago and I've loved it ever since. One of the best things about going to Houston, Dallas, San Antonio or Austin was getting to listen to an oldies radio station. Not anymore. Quite awhile ago, the Houston and Austin stations both switched formats and now play 70s music. Not the good stuff like disco(that I also *love*) but the 70s music I don't like.

I went to Six Flags on Wednesday and was devastated to learn that KLUV has also switched to the 70s music format. There were occasional good songs thrown in but overall, it stunk.

I guess I'm going to have to break down and do the CD thing. I don't like CDs, I like the radio. I like that you never know what song is going to play next and you sometimes get to hear obscure songs you love. Those obscure songs as well as your favorite songs remain special and exciting when you only hear them occasionally rather than having them become mundane by hearing them regularly.

If I had a 5 CD changer in my truck so I could burn all my favorite songs and have them randomly play, I might be OK with CDs but as it is, I'll just be sad that all my oldies stations are now gone.

We were in Tyler this weekend and they had a pretty good oldies station there but we never go that direction so that doesn't help my quandary much.

Getting Started

I went and worked in my room today for 5 hours. I got quite a bit accomplished but still have soooo much left to do! I moved my desk back to the hallway side of the room. I think it's staying there because I'm sick of moving it back and forth. Not to mention that once I get the bulletin board up, I'll pretty much have to leave it there.

It's getting closer and closer...

Don't I Feel Special?

I got my hair cut Wednesday. 3-4 inches shorter and layers so it has more body. I also had highlights done to help with my increasing number of grey hairs. Subtle highlights but highlights none the less.

Today is Friday. Rachael still hasn't noticed. Yesterday I went shopping with 7 other people and no one noticed. This morning I went to school and 3 other people didn't notice. Steven's been home 30 minutes and he hasn't noticed.

Guess the change wasn't drastic enough.

I'm going back next week and have her work on it again. It's longer in the front than in the back and I'm not liking that very much. I hate having to find a new hairstylist! I'm going to give her a couple of times before I try someone else.

*Update*
3 1/2 hours after he got home, Steven finally noticed. He was beating on my back and was about to stop before he finally noticed...

Shop Till You Drop

There are big changes in our family that are requiring lots of shopping. I have to get my classroom ready, upgrade my wardrobe some and get Rachael ready for the dorm so there's been lots of shopping going on. I worked Summer School so we would have money to do all this shopping without all the money anxiety.

Hopefully I'm about done with my classroom shopping. I'm going to Houston Thursday with a group of teachers and will pick up some things there and may have to order some racing stuff (our theme this year is Racing For Success) online but other than that I should be finished. I still need to do a little bit of clothes shopping but if I don't get that done, I'll be OK.

Rachael and I shopped for her yesterday and got everything she needs except for a few things she needs to talk to her roommate about so we don't have duplicates. Rachael's favorite purchase was her *cool* tool kit. She was excited that she got to open it and use it before we even got home to put the lock on her bike so we could keep shopping.

The living room is a disaster. Her stuff is on the loveseat because her room is a disaster from SonPower and mission trip. My stuff is on the couch because I can't get into my classroom until after Thursday. There are also tubs of books everywhere that need to go to my classroom. I'll be really glad to get all this school stuff out of the house!

So Frustrated

First of all, I take horrible pictures. Always have, that's why I don't like my picture taken or maybe I really do look that bad and I'm just kidding myself. Anyway...

College graduation is a big deal and I wanted my pictures. I wanted some receiving my diploma and some with my cords because I'm really proud of that accomplishment.

Do you have any idea how expensive those stinking pictures are?!? So, I really don't know how many and what sizes I want and really can't decide. I scroll to the bottom of the page and lo and behold, there's a digital option. I call to find out if it's all three poses or just one. Of course, you have to pay for each pose. Since the package I was looking at costs $58 and the digital image is $65, I choose the digital image so I'll have it and can make prints of whatever size I want, for whoever wants one (probably no one except me but that's OK). I order a couple of actual prints with the cords, just for me.

Today I go and actually look at the digital image (receiving my diploma) and am sick at my stomach and very frustrated. The proofs they sent out didn't show that *MY FREAKIN' EYES ARE CLOSED!!!!!*. I paid $65 (non-refundable) for a digital picture of me receiving my diploma and MY EYES ARE CLOSED!!! Won't that look good hanging on my wall?!?

Oh well, there are worse tragedies but right now it's really frustrating me...

Are You Sitting Down?

The dogs are just about out of food (Steven was sick so I didn't stop at Wal-Mart on the way home from Louisiana). At W-M here, it's $17 something. In Huntsville, it's $13 something. Normally I would just ride to Huntsville and get it and do some grocery shopping while I was there.

Instead, I paid the $17 something here. I decided that with gas being $3 a gallon, my time and the wear and tear on the truck it was actually cheaper to buy it here. Not to mention that I would have spent lots more money in Huntsville.

It was really tough for me to do that but I did and I'm really proud of myself for getting past that *hump*

4th of July

Since the 4th was on Wednesday and Steven only gets off for the one day, Bailey and I went to Austin to spend the day with him so he wouldn't have to make the drive and be exhausted or spend the day alone.

We went up Tuesday after we got up and got ready. It rained off and on the entire trip and was supposed to rain all week. Steven got off work early so by the time we got there, he was at the trailer already and I didn't go to Ginger's (shucks!). I did need to go to a bigger teacher supply store than the one in CS so we did that and went to Hobby Lobby and grocery shopping. By that time it was time to eat and settle in for the night.

Wednesday morning, Steven had promised me breakfast at Waffle House (Mmmm...). There's one right across the street from the trailer park but the line was to the door. We drove over (in the rain) to the one on 290 but the line was to the door there also. We went back did something (can't remember what) and then went back to the one by the park. There was a table available so we got to eat. It was lunch time by now but it doesn't matter, we always get the same thing. :) Bailey ate 3 pieces of sausage and a grilled cheese. I didn't think he was ever going to get full!

Since it was raining and the trailer is so small, we decided to head to the mall to walk. Bailey had the best time just riding the escalators and looking in all the windows and walking around. I did some teacher clothes shopping at Penny's (they had a great sale).

We wanted to go to the Botanical Gardens but they were closed. :( We went to the complex where Steven's office is and fed the ducks and fish. Bailey didn't like the geese, he said they were too loud. He loved the fish though, they would swarm when we threw food. After we ran out of food and were just walking, it appeared that they were following us, it was really cool! We climbed the stairs through the "jungle" to the actual building where Steven works. There are some cow sculptures there and Bailey "rode" one of them. Then we had to follow the path of the water to the fountain until we found the beginning. Then it was time to head back down the path. Since it had been raining, the path was slippery. Bailey had a "fake" fall and grandma had a real fall. Nothing hurt though.

After that, we headed over to the Nature Conservatory. We hiked forever it seemed. It says there are 2.5 miles of trails but it sure seemed like we did more than that. we went up and down hills and did lots of what Bailey called "exploring". We saw a rabbit and a deer and a waterfall. Bailey says that rabbits aren't aminals (his pronouncation). Only things like tigers and elephants are aminals. The reindeer (Bailey's word) that we saw stood and looked at us for the longest time. She was absolutely beautiful with huge brown eyes. She was about the distance from our house to about 3/4 the way to the street from us. After we watched her for the longest time, Bailey and I crept torwards her until she ran off. Bailey said she was going to her little boy down the hill. By the time we found the waterfall and started back, dusk was coming and we were hungry. We were also sweating like pigs and grandma and grandpa were tired. It was really tough making that last climb!

We went back to the trailer and grilled steaks and had shells and cheese and asparagus with some watermelon. It was delicious! We headed to the fireworks. Originally we were going to stop somewhere on Riverside Drive and watch them from a parking lot so we didn't have to deal with the crowds and traffic. That didn't really work so we headed closer. We crossed the river and exited. I saw a good vantage point so we parked and headed off. We had a great view at the Mexican American Cultural Center. There were only about 4 families there so no crowds and we missed all the traffic. Bailey didn't want to hear the loud noise and we didn't except for some people lighting Black Cats close by.

We had a wonderful day and didn't spend a penny except for some drinks and gas. Bailey had a great time (he wants to go explore some more) and so did we.

I wanted to take him to the capitol building today before we left but it was raining and we wouldn't have been able to see the statues out front so we'll save that for another trip. (I know, you're all groaning but I love the capitol building and can't wait to introduce to another generation).

Bailey goes home tomorrow. :( We had a wonderful visit and I can't wait until he gets to come again (hopefully Christmas break).

Austin

Have I mentioned recently that I love Austin? If not, well, I do! There are so many things to do there that don't cost a penny (details in the 4th of July entry).

Austin is absolutely beautiful. The hills, the trees, the rivers, Zilker Park, the Botanical Gardens, the Pfluger Bridge, the houses (the old ones, not the new ones). Ginger's is there and there are awesome thrift stores and a great Goodwill.

The one thing I don't like is the panhandlers that seem to be on almost every street corner. One last night had a sign that said "Why lie? I need a beer". I guess he gets points for honesty but he sure didn't get any of my money.

I wish we could afford to live in Austin but right now we just can't. I also don't think I'm real crazy about teaching in Austin for the same reasons I didn't want my kids to go to school there: crime, drugs and gangs. I know we have those things here but not as bad as there.

Hog Heaven

Yesterday was the Corley family reunion. I look forward to this weekend every year; food family and fellowship -what could be better? This year was especially wonderful. Layne came for the first time ever, Shane came for the first time in awhile (can't believe he'll be a senior next year) Cheryl came for the first time since the 90s and Judy came for the first time in many years. (If you don't know these people, come to the family reunion every year and get to know them like I did! )

We had some people missing also. Lynda had a sick child, Johnhy Wayne's Linda was sick, Wesley and Linda were not there again, Johnny Wayne's daughter and son (their names are escaping me right now) weren't there, Grace had planned to come and didn't get to and Beth died last year. I'm so glad she made the trip to Texas last year and came to the reunion.

Judy brought pictures, lots of pictures. She has Aunt Margrace's photo albums and shared pictures from there. Aunt Margrace was meticulous about writing names on the backs of pictures so we knew who they were. I was able to identify pictures that I have as well as getting lots more family pictures. She also brought and gave me old tax notices, insurance policies, my great grandfather's eulogy and some other things I don't remember off the top of my head. There were also some things of Aunt Margrace's (she didn't have children) that I got including perfume Uncle W.A. brought her from France after the war and her makeup case that is in perfect condition. I was so thrilled to be looking at all this stuff that I pretty much ignored the people at the reunion. Shame on me.

I love all things old, especially if they belonged to family. I told Judy that anything she didn't want, I did. I have unofficially become the official keeper of the family legacy and that thrills me. I'm so glad I'll have some time now. I want to do something with some of these things. I know I'm going to frame my grandmother's high school diploma (she graduated 75 years ago last month) and I'll either do a scrapbook or put things in sheet protectors for some of the other things.

I also did my annual trek to the Bedias Baptist Cemetary. It was especially tough to visit Steven's grave because his daughter Miranda just turned 18 and graduated from high school. He would be so proud of her, she's a wonderful young lady.

I found out some more family connections so I was able to find a couple more graves that belong to our family and that was exciting. I always visit each and every family member's gravesite when I go. I want to remember where they all are in hopes that one day one of my children will be interested in the family history and it won't be lost forever. I usually also go to the Methodist cemetary but didn't yestereday because I had jello pudding cake in the truck and didn't think I needed to have it out that long in the heat. It's been several years since I went to the Zion Methodist Cemetary in Iola, I need to do that and I need to write down directions to the cemetary where Ardis is buried so I can get back there when my mother is no longer here to give me directions. :)

Anyway, it was a wonderful day filled with things I love, my family, good food, pictures and a trip to the cemetary.

Oh My Goodness

On Steven's 50th birthday in 2003, a lady ran into me in Bryan. I was driving down the street and she was turning left, right in front of Wal-Mart. I was on my way to meet Steven at Stephanie's to take her the car. We had a big day planned the next day for Steven's surprise 50th birthday celebration. The wreck but an end to those plans. Stephanie had to find another way to Houston and we had to go in the car. Me, Steven, Rachael, David and David's friend (anyone else remember his friend? :) in that little bitty car all the way to Houston. It was horrible!

Anyway, when the officer got there, she only had her liscense in her hand and I knew immediately that she had no insurance. Since I was not at fault, we only had to pay half our deductible. The insurnace company assured us they would get the deductible from the lady but we just wrote it off.

Fast forward to today. There's a letter in the mail from State Farm Insurance. It says:
We are pleased to refund the full deductible you incurred as the result of your loss of October 2, 2003. Payment is enclosed.

There was sure enough a check enclosed for the amount of half our deductible. Even better, we changed insurance companies a couple of years ago so State Farm isn't even our insurance company. Almost 4 years later and we get a check from a company that's not even ours any more; I'm impressed!