Back to School

I must start blogging more often because once I sit down to blog there is so much to write about I can't possibly remember everything I want to share.

School started Wednesday, August 5. It was a great day, probably the best day I had all week even if lightening struck our school right at dismissal. Our principal handled the situation with confidence and efficiency unmatched by many people. As far as my first experience as a teacher goes, I am having trouble with the ending of class. I have 40 minutes with each group of students and I am not giving them enough time at the end of the lesson to choose books, close the lesson, and line up before their teacher arrives. I have some solutions to this problem that I am going to try starting Monday. 40 minutes goes by so FAST! I am having a lot of fun getting to know the kids and making friends with my colleagues. I not only want to mention those things, but I want to say how grateful I am for my assistant. She is a life savor, and I would be buried in work and unable to move my shoulder due to stress without her guidance and unending willingness to help to me.

Lillie and Ivey have been quite adventurous this week. One day, I came home to a dead lizard in the hallway. The next day, I came home to a bird in the living room. The day after that, I came home to a strange black and white cat in the sun room. Needless to say, the outside door is no longer open when I am not at home. In addition to the lovely friends they made this week, one of them (still trying to catch the culprit) has decided to make the dining room their litter box. It is so frustrating because we have been here for 2.5 months and not had a problem at all. This must stop immediately, or they are going to become outside cats much to their dismay.

I saw Julie and Julia this weekend and was much inspired to create a 365 day challenge to blog about for myself. I have a couple of ideas, but I am still trying to decide. I came up with a book series idea about a year ago and just as I type this I am getting a good idea. Look for more on that later. :)

Much to my own dismay, I have not been in my pool for over 2 weeks. Work and rain have keep me inside. It is an extremely sad situation that I know all of my non-pool owning friends have wished upon me after their ever so thoughtful Facebook messages. I hope you all are happy. (just kidding;).

Wes is loving his schedule. He gets to leave for work after me, he only teaches 1 class per day, and he gets home before me. I came home to him napping one day, how wonderful for him, and Friday, I came home to him vacuuming the house, how wonderful for me! Plus, he packs my lunch every morning and makes the breakfast. He has tons of energy and smiles abound from him. All of these things make me happy.

This is going to be a full week, 26 classes, 3 meetings, and whatever else comes along. Here's hoping you all find blessings in the things you do this week.

Until next time....

XOXOXOXOXO

Blogging about blogging

Things are moving at full steam ahead. I start teacher workdays tomorrow. 2 days of novice teacher, 2 days of new to the district, 1 day of Essential Pieces, 1 day of Anniston development. That is enough PD to last me awhile.





Well, speaking of professional development, I have been reading a book about using blogs and other technologies in your classroom. It is extremely informative, and I am glad I read it before starting a blog at my school. However, it has taught me that the what I do and most of the bloggers that I follow do is not blog but journal. Blogging is actually about reading something that interest you, writing about how it impacts you or others, and then providing links so that others can research or read about the topic, also. I was so happy to read this because it makes blogs perfect for schools. It is all about reading, thinking, and writing!





I also discovered from reading this book that the fastest growing population for Internet use is between the ages of 2-5. Well, isn't this is an eye opener for educators? If is sooo necessary for us to get on the bandwagon and start teaching our students how to interact in this global/digital environment. (Here is my soap box: It is only unsafe because we are not teaching our children how to use it safely. Don't we tell them not to get in the car with strangers. It is the same concept). The problem is that most of us are in uncharted waters because we have just recently begun to use these tools ourselves. For me personally, it is quite overwhelming. Here is the link to the book I am reading, if any of you are interested in using this in your classrooms or libraries.





Well, in addition to working hard at the library. :) many fun things have taken place, lately. 1. I hung red polka dotted curtains in the library (pictures later) that my lovely mother made. They look fabulous. 2. I created a reading area in the library with a HUGE blue rug accented with books. 3. I finished painting the growth chart for my good friend Sarah's baby girl (pic below). 4. I read My Sister's Keeper by Piccoult. It was so good and surprising, now I am ready to see the movie! 5. My in-laws cam to visit for the weekend, and we had a really great time.





Until next time. . . ..

XOXOXOXO

Oregon Two: Too Long It Has Been

Okay, so I have a lot more pictures from Oregon to post. Most of you have probably already seen these on Facebook, but for those non-facebookers, I am posting some here. Oregon is a beautiful state with tons of resources and unusual people. It is worth visiting, and I am looking forward to sharing it with my family next summer.

Wes and I visited Crater Lake (a volcanic mountain that blew its top and created a very deep and frigid lake), drove to California and immersed ourselves in the Redwood Forrest, then drove up the Oregon Coast, stopping at several beaches along the way. We also made a couple of pit stops at rivers along the way. Here is our photo story.

Until next time . . . . . .

XOXOXOXO

Oregon One

Well, I have spent the last week in Ashland, OR. I got off to a rocky start, but the week has been fun, and I have learned a few things for the better. I will admit that I was a bit of a baby upon arrival because I do not enjoy sight seeing or vacationing alone. I like to talk even when there is nothing to talk about so when there are things to share I like for people to be with me. A mixture of pray, Wes' wisdom, and boredom quickly shook me out this. I meet some friendly people at a spa, and I spent the whole morning with them. They told me about the fun things to do in Ashland and in Oregon in general, and I shared the South with them. I am amazed at how intrigued people are with the South. They are interested in the drawl, the heat, the bugs, everything. I find this interesting because while I like to travel, I like it for the things that I get to see, the things that there are to do, not necessarily for the people who inhabit the places. But as southerns, we are a people that others are quite interested in. I feel special being from the South, and I wouldn't change anything about it. This makes me happy.

While a lot of time was spent in the small if not cramped hotel room, Wes and I celebrated America's birthday with a wonderful day of parade's, festivals, concerts, and fireworks. I am most excited that today is his last day of school and tomorrow we are headed out to Oregon's coast and to the Redwood Forest.

"This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it."

Until next time. . ..... . . XOXOXOXOXO

Summer time

It feels like a lot of things are happening and nothing at all is happening at once. Have you had that feeling?

I mean I am having a great summer relaxing by the pool and hanging out with my friends and family, but I am also working most everyday and making lots of progress there. Plus, I am doing lots of things around the house. Maybe I am just a little crazy! LOL :)

This past weekend, I had a wonderful time with my mom, dad, Angela, and Clint. We ate a great breakfast at the Beau Rivage. Crab legs for breakfast is the best thing ever! Then we saw Wes off to Oregon and shopped until we melted in the heat. Then, we cooled down by the pool. We really missed Jess and Paul.

My dad installed a cat door for Lille and Ivey to use while I am gone to Oregon next week. Training them to use it is not as easy as I thought it might be. Lillie will go through the door without my assitance but hates using it. Ivey refuses to go through the door unless I hold the flap up for her. I am trying a new tatic starting tonight. I moved their food into the garage. If they want to eat, they will have to go through the cat door. If they want to return to the wonderful A/C, they will have to go through the cat door. Hopefully, this will work. I have 3 days to practice with them before I leave.

I have had a great day and 1/2 with my friend, Chris Word. He and I did lots of fun stuff, and I am so glad he came to visit.

Until next time. . .

XOXOXOX

And another trip to Lowes. . .

It seems that everyday Wes and I have a reason to go to Lowe's. The reason mostly revolves around purchasing rocks! Yes, rocks. I had this bright idea to create 2 flower beds in the front of our house and instead of using mulch, I wanted to use rocks. It does look good, but it takes a billion rocks, and we never estimate correctly. Plus our trucks will only hold so many bags of rocks at one time. We are almost finished, but of course, we are headed back to Lowe's to purchase more rocks and some sprinklers for our front yard! I don't think I will make anymore rock beds for the rest of my life.

Here they are, the long awaited pictures.

rock flower beds

front profile

Kitchen

Pool

Florida Room

Dining Room with Lillie:)

Master Bedroom

Office

Living room

more pool

Until next time. . . . .

XOXOXOXO

And we're off. . .

Wes and I enjoyed a weekend in Kosciusko were we attended my 10 year class reunion. It was so great to see old friends and catch up. I was really impressed with the turn out. The whole night was fantastic. We also had a great time with my parents, Angela, and Clint. We went to a family reunion sort of event Sunday.

Today, Wes and I both went into work at our new jobs. I am a little overwhelmed, and Wes is feeling his way around as an assistant, again. Please pray for us as we begin these new paths. It is going to be one adventure.

My computer is in the shop and has to have a new screen installed; therefore, I have not been able to upload any pictures of the new house. I should get my computer back in a couple days, and I promise to post the pics, then.

I hope everyone is having a fantastic summer.

Until next time. . . . . . XOXOXOXO