The Past Repeating Itself

Today was Homecoming at church. We had a really large crowd for a Labor Day weekend. Ted Anderson was our speaker. I had to get up early to cook lunck to take with us. Miss Priss spent the night again last night. When I finally made it home, I curled up on the couch and took a nap and since then I've been watching CNN and coverage of Hurricane Gustav and the evacuation of New Orleans. This is so similar to 2005. On that day of Homecoming at church, August 29th as soon as I got home from church I watched people file into the Dome in New Orleans, not knowing the horror that awaited them. The levees broke the next day, my birthday. So much destruction and devastation. I hope the levees hold this time.

Youngest DS cooked vension for supper tonight, he did a good job. Nothing means more to me than to be cozy in my home with my family.

My 53rd Birthday

Today is my 53rd birthday. I guess because I am an only child, my Mama always made a big deal out of my birthday. It carried into my adulthood and I have always loved birthdays. Even though I have always looked forward to my birthday there have been a few historical and personally poignant memories associated with it. Just this year a friend of our's passed away, not today, but yesterday. I will post a picture of him with this blog. He was the school board memory from our district and a much loved local personality. He was the announcer for our high school football games for about the last 16 years. He had cancer and was awfully young to succumb to the disease, middle forties. He was a warm and loving person that ALWAYS hugged you and you told you he loved you EVERY time he saw you. As one person said about him, "He is proof that one person CAN make the a difference in the world" because he did make a positive impact on everyone.

I also remember Martin Luther King's I Have a Dream speech, although it was made two days before my birthday (7th I think, 1962), I remember watching it on television and the apprehension is provoked in my family as to

what was going to happen racially in our area and we did have some racial issues that year.

Princess Diana died the day after my birthday by the French calendar, it actually was my birthday by the American calendar and Joey punctured his lung in a water skiing accident that same day.....1996.

Of course, many first days of school were also on my birthday.

September 11, 2001 was not my birthday but it seems very close to my birthday and the memories of both are meshed together.

The final birthday that comes to mind tonight is eerily similar to tonight is the devastation of Hurrican Katrina on New Orleans. I remember hearing and watching on the news that the levees at broken and New Orleans was flooding, I remember watching on television people being rescued by helicopter from the roofs of their homes. Tonight as I write this I am again watching television and seeing people fleeing from New Orleans in anticipation of the destruction that will happen with Hurriane Gustav. I will remember them in my prayers.

Today I have spent washing and playing with Marah, she spent the night with us last night and is here again tonight. Middle son and wife, youngest son and girlfriend, Marah and her Mom, MIL and DH went to our favorite seafood restaurant for my birthday. My dad and oldest son seem to have forgotten the day. I talked with Dad this morning but he didn't mention, I'm sure he has forgotten. I don't guess oldest son doesn't care. I could pretend it doesn't hurt my feelings but that would be a lie.

Instead of leaving this post on a negative note I want to tell a funny story. Last night as we were coming home from the football game, Marah started singing songs for us that she had learned at VPK, her favorite was Baby Bumble Bee. Well, my DH always the jokester, starting singing a song for Marah........the name of it is My Ding A Ling.....if you get the chance listen to it on youtube. All the way home DH is teaching this song so she can go back to VPK next week and teach it to her class.....you will crack up if you will just listen.......you can see where this is going really fast. That is the beauty of grandchildren or in this case, a great niece, you can relax and just enjoy them being little and leave the tuff stuff to their parents. If you want a laugh to finish your day, listen to Church Barry's song, My Ding A Ling.........Happy Birthday!

I've Got A New Computer

I didn't post yesterday, my computer finally died! Good news though, I went to Gainesville after work today and purchased a new one and it's working like a charm. Just a couple of things I want to take note of today..
1. Hurricane Gustav appears to be heading in a direct path to New Orleans. This will be another major disaster if it hits.
2. I also went to Gainesville this afternoon to Party Time rental to check on items for the "wedding" rehearsal dinner. I'm not looking forward to the next two weeks.
3. Sunday is Homecoming at church and I need to get my slideshow done.
4. The shop where Brittany works is closing and she is looking for a new job.
5. This weekend is my birthday, whoo hoo!
I'll add more later.

Major Computer Problems

My computer is giving me major problems. The electrical plug in is loose. I've gotten some of my pictures off. I've got a feeling I'm going to be getting a new one this weekend. Today was busy, I worked on the Annual Contract and got some material ready for my last class. Found out some info on the upcoming wedding. Had breakfast with Chris, Kristy, and Marah. Elections were held today..our county has a new sheriff, a new superintendent of schools, county commissioner from our district will probably stay the same. Couple of other offices had no surprises. I guess the new sheriff and superintendent are the big ones. Looking forward to this upcoming weekend, Labor Day. No big plans, just get a few things done.

Busy Monday

Wow, what a busy Monday. I started with breakfast up town with Kristy and Marah. Then at work I readied about 6 packages to mail off and started my ribs to cooking in the crockpot. Oh, I forgot, before I left for work I washed a huge sink of dishes and washed my hair...I hate to wash my hair. Took my packages to the post office, went to the grocery story and family dollar at lunch. Came back to work and mixed up my cabbage salad. Tried to get ready for my 7th period class...they didn't behave so hot today!. Then afterschool, load up the car and come home. Even with all that cooking, supper was late because I had to finish up when I got home because DH and youngest son had to drop his car off to get fixed...again. To finish off my day, I think my computer is dying, I'm on DS's now.. Don't have money for another now but I'll find money, I'm not going to be without a computer.

An Unexpected Visitor

Got up this morning and got lunch going before I headed out to church. Most of the rain is over well actually all the rain is over for us, it hasn't rained all day, as a matter of fact, the sun as shone most all day. After church we (me, DH, DS, & girlfriend) had lunch. After lunch DS and girlfriend headed to the big city to do some last minute school shopping. He starts Jr. College on Tuesday.

Our unexpected visitor was middle son. He came over and spend the afternoon with us. It was so wonderful to see him. He only lives about 35 miles away but we haven't seen him since Father's Day. Naturally we have talked to him on the phone but he has been working such long hours this summer. He went 25 straight days without a day off and I mean working from 7:00 in the morning to 6:00 at night. He stayed all afternoon and we played on the Wii.

My DIL didn't come with him, she had a new baby in the family to meet. He brought their new puppy over....she looks like a cross between a collie and a chocolate lab. Her name is Helen.

All in all it was a wonderful afternoon until it came time for him to leave, then I shed a few tears but I know I'll see him next weekend. I've included a picture of us dancing at his wedding.

Lots and Lots of Rain

Well, I guess we have seen the worst of tropical storm Fay. It has rained allllll day, I'll bet we have had six inches of rain. A big tree fell across the road in front of our house, down close to the house on the corner. Stayed inside all day and watched movies. The electricity was off from about midnight last night until one AM. The phone rang several times, it was Daddy. Said he had a stomachache. He always has a stomachache when its bad weather. I should know that by now. We were remembering later this afternoon about the time I had to take him to the emergency room in the middle of Hurricane Charlie several years ago because he had a "stomachache". All they did was give him some pepto bismol and something to make him sleep. By the time I got him home he was out cold. We just about had to carry him in the house. Then he got up a couple hours later and didn't even know where he was and knocked down a lamp. It is sad that he can't cope any better than he can but sometimes it really drags me down. I hope we all get a better night's sleep tonight. I'm about to give it a try.

Hurricane Party!

Not really, it was more like a sleep-in as I watched tropical storm Fay pass through. School was canceled today because of the potential flooding but so far it has been just a slow drizzle which is a good thing, we needed the rain. I've washed a few clothes and mostly surfed my favorite blogs. We had shrim gumbo for supper...DH made it. He worked half a day today then went to Live Oak and bought our youngest his graduation present-finally! A new 30 ought 6 gun. Also took son's car over to get a tuneup and get ready for school starting tomorrow. Gonna go shopping tomorrow, maybe that will cheer me up a little. Get my mind ready for work Monday. Too da loo

Florida Baptist College

Went to a fundraising dinner for Florida Baptist College tonight with my best older friend. Got to meet the president of the college and hear all the wonderful things they are doing. School canceled tomorrow, whoopee, I can sleep late. Afterschool was also cancelled today. My 7th period class behaved a lot better today, maybe I'm going to be able to make it through with them.
At the fundraising dinner I got to meet the president of Florida Baptist College in Graceville, Fl and also Judge Blair from Lake City. The fundraising dinner was held in Lake City at the Holiday Inn. While I was there I saw the railing in the lobby, it's just exactly what I want to do with the railing in our family room. Hope to work on that over Fall Break.

Looks like the hurricane is coming back!

Well, we thought we had dodged the hurricane but looks like it is coming our way again. Hopefully we will be out of work Friday so I can catch up. School has been very hectic, they switched my last class all around. MOre to come tomorrow.

First Day of School, First Day of the Rest of My Life

I didn't blog yesterday, I was just too tired. We had both pastors and their families over for lunch yesterday and had a wonderful time visiting afterward but by the time I got the kitchen cleaned up I was just too tired.
Looks like we have dodged the worst of the hurricane, it is now heading east of us. I didn't want any bad weather but we certainly could have used the rain.
Today was the first day of school, Marah's first day of Pre-K. I had breakfast with her and her Mom and I was excited for her but sad also because I know how quickly the years will pass. I guess you could call today the first day of the rest of my life because today is the first day I have ever gone to work without one of my children being with me. I have been fortunate to have them with me all these years but now that part of my life is over. I will adjust I know, but it is very sad and different for me.
I stayed busy today with my extra duties. I am overseeing the virtual school students, had my sixth grade wheel class and worked with my 6th period TA on the school television network. That is going to be great if we can get everything working. I stayed for afterschool and finally made it home.
It's been a week or two since I told a story so I guess I'll share this one today.
I was very sheltered as a child. I really never had any friends to play with as we lived in a small town with very few families. I mostly occupied myself. I was no savy as to the ways of other manipulative children.
I didn't go to kindergarten, we didn't have it back them. In my first grade class there was a girl named Vicky that was the niece of the school principal. Now, I received a nickel a day as allowance and that was to be used to buy a popsicle after lunch every day. This little girl didn't get an allowance I don't guess, anyway, she decided she needed mine. Soooo, one day she came up to me and told me that if I didn't give her my nickel she was going to tell her aunt that I had hit her and then her aunt would paddle me. I knew I hadn't hit her but I just believed that her aunt would take her word. For months this went on, she took my nickel everyday. Finally, one day my Mom asked me about my popsicle and I broke down crying and told her what was going on ( I don't know why I hadn't told her earlier, just afraid I guess). The problem was solved.
Now, this seems like a minor story in the great scheme of life but it has made a lasting impression on me. It was my first experience with someone lying to me, manipulating me, my first knowledge that the were mean people in the world. The first time I was bullied by someone. I've never forgotten it.
As a final note today. When my youngest was born, I planted a pecan tree. I've always called it his tree. That was 18 years ago. Today, I noticed for the first time, it is bearing pecans. The cycle of life goes on. One things ends and another begins. My gratitudes for today:
1. The cycle of life.
2. New beginnings
3. Good friends
4.The joy of seeing a child's first day of school
5. Escape from disasterous weather
6. Health
7. A DH that helped me cook a great meal yesterday.

Hurricane on the Way

Well, I live in Florida and we are bracing for Hurricane Fay. We need the rain and it doesn't look like the winds will be too bad so maybe we'll be okay. I cleaned, cleaned, cleaned today. We are having company for dinner tomorrow. My fixit guy came today and put the fluted trim and rosettes around the windows in my bedroom. It looks sooo much better. I had a very difficult time at the post office today. I love the dear little lady that runs it (the only employee) but she is just ssslllooowwww. Washed about a dozen loads of clothes. My youngest DS grilled us some steaks tonight and now I'm just relaxing before I hit the floor running tomorrow. I did take a minute to watch Michael Phelp win his eight gold medal.

Wikis, Blogs and Web 2.0 Oh My!

Well crud, I don't know what happened to my post I just created.

Really Tired Tonight

I'm going to hit the sack early tonight. I'm tired. Will talk more tomorrow.

Second Day of PrePlanning

Another meeting this morning. Lunch at Mayo Baptist. Two meetings this afternoon. Mailed 4 packages. Cooked chicken for supper. I'm tired and I'm going to bed.

The Smells of School

Just for a fleeting moment today I was taken back to my first day of school. Nothing reminds me more of school than the smell of new crayons, new books, and freshly sharpened pencils. I experienced that today. There is a picture of me on my first day of school as I am boarding the bus. I rode the bus to school my first day and my Mom met me there.
I don't know why thinking of my first day of school reminded me of birthday parties but I think now is as good a time as any to say that I never had a birthday party as a child...a party where my friends were invited and it has always bothered me. Now I guess I should take that back because for my 13 birthday my Mom rented a house at Keaton beach for a week and let me invite a friend but that turned into a disaster. I had my second period ever that week. I had only had a period one other time several months before so I didn't know when to expect it again and well, you guessed it. It was that week. So I had to sit on the sand and watch my friend play in the water...it was pretty miserable.
Went back to work today for my first day of preplanning. It was like the last 25 years of preplanning, meetings and rules. We did have a good lunch of chicken wraps and broccoli salad. Then I had an afternoon of trying to get some lesson plans ready for next week. Nathan and Brittany made it back from the beach...woo hoo! DH penned up cows to sell tomorrow for his mom. Life goes on........

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep

I was watching a movie on television this afternoon and in the movie a young child says his prayers with his mom before bedtime. I wonder how many children are taught to say their prayers before bedtime in our world today? I know I failed with my children. I did say prayers with them sporadically but not enough for it to become a habit like my mother did with me. Even now I can remember the little prayer I was taught..

Now I lay me down to sleep

I pray the Lord my soul to keep

If I should die before I wake

I pray the Lord my soul to take.

God bless Mommy, Daddy......

and I went on to name everyone important in my life,

ending with Amen.

I also remember being a little scared sometimes because I didn't want to die

during the night and that little prayer put death on my mind.

Back to the present. I get up in the morning and go back to work. I'm not looking forward to it as this is the first time I will go to work without one of my children attending the school where I work. I've always been fortunate enough to teach in the same school they attended and it has been wonderful to share this with them but now it is over. That combined with my new responsibilities have put dread in my heart. I will have to take the pastors words from our lesson tonight and make them mine. He said, "Nothing else matter but what is in your heart, if your heart is right everything else will fall into place." Please let those words get me through this year.

Busy Saturday

Well, my last Saturday of the summer. I started cleaning out my closet but before I could finish I had to stop and take Poppy to Live Oak to pick up his truck. DS and his girlfriend left to go with her family to the beach for a few days. About the time I arrived in Live Oak, DH called me to tell me he had left his debit card in the machine at the bank in town last night and needed more money for his trip. So I then came home, got him some more money and took it back to town for him. Then I had a pedicure. One cute thing to mention is that the young man that gave me my pedicure today HAD to be new on the job and I swear he was hispanic. Most of the employess at the salon are Vietnamese but I really think he was hispanic. Anyway, my normal procedure is to sit in the chair and read the book I bring along and I was doing that today. He was doing his job (rather hesitantly) and I was reading. All of a sudden he looks up at me and says, "I am so lucky to have you today". I was rather surprised but I responded by saying, "I'm so luck to have YOU today". I guess he had been trained to make small talk, I don't know, but I have to give him an A for effort. What a kind surprise he gave me after a busy morning.

As soon as I got home it was time to go out to the church and help cook and serve food for the youth at their "back to school bash". I guess all total there was about 77 people in attendance. I am tired now so I'm going to hit the sack and get ready for tomorrow.

Things I Am Grateful For

Today I have decided to add to my blog everyday a list of things I am grateful for. Here goes:

1. I am grateful I finished painting the baseboards today.

2. I am grateful my DH took me out to eat tonight.

3. I am grateful that my oldest son helped cook hamburgers at church tonight.

4. I am grateful that I have a cool home to live in, especially in the oppressive heat.

5. I am grateful I was able to get some of my packages mailed today.

6. I am grateful I can sit and here and watch the beautiful opening ceremonies of the Olympics.

7. I am grateful for my DH and my three sons.

Distressing News

Well, I went to work for a little while this morning, I'm officially on the clock again Monday. While I was there I got a phone call from my boss. He was breaking the news to me that I'm going to have some extra responsibilities this year. It seems that every year adds more and more responsibilities and less and less time to get them done. This latest addition is not going to be good........I was looking forward to going back to work until today.

I've uploaded one of my favorite pictures of Miss Priss, maybe this will cheer me up. I hope to paint my baseboards and clean out my closet tomorrow. We'll see how it goes.

Finished Painting

Well, I finished painting my bedroom today. I have to go to work for a little while in the morning then I plan on coming home and starting on the trim. I painted the walls a color called Tobacco Road that I found reading all of your blogs and I absolutely love, love, love the color! I went to church tonight and met with Ms. Elouise to finalize some plans for Homecoming at church..it will be here before we know it!

Since I've church on my mind tonight I decided to include a picture of my "BABY" playing Goliath at our Church Fall Festival last year. The kids got to throw "stones" at him (marshmallows). They loved it and so did he!

Painted All Day

Well, I blogged last night, as a matter of fact, I wrote a new long story. When I tried to upload it...poof! it was gone. I'm tired tonight because I painted all day and I don't feel like writing it again. Maybe tomorrow. I hope to finish the bedroom tomorrow then DH can put the molding up around my windows! Whoo hoo! I'll keep you posted! I've got a feeling I'm going to be sore tomorrow.

P.S. The picture I uploaded is another "I wish" ....would love to have this in my home...oh well.

It Never Ends

Well, my Sunday wasn't as great as I hoped. It was actually going pretty good until tonight.

I went to church this morning, it was wonderful. Came home from church and finished scrapping off that wallpaper border, whooo hooo. I just realized today that I only have one more week left before I go back to work and I've got to get this bedroom painted so tomorrow I start on that little project.

Anyway, tonight I learned so info that set me back a little. I have this one area in my life that just seems like it will never get straightened out. About the time I think things are smoothing out it comes out and smacks me in the behind.

I don't know how to deal with it except to put it in God's hands, please pray that I can have some peace.

My picture today is just random, a wish for how I would like for my bedroom to look but is too high priced for me......but I can always wish!

Foreign Films

Well, we finished the Beth Moore simulcast this morning...it was wonderful and I'm anxious to participate in another. It was doubly great that I was only five minutes away from the church and yet was able to enjoy such a great speaker in a broadcast with over 70,000 women...absolutely awesome.

We finished about 1:00 and I didn't come home and strip any more wallpaper, it was drizzling rain and a nap just seemed to be in order. I did however watch a movie. I don't think I've mentioned that my ONE of my latest pasttimes has been watching foreign films, especially ones from France. I specifically signed up with Netflix to have access to these movies because they weren't available any other way. I have to say the ones I've watched so far have had BEAUTIFUL scenery, just breathtaking. French films always seem to tug at the emotions or at least the ones I've seen do. Beautiful stories set in a beautiful country. The one I watched today was Zelary. It was a love story set in World War II and honestly I don't know of an American film that was any better. Some people might be put off by having to read the subtitles but to me that is a minor inconvenience in comparison to the beauty of the films. Off to bed, it will soon be Sunday, my favorite day of the week!

Beth Moore Simulcast

Just got home from attending the night session of Beth Moore's live simulcast. It was great to be a part of the group of ladies at our church gathering together for this event. We had a total of 30 people in attendance. I wish we could have had more but I'm sure the numbers will be larger next time. I really enjoyed her story about her new border collie and bird dog and how the border collie led the bird dog when he wouldn't follow directions, just as we sometimes need someone to lead us when God is calling for us. I'm looking forward to returning in the morning to finish the broadcast.

I did get part of my wall paper border in the kitchen stripped off. I hope to finish the remainder tomorrow. Got most of the clothes washed, dried and put away. As a matter of fact, I fell more like the old me today than I have in a long time. I remember days when I would lay down exhausted at night and tick off the things in my head that I had accomplished that day and not be satisfied, wishing I could do more. Now it is an effort to just get one thing done but maybe I've turned the corner, maybe I'll begin to feel more like the old me.