Several things on my mind tonight to share, but I think I'll go with the one most foremost in my thoughts.

I HATE to not be in control of some things. I don't want to rule the world, not even for a minute, but I do wish I had some impact in things that affect my life and my family's. I'm waiting right now for a decision to be made where I work that will directly impact not only me but the other 4 women in my room, the teachers that I work with and lots of kids. I've been given a chance to give my opinion of the situation, but now it is out of my hands. My daily routine could drastically change and I'd have no recourse. I would have to finish the year doing something that I really do not want to do, and more importantly, leave doing what I am enjoying. I am most anxious, to say the least.
I should know in a matter of days, so I'll ask you to pray with me as I wait. I'd like to stay where I am, as I am feeling successful and productive there. Please ask that I am able to remain where I am, and that if that is not to be, that I would accept God's will and be a good servant.
I appreciate your prayers on my behalf.

I am aging. I feel it today in my reflection on the retreat of the past weekend. Used to be, I'd be the "cheerleader" of the group, up in front and calling all the shots - the "hyper" one. This past weekend, I found myself sitting and watching as the others led in such marvelous ways. I loved watching young and old, member and visitor, and all other assorted women hugging, loving and laughing together, working to prepare meals, and sharing when someone's heart was needing care. It gave me great pleasure to know that, with one phone call, and entire weekend came together for God's glory and our energizing. My most heart-felt thanks to everyone who was there and played a part in the time away. I hope that we have many more to come, and that more and more women will come to enjoy what we had this weekend.

And Jackie, thanks for counting in the night.

Tomorrow, I leave for the Hill country for the weekend. Since I first went to church camp at age 14, the area has been a place of spiritual and emotional renewal for me. Many a time Andy has put me in the car for a "chill-out" drive in the Hills. Now, tomorrow, I get to go deep into the most beautiful part of the area with some of my best friends. I know a lot of good will come from our time there, yet I find myself a little apprehensive about the trip. Please pray that all will go well and we will come back uplifted and refreshed. I'll let you know all about it on Sunday!
Sweet dreams.

Tomorrow is payday; a big day for all, even if it's only going to go to the bank for paying bills. But tonight, I'd like to suspend reality and have a little fun.

If you could take one pay check and use it just for what you'd like, what would you do with it?

I'd take a trip with my husband, and spend what was left on "foo-foo."

Why is it that when you ask someone a question, they say, "You don't really want me to answer that, do you?" Now, my pet peeve is stupid questions that answer themselves, and this would have to be one at the top of the list. If I ask a specific person a specific question, wouldn't they assume that I did, in fact, want an answer? I don't just ask random questions to hear myself talk; I talk for a living, so hearing my own voice is not a thrill. I choose people whose opinion I value, and then I ask them wanting their input or advice. If something is that heavy on my heart that I stop you and ask you for something, please give it to me. Full of love but with both barrels. I'm a grown woman, and I can handle the truth, or at least your take on it. If I haven't asked you yet, be patient; your turn will come!

Sweet dreams -

This is Red Ribbon Week - one dreaded by most public school teachers in Texas, yet one of the few where we get to actually put aside the rigors of the school year and have some fun, creative time with the kids.
Today was "Team us against drugs" at my campus. We were encouraged to wear our favorite teams' jerseys and show how sports and teamwork can keep us away from drugs. (I could comment here, but won't)
There were a few various jerseys, yes, Dana - even a Texas State jersey! - but by far, the favs were the SPURS, TU, and A&M. All day, you could see adults and kids alike "arguing" over whom was the better jersey, the orange or the maroon. Even at the ripe old age of 9, opinions ran strong. What a hoot!
Tomorrow - the big downtown rally and march!!

You know how people are always telling you how things are going to be, and then, when the time comes, what they told you is absolutely true? Here's my point. People always told me that you never feel you are getting older; that sometimes you feel your age, and other times it seems like you are still young. Well; here I am. 51 years old.
Today at lunch, Andy was holding a baby at the restaurant where we were eating with some friends, and I looked at him and he seemed 25 again, as when he held Dana just that way. How did we get here so fast?!? And now, the people that looked SO OLD as they reached their 50s when I was young look amazingly young and chipper!! I'm too old for some things and not old enough by a large margin for some others!! It's so confusing!!!
This time thing just wears me out!

I'm so glad God is not like me. I love hearing from Dana and Erin, and I hate time to go by when I don't get to talk to them and find out how their lives are going. They don't call everyday, or some days they call more than once, but I can't recall one time when they started off a conversation with a list of the things they need. Usually it's a funny happening during their day, or a general phone chat.

I was wondering about that at 1:30 this morning, when I was praying.
I've given up praying before bedtime, because I'm asleep before I know it and then, I'm ashamed. So, when I wake up in the night, I"ll call on the Father. Being the mom that I am, I usually start off with concerns and blessings I seek for the kids, and that's not what I should be doing. My God deserves so much more of my adoration and praise, and I hit him with "I need" and "I want."

Forgive me, Father God for not just calling to visit. Things are going pretty well here, and I thank You for all those blessings. You are such an awesome God, and I love how you wait so patiently for me.

I have always loved my students. Some more than others, and all for different reasons; but with rare exception, I have been able to find something loveable about them. When you spend 185+ days with a kid, you laugh alot, cry (usually not in front of them), hear the bad and good about home, and see them in daily interaction with the world around them. There are days you just wish they would go away and let you move on. When Dana and Erin were small, I'd tell them, "Your teachers' job is to teach you, not to be your friend." and I meant every word. Teachers are not friends. We are a myriad of other roles in their lives, but friend cannot be one of those roles. Now, more than ever, I see us as guardian, counselor, and comforter. Home is not what it was, and by the look in their eyes, you see what is missing. I feel it when they walk past me and either just run their hands along my shoulder or fall with full abandon onto my lap and arms. As I age, I find my role is less and less academic and more and more about really teaching them what they need for life; others before and after me can impart the "book learning," but I feel COMPELLED to invest my time and energy into making each and every one of them feel loved and valuable and full of an amazing future. 185 days doesn't seem long enough to impact a life in that way. It all makes the stuff of school business seem ridiculously trivial.

I want to spend money. Lots, and lots of money. I don't care if it's real or plastic, I want to drop a bundle.

We've been doing Dave Ramsey for about a year now, I think. It's helped us a lot, and we've made good progress, but we still have some debt to handle before we can yell, "Debt Free!!!" I've been obedient to his doctrine and have budgeted almost every penny, but I am ready to explode. I "need" to buy so many things, and I want more than I "need." I can barely see that little light at the end of that long, dark tunnel.

Patience, Amy. It'll be worth it when it happens.

I'm pretty sure God didn't set up His church with this in mind, but in 2006, this has to be my favorite part of the church....

On Sunday, we worshipped with Erin and Gregg at West Houston church of Christ in Houston. It was our second time, and we were looking forward to meeting more of their friends. They have an energetic worship leader, and a good minister, and so we were up for it. Just as we were being seated for worship, Dana grabs my arm and starts jumping up and down, "There's the Parkers!" she says and points across the way. Sure enough, Cecil and Cheryl Parker were going to their seats right across the aisle. We met and worshipped with the Parkers in Katy in the early 1980s, and then Dana became acquainted with them during her student teaching time at Cinco Ranch, where they are members now. They were there to visit with friends on Sunday, so they got to meet Erin and Gregg. It was wonderful to see these dear saints and catch up, even if for a minute. God is so good to give us these glimpses of Heaven, where we'll all be re-united forever in praise and glory!! It was the icing on the cake of a wonderful weekend with my dear ones.

On a serious note, please pray for me. There is a chance I may be reassigned to another teaching assignment in the next few weeks, one I"m not excited about at all. Pray a suitable candidate can be found and hired, so that I can stay where I am and continue the work I find so rewarding. I'd appreciate it very much.

Sweet dreams on this Monday night.

Today, we are going to my sister -in-law's home for "the gathering." There will be about 25 of us with all the family there, and it will be wonderful. Chris and Alan are a model of how to be good hosts and hostesses; just the right amount of food and drink; music, lots of laughter, and a lovely back yard to sit and visit in. The weather is "chamber of commerce" for the city of Houston, and I'm looking forward to it bigtime. My kids fed us a late and yummy breakfast, Andy walked the dog and Dana did laundry. Life in the fast lane...

Hope you are having a good day! :)

well, I'm here at Erin's . She's making lasagna and salad and bread for dinner - I am NOT going to want to cook when I get home after a week off!! Had a good night with Dana and a safe drive over to Houston. We saw the aunt and uncle for a bit at my inlaws, now it's time for Gregg and Dana to get here so the card games can commence !! Roark is glad to see us, and good times are here for all!! I love family times-

hope you enjoy your loved ones this weekend!! And, thanks Jenn!

Well, I got to San Marcos a little later than planned - today was off from the get-go.... imagine my face when the man on the radio informed me it was 7:20 - not the 6:20 I needed it to be. Well, anyway, I beat the tardy bell and left school with everything in place for the sub tomorrow.

Dana and I had a yummy dinner at a little place by the outlet mall; including Frickles - fried dill pickle spears. Wow - my mouth was a water sprinkler all day thinking about it. Now, tonight I sleep at her place and head for the city of Houston tomorrow to meet up with my dear Andrew. I can't wait to look into those eyes I love and kiss that sweet mouth!!

Sleep well -

Well, I'm supposed to be packing to go to San Marcos, and I can't get going. I've done the laundry, and mentally done the hard part - what to take with me, but it isn't doing it by itself. I need to gather things to take with me; mom's cake dish, a late birthday gift for one of my favorite Houstonians, Andy's forgotten socks, etc. It is not that big a deal; yet for some reason, I'm waiting. I'm way ready to see my Andy and the kids, but I'm also dreading the drive over by myself. I guess that's the key; I'm not liking being by myself. I'm ready for that t0 be over. I miss Andy....

Growing up, my family was lower middle class. Dad worked at Kelly AFB in San Antonio and mom was a housewife. We had one car, one t.v., and - literally - furniture from "the town dump." Mom made most of my clothes - she was very talented- and life was good. In fact, going to the dump was one of our great family adventures.

Somehow, my mom would know when the "good stuff" would be there, and we'd load up in the car and drive out. We made sure we had good shoes on, in case you stepped on something sharp. Then, we'd spread out and start looking. I think I remember being aware that I should be embarrassed to be walking among trash, but mom made it such an adventure that it was okay. Now remember, back then, people burned their household garbage, so most of this stuff was broken down, "useless" items no one wanted anymore. In the hands of my mom, though, it was rejuvenated. A coat of paint, some of dad's handwork with tools, and it had a new life. We've walk and look, and if we found something of interest, we'd call everyone over to see. I'm sure it was odd looking from someone else's perspective, but for us, it was an outdoor version of Family General!
Leave it to my mom and dad to put life back into someone else's junk.

I never took Dana and Erin to the dump... but there's always tomorrow!

Well, I'm about to venture out and pick up some things from the store. I had a peaceful night - finally turned off my bedside light about 1:20 am, and got up with my alarm about 7:30. Lazy day, trying to decide what I want to eat while my man is away. I may splurge and do Chinese one night, but not tonight. No school, the timing's off. Watched some movies and read the paper. I don't think I'd want this to be my daily routine, but it's good every once in a while. Tomorrow, it's back to school, and I"ll be back.

I miss Andrew - hurry, Friday!!

Andy and I have been married 30+ years... roughly 11,086 nights. Probably only 100 of those have I spent by myself while he was away, and most of those 100, I had the girls with me. My point ? I'm about to spend 4 consequetive nights alone in our home. What's the big deal, you may ask? I AM A COWARD!! I love the idea of not cooking and watching just what I want and falling out of bed to make it to work, but the sleeping alone part creeps me out!! So, if you don't mind, pray for my peace and security while I pass the nights away. I'm not good when I don't sleep, so that makes me even more anxious. I'll just give it a go, and let you know later how things work out.

Sweet dreams.

I eat lunch everyday with a couple of my co-workers. We dash in, grab the microwave to be first, and then we sit to enjoy our 30 min. lunch. The other day, we were talking about our habits at night, and how in a routine we all seem to be. One lady said, she and her husband, every Friday night, pop one bag of popcorn and drink -between them - one and a half Cokes. Not a coke a piece, one and a half. Another lady shared her and her husband's routine of getting their snacks together and watching the same movie over and over. I shared that Andy and I have "flake night" on Thursdays, where we fix our plates and sit on the couch to watch our favorite shows. No phone calls are allowed and we pretty much do it exactly the same each week. We all decided that these are pretty harmless, but do sound a little, well, mundane. I don't care. That Thursday night, I know Andy is mine alone, and even if not one sentence is shared, I know life is good. Here's to many Thursdays to come.

Been sitting here a while, wondering what to post. Usually, something pops into my head, but not today. I guess I'll just say "hello" and to have a nice, peaceful evening. That's it for today.

Chili's is almost ready to open it's doors here in Pleasanton. Wow - and I hear that Home Depot is coming soon as well. Now, I'm happy to have these nice, convenient places to go, it "saves the drive" into town and makes our little town more credible in the eyes of some people. But I find myself putting on the brakes - just how big do we want our little town to become? Will we be just be one chain after another soon - I mean, we already have HEB, Subway, and Bill Miller.
Good stuff, but at what price? Small towns are their own identities, and if we aren't careful, we'll just become another offshoot of the city. I guess you have to take the bad with the good. I guess time will tell -

Calendars are a big deal in our family. Every Christmas, almost, one is chosed with great care for each member of our family. None of these insurance or bank, run of the mill calendars for us! Andy usually had Star Trek; me, Far Side - you get the drift. Well, today is "turn the calendar day" for October. New birthdays appear, school holidays, other exciting events make themselves known. I love it.

Today's turning reminds me of my favorite season - Fall. I love everything about it - the smells, colors, new foods, the way the sun shines through the giant oaks on my way to school each morning, and so on. Holidays we wait for all year are closer, and with that comes family. There's just not a time better than Fall!

Do you have a favorite season?