Good morning!! I'm up and ready early, so I thought I'd start my day with my blog. Not a lot of news this early in the morning, but we are having some rain and nice, colder weather!! It's only 3 weeks until we dismiss for Christmas break, my family is happy and healthy, and God is taking good care of us. It's a good day!

Wait. Not yet! Hold on, I'll tell you soon - Later. Not now. Wait some more. Be patient. Okay - today!!!

A few weeks ago, I mentioned on this blog that things at work were iffy - a teacher had resigned, and for some reason, my principal was considering moving me to that spot. As stated in our contract, she can place me where she needs me, so I felt I had no recourse should that happen, but I told her it was not my first choice when she asked how I felt. She told me she would seek a replacement, but that I was an option. The wait began.

I asked several people around me to pray that I would not have to move. I like where I am, in my little corner of the sacred Alamo building at the far corner of the campus. Days go by when I don't leave it's confines except to go home. I am left alone to do my job, and I think it's a fine job indeed.

Throughout the weeks, I'd get little hints about things, but no official word - until today. My principal informed me this afternoon that a new teacher has been hired and will start in the next few days. She is my new best friend.

So, Andy and I had Chinese for dinner, and I called Dana and Erin with the good news. Dana said I hadn't sounded that excited about anything in a long time. It's the end of a good day. Now, if I can just stay in my little corner a few more years and retire, I'll be proud of myself.

I hope you had a good day today as well. Sweet Dreams!! :)


By the way, I don't really teach in the Alamo... it's called that because the facade resembles the mission in San Antonio.

Things I'm greatful for # 600 (no, you haven't missed the other 599, I just picked a number that sounded about right!!) :

I learned to sing harmony by ear, from my brother and the Barnes sisters. There were 4 of them, each had "her" part, and when I would go to their house and we'd sing church songs, I'd listen to each one and learn the part. Our church was so small, that when we had worship, I'd have to sing the medley to "balance" out the other parts. Later, when Cathy and I would sit on the swing and sing, she'd always sing alto, and again, I'd get the medley.

When I went to camp, and eventually went to college, I got to sing alto all the time; it was better suited to my voice range and I just liked the "neat " part. Sometimes, I'd go up, like on most Praise songs of the day, or if I was really feeling rebellious, I'd switch to tenor. Never bass; I am a girl, after all!

Anyway, on Sunday, our songleader chose a song we haven't sung in a decade if that soon. It's one of my old Poteet favorites, and has the lead change several times throughout the verse. Well, the people at worship didn't appear to remember it, or had never learned it, and so when the lead changed to soprano and the leader changed to bass - oops!! Luckily I remembered the song and went up. Here comes the alto lead in the chorus; same problem! It was a mess, but I had fun singing all the parts. Dana got a kick out of my "leading" the song, but hey; someone had to keep it from falling apart!!

Now, I'm not bragging, just grateful that all those years ago at the Barnes' house, I listened to those sisters sing!!

I got a jury summons in the mail! I usually get them the week following the end of school, when I'm worn out and grumpy, but it came early this year!! Dec. 4; a Monday. I'm looking forward to it; but the questions usually follow along these lines:
"Mrs. LaMore, is your husband Andrew LaMore?"
"Yes" (duh, it's written right there on the form!!)
"He is an adult probation officer?"
"Yes" (another Duh!)
"Judge, we request this juror not be considered for placement."

GRRR! Just once, I'd like to say, "Hey! I have my own brain!! I can make an impartial decision not based on my husband's career!" I would like to do my civic duty and see the process in action, but NO! They think I am not capable of doing this on my own. So, I take my lovely $6.00 and go home.

Oh well, one less day of school before Christmas!!

This has been a fun day, but boy, am I tired and ready for bed!! It began about 9 am when I awoke to the smell of Dana making sausage balls for breakfast!! Yummy, yummy!! After we enjoyed those, it was almost time for the Aggie game (did I mention I slept in!!?) Anyway, some friends came over and we thoroughly enjoyed watching the Ags hold those Longhorns to only 7 points - WHOOP! It was very exciting, and even more so with some alumni and students watching it with us.

After that, Dana and I did a little running around to some local shops... I bought my first Christmas gift, and saw some potential ones to pick up later. We came home and rested as bit, then it was over to the Hutton's to watch the SPURS. (Dana went out with some friends she hasn't seen much lately, and left the old folks to the tv!)
The SPURS didn't fare as well as the Aggies, but it was still a good game.

Now, it's about bedtime, so I'll say goodnight. I hope you had a good day, and that tonight you'll rest and dream of wonderful things.

Well, we're at the quiet before the storm... turkey's in the over, stuffed with dressing, the table's set, and the tea's made. All I need to do is mix up the sweet potatoes and Dana's going to do corn casserole and then, we wait for the Hutton's to come. After the eating is done, and the table is cleared, it's time for games. Later, we'll all collapse into a happy heap of humanity.... Hope your day is as peaceful and full of blessing!

I don't know if people who are not teachers do this or not, but I have this odd habit of looking at a clock on a day off and thinking, "it's 10:05, I'd be working with "Tom and Jerry" right now", or some such thing. It's like I have to keep up with the schedule even if I'm not there - weird, I know. The other thing is, I NEVER know what the day or date is if I'm not at school! It's like time ceases to exist or something unless I'm in my school room.

HMMM, maybe that's not such a bad thing, come to think of it!! Enjoy your Wednesday!

Little girls and baby dolls! Don't see that much anymore; I guess I'm either way beyond the age where I'm running with that crowd, or little girls just don't take their dolls out in public anymore. Well, today, I was on duty after the bell rang. Kids were filing past me, laughing, showing their buddies stuff, talking about Thanksgiving, and this one little girl caught my eye. She was walking along, slowly, with a bundle in her arms. She was looking at it tenderly, straightening the blanket surrounding it, and oblivious to anyone seeing her. When I looked closely, I could see in the blanket, the face of a baby doll! She'd had it in her backpack all day (kids can't bring toys to school, you know!) and now she had taken her out to check on her. It was a wonderful sight to behold - a little mommy with her baby. It made me smile - innocence still lives among us.

Made me want to hold a doll myself.

Before Erin married Gregg, she asked me once how I knew Andy'd be a good dad. I guess at the time, I knew he would because he'd had that modeled in a wonderful way by my in-laws, and he "fit" my list of qualities, but what I said to Erin was, "I just knew he was a good kisser!" and we laughed and moved on.

30 years is a long time to see someone day light to dark. It's seeing the good and the bad, the frustrating little habits that make you roll your eyes, and the shocks when they do something that is so very out of character that it worries you or takes your breath away.

Today, Andy resumed his duties as one of the elders of our congregation. It's been a long, agonizing almost 4 months since they stepped down, and I really was prepared for him not to take it on again. He's not a quitter, and doesn't give up on commitments, and so this has been especially hard on him. He'd not prepared what he wanted to say until he stepped up, and opened his heart for all to hear. Of course, the other wives were proud of their husbands, but my heart was so full of love and admiration I thought I would burst listening to him. I hope I never forget how that felt.

Now, he's back at it - I hope for a long, happy time. They covet your prayers, as do I.

Today, I shop for Thanksgiving Dinner!! My family is among the few in the U.S.A. that prefer this day over Christmas for some reason. I think it's the quiet calm about this time together rather than the hustle and bustle and frenzy of Christmas. An equal amount of work with a more peaceful result.

Anyway, I decided to shop today rather than wait and go on Wed. Duhh! Hopefully it will be less crazy if I time it right and I"ll come home less frazzled!! We'll be dining with our friends the Huttons, as is our tradition, and we've divided out the foods, so we are good to go.

I hope you are looking forward to your Thanksgiving. I am truly ready to light a fire and sit with some wassail and enjoy a few days of peace before the Christmas frenzy hits!!

Here I come, HEB!!

It's Thursday night; our weekly "flake night" where we eat on the couch and put on our pjs early. It started a while back, when Andy had some where to be every night of the week, but we kept back Thursday for ourselves. Now, we usually watch stuff we've taped during the week until CSI or ER come on. No phone calls, no visits, no interuptions of any kind unless it is an emergency. I really look forward to it; it kinda sets up the weekend coming the next day. I'm glad we pulled it aside; even if it's nothing big, it's our nothing big together. The quiet before the storm.

Hope you find some quiet time for your own.

I know you've never done this, but I have decided that I was wrong. Yep; I had someone figured out, and lately I have decided that what I thought about this person was way off base, and that I made an error in my assessment of her.

I share my room with 4 women on a daily basis; now this might seem impossible that we all get along, but we do. Mainly because we are all so in and out that we aren't around to get into each others' way, but when we do all end up together, it's cool. We even laugh about most things and share little tidbits about our lives that border on intimacy.

As I told you, last week was hard. I needed to talk and talk to someone who was objective and not close to the situation, so I decided to confide in this roommate. She listened, and then proceeded over the next few days to give me real advice and sympathize with my dilemna. She made me laugh about the ridiculousness of it all, and left me alone when she could tell I needed it. It turns out she was the perfect one for me to confide in, because while we are roommates, we aren't buddies, chums, confidants, "sisters" or any of that. She's had some tough times in her life, and I think that has made her appear unapproachable to some, but not me. I've seen a beautiful side to her that opened my heart, and I won't forget it ever. I only hope if the tides are ever turned, she'll feel safe talking to me about it.

Today was beautiful; I hope you saw it. Sweet dreams!!

Rarely do I have a week like this one. Work, home, and church converged on me all this week, with worries and concerns and down-right mean-ness, and I am proud to say I came out of it still standing!
I mentioned a few posts ago about changes at work; that seems to have worked itself out, where I'll be able to stay where I am and continue my current placement. It's not a done-deal, but I'd say 95% . That's one worry I can let go of.
We all say we are going to "let go and let God", but boy that is hard to really do. I'll share more of the week as things pan out, but suffice it to say, God's people do not always make things easy or fun. I guess it's the people part of it that messes things up, and we just have to love and hope.
Anyway, I think the worse is over; surely I am due some down time for a while.

I hope your week was better - Sweet dreams!

I really love little boys. God blessed me with two wonderful daughters, and they have made my life full of love and happiness, but I really enjoy having my little school boys to give me some grins during the day. Two I have this year, Jimmy and Pate, come to me everyday for 50 minutes, where we work on their problems with dyslexia.

Pate is the quieter of the two. He is very much what I visualize my dear son Gregg to have been as a little boy; scrubbed so clean he shines, clothes very obviously chosen with love and a fine sense of fashion by mom, the most fashionable of little boy haircuts; you get the picture. He is loved so much, his dad's business is named FOR HIM. One grin from Pate just melts my heart, and I want to hug him so bad I ache!! (now days, you have to be very careful about that!) Pate works very hard, and is very serious, and I feel good about the progress he is making.

Jimmy is a cartoon in action. His voice even sounds like an animated figure. He wears the oversized shirts and shorts and untied tennis shoes that clomp as he walks. His hair has highlights and sticks straight up in front. He has a devilish sparkle in his eyes and a lop-sided grin does me in... I cannot be angry at him even when he pulls something. He talks too loud, and he half-way attempts his work, yet he gets upset if he messes up. He'd much rather be doing something else, but plays along with me because he can tell I'm gag-ga about him.

As different as they are, Pate and Jimmy are best buddies. They come in and leave arm in arm each day, with big plans for recess. I doubt they socialize in the same circles on weekends, but 5 days a week, they have each other's backs. So cute. Oh yeah - and girls stink!!

They make my day!

Sweet dreams!

I called my brother just now. It's our mom's birthday, and since I couldn't call her, I decided on a whim to give Gary a buzz. Haven't spoken to him in probably 2 1/2 yrs. I've tried a few times in that period of time to call, but I just get his voice mail. My cousin tried once and called 20 times before Gary answered. My guess is he just finally answered to get Tom to leave him alone.

Gary was 7 when I was born. I adored him until I was about 15 and he fell off the pedestal I put him on. Things were never quite the same; I became "the good sister" to his "alcoholic musician" brother. Marsha followed with her vices (mine's food, in case you don't know me!), and we all grew apart as years passed. He lives in Tampa, Fla. right now, and I'd like to see him - he's made a great deal of progress in his journey, and I wish we could recoup some of what we've lost. The last time I saw him was our mom's funeral, as I drove him to the bus station. He told me that he wished we were together more, that he thought we were more alike than before.

I'll let you know if he calls - it'll be great to hear from him.

Oh yeah - Happy Birthday, Margaret Young !

Wow - I woke up this morning having the weirdest of dreams. Erin and Dana were young, yet Erin was married to Gregg. Mama was still alive, we moved back to Brookshire (something that occurs in most of my weird dreams!), Dana and Erin and I were riding around town on a riding mower, having to sneak around to get gas every block, and we lived in a hovel. Two shacks basically hammered together classified as "shabby chic."

Where do these things comes from?!?! None of this was talked about or remembered or anything - it all came from the blue (A RIDING MOWER??) I guess it was the movie theatre hotdog and dill pickle that did me in.

Sorry, Gregg. Maybe next time it'll bode better for you, honey.

Till tomorrow.

Here we go again. Andy's name was put before our congregation this morning as a "candidate" to serve as an elder. Candidate is not the right word, but it's the best I can come with right now. He served until a few months ago, when we had a shake-up and all them men decided it was time to step aside for a while to let some things work through. During this time, we've had some time to consider if serving would be the right thing at this time. I say we, because his service affects me directly. I am one woman who likes the way God has set all this up; I get to watch my dear husband serve in a most honored place, and yet I don't really have all the stress he has to deal with. I'm excited about the list of men who are willing to serve, and I pray for a peaceful transition. These can be the best days of our congregation's history, and I hope these men fall in love with each other and serve many long and fruitful years. To God be the glory.

Sweet dreams!

Many, many years ago, my brother Gary drew a "Life line treadmill" cartoon that I would look at and wonder about how real it was. I think I'm finding out at this stage of my life.

A former co-worker sent out an email this week updating us on her husband's battle with lung cancer. Their kids are our girls' ages, and
we've had dealings with them since we moved here. She retired from teaching a few years ago, and I'd lost touch. Now that she is going through this trial, she is getting in touch with those of us who are still at the school. As I looked at the addresses, I realized that there are very few of us left on that campus who even know her. Our treadmill is rolling, and it's rolling fast. I'm behind only one or two on the longevity list, and now I feel like I want to turn around and run backwards; I"m not ready to be falling off the end!!

Now I know that retirement and dying are not the same, and I'm greatly looking forward to not working in the future, but when you think about the days gone by, and the opportunities missed, it's a sobering thought. I guess that's why God tells us not to worry about things we can't change; our days are too short and fast as it is without filling them up with things you can't do anything about. So if I haven't told you today that you are special to me and that I love you with my whole heart, here it is, along with a big hug.

Have a beautiful Saturday!

Tonight, Poteet and Pleasanton play football for the first time in many many years. It's brought back many really fun memories for me like: Cathy and me and the rest of the group riding the bus over (wow - 8 miles!) and chanting, "We want the bucket back!" over and over. It was an old oaken bucket that whoever won got to keep for the year until the next game. Well, Pleasanton would tromp us 65 - 0 or worse, and we're ride home so depressed; until the next year, when we'd do it all over again. I remember sitting on old, warped, wide wooden bleachers in COLD, yes cold, weather, under blankets drinking hot chocolate and not feeling our cheekbones for hours after the game. I remember thinking Pleasanton was this big city, and rarely venturing over to see what was there. Well, tonight it resumes. We'll see who comes home with the bucket.

Have you watched Jericho yet? It's about a small town in Kansas left to cope with the aftermath of a nuclear bomb in Denver and being shut off from the rest of the nation and the world. It's pretty thought provoking, actually; all the reliance we have on technology in so many forms. Even just the communication aspect of it is chilling - not knowing who is alive where....

I wonder how we would do it with out being able to just click on the tv or computer and be instantly in contact. What about bills - how would they get paid if all the computer records were fried in the blast! AH, a plus side to nuclear war!! :) Hey, it beats Dancing with the Stars!!