WOW

Everyone is saying it. This series with Phoenix was tough enough to be the Finals; I truly had my doubts last night.
After a hard day of testing, I wasn't going to go; just send Andy to the Hendersons without me and go to bed. I was drained, and yet knew I'd really regret it if I didn't go and they won. So, I went, sat down, and mainly listened to the game. Didn't visit, didn't wander back and forth between tv and snacks. Just sat and hoped against hope the old boys had one more win in their bag of tricks.

They did. Why do I doubt - well, there was that game last Sunday!! Anyway, it wasn't pretty or even athletic in some parts, just hack-a- Shaq'n and floppin and whistle blowing. When it was all said and done, the Spurs were on top to move on. Shaq even kept his mouth shut and didn't say a word on his way out. He knew he'd been schooled.

Now it's on the the Hornets. Younger, hungry, naive about the playoffs and all they bring to the court. Can the boys do it? I know a group of about 20 who will be there every tip off, just to see. We have faith in our boys and Pop.

TAKS begins

It starts this morning; three days of testing what the state says the kids need to know....

Tonight is the Spurs next chance to eliminate the Suns, and I have to go to bed because of testing... I would be too tired if I stayed up for the whole game, so I'll leave it with Andrew and hope I wake up to good news.

If you see a teacher this week, please be nice. It's very stressful around school right now.s

Meet the NBA's Jekyl and Hyde!

Okay, we all go home Friday and take a nap so we can stay awake for the mid-nightish game before us. We put on our Spurs regailia and gather our snacks and find our spots for the night's viewing; high on anticipation.

We were not let down - it was amazing from tip-off to final buzzer!! The Spurs of old (last June!) were in the building and they had their way with those Suns!! It was glorious, and staying awake was a breeze.

So, where were those guys yesterday?!? Could it be they were as tired from Friday as I was ?! It's like two different teams came to play, and it was nothing if not a fan's worst nightmare. Oh well, I'd rather they melt down now rather than in a more crucial situation. I know they will take the series, I was just spoiled on Friday.

Now, on to Tuesday night at the AT&T !!

Changing Perspective

I love Jackie Hutton. Since she came into my life way back in the 20th century, my life has been so much more fun. She makes me laugh when no one else can, and is very adept at reading me. She is a blessing in every way and I thank God for her.

Tuesday night, she fussed at me, and I am taking what she said to heart. I am hooking up my answering machine tonight.

Years ago, we had an answering machine. We unplugged it and destroyed it because the only messages we ever got were either creditors wanting payments we didn't have, or my mother calling to complain or demand. It was not something we ever wanted to listen to again, so why have one of the instruments of torture?!

So. Last Christmas, we are celebrating with the Huttons and exchange gifts. With lots of love, we are presented with a brand new answering machine!! And as I write this post, it is still sitting in the box beside my couch. Everyday, I look at it, and know I need to hook it up, but the past invades my good intentions.

Not today. I have had a revelation, and when I get home, I am hooking it up. I've realized that the demons of the past are gone, and that now it is a messenger of love and good tidings from family and friends. It will be a connection once again to the people I love.

So. Please call and leave words of encouragement. I may falter....

Thanks, Erin !

As soon as I heard that Erin was pregnant, I told her that I wanted one of those little time-line counters for my blog page. She and I discussed the parameters of it all yesterday, and so here it is!! I didn't know there were so many factors; colors, style, etc. I just want to see it!! Anyway, it's just another example of how pregnancy has changed since she was born; I had no idea of when the event took place or when she would arrive with such specificity!! "September" was about as close as I knew. Now, it's a science all its own.

But the result is the same; your life is never the same . Get ready, Erin and Gregg - life is about to take you on one grand adventure!

Watching people run ....

I don't think of myself as a very creative person when it comes to most anything, but I have discovered that I can come up with ideas that people respond to. Then, I find the talented folks around me that I know would be wonderful at the task, and get them going. I listen to their ideas and watch the brains twirl in excitement as the ideas grow and grow. I leave them to their wonderful works and then do what I can to help. The end result is something wonderful for all that I didn't mess up by trying to pull it off all by myself.

Right now, I'm watching a wonderful group of women who I love work on a luncheon for the Ladies of the church. It's a diverse group who probably wouldn't seek each other out, but are finding all sorts of things they have in common in the process of putting this together. Actually, that was the whole idea to begin with; to bring together a group that is new and refreshing and eager to "find a spot." So far, it appears to be working!!

Everyone working together for the glory of God. What better task?!

And the lamp goes flying!!

Anyone who knows my husband would agree that he is a man of self-control. He always tempers his reactions to things by taking it in and then showing what he thinks in a calm, thought-out way.

Not Saturday. Not when Timmy hit the 3 pointer that lead to the Spurs first victory over the Suns in double over-time. When it did "nothing but net," Andy threw up his arms and knocked the floor lamp off kilter, almost hitting my dad's christening gown to the floor! He caught it just in time, and then we continued to celebrate his good aim in fun and frivoloty. Could we have enjoyed it any more - I don't think so.

Game two - Tomorrow!! Go, SPURS, GO !!

Sounds in the night

How is it that things that are so quiet by day are magnified at night? The grandfather clock that I hardly notice every 15 minutes sounds like Big Ben, and the refridgerator's hum could hypnotize anyone!

Last night, about 1:30, I woke up to the sound of rain coming down hard on my roof. Now, we've had a drought for a while now, and any rain is welcome, but this was really coming down!! Lightning lit my bedroom and the thunder shook the windows. I really wanted to sit in the dark living room and just take it in, except for the fact that I had to go work today. The one time I wished for insomnia, it failed me and I went right back to sleep.
But it was great while it lasted!!

Sleepy, but vindicated

I go to bed at night at about 10:15. I need lots of sleep, and I always feel it's not fair to the students if I'm grumpy because I stayed up too late.

Well, I'm grumpy... I stayed up till the SPURS game was over, and it was a beauty!! I love it when they fire on all cylinders, and last night they had it going! I guess having Manu and Brent back, and the pressure of the playoffs looming kicked them into gear, because my SPURS of old were back!!

So, if you call or see me today, and I'm droopy and grumpy (or any of the other dwarfs !!), just look deeper - I'm truly excited!!

So, Go, SPURS, Go !!

Ahhhhh, Spring!

Coming to school this morning, I'm reminded that, before there was air-conditioning, teachers were able to open their windows wide and let the cool breezes of an early Spring morning come into the classroom. The temperatures will warm up by lunch duty, but for now, it is wonderful.

I really wish I was at home....

A whole season comes down to this!!

I started off as a "social fan" - just joining in with the crowd; peer pressure and all that. Now, I'm a full-blown addict; I need an Intervention. I'm about to go into the NBA playoffs, and I'm afraid my SPURS are going to make me go cold-turkey. It's not a sure thing like last year; I don't "feel it."

The nuns have already prayed, so I guess it's my turn.

Go, SPURS, Go !!

One of those days

My life is pretty simple. Go to school, come home, rest and eat and watch a little tv, then it begins again. I wish I had a hobby that filled my time, but as a soon-to-be grandmother, I think that is coming.

But today is one of those days that is filled up with things I need to do: fill the hummingbird feeders (they're back!!), fertilize the plants, support Andrew on his yearly torture of doing taxes, and laundry.

We did start off with a nice breakfast, though. My dear cousin Elaine and her hubby of 45 years, Royce, are in town for the Strawberry Festival. Now, Royce is not the biggest talker, but he held his own, and we ate good pancakes and sausage. They are going to go over to the festival for a bit and head back home.
It was a nice visit; she brought current pictures, and we got caught up on everyone's lives. Our mom's were sisters, and as we sat there, I somehow felt like we've taken their spots in the family - and it felt good. We only see each other once or so a year, but it's comfortable and sweet. I'm truly glad they came.

Times like this

In life, there are times when it is impossible to express the feelings rolling around inside one's heart and mind. I've had a few; the death of my father, driving away from Shanon in Huntsville, holding Dana and Erin for the first time. Then, watching them be baptized by their dad. Watching Erin in her wedding gown float like an angel so serene and in love. Seeing my husband accept the eldership for our church family, and burying Smudge. Some make us so happy we feel Heaven will be almost pale in comparison, and some make us wish the very earth would open up and swallow us to take away the agony.

Now, we add another joy to the list; my Erin and her Gregg are having a baby. Lots of women have babies, I hear, but this one - well, it's special. It's my grandchild, and I am entering a new realm of life, along with my Andrew. My breath is taken away from me at the dreams of it all.

I cannot WAIT until tomorrow!!

What's for dinner ?!?!

About the time I got into high school, my mom started saying, "I'm tired of cooking!!" I didn't think much about it during the time, because I was a kid, and moms were supposed to cook for the family. No quitting; it was a job to the death.

Now, we weren't a big eating-out family. My dad got home early (4:30 pm), and he expected the dinner on the table when he arrived. Our kitchen wasn't air-conditioned, and so mom cooked early in the afternoon before it got too hot. She kept it warm for him, he came home and loved every bite. "Muy bueno comida!!" he would say in his most appreciative tone, and go on out to work on some car or mow. We didn't eat together as a family, and usually we ate in front of the tv. It was always good.

Back to cooking... well, I marry Andy, who also came from a non-eating-out family, and so the tradition of cooking continued. The girls came along, we were broke, or felt like it, and so eating out was a luxury. Maybe on report card day, or some such excitement. Years passed. I cooked.

Now, the girls are gone, and I sound a lot like my mother on those days in the hot kitchen. I am tired of cooking. And you know, it's not even the task of the job, but the planning and deciding of it. Tell me what to fix, and I'll do it, but please don't make me decide. Let's get something we both like and forget the grocery store - HEB has gotten enough of our cash!!

The end has come

After 6 weeks of dvds, we finished the "Marriage Enrichment" class at church. It was the big one - the sex dvd, and the facilitator was most uncomfortable. Some of our parents had their teenage children in on the viewing, and that was a factor, I'm sure. Anyway, it was good to refresh our minds through out the sessions on how wonderful marriage can be if you both focus on each other. I admit; this past year, I've been pretty focused on myself with the surgeries and stuff, and Andrew has really been keeping things going. It's not been our best year, but at least we made it through together.

So, Andrew, Thanks. Just in case I don't say it to you enough, you make my life a joy.

Even when you order coins....

3 week trial

During the Spring, between Spring Break and TAKS, we have this little exercise called "Project Based Specials." The kids who do well on their benchmarks get to choose a fun activity (computer games, sewing, Talent show, etc.) and the kids who are still "at risk" stay with their teacher and get intervention help. Since my
kids are in one group or another, my schedule falls apart and I get a whole new one. For the most part, it stays the same, but for half the day I'm in a new place at a new time. So....

for now, if I look dazed and confused - I most likely am. Come on, April 18th!!