Eulogy for Manu

Spurs lose to Lakers; Manu just wasn't a factor at all; nor Tony for that matter. At least it wasn't a blow-out; just not to be. I think the every-other year thing is in their heads, and we have to fix that.

If I hear Kobe one more time, though, I may go Postal.

Now what do I post about ?!?

Closing up the year today with a lot of nothing to do. One good thing about teaching what I do is, I get a couple of days the homeroom teachers don't get, so I get ahead of the game. Now, it's wait to sign out and load the car.

Plans, plans, and more plans

I am married to a planner. Shoulda seen it coming before the wedding, but even then, I had no idea the ramifications it would hold. 32 years of planning...
I've come to realize that it is not a bad thing, in case you were wondering. Sure, for a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants girl, who loves to jump up and run, it can have it's frustrations, but for the most part, it is a more sane lifestyle. It breeds consistency and calm routine. And sometime, boredom.
Take children. I wanted a baby right away. Married - baby - house. Not Andrew. He wanted to wait 4 years (we were all of 21 at the time!! That clock of mine was ticking loudly!!) before having our first, and I just gave up trying to talk him into it. The man does nothing he doesn't want to. So, we had Dana after 4 years. It's not just the big things either, and sometimes those are the most frustrating.

Now, I understand that living with a jump and run wife is not easy. "Where's dinner," he asks. "Oh, I decided to color with Erin this afternoon instead of cook, so, we'll have it in a couple of hours." "Did you pick up _____ ?" " Oops, Cathy called and we went to see Dee." You get his side of this story? I really think it may be harder for him, because it sets his whole way of thinking way off kilter; whereas, I have no kilter to set off.

What's the point of this entry? I'm thinking about how this is just one part of married life that makes things hard - if you don't balance it. Luckily, over the years, we've adapted to each other, and have learned how to keep the other one from total domination. I've learned to wait, be patient, accept "not now" without pouting. He's learned to throw in some spontaneity every now and then to pacify the wife. It's a win-win. Finally, we've figured something out!!

Spurs vs school ending...

I know that I'm vascillating between the two subjects listed above, but other than my upcoming venture into grandmother-hood, nothing else right now occupies my mind. The way the Spurs are going, it should come to a crashing end soon; much to my sadness. I think they've believed all the hype about their age and not being able to repeat, and so it will lead to an early demise. So sad....

I'm looking forward to an easy summer with my dear Andrew and sweet daughters, and finishing some plans we are starting on the house, so I'm pumped. I just hope it doesn't go too fast!

Time for the fun to begin - have a good day!

The last Friday with children !!

Today is my last day to "serve" children. Next week is only 2 1/2 days full of awards, movies, parties, and other end-of-year mania. It all comes down to how to keep them busy when they know grades are in and it's over. Especially the 4th graders going to a new campus - it's a done deal. Anyway, back to my kids.

My little man Pate (no pun to the movie title intended!) will not be here today. He lingered back after the others left yesterday, as is his method when he wants to tell me something, and told me the family is leaving for a long weekend at lunch. I tried not to fuss too much, and he gave a little side hug and grin, and we promised to see each other before the end of next week. Today is celebration day for all they've done in class, and I've brought soda and popcorn. Not enough to get them hyper, you understand, but enough to enjoy. We will talk, play dominoes or some other game, and then say goodbye. It's been a long year, and I'm ready.

I have to tell you that knowing I have 3 years left is an odd sensation as far as approaching work next year. The end being in sight, even though it is 3 years and not the last, helps put things into perspective. I don't like what school is becoming, at least on this campus, but I can continue to influence my corner of the world the best I can and keep things balanced and sane. Then, Lord willing, I will walk out the door knowing I gave it my best.

Well, let's get this Friday going - the popcorn is ready to be popped and the drinks are cold!! Let's party!!

To Newlyweds everywhere -

On Saturday, Andy and I drove to Houston to attend the 25th wedding anniversary party for his sister and her husband. As I was paying for our drinks at the Shell station, I mentioned our trip to the clerk, and she said, "Wow - have her tell me how they did it." I told her - they are friends and laugh all the time. They have a commitment to each other for life.

So, as I spend the day in reflection of my 32 years with Andrew, I think about all those who are newly married and wondering how it's going to work. Lots of things come into play, but here are the basics I think every marriage must have to work:
~ God has to be first. Without His Word to guide us and the example of other Christian couples, it can be trecherous out there.
~ Commit to each other for life. That phrase "Till death do us part" is not there for its literary beauty. There will be no divorce. It is not an option.
~ Laugh - often and from the gut
~ Kiss a lot (my favorite !)
~ Take aging and difficulty as they come. You are both getting older, and hard times will come, so hold on and get through them.
~ Keep no secrets.

Most of these have been relatively easy for us, but a couple have not, and it's usually been because of something stupid I've done. But because Andrew is Andrew, we've made it this far.

He says tonight is a surprise, so I'm eager to get home. No Spurs, so I guess we'll be alone!! I plan on a lot of kissing!!

That time of year....

I'm sitting here, looking at my classroom, and thinking of the stuff I really need to get busy doing. My "nest" around my desk is scary with it's sticky notes, schedules, ARD schedules, calendars, - well, you get the idea. I was hoping that I'd be packing it up for good, but the retirement thing isn't working out. I didn't really think it would, but had a little hope. So, I'm staying in this room another year. I'll be on this campus half a day and Primary the other half. I guess I will choose to make the best of it, but I'd much rather do something else... any ideas?

We had a lovely visit with the family this past weekend. Since we see the nieces and nephews so seldom, it was eye-opening to see the men and women they'd become since we were last there. Soon, they will all be one their own, and it will just be the "old folks" sitting around. I hope I can still find my way over there!!

I''m doing it TODAY !

I've been thinking about it for a while, now, and Mary Beth has really encouraged me to go for it. Now, even Andrew is giving me signs that he will support me. I thought it was years away, but apparently not.

I'm looking into retirement. Wow. It's probably way too soon for us to manage financially, but the events of this past year and the way next year is looking, I'm thinking the time may be "righter" than I thought. I have only a week or two at the most to make my decision, so pray, pray, pray, please!! I'm afraid and anxious all at once, so I'm hoping it's very obvious what I need to do.

I just DON'T want another year like this one... ever.

I'll keep you posted!!

Something new to think about....

Do you ever feel like God is thumping you on the head, saying "Hello!! Look at it from this angle!! I'm right here!! ?"

When the girls were born, I gave them back to God. I promised Him that I would raise them in faith and truth, that I would show His love to them at every opportunity, and all I would ask would be that He kept them safe and well. So far, so good.

Now, though, I realize that perhaps one of my prayers for a long while has been limited to what I perceived asthe only way that God could work. How naive of me to put God's abilities in such a small box. Now, I'll sit back and see just how amazing His love for my child can be. I'll continue trusting and watching for the long-awaited outcome to my prayers.

Good to have them back!!

I'm not sure who those guys were in New Orleans, but they in no way resembled the team that took game 3 last night. Tim, Tony and Many were back in their element, and it was way beyond fun to watch! Gregg and Erin came in about half-way through the 3rd period and enjoyed watching the group cheer the boys on. Once we got through that one, we felt like the game was ours. Sunday night is not so dreaded now, and then we go back to N.O.

I just hope the Big Three make the team plane!!

Thanks to my daughters!

Every now and then, a memory rushes over me like a tidal wave, and I am a little girl once again. Just now, as I sat at my desk, I saw a class of very excited 4th graders coming into their room with their Mother's Day cards created in computer lab. Each face so proud, so full of excitement at the anticipation of giving it to their mom and seeing her reaction. Later today, if you brought money, you get to go to the cafeteria and decorate a cake for Mom and take it home to her. It's the talk of the campus!

For me, Mother's Day was always the hardest. Margaret was creative and talented and had high standards. I'm not saying she didn't love my little homemade cards and stuff; it was later when we were both adults that the pressure to please her was the worst.
And the cards full of sappy sentiment just didn't say what I felt.
We just didn't have that type of relationship, as much as I wanted it. By the time she was able to say what I needed to hear, it was too late. My heart was hard and unlistening.

So, for me, it's all about my girls. What joy they have given me in their lives, and I have learned so much about myself through them. Their love and respect fill my life with pleasure, and Mother's Day comes with each phone call I receive. Who needs cake?!

A moment of reflection

Today, we met with our principal in team meetings. Usually, it's pretty serious stuff, but today began the marking off of days! When all was said and done, I have 8 - count 'em -days of classes with my kids. Single digits!! There's Field Day, field trips, movies, awards ceremonies, and touring the PIC campus; their new home in the Fall.
When the kids came in, I went over all the good stuff and told them just how few days we have left together. I've had them for 2 years now, and the already anxious feelings they have about PIC are compounded (by a few at least) with sadness of leaving me. Some, I'm ready to part with and pass on, but there are some in this group I'll try hard to keep in touch with: Jimmy the cartoon voice boy, Zoe my little "tweener", Max - a big boy a year older that I can love one minute and pinch the next, and Pate. Such a quiet little man I'll miss the most.
But there's the beauty of teaching; another group comes in right behind them in the Fall, and our lives will intermingle as these have. My little ones will move on and do just fine. I just hope I made some measure of impact in their lives.

What a weekend!!

Yesterday, I crashed. I reached my stopping point about 2:30 p.m. after a whirlwind couple of days. Between the Spurs, Dana coming in, and the luncheon, it was crazy. Add to that, Andy leaving early for Georgetown on Sat. morning, it was madness and mayhem. But I am filled with happy feelings this morning, full of good memories and anticipation of more to come.

Having Dana at home is always wonderful. I'd keep her forever, but I know that is not the way it will be... so I relish my time with her. Just having her at the luncheon was a treat, even though we really didn't spend it together. Then, she chose to go out on Sat. night rather than watch the Spurs with us!! What is up with that?!? Anyway...

The comments on the luncheon far surpassed my expectation, but then the efforts put out by everyone to transform the room certainly set the stage. We've learned a few things for next time, but for the most part, it was perfect. The team worked beautifully together, and the turn out was great!!

Yesterday was Andy's biggest day. Church, blood drive, elders' meeting, put up tables and set up fellowship room as usual (ugly!), worship, grocery story then home. I missed him, but he just has those days.

Now, we have the week to rest. Thursday, Gregg, Erin and Roarke come in for a long weekend. The Spurs crowd will be at our house when they arrive, so that will be fun. Everyone loves the Johnsons, and will be so happy to see them. Hopefully, the Spurs will oblige!!

Well, school begins - have a good day!

A simple sentence leads to a glorious event!!

Tomorrow is the luncheon. We've had a great time planning it, and everyone is good to go; or so I hope. Lots of emails, phone calls, planning meetings, and so on come down to tomorrow at 11:00. I hoped and prayed for 40 ladies to sign up; we have just over 50!! I am so pumped - I feel like this is a jumping off point for more good things to come.

After school, we meet to pull the tables all together, to put our heads together once more, and to see just what it is we've forgotten. I can't imagine how it will all play out, but I know it's been a labor of love. God will be glorified and His daughters will have a great time together. His Will be done.

I'll let you know all about it later!!

I would wager that, no matter on which campus you chose to visit, today you would see teachers, counselors, administrators and students walking about in a daze. Bags under the eyes, faces that look like they've not slept in a week, which is a falacy because every adult I work with has gone home after testing and fallen into bed to sleep off the day's stress. (Do you know that if I am found to have "cheated" in any way, my teaching liscense will be revoked? No matter how tiny the infraction, you are called in and written up, so yes - there is mental stress here!) Yesterday, I tested 7 children who finished their day's work at 11:00. We sat in silence, except for a 30 minute lunch, until 2:30. Can you do that? No drawing, no writing, no getting up. Sitting and reading or sleeping. I myself cannot do that, much less a 10 year old.

Anyway... it's over for another year. What is done is done. Everyone now is looking to the "fun" part of school - Field Trips and field days, and the creative side of teaching that is pushed aside for the sake of "THE TEST."

I just hope I passed !!