It's gotta be that heat!

Usually, by Friday, I am tired. Lots of dealing with children can do that to a person, and so Fridays are the night I look forward to the most. No partying or going out for me; just let me come home and be quiet.

Yesterday was truly the same, with the added feature of it having been the first week of school. Getting a new year up and going is stressful even when things go well, as mine have. So, I was in my usual Friday mode.

Then, Andy came home. He was just as wiped out as I was!! He usually is a little tired, but he was gone. Out by the count of 3; we decided it had to be this heat stripping us all of out last ounce of energy - his whole office was the same.

So, more than ever, I am ready for the beginning of September. While it will still be hot for a while, at least the Calendar points us to cooler weather in the future!!

At least, that's what I'm hoping for!!

Stay cool!

Thanks, Dave!!

I grew up in a money-challenged home. By that I mean, even though we were in the age of "Women's Lib" - the 60s, my mom never was allowed to write a check until I was probably a Senior in High School. She was a stay-home mom, and my Dad was in control of the money. (Now, knowing what I do, I understand why!!) But, because of that, my mom taught me some very unhealthy-to-the-marriage things about manipulating the budget. Some of them I carried on to my marriage, and it really hurt us, in more ways than one.

Like a lot of young American couples, we ran up debt; a teacher and a probation officer don't make oogles of money, but we both admit now that we did not manage it well.

Then, we met Dave Ramsey.

Dave has shown us "the way" - and we are closer than ever to being Debt-Free. Last night, Andy wrote the last check on my car, almost a year early!! It was a great feeling, and not because now I have more money to spend, but the list of what we owe grew shorter by a big one. With retirement not too far in the future, every bit we do helps a lot. (I want to retire and get to be with Liz, Bladen, and grandbabies still in my future!!)

So, with the check in the mail to pay off my car (and let's all pray it runs for a long, long time!!) - I say, "Thanks, Dave!!"

One day down....

I am so tired.

Getting back to work after a summer off is draining - I know, poor me!! But when your brain still thinks it can stay up until midnight, and sleep in and wake up at your leisure, it takes a while to adjust to just that. And wearing shoes 9 hours a day?!? Torture!

But the kids are back, the schedules are set, and the calendar's ticking!! We're off!!

Such Irony!

I am so spoiled. I'm just coming off my nice, long (realitively) summer, and the first week has been productive and encouraging - yet I'm pouting because Andy has the day off and I don't!! How goofy is that?!?!

All summer, Andy gets up and leaves me in my nice, comfy bed while he goes off the make humanity better. He never whines of grumbles, just keeps up with his routine and goes off the provide for our home. Me, I get to do whatever I like and still get my check. Now, that's what's great about teaching!!

On a serious note, things seem to be off to a good start here at school. I was pretty apprehensive at the end of school about some changes that were coming, and tried very hard not to let it color my Summer, but into the 1st week, things are better than I dreamed. Let's pray it continues!!

Thanks for the reminder, Jackie!!

Everyone I know needs a friend like Jackie. She punches me in the gut regularly with her honesty and passion, and she is the Jiminy Cricket on my shoulder. Let me just say that I love her more and more as we take our journey together.

In her blog today, she talks about being in a group of people and realizing as she watches them the importance of showing Christ to those around her, many of whom she doesn't know or will see again. This is a sobering prospect for me as I begin school this year; new co-workers, new students, returning students that I had last year - will they see the Christ in me?! Will I show His love and compassion, His tolerance for those I might in some way feel superior to, kindness to someone in need that others are rushing past in an effort to "get things done"? How will I face each day?

So far, things are going well - but the year is three days old. I am committed more now than before to make this a year in which I glorify my Lord to the best of my ability.

Thanks, Jackie - I love you.

About a 7....

Yesterday at church, I asked a lady how she would rate her summer. She thought a minute, then said, "Oh, about a 7." Now, over the summer, this woman had gotten married and gone on an Alaskan cruise! I wonder what SHE would rate a10?!?

So I got to thinking about my summer, and I also give mine a 7. Some really good things happened; visiting with my girls, having the Johnsons, complete with Roarke for a visit, going to the mountains, the successful lumpectomy, and enjoying nice, quiet days at home were the highlites. But there were some down sides; I again did not accomplish the "tasks" I set for myself, and I worried about things over which I have no control. The heat and lack of rain were a real downer, on top of it all. But overall, it was a good break from school.

Now today, we are back. As I looked over my list of students, I saw their little smiling faces and wondered if they were anxious to come back. I will see them next week, full of excitement. I pray for a good, productive year.

So. How would you rate your summer?!? Hope it was good!!

Voices of the past

Earlier in the summer, Jackie made Farmville and Farmtown on Facebook sound like so much fun that I signed up. I am having lots of fun with both those farms; but the coolest part of it is that I've caught up with so many people!! Old classmates (one of whom asked me if I still walked on my toes!), old friends, and my niece that I haven't spoken to in 20+ years! My connection with her led to finding out that my brother's "wife" had passed away - can you tell we're close!?! - which led me to contacting my sister and her son. It's been very cool to reaquaint myself with everyone, and look forward to keeping up with them.

So, thanks, Jackie!!

So, here we are

Well. Today is the last Monday before school starts. Every summer, I make all these plans of things I want to do, and only a few are accomplished. As I get closer to retirement, I find myself enjoying the solitude of being at home, doing things at my own pace, "calling my own shots." My mother enjoyed being by herself, and she used to say to me, "Amy, if you don't like being with you, no one else will either." Funny how that makes so much more sense to me now. I spend so much time during school taking care of my kids and being - hopefully,- a good employee, that when summer comes, it takes a while to readjust and clear my head. Thankfully, Andy understands this and lets me spend my days to my liking.

So, as I enter this last week at home, I will try to pull together some of those not-accomplished plans and prepare to return to work. All the while, watching the last blitz of movies still on my list!!

Oh, Man -

I really hope that, if I die before Andy, his next wife is a morning person!! Guilt!

News from Houston!

Erin and Gregg (and Liz!) are having a boy!! The sonogram today gave them the news, and so we got the news a bit ago. All looks well, and things are still a go for Dec. 12, 2009.

Welcome, baby boy Johnson!!

Quiet after the weekend

Well, as Dana drove off yesterday, I looked over to see my empty driveway. After being full of cars over the past few days, it looked pretty lonely, and suddenly, I felt lonely with it. We had a peaceful, happy visit, full of good memories from home videos of days gone by. Bekah and Jace's reception was nice; Katherine Norwood is an amazing woman!! Liz was a champ through it all; going to folks she didn't know but who wanted to hold her and take in her charm. Her calm, patient mom putting up with my desire to do things perhaps not to her liking, but tolerating me to a point.

I think my favorite view of the weekend was watching Andy with Liz. He's not one to get in there and play, but he loves just walking around with her. At worship yesterday, he and Liz made the rounds, her placidly nestled in his arms, her little arm draped relaxed over his shoulder. It made me smile to see them doing such a simple, but sweet thing. Our house is empty and quiet now....

Today, we learn the gender of Baby Two. I can't wait. Don't know yet if they'll share the name or not, but some info is forthcoming!!

Dana brought school stuff to share, and we huddled on the loveseat and went over it. She is such a professional, full of passion for her profession. I wish her the very best school year yet!! Children are blessed to have her in their world.

So, with Gregg and Roarke along to finish out the family, it was a great weekend. I am so blessed to have them all in my life - and the fun thing is; I know we're not finished!! More wonderful souls will join their lives to us in the future to complete us, and I can't wait!! Come soon!!

Until then....