Huntsville on my mind

Lately, I've been thinking about Huntsville a lot. It's where Andy and I met, married, had Dana, and lived very happily for about 10 years. Our dear friends, the Tissues, were a big part of our happiness, as was the congregation where we worshipped. I've often said leaving Huntsville was one of the saddest days of my life. And lately, I want to go back and visit - to see the campus of our youth (I don't know if I could manuever the hills or not!), to attend worship with the saints there, and to feel and see the beauty of East Texas.

I think the reason for my yearning is Liz. This part of Erin and Gregg's life takes me back there - before we knew that life can be hard, and dreamed big dreams - some of which have come true, but not all. It was a sweet time for us, and I'd like to renew that feeling, if just for a few days....

Most of the people we knew there are no longer there; some from moving, but most from passing from this life to the next. The Lasaters, Bro. Kramer, Faye Lassiter, Betty Waldron and more. They played a role in our life of example, caring and faithfulness. The Tissues have moved on in their life as well, and driving through the old neighborhood makes me sad, but also brings back sweet, sweet memories of when my babies were young and we thought our whole life was still ahead of us.

Long ago, we said we would return there to live at retirement, but I don't think that will happen. Our life is here, now, and I imagine we will stay. But sometimes, lately, I sure miss Huntsville!!

Funny quote of the day

Since I haven't had but a few kids today, I have to borrow a quote from another person on campus....

"Mrs. P, what do you want for Christmas?"

"What I want is for you to go all week without getting a signature in your planner." (Discipline method used to communicate with parents.)

Moments pass while he considers this probability.

"What else would you like?!?"


And that's how it goes this time of year.


Happy Day!!

Well, the semester ends tomorrow. I have a few students strolling in and out - the kids at Primary are being treated to "The Polar Express" at the local theatre, and so I am having an easy day here. Elementary will be my regular groups, except one class will be out on a field trip. YIPPEE - it's the class that gives me a headache every single day. They aren't bad boys - they are just LOUD when they talk. I really don't think they mean to be, because as soon as I close my eyes, their volumn goes down!!

I'm really looking forward to the break, however it is filling up with only one day before Christmas not booked with errands or invitations somewhere. After the big day, and Lindsey's wedding, the week following should be nice and quiet. Someday, I want to go somewhere snow-filled for that week!!

Have a wonderful, Christmascy day!!

Even though I get "offended" when a child asks me if I am, or have ever been, a "real teacher," it's days like today that I am glad that I am not. My students are all at an assembly, so I get to catch up on other things or relax before they return. While I do miss the excitement of parties (not the mayhem, just the excitement), and never cash in on the load of gifts (candles, socks, and lots of cheap perfume!), I don't miss the long, long days of the week before Christmas. I get to see the children in small doses, and listen to the wishes and dreams when they come, my routine is much calmer these days. And best of all, I still get the two weeks' vacation!!

I like my job!!

Grace Received in Large Measure

We always talk about the grace we receive from God, and it is a wonderful concept, but sometimes I have felt it is a little abstract for my comprehension. Not after today, because I received it in human form when I should have been bludgeoned, scorned, yelled at... you get the idea. I will try to make it a short version.

We are doing these tests called Benchmarks, where I take my students in a small group to another room and read the questions and answer choices to them. Today was Math, and we were testing along, when one of my students said he needed a Hundred's chart. None to be found, I told him just to try another method to solve the problem. He asked me to write the chart on the board, so I did; but only to 50 as that was all he needed. Fine; he solves his problem, we continue, and they finished the test.
About an hour after my writing the numbers, the librarian comes in to get a teacher a laptop. I tell her that something is wrong, that the board would not erase. Now, this is a white board on rollers, and I was SURE I had used a dry-erase marker to write with. She turned and looked at the board, and her face went as white as the board itself. Her eyes bugged, and watered up, and she mumbled out, "That is not a dry-erase board. It is a, and called the name, which I have already forgotten, but it starts with a P." I could tell I really had messed up. I told her I would pay to clean it, or replace it or whatever, that it was truly and accident. That is when she told me that it costs $4,000 and has never been used. It works with a computer and uses a specific pen to write with. Then, she left the room. I felt like throwing up, and my little boys were suddenly very quiet.
"Miss, we will bring money to help you."
"We will help you pay for it."
"Are you going to have money left for food?"

Next, the door opened, and the principal walked in. She stopped beside me and just looked at the board. Then, she patted my shoulder, and smiled. "Don't worry, Amy. It is a thing, and things can be replaced. We will call the company and see what they say to clean it. Don't feel bad." DON'T FEEL BAD??? My stomach by now is way up in my throat, and I'm wondering how Andy is going to take this news. She leaves the room, and I want to vomit, but I've got to sit with the little boys and try to control them when all I want to do is cry big, wet, loud tears. $4000. (One boy asked me if I made that much in a year....)

Eventually, a couple of ladies came in. They had talked to the company who told them to get it off AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I did not volunteer that it had, by now, been about 2 hours. She had baby wipes and cleaner for dry-erase boards. Very timidly, with all our eyes focused on her arm and the boys crossing every body part they could, she sprayed on the first number and wiped.

It worked. Praise God. It worked. She had to wipe and wipe, and the principal came in to see, and the boys were sent back to their rooms. I sat there a bit, knowing that today, I am the talk of the campus.

The principal is going to post a sign on the corner of the board now, explaining that it is not to be written on, just in case.

Grace. So appreciated this day.

Give a kid a color...

I love to color. I love to give kids a crayon and turn them loose. They tell you all the things they probably shouldn't, and you gain a wealth of knowledge about them and their family.

Here's my favorite conversation overheard last week:

"Did you know that Santa gets his Good Kid and Bad Kid list from Jesus?"
"The list that says who gets toys at Christmas?"
"Yes - Santa and Jesus are best friends, so Jesus gives his list to Santa. That big book has all the names in it. That way he knows who to take toys to."

Go figure!!

Not my doings!

If you've noticed the picture of Liz and me, and the links to the side of my post, you may think this old dog had learned some new computer skills. While I'd like to think I will someday by able to, I have to give the credit to these additions to Erin.

While we were in Houston to visit and support the Johnsons a while back, I asked her to add the links for me... and promptly forgot I'd asked. A nice surprise yesterday to find them there!! Thanks, Erin!!

Hope you have a good weekend. We are going to the Riverwalk with the church folk Saturday night, and then have the bi-monthly elders/wives' luncheon at the Evans' following morning worship. Translation - I don't have to cook all weekend!! Yippee !!

How time flies!

I can't believe I have not posted in almost a week! I thought I had, but now know that I was mistaken....

Coming back to school after a long break is not easy, especially when a longer one is looming in the near future! Teachers are spoiled, as I've said before, and we covet out time away. All jobs have their stress, but the only one I'll say is more stressful might be air traffic controller or soldier in Iraq. Children excited about Christmas and stressed-out administrators make life hard unless you can put it aside and just think about what is ahead; for me, it a first Christmas with Elizabeth!!

Erin has posted some wonderful newborn pictures they had taken; you can see them at http://www.johnson-junk-drawer.blogspot.com/ She is a most beautiful and serene young lady. To quote a frame I gave to Erin: She has her mother's beauty.

Now, to get ready for my next group -

A wonderful life

Today was a wonderful day. We started off with the Macy's parade and watched the whole thing - all the way to Santa. Dana curled up on the couch, reliving to us her trip with Erin to NYC a few years ago, and how wonderful it was. Wishing her sister and family were with us, but knowing we will see them soon.

Then, we got our food ready, showered and headed to the Hutton's for a feast. All the traditional food is here, and delicious - pie to come when we have room. Played Wii after the meal - ask Dana about tennis! - and then some board games. They are in the kitchen putting up the food while I do this - oops.

Next, the Ags face the Longhorns. Should be a bloodbath, but we have hope.

It's been a great day. So much to be thankful for!!!

An early Christmas!!

Manu is back!!! He played for the first time this season last night, and it was a glorious sight to behold!! The man looked GOOD - no limping, falling or grimacing in pain; just steals, feats of acrobatic wonder and that cute little pump he does with his arm when he makes a play! I have to admit a little crush here- he's just so cute, even with his bald spot! So, now the Spurs can resume their season full blast when Tony returns and the new guys hit their stride.

Can we dare to hope for Ring # 5?!?

Go, Spurs, Go!!

My favorite phobia

Are you phobic about anything? I guess everyone is about something, but mine has really come back to haunt me.

As a child, I never was taken to the dentist. My first experience was one of sitting in the library watching a film about a bear when I suddenly fell to the floor in tremendous pain from an unexpected toothache. The teacher called my mother and she took me to the local dentist who sidelined as an interogist for the CIA using torture. Not really. In fact, he was a relative, which made matters worse!!

So. Over the years, my dealings with the dentist have been sporadic and fearful. I had 2 or 3 that I really liked, but either I moved or one committed suicide. (That REALLY did not help me!) I was always good about taking the girls and keeping up with their visits, but could not make myself go. At one point, I drove to the office 3 times and left without ever going in.

Now, here I am at 53 with a mess of a mouth. I have to go, and soon. I'm not in pain, but I know it will come if I don't take care of it. To top it off, I just found out my dentist does not have nitrous oxide anymore, which made my getting in the chair a lot easier. Now, it will only be the happy pill and me.

Silly, right? But even now, as I sit here, my stomach is quaking with the thought of it. I really need help....

The reality of school

Every day, I travel from one campus to another. The first campus is the Primary, which houses grades K,1, and 2. After finishing with those groups, I go to the Elementary, which is 3rd and 4th grade. Day after day, I am reminded how different these campuses are from one another. Even though they are in the same district, and there is good communication between them, it is still astounding to me.

At the Primary, the goal of the teachers, plainly stated orally and in writing in several places, is to "make it a good day" for the children. After going everyday so far this year, I have heard only 1 person speak harshly to the children, and it wasn't all that harsh! I am always reminded that these are young children, in formative years, and that it is my responsibility to not "harm" them in any way.
While I find some of it really sugary-sweet, I am touched by the tenderness with which each one it greeted and treated. I would like to be a child at that school...

When they reach Elementary, everything shifts into a whole other gear. Gone are the soft, tender voices (I'm not saying the staff isn't loving - just not baby-ing.) and the determination to make every situation one that is beneficial to the child. The children at Elementary are facing the world of state mandated testing, and it drives how they act, how they approach things, and how they are expected to manage their own lives. Gone is the mother; now the teacher is a guide, a facilitator - a teacher of higher expectations academically. The kids handle the transition well; it's just sad to me that they have to deal with the stress at this age.

I'm glad I went to school when I did. Hours of handwriting to make sure we had good penmanship, holiday activities, recess !, listening to my teachers read novels to us daily... and I turned out pretty smart! Somewhere along the line, those in charge decided kids need to be grown up by age 7. I disagree, but I'm not in charge.

So, I'll keep walking in daily with 4 and 5 year olds going into school with backpacks bigger than they are. I'll work until I retire making the lives I touch a little less stressful and more fun. I'll try to delay the inevitable as long as possible.

I'm searching for this candle....

We had a wonderful time in Cypress with the Johnsons this past weekend - little Liz is filling out nicely, and Erin looks wonderful! We kept her all by ourselves while Mom and Dad went out to eat, but they didn't stay long. I'm glad to report that all went well on our end, and Liz was none the wiser!

All the way home, I would move, and a whiff of her would fill my brain and heart. I hate to wash that blouse, because then it will be gone. So, I want a Liz candle; that combination of sweet breath, baby bath and baby laundry soap. It would hold me over until I see her again -

This grandma thing is pretty wonderful!

Lucky Little Liz

There are so many ways that Liz is going to have a good life; her parents love God and each other with all their hearts, are committed to their marriage, and will make sure her life has all it needs to be safe, healthy and secure. She has a wonderful Aunt Dana who adores her and two sets of grandparents who could easily spend every moment looking at her and teaching her all about life. She has a great dog to play with and lots of little friends already in her "circle."

But today's post by Erin made me laugh and know for sure her life will be fun as well!

Lucky, lucky Liz!

What to do?!?!?

If you were to receive a windfall, what would you do with it? Think you know right away?? Well, it's driving me nuts... a new incentive to keep teachers in the district and reward them has a little check coming my way in December. At first, I knew right away what I wanted to spend it on, but as the time nears, I find myself with a list of several, really good options. (Andy and I always give carte-blanche to the person receiving the windfall, so the decision is mine and mine alone.) I most likely go with my first impulse, but I find myself not wanting to regret it and wish I'd chosen another use. What an awful dilemna!!

Do I go with my first impulse, draw out of a hat, play scissor, paper, rocks? Let it sit in the bank until I'm sure? Help ?!?!

Veteran's Day, 2008

Coming to school today, I was filled with thoughts about the Veterans that I know. I hope they know how much we love and honor them -

Curtis Knight - my uncle who fought WWII with his brothers, received the purple heart when shot clean through the lung. His brother Jack received the Congressional Medal of Honor and was lost at sea when shot down. America meant the world to those brothers.

My dad - not truly a Veteran, but worked Civil Service all my life for his government. Instrumental in developement of the C-5 bomber that still flies over San Antonio.

Robert Hutton and his sons - I always pray for their safety - they are such good men.

My father in Law- Frank LaMore. A Navy man that didn't talk much about his service until these later years. I guess some things you don't talk about.

Tyler Bryan - a new Marine. I hope he stays safe.

And today, I'm thinking of Elizabeth. What does this world hold for her and her generation? Will America remain strong and safe? Will she face fears and sacrifices her mother and aunt never faced? Let's hope these military men and women of today and our future continue the strong determination of our Veterans to ensure their lives and freedoms.

An accappella weekend

"Sing them over again to me, Wonderful Words of Life
Let me more of their beauty see, Wonderful Words of Life.
Words so sweetly given, wooing us to Heaven -
Beautiful words, wonderful words, Wonderful Words of Life -
Beautiful words, wonderful words, Wonderful Words of Life!"

We had a great weekend!! Saturday night, we had some folks over to sing - hadn't done that in a while, and it was past time. Not the largest crowd, but the ones who came sang and sang with energy and passion. We sang old songs, new songs, Christmas songs - everyone just called out their number and we sang. Very sweet. The oldest person there was 93, the youngest 30. We sang until everyone was pretty well worn out, ate a few cookies, visited a minute and then called it a night.

Yesterday, the singing continued - Jamie did a wonderful job leading us, and we sang in praise and worship to the Father. You just cannot beat 4 part harmony for stirring the soul. I hope He felt our love and adoration -

To finish the night, we went to Whataburger; 4 couples for a burger. While there, a singing group from another church came in, and when they were all seated, began singing "Sanctuary!" Well, we just jumped right in with them! You should have seen some of their faces - like, "How do they know this song and those parts?!" It was great - reminded me of singing in DQs in my college years. One of our men was impressed that they could pull it off accappella - just goes to show you!!

What a great weekend!!

Mothers and daughters -

Today is my mother's birthday. She would be 81 had she lived; that is hard to imagine! Lately, with Elizabeth being born, she has been on my mind a lot, and I think she would be pretty excited. With Elizabeth, the use of that name in my family is extended now to 9 generations - something she would point out to everyone. She liked to call Dana that, just to get our goat, and would continue it here as well. She really liked to joke around with folks, and always grumbled that I was not able to "take a joke." I won't go into it here.....

Now that I am a grandmother, I wish that she were still around for Dana and Erin. She had so many talents and abilities to share with them. But unfortunately, the end of her life was not affording her the opportunities to use them. Our loss as well as hers.

As time passes, I recall more often the good things about my mom and our relationship, and I hope my girls do, to. She was their Granny.

No, Spurs, No!

Man... first, the election, then I find my Spurs at 0-3 for the first time in their history!! The moon must be full, or the apacolypse (sp) is near. Elizabeth is in the hospital, so that adds to my stress (She is fine; needed some antibiotics and fluids). I am in a funk, and need some good news to perk me up -

All I know is, life will go on. My Father is in control.

Well...

After a long, long season of campaigning, it's here. I keep thinking that we are going to go back to the racial strife of the 60s, and I really really hope I am wrong. I voted, as I have in every election for President since I was 18, and this one felt ominous. I know God is in control, I trust in the American process, and I hope that peace prevails.

May God bless America.