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....

What a week!

This has been a really busy week - dentist appointment, 2 doctor's visits, a greatly needed haircut, a good visit with a friend, and now, today my girls' come in to town!! Gregg follows on Friday, then Bekah's reception on Saturday. Whew - I'm exhausted already, but it's all from such good stuff!!

I'm just getting started on Facebook, and it's a trip! Two really neat things have come out of it already - I'm getting reaquainted with my brother Gary's daughter whom I haven't personally talked to in over 20 years! Her life has been apart from ours for a long, long time, and mom kept me up to her whereabouts through Gary, but since Mom died, she's been aol (absent without leave to you older readers!). It's been nice to hear from her!

Also, old classmates are approaching me to see if it's really "me", and that's been fun. I had to laugh out loud yesterday when one asked me if I still walked on my "tip toes." It's odd to me the things we remember about each other! By the way - I don't. I don't know that we will continue long conversations along these lines, but it's been fun to run across their names and catch up.

Well, I'd best go prepare for the girls to arrive. Andy stayed up late to do his part in "Liz - proofin" the place, but I've got chores to do.

Poverty at it's most evident

After leaving Ouray, with it's wonderfully expensive Swiss architecture, we headed South. All through Colorado, we enjoyed the beautiful villages and towns along the way. Even when we went through areas not so economically blessed, they were still - well, attractive in their own way. I guess mountains, streams, and green grass do a lot to "fix up" a joint.

Then, we entered New Mexico and it's Indian Reservations.

Growing up in South Texas, I've seen poverty; I've taught children of poverty, and my own family has known poverty in my parents' past. But not like this.

I tried to explain it to Dana today on the phone; the hovels plunked down with no seemingly rhyme nor reason, surrounded by dirt, dirt, and more dirt. No trees, bushes, plants of any nature other that a weed here and there. The people live in clumps of humanity or solely in the middle of nowhere, where it looks like there is no water for hundreds of miles. Sometimes the doors were open, as if trying to let any semblance of air inside, and sometimes a poor, starving animal would be wondering around as if searching for a drop of water or morsel of food.

On the highways, we would see in the distance a huge casino, calling travelers to come in and try their luck; Andy wouldn't indulge me, but I would have gone in in a heart beat. Those buildings, along with the state-of-the-art schools within the boundaries of the reservations, made me almost sick to look at. A couple of the schools has astroturf football fields, and other niceities. It made me feel like a person coming upon a horrific auto accident; I didn't want to look at these places, but I had to. It was beyond my understanding that people in America could live like these people did. It almost made me ashamed to go past them in my nice, air-conditioned car wearing decent clothing. It mad me sad.

I know that having "things" does not determine happiness or success. I know that people are people no matter their status in society. I know that people can pull themselves out of a situation if the desire is within them. I just had a very hard time fathoming their lives in those conditions. It broke my heart.

Home again

All week, I've been trying to remember the interesting points of our trip to include in this post; not just "stuff" to share, but what made this trip any more special that any other. Here goes:

I never knew the earth was so many colors! New Mexico especially - I saw soil and rocks in every shade known to man almost - not green except for algae - but black, brown (duh!), orange, coral, white, gray, purple. I truly understand why New Mexico is the "Land of Enchantment" with all these colors and textures. The Valley of Fires was very impressive with it's black rock covering mile after mile of ground.

Sometimes, just sittin and watching the folks around you is the best entertainment. In Ouray on Tuesday, a rain "shower" hit as we were going from shop to shop. Luckily, we found an alcove between some buildings that had a place to sit. For 20 minutes, we watched first the rain, then hail fall out of the mountains. The temperature dropped by 20 degrees at least, and the people were a blast to watch. One guy was actually out in it catching it in a cup - must be a fellow Texan!

Ouray, Colorado had 2 places that were "chains" - a Best Western, hidden way off the beaten path, and a Conoco station on the edge of town. Every other shop, market, hotel, or restaurant was local. Not one drive-thru beverage barn to be found; not even a DQ! No pharmacy, no Wal-Mart, no Blockbuster. You are FORCED to take in this quaint, historic little town and make do. Poor us!!

I don't think I would have survived in those mountains during the mining days. Life was just plain hard, and you died young. Going anywhere and getting anything done was a big process, and there wasn't any timed to be bored or in mischief.

The second part of our trip was totally unplanned. We had a little car trouble, and so we needed to get to a dealership. This cut our time in Ouray one day short, and we headed to Durango. Luckily, the car was fine, and so we headed back to Albequerque. Soon, Andy decided we needed to go to 4 Corners; the place where 4 states meet. It is a LONG, slow drive, through some dirty, poor little towns to the Navaho Indian Reservation where 4 Corners is found. When you turn in to this desolate place, you have no idea what is ahead. It was full of folks from all over, laughing and playing; taking pictures of everyone, seeing just how many ways the human body can get itself into all four states at once. A great place to observe people and to call your daughters to share your discovery!!

We went then into Gallup. Ate at Cracker Barrel and slept in white, white sheets at the Hampton Inn.

Next day; the VLA. Very Large Array - the satellites used to look for ET. Again - a long, long drive through more Indian Reservations (another post on another day!) to a spot filled with people. (I kept thinking of Field of Dreams - "If you build it....") It was awesome to see what God has created and allowed His creation to study.

Smoky the Bear Monument. They actually had to smuggle his dead bear body in at night and bury him at 3 am because of all the threats to steal his body! Early Michael Jackson hysteria!!

Back to Roswell; back to home. Tired. Dirty laundry in many bags, some souvenirs and lots of pictures to develop. Lots and lots of miles - 2,400 I believe - in a car with the man I love. Lots of talking, lots of silence as we took it all in. The brain can only hold so much before the facts begin to run together.

It was a good trip.

So far, so good!

Our trip to Colorado has been great, so far. I am posting from a little internet cafe where we had a delicious breakfast. I find this very interesting since this little town has no DQ, drive-through beverage barn or any "Stop and Go' kind of places!

We have met folks from all over, even some Amish - it's a very touristy kind of town, with lots of history and flavor. Yesterday, we took a jeep trip to the top of Imogene Pass (13,113 ft.) and had lots of fun. The roads were treacherous at some points, but our guide was great.

More details later - Andy is ready to move on.

Ready, Set - Go!

Well - Lord willing, tomorrow we head off for our Vacation!! I'm washing and gathering, and listing things we need to remember; battery charger for the camera, phone charger, hotel confirmations - all necessary to make this the wonderful, relaxing get away I've so been anticipating. Andy works all day today, then we'll finish putting things together so we can head out early.

Won't have access to a computer for 8 days; or so I think. I'm selling off my animals and harvesting my plants on Farmtown so it can sit and wait on me, then I'll buy all the animals back when I return. I can only imagine my email after that many days!!

So, until we return, take care! Andy has his cell for emergencies, and maybe a call or two to check in with the girls; otherwise, we will "talk to you later!" Try to stay cool -

Memories of the past

I love my sister-in-law, Christine. She is an amazing mother, wife, and daughter. Her home is welcoming and happy; even when things are hectic, she is calm. She is one of the only things I love about going to Houston, and we never seem to have time to just visit.

A couple of months ago, she began a project that is daunting; she is asking each family member (about 22 of us, not counting Liz!) to answer questions about our childhood. We answer them, and then she plans to put them in a book for us all! I cannot wait to read all the answers, and I look forward to each question.

Here are this week, and next's:

What is a favorite tradition you had in your family?

What is one thing that your parents taught you that you will pass on to your children?

Now, some of these take a while for me to decide, and some come instantly. What I'm looking forward to seeing is how siblings recall the same event or teaching!

How would you answer the questions above?? Share, if you please!

Enough, already!!

It's pretty bad when the thing you look forward to most is not having to cook dinner in a kitchen in July in Texas!! It doesn't matter that the a/c is blowing, by the time I'm finished, I look like I just got out of the shower, and want to get in the shower!! I'm keeping a close eye on the temperature in Colorado; the high today was 79!! I think I can do a few days of that!! Add some majestic peaks and a waterfall, and I just may stay there permanently!! One week to go!

Dana's visit

We've had a nice, long visit with Dana this past week! She came in on Sunday night, and is heading back to Houston in a bit. She's gotten to sleep in, relax with me on the couch, watched a movie or two, had lunch with Jackie, and played Wii with her buddies. It's been so nice to have her here - I never tire of being with her and talking, talking, talking. Andy wonders what it is we talk about - but it's more what don't we talk about. I'm so grateful she and Erin still want to come home!! She is in a good spot in her life; content and optimistic, and that's such a good thing for a mom to see!!

I love the summer for this reason; Dana is here now, then all the group will come in about 3 weeks for a reception, and then I hope to journey back with them to Houston for a few days before the new school year begins. I want a few lazy days with Liz before she outgrows this marvelous stage that she is in right now, and before my ability to just go as I please is replaced by work.

Life is good right now -

Good, good news!!

Dr.'s office called today - all the results are benign!!! Jackie said she knew it, and I wanted to know it, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little anxious when the phone rang!!

So, thanks be to God for His loving care, and thanks to all of you who've been with me through the ordeal!! Now, I can plan on that trip to the mountains with nothing hanging over me!!