Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Dine

As part of a project, I have a turn with this table and chair. They are minuscule and it was hard to come up with something creative! After several attempts that turned into a big, fat FAIL, I saw the old dictionary on the bookshelf. This dictionary was my mother's when she was in high school and I've had them since I was in the 4th grade.

A dictionary represents who I am as I love to read and I'm an educator.

Now, the table and chairs will be on their merry little way to Rebecca in Virginia.

Thanks to Machel Spence for letting me be a part of this project! It was fun!

Monday, August 30, 2010

"The light is what guides you home, the warmth is what keeps you there." ~ Ellie Rodriquez

A busy weekend... A lot of travel... A late arrival home

Happy visits... Happy to be back home...

Peachtree Something

Sunday's picture....

We headed over to Atlanta from Athens so that we could see the youngest son's girlfriend at her university. It was a great trip down memory lane as her university is near where I used to live 20 years ago.

I do not, I repeat, do NOT miss the traffic in Atlanta.

Unexpected

Saturday's picture....

While in Athens, GA, we spent the day shopping in junk shops. We found a fantastic TV table for cheap ~ then, the paint cost more than we spent on the table. We painted the table and it is perfect for the oldest girl's room.

Also, while in one junk shop, we found a video that was something about the "Psycho Social Ramifications of Dealing with Genital Herpes." My step-daughter had to have it so that she could play a joke on her roommates. It was the best fifty cents we spent over the weekend.

Gifts

Friday's picture...

A happy family is a gift. We drove to Athens for the weekend to visit my husband's girls. I'm a lucky girl to have step-daughters who are so nice and accepting. We spent the evening hanging out together downtown.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

"You've got to get up every morning with determination if you are going to go to bed with satisfaction." George Lorimer

The best part about spring, summer, and fall is coming home while the sun is still shining.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Life is in the details

Though there are a few details I'd like to forget from today.

Today, we had a student announce to the lunchroom that he was STILL constipated. He gave some graphic details that might deter me from ever eating lunch again.

If I could patent it, I might be on to the next great diet plan!

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Monday, August 23, 2010

Dear Gus

Dear Gus,

I'd like to tell you a story about a girl. She was 12 years old when she found out her father had cancer. She remembered the whispering and the looks of pity she received from well-meaning people. Many times, she wanted to yell at them to stop whispering and staring. She believed with all her heart her father would get well again. Her father believed, too.

But he didn't. Just four months after finding out about the cancer, her father died.

The girl couldn't cry. It wasn't because she wasn't sad; she just couldn't believe it was real. Father's weren't suppose to die while girls were still growing up.

As time passed, the girl began to mark time from the landmark of her father's death. At times when she least expected it, like during a basketball game or when washing her hair, emotions would bubble to the surface and the tears would fall.

The girl grew older. At times, she tired of being the girl whose father died. At other times, she liked remembering how it was when he was still alive. Sometimes she'd dream that she could talk to him.

The girl never quit missing her father. In fact, she learned to see him in the unexpected things. A star that twinkled. A lone insect making music. A flower hidden in the undergrowth.

Over time, the girl grew up.

One day, the grown up girl was talking with her friends about lessons learned from their parents. It was then that she realized she had learned the best lesson of them all, "Never take things for granted", for she understood that everything could change in a moment. It was the greatest lesson of them all and she learned to life live to its fullest and to love with no reservations.

Her father had left the girl that gift.

Gus, I know this to be true because thirty years ago, I was that girl.

Since that day in May when I first heard about your mother and the cancer, I've had you in my thoughts. I am so sorry the world has lost your sweet mother. Learn to look for her in the little things and she'll be there. In time, you'll hurt a little less but understand that the loss will never fully go away.

And remember, despite the hurt and the loss, live life to its fullest and love with no reservations. Your mother would want that for you.

All my love,

Beth

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Life

The grocery store experience was much cheaper today now that there are no starving teenagers lounging about the house.

My youngest son called me earlier today. He will be spending the next 6 days on an organic farm where he'll meet other freshmen while working with the vegetables. The irony is that when he was in elementary school he only, willingly, ate one vegetable. Pickles. Though I'm not sure the vinegar content really allows for them to be classified as vegetables.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Wilt

August heat is taking a toll on the garden.

As soon as I got home, I busied myself watering plants, doing laundry, vacuuming the floors.

I'm ready for this child-less house to feel normal. Nothing feels normal right now.

Empty Nesters

Friday's picture....

We dropped my youngest son off at the airport and I tried so hard not to cry - but when I saw the tears in my husband's eyes, the floodgates were opened. Several people smiled at us as we walked out of the airport wiping away our tears.

Instead of going back to an empty house, my husband took me to the coolest little Bed and Breakfast in St. Augustine. We walked around downtown and began the beginning of our empty nest adventures.

I only called the boy twice. And texted three times.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Haze

Too many things going on. At work. At home.

We leave bright and early tomorrow morning to take the boy to the airport to fly almost one thousand miles away.

So far away.

He is ready to soar.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Breathe

Worries... Fears... Sleepless nights...

I swear, Lifetime might want to make a movie about the stuff that is going on with a student at my school right now. And I want Meg Ryan (the Meg Ryan before all the plastic surgery) to play the part of me.

If I could tell, I would. Then again, it is so wild, you probably wouldn't believe it.

Sitting in the sticky afternoon heat watching the sun sink a little lower in the sky reminds me to breathe. Deep breaths.

I wish I could convince myself that she'll be okay.


Home

Was at an awful conference yesterday put on by a department in our state education program. One of the speakers was telling us about all the upcoming changes but she was wearing a rainbow shawl with peace signs all over it. It was hilarious and hard to take her seriously.

When I got home, Mili was the most excited one to see me. I missed that silly, poopy thing.

"Life is the art of drawing without an eraser." ~ John W. Gardner

Monday's picture... I had to go out of town for a conference and I've gotten a cold to beat all colds. This picture was actually taken last Friday.

Ok... confession over.

Time to get to work.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Cake!

Tomorrow is my birthday. And I had my cake the day before - so I have a lot of reasons to smile!

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Splash!

A going away party was had for the boy and his girlfriend. We got to swim in between the thunderstorms. It was a great day filled with fun and laughter.

I can't believe they'll both be gone on Friday.


Friday, August 13, 2010

It's not the heat, it's the humidity

The muggy heat is draining and I can't seem to stay outside for any considerable length of time. And I like being outside.

I had to keep wiping the moisture from my lens. I do; however, like how the condensation makes it look faded around the edges of this picture.

This afternoon, the bees were all over the basil blooms. We have several basil plants and we let one bloom for the bees. Supposedly, the blooms make the leaves have a bitter taste. It might be true (and maybe it is just me) but I can't taste the difference between a bloomed basil leaf and an unbloomed basil leaf.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

I like them, I really like them

When I was a teenager, I remember my mother saying, "I love you but I don't like you right now."

I can't say that about my boys. My youngest son and his girlfriend went to dinner with us. They are fun. They like to laugh and play. And they actually seem to enjoy hanging out with the parental units.

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

At school, I love to spend time with the children during lunch time. I often pretend that my feelings are hurt because they didn't bring me a lunch. Today, a first grader brought me a sandwich. He'd made it himself.

It was the best ham and cheese sandwich I've ever had!

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Fade

There were some challenges today. The way I see it, I can laugh about it or I can cry. And I don't like crying.

My favorite conversation of the day:
Upset student: "That kid told a lie to the teacher about me."
Me: "Well, what did he say?"
Upset student: "I don't know but I know it was a lie and I'm all about the truth."


Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Feathered by the sunlight

The school year is off to a rollicking good time! We have a few new kids who may or may not be the source of much entertainment.

Especially the one who keeps telling his teacher to leave him alone and go teach. Even the teacher has had to laugh because it sure beats crying. We could say that this new student and I are bonding.

Monday, August 9, 2010

Ordinary can become extraordinary if you look at it long enough

The day I started hanging my dangle earrings on vintage teacups, they became so much more beautiful to me. And by they, I mean both the earrings and the teacups.

Sunday, August 8, 2010

The greatest treasures are invisible to the eye but found by the heart.

Saw these jagged little hearts on my run yesterday morning and knew I had to go back with a camera. Nature and her quirky shapes amaze me as much as sunsets inspire me.

The best reason to eat cake

Ray turned FOUR. His mother turned FORTY. It was an awesome birthday weekend!

Saturday's picture uploaded on Sunday due to a computer virus. Thankfully, Horatio (the laptop) was able to be saved.

Friday, August 6, 2010

A new beginning

It was an awesome first day of school! As usual, we had a few tearful parents at the annual "Boo Hoo Woo Hoo" breakfast. I understand. Time passes so quickly once you have kids.

There was a dad who was almost giddy. Today, his triplets started preschool. I think I saw him skip down the hallway.

I understand that, too.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Know your limits, but don't accept them...

Today was Open House for the students and parents. I loved every minute of it! I am so excited about school starting back tomorrow. Right now, my feet hurt.

Also, we celebrated one of my best friends 40th birthday! She rocks! And she looks no older than a 30 year old (if that!). It was a perfect ending to a fantastic day ~ plus, I needed a good excuse to eat a peanut butter burger (don't judge unless you've had one!).

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Sun Therapy

Today, I let someone get under my skin. To help shake it off, I came home (late) and then dug around in the yard. Since I couldn't find my spade, I used a spoon from the silver drawer. That helped make me happy again.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Pavement Wars

Before my husband and I were married, he would park in the middle of the two-car garage leaving no room for my car. After many moments of exasperation, my husband finally marked the two sides of the garage with His and Hers. Most of the time, this seems to help him remember where to park.

Today, we sold my youngest son's car since he won't be taking it with him for college. The sun hadn't even set before he asked to borrow my car. I wonder if he'll be able to handle parking in such a feminine place when he comes home.

Monday, August 2, 2010

Moment of tranquility

A quick snap after a busy day. It was a GREAT day!

And now I'm ready for bed.

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Adding to the list

The teachers start back tomorrow and my mind is racing to try and organize everything I need to do. So far, I have about four lists written down. There are thirty-three more circulating in my brain.

I am so excited! The beginning of the school year is just so darn exciting!

It is always fun to see the teachers when they return but the best part for me is when the kids come back (which will be on Friday). I just can't wait!