Waiting for ghouls

Spent the afternoon strolling around a local cemetery. There were actors representing prominent people from my town's past. Some of my favorite stories: the trainer who was killed by his elephant (the elephant was killed the next day after rampaging through the town), Doc Holliday's father who was once the mayor of my town (Doc Holliday lived in my town, too, before he went to school to be a dentist and then later to be Wyatt Earp's sidekick), the slaves who fought for the confederacy, and the first Jewish man to establish a business in my town.

It was perfect weather and a great way to spend Halloween.

By the way, I really love my iPhone! I'm joining a challenge to take pictures with my iPhone all week! I love my iPhone camera! And all the cool apps for photography (this was taken with Hipstamatic).

Pumpkin

Today, I got an iPhone! Yipeee! So, today you get a picture from the iPhone of the pumpkin I love!

Backtracking

Early this morning, Mili woke us up crying and whining. Her legs were in spasms and she looked so scared! I wrapped her up in a blanket and just held her until the vet's office opened.

After a round of steroids and orders to keep her contained, I got to spring her from "pet prison" and take her home.

That darn back can be so pesky!

Drip

Busy day. Long day. Took one picture. Bleh. Threw on a texture. Tolerable....

Pig on the Playground

Meet Bacon. She came to play with us at school for Cowboy Day!

You should have heard her squealing in the hallway when it was time to go home. It was as loud as a fire drill!

The truth

Student: "You know those keys you get in the mail that go to a car? Well, my mom took me to the dealership and I won a car!"

Me (giving him a look): "Are you sure?"

Student: "Well, that's not really the truth.... (Pause) Ummmm.... But I did win second place and that was a flat screen TV!"

Me (still giving him the look)

Student: "I think I should just eat my lunch now."

This from the student who tried to convince me that he went parachuting over the weekend. There are a lot of tall tales that come from his mouth.

One day, he'll probably learn to tell the truth. For now, I just enjoy the heck out of him.

Firecracker, firecracker

I have no idea what kind of plant this is but it is blooming in front of my house. It reminds me of a firecracker!

On the run

I wish I could take my camera with me on some of my runs. I've seen the coolest things (owls peering out of trees, gorgeous flowers, fabulous sunlight, hopping rabbits, and more). Sometimes, simple little things get my attention. For instance, there is an old cemetery I love to run by - the moss covered oak trees offer shade and there is just a serene feel to the area. Yesterday, I noticed some of the leaves from the ivy that hangs over a wall were beginning to turn red. So, early this morning, I went for a walk and headed back to the cemetery to get this picture.

I still want a camera to take on my runs. Are there any that are drop-proof, sweat-proof, and basically don't weigh anything?

Princess time

This dress, purchased at a vintage store, turned me into the queen of the school one day a couple of years ago (I got to make decrees all day long. One was no tests for the day!). Tonight, I used the dress to get dressed up to be a princess for a Halloween party.

When I first spied this dress, I knew I had to have it! The details are awesome and there are even little feathers all along the skirting. It just made me laugh though I probably shouldn't laugh at a dress that was once a wedding dress. Because seriously, this was the dress someone wore to declare their love for someone.

When was it ever cool to get married in feathers?

Dinner for one

Actually, I had dinner with friends... Indian cuisine. Want to smell my curried breath?

The warmth at the end of the day

Have I ever said how much I love my students? I do! The adults never make flowers out of their napkins. And they never wipe their mouths on their sleeves either.

Too much information

Student scratching his arm in the lunchroom : "I've really got eczema bad."

Me: "It looks like you do!"

Student continuing to scratch: "It really gets really, really bad every time I wet the bed...."

Me: "Whoa, whoa, whoa.... remember about sharing too much information." (We've discussed the topic of 'Too Much Information' before. On more than one occasion. On more occasions than I have fingers.)

Student still scratching: "Oh yeah, yeah. Ok. My eczema gets really bad every time I go number one in my bed."

Trust me when I tell you that you don't want to know what happens when he swallows too much gum. For some students, there are absolutely no secrets. None.

Sensory overload

I just need to go to bed now.

Baby Ducks and Bokeh

Today, I learned that I can eat an entire peanut butter and jelly sandwich in four bites. That's how I roll when I finally get to eat lunch at 5:30 p.m.

Flutterby

It was a gorgeous day. Even the butterflies were full of energy from the sun.

I have been loving the cool mornings and evenings with the warm afternoons. It could stay like this forever and I'd be happy!

Three Friends

I have a confession to make. I didn't take my camera to my class reunion. I just didn't want to deal with it.

Instead, my friends and I danced and danced and danced.

Clueless

Twenty-five years ago (minus a few months), I was in high school and completely unsure of my plans for the future. Last night, a group of us met in the park for a tailgating party before the football game. It has been 25 years since we wore obnoxious day-glo colors. It has been 25 years since that mullet hair cut. It has been 25 years since we danced to "No Parking on the Dance Floor."

Funny how I thought I'd never forget my time in high school. I should have studied the yearbook the week before the reunion.

Who are some of these people?

Just smile

Smile even when you don't feel like it (and a parent is calling you bad names).

Smile at the children (even when they have attitude issues and want to fight).

Smile at the teachers (even when they are angry about a small issue out of your control).

Smile at the beginning of the day (even when a bus driver has a dead battery).

Smile at the end of the day (even when your boss calls you to tell you about a complaining parent).

Just smile.

Priorities

Today, I was reminded that life is sometimes so short. There are no guarantees. So forgive. Give. Love. Love a lot. Smile even when you don't feel like it.

Because in the end, those are the things that matter most in life.

Tangled

Oh, the tangled webs we weave.... If only the adults would learn to tell the truth....

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

Conversation of the day.

Student: "I brung crispy turkey bacon for lunch today!"

Me: "I see that."

Student: "Do you know how long it takes to cook turkey bacon?"

Me: "I think so. Do you know how long?"

Student: "Yeah.... a lifetime!"

What made it even funnier was that he was serious. The rest of the conversation was about how he ate a cooked squirrel once at his grandpa's house but his mother wouldn't let him eat more because it was bad for his teeth. Yeah, right.

And they pay me for this job! :)

Tea Olive Tree

The tea olive tree is in bloom and that just makes me happy! I have many favorite plants but I think a blooming tea olive tree is my most favorite of my favorites.

"People love others not for who they are but for how they make them feel." ~ Irwin Federman

There are many things to love about today!

* I spent the whole day with friends and family.

* I tried a new recipe for Butternut Squash Soup that was a keeper (there is only one bowl left... and it is mine!).

* I got to sleep in (hey, anything after 7 a.m. is considered to be sleeping in for me) and then go out for breakfast.

* Mili has a new dog friend named Cookie and she got to play with her today.

* I am kind-of-sort-of caught up on the laundry.

* I got slightly organized for work for the upcoming week.

In the eye of the beholder

To some, this would be just a weed. Actually, to most, this would be just a weed.

For me, it was the only chance I took to take a quick picture in the field where I parked my car. I worked with my husband all day as he prepared and served for two different weddings.

And once again I am reminded of how awesomely fun it is to be sober whilst watching inebriated people dance. What a blast!

Lessons

There were several lessons learned today. One is when you tell your secretary to call security, the hostile person gets quiet and leaves. The other is that there are more than one F-words. Apparently, the word "fart" can be classified as the F-word to some.

And that F-word thing made my day!

Possibilities

The birds have been ignoring this particular feeder now that we've moved it to the front yard. It may or may not have anything to do with the four cats who live next door. As a result, some of the seeds have begun to sprout.

For some reason, the fact that the seeds sprouted in the feeder just inspires me. I need to do a better job of remembering the possibilities more than seeing the limitations.

A public service announcement

October is Fire Prevention Week and to commemorate the importance of this, the kids got to see a fire prevention program. At the end of the show, they were whisked outside for a quick little show with the fire trucks.

I love the way kids love fire trucks!

Now, please go check the battery in your smoke detector. I'll sleep much better if you do.

Frazzled

I really don't feel frazzled today although that was the word that came to mind when I saw this poor little flower. Actually, it was a great day.

I had a *serious* conversation at lunch with some 8 year old girls who "actually, really, really love Justin Bieber." How can you not smile at that?

Cicada molt

As I was browsing about the garden, I found this cicada shell. I've always wanted to see the molting process (in real life... not on a video) but alas, I only seem to find the shells after the fact. I used to have a big collection of these when I was a kid. I left it alone though part of me wanted to bring the shell in as a reminder of my youth.

SOOC

Sunroof

I could live under these Elephant Ear plants with a view like this one. It was a beautiful day and a fantastic weekend!

If you hear banjo music.... dance!

Saturday's picture...

The twin brother of the bride played his banjo. He even let his little nephew strum a few chords.

If life gives you limes...

Friday's picture....

There are many things I love about the south. Margaritas served from a Mason jar is just one of them.

This shot is SOOC from a fabulous wedding rehearsal party on the Georgia coast.