The Big Picture

I realize in life, we don't always see the big picture and know why things happen the way they do. Our dog, Jake, that passed away in October, was TERRIFIED of storms. This drove me crazy. Just imagine a 100 lb lab trying to sneak up in your bed during a storm. My vet suggested Benadryl. I thought that was crazy, but we bought some, and amazingly, it worked. Fast forward to today, May 25. Bobby was on his four-wheeler and some insect got under his shirt and stung him.Obviously on a four-wheeler you can't just whip off your shirt as you are driving down the road and check it out, so he waited a few minutes until he could get back to the shed and let me look. It had already swelled and formed a HUGE whelt(SP????). then his hands and feet began to tingle and his upper lip started to swell. So I quickly remembered the Benadryl and gave him 2. It took a few minutes (seemed like an eternity) for it to kick in. In the meantime, he got this rash all over his chest,feet, and neck. You know, when I was questioning the sanity of my vet and buying that Benadryl, had i been able to see the big picture, I would have bought a case. So thanks, Big Jake, for looking out for us, even when you're not here:)

Then..... and Now....

Bobby and I never had children of our own, but I have been blessed with WONDERFUL nieces and nephews. As they are growing up, I have pondered on how they were then and how they are now. First there was Courtney.When i think of her one word comes to mind. OVERACHIEVER. And that's not a bad thing. I can remember when she started school, she would question things from the teacher that she didn't know or understand. AND question a grade if she disagreed. I can remember telling my sister (her mom) she was going to be every teacher nightmare. I should know, as I am a teacher:) That wonderful "overachiever" is now a part-time nurse, wife and wonderful new (stay at home) mom to the apple of all our eyes, Rader.Then came Allison. She should have been mine (at least that is what her mother tells me all the time, "She's just like you"). I feel a kindred spirit with Allison bc we are both that poor middle child. You know the one that feels like they get left out of everything. Allison is like me in many ways, laid back(mostly), expensive taste( at least while I was single), and loves the beach (any and all). She is now a college grad with her masters and getting ready for 2 exciting events, new teaching job and upcoming wedding (welcome to the madness that is our family, Caleb).And the third of my older sister's children, Brandon, AKA the "chosen one" or the "golden child" as referred to by his sisters that love him madly. Brandon was the first boy in a long line of girls. My mom had 3 daughters and the first 2 grandchildren were also girls. We didn't quite know what to do with a boy at first, but learned quickly. I will NEVER forget one visit from Brandon in which my mom (his grandma) and I took him to McD's to eat and play. He decided to climb up inside that outdoor thingy and refused to come down. Guess who got to go in after him:) Never forget that one. Brandon is now getting ready to finish his first year at Cleveland State Community College, where he is playing baseball. Looking forward to seeing what else the future holds for him. My younger sister has 2 children. First, came Kaitlyn. One word for her "drama". Guess that goes along with a typical 8th grader. She will begin her high school career next year. She has wonderful Christian friends at our church, so I think she'll be ok. Then came Kaleb ( a few days earlier than we expected). When i think of Kaleb one word comes to mind "lawnmower". That child would "mow" for hours with his little green plastice mower. We even had to take it to the beach. I try to pray for each one of them daily (future plans, future spouses, ......) 2 down and 3 to go!!!!:)

Let the count down begin.....

When Mrs. Wilson, the K teacher, puts up her duck, I know the countdown (to the end of the year) has begun. I always have a love/hate relationship with this time of year. I FINALLY have the class in some kind of routine and now it's almost over. This will have to start all over again next year:( This has been a good year. A few bumps in the road, but that's normal teaching. Having a new language book next year adds a little stress. This year I had a new science book and pacing myself was HARD. Of course, with new state standards, i had to finish it BEFORE the tests,which btw were in APRIL! Then there is a whole 6 weeks left. For my students,the last TCAP day, they are done and done. School is officially over for them. Too bad we still get another grade card. Need i mention, i hate the fact that the TCAP test is soooo early. It's bad enough to have to get all that "stuff" in so early and then bad because you did get it in and still a whole 6 weeks left to teach. And next year we can all look forward to "Racin to the top". For all the upcoming new teachers, it is hard enough to start out in a new environment, with a group of little people you don't even know or like (at times) and have a new program like this facing you. NO PRESSURE THERE!!

Thanks WBC

On Sunday I was privileged to attend the dedication of my great nephew, Rader. Mother's Day is not one of my favorite holidays. Don't get me wrong, I love my mother and am more thankful for her everyday, but Mother's Day is a constant reminder of something I will never be. Before the service, they had a video honoring all mothers. They even had a clip for "mothers" that had no biological children of their own. These were praised for being mentors for all children in their lives. I hope I have been a good influence on my nieces and nephews, and now young Rader. I also hope I have had a positive effect on the children that have passed through my doors into my classroom. Thank you Westwood Baptist Church for making me feel like a mother:)

Guess It's a Man Thing

There are many things about my husband that I just don't get. At times he can't remember what he had for supper the night before, yet we can be watching a Steelers football game from 1978 and he call tell me exactly where Terry Brawshaw is going to throw the ball, to whom, and whether or not they are going to catch it. Go figure:) He is also very detail oriented. He can smell new shoes in the closet. I can buy something new to wear, hang it in the closet for 6 months, take it out and wear it and he'll say, "Got a new outfit didn't you?". He notices things I don't even pay attention to. He can tell you on what row in the field or in the green house where something is beginning to ripen. And trust me, NO ONE at my house gets to sample that first juicy, ripe strawberry or the nice red,ripe tomato until we have had the first real picking and sold a few. I have some REALLY juicy looking berries just asking to be sampled, but I don't dare. He knows where almost everyone is located and would definitely notice a bare stem. And then there are the times I tell him about things I have planned that are coming up, and the day of it he will swear I never mentioned it. We all know they hear, they just don't listen. When fall of the year rolls around, and things slow down just a little, I am going to have to channel that detail orientation to something else. Maybe housework. HUMMMMM

Fighting Mother Nature

You don't know just how powerful the weather can be until your livlihood depends on it. Not that we would be broke without it, but it is a good supplemental income. For the second time since April 1st, we have spent half the night calling time and temperature and checking the Weather Channel on the TV. Hopefully, this will be our last bought with Jack Frost:) I don't think I can take many more sleepless nights. I just want warm weather to get here (had enough cold this winter) and stay.