How many kids do you have???

Well, I guess today I really didn't know because I forgot how many I have and left one standing in the rain as I happily pulled away. I was off today to take my oldest for an eye exam. It was pouring rain and so I pulled over to the school parking lot to pick up my other two kids. I was also getting my youngest son's friend. The two boys came out of the building and since Gray isn't used to me picking them up, I had to motioned for them to hop in my car and not my neighbors car. They (Gray and his friend) hopped right on in and away I went. We got in the door of the house and I said, "Where is Autumn?" Then I realized that she was still AT school. I threw my shoes back on and grabbed the keys and out the door I went. Luckily for her my neighbor saw her standing in the pouring rain and brought her home just as I was walking out the door. I was dying laughing to think that I forgot I have a daughter. Autumn said that she came out of the school just as I was happily pulling away. Her first thought was, "I can't believe I am going to have to walk home in this rain." I must be getting old and forgetful.

Real Life TRAUMA IN THE ER

My sister was driving home from a church event New Year's Eve with her husband, son, preacher and his wife. My sister was driving and the preacher's wife was in the rear seat. They were on I65 near the Finley exit. A car pulled up beside them and SHOT my sister's friend!!!!. They called 911 and told the police they were getting off the interstate at the Flying J truck stop. THe police had a car nearby and was there within a few seconds. They called the paramedics and ambulance. Monica was shot in the chest and rushed to the ER. Luckly, the bullet entered her chest and exited under her arm. It is amazing that no organs were damanged!!!. No one was caught bec. the police said it was "a random" shooting and would not even talk to witnesses, even though my family had a description of the car. You think this only happens on TV.

After searching and searching...

I just found out that my favorite (one of) Christmas songs is off of "A Charlie Brown Christmas." Go figure... I love this song. It is all instrumental, a jazz trio, I call it lounge music. I hear it every year and tell everyone, "I love that song." No one has ever been able to tell me that name of the group. Once again I heard it today and the radio guy said this is (blah blah trio ) So, I have spent this entire evening searching you tube looking for all Christmas jazz music with the word "trio" in the band name. There are a lot of "trio" jazz groups. But, the search is over... It is the Vince Guaraldi Trio. He wrote all of the "Peanuts" music. I have to get the album.

My Happy Holidays are soon coming.... One more day!!!

Thanksgiving-- Pilgrim Style

We just got in from our Thanksgiving CELEBRATION. We had the best time. We went to Monte Sano State Park with our travel trailer. I know, I know, a t.t. is not "real" camping, but we do a lot of cooking old school. My sister and her family brought her t.t. and my cousin and husband brought theirs. I made chicken and dressing in a cast iron pot outside and baked sweet potatoes over hot coals. We had lots of other yummy food. One day for lunch I made beef stew over a fire with all fresh vegetables. Each night we built a fire and Lane (almost 17 now) played the guitar. (He is a future Kenny Chesney). Last night his dad brought the dolbro and joined in. His dad used to play with Roger Miller (King of the Road). We walked the mountains and biked the easy trails. The weather was perfect. A little cold night before last but the fire was warm.

A few weeks ago I started a "Thankful jar". Each day I add a new something I am thankful for. I didn't take it with me on my trip so now I will add: thankful for camping with my family (even though the 16 yr. old grumbles), thankful for my hubby chopping and splitting wood for a campfire, thankful for delicious pecan pie.

My jar started with usual: family, health, food, shelter, etc. Now I am thinking about the little things in life to be thankful for. It is so easy to look over the little things.

Friday Night Lights

Last night we went to the high school football game (Zac plays trumpet). The game was against the school where I graduated from. I was hoping to see some old friends but I didn't. I saw a few folks but it was people that I run in to at Wal-mart. To tell the truth, I was hoping to get a glance at some old boyfriends just to see what they look like now.

Oh, this is really weird. Yesterday, I was at a workshop downtown. It had about 24 women-teachers from various schools--Bham City, Tussville, JeffCo, etc. The instructor was mingling before it started and when she got to my table, she looked at me and said, "I think I know you." I tried to quickly figure out from where, but I just didn't recognize her. I thought maybe it was through DAvid since he knows so many people. Anyway, turns out she was a 4th grade teacher when I was in 4th grade....But,,not my teacher!!! How could she remember me as a 9 yr old??? (I was the quiet type) and she only taught there a couple of years and then moved on to another school for the last 30 or so years!! I must look like I did at 9. Wonder what I will look like at 99?

Does she or doesn't she??

I have been regularly coloring my hair for about 10 years. It started out bec. I wanted to try out different shades. In the fall, I usually go a little darker and in the spring, a little lighter. I have decided to find out what my natural color will be. It has been about 1 1/2 months since I used. I am finding that there are more grays than before. I always said that I would never let my grays show until I got really old. I am going to stick with this just to find out the truth.

Maybe I am getting more grays bec. of the stress at work. It is awful. Every day I want to pack up my stuff and leave. I am not cut out for this kind of job. I have now crossed over and am hanging in there for the pay check. Well, not really, bec. if that was the case, I wouldn't be worrying if they were learning or not. I could be like some other teachers and give easy work so that they would all make A's and B's. Parents would be happy. I am just not like that. I am a glutten for punishment.

Most awful beggining of school

Well, school is back in swing. So far, this has been the worst beginning of school. Usually, the first few weeks are pretty good bec. the kids are a little nervous of a new teacher. Not these kids!!! I have came home with a headache almost every night. I already have 4 kids sitting by themselves and have already had several parent conferences. I hate it when kids don't behave. I think that I am a pretty good "teacher" and have a way of putting school work in "kid language". But, I am not a good disciplinarian of other people's kids. I expect kids to behave and I know how to handle my own personal kids. For some reason, they know I mean "business". But, when it comes to other kids, I just don't have the knack. I am not good with "consequences" like pulling cards. It seems that i can't find consqences that "fit". For example, if a kid doesn't do his work, he should get a zero or not get to play on Friday until his work is done. Makes sense to me, except the kid doesn't care if he is not playing, he just sits there instead of doing his work and if he gets a zero and has a bad grade on his report card,,, who is punished??? Me, bec. I have to fill out all of this paperwork about how I am going to help his do his work. Now, I understand if he "can't" do the work but, it is not that he can't, but he won't.

Now see with my own kids, if the teacher wrote me a note saying that my kid did not do his work, I would make sure it didn't happen again. There would be no TV, video games, nothing for a long time. But, not with the kids in my room. The parents don't seem to do anything bec. the same kid still won't do his work.

As a matter of fact, Gray got into trouble yesterday. I have been out sick for two days. I felt good yesterday and went to work but I couldn't talk above a whisper so I got a sub and came back home. I was sitting on the porch waiting for the kids to walk home from school. I heard the bell ring and see a little boy in a blue and white stripe shirt running out to the street and climbing on the "walk" pole which is near the road. I couldn't quite tell if it was Gray or his friend. I hear the teacher telling this kid to wait on him. Well, the light change and the "walk" sign came and he ran out half way to the road before the teacher got there. By then I could tell that it was Gray so I started walking toward the road. When I met Gray, I told him we were going back to the school to talk with the teacher that walks them. I went to this room and the teacher tells me that this is not the first time Gray has went to the road without him. (I am thinking,"why haven't you told me before?". So, we came up with the plan that if Gray ever runs out again then the teacher is to take Gray to the office and call me or his dad to pick up in the office. By the time we got back home, Gray's dad was home and Gray had to tell his dad why we went back to the school. Needless to say, if we ever get a call from the office that Gray must be picked up bec. he ran close to the road, it will not be a pretty day for Gray's backside. I mean, we talked to Gray about the dangers of the road and that even though the sign said walk he has to wait on the adult. I don't think he will do it again bec. he knows i mean "business". And if the teacher had of told us that he had done that before, it wouldn't have happened yesterday. I am just glad that I was home yesterday to find out about it.