Hello Dear Friends!

I hope you all have not forgotten me, for I have not forgotten you!! My blogging and farm girl friends have been in my thoughts quite a bit. In case you don't know, I just went back to work totally full-time; worked my first summer in 14 years!!! I got a job at the county clerks office and it is great. I am in an office that is busy, busy, busy but it is run in an efficient, professional manner. I had forgotten what it is like being the new girl though...SO very much to learn and it can be overwhelming sometimes. I go from feeling like I got it all down to feeling like they won't want me back tomorrow!!
Between the new job and the new puppy, it's been impossible to get near the computer for very long. (oh, yeah I have kids and a hubby too!!) The computer is also showing it's age so it's not always a given that I can even get on any more. That is an upgrade I'd like to make soon but I'd like to do a little research first. I hate blogging without sharing new pictures with you...put my computer won't take them.
So life has been weird ... in a good way I guess. I feel like a stranger in a strange land...I even got a new haircut/color for the job. I was immersed in work for a month or so, then I realized...I need my blogging friends. Things need to be streamlined around here, but I can't say goodbye!! There are not many women around here that enjoy the things I do like you all!!! So a big hug and hello to you all! I'll try to do better keeping in touch!!!
~Blessings

A Little Time Off

It's been a long, long, time! I miss you all. Something just HAD to give and it was the computer time. Everything has been fine. I went through a little bought of sadness and reflection earlier on. I guess it was beginning to come out in my Ponderings blog and went to a deeper level for a bit; healthy stuff mostly. Pruning, what needs to stay, what needs to go. Priorities. Shedding the parts of me that don't fit.



Anyhoo, I went from this deep thinking time to PUPPY!!! Oh she is simply delightful! Busy, rambunctious, intelligent, mischievous, adorable, cuddly.... and tons of fun and WORK! I am uploading pictures now, because with a new baby in the house, there just hasn't been the time!! That is exactly what getting this darling has been like, having a newborn!! The first TWO weeks were pretty much sleepless!!! But all she has to do is look at you with that darling face and all is well.



So, am I on summer vacation you ask? Well, my friends, the days of my leisurely summers off are coming to an end. Very odd, how I at a mere 35 years old had been in such a rut; gotten quite used to year after year without change. I had also settled for a "this is as far as I can go, I'm lucky to get here" mentality. God had other plans. My career as a teacher's aid came to a sudden end this week when I got a call from the County Clerk's Office. I had taken a civil service exam almost a year ago, at the same time that I applied for the aid position. I had pretty much put it out of my mind. So don't they call this week? And don't I set up an interview and hour and a half after my last moments of the school year? And Friday, my first day of vacation, don't they call and hire me? YUP! The teacher's aid position was a great step, but there were many days I felt like either a fish out of water or and underpaid teacher doing the work while actual teacher is reading the newspaper. We shalt not go there, because I was prepared to deal with the good and the bad (which EVERY job has) and be back there with a smile on in September. The job with the county though, is an offer I can not refuse.

As I type this I am shaking in my boots!! I am in awe of the rollercoaster I've been on and a bit nervous about starting a job where I know NOONE and everything is SO new. I haven't had a job outside of my hometown in 14 years!! I start July 7th, so also for the first time in 14 years I will be working a summer. The little kid in me is bummed to be leaving the pup behind, but the adult knows this is an opportunity of a lifetime. Praise God!

Organized! I have to be REALLY organized, and find quilting time, and kid time and this time and that time!!! LOL! What and adventure. Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure I won't have much blogging time. But don't give up on me! And those of you who have my addy, drop me a line and I'll be sure to get back to you.

Let me share some pictures now.
Here is Gman with Mandi on her first day home:

I hope all you mom's had a lovely Mother's Day. We celebrated both our 10 year anniversary and Mother's Day this weekend, so I was doubly blessed. We went out for a very nice dinner Saturday for our anniversary. We don't always "go out" to mark the date as it is right in the middle of spring sports and always near Mother's Day. Trying to make a date this time of year is often just plain old exhausting! This year DH was adamant to celebrate our 10 years together and it was special!

Mother's Day was also a little different. We usually have a big picnic with many of DH's family. This year, however, his mom is in Hawaii!!! We've had two phone calls from her so far. The first, she left a message on the machine, "Aloha, my cell phone works from Hawaii!!!"; and on Mom's day she called from Waikiki Beach splashing in the Pacific ocean!! The woman was positively giddy!!

So what did we do for M's Day? Well, after church we went to a large pet store and bought lots of goodies for our new friend who will be with us in 10 more days!!! We are chomping at the bit crazy waiting for the big day!!!

I forgot to show you the bottles I found out back. I went exploring a bit over Spring Break in a hedge behind our yard. On the hilltop is an old railroad bed and it is evident that people in the neighborhood dumped their old glass wear down the back of the hill. I found a few unbroken pretties: They are sitting on my laundry room shelf for the time being. The small one is showing up very well, but it is a beautiful cobalt blue. The bottle on the left has a white residue in it, so I won't open it to get it any cleaner.

I finished my wall hanging!! A WIP is actually finished, I am so excited!! The last couple days of Spring Break after we put our dog, Jasmine, down; I didn't do much else besides read and sew like a mad woman. A little therapy I guess. Here is my next project that is in the works, and it is even much further along than the photo.
The log cabin block patterns were actually part of a much larger quilt from Better Homes and Gardens that I started last summer. They were for a queen size quilt and I was going along fairly well until I got to the sashing. It had all these little, I mean LITTLE triangles and squares that were sewn to strips that would meet up and make lovely stars. I played around with that for one day and said "nope, not for me!" So my 36 log cabin blocks sat in a baggy until Spring Break when I desperately needed some sewing therapy. I looked through some books so I could get a decent idea how they could go together, added two more borders and now I'm even quilting on my machine. Since it's just about all my creation, I'm calling it "Jasmine's Cabin". Yes, I am a sap!

Well, I have 10 more days to puppy proof the house, I feel like I'm baby proofing all over again. Of course, back then, I did not have so much STUFF!

There has been much on the news about horrible weather across the country. I pray you and yours are all safe.

~Blessings

INTRODUCING...

MANDI MAY!

No, I'm not kidding, we went and bought a Boxer puppy last week. My husband blames me; I blame him! It was just so...quiet and lonely with no fur baby to pet and dote on! Every day DH and I get home at the same time and the conversation invariably went back to missing Jasmine; and from there it went from "well what if we...?" Then I said well I'll be on summer vacation in a month that IS the opportune time to get a puppy. Before we knew we were packing the bewildered children in the car and heading to a beautiful farm to just look at a litter of pups. We left as owners.

The excitement and anticipation in the house is a wonderful balm to the heartbreak we so recently went through. Such a weird thing life is; missing one pet while looking forward to another. The kids tell me the countdown number every morning, noon and night....15 more days, mom!! How will we ever make it??

I guess this is what life is made of!

~Blessings!
She's looking right at us there...ready for all sorts of mischief!

Hey! I'm Here!!!

Phew! Time does fly when I go back to work after a two week break!! I love the time off, but getting back in the "groove" of work takes some doing sometimes.

I have a potpourri of stuff to share since I finally got some pictures ready, so I'll start and see how far I get!!

Ok, get your hankies out girls; I have to show pictures of the last quilt Jasmine helped me with about a week before she passed away. I came to a stand still on a bigger project and came a cross some strips DS had made and never finished for 4H. I decided to finish it up for him and my helper had to be right in the middle. Boy do I miss her every day!


I also have some goodies here I'd like to share. Some of that "Farmgirl Friendship" I've been gushing about! Here is a tea towel made by Tori's Mimi:
And an adorable apron made by Cinnamongirl Carrie:

I love those Hens and Chicks!!

Aunt Jo sent me a lovely handmade pillow. Looks like she "knew" I have a bit of Americana in my living room!
I love to sit back and look at my treasures from friends and think of ways to bless them back!

I think I'll close for now, but I have more to share another day! Make sure you stop by and say hello!

~Blessings!

Being a Farmgirl

This weeks entry in the Farmgirl Blog-A-Thon is about what being a farmgirl means to each of us. What does it mean to me? Hmmm. Well, I don't live on a farm, and never have. Never owned a chicken or a cow. Never cleaned a stall. So by all logical standards I am not literally a farmgirl. Somehow though, it is in my blood. The above picture is from my grandfather's farm. My dad grew up farming, but when he and his seven brothers and sisters grew up, the farm was sold. Dad became and electrician but he is a farmer at heart to this day. I think he has always owned a tractor. The place where we lived until I was about eight had enough land that he grew a few acres of corn to sell. Now he will rent land and grow anything from soybeans to hay. It's still his hobby. I don't remember him specifically instilling any love for land or farmers' ways into me, dad is just dad. He and mom looked over the years at a few small farms to buy, but that just never happened.

Somehow, whatever it is about the land, the outdoors, the growing, and the harvest that touches him, touches me too. It's bigger and broader than what I can put into words. And for me of course it goes indoors too. It's part of the aprons that tell me it's ok to be a housewife (even if I must work outside the home too) and make a warm home for my family. Learning to be simple and frugal and not feeling deprived because there is so much that fills my heart.

Years ago, I bemoaned the century I was born in because I felt I was supposed be a pioneer woman. (I'd last one day, tops!) Then I read in the Bible that God knew exactly what he was doing when He placed us where we are. So, I slowly came around to His thinking, wondering why I am often uncomfortable with modern ways of doing things. Ok, before you think I've kept myself in the dark ages, which would be silly to think since I'm on the computer; I do own a car, have running water and so on! Specifically I seem to meet more and more women that think it is offensive to cook and clean, and sewing? How archaic! How my heart sang when I picked up MaryJanes Idea Book. Honestly, I bought it because of the cover, but what was inside thrilled me. There were people like me who loved handmade, homegrown and back to basics. When I went to the website I found hundreds of women like me. No, we are not carbon copies of each other, which is fantastic because I learn in the areas I'm weak in (green living and gardening) and can enjoy and be inspired by others' creativity.

So you don't have to be living on a farm to be a Farmgirl, as MaryJane has said it is a matter of the heart. I encourage you to visit MaryJane's Farm on-line http://www.maryjanesfarm.com/

I promise you will be touched by the realness of the women who join the forum, you will laugh and cry with us and you may just learn a bit too!

Good Bye

As I write this and look at her picture it still does not seem real. At the same time it seems self-serving and ridiculous to be so torn up over a pet. But somehow, as it happens in many families, she was so much more.

Yes, Friday it was time to say goodbye. Jasmine was almost 12 and we found out in January that she had bone cancer. Since her diagnoses she had done remarkable well, even by our vet's standards. But last Sunday I noticed a change. She was still fighting with every ounce of energy she had to be where I was and follow her routines, but it was getting difficult for her. My husband and I agreed at the beginning that when her quality of life diminished we would do the responsible thing. We knew it was coming, but boy is it hard.

Funny thing is, is that she is my "husband's dog". When we married he wanted a dog. He had grown up with dogs but years of living in apartments had deprived him of that companionship. I had only had one dog when I was quite young and had grown up with cats. I didn't dislike dogs at all, I'm an animal lover. I just never thought about getting one. What set me back a little was the fact that he wanted a rottweiler. I had only know what I had seen on the news and other media of these big dogs. They didn't sound like the type of dog I wanted around my two children and daycare. To make a long story short, DH took me the breeder who was a sweet older woman who told me stories of her children and grandchildren growing up with these lovely dogs. She had a mama with pups, and I fell in love with the fact that mama let us handle her pups and just asked us for some lovin for herself. We got to pick from the litter.

My husband's dog became my shadow. She let our children dress her up, she like to play and romp with DH, but she always knew where I was. She didn't let me close a door behind me in the house, she'd scratch and whine if she couldn't nudge through it herself. She usually didn't get up until I got up in the morning, then she did her "boney dance" for a milk bone and we went outside. Whatever I had to do for the day, she would be nearby. If I was sewing, she would be on the couch in the sewing room (the only piece of furniture she was allowed on). And oh, how I will miss here when the weather warms and I can garden or take my book out to the spot we sat at under the apple trees.

So you get the picture. I'm trying to be adult and realize this is part of life, but every step I take seems to remind me that she's not here. It was weird when I realized that in the almost 12 years we have had her, I've never been alone!

I will smile at her memory soon. She left us plenty to smile about. I miss my puppy, but I thank her for being such a good friend.

~Blessings

Farmgirl Blog-a-thon: Tie One On!

Our dear friend Tina, at http://gardengoose.blogspot.com/ is hosting a Farmgirl Blog-A-Thon. There will be a different them each week. This week's theme is aprons!! Near and dear to my heart. She asked us to pick a favorite, that was kind of tought. I have aprons from farmgirl friends that I treasure. The friendship and love they pass along to me through their work is priceless!! I also have a few that I have picked up on-line or in thrift shops. These are not as sentimental, but often they are made of a darling vintage fabric that caught my eye.

The dearest ones to me though are from my grandmother. She actually thinks I'm kinda silly loving aprons ( I DO wear them also!) for she was relieved when they went out of style. She says they were just more laundry to do! Being a "modern woman" my mother never wore them at all! But the aprons grandma gave me are precious, one was even her mother's and another was her grandmothers! The apron I have pictured here she never wore. She passed it on to me half embroidered. It's a favorite because I finished her work and now I have something that she and I worked on "together"!

I have always had a heart for farm life and making things homemade as often as possible. I stumbled onto one of MaryJane Butter's books two years ago and found many kindred spirits. Please take the time to check out her website, there is definitely something for everyone there!!

http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/

Almost Vacation Time

I only have two more days to work next week then I am off for 12 whole days!!! The weather for next week is looking pretty good too; 60ish and sunny. (Hey don't laugh! that is good here!) I have cleaning plans and sewing plans and MAYBE some painting if the mood strikes.

I'm looking forward to the weekend. Tomorrow I get to watch my girlfriends 7 month old little boy. I haven't had a baby around here in ages!!!! So tomorrow I'll get up and do a vacuum/sweep/dust run and enjoy the day with Baby. I have pictures that I want to show, but it's not working at the moment. Maybe I'll get that straightened out again next week too.

Just the word v-a-c-a-t-i-o-n sounds so sweet right now!!! Hope you all don't get sick of me, cause I love to blog and visit when I'm home!! Hey....maybe another aprony give-away is in order! I'll see if I can find some fun fabric to use!!!

~Have a nice weekend but be sure to say Hi! before you go!!

Old Friends Meet Again

Easter Sunday entailed a beautiful church service, and hours drive, visits to two sides of my family and then the drive home. Busy day, as holidays often tend to be. My mom's side of the family is my Grandma M, who had heart surgery last summer and has a chaotic household right now. We had dinner there, and tried to visit as long as we could. Then we went to the nursing home to visit Grandma K, my father's mom. She has been in the nursing home since falling and having a heart attack in December. She lived alone in a cottage on a lake for the last 17 years. She has recovered nicely and realized that she was becoming too isolated, so she is selling the cottage and on a few waiting lists for assisted care facilities. We are all thankful for that.

Our visit with her was special. She lead us to the community room which was empty. Good thing, it was mom, dad, myself, DH and our two children. We chit-chatted until a slight, grey-haired woman came in pushing a wheel chair carrying an even older woman.
The younger of the two smiled and bent down close to my grandmother and smiled, "Barney," (my grandmother's middle name is Bernice and for some reason every one's always called her Barney), "Do you remember me?"

My grandmother was unsure, "no, I'm sorry."
"I'm Kathy!"
"Oh, yes!!" Grandma was faking recognition, but I didn't realize it at this point. She did the polite thing and introduced Kathy to everyone in the room. When she got to my dad, Kathy said, "You must remember my brothers."
My dad replied, "Please tell me your last name again."
When she said her last name, I could see recognition in both my dad and my grandmother. Grandma grabbed this ladies hand and said "Yes, yes! From up the road!"

They were neighbors forty-five years ago, and this lady, and her brothers, were school mates of my father.

My grandmother turned to lady in the wheelchair. This woman was aged, and didn't even seem to realize anyone else was in the room. She was staring intently at an Easter card she held in her hand. "Who do you have here?", Grandma asked Kathy.

Kathy smiled tenderly and said, " This is my mother. She may not know you today. She is studying the card she just received from the church service." Kathy spoke up louder, "Mama. Mama?"
"Yes." the woman replied in an almost angry sounding voice.
"Mama, we are in the nursing home and this is Barney __________. Your neighbor from ________ Road."
I do not exaggerate when I say this woman's continence changed from night to day. She smiled and said hello and even named people and places from years ago. And Grandma was just tickled pink.
I sat there trying not to start a blubberfest! It was just too beautiful! I'm still not used to this "circle of life stuff", watching my family age. I must remember to find the beauty in it.

~Blessings

He IS Risen!

You may contemplate the Resurrection of Christ. You may not.

I read a post today that basically called "religion" a myth and so on. Everyone is entitled their opinion. The post went on to say that if God were real, He would not and could not as a Father, send his Son to die for a bunch of horrible people. (I am not quoting the post perfectly, just giving the generalities). A loving mother or father would not do that. The author was correct. The majority of us right-minded humans could not send our children to die for anyone else.

The Bible says Gods ways are not our ways. His ways are higher and mightier and He has wisdom that we can not even contemplate. He is so much above us, so perfectly love. He knew He had to send the sacrifice so that we could all have the chance to be with Him if we chose. He knew the outcome of sending Jesus to die.

I am not eloquent. I'm not trying to convince the author of the fore-mentioned post, or anyone else. I am just proclaiming my love for God. He knew what He was doing. Yes it hurt, yes He is good and I will forever praise Him.

I love people, and blogging and my love is no less for those who don't agree with me.

Just wishing you all a Blessed and Happy Easter/Resurrection.

Well, It's a Fine Day!

A day off, what did I do? Well I'm happy to tell ya, not much! I baked with DS this morning...
Nice little Blueberry coffee cake from Paula Deen's Just Desserts cook book. I vacuumed, I puttered. I took some pictures of some stuff:
A little bell from the thrift shop


A vintage calendar, like to find the pattern or directions used to make these into bags.


Great little table cover...love the pompom trim. I think I'm saving this for when I redo my bedroom.

Love the print,

A cute panel that couldn't be left behind.


Well, you know I needed more books! But WHO could leave BAMBI behind! I didn't even know it was a novel! 1929 was it's printing at it has darling illustrations. I have added it to my must read list! Poetry books never get left behind! The others are new; sewing ideas just don't pop into my mind. I need inspiration and detailed instructions!






Whew, well that's all for today. Must mop tomorrow morning. Then I think I'm ready to sew, and maybe put some surprise packages together!!
~Blessings!

Time to Reflect

That is what Easter should be, time to reflect. Think about what our Savior has done for us. I need to slow down and do this for myself. I am grateful for the time off. Thursday, Friday then the weekend. It won't be totally peaceful, but I am hoping for a little rejuvenation. I had to go to the chiropractor yesterday for the first tie in 13 years. My neck and shoulders hurt horrible and I had a head ache for 2 straight weeks. This past week I finally realized I wasn't still battling the flu, but the book bags I carry and high-heeled shoes on my feet were taking a toll. Oh, the relief! I was giddy today and my class thought I was nuts, but HEY! It was the first time I've been headache free for a while, and I appreciated it! I found out I only have a ten dollar co-pay so I'll keep up a schedule with the chiropractor for at least a while.

I need time away from the classroom too. Seeing what these children go through and realizing how little we can do has also taken it's toll on me. I guess I want to fix them all, and it's not possible. I've tried to watch other teachers and professionals and learn the ropes and one of the biggest things I've seen is that their hands are tied and they have to shut down that part of their heart that says "this isn't right!" Monday is a conference day and the aides have a training course entitled "Everything you wanted to know about being a teacher's aide/assistant and were afraid to ask". My building principal made a point of telling me I needed to be there, so I'm afraid they will get into the "this is reality and we are just here to help them get the most out of education" speech. That may just discourage me more. This is my job though, and their are aspects I love. If and when it's time to move on, God will let me know. He always has. In the mean time this will grow and stretch me more.

So, what am I going to do with my time off? Clean. I know two things you could tell me. First of all, if I kept up better all the time, I wouldn't have to spend a day off cleaning. Or, from the other side of the fence, it's your day off, SEW! Well, the first thing just isn't gonna happen, so I must do some cleaning tomorrow. And curiously, I feel so tired and burnt out that cleaning seems the only thing to do! A good old fashioned scrubbing to get the anxieties out! My daughter is going on a retreat (please play for safety, esp traveling) so in the afternoon I need to pick her up some snacks, pick up her friend and drop them off at church. Then another chiropractor appointment. Friday, may be more of a sewing day, then in the evening we are going to a hockey game. Saturday, DS and I are doing some holiday baking. Chocolate swirl cheesecake bars and homemade moon pies are on the menu. Sunday we travel to Grandma's for Easter dinner after church.

How's Grandma doing? Physically, she is doing well. Mentally she is sad and tired. Her last letter to me was so depressing. She lives with Grandpa, my Aunt and my cousin. Grandpa has never been a nice man, my Aunt is an alcoholic, and my cousin (+ two of her children) is into drugs and partying and has medication she won't take. Put them all in the same house and they fight and bicker and who knows what all! My mom has looked into trying to ease the situation, but legally she can not unless Grandma cooperates, which she won't. My family dreads going there, but we do each holiday for Grandma. What else do I do?

Back to happier things. I have lots of pictures to take tomorrow. I've been thrifting, and crafting and have received goodies in the mail to share.

Here's one of DS. His team won the SuperBowl and Grandma ordered him the championship shirt and hat! (PLEASE! Ignore the mess behind him!! ;O)
See you soon!
~Blessings

Time for a Rest

We got a lot of snow this past weekend, probably the most of all winter. This picture is not of last weekend though, oh no, my batteries were dead! My DD once again filmed herself until she sucked the life out of my camera!!! Gotta love those kiddos.

Long week. It's been a soap opera in our classroom. Did I sign up for this? I don't know. Two of our students were "dating", "going out", whatever you call it. Boy very verbally abusive to (insecure, naive) girl, girl's mother alerted. Two months later, "stuff" hits the fan as it is rumored they were doing inappropriate things on the bus. Yuck. We're ALL interviewed...what did YOU know? WHEN did you know it? And so on. I know this happens all the time in school, well maybe not IN school, but at this age-level. It just was so complicated with allegations of manipulation and bullying. I pray this girl learns to like herself and trust the God Who made her, only then will she not put herself in a position to be so used and put down.

So I'm ready for a little R&R. Time to lose myself in some quilting, or fun with my family. (Thank God for my family!) Easter break is short this year, just Thursday and Friday next week, but I'm looking forward to it. I need down time.

On an uplifting note, spring IS in the air. A foot or more of snow may have covered us last weekend, but the sun is feeling warmer and the birds are singing. It can't be long now!

~Blessings

The Winner IS....

Patty @ http://morningramble.blogspot.com/ ! Patty, just email me your addy and I'll pop it in the mail Monday! Thank you all so much for leaving comments and joining in the fun. It was my first blog giveaway and I really enjoyed it; so much I will definitely do it again! I found more great blogs to visit, and I hope you all will come back to visit me from time to time!



By the way I was going to do this real cute with my son taking pictures of me doing the drawing wearing an apron my sweet friend Carrie made me....but the batteries in the camera were dead...lol! Oh, well!



Have a lovely weekend! And keep thinking spring all though this is what it's like here:

Visit Another Lovely Lady

for THREE leap year giveaways!!! I've been a bit down and out with the flu...but wanted to pop in and see how everyone is! Tina at Garden Goose invited me to her blog for this give away and now I'm inviting all of you! http://gardengoose.blogspot.com/

Hopefully I have the facts straight, and if not Tina please let me know; but Tina and her DH publish this awesome on-line magazine that is worth a long look!

DAFFODIL DREAMIN' APRON GIVEAWAY

Well it is what we call a "mucky pup" kind of day here. It's raining, the snow is melting and it's very muddy! But I was excited to finish this apron and wanted to use it as a giveaway on my blog. All you need to do is leave a comment on this post and I will draw winner on March 1st!

Treasures from Mom

My mom stopped by yesterday~I was out (on that interview!) but she left me the most awesome gift (just because!) LOOK at this afagan! (Yes that is probably my dog's rear end in the left side of the picture!!)




My mom loves being crafty, just hasn't had the time she'd like to do it, as she has worked 3rd shift for almost 30 years. But the blanket got me thinking, mom has been really into crochet the last few years and I must have quite a bit of her work around here. So I started taking pictures...and realized mom has given me quite a few of her treasures that I display around the house. I wanted to share them with you all.










Wow, that's not even all of them! I am so blessed to have such a lovely, giving mom!

This Day COULDN'T Happen Twice

Seriously. Have you ever watched the movie "Ground Hog Day" with Bill Murray? He is stuck in the same day over and over again. Well, let me get down on my knees right now and thank the Good Lord that that can't happen in really life. It was a whopper...all minor issues mind you, but I am ready for hot tea and bed!

First of all, there was some major ice forming last night and the snow started falling this morning. The road crews kept all the road nice and clear though so nary a school was closed. DH warned me to start the car early to get the ice off and went merrily on his way to work. I thought I was doing well to start outside about 40 minutes early. The only problem was that we could not get the car doors open! DS tried. DD tried. I tried. I did my best rock ballad impersonation and got a grill lighter out and tried to melt the ice. No dice.

Finally, I had to resort to calling DH to come home and get the door open for me and take the kids to school. I called and let them know I'd be late.

I scraped and brushed and chipped away at the ice while the snow came down in large white fluffy cotton balls. I am know looking like a drown rat. I fixed myself up as best as possible and went off to work; sliding into the parking lot that apparently was kept as nice and clear as the roads! I think by this point I was talking to myself. I wasn't angry, mind you, but I guess I'm a bit spoiled and don't have these crazy mornings very often.

As I walked up to the front doors of the school I was greeted by two teachers who told me that the school was evacuated and everyone was in the elementary building. I think that was the point that my eyes bugged out of my head and I really wondered if I was awake or having one of those stupid dreams. "oh, it's true" they assured me. So, I hiked across the field to the elementary building, praising God all the way for all the exercise I was getting today.

No kidding, I get to the door, it opens, another teacher steps out and says we are all clear to go back. Now I'm thinking I'm ready to go back home to bed.

I went to work in the attendance office, telling myself not to be a baby and just work. And I was fine. Could have gone for one of those high octane coffees the kids all walk into school with now, but I was fine. Had to get work finished by 9:00 so I could make my appointment with DS's guidance counselor. DS is a great middle school kid who is just dragging out this maturing process to the point that if I don't go have some professional tell me he's fine every once in a while, I start to worry. I needed one of those reassurances this week so to her office I went. I think the PMS struck about 9:00 this morning and the poor guidance counselor had weepy beemoosie in her office.

I am not so sure what she thought about me, but she assured me DS is fine and she would work on a few organizational issues with him...

I think the rest of the day was pretty normal...but once those hormones kick in and the tears have been flowing, it's pretty hard to keep it together the rest of the day. Doing algebra at noon was a hoot!

All I wanted to do was get home...and I did make it home. To the security of my family. The phone rings. It's for me.

"Ma'am you took a civil service test last summer, can you come in for an interview for the index clerk position?"

"Why, yes I can." Who said that?

To be continued....

Wow! I must be on a posting roll here! I am happy to say that I survived my first study hall today. Our new schedules were handed out last week for the 2nd semester and I inherited a teacher's last block study hall. Thankfully, it is a great group of kids and I've gotten pretty good at reading and keeping an eye out on things. My DD was mortified yesterday when I showed up at her lunch as a monitor...hehe! I really don't try to embarrass her and she really isn't all that embarrassed, but she was a bit taken aback!! Her friends had all the fun inviting me over to sit down...(mom...under her breath...DON'T sit THERE!)

It was a good and productive weekend. My bag that I put pictures up of is ready together. I did more quilting on the front and back and put the sides and bottom together. I'm a little stuck about what fabric to use for the handles and lining...nothing has caught my eye yet. I also finished a table mat for my grandmother. My father's mother had a heart attack the week before Christmas and has been in a nursing home ever since. I am taking my sampler blocks and turning them into table toppers and thought it would cheer her room a bit.

My tree has been down for a couple weeks (hopefully it's been a couple!) and I got around to setting up my lamps and tables. The lamps came from my (other) grandma, and I bought the tables from a local store. One of my former end tables is in my DD's room covered w/ a tied died blanket and the other is under my DH's second TV in the family room (Don't ask!)





It feels like it should be way later in the week than it is...and DS has a basketball game to play tonight. Both kids do actually, DH will go one way and I'll go the other! I always watch whoever is closest if I have to drive myself. I don't like driving around after work anymore. As my students would say, "another sign of old age!"

So, I guess I'll go through some soup on (sorry, it's canned!) and get ready to head out. At least it's 50 degrees out, but I hear that tomorrow it will be at least 25 degrees colder!

~Blessings