Hi Everyone,

Some of you know I've had some frustrations with this blog and this host.  Overall, things have been fine, but there were some not-so-happy times like those when I couldn't view my own blog.  Go Daddy told me it was my computer, but Laura couldn't see it either. ...<< MORE >>

Before we ever bought this house, I began to pray for the neighborhood.  I wasn't sure where we would eventually buy a house, but I did know I wanted it to be place where

• we could show the love of Christ to our neighbors


• where my kids could ...<< MORE >>

I do apologize to Laura and anyone else who found my disappearing blog yesterday.  My blog display was only the header and the sidebar.  The actual posts were blank.  After I contacted Go Daddy (I use their Quick Blogcast), I was told to recheck my settings and that I needed to empty ...<< MORE >>

Dear CMPL Librarians,
Thank-you for implementing a reading incentive program this summer.  I know you do this every summer, my children are self-proclaimed non-readers, so the programs never have appealed to this family.  Then we met your reference librarian named Lisa.  She is a true extrovert and made certain ...<< MORE >>

Perhaps you remember Cookie, our crazy, possessive, aggressive Rat Terrier.  Yes, the same one who would not allow anyone into our home, who would not allow any non-family within 16 miles of us.  The same dog who was furious when any car, trash truck, or bicycle rode down our street.  ...<< MORE >>

This is Vacation Bible School week here.  That is a great week in this house.  I loved it as a child; I love it as an adult!  I do believe all those years of attending VBS, teaching VBS, and now taking my own kids to VBS makes me a VBS ...<< MORE >>

I love reading.  Seriously love it, but don't buy me a book.  Book ownership really doesn't hold any appeal for me.  Contrary to what some say, books are not living beings nor are they a prudent financial investment or a great way to organize clutter.  They do, however, collect dust and ...<< MORE >>

To My Beautiful Six Ash Trees:

Do you remember that wonderful day so many years ago when Checkered and I became your guardians?  We were so happy to own not one tree, but seven of you!  You were all grace and shade and weird groans, but you really broke our hearts ...<< MORE >>

When Checkered and I were dating, we loved a little ma and pa ice cream place called the Dairy Maid.  It was a little dirty, weathered, and crowded.  We thought that all those elements were nice, but what kept us coming back were the low prices and the big portions.  Oh yes.  I ...<< MORE >>

He is having a Moody Monday! ...<< MORE >>

I love teaching.  When I think about other careers and furiously peruse the classifieds, I always return to teaching. 

• 
  
• Maybe it's that proverbial "aha" moment when the student locks eyes with me and the smile comes from his/her heart because whatever we're studying suddenly makes sense. 
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• Maybe it's the joy ...

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I'll fess up.  I loved getting tagged.  Love it. Love it.  Love it!  Now I'll fess up again, I'm a really slow runner and I rarely catch up to anyone else to tag them.  About 16 years ago, Jenn from The Cotton Wife tagged me and I told her I ...

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Every Christmas and end of year, I am left in what I perceive to be a quandry.  I contribute the "suggested" amount toward teacher gifts and multiplying that times four children leaves me seriously bereft of gift funds.  Yet when the Christmas parties begin and the last day of school ...<< MORE >>

Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday dear nephew #1, dear nephew #3, and Mom.
Happy birthday to you!!

P.S. Sorry I didn't get a card to any of you ...<< MORE >>

I know that Wordless Wednesday already exists, but around here we have Moody Mondays - and lots of them.  You know what I'm referring to:  those mornings when you have to contend with not only a new week, but some project  that holds absolutely no pleasant motivation for you.  Now ...<< MORE >>

Summer afternoon - summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.  ~Henry James

Yesterday was our first day of summer break.   It was also a day to spend with one of our Texas cousins.  We, like so many others ...<< MORE >>

When my first child began school I was stricken that first Christmas when I saw parents and children arriving at school bearing all types of teacher gifts.  I'm not talking about little cute pictures the children has drawn.  I am talking about elaborate gifts.  I am talking about gorgeous crafts ...<< MORE >>

Because I am a lover of precision and organization... BWAHAHAHA! 

Sorry for the false start.  Let's try again.

Because I love to eat cookies but don't love the precision of cooking and baking, I need lots of thought-not-needed recipes.    Last week I had a few brown bananas, limited time, and a ...

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 We sat through enjoyed yet one last middle school concert this week.  I am sad that my girl has opted to discontinue her choir participation next year, but based on the enthusiastic performance of the entire choir, it might be a small miracle that anyone signed up again.

You be the judge:  Who shows the most enthusiasm for the concert?

The singer?


or her audience?

        

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Hello!  Summer is upon us, the pool is actually over 70 degrees, and I am way beyond childhood.   But I've been watching my own kids and think it's time to stop living vicariously through them and start jumping into life.  To do that I've decided to master some things my kids already ...<< MORE >>

We live in a watery state.  People come here to spend money because we're so watery.  Big lakes, really, really big ones abound as do rivers of every size.   Our state tourism board spends a lot of money to tell people they should vacation near our water. 

I've no ...<< MORE >>

We have passive kids.  Granted, at home they seem to be anything but passive, but put them in a social situation with other kids, and my children cave every.single.time.

Their own wants are always secondary to the strongest personality near them.  And that is a problem for me sometimes.  This passive ...<< MORE >>

A note for Beth:  Do NOT be messing with my Red Wings comments, girl!


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To update you on my fashion goofs:
Last night I wore a pair of lightweight tan slacks to work.  I spent a lot of time with my back to the class because there was so much info I needed to write on the board.  After work, I returned home where Checkered asked me why I had worn brightly striped blue and red underwear under such transparent pants.  I sincerely hope the students were greatly entertained.

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Here is a recipe I found in Better Homes and Gardens , January 2008.  Now that summer is getting closer in my region, I surely wish I had tried this in the cooler weather.  If you try this one before I do, let me know how it tastes.

1  2.5 deli roasted chicken, skinned, boned, and coarsely shredded
2  Tbsp. butter
1/2  cup coarsely chopped celery
1/2  cup chopped onion
2  14-oz. cans reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 1/2  cups milk
1  tsp. bottled hot pepper sauce
1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese
1 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
1/2  cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1/3  cup all- purpose flour

1.  In a  4-quart Dutch oven melt butter over medium heat.  Add celery and onion; cook and stir until onion is tender.  Stir in broth, milk, and the 1 teaspoon of hot pepper sauce..

2.  In bowl toss together mozzarella, 1 cup of the blue cheese, Parmesan, and flour. 

3.  Add the cheese/flour mix gradually to soup, stirring after each addition just until melted.  Stir in 3/4 of the chicken; heat through.

4.  Top with remaining chicken, blue cheese, and hot sauce.

        

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It's Monday,so we will start the week right with a red-faced SIGH.

Yesterday I got up and proceeded to get ready for church.  After I got ready, I chatted with my husband.  I chatted with my fashion-aware teen-age daughter.  I nagged my three boys.  Then we got in the car and ...<< MORE >>

My kids are smart and cute and sweet.  Their teachers say they love my kids.  I always tell the Superintendent of Schools that I love the teachers.  It's a very symbiotic relationship which works well for us.

Apart from school, my kids are involved in scouts and sports and church activities. ...<< MORE >>

Yesterday we learned how my walls came to be painted.  And what a drawn-out process that was.  The walls do look beautiful and we are pleased that it looks like we've done something to this house in the nine years we've lived here.  We now invite company over and walk ...<< MORE >>

Tomorrow we will be asking for advice on flooring.  But before we get there, here is some background (from 11/07):

There has been a disturbing trend in our area.  It’s been contagious and no match for the ...<< MORE >>