Bonus Weather

Can you believe this weather? The temp climbed to 74 degrees today, and no rain! I really enjoyed doing some work outside today, and my daily walk was much nicer in shirt sleeves. I could take another day like today, and soon.

Spring Break: Day Four

Things to do today: 1. Make a list of jobs to do. 2. Make a list of things I want to do. 3. Make a list of errands to run today. 4. Order these lists by importance. 5. Okay, order them by likelihood of completion. 6. See what is playing at the movies. Now, get ready for the day and see what really happens.

Indy, The Final Four, Crazy Mom

Everyone should know what is happening in Indy this weekend. I assume that thousands upon thousands of people are arriving in the city throughout this week in anticipation of the Final Four. Well, guess what we/I planned for a group of us to do? Yep, we, The Dad and I, are traveling to Indy with three pre-teen young men to take on the city. If all goes as planned, we will see something at the IMAX, and maybe tour the Indiana State Museum. If it is warm enough and not raining, we hope to stroll along the canal, visit the Congressional Medal of Honor, walk across the old bridge and continue on the River Promenade that goes directly behind the zoo. If the young ones are not worn out by then, we hope to walk to Bazbeaux Pizza place or maybe Bucca di Beppo where we will treat them to the best meal in Indy. So, if you are downtown on Wednesday, you want to watch out for us. We will be the country hicks gawking at everything.

Spring Break

Went to Church this morning and found out that about half of our people are on vacation, probably in Florida. Bummer. I'm glad for them, but wish the rest of us were experiencing warmer weather. Maybe by the end of the week.

American Idol

I must admit that I am a fan. We have enjoyed watching the casting calls from all over the US. Do people really sing that badly and do they really think they can sing? I suppose out of the many thousands of tryouts, there would be a number of bad performances. Whatever the judges receive in pay is not enough!

Snow Day Fun

Yeah! We are out on a snow day. My town, Jesus Town as my daughter has always called it, got the most snow in central Indiana, 7.4 inches. Looks like it is all on top of my car and my hot tub cover. Oh, and at least 9 inches smashing my unplanted pansies. Hope they don't die before I get an opportunity to enjoy them in the planter. So what does one do on a bonus day off? Don't know about others, but I was blessed with washing the bed clothes since daughter's cat used the bed as a litter box. While joyously doing the laundry, I decided to treat my family to a spiced pumpkin bread made in my bread machine. (Yes, I did wash my hands thoroughly.) Well, I didn't heed the directions about being sure that all the flour was mixed in before it baked. The final outcome was yukky. The ingredients were not mixed well and flour was encrusted across both ends. Such a waste of time and food. Also decided to catch up on all the homework piling on. Dug through my school bag for 10 minutes searching for an necessary item I did not find. I was so tired of looking that I decided I was already tired of grading. But I haven't graded that first page. So after this informative, work-avoidance blog, I need to dive into those papers. I know the children will just be so excited to receive their grades. Maybe I should have gone to work instead.

The Concert

Had the opportunity to go to a concert to hear two individuals and a group. The Dad, daughter and I paid "good" money to attend on a week-day night. Jadon Lavik was up first. He was allowed to sing just 5 songs, but wowed us during that time. Only problem was the artificial fog. It was very effective with the colored lights, creating an awesome mood, and causing me an asthma attack. I tried to talk myself out of it, but no go. It even made my tongue sore. I managed to make it through, and I did enjoy his music and sincerity. Next up, Barlow Girl. By this time we had moved to the back of the church to get away from the smog. Good thing. The BG group of 3 sisters from Chicago were ear-splittingly loud. With my fingers stuffed in my ears (really attractive look) I soon decided to leave the concert area and enjoy the group from afar. They were actually very good, but just couldn't give up my hearing for them. You see, I teach Health. I know that 90 minutes of 90 decibels or higher will cause permanent hearing loss. A vacuum ranks right at 90! Last on stage, Rebecca St. James, a well-known performer. I was just ready to reenter the auditorium when her first note rang out with the help of 20 stobe lights flashing at the audience. Yikes. Migraine, stay away. I closed my eyes, but could see the lights continue to flash. I turned my back to the glass separating me from the auditorium, but could still see the lights bouncing off everything in the background. Wait, now the lights are bouncing in different directions and not at me. Ready to enjoy her music, but not moving from my "safe" post, the lights bang at us again. Okay. I'm no dummy. I paid good money for this concert, but I would pay even more to be free from a migraine! I somehow find my husband and daughter and tell them I am retreating far from this sight. Find me on your way out. So, down the hall, down the ramp, through another set of glass doors, across the corridor, past the Holy Grounds coffee lounge, far, far away, I sink into the overstuffed sofa, cover up with my coat and enjoy the tunes from there. My only consolation is that half of my ticket price goes to Crisis Pregnancy Center. What a way to contribute!

Anticipating the Concert

I am so looking forward to the concert this week with Rebekkah St. James and Jadon Lavik. (Not sure of the spelling of either on of these artists.) We are traveling to Indian Creek Christian Church to hear them in person. Should be a very uplifting time. More on this after the concert.

Compliment

I received a new student last week. We have a high rate of mobility so it is not a surprise to have a new student move in this late in the year. Well, anyway, the students and I tried to make him feel welcomed and to learn how we do things. After a few days I received an email from my neighbor about the student. Seems his grandmother, a friend of hers, was impressed with his new teacher. The new student said that his new teacher actually answers his questions. That only goes to prove that one is being watched/observed at all times. Folks, that is why we need to always be on our best behavior. We need to be the example that small children need to see. I'm grateful that I was all of that to the student.

The Wonders of a Christian Book Store

My sister-in-law and I had a girls' night out the other night. We started with dinner at a new Mexican restaurant. The serving sizes were "grande" and very delicious. After several stops, we ended up at the Christian book store. I hadn't visited the store since before Christmas, and since I was just along for the ride, I browsed the store, looking at the numerous items for sale, wondering who would buy this item and, wow, I really like this one. I fell in love with the hard-back journals, complete with pretty designs on the covers, but know that my 25-cent tablet works just fine. Saw individual cup and saucer sets that would look so elegant on my table, but nearly choked when I saw the price of $22.99. I did choke when I saw the cracked cup that was the same price and actually advertized as cracked. Whoa. Who would pay that kind of price for a broken cup? Then I read the little gift card that goes with the cup. The message was to the effect that even a broken vessel is of great value to the Father. Nice. But I still wouldn't pay $23 for it. Perhaps it will be purchased and given to some soul who is broken and needs that important message.

Must Have Done Something Right

Well, would you believe that since Monday not one of my students has had to stay for study hall? We must have done something right.

One of Those Days

Did you ever have one of those days where it seems that no one is really listening to whatever it is you have to say? Well, I had one of those at school today. Maybe it's because it is Monday, but the children didn't seem to be awake. They sat or sprawled across their desks all morning and barely managed to keep their eyes open. I'm not sure they understood any of the math lesson. Would you believe that 9 of them did not get their homework done? Now I don't normally assign homework over the weekend, but once in a while we have to take our math home to finish. We have at least an hour in class to work on the lesson with two adults to help answer questions and guide throughout the hour. But some do not make the effort to finish. Two of the boys admitted that they just didn't want to do the homework. Several said they were too busy over the weekend to do homework. And yet another said he played football all weekend. It is a shame that parents are not involved enough to check for homework. Wonder what would happen if we spent less class time on math, and they had to take home more homework?

Big Deal

Okay, I'm sitting here with a splitting headache that even awakened me from much needed sleep. I'm trying to focus on what day of the week this is and realized what takes place tonight in Hollywood--The Academy Awards. I do enjoy going to the movies every now and then, but when you step back and look at the big picture of the Awards, you realize just how sad it really is. Think of all the money that is spent on the Awards--dresses, tuxedoes, limos, drinks, gift bags, parties, after-parties, headache medicines, etc. Well, I just can't help but be a little senical (sp) about the whole thing. When my brother was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease in 2002, his doctor said that a cure for the disease was so close and would probably be found within the next 5 years. My brother passed away two years ago today from the always fatal disease, too soon. Perhaps with more money for research, a cure can be found sooner rather than too late.

Sign Class 2

Amazingly, the 16 students from the first night have continued the class (although two were absent for various reasons) and two new ones appeared. We had a great time of reviewing and learning new signs. Thank you Lord for the nudge to offer the class again.

Opportunities

For the past month I have been striving to have my devotion time the first thing in the morning, each morning. So far, so good, but it will always be a struggle. During my prayer time, I journal the names and thoughts as I pray for each. It helps to keep me focused on each one, and gives me a record of who I have prayed for or neglected. Anyway, this morning I asked for more opportunities to minister in some way. Well, after school, while straightening my room, I happened to look out the window and see a lady from our school sitting on the sidewalk. It was unusual for her to be in that place at that time of day. I noticed that she was crying, so I acted on the opportunity, just as I had asked. Hopefully, my listening ear and earnest pray were a help to her in this trying time.

In Loving Memory

My heart is kind of heavy these past few weeks as we approach the second anniversary of the death of my brother, Joe. He lost a valiant battle with ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease. Many times I think of him and his family. We could have written a book about the long journey we took together through ALS. But then our time was much better spent visiting with him, caring for him, loving him, just being with him. What a witness he was to so many! Thank you God for his life and for how You allowed him to use it for Your Kingdom.