Well, it's a new year and I don't feel all that new. I'm a little uncertain of what this year holds. (I guess that means I've lost the crystal ball that told me of my future in years past. Geez.) I guess what I mean is I'm looking some severe education burnout right in the face and I'm not sure what steps will be necessary to remedy it! I don't feel that my calling has changed. I feel that what I'm being asked to do in my job has changed. I'm not so sure the two match each other any more so it may be time to do a little less complaining and a little more reflection.
I used to make only resolutions that I knew I could keep: This year I will gain 10 pounds, not start smoking, and work too much! That way I was a success at the end of the year. Last year, I got rid of a great amount of clutter in my house. This year I would like to get rid of a different kind of clutter. I want to get rid of the things that make me unhealthy. I want to get rid of the unnecessary expenses that make me ...less wealthy. And most importantly, I want to get rid of the things that are pulling my focus away from God. This is not going to be a year of starting new things, but a year of quitting the old! This year I'm gonna be a quitter!!!
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Countdown Continues
Sometimes, as I get closer to a deadline, panic really sets in. Sometimes, as I get closer to a deadline, I come to the realization that I can't do anything else about it and I just tuck in for the remainder of the time. Fortunately, I am not panicked at this point. I still plan on practicing at least three hours on Thursday and again on Friday, but really, what else can I do? I'll do the best I can. The cantata will happen. People will worship because of what we add to the service or despite my playing, but worship is not dependent upon ME. I like to think that things are about me...but not so much!
As far as presents go. Well, I'd like to be well thought out, in search of the perfect gift and the best bargain and the perfect gift bag....but this year it may be more practical gifts and I may slap a bow on a Target bag. It's still the thought, right??
So, 2 more days of school.
3 more days to practice before the Cantata.
ONE WEEK to get all my shopping and wrapping done.
Take a deep breath and hang on tight!!!
As far as presents go. Well, I'd like to be well thought out, in search of the perfect gift and the best bargain and the perfect gift bag....but this year it may be more practical gifts and I may slap a bow on a Target bag. It's still the thought, right??
So, 2 more days of school.
3 more days to practice before the Cantata.
ONE WEEK to get all my shopping and wrapping done.
Take a deep breath and hang on tight!!!
Sunday, December 14, 2008
5 more days
Ok. So now, I have a plan. A schedule. An OCD attempt to make me feel better about all the things I have to do in the next two weeks!!!
After an entire day of practicing piano and then wrapping the TWO gifts I have purchased, I have made a teeny tiny dent in my To Do List. Hopefully, tomorrow will go the way I think it should and the dent can grow.
Brooke - a kamikaze shopping trip sounds like it is exactly what I need. Got big plans on Saturday? :)
5 more days of school.
5 more days of current leadership.
6 more days until the cantata.
11 more days until Christmas.
Some of these countdowns are exciting....some of them are SCARY!!!! Regardless....they are all coming!
After an entire day of practicing piano and then wrapping the TWO gifts I have purchased, I have made a teeny tiny dent in my To Do List. Hopefully, tomorrow will go the way I think it should and the dent can grow.
Brooke - a kamikaze shopping trip sounds like it is exactly what I need. Got big plans on Saturday? :)
5 more days of school.
5 more days of current leadership.
6 more days until the cantata.
11 more days until Christmas.
Some of these countdowns are exciting....some of them are SCARY!!!! Regardless....they are all coming!
Saturday, December 13, 2008
'Tis the Season
to be stressed?? Maybe. All I know is that I am really trying to take steps to stop it before it gets out of control. I spent all day at school today. Everything is ready for school for the entire week so that at least gets us through the rest of the year. Aside from daily grading, I think I'm set there. Tomorrow, I'll spend the entire day practicing the cantata. Actually, I'll spend part of the time rewriting it and the rest of the time practicing it. I'll be very happy when it is over. I am really starting to resent these things that make me wish away this holiday season. I'm not sure what the answer is. I've asked Dad if we can't spend just a few minutes each rehearsal on a different cantata song throughout the year - learning a song a month. I think it makes a lot of sense. He doesn't. So next year, I'll wave my arms around and HE can play. I'm not saying his job is easy...but it isn't quite as easy to spot his mistakes as it is mine!!! My biggest fear is that the cantata will not be what it should be because of me. That's not fair to those who have put it in all the hours at practices and extra sectional rehearsals. No pressure!
The next big stresser is the gift buying. I am usually finished shopping by now. This year, I haven't even started!!!!!!!!!!!!! That doesn't stress me out as much as the fact that I can't think of a time I am free to go shopping until December 20th! Then there's the wrapping!!! I don't want to buy a gift because it is convenient. I like well thought out gifts. I love finding those perfect things. I don't know that there is time to do that this year.
Then there's the travel. Not only do we need to be ready for Christmas here...we need to be ready to travel another 10 hours and have Christmas with family. I soooo want to be there. I sooooo don't want to go. Didn't we JUST get out of the car for Thanksgiving?
On a POSITIVE note, let me just say that my new favorite Christmas song is You're Here by Francesca Battistelli. I have yet to listen to it that it doesn't just move me to tears. I just can't imagine what Mary must have been thinking....but to notice his tiny hands and to know that someday He would stretch out those hands and save the world....that's just AMAZING! And because of reminders like that I am praying that I can let go of all of this other STUFF and really find and keep the focus of the reason for this season.
The next big stresser is the gift buying. I am usually finished shopping by now. This year, I haven't even started!!!!!!!!!!!!! That doesn't stress me out as much as the fact that I can't think of a time I am free to go shopping until December 20th! Then there's the wrapping!!! I don't want to buy a gift because it is convenient. I like well thought out gifts. I love finding those perfect things. I don't know that there is time to do that this year.
Then there's the travel. Not only do we need to be ready for Christmas here...we need to be ready to travel another 10 hours and have Christmas with family. I soooo want to be there. I sooooo don't want to go. Didn't we JUST get out of the car for Thanksgiving?
On a POSITIVE note, let me just say that my new favorite Christmas song is You're Here by Francesca Battistelli. I have yet to listen to it that it doesn't just move me to tears. I just can't imagine what Mary must have been thinking....but to notice his tiny hands and to know that someday He would stretch out those hands and save the world....that's just AMAZING! And because of reminders like that I am praying that I can let go of all of this other STUFF and really find and keep the focus of the reason for this season.
Saturday, December 06, 2008
Streams of Consciousness Lead to Mud Puddles and Waterfalls.....
I am finishing up at school and waiting for some CDs to burn so I thought I'd write a short note. The last few months have been really rough and for reasons that I am still trying to wrap my brain around, I have been completely miserable. I've wavered between telling people of my misery to the point of worrying about losing the friends I have and keeping everything tucked neatly away inside until I have a complete melt down in the most random of places. Neither are good choices. I know that God has put me in this place for a reason - even if that reason is to come to a realization that I no longer belong here. I know that He doesn't give us things we can't handle. I also know that I am not handling any of this well...or right. I am so thankful for glimpses of peace and happiness and am sooooo excited about seeing both of those as well as three of my most favorite people on the planet this weekend. (5 if you count the Shanes!) I want to be thankful for the reason and spirit of this amazing season instead of allowing it to stress me to the point of being unable to enjoy or appreciate it! I am suddenly tired of being all things to some people and am anxious to discover who I have really become. Yet, that journey scares the crap out of me too. I want to become very excited about the changes that I hope are coming.
What I am ALREADY very excited about is the idea of seeing some of my very best friends and worshiping with them at tomorrow night's Shane and Shane concert. I am also super excited about celebrating Christmas with them! I can hardly wait to get there and see everyone and watch the opening of the presents! Anyone who knows me knows that I go a little crazy this time of year. I can be a little silly, but I love to watch people open gifts! I wrap some of the craziest things just so I can watch people open them! (I don't wrap single socks when giving a pair - I'm not that far gone, but I do very RARELY put more than one item in a package even if there is room! I like lots of gifts! :) It's just fun!!) So I spent the better part of last night wrapping presents that we will rip into over the next 36 hours and I can hardly wait to load the car and go! At first it was a little stressful to have Christmas so early. It kind of snuck up on me and I was worried about being ready, but I am so glad it is this weekend! Hopefully, I will remember to take many pictures and be able to preserve some of this goodness!!
Wow...this was kind of random in all ways, but that's where I am now! Enjoy!
What I am ALREADY very excited about is the idea of seeing some of my very best friends and worshiping with them at tomorrow night's Shane and Shane concert. I am also super excited about celebrating Christmas with them! I can hardly wait to get there and see everyone and watch the opening of the presents! Anyone who knows me knows that I go a little crazy this time of year. I can be a little silly, but I love to watch people open gifts! I wrap some of the craziest things just so I can watch people open them! (I don't wrap single socks when giving a pair - I'm not that far gone, but I do very RARELY put more than one item in a package even if there is room! I like lots of gifts! :) It's just fun!!) So I spent the better part of last night wrapping presents that we will rip into over the next 36 hours and I can hardly wait to load the car and go! At first it was a little stressful to have Christmas so early. It kind of snuck up on me and I was worried about being ready, but I am so glad it is this weekend! Hopefully, I will remember to take many pictures and be able to preserve some of this goodness!!
Wow...this was kind of random in all ways, but that's where I am now! Enjoy!
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Have I Been Here Before?
It has been so long since I have done this, I'm not sure I remember how! I don't have time to actually be doing this right now, but in case anyone ever looks at this, I just wanted to post some hope - I think I am going to start blogging again! New computer, high speed internet, lack of blocks at school...I think someone is trying to tell me to start again! We'll see what happens. For right now, I just want to try to make my blog look pretty! So bear with me!
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Look Ma! No filters!!!
Shhhh. I must type very quietly. I don't know why it is, but my school computer is letting me on blogspot again!!! I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Maybe I can blog again. Is anyone still out there? Does anyone else want to give this another shot? I actually miss our Musical Mondays and Tell All Tuesdays! Whattaya say? Who's with me?
(I feel like I'm headed off to attack some foreign shore or something! I am so weird!)
(I feel like I'm headed off to attack some foreign shore or something! I am so weird!)
Friday, December 22, 2006
Are we back??
Don't be shocked. I'm blogging.
Kinda - it's a survey, does that count?
Christmas Survey
1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?
Hot Chocolate - Egg Nog is icky!!
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?
They are wrapped!
3. Colored or White lights on tree/house?
White lights
4. Do you hang mistletoe?
nope
5. When do you put your decorations up?
Usually either the day after Thanksgiving or Thanksgiving Day..this year, not at all.
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?
Any of the veggies - casseroles! (But I really LOVE Peanut Butter Fudge!)
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child?
Going downstairs on Christmas morning to hear Granny Smith say "Ho,Ho,Ho Merry Christmas" in her deepest voice...while wearing her newly decorated sweatshirt and large colored lights necklace :)
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
The same fateful night I learned about the Tooth Fairy. Thanks Dad. :)
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
Not with family. Maybe with friends.
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree?
With all Winnie the Pooh ornaments
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?
I like to see it fall. I hate to be cold. And I really hate it when snow keeps me from going where I want to go or doing what I want to do.
12. Can you ice skate?
I've tried, but I'm not very good.
13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
Yes. Do you want to know what it was?
14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you?
Jesus, of course! And it is the ONLY time of the year my whole family gets to be together. As more of my family is dying, I'm beginning to cherish even more the rare times we get to be together. We were never fortunate enough to live in the same area with our family so Christmas time is the only 2 days we have all year to actually see each other. It is brief, but it is special. I wouldn't miss it.
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?
Peanut Butter Fudge
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Opening presents one at a time, so that we can actually enjoy what we all get and give and it doesn't go by so fast!
17. What tops your tree?
Nothing this year...tree is still in the box! Usually, an angel
18. Which do you prefer, giving or Receiving gifts?
Anybody who knows me at all knows I want to give the gifts.
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song?
I am not a fan of Christmas music (in December!), but I love It Musta Been Ol' Santa...and ANYTHING Harry Connick, Jr. sings. I also love Child of God, Breath of Heaven, A Strange Way to Save the World, and lots of others.
20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum?
They are ok.
Kinda - it's a survey, does that count?
Christmas Survey
1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?
Hot Chocolate - Egg Nog is icky!!
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?
They are wrapped!
3. Colored or White lights on tree/house?
White lights
4. Do you hang mistletoe?
nope
5. When do you put your decorations up?
Usually either the day after Thanksgiving or Thanksgiving Day..this year, not at all.
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?
Any of the veggies - casseroles! (But I really LOVE Peanut Butter Fudge!)
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child?
Going downstairs on Christmas morning to hear Granny Smith say "Ho,Ho,Ho Merry Christmas" in her deepest voice...while wearing her newly decorated sweatshirt and large colored lights necklace :)
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
The same fateful night I learned about the Tooth Fairy. Thanks Dad. :)
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
Not with family. Maybe with friends.
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree?
With all Winnie the Pooh ornaments
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?
I like to see it fall. I hate to be cold. And I really hate it when snow keeps me from going where I want to go or doing what I want to do.
12. Can you ice skate?
I've tried, but I'm not very good.
13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
Yes. Do you want to know what it was?
14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you?
Jesus, of course! And it is the ONLY time of the year my whole family gets to be together. As more of my family is dying, I'm beginning to cherish even more the rare times we get to be together. We were never fortunate enough to live in the same area with our family so Christmas time is the only 2 days we have all year to actually see each other. It is brief, but it is special. I wouldn't miss it.
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?
Peanut Butter Fudge
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Opening presents one at a time, so that we can actually enjoy what we all get and give and it doesn't go by so fast!
17. What tops your tree?
Nothing this year...tree is still in the box! Usually, an angel
18. Which do you prefer, giving or Receiving gifts?
Anybody who knows me at all knows I want to give the gifts.
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song?
I am not a fan of Christmas music (in December!), but I love It Musta Been Ol' Santa...and ANYTHING Harry Connick, Jr. sings. I also love Child of God, Breath of Heaven, A Strange Way to Save the World, and lots of others.
20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum?
They are ok.
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
I'm too tired for Things I Love Thursday...So here's a Thursday Tag instead! :)
I AM: a friend, a teacher, a sister, a daughter, a writer, a reader, a listener, and soooo much more
I WANT: time to do everything I need to do and still have some time and energy left for those things I want to do.
I WISH: All my friends lived closer to me!!!
I HATE: not being able to fix things for people. Not like plumbing or electrical things, but those emotional, hurtful, unfixable things.
I MISS: being able to hear from people who are now gone.
I HEAR: kids laughing and playing and being released from the stress of End of Grade Tests.
I WONDER: why. A lot.
I REGRET: Very little. Even the things that would make most people say, "I wish I could do that again - differently" I don't think I would. Without those mistakes I wouldn't have learned what I now know and I would be a very different person. And I'm not sure that's a good thing.
I AM NOT: good at giving up control.
I DANCE: only in the kitchen...and then it has to be the "kitchen dance".
I SING: LOUDLY in the shower and in the car or just hanging around the house - and ALWAYS with ABBA, but I sing more quietly when around other people.
I CRY: when I am sad, angry, too happy, hurt, at Oreo commercials, basically, all the time! I'm not a weeper. It just seems that EVERY emotion, good or bad, can cause me to tear up pretty easily!
I AM NOT ALWAYS: patient. I am not always right. (Someone else should write that down!! I don't say that too very much!)
I MAKE WITH MY HANDS: words and music, messes and organized stacks!
I WRITE: things that are important, things I want to remember, things I want to forget, things that make me think, things that make me laugh. I write at night, in dark rooms with only enough light to see what I am doing. I write things that many others will one day see. I write down things that no one will ever see. I write when I am upset. I write when I am happy. I write when I am confused. This year, I forgot to write...until just recently. Its kind of like I suddenly remembered who I am again.
I CONFUSE: laughter with happiness.
I NEED: a nap!!!!
I SHOULD: finish something before I start something else! I should work ONE job only! I should REST a minute!
I START: lots of projects...at the same time
I FINISH: every book I start....eventually! Some take a little longer than others!
I'M GLAD: that I have been blessed with the friends I have.
I LIVE: life really fast. It fills up so quickly and it passes before I know it. Someone slow this down!!
I PRAY: at the strangest moments and I often say the strangest things. I can just see God shake His head at me...of course, He's not shocked by what I am saying! It's not like He didn't know it was coming!!
I SEEK: peace.
I WOULD RATHER: work with children than adults.
I PREFER: to not play games in relationships - in any relationship. I want people to just tell me what they think and feel (tactfully, if possible) and then move forward!
I KNOW: how to make people laugh - usually.
I MUST HAVE: chocolate, books, alone time, music and friends - these are not in the order of importance...usually. :)
I HOPE: to one day find the right man at the right time to share the rest of my life with - but, more importantly, I hope to continue to be the kind of person who is VERY happy with life the way it is...to not sit around thinking that something is missing just because I'm not married or I'm not a mom, or something like that.
OK girls....this is a philosophical tag, but fun nonetheless! Enjoy...and TAG - YOU'RE IT!! Bina, Brooke, Sarai, Kim, Maleah, Beth, Laura - go for it!
I WANT: time to do everything I need to do and still have some time and energy left for those things I want to do.
I WISH: All my friends lived closer to me!!!
I HATE: not being able to fix things for people. Not like plumbing or electrical things, but those emotional, hurtful, unfixable things.
I MISS: being able to hear from people who are now gone.
I HEAR: kids laughing and playing and being released from the stress of End of Grade Tests.
I WONDER: why. A lot.
I REGRET: Very little. Even the things that would make most people say, "I wish I could do that again - differently" I don't think I would. Without those mistakes I wouldn't have learned what I now know and I would be a very different person. And I'm not sure that's a good thing.
I AM NOT: good at giving up control.
I DANCE: only in the kitchen...and then it has to be the "kitchen dance".
I SING: LOUDLY in the shower and in the car or just hanging around the house - and ALWAYS with ABBA, but I sing more quietly when around other people.
I CRY: when I am sad, angry, too happy, hurt, at Oreo commercials, basically, all the time! I'm not a weeper. It just seems that EVERY emotion, good or bad, can cause me to tear up pretty easily!
I AM NOT ALWAYS: patient. I am not always right. (Someone else should write that down!! I don't say that too very much!)
I MAKE WITH MY HANDS: words and music, messes and organized stacks!
I WRITE: things that are important, things I want to remember, things I want to forget, things that make me think, things that make me laugh. I write at night, in dark rooms with only enough light to see what I am doing. I write things that many others will one day see. I write down things that no one will ever see. I write when I am upset. I write when I am happy. I write when I am confused. This year, I forgot to write...until just recently. Its kind of like I suddenly remembered who I am again.
I CONFUSE: laughter with happiness.
I NEED: a nap!!!!
I SHOULD: finish something before I start something else! I should work ONE job only! I should REST a minute!
I START: lots of projects...at the same time
I FINISH: every book I start....eventually! Some take a little longer than others!
I'M GLAD: that I have been blessed with the friends I have.
I LIVE: life really fast. It fills up so quickly and it passes before I know it. Someone slow this down!!
I PRAY: at the strangest moments and I often say the strangest things. I can just see God shake His head at me...of course, He's not shocked by what I am saying! It's not like He didn't know it was coming!!
I SEEK: peace.
I WOULD RATHER: work with children than adults.
I PREFER: to not play games in relationships - in any relationship. I want people to just tell me what they think and feel (tactfully, if possible) and then move forward!
I KNOW: how to make people laugh - usually.
I MUST HAVE: chocolate, books, alone time, music and friends - these are not in the order of importance...usually. :)
I HOPE: to one day find the right man at the right time to share the rest of my life with - but, more importantly, I hope to continue to be the kind of person who is VERY happy with life the way it is...to not sit around thinking that something is missing just because I'm not married or I'm not a mom, or something like that.
OK girls....this is a philosophical tag, but fun nonetheless! Enjoy...and TAG - YOU'RE IT!! Bina, Brooke, Sarai, Kim, Maleah, Beth, Laura - go for it!
Wacky Wednesday Tag
1. YOUR FULL NAME: Lori Jean Gilbert...it could be worse, right?
2. WHAT COLOR PANTS ARE YOU WEARING RIGHT NOW? Black
3. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? grilled fish (not for breakfast...that was dinner last night!)
4. LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Anthony Giordano - weird! but true!
5. THE WORST ADVICE YOU EVER GOT: "If you love something, set it free. If it comes back to you, it is yours. If it doesn't, it was never yours in the first place." I would like to have plunged a fork directly into the eye of anyone who ever told me this when Rob and split up. It was so helpful.
6. ONE THING YOU SWORE YOU WOULD NEVER DO: have a pet bat?? I don't know. I'm sure there are lots of these.
7. NAME SOMETHING YOU FIND ATTRACTIVE IN THE OPPOSITE SEX: sense of humor, sense of responsibility, sense of commitment, great smile
8. SOMETHING YOU ARE PROUD TO SAY THAT YOU CAN DO: Sign Language
9. SOMETHING YOU ARE NOT SO PROUD THAT YOU CAN DO: Get easily frustrated!!!
10. SOMETHING YOU WISH YOU COULD DO: Trust more easily
11. SOMETHING YOU SAY TOO OFTEN: This is a no brainer! "ShutUp!" and "Friend" are frequently uttered
12. SOMETHING YOUR CHILDREN WILL LOVE YOU FOR WHEN THEY ARE GROWN: probably the same things they are embarrassed by: my sense of humor, laughing too much or too loud!, hopefully they will love that they can talk to me without fear of judgment. HOPEFULLY.
13. YOUR BIRTHDAY: May 22, 1974
14. YOUR COLLEGE DEGREE: Bachelors in Education (Deaf Ed., Elementary Ed., Middle Grades Ed., Secondary Ed., Special Ed. and a Reading Certification - I couldn't pick one!)
15. BEST REASON FOR DOING THIS QUESTIONNAIRE: This was more fun than the stuff I SHOULD have been doing. Besides, I've been tagged by everyone I know! :) There's no one left to tag...except Maleah who has apparently given up blogging for the year! :)
Fun! I have a new tag to be done....I'll have to find it and post it next.
2. WHAT COLOR PANTS ARE YOU WEARING RIGHT NOW? Black
3. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? grilled fish (not for breakfast...that was dinner last night!)
4. LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Anthony Giordano - weird! but true!
5. THE WORST ADVICE YOU EVER GOT: "If you love something, set it free. If it comes back to you, it is yours. If it doesn't, it was never yours in the first place." I would like to have plunged a fork directly into the eye of anyone who ever told me this when Rob and split up. It was so helpful.
6. ONE THING YOU SWORE YOU WOULD NEVER DO: have a pet bat?? I don't know. I'm sure there are lots of these.
7. NAME SOMETHING YOU FIND ATTRACTIVE IN THE OPPOSITE SEX: sense of humor, sense of responsibility, sense of commitment, great smile
8. SOMETHING YOU ARE PROUD TO SAY THAT YOU CAN DO: Sign Language
9. SOMETHING YOU ARE NOT SO PROUD THAT YOU CAN DO: Get easily frustrated!!!
10. SOMETHING YOU WISH YOU COULD DO: Trust more easily
11. SOMETHING YOU SAY TOO OFTEN: This is a no brainer! "ShutUp!" and "Friend" are frequently uttered
12. SOMETHING YOUR CHILDREN WILL LOVE YOU FOR WHEN THEY ARE GROWN: probably the same things they are embarrassed by: my sense of humor, laughing too much or too loud!, hopefully they will love that they can talk to me without fear of judgment. HOPEFULLY.
13. YOUR BIRTHDAY: May 22, 1974
14. YOUR COLLEGE DEGREE: Bachelors in Education (Deaf Ed., Elementary Ed., Middle Grades Ed., Secondary Ed., Special Ed. and a Reading Certification - I couldn't pick one!)
15. BEST REASON FOR DOING THIS QUESTIONNAIRE: This was more fun than the stuff I SHOULD have been doing. Besides, I've been tagged by everyone I know! :) There's no one left to tag...except Maleah who has apparently given up blogging for the year! :)
Fun! I have a new tag to be done....I'll have to find it and post it next.
Monday, May 29, 2006
PS
I meant to write this yesterday, but I was so excited about blogging again that I just forgot!
More Wicked thoughts:
I know that the songs Popular and What is This Feeling are crowd pleasers. Stephen Schwartz even talks about them being "bubble gum songs" that are just there as extras - to bring the crowd in. They are fun and I love singing along with them as much as the next person, but the song that is my new favorite is For Good. Sitting in the theater with two people who are friends like this to me as well as thinking about the amazing friends in my life just made this an even more amazing song - move over Michael W. Smith. A new friend song has hit the world! I just thank God for friends that have touched my heart like this:
I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you
Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good
It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend
Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
Because I knew you
I have been changed for good
Thanks friends! I love you all!
Sarai, Brooke, Bina, Kim, Reuben, Dana, Becky, Maleah, Beth, Sarah, John, Jen, Laura, Wendy, Chris, and all the other incredible friends that I have whom I have UNFORTUNATELY not named in this list - I am a better person because of each and every one of you!!!! If I left you off, please chalk it up to a blonde moment.....It wasn't on purpose!
More Wicked thoughts:
I know that the songs Popular and What is This Feeling are crowd pleasers. Stephen Schwartz even talks about them being "bubble gum songs" that are just there as extras - to bring the crowd in. They are fun and I love singing along with them as much as the next person, but the song that is my new favorite is For Good. Sitting in the theater with two people who are friends like this to me as well as thinking about the amazing friends in my life just made this an even more amazing song - move over Michael W. Smith. A new friend song has hit the world! I just thank God for friends that have touched my heart like this:
I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you
Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good
It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend
Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
Because I knew you
I have been changed for good
Thanks friends! I love you all!
Sarai, Brooke, Bina, Kim, Reuben, Dana, Becky, Maleah, Beth, Sarah, John, Jen, Laura, Wendy, Chris, and all the other incredible friends that I have whom I have UNFORTUNATELY not named in this list - I am a better person because of each and every one of you!!!! If I left you off, please chalk it up to a blonde moment.....It wasn't on purpose!
Sunday, May 28, 2006
Superbly Wicked Sunday
Well, I missed Wonderfully Wild and Wicked Wednesday...or whatever it was supposed to be! Truth be known, I've missed most of this month. I seem to have spent it trying to catch up with myself. My writing today is not an indication that I am caught up, but that I am avoiding everything else that needs to be done. I am actually sitting at school with a mile-long To-Do list and not enough time to do any of it. So blogging wins! :)
First of all, can I just tell you how incredibly blessed I am to have the friends that I have! And what a great Christmas gift...to be celebrated for 5 MONTHS while you anxiously await the arrival of the big event! After our 3 hour interpretation of Wicked all the way to Atlanta (thanks to Brooke's narrative recitation and Sarai's musical rendition...I was in charge of transportation and tech support) we finally made it to our AMAZING hotel room (yeah for Priceline!) where somehow, I became birds and Brooke picked up a little German.
We spent an amazing day at IKEA (See Sarai's blog for the dirt on that experience!) I became the U-Turn Queen! The Cheesecake Factory was INSANE! Nothing can be wrong with a trip to Old Navy or Bath and Body. After all of these incredible experiences, it was hard to even fathom that the best was yet to come!!!
We dressed ourselves up and made it to the theater in plenty of time. I did a superb parking job regardless of what the people in the BMW thought. :) For 2 hours and 45 minutes we were completely drawn-in to the magic of Wicked. I won't belittle the experience by saying that we "rejoycified" or that the whole place was "swankified" but I think magical is a perfect description of the evening. The show was incredible....singers, actors, set, orchestra, everything. Including the people I got to have this experience with. (Who were smart enough to buy their souvenirs (the exact same shirts, keychains, hats, etc.) for a fraction of the cost at which they were offered to us at the theater....we are brilliant, ladies.) It was an amazing night. And to be able to go "home" to our hotel room and have more treasure from the Cheesecake Factory - it was the perfect ending to the perfect day.
To finish the weekend up with breakfast from Cracker Barrel and more singing and shopping was also perfect. It was a great trip. It was a wonderful experience. I'm just glad to have shared it with P-friends! ;) Love you girls!
Ok...look soon for the top ten list! It's gonna happen! :)
Now...must go finish getting my classroom ready for some end of grade testing tomorrow. UGH!!!
First of all, can I just tell you how incredibly blessed I am to have the friends that I have! And what a great Christmas gift...to be celebrated for 5 MONTHS while you anxiously await the arrival of the big event! After our 3 hour interpretation of Wicked all the way to Atlanta (thanks to Brooke's narrative recitation and Sarai's musical rendition...I was in charge of transportation and tech support) we finally made it to our AMAZING hotel room (yeah for Priceline!) where somehow, I became birds and Brooke picked up a little German.
We spent an amazing day at IKEA (See Sarai's blog for the dirt on that experience!) I became the U-Turn Queen! The Cheesecake Factory was INSANE! Nothing can be wrong with a trip to Old Navy or Bath and Body. After all of these incredible experiences, it was hard to even fathom that the best was yet to come!!!
We dressed ourselves up and made it to the theater in plenty of time. I did a superb parking job regardless of what the people in the BMW thought. :) For 2 hours and 45 minutes we were completely drawn-in to the magic of Wicked. I won't belittle the experience by saying that we "rejoycified" or that the whole place was "swankified" but I think magical is a perfect description of the evening. The show was incredible....singers, actors, set, orchestra, everything. Including the people I got to have this experience with. (Who were smart enough to buy their souvenirs (the exact same shirts, keychains, hats, etc.) for a fraction of the cost at which they were offered to us at the theater....we are brilliant, ladies.) It was an amazing night. And to be able to go "home" to our hotel room and have more treasure from the Cheesecake Factory - it was the perfect ending to the perfect day.
To finish the weekend up with breakfast from Cracker Barrel and more singing and shopping was also perfect. It was a great trip. It was a wonderful experience. I'm just glad to have shared it with P-friends! ;) Love you girls!
Ok...look soon for the top ten list! It's gonna happen! :)
Now...must go finish getting my classroom ready for some end of grade testing tomorrow. UGH!!!
Monday, May 01, 2006
Monday. THE Monday.
And all of life comes down to just one thing -
That's to know You and make You known.
Aside from the fact that I think that this is actually TWO things, I LOVE this song and it is stuck in my head this morning...but I'm ok with that.
Crazy day today. Toothache - ugh - I MUST suck it up and call a dentist. Feelin' behind here at school. Must go to Asheville and Mars Hill after school. It's just one of those days!
Everyone should just hang in there!
That's to know You and make You known.
Aside from the fact that I think that this is actually TWO things, I LOVE this song and it is stuck in my head this morning...but I'm ok with that.
Crazy day today. Toothache - ugh - I MUST suck it up and call a dentist. Feelin' behind here at school. Must go to Asheville and Mars Hill after school. It's just one of those days!
Everyone should just hang in there!
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Friday, April 21, 2006
Oh yeah
I really do remember how to do this. I just don't know how to do this AND school AND company AND twins AND travel (yeah for cruises!) AND cleaning AND all that other fun stuff! But things should be falling back into a routine - one that includes the twins again, so I'm super excited and a little exhausted thinking about that - but that routine should help me get back to blogging again! I've missed it...there's just NO time! Anyway, all of that rambling to say - don't give up on me! I'll be back on Monday!! Promise! (I hope!)
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Wacky Wednesday Tag
It's silly how much I love stuff like this, but I do!!
The top 5 must haves(for today at least):
In My Fridge:
1. Coke
2. Half-n-Half
3. Pickles
4. Water
5. Sweet Tea
In my closet:
1. baby clothes - go figure
2. jeans
3. capris, capris, and more capris!!!
4. hoodies
5. A grand assortment of Old Navy Tees
In My Purse:
1. Burts Bees
2. Mints of one kind or another
3. Sunglasses
4. Cell Phone
5. Calendar
In My Car:
1. CDs
2. a Bible
3. lots of change
4. a plethora of napkins
5. pillow. . .in case I get tired while driving?? I'm not sure!
On my TiVo:
1. American idol
2. Will and Grace (The last season!!:( )
3. Two and a Half Men
4. What Not to Wear
5. House
I don't know if there is anyone left to Pass This On too...but you should do it! BINA! Have you?! Tag - you're it!
The top 5 must haves(for today at least):
In My Fridge:
1. Coke
2. Half-n-Half
3. Pickles
4. Water
5. Sweet Tea
In my closet:
1. baby clothes - go figure
2. jeans
3. capris, capris, and more capris!!!
4. hoodies
5. A grand assortment of Old Navy Tees
In My Purse:
1. Burts Bees
2. Mints of one kind or another
3. Sunglasses
4. Cell Phone
5. Calendar
In My Car:
1. CDs
2. a Bible
3. lots of change
4. a plethora of napkins
5. pillow. . .in case I get tired while driving?? I'm not sure!
On my TiVo:
1. American idol
2. Will and Grace (The last season!!:( )
3. Two and a Half Men
4. What Not to Wear
5. House
I don't know if there is anyone left to Pass This On too...but you should do it! BINA! Have you?! Tag - you're it!
Monday, April 03, 2006
Tell-All Tuesday
My Tell-All Tuesday is this: I heart Storms. :) I do! The house I am living in now is the only one of the last three without a sunroom and I miss it. I never sat in the sunroom when it was sunny, but it was an incredible place to be when it stormed! To be able to see the lightning from all angles was AMAZING! And to FEEL the thunder in that glass room was just indescribable. I like how powerful storms are and how little they make me feel! Sometimes I need to be knocked down a peg or two when considering my own importance in this world. Storms don't care a bit about me. And I'm ok with that. I think they are BEAUTIFUL! Lightning is so awesome. Thunder is really cool too. I just like how different it is everytime. I don't always like it when it wakes me up, but once I'm awake, I really do enjoy listening to it! Oh. I will say this for my current home. It doesn't have a sunroom, but it DOES have a metal roof and the rain is SO AMPLIFIED THAT YOU WOULD HAVE TO BE HEARING IMPAIRED TO NOT KNOW THAT IT WAS RAINING!!! And I like that too. So there ya go. It's random. But now, you know. (I'm thinking all this because, even though this is Tell-All TUESDAY, it is Monday morning, 5:15 and I'm writing this listening to the rain and hail and thunder. Brilliant time to be on the computer, I know. I AM blonde ya know.)
Catch-up? Are you kidding?
Yeah, my first thought is to play catch-up. (That's like: have burgers and CATCH UP not: have burgers and ketchup!)
My second thought is, are you kidding? I would NEVER catch-up from all I've missed. You all know that my life has been insane this month, so you'll just have to forgive me!
On to Mad Music Monday -
I woke up singing the "So Long, Farewell" song from Sound of Music. I think I really just wanted to go back to sleep and I could still just picture little Maggie singing, "The sun. . . has gone. . . to bed and so must I". What a fun time we had friends! It makes me laugh to think about it! Anyway, the time change has made me sleepy. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE this time change because I LOVE that it stays light later. BUT I HATE losing an hour in order for that to happen! NOT FAIR! There is too much to do already and now we have less time to do it!!!! Oh well!!
My other fav song of the day is off of the Newsong Worship album, "Before the Day." Especially this week while we get used to the time change, its going to be hard to get that Quiet Time in every morning. I HATE that when I am rushed or get up late, THAT is the thing that gets cut. (My students like that I don't cut out the shower or brush my teeth part!) I always think, well, I can have my quiet time this afternoon or when the kids are in PE or something. 80% of the time, it just doesn't happen at all if I don't get it in first thing. It's not intentional. I don't MEAN to skip it, it just keeps getting pushed back and back until there is nowhere to push it anymore and it's time to do the next day's quiet time! So, "before the day slips away, I just wanna stop, and say I LOVE YOU." Of all things to leave out of the day, this should not be it. LOVE this song!!!
My second thought is, are you kidding? I would NEVER catch-up from all I've missed. You all know that my life has been insane this month, so you'll just have to forgive me!
On to Mad Music Monday -
I woke up singing the "So Long, Farewell" song from Sound of Music. I think I really just wanted to go back to sleep and I could still just picture little Maggie singing, "The sun. . . has gone. . . to bed and so must I". What a fun time we had friends! It makes me laugh to think about it! Anyway, the time change has made me sleepy. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE this time change because I LOVE that it stays light later. BUT I HATE losing an hour in order for that to happen! NOT FAIR! There is too much to do already and now we have less time to do it!!!! Oh well!!
My other fav song of the day is off of the Newsong Worship album, "Before the Day." Especially this week while we get used to the time change, its going to be hard to get that Quiet Time in every morning. I HATE that when I am rushed or get up late, THAT is the thing that gets cut. (My students like that I don't cut out the shower or brush my teeth part!) I always think, well, I can have my quiet time this afternoon or when the kids are in PE or something. 80% of the time, it just doesn't happen at all if I don't get it in first thing. It's not intentional. I don't MEAN to skip it, it just keeps getting pushed back and back until there is nowhere to push it anymore and it's time to do the next day's quiet time! So, "before the day slips away, I just wanna stop, and say I LOVE YOU." Of all things to leave out of the day, this should not be it. LOVE this song!!!
Monday, March 20, 2006
Mad Music Monday
Oh! I bought soooo much music over the weekend that I am very excited about. I'll have to spread it out though!
My music for today is the new (and final) Watermark album. This album revisits a lot of their older stuff, but it is fabulous. One of the best parts is that it is a live album and has special guests such as Chris Tomlin and Shane & Shane. It is wonderful. I think the reason that I'm choosing this album as my choice for Mad Music Monday is less because of the music and more because of the reasoning behind this being the last Watermark album. Christy and Nathan Nockles (I hope I have those names right) have two beautiful children. They have discussed how it seems that too often their children get what is left of them instead of the best of them. They've realized that they only get one shot at being parents to these kids. They can make more music later. Nathan will continue to produce albums, but Christy is devoting all of her time to the ministry of being mom. I can't think of a higher calling. I love that this is a couple with a heart for Jesus and that they want to continue to serve Him. I also love that they can see that by being the best parents they can be to their children, they ARE serving Him.
My music for today is the new (and final) Watermark album. This album revisits a lot of their older stuff, but it is fabulous. One of the best parts is that it is a live album and has special guests such as Chris Tomlin and Shane & Shane. It is wonderful. I think the reason that I'm choosing this album as my choice for Mad Music Monday is less because of the music and more because of the reasoning behind this being the last Watermark album. Christy and Nathan Nockles (I hope I have those names right) have two beautiful children. They have discussed how it seems that too often their children get what is left of them instead of the best of them. They've realized that they only get one shot at being parents to these kids. They can make more music later. Nathan will continue to produce albums, but Christy is devoting all of her time to the ministry of being mom. I can't think of a higher calling. I love that this is a couple with a heart for Jesus and that they want to continue to serve Him. I also love that they can see that by being the best parents they can be to their children, they ARE serving Him.
Favorite Friend Friday
Nope. I cannot post my Favorite Friend Friday on Friday. It just doesn't work. It has to be Monday for some reason!!!
My friend of the week this week is Jessica Simpson. I haven't flaunted that I know Jessica because of all the paparazzi. And I really didn't want to be a name dropper...but because of the divorce and all she's been through, I just think it's time for some good press so I am choosing to highlight Jessica as my friend of the week.
What the heck. My friend of the week is Jessica BROOKE Simpson!! :) Brooke and I haven't known each other very long, but I'm so thankful to Sarai for bringing us together. We have tons of stuff in common and already find ourselves sharing a brain much of the time. We don't have lots of stories to share about memories of our friendship, but we are making new ones all the time. Between camp meetings and camp itself and game nights and IMs and emails and text messages and however else we choose to communicate, those memories are being formed and it seems much of those memories involve laughter. I am all for that! Brooke has reminded me of some things about friendship that I had forgotten or had taken for granted. I feel blessed to have a friend with whom I can laugh and vent and pray and just talk about nothing or everything! I'm excited to have Brooke in my life and I can't wait to see where this crazy life takes us.
Thanks for everything Brooke...especially for knowing that Chicken of the Sea is not really chicken. :)
My friend of the week this week is Jessica Simpson. I haven't flaunted that I know Jessica because of all the paparazzi. And I really didn't want to be a name dropper...but because of the divorce and all she's been through, I just think it's time for some good press so I am choosing to highlight Jessica as my friend of the week.
What the heck. My friend of the week is Jessica BROOKE Simpson!! :) Brooke and I haven't known each other very long, but I'm so thankful to Sarai for bringing us together. We have tons of stuff in common and already find ourselves sharing a brain much of the time. We don't have lots of stories to share about memories of our friendship, but we are making new ones all the time. Between camp meetings and camp itself and game nights and IMs and emails and text messages and however else we choose to communicate, those memories are being formed and it seems much of those memories involve laughter. I am all for that! Brooke has reminded me of some things about friendship that I had forgotten or had taken for granted. I feel blessed to have a friend with whom I can laugh and vent and pray and just talk about nothing or everything! I'm excited to have Brooke in my life and I can't wait to see where this crazy life takes us.
Thanks for everything Brooke...especially for knowing that Chicken of the Sea is not really chicken. :)
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