Life of the Party

     Tis the season to be (rainy) not jolly.  It's sad to say that down here in the south we are more worried about rain than snow. I have been in flip flops for days and it looks like this weather is going to continue.  I'm not complaining, and I'm actually enjoying the warmer weather. I love the thought of wearing shorts in December. I have come accustomed to carrying an umbrella and to have a jacket in hand. I'm not an expert, but shouldn't this be worrying us as a society?        

      Now that the festivities have died down it's back to reality. My poor desk seems to have suffered during the holidays. I have been so entrapped in the Christmas mood that I have totally forgotten all the "missed" work that needs to be done. In all honesty, I just didn't want to do it.        I avoided going out today, so I guess I missed all the AFTER CHRISTMAS SALES today. I have also neglected to check my favorite websites. I guess in a lot of ways I've been a hermit today. It just doesn't feel like December, and I cannot enjoy the 65 degree weather. The rain has had an incessant battle against my roof all day and I've had a book in my hand!   "The Host" by Stephanie Meyers has really had all my attention all day. It is very entertaining. Hopefully, I will have it finished by next week!   

A dear friend will be missed this year although holidays will still have cheer we will think of you as if you were here instead of what is truly clear His charismatic attitude was always the best he never backed down from any test He loved his truck above all the rest A hunting buddy was laid to rest and his dog was left without a conquest My friend will never send weird messages again but now I don't know where to begin I find weird things that remind me of you I wish you were here too Who else is going to jumpstart my truck and who else is  going to get their truck stuck

      After a startling wakeup call this morning, everything seemed to fall into place. I could smell the aroma of mom's traditional cooking and  I could hear the marathon movies playing softly in the back ground. The spirit of Christmas had descended upon my house. We even put up a tree this year!       This Christmas event was very small because my grandmother has decided not to join us. Although my family is small, we still usually fix enough food to feed an army. Christmas is always a tough time, and we are still missing my grandfather. He will forever be missed. I'm expecting a few friends to stop by and I know my sister will be in shortly. Today will only get better. I just wanted to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas! May your bellies be full and your cups never be empty! 

     It seems as if Christmas stuff goes out in stores earlier every year. I guess this is the retailers hopes that we will buy more or at least be interested. The stores are lined in red awaiting Thanksgiving to come and go. It's an odd time of year to be in moody funk, but I seem to have found myself in one. I'm usually counting down the days until Thanksgiving, but not this year.       The gloomy weather doesn't really inspire hope. My grandmother will not be joining us this year for the holidays. It seems as if she wants to spend them with her "real" family. Wow, that was a shocker and a disappointment. I just want one holiday to go well. 

        Honestly, fall is my favorite season of the year. We have colder air, changing leaves, and football. As I sit on the cold bleachers and cheer on my students, it finally hits me that this is the moment that I'm truly at my best.         I am the teacher who... - changes the next day's lesson to include a child's favorite song - stays late at games to congratulate her students - calls at least six parents a week for a "good" check in - lesson plans during faculty meetings just to get ahead  - buys recent books for her students to read - knows that one day it will all be worth it - attends graduation just to see her former students smile

      Such a small word to have such a huge connotation. The word, "loss" can have so many meanings, and its meaning can change due to circumstance. After many years of thinking about this word, I have come to the conclusion that no two people will have the same understanding of loss. So what is loss to me?        Loss isn't getting rained on and having my day go to hell. Loss is an experience of having something or someone taken away abruptly. Spasmodically wishing that that entity could be brought back into existence is a form of loss. Loss is the girl who slowly realizes all her childhood friends have become adults, and she has stayed the same. Loss is seeing everyone around you moving on, and at the same time you are stuck.         Loss isn't about being right all the time. Sometimes your monotonous life continues without your knowledge. You are not always the victor in every argument. Being wrong, however bad it...

         The school year has begun and it is going to be a promising year. I have many potential students bursting with knowledge. The first day jitters have left me and I'm getting back into the pattern of teaching. Reluctantly, I'm still cramming the night before class to finish last minute presentations, notes, annotations, and grades. The enjoyment of teaching is still something I hold dear.           I will miss the long lazy days of fishing with my dad, and endless leisure time to spend with a good book.  Living the ascetic life was amazing. My days were spent gardening, reading, mowing, fishing, and swimming. I will miss the late night chats with my mom about her job and the drama that comes with it. I have used this summer time as a parapet of sorts. It has shielded me from the reality of work.  

 A day well spent with the father figure in my spasmodically life. Today was awesome to say the least. We were up before dawn and loading the boat with supplies.      This was my meager catch of the day. Although I spent most of my day sun tanning, I was also actively fishing. There beauties were baited with worms and artificial bait. The water was calm and transparent. Fishing is such a relaxing sport, and I fully appreciate the time spent with my dad. School starts back soon, and I'll miss these precious moments. 

       True friendship is hard to come by, and when you discover you have it, cherish it!  I'm one of the lucky people who has two best friends. They were not always in my life, but perfect timing and good memories have brought them closer.         I took out time today to truly appreciate what I have. Hopefully, one day when we are old, we will see that all this wasted time of hanging out and cooking will be worth the laughs and jokes. It's not the time that matters, but the people we choose to spend it with. Thank the people who are in your life and make sure they know that they matter. I would rather have two best friends than eight "so called friends." 

Oh how I miss the beach!  I want to go back and stay. I'm fully aware that it isn't in my finical budget, but it would be really nice. With all the recent shark attacks being displayed on our local news channel, I was almost deterred from the ocean. Shark week has really helped fuel the negativity too! With SPF 50, I think I was more than prepared.  Maybe some time soon I will return to the sand and waves? Yes, I included a question mark!   I want to go back NOW!!!

     As summer comes to a close, a feeling of anticipation begins to unfold. I love the first few days back as a teacher, when the kids are there. The first days back is a sacred time for me. I map out my "teaching year" and reorganize.        I cannot wait until the first day of school, and I'm dreading open house. I never know what to say to my new students and their parents. Meeting new people is always a plus, but often I become dumbfounded. Hopefully this year will start out great and end well. 

       Vacation is such a simplistic word that defines itself wholly.  I have had to most wonderful carefree week ever. First off my incredibly adopted sister had the perfect “get away” at Myrtle Beach. This was my first adventure to the ocean without being on a field trip. I relished in the grainy sand beneath my feet.         Being away from home was a delight and a burden at the same time. I felt sensations of guilt for not taking my parents for me, but at the same time I felt like I deserved it. The sound of crashing waves surrounded me and swept me away in vast sleep. The calming sensation was and is so alluring.     I would really like to return and spend the whole summer in that hot steamy sand.   The sky was breathtaking and so was the scent of salt. The week was quickly spent collecting seashells, laughing, sun bathing, and site seeing. I really didn’t want to ...

      First of all, I would like to thank the community in which I work. I'm thankful that they provide for their children a summer school of crafts and learning experiences. Our staff strives to make our children aware of their rich background.  I was blessed again this year to be  participating in cultural summer school. I was placed in the gourds class. Below is a mask that I made during our training session with the lead teacher. I'm not very artistic, so hopefully you can identify it as a bear.      After two weeks of extreme fun, I'm very tired and ready for regular school to start. My summer will consist of gardening and lesson planning. Maybe I'll be extra active and have my first weeks of school planned out. I want this coming school year to run smoothly. 

        My poor orca plants have lagged behind, but all hope isn't lost. I will be dumping the Miracle Grow in this tire. Research is in my near future. If any of you have ideas of how to effectively grow this plant, please feel free to email me.   The squash is blooming and I'm super exited.       The green beans have been picked, peaked, and boiled.   The steam coming from the stove fogged up my camera. My mom decided to help. She said you needed to add onions, bacon, and salt to make them eatable.           Gardening is such a rewarding hobby to have. I'm pretty much excited anytime I get to take in the food. I know this winter I will appreciate all this work. I will be bagging them up in freezer bags. Hopefully, I will have around fifteen bags. 

                            I know this seems juvenile, but I was completely ecstatic about reaping my harvest. My green beans will soon be mature enough to take also. The only complaint that I have to make is the fact that I didn't have the opportunity to expand my small garden. The insects are still being pests, but the SEVEN Dust has really accomplished its task. Now, if only I can keep the plants watered and my dogs out of the tire S.   :)  The smile across my face is currently priceless. I was decked out in my camo gardening clothing.    My first tomato is super small, and will continue to ripen in my window sill. I was poised and ready first thing this morning to water, weed, and take inventory of my garden. In all honesty, I was avoiding the squelching humid heat that seems to bear down constantly during the summer. I understand that it is a small tomato, but the joy of this new hobby ...

It's the End of the year, and we are trying to get into gear. As the EOGs are finished, the students are soon to diminish Laughter in the hallways die teachers breath a big sigh Scores are in and they aren't good but we thought they understood The last days with out the kids are like open bids we sit and work in our rooms putting away our witch brooms Silent hallways fill my ears and all the laughter has turned to fears Did I lock my classroom door, or did I forget that daily chore? No more long papers to write, the TURN IN box is a sight. We smile as the eighth graders are promoted, while we smirk at the demoted.

     I have ventured into the world of squash. After my first attempt of failure, I was reluctant to try this again. Squash needs plenty of moisture and care. My first attempt resulted in a dried up plant and anger on my behalf.      You need to also keep in mind the space that this plant requires. It will branch out and neighboring tires will be eclipsed. I usually keep the the ratio to two plants per tire. This allows the nutrients to be equally distributed and there will not be any overlap.      Miracle Grow seems to also help the plant take root. Soon my little plants will be blooming and creating the squash.      Purchasing a water hose was the best idea I have ever had. Carry water via a pail was completely crazy and very time consuming. I make sure that the tire is brimming in water before I move on to the next one. I water the tomatoes briefly. The duration for growth is three to four weeks, and you wi...

      Now that I have fully shown my planting process, I will share photos of how to string the beans up. This takes time and patience, but it's worth it. Having the beans climb will allow you easy access for harvesting. Patience is always the key.       Recently we have been having heavy rainfall and this has in retrospect created a burden. The tires if not properly placed will wash out.  I have now started to place small rocks at the bases of all my tires before adding dirt to them. This process seems to really make a difference in the appearance and effectiveness of the tires. The rocks allows the water to flow out without loosing precious dirt in the process.       Discovering other uses for my tires has been an enjoyment. I think my next step in fully understanding the alternatives to tires will be to explore the prospect of composting. I'm not sure how effective this may be, but I'm willing t...

        I have spent the majority of this peaceful morning on the banks of Panther Creek enjoying some quality time with my fishing pole.   The tranquil time spent alone is really good for reflection.            Sometimes we forget that our busy lives are worth living. I spend so much of my time working that often I forget to take time for myself. I vehemently despise having to spend long hours planning and thinking about work, so a morning spent fishing is worth my time.       Humidity had me in her grasp this morning. It seemed as if all the bugs were attacked to me in some sort of gravity pull. This trout could feel the warmth too, and so they decided not to bite. The rushing water drowned out my subconscious thinking and allowed me to fully relax. Usually, I fall asleep to the melody of the creek. (this may be dangerous)      I even e...

My first tomato! I know it sounds utterly ridiculous, but I'm excited that my little garden is producing vegetables. My camera just didn't do it justice, but you can still see the small tomato forming.      I wish other projects could feel as rewarding as this. I take pride in my work and I value having a place and time to myself. Ignore the white substance on the plant. It is only the SEVEN dust to ward off the ever lurking bugs.    As you can see the area around my plants is rocky/ sandy. I need these plants to help the eroding back from washing away. Every time it rains there is small rivers of muddy water that washes away. I will consider putting down fescue to help the eroding, but it only gets washed down the hill as well.   tip:  The bigger the tire, the more you can plant inside it. Wash out the tire thoroughly before using it, because it might have chemicals in it. (fix-a-flat or oil)

    Well today was an adventure!   Dad and I went and ventured for some old tobacco poles from the barn.  It's been decades since anyone has used them.   My beans are finally growing and they are starting to develop runners on them. (Runners need something to climb on or they'll collapse back on the plant) They have to have somewhere to climb and grow so my dad suggested we build arches for them.   They are tied with left over yarn.   They don't look too bad.  😒 I was surprised at how this worked.Often we  doubt the people around us and we don't think their ideas are better than our own.   My idea didn't really work. Below you can see my mess of an idea. Unfortunately, I'm not the most inventive person.  😕   I'm a very happy gardener right now!           I only wish it would rain so I wouldn't have to carry water up to my plants every day.   This do it your self project ...

    The bugs have tried to massacre my poor baby plants, so I had to purchase some SEVEN dust to protect them.   This can be bought at any local dollar store. I think I only paid six dollars for the entire pack.       I'm so excited to see how they turn out hopefully they will be successful. I spend around an hour every day weeding, watering, and just working to get them right!

Love is…. Love is having a person to talk to, Singing in the car together, and always being together forever. Love is holding hands, Long movie nights, And break up fights. Love is always knowing that   you’ll   be there, and you’ll always care. Love is being the friend I needed, Never backing down, And always being a clown. Love is like reading books, You never want them to end, And like a text message you don’t want to send. Love is handing me your keys, Letting me drive, Singing songs like we’re   on stage live.