Visiting with Vicki

The ISTEP is coming...the ISTEP is coming!

2007-09-16T18:54:00.000-07:00

It's another Sunday night and I eagerly?? anticipate the coming work week. Don't get me wrong...I like my job. I love the interaction with students and my fellow co-workers. I just wish that I could do it when I wanted to. I guess that would be considered independently wealthy! I have been dreading this coming week because ISTEP testing starts. Grumble...grumble. It's bad enough to subject our kids to the stress of the test-taking, but the fact that special-ed students( whom I work with) are tested on their grade level instead of their functioning level just makes me crazy! I'd like to see the "great minds" that come up with the hoops that we must jump through come and give these students the tests. They have set this group of students up to fail, then wonder why our schools don't pass their rigid standards when the special -ed departments don't pass. I'll say a silent word of prayer (although that's probably not politically correct anymore) for the kids and educators. It's going to be a long week!

It's been a while...

2007-09-02T20:43:00.000-07:00

Well, I finally got the time and notion to write a few lines to my friends. With school starting back, the disease, and my otherwise laziness, I have not been a thoughtful blogger. Not a whole lot going on here lately. We did just change our tv/internet/phone this week. My new e-mail is : valvey@wowway.com I'm excited about being able to get some of my favorite channels in the kitchen when I'm cooking supper. On our other service it was a pay station only on our big tv and bedroom set. Hey, don't get the wrong idea about our "pay for service " channel...it is Discovery Health. You never know when you might need to diagnosis a brain tumor, birth a baby, or solve a mysterious disease!
The only bad thing about the new e-mail thing was I somehow lost my old address book. This is the 3rd time I've lost it! The other 2 times I gave Ed such grief over it ( it was his fault both timesand I threatened him with bodily harm if it happened again!) that he was sneaking and trying to type my address in again before I found out that it happened again. Interestingly enough, he NEVER loses his! I really do appreciate his concern( or fear) and the fact that my addresses are ready to go. I barely have them all in from last time. Oh no...sounding bitter again...must change subject!
We have a new automatic cat litter box and you would think that Ed had given me a priceless gift. I've been positively giddy about it. You can only imagine my disappointment when the "clumps" were too heavy for the motor and didn't work correctly. It make this loud slapping noise while the motor made a grinding sound. Poor Roxy may never potty again! Imagine if your potty carried on like that. Anyway, we emptied the litter, packed it up, and promptly took it back and got a different model...so far so good even though I've had to coax Roxy a bit. I'm cleaning the litterbox...I'm cleaning the litterbox...

Near Death Sickness from the depths of Hell

2007-08-15T17:59:00.000-07:00

Oh my gosh......Whatever mutant form of the plague was that hit my family was incredibly wicked! I don't remember being so sick from a virus in my entire life. Poor Sammy walked around (slowly because her joints all locked up) with an actual shade of green to her skin color. I don't think I've ever actually seen that happen. I didn't know a human being could puke such vast amounts from 1 tiny little sippie of sprite...you can imagine my surprise when a tiny chip of ice brought on another bout of the screaming pukes. I call it the screaming pukes because I do not vomit daintily. You could hear me retch clear on the other side of the house with the doors closed! I'm talking bucketfuls!
If I sound like I'm feeling sorry for myself, well I am! Monday, AKA known as Pukefest 2007 by my other heaving daughter, was our 25th wedding anniversary! Ed sent me lovely flowers at work( I haven't seen them for 2 days because I'm currently using several of my hard earned, greedily-saved sick days in the first week of school!) and Sammy, Meg, and Mike planned to make us a lovely, gourmet supper and serve it to us. They worked on the menu for days, shopped, the whole bit. Well, none of that happened! Instead, all of us except Ed have been curled up in the bathroom wrapped around the "throne" in one capacity or another. I'm sure you all know what I mean! I traded my menu of bacon wrapped cream cheese jalapenos, wilted spinich salad, roast chicken with potatoes, lemon and asparagus, and mini lava cakes ala mode washed down by a chilled glass of champagne for tylenol and ice chips that I couldn't even keep down! Waaaaaaaaa!!!
When we started to recover Sam and I ate olives like crazy to get the salt. I had become very dehydrated and my skin is hanging loose and bruised. The bags under my eyes stay all gathered up when I rub them and makes Sam gross out. The worst part is the soreness. Our joints, back, and rib muscles are so sore! It was during this phase of the disease that I got a good look of the picture of me when Meg jumped out and scared me and took my picture. Thanks Meg...just what I needed! The laugh just about killed me.
The one good thing about being soooooooo sick is that you really appreciate the little things in life so much more when you start feeling better...the slightly tinny taste of Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup, the clean smell of your toilet bowls since you had to practically sterilize them, pets who think that they are sick because they have been lying in bed with you for 2 days, and Sprite. Who cares if it is left over from an early June wedding and the fizz is long gone!
I'm trying to think about going back to work tomorrow. If not, Meg is on stand-by to sub for me and I will have a few more bonding days with Sammy before she goes back to college this weekend. I can almost make myself say(not really believe) that the disease has been worth having to get that extra time together. Next time, we need to come up with a better plan, Sam!

The world's most boring blog!

2007-07-26T10:00:00.000-07:00

I've been waiting for a few days to blog because I thought by then surely I would have something worthwhile to blog...WRONG! I stay busy, but I can't say doing what. A typical day of mine consists of doing stuff all day, but nothing really gets done. Example: When I get up I make my bed. I go to take my medicine, but I see how awful my hair looks so I have to tame it before I walk outside in the real world to take the dog out. I take Buddy out for his potty. I fill up his food and water and think that I should do it for the cats as well. I decide I might as well go ahead and sift the cat box so I go to the kitchen to get the new litter. While in the kitchen, I see that the table needs to be cleaned off. I grab an armful of stuff to take to their proper places. As I reach the bathroom I notice that I need to start a load of towels. I gather them up and stuff them in the washer and see that I'm out of detergent so I head back to the kitchen to get the new bottle. While I'm in there I decide i should test my blood before I take my medicine. As I finish up that task, I can't bear to look at the remains of last night's pots and pans that have been soaking. I finish the pans, then see that my counters are a mess. How can this be? I straightened them after supper last night! As I work on that, the dog has to potty again. While outside I straighten up the deck furniture and decide to water my plants. That brings on a game of dog vs. hose. Buddy loves to be squirted! Now the dog is wet and must dry out a little before we continue our chores. I sit for a while until I feel the need to talk to my neighbors who ply me with bounty from their garden. I go inside and plop them on my counter and pick up where I left off straightening them. I spy my blood tester and quickly head over to it, but am distracted by what I need to get out of the freezer for supper. I grab my new handy-dandy LIVING HOPE COOKBOOK and peruse through it for a tasty dish for my family. After picking a recipe I find that I need a few ingredients. I go comb my hair and put on some make-up in case I see some of my students at the store. While cleaning up, I remember my medicine. I gobble all 12 pills in one gulp (yes, I said all 12) and go to the kitchen for the elusive blood tester. After doing that, I have to eat something or my pills will make me sick and then I'll be done for the day. While my bagel is toasting, I get the laundry going. I can't go to the store now now because I don't leave my washer/dryer on while I'm not in the house. (Bad experience one time) Maybe I'll vacuum the living room. I probably should sweep the kitchen first. Hey, there's the kitty litter...better do that first. Anyway, you see what I'm talking about. It got too late to go to the store for my supper ingredients so we had whatever I could fix quickly. My laundry got tumbled 3 times before I was able to unload it wrinkle free. I go from room to room never quite finishing anything. But, on the good side of things, my family is great. They would rather me go out and do something fun than me to worry that I didn't get the floor vacuumed. Hamburgers and tater tots are ok. We can always scoot the clutter over on the kitchen counter over a little more when kind friends share their garden with us. ( praise be to green tomatoes) I guess what I am trying to say is I don't always get caught up in details. Things get done eventually. Some days I don't even try...yesterday I left the house with the intention of playing at a friend's house all day. Funny, I got more done when I got home than I did the previous day when I was home all day. Go figure that one!

Funny Games are the Best!

2007-07-18T09:04:00.000-07:00

Samantha and I have been playing a funny game for months now...and it never fails to get me tickled! We have some little plastic dinosaurs that we hide in unexpected places to scare each other. Down in the bed under the covers never gets old. When you get into bed after a long tiring day and slide your legs under the covers....aaaahhhhhhh! Then the giggles start.
Samantha changed the game slightly a while back. She has a creepy little cut-out of a leprechaun that she hid to scare me. Not to be out-done, I made leprechaun into a life size figure and put it in her bed to scare the begees out of her. To top it off, I taped Harry Potter glasses on his face. I had great success with that prank!
Now, whenever he turns up he still wears the Harry Potter glasses.
Last night he made an unexpected appearance in my medicine cabinet. First, I went and got my insulin out of the fridge. Tucked cozily in the box was a little dinosaur that was wedged in tightly, keeping the insulin from coming out of the box. As I stuck my fingers inside the box to see why it would not come out, it poked my unsuspecting finger with its spikes. Aaaaaahhhhhh! Giggle Giggle! after we had a good laugh about it, I bid Sam a good night and proceeded into my bathroom medicine cabinet to take the rest of my nightly medicine. When I opened the cabinet...Leprechaun fell out on me. Aaaaaahhhhhh! Giggle Giggle!
As I'm recovering from that I reach over to get my glass to fill with water to take my medicine and there was another dinosaur in it! Aaaaaaahhhhh! Giggle Giggle!
Sam certainly was busy yesterday. She had planned on me being a creature of habit and was successful in all 3 pranks. I will get her back. She knows it and that is what makes our game so fun. This is just one example of why I miss her so much when she goes back to college.
I will prolly send Denny (the toy dino that i sent with her on vacation. She sent pictures of him through her phone of him sight-seeing)just to keep me caught up on things as well as a little entertainment. Now...where can I hide that leprachaun?

Happy Birthday to my Mom

2007-07-16T09:47:00.000-07:00

Today is my mom's birthday. She would have been 69. She has been gone for 2 years now. Sometimes it seems like it was yesterday, but other times it seems like it has been forever.
It is amazing how much we all miss her for so many different reasons. I miss her just to talk to about the everyday things in life. And of course, I could do no wrong in her eyes. Everyone needs that in their life. Ed misses her because she instinctively knew when he needed a little extra boost in self-confidence. She was so proud of him and let him know that there was no one in the world like him. My girls were her girls! She was so proud of them. In a world that was filled with pain for her, they were what made her life worth living! Meagan was her special first-born grandchild and they always had a very special relationship. Mom held her before I did! I think that she would have added Mike to her collection of loved ones.
Sam was her very special "Little Sammy". Mom loved how she was so little, but always knew what she wanted and went after it. She would be proud to see that Sam has not changed in that!
When I think of mom I don't cry for her; I cry for us. She would be the first to say she had a good life, even with all of her illness. She got to love her family, inspire others in a positive way, and now live with Jesus. Way to go Nana! I love you!

Summer Break Is Going By Fast

2007-07-12T08:22:00.000-07:00

I am going into the panic mode...summer break is dwindling. It can be counted down in days without much trouble. Do I love my job? YES! Am I ready to go back to school yet? NO!
Once we get back, the enthusium of a new school year will take over. I love seeing our old students and meeting the new ones. I still hear "Hi Mrs. Alvey!" from students I worked with years ago when out shopping or in the park. It tickles me to see students who have left our school and are making it in their current school or situation.
I am hurriedly trying to get Harry Potter #6 reread so I am fresh for # 7. It is amazing how much I have forgotten! We are looking forward to the last book, but sad about it in a way. It has been such a favorite of ours for so long now. Samantha thinks she has the ending figured out...actually it is a very possible scenerio. She is the queen of Harry Potter trivia...Meagan is the princess!
Our summertime birthday party time is almost here. My family is pretty scattered out and we don't see each other all together very often. We make it a necessity to gather for a Christmas celebration and once in the summer. I came up with the idea years ago to celebrate everybody's birthday all at the same time because it was getting difficult to remember to get gifts mailed at the proper time for the proper person. This has worked out very well. No person gets stressed about forgetting a birthday and it keeps us on track for getting together. With Mom gone, it would be easy to just drift apart, but this way we are all taking an active part in keeping our family close even if miles seperate us. We went to Huber's Winery one year, Holiday World, our houses, etc. This year we are heading up to Tracy's house in Indy and having our birthday celebration on Saturday night at Conner's Prairie for an outdoor picnic and symphony. Everyone gets a gift form the other family members...it is so much fun! The next day, Tracy's baby, Emily, will be baptised. Ed and I are the Godparents. I hope my family always stays in touch...that was my Mom's dearest wish!

A Little Idle Chit-Chat

2007-07-09T08:42:00.000-07:00

There's not a whole lot of things happening at the Alvey household right now. My hubby took an unexpected business trip to Puerto Rico. He really doesn't like to travel without the family, but it is a short trip and hopefully worthwhile. I told him to call me if he gets lonely...stay away from any Puerto Rican babe he might encounter!
I am going to start the reread of Harry Potter # 6 so I'll be ready for the new book when it comes out in 2 weeks...I can't wait! I get the events mixed up of what happened in what book. Sam keeps me straight. Harry Potter gets a lot of bad press because of magic, sorcery,etc. but is it really any different than Snow White, Cinderella, or Sleeping Beauty? Good triumphs over evil. I guess it is all a matter of perspective.

Just say "NO"

2007-07-05T20:55:00.000-07:00

On the 4th, we had a slip and slide as part of the day's entertainment. In very small letters. the box states that it is" not for the use of adults." If you ever see this warning, be sure you pay attention! Read it twice if you have to. There is a reason for these words. SORE MUSCLES!!! Now , I understand that I am an old fat lady...my brain just didn't bother to let my body in on that fact. I really don't feel too bad about being sore because even the youngsters of the party are sore. Meagan says it hurts to even breathe. Sam forbids us to say anything remotely funny because laughing hurts. The manly men are sore too. Misery loves company you know! So, my advice to everyone is to JUST SAY NO TO SLIP AND SLIDE!

The Letter

2007-07-05T20:19:00.000-07:00

Today I got a letter from my brother Billy's old Sarge. Billy died in 1970( I gave an incorrect date of 1969 in a recent posting.) in Vietnam. Some of his buddies have been trying to get in contact with his family for years which brings us up to date. Lee has been in torment about the events of Billy's death for nearly 40 years...he loved him like a brother. It was the most wonderful letter! Lee told some stories of his time with my brother in Vietnam and Billy's personality came shining through. I could see the mischief in his face as I read of his antics. He was a medavac and was responsible for getting the wounded soldiers out of dangerous situations. That's a lot of responsibility for a 19 year old. Billy volunteered to go on the mission just days before he was to be sent " back to the world."
Lee told me of the outpouring of grief from all who knew Billy.
I am very thankful to know that Billy was surrounded by people who cared about him. He died being a good marine, a "hero to hundreds of men who are now grandfathers", and a good friend who saved the life of his buddy! Billy's life was short, but can you imagine anyone doing anything more worthwhile?
Lee says that he feels like he has finally completed a long journey by telling us Billy's story. Lee has my utmost respect and gratitude for reopening old wounds that have never entirely healed just to honor the memory of his fallen friend. He called me his "little sister" and I am proud to accept that title. Please pray for Lee and other soldiers who have had to endure the torture of remembering and accepting the death of comrades.

Happy 4th of July

2007-07-04T20:00:00.000-07:00

Happy 4th to all! We celebrated this holiday with family and friends at our house. We built boats to be raced in our pool, had a patriotic costume judging, and ate festive food. Our food was required to have patriotic names or themes or the person contributing that dish would be taunted and then shunned by everyone. ( It was touch and go with Perri for a while, but she eventually caved in under the pressure and named her food with names befitting the occasion.) We had Constitution corn on the cobb, Taxation without representation trifle, Star spangled spuds, American Revolution cannonball meatballs, Sons of Liberty slaw, Patriotic fortune cookies complete with patriotic trivia, flag jello, Boston baked beans, ect. ect. ect. It was a fun day!
We swam, watched near-death slip and slide examples ( I tried it 2 times...I hit the ground so hard on my stomach that my breasts now are pushed through to my back!) raced our homely boats, and played hillbilly golf. Just being together with our loved ones made it a delightful day. We all had to work at this fun day though. Samantha and Andi were sick with already established sinus infections, Perri woke up puny, I am in the midst of passing a kidney stone that must be the size of a boulder, Autis was not his usual full of poo self, Meagan hurt her leg on the above mentioned slip and slide. Anyone not having an ailment were free ( and encouraged) to be eaten up by assorted flying insects!
We had planned on going to watch fireworks, but Mother Nature had other ideas. Instead, I had a nap in the evening .
I dedicate this blog to my deceased brother, Billy, who lost his life in 1969 in Vietnam. It was on July 3rd( the 4th in our country) that he gave the ultimate sacrifice. His dedication, and others who have given their all for our country to enjoy freedom are what this holiday is all about. God bless all soldiers, past and present, as well as their families.

Awake in the wee hours

2007-07-03T06:12:00.000-07:00

It is 8:00a.m. and here I am blogging. That's plenty early for a morning during the summer( I am not a morning person.) Actually I have been awake since about 3:30 due to a miserable backache. Did that sound pitiful enough or shall I work on it a little more? Anyway, it is amazing the random thoughts that come and go in the wee hours.
One of the topics I found myself pondering at 3:45 or so was how fortunate we are that God blessed us with tomatoes! I thought about all of the foods that we can make from tomatoes, praised God for homegrown ripe tomatoes, and almost fell to my knees in gratitude thinking of the plate of cornmeal breaded fried green tomatoes that I fixed myself for lunch yesterday! (I think I might have been a little hungry when I went to bed last night.)
After I exhausted the tomato topic, I thought about how blessed we are to have animals in our world. I don't count all of them as being a personal blessing( snakes, worms, lizards, frogs, spiders, creepy crawlies of any sort) but in my little corner of the world I sure love my pets! I thought of the pets we currently have or have had in the past and entertained myself for another few minutes. I even had thoughts of sadness for the unfortunate souls who due to health reasons or just plain old bad judgement who will never experience a dog lying across your feet while a cat is wrapped around your neck while another cat is lying on your pillow and kneading your scalp with loving paws. It doesn't get any better than that! Did God give us animals to take care of or did He give us to the animals to take care of?
From that topic my mind went to a more conventional one at this time of year ... patriotic things. I think of my brother at this time of year. He was killed in action from enemy fire in 1969 in Vietnam on July 3rd. ( Sarge says it was actually the 4th in our country.) I have recently been in touch with his old Sarge who was with him on that terrible day. He still carries a lot of baggage from that time and I would like to request that you pray for him and all soldiers past and present for what they go through. My brother gave his life for our country, but the ones who were able to make it home did as well. Their life will never be the same. ( I may have to pause to sing a verse of God Bless America) Anyway, Billy told his Sarge if for some reason he did not make it back home, drink a big ice cold Coca Cola and dedicate it to him. That's exactly what I plan to do. Here's to you Billy!

I'm back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-07-02T11:54:00.000-07:00

It is my goal to start blogging again. I will do better this time or my daughters and friends will discipline me! My daughter Meagan is going to show me how to link with her blog ect. I am technologically ignorant, so I must beg lessons periodically. Samantha is very appreciative that Meg is helping me instead of her. Meg must have drawn the short straw!

Visiting with Vicki

2005-09-13T10:47:00.000-07:00

Vicki Alvey will be attending the Western KY book expo in Sturgis, Ky to promote her book The Adventures of Baxter B. Ballyhoo! It is a book about a very spirited boy in the 2nd grade and the adventures he gets into. The expo is at the end of October. Hope to see you there!

Visiting with Vicki

2005-09-04T06:34:00.000-07:00

Visiting with Vicki

Just checking in

2005-09-04T06:32:00.000-07:00

Well, I got the kids in school. It certainly is quiet around this house...as quiet as a house can be with 1 spirited Sheltie dog and 3 cats all needing my attention. I am busy enough, don't get me wrong. It's just that I still feel like I need to check in with someone before I leave the house, fix a meal, etc. I guess I went from being overwhelmed this year to being underwhelmed!
My second book signing is Saturday, September 10 at Barnes and Noble. The Adventures of Baxter B. Ballyhoo! has done very well. The feedback from the kids at school has really tickled me! If you find yourself looking for something to do on the 10th, I'd love to sign a book for you!
My prayers go to all of the people affected by the hurricane; I can only try to imagine their despair. They will need our prayers for many months to come!
Have a good week. The next time I write I'll try to have something interesting ot witty to say! Vicki

Long time no Blog

2005-08-17T13:53:00.000-07:00

Life gets hectic for me at this time every year. I have 2 kids that I get ready for back to school( even college kids need new jeans and backpacks) as well as I go back to work after a well-deserved break for the summer. I think it takes me longer to get adjusted to the early wake up than it does for my students! My husband sometimes has a brain fart and will say the dumbest things. For example, he thought it would be a good idea to practice getting up early the week before school started. Let me think about it for a while... ummmmm NO! He's a really smart guy, but he missed the boat on that one!
It has really been too hot to go back to school this early! Have you ever walked down a crowded hall after noon recess with 90 hot, sweaty, kids? There is nothing like the smell! ( I like it when you are talking to them and they actually sling sweat on you!) Dodge ball quickly turns to slaughter ball as they get ho and grouchy.
I probably would not have sat down to blog since this is our"Meet the Teacher" night at school and I have to go back to work later, but I have been nagged by someone who shall remain nameless (Perri) and I certainly wouldn't want to offend anyone (Perri) by ignoring my site! I will try to update my blog on a routine basis in order to keep (Perri's) hateful messages from haunting me. Again, I think it is important not to mention any specific names(Perri) in regard to this portion of my blog.
My book sales are going pretty well. Remember, Baxter would make a great gift for some young reader! ( That was my ciommercial!) The Boonville Standard came to school and did an interview about my book and took my picture. I don't think I broke the camera, but she took several pictures...hopefully there will be one where the chins don't take over the picture!

Bonding with my daughter before college

2005-07-26T20:11:00.000-07:00

I had a great day with my 18 year old daughter today. We went and got our brows waxed...ouch....and I got nails and she got a pedicure. We ate chinese food, got ice cream, shopped for school supplies, etc. She had a great time; I got the privilege of buying it all for her. Funny how it keeps working out that way! Really, we did enjoy our day. It won't be long until she's off to college. She gets pretty annoyed because she is about to go to college, but they still give her a children's menu and charge her for a child's buffet because she looks so young. One day she will be thankful for the youth! I used to get aggravated if someone carded me; now I will give them money! Even a pity ID check would be ok. Last time I asked if they needed to see my ID, they snickered and told me that it wouldn't be necessary. Hey, how much trouble would it have been to humor me on it?

I've been tagged by Perri

2005-07-25T14:28:00.000-07:00

What Were You Doing 10 Years Ago Today? I really don't know what I was doing then...I'm not sure I know what I'm doing today! I would assume it would be something with my kids. Ballgame, taking them somewhere, going swimming. The best days of my life were playing with my kids. What Were You Doing 1 year Ago Today? I was probably caring for my ill mother. Her condition took up a lot of my time, but I don't regret it for a minute. I'd give anything to be able to do it for her again!What Were You Doing Yesterday? I swam in our pool after a long afternoon nap. I needed the nap because we ate at Stoll's Black Buggy after church and I was very full and sleepy. The long nap caused me not to be able to sleep well so I stayed up late reading Harry Potter.( I highly recommend the series!)What Are You Doing Today? I did the never-ended laundry thing, played cards with my daughter, Sam, more laundry, played host to Perri and her 4 kiddos in my pool, , fixed supper, read more Harry Potter, and computered. I'm really not as much of a lady of leisure as this sounds! I've worked myself stupid this summer. This is my rebellion...no more work...no more work...no more work! ( I'm in a fetal position in the corner rocking as I declare this!)What Are You Doing Tomorrow? My hubby will be off so I'm not sure. I had planned a bonding day with Sammy, pedicures, eyebrow waxing, eating chinese, buying college supplies. I am going to miss her so much when she goes off to IU this fall!5 Snacks I Enjoy? Popcorn, cereal,chocolate, pork rinds, sunflower seeds 5 Bands/Singers I know the Lyrics to most of their Songs Simon and Garfunkle, Donny Osmond(some things never change) Many broadway musicals, many Christian songs, many oldies. Things I Would Do with $1,000,000,000 I would pay off our bills, see to the kid's education, set aside money for grandchildren's education, help the needy, church, GO ON A CRUISE BABY! 5 Locations You Would Run Away To A beach house on the ocean, a chalet in the mountains, anywhere my family is, anywhere that was important to my hubby, GO ON A CRUISE BABY!5 Bad Habits You Have: eating too much, talking too much, talking too loud(because I don't hear well I tend to talk loud), worrying too much about what people think, being late. 5 Things You Like - My family, my friends, my pets, working with kids, My hubby 5 Things You would never wear in public: a bikini, a short shirt that lets your belly hang out, loooooow rise jeans that show belt overhang and butt crack, tight clothes , and vulger language shirts( althought i do proudly wear my BITE ME shirt from Joes's Crab Shak.) 5 Movies You Like: Mad, Mad, Mad World, Pink Panther movies, Dirty Dancing, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Star Wars 5 Famous People You'd Like to Meet - don't know 5 Biggest Joys - spending time with my familyand friends, writing, teaching,,laughing, church

On getting older...

2005-07-23T10:26:00.000-07:00

When we are young we can't wait until we get old enough to... bla bla bla. We want to be able to make our own decisions, go where we want to when we want to, wear what we want to, and so on and so forth. Well, I've been giving this aging thing some serious thought lately. It is not nearly as great as it was cracked up to be, although I suppose it does beat the alternative.
Remember how we used to snicker and make rude remarks about our "elders" when they had to hold things half way across the room to read it ? The eyesight has started to play its hateful little tricks on me. Remember the joy we felt as youngsters when we were allowed to stay up late? Now we are filled with joy at the thought of an early bedtime...perhaps tucked into our cosy bed enjoying one of the episodes of CSI. Our clothes? Skin tight and every fad used to be a must! I have found that as of late stretch fabric and baggy RULES!
When we were young, we were invincible! We had no worries that our family or loved ones would not be there forever. As we age, we are faced with situations that we never thought would happen to US. I have lost people who were a part of my life, a part of ME. The loss of my mother was the most difficult thing I have ever faced and continue to face on a daily basis. When I think that there are plenty more situations to be faced with people who are dear to me, I could easily think what is the point of getting close to anyone or loving anyone if they are just going to be taken away? The answer to that one is simple. Every person who touches your life is a gift from God. Guess what? You are a gift to someone else too!( pretty awesome huh)
Some of us are a little prettier wrapped than others.LOL I need to concentrate on enjoying my friends and loved ones instead of worrying what is going to happen in the future. I need to make wonderful memories with them now.
I still fight the aging. I dye my hair(frequently) I use age-fighting lotions, and I don't wear my glasses in public. But, like I said at the beginning...aging beats the alternative!

This blog setup has been confusing!

2005-07-22T14:24:00.000-07:00

My friend has been teaching me how to blog...it has not been an easy journey! I'm about as dumb as a post when trying new things with a computer. I had to get out my glasses, pull up an extra chair for her as she gestured and groaned at my attempts, and I am contemplating taking a nerve pill! I know I should not be intimidated by a computer, but when it does some wacky thing that I did not tell it to do I tend to freak out. Perri weathered it pretty well. The groans contained not words that must be edited and she only pulled her hair 2 or 3 times. Now she says I'm good to go...we'll see.

I am a published author...yeah!!

2005-07-22T13:49:00.000-07:00

I want to invite all fellow Bloggers to check out my children's book that was just published. This is a first endeavor and I am really excited to share my dream with everyone.