November

I just wanted to post something so that I don't go an entire month without posting anything. Yeah. That's life right now. So much going on, but not too much to say. I mean, after October, I thought November would slow down. Now I'm not too sure!

Gearing up for Thanksgiving- only a week away and I'll get Mom's turkey and noodles! This is my favorite holiday. I need to slow down and thank God for everything that I am so thankful for. I know this next week that I need to take time to do this. Thank you for all those that have blessed my life. Happy Turkey Day to you all very soon!

1+1+1+3+6=

Exactly what all I had on at the Alabama game on Saturday! Each year, I get a new shirt to wear to an Alabama game. I had previously purchased the cutest sleeveless top, white around the neck with a crimson body. How cute!

Well, when we found out and began to realize that it would be too cold for it, plan number 2 comes into play. Look for a sweatshirt. Back in the clearance section at Sports Authority was one for $20! I bought it.

Saturday morning proved to be a little colder than imagined. We stopped at Academy Sports in Prattville on the way out of town and bought thermal pants to wear under our jeans.

Arriving in Tuscaloosa at around 1, I put on my other t-shirt, the sweatshirt, and a fleece. We walked and met some friends where we hung out for awhile. Temperatures getting to us some, I then bought a red and white hounds tooth toboggan and put on my scarf and gloves.

We made our way into the stadium and the game started. Despite the cheering and jumping up and down, I still got chilly. At halftime, on came the extra sweatshirt and pants. I was finally warm. I had a blanket left, but used it to separate the cold metal bleachers from my backside.

We had a terrific time at the game! Alabama won, and I managed to stay warm and not freeze. Thus the answer to the problem: 1 pair of gloves, 1 toboggan, 1 scarf, 3 pairs of pants (thermals, jeans, sweatpants), and 6 tops (tank top, long sleeve t-shirt, short sleeve t-shirt, zip up hooded sweatshirt, zip up fleece, pullover hooded sweatshirt) = what I took off throughout the evening before eventually crawling into my nice, warm bed!

Hectic Times...

... call for hectic measures. Either that, or a lack in communication of any form. You know it's bad when your sister (sorry Morgan) blogs more than you do. A quick update:

- had the last two days off. Fall Break!
- took Chris to the doctor in Birmingham today about his knee. Rehab should do it!
- sick dog. Runny nose and allergies. Yuck!
- went bowling on Sunday with the Bible Bowl group. Still sore!
- got 7 cakes donated for the Cake Walk at WES Fest Thursday night. Thank you Winn-Dixie!
- have WES Fest Thursday night. Am in charge of it. PRAY FOR NO RAIN!
- Bama game on Saturday. First one of the season for me. Yay!
- Trunk or Treat coming right around the corner. Go kid's area!
- second quarter starts at school tomorrow. Time has flown!
- will start teaching 3 year olds on Wednesday nights soon. Love that age!

Hope this gives you a slight update on what has been/is going on here. Let's hope that things will either slow down or level off here soon. People always tell me, "Wait 'till you have kids." I don't have to wait. I'm already 90-to-nothing all the time anyways! Have a terrific October and I hope your fall decorations look great. I haven't even pulled mine out yet!

The Big Guns

I'm pulling them out. Doing everything I can to fight it.

Even though I love the rain and curling up on the couch or bed, one can only do this and enjoy it for so long. Then the bland skies and colorless world start to bother you a little. Glad we don't have a drought anymore. Not too happy about the mold and mildew that stirs every time there is no sun to help me out. Thus, leaving me to fend for myself.

Add all of this to the lack of free and down time in my hectic fall schedule and you'll find me pumping myself full of everything I've got... advil, sudafed sinus and allergy, vitamin c, echinacea, one a days... you get the picture.

I'm teetering on the edge, and hope that I come up with the KO on this one. Wish me luck!

Rest and Relaxation

Thank you, Chris.

There are so many little things that he does for me that I never even recognize or realize. I so often do not think to thank him, but instead, take him for granted. I am just blessed to have him.

Last week was the second week of school. It wasn't a bad week, but there were a few bad moments. So he decided to surprise me.

We headed out of town Friday night and went to...

I had never been before. I was amazed at exactly what was there and the amount of things they had to offer. We stayed at the Mountain Inn and enjoyed the seafood buffet on Friday night. Chris was in heaven. We turned in early, since we had to be up for our 9:00...

Massages! Chris scheduled a couples massage for us that morning. We enjoyed them on our honeymoon four years ago, and I haven't had one since. What a way to start the weekend!

After those were done, we headed back to the hotel to check out. But our day had only begun. Included with our stay was free entrance to the Gardens and bike rentals. I wish you could have seen us riding through the woods. The best part? The bikes had bells that kept us laughing the whole time.

As we rode through the woods, we stopped at the chapel to walk around. The stained glass windows were absolutely beautiful! It was definitely worth stopping to see.

We continued on through the trails and eventually came to the Horticulture Center. I wasn't sure I wanted to stop, but am certainly glad I did. Especially once I realized all the the beautiful plants we would see. With it being the end of summer, I was surprised at what was available. I guess I don't grow these anywhere near my house!

Our last stop proved to be my absolute favorite. We went to the Butterfly Garden. I felt like a little kid in a candy store, or one that stares in amazement at a decorated Christmas tree. I wanted to stay so much longer and take it in, but it was time to head home.

We had the best time. Over all these years and times I have passed that exit on I-85, I never thought a visit there would be so wonderful.

I think it had to do with the time spent with my husband. Thank you so much, Chris. I will never forget this!

"I Remember..."

I had a former student stop by my room for awhile today. As she went from corner to corner and wall to wall, she stopped occasionally to exclaim, "I remember..." and would move on. Every once in awhile it would turn to "I loved...!" If you picture a sweet, bubbly child with the thickest and fullest hair in the world, that's her.

She stopped and remembered a child from her year that had moved in the middle of it. After searching the class picture and not seeing her, we turned to the yearbook from that year. We spotted her in it, and she said rather fondly, "I loved Little Girl." Mind you, she couldn't even remember Little Girl's name before then.

I turned and chuckled to myself when she sighed and said with all sincerety, "Things sure do change."

She was in my class just two years ago.

First Day of School

... number six! I don't have kids going back, but I have the pleasure of greeting many kids on their first day of school. In fact, I have had many "first day pictures" myself. But since everyone else is writing about theirs, I figured I would too.

The best thing about the first day of school is the traditions. Growing up, mom would cook a big breakfast. And we ALWAYS had homemade bagel pizzas for lunch. She could get five mini ones into a Tupperware sandwich container!

Now I don't have time to eat lunch the first day. I'm getting students through the lunch line, rehearsing lunch numbers, directing little ones to seats and reinforcing lunchroom rules. Needless to say, it makes for a long day.

Luckily, with gentle reminders and hints, I get breakfast made for me. Yes, Chris with half opened eyes and barely awake cooks me breakfast. I can smell the bacon as I climb out of the shower. Even though he's back to sleep by the time I enjoy it, it means a lot.

By the time the first day is over and I can no longer move my legs, my stomach is begging for dinner. Tradition #2? Dinner out. There's no way I can cook, so we go out to a restaurant and they do all the work. This year was Outback. I love steak!

So whether I am a little girl excited about school, or a "grown up" still excited about school, these traditions have meant so much over the years.

Welcome back to school!