would of, could of, SHOULD OF

It's SO true! Time FLIES! I recently stumbled on a Facebook group that connects alumni from NWR High School where I spent 22 years of my 28 year teaching career. Just reading the names listed there sent waves of memories rushing through my brain. Think about it. High school teachers (in MS) teach an average of 150 students per year for 28 years. Do the math. Mercy me! It shouldn't be a surprise that teachers can tag specific personalities within 5 minutes of meeting people. It becomes second nature. I'm sure a Google search would reveal several resources that identify all the "teenage" personalities, and I could probably put a name to all of them!

I really could kick myself for not keeping a journal during my teaching career. I've said many times that an unbelievable novel could EASILY be born from a teacher's journal. In fact, an entire series of novels about the perils and pains, the triumphs and victories, the good, the bad and the ugly of teaching could entertain the masses with true-to-life scenarios any schooled individual in this country could relate to. I guess I could set my mind to it and write such a novel, but oh how much easier the task if only I had kept a journal! We don't want to ever think that our minds forget, but they do. All the "fun" little details are gone! If I were truly passionate about it, I would stop what I was doing everytime an idea, thought, or memory jogged in my brain and write it down. Why is that so hard to do? I can't even write a blog everyday, or every week!

I guess the blog thing is a start. We are never too old to learn, or to start something new. Life is a learning process. We should embrace that and RUN with it! Good Grief! As I write this, I'm listening to guests on a talk show talk about "twittering". What did I JUST say? There you go! Here is something else yet to learn! Hmmmm ... just thought of an OLD thing that to most would be a "NEW" thing to learn! The slide rule!!! Who remembers how to use one? HA! I actually used one in freshman chemistry at MSU along with a cutting edge TI calculator that performed the four basic functions plus a few extra functions. I still have the calculator, but where is the slide rule???? Additional item on my list of things to do tomorrow: look for slide rule! It has to be here somewhere!

More snow pics

Looks like twinkling stars!

Light dusting on the azalea


Joe's truck the next morning

Max was not too interested in the little snowball that Ashley made for him.

Ashley got home from work and was just as excited as I was!

She wrote a message on Joe's truck (of course it got covered up by morning)

I took more pictures of our snow after posting the blog that night and never got around to posting again. Even if it was a light dusting, I still thought it looked pretty. Enjoy!

Been Awhile

Cheesestraws to die for!

Don't we look good!

This was a chicken dish with scrumptious mushroom sauce.

A beautiful fruit salad

If you're ever in Vicksburg, this restaurant will not disappoint you.

Susan talks with LD of LD's Kitchen.

The B&B Literay Club insignia

In the ballroom looking at the balcony.

The ballroom at the B&B Literary Club.



Beautiful architecture of the B&B Literary Club.

I've missed some blog opportunities in the last few weeks. Lots of really fun things have kept me busy!

My friend, Susan, enlisted me to help her with some Delta "dining research" for her "Guide to Dining in the MS Delta" publication. She began her research on "Catfish Row" in Vicksburg and planned to do the complete Delta tour all the way to Memphis. What fun we had! And how I wished I could've traveled with her for the duration!

Trish & I met Susan in Vicksburg at the B&B Literary Club, a beautiful, historical facility where events, such as wedding receptions are held. Susan absorbed a ton of information from Story (yes - that was her name), who runs the B&B and Story's mom.

We ate our "first" lunch at LD's Kitchen. Too bad we missed out on his famous mac'n'cheese; it is only served on Wednesdays, and we were there on a Thursday. Meeting LD was a treat, and next time, I'll be sure to plan lunch there on a Wednesday!

Our second lunch was at Main Street Market. The food was delicious, and again, meeting Sally, the owner, and hearing her story was fascinating. A really special treat was getting to meet her mom, Miss Betty (can't remember her last name!), who has a bed and breakfast (George Washington Ball House) across the street from the Main Street Market.

We had a little time to browse downtown Vicksburg and was thrilled to see Susan again after so many years. The truth - she still looks EXACTLY the same after 30 years! No wrinkles, no gray hair, very slim and trim!!

Lots of photos shot that day; a few posted here, and maybe I'll get more posted another day.

Susan's deadline for publication is July 1st. Don't know when it will hit the shelves, but I'm sure I'll be one of the first in line to get a copy.

Snow!!!

The high today was 70 degrees, early this morning. No big deal. We've had up and down weather for the last two weeks. Can't make up it's mind. Some days have been PERFECT! Sunny, 65 - 70 degrees. Other days have been muggy and dreary, misty, rainy. We've even had blustery days, both cold and warm. Today started out very warm, but temps continued to plunge lower and lower as the day progressed. The forecast proved true this time - SNOW before midnight. Wow!! Can it be? Yes! It's true!! Those really are little snowflakes I see mixed in with a little rain. Grab the camera - take some shots - ooooh mercy me, don't let me miss this opportunity! LOL! But yes - we are getting a few flurries tonight and much to my disappointment, I seem to be alone in the excitement! I tucked Joe into bed just before 10:00 with a bad head cold. He completely missed out, although I'm sure he doesn't care seeing as how he's been working in Michigan since October and has experienced frigid temps with lots of snow. Ashley is at work (thank goodness major accumulation isn't expected to be a problem. Don't want her to have road problems coming home!) Courtney, COURTNEY!!! Isn't this exciting?? Come see, come see!! Facebook friends had already told her about it - "yeah - I heard" she says! And I'm thinking - you didn't come running to tell me?? Whatever!

So I went outside and stared at the wondrous site ... dancing snowflakes showcasing their talent - just for me! Hey - God IS good!

Remembering Buster

BuhDoose! Ashley was about 1 ½ yrs. old when she came out with that one day. We were tickled to death and made her say it over and over! It’s been one year since we said goodbye, and it seems just like yesterday when we said hello. Carrie will tell you (remember when you first saw him?), Buster was not exactly the most handsome of dogs, but he was definitely one of a kind! The old man who sold him to Joe said that he was a “cur”, a mix, but you could see the “pit” by looking at him. Didn’t sit too well with me at first, but he turned out to have the best demeanor of any dog I’ve ever known. Buster stories are almost endless, and I know that dog owners are like parents and have stories that can top anybody else’s. BUT … Buster stories are different, really! I won’t share all of them now, but from time to time when I’m reminded of a good one, I’ll post it. Here is today’s story.
When Courtney was just 3 or 4 months old, there was an occasion when the family came to our house. Of course, I can’t remember what the occasion was (perhaps Ashley’s birthday), but I do remember that my sister, Terry, & her family were coming, and as always, they were bringing Aunt Polly with them. Now, my Aunt Polly is the epitome of the genteel, refined, southern lady who sees everything pretty much in black and white – just a few “gray” areas of life exists in her eyes. Many in her generation never considered dogs to be fit for living inside the house. Even though she never voiced her opinion on this topic regarding Buster, I knew that if it were her house, the dog would be left outside.
When they arrived that day, Courtney was situated on the floor in her “bouncer” seat in front of the TV. Everyone knelt down to see the baby and of course, when it was Aunt Polly’s turn what did Buster do but plant one big, slobbery lick ... flush on her jaw! For a minute there, we were all aghast! We all just about fell out, and then Aunt Polly’s squeal was just too much and everyone was laughing, Aunt Polly the hardest of all. She was such a good sport! When I look back at it, she could’ve really pitched a good one, but she didn’t. And you know … what began as a “Buster” story turns out to be a great Aunt Polly story as well.
When I started this blog, I didn’t know what I’d write about. Looks like I’ve discovered in one sitting that I have two great avenues to follow!

oopsee

I read back over my blog and realized I made a mistake and just corrected it. It may go unnoticed by some, but nevertheless, I'll explain. The videos we watch each week explain to us what we learned in our lessons, sort of a review. One of the studies is formatted just the opposite - video first, then lesson. Can't remember which one. Anyway, I got mixed up yesterday (imagine that!) and incorrectly described this study. Sorry 'bout that.

To clear things up

Earlier posts mention Carrie, my niece, and Parker, her son. Figured I should explain that for those who may not know them. She inspired me to begin this blogsite, and I should give her due credit for that. I've been away from the keyboard for awhile but hope to make my posts more frequent.

I began Beth Moore's (Living Proof Ministries) new Bible study, "Esther: It's Tough Being a Woman", a few weeks ago and have already gotten behind on my homework. It's a very good study, and I am forever amazed at Beth's knowledge and energy!! We spend about an hour each week in small groups discussing homework from the previous week. Then we gather as a big group to watch Beth's video, which pulls our homework lessons together and always teaches us something new. From Esther, this is what we've learned and studied so far:

It's tough being a woman: 1) in another woman's shoes, 2) in a world where beauty is a treament, 3) in a mean world, 4) thrown a giant-size weight, 5) in the tight fist of fear.

I love her studies, because the life applications are always as they say, "spot on". More to come about the study as the weeks progress.

"If girls today walk a tightrope, Esther walked a tight thread." Beth Moore

Experiment

I've only seen Parker once - when he was just a few months old. Of course, my camera shutter flew! Thought I'd experiment and try to post a video from that visit. I call this one "Parker hams it up!" Enjoy!

I did it!

YES! I did it! I finally made egg drop soup that is darn well near perfect! A few weeks ago, I decided to create a Chinese meal for the girls. They loved and raved about it, but I was not happy with the egg drop soup. (Courtney fessed up after the meal that she was worried about having it, because she "has never known an American who could cook Chinese")! Two weeks ago, I made a second attempt and still was not happy. Third time's a charm, right? Apparently so. Monday, I boiled two chicken breasts for a chicken and rice casserole and decided to save the broth for another egg drop attempt. Today seemed like the perfect day for soup - highs in the 30's, so off to the kitchen I went. Just a couple of tweeks here and there and Voila! I have egg drop soup that is delicious!

Cat's out of the bag

Carrie called me today, & I admitted that I've started a blog. Now I pretty much need to send it out there for others to read, or not read ... whatever suits. It was great to hear from her, and I hope through our blogging we can keep in better touch. She posted a picture of Parker posing with a pumpkin that reminds me of a picture of her at that age posing with a pumpkin. There is also one of her with a Cherrios box, but I couldn't find that one. It is probably in Rassie's photo album.

Slacking

One month into 2009, and I have not settled into a regular workout routine. Not good! It's time to get serious and get on with it. Ol' Arthr needs to loosen up. Thirty minutes on the treadmill. Forty, or forty-five minutes on the machines. Shouldn't be too hard to do at least three times a week. Wish me luck!

First blog

Carrie's blogsite is so much fun to read! I hope she will continue to post regularly and keep us up to date with life in Apple Valley. I just found out tonight that The Nolens will be spending this week in Grenada! Rassie, no doubt, is charged up with excitement. Can't wait to read all about it at the end of the week.

What to write about

Since I'm new at this, it may take a few attempts to produce a site as impressive as Carrie's, but I will definitely have fun with it! My focus will probably reflect food interests, current Bible study notes, personal views, motherhood and maybe even a soundoff regarding current events/issues. Wish me luck!