I've been thinking...

Alligator, it tastes like turtle...and my visit to Bass Pro Shop

2011-07-30T00:01:00.000-04:00

I spent the evening of the 27th at Bass Pro Shop. It was all about geocaching for me. Ted had multiple purposes for his visit. When we arrived at the Portage, Indiana store we headed directly to the Marine section to look at the GPSs. It was time to finally replace my ancient Magellan eXplorist 200. Yes, I've been caching with VERY old technology. It gets the job done, usually, but it was time to upgrade. We are not retiring my little yellow friend, just not using it so much.
Before our shopping trip I read reviews on units and narrowed my search based on the amount of money I wanted to spend and what features I had to have. Once we started looking at the display all of that went out the window because Ted decided he wanted more, more, MORE! He wanted the Oregon 450 because of the screen size and the DeLorme PN-60 because of the accuracy and the marine maps(he fancies himself a fisherman). What reigned him in was the prices. The Dakota 20 at Bass Pro Shop was cheaper than the Dakota 10 at Dick's and the Dakota 20 was my choice. So, we decided to walk away and make the GPS decision.
Off to Islamorada Fish Company for dinner. We opted for an appetizer which is rare for us. I let Ted choose and he knew what I wanted, alligator. It's something I've always wanted to try. My husband is so wonderful. He would never have picked that for himself. The alligator was served deep-fried in a spicy breading (I'm guessing it was cornmeal) on a bed of field greens surrounded by a neon-green sauce (a very, very mild wasabi wannabe). With my first bite I felt that this alligator tasted like turtle. Some of the pieces were rubbery and not pleasant to chew. Someone needs help with their prep skills. Ted said, with the completion of that course, we were officially swamp people. Yay! From that point forward my meal was just okay. I wanted something light and their menu was not really light. Their salads are full of bleu cheese (Yuck!) and I wasn't seeing anything else I was drawn too. I ended up with less than exciting (dry) grilled lemon-pepper tilapia. Ted chose the popular Islamorada Portofino, blackened tilapia topped with grilled shrimp in a rich, creamy lobster sauce. He liked it until he ate his last shrimp and it had the vein. Our waitress was attentive and nice, she brought drinks and warm bread (a bread with sugar on top) right away. But, we'll probably never eat there again and I wouldn't recommend the restaurant. It's just not great. Our meal totaled $40 and change. Surrounding the Portage store are a few other restaurant choices including Quaker Steak and Lube, Deli in Your Belly/Egg on Your Face, and Starbucks.
As we ate we hashed out the GPS issue. We quickly eliminated the DeLorme PN-60. The screen was smaller than my eXplorist and Ted wanted something bigger. The accuracy and marine card wasn't enough to keep him interested. The price was also the highest of the three we were looking at also. So we were left with two choices, the Garmin Oregon 450 and Dakota 20. Both devices featured triaxial compasses, micro SD card slots, paperless geocaching capabilities, touch screens, and the availability of free maps (among their many features). The Oregon had a bigger screen and cost $100 more. We really had to decide if the bigger screen was worth paying $100 more. I didn't think so. I could see Ted wavering and I pointed out to him that he was already used to the smaller screen of the eXplorist. We decided that we would purchase the Dakota 20.
With that, Ted headed out on his next mission...metal detectors. I went to look for new hiking shoes. I want Keens but they didn't have what I wanted so I went to find Ted. I was lucky to find a bench on which to rest because I knew I could be there awhile. Unfortunately, I felt like I was in fishing jail.

So, I waited and waited and waited a bit more. In the end we left without a metal detector. He will have to continue to use the one he has for now. I don't believe he'll suffer...too much.
We also saw some great fish at Bass Pro Shop. Unfortunately, I did not get great photos.

This fish really creeped my out. There were several of his kind in the tank. Those lips were really something to see. Before we went to pay for our new toy Ted had one last item on his agenda. He needed to visit the shooting gallery. Now, I'm thinking that a place that must make as much money as Bass Pro Shop could have a free game for "kids." But no, Ted needed 50 cents (several times). Too bad I didn't have much change and they didn't have a change machine, boo hoo.

We had a great visit to Bass Pro Shop. Hmmm, what do we need from Cabella's?

Laura Days in Burr Oak, Iowa

2011-07-05T18:34:00.003-04:00

We were in Burr Oak on June 25 for Laura Ingalls Wilder Days. The weather was beautiful (although a little sun would have been nice). It made for a great day spent outside. The morning was spent shopping and spending a lot of money in the visitors center. Burr Oak's visitor center is located in an old bank. Not only will you see information about Laura, but also a display about the robbery the bank. I'll be honest. I didn't look at the display. There were too many people and it is a small area. The robbery was in 1931 and was the first bank robbery in the county. The bank robbers locked the employees and patrons in the bank vault before they left.
Next we attended a presentation on one-room school houses by Sarah Uthoff, a fellow member of The Laura Ingalls Literary Society. Sarah has a wealth of knowledge to share on this subject and did a great job making her presentation interesting to adults and children. Listen to Sarah on her radio show: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/trundlebedtales or follow her on Twitter @Trundlebedtales.
After chatting a bit with Sarah, Ted and I had a quick bite to eat at the food tent. For less then $5 we each had a hot dog and a drink and I had a brownie. It tasted great, too. While eating we listened to The Bread and Butter String Band. They played classic fiddle music. Pa Ingalls would have been proud. It was great to listen to some of the older people enjoying the music. When a new song began there was always a happy murmur throughout the crowd and someone always said, "I love this song."
As soon as lunch was over we moved on to tour the Master's Hotel. This is the first home the Ingalls family lived in upon their arrival to Burr Oak. The entire family also worked in the hotel. Our tour guide was a 15 year-old girl from the area. She had a great personality and made the tour enjoyable. Laura Ingalls Wilder Park and Museum
The tour ended in time for us to see the end of the pie auction and then the highlight for many, the announcement of the Little Laura and Little Almanzo winners. It was great to hear the kids read their essays and see all of the girls and boys in their costumes.
Throughout the day I was struck by the "small town feel" of Burr Oak. I loved being back home in Iowa. I truly believe people are more welcoming there. Or, is it there that I am more receptive of the kindness of others?
This was actually our second visit to Burr Oak but Ted didn't remember being there before which made it entertaining for me. He kept looking at me and saying, "Are you sure we've been here before?" No amount of reassurance helped. Nothing I said triggered memories of our first trip through with our nephew Brad, maybe, seven years ago.
Hopefully, before the summer is over we will return to Iowa. I'd like to slip in a trip to West Branch and the Herbert Hoover Library and maybe the Amana Colonies.

Ted loves the Irish

2010-09-12T14:21:00.002-04:00

Sarah reminisced to me about a time when Ted celebrated a Notre Dame touchdown during a car trip. She is 23 now and must have been no more than 14 when this happened. It made quite an impression upon her.

Ted was listening to the game on the radio as we drove down the highway. Notre Dame scored and Ted quickly pulled over onto the shoulder, exited the car, and fist-pumped on the side of the road and probably cheered and screamed.

When I told Ted about Sarah's memory he immediately chimed in with more details. He told me that it was the USC game, we were on our way to Michigan City, and that when we arrived at Lighthouse Place, USC scored and Notre Dame lost. To quote Ted, "that celebration was for nothing."

Ah, the memories. I had blocked ALL of this out of my mind. Sarah on the other hand said this was the moment when she realized how much Notre Dame football meant to Uncle Ted. Poor Girl.

I blocked all of this out of my mind. I try to block all things related to Notre Dame football out of my mind, although, I do have a few funny stories from going to games. Maybe someday I'll write them down.

It's a GIANT

2010-07-19T15:09:00.013-04:00

I have a Giant bicycle. Not a GIANT, like Clifford the Big Red Dog, but Giant the brand. I love my bicycle (it's hanging from the ceiling in a dark garage in this picture by the way). It's a silver and purple comfort bike. The saddle is a custom addition for added comfort, wide and padded. I take care of my lovely bike and it takes care of me. In fact, it's time for a tune-up. I take my Giant to my favorite shop, Family Bicycle Center. They are the best. The tune-up costs about half as much for my bike as it does for my car (I might be exaggerating). Of course, I don't tune my bike up as often as Ted does his bike. He has some fierce Giant off-road mountain bike (note his handle bar in the photo above). We've had our bikes for almost 10 years and they have never given us a bit of trouble, unlike our cars. If I lived closer to work I would ride my bike to school.

June?

2010-07-19T00:48:00.002-04:00

What happened to June? I blinked and it was gone. Ted was busy with a class and I was busy reading and relaxing 8-)
The highlight of the month was our trip to Wisconsin. We had our visit with the allergist. I spent an extra hour at the clinic participating in chemical testing. The results showed a few more chemicals to which I'm allergic. But, in addition to the 6 peanuts I'm allowed to eat each day, I may also indulge in 2T. of peanut butter. Yum!!! Dr. agreed with my neurologist that I should totally eliminate wheat from my diet for 4 months. He said that if my migraines don't improve in that period of time that it is not the wheat allergy [causing my daily migraines] and I should go back to having one serving of wheat per day. But, he was kind enough to remind me that I have a severe wheat allergy, "Thanks."
The best part of the trip to Wisconsin was visiting with my family. I don't see them enough, so these weekends are bittersweet. We spent the early afternoon with one side of the family at a picnic. Great fun. That evening with some of the other side. I was very glad Amy and the kids came home on Saturday from Portland so that we could visit. Bob and Nick were in town too. We also met Nick's girlfriend Missy. We stayed up late talking and enjoying our time together.
July is half over! After church today I learned that my cousin is now engaged to her boyfriend. I'm so happy for her. Congratulations Linda and Tim!
In one month it will be back to work. Relearning Kdg. and first grade curriculum, meeting my new students and their families and figuring out where I put everything when I moved my classroom.
Summer Reading is fab! I'm on book 29, The Idiot Girls' Action-Adventure Club . Last year I read 36 books. I'm on my way to meat or beat last years record, woo hoo!

School Year Memories

2010-05-29T12:47:00.000-04:00

While my school year was pleasantly uneventful, there were some special moments that were very meaningful and I will have in my heart always. They revolve around the blessings that the Lord has placed in my life no matter how long or how brief.

One student has been in my life for three years. She is sweet, sensitive and for the first two years of our life together, very well behaved. This year life threw her some curve balls and she experimented with naughtiness. I don’t think either of us knew how to handle that venture.

Last year she discovered a song on my iTunes that she decided was “her song.” Written and performed by the son of a dear friend of mine and a former teacher of my student, the song is called, “He Knows Your Name.” When she would finish her work each day she wanted to listen to “her song.”

One day she looked at me with eyes of pure innocence. I wish I could capture that look in a photograph to be sure I’d never forget. She quietly asked me, “Does God really know my name?”

I couldn’t help but smile widely as I gladly told her yes, he most assuredly does. Her eyes welled with tears when I told her that God knew her before she was born and he truly does know every hair on her head and he loves her more than anyone could or would ever be able to love her. Through those teary eyes she smiled brightly and hit repeat on “her song” so that she could her Denver tell her one more time that He knows her name.

Less than a month ago she came to me with an equally important question. She sat down next to me quietly and looked into my eyes, “Does God love us no matter what, even when we’re bad?”

“More than anything,” I told her, “He might be disappointed in the choices we make, but he never stops loving us.” She smiled her beautiful smile and went back to her work. Whatever weight that was on her heart had been lifted.

I had three years of smiles and laughter with her, but those two brief moments meant so much to me. They remind me that this is where God wants me for now. This is my place, these children are my purpose. I love them each in a different way. This one is going on to a new school. I will miss her madly, but, I will cherish the time I had with her.

Stand For Christ (repost)

2010-05-29T11:42:00.001-04:00

Contentment

2010-03-06T21:24:00.014-05:00

Signs of spring are everywhere around us. The snow is all but gone and the ground hog has been digging in the yard again. While I love the sunshine and warm air that are beginning to make daily appearances I will miss winter. I love winter. It won't be long until I will find myself dreaming of looking out across the field out back and seeing the snowflakes slowly fall to the ground.

Right now, this evening, I am content. I'm tired and ready to fall asleep from a busy day, but I'm so at peace. I honestly feel as though I am resting in the arms of the Lord. I haven't a worry or a care in the world at this moment in time. What a gift.

Another gift from the Father I received today was a long-awaited answer to a prayer. I've asked the Lord to use my migraine suffering in some positive way. I knew, after all, that I couldn't have all of this pain for so long and have no good come from it. Today I was sharing with Ted about how I helped someone who is suddenly experiencing migraines. As our conversation ended and I moved into another room I realized...He had used me and answered my prayers. I wonder how many other prayers He has answered in my life in such a subtle manner and I have failed to take notice. It saddens me to think it's possibly many times, especially before I was so cognizant of His voice.

We spent a few hours today visiting with family. It was our great-nephew's second birthday. It was fun to see "the babies" playing. I can't believe my nieces and nephews are starting to have children. I love them all so much and seeing them happy is so wonderful. We don't see them nearly enough. Below is a photo from today. A self-portrait from Dustin, age 20 months.

Gifts

2010-02-17T22:11:00.002-05:00

I have the most awesome gifts in the woman I study with on Wednesday evenings. We learn, laugh, and pray together. I have developed friendships that I never knew I could have. God gives gifts so often that they are taken for granted. I have never thanked him for these precious woman. Each has been so important in my growth as a Christian. Seeing them in the middle of the week is part of the water that fills my cup until Sunday.

About Monday

2010-02-15T18:39:00.003-05:00

Monday Moaning
*South Side Soda Shop and Diner is closed on Mondays (Ted knew that, why didn't I), everyone was sad.

*This could end up being Migraine Monday...I feel something happening, I'm praying it's just stress.

*And the biggest moan of all... I'm on the verge of anger. I can not and will not let this make me angry. It's not worth the aggravation.

Merry Monday
*I visited with my in-laws. We don't see them enough and it was nice to share a meal and chat.

*I received a great email from someone I wrote to out of the blue. We don't know each other but I felt lead to write her and I'm sure it was God.

*I picked up some knitting and let the fiber flow through my fingers as I added some rows to a gift I'm making.

*I shared some smiles and laughs with my husband.

*I was able to pray for strangers in sad situations. I pray that they will one day know God's grace and love.

Nothing Exciting

2010-02-15T10:00:00.003-05:00

March will be baby month. At work two co-workers are expecting within one day of each other. A family friend is due in about 3 weeks. I have no gifts ready. I'm thinking I'll knit hats. I thought about getting out patterns yesterday but that never happened. I still owe Sponge a replacement hat for the one E lost in December. I have a hat for myself on the needles. I REALLY need to finish the last 5 rows of a gift and bind off so I can get it in the mail.
Later today we must go do a favor for my SIL. If this wasn't my only day off in February it wouldn't be a sacrifice, but... Ted's parents are going to take us to lunch. I'm hoping for a little South Side Soda Shop and Diner. We haven't eaten there in a long time. Ted may also need to pick up some candy at Olympia which means I'll buy a chocolate covered cherry, yum.
I was going to have a craft day with Tam. That has been postponed. I'm going to help her designed bags for her new business. I'm excited because although she doesn't know it yet, I think my designs should be free to me. I only need one. I'll even buy my own materials. She would only be assembling the product.

Putting our faith where it belongs

2010-01-18T11:44:00.002-05:00

We are following His call in our life. Surrendering to Him. Please keep us in your prayers. 8- )

What is wrong with my yarn?

2009-12-31T10:18:00.003-05:00

The following conversation took place between 11:00pm and 12:00am. (Can't you just hear Kiefer Sutherland saying that?)

T: (as he is trying to actually put coats in my yarn closet) Why do have so much yarn?
D: (I pretend not to hear.)
T: (louder) Why do you buy yarn if you aren't going to use it right away? (Now I hear him untying bags of yarn from the bar in the closet. These are projects: yarn and patterns actually in the bags, TOGETHER. They just haven't been started.)
D: All of the yarn you're moving is for a project.
T: (now obviously frustrated, it's late and I'm using skills I've learned from my students in being evasive.) That's not what I asked. Why do you buy yarn if you aren't going to use it as soon as you buy it?
D: (silence is golden, right?)
T: Well?
D: Because. (I drew this out as long as I could without making it sound whiny. Woo Hoo! He went back downstairs!!!! I don't have to explain this compulsion I have to buy ultra soft, beautiful to my eye fiber. Oh, and if it's on sale? I really have to buy it then. Has he forgotten all of the yarn shops he's visited with me and I've just bought yarn because it would be a nice hat for someone? I get a lot of hat requests from family and friends. Has he forgotten the times I've specifically been lured to shops by sales? I just mentioned to him this week that we should go to Grand Rapids this week because of a yarn sale....and he said as long as he could go to Koeze's that was fine!)

Oh well. I've escaped the yarn integration once again. The last time this happened he made me go buy new storage for my yarn. Too bad, huh 8- ) Now I have nice clear boxes and my yarn is sorted by weight and fiber. I was hoping he'd telling me to go by more boxes to store my projects but that didn't pan out. I probably should bring those three large totes of yarn up from the basement this week. He might really see some storage issues then.

Reflection

2009-12-30T13:52:00.005-05:00

The last few months have been a roller coaster of emotions. I've had a brother-in-law die, a friend die, a great-nephew born, a friend adopt a child, and friend's son die unexpectedly. J's birth and K's adoption are bright spots to keep returning to and rejoicing over.

I still look back on our failed adoption and reflect on what happened. It was just this year when we really have been able to sort the whole thing out and I finally have peace. I can now look forward and wonder if there is a child for whom God is preparing us.

I also recently learned that a friend is expecting a baby. It was a not planned, but totally gifted from the Father. For the first time in a very long time I had that familiar ache in my heart. I felt a sudden pang of jealousy that I was able to quickly send away. I am truly happy for her and can't wait to see her new baby. It also made me begin to think once again, if I am supposed to be searching and preparing a place for a child to join our family.

For the past two days I have been looking at the faces of children trapped in orphanages overseas. Some at the same orphanage from which K was rescued (visit Reece's Rainbow to learn more). I have been praying for the children and the parents that they will one day call their own. I've restarted the old conversations with the Lord that He and I have had many times. Only he knows the answers to my questions.

So now I wait and pray, and know that I'll be fine no matter what because I have a Father who knows what I need.

Vacation

2009-12-28T10:15:00.002-05:00

I haven't written a thing in ages. Life is flying by and I record it in my trusty journal. Who needs a blog? Apparently a lot of people. And I read them. A lot of them. I'm trying to figure out what makes me read one person's blog over another. I haven't figured it out yet. But I keep reading.

Last week I spent a frenzied week shopping, wrapping, knitting and reading. It culminated in a wonderful day at my parent's house and a migraine headache that has so far lasted 4 days, and a fun evening with the Miller's at Tom and Denise's farm.

I'm still knitting. Yesterday I made an Elf hat for Tyler. It is so very cute. If I knew where my camera was I'd upload a picture. Last week I made a hat for Dustin...again no picture. Although, I need to ask Holly or Justin to take a picture. [This is why Bev is the only one who reads my blog. My life is boring and she loves me and feels some sense of obligation to read it! Thanks Bev 8- )]

I'm reading Indigo Christmas by local author Jeanne M. Dams. I love this Hilda Johansson series. I've been convinced to give her Dorothy Martin Mysteries a try. I have number one waiting. Anyway, I began reading the Hilda Johansson series because it took place in South Bend. I still enjoy the bits of local history thrown in, but the mysteries are quite good and the character development is enjoyable.

I'm also reading Free-Range Knitter by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee. I love her blog, Yarn Harlot. The book is quirky like the author. It's a slow read for me though, I'm not used to that as a reader. As a knitter, it's nice to read something that I can relate to and know that I'm not crazy.

The third book I have going at the moment is Knit Two by Kate Jacobs. It's the sequel to the Friday Night Knitting Club. Since the first book ended in what I deemed to be a less than desirable way I am surprised to find myself reading book 2 and having book 3, Knit the Season, waiting in the pile of books to read. While knitting is in the background of these books the main theme is women and their relationships with one another. I found it difficult to get into the first book but I don't know if it was the book, of the fact that I was listening to it on tape. I definitely don't miss the actress and her strange interpretations of everyone's voices. She was working my last nerve for sure.

Last week I read two books by Lauraine Snelling, Pearls of Grace and Rebecca's Rewards. As always, I enjoyed her books. I have another waiting to be read. As a person who loves history and the Dakotas these books have always drawn me right in. Within a few pages I'm right back with the characters I've grown to know and love. I think that speaks volumes for the author. She develops characters so well it is as if you truly know them.

What are my plans for this week? Cleaning a bit for our New Year's Eve get together with the James', go to the butcher shop (I love John's in Nappanee!), knit, read, play with my Nintendo DSi, bake, knit and read. knit and read, knit and read....oh, and do my quarterly reports 8-(

This vacation will end much to soon I'm afraid. I cannot believe that one semester has ended. In retrospect it has flown by. With ISTEP coming up I'm fairly certain the second semester will fester.

Hello World!

2009-08-01T22:22:00.000-04:00

It's almost time to go back to work. That makes me sad. I don't feel ready yet. Next week I have a training for special ed and the following week I have two days of meetings. The next week is back to work. Where did my vacation go?

I did ready 36 books so far this summer! I feel pretty good about that. Only one of them was a book I would never recommend. Today I looked a someones online reading list and saw a bunch of nonfiction at which I'd love to look. Too bad I have a pile of my own next to the bed, bought and paid for waiting to be read.

Oh, and my hair whine from my last post...I never did a thing about that. Ted said I don't have gray hair. Just one more reason to love him. I do need a hair cut. That won't happen until I donate it or I just get brave.

Tonight I bought some wheat and egg free frozen waffles at the grocery store. I was so excited. The first brand I found contained citric acid (of course). I almost gave up and walked away. Then I found the brand I bought. They were cheaper and I'm not allergic to anything in them. WOO HOO! I've been craving waffles and this made my day. I'll be eating them tomorrow with crushed pineapple...yummy.

Creeping Through the Cobwebs

2009-06-06T11:43:00.000-04:00

WOW! Let me dust off a seat! It's been awhile since March 6th when I last took the time to share some meaningless drivel from my life with you. Today's post won't disappoint. It's a little bit meaningless, and a little bit drively (can I do that to the word drivel?).

I've been getting gray hair for about 9 months (or maybe a year)...but now it's really noticeable and it's bothering me. I've never been vain so it bothers me that I'm bothered. The simple solution would be to just color my hair, right? Well...it's not that simple. I have a list of reasons and I'm going to bore you with it. Notice, if you will, the slight redundancies and subtle whining:

*I like my hair color...there is no way to match it exactly...I KNOW IT!!!!
*I could never color my own hair with a do it yourself color kit.
*I'm too cheap to pay someone to do it.
*I don't trust anyone to do it (even though my best friend is a beautician, a friend from HS is a
beautician, a niece is a beautician, and the list goes on).
*I don't want people to think, "Oh, Dawn started coloring her hair."
*I don't want people to think, "That doesn't look like Dawn's natural hair color."
*I don't want this thought going through someone's mind, "OMG, what did she do to her hair!?"
*I REALLY don't want people to ask me if I colored my hair.
*I don't want to start coloring my hair and then have to keep coloring it.
etc.

Needless to say, at some point this summer I will probably get my hair colored and I will probably not do it myself. I wouldn't want to blame myself if anything went horribly wrong with the color job.

Who will do it remains to be seen. It can't be a friend or a relative. Can you imagine having to look them in the face if they mess my hair up? No, they have to be left in reserves in case I need a repair job. They need to be left as hair heroes.

No matter who does the job it will, however, involve prayer. I wonder if the Lord gets many prayers about things of this nature?

It's Friday

2009-03-06T16:28:00.001-05:00

Ted's bringing home supper!

-I have one ISTEP to make up on Monday...G probably thinks staying home today got him out of that test...think again!
-L is retiring this year. I will miss her. Having her at work has meant so much to me these last 4 years. Now she will get to be with her grandkids and do whatever she is led...lucky duck!
-I'm tired and hungry...how exciting is that?

I am not...

2009-03-05T22:56:00.000-05:00

the shapest knife in the block.

Since coming home from work nearly everything I have eaten has including an ingredient to which I am allergic. My tongue and throat hurt. I have itchy skin. I knew exactly what I was doing. I made a consious choice to consume these toxins. Now, I must suffer.

Tomorrow, I'm back on the good food wagon.

Our First Date

2009-03-01T20:31:00.000-05:00

In July Ted and I will be married for 20 years. It doesn't seem like that much time has passed. We had our first date in August of 1987. Ted called me the afternoon after we met and asked me out. I was glad because I was hoping he would call.
We went too see Can't Buy Me Love. It was playing at the Concord Mall in Elkhart. One of the things I will never forget about that date was Ted driving by the theater. He was just talking away and got all the way to JC Penney before he looked at me and said, "Where is that movie theatre anyway?" I just smiled and hitched my thumb back as I said, "Back there." He turned around and went back. I'm sure he was embarrassed. I mean, it was right in front of him as he drove by...
We enjoyed the movie. We've never seen it since, even when it plays on TV. But I have fond memories of it. Afterwards we went and talked for a couple of hours. To this day Ted says that was one of the things he loved, how easy it was to talk to me.
I love my husband. God has blessed me with the perfect mate for me 8- )

What did you do on your first date with your husband (or wife...I think one of you is a man)?

I don't know...very loud sigh?

2009-02-22T00:43:00.000-05:00

On any given day I am watching one of my loved ones making poor decisions. They are young adults. It happens. I've been there myself. I try not to "interfere" and sometimes I'm looking for duct tape for my own mouth. Tonight I'm hunting down the duct tape as I watch someone I love very, very much act like they left their brain at an unknown location. Maybe it's with my duct tape (lost).

And so I say to you, Once Intelligent Being...you are not crazy...use the brain God gave you and move on...you are worth so much more than you are accepting in all of this mess.

Ugh

2009-02-09T20:44:00.001-05:00

The enemy swoops in and strikes when you least expect him. He's sneaky, that devil. He's patient too. He's willing to lie in wait for as long as it takes.

I will not let him win. I will not let him smile at the pain he has caused me today. Instead, I will hold on to my God who stands firmly beside me. He supports me, he is my shield.

Mothman, ACK!

2009-02-01T22:02:00.000-05:00

I hope I have just scared myself unnecessarily. I thought I saw a baby Mothman in my kitchen. If I did I'm sure it was the first in-home sighting of this creepy monster. I told Ted. He laughed. He never said a word. He simply laughed. Then he went back to watching the end of this never ending football game. Apparently the fact that there could be a floaty, spooky monster downstairs doesn't matter. I should take that as a sign. "A sign of what?," you ask. That I'm loopy and I watched too many episodes of Monster Quest last night before I went to sleep.

My travels

2009-02-01T16:54:00.000-05:00

This are the states that have seen my feet:

create your own personalized map of the USA
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25 Random Things About Me

2009-01-27T21:53:00.000-05:00

1. I love winter and it drives me nuts when people complain about the cold weather. I can't imagine living in a warm climate.
2. This summer my husband and I will celebrate 20 years of marriage.
3. I am allergic to 4 of the top 8 food allergens; milk, eggs, wheat, and peanuts. I'm currently in a desensitization program so I am able to have certain amounts of these each day. I miss my peanut butter.
4. I'm a wee bit obsessed with Laura Ingalls Wilder. I've studied her life, traveled to her homes, and studied the lives of her friends and family members. My history loving husband has come along for the ride. I've even been able to get one of my cousins and her children to visit Laura's birthplace, OH, and another cousin too. And then...I always manage to get a student or two liking her every year.
5. I keep several journals. I love to write about what's going on, what I'm praying about, dreaming about, I make lists, I plan, and I record every book I read. And then, because I'm goofy, I decorate pages with stickers, I use different colored ink, and I draw pictures with crayons and markers. My journals are great. Oh, and I blog. My blog is not that great.
6. I love to write. Someday I would love to have one of my projects published.
7. I am a Christ Follower. It is the biggest piece of who I am.
8. I love to read. During the summer I read a book a day. Yes, that means all I am doing all day long is reading.
9. I also love to knit. I have many projects going at one time.
10. Wow, this is only number 10. I only like even numbers. I think odd numbers are ugly. I also think the numbers containing the numeral 6 are ugly. Pretty weird, huh?
11. July 29th is my favorite day of the summer. The summer needs a holiday and I think that should be it. Just ask Alli and Sarah. Mark your calendars people!
12. I've donated my hair to Locks of Love 3 times and I think I'm about ready for my 4th donation.
13. I am afraid of bridges and head lice.
14. My favorite colors in junior high were pink and green...they still are...just not together.
15. I love Hello Kitty. Ted bought me a Hello Kitty desk lamp for Christmas. One of my students is in love with it 8-) We love Hello Kitty together. I am in deep like with Choco Cat.
16. I like being connected to my cousins on the Internet. It's a little sad really that I should need a tool like Facebook or email to "talk" to my family. Oops...I'm part loser.
17. I become easily addicted to reality shows, even those that I really shouldn't be watching. Since I don't watch that much tv that means my limited viewing time is wasted on trash. Except for the Deadliest Catch and Amazing Race, they are awesome.
18. My favorite show is The Office. My favorite character...maybe Dwight...
19. Perfume tends to give me headaches...but not the one I wear to work...Love's Baby Soft. It's pink and it smells good.20. My husband told me if I win $2 million I can quit my job. But, I never play the lottery or gamble. So, does anyone know where I can win $2 million? Guaranteed?
21. I am not proofreading this...it's taking too long and I don't want to read it again 8-) #21 I hate editing my own writing. I love editing the work of others.
22. I love to ride my bike. In the summer Ted and I go for rides late at night and see all the deer that live behind us. It's cool.
23. Asthma sucks.
24. Migraines suck.
25. I have the greatest husband in the world!

Google Name Meme

2009-01-27T19:01:00.000-05:00

Type in "[your name] needs" in the Google search.
Dawn needs a tripod. (I did not know that).

Type in "[your name] looks like" in Google search.
Dawn looks like the lady from Roger Rabbit. (I look like a cartoon character?)

Type in "[your name] says" in Google search.
Dawn says being the world's oldest natural mother is a blessing. (Since I would love to be a mother, I guess I might just agree with this)

Type in "[your name] wants" in Google search.
Dawn wants a piece of heaven. (the second one said Dawn wants to start a family)

Type in "[your name] does" in Google search.
Dawn does not love you enough to send you a gift-wrapped item. (that's harsh)

Type in "[your name] hates" in Google search.
Dawn hates snowballs. (I hate being hit by them)

Type in "[your name] asks" in Google search.
Dawn asks you to kill your own. (your own what?)

Type in "[your name] likes " in Google search
Dawn likes Alice very much and protects her. (I wonder what I'd have to protect Alice from at church)

Type in "[your name] eats " in Google search.
Dawn eats the letter H. (sure!)

Type in "[your name] wears " in Google search.
Dawn wears it best. 8-)

Type in "[your name] was arrested for" in Google Search.
Dawn was arrested for theft in the fourth degree. She had taken several items of clothing from a department store. (not me!)

Type in "[your name] goes" in Google search.
Dawn goes on a hunger strike in protest. (good idea)

my next book

2009-01-25T13:15:00.000-05:00

I woke up with a book idea this morning. I wrote that up before I lost it in the black hole between my ears. Then nothing...writers block. It's a common occurrence for me.

In church a few more lines popped out. They were written on the bulletin. Now I'm going to have to start carrying my little notebook with me. Hopefully this won't become a problem at work. Of course, sometimes I journal when the kids are journaling. I can write then, YAY! Usually, when I have time to write things just flow. They don't shoot out spontaneously between writing sessions.

I bet most of my faithful readers (okay, I know I have at least 3 readers) don't even know that I write. You see this mess I post online and you're thinking...this poor delusional woman calls herself a writer? Well you see...here at "I've been thinking..." I don't have to worry about CUPS (capitalization, usage, punctuation and spelling). I just type.

So, I'm sitting here at the computer looking at my latest work and waiting for more good stuff to pop into my head. So far...nothing. What's different about this idea is I didn't come up with it on my own. This is a God thing. Later I'm going to let Teedo Bandito read it because I also get the feeling he's supposed to be working on this too (he just doesn't know it yet).

Oh...and I started Job over, reading it aloud to Ted because I'm thinking this is a wacky story. Do I get any input from the Mr.? Nope. He just listened. He can read it on his own. I'll go back to where I was. Poor Job. Derry quoted Job 42 in church today. Kind of interesting since we're studying Joshua. It's a God thing.

With friends like them...

2009-01-25T10:04:00.000-05:00

I think Job needs new friends. He is in pain and trying to sort out why he is covered in sores and wondering why he was ever born. (That was a great sentence!) Next to him are his 3 amigos. For everything Job has to say one of those smarties comes back with, "you must really have messed up for God to do this to you" or something like that. Get new friends Job. I don't know how much more of them I can take.

Saturday

2009-01-24T16:03:00.000-05:00

-It's nippy outside.
-Breezy too.
-T. bought baked goods from his Amish friend. I can't eat any of it. 8-(
-We went to the butcher shop and bought a bunch of meat. When we arrived home I learned that our meat was ready from the butcher in Wisconsin. My freezer runneth over.
-I want a pink laptop. T. says, "Um, I don't think so." Who will win?
-My favorite student has moved and will be going to a new school. I am very sad.

Today is NOT Friday

2009-01-22T20:28:00.000-05:00

even if you thought it should have been...sorry.

Tammy caught the frostbite last week. Just a wee spot on her finger. Enough to hurt like a bugger. She has to wear a burn bandage over the blister. Poor girl. There is a lesson to be learned in this. Do not change a tire without gloves on in -17 degree temps and hold your finger on the metal. You WILL catch the frostbite guaranteed.

Last night I left Job covered in sores and scraping them. That had to hurt beyond anything I can imagine right now (even in day 3 of migraines). Yet, he would not curse the Lord. Of course before I closed my life manual Job was pretty much begging to die and his friends were beginning to talk to him. I'd like to think if all I had was lost that my faith, my love for God would never fail and I would praise Him without hesitation.

Oh, and something else I saw play out once again today...
Crazy is as crazy does.
Some adults do not know how to pick their battles. They also seem to find enjoyment in causing sadness. 8-( My poor little flower. Her heart was broken.

Gomer

2009-01-21T22:03:00.000-05:00

Gomer is the son of Japheth.
Gomer is the cousin of Goober
Gomer is the fan of Third Day.
You've come a long way Gomer.

Um...whatever

2009-01-20T20:56:00.000-05:00

*migraine all day
*medication is not working
*I'm resorting to pain medication next...I hate the side-effects
*inauguration overload
*Noah just left the ark with his fam and the animals....I don't think I'll finish in a year since I'm already 17 days behind (guess what I'm reading)
*tomorrow is already Wednesday...I'm confused
*job stress on red alert...ISTART7 you are a bad word!
*pray for Adam's family...they will miss him
*I think I'm going to eat a popsicle and go to bed
*goodnight

I love my peanut allergy...

2009-01-19T17:04:00.000-05:00

... this week anyway! All of the recalls and talk of salmonella is sad. Normally I'd be upset and dumping the peanut butter out of the cupboard. Not this time! We don't have any peanut butter. Last week I was once again mourning extra crunchy peanut butter. I wanted to eat a granny smith apple smothered in Jiff. This week, I'm thinking, "Peanut butter, who needs it?"

I hope Francie dumped her PB. Last time she was eating recalled Peter Pan until her son checked the jar and pitched it out. I guess I better email her. Off to save a friend from stomach cramps and, well, the rest of the unpleasant symptoms of salmonella poisoning.

The Deer

2009-01-19T09:44:00.000-05:00

We have a herd of approximately 13 deer living in the woods behind our house (if I knew house to upload a photo on to this blog, here is were you would see one of the many photos I have of them). In the winter I love to look out the second floor windows and see where they walk at night. Last night after it snowed one decided to venture into the front yard. But, rather then jump our fence it decided to cut through the neighbors yard and walk around which allowed my backyard to remain pristine. I believe while exploring the "street side" of the neighborhood the lone deer also stopped to nibble a branch or two from the neighbor's tree. My beautiful, yet needs to be pruned, Maple remained unscathed. The deer then appears to have walked down the sidewalk where I'm guessing it went to the pond which was probably it's original destination.
I love watching the deer. Everyday at 5:15 you can look out across the field and watch them emerge from the trees to begin eating leftover soybeans. I've been able to stand 2 feet away from a fawn and stare into it's eyes. It watched me quietly walk toward it until we stood that measured distance apart. It didn't have any sense of fear, until it's mother snorted from about 10 feet away and I almost wet myself. The fawn took off and so did I. I turned quickly though to watch mother and baby bound across the field. It was so beautiful (once I realize the I wasn't about to star in "When Animals Attack").
God has blessed us with so much beauty. How often do we take time to stop and enjoy what is right in front of us? How often do we thank Him for all of the splendor?

confusion

2009-01-17T21:26:00.000-05:00

I may be offended
but
it is not for me to forgive what was said.
Do I need to continue to replay the words
in my head
over
and
over?
I don't think so...
but I do.
Wouldn't it be nice if I could turn off a switch
and the words would be gone?
Forgotten.
Perhaps they will leave with sleep.

Sadly, I have let words, from a person with whom I have very little connection, bother me.
That...is confusing.

Don't "catch the frostbite"

2009-01-16T18:18:00.000-05:00

A few months ago one of my students had a bit of a meltdown over a spelling test. He didn't want to take one. The meltdown became such an issue I had to call his mother and ended up leaving a message on her phone. In the meantime he decided he was going to have to run away from home because once his mother found out what was going on he was going to be in trouble. At this point he had the undivided attention of 2 adults and 5 children ( about 4 others found the whole tantrum thing too much and went to work on the computers, lucky them). My para K. starts discussing the cons of running away with him and mentions that it is just too cold outside to run away to his grandpa's. Out of his mouth popped one of my favorite quotes of the year..."I'm going...I don't care if I catch the frostbite!"

I hope he stayed inside today. If not, he caught it for sure.

I saw my Favs

2008-12-28T13:19:00.000-05:00

We spent yesterday in Indy with the Miller clan. We had a fun day. The cutest baby in the world was there, Tyler. He is also the best behaved. Actually, my family is full of the best behaved child ever. I don't know how we were so blessed.
Ted and I stayed too late. Ted was playing euche with his sister and two of her friends. We left after 10. 10 minutes from her house a torrential downpour hit. That meant we had to stop at White Castle in Carmel and have a slyder to let the rain ease up a bit.
We arrived home around 12:45. It was a long day.
So much for any details you may have hoped for. 8-)

Bits and Bobs

2008-12-20T20:44:00.000-05:00

-Asthma is annoying...I hate when it feels like my lungs are sticking together and I can't breathe
-Ice should be cleaned off the driveway quickly...not a day later
-I miss peanut butter
-Winter break is here, woo hoo!
-Why did T schedule the plumber to come Tuesday morning? I think that should be a late morning-early afternoon task
-Tomorrow is Michael's birthday. Happy Birthday Michael! Use your birthday money to buy yourself some boots (okay...only M and I get that)
-Monday is Lori's birthday. Happy Birthday Lori! I hope it's a beautiful day for you 8-)
-It is supposed to be 8 degrees when I leave for church in the morning. I hope I don't freeze.
-Santa visited my classroom. My silly students were running around wearing the knit caps I made them. Some were breaking into a sweat.
-I saw the brainologist this week. He was running an hour late due to an emergency at the hospital. I thought I'd get in quicker when all of the cranky old men held an uprising and rescheduled their appointments, but no. Exactly one hour late Dr. Brain talked to me for 10 minutes, probably charged me $200, said good things and I was out the door.
-I saw the allergist last week in Wisconsin. I'm improving. Received a new inhaler. Will go back in the summer and have my food allergies checked. They gave me a flu shot. I had an allergic reaction to the egg, wah!
-Um, that's all of the excitement I can muster up.
-Goodnight!

The BMV

2008-12-09T17:37:00.000-05:00

I misplaced my drivers license sometime after Thursday evening. I thought I should have one before I leave the state so I headed over to the license branch on my way home from work. I've never been to the new BMV office so it was an adventure. I was greeted in the parking lot by a man walking his pit bull. The dog looked nicer than the man who was scowling. Inside the BMV there were approximately 5 customers being helped. I went right to the counter and started the process. I was done in less than 10 minutes. New and exciting...when you get your drivers license in Indiana you can not wear glasses or smile showing teeth. My photograph is nothing to share with others. I'm sure I'll find my lost license now that I've invested $10 in an ugly replacement.

I'm an auditory learner

2008-12-07T14:55:00.000-05:00

I eavesdropped on a perfectly interesting conversation at Bob Evans today. (I couldn't help it.) A dating couple seated next to us decided to discuss religion. Facts which I gleaned early on:
* the woman was raised Lutheran and had attended Lutheran grade school
* the man had been raised Catholic but was now a born-again Christian
* the man was out to teach the woman she needed to be born-again
* the woman was not ready to hear the man telling her that all she had been taught and believed was not necessarily biblical or "true"

An interesting moment of conversation I heard:
Man, "Do you know the sinner's prayer?"
Woman, "No, what is that?"
Man, "It's the prayer you say when you choose to become a Christian."
Woman, "What do you mean, choose to become a Christian? You don't choose to become a Christian. ~inaudible comment~"
man, "Of course you choose to become a Christian. ~more inaudible comments~"
I would have loved to join their table during this bit of conversation. The music was suddenly too loud or Ted started talking to me...I don't know.

I wonder how many people in the world don't know that following Christ is a choice. You aren't born a Christian and you aren't a Christian simply because you attend church. Being a Christian is a conscious choice you make. Once you make that choice you change the way you live your life. As I sit here and think about growing up in the Catholic Church I can honestly say that I never gave much thought to being a Christian. Had someone asked if I was a Christian I would have said yes. It wasn't until I was a senior in high school that I really felt a personal relationship with God that wasn't developed out of the reverence and fear instilled in me by the church.

I felt sorry for the woman in the restaurant. I could tell she was feeling attacked by her date. He was doing his best to make her see how wrong her church was but he wasn't paying attention to her body language at all. She seemed to want a relationship with Christ (based on other things she said) but her date's approach may have just set that back.

I'm wondering if they'll even have another date. I think she was giving him the stink eye and he was oblivious. When he did finally catch on that she was upset he attempted to entertain her by folding his placemat into a boat. She wasn't impressed.

The Shack

2008-12-06T10:36:00.000-05:00

It seems like so many people around me are reading The Shack. I really have no interest in the book. Why then, do I feel defensive when people ask me if I've read it yet? Do I subconsciously believe I'm missing something? I don't think so.
I'm currently reading a book about the Salem witch trials. Now that interests me.
I love history. I love adding bits of information to what I already know about that period of our nation's past.
It's not that I'm not captivated by the Trinity, I am...but the Holy Spirit is alive within me and I have an ongoing relationship that is constantly nurtured with the Lord. I am not in a place that finds me in need of this literature. I may read it someday.
To my friends who have read The Shack and loved it...I'm glad. I love to read and it is a special gift when a book makes an impact in your life.
Why did I write this lame post? Because I feel like Jan Brady this morning and I want to cry out, " The Shack, The Shack, The Shack."

Act Now

2008-11-30T10:58:00.000-05:00

Sad Supper

2008-11-25T21:18:00.000-05:00

China Wok is closed...forever...WAH..my favorite dumplings are gone...I refused to go to Hi Ho. So, we went to some place closer to home of which I don't even know the name. It was good. I'll live. I may even stop being so dramatic...or not.

I Survived!

2008-11-25T18:31:00.000-05:00

This afternoon was the Character Day Parade. First and Third graders dressed up as their favorite character from a book and paraded around the building. I was the coordinator. I made myself sick over it all day but it actually went off without a hitch. The entire First grade chose 101 Dalmatians, although, there are only 100 First graders. The Third grade was a mix and one class used characters from the fables they are studying. It was fun for those watching too. I had Fourth graders asking me when they would get their turn. When I told them Second and Fourth had Character Day in May they genuinely looked excited. Now...to whom can I pass the torch?

Second and Fourth grade classes wrote ABC books which are on display in the school library. Each time I pass I seen children reading them. So far it appears Language Arts week is a success. The books will be displayed for the visitors during fine arts night next month (also known as, the Holiday Program). I hope the parents enjoy them.

I'm looking forward to spending Thanksgiving at my parents Thursday. I'm taking a cheese ball and crackers, pizzelles and an additional yet to be determined appetizer. I'm considering veggie pizza or fruit salsa and sweet chips. Those are always popular.

Then, I have four days of cleaning and relaxing. Ahhhh, the thought of relaxing makes me slightly giddy. I'm a bit worried that some Christmas shopping may be thrown in to spoil my fun. Yuck!

Well, I must prepare to disembark for China Wok and/or Hi Ho Chop Suey. I need some dumplings and something else to which I'm allergic. I've been good and saved up all of my allowable servings for this evenings meal.

Howdy Stranger!

2008-11-23T15:46:00.000-05:00

It would seem that after two months without sharing meaningless drivel from my life I would have tons of nothing to say...guess again. Actually I do have a lot to say, it's is just jamming the super-highway in my brain and unable to move along to my fingers for the trip to the keyboard. Too bad for you!

I'm busy doing my own one-woman mission project. I'm knitting hats for every child in my class. I probably should have thought of this before it became cold. Oh well, they will like them anyway...I hope. I know my babies (grades 2 and 3) will. They love everything I make them. Those big opinionated 4Th-graders may say something rude but secretly like the hat they chose. They are all 10 going on 13 and I can't stand it.

I also decided recently (about 4 minutes ago) that my life was a lot easier before I started thinking so deeply. Which has lead me to another deep thought...does God really want me thinking so much?

Wouldn't you know it, some young pastor's wife (who I secretly want to be my friend) hit Oasis with the question, "What are you passionate about?" More thinking!!!!!!! I'm passionate about so many things. How can I use them for God?

Our 18-month old sump died. I hope Ted is in a better mood when he calls the plumber tomorrow...for their sake. Thank goodness it's not wet outside. I'm praying the warranty is still good. I can only find the receipt for the work and not the rest of the paperwork, wah!

I'm looking forward to a three day work week. I need some rest. I've had a migraine everyday since before the last time I penned a little blurb here. Well, every day except 4 of the last 10. I went to a new neurologist and started a new preventative. It takes a month to begin working. The side-effects are potentially horrible (enough to make you stop taking it). I have been prayed for by many dear women at church and I am constantly aware of that covering. My side-effects have thus far been limited to annoying tingling of the hands, feet, top of the mouth, back of the throat, and face...as well as... stomach pain. Wednesday I raise the dosage for the last time. Hopefully the side-effects will then begin to go away.

I hope you all have a marvelous week. I'm so thankful for each and everyone of you!

Happy Sunday

2008-09-07T16:07:00.000-04:00

This weekend is going by in a blur. Yesterday Ted and I first went to The Loft to buy yarn. I ended up buying the prettiest green lace weight yarn. When I find the perfect stole pattern I will have my yarn ready. I also bought yarn to knit a gift. Then we were off to Goshen. Ted bough candy at Olympia and then we ate lunch at The South Side Soda Shop. Ruebens and chili. Next we drove to Eau Claire, Michigan for fruit. These fun trips were followed by some boring shopping and stopping at Ted's school. We were both tired and went to bed early. This morning started early (5am) thanks to a migraine. I took my meds and went back to bed and slept fitfully until 8 am. We went to church for the 10:45 service and then after talking to a church friend we were off to eat. We really wanted to go to Cracker Barrel but it was WAY too busy. We stopped instead a Steak and Shake. We went to my parents next for a quick visit and some pear picking. Now, I'm starting laundry and grading papers.
I hope everyone has a great week. I'm starting 2 new guided reading groups so I'll be extra frazzled for a couple of days. But, I'm trusting this week will be pleasant.

First week wackiness

2008-08-13T22:15:00.000-04:00

I feel like I do laps all day from my classroom to the office, faxing new enrollments, faxing withdrawals, requesting IEPs from other cities and states, meeting new parents, and hunting down children. Each day this week has gotten a bit easier. I am still not ready to see students. Of the 5 teachers with whom I share students, only one has given me a class schedule. I can't make my schedule without theirs.
I'm looking forward to Saturday. I'm a tired girl.

Happy Saturday

2008-08-09T13:14:00.000-04:00

I received great pictures today from my dear Amy. She had pictures of a family gathering and it was nice to see my cousins. Seeing those photos really make me miss my family.
Monday is my first day back to school. The students begin on Tuesday. I have a staff meeting Monday morning and I will then spend the rest of the day in my classroom. Of course that is also subject to change...like a special education meeting. We have a new special education teaching joining us and she may have some questions. She is also a first year teacher. Monday evening is open house.
I'm beginning a new knitting project today and I haven't completed the one I've been working on the week. So, my poor coin purse will sit by idly as I quickly knit up a stole. In a few weeks Mystery Stole 4 will begin. I have my yarn ordered and will need beads. I have some here but I'm not sure if they will go with either of the yarns I ordered. I also need to get down to the Loft to buy some yarn from Gayle. That will be used to make a stole for a very special person. Actually the other two stoles are gifts too.
I've been watching the BBC version (the original) of The Office. I don't like it as well as NBC's version. I've watched 4 episodes. I"m not sure if I'll continue. Ted's watching it now. I'm not sure he'll like either version.
If you are praying for Kennedy please be sure to lift her up in prayer this week. Her halo is being removed on Friday regardless of how far along her neck is in the healing process.

Helping the husband and stuff

2008-08-07T12:33:00.000-04:00

Ted has been moved into a new classroom. It's a portable. I was in a portable for 4th grade. I remember how it was such a novelty at first. It quickly became normal. Ted's classroom is set up much different from the one I remember. It also seems bigger but that could be because all of the desks are piled to one side.
We are going to move furniture around and unpack boxes. He has a lot of space being taken up by metal cabinets. It's his only storage so we must make due. I'm hoping we won't stay long. I'll be back to work soon enough.
Last night was fun. We were visited by Tammy, Michael and Sarah. I feel like I haven't seen Sarah in forever. She's 21 now and busy with life. Sniff. Tammy and I knitted while Ted and Michael played the Wii. Mario Cart...fun.
Last Saturday we were able to visit with BRAD! I haven't seen him since Christmas. Another child who has grown-up and moved on. Michael was here and he loves Brad too. It was a nice visit, but of course, not long enough. I probably won't see him again until Christmas, Thanksgiving if I'm lucky.
I'm looking forward to returning to the Oasis Cafe. I'm hoping Tammy will start coming too. Michael is interested in the preteen ministry...if he can bring a friend. Ted's returning to the Men's Fraternity. Wednesday nights always energize me for the rest of the week.
I'm off to go to school with Ted. =-)

Oh! Gravity

2008-07-25T13:05:00.000-04:00

From the wacky dreamworld of Dawn....

I was sitting in a case conference for a student I knew but another school was attending and bringing the paperwork. In fact, the teacher brought an IEP printed in color. I was slightly jealous that I did not have the ability to produce such pretty documentation. Suddenly I was informed that I had to write goals and objectives for the student. I excused myself to run back to my classroom to get forms.
Entering the room I noticed that the substitute was reading to the students who were seated in front of him on the floor. I turned to my desk and realized it has been pushed into the corner...and was upside down.
Drama ensued as I yelled at the substitute, Mr. Dwight K. Schrute. He began screaming at me. In real life I may have been frightened. In dream world I was enraged. I stomped about my classroom until I located my phone. I then called my principal as Mr. Schrute begged me not to make the call. When I began speaking to Angie Mr. Schrute muttered, "I might as well go this is my 5th strike."
As I was talking to Angie a black cat ran out of the coat room. It was as this point I realized I was in my old classroom at St. Casmir. The cat jumped up and bit me. It's eyes were huge as if it realized the mistake it was making. It let go of my beautiful arm and ran toward the children who immediately began to play with the monster...traitors.
Angie, listened to me repeatedly saying, "I've been bit, I"m bleeding."

Then I woke up...with vertigo. The song Oh! Gravity is going through my mind...over and over and over.

Happy Anniversary Ted!

2008-07-22T10:25:00.000-04:00

Today I have been married for 19 years! The time has gone by so quickly. When I look back at all we've gone through it is truly amazing. In the last 19 years between the two of us we've earned 3 degrees, worked in 13 jobs (6 for me, 7 for Ted), lived in 4 homes in 2 cities, we have travelled to 24 states and 1 foreign country. We've laughed and cried, prayed and praised. It all seems like yesterday. We have been blessed in ways that words can not describe. Ted is a gift from God. I look forward to forever with him. Happy anniversary Teedo. I love you.

Happy Birthday Mothermaid!

2008-07-21T12:22:00.000-04:00

Today is my mother's birthday. She is 60-something years old (I'm to lazy to figure out her real age). Mothermaid, comes from my younger brother. My father called my mom Donna Mae (which is her name) occasionally. My brother (probably 3 or 4 at the time) apparently thought he was saying something else. Dan then began calling her Mothermaid. The name isn't used as much anymore but it occasionally pops up. Even my dad uses the name. In a few hours we will be off to partake in a birthday meal with the folks. I must wrap the gifts and prepare for takeoff.

Food Stuff

2008-07-17T14:26:00.000-04:00

Well, I've spent the last couple of weeks trying to find recipes that don't require me to make substitutions. That's not easy. I've joined some Yahoo groups that fit my needs and I've been checking out vegan websites. I'm learning a lot, but my meals have not changed. I'm basically eating fruits and vegetables and lean meat, if I eat at all. I'm in a bad food place. I've also noticed that when I eat the allowed servings of the "bad" food I get sick. I think it's psychological. Another difficulty is Ted. Poor Ted. He doesn't like seeing the gfcf egg-free food going in the shopping cart. I think he's afraid I'll make him eat it...no way. Some of that costs way too much to waste on his meals! I was looking at spaghetti noodles made from corn the other night and his comment was, "Don't get too carried away." I know that he meant he didn't want to eat it, but I whisper-yelled at him anyway. I think that shocked him a bit. I can also tell he's becoming worried about the cleaning concoctions popping up in the house. He knows they are necessary to help my chemical sensitivity but fears they really don't clean. Poor Ted. I need to take some allergy medication today. I've been sneezing my head off. However, the product in the house contains citric acid. You've got to love an allergy medication that contains an allergen. I'm too lazy to go to the store to buy what I need.Tonight we are going out to eat with friends. I'm not worried about cross-contamination because I haven't had any of the allowed servings today. The most serious allergy will be the citric acid since it hides in everything. I may eat before I go so I'm not too hungry. Then I can stick to a salad.

The Grocery Store

2008-07-11T21:42:00.000-04:00

+ hates people with food allergies
+ overcharges for products they can label gluten free
+ Is not a fun place to visit when you are hungry

I found her!

2008-07-11T13:40:00.001-04:00

While we were on vacation I received an email from my best friend from childhood. It was so exciting to hear from her. I'm hoping we don't lose touch again. Lately I've reconnected with another close friend from high school. I never thought I'd want to talk to people from high school that I hadn't kept in touch with. It has been nice talking to them.

Vacation Number 2

2008-07-05T13:11:00.000-04:00

We returned home Thursday night at 11:57pm. We were exhausted. We had another nice trip. Monday morning we drove down to the Vevay, Indiana area. We spent the night at a casino/resort with my in-laws with whom we celebrated their anniversary and Ted's birthday. The chef at Jeff Ruby's made us a special meal (delicious steak and lobster for FIL, Ted and I and Dover Sole for MIL). Also specially made was a cake for Ted from the pastry chef. We had the cake last year for Ted's mom's birthday and it is awesome. Ted gambled a bit on the slots while I chilled in the room. He won $60in the afternoon (not losing his original investment) and lost that $60 after dinner. We ate breakfast at the yummy buffet on Tuesday. I indulged in fresh fruit, hash and hashbrowns. Ted had a fluffy omelet filled with green peppers, onions, salsa, and bacon, ham, and cheese. We were then off on our trip while Ted's parents headed home to Indy.
Our first stop along the Ohio river was to Jeffersonville. Ted had seen a candy store there on the History channel and wanted to try it out. We bought awesome chocolates and cinnamon hard candy. We will be ordering candy for Christmas gifts from them this year, unless Ted ropes me into driving down there this fall. We then stopped at Meijer to buy a bigger cooler for our candy. We then headed to Corydon, the first Indiana State Capital.
It was late when we arrived in Corydon so we visited many of the sites that you can not go in or that are outside anyway. The first stop was the only Civil War Battlefield in Indiana. Ted loves Civil War history and this was exciting for him. We had a butterscotch shake at a house that had been cut in half. We took a lot of pictures to use in a power point for our social studies classes. On Wednesday we were able to go in the capital building and have a tour. Joann, our guide was wonderful and loves history as much as we do. After lunch we were off to Lincoln City.
We followed the Ohio River for most of our trip so we saw the lock and Dam at Cannelton. We see so many of them along the Mississippi that this was not that exciting. We arrived in Lincoln City with time to see a movie about Abe and his family and to briefly see the exhibits. Then we went to see the site of their cabin, his mothers grave, and the living history area (the rangers were gone). We hiked a mile in Abe's woods. We had a stare-down with a deer on the trail. Then, we were off to Evansville.
Thursday morning we went to Angel Mounds to see the Indian Mounds. We walked around for about 4 hours. We enjoyed the exhibits and walking tour a great deal. We then took off for New Harmony, Indiana to see the site of an early Utopia. We were headed home after that.
We were so tired on the drive home from walking so much during the day. Ted's ready to take another trip already. He will be spending the next 2 weeks trying to finish getting the other house ready to sell. He'd like to have it on the market within 3 weeks. I can't wait until it sells. We will then be able to be almost debt free. We'll still have some of Ted's student loan and our mortgage.

Allergy Update

2008-07-05T12:58:00.000-04:00

The results from my blood test are in and the best news is: I am no longer allergic to dogs. WOO HOO! I am still allergic to cats. They're sneaky anyway. The rest of the news is mixed. I continue to be allergic to egg whites, milk and wheat. I am able to have one serving of each per day if I desire I am also allergic to lemons. Doctor said, "avoid lemon in large quantities like lemonade." I never knew that your throat wasn't supposed to feel thick and furry after you drank lemonade. Big surprise- I'm developing an allergy to peanuts. WAH!!!!! I love peanuts. I am allowed 1 tablespoon or less per day. sniff sniff All of the other things I was tested for were negative. It's back to the doctor in about 5 months. I will get new meds to include the cat allergy. They mailed me my food allergy meds. The bottle is big. Let's see if I can build up a tolerance to anything by December. Until then I am encourage to seek rice and soy milks as substitutes for cow milk. Bye bye cheese and the occasional ice cream. I should try wheat substitutes such as corn, oat, rice, rye, barley or spelt. What's spelt? I guess there is no suitable substitute for eggs and peanuts...oh wait...I could make cashew butter...hmmm.

We're Home

2008-06-25T18:52:00.000-04:00

Ted and I returned home last night after a fabulous trip to Wisconsin. Friday night we went out to eat with family for a fish fry. Afterward we went to my aunt's and everyone sat outside and talked. The weather was perfect and not a mosquito was to be seen.
Saturday we went to the family picnic. My cousin Linda and I spent about 2 hours sitting outside and talking. The weather was beautiful. Only a few of my cousins and their families were missing. I hadn't seen most of my relatives in at least 5 years. That night Ted and I had dinner at a restaurant called Burrachos (which means drunk in Spanish...it's the 2nd burrito shop I've seen with this name). The burrito was awesome. We split one since they are so big. We then went back to the hotel and rested.
Sunday we were off to Pepin, Wi, birthplace of Laura Ingalls Wilder. We had to take 2 cars because there wasn't room for all of the adults in my car with a carseat and booster. My cousin Amy's children are great and it was so much fun to have them with us. My cousin Katie also went. I loved spending time with her too. The day was overcast and it sprinkled a few times for a minute (maybe). We visited the Pepin Museum, the replica cabin, a store, and a neat restaurant. A farmer was baling hay next to the cabin so we sat and watched him for a while. Payton loved yelling, "Shoot the hay!" each time the baler tossed a bale in the hay wagon. The restaurant (The Garden Pub and Grille) was a little sandwich place that had all outdoor seating. We sat in the section that was covered by a roof. They had a water garden with a fall and River and Payton went out and watched it endlessly while we all continued to visit. On our way back to La Crosse we stopped in Nelson. Wi for ice cream and to buy cheese. Without the car ride we spent 6 hours sightseeing and having family time.
Monday was a very early day for us. We had to leave by 7:30 in order to be to the clinic on time. We spent about 2 and a half hours at the doctor. I have learned that I'm allergic to almost everything I always was and then some. While being tested for an allergy to citric acid I ended up in respiratory distress. So, the updated list of allergies so far is as follows: Dust Mite, Ragweed, Grass, Trees, TCE, Alternaria, Cladosporium, AA Mold Mix, Aspergilius, Penicillium, Formalin (formaldihyd) , Hamsters, Grain Dust, Soybean Dust, and Citric acid. All of these were in the severe to very severe range except Fomalin which was mild. We are waiting for blood test results on the following allergies: Baker's Yeast, Corn, Eggwhite, Lemon, Milk, Orange, Peanuts, Soybean, Wheat, Candida Albicans, Cat Dander, Cockroach, Dog Epithelium, and Guinea Pigs. So, I've started my treatment for the first group and once the results are in on the second group I'll start that treatment too. I have to go back in 3-6 months for a follow up. Ted was allergic to 13 things. Most were in the moderate range with 4 being severe and 2 mild.
Monday night we ate at my aunts house and visited with family again. This time the mosquitos chased us in the house.
After the doctor we went to my Aunt's house to visit with Amy and Katie some more. My parents were there already. We had lunch from Coney Island. We had a nice visit even though a bird flew over and dropped a "gift" on my head.
We came home yesturday after buying a new yard game that Ted played at the picnic. It's called Lasso Golf. Ted had fun and we found it on sale at Shopko. Now he sees that they sell them here at Target.

Fingers crossed

2008-06-11T16:01:00.000-04:00

I have been online all day searching for my best friend from childhood. I think I have found her. I sent an email to the address I found connected with her name. I lost touch with her 4 or 5 years ago. I hope I have found her.
T and I went to the new Maid-Rite in Plymouth. I'm going again on Monday with Fran and Laura. Long story short...I grew up less than a mile away from the owner-in Cedar Rapids. Her family moved to Indiana 2 years after we did. We are the same age and everything!
I have to visit the library today. A book I requested has come in. I also have a few items to return. I love books.

Friday

2008-06-06T13:14:00.000-04:00

I had very weird dreams last night/this morning. I am amazed when I hear the average dream lasts 3 seconds because my dreams seem to last at least 30. Here are the 2 I remember:

#1. My Uncle John was receiving an "I Care" award for saving a person's life at work. We were all there to seem him get the award. Yay Uncle John! (background info...Uncle John works in a school. "I Care" is part of the social skills/peace education program I use in my classroom)

#2. I was in church sitting next to my friend Lori and some of my friends from high school. Church was in my high school auditorium. Tree 63 was singing "Sunday" and Lori told me she didn't like the song. I though to myself, I feel so comfortable it's as if I'm wearing pjs. I looked down and I WAS wearing pjs. Then we all decide to walk around looking for our husbands who are missing. (I woke up before I could embarrass myself. And, the part of "Sunday" I heard in my dream was: "It’s Friday, but Sunday is comin'. Yeah, it's Friday, but Sunday is comin'." Ironic, since today is Friday and all.)

I must begin a dream journal because I've had some great ones in the past few months.

Another side note...spell check says "pjs" should be written as "pj's." I say that's incorrect because the "s" is not showing ownership and it is not a contraction. Am I correct?

Let's try again

2008-06-01T16:21:00.000-04:00

After a 2-year hiatus we are going to start that fun adoption process all over again. T. told me today that the Lord has placed it on his heart to foster to adopt through the state. So, tomorrow I will contact our social worker and start the process again. I bet I can update our home study in my sleep (3 times a charm after all). I think we have to renew our first aid and CPR certification. I become unglued during the tests, I hate thinking I may fail...or hurt someone. Please keep us in your prayers. I think I'm ready for this. At one time after the "failure" I wasn't so sure I'd ever want to do this again. But when Ted told me what he was thinking I felt peace.
Tomorrow also begins the spring cleaning season at our house. Every year when school ends we deep clean. I hope I'm able to purge the house of all that is not needed. Realistically, I'll be pleased just to feel like the house is clean again.

Conversation with a different child

2008-05-27T20:18:00.000-04:00

R walked in today at 10:30, only 2 hours late. I check the admit slip which reads, "missed the bus." Funny thing is, I saw her mother drop off her 2 sisters on time. The following exchange took place.

Me
Hi R welcome to school. Your class hasn't returned from the field trip.
R
I missed the bus.
Me
I saw your mom drop your sisters off. Did they forget you at home?
R
Blank stare
Me (walking toward the door)
Okay, let's get your jacket and backpack in your locker.
R
Blank stare
Me
Is something wrong?
R
My mom didn't want to drive me to the field trip.
Me
I'm sorry. Was she running late?
R
No. She didn't feel like it.

R has CP and couldn't walk to the museum (walking field trip, about 1/2 mile). Mom had agreed to drive her and chaperone. Her mom is a bad word.

Oh, remember C? One of my aides saw him in the hallway this morning and asked him if he was going on the field trip. His reply, "No thanks. I'm not in the mood." Oops, I guess he didn't realize this wasn't an optional trip once you return your permission slip and show up to school on field trip day.

Conversation with a child

2008-05-25T22:42:00.000-04:00

The following conversation took place in my classroom.

C
I don't believe in God. I believe in the devil (devil spoken in 5 yr. old scary voice).
Me
Why don't you believe in God?
C
Because I want to be cool like the devil. He has horns.
Me
Does your mom know you don't believe in God?
C
She doesn't care. She doesn't believe in God either.
Me
Did she tell you that?
C
No. I'll give you two reasons. 1. She smokes.
Me
Well C, just because a person smokes doesn't mean they don't believe in God.
C
Number two, she's rude (rude spoken with conviction).
Me
Unfortunately C, some people who believe in God are rude. You need to ask your mom about God.
C
I'm not cool like the devil yet 'cause I'm afraid of the dark.
Me
Oh, God is the perfect person to help you with the dark.
C
Really? Hmmmm
Me
Yes, when you are alone and it's dark you can simply say, "God I'm afraid. Please help me."
C
I can?
Me
Yes.
C
Hmmm, I think I believe in God now.
Me
I'm so glad because the devil wants you to think he's cool but he's really bad.
C
Why do you think he has those cool horns?
Me
I don't know.

In the weeks that have followed we have had more of these conversations. Many begin with C saying, "I don't think I believe in God anymore." He is always easily shown that the reasons he doesn't believe are the reasons he needs God most. Then last week he came to me with this:

C
I don't believe in God.
Me
Why?
C
I'm mad at him.
Me
You can tell God you're mad at him. It won't make him angry. He wants to help you.
C
I can?
Me
Yes. Why are you mad at him?
C
Because my mom and my uncle got in a fight and my mom was crying. Then she left and left me and my baby sister home.
Me
I'm so sorry that happened. Was your uncle still home?
C
Yes.
Me
Were you scared?
C
Yes. Later she came home.
Me
God always hears us when we are frightened. What could you have said to God?
C
God I'm scared and my mom is sad.
Me
That's perfect. You could also ask him to keep you and S and your mom safe.
C
Okay. My uncle told me my mom is crazy.
Me
I'm sorry he said that to you. Grown-ups shouldn't talk to children like that.
C
Mmm...that's okay. My mom is crazy.

I will miss this precious child this summer.

Random thoughts

2008-05-14T15:35:00.000-04:00

*why did M beg me not to go home sick from work at noon? /Does he hate the sub that was coming? Was he hoping I'd give him more garbage as I clean cupboards? Does he like me even though I've had to be so tough with him all year? He actually told me he'd miss me when he went to middle school.

*MMmmmm, that KFC Famous Bowl tasted good at lunch.

*Why won't this headache go away? I'm not going to be able to see Rush of Fools tonight, wah!

*8 schools days to go, woo hoo!

*I hate field day. I'm praying for rain next Thursday. Is it wrong to pray that a fun day for students will be spoiled for my sake?

*I love cinnamon...I have Hot Tamales next to me right now to prove it.

*I wish I didn't have to unplug and plug things in to use the DVD player in my bedroom. I'd love to watch The Last Sin Eater right now, too bad.

Teacher Appreciation Day!

2008-05-06T15:11:00.000-04:00

I received flowers and candy from one of my students. She is the best behaved child in my class. And now, I like her best. I should take a picture and add it to my blog, but I don't know how. Hmmmm

Primary Day!

2008-05-06T15:09:00.000-04:00

Let the commercials cease...please. I have voted. I want this mess over. Of course once the Dems have a nominee it will begin again and probably with more venom.
I need a hole in which to crawl in.

People are starving

2008-04-22T21:11:00.000-04:00

MOSCOW

Just recently the crisis of the world's financial markets seemed the worst headache of the world economy. But now the threat of the food crisis is mounting with every passing day.

This crisis is much more vital for every human being, and it may become much more dangerous than financial cataclysms, because it may provoke a social uproar on a global scale. International organizations are already sending urgent relief to the poorest countries in order to prevent food riots. But it is unlikely that anyone can offer a long-term solution to this problem now.

Both the financial and food crises have been triggered off by excessive economic optimism of experts in the last few years, and their inability to predict global challenges. From the start of this century, the world economy was growing at a high rate. Incomes were confidently rising against this background, especially in such huge and rapidly growing markets as China and India. But higher incomes provoked a sharp increase in prices on all kinds of raw materials, including sources of energy, which are part of the cost of practically any product, including agricultural produce. Thus, in the past year prices on hydrocarbons have gone up by 60 percent, while rice and wheat prices have doubled. Eventually, these factors brought about a sharp price hike on food products, which started last year, and continues to this day.

The bad situation is made worse by the fact that for many years huge resources have been invested into the production of biofuels in order to prevent an energy crisis. Their production is fairly expensive, and is not always justified economically. Moreover, it is withdrawing considerable resources from the food market, thereby making food even more expensive.

Unable to afford increasingly expensive food, the poorest people, above all in countries with backward economies, are struggling for survival. In the World Bank's estimate, rocketing global food prices have set back the fight against poverty and hunger by seven years.

Large-scale poverty is fraught with social explosions. A wave of massive unrest caused by the growth of food prices has swept Egypt, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Mauritania, Madagascar and Ethiopia in Africa alone. There are hunger riots on Haiti in the Caribbean, and in the Philippines in South-East Asia. Director-General of the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, Jacques Diouf, predicts new hunger riots in many Asian countries as well, including food producers.

The fact that world leaders have realized the scale of the problem and are ready to act without delay, just as in the case of the financial crisis, is the only cause for optimism.

Speaking in New York on April 14, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said: "The rapidly escalating crisis of food availability around the world has reached emergency proportions. ... We need not only short-term emergency measures to meet urgent critical needs and avert starvation in many regions across the world, but also a significant increase in long-term productivity in food grain production."

President of the World Bank Robert Zoellick has also called for urgent measures to curb soaring food prices and prevent hunger. He emphasized that skyrocketing prices will be one of the main topics for discussion by G8 ministers of finance in Tokyo, adding: "But, frankly speaking, the G8 meeting is in June and we cannot wait for that. We have to put our money where our mouth is now -- so that we can put food into hungry mouths. It is as stark as that."

Urgent measures are already being taken. The World Bank is sending $10 million to fight hunger in Haiti. In Zoellick's estimate, $500 million should be earmarked to the poorest countries before May 1 for this purpose. Concerned over massive unrest in the world, President George W. Bush ordered $200 million in immediate aid to the poorest nations through the United States Agency for International Development.

As for long-term measures to combat poverty, the situation is rather vague. It is obvious that to reduce food prices agricultural production has to be increased, primarily in the poorest countries. But advice on how to do this is couched in general terms. Ban Ki-moon stressed the need to give emerging economies access to resources, investment and technologies. But such appeals have been made for more than a decade, and nothing has changed. The World Bank has been talking about some medium- and long-term projects on upgrading agriculture in developing nations for many years, but to no avail.

Against the background of urgent international relief to prevent the poor from dying all over the world, some members of the Russian government maintain Olympic calm. This is surprising, considering that about 15 percent of the population in Russia is living beneath the poverty line.

Speaking at the session of the WB and IMF Development Committee in Washington on April 13, Russian Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin merely expressed apprehensions over soaring food prices. He said that they are reducing the purchasing capacity of the poorest strata, and producing a negative impact on balances of payment and taxation stability in the developing countries. He even noted that "in mid-term perspective, growing food prices may be an incentive for investment in agriculture." Moreover, Kudrin believes that "price hikes on basic commodities and foods may be viewed as new opportunities." Apparently, for the poorest countries, these opportunities will come as aid from the rich donor countries.

Last year, the Russian authorities simply missed a hike in food prices. Much to their surprise, inflation in 2007 was 12 percent rather than the expected 8 percent. They did not come up with anything better than to conclude agreements with big food networks on freezing prices on certain foods. This measure is extremely ineffective in the market economy, not to mention that it violates domestic anti-monopoly legislation.

by Oleg Mityayev, an economic commentator for the Russian News and Information Agency Novosti; Web site: http://en.rian.ru/.

25 days

2008-04-22T21:06:00.000-04:00

I went to the eye doctor today. Everything was good. I ordered cool glasses. That's all my excitement. woo...hoo...

Vote for Jasmine

2008-04-22T20:43:00.000-04:00

Hi there family and friends, my cousin Jazzie needs your support this week...

A couple of months ago Jasmine entered a poetry contest online and was thrilled to be voted the weekly winner (largely because friends, coworkers, and family voted for her poem online – Thanks again for those who voted!)

This week, all of the weekly winners from the whole year are posted as the finalists for the BIG contest. (Jasmine was the winner of week 35.) Voting is currently going on from today until Sunday at midnight. The poem that gets the most votes becomes the winning poem of the year. The winning poem's author will become a professional songwriter and will start receiving royalty checks when their song goes onto Thaddeus Rex's next CD!!! (That would be so cool for her!) (Thaddeus Rex is a singer/songwriter who tours around doing kid shows that promote reading. He used have a kid show on PBS.)

Voting is easy and can be done hourly until Sunday at midnight, so of course we’re after as many votes as we can possibly get. Each vote only takes seconds, so any votes you would be willing to cast would be greatly appreciated. If you would, please spread the word for anyone you think of that would be willing to add some votes. Thanks for any support you can give! J

Here’s how to vote:

Go to www.thaddeusrex.com
On the left, click on “Writing Contest”
You can get to Jaz’s poem by either clicking “View Finalists” and scrolling down to week 35 “My Other Brother” by Jasmine B. OR by typing “My Other Brother” in the “Poem Title” box and clicking “Search.”
Click on the poem’s title to pull up the poem.
Once you pull up the poem, scroll down to the bottom of the page where you can cast your vote.
To add continued votes: What I do is just leave that page up on the computer, and then every hour (or when I happen to be walking by the computer), I press “F5” on the keyboard to refresh the page and then click vote again.

A rough version of “My Other Brother” set to music by Thaddeus Rex is posted on his blog in his “fan club” section.

butt crack at church

2008-04-21T22:12:00.000-04:00

I never thought I'd write that, but then again, I never thought I'd see it at church either. A teenager in front of us was wearing sweats. He kept pulling them down to reveal his underwear. When we stood to sing a song at the end of service I was treated to at least 2 inches of crack. He quickly readjusted is clothing but it was too late. sigh

26 days

2008-04-21T22:07:00.000-04:00

and counting until summer vacation. Am I counting the days? You bet I am.

a point or two

2008-04-20T22:07:00.000-04:00

* I am sick of politicians.
* I don't like strangers ringing my doorbell to talk about "their" candidate and
then asking me for whom I am voting.
*I liken this to trick or treating for votes.
* I don't like to philosophize (T told me that today, his word, well, it's real
word...I didn't believe that it was).
* I love my church.
* I love the weekend.
* I like knitting once a month in a grocery store deli.
* The bible makes me think...and many of you know, I don't like to think.
* I think The Deadliest Catch is my favorite t.v. show.

eArThQuAkE

2008-04-19T10:18:00.000-04:00

We had an earthquake yesterday. This is my third quake since moving to Indiana. It woke T who in turn woke me asking, "Are you shaking the bed?" Of course I was wasn't and we know what was. I didn't feel the aftershock but I know exactly what I was doing at that time. My SIL called me for directions to a deli in Michigan City. I looked at the clock when I answered the phone. This has got to be the most exciting post about an earthquake ever.
I weighed in today. -0.2 I'm still dropping, although at a snail's pace. I know what I have to do to fix that.
Monday I woke with a swollen and gooey tonsil. I went to work and called the doctor to make an appointment. They did a rapid strep test and it came back negative. Dr. put me on a z-pack and told me to stay home for a day. My throat hurt all week. Thursday I learned that I had strep after all, an uncommon strain. Friday was the first day I felt normal. I was very tired by the end of the day though. Hopefully by Monday I'll be totally fine.
Wednesday night we started a new study at church, Loved by God, by Liz Curtis Higgs. It started out great. I'm excited to get into this. It's studying Genesis 25 which I happen to like.
I also learned a lot about myself yesterday. I was speaking to one of my college students who happens to be Catholic. He talked about how strong his faith is and I talked about why I left the church. I totally saw myself in him at his age. He is very defensive of his faith and has a difficult time speaking to fellow students at school. He feels that Catholicism is under attack, therefore, he is under attack. He's had a couple of incidents that I have experienced myself. I hope I was able to convey to him that no one is trying to hurt him, even when their words sting. This is definitely a conversation I will try to continue later.

Yesterday

2008-04-13T14:33:00.000-04:00

was weigh-day. -0.8

We didn't make it to church this morning. Unfortunately I am have severe muscle spasms in my back and I can barely walk. I look forward to Wednesday. We'll be starting a new study I think. Tomorrow is back to work. Then there are only 6 weeks left of work. I'm looking forward to my next vacation.

You are a Christian?

2008-04-10T22:17:00.000-04:00

My nephew has been discriminated against by a neighbor. Why? Because he doesn't go to church on Sunday. Obviously she's never asked him if he's a Christian. This 10 year old boy loves Jesus with all his heart. It is not his choice not to attend church. I'm not going to make excuses for his parents because I can't, but if this woman is a Christian shouldn't she be embracing this child rather than calling other mothers in the neighborhood to let them know that "he" is not allowed in her yard, though she doesn't mind if her son plays with him other places. It seems to me if she is so worried that "he" is a heathen she wouldn't allow her son to play with him at all. She has no idea what she is missing by banning this beautiful child from her "property." I'd love to send he an anonymous letter asking her if this is her shinning example of Christianity. She is yet another "Christian" whom Satan is using to undo all of the work I have done to get my loved ones to know Jesus. This whole situation makes me so angry!

Stand for Christ

2008-04-06T23:56:00.000-04:00

19 people per hour die for Christ.
456 per day
3,192 per week
165,984 per year

These numbers are staggering, but what do they mean for you? To me it means, these people have put themselves all out for our Savior. They go to dangerous places to spread the gospel. They worship Him illegally because they love Him so much. They carry one page of scripture because that's all they have and they do that knowing if they are caught they will be punished. They stand for Jesus...what do we do to stand for Him? Do you live each day with Him by your side? Do you soak in His word and show others His love through your actions?

CHINA - China Aid President Awarded John Leland Religious Liberty Award
February 15, 2008

CHINA – On February 7, Pastor Bob Fu, president of China Aid Association, was awarded the 2007 John Leland Religious Liberty Award at the Library of Congress.

When accepting the award, Pastor Fu called on Christians to stand for believers in China who face harassment, detentions and sometimes death because of their faith. Pastor Fu said, “From my own experience of being arbitrarily detained in a Chinese jail, and from the hundreds of documented cases of harassment, arbitrary detentions, seizing of property, torture and even the death of some of my Christian friends and former coworkers in China, I cannot stay silent for those who share our same faith, but not all our basic freedoms.”

The award, which recognizes individuals who have made a significant contribution to the cause of religious freedom, was presented by Dr. Richard Land, president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention. Pastor Fu was recognized “for courageously defending the right of all people to exercise freely their religious faith.”

In his acceptance speech, Pastor Fu recalled growing up in poverty in Shandong province, northeast China and begging a local doctor to provide medicine to his dying mother because they could not afford it. He recalled, “I begged a local doctor, even offering myself as his bond servant for life, if he could just help provide medicine for my mother to get well. As he shut the door on me and I walked away with a broken heart, I remember falling on the ground behind a barn in my home yard and in the only way I knew how, praying to a higher power to help me and to help my mother. I prayed that one day my poor mom and I could get some equal status with my other fellow villagers, no matter how poor or rich.”

This heart wrenching experience led Pastor Fu to become a student leader for the People’s University of Beijing student democracy movement, which tragically ended in the Tiananmen Square massacre in June 1989. After Tiananmen, Pastor Fu struggled to understand why “brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers” had died in the massacre. During this time, an American English teacher shared Christ with him. Pastor Fu added, “I couldn’t help but surrender myself to my creator, Later I knelt down on the floor with my American teacher at his dorm and accepted Christ into my life, I realized the very freedom of conscience that the Creator endowed in my heart is far more precious and fundamental than any other rights.”

Following his conversion, Pastor Fu served as a house church leader, was briefly imprisoned for his faith and finally immigrated with his family to the United States. He later founded China Aid Association, through which he serves as a spokesperson for house church Christians in China. The Voice of the Martyrs partners with China Aid in supporting persecuted believers and their families. VOM has provided assistance with medical costs, Christmas Care packs for Sunday school children and literature to strengthen believers spiritually. Even though there has been an increase in persecution cases leading up to the Olympics later this coming summer, believers in China remain faithful. Ask God to protect and encourage them.

Juarez 3 Words

2008-04-06T22:58:00.001-04:00

DMHO part 2

2008-04-05T12:31:00.000-04:00

Denver and the Mile High Orchestra will be playing on April 13th at Plymouth Wesleyan Church during the 10:30 service. Denver's mom is dear to me and I am hoping to make it to the show and to visit her church.

Weighday

2008-04-05T12:06:00.000-04:00

I have a new weigh day...why? because I want to. It needed to be done since I have weighed in for at least 2 weeks. I was sure I had gained since I've eaten ick the whole time. Yesterday was particularly bad. Anyway...since I went back to eating better I have lost a total of 7.8 pounds. I might be at ten if I had more willpower.

I am officially on spring vacation. I slept until 10 and then laid in bed and read the rest of my book, Turn up the Heat by Susan Park-Conant. It was good and I feel rested.

This afternoon we are headed to my parents so that T can help my brother haul up a dry-mount machine from the basement for it's sale. My parents are retiring and closing their art and frame shop so everything is being sold. My mom is getting excited. I need to make sure they don't have any art that I "need" before it is sold. What doesn't sell in the store may make it's way onto eBay.

What is wrong with me?

2008-04-02T23:41:00.000-04:00

I wish I knew.
I've had brief moments of depression today that threaten to suck the life out of me.
Then He grabs my hand.
He pulls me closer to Him.
He sits me next to people who listen and care.
I cling to Him.
sigh
He gives me strength.

Home Again

2008-03-30T18:29:00.000-04:00

We arrived home last night from out trip to Ohio. Grandma's funeral was lovely. T and his cousin spoke. They both did a great job. The funeral director told my MIL that he hadn't seen a funeral so full of love in a long time. He was impressed with both T and J.

One more week until spring break. I'm looking forward to relaxing. We may go visit MIL for a day or two. I'd like to go to Conner Prairie. I'd also like to visit Benjamin Harrison's home. We shall see!

What flower are you?

2008-03-27T14:07:00.001-04:00

I am a
Canna

What Flower
Are You?

Denver and the Mile High Orchestra

2008-03-27T13:45:00.000-04:00

April 13th at Plymouth Wesleyan Church....I think 10 or 10:30 am...I'll double check and post. It will not be advertised. This concert is word of mouth only.

Yesterday

2008-03-26T19:51:00.001-04:00

was weigh-day. I didn't weigh myself. I overslept and didn't think of it until later.

Today was a blur. I have so much to do to get ready for Grandma's funeral. I hate being anxious about getting things done and being prepared.

Talked to the boss today. She seems to have more faith in me then I have in myself. That's sad isn't it? Hopefully I can pull myself together and do my job without feeling incompetent.

What a tough life...

2008-03-25T19:20:00.000-04:00

The father of one of my students is a battered husband. Two weeks ago he broke his foot. I keep thinking of Misery. A staff member made a home visit last week and the wife pushed him down in front of her. Interventions were made as a result and today he came to school and withdrew his 3 children (not his wife's children) and took off. He has a home in another town and left with the clothes on his and his children's backs. He said his wife stole his money before she left for work. I'm afraid the wife is going to come to school to dig for information. Several of her children will still go to our school.

I can only imagine what some of my students suffer through in their homes. Some of the things I know about are sad enough. It's what I don't know about that worries me. It's days like this that I believe God has me in this place at this time for a reason. I'm still not sure what the reason is...but...it's His will I'm sure.

Goodbye

2008-03-20T19:04:00.000-04:00

Grandma passed away yesterday. She will be missed by all who knew her.

Today is Tuesday...

2008-03-18T21:34:00.000-04:00

you know what that means...weigh-day.

+0.8..I'm a little sad..but I can fix that 8-)

Lots to do

2008-03-14T19:01:00.000-04:00

This weekend is going to be all work and no play. Then, Monday, I get to start a new schedule which I haven't even written yet! 9 weeks of school left. Next week we have a half day Thursday and no school Friday. I need this.

Grandma's kidneys are beginning to fail.

Tuesday

2008-03-11T17:18:00.000-04:00

+/- 0 pounds, I'll take it.

We have a new family member, Tyler was born Friday night to Jami and Nick. He's a doll!

We are also praying for another family member. T's Grandma has had 2 strokes in the past week. The prognosis is not good.

I'm having a rough week at work. sigh

Can you name the States?

2008-03-06T16:30:00.001-05:00

In 3m 43s

Click here to Play

Tuesday Weighday

2008-03-04T06:36:00.000-05:00

-2.4
More than I expected, gladly accepted.

Answer to a Prayer

2008-03-02T16:29:00.000-05:00

I received the answer to a prayer today. It wasn't the answer I wanted, but God's answer. I remeber telling Him that I'd be okay whatever the answer. I really thought I would be. I was hurt. Maybe that's being okay, because it's natural to be hurt sometimes. Does it make me angry? Mmmmmm, a little. I got over it quickly. I know that God has bigger and better plans for me. That his loves me and knows why I don't need what I've prayed for, at least not now.

I am blessed so many times over by my Lord. Everyday, all day long. He is with me through everything and I feel him next to me. The blessings are always warm and fuzzy. Sometimes they are 8 and mean, and only my problem from 8:30 to 2. Eek!

Happy Leap Day!

2008-02-29T16:39:00.000-05:00

I'm looking forward to a restful weekend. This week was long and tiring. Next week I must begin rescheduling conferences with parents and continue doing 3rd quarter assessments. Doesn't that sound exciting?

Stolen Childhood

2008-02-28T22:00:00.000-05:00

By EVE MASHOO

FIRST, AIDS TOOK HER PARents. Then it took her childhood. At 15, Alice Nabulya can’t remember when she lost her father and his two wives to the pandemic. But she knows all too well the harsh reality of her current life: each day, instead of coming home from primary school to the security, guidance and love of adults, she must try to provide those things to a sister and five brothers, the youngest of whom is just four years old.

She does the best she can, cultivating a small garden beside the ramshackle mud house where they live in Kiterede, Rugasa sub-county, Masaka district. She is barely getting by. She is small for her age, and her siblings, who never wear shoes to school, look dirty and unhappy. A piglet and chicken dart in and out of the house. Its roof, the rusty remains of iron sheeting, is falling off the walls, but there’s nothing Nabulya can do about that. She doesn’t even know who owns the house. The children sleep on grass laid across the floor.

A growing number of African children share a plight as desperate as Alice’s and what remains of her family. Today, 2.3 million Ugandan children have been orphaned by HIV and Aids, one of the highest figures in the world. It is not just a Ugandan problem: By 2010 there will be 15.7 million children orphaned by HIV and Aids in sub-Saharan Africa. In Uganda, the problem has been aggravated by the 20-year old war in the north that has left over a million children orphaned.

The United Nations says the scourge has turned more than 11 million children worldwide into orphans; nine out of 10 of those are in Africa. The disease is also responsible for leaving over 18 million children around the world without one or both parents — eight out of 10 of those orphans in sub-Saharan Africa. With half of Uganda’s 32 million people aged below 18 years, the socio-economic impact of HIV and Aids orphans is frightening.

Nabulya and her family are not isolated cases. While Ugandans take pride in the strides they have made in the fight against HIV and Aids, and the country boasts a number of initiatives like the ABC (abstinence, being faithful and condom use) model, the number of orphans has continued to grow and now represents one of the country’s biggest problems. In part, the rising tide of orphans reflects the continuing effects of the Aids pandemic, which has left a generation of children in jeopardy.

The director general of the Uganda Aids Commission, Dr Kihumuro Apuuli, says the problem of orphans is immense. The commission is the government body in charge of co-ordinating the national response to the epidemic.

ABOUT ONE IN FOUR UGANDAN households have two or more orphans. The responsibility of raising these children is not easy and even providing them with basic necessities does not come that cheap. With the development of anti-retroviral drugs (ARVs) people living with HIV have managed to stay healthy longer, but not everyone can afford the life-prolonging drugs. According to some estimates, less than half of the 300,000 Ugandans in need of ARVs have regular access to them. Without a source of income, children are particularly vulnerable.

Many of these children have turned up in the streets of Kampala, to try and eke out a living by begging, doing menial jobs or stealing. The lucky few have been taken in by charities and foster families.

Yet these interventions are often just a drop in the ocean. The biggest and oldest orphanage, the Uganda Women’s Effort to Save Orphans, which was started by First Lady Janet Museveni in 1986, only looks after 71,575 orphans and 14,315 households in several districts in the country.

A few church-based organisations are also getting involved. Esther Agwang, the spokeswoman for Watoto Childcare Ministries, which is affiliated to the Kampala Pentecostal Church, says they provide shelter, food and healthcare for 1,700 orphans.

But those without assistance of any kind are a disturbing majority.

Isabirye Hassan, a councillor in Kampala City Council, says the capital’s streets have been taken over by street children who engage in crimes like pickpocketing and prostitution. Once in a while the city council rounds up street children and takes them to Kampiringisa rehabilitation centre where they receive training and counselling. However, with a high unemployment rate in the country, many of them return to the streets soon after they are discharged.

Andrew Serwanga of a child-rights NGO says the government needs to develop and implement policies on addressing the problem of orphans and vulnerable children. Although a desk has been created in the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, anecdotal evidence from the streets shows little, if any, impact.

Universal Primary Education, which the Ugandan government started 11 years ago, is meant to get more children off the streets and into classrooms. According to the Ministry of Education spokesman Aggrey Kibenge, UPE has raised enrolment from 2.5 million pupils in 1997 to 7.4 million today.

HOWEVER, A RECENT World Bank report noted very high dropout and truancy rates in the programme and questions remain about the quality of education offered in bloated classrooms, some of them run under trees, with poorly paid and trained teachers.

Some children drop out to get married early, while families count on the children as extra sources of labour on their farms. Others drop out to look after ailing parents or to head their homesteads after the death — often HIV and Aids-related — of parents and guardians.

The government says it is implementing a five-year national strategic programme for orphans and other vulnerable children to run until 2009/10 to identify cost-effective ways of improving their welfare.

Unfortunately, time is running out for this generation of children orphaned and left vulnerable by HIV and Aids.

Mary Nakku, who lives in Katanga, a Kampala slum notorious for its crime and grime, is 13 years old. She lost both parents to HIV and Aids in 2000. She is HIV and Aids positive but has no time for self-pity: She has to look after her five siblings who all live in a tiny one-bedroom shack in the middle of the slum.

Mary earns a few thousand shillings each month by operating a neighbour’s public pay phone. She also occasionally receives handouts from charity organisations but worries, with tears welling in her eyes, what would happen if she were to fall sick.

Heralded for reducing HIV prevalence from as high as 30 per cent in the early 1990s to about 6.5 per cent, the Ugandan government needs to do more fast for Nakku and the millions other orphans like her. With many turning to prostitution to survive, the epidemic just might come round full-circle.

What's up with this?

2008-02-28T18:46:00.000-05:00

For the past week I've had the WeIrDeSt thing going on. I call it "hot face." My face and ears become hot, as if I have a fever, but I don't. I can be freezing (I'm usually cold) and my face and ears will be hot. It starts around 8 at night and lasts until I fall asleep (it could be longer, but I don't know because I'm asleep). Last night it started about 7:10 while we were "mixing" in the Oasis Cafe. When I look in the mirror I don't look red in the face or anything. What is happening to me? WAH! If you have any ideas let me know. EEK, it's 6:50 and it's starting already.

weigh-in

2008-02-26T08:35:00.000-05:00

-5.2
woo hoo

ramblings

2008-02-25T20:28:00.000-05:00

*tomorrow is the big weigh-in...I've been sneaking on the scale all week so I know tomorrow will show a loss 8-)
*I am placing all of my faith in the Lord...I don't know what's happening for sure but I know it is going to be okay
*I've spent too much time reading the blogs of others and not writing
*I've heard from Amy two days in a row...I love her and miss her so much...I don't hear from her nearly enough
*my workplace is frustrating...full of gossip and mean-spirited people...why are we there? to tear each other down or build those kids up?
*why do I find myself fascinated with the prison system...that is way weird
*what if there is another snow day tomorrow????? I don't want to be teaching into June
*why do I like bullet points and ellipses (singular, ellipsis)and do they annoy others as much as they please me?... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ba ha

Words

2008-02-24T16:57:00.000-05:00

Some words just roll off of your tongue. Some have a nice ring to them. I need to buy a journal to write words in. Here are a few that I like:
*copious
*plethora
*Mississippi
*Wapsipinicon
*Kickapoo
*Hochunk
*Eleazar
*Wahoo

What are your words?

Tomorrow

2008-02-18T22:28:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow I'm back to eating healthy. Back to exercising. I know I need to take this very seriously. Pray for me =-)

God's plan for me

2008-02-03T17:59:00.000-05:00

I know I'm being called to do mission work. Then when and where will be revealed when it's necessary. How do I know this? God, of course. I felt His tug again today in church. I do know that God is calling me to work with children. He's made that point clear to me. What a peaceful feeling, knowing He is disclosing my purpose, answering my prayers [to know what He wants me to do]. I wish I had the words to share with nonbelievers. I wish I could tell them about my awesome God who gave his Son for me, a sinner. I wish I could share with them what it feels like to walk in faith, to just trust the Lord. He is always with me.