Schedule for 2010-2011 school year

Mr. Reyes sent out an email with out tentative schedules for next year.  He said that these will probably be THE schedules, and I'm really hoping so!  We've known since before school was out that we are going to a five period day next year.  Classes will be 78 minutes instead of the 96 minute four block day we've been on for forever.  That will take some getting used to, but honestly, I think I'll like it.

So...my schedule for next year.  First semester, I will have planning first period (block?? What are the class times called??)  Then I will have English 12 for the ENTIRE day!  YEA!!!!  That makes me SOOOOO happy.  (It takes very little to make me happy.  Really.)  Now, having planning first and then having to teach four classes back to back will be a killer until I get used to it, but I do like first period planning.  (Sadly, the older I get, the longer it takes for me to get used to the beginning of the school year.)

Second semester, I'll still have planning first, but my second period will be English 11, and then the rest of the day will be English 12.  I've done English 11 at least once every semester since my second year in general ed, so I know the material, but it certainly isn't my favorite.  British lit, however, I looooove!  Give me a book about the English monarchy, and I am in HEAVEN.  (I just finished The White Queen.  Phillipa Gregory's next book to come out is The Red Queen, and of course, I will buy it.)

Misty, the other teacher who does English 12, will have only one "regular" English 12 each semester, but she will have two AP English 12 classes which will meet all year long.  She will be the coordinator for the AP English classes at the high school, so in addition to her normal planning, she will have a class period that is AP Prep.  This means that I will have almost all of the seniors.  The AP classes are usually smaller than the "regular" classes, and our "regular" classes have been running about 30 students each. 

I almost started planning a couple of weeks ago, but I'm glad I didn't now.  I will get started next week on the British lit.  I'd been thinking about making a couple of changes to my plans--trying to add a few things and taking out a few things.  I can wait about doing anything with American lit 2 until later.

I guess that's about it for today.  We worked in the yard here at the lake from about 8 until about 2, and I am TIRED.  (Not only that, but before my shower, I was stanky.  I don't know who said that Southern girls don't sweat; they glisten.  But today, this Southern girl was pouring sweat.)  The yard looks great though.  Katy and Sam are coming up tomorrow, so I'll need to rest up tonight.  :)

Have a GREAT day!

On my book list

So far this summer, I haven't read nearly as much as I usually do, but we've been busier this summer than usual.  I haven't spent an entire week at the lake yet!  (That's coming up next week, and then maybe a couple of weeks after.)

But I have read a few books.  I think I started off with The Secret Life of Bees.  I actually started reading this before school was out when I had my last week of dungeon duty (aka bus duty.)  Because I was reading it only sporadically, it took me a couple of weeks to finish.  (I KNOW!  It's not a long book, and it isn't a hard one to read.)  I finished it at the beach, and then I read something else while we were there, but for the life of me, I cannot remember the name of it.  I enjoyed it, though.  LOL

I currently have two books going at the same time:  one here and one at the lake.  Usually, I finish one before I start another, but I left The White Queen (love me a book about the English monarchy) here when I went to the lake, so I grabbed another one from my bag (don't remember the name of it, either.) 

I also read Making Rounds with Oscar.  I strongly recommend that one for anyone who is having to learn to live with Alzheimer's as a family member/caregiver.  Yes, Oscar does spend time with nursing home patients who are in their final hours, but the stories that Dr. Dosa shares about family members of those Oscar visited explain as much about being the husband, wife, son, or daughter of an Alzheimer's patient as it does about Oscar showing us how important it is just to spend time with them.  I can see my husband and his brothers and sister in some of the people in the book...the desire to hold on to what is left of the person their mother was, the avoidance of making the decision to place her in a facility for dementia patients.  It's hard.

In my bag, I have Deja Dead (this series is the basis for the show Bones), A Change in Altitude, In the Lake of the Woods, The Sound and the Fury,  and Beowulf.  The last two are primarily to take to school, but I would like to re-read them before the summer is over.  In the Lake is by Tim O'Brien who has a short story in our 11th grade lit book.  I thought I'd get it, read it, and take it to school.  Some of my guys might enjoy it.

Do I think I'll finish everything?  Probably not.  I think I got a little book happy this summer, but that's okay.  They won't go anywhere.  IF we didn't have so much going on, and I had spent a couple of weeks at the lake already, I wouldn't have had any problem reading all of them, but some things take precedence. 

We're leaving Sunday to go to the lake for a week.  We would have gone today when John got home, but Jess and Lance have a couple's shower tomorrow, and we're going to that.  (Precedence!)  I'm sure I'll finish the two I have going now.  I may get another couple read before summer (my summer...) is over.  Heck, I may get all of them read if I stop doing anything else and simply read.  hahaha 

As always, have a GREAT day!

After all these years

On May 31, 1985, the 48 members of the graduating class of Oakman High School gathered at the stadium.  We were filled with nervousness and anxiousness, ready to begin the new chapter in our lives.  We swore that we'd never lose touch and that we'd be friends forever. 

Like all classes, we stayed in touch for a while with some, and we lost touch almost immediately with others.  Over the years, some of us, like myself, lost touch with practically everyone.  Oh sure, we sent Christmas cards and made the occasional phone call, but as far as maintaining the life-long friendships, we didn't.  We got busy with our lives and our families.  We moved away and made new friends.

Then we joined Facebook.  John has never created a page and sees no use in it.  I, on the other hand, love facebook.  It is because of fb that I have reconnected with many of my high school friends. 

Last night, a few members of the Class of '85 gathered, 25 years later, to relive memories, catch up on lives, and make new memories.

L to R:  Mike "Woody" Woods, yours truly, Cindy Harbison Bentley, Donna Wade, Alan "Jim" Jones, Anita Burke McKinstry, Barry Thomason (kneeling), Brian Pendley

Really, none of us have changed much at all.  Oh sure, a few pounds have been packed on by everyone except Donna, Jim, and Anita, and a few gray hairs shine through, except for Barry and that's simply because he has no hair for us to know if it is gray or not.  =)  Otherwise, I would have recognized any of them if I had run in to them. 
What was so wonderful is that even though it has been many, many years since most of us have seen one another, we picked up just like this was a monthly gathering.  The only way to tell we were catching up for the first time in close to 20 years was to listen to our conversations.  "Where do you live now?"  "How many children do you have?"  "Do you parents still live in the same place?"

Last night proved that TRUE friendships can and will overcome all times and distances.  I just hope it isn't another 25 years before we get together again.

Before I close, I want to include a few more pictures from the evening.

Anita and Donna

Barry and Sharon (Sharon dates Mike)

Jim, his wife Kay, Brian, Cindy

Mike, Barry, Anita

Mike, Jim, Kay

Brian, Donna, Sharon

As always, have a GREAT day!

I don't know what I did...

But I am HURTING!  John came in just before 6 this morning to tell me he was leaving, and I was fine.  Gave him his bye kiss and told him I'd talk to him this afternoon.  I went back to sleep until about 8:30.  When I woke up then, my lower back was KILLING me. It was one of those "I don't know if I can get out of bed" hurts, but get out of bed I did.  Slowly.  Very slowly. 

I thought that once I got up and started moving around it would loosen up and I'd be fine.  That's usually the way that it works when this happens, but today has been different.  This backache has hung on all day long.  I've iced off and on, and I've taken Alleve, but relief hasn't come yet.  (It's time for the ice pack again.)

About four years ago, I strained my back muscles and suffered for a couple of weeks before I finally broke down and went to the doctor.  About three months after that, I did the same thing again.  Both times I knew what I did and when I did it.  This feels the same way, but I was SLEEPING.  How did I strain a muscle sleeping???

I guess it's just age.  Getting older stinks (but it is better than the alternative.)  In the last few days, I've noticed a few times when I've had to rub my eyes because things were blurry.  I'm not quite ready to think that MAYBE it's time for reading glasses.  I've made it to 43 without needing them, so I'm going to believe that the blurriness was from something else.  I'll figure out soon enough (like August, when school starts) if my vision is changing.  LOL  Oh, it isn't because I'm vain and don't want to have to wear glasses.  I've already decided that I will have all of those funky, colorful (cheap) readers.  I just don't want to think I'm getting old.  (Now that IS vain.)

I'm going to the bridal shop with Jessi tomorrow for her dress fitting, and I want to feel chipper for that.  I really want to feel better for the three hour drive to the lake, too.  That's a long ride/drive when my back doesn't hurt, so I know it will be torture if I'm still hurting.

OK...gotta ease myself out of the chair and get the ice pack.  As always, have a GREAT day!

Our silly little man

When I went to the beach, we ate at Lulu's at Homeport Marina.  The wait was just over an hour, so I went through the gift shop to look.  Naturally, looking turned into buying.  I found this shirt for Sam:

The child LOVES him some peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, so it was a perfect shirt for him. 

On my way home that Monday, I stopped by to give him his shirt and his Crocs and to give Katy her goodie.  (Phillip got left out then, but I have him a little something now.)  I spread the shirt out on the ottoman to show it to Sam.  He kept walking over to it and smiling SO big.  It really cracked me up.

A couple of days later Jessi told me that Katy said he was obsessed with his shirt!  At Jessi's shower Sunday, Katy showed me a picture of him wearing it, and then today, she sent me this picture:

He is carrying his lovey (which is like Linus's security blanket), a ball (which is his FAVORITE thing in the entire world to play with), and his shirt.  How hilarious is that?  Of course, it tickles me to death that he loves it so much.  Maybe I should have gotten one in every size.  LOL

As always, have a GREAT day.  And go put on your favorite T-shirt.  :)

Moooommmmm!!! I'm BOOOOORRRRREEEEDDDD!!!!!

No, that isn't what my children are screaming.  (Remember, I'll CBC, or Childless by Choice.)  That's what I would be yelling if my mom and I were in the same house.   If Bama could talk, though, that is exactly what he would be saying.  He wants me to play ALL. DAY. LONG.  He isn't content to play with Ali, and bless her sweet little heart, she loves her big brother so much, and she wants him to play with her so badly!

"What???  Bored???  Why, you're a teacher.  I thought teachers CRAVED summer vacation like a fat kid craves chocolate covered doughnuts."

Well, yeah, I am a teacher and I do crave summer vacation, but it's so bloomin' hot that I don't want to be outside doing ANYTHING except floating in the lake, and since I'm not at the lake, that means I'm veggin' away in the house.  And I'm bored. 

Oh, don't get me wrong.  I have PLENTY of things to do to keep me busy.  My closet needs cleaning out and sorted.  My drawers could use a good purging as well.  Our bedroom needs painting since I didn't do it over spring break (but that would mean going to Home Depot, and that would mean leaving the the AC and getting out in the horrendous humidity.)  My yard needs some work (but again...humidity.)  Right now, those just aren't things I WANT to do.  I WANT to be floating in the lake!!!

Tomorrow I'm going to get my hair "did" so I can get rid of this nasty gray.  A morning at the beauty shop is always good for catching up on what's going on in town.  In the summer, I rarely hear anything that happens in Alex City unless it is MAJOR and makes the news or unless somebody posts it on facebook.  On Friday, I have to go back to Alex City for a second fitting for my dress for Jessi's wedding.  (Don't get any ideas...this isn't some fancy-schmancy dress that is being custom made.  It's a simple cotton sateen dress that I can and will wear again, and it was just a tad too big.)  I may check with Kristen to see if she wants to have lunch.  Saturday, I'm meeting Jessi at the bridal shop for her fitting, and then I'm heading to the lake.

I hope I get to the lake in time to see some of my friends from high school.  Cindy and Sam are hosting a mini-reunion at their home, and if it isn't too late, I'm going to stop by there for a bit.  (I think I posted about that already.)  I decided that if Jess and I finish in time, I'll head on up there for that and then I'll go on to the lake and stay until Tuesday.  Why Tuesday?  Because Tuesday night is Bunco, and I can't miss Bunco again!  :)  John is probably going to head up on Friday so he can have a nice, relaxing day on Saturday.

I guess I should let the pups back in now and play with them for a while.  And I need to figure out something COOL for supper 'cause I ain't cooking!

As always, have a GREAT day!

Unconscious Mutterings

I ran across Unconscious Mutterings a while back, but I haven't done one is a while.  I decided that doing one now would be good because honestly, I'm kind of blog blank.  The heat has melted my brain.  If you'd like to do one yourself, visit http://subliminal.lunanina.com/.

So for the Unconscious Muttering for today...

I say ... and you think ... ?


1.Offense :: Football

2.Bench ::  Park

3.Kissing ::  My hunny  :)  I love his kisses!

4.Timely ::  Procrastination

5.Yellow ::  Sunshine

6.Get up and go ::  Vim and vigor

7.Beer ::  I hope the one I had tonight will help me sleep!!!

8.Calories ::  Don't want to think about them.

9.Blast ::  From the past

10.Window ::  Needs to be cleaned
 
Hmmm...I wonder what my answers would say about me if a psychologist/psychiatrist were to analyze them.  Maybe I really don't want to know.  At least I know I wouldn't be labeled psycho.  :)

Summertime in Alabama

Even though it isn't officially summer yet, it is definitely summer in Alabama.  Temps are in the mid to upper 90s, the heat index is in triple digits, and it's thundering while the sun is shining.  A quick storm may or may not happen.  If one does happen, it will only make it more humid and steamier than it already is.  If it's this hot and miserable now, what will be it like in August??

I know I said I wouldn't complain about the heat after the extremely frigid winter we had, but I'm seriously beginning to rethink that.  Being outside for any length of time is impossible.  I feel for those people who HAVE to work outside!

I met Lance at the bakery yesterday since Jessi couldn't.  (She works in Montgomery and the bakery they are using is in Auburn, and it closes before she can get there.)  He works outdoors, so I worry about him.  The last thing I told him before we left was to make sure he drank plenty of water.  hahaha  I'd hate for him to have a heat stroke this close to the wedding.  Or anytime for that matter!

Our air conditioners have been running almost non-stop.  (Can't wait to see the power bill.  HA!)  The rooms that don't have AC (the kitchen, the front bedroom, the living room) are so hot, so I avoid them as much as possible.  I don't cook that much during the summer because of the heat, and I certainly don't use the oven unless I have to.  When I was coming home from Alex City earlier, I decided that I wanted spaghetti for supper tonight, so I did get the sauce going.  I dread having to cook the angel hair, and I know for a fact that there won't be any bread! 

The weather alarm just went off a minute ago.  We are under a severe thunderstorm warning, and it has started to cloud up.

Guess that's about it for today.  As always, have a GREAT day!

Bridal shower fun

Lance's sister Shannon gave Jessi a bridal shower today, so John and I got up about 6:00 and headed home from the lake so we could unload, clean up, and head to Lineville.  John really wasn't keen on going.  After all, showers are typically for the bride, but Lance and his dad were both going to be there, and Jessi really wanted her daddy there, so doing what all good daddies do, he went.  After it was over and we were on our way home, he said he was glad he went.  I knew he would be.  Wives always know these things, though, right?

Aren't they a gorgeous couple?  I remember when Jessi sent me a text message and said she had a "sort of" date.  I asked what a "sort of" date was, and she said she was going out with some friends and a guy she had met was going, too, and they were going to meet up.  I think every date after that one was a definite date.  They've been practically inseparable for their entire relationship.  :)  I think John and I knew fairly soon that this was probably going to be a long-term relationship.  I was so excited the day that Lance told me he wanted to talk to John.  And then I was even more excited when they did talk.  The waiting...and the lying to Jessi. about not knowing what was coming..was almost as hard for me as it was for Lance.  LOL

Isn't this the cutest cake?  And it was just as yummy as it was cute. 

She's all ready for her honeymoon to Cancun!  (Sorry about the red eyes, Jess.  I forgot to set the red-eye reduction, and then I forgot to edit them out.  You're still gorgeous.)

When I was at the beach, I found a darling beach towel with a J on it.  It SCREAMED Cancun, so I had to get it for her. 

Doesn't their daddy look happy to have both his beautiful daughters by his side?  This man would walk to the ends of the earth for either of them.  I am so very fortunate and blessed to be able to share my life with all three of them and with Phillip, Sam, and Lance.  Anytime I think of the relationships we girls have with our men, the song that comes to mind is "Keeper of the Stars" by Tracy Byrd.  The two lines that say the most to me are "It was no accident me finding you / Someone had a hand it in / Long before we ever knew" and "I tip my hat to the keeper of the stars / He sure knew what he was doin' / When he joined these two hearts."  You cannot convince me that the reason I met John, and Katy and Phillip, and Jessi and Lance met was because it was God's grand design.  And I thank Him each and every day.

The big day will be here in just over a month, July 17.  I know these next few weeks will be super busy for them, and I know they will rush by.  I get teary just thinking about it.  Gotta get my tissue ready. 

I know this post is primarily about Jess and Lance, but on Friday, June 18, Katy and Phillip will be celebrating their fifth anniversary.  It's hard to believe five years have gone by already!  Happy anniversary, kids!  I hope this day is just as wonderful and special as your wedding day was. 

As always, have a GREAT day!

Surgery not needed!

John went back to Dr. Rigsby today for his follow up on his wrist surgery and to plan, we thought, his neck surgery.  I was going to go, but John convinced me that it was necessary because any of the questions I had could be answered following his surgery.  So I stayed home and got part of the house cleaned.

John called me after he left the office and said that Dr. Rigsby said he doesn't want to proceed with the neck surgery after all!!  YEAAAAAA!!!!!  He feels that the problems John is having now are probably related more to arthritis and not to the discs.  Since he had the carpal tunnel surgeries, his hands haven't gone to sleep on him the first time, so I guess that was the problem all along.  And if I hadn't gone with him the first time and mentioned the way John's hands would wake him up at night, Dr. Rigsby probably would have done the neck surgery, and John would have been experiencing the same problems with his hands.  And he would have been upset that the surgery didn't work.  So even though he did end up having two surgeries, I think he owes me because he was not wanting the neck surgery at all.

My good friend Dolly emailed all the bunco group the other day begging for relief.  About a month ago, she and her husband Mike were at their house in North Carolina when she fell and sprained her ankle and broke her leg.  Dolly is an exercise fanatic, so for this past month, she's not been able to do the things she normally does, and she was beginning to go stir crazy.  So she invited us over for an afternoon of boating and floating today.  Only Anne, Sheryl, and I were able to go, but the four of us had a great time.  She said we need to try to do this about once a week.  I'm all for it.  Spending time with the girls is one of the best ways to enjoy an afternoon.  I'd even arrange my trips to Smith Lake around hanging out with the bunco babes on Lake Martin.  LOL 

Tomorrow will be a busy day.  I need to finish cleaning what I didn't get to today.  I need to run to Auburn, too, because I have to get Jessi something for her shower on Sunday, and I need to buy groceries for this weekend.  John and I are going to the lake tomorrow after he gets home, and on Saturday, Susan and Tim are coming over to grill out.  We're going to celebrate them becoming lakers again.  They had a lot until a year or so ago, but they decided to sell and try to find something they can use now.  They did, and they are doing the closing tomorrow. 

Since it's a busy day tomorrow, I should try to get some shut eye.  I'm thinking a Simply Sleep may be in order.  The whole time I was at the beach, I was dead to the world by 9:30, but I had the craziest dreams.  Since I've been home, I haven't been going to bed nearly as early, but when I do, I cannot fall asleep, and then I'm waking up around 3.  It is seriously making me crazy.  I don't function very well on little sleep.

As always, have a GREAT day!

Bloggy Love =)

My VERY dear friend Karen gave me this award, and I was so excited!  Karen is not only a bloggy friend, Karen is a real-life friend.  She and I have known each other since I started teaching at BRHS, but once I moved to a room upstairs and we had coffee in her room in the mornings, I got to know her better and realized what an extremely neat gal she is.  THEN four years ago, I got the pleasure of moving across the hall from her, and our friendship has grown even more. 

Karen was my sounding board when things with she-who-shall-remain-unnamed were very tense.  Even though I know I drove her crazy with all of the drama, she listened and gave me a ear.  And she gave me extremely good advice.  Even though it may not have been the advice I wanted to hear, it was the advice I needed to hear. 

In the last couple of years, Karen and I have spent many minutes and hours laughing to keep from crying over the crappiness of seeing a loved one deteriorate into that horribly unfair world of Alzheimer's.  And Karen, I need to IM you with a story my sister-in-law told while we were at the beach...It's priceless.

So, now that I have told you about Karen, (and you really do need to click on the link to visit her blog), let me get on with the award requirements.  =)

First of all, I have to list ten things I love, and then I have to choose ten people to pass the award on to.  Easy peasy, right?  Sure it is...until you have to choose ten blogs you love.  I love 'em ALL!

My list of 10 things I love:
1.  God--He's gotta be first because without Him, the rest of the stuff I love wouldn't be the stuff I love.  LOL
2.  John--He is my best friend, confidante, reason for living.  Yeah, he drives me nuts sometimes, but that's what makes me love him.
3.  My girls--Katy and Jessi were a package deal with John.  Becoming a wife AND a stepmom was rather daunting to me.  I read books and articles about what NOT to do.  Fortunately, we have a great relationship.  Either that or they've done a darn good job of pretending for over 18 years.  And of course, I HAVE to mention my guys here, too.  Phillip belongs to Katy and they have Sam, and Lance belongs to Jessi.  These three guys make me smile because I see how much they adore my girls.
4. My family--This includes the family I was born to and the family I married.  My parents gave me so much support and love, and they taught me what it means to be a good person.  I can never thank them enough.  John's family welcomed me from day one.  I have never felt like an outsider, and I know that if I picked up the phone right now and said, "I need you," they would be here.
5.  My friends--How can a person live without friends?  Throughout life, friends come and go.  Some of them come and never leave.  Some come, leave, and then come back.  My friends love me and accept me, faults and all.  And for that, I am forever grateful.
6.  The lake--John and I dreamed about owning a place on the lake someday, but we didn't think it would come true.  It did almost three years ago.  I would rather be there than anywhere else.  It is my "happy place" and the place where I truly feel most at home.  It doesn't matter if the sun is shining or if it is raining.  I'm happy there.
7.  A good book--Whenever I hear someone say he/she doesn't like to read, I just can't imagine why.  I remember the first book I checked out from the library.  It was about the Pony Express, and I think I probably read it cover to cover in the first day.  Right now, I have about 5 unread books that are my "summer reading."  If I ever DON'T have a good, I feel lost.
8.  A good cup of coffee--I have been drinking coffee for as long as I can remember.  Very few days have passed in my life when I haven't had at least one cup.  One thing that makes a cup of coffee even more enjoyable is the company of a good friend.
9.  My pups--I cannot forget my babies.  John and I have no children of our own (by choice), so Ali and Bama get spoiled.  A lot.  They make me laugh.
10.  Alabama--Of course, I love the state I live in, but when I say Alabama, I'm referring 100% to THE University of Alabama.  I love everything associated with UA...the campus, Denney Chimes, Coach Bryant, houndstooth, any and all sports, but especially football.  My year has two seasons:  football season and waiting for football season.  I'm sure my blog background and the names of my dogs wasn't a clue.  LOL

So now, I have to pass this award on to ten people.  And Karen made it hard because she took one of mine.  =)

And the winners are:  (Drum roll, please...)

1.  Gail's Tales -- her aunt is my best friend.  Kayla is a recent UA grad and a super neat young lady.  Read her.  You'll be glad you did.
2.  Miracle Babies -- Dana is Katy's sister-in-law, and the mother of FIVE children, two of whom are mono mono twins.  Dana is so very encouraging and uplifting.  But she also makes me sick because after five children she looks fantastic.
3.  Updates from Libby -- Libby is my niece, and she is just getting started with the blogging thing.  Pop over and give her some bloggy love.  Oh yeah, she's PREGGERS!!!!
4.  Decisionally Challenged -- Georgie is an OK gal. No, I mean she's an Oklahoma gal.  No, I mean, yes, she IS an OK gal who is from Oklahoma.  LOL  She's a hoot.
5.  Holy Mackerel -- Mary is a Canadian who loves firemen and men's bums.  She'll make ya laugh.
6.  VodkaMom -- She teaches little people, and she has the funniest stories to tell about them.  If I taught little people, I'd probably need vodka, too.
7.  47 and Starting Over -- Julie is always good for a laugh. And she keeps it real.
8.  Hanging with Mrs. Cooper -- Angela is another gal who keeps it real.  You'll love her blog too.
9.  Manic Mariah -- Mariah will have you laughing.  I'd love to hang out with her one day.
10.  Coffeypot -- FUNNY man!!!  He is always posting something funny.  However, if you are very easily offended, stay away 'cause there is bound to be something to get your panties in a wad.  Or you can just chill out and enjoy a good laugh.

As always, have a GREAT day!

Glad to be home

I left home on Saturday, May 29, and just got back home today.  Whew!  I had a great time, but boy, am I tired, and BOY, am I GLAD to be back home.  Do you have any idea how excited I am about sleeping in my own bed with my own pillow tonight?

I was at the lake from last Saturday until Tuesday.  We had all the "kids" there for part of the weekend, and Lance and Jessi were there for the entire weekend.  It was SO. MUCH. FUN.  Check out that post here.  John and the pups left around 3 on Monday, but I stayed because I was going to Connie's the next day.

On Tuesday, I got up and once Mr. Sunshine decided to make an appearance, I went to the dock for a little baking.  :)  About 2:00, I cleaned up and headed to Cullman.  Normally, I wouldn't go to Hartselle through Cullan, but my BB Pearl was almost on its last leg,and I was going to get a new phone.  The track ball had stopped rolling as well as it should, even after cleaning it, and the ring that held it in had lost a "leg" on one of the clips, so it wouldn't snap in like it should.  I was trying to wait until John's contract is up in September, but I just didn't see that happening.  So, I cancelled my T Mobile line and went to Verizon.  I'm now the owner of a BB Storm 2, and so far, I LOVE IT!  When John's contract is up, I'll probably cancel his T Mobile and add a line to my plan with Verizon, but I'll get him THE MOST BASIC phone known to man. 

It isn't that I was unhappy with T Mobile.  I've been with them for 12 years, and I never had any complaints.  Other than spotty coverage in some places.  That's the primary reason I switched to Verizon.  Everybody who has Verizon has been able to get service at the lake.  Of course, I got service on the dock with T Mobile before I left, but I had already made up my mind.  LOL

I did a little shopping at Belk, too.  The Cullman Belk is TONS better than the one in Auburn.  I have a very hard time finding ANYTHING there, but I got a couple of really cute tops in Cullman.  I probably would have gotten more, but I had no where to pack anything, and I was in a touch of a time crunch.

After leaving Cullman, I dropped by Connie's and unloaded my stuff and then took supper to Billie.  God love her...if she asked me once where John Alan was, she asked me twenty times.  Every time I'd tell her he was at home but he'd be there Friday.  And every time, she'd ask my why he didn't come with me, and my answer was always because he had to work but he'd be there Friday.  Then she'd ask what day it was and I'd tell her it was Tuesday.  Five minutes later, it was the same thing all over again.  Round and round it goes, where it stops nobody knows...

Connie and I sat up and talked until about midnight.  I think we were just so excited about leaving the next day.  =)  We got on the road about 7:45 Wednesday morning and made it to Gulf Shores right at 3.  We thought we'd be stopping every hour for Libby to potty since SHE is the pregnant one, but nooooo.  I was the one saying we needed potty breaks.  I told her I must have been experiencing sympathetic bladder.  hahahaha

The four of us had a ton of fun.  We laughed the whole time.  Well, when we weren't stuffing our faces.  We enjoyed dinner at The Shrimp Basket, Lulu's, Wintzel's, and King Neptunes.  I didn't have one bad meal the whole time.  Other than the sun, my favorite part of the beach is the seafood.

The weather wasn't as perfect as I'd have hoped.  When I'm at the beach, I want lots and lots of sunny days so I can spend as much time on the beach as possible.  Most every day had some rain, usually early to mid afternoon, but I got my share of sun. 

We did our share of shopping, too.  On Thursday afternoon, we hit the Tanger Center.  After dinner Friday, we stopped at a couple of other shops, and then Saturday we made a stop at a book store.  And on Sunday, we stopped at Books A Million until Lambert's opened. 

Since I had left my car at Connie's, I went back to Hartselle last night.  The closer we got to Montgomery, though, the more I wished I had been coming home.  Not that I didn't want to spend more time with Connie, but I was ready to see John and the pups, who I hadn't seen since last Monday, and I really wanted my own bed.

But I am home now, and I got the best welcome from Ali and Bama.  I didn't get Bama's "I missed you" howl, but he let me know I was missed.  That's the great thing about pets, and dogs in particular.  They will ALWAYS greet you with such unbridled joy and happiness.  I know John missed me too, but he didn't jump around and wag his tail.  LOL

I think I'm about to wrap my computer time up and will probably head to bed in just a bit. 

As always, have a GREAT day.

The Gratitude Meme

I totally swiped this from another blog, but I looked through so many to find an idea to blog about that I have no idea which one got swiped.  So, I'm asking for forgiveness instead of permission. 

1. What are you most grateful for when you first wake up in the morning? A new day to be alive and to enjoy all of the blessings that God has given me

2. What are you most grateful for when you go to bed at night?  Making it through another day

3. Who is the person who has had the most influence on your life?  My mom and my grannie...both instilled in me solid values

4. Is there someone you'd like to thank for something special they did for you but haven't yet? Take the time to do it in this meme.  My mother-in-law, Billie, is someone who gave me one of the best gifts I've ever gotten.  Not only did I get to marry her son, but she welcomed me into her life and her family.  I've never really said thank you for that.

5. Who was your favorite or least favorite teacher?  Uh, I am my favorite teacher.  No, seriously, Cathy Smith.

If you could talk to them now, what would you say?  I would tell her that I hope I can be half the teacher to my students that she was to hers.

6. Do you say grace at mealtime?  Not usually  :(  I know we should.

7. Name one thing you take for granted everyday.  My health

8. Have you ever looked back at your life and realized that something you thought was a bad thing was actually a blessing in disguise?  Yes!!!

9. What are the top five things you are most grateful for in your life?  1.  John  2.  Katy, Phillip, Sam, Jessi, and Lance  3.  My parents  4.  My in-laws  5.  My friends