Misty, Susan, and I had the best time yesterday. I am so very blessed and fortunate to have so many wonderful women in my life. This post is devoted to Misty and Susan, but I'll do another one at a later time about all the others.
I met Misty at the school at 9:30. We got to catch up on a lot on the ride to Susan's. Even thought Misty and I usually do see each other every day, it isn't for long, so we don't have time during a normal day to talk. I've said it before, teaching is about the only profession out there in which there is so little adult interaction within the course of a normal day. Anyway, we got to Susan's a little before 11. We just sat around for a while chatting and laughing.
We all l-o-v-e P.F. Chang's, so we went there for our long, relaxing lunch. None of our husbands are huge fans of Chang's, so about the only time we go is when it's the girls. (John prefers the "traditional" Chinese, and Chang's is more "trendy.") When we go, we usually order the same things--I get the Chang's Spicy Chicken, Susan gets the Honey Shrimp, and Misty gets either Beef and Broccoli or Mandarin Beef, and then we share. We had the Lettuce Wraps for an appetizer. Those are delish!!!
After we left Chang's, we ran into Talbot's for just a minute. It was a little cooler than I thought it was going to be, so I wanted to find a light-weight jacket. I did, but I ended up not wearing it at all. lol It will be perfect for these fall mornings, though.
We decided to go to Christmas Village at the BJCC. We haven't been in forever. The last time I went, I swore I'd never go again because the crowds were horrible. We discovered yesterday that the best time to get there is about 2:30. It was still very busy, but nothing like I've seen it. Of course, the economy could have something to do with it... I got my "potholder" gift for Bunco, and I got some dip mixes that I'll serve at Bunco.
After leaving Christmas Village, we went to Superior Grill for a quick bite. Since we really didn't want to eat, we decided to sit in the bar. A man at the table next to us was extremely loud, and before we left, he was making farting noises with his mouth. Think he'd had a little too much to drink? lol
Every time Misty, Susan, and I get together, we have such a good time. We can talk non-stop for hours, and we are always laughing. I know that yesterday was good for me, but I really think it was good for Misty. She said that other than school, she really hasn't had much to keep her mind occupied since her dad's death. She is having a very difficult time with it. I wouldn't say that she was any closer to her dad than her sisters or her brother because they are an extremely close family, but she has always been a daddy's girl, and she was the "baby" of the family--her older sister was 17 and her brother was 10 when she was born.
I met Misty and Susan when I was subbing at BRHS in the spring of 1993. I had subbed for Misty's sister, Pam, a couple of days, and I had subbed for Susan, too. On one of the days that I subbed, I saw a car in the parking lot with a Walker Co. tag. I wondered who at the school had connections to Walker Co. Later I subbed for a Ms. Anthony. Hmmm--could she be related to Mr. Anthony, one of my teachers in high school?? Nah. Ends up--Yeah, she is. :) Once we made that connection, we made tons of others. My best friend from high school married one of her best friends. Her dad performed the ceremony, and I was one of the bride's maids. Susan was at the wedding. We were both at Alabama at the same time.
Misty and I taught summer school in '93, and we kind of began developing a friendship. We went to Pam's a couple of times after school was out and hung out at the pool. Although Misty and I didn't have the connections that Susan and I had, she and I just seemed to click. There are those people who we just KNOW we'll hit is off with, and Misty was one of them. We had a school retreat right before my second year at Ben Russell. Susan and Tim had just gotten married, so she didn't go. Misty and I roomed together, and I think that was probably when we REALLY bonded. We talked for HOURS. We haven't stopped talking yet.
I know God had a plan when He put me at Benjamin Russell. Had John gotten the job in Troy instead of Alex City, I would have never taught at Benjamin Russell, and I would have never had these two wonderful, special women in my life. I can't imagine my life without them.
08 November 2008
06 November 2008
Today was my Friday, and what a day it was!
I am so not a morning person--it takes a shower and a cup of coffee before I'm even close to being fully awake. Getting up this morning wasn't as hard as usual though since it was my Friday.
The morning started out pretty good. Nothing unusual or abnormal. Or so I thought. When I got to work, I did my normal stuff--turned on my desktop computer, got the coffee started, set up my laptop. After getting that done, I walked down to the copy room. While I was in there, Ben came in. He told me that the athletic department had been broken in to and that quite a bit had been taken. I haven't heard anything "official" about what was taken, but one of my football players said that TVs, laptops, and video equipment had been taken. Not a quick dash in and dash out job. I really didn't think anything else about it.
The bell rang, and the school day got started as usual. The news of the break-in had gotten around, but it wasn't what everybody was wanting to talk about. About half way through first block, the bell rang for a fire/bomb--not a drill. All of our drills are planned and they are held in the first 5 minutes of the period. On top of that, some of the sophomores were taking the PLAN test. They would not have scheduled a drill with that going on.
Apparently, some idiot called in a bomb threat, so we got a "break" from class for a little over an hour. When we got back into the building, one of my students told me that her "little bird" (Samsung, Nokia, Blackberry??) told her that Horseshoe Bend had an intruder lock down, and later in the day, people were saying Dadeville had a bomb threat, too. Why do people do crap like that? First of all, it is a felony. Second of all, it's just plain idiotic. I guess some people have nothing better to do with their time.
I got my hair done this afternoon, too. It was the first time I've had my color done since August. I was in desperate need of color. I've decided to let my hair grow out again. When I got it cut last time, I really didn't go short, but it was shorter than it had been since Katy and Phillip got engaged. There are times when I really miss my SUPER short hair. It was so easy to wash it, throw a little gel in it, run my fingers through it, and go. I mean, how hard can it be when your hair is only about an inch and a half long? THAT is a short haircut.
John had a disaster drill at work today. They were simulating a plane crash at Wetumpka High School. It didn't start until 5:30, so he isn't even home yet. He said they told them it would probably take a couple of hours, so he may not be home until 8:30 or so.
The pups were SO happy when I got home. They go into "doggy jail" (as John calls it) with no problem, but they can't wait to get out in the afternoon. Ali only stopped kissing me in the last 10 minutes. She is so rotten, that when she wants to be petted, she wants you to pet her with both hands. Her daddy is responsible for that spoiling. :) Right now, both she and Bama are snuggled up in my lap. They'll be excited to get to sleep in a little later in the morning.
I'm meeting Misty at the school about 9:30, and then we're going to Susan's. We really don't have any definite plans. We were going to do some pampering, but we decided to just wing it. That way, if we want to go somewhere for a nice long lunch, we can without having to watch the clock. We have been known to hang out in a restaurant for 2 - 2 1/2 hours. :)
Mom gave me an update on Dingo last night. He has settled in and is doing just fine. She said he eats all the time--and not just hot dogs and hamburger. He hasn't really gained weight, though. Both she and Dad have said that he is never still, so he probably burns off all of the calories he takes in. Mule has decided that having Dingo around isn't so bad either. She said they play ALL the time.
Giz had almost always slept with Mom and Dad, so when Mule came along, he was right there in bed, too. Mom has told me that she really wished she could have gotten them used to sleeping in their own beds. When they got Dingo, she put him in his bed in the bathroom instead of getting him used to sleeping in the big bed. (Mom, I must say that I felt sorry for him. lol) Anyway, earlier this week, when she went to put Dingo to bed, Mule followed her into the bathroom and crawled in the bed and just looked at her. So she went to get the other bed for Dingo. Since then, the two boys have been sleeping together in the bathroom.
I can't wait to see Dingo. It will be interesting to see my two with their two. Bama will probably be the "old fart" of the bunch.
Mom and Dad still miss Gizmo so much. She calls Dingo "Giz" all the time. I remember how hard it was after Elvis died. There was nothing that could make the sadness go away and getting Bama in no way replaced Elvis. This may sound odd to some, but I kind of equate getting Bama (and Mom and Dad getting Dingo) to that mother who miscarries but tries to get pregnant again as soon as the doctor says it is okay. Nothing will replace the baby that she lost, but she makes the choice to try again as soon as possible. Bama could not take Elvis's place, but I made the choice to "try again" as soon as possible, and my parents felt the same way. Getting Dingo was as much or more for Mule, who was grieving in his own little doggy way, as it was for Mom and Dad.
I guess I've gone on long enough. If you've read this far, then let me say that I hope you have a GREAT Friday, a GREAT weekend, and...
ROLL TIDE!!
The morning started out pretty good. Nothing unusual or abnormal. Or so I thought. When I got to work, I did my normal stuff--turned on my desktop computer, got the coffee started, set up my laptop. After getting that done, I walked down to the copy room. While I was in there, Ben came in. He told me that the athletic department had been broken in to and that quite a bit had been taken. I haven't heard anything "official" about what was taken, but one of my football players said that TVs, laptops, and video equipment had been taken. Not a quick dash in and dash out job. I really didn't think anything else about it.
The bell rang, and the school day got started as usual. The news of the break-in had gotten around, but it wasn't what everybody was wanting to talk about. About half way through first block, the bell rang for a fire/bomb--not a drill. All of our drills are planned and they are held in the first 5 minutes of the period. On top of that, some of the sophomores were taking the PLAN test. They would not have scheduled a drill with that going on.
Apparently, some idiot called in a bomb threat, so we got a "break" from class for a little over an hour. When we got back into the building, one of my students told me that her "little bird" (Samsung, Nokia, Blackberry??) told her that Horseshoe Bend had an intruder lock down, and later in the day, people were saying Dadeville had a bomb threat, too. Why do people do crap like that? First of all, it is a felony. Second of all, it's just plain idiotic. I guess some people have nothing better to do with their time.
I got my hair done this afternoon, too. It was the first time I've had my color done since August. I was in desperate need of color. I've decided to let my hair grow out again. When I got it cut last time, I really didn't go short, but it was shorter than it had been since Katy and Phillip got engaged. There are times when I really miss my SUPER short hair. It was so easy to wash it, throw a little gel in it, run my fingers through it, and go. I mean, how hard can it be when your hair is only about an inch and a half long? THAT is a short haircut.
John had a disaster drill at work today. They were simulating a plane crash at Wetumpka High School. It didn't start until 5:30, so he isn't even home yet. He said they told them it would probably take a couple of hours, so he may not be home until 8:30 or so.
The pups were SO happy when I got home. They go into "doggy jail" (as John calls it) with no problem, but they can't wait to get out in the afternoon. Ali only stopped kissing me in the last 10 minutes. She is so rotten, that when she wants to be petted, she wants you to pet her with both hands. Her daddy is responsible for that spoiling. :) Right now, both she and Bama are snuggled up in my lap. They'll be excited to get to sleep in a little later in the morning.
I'm meeting Misty at the school about 9:30, and then we're going to Susan's. We really don't have any definite plans. We were going to do some pampering, but we decided to just wing it. That way, if we want to go somewhere for a nice long lunch, we can without having to watch the clock. We have been known to hang out in a restaurant for 2 - 2 1/2 hours. :)
Mom gave me an update on Dingo last night. He has settled in and is doing just fine. She said he eats all the time--and not just hot dogs and hamburger. He hasn't really gained weight, though. Both she and Dad have said that he is never still, so he probably burns off all of the calories he takes in. Mule has decided that having Dingo around isn't so bad either. She said they play ALL the time.
Giz had almost always slept with Mom and Dad, so when Mule came along, he was right there in bed, too. Mom has told me that she really wished she could have gotten them used to sleeping in their own beds. When they got Dingo, she put him in his bed in the bathroom instead of getting him used to sleeping in the big bed. (Mom, I must say that I felt sorry for him. lol) Anyway, earlier this week, when she went to put Dingo to bed, Mule followed her into the bathroom and crawled in the bed and just looked at her. So she went to get the other bed for Dingo. Since then, the two boys have been sleeping together in the bathroom.
I can't wait to see Dingo. It will be interesting to see my two with their two. Bama will probably be the "old fart" of the bunch.
Mom and Dad still miss Gizmo so much. She calls Dingo "Giz" all the time. I remember how hard it was after Elvis died. There was nothing that could make the sadness go away and getting Bama in no way replaced Elvis. This may sound odd to some, but I kind of equate getting Bama (and Mom and Dad getting Dingo) to that mother who miscarries but tries to get pregnant again as soon as the doctor says it is okay. Nothing will replace the baby that she lost, but she makes the choice to try again as soon as possible. Bama could not take Elvis's place, but I made the choice to "try again" as soon as possible, and my parents felt the same way. Getting Dingo was as much or more for Mule, who was grieving in his own little doggy way, as it was for Mom and Dad.
I guess I've gone on long enough. If you've read this far, then let me say that I hope you have a GREAT Friday, a GREAT weekend, and...
ROLL TIDE!!
05 November 2008
Colors of fall
Fall has been here for a while now, but it's been only the last few days that the leaves have really started to change into the beautiful colors of fall. There is a tree that I pass on my way to work that is just gorgeous, and when the sky is that bright blue, the leaves just stand out that much more. I love crossing the lake every afternoon and seeing the reflections in the water.
Grannie always loved the fall, so I always pay special attention to the colors. On Tuesday, it will be 10 years since she passed away. It's so hard to believe that it has been that long. I went through depression for several months after she died. I didn't care about anything, and the things that had made me happy before no longer did. Then, I started having dreams about her. In them, she never said anything, but I knew that everything was okay. After the dreams started, I finally started to come out of my depression, and eventually the dreams stopped. Every once in a while, I'll have one about her, but they are very rare.
While the fall isn't my favorite season, I do love it. I love the cooler days, the bright blue skies, the gorgeous red and yellow leaves...I love that it is a time that makes me feel close to my grandmother because it was a time that she loved.
When you are outside, look around and notice the beauty of God's creation. Stop and thank Him for all that he has done.
Have a GREAT day!
Grannie always loved the fall, so I always pay special attention to the colors. On Tuesday, it will be 10 years since she passed away. It's so hard to believe that it has been that long. I went through depression for several months after she died. I didn't care about anything, and the things that had made me happy before no longer did. Then, I started having dreams about her. In them, she never said anything, but I knew that everything was okay. After the dreams started, I finally started to come out of my depression, and eventually the dreams stopped. Every once in a while, I'll have one about her, but they are very rare.
While the fall isn't my favorite season, I do love it. I love the cooler days, the bright blue skies, the gorgeous red and yellow leaves...I love that it is a time that makes me feel close to my grandmother because it was a time that she loved.
When you are outside, look around and notice the beauty of God's creation. Stop and thank Him for all that he has done.
Have a GREAT day!
04 November 2008
I voted
One thing that I have always done was vote in elections. My thoughts are that if a person chooses not to vote, he or she has no right whatsoever to complain about the way things are done. I know that there are many people out there who are physically unable to go to the polls, but that is why absentee ballots are made available.
I left school almost as soon as the bell rang. I didn't know what kind of lines there would be, and I didn't want to wait any longer than I had to. Fortunately, there wasn't much of a line when I got to the armory. There were a couple of people ahead of me in the M-Z line, and several came in right behind me, and about a dozen were at the voting booths. There must have been a pretty steady turn out in the big city of Dadeville because I was 915 for the machine I used. I didn't look at the other machine to see how many had used it. John said that he walked right in and the only time he had to stop was when he signed his name.
Will you be as happy as I am that there will be NO MORE of those horrid political ads? Don't you just hate it when politicians focus on all of the "bad" stuff about their opponent instead of focusing on themselves and what they are going to do???
Let's just hope that the RIGHT man (and woman) ends up with the most votes!
I left school almost as soon as the bell rang. I didn't know what kind of lines there would be, and I didn't want to wait any longer than I had to. Fortunately, there wasn't much of a line when I got to the armory. There were a couple of people ahead of me in the M-Z line, and several came in right behind me, and about a dozen were at the voting booths. There must have been a pretty steady turn out in the big city of Dadeville because I was 915 for the machine I used. I didn't look at the other machine to see how many had used it. John said that he walked right in and the only time he had to stop was when he signed his name.
Will you be as happy as I am that there will be NO MORE of those horrid political ads? Don't you just hate it when politicians focus on all of the "bad" stuff about their opponent instead of focusing on themselves and what they are going to do???
Let's just hope that the RIGHT man (and woman) ends up with the most votes!
03 November 2008
"The Tide is High"
Remember this song by Blondie from 1980?
1980 was the last time that Bama was ranked number 1 during the regular season. (They ended the '92 season ranked number 1 and national champs.) When I was in high school, THE radio station to listen to was WKXX, Kicks 106. One Friday afternoon, the DJ locked himself in the studio and played "The Tide is High" over and over and over. And over. (I remember it was a Friday because I was getting ready for our high school football game.) For the first time in 28 years, Bama is ranked number 1 during the regular season. I would really have rather stayed at number 2 for another couple of weeks, but it is exciting.
Saturday will be Coach Saban's first trip back to Tiger Stadium as a coach since he left for the NFL. The Bengal Tigers were none too happy when he re-entered the college ranks at Alabama. It might not have been so bad had he gone to another conference, but to go back to the SEC West to coach a team that they have to play year in and year out didn't set well with many fans. Because of that, they were already baited for bear, but with us having a number 1 ranking, they will be even more motivated to beat us. Everybody wants to be the team to knock the number 1 team out of that spot. Of course, our guys have tons of motivation as well. Beating LSU will put us in the SECCG for the first time in nine years, and a win there could mean a spot in the national championship game. There are still several games to go, though.
We were in Hartselle this weekend. John cleaned up the boat Saturday morning while I ran a couple of errands. I had to go by Buzzy's to get a pin put in John's watch and to finally get the slide he made for my bracelet. After John got finished with the boat and got cleaned up, we went over to Danny and Linda's to watch the game with them and Chris and Trisha.
Amy and Allen took Will and Maggie to the game. She sent me pictures of them--so cute!! (The Vest family has the cutest babies in the entire world!) I had an email from Amy this morning. She said that Will was explaining everything to Maggie. :) He is such a good big brother!
This is going to be a short week for me. Actually, the next four weeks will be short weeks for me. :) Susan and I decided that we wanted to do something special for Misty after her dad passed away. We thought she might enjoy a day of pampering on us, so we're having a Girls' Day Friday. I SO can't wait! Next week, we'll be out on Tuesday for Veteran's Day. I don't plan on getting out of my jammies. The next week is my doctor's appointment--what fun. And then it's Thanksgiving, so we'll be out Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
I guess I better go. My kiddos have finished up their assignment, and it's almost time for the bell. Have a GREAT week!!
1980 was the last time that Bama was ranked number 1 during the regular season. (They ended the '92 season ranked number 1 and national champs.) When I was in high school, THE radio station to listen to was WKXX, Kicks 106. One Friday afternoon, the DJ locked himself in the studio and played "The Tide is High" over and over and over. And over. (I remember it was a Friday because I was getting ready for our high school football game.) For the first time in 28 years, Bama is ranked number 1 during the regular season. I would really have rather stayed at number 2 for another couple of weeks, but it is exciting.
Saturday will be Coach Saban's first trip back to Tiger Stadium as a coach since he left for the NFL. The Bengal Tigers were none too happy when he re-entered the college ranks at Alabama. It might not have been so bad had he gone to another conference, but to go back to the SEC West to coach a team that they have to play year in and year out didn't set well with many fans. Because of that, they were already baited for bear, but with us having a number 1 ranking, they will be even more motivated to beat us. Everybody wants to be the team to knock the number 1 team out of that spot. Of course, our guys have tons of motivation as well. Beating LSU will put us in the SECCG for the first time in nine years, and a win there could mean a spot in the national championship game. There are still several games to go, though.
We were in Hartselle this weekend. John cleaned up the boat Saturday morning while I ran a couple of errands. I had to go by Buzzy's to get a pin put in John's watch and to finally get the slide he made for my bracelet. After John got finished with the boat and got cleaned up, we went over to Danny and Linda's to watch the game with them and Chris and Trisha.
Amy and Allen took Will and Maggie to the game. She sent me pictures of them--so cute!! (The Vest family has the cutest babies in the entire world!) I had an email from Amy this morning. She said that Will was explaining everything to Maggie. :) He is such a good big brother!
This is going to be a short week for me. Actually, the next four weeks will be short weeks for me. :) Susan and I decided that we wanted to do something special for Misty after her dad passed away. We thought she might enjoy a day of pampering on us, so we're having a Girls' Day Friday. I SO can't wait! Next week, we'll be out on Tuesday for Veteran's Day. I don't plan on getting out of my jammies. The next week is my doctor's appointment--what fun. And then it's Thanksgiving, so we'll be out Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
I guess I better go. My kiddos have finished up their assignment, and it's almost time for the bell. Have a GREAT week!!
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