All Work Makes Lennye Weary and Dull

I've spent the day working on a power point presentation that will probably meet some type of ridicule. As of lately I can't seem to do anything right! Dr. Lura has been a big encouragement through this process of late. I almost wanted to call her tonight and get her opinion. If anyone knows of any research that supports the use of picture books as prewriting activities, let me know. I can find books on the subject, but no research where someone actually used this as a strategy. (I know we all have, it just isn't documented!)

My ulcer is out of control. I have a crick in my neck that is horrendous. Old Age is rough!!!

Dan may have picked up a couple of horses tomorrow. His Sunday School class is worrying him. I have enough of my own trouble without taking on everyone elses problems (sorry).

If you haven't checked out SBB's link to Italian Nachoes you might want to do so, they look great. And somehow this weekend I found a link on somebody's blog http://divine-domesticity.blogspot.com/ naked men in the kitchen. (You've got to scroll down...Of course bowls were placed in just the right place). However, I must admit a certain man cooking with clothes on would be a huge turn on for me!!!!! I'd hate to think what I'd do if he was cooking without clothes. (It's the cooking part that gets me!)

Books Abound!

Yes, the new turn in my research has brought a wealth of new reading to the Hestad Manor.

1. Best Practices in Writing Instruction edited by Steve Graham, Charles MacArthur, and Jill Fitzgerald.

2. The Consequences of Writing by Parker and Goodkin (this one excites me!)

3. Brain-Friendly Strategies for the Inclusion Classroom byWillis

4. Writing Activities for Special Children by Mannix (I should of read earlier)

5. Teaching Writing in the Inclusive Classroom by Passman and McKnight

So my nights are pretty full at the moment, since Chapter 1 needs to be done by the middle of April, and I'm starting over.

SBB, are you going to the IRA conference. I get to go....but, I don't think I can afford to stay overnight, we shall see.

Pray for Dan to get in more horses. The economy is not being nice to the horse business. Dan has lost four customers of late. Two of those have been with us for over four years! So things are rough in the neighborhood.

On a happy note, one of my babies tested normal for an IQ and so low in any type of reading ability that it barely registered. He never got it, he has the mental capacity, just not the processing skills to accomplish the task. Math skills were near average. Unfortunately, the new GPS standards in math will take their toll on him, because he can't read the story problems.

Happy Easter!

Well we've had quite a day. We started off with sunrise service. Then the we went to breakfast at church (the boys enjoy that). I had to run home because I forgot to plug in the crockpot, so I put the roast in the oven. As I was going to Sunday School I fell flat on my face. Needless, to say my right side hurts to the point I asked Dan if he thought I could have broke a rib! He said there's nothing they can do even if you did. So I can't lift anything, because I can't raise my right arm. As I was going to sing in the choir, I told the boys that since they had been at church since 7:00 they could go home. So they did and being good boys not wanting to leave my purse unattended they took it with them. The only problem was my car keys were in the purse. So I had to call Matt to bring me the keys back to church.

Remember how I wasn't going to cook. Well, that changed we had: roast, hashbrown casserole, broccoli salad, pasta salad, and fruit salad. Also, the Dr. Pepper cake. Then we watched a movie. I am now going to clean the kitchen, finish the horse show, grade papers and work on taxes. Funny how I am the only one who can work on taxes!

In the morning, I am going to the foot doctor. I've been having issues all week with my left foot, then yesterday the woman who did the pedicure said I had planters warts on the right foot. I'm planning on being at work at 10:00, but who knows. The doctor opens at 9:30, I'll have to get right in and out. He did call me in an anti-inflammatory and that is helping some.

Matt wants to go see the world after graduation, so if anyone has odd jobs they need a strong boy to do...please call. He has been unsuccessful looking for work.

Would the World End If....

I'm going to throw this out....I don't think I'm cooking on Easter. Drew and Nicole are going to her parents and I've always said I was going to stop all the cooking at holidays. Now let's see how long this thought lasts. Dan seems to think I'll change my mind. Of course turkey is on sale, a brisket would be great...

Dan even tore me out a new cake recipe tonight...Dr. Pepper cake.

Tagged by Sarah

Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself

1. I've had my picture made with Michael Landon, Rex Allen, and Johnny Crawford. They sit on the buffet.

2. I was a Rainbow Girl. That's right went all the way to the top. Even was a page to the state Grand Treasurer (a very big deal).

3. At 14, my mom took Brenda, Deanna, and me to see ZZ Top in concert in Oklahoma City. Actually, she dropped us off at the door and came back and got us!

4. I have a Great-Great-Great Uncle who was shot in the butt by Lawman Buck Garrett while he was "diddlin" Garrett's wife. (This was according to my Grandmother.)

5. When I was 14, Lanea and I went to St. Louis, Missouri (our moms too). We stayed downtown by Bush Stadium at a fancy motel. I had on a dress and was walking down the steps into the lobby, when I tripped. I rolled all the way down the steps and landed with my feet in front of me and my dress down.

6. Lanea is 3 years older than I am and used to iron my hair on an ironing board to straighten it. She never burnt my hair, but this could explain my brain issues right now.

Please note that both of the 14 year old incidents happened before my mom got sick, maybe that's why they stick out in my mind!

Confussion

Oh my! I am truly in over my head and do feel like I am drowning these days.

First, why did I want to work on my doctorate? I am at a point where I can't even write a complete sentence. I feel that all my research so far needs to be tossed out a window and buried in the backyard. I don't like anything I'm coming with right now, nothing is flowing.

Second, they keep saying that doctoral students need to prioritize their time, but I can't seem to find what can be eliminated. Is it right to eliminate church? I just can't in my soul find the justification to eliminate church. And I'm not going to eliminate my family, yet!

Pray for me!

Calling One and All

Today another suprise hit me. Adversity the things life is made of!!!!!! Anyway, my professor didn't like my last paper. She hated it would be better. I'm to narrow in my thinking. (Some have said I'm not narrow enough.) Anyway, you have to write to please the professor. (Plus all this red print on my paper made me want to puke!)

So here goes I need a catchy Title:

Writing and Testing Strategies that Impact State Writing Assessments

This is what I have so far and it isn't great. So think catchy! What would make you want to come to my conference session.

Also, what strategies do you think are important for good writers? Also, who knows a trick on how to get students to revise.

Think people! She is going to let me resubmit this, but I've got to get this approved to start on the power point.

PSS This is nothing like the first paper, with the exception it has to do with writing.

Life - One Outstanding Debacle After Another!

Dictionary.com defines debacle as - A sudden, disastrous collapse, downfall, or defeat; a rout.
A total, often ludicrous failure.

Matt and Gabe have a teacher who uses the term...it was an outstanding debacle...and doesn't that about sum it up.

Today, Dan left for Jackson, Mississippi. Anyway for over a week I've asked Dan to pay the phone bill so that he could tell them to put it in my name. Doesn't seem difficult right. Well you are up on how the car wouldn't start, but it looked good today for the car Matt would get a new battery after school. CHECK! So Matt calls me at work at 4:10, are you ready? No Matt, I've got to get report cards finished. And I am still teaching here, I'll call. Then I go to call. No answer on Matt's cell phone. This is not unusual. So I try the house phone and hear...We're sorry but this number has been temporarily disconnected.....Well being the rocket scientist type I immediately knew that Dan had not followed through and paid the phone bill.

So I call Dan...Dan where are you...Going through Birmingham....Hey, guess what just happen.....I don't know....I've been trying to call Matt to come get me at school and he isn't answering his cell phone....Well call the house phone...Tried but that has been DISCONNECTED...Oh!......I'm sorry, I forgot all about that....Well it was a very white trash moment for me, wish you could be here to share it....I'll call Mr. Phillip to go get the children to call...

And that my friends is an excellent example of an outstanding debacle! Don't you just love it!

Wind-Blown

Friday, turned out to be not the greatest day at work. Left work late, wanted to leave early. Got home and the starter went out on the car. Ended up having to go to Covington, and get the truck from Dan.

Saturday, got up at 4:00am went to Augusta. Only to spend all day in freezing temperatures and wind blowing 40 to 50 mph. Show was very light and it was a bit depressing when I found out due to the rising price of diseal my cattle cost had risen about $1000. Then one cow broke its leg, so add on another $600. Drove home and started feeling sick.

Sunday, woke up and realized that the time had changed! I felt like cramp. My head won't stop hurting. Had to rewrite a paper that, because of the headache, took 4 hours! Dan fixed me a sandwich while I was at the computer working on grades for tomorrow. Now that is done, I've still got the headache, the deposit to do, no car to drive, no groceries bought, the laundry to finish and now lists to make for the boys to do something while I work job number 3 besides lay around and look pretty. I'm tired just writing it. Oh yeah, I wanted to watch the movie GAME PLAN, so they watched it while I was at the computer.

You got to love it!

I can't believe it!

I can't believe that it is Thursday already and that tomorrow I've got to get ready for a horse show. So much to do and so little time! Work has been draining this week. I think F and I left at 6:10. We had visiting children from the neighborhood, who talked to us. I can't imagine wanting to spend time with us, when you could do something else. But we laughed and had a great time! They cleaned on my room, commented on how trashy people were! I agreed. Got those lesson plans done!

Otherwise no news here.

The Playlist!

I must stop any rumors that I've divorced myself from my favorite male singer....so you will notice that George has been added to the list. Also, please note I'm not divorcing the other man in my life either so you will notice our song is on the list....Carried Away.

Also, for those wondering I'm crazy about Bonnie Raitt. Would love to see her in concert! I absolutely love those bluesy singers. Right now Real Live Woman is one of my favorite songs. You've got to love the lines....I can't relate to millionaires who fate has smiled on...I no longer justify the reasons for the way I behave...I offer no apologies for the things I believe and say...

PSS If Drew ever checks the blog, he will notice Matt's song it on the playlist as well ("I can still make Cheyenne") Drew and I have threatened to have this as the mother/son dance at Matt's wedding!

What A Difference A Day Can Make!

Yesterday was our 24th anniversary. Saturday we went to the movies, looked for Matt 2XLT shirts, and ate at Carrabas in Macon. Then I woke up Sunday with anxiety attacks, totally depressed. It lingered Sunday with me finally breaking down into tears. Then yesterday, I just couldn't shake it! Dan even made a comment last night that I must of gotten his anniversary card several months ago, because he knew that yesterday I wouldn't have married him over again!

Then today, I came home and he was home (very unusual, but it was rainy). He had the boys picking up and he was cleaning up as well. All I had to do was cook supper, he has even done the dishes! And all of a sudden I fall in love with him all over again....

(The picture is from Dan's 50th Birthday. Matt, Rhonda, and Dan Phariss are in the pic too. Freda was the photographer)

The Ups and the Downs

Downs
You know your life is sad when Pioneer Woman's Lodge looks better than your house. (and she feels that it needed remodeling) Yes, I know Pioneer Woman's financial situation looks better than mine on her bleakest days! Oh yeah! I don't OWN a house.

Also, that on the day you are closest to having a complete mental breakdown, [chest tightening, crying, depressed] your principal comes to do your observation!

Ups
Your 11 year old looks at you and says, "I'm glad you exist."
Your 18 year old says, "Mom, let me show you how to make a playlist for your blogspot."
Your 22 year old calls and says, "What you doing?"
Your friend looks at you in the midst of your breakdown and says, "You've got three great kids." (she's right)