Day in a sentence

Got up early, went to eat at Cracker Barrel, spent all the Sunny Money (plus a little more), and meet hundreds (literally) of people at Open House.

The Busiest Week of the Year

I know you probably think this is the week before Christmas. Well if you are a teacher it is the week before school starts! How can one week hold soooooo much work and soooooo much anticipation. I love it!! Everyone is working double time. Honestly, I feel sorry for the janitors and the record keeper this week.

Yet, I've never seen everyone so consistantly in a good mood. I hope it lasts! Even though we have 30 kiddos a piece (so I will teach 120 per day), I'm excited to see what this year holds! I'm sure there will be lots of changes. (We may get another teacher) But this has the potential to be a blast.

Stay tuned!!!! August is going to be a BIG month for the Hestad's. (Continue to pray for Dan's job possibilities.)

Also, KUDDOS go out to Monkey, Bean, and Roderick. We had a teacher who isn't coming in until later. (This is a mystery at school). Anyway they have gotten together and absolutely done remarkable things down in the room. It is bad to have to organize one room, but to do someone's room who isn't your BFF is above and beyond. They ALL deserve a huge reward.

A Monkey List

Monkey put this one her blog, so I thought I'd give it a try. The goal is to answer the questions in one word.

1. Where is your cell phone? Desk
2. Your significant other? Dan
3. Your hair? Dyed
4. Your mother? Heaven
5. Your father? Oklahoma
6. Your favorite thing? Picture
7. Your dream last night? Maybe
8 Your favorite drink? DDP
9. Your dream/goal? Doctorate
10. The room you’re in? Bedroom
11. Your hobby? Reading
12. Your fear? Failure
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Home
14. What you’re not? Rich
15. Muffins? Cranberry
16. One of your wish list items? Recliner
17. Where you grew up? Oklahoma
18. The last thing you did? Ate
19. What are you wearing? Dress
20. Favorite gadget? Mixer
21. Your pets? No
22. Your computer? Addiction
23. Your mood? Tense
24. Missing someone?Yes
25. Your car? Pacifica
26. Something you’re not wearing? Shoes
27. Favorite store? Ross
28. Like someone? Forever
29. Your favorite color?Blue
30. When is the last time you laughed? Today
31. Last time you cried? Today

The Fog Is Lifting! (Kinda)

It all started with this magnet. One way says "Your Life" and the other says "No Longer an Option". I like it alot! It applies!

Then I had to post for a class on the impact of my research on social change. I love this quote on the power of writing, "Writing has helped transform the world. Revolutions have been started by it. Oppression has been toppled by it. And it has enlightened the human condition." (from The Neglected "R") Doesn't that give you chills? It does me. I have the unique opportunity of spending 180 days with 110+ 5th graders. Maybe my impact will be small, but just perhaps there is another Martin Luther, Rachel Carson, John Gresham, or Peggy Noonan sitting in there learning something that might change their world and ours. So today it is good. There may still be no money. The job market may appear bleak; but the sun will come up tomorrow and we all love each other and we have food, so things will be okay. I will start writing again! The boys will have clothes, my room will be ready, and all will be well!

Plus, in November I should see a nice little pay bump since I will have finished my course work and officially be known as ABD (all but dissertation).

WHY?

That is the question I asked myself this morning as I slowly sunk into a sea of depression. Summer is almost over and I feel like I've been sick most of the summer. This back thing is ridiculous. It seems like someone could give me a shot or something.

I've wasted many hours worrying about money. This is the one thing that I have absolutely no control over. Dan is trying (I know when you don't understand what it is he does, it is hard to see this). This is the area where God is going to have to step in and open doors.

It is time to go back to work. I love teaching, but I'm so tired all the time! Perhaps this comes from my mental state.

Then there is the problem of this dissertation. I don't know. It has all been okay till now. Perhaps it is because my mind is so fractured these days. So today I wrote my chair, now she has taken a very hands off approach to this. So I whined and asked how she stayed focused. She said something valuable, "Write down why you want this and look at it every day. Then start rewarding yourself for doing small things." I don't see any rewards, but I like the advise. I need to be reminded daily why I'm doing this. For me it has been a life long dream, the money will be nice, but it always goes back to making a difference.

So I must stop asking why and moping over the way things are and move forward.

Thoughts Appreciated

Greetings in the early morning hours. Yes, I had an old fashioned nightmare and sat straight up in bed at 4am. There was no returning to sleep after that. However, getting up at 4am is not new to me!

Anyway I needed some thoughts from my buds today. Have any of you heard of the book Have You Filled A Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud. (You can find out more here). I am captivated by the thought that we teach children to encourage one another. It is a biblical principal with life changing ramifications. Now to help I need you to check out the Website.

Okay, good your back. Now how am I going to do this? I'm getting the book, but I want to know how to set up the bulletin board. We have that long board, I've already divided it into half. I want one half to be Mountain Language and the other half writing samples (but I could use it for the buckets.) There were sample BB's on the web page, but not what I'm thinking.

Let me know! I'm anxious to hear your opinions. Also, it might take a village to figure out how I'm getting 28 large bodies in this room! Stop by next week and see me!!!!

Common Sense

The beautiful, new school has an issue. The ActivBoards and white boards are too low for the upper grade students (especially with 28 in a room). F questioned this yesterday and was told, "They are installed at the company recommendation." Now to me all this takes is a little common sense. You would have to imagine what 28 upper grade students look like in a new room! Well this morning I stopped in at another blog and they have a recent article about common sense. If only people would being willing to explore this phenomena.

On a brighter note I got a $750 grant from the Georgia Reading Association. Now if I can just find what I wrote the grant for!!!!!

Happy Birthday Drew!

It is hard to let your kids grow up, watch them make mistakes, and find their way in this world, but so goes life! Drew is now 23.




So yesterday afternoon the whole family went to see

Now if you know me, you know I'm not much into this kinda movie. However, it was worth the money. We got there early, stood in line for seating, and got really good seats. So all was well. Then we went to Chili's to eat, which was a disaster. Gabe's food finally came after we were all finished. So we got a couple of free meals so that was okay.

I guess the part I struggle with is the old saying is so true. "You have a daughter all her life, you have a son till he takes a wife." Kinda sad! It just always feels so tense when we all get together. I don't know if it is just me or what. I haven't seen him in a while and wanted to visit, but that wasn't going to happen in the situation we were in, so I have to be continent just to see him.

Time is running out before school starts! So much to do! Then there is getting Matt ready for college and Gabe ready for 7th grade. It is hard to want to write on a dissertation and trust me I haven't in about 4 weeks. Other things are occupying my mind! I really want this year to be one that is calm and productive. I need no drama!!!!

What Type of Flower Are You?

I am a Daffodil What Flower Are You?

It's A Start!

Okay, today was a major break through. I was cruising over at the Georgia Department of Agriculture job page and there it was...Agriculture Inspector 1. This is the perfect job for Dan. The job open until the 19th. Duties include inspecting and testing livestock at auction markets, shows, and farms. The job would require moving to Newton, Henry, or Spalding County, but that is okay. Now the only hold back is 500 people will apply for this job!!!! PRAY now for Dan to at least get an interview for this job.

Hey Guys!

Ya'll go check out Jane's website. On the 15th she helped her daughter paint the cutest bird houses. They are Mary Englebreit inspired, and I LOVE Mary Englebreit.

Time Flies

Time surely has wings! Got back from Atlanta on Thursday afternoon. Friday, I ran errands and got ready for the horseshow on Saturday. Saturday, I went to Augusta did the horseshow and came home. Sunday, I went to church and wrote a paper, that I'm not sure is even correct. Worked on Monday unpacking boxes. Beauty shop today and more unpacking. Tomorrow we are responsible for dessert, bread, and drinks for Wednesday night supper! Thursday looks busy and Chapter 1 needs revisions finished and Chapter 2 needs to find its way onto paper.

And so it goes...as if time had wings...

Party in the Park at Arlington Park

The husband of the facilitator for my group plays in a band called "Holding Mercury". (He joined in the last month, but is in the video.) They are relatively well known around the Chicago area. They sound pretty good. If they are an up and coming band, then we can all say we knew of them for a while!

What A Week!

I had a great week in Atlanta. I always enjoy this part of my job. One reason is you hear that other teachers across the state are experiencing the same type issues. Then you get an inside look at how item writers are interpreting our curriculum. You get to stay in a wonderful motel and eat wonderful food. But best of all, you get paid!


I also like going because I get to see Sarah everyday. I miss Sarah. Our Sarah is now very well known across the state. Those who have meet her, love and respect her as a highly intelligent woman. (Of course we've known of her qualities for awhile.) Her bosses seem to love her as well! (Always important.) Sarah has done an excellent job representing Butts County and teachers.

Gabe and Dan came and stayed at night so we went out to eat. We ate at the Varsity, The Old Spaghetti Factory, Mary Mac's, and The Hard Rock Cafe'. Gabe was very impressed with our travels around the city. He got to experience new things. Best of all he made a trip to the Lego Outlet. There he met Darth Vader made totally out of Legos. He was very impressed and now wants to visit as often as possible. Of course the news that they markdown Legos added to his desire.

So now it is back to work on the paper!

I'll be in the ATL

I will be gone for a week working in Atlanta. So I won't be able to keep up on all that is happening. This will make me sad, but I will try and make it through. Pray that my back holds up!

Happy Fourth of July!

Updates from Hestadland. The doctor's appointment left me in the depths of depression yesterday and I usually don't get depressed. Seems that I have arthiritis in my back and a pinched never. He wants the MRI and mentioned the s word (surgery). Then says, don't sit. Come on man, I'm working on a dissertation, I have to sit!!!!! Well I immediately called the massage therapist, who agreed to see me today (yes, on the 4th). Hopefully, this will get me through next week, while I sit all day. F brings up the cost and how am I going to do this, I have no earthly idea at this point! But I can't see an alternative. I am not having back surgery this year!!!!!!!!!!!

Dan is off to Florida to judge a horse show. YEAH, for judging jobs. He also has one planned for the end of the month.

Drew and Nicole are off to the University of Kentucky. I think this is more what they've wanted all along. Nicole has a partial assistanceship, and (get this) Drew's in-laws said with his degree he could probably get a good job. You think!!!! Like your momma hasn't said, "Get a job." Anyway, I hope all goes well. They will be thousands in debt, but they are young!!!!!

Matt is set to take off to ABAC. YEAH, for ABAC! We almost have all the money accounted for. We are waiting to hear something on two more scholarships, if he gets those all is good!

And Gabe, he just wants to go to the movies. He wants me to take him and Ryan to see Wall-e. Then says, "But if we don't have money, its okay." Poor kid...he's learning early on the pitfalls of life!

Today, I'm going to F's for a low country boil. It should be great fun. I'll get to meet her Daddy and sister. Then we are off to the fireworks. This is one of Gabe's favorite things to do in Jackson! He looks forward to it all year long.

Oh yeah, the B12 shots have started working and my mind is clearing. I'm back to writing!!!!! If I could just stand sitting!!!!!

Next week

Next week I will be working in Atlanta. I had so been looking forward to eating at Mick's again. Last year F and I feel in love with their fried green tomatoes. So tonight I was looking them up on the internet and they are closed for renovations. NO!!!!!!! So what tell me somethings that can be done if you are staying in MidTown.

I'll be waiting for some GREAT ideas. (Like I'm going to be going all the time!!!! I'll be lucky to walk.)

Oh yeah, doctor today said that back pain is due to athritis and a pinched nerve. What that means who knows. Next stop is an MRI.

Excellent Tool

F and I are always wishing Oprah would send Nat down to help us redecorate our rooms and make them efficient. Well I seriously doubt F or I will ever get a Nat makeover, but Stacy posted this wonderful tool on Lakeshore. All we need now is the dimensions of the new rooms. I'm stoked to try this. I think you will be too. I'm sending the ideal to the powers that be, just so you know.

Work, Work, Work...All Day Long

Summer should be a time of relaxation and doing absolutely...nothing. However, if you teach that is never the case. It started off small...working two days with team to plan for the next school year. Then I got nominated by default to work on a county project that was suppose to be no big deal. Suppose to be, would be the key phrase. Turns out that since they had an ELA person present I could just do the whole project. No big deal I enjoyed it (the only thing I don't enjoy is they will change their mind and want something else in a few weeks). Then next week I go stay in Atlanta and work on item reviews for the CRCT.

Now while I want to sit around and do nothing except find a cure for my back pain (foot pain). We need the money! I do get extra pay for everything that I'm doing at this point. So that is a good thing!!! It's just that I want!!!!! Isn't that always the problem...we want. I want new things, new furniture, and the list could go on and on. But that is not where I am at this point in life. God has other plans for me right now. My job right now is to be open to Him and his leading.

Yesterday, we heard that the insurance companies were going to settle the lawsuit and it we would not be going to court. That was a burden lifted. (Thank you to everyone who is praying...don't stop.) But instead of rejoicing in the moment, I immediately started worrying about what were we going to do about Dan and a job. I know that Dan is a Godly man, but sometimes I wonder what he is thinking! Only God knows the future, (He also is bigger than the economy) and only God can lead Dan in the direction he should go. Still I question, why us, why does it appear that you are leaving us here, what is it you want us to do? But at present God isn't showing us a direction.

Yet, his word provides comfort.
1 Peter 5:7 Let Him have all your worries and cares, for He is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you.

Philippians 4:6-7 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don't forget to thank Him for His answers. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ.

So my job is to rest in Him who knows the future and get back to work on qualitative research.

Today, if your world is rockin' along without a hitch. Praise God. And if your world is full of trouble, uncertainty, and doubt. Praise God anyway...the answers are on the way.