More Tidbits

North Carolina's womens basketball coach Yow died last week after a long fight with cancer. Today I heard she taped her own eulogy! Okay, this might be a good idea and a chance to say what you wanted to say, but it isn't for me.

Micheal Vick is in the news again. Apparently, they are selling off his possessions. What does it say about our society when you can get in more trouble for bankrolling dogfights than you can for child abuse? Something doesn't add up.

Last week I video taped myself teaching. Those things are always eye opening. First, lose weight! Second, stop wearing white. I wear a lot of black and white; however, in the video you notice that white shirt on white wall, with white board, and active board = glare. Of course last night I got the new Lane Bryant sale paper and wouldn't you know they had some great new white shirts!

I still have no voice, actually today it is almost completely gone! Got up this morning and realized I had set me doctors appointment for the same time as a council meeting. I'm thinking getting a blood workup might be more important than another meeting.

Today, there are bills to pay, groceries to buy, house to clean, laundry to do, and possible some writing.

Tidbits

Today we worked on the class book with two classes. It was a busy day! Then the kiddos worked on their Favorite Teacher stories. I've used Ruby Bridges book, Through My Eyes as a mentor text. Plus taught them how to use questioning to help organize your writing and thoughts. Some good papers came in. I will be posting about Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Reese, and Mrs. Hamlin.

Then we were all called to the media center for a meeting. I knew why...I was selected as the McIntosh Reading Council Teacher of the Year. This is a big deal and suppose to be a secret until the ceremony. However, someone in charge told someone else, who then emailed me congratulations this week. I was kinda hurt. I know F and Media Center Woman wanted it to be a suprise like it has been every year. I guess I was most surprised at how Dr. E responded, she was furious. If it has been a surprise for several years why was there a leak this year? Interesting!

Drew and Nicole are on their third day in Lexington with no electricity. Drew called tonight and said they were going further north to Grandma and Grandpa Stork's house they have electricity.

Gabe has a huge project coming due. Next week so we will be working on that.

Matt is staying in Tifton this weekend.

Dan is working (driving for free) at Harold's in hopes of taking his CDL driving portion next week. Then (everyone pray) maybe Harold will give him a job. Pray he needs a job soon...

Mark this Date

On March 19th this book will be released:

I *heart* Harper Lee, not because of To Kill a Mockingbird. But because she was interviewed once and asked why she didn't write another book and she said, "I didn't have anything else to say." You got to like that kind of frankness!

I know I will be one of the first to read this book!

Oh Me! Oh My!

It is hard here on the 27th day of January to not think about the 4th day of March. I know you would think that I'd be thinking about the 3rd day of March (our 25th anniversary), but no I'm thinking about that stupid writing test. I think people should clear my plate and let me teach writing every day for 7 hours a day till then!!!! There is just so much to do before the big day.

Last night I read Ruby Bridges book, Through My Eyes. At the end of the book she discusses her feelings about 1960 in New Orleans and comments that she just obeyed her parents because that's what she was suppose to do. Sounds so simple. Her parents told her to go to school, so she went to school. I wish that the kids I teach could see how profound that statement is. They aren't made to oey at home, so why would school be any different. They are busy telling the adults what they are going to do and each year it gets harder to teach, because they know everything and put forth very little effort.

It is interesting that the mark for me as a teacher is raised every year; however, no one has noticed that the chief stakeholders in this game of education don't care. Today I sounded like Mrs. Riddle, "Sit up, put your feet on the floor, and look like you mean business." They were draped over desk, draped in their chairs, and some had the idea to put their feet in the tray of the brand new desk!

I tried to video myself teaching today and it is probably laughable! You can be teaching away and they look at you and go, "Got cough drops?" Like they couldn't wait till a more appropriate moment to ask. (The video is only 20 minutes).

F was gone today and she had a great sub! I liked her a lot. She has taught before and laughed when I told her I had to turn off the video because the principal came in and wanted something!

Favorite Love Song

The Cowboy and I will be celebrating our 25th anniversary in March. The day before the writing test! Anyway last night I was think about what is the greatest love song. Our song for years has been "I Get Carried Away" by George Strait. However, there is Trisha's "I'll Still Love You More" or "Perfect Love". Then I have always loved this classic by Dolly Parton and Ricky Van Shelton, "Rockin Years". Remember this song that was sung at the wedding; not because it was my favorite song it was the song the free singer and piano player wanted to do!!!! I like it better when Luther Vandross sings it!

Got a favorite? Please share and let me see if it fits us!

***Hearts***

Yes, we all have heart, and today I found out they are big business! Of course I noticed several educator tags in the parking lot and April is coming!!!! Anyway, I had to have a stress test and echocardiogram done today. I thought I'd just get up on the treadmill and be back in time to relax all afternoon. NO!!!! Apparently after my echo some man decided to pump radioactive stuff through my veins. Unfortunately he couldn't find it so he began digging and poking. I got nausiated and must of turned colors, because he told me to lay down until I felt better. YUCK! It was at this point that I found out that they would take one set of pictures of my heart before nucking me and then another set 3 hours later. What!?! Why didn't anybody say, "Oh Mrs. H you will be testing from 9:00am till 3:00pm." Anyway, I did get to eat at 12 finally and drink some caffine. I should know something next Thursday afternoon.

Let it be known that I am extremely worried about the writing test. It is coming up March 4th. Well today this was posted on another blog. I wanted to cry...I think my heart skipped several beats when I read it. THE FIRST DRAFT!!! Whoa is me.

I do want to say that writing might be the hardest thing I've ever taught my students!! I read on how to teach writing all the time, but it isn't getting across! BE STILL MY ACHING HEART.

Also, tonight will be the last time Matt shows horses as a youth. It will be rough for him. I wrote this bio that will be read before he goes in the pen tonight...

Matt Hestad is the 19 year old son of Dan and Lennye Hestad of Mansfield, Georgia. Matt is a 2008 graduate of Piedmont Academy and a freshman at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, GA, where he is majoring in Agri Business. This is Matt's last year to show as a youth. Over the years Matt has won numerous awards in the cutting pen. He has been priviliged to ride some great horses over the years. These horses have allowed him the opportunity to be a youth finalist at the Eastern Nationals numerous times. He also has been youth champion at many of the Area 18 associations over the years, but perhaps his greatest moment so far was his Reserve Champion at the World Paint Show in the 18 and under class.

No one has enjoyed being a youth rider anymore than Matt. The cutting arena has allowed Matt to make several lifelong friends and he wants to thank them for their friendship over the years. Matt realizes that he has been blessed by a loving family and lots of caring adults in the cutting horse family who have helped him along his way. He is blessed with wonderful memories of growing up in the horse business that will carry him through life, and is looking forward to the many opportunities God has planned for him.

Tonight Matt will be riding Double Mint Cash owned by Tracy and Sue Barton.

Good Luck my boy...your momma's pulling for ya!!!!

Matt marked a 206 (lost a cow) ended up 9th out of 12. Unfortunately, no scholarship money! But in true Matt fashion he is making it into a party!!!

Craziness

Today was a crazy day. I had been up and down all night with a migraine and couldn't find any asprin. I was exhausted when I got up and had three doctor's appointments. Well imagine my surprise after I drive down to Macon and find out the doctor's office didn't have me on the books. Now it is on my records, just not on the books. So I sat there for 2 hours while they decided what to do with me. Finally, they decided they'd quickly do an ultrasound and measure the fibroid tumor. It had not grown. At this point I had to skip seeing the doctor to get to my mammogram. I was so ill at this time it was rediculous! I had to cancel lunch with a friend because of all the screw ups my attitude was shot!

Came home and had a man stop buy who works for a company that sells organic meats at a discount. Sounds like a winner. We are going to try it! We shall see.

Now for some 24!!!!!

ALONE

I know this may not sound big to anyone except me, but I am alone in my house! That's right no one is here. For the next 4 hours I am going to write. Yesterday, I got the horseshow 1099's done and it was great. For the first time in our marriage Dan is concerned about my mental health (even though I have two major doctors appointments this week). I just am not using my time wisely because I am mentally exhausted.

TAG Thingy

Over at Confessions from an Impulsive Addict she was tagged to do this book thingy.

1. Grab the nearest book
2. Open to page 56.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the text of the next 2 to 5 sentences, along with these rules.
5. Don't dig for your favorite book...pick the CLOSEST!
6. Tag 5 other people to do the same.

So I just happened to have a research book on the computer table, The Vocabulary Enriched Classroom. PAge 56 Line 5, "Indeed, vocabulary is fundamental to comprehension (Anderson & Freebody, 1981). (Which is followed by...) Yet, despite research that suggests that students be actively involved in vocabulary learning (Blachowicz & Fisher, 2000), traditional approaches that have students define and learn words in isolation are still used in many clssrooms (Nagy & Scott, 2004). (If anything is used at all)

Can anyone tell me why no one does cloze activities anymore?

By the way at G's private school they do weekly Wordly Wise (no time is given in class for these activities). Also, if you haven't seen it watch the movie Appoloosa, I was impressed with the vocabulary.

Confession

Just moments ago I admitted to Dan that I don't want to do anything. I don't want to deal with anymore issues. I want off the merry-go-round. He asked did I need a shrink, because life isn't like that.

You see I'm tired of the horse shows, the dissertation, the unrealistic workload at school, and the lack of money. I'm tired of constantly feeling guilty because I never get everything accomplished! I'm tired of scheduling doctors appointments on my days off! And of constantly having doctors appointments, but no one can cure whatever is wrong! I'm just tired! I want to eat and cook...and that sums it up.

Dan suggested I make a list. But I don't know how to prioritize everything because it is all equally important. I woke up this morning with a mother of a headache! I'm just tired of pulling around all these weighty issues everyday!

Joy Comes!

Sammy stays!!!! Bradford will not leave OU and take millions in the NFL draft. Now that is just good ole Oklahoma parenting!!!!

Thank you Sammy!

Decisions Bring Joyous Relief

Today I called Donna. Donna is F's friend (and mine) who started the going after our doctorate journey. I wanted to take a semester off! I deserve a semester off! Donna talked me out of it. Somehow making a decision has brought some peace and joy to my existance today. Donna said I didn't need a semester off, I'd already taken one! So I'm buckling down and Donna suggested that I even take weekends away alone to write.

I've been at a conference on service learning for the past two days. My brain is full to overload at present! However, I was home when Gabe got home from school, so we played a couple of games of bowling on the Wii. LOVE IT!!!!

Also, since I was home before dark I made PW's new recipe steak bites.

It turned out pretty good! PW used it as an appetizer. It was our meal, but would be fun for get togethers.

I followed that up with a pecan pie. That I literally threw together! I was even out of vanilla extract and made everyone eat the pie with vanilla ice cream. I haven't heard any complaints!

Confession...I wish I had enjoyed life more! I wish that when the boys were little, I had savored every moment instead of focusing on the struggle to make it on one income. I wish Dan had enjoyed it more too. Dan has enjoyed Gabe of late and the two of them need this time together. Things are as they are meant to be!

The science fair project is still under construction. This is the Howe Truss

This is the K Truss. Gabe still has the Pratt Truss to put together. Then the actual experiment.

It's Over...

Football is one of my favorite sports and now for me it is over. Oh I'll watch the remaining games, but it won't be the same. I have no preference at this point who wins or loses!

Giants....gone
Vikings...gone
Dolphins...gone
Colts...gone
OU...will rise again.

Things I've learned. Apparently, Ray Lewis has found Jesus after all his previous troubles (remember a certain incident in an Atlanta nightclub). Also, if you can get past McNabb's ego I think he's found Jesus. Or at least the two of them were praising Him this weekend.

Matt just left and headed back to ABAC. So things are starting to settle down here at home. Perhaps a few boxes can be unpacked and put away in the next few weeks. It is tax time and that's got to be done...ASAP.

Saturday In the Park...

...no it was a Saturday in a rush! I fell asleep last night at 8:30pm. Woke up at 7:30 and started getting ready to go to the beauty shop. Thought Dan was growing grocery shopping with me, but no. So I went and looked for some mark down soup mixes at Marshall's. (Let me encourage you to try the soup mixes Marshall's sells...especially if they are on sale). Then to Wal-Mart for groceries. I don't mind Covington's Wal-Mart, so it was okay. Got home, put up groceries, cooked supper, and loaded dishwasher.

Dan and Matt have worked on the barn. Matt goes back to school tomorrow.

It is 8:30 and I'd like to go to bed now!!!!

Whoa is me!!

It is over...

Yet let it be said...

I'm Sooner born and one day I'll be Sooner dead...

With a Longhorn Ornament on my tree next year!!!!!!!!!!

PS I am not as impressed with Tim Tebow as the rest of the world! I don't like cockiness in my cowboys or my quarterbacks and he's too cocky for me!!

Nervous Joy

Many of you know what I'm doing tonight!!

Dreaming of my Oklahoma home!

Boomer Sooner,
Boomer Sooner Boomer Sooner,

Boomer Sooner Boomer Sooner,

Boomer Sooner Boomer Sooner,

OK U! Oklahoma,

Oklahoma Oklahoma,

Oklahoma Oklahoma,

Oklahoma Oklahoma,

OK U!

I'm a Sooner born and Sooner bred and when I die,

I'll be Sooner dead

Rah Oklahoma,

Rah Oklahoma Rah Oklahoma, OK U!

I hope my heart holds out!

Joy?!

Today started with a bang literally! I got up at 5:35 am walked into the kitchen to start coffee, and suddenly the electricity blinks off and on once. Next thing I knew it was gone. I showered by candle light, had a heck of a time finding clothes that didn't need to be ironed using a flashlight, finally decided to go to work with wet hair, and fell down the stairs. All this happened before 7:00am!

I got to school 7 minutes late, because some person wanted to drive 50 all the way into Jackson! I had to go the long way to work because of logging truck mucking up my dirt road shortcut! Wanted to do a lesson on the activboard, only to find out it wasn't working...again.

Had lunch alone:( (F and NH were gone to a meeting), graded some more papers and tutored after school. Stopped to get gas before the price went up again tomorrow.

However joy awaited me as I came home to hot chicken lentil soup. Have browsed a few blogs and now it is back to grading papers.

I have the stress test done tomorrow!

Joyous Update

The cup works...it is officially 100% spill proof. I got a check back from my deposit on electricity at 240 Fay. Matt sold the horse (not for what he wanted but still better than nothing).

Dan needs a judging job this month. He is helping out a lot at home. Things are good.

Day 5 - Joy

Well Joy is not getting up at 5:00am. I finally rolled out at about 5:35am. Then I had to make coffee and wait for some hot caffine!

However, the day got more joyful as it progressed. First, ALL my kiddos got their star reading and star math out of the way this morning. In spite of a couple of drops in G.E. we managed 1 years growth in 5 months!

Then F. (who has the gift of giving) gives me this beautiful pink travel mug that is 100% SPILL PROOF. Now most of you know about the day I spilled my coffee all over my new white sweater! So today I left work and everyone is wondering will F.'s new cup be the key to LH's drinking and driving situation!

Picked up a few groceries and came home to supper! That's right Dan had supper going!

Only to be trumpted by finding out that Dan's parents had sent us a little money to help with groceries over the holidays! What a BLESSING!!!! Also, Dan had found a rebate for $150 gas card! Good stuff I tell you!

Matt has had an offer on his horse and we will see what he decides!

Holy Smokes!

It now appears that I am 0-4 on my football pics this weekend. I so wanted to see the Falcons, Dolphins, Colts, and Vikings make it in the playoffs. (There's 6:37 left in the 4th quarter of the Vikings game and it is now 23-14 eagles.) Oh well, I've still got the Giants to go! Also, next weekend 24 comes back! Then there is this little game on Thursday night! (Can you say Boomer Sooner!)

Drew called today and is making plans for Nicole's Birthday. Matt called and hasn't called back yet, so I'm wondering about him (more on selling the horse). Gabe and I go back to school tomorrow. Dan and Gabe have worked on the science fair project all weekend. (Note to self...help pick easier science fair projects in the future.)

School starts back for me and Gabe tomorrow. I'm not real excited about that one!!! Lots of work to do a home and school!

Must continue to look for joy!

Day 3 - Searching for Joy

Found these cute little blocks over at an Etsy store. Aren't they cute? Lots of cool JOY stuff can be found.

Okay today's joy moment almost was me going to be with Jesus and experiencing the ultimate joy! I went to the mailbox and there is stuff from the bank (you all know about the bank takeover going on). Well it showed that there was no money in my horse show account, and that I owed them 4.00. I couldn't breathe! It is after 12 and so that meant it would be Monday afternoon when I got a hold of them. I was panicing! Dan says L call the bank, they are working overtime with this buyout thing. So I tried to call, I'm so upset I can't even read the phone number right! When I call the woman says, yes that's right. I said no, I've got the statement from before the buyout and now, help me! She looks and double checks...ALL IS OKAY. I hung up the phone and cried!

Then I'm having trouble getting the 1099 report to download and finally got it to work.

Next, Matt calls and the man looking at his horse liked him today and is coming back tomorrow to ride him again. Pray this works for Matt!

(Okay, I'm probably buying the cute blocks)

Day 2- The Search For Joy

JOY

Definition: Intense and especially estatic or exultant happiness.

I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. John 15:11

Today I woke up, this didn't seem important at the time until I saw the doctor. Seems I'm going for a stress test on my heart just to rule out any abnormalities. (I didn't notice a thing!) Then we went to meetings am and pm. However, I got to have lunch with friends.

Today two people shared a burden with me and asked that I pray. I'm glad that I can be an intercessor for them.

Tonight when I got home it was just the three of us. Even Gabe thought it seemed too quiet! We didn't cook and scrounged up some leftover chicken salad.

Day 1 - The Search for Joy

Spent the day with friends, ate wonderful food and played a couple of games of bowling on the Wii.

May Your 2009 Be JOYFUL

Happy New Year!

I want to suggest that everyone stop over at Ali Edwards website and join in on her one word challenge. Basically, you find one word to describe a character trait you want to improve or consentrate on (for instance I picked one for F. miracle). Mine is ...

For years I've wanted to find "Joy" in life, so I descided this year starting today I will be looking for it in every nook and crannie. So what is your one word?

(PS) This necklace will be mine one day!