Today was a day of closure for me. All of these things are bittersweet. I'm sad and happy at the same time.
We had the services for our beloved Kevin. It was so hard to say goodbye. I regret not taking the time to tell him how much I appreciated him when I had the opportunity. It was a good service and it brought us who remain closer together as a family, knowing that we all are going to miss him. We were all touched by his life.
Today was the last day to work with the 2017 Honor Choir students. We had our last rehearsal and our last performance tonight at the fund raiser. They did a great job singing the "Star-Spangled Banner." I was very proud of them.
We had our 2017 fund raiser which is a big deal for our school. It takes a lot of planning and a lot of people working together to make it a success.
Last but not least, today was the last day of the Slice of Life Challenge.
I am grateful to have had the opportunity to know Kevin and work with him. His death has caused me to reflect on my own life and pray that I can make a difference and touch others like he did.
I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with the Honor Choir students. Again, I pray that I have been a blessing to these twenty students and I am thankful for every one of them.
I am also grateful to have had the opportunity to put my thoughts and feelings into words this month. Blogging and reading the blogs of others has helped me to form stronger relationships with the other slicers.
Friday, March 31, 2017
Thursday, March 30, 2017
Slice of Life Day 30 - My Day in Numbers
I am going to steal Katy's idea from the other day because I am so tired after staying up until 12:30 a.m. the past two nights working, that I can hardly stay awake now to write.
My Day in Numbers
1 sweet husband hugging me and kissing me good-bye, I am so very blessed.
20 Honor Choir students minus 4 who overslept, singing "The Star-Spangled Banner" in two-part harmony. Sweet!
Approximately 175 sixth grade students singing jazz together and learning to swing dance. It is good for the soul.
1 little fifth grade student who needs someone to love and accept him
3 students auditioning for solos during plan time
51 degrees and feels like a wet, cold 39 degrees
1 big black dog stretched out on the lawn enjoying the rain
1 big omelette with sausage, pepper jack cheese, spinach, red peppers, tamed jalapeno peppers, onions, tomatoes, and cilantro Mmmm!
7,807 total steps so far today
2 re-runs of "Last Man Standing" and lots of laughs Mandy said, "You could have suffered a spinal injury and ended up a para-legal."
1 hot shower to get ready for another long day
My Day in Numbers
1 sweet husband hugging me and kissing me good-bye, I am so very blessed.
20 Honor Choir students minus 4 who overslept, singing "The Star-Spangled Banner" in two-part harmony. Sweet!
Approximately 175 sixth grade students singing jazz together and learning to swing dance. It is good for the soul.
1 little fifth grade student who needs someone to love and accept him
3 students auditioning for solos during plan time
51 degrees and feels like a wet, cold 39 degrees
1 big black dog stretched out on the lawn enjoying the rain
1 big omelette with sausage, pepper jack cheese, spinach, red peppers, tamed jalapeno peppers, onions, tomatoes, and cilantro Mmmm!
7,807 total steps so far today
2 re-runs of "Last Man Standing" and lots of laughs Mandy said, "You could have suffered a spinal injury and ended up a para-legal."
1 hot shower to get ready for another long day
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
Slice of Life Day 29 - Jeans Day
I have enjoyed blogging my thoughts and experiences this month. It is my first year to do this. I have not even journaled since our daughters were babies.
Then, I wrote down just about every detail of what they ate and when they ate and what hours they slept and their first words and when they rolled over and when they pulled up and when they took their first steps. I think that they will enjoy looking at those journals when they have their own children.
It is crunch time for me though. I think it is crunch time for everyone. What does crunch time mean? It means we are overloaded with activities and starting to feel stressed out. So, although I have enjoyed these times of reflection, I am ready to finish the challenge. I am thankful for the leadership which encouraged me to participate and get out of my comfort zone a little and I am happy that I have made and kept my commitment to blog every day.
I am also looking forward to the reward or Slice of Life party. My husband was joking with me and said maybe I would get a Jeans Day pass for participating. Then, he said, "I think you should get to wear jeans for a month!" I like that idea!
Then, I wrote down just about every detail of what they ate and when they ate and what hours they slept and their first words and when they rolled over and when they pulled up and when they took their first steps. I think that they will enjoy looking at those journals when they have their own children.
It is crunch time for me though. I think it is crunch time for everyone. What does crunch time mean? It means we are overloaded with activities and starting to feel stressed out. So, although I have enjoyed these times of reflection, I am ready to finish the challenge. I am thankful for the leadership which encouraged me to participate and get out of my comfort zone a little and I am happy that I have made and kept my commitment to blog every day.
I am also looking forward to the reward or Slice of Life party. My husband was joking with me and said maybe I would get a Jeans Day pass for participating. Then, he said, "I think you should get to wear jeans for a month!" I like that idea!
Tuesday, March 28, 2017
Slice of Life Day 28 - King Kevin
This morning, I was thinking a little more about Kevin. I had thought about how he was going to be crowned king at our basketball fundraiser but now he will wear a crown in heaven. I know he is in heaven because he was a Christian and talked about his faith, so I did a little Word study on the word "crown."
In II Timothy 4:7 & 8 it says in the New Living Version, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me - the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of His return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to His appearing."
Then, in James 1:12 it says, "God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."
There are several scriptures that mention the "crown of glory."
I of course have no idea what the crown of righteousness, the crown of life or the crown of glory look like and we may not receive them until Jesus comes back.
I do know that we'll cast our crowns at the feet of Jesus, the one who died to make a way for us to live eternally. Revelations 4:10 & 11 says, "The four and twenty elders fall down before Him that sat on the throne, and worship Him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created."
I am not really crazy about Southern Gospel music, but as I get older, whenever I sing or play a special on the violin, I look for old hymns. They are familiar, comforting, encouraging and up-lifting. I knew that there was a hymn with the lyrics, "I shall wear a crown," so I looked it up on youtube and listened to this Gaither version https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izXNUVkc6jQ
as I was putting on my make-up this morning. It is a toe-tapping song that just brought joy to my heart as I thought about Kevin in heaven so I wanted to share it with anyone who reads this blog that might enjoy it too.
In II Timothy 4:7 & 8 it says in the New Living Version, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me - the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of His return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to His appearing."
Then, in James 1:12 it says, "God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."
There are several scriptures that mention the "crown of glory."
I of course have no idea what the crown of righteousness, the crown of life or the crown of glory look like and we may not receive them until Jesus comes back.
I do know that we'll cast our crowns at the feet of Jesus, the one who died to make a way for us to live eternally. Revelations 4:10 & 11 says, "The four and twenty elders fall down before Him that sat on the throne, and worship Him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created."
I am not really crazy about Southern Gospel music, but as I get older, whenever I sing or play a special on the violin, I look for old hymns. They are familiar, comforting, encouraging and up-lifting. I knew that there was a hymn with the lyrics, "I shall wear a crown," so I looked it up on youtube and listened to this Gaither version https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izXNUVkc6jQ
as I was putting on my make-up this morning. It is a toe-tapping song that just brought joy to my heart as I thought about Kevin in heaven so I wanted to share it with anyone who reads this blog that might enjoy it too.
Monday, March 27, 2017
Slice of Life Day 27 - A Difficult Monday
Today was our first day back to school after Spring Break. I was ready to come back. My voice was back after getting plenty of rest over the break.
It was raining all the way to school and as I thought about Kevin and prayed for his daughter and for our principals who would have to lead a meeting about how we would tell our students, I choked back tears. Then, I fought back tears all through the meeting.
The students seemed fine but I was the one that cried as I started each morning class and asked if everyone was okay. It went better than I expected and we were able to have almost normal music classes. I was able to finish handing out speaking parts to the White Day classes and tried the students on them and made necessary changes and also introduced a new song.
Today was our March Club Day as well, so I brought my violin, ukulele and guitar to use during our String Club. I was pleasantly surprised when three of the students remembered to bring their instruments today and another called his mom who brought his banjo before our time was up.
It was the best Club Day so far. We actually got the instruments tuned and learned the chords to "Down By the Bay." A couple of students played the melody and the rest of us sang and played the chords. I was thinking I would go back to Dance Club next year because we weren't having good success with String Club, but after making such progress today, I may stick with String Club after all. It was fun for everyone.
It was a difficult, rainy, blue, Monday, but creating music with students brings "sunshine, in a cloudy day."
It was raining all the way to school and as I thought about Kevin and prayed for his daughter and for our principals who would have to lead a meeting about how we would tell our students, I choked back tears. Then, I fought back tears all through the meeting.
The students seemed fine but I was the one that cried as I started each morning class and asked if everyone was okay. It went better than I expected and we were able to have almost normal music classes. I was able to finish handing out speaking parts to the White Day classes and tried the students on them and made necessary changes and also introduced a new song.
Today was our March Club Day as well, so I brought my violin, ukulele and guitar to use during our String Club. I was pleasantly surprised when three of the students remembered to bring their instruments today and another called his mom who brought his banjo before our time was up.
It was the best Club Day so far. We actually got the instruments tuned and learned the chords to "Down By the Bay." A couple of students played the melody and the rest of us sang and played the chords. I was thinking I would go back to Dance Club next year because we weren't having good success with String Club, but after making such progress today, I may stick with String Club after all. It was fun for everyone.
It was a difficult, rainy, blue, Monday, but creating music with students brings "sunshine, in a cloudy day."
Sunday, March 26, 2017
Slice of Life Day 26 - Last Day of Spring Break
Today was a beautiful day for an afternoon trip to the Tulsa Ballet with my Choir Club ladies. We saw Peter Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake. It was absolutely beautiful.
I loved the live orchestra. My favorite instrument had to be the harp. It was so beautiful. I also loved the cello and the clarinets and the violin solo and . . .
The dancing was amazing. It was the general consensus of all of us, that the villain, Von Rothbart, was our favorite dancer. He was the bad guy, but his dancing seemed effortless. He was fantastic. All of the dancing was beautiful, but he was the best.
Afterward we drove to the next parking lot so we could pay for more parking at the STG Pizzeria Gelateria. It was wood fired pizza and Gelato. It was the best wood fired pizza I have ever had. All of the ingredients were imported from Italy. The mozzarella was sweet and delicious. They had the boot-shape of Italy artistically created on the wall with boom boxes. It was a unique place to eat.
As we were leaving, we received the call that our beloved Kevin had passed away. It was so unexpected. We will miss him dearly. He was so great with the kids at school. I always noticed him encouraging the students as they came in during his crosswalk duty. He always gave them high-fives and told them to have a great day. One day he came in to the music room while I was teaching, to help me with something and the kids attacked him, surrounding him with hugs all around. They love him. When we would need the risers set up for a concert, I would have my "stage crew" help Kevin to put them together. He was so patient and kind, gently teaching them what to do. I am sure that Kevin will be our king this year at our fundraiser, only he will get his crown in heaven. We love you and will miss you Kevin, but are happy for you that you get to see Jesus. We will be praying for your daughter and your family.
I loved the live orchestra. My favorite instrument had to be the harp. It was so beautiful. I also loved the cello and the clarinets and the violin solo and . . .
The dancing was amazing. It was the general consensus of all of us, that the villain, Von Rothbart, was our favorite dancer. He was the bad guy, but his dancing seemed effortless. He was fantastic. All of the dancing was beautiful, but he was the best.
Afterward we drove to the next parking lot so we could pay for more parking at the STG Pizzeria Gelateria. It was wood fired pizza and Gelato. It was the best wood fired pizza I have ever had. All of the ingredients were imported from Italy. The mozzarella was sweet and delicious. They had the boot-shape of Italy artistically created on the wall with boom boxes. It was a unique place to eat.
As we were leaving, we received the call that our beloved Kevin had passed away. It was so unexpected. We will miss him dearly. He was so great with the kids at school. I always noticed him encouraging the students as they came in during his crosswalk duty. He always gave them high-fives and told them to have a great day. One day he came in to the music room while I was teaching, to help me with something and the kids attacked him, surrounding him with hugs all around. They love him. When we would need the risers set up for a concert, I would have my "stage crew" help Kevin to put them together. He was so patient and kind, gently teaching them what to do. I am sure that Kevin will be our king this year at our fundraiser, only he will get his crown in heaven. We love you and will miss you Kevin, but are happy for you that you get to see Jesus. We will be praying for your daughter and your family.
Saturday, March 25, 2017
Slice of Life Day 25 - Spring Break Day 6
It was cold and wet outside today so I slept in and stayed in most of the day. I did some more work on our daughter's room, did my stretches, and some laundry and of course watched some HGTV. My husband put up my new towel ring and did yard work. It was pretty much like a regular Saturday but then we decided to get ready and go to town for a Subway salad and a little shopping! No Spring Break is complete without a little shopping trip. I got a dress to possibly wear for Easter, a spring sweater, a top and some leggings. Success!
Friday, March 24, 2017
Slice of Life Day 24 - Spring Break Day 5
Today was another very productive day of Spring Break. Yesterday, Tom and I weeded our flower beds around half of the house. This morning we got out and finished weeding around the rest of the house before it started raining. It was really windy but we didn't think it was so windy that it would knock our tree over, but while we were weeding we heard a big crack, then boom, a tree fell over on our fence on the other side of the yard.
After it started raining, we worked on the front porch and repotted my two peace plants that were given to us when my Dad passed away. This was something I had on my list of things to do for quite a while. It was much easier to do with Tom's help.
I worked in our daughter's room all afternoon, sorting through the things she left behind and cleaning. It is hard to decide what to do with twenty-two years worth of a person's belongings. I guess this is a part of parenting that I had never thought of. It is a normal part of life that every parent goes through when their children get married or move away. I told myself several times not to get emotional and I held it together pretty well I must say.
We had a delicious meal at Outback Steakhouse tonight. I always get the salmon, fresh mixed veggies and side salad. As I said it was delicious.
Once again, it was a great day of Spring Break.
Thursday, March 23, 2017
Slice of Life Day 23 - Spring Break Day 4
Today my sweet husband took off work to spend the day with me. He motivates me.
We "went to town" as we call it, to get mulch, a lawn mower battery, a new water hose and a new mailbox.
We have been trying to find a new mailbox for a long, long time. Living in the country, people like to smash mailboxes. Our green mailbox was smashed and the door had fallen off and we had put it inside the mailbox. As I said, it had been this way for a long time.
We wanted a gray one to match our house and we finally found a gray one last week. It said "stone gray" on the box and had a color dot. The color looked perfect to match our house. However, when my husband opened the box, the mailbox was a tan color. It had a nice gray door, but everything else was tan colored so today we settled for a black mailbox after shopping at the new Orscheln's store and at Lowe's.
Then we got lunch at Taco Bell, and a few groceries and the mulch at Walmart and headed home. First we loaded up the tools we needed and headed out to our mailbox. Out with the old and in with the new. It's the little things in life that make me happy.
When we finished putting up the mailbox, our next project was to weed our flower beds to get them ready to put down the new mulch. We worked until five o'clock and made great progress on the weeding. We got the front half of the house done and the back half is not nearly as bad.
While Tom took care of feeding the cattle, I fixed us some tuna wraps for dinner, using avocado instead of Miracle Whip. It is delicious. It has cilantro and chopped jalapenos, onions, red peppers, lime juice, salt and pepper. We wrap it in a whole wheat tortilla. However, next time, because of my new knowledge about carbohydrates, I'm going to wrap it in lettuce.
After dinner, we decided to do one more project! We were on a roll and we still had daylight, so we hooked the trailer onto the truck and drove through several gates to get to the back pasture where we loaded up old gates and barbed wire. Tomorrow we will take it to the metal recycling place. Driving through the bull pen was a little nerve-wracking. They were acting a little frisky and were chasing the truck. We were concerned that they were going to ram the truck or me when I got out to open the gate! We made it through though with no damage to me or the truck.
After showers and finding six ticks crawling on me, I am relaxing on the couch writing this blog and watching our favorite HGTV show, "Fixer Upper." This was a great day of Spring Break.
We "went to town" as we call it, to get mulch, a lawn mower battery, a new water hose and a new mailbox.
We have been trying to find a new mailbox for a long, long time. Living in the country, people like to smash mailboxes. Our green mailbox was smashed and the door had fallen off and we had put it inside the mailbox. As I said, it had been this way for a long time.
We wanted a gray one to match our house and we finally found a gray one last week. It said "stone gray" on the box and had a color dot. The color looked perfect to match our house. However, when my husband opened the box, the mailbox was a tan color. It had a nice gray door, but everything else was tan colored so today we settled for a black mailbox after shopping at the new Orscheln's store and at Lowe's.
Then we got lunch at Taco Bell, and a few groceries and the mulch at Walmart and headed home. First we loaded up the tools we needed and headed out to our mailbox. Out with the old and in with the new. It's the little things in life that make me happy.
When we finished putting up the mailbox, our next project was to weed our flower beds to get them ready to put down the new mulch. We worked until five o'clock and made great progress on the weeding. We got the front half of the house done and the back half is not nearly as bad.
While Tom took care of feeding the cattle, I fixed us some tuna wraps for dinner, using avocado instead of Miracle Whip. It is delicious. It has cilantro and chopped jalapenos, onions, red peppers, lime juice, salt and pepper. We wrap it in a whole wheat tortilla. However, next time, because of my new knowledge about carbohydrates, I'm going to wrap it in lettuce.
After dinner, we decided to do one more project! We were on a roll and we still had daylight, so we hooked the trailer onto the truck and drove through several gates to get to the back pasture where we loaded up old gates and barbed wire. Tomorrow we will take it to the metal recycling place. Driving through the bull pen was a little nerve-wracking. They were acting a little frisky and were chasing the truck. We were concerned that they were going to ram the truck or me when I got out to open the gate! We made it through though with no damage to me or the truck.
After showers and finding six ticks crawling on me, I am relaxing on the couch writing this blog and watching our favorite HGTV show, "Fixer Upper." This was a great day of Spring Break.
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
Slice of Life Day 22 - Spring Break Day 3
Yuck! Somebody help me out here. Today I took a really great-tasting fruit breakfast smoothie and made it taste terrible by adding protein powder and omitting half a banana and a cutie orange. I'm hoping someone will read this and tell me how to add protein and omit carbs without ruining the taste.
Today I stayed home and did some things I've been wanting or needing to do.
I finally learned how to add foods in my fitness pal app today thanks to my dental hygienist.
I put together music for our Church worship service tonight and practiced.
I did some laundry and worked on cleaning out our oldest daughter's room. It is so hard to do because there are so many sentimental things in there that I hate to just throw away.
My younger daughter is going to show me how to sell books on Amazon I think. I packed up three boxes of things to put in a rummage sale whenever or if ever we have one, so slowly but surely I am making progress in there.
We went to Church and then home to get ready for bed. All in all it was a good day of Spring Break.
Today I stayed home and did some things I've been wanting or needing to do.
I finally learned how to add foods in my fitness pal app today thanks to my dental hygienist.
I put together music for our Church worship service tonight and practiced.
I did some laundry and worked on cleaning out our oldest daughter's room. It is so hard to do because there are so many sentimental things in there that I hate to just throw away.
My younger daughter is going to show me how to sell books on Amazon I think. I packed up three boxes of things to put in a rummage sale whenever or if ever we have one, so slowly but surely I am making progress in there.
We went to Church and then home to get ready for bed. All in all it was a good day of Spring Break.
Tuesday, March 21, 2017
Slice of Life Day 21 - Spring Break Day 2
Staying up later and sleeping in is so easy to do on Spring Break. Today I had a successful dentist appointment with no cavities. It is so nice to have clean teeth! : ) I didn't get to go last summer because of my hip surgery. Now every time I go for the rest of my life, I have to take an antibiotic.
I got to try Downtown Nutrition in Neosho today. I have always wanted to try it. I had a peaches and cream shake. I would have really liked it but it had sucralose in it and I do not like the aftertaste. Now I know and can say that I have been there.
I ran a couple of errands in Neosho then on to Joplin for my dermatologist appointment where she took care of several skin issues that come as we get older. I am really getting tired of all the things that "come as we get older!" : ) Although it beats the alternative.
I checked at Academy for Nordic walking poles. They didn't have that brand but they had another brand. I will look online. I also looked at protein powders at Suzanne's and at Walgreens. I bought some samples to try before I buy a huge container of it.
Then I picked up our "Beauty and the Beast" tickets and picked up our baby girl, Lydia. We went out to eat at the new On the Border restaurant and went to the movie. We got right in to On the Border which was surprising since they are still pretty new. The food was pretty blah I'm sorry to say. We've eaten there in Rogers several times and loved it. Maybe it is just because I ordered the "Smart" chicken fajitas.
The movie was wonderful. Lydia and I both loved it. It was beautiful after the spell was broken. It was great to get to spend some time with our daughter.
It was another great day of Spring Break!
I got to try Downtown Nutrition in Neosho today. I have always wanted to try it. I had a peaches and cream shake. I would have really liked it but it had sucralose in it and I do not like the aftertaste. Now I know and can say that I have been there.
I ran a couple of errands in Neosho then on to Joplin for my dermatologist appointment where she took care of several skin issues that come as we get older. I am really getting tired of all the things that "come as we get older!" : ) Although it beats the alternative.
I checked at Academy for Nordic walking poles. They didn't have that brand but they had another brand. I will look online. I also looked at protein powders at Suzanne's and at Walgreens. I bought some samples to try before I buy a huge container of it.
Then I picked up our "Beauty and the Beast" tickets and picked up our baby girl, Lydia. We went out to eat at the new On the Border restaurant and went to the movie. We got right in to On the Border which was surprising since they are still pretty new. The food was pretty blah I'm sorry to say. We've eaten there in Rogers several times and loved it. Maybe it is just because I ordered the "Smart" chicken fajitas.
The movie was wonderful. Lydia and I both loved it. It was beautiful after the spell was broken. It was great to get to spend some time with our daughter.
It was another great day of Spring Break!
Monday, March 20, 2017
Slice of Life Day 20 - Spring Break Day 1
What a great first day of Spring Break! I was able to sleep in until 7:00 a.m. and then I got ready and went to my annual check-up. I had a great visit with my doctor. I am very healthy and he answered all of my questions.
He introduced me to Nordic Walking. Have you ever heard of it? It is walking with poles that look like ski poles that have rubber tips on the ends and it works all major muscle groups in the body. The information he gave me says that Nordic walking offers more health benefits than regular walking, jogging, biking or running.
I had tried walking earlier this school year and ended up having back trouble so I had to do physical therapy. He said that this type of walking helps you to keep your posture aligned and shouldn't cause back pain, so I'm going to look into it.
Okay, I'm going to be honest with whoever is reading my blog. This is kind of personal, but I also told him that I have been avoiding sugar since January and I was able to lose six out of my ten pound goal but haven't been able to lose the last four pounds. He talked to me about carbohydrates and printed out some information about them. I am excited to learn about this but at the same time I just realized that just about everything that I have been eating, thinking I was making healthy choices, are carbohydrates. Fruit, honey, yogurt, oatmeal, popcorn, tortilla chips, and beans are all carbohydrates. The good thing about it is that knowledge is power. I think with making a few changes and switching out proteins for some carbohydrates and adding some exercise, I should be able to lose those stubborn pounds.
After my check-up I had lunch with my Mom at Panera Bread and then we went to the Y and worked out in the pool together. We went to the Sophie store while we were in the area which is something I have been wanting to do.
My daughter called from Texas and we got caught up after her first week in Texas. She is in culture shock and is trying to adjust. I thought she might get home-sick until she can make new friends and get involved in the community, but I didn't think about the culture being different.
All in all, I really enjoyed my first day of Spring Break.
He introduced me to Nordic Walking. Have you ever heard of it? It is walking with poles that look like ski poles that have rubber tips on the ends and it works all major muscle groups in the body. The information he gave me says that Nordic walking offers more health benefits than regular walking, jogging, biking or running.
I had tried walking earlier this school year and ended up having back trouble so I had to do physical therapy. He said that this type of walking helps you to keep your posture aligned and shouldn't cause back pain, so I'm going to look into it.
Okay, I'm going to be honest with whoever is reading my blog. This is kind of personal, but I also told him that I have been avoiding sugar since January and I was able to lose six out of my ten pound goal but haven't been able to lose the last four pounds. He talked to me about carbohydrates and printed out some information about them. I am excited to learn about this but at the same time I just realized that just about everything that I have been eating, thinking I was making healthy choices, are carbohydrates. Fruit, honey, yogurt, oatmeal, popcorn, tortilla chips, and beans are all carbohydrates. The good thing about it is that knowledge is power. I think with making a few changes and switching out proteins for some carbohydrates and adding some exercise, I should be able to lose those stubborn pounds.
After my check-up I had lunch with my Mom at Panera Bread and then we went to the Y and worked out in the pool together. We went to the Sophie store while we were in the area which is something I have been wanting to do.
My daughter called from Texas and we got caught up after her first week in Texas. She is in culture shock and is trying to adjust. I thought she might get home-sick until she can make new friends and get involved in the community, but I didn't think about the culture being different.
All in all, I really enjoyed my first day of Spring Break.
Sunday, March 19, 2017
Slice of Life Day 19 - Farm Life
Saturday was the day to "work the cows" as we call it. My job is to get the tattoos and ear tags ready and write down the weights. The veterinarian comes to give the cows and calves their vaccinations and their wormer. Our son-in-law came to help my husband, Tom, to get the cows up and into the cattle chute. I don't know exactly how to put this operation into words. It is very stressful. I always pray that God will protect Tom and Ryan, this time, and all of the animals.
Our beautiful Bernese Mountain dog was beside herself. She gets so excited and nervous she can hardly control herself. She ran over and jumped into the stock tank to cool off two or three times. She has not been trained but uses her instincts to herd the cattle. The problem is that she often herds them the wrong way. She chased a poor little calf into a pipe fence two times so Tom was somehow able to get her into the garage. She was doing more harm than good.
We got about half of the cattle worked when I heard Tom on the other side of the barn say, "Oh, no!" The cows had rubbed up against the chain on the gate and pushed it open and out they went running out to the pasture. There was no getting them back up so we finished working the cows and bulls that we still had up. The veterinarian said that he could come back today and we would get them back up and finish working them.
After Church we came home, changed clothes and ate real quick, then Tom went out and got them up again and we had to sort out the ones that we had already worked and send them back out into the pasture. The bred cows are so big and fat that some of them could barely fit through the chute. They are super stubborn and they do not want to go. It was a hot day today and because Ryan couldn't come back today, I helped more with trying to get them down the lane to the chute. We slide pipe bars across the chute once they get so far so that they can't back up again. They poop on the bars and I end up with fresh manure all over my hands and splattered on my arms. It's really gross. I tried to wear gloves but kept having to take them off to write down their ear tag numbers so we would be sure that we had worked them all.
I was so glad when we were done so that I could go in and wash it off! The life of a farmer's wife for me.
Our beautiful Bernese Mountain dog was beside herself. She gets so excited and nervous she can hardly control herself. She ran over and jumped into the stock tank to cool off two or three times. She has not been trained but uses her instincts to herd the cattle. The problem is that she often herds them the wrong way. She chased a poor little calf into a pipe fence two times so Tom was somehow able to get her into the garage. She was doing more harm than good.
We got about half of the cattle worked when I heard Tom on the other side of the barn say, "Oh, no!" The cows had rubbed up against the chain on the gate and pushed it open and out they went running out to the pasture. There was no getting them back up so we finished working the cows and bulls that we still had up. The veterinarian said that he could come back today and we would get them back up and finish working them.
After Church we came home, changed clothes and ate real quick, then Tom went out and got them up again and we had to sort out the ones that we had already worked and send them back out into the pasture. The bred cows are so big and fat that some of them could barely fit through the chute. They are super stubborn and they do not want to go. It was a hot day today and because Ryan couldn't come back today, I helped more with trying to get them down the lane to the chute. We slide pipe bars across the chute once they get so far so that they can't back up again. They poop on the bars and I end up with fresh manure all over my hands and splattered on my arms. It's really gross. I tried to wear gloves but kept having to take them off to write down their ear tag numbers so we would be sure that we had worked them all.
I was so glad when we were done so that I could go in and wash it off! The life of a farmer's wife for me.
Saturday, March 18, 2017
Slice of Life Day 18 - Lydia's Wedding Part V
This was it! I couldn't believe my baby girl was getting married and I was the mother of the bride!
Tom had gone down to set up the white chairs, the arch, the generator, the sand table, the signs, the gift table, etc. People from the Church had met him there to help him. What a blessing they were.
They told me that I needed to be at the Church at 10:00 because the photographer would be there. I had to take another tub of punch by there before heading down to Shoal Kirk but when I got there they had already gone down and were waiting for me to help Lydia put on her dress.
I was late, of course, because I had to bring lunch for all the groomsmen and bridesmaids. I remember that I brought grapes and water and sub sandwiches that I had cut into small sandwiches and I brought the guys the leftover pizza from the day before. I was frustrated because I needed to have my hip replaced and I had to walk up and down stairs to bring everything in. It was painful.
We got Lydia ready and then she went for "first look" photos. We took the rest of the photos with bridesmaids, groomsmen and families, then went back to the lodge to wait for the guests to arrive. My Mom and Tom's Mom came so we had them come to get pictures with Lydia in the Lodge. Then we took some more with them with the photographer afterward.
When the time came, I drove the grandmother's down to the wedding site, left my cane in the car and held on to the usher as he seated me. As I walked down the aisle, I said to myself, "This is it, this is actually happening! This special moment that we have been preparing for is actually here and I'm going to take it all in and enjoy every moment."
It was a beautiful ceremony. They shared vows that they had written themselves. They were so sweet. They also shared their first kiss! Lydia had made a commitment to save herself for her husband and even save her first kiss for her husband. It was so sweet. I said that already, but it was just precious.
It was also a beautiful day! I think it rained a little in the morning, but cleared off. There were some muddy places but we were thankful that we were able to have her dream wedding outside.
And then, they were off to drive to Galveston and get on a cruise the next day. They had booked a hotel online, but the hotel would not allow them to check in because they were under twenty-one! (Not even with their marriage license!) So they went to Sonic and ended up sleeping in their car for a bit before they went back and begged the manager to let them stay. What a story for their grandchildren!
Tom had gone down to set up the white chairs, the arch, the generator, the sand table, the signs, the gift table, etc. People from the Church had met him there to help him. What a blessing they were.
They told me that I needed to be at the Church at 10:00 because the photographer would be there. I had to take another tub of punch by there before heading down to Shoal Kirk but when I got there they had already gone down and were waiting for me to help Lydia put on her dress.
I was late, of course, because I had to bring lunch for all the groomsmen and bridesmaids. I remember that I brought grapes and water and sub sandwiches that I had cut into small sandwiches and I brought the guys the leftover pizza from the day before. I was frustrated because I needed to have my hip replaced and I had to walk up and down stairs to bring everything in. It was painful.
We got Lydia ready and then she went for "first look" photos. We took the rest of the photos with bridesmaids, groomsmen and families, then went back to the lodge to wait for the guests to arrive. My Mom and Tom's Mom came so we had them come to get pictures with Lydia in the Lodge. Then we took some more with them with the photographer afterward.
When the time came, I drove the grandmother's down to the wedding site, left my cane in the car and held on to the usher as he seated me. As I walked down the aisle, I said to myself, "This is it, this is actually happening! This special moment that we have been preparing for is actually here and I'm going to take it all in and enjoy every moment."
It was a beautiful ceremony. They shared vows that they had written themselves. They were so sweet. They also shared their first kiss! Lydia had made a commitment to save herself for her husband and even save her first kiss for her husband. It was so sweet. I said that already, but it was just precious.
It was also a beautiful day! I think it rained a little in the morning, but cleared off. There were some muddy places but we were thankful that we were able to have her dream wedding outside.
And then, they were off to drive to Galveston and get on a cruise the next day. They had booked a hotel online, but the hotel would not allow them to check in because they were under twenty-one! (Not even with their marriage license!) So they went to Sonic and ended up sleeping in their car for a bit before they went back and begged the manager to let them stay. What a story for their grandchildren!
Friday, March 17, 2017
Slice of Life Day 17 - Lydia's Wedding Part IV
The day before the wedding we started cutting up fruit at 8:00 a.m. I think. We got it all done and took it, the punch and punch bowls, the Chex mix and the flowers to the Church so Lindsey, another High School friend of our daughters, could start putting the arrangements together. We had never been part of making floral arrangements, so we were really nervous about how they were going to look since we had ordered fresh flowers.
At the Church, all of the bridesmaids were busy ironing table cloths and setting up the tables for the reception. We ordered pizza for everyone and everybody had a great time together.
Another thing we had made is the backdrop for the reception table. We made it by cutting long strips of white, lavender, blue and purple tulle and tying it around a rope. Then we strung white lights over the rope. It also turned out to be very pretty.
It rained that afternoon and the dress rehearsal was scheduled for five o-clock. We had decided that we would just have to have the dress rehearsal in the main sanctuary at the Church and then we would still hope to have the wedding outside the next day. We were all very disappointed because we wanted to have an outdoor wedding. We knew the pictures would be so pretty with the green grass and trees as a backdrop. It also made us nervous to practice at the Church and then not know what to do if we went ahead and had it outside.
We had hired a sound person to set up a sound system outside for the music and for a microphone for the pastor and we were going to use a generator for the electricity and just use a long, long extension cord so that we could put the generator far away from the wedding, surrounded by hay bales to muffle the sound.
On the way to the Church for the dress rehearsal, we noticed that it was clearing off!!! So, we went on to the Church and our sound people were already there and had brought all of their equipment into the Church. At the last minute, we decided to go ahead and have the rehearsal at Shoal Kirk. They just loaded up their equipment and didn't take it down there but they just came and went through the rehearsal with us so that they would know what song to play when. They were fantastic to work with.
The rehearsal went great and then we went back to the Church for the rehearsal dinner prepared by Ryan's family. It was a delicious chicken pasta dish with salad, green beans, bread and cheesecake, my favorite. After the dinner, I drove to my mom's house in Joplin to pick up the candles that my brother-in-law had bought in Kansas City, then home to get ready for the big day.
At the Church, all of the bridesmaids were busy ironing table cloths and setting up the tables for the reception. We ordered pizza for everyone and everybody had a great time together.
Another thing we had made is the backdrop for the reception table. We made it by cutting long strips of white, lavender, blue and purple tulle and tying it around a rope. Then we strung white lights over the rope. It also turned out to be very pretty.
It rained that afternoon and the dress rehearsal was scheduled for five o-clock. We had decided that we would just have to have the dress rehearsal in the main sanctuary at the Church and then we would still hope to have the wedding outside the next day. We were all very disappointed because we wanted to have an outdoor wedding. We knew the pictures would be so pretty with the green grass and trees as a backdrop. It also made us nervous to practice at the Church and then not know what to do if we went ahead and had it outside.
We had hired a sound person to set up a sound system outside for the music and for a microphone for the pastor and we were going to use a generator for the electricity and just use a long, long extension cord so that we could put the generator far away from the wedding, surrounded by hay bales to muffle the sound.
On the way to the Church for the dress rehearsal, we noticed that it was clearing off!!! So, we went on to the Church and our sound people were already there and had brought all of their equipment into the Church. At the last minute, we decided to go ahead and have the rehearsal at Shoal Kirk. They just loaded up their equipment and didn't take it down there but they just came and went through the rehearsal with us so that they would know what song to play when. They were fantastic to work with.
The rehearsal went great and then we went back to the Church for the rehearsal dinner prepared by Ryan's family. It was a delicious chicken pasta dish with salad, green beans, bread and cheesecake, my favorite. After the dinner, I drove to my mom's house in Joplin to pick up the candles that my brother-in-law had bought in Kansas City, then home to get ready for the big day.
Thursday, March 16, 2017
Slice of Life Day 16 - Lydia's Wedding Part III
The flowers turned out beautifully! They arrived two days before the wedding, the same day I found out that Hobby Lobby had not ordered the candles and the day I was shopping for the fruit. Lydia and Sarah were both working of course and Tom was home alone to deal with the flowers. We had not thought this part through. The flowers had to be immediately hydrated. So Tom had to take them all out of their boxes and put them in something in water. So he ran to Lowe's and bought some clean buckets and he used all of our little bathroom trash cans. Then he put them in our basement so they would be in a cool place. It worked out well, it was just stressful for him because he wasn't expecting to do that and worried that he might damage them. We thought that we would just put the boxes in the spare refrigerator in the garage, but the boxes were way too big for that anyway.
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
Slice of Life Day 15 - Lydia's Wedding Part II
Shopping for Lydia's wedding gown was a fun family event. One evening after work, Tom, Sarah, Lydia and I drove to Springfield. She found the one she wanted there that night at David's Bridal, but we didn't say yes to the dress because we wanted to shop around and make sure it was still the one after she had tried on more dresses. Lydia is very petite at four foot eleven and eighty-six pounds, so no matter what, she would have to have it altered. We went to, I think, three other bridal shops and tried on dresses, but her heart and ours was set on the one at David's Bridal.
A sweet, sweet and beautiful girl that Lydia and Sarah carpooled to school with agreed to be Lydia's photographer and Lydia asked some people she worked with, who are caterers, to make her cake.
She wanted fruit, Chex mix, cake, cupcakes and punch for refreshments. She is very frugal; not extravagant. The weekend before the wedding, I made the slushy punch. It is so yummy. It has bananas, pineapple juice, orange juice and lemonade. You boil water and sugar to dissolve it and add the other ingredients. Then, I put it in ice cream containers and froze it for the big day.
Two days before her wedding I bought the fruit at Target where she worked so she could use her discount. I bought green apples, blackberries, strawberries, pineapple and grapes. That night I carefully washed them using apple cider vinegar and rinsed them. Then I made several batches of Chex mix.
Two days before her wedding I bought the fruit at Target where she worked so she could use her discount. I bought green apples, blackberries, strawberries, pineapple and grapes. That night I carefully washed them using apple cider vinegar and rinsed them. Then I made several batches of Chex mix.
Also, two days before her wedding, I went to Hobby Lobby to pick up the lavender candles that we had ordered in the store for the reception. However, they told me that because the candles were backordered they did not order them!!!! I almost cried. We had paid for them and I thought that they had ordered them. They had told me to pick them up in the store the next Wednesday. They hadn't bothered to call and let me know otherwise. They worked with me though to remedy the problem by calling other stores in the area to see if they had them in stock. We had already bought all the candles they had at the Joplin Store. Our daughter, Sarah, picked up a couple in Springfield and my brother-in-law went to two stores in the Kansas City area to get six more for a total of twenty. That was stressful!
On Friday, the day before the wedding, my sister-in-law, Cammy and our good friends' daughter, Cathleen came over and helped cut up the fruit. I cut up the fresh pineapple, Cammy took care of the strawberries and Cathleen chopped up the apples. We mixed them all in giant ziploc bags. The juice from the pineapple kept the apples from turning brown. It turned out beautifully.
On Friday, the day before the wedding, my sister-in-law, Cammy and our good friends' daughter, Cathleen came over and helped cut up the fruit. I cut up the fresh pineapple, Cammy took care of the strawberries and Cathleen chopped up the apples. We mixed them all in giant ziploc bags. The juice from the pineapple kept the apples from turning brown. It turned out beautifully.
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
Slice of Life Day 14 - Lydia's Wedding Part I
I have written about moving our older daughter, Sarah, from Springfield to Texas but I have never written about our younger daughter, Lydia, our little Rosie. I affectionately call her Rosie because she has the most beautiful, clear, fair skin and Rosie cheeks.
Her boyfriend, Ryan, came over in June of 2015 and asked if he could marry Lydia. We told him, "yes" that he could ask her, but that we would rather him wait to get married until after she graduated from college. However, they decided that they would get married after her freshman year of college, which was after his sophomore year of college. They both moved away from home that year so that they could begin the process of living on their own before they got married. Lydia lived in the dorm at Missouri Southern and he lived with his cousins, aunt and uncle.
We love Ryan. He is a great Christian kid. He has a great family who live in Diamond. His mother teaches at Crowder College and his father is a farmer and retired special education teacher. Lydia and Ryan were high school sweethearts. There were no problems with who she was going to marry, but the timing was difficult for this mother's heart. We had always taught her to wait until she graduated from college to get married. They set the date for May 28, 2016, which was Memorial Day weekend, the same month that Sarah was graduating from college and just two months after my father passed away and one month before my hip replacement surgery. There were just too many things going on at once!
Lydia asked Sarah to be her event planner and they worked great together planning it all. Their daddy built the arch, sand table and picture holder.
I helped them both to get the flowers ordered online. I worked with Sarah on it when she was home. Then I had to stay up really late on a school night to work with Lydia to make sure she agreed on the flowers before we ordered that night by the deadline. They had a friend who was going to do the flower arrangements.
I helped them both to get the flowers ordered online. I worked with Sarah on it when she was home. Then I had to stay up really late on a school night to work with Lydia to make sure she agreed on the flowers before we ordered that night by the deadline. They had a friend who was going to do the flower arrangements.
We visited several venues. Lydia wanted an outdoor wedding which could be beautiful, but we had to have an alternate plan. We talked about having it outside at our church and having the reception there in the fellowship hall, but the land outside our church is not very level and it just wasn't a beautiful spot for a wedding.
We went to Spring House Gardens and it was pretty, but there really wasn't a good spot to have the ceremony if it rained and we didn't like the steep uneven path to the room where the bride and bridesmaids would get ready. And the only place for the groom and groomsmen to get ready was a small bathroom.
We talked about a place in Carthage, the Civil War Ranch, but Lydia thought that it would seem western-themed and that was not what she was going for, so we didn't even go look at it. Since then, I have seen wedding pictures taken there and it looked like a beautiful place to have a wedding.
Finally, we found out about Shoal Kirk Retreat Center. Our church was having a youth event there which is what made us remember that it was even there. It is kind of a hidden spot, just a little ways south of our church. We visited the place and knew right away that we had found the perfect place for their wedding. It was right on Shoal Creek. There was a long, tree-lined aisle like a beautiful green tunnel with wild flowers growing along the way that the bride could walk through to make her entrance. If it rained we would have the ceremony inside our church and we could have the reception in our church fellowship hall rain or shine.
Monday, March 13, 2017
Slice of Life Day 13 - Laryngitis
It is really hard to teach and sing with laryngitis, but I did it! Last weekend I stayed home all weekend and rested because I felt achey and had a sore throat and a little bit of a cough. I felt better through the week but maybe the stress of going out of town to move our daughter was too much. I didn't feel very well during our weekend and felt worse by the time I got home. After teaching all day today I have almost completely lost my voice. I know that tomorrow will be a better day and I will get through this. We only have four more days until Spring Break!
Sunday, March 12, 2017
Slice of Life Day 12 - Home Sweet Home
Our trip home from Texas was quicker, only nine hours instead of the twelve or thirteen hours it took to get there. We came through Dallas like a breeze this time instead of going around it. Sunday is a much better day to travel than Friday. Next time we go, we'll plan to go through Dallas. The construction and traffic going through Fort Worth was terrible. We only stopped to get gas and use the restroom once on the way home. Then we stopped and ate lunch at Whataburger and we stopped one other time to use the restroom. We were both very tempted to stop at antique shops along the way home, but we had to hurry home so that Tom could feed the cattle before dark. I unpacked and started laundry and emptied the dishwasher. Now, I must take a shower and get ready for bed to tackle a new week. We only have one week until Spring Break though. It is good to be home safe and sound.
Saturday, March 11, 2017
Slice of Life Day 11 - Saying Goodbye
We knew this day was coming. We knew we were going to have to say goodbye to Sarah. It is part of life. We are excited for her to have this opportunity. She is starting a new job on Monday as the Marketing Director for a Chick-filet in Killeen, Texas. We moved her into a nice apartment in Belton, Texas, with not one but two swimming pools and a fitness center. She will live with her good friend Olivia from high school who is in nursing school at Mary Hardin Baylor University. It seems like a nice, safe place, but it is just so far from home that we can't just jump in the car and go see her anymore. However, Olivia's family lives in Webb City, so she will come home to visit in May and Sarah will come with her. That is only a couple of months and I'll be so busy at school that it will be here in no time.
It is comforting to know where she is and to have the mental picture of her apartment. We had lunch with her at her new store so we can see her there is our minds. Sarah is very good at calling and keeping in touch, so that helps a lot. Saying goodbye was an emotional time for her as well. She is brave to take this leap of faith and start a new adventure. We're very proud of her.
We also drove to Waco today and got to see Magnolia Farms and the silos. That was fun to see the place where our favorite HGTV show, "Fixer Upper," is based.
Now it is time for rest before we set out for the long drive back home tomorrow.
It is comforting to know where she is and to have the mental picture of her apartment. We had lunch with her at her new store so we can see her there is our minds. Sarah is very good at calling and keeping in touch, so that helps a lot. Saying goodbye was an emotional time for her as well. She is brave to take this leap of faith and start a new adventure. We're very proud of her.
We also drove to Waco today and got to see Magnolia Farms and the silos. That was fun to see the place where our favorite HGTV show, "Fixer Upper," is based.
Now it is time for rest before we set out for the long drive back home tomorrow.
Friday, March 10, 2017
Slice of Life Day 10 - We Made It!
Whew! We made it! Google Maps said that it was a seven and a half hour trip to Belton, Texas. We left our house at 9:15 a.m. after Tom and Sarah got back from renting a U-haul trailer. Of course Tom was busy with other things yesterday, so he had to go to the bank and wash the truck and fix the lights on the back of the truck so that they would work with the trailer and get gas. Sarah told us that we needed to leave at 7:00, but we didn't really believe her because Google Maps says it is a seven and a half hour trip! So it is 11:30 p.m. and we just got to our hotel after getting Sarah and her things unloaded at her new apartment. Fourteen hours after we left the house, I am here in a nice hotel room writing my blog. It was supposed to have rained today. That is why we got the U-haul, but it never did. It was a beautiful day for traveling. There was lots and lots of traffic and road construction! We only stopped two times. We stopped for gas and lunch at McCallisters after we got out of the Fort Worth area. Then we stopped for gas and dinner at Dairy Queen after we got out of Waco. We were thinking about coming to San Antonio for a little vacation in May after school is out, but I am not sure I really want to drive it again so soon. We still have to drive again all day on Sunday to get home. Once again, though, I am thankful that we made it safely. Sweet dreams!
Thursday, March 9, 2017
Slice of Life Day 9 - Family Fun Night
Tonight after a long day at work, teaching, recess duty, entering grades, getting substitute plans ready and running errands we had Family Fun Night! Tomorrow we load up the U-haul and drive eight to ten hours or so to move our daughter to Texas. So even though my head is throbbing and I am exhausted, and I still have to finish laundry and pack, my adrenaline is pumping and I am reveling in the time spent with our two daughters and our son-in-law, laughing and enjoying pizza, salad, cheesecake and a great game of Catan! Who knows when we'll all be together again, so we cherish these moments we have today. I am happy, content and thankful for this day.
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
Slice of Life Day 8 - Inspired
I have always been kind of a late bloomer. I feel like I do things later than others. There are tulips that come up in early spring and then there are some that come up a little later. I would be one that came later. It just takes me a little longer to get ready, to process things and think them through before I am ready. In the color code, I'm a blue/white and this is a white tendency.
I started first grade when I was five and had not gone to kindergarten so I always felt behind. I felt like I was always trying to catch up. My husband and I got married before I finished college and I went back to college a little later and finished which made me a non-traditional student. We were married eleven years before we had our first daughter so I had my children much later than my friends. Most of my friends already have several grandchildren. I taught in Carthage for five years, then I resigned and stayed home to raise our daughters for fifteen years. Then I came back to teaching, so people my age are already retiring and I have a long way to go.
I am inspired by others though. Today I was inspired by another teacher who told me that she is sixty-five. She is full of life and energy and doesn't look a day over fifty. I have another friend who is sixty-five and she is an office manager for two doctors offices and is our church worship leader. Another friend is around sixty and she also went back to teaching later. She is single and went in to fostering children and has adopted two little girls. My mother-in-law is seventy-five and she still works at Lowe's part-time and is a very active woman taking care of her own home, lawn and landscaping.
So you see, the tulips that come up a little later are just as beautiful as the ones that came up first. We just get to enjoy them a little longer.
I started first grade when I was five and had not gone to kindergarten so I always felt behind. I felt like I was always trying to catch up. My husband and I got married before I finished college and I went back to college a little later and finished which made me a non-traditional student. We were married eleven years before we had our first daughter so I had my children much later than my friends. Most of my friends already have several grandchildren. I taught in Carthage for five years, then I resigned and stayed home to raise our daughters for fifteen years. Then I came back to teaching, so people my age are already retiring and I have a long way to go.
I am inspired by others though. Today I was inspired by another teacher who told me that she is sixty-five. She is full of life and energy and doesn't look a day over fifty. I have another friend who is sixty-five and she is an office manager for two doctors offices and is our church worship leader. Another friend is around sixty and she also went back to teaching later. She is single and went in to fostering children and has adopted two little girls. My mother-in-law is seventy-five and she still works at Lowe's part-time and is a very active woman taking care of her own home, lawn and landscaping.
So you see, the tulips that come up a little later are just as beautiful as the ones that came up first. We just get to enjoy them a little longer.
Tuesday, March 7, 2017
Slice of Life Day 7 - Another Season
Tonight we are going to move our daughter, Sarah Beth, from Springfield to our home. Friday we are moving her to Belton, Texas!
We have had the luxury of having her close by but now she is flying even further from the nest. For eleven years of marriage I waited before I held this sweet little baby girl in my arms. She is the one with the sweet little brown curls around her sweet little face. We home-schooled her, taught her piano and violin, took her to Church, tumbling, six years of dance, private Christian school, helped her through college and now she is becoming a self-sufficient young woman. All those years of investing in her life were never easy but worth every minute.
I thank God for answering our prayers and giving her to us and I thank Him for giving us wisdom and helping us to raise her in the way she should go. We will continue to pray for her that God will lead her and direct her. And we will redecorate her room and turn it into a spare bedroom. Isn't that what everyone does?
We have had the luxury of having her close by but now she is flying even further from the nest. For eleven years of marriage I waited before I held this sweet little baby girl in my arms. She is the one with the sweet little brown curls around her sweet little face. We home-schooled her, taught her piano and violin, took her to Church, tumbling, six years of dance, private Christian school, helped her through college and now she is becoming a self-sufficient young woman. All those years of investing in her life were never easy but worth every minute.
I thank God for answering our prayers and giving her to us and I thank Him for giving us wisdom and helping us to raise her in the way she should go. We will continue to pray for her that God will lead her and direct her. And we will redecorate her room and turn it into a spare bedroom. Isn't that what everyone does?
Monday, March 6, 2017
Slice of Life Day 6 - More about Dad
Yesterday I wrote about the day my Dad died so today I would like to write about some of my happy memories of my Dad.
He had a great sense of humor. He loved to smile a goofy smile in pictures. I have a picture of him wearing "Groucho" glasses with a mustache and his fishing hat. He loved to wear his fishing hats.
He liked to sing! Both Mom and Dad liked to sing so I don't know exactly which one of them I got my love for singing from. They liked to sing "specials" together at Church. Growing up in Church, I would sit between my Dad and Mom, and Dad taught me how to hold the hymn book up properly, so that I could see it without slouching and so that my voice would be heard over the hymn book because it wasn't covering my face. I still teach my students to hold their music like that. Dad would sing the melody and Mom would sing the alto harmony. I learned to harmonize listening to them sing.
Dad wanted to sing to my Mom for their 65th Wedding Anniversary, but he was too weak and also emotional so we just played the song he chose, "Look At Us." I know that I get my emotions from Dad! However, I was able to sing at his funeral to honor him, along with five of his nieces.
Dad got me my first violin when I was in the third grade. I remember him giving it to me and we carefully took it out of the case for the very first time. That is a sweet memory.
I also remember going into the bathroom and talking to Dad while he shaved at night. That would be one time I would have his full attention I guess. We only had one bathroom at the time with six kids in the house. Times have certainly changed.
He loved to garden! We had huge gardens, so we spent lots of time planting, weeding and picking green beans, cucumbers, peas, zucchini, okra, corn and tomatoes. Even after we were married, Dad would give us seeds and encourage us to plant flowers and vegetables. We always had big family meals which included home-grown vegetables.
I may write more about my Dad another day. These are just a few of many happy memories.
He had a great sense of humor. He loved to smile a goofy smile in pictures. I have a picture of him wearing "Groucho" glasses with a mustache and his fishing hat. He loved to wear his fishing hats.
He liked to sing! Both Mom and Dad liked to sing so I don't know exactly which one of them I got my love for singing from. They liked to sing "specials" together at Church. Growing up in Church, I would sit between my Dad and Mom, and Dad taught me how to hold the hymn book up properly, so that I could see it without slouching and so that my voice would be heard over the hymn book because it wasn't covering my face. I still teach my students to hold their music like that. Dad would sing the melody and Mom would sing the alto harmony. I learned to harmonize listening to them sing.
Dad wanted to sing to my Mom for their 65th Wedding Anniversary, but he was too weak and also emotional so we just played the song he chose, "Look At Us." I know that I get my emotions from Dad! However, I was able to sing at his funeral to honor him, along with five of his nieces.
Dad got me my first violin when I was in the third grade. I remember him giving it to me and we carefully took it out of the case for the very first time. That is a sweet memory.
I also remember going into the bathroom and talking to Dad while he shaved at night. That would be one time I would have his full attention I guess. We only had one bathroom at the time with six kids in the house. Times have certainly changed.
He loved to garden! We had huge gardens, so we spent lots of time planting, weeding and picking green beans, cucumbers, peas, zucchini, okra, corn and tomatoes. Even after we were married, Dad would give us seeds and encourage us to plant flowers and vegetables. We always had big family meals which included home-grown vegetables.
I may write more about my Dad another day. These are just a few of many happy memories.
Sunday, March 5, 2017
Slice of Life Day 5 - Dad
Last year on March 5 my Dad went to see Jesus. Last year on March 5 was also Honor Choir day at Joplin Soaring Heights Elementary School. I knew my Dad was dying but I also knew and felt responsible for my twenty Honor Choir students, so I just kept checking in with my Mom and with the Hospice nurse and praying. I prayed that God would let me be with Dad and pray him into heaven. I just wanted to be there at that moment.
Every time I checked in with my Mom, she would say that there were no changes. After the concert, Jodi Rogers came and helped me get the students checked out with their parents. Thankfully, all of the students were going home with their parents. She came to support her students and I believe she was there for me. Dr. Zornes would have been there, but her baby was sick and I told her she should stay with him. Lorrie Brower, the Junior High Vocal Music teacher had ridden the bus with all of our students and I followed in my car so that I could go as soon as the concert was over.
As soon as I got on the road, I called my mom and she told me there was no change still. I was so relieved. I didn't want to miss it. Then she said, "Oh, I think he is going!" I told her I was on my way. I prayed and really begged God to let me be there and pray with him. God is so good, loving, gracious and kind. I got home and rushed in. One of my brothers and his wife had been there most of the day and they had left. Another brother and his wife were there and had been there praying with him and taking care of him. They let me and Mom be in there with him and I was able to pray him into heaven. It meant so much to me and I am so thankful that God answered my prayer.
My Dad was a sweet Christian man. He liked to study the Bible, paint, and garden. He loved my Mom. They had celebrated their 65th Wedding Anniversary in November. They had six children, nineteen grandchildren and many great grandchildren. He loved all of us. I love you and miss you, Dad, and I am thankful for everything you did for me. One day I will see you again. That will be a happy day!
Every time I checked in with my Mom, she would say that there were no changes. After the concert, Jodi Rogers came and helped me get the students checked out with their parents. Thankfully, all of the students were going home with their parents. She came to support her students and I believe she was there for me. Dr. Zornes would have been there, but her baby was sick and I told her she should stay with him. Lorrie Brower, the Junior High Vocal Music teacher had ridden the bus with all of our students and I followed in my car so that I could go as soon as the concert was over.
As soon as I got on the road, I called my mom and she told me there was no change still. I was so relieved. I didn't want to miss it. Then she said, "Oh, I think he is going!" I told her I was on my way. I prayed and really begged God to let me be there and pray with him. God is so good, loving, gracious and kind. I got home and rushed in. One of my brothers and his wife had been there most of the day and they had left. Another brother and his wife were there and had been there praying with him and taking care of him. They let me and Mom be in there with him and I was able to pray him into heaven. It meant so much to me and I am so thankful that God answered my prayer.
My Dad was a sweet Christian man. He liked to study the Bible, paint, and garden. He loved my Mom. They had celebrated their 65th Wedding Anniversary in November. They had six children, nineteen grandchildren and many great grandchildren. He loved all of us. I love you and miss you, Dad, and I am thankful for everything you did for me. One day I will see you again. That will be a happy day!
Saturday, March 4, 2017
Slice of Life Day 4 - Pushing Myself Just a Little Further
Yesterday after school (It was Friday!) I stayed to finish my lesson plans, a couple of letters to parents and and to write my blog entry for the day. Of course I was tired, it was Friday! I wrote on Wednesday that I had beat my record for the most steps and the most exercise according to my watch which is linked to my health app.
Well, I went home and met my husband and we went and ate dinner at McCallisters. Then, we went shopping! We walked around at Lowe's and at a furniture store and at three department stores. I have to be honest here, I did whine a little about how tired I was and that I didn't know if I could make it any further. However, my husband was helping me to push myself just a little further and beat my recent record and we did it! I had a total move reading of 409 out of 300 calories. I exercised 45 out of 30 minutes, stood 16 out of 12 hours and took 11,453 steps for a total distance of 5.43 miles. This was 470 steps more than my record I set just Wednesday.
This may seem a little insignificant to others, but it is exciting for me because just eight months ago I had a total hip replacement. I am so thankful for all of the people who helped me through that phase of my life and I am thankful for every step I can take now without pain.
Well, I went home and met my husband and we went and ate dinner at McCallisters. Then, we went shopping! We walked around at Lowe's and at a furniture store and at three department stores. I have to be honest here, I did whine a little about how tired I was and that I didn't know if I could make it any further. However, my husband was helping me to push myself just a little further and beat my recent record and we did it! I had a total move reading of 409 out of 300 calories. I exercised 45 out of 30 minutes, stood 16 out of 12 hours and took 11,453 steps for a total distance of 5.43 miles. This was 470 steps more than my record I set just Wednesday.
This may seem a little insignificant to others, but it is exciting for me because just eight months ago I had a total hip replacement. I am so thankful for all of the people who helped me through that phase of my life and I am thankful for every step I can take now without pain.
Friday, March 3, 2017
Slice of Life Day 3 - My Healing Testimony
Today I would like to share something about myself that I'm sure you don't know about me, in hopes that it could possibly encourage you in your journey of life.
My husband Tom and I had been married a year and we were counselors at a church camp when I noticed my legs were swollen. They continued to swell and everything began to swell. I couldn't wear my contacts because my face and eyes were so swollen. I felt like I looked like a monster. I ended up being referred to a kidney specialist, Dr. Patrick Doody. I showed him a picture of what I really looked like so he would know that this was not my normal. He admitted me to the hospital and began running tests. My kidneys were fine so they did tests on my heart to see if there was blockage. My heart sac and lungs were filled with fluid. The doctor told me that the EKG showed that I had had a mild heart attack. I told him that I knew when it happened. I was getting ready to go somewhere and I had my head bowed down blow drying my hair and when I flipped my head up, I felt pain or tightening in my chest. I immediately said, "Heart in the Name of Jesus, you function properly!" as I pointed to myself in the mirror. As I prayed and thanked God that by His stripes I am healed, the heart problem stopped and I went on and got ready. I think I was getting ready to go to the hospital. They initially diagnosed me with lupus, but decided it wasn't exactly lupus but another collagen vascular disease and pericarditis which is fluid in the heart sac. He said my tissues leaked. They gave me high doses of Lasix which is a diuretic, to get the fluid off. Then for eight years I treated the symptoms by taking high doses of Lasix every day. Every time I tried to go off of it, I would gain 15 pounds of water weight which would get in my heart sac and lungs and I would get so I could hardly walk and so I would go back on it.
We wanted to start our family. The doctor had told me that if I got pregnant, the baby would get what it needed and it wouldn't be a problem. But when we got serious about having a baby, I asked him if he was sure it would be okay and he checked with Dr Chesney who said, "No way. Tell her not to get pregnant while she is on Lasix." So then I became desperate to get well and began to pray at the altar. Friends and family prayed. We prayed for wisdom on what to do. I had taken herbs off and on and was really skeptical about whether or not they would help. Then my sister-in-law introduced me to her herb lady. I decided that I would never know if the herbs would work or not until I consistently took them. So I took lots and lots of herbs. Eventually, after about three years, I weaned slowly off of Lasix and about six months later, I was pregnant with our first daughter, Sarah, and have never had any more problems with the disease. God gave us a second daughter, Lydia. Now they are both grown and out on their own. I believe that God answered my prayers for healing and for wisdom on what to do. Naaman had to wash in the Jordan River seven times. The lepers had to go show themselves to the priest. I had to take herbs. But ultimately God is my healer. James 1:5 says: "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not, and it shall be given."
My husband Tom and I had been married a year and we were counselors at a church camp when I noticed my legs were swollen. They continued to swell and everything began to swell. I couldn't wear my contacts because my face and eyes were so swollen. I felt like I looked like a monster. I ended up being referred to a kidney specialist, Dr. Patrick Doody. I showed him a picture of what I really looked like so he would know that this was not my normal. He admitted me to the hospital and began running tests. My kidneys were fine so they did tests on my heart to see if there was blockage. My heart sac and lungs were filled with fluid. The doctor told me that the EKG showed that I had had a mild heart attack. I told him that I knew when it happened. I was getting ready to go somewhere and I had my head bowed down blow drying my hair and when I flipped my head up, I felt pain or tightening in my chest. I immediately said, "Heart in the Name of Jesus, you function properly!" as I pointed to myself in the mirror. As I prayed and thanked God that by His stripes I am healed, the heart problem stopped and I went on and got ready. I think I was getting ready to go to the hospital. They initially diagnosed me with lupus, but decided it wasn't exactly lupus but another collagen vascular disease and pericarditis which is fluid in the heart sac. He said my tissues leaked. They gave me high doses of Lasix which is a diuretic, to get the fluid off. Then for eight years I treated the symptoms by taking high doses of Lasix every day. Every time I tried to go off of it, I would gain 15 pounds of water weight which would get in my heart sac and lungs and I would get so I could hardly walk and so I would go back on it.
We wanted to start our family. The doctor had told me that if I got pregnant, the baby would get what it needed and it wouldn't be a problem. But when we got serious about having a baby, I asked him if he was sure it would be okay and he checked with Dr Chesney who said, "No way. Tell her not to get pregnant while she is on Lasix." So then I became desperate to get well and began to pray at the altar. Friends and family prayed. We prayed for wisdom on what to do. I had taken herbs off and on and was really skeptical about whether or not they would help. Then my sister-in-law introduced me to her herb lady. I decided that I would never know if the herbs would work or not until I consistently took them. So I took lots and lots of herbs. Eventually, after about three years, I weaned slowly off of Lasix and about six months later, I was pregnant with our first daughter, Sarah, and have never had any more problems with the disease. God gave us a second daughter, Lydia. Now they are both grown and out on their own. I believe that God answered my prayers for healing and for wisdom on what to do. Naaman had to wash in the Jordan River seven times. The lepers had to go show themselves to the priest. I had to take herbs. But ultimately God is my healer. James 1:5 says: "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not, and it shall be given."
Thursday, March 2, 2017
Slice of Life Day 2
My positive thoughts bring me to the fact that yesterday I beat my activity record on my Health app which is linked to my watch. I did this just by teaching choreography in music class and doing my regular work activities. I get lots of steps in our long hallways, just by going back and forth to the office or to the teacher's lounge or to the restroom. According to my app, I moved and burned 389 out of 300 calories, exercised 33 out of 30 minutes, stood 17 out of 12 hours and took 10,983 steps equalling the distance of 5.23 miles! I feel great, too.
Wednesday, March 1, 2017
My First Slice of Life
Today I begin a new chapter in my life. Today is my first day as a blogger, thanks to the encouragement of Katy Collins and Kristine Williams and others who are blogging together!
Thinking back over this past weekend, I want to say how thrilled I am to have participated in the Southwest Missouri All-District Elementary Honor Choir rehearsals and performance on Saturday. I took twenty wonderful sixth grade students to Carthage Junior High for the day. It was an honor to work with these students during the month of February to prepare them for this day. They were outstanding in every way. They were very well behaved and they sang like little angels. They worked together as a team and shared ideas and talents and kindness to each other and even to others in the large group. I am one proud music teacher.
Thinking back over this past weekend, I want to say how thrilled I am to have participated in the Southwest Missouri All-District Elementary Honor Choir rehearsals and performance on Saturday. I took twenty wonderful sixth grade students to Carthage Junior High for the day. It was an honor to work with these students during the month of February to prepare them for this day. They were outstanding in every way. They were very well behaved and they sang like little angels. They worked together as a team and shared ideas and talents and kindness to each other and even to others in the large group. I am one proud music teacher.
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