Photography

Since the 8th grade, I have had a photography "bug". I get it from my dad, honest, and if you could see the many, wonderful pics he has taken through the years, you would understand. Anyhoo... I have taken a few these last couple of years with my nice, digital camera. I am quite fond of these, and I am thinking about entering them in the contest at the fair. Let me know what you think!

Spring Concert

Oy! My final concert for the school year was bitter sweet. We put on a great concert, and I am very proud of my students. I also had to acknowledge my first group of seniors whom I've had for 4 years! They are very precious to me.

I refused help from a friend to videotape the entire concert. Instead, I asked a student to video the orchestra portion of the concert. I forgot, however, to ask someone to video the chorus portion... I was sort of bummed because I think they sang really well!

The next morning... I had three different girls come up and say they had cash stolen from their purses during the concert. It was either a thief among us or anyone in the audience. The poor girls trusted their stuff to be safe our room (which remained unlocked). After some counseling from a good friend, I realized that I can't carry the blame for the unfortunate incidents. At least from now on, I know to tell my girls to keep up with their stuff.

All in all... I have received MANY compliments on my concert from parents, teachers, and other students! I feel very proud of their accomplishments, and I look forward to setting the bar even higher next year.

Until then... only 2.5 more weeks of students! BUT I am NOT going to wish the days away! Or am I?!?!?!?

Weekends

We all love our weekends, whether they occur on an actual Saturday/Sunday or you have a different kind of schedule that puts your "weekend" in the middle of the week. I must say that mine if off to an interesting start! I experience drama at school all day, but I don't want it in my everyday life.

Drama #1
For those who aren't on Facebook... there is a website called www.spokeo.com. Make sure you go to this website and search YOUR name and town. You will be suprised to see what it pulls up. People can join this sight for $3+ and view private information about you. If you find yourself, click on the pale, gray "privacy" button at the bottom. It will ask for you to input the URL for your name and your email address. You must then check your email to finalize deleting your "page".

Drama #2
I went to Wal-Mart this morning to do my shopping. I am NOT a fan of Wal-Mart and usually choose to go to 3 different stores instead of getting all I need in one place. OK. While shopping, a woman approched me (after I smiled at her baby, 12 monthish). She said she's from Kentucky and asked if I minded if she asked me a question. I, being the nice person I try to be, said, "Sure." I thought she was going to ask about the area, places to visit, directions... boy was I wrong. She launched into this elaborate story about her debit card getting rejected. She then said she needed money to get back to Alabama... oops! After boldly asking for $20! I politely said, "No" and walked away. I found a Wal-Mart employee, described the woman and said she was soliciting money. They began looking for the woman, AND THEN I had to walk close and identify her! I did and I don't know what happened after that. I got so flustered I had to check out and leave! The whole time I'm walking to my car, I'm looking for her to make sure she wasn't stalking me. Thank goodness I didn't see her. She was obviously a drug addict because she couldn't look me in the eye, she blinked a lot, and rolled her eyes. I wished I had punched her in the face and told her she needs to get help if she cares 2 cents about her baby (if it was even hers... for all I know, she "borrowed" him from a friend).

Drama #3
I get home (finally!) to find Moldy having a Mexican standoff with a lizard at the front door. He was a pretty tough little guy because he challenged me too! I got Moldy back inside and made the lizard scurry away. Then I had to listen to Moldy meow for 10 minutes straight wanting to go back and torture the little fella. Sorry! I'm not giving in!

Whew!!!! I think I'll take a nap!

Being sick

I am not prone to illness. In fact, I have a pretty good immune system., but this year has been quite unusual. I think my classroom is making me sick. I know it's full of mold and mildew. The air units blow out this musty smelling, damp air. I am home today. This is probably the 3rd time I've stayed home sick. I am MISERABLE! I woke up with a sore throat Friday, which continued on Saturday. Sunday, it turned into a dry cough. This cough became worse yesterday. By the afternoon, I was either blowing my nose or coughing.

When I get back to school, I hope I can get something done about my room. Not only is it bad for me, but our school instruments are being threatened by high humidity and temps.

OK. No more complaining. I have a doctor's appointment at 2:30 today.

Here's hoping all is well with you! (I must say, it could be worse, and at least I can take the day off to stay at home).

Spring has sprung

Ahhh, Spring! We get to celebrate many birthdays in the Spring. Matthew's is April 21, then my brother-in-law, Steve, and my sister-in-law, Marie, share the 23rd. The best one is May 2... MOM'S BDAY! I went to Charlotte last weekend to help everyone celebrate. Here is Josh helping Nannie blow out the candles (not to mention my multi-talented sis carrying Josh, lighting the candles, AND holding the cake so they could blow them out).

Stephen (age 10.5) drew this lion in class. He is a talented artist, and I hope he will continue his art throughout school. Michelle had it turned into a flag for mom. So cool!

While Stephen was playing outside, the MetLife blimp flew over the house. It was heading to the golf tournament in Charlotte.

REWIND: A couple of weekends ago, Matthew and I went to the Festival of Flowers at the Biltmore House with mom, dad, Uncle Delwyn, Aunt LuAnn, Uncle Bobby, Aunt Theresa, and Lindsey (whew!). We had a great time. The President and his family had been visiting Asheville that week. The family had left earlier that morning, but their entourage was still on the tarmac. Here are the two ginormous planes that carrry the President's helicopter and vehicles.

I'll have to get some pics of the basement when it's cleaned up. All the sheet rock is up with a coat of primer. We've also painted the extra room a really nice, pastel green. Matthew chose a very complimentary tile for the room, too.

Until the next project... (5 more weeks of school).