Call a Plumber....or NOT!

I seriously doubt anyone else could make changing the seal on a toilet fun besides my awesome cousins! No need to call a plumber for a leaking toilet when you've got handy cousin's like mine! We laughed & had a good 'ole time...once we got past the yuck part! ha!

And, you know there were plumber's crack jokes...

"Ok...seriously, we are listening now Tanner...what are you trying to do?"

I promised Sandy I wouldn't post any pictures of her (after all, she was sick AND fixing my toilet! What a friend!). But really, she did all the work. She taught herself on the internet how to change the seal when it happened at her house. Way to go Sandy! So, for all your toilet needs, just call her! heehee!

Thank you Sandy and Tanner for helping me out. And, of course, for all the belly laughs! Love you both!

As Promised...

(these are both only 19 seconds a piece) In the top one Autumn is shooting free throws. She doesn't make them, but she looks good trying! :-) And, in the bottom one she has the ball the whole time. And, mostly that is "Grandma" yelling in the background...heehee! Love ya Mom! But, I did yell "wrong way" once. Love these games!

Now that's ICE!!

I am out of school today for an "ice storm" but it has really been a rain day. I have heard from a few people that the bridges and overpasses were icy this morning, so best not to risk the school buses. Especially since one was in a wreck last night with 10 kids on board. I am pretty sure that's why they didn't risk it this morning. But, it is supposed to get worse for us tonight.

Meanwhile, my BFF in NW Arkansas is getting a REAL ice storm!! Check out these awesome pics she just sent me:

Isn't Jacob a cutie? She taught him from an early age to be good for the camera...Momma is a scrapbooker you know! :-)

That is a great shot Michelle! I am praying you don't lose power! Stay warm...

Burning up the roads again!

This weekend was busy and awesome! I'll keep it short - or try to! And, I am mad at myself that I either forgot my camera (Friday night) or forgot to take pictures (Saturday!)...ooopps!

Ok - Friday was awesome for several reasons. The first being the most obvious - there was a camp meeting at John 3:16, and I got to see Kevin!! The other great part of that is the meeting was put on by Newport. This is where Kevin and I grew up, so we got to see some people from High School and Church that we haven't seen since we graduated. One of which was one of my best buds in high school. (and as an aside - it goes to show that alcoholism can hit even those you least expect it to. This guy was one of my good friends that I ran around with when I was tired of being "bad" and just wanted to relax and not have peer pressure. He never got in trouble or drank in High School. As a matter of fact, we would always go for milk shakes! ha! Anyway, turns out he was in rehab for about a month for alcoholism right after college. It can happen to anyone.) But enough of that, it was just great to see him. oh, and here is why I'm mad I forgot my camera - Kevin played the bongo's at the end of the night with the band that plays at John 3:16!!! I will have to get it next time!

I could keep going about Friday, but I'll move on to the Saturday highlights. Autumn had another Upward basketball game. I just cannot get good pictures at these games. She did make her first basket! yay Autumn! (and it was right after I stopped videoing - I had zero camera luck this weekend! ha!) Here she is chillin' and waiting on her turn....(#42).

Oh, and I thought this was cute - they make this grand entrance with the announcer and the foggy smoke screen. heehee!

After the game, some of us went with Mom to look at a horse trailer. Well, she bought it! A 4-horse trailer with living quarters in the front. It is nice!! I would show you, but, yep, forgot to get a picture! Jeez!!

Sunday, I was back on the road ~ day 3 in the car! Off to John 3:16 again, and it was another great visit. You know, we are almost to February and then I can say, "next month, he comes home!" yeehaw!

*Mom, I will post a video or two tomorrow of her game! :-)

Lessons I've learned

Yesterday marked 5 years since my ex-hubs walked out of our marriage....5 years of being divorced and single...time flies (when you're having fun!) Here's some things I've learned from my divorce:

*Ladies, if you think your husband might be having an affair, he is. Plain and simple. Trust your instincts. God gave them to us for a reason. Don't be afraid to listen to your gut like I was.

*Don't think your friends will rat out your cheating spouse. They won't. No one wants to be the one to tell you and break your heart.

*Let yourself feel the pain of the loss of your marriage. Cry. (but don't cry as long as I did.)

*Know when to let go. Know when it's worth fighting to stay. (Use those instincts again.)

*Don't be nasty during the divorce - especially if you have kids. You are a part of each other's history and lives. Find a way to keep it simple and be civil to each other.

*Learn who your true friends are (not the ones who just want the latest dish so they can gossip)...rely on your true friends to help you through the tough spots.

*Oh, and definitely you need a good dog! Jax was a life saver! :-)

*I had a hard time with being ashamed of the fact that I was divorced. Don't be ashamed.

*Don't worry about what anyone thinks - your true friends and family love you no matter what!

*Don't immediately start dating. Find yourself, your happiness and your independence first.

*Have a "fun fling" before you look for a serious relationship.

*Even though you hate hearing it - that life will get better and you will be happy again. It is true. When you finally let go of the marriage and life that really wasn't happy in the first place, you will find yourself laughing again, reconnecting with old friends, making new friends, and genuinely enjoying life like you are supposed to! I PROMISE!

Lovin' the next few days!

I always LOVE Friday's but tomorrow will be even better because I will get to see Kevin! Then, I will be entertained on Saturday with another of my niece's Upward basketball games. I hope to get better pictures this time around! And of course, Sunday, I get to see Kevin again. I just hope the weekend isn't over in a flash...good stuff coming!

The Prayer of Jabez by Bruce Wilkinson

Preface from the author: Dear Reader, I want to teach you how to pray a daring prayer that God always answers. It is brief - only one sentence with four parts - and tucked away in the Bible, but I believe it contains the key to a life of extraordinary favor with God.
This petition has radically changed what I expect from God and what I experience every day by His power. In fact, thousands of believers who are appying its truths are seeing miracles happen on a regular basis.

What I thought: Before reading this, I always felt a felt it was selfish to pray for myself but had no problem praying for others. I would recommend anyone to read this...I read it as my Bible companion for the past week. It has really made me think about my prayer life.

Things I don't understand...

...why we as women cry sometimes but we don't know why we are crying and can't stop!
...people give their unsolicited opinion when they know it is only going to hurt the person they are giving it to.
...all contractors show their butt cracks when they are working. What is the deal with that? Is it a job requirement? ha!
...People that drive slow until you try to pass them and then they speed up.
...how some people can take a little thing and completely blow it out of proportion.
...parents who neglect their children!
...how the weekends FLY by and the work week is so long!
...why it is so hard to talk about the Bible with those you are unsure of their faith but so easy with those you know share your beliefs.
...why our pets can't live longer.
...how anyone could think that Mr. Pibb could ever be substituted for Dr. Pepper! HELLO?

I can't think of a cute title...

Moving on to my 4th book of the year already ... I hope I keep this up!! Thank you Jill for your fab idea to grade papers from 2:30 to 3:00 everyday and not bring work home. Now, I have time to do what I like to do instead of grade, grade, grade!!

See how behind I am ~ this is my shelf (and they sort of pile over onto another shelf too) of books waiting to be read: I am not going to lie to you, I am probably going back to a good old mystery after that last book I read (see post below). I have been really missing Kevin the past few days even more than I normally do. Reading a love story that makes me bawl at the end didn't help matters! I know we only have about 8 weeks to go, but I am ready to have my best friend back. It is almost bittersweet that he comes home in 8 weeks, because after a few weeks home, he is going back to Batesville for 2 months for a job that will allow him to give back to the ministry. Of course, I think it's great he gets to give back. And, I am grateful beyond words for what the ministry has done for us and for him. But, I can still have moments where I want him home to laugh with, watch tv with, piddle in the yard with, take road trips to nowhere with, cook with...oh wait, I mean him cook for ME! heehee! I just miss my Big Bear, and I miss him even more when I think about how it's going to be even better than before when he comes home.

The Choice by Nicholas Sparks

From the book jacket: Travis Parker has everything a man could want: a good job, loyal friends, even a waterfront home in small-town North Carolina. In full pursuit of teh good life - boating, swimming, and regular barbecues with his close buddies - he holds the vague conviction that a serious relationship with a woman would only cramp his style. That is until Gabby Holland moves in next door.
Despite his attempts to be neighborly, the attractive redhead seems to have a grudge against him...and the presence of her longtime boyfriend doesn't help. Still, Travis can't stop trying to ingrtiate himself with his new neighbor, and his persistent efforts lead them both to the doorstep of a journey that neither could have foreseen. Spanning the eventful years of young love, marriage, adn family, THE CHOICE, utimately confronts us with the most heartwretching question of all: How far should you go to keep the hope of love alive?

What I thought: Well, I wanted a light, easy read after my last book and I got it right up until the end. I have literally been bawling while finishing this book!! Thoughtout reading the book, I thought it was exactly what I needed a light, predictable love story. But I didn't see that ending coming and the tears...my eyes are going to be swollen tomorrow from crying. But as one of my students said last year when I came to school with puffy eyes after finishing Marley and Me, "Ms. J, a good book will do that to ya!"

Spring Class

Here's the skinny on my master's class this spring ~

I had my first class this weekend and considering I am getting my Master's in Library Media, I thought it was kind of funny that this is the first class I've actually had IN the library!! (and I'm almost finished!) I'm not going to lie to you - it's a LONG day, but luckily instead of 8 am to 4 pm. The professor is cutting it back to 9 am to 3 pm....every little bit helps!

In my master's classes, most of the students are my age (mid-30's) or forever 29, however you want to look at it! ha! Well, this semester there are two girls in the class who apparently decided to get their master's straight after finishing their bachelor's. So, we had to look at two stylish hottie's in their twenties all day and wonder when WE all got old!! And of course, by the end of the day, there was that ONE classmate who got on everyone's nerves!! It is amazing how there is always ONE who won't shut-up, knows everything, and asks too many questions when everyone is ready to leave. She may not survive the semester! LOL!

Work wise ~ I think this class is going to be a good class. The professor started off by saying he knew we all had full-time jobs and a life outside of his class. Very good sign!! :-) Now, 5 more Saturday's, 4 small assignments, 2 big assignments, 4 quizzes, some chapter reading and a final to go.....

Busy Days Ahead...

Well, my Master's classes start back this Saturday, and when I put everything on my calendar....LOOK OUT! Not one free weekend until the first of March! Yikes!! I better sleep in and enjoy my day off Monday for MLK Jr. Day, because I won't get to sleep in again for awhile. Unless, we get a snow day sometime... :-)

This is my last class on Saturday's though...whew! I'll let you know after Saturday, but I heard this class won't be too bad. Fingers crossed!! After having two months off from taking classes, it is going to take a bit to get me back in the groove. I just have to keep saying, 'only three to go, only three to go'.

Besides classes, there are Autumn's basketball games (fun), fundraisers at John 3:16 (fun), and are you ready for this one???? A FULL weekend of SCRAPBOOKING at a scrapbook retreat in Hot Springs with 3 other scrappin' buddies (double fun!). Yep, life is busy, but life is GOOD!

Hour Game by David Baldacci

*2nd book this year and it's only the middle of January!! yes!

From the jacket: A woman is found murdered in the woods with a very special watch on her wrist - and what seemed a simple case soon escalates into a nightmare. The criminal methods of some of the most infamous killers of all time are being replicated by a new predator who stalks and strikes victims with a cunning brilliance. No one can understand the murderer's motives or who the next victim will be.
Drawn into this violent affair are two Secret Service agents turned private investigators, Sean King and Michelle Maxwell. Both have been hired to prove a man's innocence in a domestic burglary involving an aristocratic, if dysfunctional, family. soon stunning secrets will lead the partners into the middle of a frantic search for a killer unlike any they've confronted before.
As the Hour Game barrels forward, Sean and Michelle face a macabre puzzle and uncover one horrifying revelation after another. Nearing the truth, they will find that their own lives are in danger. And then they're hit with the biggest surprise of all.

What I thought: LOVED IT! This book had me hooked. I could NOT figure out how all the pieces would connect or who was doing it. I didn't know until they revealed the killer who it was!! I love that because I read so many mysteries that usually I have someone in mind. Last night, I had about 80 pages to go and after school today hurried home to finish. I NEVER do that! So, if you like a good mystery, I recommend it.

Kid Talk

Here is a good funny for you ~ I was told that there was some inappropriate conversations taking place in the cafeteria at the table with my class. So, in case, you weren't aware, teachers are also investigators. We have to get to the bottom of all of these situations all while trying to teach...but anyway, I start calling a few kids one at a time into the hall to question them. And here is one of the conversations that made me giggle inside, because I couldn't show my expressions to the kid.

Me to girl student: Did you hear any of the boys talking about inappropriate things at lunch?

girl student: oh, yes ma'am

Me: What did they say?

girl student : well, Ms. J, they were talking about balls. And, not the good kind.

Heehee! Not the good kind!

Autumn in action...

A few clips from Autumn's first basketball game with Upward. Once she caught on and decided to steal...LOOK OUT! :-)

First video is only 23 seconds - she is in green with a blue wrist band.

In this one (40 seconds) she has on a yellow band. At first, I think she forgot she was IN the game. heehee!

Weekend Wrap-Up

First of all, this week FLEW by and followed with a nice, quiet family weekend!

Friday night, I went to dinner with big 'ole group of family to say bye to my cousin who is leaving for college (actually left today). But he is only about an hour away...still, his Mom, one of my BFF's, now has an empty nest. Poor Peggy! Maybe she'll get all caught up on scrappin' now! You gotta think of the positives! :-) We are good at that - we managed to have TWO go out to eat to say good-bye to Jared nights this week! ha!

Saturday, I met my Bubby and Mom in Conway to watch my niece, Autumn in her first Upward Basketball game. It was great! Lots of laughs!! They were a little lost at first but actually ended up coming back to only lose by 2 points! Then we went to eat and shop a little.

See the basketball hair:

Thank goodness she isn't a girlie girl!! ha!

And I wrapped up the weekend by starting a new book and spending some quality time curled up with Jax reading. And, of course, I went to see Kevin today!!

Hope everyone else had a good weekend too! :-)

Here today, gone tomorrow!

That's the fun part of Christmas money and gift cards...it burns a hole in my pocket until I use it all and use it for FUN stuff!! Shopping with no stress about the pocketbook...it doesn't get much better!

This year I scored a $40 gift card to Bed, Bath and Beyond and $25 Visa card from parents in my room as TEACHER GIFTS!! Hello - awesome!! Then, I got a $50 gift card and $200 in cash from family to blow. Needless to say, I was set! And my first mission was to turn this guest room that somehow became a dog room back into a guest room!! Seriously, this is where Kevin slept when he was in trouble (the doghouse) and apparently Jax uses this bed all day to look out the window for me (see how spoiled he is? I leave the blinds up enough for him during the day! ha!)

Before: After: (thank you Kohl's...the sale even threw in the sheets for free!)
Next on the list...work on the guest bath (aka Kevin's bath that is slowly transforming to a Razorback bathroom). I am trying to do it subtly without just big HOGS everywhere...so here is the new shower curtain with Razorback red in it.
And then, to bring in the Hog theme...this is what holds up the shower curtain:

I still wasn't finished spending freely...I got some Bath & Body Works stuff (great sale, LOVE that store), 2 CD's, and my Boxer calendars for the year. Woo-hoo!

THANK YOU to everyone who contributed to my spending FUN!! :-)

Wordless Wednesday

*credit goes to my Uncle over at Focused Distortion for taking this awesome action shot!

Ice...

Ice can be pretty...but it can also make trees heavy and cause them to fall on power lines. The trees can fall across roads that are the ONLY way in and out of a neighborhood. Downed power lines cause electricity to go out in the middle of the night - which causes heat to go out, alarm clocks not to go off when needed, nightlights not to work, house alarms to beep every 30 seconds AND teachers not to be there to pick up their kids on time or have a shower before work!!! Ohhh, and let's not forget that garage doors don't go up with the push of a button when the power is out. Picture one blonde standing in a dark garage scratching her head and trying to remember exactly what the trick was to release the garage door. Picture same blonde making it to work to have one of her 3rd graders simply ask, "Why didn't you just pull the cord?" Thanks Erwin! Where were you when I need ya? LOL!

Storybooks

Remember those top secret Christmas presents that I was working on using the computer? The ones I wanted so badly to share with you but couldn't because family reads and the surprise would be ruined...well, here they are! I made scrapbooks on-line for my Mom, Bubby and Autumn. In my opinion, waaaay better than making them a scrapbook the old fashioned way. There is no way I could've had the time needed to make 3 separate scrapbooks the old fashioned way!

These are great gifts - especially for those of you with kids. Grandparents eat up anything revolving around their grandkids!! :-)

Autumn's book was a smaller size and was more personalized to her. The text I typed might say, "We are so proud of you." This is an example page from her book... And this was her cover:
These are pages from Mom and Bubby's book. I made one book for them and had it printed twice. If you decide to do this, it is easy!! There are lots of sites that you can do this on. I really like the one I used with Creative Memories because it really looks like a scrapbook and has lots of scrapbook features. Give yourself a several hours to make one if you want to do it right. First, I picked all the pics I wanted to use and put them all in one file. Then, it was just dragging them to where I wanted and picking the page design I wanted to use. After I designed all the pages, I went back and added text. I waited a day and proof read everything, because if you type a mistake, it prints.
See how the colors are coordinated, but you can pick different layouts?Here is Mom and Bubby's book cover:
(My favorite picture!!!) If you want the link to this website, send me an email. I will hook you up with my BFF, Michelle, so she can get credit for any purchases. You know she sells Creative Memories...gotta give her a plug here! (Or maybe she will leave a comment with easy instructions, because I always have to ask her the name of the site!)

God's Power to Change Your Life By Rick Warren

**Book #1 for 2009 challenge! :-)

From the jacket: Actually, I think you could see more of what the book is about just by listing the chapter titles. Chapter 1 - The power to change your life; chapter 2 - God's part & my part in changing me; chapter 3 - becoming a more loving person; chapter 4 - the choice to rejoice!; chapter 5 - peaceful living in an uptight world; chaper 6 - developing your patience; chapter 7 - putting on a little kindness; chapter 8 - living the good life; chapter 9 - the one who can be counted on; chapter 10 - a gentle approach; chapter 11 - developing self-control; chapter 12 - a productive life

What I thought: I love Rick Warren books and have just started to try to branch away from him a bit to read others also. This book was my companion book to the Bible for the past few weeks. After reading my verses and my daily bread, I would read a chapter or half a chapter from this book. I really liked it - some chapters really stuck with me throughout the week and would help me stay calm in situations where I might want to loose my patience! :-) Mainly, I need to remember to praise God in every circumstance.

Boo-Hiss!

I cannot believe that my vacation is over and tomorrow I have to actually earn my paycheck! It went FAST! I am really going to have a hard time getting my sleep back on schedule and imagine I may be a bit cranky tomorrow! I had to get up this morning to go see Kevin at John 3:16 and last night I could NOT make myself go to sleep. I have been bright eyed the past two nights until 2 am!!! On the positive side of that, I got out my Will & Grace DVD's and have giggled until 2 am! I miss Will & Grace...

Besides having to go back to work tomorrow and having insomnia, somehow today's visit went all wrong. It was great up until the last hour and then it turned into one of those conversations where you want a rewind button so you can see where it took a wrong turn. Everything I said, he misunderstood and everything he said, I misunderstood. And, visiting time was up and now we can't talk about it until next week or in letters. Jeez!

Soooo....Boo-Hiss!

Happy New Year!!

A new year means making resolutions...I've seen some good ones! I decided to look back at my 2008 resolutions & do a check up before making new ones. It seems like since I stopped saying things like I will work out or lose weight, I do much better with my resolutions! ha!

Here was 2008:
*continue NOT smoking (I've made it just over a year now!) I can officially take this one off the list this year. It has been over 2 years now since I've smoked!! And, I no longer have the faintest desire! woo-hoo!!!
*now I need to be brave enough to join the church instead of just visiting each week Kevin & I struggled to find the right church all year, and I have to say that John 3:16 is our home church. I wrote my first tithe check today! yippee!
*read more ~ not just when I am on vacation from school, but year round! 14 books and counting...
*slow down and enjoy the moment I am IN! :-) Better keep this one on the list because I could still improve on enjoying the moment and not looking ahead...

2009 Resolutions ~ drumroll.......
This year I will:
*Continue to work on enjoying the moment I am IN...all the little moments too! :-) Sometimes I am much better at this than others!
*Start sending birthday and anniversary cards in the mail rather than using the internet and email.
*Find time everyday for quiet Bible reading & prayer.

And, I challenge myself to read even more books in 2009 than in 2008!!! (Less tv and more reading)

I wish everyone a Happy New Year and all of us lots of luck and perseverance in keeping our resolutions!! LOL!

Now, I may disappear for a few days while I go into a heavy denial that I have to actually go back to work on Monday!! Bummer! I kind of like this staying at home and still getting a paycheck stuff! ha!