Happy 4th of July!

Well, I leave in the morning for Jamestown & Williamsburg . . . and then on to DC on the 2nd! It is sure to be a fun trip - with a great group of students and parents. I'm also looking forward to doing this historical trip with Erin and Jason for the first time. It will be even more fun just having them on the trip!

This will be my last post all week. I'll be too busy trying to keep the DC blog site updated - and that is sure to be a challenge!

Happy Independence Day!

Happy 232nd Birthday, America!

Wow . . . . Bobby turns 50!!!

Bobby is celebrating his 50th birthday and had some friends over last night for a little fun! Cheers to Bobby!
Jesse and Patrick try Ski Wii -- it is VERY cool!

Running . . .

Great song . . . . love the lyrics . . . . makes me a little sad . . . .

Run
Running all the time
Running to the future
With you right by my side

Me
I'm the one you chose
Out of all the people
You wanted me the most
I'm so sorry that I'm falling
Help me up lets keep on running
Don't let me fall out of love

[Chorus:]
Running, running
As fast as we can
Do you think we'll make it?
(Do you think we'll make it?)
We're running
Keep holding my hand
So we don't get separated

Be
Be the one I need
Be the one I trust most
Don't stop inspiring me
Sometimes it's hard to keep on running
We work so much to keep it going
Don't make me want to give up

Group: No Doubt

Washington, DC Trip

Today was spent getting ready for my DC meeting tomorrow night with all of the travelers from Bransford and OC Taylor Elementary. Kimberly and I worked at Bransford to print many items for the meeting and the trip. We then spent a few hours getting door prizes, nametag prizes, and treats. Ok - we have a ton of stuff! I'm looking forward to the meeting. Kimberly and I are excited about Erin and Jason going on the trip with us this year. It should be a good trip with a great group!

John Adams

John Adams . . . wow, how he has just recently become SUCH an inspiration to me! I have talked about John Adams with my fifth graders each year - but it was just last week and last weekend that I now see him in a completely different light. I rented the HBO series (thanks to pressures from Kimberly!!!) John Adams based on the book by David McCullough - and finished watching in on Saturday. It was a seven part series about the key role that Adams played in the formation of this country. He is one of our Founding Fathers - and I see now how his views, accomplishments, and service to our country helped shape it in many ways.

His leadership in the Continental Congress and as our second president has resonated with me as I think about becoming more of a leader in my profession. This movie taught me EVEN MORE about the time period of the Boston Massacre, the American Revolution, the Declaration of Independence, the first presidents of the United States, George Washington, Thomas Jeffferson, and SO much more. I have always been very interested in this time period and even more now. John Adams . . . an important historical figure in our country's history. A significant figure that played a major role in creating these United States. I have a great deal of respect for the goals he had for the country, and in the important role his marriage with Abigail played in the decisions he made.

He is buried beside his wife, Abigail, and by his son John Quincy Adams (the 6th President of the United States) and his wife in the basement vault of the First Parish Church in Quincy, Massachusetts. Quincy appears to be about 25 minutes south of Boston - and I plan to visit his burial site on my trip to Boston in July. I am driving south when I leave Boston - and making a little stop there will be on my way. I hope to see the final resting place of this important President!

Significant Contributions to the United States

1. Attended the First Continental Congress 1774-1776

2. Signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776

3. Served as diplomat for the United States to France 1776-1779

4. Represented the United States in the Treaty of Paris/Peace with Great Britain (ending the Revolutionary War) in 1783.

5. United States Ambassador to the British Court 1783-1788 (Abigail was with him during this time in London without their children)

6. Elected our country's first Vice President in 1789!

7. Elected our country's second President in 1796 (serving only one term because Jefferson received more votes than he did in the presidential election).

8. Died on July 4, 1826, the fiftieth anniversary of the our nation's birth and the signing of the Declaration of Independence and on the same day that Thomas Jefferson (author of the Declaration of Independence and third President of the United States) died. Adams and Jefferson corresponded through many letters after Adams left his presidency and over time their friendship was repaired and strengthened even though they never saw each other again. I think it is just incredible that they died on the same day.

Today's blog is dedicated to John Adams . . . a true American Hero!

Papa John's Birthday!

Today is Papa John's birthday. He turned 82. Wow, he is just amazing! I feel very lucky to have

had SO many wonderful years getting to know such an awesome man. He has given me many memorable memories from those years of spending summers with him when he lived in California and the summers that I spent with him in Arkansas. He has ALWAYS been willing to do anything for his grandkids. It is great! He is truly a one of a kind - and I'm lucky to call him my grandfather.

This picture of him and Bonnie was taken in May 2007 at Chad & Amy's house in Katy as we celebrated Dad's 60th birthday. I'm hoping to make a quick trip down to his house this summer right before school starts. We love going to visit him - he takes us to The Old Feedhouse! We have had MANY great times eating at this place. It is the only time I eat catfish.

Anyway, today I think about my life with Papa John. My life is so much better just because he has been in it! Happy 82nd Birthday, Papa John! I called him tonight to wish him the best on his special day!

Grandma Berta

This picture was taken by Wanda from last summer when I went back to Portales for my high school reunion. Mom, Wanda, Grandma Berta, and I went to dinner the night before I left. We picked her up - went to eat Mexican food and had a great visit. I wanted to spend a little bit of time with her while I was there.

I have MANY MANY wonderful memories of growing up with my grandmother. I remember always having a good time staying at her house, going to a ball games, visiting Grandma Merrick in Causey, going to church with her, and many more memories. The first time I ever tried to drive was in her car on our way back to Portales from Causey. We made many trips to Causey . . . even after Grandma Merrick passed away. I will always consider my grandmother as one of the biggest influences in my life when I was growing up. I have really missed not being closer to her over the past 22 years. She will always have a special place in my heart.

By the way, this picture makes me look REALLY big. I mean I know I am a little overweight - but I'm not THIS huge. Ugh - bad angle! I'm trying to lose some weight . . .

This is me!

This is a WeeMee that I created! Does it look like me? I tried to put myself together to try to look like me.

Noogie

This is Noogie . . . not trying to play favorites by adding only a video clip of Pickles! Noogie thinks she owns the place . . . . she drives me insane! She's a piece of work!

Friends . . .

A tear is shed for broken hearts,
As faithful friends, did depart,
A wasted bond which has been spun,
Weakened, battered and undone,
And always vengeance in the way,
But still their tears drop, day by day,
Wishing things could mend and heal,
But anger is all they wish to feel,
Scared to admit that they may long,
To one day, fix the things gone wrong.

But till the day of mended pain,
Both shall struggle to maintain,
Their ignorance to their mistakes,
Their empty care that friends did break,
No one knows, what the future holds,
But two true friends do unfold,
It came so quick, without demand,
But as for now, it’s in their hands,
For neither knows what other feels,
But both must know what all is real,
The memories of the endless times,
The pain that seems in constant rhyme,
The mending power which they confer,
The reality of longing for,
And now lies the day which needs an end,
To leave it stay as broken friends,
Or to work for things that they do long,
But either way, they need to move on.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I feel some healing beginning tonight . . . and many lifechanging memories have resurfaced -- my first Mardi Gras, drives from Clovis to Minden, several roadtrips to New Orleans, skiing adventure in Santa Fe, the "Gig" bar in Texarkana, Shreveport gambling and Central Station, camping at Lake Greeson in Arkansas, starting a new life in Dallas - at the same time, and sharing our nation's history on a trip to DC with ya! Wow . . . we've had some great times! Many permanent memories . . . .

What day of the week is it?

I really lose track of time in the summer. I have a hard time remembering what day it is. The days all just run together. Well, I tried staying home today -- I was trying real hard to not leave the house (to save gas, do little things around the house, etc.), but I got out for an hour. I went to the Bob Eden Park - which is in north Euless. I have seen this park from the street - but had never stopped. It is a great place for walking - which I did! It has a great walking track - tennis courts -- sand volleyball - it is a great park. I may have to go there a little more - to walk/jog!

I also liked the sand volleyball courts. There were three of them - with lights too! There were TONS of people - so there was no way of getting in to play. It would be cool to take some friends there one night -- take off the shoes and play a few games! I've got to plan that!

I found out today that I could not get a Library of Congress tour in DC. We can still go in - but just don't get the guided tour - which is the best! Oh, well . . . that is the way it goes. The Library of Congress is the most beautiful building! It also does not look good for getting in the White House. It truly is an every other year thing that I get my group in for a tour. I get tours into the White House in the odd years. Crazy.

Not a whole lot going on today . . . .

I Have Discovered the World of Wii!!!!

Wow, I never knew Wii could be THIS much fun! I played it for about three hours on Saturday night and then about six hours last night! SO much fun! My favorites are tennis and bowling. I'm going to have to get me one! Too cool!



http://www.nintendo.com/wii

Hawaii

For as long as I can remember I have always dreamed of someday going to Hawaii. It goes way back to when I was in second grade for sure (1977) - that I would talk about seeing the Hawaiian Islands. I've already been many places - but have yet to visit the Islands. Well, I'm hoping, if everything goes just right, I will be making my first trip to Hawaii in a year - June 2009!!!!! I'm thinking by then I will have earned enough frequent flyer miles with American Airlines and I can get my flight for FREE!!! The special occasion will be my good friend Rob's 40th birthday! He wants to celebrate by doing something BIG! This is the perfect opportunity! It looks like he is a reserving a place in Maui. I have to see Pearl Harbor -- and will plan to incorporate that into this trip too somehow. I can't wait! We'll see how it all comes together . . . .

2008 Presidential Election

This has been an interesting year in politics -- and I have really enjoyed watching the run for the presidential nominations. I had MANY interesting conversations with my students about the primaries the past six months or so. I feel like my students REALLY got into the whole process of how presidents are nominated and they learned a great deal.

During this whole time - I had to stay neutral and I could never let my students know which way I was voting. I have been an Obam and Clinton fan the whole time. I was probably more interested in Hillary becoming the nominee as I thought it would be monumental having a woman president in my lifetime. Now that she is out of the race - my vote will probably go to Obama! I'd really like to see Obama select Hillary as his running mate - but I'm just not sure he will do that. I think they would make a powerful team, but I'm worried that the race to be the Democratic nominee may have hurt that possibility. We'll see how it goes.

I also think it will be great seeing history take place when Obama becomes the first African American to become President of the United States! I look forward to watching the many debates between Obama and McCain - to see who pulls it off! More on this later. . . .

Pickles!

This is Pickles -- she is a such a scaredy cat - she is a mess!

Baja!

Baja Mex Grill . . . only do ONE peach marg -- two is way TOO many! Fun times with Erin, Jason, and Julie! Good times!

2007-2008 School Year Ends Today

Well, today was officially the last day of school. It was a work day today for teachers. I finished my checklist, cleaned up my room, put things away - and walked out! The drive home felt different - not like the normal drive -- I felt the freedom behind the wheel of my Murano!

Relaxation now . . . and taking care of little projects begins. I'm also going to be working on the DC trip . . . . can't wait for this one! FUN!!! Sad that it will be Kimberly's last trip (teacher from Taylor Elementary).

Now I'm off for a little celebration -- peach margs . . . . here I come!