DC Trip 2009/American History Smithsonian

I have been working on my DC trip packets this weekend preparing for the July 2009 trip and getting ready for my meeting on Tuesday night. I had to update a few things so I could send to Susan as well so she will be ready to promote the trip on Thursday night at her school. While working on the packet and powerpoint - I searched the American History Smithsonian Museum in DC to see how things were going. This museum closed down in the summer of 2006 for renovations and it is now scheduled to reopen on November 21, 2008. I am really excited to see it this coming summer with all of the changes. I used to get very frustrated in this museum because of the crazy layout of the building. I'm looking forward to seeing how it has changed. The two pictures I've added show the atrium as you come in with skylights to brighten the entrance. Also, one picture shows the room where the Star-Spangled Banner flag will be displayed. Can't wait to see it!

Volleyball Improvement

My volleyball team is making a serious comeback! We had a rough start with several losses. Last Friday we won ALL four games and then last night we won three out of the four. We are moving up in the standings. We are 10 wins and 10 losses so far for the season. We are showing some real improvements . . . we'll see if we can keep it up!

Plano Balloon Festival

I "finally" attended the Plano Balloon Festival last night. I have always been interested in this balloon festival because of my trips to the one in Albuquerque. My guess was that the one in Plano could not be as good as the one in Albuquerque. Well . . . . I was right! I went with Chris and Jason S. We got there just in time to see about eight balloons lift off and float away. We stayed for the glow - and it was neat - but on a very small scale. There might have been 15 balloons or so. In Albuquerque - it is typical to see about 75+ balloons on the night of the glow. I'm glad I did finally see this festival in Plano - but will probably not hurry to see it again next year.

Pickles gets sick . . .

Pickles was taken to the emergency vet last night because her right eye appeared to be infected. It has been draining for about a week which is not unusual. I noticed that her eye looked VERY different from her other one. It was quite a tramatic experience for her last night. She was treated by the vet and now she has to get three steroid eye drops each day for the next seven days. She already looks like she is getting better to me. Poor Pickles . . . .

I took these two pictures of her today as she was playing in the grass.

Photo Art

Guess the Balloon Fiesta will have to wait until next year. Can't make it happen this year . . .

Hurricane Ike came and went . . . we saw a little bit of rain and a little wind here in DFW. Nothing major. Sounds like my brother and sister are ok. Their electricity was off for about 12 hours or so.

:o)

Hurrican Ike

Ike is on its way towards Texas . . . coming just two weeks after Gustav hit New Orleans and Louisiana. It is expected to hit the coast (Galveston) this evening (Friday) and Houston is expected to get some serious wind and rain. Leah said the news reported that the winds could be about 80 miles an hour coming right through Katy. I tried to call her tonight and did not connect with her. I sent Riley a text - but did not hear from him either. Not sure what is going on with them and will hopefully talk to them tomorrow.

Dallas is expected to get hit Saturday afternoon. Guess we will see how powerful it is when it hits this area. It is predicted to be a category 3 when it reaches land. I hate that it will hit in the evening . . .

9/11 . . . a sad day in history . . .

Today is the day we reflect on the tragic events of 9/11/01. It is a date that will live on in the hearts of Americans forever.

I can remember the exact moment when I learned what was going on. I was standing in my classroom looking out into the hallway and saw a strange look of Patti's face and knew something was wrong. Her husband had just called her to tell her about the first plane crashing through one of the Twin Towers. It was just a little after 8:00 AM that morning. I remember being numb - and in shock and couldn't focus on the lessons I had planned for the day. We were not allowed to talk to our students about it - and we tried to function that day as if nothing was different. I remember wondering if my students could tell that I was different. I couldn't wait to watch TV at 10:00 (my first break) to get more information. I was horrified to see the towers collapse. Still can't believe it today. Tonight I have been watching the replaying of Katie and Matt of the Today Show as the news played that day. Still touches my heart.

I talked to my students today about this day. My students were only three years old and would not remember much - only what they have been told. I saw an innocence in them today as they asked me questions about the events of that day. I could see them trying to process what I was saying - and they seemed to be struggling a bit. Very sad.

This picture is the museum that will be built on the site where the Twin Towers once stood. I look forward to returning to NYC someday when that area is completely finished. I'm glad I saw the remains of the kaos this summer (lots of construction), and look forward to seeing the beautiful memorial that will one day be in its place.

May we never forget those innocent lives lost on that day . . . a sad day in history.

Vice Presidential Nominee - Governor Palin

There is a great deal of talk about the newly selected Republican Vice Presidential nominee -- Governor Sarah Palin (Alaska). Watching the news - and that is all you hear. I think the country is very interested in who she is and what she stands for. She will soon be doing an interview with ABC - and I'm sure we will all get to know a little more about her. I haven't quite decided how I feel about her and the role she is playing in this Presidential race. She is making it interesting, that is for sure. I think about the possibilities . . . and how she could become president someday if McCain is to win. If he wins and something should happen where she becomes the new president - she would make history as the first female president. Wild! If he is to win - she'll make history first just by being the first female vice president. Not sure how I feel about all of that. I'm looking forward to getting to know her over the next eight weeks.

More fun with Wii!

Last night was game night at David and Jesse's! Jason, Jason, Chris, David, Victor, and I went to David & Jesse's house last night for dinner and snacks and to play Wii. Jason S. and Chris had never played before - so it was fun watching them. We all had such a great time. This video is of me tearing up a game of tennis! It was this fitness component of the game that would tell you your age once you finished playing a combination of bowling, tennis, and baseball. Well, it calculated me at 48 years old - YIKES!!! Even though I was the second oldest person playing (eight of us), I still came out as one of the youngest three!! Man, it was tough. This video was filming me on my last round - tennis. I know it might look like it is karate - but it was really tennis. We had such a fun time. I have not laughed that much in a LONG time!

Don't laugh . . . I know I look really ridiculous!

Good time with friends . . .

Time Warner Cable/Internet Stinks!

I am SO frustrated with my cable and Internet service from Time Warner . . . Ugh! I have been out of Internet service since Wednesday. I have not been able to check my email, update my blog . . . It is working now . . . but not sure how long that will last. Can't wait to change my service someday.

Happy Labor Day 2008

Not having to work today meant several of us could go out last night to have a little fun! I took this picture of Jason, Jason, and David -- it is the "David D." signature photo - gotta block part of your face with your drink! Crazy!

It was great having this three day weekend after the first week of school. It was a good week - but it just seemed really long!

Labor Day was spent watching Hurricane Gustav on TV. It hit - and it wasn't as bad as predicted. New Orleans will be ok!