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I’ve got followers!

I wish there were more hours in the day. I can’t ever seem to get accomplished what I desire. I love reading blogs, but need several hours to explore them the way I’d like to. I still don’t know what I’m doing with my own blog. Really I don’t even know the purpose of blogging except that it fulfills my writer’s need. I’m in the discovery stage of trying to figure this all out. I’ve found a lot of blogs out there are “mommy blogs”. I’m not a mom, so my future blogs more than likely will cover unimportant topics. I’ve started a list:

My pumpkin patch
Picking blueberries
Bottlefeeding calves
Eating hominy
Never having enough time in the day (oh yeah, that’s what I’m talking about now

Lots of food stuff huh? Obviously, I’m a little obsessed with eating!

I’d like more time to blog. I have 2 followers now and I’m so glad to know someone is interested in my random thoughts and ramblings. I hope not to disappoint!

Not seeing is believing

I think we’re moving. Do you ever just get a feeling? You know the one where you just know something? Last Friday night, a guy approached us about his house that he’s selling. We haven’t really been looking, but we hope to get out somewhere with a little acreage and some facilities for horses and cows for Jason, maybe some chickens, goat, and sheep for me. Who knows….but I do want some critters. Well we checked out the house and loved it! It is perfect for us. Well, someone beat us to it and it sold. Nevertheless, I couldn’t shake the feeling that we should list our house anyway. So, I called up my realtor relative a few days later to get our house on the market. That same night, the owner of the house we loved called and said the deal may not go through with the first buyer and we may still have a shot at it. We may know something Monday. We’re just stepping out in big ole faith about this. Worse case scenario: we’ll be homeless.

Can it get any funner than this?

The weather is chilly and I decided that flip flops might not be conducive to 50* weather, so I had to squeeze into actual shoes and socks today for the first time in more than 4 months. My feet did not like the feeling of confinement. My big toes are sore. Well I guess this isn’t entirely true. The more I think about it, I do wear my tenni runners (as my dad calls them) every morning to walk and I occasionally wear my cowboy boots.

I enjoy taking our two dogs out and letting them experience what a dog should. Wide open spaces, wind, and birds or flying bugs or whatever catches their fancy to chase. I don’t enjoy taking them in my car. They don’t ride well. They bounce from the backseat to the front. The big dog is a superstar drooler and puddles of drool are all over the console where he is hanging over from the backseat. The little dog sheds like crazy and it sticks to the car seats. A vaccuum won’t even pick up all the dog hair, but you better believe that my black pants will! So, my darling husband offered to drive us (us being me, the big dog, the littler dog, and my niece) out to the land. This weekend, I envisioned a day of relaxing and resting out on the land that we partly own. It’s an empty pasture land. To most people, it’s ugly and barren, but to me it’s a little slice of paradise.

I suggested he drop us off. Why this hairbrained idea came to me, I’ll never know. “Sure I said, it will be fun, just drop us off, we’ll entertain ourselves.” Being the ever obedient husband that he is, he agreed and dropped us off at the gate. We walked and walked and walked, just to get to the windmill. We crossed great big draws, and had to slide down our butts on a dirt slide. When we arrived at the windmill, we expected clear, flowing water.

Clear water??? Not on your life…..this dirt tank looked like pea soup. And no, I don’t understand the difference between a pond and a dirt tank.

Some cows glare at us, as if to say what are you doing on my pasture??

Ashlynn rolled up her old pant legs and thought about heading in with the dogs, but was turned off by the stinky, muddy gunk that squeezed between her toes and had to be scraped off with a stick.

Ashlynn thought this cow patty looked like an easter egg. It kinda does, doesn’t it?

Until next time……

The Chill of Autumn

The weather took a very sharp turn to super chilly today. The wind picked up to a comfortable 50 mph blasting autumn into our little town. I worked late, and left the school at 7:00. I hate doing that, but if I hadn’t I would be up to my eyebrows in work. As it stands, I’m only up to my nose hairs. As soon as I walked in the house, I shed the funeral clothes I wore today, and donned the ratty, soft sweats. Potato soup. Nothing says comfort like potato soup. I put a little too much salt, but it wasn’t half bad. Now, my belly is full, my toes are warm, and my bed is calling.

Isn’t this beautiful?? This is nothing like fall here in the Texas panhandle……

Ah, yes…..this is more like it.

www.abcbookcompetition.org

1:00 in the morning, my eyes pop open. The polls have opened for my children’s book competition. Yes folks, the day you have all been anxiously awaiting has finally arrived. This does sound like you, doesn’t it?? I jumped out of bed to check and double check to see if I could vote. It looks like a successful attempt. (or 2 or 3) I put in all my email addresses. Please spread the word to your blog and all who read it to go to www. abcbookcompetition.org and vote for Doggie Went A-Courtin’ by Angel Wheeler. And you (imagine me pointing at you like Uncle Sam here) I NEED YOU! So, do it everyday (on my knees begging here) I will dance at your wedding!!

Daydreaming

I sit around dreaming alot. A lay around dreaming alot. I dream of being a published author. I dream of a farmhouse in the country with a wrap around porch. I dream of being a size six. I dream of a slow paced life. I dream of being surrounded by a family that doesn’t get on each other’s nerves (Not sure if that’s possible) I dream of waking before dawn everyday: praying, walking, and writing as the sun rubs the sleep from my eyes. I dream of health and longevity. I dream of a legacy. I fear that I’ll look around and realize that my life has slipped away like sand slipping through my fingers. But for today, I must focus on today. I appreciate my job. I appreciate my husband and family. I appreciate my home. I appreciate the chaos in my head. I appreciate the days I haven’t wasted, hoping for more.

I am who I am. Nobody’s approval needed.

Today has found me home alone as Jason has left town to visit his grandma in Plainview. I have basked in napping, reading, piano playing, spending time with my niece Ash, and eating everything in sight. I love solitude. Sometimes I wonder if there might be something wrong with me because I love being by myself so much. I think it’s a good place to be. We got a new mattress, a sleep number, and I think it is sending me subliminal messages to crawl into it. But after all, it is Labor Day, a perfectly fine day to use as an excuse to do nothing right?

Passion for the Pres.

The new school year is underway. Going good so far. Teachers always have a couple of challenges in their classrooms, but a smooth sea never made a skilled sailor, so I accept those challenges as what they are: opportunities to make me a better teacher.
On Tuesday, President Obama has a speech to deliver to students in Pre-K through 12. It is my understanding that he will talk about goal setting, the importance of education, and staying in school. I think President Obama deserves respect, as do all presidents and I think his message to be an important one. How can anyone (parent or not) disagree with the importance of education?
Ironic isn’t it, that some are supporting a “keep your child home from school day” at the expense of hearing the president encourage them to stay in school and get educated. I personally am insulted as an educator and “ouch” I feel my toes being stepped on. I’d like to think that parents trusted me enough to know that as a teacher, my desire is to teach their kids “HOW” to think and not “WHAT” to think. The process of evaluation is one the highest levels of thinking that we can do, and as educators should strive to bring student’s thinking to that level in every lesson we deliver. Shouldn’t children be taught to listen and respect authority, but at the same time, to hear what they say and evaluate the message. To place judgement as to whether to agree or disagree. I wish parents would have this much involvement in their child’s education all the time, not just when someone they didn’t vote for plans to address their child. I am greatly appalled at the reaction some parents are having to this. Fortunately, I haven’t had any parents voice an opposition. I plan on showing it to my students. Afterwards we are going to talk about 2 goals for each of us. A personal goal and an academic goal, and then create posters displaying them. I believe that this is a beneficial task and maybe, just maybe, one of these kids might be president some day!!

Just Grannie

When asking a child how old they are, they always stick in the 1/2 in their answer. 7 and 1/2, nine and 1/2, always wanting to be older. Old people do it too. I remember my grannie was proud of her age when she got up there in her 90’s. She’d tell people I’m 94 and 1/2, I’m 96 and 1/2. She died at age 98 and 1/2. She wasn’t always precious, she had her cantakerous moments and I never appreciated her like I do now. She’s been dead 5 years this October. Lately, I’ve been sick. I’m only 34 and 1/2 (not even) and I feel like I’m 80. I almost dread getting older because I know my body is not going to cooperate with it. I realize how tough my grannie really was. Sometimes, she was just annoying and meddling. I wish now, I’d been more patient with her and spent more time with her. Not to underestimate the great relationship we had. She was a dear lady. She influenced me in more ways than anybody on earth knows. I have dreams of her regularly. At the risk of sounding mystic, I wonder if it’s something more than a dream at times. I miss her today, but am thankful for knowing her.

Advice on Marriage (not from me)

One of my favorite blogs to read is The living proof ministry Blog which is Beth Moore’s ministry. Beth Moore has been such a blessing to me in my spiritual walk. I have completed about 4 of her studies, which are so profound and I DVR her teachings on Wednesday mornings on Life Today. Today her daughter was posting about marriages that are under attack by Satan. Beth Moore says that Difficulties come in waves. If you can make it through the wave you’re on, you’ll find that it will end. Just because it’s hard right now and just because you don’t feel any affection for your mate at this moment doesn’t mean it will never go back to normal. Or even to better-than-normal. Persevere, pray, and read your Bible.

Here in my life in the past few months, several marriages of friends and mere acquantainces have ended or are ending. Amanda from the blog asked what advice would we give couples or our friends to have a healthy marriage.

So I began thinking of the advice I’ve been given.
Proverbs 12:15b “but a wise man listens to advice”
Proverbs 19:20″Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise”

One of the things that we did at our reception, was to ask each guest to write down some advice for me and Jason….I loved it. Some just gave well wishes. But it was so cool to have some advice in witty forms and some in serious. So I decided to pull out the cards and spend some time remembering. It made me smile so much that I wanted to share. Here are a few:

Marriage takes three: you two plus Christ.—-Angi & Mike Woelfle
Trust in the Lord and one another. May He be the Lord of your home and you shall have a wonderful life together!—Pete & Julie Towles
May God be the center of your life together.—Carol Stribling
Marriage is work-for both of you-Always look past the choices each of you make to the reason behind them. In everything you do, do it in love. Jason- Remember to communicate! Its not easy for guys. Angel-Submit! I see you working on it. How great it is, is up to you—Susan Ratzlaff
I hope you have a beautiful life together, and beautiful children—Jennifer Fine ( I threw this one in just for cuteness)
It is a blessing to find someone special. Treat each other with love and respect.—Farrah McCuistion
Truthfully it is a rocky, rough road to travel, but let me assure you, that if you stick the course the scenery is magnificent—Curt McCuistion
Be happy, Life is short. Love each other forever.—Jane Danielson
Give em hell. Don’t back up, never!! Y’all have fun from now on.—Mark Smith (Jason’s dad)
Always tell each other I love you, morning, noon, and night!! It helps!!—Jerome & Wendi Johnson
Keep the Lord head of your house. Jason—pick up your socks! Angel–Don’t wash reds with whites! — Linda Webster
God planned this wedding and your destiny before the world began. Look to Him and He will never fail you.—Velta Edwards
Hang on tight. Don’t get bucked off. —Kelly Culver
Never forget where you came from.—Cara Morris
Here’s to a happy life—your home filled with love, warmth, compassion, understanding–a lot of merriment and a little wealth. keep the lines of communication open, cherish each other, love and protect each other—-This is my prayer for you. —Dad ’04

I saved the best for last! Yes, and it may be because its from my dad, its a bit more special to me.

As I type this, I couldn’t help but think of where these people are today. Some of the marriages have endured some tough challeges. Some that were strong then, have ended now. Some already had failed marriages when they wrote those words. Some had lost their spouses to death too soon. Hopefully, someone reading this will see light for their dark tunnel through the wise words of people who are living life, just like us. Ride the wave…..it will be worth it.