Technology

Ok, I started thisPost yesterday, but never finished. I also can't find the draft because I don't know where to look. It is hard for me to grasp all the technology today, and it is so amazing that it can happen. Yesterday I skyped with a friend, and it ws as if we were sitting in the kitchen having coffee together and chatting. I loved it and didn't want to hang up but all good things must come to an end. And so it ended.

Amazing

So many things that we can do in 2011 are amazing. We can phone a friend from anywhere. Like if you are in the mall and can't find your son because he is in a different store than the one where you left him. This is why you should always take your phone with you because we are used to getting hold of people by text or by phone. You can write a letter to a friend and send it by e-mail and they get it in like 2 minutes or less. You can keep in touch by Facebook and then you don't need to send Christmas cards because you have been in touch all year. You can play a word game with friend and don't even have to be in the same room, the same house or even the same state. You can call a person on Skype and be in a totally different state and yet it is kind of like they are sitting in the living room right across from you. How do people think of these things? I can come up with ideas but I have no idea how these things happen. How do people make them occur? What gives people the way to make and idea a reality? I don't know because I don't think that way and I truly find that way of thinking amazing!

Christmas 2011

Still no pictures, sorry about that. I can't find the cords. I have unpacked every box. So unless they were thrown away, maybe I will find them when I least expect it. Christmas was so exciting. I drove up to Katie's on the 23rd so I could help by baking cookies and getting a few things cleaned. We also went out with some friends for Thai night and enjoyed some new tastes. The next night we had dinner with them again and enjoyed their little boy Peirson. IN addition to seeing the movie, "Warhorse" with Katie, I also watched the "Book of Eli" and "Shattered Glass" and some Wonder Years with Jonothan. All of those were good entertainment. Some of these have more redeeming value than others. Christmas Eve we went to Katie's Metro Church and had a very traditional service in the company of alot of reforming/reformed alcoholics/drug users. They did not sing too many of the carols but the rest of us did! Then Lita arrived. ON Christmas morning we had a Dutch pancake for breakfast. That didn't fill us up so we had some Thai for lunch made from spaghetti noodles and opened about a zillion presents. Joe and Alicia came for a speciao dinner and we opened presents again. Way too many for grown ups. So there it was Christmas- baking, movies, presents, good food, and friends. Let's not forget the real meaning of the season though, "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior which is Christ the Lord." May your holiday always be merry, bright, and true.

Snow

It snowed tonight. Lita called to tell me at 4:00, but it wasn't snowing here. It was in Richmond though. After dinner I went to the Adult Learning Center and I saw flakes then. It really wasn't much and didn't cover the ground. Luckily the street wasn't wet or anything. I wonder what it will be like in the morning?
Still no pictures. Obviously. Even though I unpacked three more boxes and put things away today the cord wasn't there. Maybe tomorrow I will find it. You should always be optimistic. I did find my address book, some dreidels, some small pastel colored post-it pads, my recess whistle on a blue lanyard, a Frankenstein pin, 4 pairs of scissors, two rulers and a cup full of writing implements. These items are always good to have.

Why there are no pictures.

In case you are wondering why there are no pictures, I haven't finished emptying the boxes. In my home on Elm drive I never unpacked everything and in my home on Erin Drive I didn't either so maybe I will and maybe I won't unpack here. After all I plan to live here 10 or more years. Anyway the cord to get the pictures from my camera to here is in a box somewhere.
I also haven't posted pictures because I have been busy car shopping and finally on Saturday I got a new used car. Happy birthday to me. I did get into a box and find some summer clothes I though I had thrown out. Unpacking is sort of like Christmas because you don't know what will be in the box.
Yesterday on Monday I didn't open or empty box any boxes because I was so excited. I got flowers from a not so secret admirer.
And that is my list of excuses. One day I will unpack everything, specially those Christmas ornaments. I really want to get a real tree this year, and I will have to get a tree stand because I don't have one. So until the day I unpack the right box there will be no pictures. And until I buy a tree there will be no Christmas. But it is still 27 days until Christmas.

First Four Nights

We have now slept in the house for 4 nights. I still have not had a very good nights sleep. Maybe this will be the one.
Saturday night I was very sore from moving and unboxing. I kept waking up with pains in my legs.
Sunday night I couldn't find my phone to set the alarm for Monday so I just hoped to get up in time to enjoy cleaning on Monday morning. But as a result I just woke up to see what time it was!
Monday night the heater kept making noise and I wasn't tired enough to sleep through it so I got up early. I did some unpacking and went back to bed, only to wake up with the alarm at 6:45 to drive up to Richmond with Beth, Jesse and Ezra.
Tuesday night Lita came home and scared me by turning on the dryer. I thought someone had broken in. Especially when I heard her talking loudly in her room, luckily she was just skyping with someone. Then at about an hour later I had a wrong number call.
Now it is Wednesday, I did not have any tea after 2 o'clock. I walked this evening at Wal-mart and I will try to relax with a good book.
I also cooked tomorrow's turkey so I hope to get some good sleep tonight.

Hooray!

I am so excited to own my own house that I pushed enter and publish before I wrote anything. Well, I already wrote about the house on another post. So this one is about moving. First of all I need to say that I am so blessed. I have 4 great children who helped me paint. ( Sorry Jay I know you would've painted if you lived closer.) Secondly I have so many good friends from church who helped me move. I am so humbled to see how they all came to help out. FYI I think the youngest person who helped was Lita and the second was DAyJa, then Barb ( a 30 something mother of 5) and the rest of use were all over 55. But we had the truck loaded and items moved by 10:00 and the rest was done as far as arranging by noon. God has truly blessed me with some excellent friends I hope to repay them in some form soon. Yesterday afternoon and today I spent time unboxing things and putting things away. I sit here shaking my head because, I am truly blessed.
I should have taken some photos of everyone moving me, I had the camera in my purse for such a time as that but then I forgot. I am so glad to live here and have the neighbors I have.

Well,I will have to do better in December to post more often. I have no excuse I have a coamera and I found the cord to download the photos.
This past weeek I packed to move to my new house and chatted with JoAnn Kristensen on line. I also walked a lot. One day even to the middle school so I could vote. I guess I just need to get into the habit of blogging certain days.

Postings

I can't believe it October is almost over and I hardly posted anything. I did do a lot of things though like be in Joe's wedding and go to Europe to visit JoAnn Petersen.
It is hard to do a lot of things and still find time to travel and think about what you have seen and done.
I was really impressed with Denmark. I loved that they are bicycling everywhere.
I loved that the girls all wore black leggings and high boots with their skirts. I loved the windmills or wind turbines and I loved those Danish men. 1rugged looking!

Movies

Today was a movie day. I love those old shows. Today I saw Mr. and Mrs. Smith, the original one and A Smalltown Girl. I love the newer ones too, but, I have to wait until there on TV. which is OK.
I love Jimmy Stewart. He is great in "It's a Wonderful Life" He didn't get the girl in Mr. and Mrs. Smith, though.

Texting

I discovered one night several weeks ago how much fun it is to text. I discovered that you can do it for even 3 hours. Now that is a strange conversation in little pieces. I was wondering how cool it would be if you could text God. Now I know you can text him (that is prayer) but what would it be like if He could answer you?

Hey God
Hey
that was a really cool sunrise this morning.
Thanx
Anything special you want me to do today?
Yeah- call your sisters
ok
Bye
Have a great day!
Thanx

I hope that doesn't mean I am going out of my mind just thinking about ways to connect!

My New House

As part of my 10 year plan I have or will soon have a new house. It is here in Oxford. This house isn't the one I had dreamed of but it is a good house. There are three bedrooms. There are two bathrooms. There is a deck and a lovely back yard. There is a porch with a garden already set up(sort of) and a two car garage. Or maybe a one truck and one car garage. There are two kinds of floors one fake wood and one carpeted. The bathtubs do not have sliding doors so you don't have to kill your stomach cleaning the tub. The kitchen comes with a side by side refrigerator, no crushed ice maker but lots of room inside and a four burner electric stove an oven. No Microwave, but that is OK I have one. No washer and dryer, again I have one. A few things need to be fixed but nothing bad except the door to the garage needs something. I am so excited!

Seriousness

This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. That about says it all, for every day.
This weekend I had to make a smart but also good choice. The realization that a choice had to be made began about a week ago. Jonathan helped me in making this decission. The decision I came to was a very hard one. I did not want to make it, because like so many people I wanted to have my cake and eat it too. But you can't do that. Even the wedding cake you save in the refrigerator has to be eaten or thrown out!
When you meet some one when you are 17 and spend time together sometimes daily for 6 years that doesn't mean you know each other well or that you have a future. When you communicate with someone on line even for 11 years you don't really know them. You might think you do because you pray for them through their struggles and celebrate their victories, but you don't. Friends for 41 years who cross the line have to say good bye. God will affirm this choice and give the strength for today and hope for tomorrow to remain true to my word. So amidst tears and longing I said goodbye until we meet in heaven.
On Friday I also made another choice. It too is a good one. I love my children and so I can better help them by helping myself, I have decided to go to counseling. I was in an abusive relationship for 18 years. And I can't help myself much with this without others who are wise in their advice.

God is good, all the time and He is making changes in this heart of mine.

The excitement builds

Too much excitment makes you not be able to sleep. In the next six weeks I will buy a car, see one of my sons get married, pay off some loans, go to Europe and buy a house. I can hardly believe it. I think that is a lot of changes but they all have to be made and so I will make them.
The Car: In June Lita totaled my Toyota Camary. I tried to buy a car but couldn't because of the debt to income ratio. So I am waiting until October.
The wedding: Joe and Alica are getting married on October 8 in Indianapolis. there will be lots of people ther most of whom I don't know.
The loans: I will pay off the car/truck loan and the loan that Karen made me.
The Trip: Katie and I are going to go to Denmark to see Jo Ann Kristensen Petersen. We are also going to England and Germany.
The House is 6209 Hester Road. It is a three bedroom two bath with a pretty large kitchen and atwo car garage and deck.
So lots of excitement. maybe too much to handle.

Animals Around My House

Living here at 712 Erin Drive I have discovered wild animals. Quite often in the evening and sometimes in the dark of night there are deer crossing the road looking for something yummy to eat. They just saunter across without a care in the world. I wanted to photograph a pair of fawns the other night, but by the time I had the camera they had run away. The fawns had such soft looking fur and they held their noses in the air as if waiting for a delectable smell
Another animal to wander around the house in the evening has been a black and white striped skunk. I believe that it lives under the shed in the back. One night when Karen and I were coming home from Hamilton it strolled across the street and we watched as it made its way to the back yard. I did not turn on the light so I didn't see it and then the other morning I was sure that I smelled it!
But my favorite animals are the birds. Today I saw a Bright Red Male Cardinal catch a grasshopper for lunch. And of course my favorite of the birds are the hummingbirds.
As I stand in the kitchen and wash dishes they buzz around the feeder. There are two maybe more of them and one of them likes to stand guard and prevent the other from getting a drink! They sneak up and try to trick each other by going this way and that way around the feeder. I've even been able to sit on the glider and wait for them to fly up,
Ah retirement!

Boxes

When I was at Dad's last weekend I saw a living room a fourth full of boxes and inside them are things that others had created for memories. I loved looking at the boxes of scrapbooks and trying to identify older relatives when they were young. I only wished that Granny had written something in the the ones she saved of her travels. I can piece together the dates though. There were also things that we children had sent her.
Today I was unboxing several boxes here AND found things that my children had made for me. I have a whole folder of items that Jonathan made at school. There are a few pieces of artwork that JJ made and a whole lot of things that Katie has made. I wonder what to do with all these things? Do I save them and make a Anna Kelly in a box like Katie and JJ found a Fred Mackenzie in a box?
I am going to make a summer of 2011 scrapbook of things that happened this summer. I just have to get the camera and I have to have some of the pictures that others took sent to me. I can't figure out how to put them into the photo spots on this laptop.
Where is that Camera I bought?

Best Day in a While

Today was one of those good days when you know you are where you should be and you are there. At Katie's church today they talked about the value of solitude and how to have a quiet time. Just what I needed to here. I am often alone and this reminded me of all the times in the past 37 years when I didn't have time for a quiet time.
As I drove to and from Indy I enjoyed some Amy Grant songs and really related to them. One that really jumped out to me was
Are you livin' in an old man's ruble are you listenin' to the father of lies.
Or
Are you livin' as a new creation?
I hope I am listening and living to God the Father and living as a new man (or woman) that Paul talks about in the letters to the Romans.

May tomorrow be another Blessed Day.

Silver lining

Every Cloud has a silver lining, that is my theme for this year but Am I trying too hard to put a positive spin on all that happens?
I fall down and make another fat lady story out of it. Now Lita has had a car accident and I am just glad that it happened when she had health insurance so I could take her to the hospital and get her checked out.
Life happens. The car will be fixed and I can get a rental for $40 a day.
But things make it so hard for me to trust that the Lord will provide. I know He will but where and how?

Good Morning!

It is early Sunday. The Sun is not up yet, but will be later. Time for church in 2 hours. My house is full, I need a bigger one! Then everyone can come and visit and stay. I have discovered there is a list of things I need to buy before I want to buy:

Sheets
Towels
Pillows
Blankets
Flowers and pots.
Bird feeder holder.
This will be a good day.

The Big Old Fat Old Lady

One day the big old fat old lady decided she needed some exercise. So she said to herself, "I can do it." But she was big and she was fat! (laughter here please.) So this lady began her walk. The hill went down; the road was flat. The other walkers out said "Hi!" She turned the corner slowly becasue she was big and she was fat. Across the way she saw a young boy jogging. "I wonder if I know that boy" she thought to herself. But she is big and she is fat and when she took her eyes off the sidewalk she tripped over a crack. SMACK! "Wow! This stings and I have a cramp in my leg." She agonized. "Can I get up?" The big old fat old lady reached out and put her hands on the grass. She was big and she was fat. "Can I get up?" she wondered one more tme. One push two pushes!"There I did it," she said. And so the big old fat old lady limped home wondering why she even tried to exercise.

This is precisely why I need to walk every day. I tripped over the crack in the
sidewalk and If I had a camera I would show you the scraped knees and hands. That was this morning at 8 something. The rest of the day was down hill from that. My list didn't get accomplished but I did some things not on the list.
I did pray and read the Bible today. The devotional today was perfect for me. You can't go back again but you can go on and walk closer with God.
I did half the laundry.
I went to CVS and bought band aids and gauze and medicine.
I went to the library and got some new books.
Then I slept all afternoon!
A friend stopped by and brought me some dinner. ( I couldn't eat it though because it had too much pasta.) However, it is the thought that counts, right?
Another friend came by and we drove around Oxford delivering things to her students. We walked around Miami and named the trees we saw.
So it was a good day. Not the planned one but a good one.

School's Out Forever

The words of a song I heard first at a skating rink in Omaha, Nebraska: "Schools out for Summer school's out forever." For me it truly is and I am beginning to have a dream. It is lovely to thing that I don't have to get up tomorrow and be anywhere and I don't have to do anything. I am though going to do some things. My list for tomorrow includes;
1. Walk in the a.m. and pray and read the Bible.
2. Call the courthouse
3. Go through the closet and try to find my missing clothes
4. Buy a new camera ( check at the bank first)
5. Buy a desk top at Lowes (ditto)
6. Get rid of the clothes that I don't want in the bin at Wal-mart.
7. Do the laundry
8. Clean the bathroom with bleach
9. Clean the grill and find something to stuff the holes with so birds don't get back into it.
10.Get or make a calendar
11.Find out about making cards and make some cards.
12 Unbox the boxes around the house.
13.Figure out what to do with all the extra stuff.
14.Think about my dream!

Last Day

I came into Kramer today, It was time to say goodbye. Tomorrow will be forever. While walking out to the car I tried to remember I some of the first students I ever taught. I remember Jimmy Meece and Kevin Robinson. No little girls at all. From North Beech and Mount Harmony I remember Victor Smith and Leighanne Kershner. Gosh so many children! I remember faces but not all the names. No wonder Howard always kept his grade books.

Birds and things

As I was washing dishes I wondered about the birds in my backyard. One built a nest in the grill. Jonathan and Ashley got it out and yet the bird is building a new one right back in the grill. I wish it was a cardinal I wouldn't mind so much then, but it is an ugly black one and it sings loudly. So happy to be making a new home I guess.

Alice brought me a humming bird feeder. I want to put it up and get some pink and red flowers for the yard. Unfortunately I have no shovels and I don't think I can do yard work anyway. But soon I will be able to do that!

As I was recuperating I worked on a sweater and finished it! And I am also almost done with the granny square afghan. So productive!

Do I need some new projects?

Wilderness

When Moses left Israel for the promised land he traveled through the wilderness. He had never been that way before nor had he traveled that way before. They ate manna and gathered only enough for one day and were filled. They walked in the hot and traveled and fought, battled with the enemy. They worshiped in new places.
I feel sort of like Moses as I begin the travel of retirement. Each week is an adventure where i have never lived the seven days in front of ME, and I will never live them again.
God would like to guide me as I learn from my experience in the wilderness. He wants to change my appetite, habits, style, and, my entire life. So I will set goals and build stamina and make changes.

Building stamina

When you are recuperating you are building stamina for every thing (except being in bed.) At first I couldn't even read very long. Then I couldn't sit very long or even walk very long. It is hard to build stamina. I should set daily goals I suppose. Like walk one mile or one block or 1/2 a block and do it until I think I can go longer. But I do better with dates than with goals. I think.
Here is how I am building stamina without goals- go out on alternate days and walk to get the mail and walk to the end of the block and back. Sunday walked from the car into the library. I did not take the stairs. Monday go Krogering and only get veges and fruit while Lita gets the rest.
My students build stamina for reading and math so they can take the OAA tests. It takes stamina to run and play other sports too.
I have not so much stamina right now for sitting so I will stop chatting/writing.

OPERATION

Ten days ago I came home from the hospital. I had an operation. The last thing I remember before the whole thing was Marlene giving me a blue cap to put on. this is the advantage to knowing the nurses in the hospital. The first thing I remember after it is a need to drink water and no way to focus on anything. I still feel dizzy when I get up off the bed and I can barely walk down the street to the corner and back but it is getting better.
Things I have learned
1. Operations hurt.
2. I also learned more than I ever wanted to know about the Foley catheter.
3. I am not someone who should live alone. (This is a previous lesson learned at an earlier date!)
4. Recovery like the wheels of justice moves slowly.
5. A person can only watch so much tv.
6. There should be branch of the library by Krogers or even the Senior Citizen's center.
7. I think I would like to visit sunny California.

It Ain't Happening

To quote a famous USDA advisor who was published in the National Geographic "I believe that with your surgery and recovery period as well as the covert aspect of the visit; that we should postpone the event. There will certainly be other opportunities and you really need the time to get well and enjoy the end of the school year and your retirement. My visiting will complicate all of those important things you need to do and enjoy."
I highlight the covert aspect phrase because it is so so so... any way All that stressing and worrying for nothing. It ain't happenin' at lest not now.
Surgery is coming up on Tuesday and I am nervous. Then there is the hospital and other stays coming up.I am nervous about that stuff too, but the Lord will be with me. I need to remember that I have done harder things in my life. Many of them!

It's happening!

On June 5,my longed for visit is happening. I hope that it turns out well. Things are good when a person acts out of a pure motive and acts with integrity. So I am hoping that this visit will be good for both of us and that our friendship will grow deeper.
Looking for something fun today/tonight. It is rainy rainy rainy. The book I tried is boring so I guess I better get on the stick with my knitting and watch some t.v.

Expectations

I want something so badly I can taste it. I am afraid that when it happens and it won't meet expectations? I am so afraid to do something because the outcome could change the way things are. Would I rather never do it because if I do and it turns out poorly then I may never walk that way again? These are thoughts I am struggling with. After much input from children and friends, I am going to to do something because I may never travel that way again.
I'll give my hand to those who cannot see the sunshine or the falling rain. I'll give my song to send the weary along. For I may never pass this way again.

Recently I attempted to get an Ohio driver’s license. The closest BMV branch was about 20 minutes away. While waiting in line there I noticed a sign that said no foul language or signs permitted. I wondered why anyone would cuss the BMV out. After waiting in line for a long time I learned that the tests were located in a different branch ,so I went there to be tested. Why indeed!
I took the test on computer. and passed quickly. However I did not have my birth certificate. So I went back home and got the birth certificate, but it wasn’t really a birth certificate! The public servant was kindly gave me the number to call. The phone number was disconnected. “Look up how to find it on the internet,” JJ said. So I did and found a site with detailed instructions item number six being: “Mail the completed application and sworn statement to the Vital Records office. Enclose a copy of your driver's license or other government-issued photo ID…”
Not very amusing. FYI today the secretaries taught me how to use the fax machine and I may be able to get my license this weekend!!!

Know thyself

I have had this suspicion for a while, but I am sure of it now. I hate to live by myself. I can be by myself for a while but I prefer to have company. I have been alone during the day and in the evening and in the early morning, but vastly prefer to have someone to talk to. I caught myself talking to myself several times this week. What to do about it is the question? Time to go to the doctor so good bye.

Spring Break

This year spring break is 9 days in March and sunny and cold. So far I have been pretending to be retired and trying to exercise and be on a schedule. The best thing that happened so far was I got my new washer and dryer. I wanted to take a picture but can't find a camera.


The second best thing was an evening with some of my favorite people Karen, Jonathan, Ashley, Katie, Joe, Lita. We grilled out and made some crafty penguins. I wish I could find my camera. I have a sneaky suspicion that I took it to school and left it out there and someone came in the room and took it. The last pictures I took were from Earth Club and that Friday I was absent and I think that was when it disappeared.

Spring Break! Or a snowy day in March.

FYI the cupcake is for Katie Jones!Spring Break is here! So far I have spent the afternoon with a friend and cleaned house good pasttimes for spring.
Over break I have a list a mile long.
1. Officially get my name changed back to Anna Kelly
2. Get my ssn card and license changed to Anna Kelly
3. Take the Toyota to Richmond and have the fog light fixed
4. Spend time with a friend or family member every day
5. Cook up some meals for a week
6. Go to the doctor
7. Go to the eyedoctor
8. plan for school and talk to the student teacher who is going to work with me for two weeks.
9. go to the movies
10. go shopping for new jeans.
11. Plan for a trip to Atlanta in the month of June!

Blood

This week at school we had to have ( well not really had to have, but could choose) to have our blood taken and our health examined. I usually do this and Wednesday a.m. was no exception. Fast all night (very hard for me) then get to school early with a Mc Donalds breakfast for after the blood draw. Well, my numbers were not good. So it is back to the drawing board for diet and exercise. I am at a high risk for a heart attack. I need to go and do a dietary counseling I guess, but I don't really want to because I know what they are going to tell me. It is what I always tell myself. The best thing I can do is add in exercise.
I tried to think of a picture but instead I will post my results:

Date Chol HDL LDL Chol/HDL Ratio Trig hs-CRP Glucose TSH IHI
March 23, 2011 189 35 109 5.4 224 131 2.830
April 14, 2010 158 38 88 4.2 161 111 2.210 3
April 1, 2009 216 43 139 5.0 169 124 1.894 32
Desirable < 200 > 50 < 130 < 3.6 < 150 < 1.1 < 100 0.4 - 5.0 <= 0

I lived~

In the true spirit of Agnes Gooch in the Musical Auntie Mame. Tonight I lived, I lived I lived! After school Karen and I were too tired to go home and fix dinner, so we went uptown to Fiesta Charro. It was Happy Hour and they had Margueritas for $1.99 so we decided to try them. And in the background was a marriachi band with a trumpet and a Spanish guitar and a little guitar and a singer. They were dressed in lovely black outfits with silver bull trim along the pant seams. They came to our table and serranaded us. Too festive.
So folks it wasn't even a penguin adventure and I had a delightful time. FYI I like marriachi bands. I don't like marguittas specially with Mexican Tequilla!

Penguin Adventure Location- Oxford, Ohio 45056

Today is Wednesday and it is 9:00 a.m., and I am home with a cold. It is a drippy kind needing lots of water and tissues. So yesterday I wrote lesson plans and stayed home today.
I am now one step closer to retirement. I am almost complete in filling out the retirement papers. There is only one more thing I have to check out. I still can't believe that in June I will retire.

Saturday we took a penguin adventure. It was such fun. Katie, Lita, Jonathan, and Ashley and I went to see the MU Women's team win at basketball. Unfortunately they lost. Not even a close game. Jonathan's analysis revealed that they, Bowling Green had two outstanding players while Miami really didn't have anyone who was a star. I guess Miami subscribes to the theory that everyone needs to play.

After the game we drove uptown to look for Penguins. First we went to a little store called Wild Berry which I really don't like. To psychedelic for my taste. Then we went to The Apple Tree a lovely little store. Ashley was impressed with the purse selection but she already had spent her monthly quota. I loved the Angel collection and found a stuffed Rock hopper penguin. Loved the hair on the sides. Katie mean while found some cookie cutters shaped like penguins so she got those. There were only two so she gave Ashley one and she and Lita will share the other. I don't need to eat or bake cookies anyway.


From there we went to buy t-shirts and see the uptown park which used to be under the watertower and now has no functioning fountains (they don't run in February.
Of course Rocky hoppy has to get his photo taken.
From there it was dinner at a Mexican place. And finally home, where we found a penguin from Karen! Such a low keyed and yet fun adventure. My only regret was that the Redhawks lost.

Nothing is new

What to write about? This week in review-
Saturday Feb, 5 In the morning I loaded my laundry up and went to Indianapolis to do laundry and celebrade Joe's birthday. I also went to hear Lita play at an IUPUI basketball game. I believe I am good luck for the teams that I go to watch. For every game I have been to this year the team has won. The strange thing is the schools don't even announce me. They must not know that the good luck charm is there. So it is a secret.
Sunday- came home and watched the superbowl
Monday- worked and tutored
Tuesday-worked and had Earth Club. We built bird houses.
Wednesday- went to meetings, worked and went to more meetings
Thursday- went to meetings, worked and tutored. Drove to Hamilton and went to Hobby Lobby to buy some yarn for a sweater.
Friday- worked came home went to Krogers. Saw and old friend and then watched t.v. and went to bed.
Saturday- mailed packages, did laundry, went to two ball elementary school ball games, went to the library, came home, ate dinner, and fell asleep in the chair. See what I mean?Nothing is new!

Penguin House

Today in Science Miss Edwards had us work on a game she had invented that has to do with energy conservation, a doll house and my personal favorite- penguins. It is a penguin dollhouse with lots of cool decorations and the people are different penguins doing different things in the doll house.

The week IN review

Well,
So much for blogging every day or even when something interesting happens.
Monday: school all day and no new snow! Money arrived safely in the UPS package.
Tuesday: school all day and no new snow! Tuesday evening I did laundry. On this particular adventure I met a 27 year old mother with 5 sons and helped one of them do his math homework. My class had done the same page that day!
Wednesday: Meetings after school about how to teach writing and shared a cute little book by a student called I Love church.
Thursday: met with Pam Termeer and talked about retirement. dinner out at Bob Evans. Did you know you could order off the kids menu even as an adult?
Friday: It snowed but there was no delay and I had to get up early and shovel off the car and walk. Karen and I went to dinner at Phan Shin and I got Kung Pao chicken in honor of Katie. The cloud today? No Smallville...boohoo.
Saturday: I slept in and did some light house cleaning and looked for a sweater pattern to try for Kathy P.'s grandbaby.
And now you have a week in review. Not very interesting, I know I must have done something else. Oh yes we had school all week first one ever this year!

Inspiration

Today I decided to go to Hamilton and see the ice sculptures. They were icy and I didn't even get out of the car, drove by and took shots out the window. I think the theme must have been great literature. I saw the very hungry caterpillar and the cat in the hat. The picture is one from a camera in downtown Hamilton. I hope to get the pictures I took onto this computer somehow!

First Snow of 2011

It snowed again during the afternoon while we were at school. And of course the group looked out the window and said, "Oh it is snowing!" Then the calm class became the over excited one. Every child went into motion and the sound increased exponentially. We went out for a short recess. No one slipped and fell and no one picked up snow to make a snow ball, but every child ran around like crazy and got some good fresh air! The teachers were cold but rejuvenated.
I was then going to go to the rec center, but chickened out. You know I hate to drive on snow, and it is because of the slippery roads. So Lita and I played a game of Hand and Foot. Lita won. Wooo you go girl.
Now I am watching a show about quarterbacks and Tebow in specific. Learned a lot about him as a boy, a man and a Christan.
The cloud today? Well I supposed the snow making me not want to go to the rec center and go swimming. The Silver lining the ability to change my mind and still enjoy being home with my daughter.

Too Tired to Blog Every Day Or what was I thinkin'?

Well, the first Silver lining was the story of the chicken place/ the second blog was to be prepared. And the third and fourth are lessons learned.
Lesson one: Do not go to do laundry at the laundramat on the first day back from a vacation. Why not? Well, for one a person is too tired after work that first day to do anything except go to bed! And for two, a tired person will forget to do some of the important wash, like the sheets and towels.
The silver lining? It is good to take your 18 year old daughter along because, she has energy!
And now for lesson two:
Always make sure you are using the correct account number for paying your on line bills. Aa $589.26 electric bill was not my idea of a good piece of mail. The silver lining- I can solve money problems myself especially when they are recorded on-line. Computers are good!

Happy New Year

This year I have one resolution for the whole year. To find the silver lining in every cloud and you know every day does have clouds. After I find it I will record it and then at the end of 2011 I will have 365 pieces of Silver.