I was supposed to be Mrs. DiCaprio

I just got back from a ride in a time machine. And yall, it was awesome! I was sitting here, watching the finale of The Bachelor and grading papers, when I heard it. You know. Those first few notes of an Irish tin whistle (forgive me if that's the wrong instrument...I'm in a Titanic-induced stupor right now). The beginning of "My Heart Will Go On". The theme song to the movie that single-handedly defined my early adolescence. The movie that made me fall in love with one Mr. DiCaprio. The movie that kinda made me want to go back in time and be on the Titanic, just so I could hang out with Jack and Rose.

Wait, they weren't really there? Minor details.

Yall...Titanic was on my TV screen. And it's coming to a movie theater near me in less than a month. In 3D! I. Can't. Wait. Seeing that on the TV took me right back in time.

All of a sudden, it was 1997 again. I was 12 whole years old (bless my heart) and putting on my clear mascara and LipSmackers lip gloss and baggy, straight-legged jeans and being dropped off at the movie theater at the back of McFarland Mall by my mom who was telling me she would be waiting right here and to come straight out after the movie and I was rolling my eyes at her and then the theater went dark and there they were! Jack and Rose. Oh, heavens, their love story...my little 12 year old heart swooned. And then it broke when Rose just couldn't make any space at all on her little piece of wood for Jack to get out of the frigid water. I've found it in me over the last fifteen (!) years to forgive Rose for that, just so you know.

I saw it over and over, three times to be exact. The parents finally put their foot down and said if I wanted to go see Titanic again, I was going to have to go get a job of my own. At the age of twelve. So, I just got the VHS tapes for my birthday and watched the movie over and over again until I had it memorized.

And oh, that song! I remember listening to the "Top 8 at 8:00" with Louie Linguini every night on 94.1, blank tape in my cassette player, finger poised over the Record button, waiting to record the best song I'd heard at that point in my life. Over the course of quite a number of weeks, I managed to get the song perfectly recorded over and over enough times to fill one side of my cassette tape. In the days before recordable CDs (where you can record once and just hit "repeat") this was quite an accomplishment. Some of my friends were jealous.

And here I am, fifteen years later. Lots and lots and lots of things have changed. I was just sitting here in my  little grownup home, drinking a grownup glass of wine, doing grownup work for my grownup job, and now I feel as giddy as a middle schooler again.

And I can't wait until April.

Spring's done sprung

Even though the calendar doesn't back me up, I've decided to make it official. Spring has arrived! If the extra daylight, buds, blooms, and chirping birds weren't signal enough, my sinuses have made sure I know what season it is. I spent some time yesterday afternoon (one of the most glorious afternoons in the history of the world) taking in the springtime splendor...

{The color of sweet brand new baby leaves is my absolute favorite shade of green.}

{one of my favorite pictures I've taken in a very long time...just fyi :)}

With all of this springtime splendor bursting forth, I have a feeling my NetiPot and I are about to become close, personal friends again. It's about that time.

My new life motto

Some words of wisdom on this Saturday morning:

"When you are joyful, be joyful; when you are sad, be sad. If God has given you a sweet cup, don’t make it bitter; and if He has given you a bitter cup, don’t try and make it sweet; take things as they come."

-Oswald Chambers

Take things as they come, and see them for what they are...good or bad. What a brilliant idea! Along with the good comes some bad, and that's okay. That's just the way it is! Experience things. Even if it's something you weren't planning on, experience everything. Good and bad...just roll with it.

 

I'm working on that these days, and this quote has inspired me. I'll keep you posted on my progress. Enjoy your weekend, friends!

Thankful Thursday

What. A. Week. Good, but absolutely nonstop. Whew. I am weary, but happy. Today I am thankful for...

• the grace and never-ending patience the good Lord extends to me on a daily basis
• my family and friends...truly the best in the world
• my health, and the health of my loved ones
• a successful surgery for Uncle Robert (my great-uncle) this week...he's still got a very long road ahead of him, so prayers are welcome
• my job, my coworkers, and the little people I am blessed to spend most of my daylight hours with
• enough money to cover my needs, and a teeny tiny bit left for some wants every now and then
• a roof over my head, food in my fridge, shoes on my feet, clothes in my closet, clean running water, electricity, a sweet little car that gets me where I need to go in a fuel-efficient manner :)
• this, from my devotional email today: "Today, as you go through the tasks of daily living, pay attention to those around you. You never know when someone in your path may be your special assignment from God." Awesome, and so true.
• getting my car paid off
• the ability to hear...and see...and walk...and think
• the safe, happy arrival of William Daniel Remmert yesterday...blessings to you and your new family of three, dearest Luke and Adrienne!
• Wednesday night supper club...great girls, great conversation, GREAT food, lots of laughs...good for the soul
• muscadine wine
• a positive attitude
• 6 more schooldays until spring break
• a job that gives me some nice breaks throughout the year to recoup
• getting to go observe a teacher at another school yesterday morning...I got some great ideas and that small change in routine was exactly what I needed. It's amazing what changing things up a bit will do for ya!
• the fact that I am literate
• some wonderful new books from the library
• book fair at school this week...always a good time!
• opening the windows up to listen to the rain fall
• the darling haircut I got today...I got my hair washed (delightful), a hand massage (also delightful), a scalp massage (uh...heaven), a great haircut, and some new hair goop, all for $30. Can't beat that with a stick!
• Adele...absolutely adore her unique voice. We sound really, really great when we sing together.
• Rick & Bubba...they make me look forward to getting ready every morning
• a fun field trip planned for next week
• my simple, lovely little life and the direction the good Lord is taking me...I'm seeing lots of good things up ahead
• my blog friends...thanks for loving me in spite of the drivel that often spews forth from my keyboard :)

HAPPY WEEKEND, yall!

Things I learned today

I like to learn. I set a goal for myself every single day: learn at least one new thing. At least one, and it can be anything. Just has to be something I didn't know when I lay my head on my pillow the night before. Here's what I learned today:

1.) When you're zipping across the parking lot at Wal-Mart...you know, sideways, ignoring all the parking lot lanes and arrows...you have the right-of-way. What? You didn't know that? I didn't either. I didn't think anybody with a semi-functioning brain thought that. Thankfully, the unnecessarily angry woman in the unnecessarily large vehicle laid on her horn to show me (the silly one following the lanes and arrows and normal traffic rules) the error of my ways.

2.) The Wal-Mart where I live is one of the unhappiest places on Earth. I gave it up cold-turkey at one point; I need to get to that point again.

3.) If there's a used Band-Aid on the floor of a fifth grade classroom, and the teacher is imploring someone to pick it up, it doesn't belong to any of the aforementioned fifth graders. It must've come from a ghost, because it surely didn't come from any of the fifth graders.
 
4.) A little shake-up in the daily grind is very often a good thing. I ain't turnin' it down.
 
5.) A joke, shared with me by one of my fellow teachers, told to him by a student:
          Boy: Dad, I'm cold!
          Dad: Well, go stand in the corner.
          Boy: I don't want to stand in the corner!
          Dad: It'll help if you're feeling cold.
          Boy: How?
          Dad: It's 90 degrees.
 
Clever, huh?! It takes a true math nerd to appreciate a good geometry joke :)
 
6.) If the arch of one's foot is hurting, walking 3 miles on said arch isn't going to make it better. In fact, it makes it much worse.
 
7.) Local muscadine wine is a true delight.
 
8.) Just the knowledge that I'm getting my hair cut this week is enough to put a smile on this simpleton's face. Doesn't take much.
 
9.) Glass jars of spaghetti sauce don't bounce. In fact, they shatter rather spectacularly. I learned this lesson from a little knee-high darling at Wal-Mart (see #2) who was not being supervised in a thorough manner.
 
10.) Mudcats may be one of the best reality shows ever created. I can't even explain what about it speaks to me; it just...does.

You know what's awesome?

• glorious, blue-sky, sunny, 60 degree weather
• knowing you've got family and friends who've got your back no. matter. what.
• getting your lesson plans done before leaving school on Friday afternoon
• 10 more schooldays until spring break
• Bradford pear trees...their white blooms and bright green leaves are my favorite sign that spring is coming
  
  
• insight and clarity, no matter how long it takes to finally get through to you...knowing is a good, good thing
• a lazy Sunday
• officially being done making car payments...I felt like I'd gotten a raise when I got paid this month :)

• a Mudcats marathon
• a new supper club in the works
• a delightful Saturday afternoon spent with my Mimi
• a good new book from the library and two more on hold...oh, how I love the library

• three fun trips to look forward to in the next few months
• naps
• an absolutely delightful chicken noodle soup recipe...I've been working to perfect it for months now, and I'm almost ready to share it with the world...ready yourselves!

What's awesome in your world these days, friends?

It's about that time

We dismissed school at 12:15 today. Reason? Tornado weather. It's my very, very, very least favorite kind of weather. I'm not a member of the fan club. In fact, I'm a member of the "Everybody Hates Tornadoes" fan club. You knew something was "off" the minute you stepped outside. It was over 80 degrees today, which is never a good sign on the second day of March.

It's nearly springtime, and everybody 'round these parts knows what that means: James Spann has his sleeves rolled up. I never used to get worked up about tornadoes, but the events of April 27th changed all that for me. I don't brush off those sirens and radar images anymore.

I do think the 12:15 dismissal was serious overkill, but I guess that's why they don't pay me the big bucks. I'm not complaining about my afternoon off! Here's hoping the tornadoes realize they're the biggest losers around and stay up in the sky where they belong. Pray for those who have been affected in the multiple tornadoes that have already touched down in our fair state and across the country today.

Enjoy a (tornado-free) weekend, folks!

Thankful Thursday

Today, this first day of March, I am thankful for so many things...

• the good Lord and the fact the He never, ever, ever gives up on me
• my family and friends...I've rediscovered this week that I have literally the best family and friends in the universe
• my health, and the health of my family and friends
• the fact that my eyes can see and my ears can hear
• a roof over my head, clothes in my closet, food in my fridge, shoes on my feet, clean running water, a totally dependable car that gets killer gas mileage
• my job, my coworkers, and the little people I spend my days with
• all of my students officially memorizing the Preamble...thank you, Schoolhouse Rock!
• the pretty Bradford pear trees that have started blooming...just lovely
• confidence and faith
• laughter, and lots of chances to experience it this week
• a very successful D.C. trip meeting tonight, even thought it's made for a very long day...the folks on our bus seem to be an incredible bunch!
• having a fun trip to our nation's capital to look forward to
• hard times, because they make me appreciate the good times so much more
• the 5 lb. box of delightful little mandarins I bought this week...5 lbs. of fruit is a lot for one person, but I ain't skeered...I can take it
• good test results...answered and unanswered prayers right there!
• quiet
• knowing how to sew, and some time to play around with some new projects lately
• a lovely little dinner out with a new friend and an old friend last night...great conversation, great company
• payday!
• making some wise financial decisions
• a weekend coming up...much needed
• fun plans for the aforementioned weekend :)

HAPPY WEEKEND, yall!

Thankful Thursday

Today, on this last Thursday of February, I am thankful for...

• the grace and never-ending patience of the good Lord
• faith
• my man
• my family and friends
• my health, and the health of my loved ones
• a mind that recalls nearly everything I stuff in it...I'm learning not to take my memory for granted
• a roof over my head, shoes on my feet, clothes in my closet, food in my fridge, clean running water whenever I want it, a (little teeny tiny) bit of money in the bank
• legs that are strong enough for me to walk miles every week
• my job, my coworkers, my beautiful school, and the little people I get to spend my days with
• challenges...I'm determined to use them to make me a stronger, better person
• a fun return trip to D.C. coming up...what's more fun than traveling 13 hours on a bus to our nation's great capital with a group of 300 other people? :)
• the opportunity to make up a whole mess of burp cloths this week...fun, satisfying, and easy
• getting to celebrate Mama's birthday with the fam this weekend
• a glorious, much-needed day off for Presidents' Day
• remarkably warm, springlike weather lately...seeing as how it was 75 degrees today, can we officially declare that winter isn't going to happen this year?
• happy, healthy pregnancies for some sweet mamas-to-be who really appreciate the precious gift they've been given
• good music
• my fabulous new little cheek/lip "color stick"...$1 at Target, E.L.F. brand, "Pink Lemonade" color...it's a delight
• the subtle smell of wood smoke drifting around the little town where I work...a new high school is being built (yay!) and the brush is being burned off...I love the smell of wood smoke, and I just LOVE the excitement that this town has over its very first high school being built
• laughter
• a sense of humor, both in me and the people I choose to surround myself with
• the gift of sleeping through the night, and my comfortable bed

HAPPY WEEKEND, yall!

Thankful Thursday...3 months later

Oops. I didn't realize it had been so long since my last Thankful Thursday post. Not that I haven't been thankful in the last three months, because I have. I just haven't gotten around to sharing with the world. Back at it today! The world can start turning again.

Today I am thankful for...

• the good Lord and the work He's doing in me and through me lately
• my man
• my family and friends
• my health, and the health of my family and friends...our minds and bodies all still functioning fairly well, and that truly is a blessing
• a day off on Monday
• my job, my coworkers, and the little people I get to spend my days with
• a roof over my head, shoes on my feet, food in my fridge, clean running water, clothes to wear, arms and legs that do everything I want them to do, ears that hear, eyes that see...when you think of your life this way, you realize how incredibly blessed you are
• hot showers
• a nice, comfortable bed to jump in at night...I'm sleep's #1 fan
• perseverance
• a few opportunities lately to be humbled...finding out that you're in the wrong is never fun, but it sure helps you to grow...I'm all about growing, even at my own expense
• having a Valentine this year :)
• the pretty new charm for my bracelet given to me by the aforementioned Valentine
• a day off on Monday
• laughter, and multiple opportunities to experience it this week
• Mimi's birthday and a chance to have a good, long chat with her the other day
• Grandad's new job...answered prayers right there, folks!
• my Bubba fitting in nicely at his new job in the ER...another prayer answered!
• Bubba getting his nursing license this week...he's officially official!
• duty-free lunch tomorrow...it's Soup Day :)
• our "walking club" meeting all three times this week, and an unexpected new member yesterday...you can join us any time, Teri!
• nice weather this week...this winter has felt just like spring...I've only worn my pea coat once!
• feeling a big bloggier lately
• challenges that force me to evaluate what's really important, what I can actually change, and what I've got to leave up to God...I'm glad He can take on much more than I can
• seeing this sweet face pop up in my facebook newsfeed today, courtesy of his mama
• 
• I can't believe Mikee's been in Heaven over five years now. Seeing his picture pop up on facebook brought the biggest smile to my face. I'm excited to get one of his famous bear hugs again someday.
• a day off on Monday

HAPPY WEEKEND, yall!

My Mimi

Today is Valentine's Day. Since I've never really had a romantic, special Valentine's Day, I've always preferred to celebrate this day as Mimi's birthday instead. Mimi does indeed share her birthday with Valentine's Day. She's always been good about sharing :)

{pit stop in front of the Plaza Hotel in New York City...September 2006}

I absolutely adore my Mimi. There aren't many people in my life that I think of and instantly get the warm fuzzies and a smile on my face. Mimi is special enough to get that reaction from me. Every time. She's celebrating a big, bustin'-into-a-new-decade kinda birthday today, and I'm very glad I've still got her around.

*She's my partner in crime. She's literally up for anything, and we've had ourselves more adventures than I can begin to count.

*She loves me exactly the way I am, and lets me know it.

*She calls me "Bug".

*She tells me I've got a serious smart alec streak, and is secretly very proud when I tell her I got it from her.

{about to go to my very first...and now favorite!...Broadway show}

*We share lots of the same interests.

*I spent many of my growing up years helping her host parties, showers, and teas. I'm very thankful for all she's taught me about hospitable Southern entertaining.

*She's got the world's cutest laugh, and I love to say something that makes it come out.

*I love to get her really tickled, because then she gets this really mischevious look on her face that makes her look about 9 years old. Love it.

*She and Grandad have successfully maneuvered 50+ years of marriage. What an awesome example.

{with Cousin Sarah at Arlington House...July 2011}

*She gives great advice, and I know I can talk to her about absolutely anything without any judgment.

*She gives of her time and talents very selflessly.

*She has such a sweet group of friends, many of whom have been by her side for over 5 decades. I hope I can look forward to that myself some day.

I could go on and on, but I know she'd probably pinch me the next time she saw me. She doesn't like a big fuss. She'll have to get over it, though, because she's worth it...and because this is my blog :)

Happy birthday, my sweet Mimi! Your Bug loves you very much.

Wide open spaces

Do you ever remember your dreams? I don't often, but I've had several over the last month that I've remembered. They all involve one thing: wide open spaces. In my dreams, I'm standing in the middle of a prairie watching the sun rise or set over the horizon. I'm admiring the beauty of a completely natural, untouched landscape. I'm blissfully, ridiculously happy...and completely unburdened.

What does it all mean, man??

Maybe I need to start saving for a vacation. Until then, I'll just listen to my new favorite song on repeat...

Thankful Thursday, Thanksgiving edition

Okay, so it's not Thanksgiving anymore. Close enough!

Today I am thankful for...

• the grace and patience and forgiveness of the good Lord
• my family, friends, and my dear Doc
• my health, and the health of my loved ones...I hope I never take that for granted
• a lovely Thanksgiving spent with the people I love
• turkey, dressing, and cranberry sauce
• the fact that my loved ones still love me in spite of the obscene quantities of turkey, dressing, and cranberry sauce I took down yesterday
• a fun little date night this evening
• reminders to focus on the positive and be optimistic
• the fact that (although to my disappointment) things don't always go like I want them to...the good Lord is much better at planning than I am
• reminders this week to be selfless and put others before myself
• my Mama's wisdom, and that she always chooses to share it just when I need it
• getting to visit with Daddy on his lunch break today...we're like the 2 Musketeers
• all that's happening right now for my Bubba...a finished preceptorship (yay!), graduation right around the corner, and a job already lined up...God is so good!
• the fact that anybody wants to read the drivel I put on my long-neglected little blog
• a break from work to recharge my batteries a bit
• a sweet, out-of-the-blue card in the mail this week...finding something fun in my mailbox makes me geekily excited
• the opportunity to travel to God's country (aka, Auburn) for the Iron Bowl this weekend
• laughter
• shoes on my feet, food in my fridge, clothes in my closet, a roof over my head, clean running water, a car, and a little bit of money left in my bank account at the end of the month
• my job, my coworkers, and the fun little people I spend my days with
• the ridiculously comfortable new bed in my room at my parents' house...I had a hard time dragging myself away from it today
• clean sheets
• hot showers
• Excedrin
• crunchy leaves
• beautiful, beautiful fall weather
• weekends

HAPPY WEEKEND, yall, and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for...

• the mind-boggling amount of love and patience the good Lord has when dealing with me...amazing
• my family, friends, and my sweet Doc
• my health, and the health of my loved ones...don't ever take it for granted, folks!
• a two-day work week coming up
• a fantastically beautiful sunset this evening
• the really, really good news (of the job offer variety) my sweet, soon-to-be-a-graduate brother called to share with me tonight...what a blessing!
• Thanksgiving right around the corner...one of my favorites!
• Thanksgiving lunch at school today...I literally look forward to it all year and it didn't disappoint!
• a roof over my head, shoes on my feet, clothes in my closet, a car that runs, food in my fridge, clean running water, enough money to cover my needs and take care of a few "wants" every now and then
• employment, the people I work with, and the students I get to spend time with
• the new student joining our class tomorrow...I'm nervous and excited...hope that I'll be a blessing to him this year
• a two-day work week coming up
• the urge to make a "Thankful Thursday" list after being a total slacker lately
• a chance to celebrate our precious counselor Toni at her retirement party today...I am truly a better person for knowing her and so admire her...she's made more of a difference than she'll ever know, and I wish her the best of luck in her new adventure!
• lots of things in life to look forward to
• a reminder this week that contentment is a conscious choice (not a feeling), and something that you have to work at every day...so freeing when you realize that
• a two-day work week coming up
• some cooler weather after oddly warm, humid weather all week
• our great state making it through our first "tornado weather" since April...seeing that radar yesterday put me on edge a bit
• learning something new today: horses can't vomit...seriously, they can't...look it up
• the opportunity to bring such random, mostly useless knowledge (such as the above) to the world...you're welcome
• a fun holiday season coming up
• some really great conversations and lessons with my students this week about Pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving...I adore 5th grade social studies
• a two-day work week coming up

HAPPY WEEKEND, yall!

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for...

• the grace of the good Lord
• my family, friends, and my darling fireman
• my health, and the health of my loved ones
• my job, the people I work with, and my feisty little 5th graders
• a roof over my head, shoes on my feet, food in my fridge, clean running water, electricity, a car that runs, and a comfy place to lay my head at night
• a wide-open weekend...the most wonderful kind!
• gloriously beautiful fall weather...definitely my most favorite season
• getting to turn off the AC and open the windows up wide
• a nice, long walk this afternoon...I was really happy to get some "me" time in
• legs that are strong enough to carry me through whatever I want to do
• getting to carve a pumpkin last night...thanks for making my Halloween dreams come true, bud!
• the chance to (hopefully) get a good night's sleep tonight
• thus-far healthy, happy pregnancies for some sweet friends of mine
• Kate getting to make a return trip to Charleston...this time as a professional (!) going to speak at a conference (!!) So proud of you, dear friend :)
• my simple little life
• this song, which I listened to no fewer than 4 times on my walk earlier today...love

HAPPY WEEKEND, yall!

PS---The people on the news have been reminding me all day that it's been exactly 6 months since those hideous tornadoes chewed their way through our beautiful state of Alabama. I still don't like to think about that day, and I still have a hard time reading this post and the ones I posted after it. I'm still very thankful, however, that all of my sweet family members in Tuscaloosa were fine. Such a blessing.