Whew!!

Whew!!!!  Last week was finally over, and what a week it was.  So thrilled the Federal Review is over!  Not only was I interviewed for over 3 hours, I had to sit as they were going through files the review team had pulled.  My only thought-gosh it is very stormy--windy and strong thunderstorms outside so if you need to leave early please feel free to do so.  To my dismay the review team stayed.  I did mention though a little food stop-the best dip dogs, onion rings, and milkshakes a person has ever tasted.  Of course, my principal couldn't believe I mentioned the one and only Dip Dog Stand to the review team!
Anyway I was relieved when it was over.

Now that the review was over-why did it take me so long to unwind.  I finished out the school day as usual-well a few more well-wishes than anticipated-but it was school as usual. Finally, I was HOME!Hub had went to get grandson-and I just needed a moment-no such luck though.  "Come here, Mamow." and it was a little play time.  Next came dinner and I couldn't eat!!  Step-son kept wanting grandson to eat-which of course he wouldn't -and the conversation went something like this:  "Come on Nate and eat.  If you don't eat you won't come back to Mamow  and Buddy-(he calls Charlie -Buddy and not Papaw)."  Nate would then commence to cry and say "I don't want to eat.  I want down."  Then Todd -Charlie's son by his first marriage, would say-"I'm telling you Nate you better eat.  Daddy is hungry and if you don't eat you aren't coming back."  More crying from Nate-"I not hungry." 
ENOUGH!!!  My adrenaline was still on high from my day and just stop was what I wanted to say but instead I just got up from the table and went outside.  Sometimes it is best to just not say anything. Late I cleaned up the dishes and was able to eat later.  After a hard, long day, I just needed a few minutes to debrief.  People who do not teach have a hard time understanding this, but it is so true.  After being interviewed by the Federal Review Team and finish teaching 8th graders-I just need to debrief-not coming home to a three year old and then listen to arguing about dinner.

Saturday was much better.  The Farmer's Market had opened and my aunt and I went early that morning.  Just to go and walk through the market was so refreshing, even though it was a bit chilly.

Today was so nice.  After church, I did nothing.  Then it hit me--#2 daughter graduates from college in just 3 weeks-Yikes!! time to get planning on much graduation 'stuff.'  Four years of college went by too fast.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Have you ever played golf? Any interest in playing? Do you have a significant other who loves to play? Did you watch The Masters this past weekend?

I tried playing golf when first married, and I didn't enjoy the sport.  The last time I played, hub accidentally hit golf cart-which I was driving-with golf ball.  My last memory of golf!  Hub is an avid player but recently hasn't been able to.  #2 daughter enjoys playing golf but #1 daughter is like me-not a golf player. 

 

2. Hats are back in fashion this spring...how do you feel about wearing a hat? (fyi-I'm not talking baseball caps) When was the last time you wore one?

I wish I was born in the era where all women wear hats.  I love hats!!  Whenever I put one on, my daughters cringe

3. On a scale of 1-10 with 10 meaning proficient and 1 meaning "I'd starve", how adept are you at using chopsticks?

About a 2 and that is stretching it.

4. Has technology taken over?

Yes, most definitely.  I would like to talk to a person when having difficulties-cable, phone, etc. instead of an automatic machine.  How many times I have had a problem with the computer and oh well wish I had paper and pencil back and now doing state assessments on the computer and keeping up with each student's ticket is a nightmare!

5. In the course of a day how often do you look in a mirror?

Probably-counting putting on make-up, wearing contacts, etc....5 times.

6. Tulip or Daffodil?

Tulip--the cold snap we had last night killed mine.

7. I am proud of myself for __________________.

Not smoking..  I have not bought a carton of cigarettes since October.  I have moments when I  want a cigarette, but now it is getting far and far between
.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
I never thought I would feel this way-but school is ending too soon for me-Crunch Time is here!

Weekend-ended too soo.....

Weekend-

just like the word-week did end all too soon for me

I have enjoyed my time off -first spring break in 30+ years for me, and I really dread going back to  school.  But on the bright side-six more weeks is all she wrote and then it is summer!!!!  Not only do I get a spring break but school ends May 24 for us this year.  Thank-you-winter.

I spent the week with grandson-such a joy.  A trip to Chuck E Cheese is a must.

He had an egg hunt at church-too bad the weather didn't cooperate.

Then it was egg coloring time.....uh oh I hit publish too soon,,,,,,,

Ole Fashion Basket

Easter Baskets

My husband was married before I met him, and he had a son, Todd, Todd is now 35 years old and he has a son, Nate.  Todd and Nate's mom never married, and she remarried and gave up Nate two years ago to Todd.  Oh, she comes in and out of his life-but nothing permanent-- how a mother could do this is beyond me- I'll save this topic for another post.

Back to baskets......

I remember growing up- my Easter Basket-which probably looked something like this

Every year until this year, I fixed my daughters and their boyfriends an Easter Basket.  For some reason, they didn't want a basket this.  So I asked Nate who is 3, what kind of Easter Basket did he want and he replied "Spider Man." I thought he would have said a blue or yellow basket -not a spider man basket-which I didn't know even existed. 

But they do exist-and many others.

Browsing the store, I saw very few 'traditional' baskets.'  I saw ---Duck Baskets, Dog Baskets, Car Baskets, Football Baskets, Barbie Baskets, Sponge Bob Baskets, etc.  I felt sad---where was the traditional baskets--I missed them!! and these other basets were so small-too small to put candy and other goodies in them and gosh I was so glad I had kept my daughters baskets from a couple of years ago and,,,,I sure miss the traditional baskets. 

I enjoyed making my daughters Easter Baske -buying the different candy, stuff animals, and arranging it all to look nice.  Now-the baskets are too small for any of this stuff.
 
My daughters came home yesterday from college with Easter Baskets for Nate.

I sure miss the 'traditional baskets.'

It is Mamow Time!

I have taught for 30 years and have never gotten a spring break.  The last spring break I remember was when I was in college....and I am trying to remember what I did then.

Anyways....I started planning last week what I wanted to do....take a trip to the beach, short trip to Pigeon Forge, or a short trip to go shopping.  After some thought=I chose to do NONE of these.  I told hub I just wanted to stay home! I know I would make myself tired going to the beach-one wants to do all you can at the beach-long days in the sun-late nights walking on the beach..not much sleep-and then when one gets home tons and tons of laundry before heading back to school. If I went to Pigeon Forge-I would want to do tons of shopping and other site attractions and not really much rest.  I chose to stay home and have some Mamow Time!!

When I get home from school, grandson is here and I am tired-long days now and I really don't feel like playing with him much--papers to grade, too much laundry and other activities. 

So.....

Saturday we went to the Easter Egg Hunt at the park...

Then grandson wanted to go down the slide.

My daughters had as much fun as he did.

Next it was McDonald's Happy Meal time-

Sunday was the children's program at church.  Each child had a saying using the Resurrection Eggs and then the children played the bells.

The children did a great job.
This morning we took his truck out for a little spin.

Next we headed to the library.

Tomorrow I plan on taking him to Chuck E Cheese..

Yep....this week I am going to enjoy me some Mamow Time!!!