Funny Incident

Disclaimer: Laurie, you may not want to read this.

I am putting my leftover homemade chicken noodle soup in a tupperware bowl and loading the dishwasher when I catch a slight movement on the wall of my kitchen. I glance over my shoulder and realize a baby roach is scurrying up the wall. I grab a papertowel and swat at him. I hit him, but not hard enough to squash him, and he falls...on my shirt!

I flip my shirt a little to get him off and he lands near my foot, causing me to stumble backwards, kicking the dishwasher with my heel. The roach is momentarily lost, but I realized a "bug on the wall" would have had great footage of the event!

Being sick does have benefits

I've been ill since I woke up this morning. I had Monday off and am having to take Tuesday off. So a 3 day work week is nice. I've also lost 6 pounds in the last 24 hours.

Being sick does have benefits.

What the World Eats

Time has done a photo essay on families from around the world. It makes me think.

Reflection

The Broken for You service at church last night was amazing in its simplicity. I would love to know what media she used to write with and on...I was mesmerized to watch the face of my Savior appear out of orange and yellow and white.

We were handed a nail on the way in...it was rough on the edges and sharp all the way around. Where am I going to put this? I thought to myself. My thoughts immediately stopped. Yes, it's sharp and rough. But ones much more rough-hewn were pounded into Christ's wrists and feet.

As we're singing:

As morning dawns and evening fades
You inspire songs of praise
That rise from earth to touch Your heart and glorify Your Name

[Chorus:]
Your Name is a strong and mighty tower
Your Name is a shelter like no other
Your Name, let the nations sing it louder
‘Cause nothing has the power to save
But Your Name

Jesus, in Your Name we pray
Come and fill our hearts today
Lord, give us strength to live for You and glorify Your Name

[Chorus:]
Your Name is a strong and mighty tower
Your Name is a shelter like no other
Your Name, let the nations sing it louder
‘Cause nothing has the power to save but Your Name

[Chorus:]
Your Name is a strong and mighty tower
Your Name is a shelter like no other
Your Name, let the nations sing it louder
‘Cause nothing has the power to save but

[Chorus:]
Your Name is a strong and mighty tower
Your Name is a shelter like no other
Your Name, let the nations sing it louder
‘Cause nothing has the power to save but Your Name
‘Cause nothing has the power to save but Your Name


she is writing Christ's names on...a board...of some sort with a white pen, like a glow pen maybe. Then our voices fade away and the band plays and she picks up a gallon of paint...and with her hand begins to smear. It took a few seconds to realize what was going to appear... Is she just smearing over the names of the Lord or is something beautiful going to come through this? Orange and yellow and white...with red at the very end. I am amazed at what an artist can create in such a short period of time.

God is like that. Creating something so beautiful out of something so simple. He takes his time. He does not rush. We may feel as if a moment has gone by ... or maybe a year. Either way, He is creating a masterpiece. I want to be watching it. I want to experience it. I don't want to sit back and complain that what He is doing is messing up something I feel is beautiful by itself. The list of the Lord's names was beautiful...but to see his face come alive in front of my own eyes is beyond measure.

What is the Lord doing in my life today? Am I complaining because he is covering up something beautiful? Am I sitting back and watching? Am I experiencing it?

Odd Request

Does anyone have one or more of the following?

Stinky Stern Forever by Michelle Edwards

The Bee Tree by Patricia Polacco

Summer of the Monkeys by Wilson Rawls

Black Beauty: Puffin Graphic Novel by Anna Sewell

I'm supposed to read them for my Children's Literature course, and I haven't been able to find them so far. I'd rather not purchase them, but will try that next.

Restaurant Matching and Confirmation on Ghetto

A friend recently told me she always thinks of me when thinking of a certain restaurant. She wasn't sure why except she knew I liked it a lot. Our conversation made me smile. Does anyone else think of me in relation to a restaurant?

My heater can only be used when the outside temperature drops below 50. In November we had some cool nights, but I couldn't use my heater because we hadn't reached 49 degrees. I'm not sure what the ceiling is, but apparently we've reached it. I can't use my heater any longer. We're still having some cool nights, but no heater for me.

Good Math

I've been looking at numbers for awhile now. I have a 5 year car note that is finished next May. Since last year, when I began to have a few problems that ended up being a lot less major than I originally thought, I have been wanting to be done with the whole car payment thing. I started paying more monthly than required and threw in a couple extra payments, too. I just called the Credit Union to get my balance and did the math. I'll be able to pay it off in June at the latest! Almost an entire year early! Perfect timing since I'm trying to buy a house in June or July and a little extra cash will come in handy! Isn't God good?

Today's Schedule

Wake up at 7:30am for no apparent reason.
-Check email and look through the listings my realtor has sent me, mark out 13 of the 14.

9:00, wake up Angela
- Angela finishes her packing and we load up the car

10:00, go to bank, then breakfast at La Madeline

11:00, go back home and chill for a little while

11:30, go to church parking lot and let Angela drive around

12:00, go by a townhouse I'm interested in and take pics of outside

12:15, call Southwest Airlines and realize storms are in Dallas, know will probably have flight delays

12:45, arrive at airport for Angela's 2:00pm flight

1:45, gate attendant announces we're on a gate hold until 3:00pm, when we will receive an update...whatever that means

1:45, call Southwest Airlines from airport; found out all flights in and out of Dallas have been stopped for today, reschedule Angela for flight tomorrow

2:00, told no luggage would be retrieved, it will go to original destination...good luck!

2:15, leave airport and pay $2 for parking...for nothing

3:00, go by library to check out children's books for several grad school projects

4:30, blogging and sleepy...I want a nap

I'm giving in

I've skirted around the issue for awhile, not letting it linger in my mind, occasionally having the thought, but refusing to give in.

I'll admit it now. I think I live in the ghetto. There is a condom on the sidewalk outside my door...it's not in the package anymore.

I'm so ready to buy a house!

Unsettling

I've had a dream a couple of times in which my family has hired a handyman who lives with us and he turns violent. The dream is almost the exact same, but not quite. Last night is the second time I've had it. I remember thinking at one point, "Last time I took the phone away from him and he was okay with it, so I'm going to do it again." This time the dream went a little farther though in that he and my dad get into a car chase with guns, and I break a window to get back in my parents' house and call 911. The creepy part is that 'he' beeps in and knows what I've done! I realize it is all just a dream, but it felt oh so real. And of course the fact I've now had the dream twice is unsettling as well.

To top it all off, I'm on Spring Break and away before 7:30. Grrrr

Choices, choices

If, for whatever reason, homebaked is not an option and you're REALLY wanting some chocolate chip cookies, which one would you choose?

Chewy?



or


Chunky?

Work Conference: in Washington DC!

At our last faculty meeting, my principal announced the possibility of going to Washington D.C. for a conference on Professional Learning Communities. This is something our district is adopting...and it's actually really interesting. :) She said she and 4 teachers would be able to go. All those that are interested met this morning, threw our names in a hat, and drew the lucky winners. I won!!!

The conference is September 17-20. Which means: I'll miss 3 days of school (whoo-hoo), spend several days with colleagues I enjoy, and (best part) a trip to D.C. at no cost to me!

I'm so excited!

"Good job!"

This is my 4th year at this school. I love working here. My assistant principal is wonderful. Her mindset is very black and white. She's extremely straight-lined, with no gray areas, no hesitation. At times, that drives me crazy.

We had some major drama in my classroom today. Several of my students had been bullying a 3rd grader. It required multiple emails between my AP and I, which initiated parent emails and responses. One parent came up to speak with his son at lunch time. It made for a hectic morning. Add on top of that, my principal came to observe my teaching today!

When I popped in my AP's office at lunch time, she said, "Good job with all of this!"

It was my first compliment from her...I admit it felt very good!

Countdown has begun

Only two days until Spring Break!

I HATE it when that happens!

I was so desperately tired when I arrived home from work, I decided to take a short nap. I set my alarm for one hour and dozed off. I woke up two and a half hours later when a friend of mine called. Doh!

I am now starting my take-home midterm...much later than I originally intended.

Mmm, tasty

I don't ever just bounce out of bed in the morning, but this morning was especially difficult. Time change weekend...all I got to say about that. As I was getting ready, I had a heart attack moment. I have a take home midterm due Wednesday night in class...and I haven't even STARTED! Two other problems with this: 1. I have Rascall Flatts tickets for tomorrow night, so I have to complete it tonight. 2. I gave a couple of guy friends a REALLY hard time about forgetting things over the weekend, specifically referencing the male gender being forgetful. Now I have to eat a bit of crow.

50% Chance

Snow!? In Houston? When it's not Christmas?

I heard on the radio this morning that we have a 50% chance of snow, sleet and rain this morning.

Snow!!! Sleet!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm bumfuzzled.

No caffeine...and the side effects

I was having a rough day yesterday. I didn't eat anything at breakfast or lunch time. I didn't even have my standard diet coke!

When I got home, I took a 2 1/2 hour nap. When I woke up, I was thirsty. However, I haven't done my grocery shopping and am out of diet coke. As you can see from last night's post, all I had was wine. I made my own winecooler with some Sprite.

This morning, I've been drinking water...on purpose.

My last diet coke was Sunday at lunch. I don't have a caffeine headache or anything, which is good. We'll see how long this lasts.

Voting in the Primaries!

Don't forget to vote today!

If you're unsure where to go, click here and find out!

I want a diet coke, but all I have is wine.

Whew!

I need a break from a fun weekend!

Friday: hang out at a Spades tournament, without playing Spades, but enjoying wonderful conversation with great friends...get home at midnight

Saturday: wake up at 7:45am for no apparent reason, work out on treadmill, read a book outside on my porch, talk with a college friend on the phone, do some slight picking up around the house, talk with my cousin on the phone, then another college friend calls and we catch up as well, play two games of softball, eat out with team and cheerers, play Wii with some members of team and cheering squad, go to bed at 2:30am after showering (softball + workout = yeck)

Sunday: wake up at 7:45am, pick up breakfast for myself and friends, drive almost to Clear Lake to a church service in which Mike Huckabee spoke briefly on being the light of the world and Tim LaHaye brought a message on pre-tribulation...It was an experience. It had been awhile since I'd been in a non-Baptist church for a service (weddings, yes, services, it had been awhile.) Truth was spoken, worship was participatory. I enjoyed it! I didn't agree with everything, but who is to say I'm always right? (emphasis on the always) drive back, have lunch with some other friends and head home where I tried to take a nap...Head to HFBC for a lesson on living in a world full of lies and needing to hear the truth, then a sermon on being the salt and light of the world. My friends who attended the morning service with me all agreed that this was most certainly not a coincidence. Very fun to see the Lord working so majestically and in unity.

On a different note, the Lord is speaking truth in my life through His scripture and loving friends. All in all, draining. My muscles are sore, my heart is bruised and my spirit is currently in a place of some unrest. I can tell my students have picked up on the fact that all may not be well with Ms. Ross. They're very quiet and doing exactly what I say the first time I say it. I could get used to that!

Why!? Why!!!???

It's 8:15 on a Saturday morning, and I've been awake for half an hour already. I didn't set an alarm. I don't have anywhere to be. I just woke up.

Why?!