Raffle Tickets

I teach at, and my kids attend, a local Christian school. We work for very low wages because we truly believe in the mission that this school has set out to accomplish for Christ.

My kids are thriving there, especially DS13, my aspie. It takes a special blend of compassion and acceptance to work with a kid like him and this school does so very well at making him feel like he is part of something bigger and that he is accepted by all staff and students alike. And he truly is accepted. That is a rare thing for an aspie. With bullying on the rise, many kids could use some acceptance at school. We don't tolerate bullying at all. We're proactive about that and it helps keep our kids and students safe.

We have no debt as a school. But, we got into a lease agreement to use a school building with a strong possibility that we could purchase the building in time. Unfortunately, due to changes in the economy, the building will come off of the market and won't be sold to anyone. Next year is our final year in "our" building.

We have located property that is wonderful and have put money down on it. We are desperately trying to raise money to pay off the land and build the building without inurring debt. Debt would make tuitions rise sharply and we are trying to keep tuition low for families that really need our school.

So, we are having an amazing raffle! Tickets are $10 each and there are numerous prizes (with more being added daily) including a week in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, a week at a Lake House; free tuition for a year, jewelry, and more! We are waiting confirmation on some airline tickets and possibly a car to add to the list. For a complete list (updated daily) check out our school's website here.

All that to say that if you would like to support our efforts to bring Christian education to lots of families or if you would just like to win cool prizes, let me know in a comment and I can get with you to get your ticket to you. Thanks!

Either way, we would love to have you praying for our success! Thanks!

Photos, photos, photos

I absolutely love it when we are doing photo work. Hubby has a photography business on the side, and while we are still small, he does excellent work.

This last Tuesday, we took cap and gown photos for our senior class at school. It was exciting. They got to see who would wear honor cords, etc. and they were so excited.

Today, we spent all day taking prom photos, both on location and in our makeshift studio (my classroom). All the kids were all dressed up and looked wonderful and so grown up! I love seeing them.

But, now I am exhausted!

WHY

Why does a mandatory school meeting have to coincide with the ONLY time all month that I have been asked to do something of an evening? Even with all of the holiday hoopla that will happen, I am not obligated for any evening, save one.

So, the school is having their PTT meeting and changing it to the only night all month that the quilt guild that I have been invited to join will meet. Apparently, this is their big, fun, party meeting and time to bring in new members.

It figures.

Quilt Therapy

Ahhh. A good Friday evening. I finished sewing the last 5 of the 20 blocks that I will use for my oversized couch quilt. I am considering having this particular quilt be my very first "named quilt." I am thinking of calling it Country Arrowheads, or Arrowheads, or something similar.

Anyway, after that little burst of sewing, the kids put in Star Trek, which was one of our Redbox treats for the weekend. So, I switched over to working on my hand quilting project, which is slowly coming along nicely.

I have truly enjoyed working on this piece of hand work. It is relaxing and gratifying to have a project sitting at the ready whenever I want to sit for awhile.

But, I am also very excited to start the Crazy Shortcut part of my couch quilt. I love the speed and precision of my machine quilting efforts. This is even shorter (and fancier) because it is quilted only in the seam lines with decorative stitching. I am using black thread and possibly an arrowhead stitch throughout (hence the names). Simple, graphic, appealing, quick: I am positively giddy thinking about it! I am almost seriously considering a bit of a pieced backing for interest, but I haven't decided about that yet. We will see.

I love when we are on break. My quilting helps me to feel productive in a tangible way that working as an educator seldom can. Not that teaching is not rewarding, but sometimes it's impossible to know how you may or may not have impacted those around you. At the end of the day, I can hold my accomplishments in my hands and admire that it all came together. It feels pretty darn good!

Thanksgiving Break!

Yahoo! We are out of school until November 30th. I can honestly say that as wacky as this week was, I truly need this break. Right now, this is one thing I am truly and honestly grateful for right now!

It ain't always pretty folks...

Some days are like that!

Today was one of those Murphy's Law kind of days. Three steps backward for every two steps forward. Had a parent conference that was a little too adversarial for my taste. Go figure.

Not exactly a fun day.

I am going to finish what absolutely has to be done tonight and then I will take a nice, hot bath and seek solace in quilting. Ahhh. Maybe that will do it!

Tomorrow is another day and I am clinging to that idea right now. Only 3 more school days until Thanksgiving break (a whole week--yay!).

This too shall pass!

The Lions Rule!!!

I am proud of our football team! Those boys sure play with lots of heart.

Last night we played the Lakeside Cougars and won 30-27! It went right down to the wire and was very exciting as the minutes ticked off of the clock!

Congratulations boys!!!

Game Tonight in Twiggs County

Go Lions! Tonight, our Varsity football team will compete against a Christian school in Twiggs County. My prayers are with all of the athletes and families. We always ask for safe travels, good sportsmanship, and Christian attitudes.

Play hard, guys!!!

Field Trip!

Today, our gifted classes went to a air flight museum tucked away in Williamson, Georgia. The owner gave us a wonderful tour of his vintage automobiles and planes. We even got to see a plane that is in the process of being restored. It's amazing how much work it takes to fix up these old neglected planes.

Unfortunately, the weather made it such that they couldn't take the children up for bi-plane rides, but they invited us back on a clear day to go for a ride. How exciting for the kids. It's a wonderful place.

Attached to the museum is the Barnstormer's Grill, which is a lovely little restaurant. All in all, this place is a gem and I had no idea that it even existed.

We will definitely go back!

More on the economy

Seems like every week, we hear about more private schools closing. It makes sense actually, as incomes are reduced, belts are tightened and non-essential expenditures are the first to go. But, it saddens me because some of these schools were really good schools.

It scares me because our school could (theoretically) be next. Our administrators are diligent about our budget and I know that they are doing any and every thing humanly possible to prevent it, but we never really know what the future can bring.

It saddens me because I am very attached to my school! My kids are learning so much there and I am able to really TEACH and not just babysit. I know that the kids we serve are being served well and taught about Christ. If anything happens to our school, it will be more than an economic loss, it will be the loss on many levels.

But, like we tell the kids so often, sometimes you have to let go and let God...

Proud Mama!

DS11 was invited to join Junior Beta Club!!! I am so proud of him!

What a way to start middle school!!!

Getting ready for week 2

Well this weekend has been both productive and enjoyable around here. Lots of laundry accomplished. Eddie repaired my clothes line that fell and tightened up the second one. Now to put up a third. He also did a lot of yard work.

My house is a disorganized wreck, but it is not that we haven't worked on it, but it is coming right along and will be fine as my foot and fanny heal! Speaking of fannies, mine has been particularly sore this weekend, so I did mostly cooking, laundry, and dishwasher duty--you know, the stuff that keeps us able to function.

I also broke out an old scrap afghan project to work on again. It was just a way to use up some old yarn and scraps, but it is turning out nicely and will be the perfect size to put on our bed this winter. This is especially good since the 22 year old quilt that my great-aunt Enid made for me is beginning to show irreparable wear. I need to put it on a rack or hang it up or something because I don't want it to fall apart. It's been on our bed ever since we got married and is the absolute softest thing in the world. Sigh.

We've definitely put the reigns on spending. Payday is the 15th (hallelujah, I am getting paid again) and it's been very tight around here. We have been cooking more and eating more healthfully in the bargain. Staying closer to home has meant that we are spending more time as a family and getting a bit more done around here these days.

Of course, the boys are just plain mad that we are being even more tightfisted than usual around here. They'll get over it of course, but they are surly! DS11 will go outside and play, but only if someone goes with him. DS12 is not about to exert himself for any reason. He drives me crazy with that. We even had a wonderful little outside dog who we gave away because the boys wouldn't go outside to play with her. I just don't get that.

When I was a kid (an only child), I would go outside just to climb a tree and read a good book in the shade. I played in the hydrangea bush. I pulled camellia petals off of the flowers so I would have pretty pink snow in January. Yes, I am a Southern gal and that's the most snow I have really ever had, but it was lovely!

I can't figure out this lackadaisical nature in DS12. Maybe I never will.

We did it!

We (the students and staff) have officially survived the first day of school. Actually, things ran fairly smoothly for the first day and I have high hopes for the remainder of the year.

I am advising the Senior class and I have to admit that we have a really great group this year! Can't always say that, but it is really true this year. Love that.

Poor DS11 had to go to the dentist and get sealants on 6 year molars and 3 baby teeth pulled. Poor guy. I just hated it for him, but he was an absolute trooper about it! I am so proud.

Both boys had an awesome day and had good reports from their teachers. Sigh. Feels good.

The schedule resumes!

This Monday, we return to school. The boys are actually excited this year and can't wait to see their friends, etc. I am very happy about that.

My schedule looks like it will be very good this year, so I am pretty psyched about that. Open House, last Thursday, was pretty good, although HOT because the school system still hasn't fixed the A/C for the hallways and commons areas. In my room is okay as long as I keep the door closed, but that doesn't happen during an Open House. Sigh.

I have a good planning period and I hope to use it to make sure that I don't have to bring much work home. I am trying to keep work at work this year so that I can not lose control of my home or be too exhausted to enjoy my kids. It's a fine line for sure.

If you are back to school or resuming homeschool, I sure hope you have a wonderful and productive year!

Graduation--Class of 2009

It was a whole lot of hard work to make it happen, but Graduation was lovely and nice. Truly, it was a celebration of the students who have worked so hard to achieve their goals (and the parents who supported, and pushed, them along).

One of the cutest thing that I saw was the Juniors/Rising Seniors were so excited that they became "official" Seniors when the tassels moved across the mortar boards! I got tickled with them!

It was fun, but exhausting! On a selfish note, it was loads more work for some of the faculty and staff this year to have graduation in two parts, but now that it is over, I don't begrudge the kids a single minute. It would have been great to have more help, though. But, we live and learn and will make sure we have a few more folks next time.

Of course, I really can't complain about it at all as I didn't put as much time and effort into it as my friend, Misty, did. She was in charge of planning and executing it all. If I was tired and stressed, I am sure she felt it 100 fold.

But, it was lovely, truly lovely.

End of the Year Frenzy...

This past week has gone by in a total blur! The 5th grade had a special dance to celebrate the end of elementary school! They all dressed up and looked absolutely fabulous. I'll post photos as soon as my hubby sends them to me.

They had more fun than I had even thought they would. They had a "dance off," a limbo contest, played air-guitar and generally had a big ol' time! We laughed so hard just watching them.

At one point a basketball game erupted, but after a few minutes, dancing ensued.

Of course, I was a little proud that DS11 won the dance off. He had to use his inhaler afterward, but he was so proud of himself.

Next week should be equally frenetic. Tuesday, Elementary Honors day and 9th grade video game party; Wednesday, Middle and High School Honors day; Thursday; Middle and High School Pool Party and graduation. Saturday morning, diploma ceremony.

In the meantime, I am cleaning my house like crazy, trying to make sure that I have a good clear path through the house for after my surgery. It's not going to be easy getting around, I am afraid. Even worse, friends and family are going to come and visit and I don't want the place to be a total dump! I don't need that kind of sympathy!!!

The Phantom Strikes!

Okay, maybe it wasn't so dramatic, but we held our High School Prom this past Friday at the Barnesville Civic Center. The theme was "The Phantom of the Opera" and the decorations and atmosphere was so beautiful and truly reminiscent of the Paris Opera House.

It's always fun seeing the kids all dressed up and proud of themselves. Unlike at the big, public schools, the majority of our kids came and danced the night away and had a blast. At large schools, the kids typically come in and get their pictures taken, dance one or two songs and then leave to go to one of the "after prom parties." Usually, in my experience as an educator, these parties involve either parentally provided alcohol or parents too dim witted to realize that the kids procured it for themselves. Needless to say, the behavior that ensues is not fitting for a Christian young lady or gentleman.

Some of the older kids in our group did have an after party of their own: cosmic bowling, in prom clothes, at a public, supervised venue. All parents reported knowing exactly where their kids were and when they left to come home. Gee, it almost sounds like adults acting like parents and not as friends. It also sounds like fairly responsible kids. Go figure.

4 weeks and counting

Not that teachers ever count down---hehehe.

Emotions are running high these days as everyone is dying for this academic year to end and summer to begin!

Most of my classes are working on improving writing skills in advance of the SAT. Hopefully, we can maximize some scores. Unfortunately, when under pressure, my students revert to every foolish mistake they learned through texting, etc. Sigh.

Christian service and nursing homes

One of the more popular acts of Christian service among groups which include children is to go to the local nursing home and visit, plant flowers, adopt a grandparent, sing songs, etc.  It is a wonderful way to teach children about service while providing a service in the same community that the child is from.

In some ways, this is far superior to participating in foreign missions.  Foreign missions are important, but with local service, the child can learn about needs in his or her community and will hopefully provide service throughout his or her life, instead of "writing a check and letting someone else take care of it."

Unfortunately, we have seen this attitude far too often in our local churches.  Many go wild over foreign missions, but when local children need help, shelter, or a place to have a school, the responses range from, "children are noisy" to "children are destructive" to (my personal favorite), "the children from the [insert foreign mission here] are so lovely and nice, we give them money and then they go home."  Geesh.  In my mind, this all sounds like the following statement.  I'd love to help do God's work here on Earth, but those darn kids get on my last nerve!  I like them better starving in a foreign land.

So, with all this in mind, DS11's gifted class heads off to the nursing home.  He comes back with incredible tales of the gentleman that he and a buddy made friends with.  Apparently, this man is a major character.  My child learned loads about "gambling effectively."  Who wants to gamble and not be effective!  This dude told my kid that the best game in the world is blackjack, with poker right behind.  He even gave them a lesson :-)  

He has never worked in his life, but gambles to make money.  He doesn't pay taxes, but drives a Thunderbird--and as long as you've got a Thunderbird, what else do you need?  He has been married 3 times (technically, because if you don't say 'I Do' and substitute something else or keep your voice low, you're not really married and you won't have to pay for a divorce later).  One of his wives shot him (I wonder why).

Anyway, this has prompted conversations about being kind to people even if they are a little odd or different in their beliefs.   We've explained why we don't want DS11 to live like that (we don't want you to get shot, divorced, or go to jail for tax evasion) and he seems to understand it.  But, he will probably always be pretty darn good at blackjack.

Okay, I will admit that this particular act of service didn't go quite as I had imagined.  But, I am glad that at least the kids are intrigued enough by some of the interesting tales that they have heard that they want to go back and visit more often.  Some of them have already gone back to plant rosebushes outside the sunroom for everyone to enjoy.

In a world where everything is money oriented, talk is cheap and the laughs hubby and I had after the boys went to bed are priceless!

Baby steps

I have borrowed hubby's computer tonight to try and catch up a bit on my email, blogging, grading for school, etc.  I really don't like it when I get so very behind on everything.  So, this is the beginning of a weekend of playing catch up!

Today, DS12 and I went and purchased two blueberry bushes that we will plant in our side yard tomorrow morning.  It is the beginning of our "orchard" (yes, we use that term VERY loosely).   Soon, we'd like to add some grapes or muscadines and blackberries.  You know, good stuff for jelly and syrup making.  The kids are excited about it and, honestly, so am I.  

Since I have scheduled surgery on my foot for June 3rd, I will be feeling much better soon after that.  I could use a good excuse to get out into the yard and the fresh air.

Besides, in this economy, any frugal fun we can have is a very good thing~!

We may even squeeze in a few herbs to go with our huge rosemary plant that we use so often.  It's baby steps.  But, we'll get some cheap food out of it and let it grow a bit every year.  Simplicity and a slow march toward being a bit more self sufficient is worth it--even with a bum foot!