Musings

Monkey Girl

2011-08-31T14:43:00.000-05:00

Esther Jane

Our Monkey Girl!

You have your own sense of style!

You make us laugh!

You keep your Dad on his toes!

You are beautiful and graceful!

You enjoy making a "joyful noise"! :)

Your smile is contagious!

You are a great friend - even to "angry birds"!

Happy 11th Birthday, sweet girl!!

Costume Creations

2010-11-07T00:52:00.000-05:00

Here are some of the costumes I created

for our Troupe's out-of-this-world play.

Wat, Erm and Elon Aliens

(I designed these, but had a parent graciously offer to help sew them!)

Robots and their instruments

(I coached some moms on how to make the robot costumes

and I made the instruments -there was also a horn.)

The Knock-Knock Brothers

(This fabric played crazy tricks on my eyes!)

The Source and his Fishman Minion apprentice

( I really liked the chartreuse fabric & shiny scales)

The BURPS!!

(This were inspired by the Yip-Yip Aliens from Sesame Street. Esther is the one in pink.)

One day, we made our own boulder

2010-11-07T00:29:00.000-05:00

One Day Weldon built me a boulder...

with PVC pipes, chicken wire, and fabric-paint mache.

Here is the finished product use in our Troupe play.

Chase the Moon with Me

2010-10-12T21:03:00.000-05:00

When life lacks joy and vigor
And dreams beckon to be free
Like a child with wide-eyed wonder
Come chase the moon with me.

Celebrating fourteen years
along life's journey with my love, my friend, my Weldon!

Teenager in the House

2010-10-06T21:13:00.000-05:00

My Beautiful Boy

is now a teenager!

Happy 13th Birthday, Jadan Alan!

I love you!

Double-Digit Girl!

2010-08-31T20:08:00.000-05:00

Happy birthday to my Double-Digit Girl!

My, my...how time flies!

I love my Esther!

Retro Refashion

2010-07-28T17:02:00.000-05:00

I bought this vintage shirt...

more for the fabric than the fit.

So, I decided to do some "minor" alterations.

I turned the sleeves into a long sash...

then stitched the sash into a ruffle.

The result? My "refashioned" retro ruffle shirt.

Completing a Good Work

2010-07-27T22:33:00.001-05:00

A few years back, I came across a box full of vintage fabric, most of which had already been cut into various sizes of patchwork squares. I couldn't imagine someone spending all that time and effort to prepare the fabric for quilting and then, for whatever reason, not be able to see the project through. So I took it upon myself to finish the good work that had begun. A quilting connoisseur friend told me that most of the fabric is from the 1930s. All I know is that the are vibrant colors and patterns and I love them!

Because I knew this quilt was destined to be "old-timey", I decided to piece it by hand. I put the pieces into a bag and carried it with me on trips, recital practices,and swim lessons.

Piece stitched to piece stitched to piece...

to the tune of 20 rows of 20 squares.

By the time the rows were done, I, too, was ready to be done, so I used my machine to attach the strips to each other. Before I could begin, I had the painstaking process of laying out the rows to make sure the patterns and colors were pleasantly aligned. I employed my parents in this step because they both love Sudoku puzzles, so they played Sudoku Squares! As the rows came together and the quilt began to take shape, the length of the attached rows began to vary. I had not bothered to measure each square for uniformity before I pieced them and this kinda skewed things a bit, but I think it adds to its charm.

The blue and white checked backing fabric is a remnant I had left over from a jumper I had made for Jadan when he was a baby. There was just enough of it to use for the back and edges and I was thrilled to use it with this special piece.

A labor of love a long time coming.

Trinity Uniform Throw

2010-07-27T09:59:00.000-05:00

My children have attended Trinity Episcopal School since preschool and the uniform shirts that they wear have become iconic of their childhood. A few years ago, Trinity changed the required colors and logo, so we had a stack of shirts that we were no longer able to wear. Yet again, I stashed them back for a rainy day project. Esther and I worked together on the design for this quilt. It was fun to watch the pattern emerge as we laid out our cut pieces. The knit was a HUGE challenge - not every corner precisely meets, but I allowed myself to believe that it is okay. It ended up being much larger and heavier than I expected. The measurements were perfect for me to use a flat twin size sheet for the backing fabric, which was extremely cost effective. I am currently in the process of quilting the layers together. Because the knit is so heavy and contrary for machine quilting (at least for me, at this point), I am hand-tying it at each square intersection. This is going to take a while...

Rock Hard Cozy Quilt

2010-07-20T00:44:00.001-05:00

I surprised my friend Julie with this throw made from her collection of Hard Rock Cafe t-shirts

that she and her husband have collected from all over the world.

She wanted to mount it on the wall as "art", but it is much too cozy to become a tapestry piece!

In addition to the 8 shirts, I "repurposed" the rockin' flannel guitar fabric from an never-worn pair of Weldon's pj pants. The backing is a super soft heather grey jersey knit.

The Tees of the Tiger

2010-07-15T22:32:00.000-05:00

Here is the first of my summer creations:

It is a quilt made from my kiddos' old ETBU t-shirts and Weldon's old blue jeans. When my dad first started working for the university, my children were toddlers and we had them outfitted for every game and alumni event. As they outgrew the shirts, I couldn't bear to part with them, so I saved them back for this project. Working with denim and knit fabrics was a challenge, but I am very pleased with how it turned out. It has a thick cotton filler and is backed with navy blue flannel, so it is a substantial weight and very warm - great for picnics and ball games.

This weekend is the annual ETBU alumni retreat. My kids get so excited because we get to spend the night in my old dorm room in Linebery Hall! I shared that 3-person room with Brandi and Felicia during my sophmore year (which also happens to be the year that I met Weldon). I always enjoy reminiscing about the fun times and wonderful memories I have of my time spent on "the Hill". It is also highly entertaining to listen to the other generations of alums share their stories as well.

What Light Through Yonder Corner Breaks?

2010-07-08T11:27:00.008-05:00

But, soft! What light through yonder corner breaks?

It is my sewing nook, and the summer is my bliss!

Now that my summer coursework is over, I can fully embrace the bliss that is summertime. Not that I don't love my school time routine, but summer is time for me to focus on the things that bring me immense joy that are almost always neglected due to daily responsibilities and commitments. Summer is a time for me to take a little time for myself. The sewing muse has beckoned and I have eagerly responded to her call.

I lovingly refer to my sewing space as "my nook". I have posted pictures to encourage others who don't think they have room for a creative space. I literaly have a corner (thanks to the distressed door screen) in my bedroom, but it inspires me. I find so much satisfaction in being industrious at home.

Fourth of July

2010-07-08T11:03:00.008-05:00

Our "fireworks" display

This is one of Weldon's favorite desserts - it literally brings tears to his eyes when I make it. It is a "Poke Cake" that his great-grandma used to make. According to Weldon's dad, Mamaw started making this novelty in the 1950s which were somewhat of a hayday for Jello and Tupperware, as they created a mold for the jello. It is made by inverting an angel food cake into a Tupperware bowl or mold, poking small holes in the bottom (we used Esther's pinkie finger), then filling the holes with strawberry jello. We topped our with whipped cream and fresh berries.

A nostalgic sweet treat!

Rearview Mirror

2010-06-24T12:29:00.028-05:00

Wahoo! What a ride!

I haven't blogged since last September. Time flies when you're having fun, I suppose. Thankfully I don't have to rely on my memory to catch myself up on nearly a year's worth of happenings. Last year I started a "Gratitude Journal". I have long been a journal keeper, but have had a hard time commiting to consistently keeping one. Sometimes the day in and day out happenings of life can become a little dull and uninspiring. The idea of daily finding things to be grateful for has helped me keep an attitude of gratitude as I meet each day and encourages me to look on the brighter side of what life brings my way. So, in order to keep my blog journal up-to-date, I perused my daily journal and collected a few tidbits of the major events that have transpired since my last post.

Hold on to your hats....

September 2009

*I started graduate school through Texas A & M. I enrolled in 2 classes this fall.

*I wrote two 4 page papers

*Had a poem published in the devotional book, Learning to Soar" by Avery Willis

*Co-wrote a play for our school Troupe: The Dr. Bill Show-Fairytale Friends: Happily Ever After?

October 2009

*Jadan turns 12!

*Weldon & I celebrate 13 years of marriage!!

*I wrote two 10 pages papers

*Participated in Homecoming at ETBU

*Halloween festivities (Jadan was Mario, Esther was a life-size doll)

*Weldon installed a tile floor in our kitchen!!

November 2009

*Directed 30 students in the Troupe production of "Dr. Bill" plus created set and helped with costuming, props and sound.

*Presented a Veterans' Day program with all of my K-8 students plus helped President Jadan write a speech to introduce our veteran speaker, Judge Jim Ammerman.

*Experienced my first school lockdown with 25 children huddled in my room while a crazy man with a gun was loose in our neighborhood.

*Worked with our art teacher to have my 4th graders create painting that were displayed at the ETBU Children's Concert - "JAZZ" was the theme.

*Jadan presented the country of Kenya during World Bazzar. He was able to dress in an authentic costume thanks to his Papa Tapp's trip last spring.

*I wrote one 5 page paper and took an poorly written, thus difficult to take, mid-term.

December 2009

*Presented our annual Trinity Christmas Program at ETBU to an almost full house in Baker Auditorium (nearly 1,500 people).

*I wrote two 13 page papers, took another difficult exam. Received an A and a B. Not bad.

*Enjoyed a visit from my Mom's two sisters, my Mimi and her husband, my cousin and her son, and friends the Websters from Mississippi, as they gathered for Mom's graduation celebration.

*Was pleased to be asked to say the invocational prayer at Mom's graduation from ETBU. She was very surprised!

*Hosted our annual Christmas caroling party. We had 26 folks at our house for neighborhood singing and holiday feasting!

*CHRISTMAS!!

January 2010

*Weldon & I went on a much needed and long overdue getaway weekend. We stayed at a B&B near Canton and had a grand time bargain hunting!

(My Treasure - new Fiesta colors)

*I started my second semester. I decided to only take one course this spring. My first paper was 11 pages.

*I spent most of the month of January feeling sick and puny. My throat hurt so bad I resorted to letting Weldon fix me a "hot toddy" with whiskey, lemon, & honey...which made me a little tipsy, but I slept REALLY well.

February 2010

*Weldon's birthday!

*Presented an all-school Grandparents' Day program full of shmaltzy songs.

*Planned to go with my folks and my kids to San Antonio to the Texas Music Educators conference, but had to cancel because of sickness and weather.

*Produced another 15 page paper.

*Enjoyed our SNOW DAYS!! We walked in our neighborhood wonderland, built a family of snow men, and enjoyed lots of hot chocolate!

(The four of us, with cat & dog)

March 2010

*I actually had left several days in March blank in my daily journal. This would indicate a disruption in my routine due to sickness, stress, busyness, or quite possibly, all of the above.

*Spring break was spent enjoying some R&R, visiting a daffodil garden, and we took a road trip to see Weldon's family in Houston.

*Co-wrote another play for the Troupe, "Sweetwater Swap", a wild-west version of the Prince and the Pauper.

*Wrote a record breaking 28 page paper...and made a 100 on it from a professor who said he doesn't give 100s!

April 2010

*Spent my days teaching my students how to sing and dance to the music of the 1950s! My favorite was teaching my 3rd and 4th graders how to partner dance! We had a ball!

*Painted props including: an 4 x 8 ft. long Chevy, an 4 x 8 ft. Strawberry Shake, a 6 x 4 ft. ice cream sundae, a "supersized" meal (burger, fries, and green glass coke bottle), an 8 x 6 ft. jukebox, and a 4x4 ft. diner sign (that lit up!!)

*Took pictures for Miller Photography at a Gone With the Wind private party in Jefferson. People from all over the country were there and most were in period costumes. We even got to meet one of the original cast members, Cammie King, who played "Bonnie Blue Butler" (she was also the voice of the doe Faline in Disney's Bambi)!

*Wrote another paper. This one was only 25 pages.

May 2010

*Esther's dance recital at the civic center. Weldon ran the sound/lights for the show. He was also the tech for two other recitals this spring.

*Produced and directed "Sweetwater Swap" with 40 Troupe players.

*Produced and directed Trinity's spring show "Fabulous Fifties!" for an audience of approximately 700 people!! This was my favorite show we've ever done!

*Jadan participated in Renaissance Fair as Galileo. He took Grandma & Papa Tapp with him on his end-of-the-year field trip to Medieval Times in Dallas.

*Jadan was also given a free ticket to see Star Wars in Concert at the Centurytel Arena in Shreveport. Having never been to an event of that scale, this experience, understandably, made a huge impression on him!

*I turned in my last 13 page assignment and made an A in my class. The next week, I started a May Mini Course and finished it with an A in only two short, intense, weeks. YAY!

*Esther got a new "DO" right before school let out. She's been begging to get it cut and we thought it was time for a more grown up cut, as she will be starting middle school this fall!!

June 2010

*Helped mom with yet another garage sale.

*Spent lots of time "reclaiming" my whirlwind ravaged home.

*Took a short overnight trip to the Metroplex to see my brother and take the kids to the Bass performance hall in downtown Ft. Worth to see "Little House on the Prairie: The Musical" featuring Melissa Gilbert, the TV series "Laura", who played as Ma. Another life-enhancing experience for my kiddos.

*While we were in Ft. Worth, Weldon made a quick trip to South Dakota for yet another Joe West reunion concert.

*Enrolled, like a glutton for punishment, in a Summer I class.

*Worked on long dormant sewing projects (I've got at least three quilts in the works!).

*Spent hours at the pool for swim lessons

*Esther enjoyed VBS and Jadan got his first taste of youth group at day camp.

*Celebrated another year of leading a very full and fulfilling life!

Proud "First Mom"

2009-09-18T18:21:00.006-05:00

It's election season at Trinity. Jadan has been a student council representative for the last three years. This is the first year Jadan has been old enough to run for an officer position and he went for it! There aren't usually a lot of students that compete for the office positions, but this year we had 9 students run for the 6 slots. Jadan was one of the youngest candidates, so we weren't sure how things would go. We made some awesome posters and came up with a speech.

He is a natural at public speaking, so when it was time for him to speak to the whole school (nearly 200 people), he turned on the charm. He received thunderous applause! The vote were tallied and he was the clear winner! My whooping and hollering could be heard all over campus! We are so proud of our boy being bold enough to take such an important leadership role!

Learning To Soar

2009-09-15T18:07:00.004-05:00

Nearly a year ago I received an unusual message in my Facebook inbox. It was from a man named Avery Willis. He wrote,

Dear Marcia, About 15 years ago I spoke at First Baptist Church, Dallas, TX on Eagles. A Marcia Tapp gave me a poem she had written while I spoke. I want to include it in a book I have written. If you are that Marcia Tapp or know her could you contact me.

His name rang a bell, but I couldn't remember who he was and knew that I had never been to FBC, Dallas. I searched his name and found that he is a well known Christian speaker and author. I saw his picture and remembered that I had heard him speak with Henry Blackaby during a Spiritual Awakening week when I was a freshman at East Texas Baptist University. My memory was foggy but he had pricked my curiosity, so I dug through some of my college things and discovered a journal in which I had handwritten some poems. I found this:

Its so warm in this sheltered place
So safe here from harm
I could stay here forever
Nestled in Your arms.

But now my world is changing
You're doing something new
You're asking me to place
My total trust in You.

I'm scared as I take my place
Upon Your wings, spread for flight
As I feel You flying higher
Circling with all my might.

Slowly I dare to open my eyes
Then see more than I've ever seen.
You are taking me up to a place
Beyond my highest dreams.

How wonderful up in the heights
With my Father above the land
Then He whispers, "Trust Me more,
For I have a greater plan".

Suddenly a gentle thrust
I'm falling through the sky
Fluttering helplessly alone and scared
I spread my wings - now I can fly!

(inspired by Avery Willis' sermon during Spiritual Awakening week at East Texas Baptist University, September 29, 1992)

After rereading it , I instantly broke into tears. I was incredibly humbled at this interesting turn of events. It was amazing to me that he had kept my handwritten verses all these years! In thinking back to when I gave him the poem, I remembered being timid and almost hesitant about it. I remember feeling a prompting to do it, though.

I contacted Mr. Avery and let him know that I was the one he was looking for. He replied that he has been trying to locate me for quite some time. The reason he was intent on getting in touch with me was to get my permission to publish my poem as the epilogue in his latest book. I could hardly believe it! I have always dreamed of being published! I , or course, granted him permission to use it and have been anticipating seeing it in print.

My mom dropped by tonight on her way to a meeting. She handed me a gift bag and said she had picked up 'a little something' for me. As soon as I touched the bound edge, a thrill swept over me! I could hardly contain my joy as I opened the pages to where she had already proudly and lovingly placed a bookmark.

God has such amazing ways of blessing His children. I love gifts that come unaware and without pretense. He absolutely surprised me, let me breathless and in awe of how He holds sway over all my comings and goings. The beautiful lesson of learning to trust Him that inspired me to write the meditations of my heart half my life ago, literally, were returned to me at a time when I needed to be refreshed and renewed.

Underneath my poem , Avery has added these words:

As you give God everything you have, He will provide everything you need. Catch the wind of His Spirit and soar.

2009-04-28T19:23:00.003-05:00

FOR TODAY Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Outside my window...

it is softly and steadily raining.

I am thinking...

that I am really happy with my life.
I am content with where God has me
and what He has given my hands to do.

I am thankful...

for my Weldon.
He volunteered to drive to Kilgore
(when he got home at 7pm after working all day)
to pick up a couple of light trees for my school shows.
"Are you sure you're up to doing this?", I said.
He, very theatrically, declared, "The show must go on!"
I am thankful for a man who not only understands
but shares in my artistic vision.

From the kitchen...

Domino's - 2 medium 2 topping for $14....Sold!

I am wearing...

My shiny black flip flops, olive drab capris,
cream cotton button-up shirt over black tank
and my glasses (danged ol' allergy eyes = no contacts).

I am creating...

at warp speed.

I have made in the last week or am in the process of making:

For Trinity Spring Show

100 mic props for my girls,
huge backdrop foam pieces including:
program logo, two 6 ft guitars, a 6 ft microphone, 60s/70s/80s signs,
200 ribbon wands (I'm delegating most of this),
printed program,
choreography for 12 songs,
set/lighting design

For TROUPE drama performance

a four act original script,
set/prop/staging design

For Jadan's Renaissance Project

a Thomas More outfit
(that's his famous person),
a trebuchet
(Weldon is on this one, but I will probably have to help).

I am going...

to enjoy the adrenaline rush of the next several weeks.

I am reading...

um...not a whole lot of free time right now.

I am hoping...

for stamina by day and sweet dreams by night.

I am hearing...

Paddington Bear - there must be a movie night going on.

Around the house...

we are in the midst of springtime frenzy.
We are only home long enough to add to the stack of dirty dishes
and pile more clothes in the hamper.
There are much more pressing things than house keeping right now!

One of my favorite things...

is producing shows. It is SO much work
but I really enjoy the creative process.
I love it when a plan comes together! :)

A few plans for the rest of the week:

An after school dress rehearsal and putting finishing touches on the set.
Two performances of the play on Thursday,
plus dance recital rehearsal for Esther.
Friday night will be spent at the Civic Center for recital practice.
Saturday I will work on Jadan's Renaissance costume
and I have to do a photo shoot that evening.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Esther at her dance recital
Spring 2008

Join in the Simplistic fun at:
http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Easter Sunday

2009-04-12T22:11:00.003-05:00

FOR TODAY: EASTER SUNDAY
April 12, 2009

Outside my window...

a thick fog has rolled in after a day full
of ground drenching, garden watering, pollen cleansing rain.

I am thinking...

how crazy the weather is in East Texas.
The sky was black as night about 9:30 this morning and
we had to evacuate the upstairs Sunday school classrooms
and congregate in the auditorium due to a tornado warning.
I was surprisingly not as freaked out as I usually get
in "significant weather event" situations.

I am thankful...

for the celebration of Christ's resurrection,
and for the way the Spirit has touched my heart
with the "old, old story of Jesus and His love"
in a fresh and humbling way.
The beautiful thing about that old story is that
it is just as powerful and relevant today as it was for the early church.
May I never forget the power of the cross
nor take Christ's sacrifice for granted...
"My soul would be forever lost,
without the Lamb who died for me, without the cross".

From the kitchen...

lots of Easter eggs still laying around.
We had a lovely dinner at my parents house this evening.
Esther spent the afternoon with Grandma making
homemade breadand baking it in bunny shapes.
She also made "bird nest" brownies
with green icing and candied eggs.

I am wearing...

my pjs, house shoes and glasses.

I am creating...

choreography and props for the spring show at Trinity.
I am also creatively dreaming about a kitchen redo.

I am going...

to enjoy having an extended holiday tomorrow.
The house is reasonably tidy,
so I may indulge in a day off where I do fun things!
I want to sew a little and do some crafty things.
I may also hang out in the sunshine a while.

I am reading...

1,2,3 John, Jude and then diving off into Revelation.

I am hoping...

and trusting in Jesus.
He is always faithful to speak to me
when I seek Him and discipline myself to sit still and listen.
It is fitting how God chooses to teach me to trust Him
by allowing me to be tried in situations
that I simply cannot control.
He knows my weaknesses all too well...
thank You Lord for Your grace that covers up my goofiness.

I am hearing...

Gandolf crunching is kibble and him occasionally sneeze.
I have never heard a cat sneeze like he does.
Its as if he's allergic to himself.
Funny.

Around the house...

things are still pretty tidy inside...
the garden is a different story.
I want to get out there and get my hands dirty,
but have been hesitant to because:

A. my allergies have been horrible

B. cleaning out beds = finding snakes
C. I'm not sure where to start

One of my favorite things...

is my little bungalow.
It is my oasis from the world; a place where I can unwind.
It is a place where I have the freedom to express my eclectic taste
and surround myself with things that bring me joy.
It is a warm place that is well suited for being at ease.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Holiday of happiness on Monday,
school days, piano lessons, drama "Troupe" practice,
church on Wednesday,
working on props and projects next weekend.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

"The Sacrifice" Easter 2009

Join in the Simplistic fun at:
http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

2009-04-01T21:55:00.003-05:00

FOR TODAY Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Outside my window...

Dark, still and quiet.

I am thinking...

how happy I will be when my family will all be together again!
The kids and I have been at church every night this week
rehearsing for The Sacrifice while
Weldon has been at the Civic Center being the Tech Man
for the Mavette rehearsals and show.

I am thankful...

to be able to be a part of "The Sacrifice" Easter production.
It has been an amazing experience to share with my children.
They weep during the crucifixion scene every time we practice.
It has been awesome to watch them grow spiritually
through the process.

From the kitchen...

Not much is going on.
We've been doing well to get breakfast, sack lunches,
and light dinners together this week...
our focus has not been on food.

I am wearing...

shorts, a t-shirt and house shoes. Woo-hoo.

I am creating...

choreography for the spring show at Trinity.
I'm trying to coordinate moves that even
the "coordinationally challenged" can manage.

I am going...

to bed...soon.

I am reading...

the gospel records of the Passion week.

I am hoping...

that Esther will feel well enough to be at dress rehearsal tomorrow night.
She has had a squishy tummy since Saturday and even
had to miss a day of school, which is rare for
Miss Perfect Attendance.
She was heartsick tonight because she was afraid
that she wouldn't be able to be in the show.

I am hearing...

myself sigh heavily, which must mean it's bedtime.

Around the house...

things are pretty tidy.
I got a lot done the day Esther had to stay home sick.

One of my favorite things...

is singing with a good choir.
I have so enjoyed the harmonic mix
as we "mingle" on stage.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

School tomorrow and Friday (unless Essie is still feeling yucky),
and Sacrifice dress rehearsal tomorrow night
and three performances over the weekend.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Azaleas and Bee from Spring 2008

Join in the Simplistic fun at:
http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

2009-03-18T22:22:00.003-05:00

FOR TODAY Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Outside my window...

what a beautiful day it was today!
I am enjoying watching as my plants slowly emerge
from their winter slumber.

I am thinking...

about how much I got done
around this house in a few short days.
Spring break always makes me wish I could be home more.
There's just something about
having my "nest" in order.

I am thankful...

that my dad got blessed with the
awesome experience of going to Kenya!
He flew out of DFW to New York this morning
and will be on his transatlantic flight tomorrow.
He will tour Kenya for 8 days which will include
time out on the savanna on safari.
He put his name in a drawing for a free trip
at a conference he went to three weeks ago.
His name was drawn and off on another adventure he goes!
He went on a free trip to Cyprus back in November.
He told me that he knows that these trips are
not dropped in his lap by chance,
but are "divine appointments".
He goes looking for the opportunity to share his faith.
I am so thankful that God is blessing my Dad
for years of faithful service by giving him
one of the desires of his heart - travel!

From the kitchen...

I have been "Susie Homemaker" this week.
I have actually enjoyed cooking!
Tonight we had chicken spaghetti and a loaded green salad.
I even made some rice crispy treats for dessert.

I am wearing...

my pjs...I really should be headed to bed.

I am creating...

some organization in my house and
some happy Spring Break vacation memories.

I am going...

to Houston to visit Weldon's side of the family.
We haven't been down there in a while
and it promises to be fun...
the kids are really excited!

I am reading...

Hebrews.

I am hoping...

that packing will not be a huge pain.
I love to travel, but having to organize undies
clothes and essentials for four folks gets a bit grueling,
especially when I put it off to the morning we leave. :)

I am hearing...

a grey cat crunching his food.
wow, the house is quiet.

Around the house...

things are looking good after a few days
of spring-clean-a-thon.
I will be happy to come home from our trip
to a clean house.

One of my favorite things...

Shopping with Esther and watching her
develop her "fashion sense".
She actually has pretty good taste!
We had a fun girls day out today and
bought matching flip flops!

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Packing in the morning, then driving to Houston.
Visiting with family, shopping, and
possibly going to the Houston rodeo!
Returning home on Sunday,
then back to school we go.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

I'm ready when you are, Hydrangeas!
Spring 2008

Join in the Simplistic fun at:
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Girls Just Want to Have Fun!

2009-03-13T19:47:00.003-05:00

So this is how I showed up at school today.

My children were only slightly mortified.

I like to keep the theme of our end-of-the-year show a big secret,

then announce it in a slightly theatrical way.

This year we are doing karaoke hits from the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s.

At the end of morning devotions, I had prearranged the cuing of

"Girls Just Want to Have Fun!"

I popped out and did a little karaoke of my own.

The shocked and highly amused faces of 200 students and staff were priceless.

I was living out my rock star dreams...

and I got a standing ovation.

2009-03-10T21:15:00.005-05:00

FOR TODAY Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Outside my window...

the full moon shines brightly behind a veil of clouds.

I am thinking...

about how much daylight savings time annoys me.
It completely throws off my rhythm
and it takes me forever to get back in a comfortable groove.
Plus, waking up when its still dark is for the birds...
the early ones, at that.

I am thankful...

for my new church family. It has been a long time since
I have been embraced by a genuinely warm fellowship.

From the kitchen...

residual homework papers on the table,
a few dirty dishes lingering in the sink,
and a tired mama sitting in front on the computer.

I am wearing...

khakis, a brown and cream "peasanty" blouse,
and my faithful ol' brown Birk loafers.

I am creating...still....

a play for the drama troupe's spring performance
(we are writing our own rendition of "revenge of the nerds"),

the theme for Trinity's end-of-the-year production
(I have finally decided on a theme: "Karaoke Knights"
songs from the 70s, 80s and 90s),

and ideas for 4 weeks of art camp this summer.

I am going...

to work on getting more organized.
I need to work smarter, not harder at keeping things simple.

I am reading...

Paul's letters and a little Holmes.

I am hoping...

that the rain we are expecting this week
will come softly and not damage the delicate buds
on my azaleas that are just beginning to blossom.

I am hearing...

nothing. Wow...nice.

Around the house...

things will maintain the status quo until next week...
then the spring cleaning madness will begin...
I may even repaint some stuff...who knows.

One of my favorite things...

is hanging out with cool kids,
which probably means I'm well suited for my job.
I had two siblings (in grades 2nd and 4th) win the privilege of being
"Music Teacher for the Day" at our school's auction.
Today was "the day", and we had a great time.
They helped me lead the singing during devotions,
then we went to the kitchen to get coffee and orange juice.
They made lesson plans for and taught seven classes,
they collaborated on the spring show theme,
helped me design a t-shirt logo,
ate lunch with all the "specialty" teachers,
and were exhausted when they went home!

A few plans for the rest of the week:

School, two piano lessons and church on Wednesday,
Esther's "karate" class on Thursday,
Zumba on Saturday morning
and hopefully some gardening that afternoon,
church on Sunday,
and the beginning of spring break!!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Baby Mockingbird at my Mimi's House 2009

Join in the Simplistic fun at:
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2009-03-03T19:17:00.005-06:00

FOR TODAY Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Outside my window...

it is dark. The sunset was beautiful this evening.

I am thinking...

how quickly this school year has gone by.
Spring Break is only a week and a half away.
I guess time does fly when you are having fun!

I am thankful...

that I was able to go to the Texas Music Educator Association
Conference in San Antonio a couple of weeks ago.
It was just the creative boost I needed.

I am also thankful that my kids had the chance to go
an academic competition this past weekend.
They both did very well, but the thing
I am most thankful for is their great attitude
about the competitive process.

From the kitchen...

Weldon suggested dinner out this evening(which never happens).
So, we went to Jalapeno Tree to celebrate the kids achievements!

I am wearing...

the clothes I wore to work: black slacks, pink blouse and black cardigan.
I 'm about to go get comfy...

I am creating...

a play for the drama troupe's spring performance,
the theme for Trinity's end-of-the-year production,
and ideas for 4 weeks of art camp this summer.

Esther and I are also working on piecing a patchwork quilt.

I am going...

to go to bed early tonight.

I am reading...

Paul's letters, notes from my music conference,
and Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
Esther and I just finished up Anne of Green Gables.

I am hoping...

and praying for wisdom in my walk.

I am hearing...

Movie magic in the red room. I think the kids are watching Wall-E.

Around the house...

We need to start thinking about "spring cleaning"
I got a new vacuum cleaner...exciting!!

One of my favorite things...

is being able to relax at home at the end of a long day.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

School, two piano lessons and church on Wednesday,
Esther's "karate" class on Thursday,
"Sacrifice" rehearsal on Saturday morning
and a chocolate themed supper club that evening.
I also need to make a trip to Longview
to pick up some new piano books...not sure when that'll happen.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Cute Kids 2009

Join in the Simplistic fun at:
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Simple Woman's Daybook

2009-01-18T15:34:00.004-06:00

FOR TODAY Sunday, January 11th, 2009

Outside my window...

The sun is shining and the sky is blue.
One might almost think it was spring
until gazing upon the shriveled up dormancy in my yard.
Shhh...the plants are sleeping.

I am thinking...

How happy I am that tomorrow is a holiday.
It's like a belated Christmas present.
An added blessing is that my house is relatively in order,
so I don't have to spend my whole day off doing chores!

I am thankful...

for kindred spirits.
We spent all day yesterday (8:30 am to 10:30 pm)
with my friend Julie and her family.
We had a great time treasure hunting, looking at antiques,
sipping coffee, discussing music,
laughing at and with our husbands, children and beloved pets,
making plans and playing games.

From the kitchen...

My kitchen is clean...I really hate to mess that up.
I am boiling some water for a cup of tea.

I am wearing...

Comfort clothes:
my burgundy hoodie, grey velour pants and ballet slippers.

I am creating...

and beginning to brainstorm for several projects right now:
A few musical ideas with Julie,
a play for the drama troupe for our spring performance,
Trinity's Grandparents Day production,
Trinity's end-of-the-year production,
and 4 weeks of art camp this summer.

I am going...

and going and going,
which is much better than the alternative.

I am reading...

The second book in "The 39 Clues" children's book series.
It's a mysteriously intriguing, action-packed, who-done-it,
historical treasuring-hunting, to-be-continued
tale that has captured our attention.
I read the first one with Jadan and Esther
and we could hardly wait to get into the second one!
The third one is not due to be out until March...
the suspense is liable to drive us mad!

I also started my Bible read-through.
I began in John because I know from previous experience,
if I start in Genesis, by about Deuteronomy, I'm dragging.
Reading about the early church is inspiring...

I am hoping...

and hoping is a good place to be.
Because God "knows the plans He has for me...
plans to prosper me and not to harm me,
plans to give me hope and a future!"

I am hearing...

Mr. Biggs whining to get in my lap.

Around the house...

Most things are in their place and we are relaxing.

One of my favorite things...

is listening to Jadan read.
He interprets things so dramatically
and adds character voices and gestures
that make stories come alive.
He participated in a prose interpretation
competition at school this week.
He was hilarious and made his mama proud!

A few plans for the rest of the week:

sleeping in tomorrow morning, grocery shopping,
lunch with Lori to plan the play for "The Troupe",
a little chillin'.

Back to school and the normal routine which will include:
meeting with my PSIA Music Memory group on Tuesday,
two piano lessons and church on Wednesday,
faculty meeting and Esther's "karate" class on Thursday.

I will also be participating in the "Zumbathon" fundraiser
at Trinity on Saturday morning.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

The fountain at Marshall City Park
Winter 2008

Join in the Simplistic fun at:
http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Daybook

2008-12-23T21:23:00.005-06:00

FOR TODAY Wednesday, December 24th, 2008

CHRISTMAS EVE!

Outside my window...

The C-9s are illuminating my porch so Santa won't miss our house.

I am thinking...

about the glee which will abound in the morning
as our bright-eyed children
awake before dawn to discover
what has been veiled in bright red and blue
packages under the tree.

It makes me smile to think how
similar scenes of unbridled joy
will be taking place all over the world.

I am thankful...

that we are able to have
bright red and blue packages under the tree,
that I have special people in my life
who inspire me to be a cheerful giver,
that I have experienced receiving
the greatest gift of all -
the redeeming love and grace
of that precious Babe in the manger.

From the kitchen...

Beef stew on the stove top and too many sweets
to think about laying about.

I am wearing...

my cozy grey pjs - bring on that long winter's nap.

I am creating...

a organized photo cache. I am trying out Picasa,
which I am finding very user friendly.
I am also creating gifts using some of my photographs.

I am going...

to be up late tonight
and will probably be awakened
WAY too early in the morning.

After the present frenzy,
we will go celebrate across the street
with my parents and my brother.

I am reading...

Christmas books with my kids!

I am hoping...

that our days will be merry and bright even if
all our Christmases won't be white.

I am hearing...

folky Christmas music thanks to Pandora.com .
I can't get enough of it!

Around the house...

Twinkle lights, extra sweet children,
and a spirit of anticipation.

One of my favorite things...

Christmas!
It is the most wonderful time of the year!

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Christmas!!
Spending time with family,
Weldon's Mom & Granny are coming on Friday
and his Dad will come on Sunday,
relaxing and resting and rejuvenating
for the birth of a new year!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Jadan and Esther
"hanging out with the Clauses"
(as Jadan put it)
December 2008

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Join in the Simplistic fun at:
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Simple Woman's Daybook

2008-12-15T16:58:00.004-06:00

FOR TODAY Monday, December 15th, 2008

Outside my window...

"Hey Baby, it's cold outside"...I love, love, love this cold weather.

I am thinking...

how blessed I truly am.
I have a gracious and loving Savior who calls me by name,
a handsome and witty husband, smart and sensitive children,
a loving and nurturing family, funny and inspiring friends,
a joyful fellowship at church, a fulfilling job,
a supportive boss and team at work,
a quaint home, two furry companions,
clothes on my back, food in my cupboard, gifts under the tree...
what more could I possibly need?

I am thankful...

for my sweet Weldon.
He voluntarily went to get groceries in this brr-freeze.

From the kitchen...

my chai is still steaming
and some good smellin' chili is simmering on the stove.

I am wearing...

the nicest clothes I will wear all week:
a black skirt, olive green sweater, burgundy blazer and my dressy boots.
My Honor Choir sang at the hospital this morning, so I had to dress up a bit so I would look more like a director and less like a student. We have the opportunity to wear jeans the rest of the week - this is a big deal at a uniform school. All we have to do to get a "jean pass" in bring a canned good for the food pantry. Our goal is to fill up Coach Martino's truck bed with food. When I delivered a few boxes from our concert food drive, the cupboards were bare, so this will be exciting to see what we can do to make a difference.

I am creating...

Pretty packages for my family and friends.
I am also working on a skit for the enrichment teachers at Trinity -
PE, Spanish, Computers, Art, Bible, and Music.
This year, the teachers must provide our own entertainment.
This could get really interesting.
Our "number" will be a rendition of the "Hallelujah Chorus"
using flash cards, since my partners are "non-singers".

I am going...

to enjoy not going as much this week.
I am so happy to have a few evenings with "nothing to do"!

I am reading...

Christmas books with my kids!

I am hoping...

that the weather will stay cold, or at least cool, for a while.
It just doesn't seem like Christmas if its 80 degrees outside.

I am hearing...

my children enthusiastically playing Wii games with Grant
(speaking with British accents for some reason)
while his clothes are running through the spin cycle.

Around the house...

Laughter and warmth and homecookin'.

One of my favorite things...

is getting the Christmas festivities and responsibilities behind me
so I can relax and enjoy the beauty of the season.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

We are watching movies in Music class this week.
My kids have TOTALLY earned it.
The post-concert flick this year is "Muppet Christmas Carol"
and they are all really into it.

Our faculty Christmas party, featuring teacher entertainment
and Secret Santa reveal, is on Tuesday night.

We are hosting our fourth annual Christmas Caroling party on Friday night.
It started out as a neighborhood party,
but has evolved into a interesting blend of friends.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Gandolf snuggled in for his long winter's cat nap.
December 2008

Join in the Simplistic fun at:
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Tagged

2008-12-10T21:17:00.005-06:00

I've have been tagged by my sweet friend Kathy. I think that all my blogging buddies have already been "it", so I will leave it up to you, the reader, to tag yourself, if you so desire.

Two Names You Go By: Momma and Mrs. Stutes

Things You Are Wearing Right Now: my favorite blue jeans, a red sweater and my brown Birkenstock loafers.

Two Things You Want Very Badly At The Moment: Christmas vacation and snow.

Two people who you look up to: I'm 4'11, I look up to most people.

Two things you did last night: led my students in a Christmas production in front of 1,000 people and then got my feet rubbed. :)

Two things you ate yesterday: A Subway sandwich and Baked Lays

Two people you last talked to: Weldon & Esther

Two Things you're doing tomorrow: watch "Muppet Christmas Carol" with my students and help set up for "World Bazaar" in the gym.

Two longest car rides: Ruidoso, New Mexico to Pensacola, Florida and Marshall, Texas to Orlando, Florida

Favorite Holidays : Christmas and Easter

Favorite Vacations : My European trip with my Dad and our Wild West adventure this past summer

Last trip: Weldon & I went to Longview today - that has to count.

Two favorite beverages: Sweet ice tea and hot spiced chai tea

Simple Woman's Daybook

2008-12-07T22:01:00.004-06:00

FOR TODAY Monday, December 8th, 2008

Outside my window...

the cold front winds are a blowin'.

I am thinking...

how excited I am about our school program tomorrow night.

I am thankful...

that I have a job that I love.
I feel so fulfilled seeing the light in my students' eyes when they sing.

From the kitchen...

dirty dishes and leftover biscuits from breakfast dinner.
The kitchen suffers on 'program weeks'.

I am wearing...

my pjs and my fluffy robe.

I am creating...

an opportunity for many happy Christmas memories for my 180 students,
their families and friends.

I am going...

to be at ETBU all day tomorrow making sure everything is ready for the show.
I love being back on "the Hill". Its like going home.
It is such a thrill for me to have our program in the chapel;
so many old memories mingling with new.

I am reading...

playlists and program notes and schedule charts, oh my!

I am hoping...

that the Lord will be glorified with our songs of praise.
I also hope that the message of love, joy and grace ring out loud and clear.

I am hearing...

the hum of the dryer fluffing a load of clothes.

Around the house...

the children are nestled, all snug in their beds.
We are all winding down...thanks be to God!

One of my favorite things...

is listening to children sing Christmas carols.
I am totally in the right line of work.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

The Trinity Christmas program held at East Texas Baptist University on Tuesday night.
Wednesday is my annual scheduled day off after the program.
I plan to spend the whole day Christmas shopping.
Choir practice on Wednesday night.
We may go to a candlelight service in Jefferson on Friday night.
The children and I will be in the Wonderland of Lights parade on Saturday.
Sunday morning, I get to sing in the Christmas choir for a change.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Jadan & Esther at the Trinity Christmas Program
December 2007

Join in the Simplistic fun at:
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Simple Woman's Daybook

2008-12-01T20:11:00.003-06:00

FOR TODAY Monday, December 1st, 2008

Outside my window...

it is dark and cold.
Earlier in the evening, we watched the waxing crescent moon
as it was joined by Venus and Jupiter.
The three are making quite an extraterrestrial light show.
Scientists say that the planets won't show out with the moon
like this again for a long while.

I am thinking...

about all that we crammed into this last week!

We surprised our friend Grant with a house makeover
when he was out of town on holiday.
We repainted, rearranged, redecorated and refreshed his bach pad. Great fun!
We also cleaned our house and decked the halls with holiday decor.
We made way too much food for our Thanksgiving feast,
and we spent some quality time with family.

I am thankful...

a warm house in which to snuggle up and sip hot tea.

From the kitchen...

My tea is steaming and somewhere there is some pumpkin bread
whispering my name.

I am wearing...

My fluffy robe, Tink p.j.s and my fuzzy house shoes. Ah, nice.

I am creating...

an accurate calendar of events for the next month...
I don't want to miss a thing!
I am also creating a playlist /CD and 30 ribbon wands for
our school Christmas program.
Tonight we created 3D foam airplanes for Jadan's World Bazaar project
(Did you know that airplanes are France's largest export?).

I am going...

to bed...in just a minute.

I am reading...

I started and finished The Silver Chalice over the holiday.
I'm a little hesitant to pick anything else up right now.
I'm one of those "can't-put-it-down-'til-I'm-done" kinda readers
and I really need to rest a little this week.

I am hoping...

that we can truly enjoy this holiday season.
It always seems to get so hectic and go by so fast.
I really want to linger in the joy of Christmas!

I am hearing...

Gustav Holst's "The Planets".
I am admittedly a music and science nerd, but it's okay,
because being a nerd is celebrated in this house.

Around the house...

The dog is curled up in his bed, the cat is lurking in the shadows,
the children are unwinding and getting ready for bed,
Weldon is watching PBS (another celebrated nerd) and I am getting drowsy.

One of my favorite things...

is the changing of the leaves this time of year.
I have taken so many "leafy" pictures that I may have to
dedicate an entire blog to our autumnal flora.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Insane Christmas program practice schedule at school.
Coach Music Memory academic team on Tuesday;
teach 2 piano lessons on Wednesday
Choir practice and Awana on Wednesday night.
Go to Jeanne Damoff's "Parting the Waters" book release party on Thursday.
Esther and I are attending our neighbor Christina's Christmas Tea on Saturday.
The Trinity Honor Choir will be singing at Trinity Church Sunday morning.
I think that's all ... maybe I should consult my "accurate calendar of events"...

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

The Evening Show Starring
The Moon, Venus and Jupiter
December 1, 2008

Join in the Simplistic fun at:
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Simple Woman's Daybook

2008-11-24T13:37:00.003-06:00

FOR TODAY Monday, November 17th, 2008

Outside my window...

squirrels and cardinals are entertaining my lazy cat as he sunbathes
in the windowsill.

I am thinking...

about the week ahead which will be full of family and food!

I am thankful...

that I cannot see an end to the list of things I am grateful for. If I were to try to
"count my many blessings" and "name them one by one"
I would go to infinity and beyond.

From the kitchen...

The kitchen is getting prepped for the feasting ahead.
Today it is getting scrubbed and reorganized (call it "fall cleaning").

I am wearing...

Grubbies = an old pair of Levis' and a green Snoopy t-shirt.

I am creating...

a surprise for one of my friends and a holiday wonderland inside my house.

I am going...

to the attic to bring down more Christmas decorations.

I am reading...

one of my favorite historical fiction novels, The Silver Chalice, written by Thomas Costain in 1952. It is a story written about the making of a silver chalice to hold the cup that Christ used during the Last Supper. It is a fictional account of the early church and some of its Biblical leaders. I've already read it twice (all 533 pages), but was inspired to read it again after my Dad returned from his trip to Cyprus with stories and his pictures of the places where the apostle Paul had been.

I am hoping...

I accomplish everything that I want to get done during my week "off"
and that there might be a few spare moments left to relax!

I am hearing...
holiday music from pandora.com .

Around the house...

its beginning to look and sound a lot like Christmas.
My mom is hosting the Thanksgiving feast at her house,
so I am trying to my house decorated before my in-laws come in
and before my week "off" is over.

One of my favorite things...

is Thanksgiving traditions.
I always watch the Macy's parade with my Mimi
- either together or across the miles.
We also prepare the same feast using the same recipes year after year.
Some of my favorite family tradition foods are my Grandma Tapp's fruit salad,
Dad's gelatin salad, Mom's yeast rolls and our sweet veggie relish.
Of course it wouldn't taste like Thanksgiving
without the cornbread dressing and pumpkin pie!

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Finish decorating inside the house and start on the outside.
Put the finishing touches on my "special project" for a friend.
Thanksgiving feast preparation. I am fixing all the sides and baking all the pies.
Enjoy spending time with my husband, children, parents and brother, as well as,
Weldon's mom and her husband who are joining us this year.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Howdy Pilgrims circa 2006.

http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Simple Woman's Daybook

2008-11-17T16:30:00.005-06:00

FOR TODAY Monday, November 17th, 2008

Outside my window...

the setting sun is illuminating the beautiful autumn leaves.
I'm so happy my husband planted trees that have fall pizazz!

I am thinking...

how very blessed I am.

I am thankful for...

being able to get home at a decent time. We were keeping late hours last week
and I am grateful that is not the norm.

From the kitchen...

I am wishing we had more of the stew I made this weekend, but we finished it all off last night.
I think I'll make some baked chicken, sweet potatoes and steamed veggies.

I am wearing...

my favorite blue cardigan sweater and brown slacks.

I am creating...

a Christmas program for my K-8 students.

I am going...

to bed early tonight.

I am reading...

... I have good intentions to read, but my schedule has been insane as of late.

I am hoping...

my boys have fun on their field trip to the King Tut exhibit in Dallas tomorrow!

I am hearing...

quiet...weird.

Around the house...

things are finding their place after our crazy week.
I spent a good part of the weekend doing laundry and "setting" the house for the week.
We'll see how long that lasts...

One of my favorite things...

is the autumn.
The cool, brisk air does something to my creative senses.
I want to sew and bake and craft and create.
I want to snuggle up on the couch and read.
It's the busiest time of my year, but it inspires me.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Both of my kids have field trips this week.
Jadan is going to see Tut with Weldon tomorrow
and Esther is going to the exotic animal farm on Friday.
We have early release from school on Friday, as well!
We missed choir and Awana at church last week
and I am anxious to get back to that routine.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Autumn in the Ozarks last fall.

http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Things Come in Threes: Part 3

2008-11-15T18:42:00.002-06:00

After the play on Thursday night, we had to completely take down the set. I hate tearing down. Not because it is hard work(although it is), but because the magic is getting packed away. It's like putting away Christmas decorations - it gives me the blues. Oh well, on to the next big thing...

Friday night, the Student Council hosted a Fall Festival in the gym for the entire student body, Kindergarten through eighth grade. My two kiddos are classroom representatives and I am a Student Council sponsor, so we had to be on deck. I actually had to admit that I am not Superwoman and took the day off from teaching on Friday. I stayed home and did all the laundry and housework that had piled up this week, so it wasn't really a day of "rest"! We went to the school around 5:30 and help set up for the festival. I helped make a rotation of rep. responsibilities flow chart so none of the kids would get stuck manning a booth all night. My main job of the evening was being the DJ and I cranked the sound system up REAL loud!! That was very fun. I spent part of my morning off making a kid friendly playlist on my iPod - lots of Disney flick hits. I also helped with the Cakewalk - press play, press pause, press play, etc. I took a few breaks from the cakewalk to lead in the High School Musical "We're All In This Together" Dance, the Macarena, the Limbo, the Twist and the Hokey Pokey. Sorry, no pictures to post of the fest - I was too busy!!

So, here is the "Week of Threes" recap:

Tuesday - Veterans' Day Program

Thursday - The Troupe presents "The Emporer's New Clothes" (two times)

Friday - Student Council Fall Fest

What an extrodinary week.

Things Come in Threes: Part 2

2008-11-15T17:59:00.002-06:00

Immediately after the Veterans' program was over, Weldon, my friend Lori Miller, her husband Robert and our buddies Grant and Jordan disassembled the Vet set and reset the gym for our play on Thursday night.

Lori and I have partnered up together this semester and formed The Troupe, a drama group for students grade 3 - 8. This is something I have wanted to do for a long time but was hesitant to try to pull off by myself. As partners, Lori and I can each work from our strengths and resources, and I must say, the result was something special. We decided to put on "The Emperor's New Clothes" - love the story, love the moral. As The Troupe took shape, we had no problem making casting decisions because we already knew the kids really well. We were going to purchase a script, but decided to write our own instead. Lori, being the language arts queen, set to work on retelling the story, working in some appropriate lines to fit the personalities of our cast of characters. The end result was hilarious and fit together so well. Lori is also a very demonstrative and expressive orator, so she was a great vocal coach for the kids. I was amazed at how she was able to get this group of kids to project and inflect!

I am apparently more of a drama queen than I would like to admit. I began to realize this when it came time for the Troupe to begin staging and acting. The kids thought I was crazy most of the time, but getting into character means losing yourself and becoming bigger than life! It's called ACTING! I also had a ball creating the sets, making and advising on costumes, and gathering the props. The husbands were also a great help with the big picture, they even made it to where the scenes were lit up!!

We gave two performances, one in the afternoon for the entire school, and then one that evening for working parents to be able to attend. The student body was wide-eyed as they entered the dimly lit gym and sat quietly as the medieval prelude music played. We were so pleased to give them a quality presentation.

One of the main reasons I wanted to create a drama group was for my son Jadan. He is an outstanding orator and, turns out, an amazing actor. He had the role of the Chief of Guards, the Emperor's loyal adviser. Just between me and you, he stole the show. He would never voluntary ask to be in drama or in a spotlight of any kind, but since I am in charge of it, he is going to be a part of it and maybe he will realize that he has a real gift for it.

Since I was in the middle of producing the program, I wasn't able to photograph much of it, but here are a few shots taken after the curtain call.

The Chief of Guards, a Lady-in-Waiting and the Narrator.

The Loyal Chief Jadan

The Village People: Esther and Paige

We love the Theatre!

Things Come in Threes: Part 1

2008-11-14T21:36:00.005-06:00

Veterans' Day

We observed Veterans' Day at school this week with our annual patriotic music program. It is such a privilege for me to be able to share and encourage a patriotic spirit with my students. I think it is so important that they learn to value liberty and the sacrifices that are made to maintain the freedoms we enjoy. We need to remember that freedom is not free.

One of my favorite songs that we sing is called "Everyday Heroes":

All around, who can see
Who is strong and who might be?
Can we know who is brave,
Who will sacrifice to save?
All around, who can see
What their fate is meant to be?
People give, people care,
There are heroes everywhere.
Everyday someone cries out;
Everyday someone needs;
Everyday someone hears them,
And listens and heeds.
Everyday there are heroes,
people just like you and me;
Everyday there are heroes ,
Who never meant to be.

We collected pictures of Veterans from students and teachers, and created an Honor Wall to recognize our family members and friends as the heroes they are.

Some of the Vets that attended our program came in their old uniform and hats.
They looked so very noble and still carried themselves with a sense of pride and resolve.
I think my students caught the spirit of patriotism and began to really respect it
after seeing these men and women for themselves.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Blessing of the Flags

I must testify about the goodness of God in the little things. The picture I posted above of the mass of American flags will forever be a symbol of God's sweet hand in my life. I love the way He sends unexpected blessings.

I have ideas about how to put my programs together, but am sometimes limited (or challenged, as I like to look at it) because I am a creative being on a budget. For the Veterans' program, I wanted to have my Kindergartners wave flags...a little pop, a little texture, a little movement, a little something to keep their minds and hands busy during their song. I didn't want to and couldn't spend a lot of money on flags, but found some at a dollar store and went in armed with just enough money in my billfold to cover the cost. I got a little nervous as I approached the checkout because I wasn't sure I could cover the tax. But, when the checker rang me up, a total that should have been $20 rang up as $4.
"There must be some mistake", I said. So she checked it again. "No, no mistake. Those flags are on clearance for 1 cent a pack. I don't know why they would be marked down that low, but that is what the register says, so I guess that is how much I have to charge you." I stood there in shock and then I smiled at her and said, "I don't know how this worked out either, but one thing I do know is that God is good and He is smiling on me right now". The checker answered my reply by looking at me like I was from another planet. I guess in a way, I am. Thank you, Jesus!

The Wild Things

2008-11-04T19:20:00.006-06:00

We had fun dressing up for Halloween this year!

Esther as "Sugar" the kitty cat.

Indiana Jadan

Little Red Riding Hood

Weldon as an obscure Bill Murray character, Steve Zissou.
Weirdo.

Esther the Pirate

Esther the 50s Chick

Sarah Palin wannabe

Where the Wild Things Were

2008-11-04T17:34:00.004-06:00

Feast your eyes on the eerie images from our fright filled visit
to William Joyce's haunting home in Shreveport.

Once Upon A Memory...

2008-10-29T16:06:00.009-05:00

The theme for Homecoming this year at East Texas Baptist University was "Once upon A Memory". I loved the idea of this theme because I am always flooded with memories when I return to "The Hill". Being on the Alumni Council has also allowed me to hear about generational memories from a wide variety of Tiger Alums. And the neat thing is that we continue to make memories still. I agreed to help some of my buddies, Michael and Jordan, who are current students, with their float for the homecoming parade. All entries had to be about a fairytale and the one my friends chose was Little Red Riding Hood.

We gathered ideas and supplies Thursday evening and began construction around 10:00 that night. The harsh reality that college kids can stay up really late and I am no longer a college kid began to sink in. Construction required cutting plywood with an electric saw. I was worried we would make too much noise and awaken the babies that live across the street, so we hauled the wood indoors and made the necessary cuts inside our sun room. Then the cut sheets were then noisily fastened together with a power screwdriver. We set a watchman outside the door to make sure the sounds weren't too loud. Several more wee hours were spent painting the plywood "cottage", distressing the tin roof, and attaching a chimney stack that would actually have smoke rising from it.

I had already planned to take a personal day from school on Friday to gear up for the busy weekend; little did I know that I would spend the whole day creating costumes and props. The float boys returned to my house at 10:00 am and set to work. Windows were cut and framed, then the door was painted and mounted with a handle. I worked on making a wolf mask and a hooded cape for "Red". I also pressed curtains for the windows and found baskets for the window boxes.

I left them to their work as I went to the campus to enjoy the Friday night festivities. When I returned (about 11:00), the float boys were busy making finishing touches and loading Grandma's cottage and garden into the float trailer.

As we sat waiting for the parade to pass on Saturday morning, I could hardly wait to see the finished product. It was a lot of work and required a lot of creative energy, but it was so much fun.

When we arrived home Saturday afternoon, Esther was thrilled to find that the boys had placed the cottage in our yard for her to use as a playhouse....

and we got to keep the wolf mask, too.

The Autumnal Feast

2008-10-19T23:41:00.003-05:00

"Fur and whisker,
tooth and claw,

All who enter by our door.
Nuts and herbs,
leaves and fruits,
Berries, tubers,
plants and roots,
Silver fish whose life
we take
Only for a meal to make."

We celebrated the arrive of Autumn with a hearty Redwall Feast.
We began reading the book during the dark days of the hurricane
and are slowly following the tale several evenings a week.
October is a celebratory month at the Stutes' house.
Jadan's birthday is on the 6th and the Redwall instigator,
Grant, has his birthday on the 8th.
Weldon and my anniversary follows on the 12th.
So, we had a combined feast in honor of all.
The preparations for the meal came out of the Redwall cookbook,
so we were very authentic.

Esther wrote out the menu while I cooked.

Our feast included:

Hare's Pawspring Vegetable Soup

(tomato based soup with carrots, green beans and cabbage)

Vegetable Casserole A La Foremole

(potatoes, turnips, rutabagas and carrots - very "earthy" taste)

Autumn Oat Favourites

(oats, raisins and coconut cookies)

Spiced Gatehouse Teabread

(a hearty sweet bread with tea steeped raisins and cranberries)

October Ale

(sparking grape goodness)

A good time was had by all creating and eating the unique recipes found
from inside the halls of Redwall Abbey.

The Union of Our Spirits

2008-10-12T18:13:00.009-05:00

Twelve years ago,
Weldon and I committed our lives to one another as husband and wife.
Our sacred union took place at the beautiful Scottsville chapel.
To reminisce and celebrate,
we spent a quiet morning revisiting the chapel yard,
looking at the hauntingly beautiful statuary
and listening to the birds sing in the cool October breeze.
I was reminded again of how perfectly fitting this setting was
for these two old souls to unite.

The union of your spirits, here, has caused Him to remain
For whenever two or more of you are gathered in His name

There is Love.

Friday Funny

2008-10-10T14:02:00.003-05:00

This week, I have been teaching my students songs for our Veterans' Day program. My kindergarten classes are learning "God Bless America". They were all so very proud and excited to tell me that they already knew all the words to the song. I, in turn, also acted proud and excited for them and asked them to sing it for me. They did a wonderful job (there is not much cuter than 5-year-olds singing).

Next came one of my favorite parts of teaching songs to little people - explaining what the words to the song mean.

God Bless America,
Land that I love;
Stand beside her,
And guide her...........

"Who's 'her'?", I asked. Puzzled faces and furrowed brows were their reply.
"It's the girl in the song", someone finally concluded.
"What girl?", I quizzed.
"The one in America."

Hm.

After telling them that "her" was actually referring to the country itself, we continued.

Through the night
With a Light
From above.

(They love this part because it rhymes. "Night" and "light" are always highly accented.)

From the mountains,
To the prairies..........

"What in the world is a 'prairie'?", I dared to question again.
Silence, with the exception of grinding brain gears.
"Oh, oh, I know!!", one little person exclaimed.
"Alright, what is a prairie?", I said.
"It's a little person who prays", she said with a high degree of satisfaction.
Trying my best to hide my amusement, I replied,
"I think you're thinking of a 'fairy', but that was a very good guess".

They loved discovering that"prairies" are the flat-lands where cowboys ride horses.

To the oceans
white with foam.........

I stopped with a quizzical look.
They looked back at me as if to say, "Oh, no, what will it be this time?".
"Foam", I repeated. "Foam?"
Again, they were lost in thought, searching through their 5 year old vocabularies.
"Foam is like play-doh!"..... "No, it's paper, fluffy paper!"......"Is it bubbles?"
Hooray, we have a winner!! Bubbles!! The moving of the waves makes bubbles, or foam.
"Why don't we just sing 'bubbles' instead of foam?", a seemingly innocent one asked.
"Because it wouldn't sound right to sing 'To the oceans white with bubbles!" , I sang as they erupted into giggles.

God Bless America
My Home Sweet Home.

"Alright boys and girls, let's stand up and sing through this again, now that we know what we're singing about............."

And so they sang:

God Bless America,
Land that I love;
Stand beside her,
And guide her
Through the night
With a Light
From above.
From the mountains,
To the prairies
To the oceans
White with BUBBLES (I kid you not)
God Bless America
My Home Sweet Home.

Kids crack me up.

Jadan Alan

2008-10-06T21:13:00.003-05:00

Happy Birthday to you, my sweet Jadan Boy!

Jadan means "God has Heard".

Alan means "Handsome".

The Blessing of Pets

2008-10-03T16:08:00.000-05:00

Our morning routine was a little odd this morning. We headed out to school with backpacks, lunchboxes, a longhaired Chihuahua and a Russian Blue cat.

Soon after arriving at school, we were joined by a procession of animals, everything from dogs and cats to hamsters and turtles, as today was Blessing of Pets day. Every October, the Episcopal Church celebrates the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi by having a special service to bless the animals. This custom is conducted in remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi’s love for all creatures. The Blessing of Pets usually goes like this:

“Blessed are you, Lord God, maker of all living creatures. You called forth fish in the sea, birds in the air and animals on the land. You inspired St. Francis to call all of them his brothers and sisters. We ask you to bless this pet. By the power of your love, enable it to live according to your plan. May we always praise you for all your beauty in creation. Blessed are you, Lord our God, in all your creatures! Amen.”

I’ll be honest, the first time we did a school-wide blessing of animals, I thought it was absurd, although not as chaotic as one might assume.

Our service began:

“I was glad when they said unto me, ‘Let us go into the house of the Lord’. The Lord is in His Holy Temple; let all the earth keep silence before Him.”

And, lo and behold, not a single bark, whimper or meow was heard.

I led the opening hymn, fully expecting Mr. Biggs, who was quietly abiding in his doggie traveling bag on my arm, to “sing” right along with me…he loves to harmonize, but he refrained.

As our chaplain spoke and read the prayers, I glanced around the gym full of children holding stuffed animals to represent their beloved pets and dozens of parents who braved bringing the beloved pets to be blessed “in person”. It was then that the feeling of absurdity faded into understanding. Caring for God’s creations is a blessing and stewardship is a sacred act. God is glorified through His Creation and our furry friends are a small but meaningful part.

My pets are faithful companions; my little friends. I strive to be the person my dog thinks I am. Mr. Biggs always greets me like my presence has absolutely made his day; his tail can’t wag fast enough to express his excitement. Being with me is his top priority and he is overcome with joy when I call his name. He senses when I’m sad or not feeling well and quietly snuggles beside me in silent support. He brings me joy with his unconditional affection and his funny fuzzy face.

Gandolf, the orphan kitten, has quickly found his place in the Stutes home. He is happiest when his people are gathered in one place, so as soon as one of us is up in the morning, he takes it upon himself to wake the rest of us up with his caterwauling. He exudes patience as he is “cared for” by Esther. He endures weekly baths, playing dress-up, stroller rides, endless manhandling and smothering affection. This kind of longsuffering is very unusual for a feline, but he has the steady disposition of a saint. He also has a mischievous playful side of which poor Mr. Biggs is most often the target. They rough and tumble, but each party takes care not to overly exert themselves or their sparing partner. They, too, have become friends (even over “party lines”).

I have discovered insightful life lessons just from my watching my pets. Mine have shown me living examples of showing love, expressing joy, and extending patience. They have also given me lessons in true friendship: be happy to see me, snuggle with me when I’m sad, don’t poop on my carpet, and be patient with me. I often wish I could live and love with such abandon!

Thank you Lord, for allowing me to enjoy some of Your creatures as my special companions. Thank you for the subtle lessons from unexpected places that Your Spirit uses to teach me about how to comfort, encourage and unconditionally love others. Thank you for the joy that comes from stewardship of Your creation. Thank you for creating a world that “is good” and full of wonder, and for filling it with beautiful things that bring glory to You.

My privileged blessing

2008-09-18T22:50:00.001-05:00

Motherhood is an amazing adventure. There truly never is a dull moment around my home, nor around my heart. I cherish my time with my kids. Now, don’t get me wrong, there are moments of “mommy melt-down” where I need a break from all the togetherness, but even then, I realize that there is really nothing else I’d rather be doing than spending time with my kids. The first moment I held my newborn Jadan in my arms I knew that the world had changed and that it wasn’t about me anymore.

I take parenting very seriously. I see it as an act of stewardship – taking care of precious resources. God made the concept of caretaker very clear to me when I first went back to work and was no longer the solitary caregiver of my children anymore. I cried all the way to work feeling guilty about leaving “my babies”. That still small voice spoke loud and clear, “They’re not yours, they’re Mine - and I love them even more than you do”. God has given me a charge to keep, lives to protect, teach, and love. I, of course, have hopes, dreams and aspirations for them, but as the years go by, I am reminded that they don’t need to be molded into my ideal for them, but into HIS.

When my kids were old enough to be accountable for themselves, I made one thing abundantly clear, they were not to do anything to embarrass me – act as nutty as you want at home, but when you are in public, you represent me. I still have to remind them of that from time to time. They always look at me like I’m crazy, but they get it. I guess it harkens back to the old adage that you may be “the only Jesus someone ever meets”. Everywhere they go, I want my kids to represent their Savior, themselves, and our home in a positive way. I had a teacher tell me what a joy it was to teach my kids. What words for a mom to hear!! I thanked her and said that I try to remind them to be a blessing and not a brat.

Sometimes I feel like my kids get the raw end of the deal being the children of a teacher. I admittedly have come home from a rough day at school and warned my wrath if they ever started to act like the kids in my classes. It has provided some good character education, though. Don’t be disrespectful, be responsible, don’t roll your eyes at me, do your homework, don’t be a bully, no means no. When asked if she wanted to be a teacher when she grows up, Esther promptly replied, “No way. Have you seen the way those kids act?” Child of a teacher, what can I say?

Every stage of their childhood has been enjoyable and memorable, but I am loving where we are right now. Jadan is almost eleven and in the fifth grade. Esther just turned eight and is in the third grade. I am so blessed to be able to work where they go to school. It enables me to be a part of their lives throughout the day, even if it is only at a distance at times. I make an effort not to intervene, interrupt or make exceptions for them at school. They need to go through the motions of growth just like everyone else. Forgot your homework? Oh well, face the consequences. Bully trouble? Deal with it (while I pray and cringe in the shadows). Got caught talking instead of working? Run extra laps and remember what you represent.

Jadan is my poet child; my sensitive eccentric. He walks to his own beat. Entering the preteen years, the pressure of peers is upon him. The funny thing is, I think it worries me more than it does him. He is an easy target for bullying, because he won’t retaliate. He had a boy physically bully him once. I told him to sock the kid if it happened again. “Violence is not the solution”, replied my sagely son. He lives in a very ethics driven black and white world; he pretty much keeps himself “in check”. Jadan is a friend to all, but he is cautious about who he chooses to spend time around. He uses good judgment when it comes to gauging character. His heart is big and his imagination even bigger. His wheels are always turning; the child even talks in his sleep. He wants to be a film maker when he grows up. When listening to him tell a story, he paints word pictures and I can almost visualize what he is saying frame by frame. He speaks with very animated language and is highly entertaining. Jadan is an auditory learner, so everything he hears (and listens to) is logged in his mind. He can recite entire movies, complete with dialogue, sound effects and musical score. We often hear this play out when he is imagining out his next epic episode. He is also an amazing engineer. The creations he makes out of Legos, and more recently modeling clay, are amazingly detailed and very well thought out. I smile at the wonder of what God has in store for him. I pray for encouraging friends to come beside him, for inspiring ideas to motivate him, and for him to be rooted in his faith.

Esther is my free-spirit. Life is a party and an eternal conversation. For a long time, she wanted to pretend she was shy and quiet, but in the last year, her true self has begun to shine through. There is a lot of personality in that little package. She has a quick wit which can border on the sassy side. We have to discuss when to say when on the sass from time to time. She makes friends easily; everyone loves “Essie”. Even though she is the youngest and the smallest in her class, she is more often than not found leading the rest. She, like her brother, is very sensitive to the needs of others. I love to listen to her pray when something is on her heart; it gives a glimpse of her sincere faith. Esther is very artsy. She loves to draw and paint, create craft projects, help decorate the house, learn to sew, take pictures, write, sing and dance. The tomboy in her likes to keep the dancing thing “hush-hush”, we have to refer to dance lessons as “karate class” if anyone else is in earshot. Esther is a bit of a tomboy or maybe more of a nature-girl. She loves to catch frogs and lizards, play with worms, collect rocks, ride her bike and dig in the dirt. A kitten joined our family out of the garden this summer and Esther has taken on the role of keeper of the cat. She feeds him, bathes him (every Wednesday after school), takes him for a ride in the baby carriage, plays dress up and all-around babies him. And, believe it or not, she is his favorite person. My prayer for Esther is that God will use her charisma and compassion to His glory, that she will continue to be a positive leader, and that her creativity will continue to spark.

It’s easy to see why I love my job, my charge, my privileged blessing of raising my two amazing children. I am in awe of them and how they are growing and developing into their unique selves. Lord, grant this steward wisdom and strength in the days ahead. Help me ever point them toward You and the abundance of Your love. Help them find their purpose in Your grand design and may their lives bring glory to You.

"Simple Pleasures Found During a Hurricane" or "Our Adventures with Ike "

2008-09-15T18:39:00.001-05:00

As the winds began to pick up on Saturday morning, it became clear that we would be spending the day at home. Weldon was on call to help hook up generators and portable showers for the evacuees at the Civic Center. He was called out early Saturday morning but returned before the first blasts of Ike made it to Marshall. After checking on his family in Houston, who were doing fine, in spite of 80 mph wind and no electricity, Weldon made multiple trips outside to check on the weather and was monitoring it on the internet, as well.
We went about our day in our normal weekend fashion - the children watching cartoons, playing video games, Esther treating the cat to a ride in a baby stroller, Jadan staging Lego battles all over the house. I busied myself with a mound of laundry. Esther begged us to make some potato soup, her favorite fall comfort food. So, she and her Daddy busily cut up the tubers and set them to boil.
After lunch. the gusts became more significant outside and I was nervously awaiting the wail of the dreaded "duck and cover" siren. I curled up on the couch with Mr. Biggs, my faithful snuggle companion, a stack of magazines and crossword puzzles and tried to keep my mind off of the storm.
Without a flicker to warn us, the electricity was suddenly gone. We heard a yelp from Jadan who was in the middle of an epic battle with a Wii enemy. Once it was determined the power would be out for a while, he shrugged his shoulders and proclaimed that he was going to take a nap. No sooner had the lights left than Weldon's phone rang. It was "the boys", our "extended family" members, Grant and Jordan. They were alone, in the dark, at Grant's little house and apparently wanted to be with "family". Within minutes they were at our front door with sheepish grins. I'm glad my home is viewed as somewhat of a haven.
We headed to the kitchen, the hub of our home, and sat for a moment staring at each other, as if to say, "What do we do now?". Weldon was the first to speak, "How about some coffee or hot tea?". There was a room full of takers. As the flames flickered under the kettle, I was grateful that my dear husband had insisted on buying a gas stove instead of an electric.
My dad came across the street to check on us and Esther begged to go keep Grandma company. There was a lull in the storm, so we bundled her up and watched as she crossed the"river" to Grandma's house. The house became quiet with Esther away and Jadan still napping, so we sat around our round table and began to play a game of cards by candlelight.
Before too long, a bleary-eyed Jadan awoke and was drawn into the candlelit kitchen. We had just finished a hand of cards and were beginning to get hungry. None of us wanted to prepare a large meal, so we broke into our dry-good snack reserves. Peanut-buttered saltines, dry cereal by the fistful and the coveted Hershey's bar from our Smores' camping stash - perfect fare for a storm-induced candlelight dinner. What happened next was my favorite part of the evening and a memory I will forever cherish.
Grant gave Jadan his favorite childhood novel, a fantasy book called Redwall, for Christmas. Jadan had yet to read it, so we, still sitting around the candlelit table, opened the book and passed it around the table, reading it aloud, chapter by chapter. Each reader interpreted the story and characters with animated voices. Before we knew it, an hour had passed. The kitchen chairs became uncomfortable, so we withdrew into the living room and read by candle and flashlight for another hour or more. We closed the book as the mantle clock showed the midnight hour and Jadan had already began to doze off to sleep. The "boys" began to head out, then realized that the windows of Grant's house were painted shut and that they would not be able to have any air circulation. We insisted that they stay with us and we made up our couches into beds. The cross-breeze from all the opened windows was pleasant enough and we were all quickly asleep. At one o'clock, we awoke with a start because the lights all flashed on and our appliances started beeping and humming. We gratefully turned off the lights and drifted back to sleep.

I was awakened by Weldon telling me that he and the boys were heading across town to help our friend Cindy hook up her generator. A tree had fallen on her power line and she was going to be without power for several days. I walked outside to see the the sun shining through a beautiful blue sky. The air was crisp and clean. The only indication that there had been a storm was Mom and Dad working to clear away branches that had littered their yard. We walked around the neighborhood to check on our neighbors and to survey the damage.

Our patio

Our yard

One street north

One block east

On block west

Something completely unharmed

Looks like we had been very blessed. All our neighborhood friends fared well and were out cleaning up the mess of leaves and branches. I went home and did the same. Jadan and I collected hundreds of acorns from the limbs that fell from our beautiful oak tree. Weldon was very excited to be able to propagate them because they are so green. Weldon was called out to help at the Civic Center again but Jadan, my Dad, and I worked in our yard all afternoon, raking up leaves and sticks, busting up the larger branches and burning them in our neighbors fire pit. Mom made a dish of lasagna and called us over for lunch. As I was walking to her house, I heard a large bang one street over. I ran in the direction of the sound and found myself with a group of neighbors looking at a sparking snapped wire dangling above Merritt Street. I went into the house and sure enough, our power was out again. My parents house was unaffected, so we had lunch with them, then went back to work. Emergency vehicles came to the scene of the snapped wire, but all they were able to do was surround it with caution cones and wait for the electric company.

I soaked some black-eyed peas. We cooked up our almost thawed out ground beef from the freezer and made Weldon's delicious dirty rice. We had a down-home feast and invited "the boys" back over to help us eat it all up. We spent another evening reading by candlelight. The air was so cool this evening, sleeping without air conditioning was very enjoyable. We were even chilled when we awoke the next morning.

School was canceled on Monday and Tuesday, an added blessing. I drove to our school on Monday morning to pick up my paycheck. The main road to the school had a pine tree that had been uprooted and laid across it. Power lines were snapped and tangled in its branches. A crew have removed enough of the tree for the street to be passable, but it was scary to maneuver past it. We saw fallen trees all around town and I was glad to get back home. I spent over an hour hand washing dishes, thanking God all the while for the blessing of a dishwasher. I cleaned up in the yard a little more and was so grateful to see the Swepco eletric company truck pull up to the still dangling wire that had stolen our power. Within 30 minutes, the hard-hat wearing heroes had restored power to our little part of the world and there was much rejoicing!!

I returned to the house and immediately was aware of how noisy a power-filled house can be. The air cleaners were humming, the washing machine churning, the radio and TV talking. I almost missed being off "the grid" and the simple, quiet, slowed-down way of living we had experienced the last two days.

After dinner, we retreated to the living room, turned down the lights, opened Redwall and continued to read until the children drifted off to sleep. Maybe we can hang on to some simple pleasures for a little while longer.

When in Rome

2008-08-10T10:42:00.001-05:00

Art Camp Italia

It all began with a faun and a lamppost

2008-08-03T10:59:00.000-05:00

Lucy in Narnia
The White Witch's Castle
Edmund and Aslan
Preparing for Battle
Fire-flower Juice
The Coronation
Magical Woodland Creature, Mr. Tumnus & Lucy

Beautiful Dryad
Susan
Lucy
Peter
Dryad and Narrator

New York, New York

2008-08-03T10:37:00.000-05:00

I got to be a part of it...

The Lion King

The King and I

Singin' in the Rain

Mary Poppins

Fiddler on the Roof

I Found Myself in Europe

2008-07-03T08:17:00.000-05:00

There's A Place I Know That I Can Go

2008-06-26T10:26:00.000-05:00

There's a place I know, that I can go

Where a man still has room to roam

Where the air's still clear and the sky's still blue,

And the red man calls it home.

Some of us were born here,

And then some of us just came,

To these mountains,

through the valleys,

In a soft New Mexico rain.

I'll spend my days in New Mexico,

Where the mountains touch the sun

I'll spend my days in New Mexico,

Where you and nature can be one.

There's a farmer in the valley,

He's as happy as can be

A pretty, dark-eyed senorita

Works beside him in their fields

And the dust has hardly settled

From those trail drives long ago,

You can hear those cowboys singin'

Lie low, little doggies lie low.

Now that sun it's slowly sinking,
O'er this wide and peaceful land

And it's going to paint a picture,

In the sky for you and me

The colors, oh, so rich and so rare,

Enfold this graceful land

And it makes me wish that I was there
When God made these mountains with his hands.

Where the desert meets the mountains

And the mountains touch the sun.

White Sands

2008-06-26T10:13:00.000-05:00

See the beauty that surrounds you...

Take in the desert sky...

Listen to nature.

Through the Trees

2008-04-20T19:47:00.000-05:00

Project Looking Through - Garden

2008-04-20T15:01:00.000-05:00

Looking Through my garden

Project Looking Through

2008-04-20T14:25:00.000-05:00

I love looking at the world through the eyes and imaginations of my children.
Be inspired and add your own view at Project Looking Through hosted by Mark.