Anniversary

Juan and I have been married for 27 years--half my life--and we celebrated this weekend. We went to Dallas and stayed at the W hotel. It was so awesome!

We started the day at July Alley, a little bar we found in Deep Ellum next door to Elm Street Tattoo. We sat at the bar and talked to the bartender and all the eclectic people who walked in. That is the great little bar to people watch!

We left and made our way to Victory Park. Checking into our room was an experience--we were given warm, scented towels at the registration counter which was lined in hundreds of orchid displays and the scent of fresh flowers. The room was on the 9th floor overlooking the skyline of Dallas--beautiful! Our room was so relaxing and roomy--32 in. flatscreen, open glass shower, chaise lounge at the window to look out over the scenery...gorgeous!!

We changed and went downstairs to dinner at Cast, the hotel restaurant. We waited in the hotel bar until they came to get us--very cool! Again, fabulous! Because it was our anniversary we were given champagne and truffles by the chef. The food was outstanding and the atmosphere and view...well, again, fabulous!

We left and walked over to the Havana Social Club in Victory Park. Juan had a cigar as we sipped on 80 year old rum. We watched the Stars game on the TV and then sat and enjoyed the experience as the game was over and the crowd filled the area. Then, as we left we were able to see the Channel 8 10 p.m. newscast from the studio.

Back at the hotel we went up to the Ghostbar for the experience. It was very chic with an upscale vibe. Reserved tables are by bottle service only so we just stayed long enough to have a drink. We sat for a while then walked outside to look over the glass wall and admire the city lights. There is going to be two big parties at the Ghostbar this week--Cowboys on Monday and New Years Eve on Wednesday.

Back downstairs to the hotel lobby bar for a little while to people watch after the Stars game. Strange mix of people! You would think that only hotel guests would frequent the bar, but most of the people there were just drinking and hanging out!

Great day, great night, great life!!!
Happy New Year!

Wrapping presents

I just finished 2 1/2 hours of wrapping gifts! I put it off until the last minute then I lock myself in my bedroom and going into a wrapping frenzy!

I love to wrap presents! I prefer paper and bows to bags anytime, and I really love the big gaudy ribbon and bows. Even as a young girl I did all the gift wrapping at my house. I would sit in the living room floor and spread out the paper, tape and ribbon and go after it...almost therapeutic!

Anyway, we open gifts on Christmas Eve, so the wrapping I did tonight is pretty much pointless, but at least it looks festive in the living room for 24 hours!

Tomorrow I spend the day cooking enchiladas since we are having a Mexican menu--YUM!!! Chicken verde and cheese enchiladas! YIKES! Sounds like some major time in the kitchen.

Merry Christmas!

the beginning...

Today is the official start of my Winter Vacation! I am sitting here with a big cup of coffee, blogging and watching the recap of "Charm School of Love". What a great way to begin!

Today Juan and I are going to Pendrey's to buy chili spices because I am making competition chili over the break. Yummy! My family loves chili, but they are spoiled to the "real" chili of our cook off days. So, I will buy spices, cut meat and spend a whole day making chili.

We are also going to be doing some other shopping this week so we will be ready for the holidays. Juan has the week off so we are going to get things done today so we can rest up for Christmas. Of course, we will be watching the Cowboys tonight complete with all the tailgate fixings...pico, cheese dip and beer! GO COWBOYS!!

Hope you all have a great weekend and a great holiday! Merry Christmas!

Done!

I have finished my Christmas shopping! What a great feeling. I still have to wrap them all and put up the tree--yes, put up the tree. Well, not actually a tree. All we have is a little 3 ft. table top tree.

Anyway, I am very happy to have this all done. Now I am busy working on my family Christmas Eve dinner and planning all of that. We are going to my niece's house that evening for a Mexican feast!!! I cannot wait! YUMMY!

Looking forward to next week, too. Joy and I are going to Cedar Hill on Monday to shop and have lunch. I always look forward to spending the day with her. We will have a girl's day out, maybe even pedi/mani time... The rest of the week will be busy cooking and cleaning.

The next week is my anniversary--27 years! We have a night at the W planned and dinner in Dallas. Maybe we will try to visit the Ghost Bar.

Merry Christmas!

My great nephew

I have an adorable great nephew named Abel. He is the cutest kid you can imagine. Not to mention he is incredibly smart! He plays video games like an expert and is the funniest kid you could ever meet.

Abel is your typical 4th grade boy. He is involved in Boy Scouts, likes sports, does his chores, loves his parents and does well in school. He has not always liked school--and has been known to express that opinion eloquently. In the last couple of years he has come to realize that school is a necessary evil and he enjoys it. I think being in GT has really helped to keep his mind active!

A while back he was not feeling well and bruising easily. He was really run down and not acting like the Abel we all know and love. His mom took him to the doctor and he was diagnosed with ITP. Don't ask me what the letters stand for, the words are too big...but I do know what it means. ITP is not a life threatening disorder, but because of he has a low platelet count, if he were to suffer any major injuries or bumps to the head, it could be very bad for him.

He just went back to the doctor and his blood platelets are too low and he is not getting better. He is now listed as a chronic case, meaning he has to be careful to not get any severe injuries that would cause bleeding. He has to go back to the doctor at the end of this month to do some more tests. If his count is not up the doctors will begin to look at treatment options.

His mom is very optimistic and thankful that ITP is all that is going on. But, having a 9 year old son who has to go through this, is hard. I cannot imagine trying to explain it all to him, and make sure that he has a normal little boy life, but at the same time protect him.

Please keep him in your prayers. Abel is a precious child who should not have to worry about restricting his fun!

Today was good!

So today I heard so many good things about my staff, kids and school! It was so cool to be validated on what I know and believe.

Teaching is hard work. And, if you work at my school it is even harder because of my expectations and pressure. I am not easy to work for and I know this. But, if we say that we have to care too much to let a kid fail, then I have to care too much to let a teacher not be the best they can be! Student success is directly impacted by the instruction of the teacher in the classroom on a daily basis. Kids need the best teachers every day!

I push hard. I nag about rigor, and best practices, and SEs and lesson objectives, and...I do this because I want my teachers to be the best teachers in the district. I do this because I want my kids to be successful. I do this because I this is my passion.

Thank goodness for the Christmas holidays. We can all relax and forget about school for two weeks and enjoy our family and friends. We are so happy! These two weeks off are one of our perks and we deserve this!

Have a great weekend!

Christian Slater

YUM-O!

One of my new fav shows is "My Own Worst Enemy". Seen Mr. Slater without a shirt lately?? OMG! Tonight was good!

Shows that twist and turn are usually too 'heavy' for me to watch during the week. I like to veg out in front of the TV and live vicariously through the characters as they make their way through the story line. Usually comedy or reality TV is as cerebral as I can handle. But, I really like "Enemy".

I like this show so much that I am willing to give up CSI on Monday nights! Thank goodness for DVR!

Happy Monday...

Family

Having family to support and love you is the greatest gift of God. Knowing that you have your family to always be there and believe in you make everything possible. I am lucky to have a great family!

The family that lives in my house is the reason I breathe. I truly cannot imagine life without David, Joy or Juan. We are not the perfect "Walton" family, we don't always agree or get along. We get on each other's nerves and irritate the dickens out of each other. But, we love each other with all our hearts! We make each other laugh, we depend on each other for support and guidance, we reach out to each other. I know that David will grow up to be a responsible young man. My hope is that he finds his calling soon. Joy is busy going to school and working full time and will some day be a world famous hair dresser. I am a very lucky woman!

My immediate family is very special, too! I am very close to my niece and nephew and their families. They have three boys between them and it is very nice to have little kids around again. Their mom, my sister, has given all of us many joys and tears, but we love her.

My Aunt BB is my second mom. She has been there since mom died and gives me the wisdom of her years each time we talk. BB is a little woman with a big heart. I truly don't think I have ever heard her say a negative word about anyone. I am blessed to have her in my life. Her son, Keith, is like the brother I never had. Being one year apart in age has put us chronologically close, but that is not the reason we get along so well. You see, Keith and I have a lot in common, including loving BB. We coordinated a chili team for years, hosted countless Cowboys watching parties and generally raised H- - - for most of our adult lives! Love ya, Man!

My Clarksville family are my soul mates! Debbie, Larry and their kids and families are so very dear to me. Some of my best memories are of being in that little northeast Texas town and spending time with the Moore clan. Hanging out at the lake, driving all over to shop, drinking wine on the sofa, the deer cabin...my heart is in Clarksville and always will be.

Can't wait to see what the future holds for all my family!

New TV

On Saturday we will get our new TV! My hubby went out and bought a 46" HDTV and sound system and I am so psyched!!!

So, this coming Saturday will be hectic at my house. The TV will be delivered and the installation guys will begin the process. We will have to take down our entertainment center with its eclectic collection of "homey" stuff, old CDs, really old LPs, graduation pictures, old chili trophies...yuck! I hate the thought of taking all this down and figuring out where to put it.

We will make do with the old TV stand until we get the aquarium situated. It will have to be drained and moved so that will be another day and time. We really enjoy watching the fish swim around so we don't want to get rid of it or move it to another room. We will just figure out how to live in harmony with the big TV and the big fish tank in the same room, same area!

Cannot wait to watch my reality TV on a big HDTV!!!

Rejuvenation

This week has been such a blessing! Having a week off to relax and spend time with the family, shop, blog, watch TV, visit friends and reconnect is wonderful! I read somewhere that a teacher has to make over half a million decisions a day. I believe that is true! With all that to think about we have to be tired! TGIF!

Juan had off all this week, except today, and David and Joy have been off since Wednesday so we have been able to spend some time just hanging out. Now, I must admit, togetherness can be too together at times, if you know what I mean...ha! But, I enjoy having the family all in the living room or at the dinner table at one time.

Confession...I did not clean my house or finish the laundry. I did not bathe the dog or clean out my closet. I did not get down the Christmas decorations or start my Christmas shopping. "So, what did you do?" you might ask. Nothing! Nothing that I did not want to do! I sat in my chair with my laptop and surfed. I laid on the love seat with my blanket and my dog. I drank my Guinness. I ate whatever I wanted. I stayed up late. I watched trash TV. Glorious times, I'm telling you!!!

But, Sunday night will come quickly and I will have to prepare myself for reality (not reality TV!). The next three weeks will be full of trying to get "it" all crammed in before Christmas Break. We will be super stressed at school just trying to get the kids to learn instead of wish for Santa. We will have class parties, school parties, lunches, lots of parents, testing...you know...all the usual stuff that comes between the Thanksgiving Break and the Christmas Break. And, on top of all that I have to keep the teachers from doing the same thing as the kids...wishing the three weeks would just hurry by! It is so hard to do, though. But, three weeks is a long time and we have to get so much done even though no one really wants to. This is hard to explain to anyone who is not in education. These are three tough weeks coming up!

I am going to leave now and go get ready for my nice relaxing sushi lunch! YUM-O!! I love sushi and I rarely get to eat it because very few of my friends will eat it. So, Joy and I are going to lunch with Debbie, my cousin's wife, and we going to relish in our California, Mexican and Birthday rolls, our Lemon martinis and good company!

Wishing you all a great weekend and a wonderful upcoming Christmas season!

Cornbread Dressing!

One of my favorite things to make is cornbread dressing. I love Thanksgiving because I get to make this and then enjoy a plate of dressing and gravy and cranberry sauce...I can really do without the turkey.

Making the dressing is a family tradition...well, maybe not...but it is MY tradition. I always beg Joy and David to help me make it so they will know how when they finally leave home (whenever that may be!), but they aren't interested. Joy usually stands in the kitchen, watches and hands me items as I ask for them. She could probably make it if she had to. I asked David to help me so he could tell his future wife (ha!) how to make it. All he said was, "I'll send her to you and you can teach her."

Anyway, I just finished putting the butter slices on top of the two pans of dressing. Yes, I made two pans. One to take to the family gathering and one for home. We eat lots of dressing! But, we only eat my dressing. Exactly the reason I always volunteer to make it! I will roast a turkey breast on Friday and we will have left overs all weekend long. Cold turkey and dressing sandwiches are the best!

Today I am thankful for being able to create something that we all enjoy and makes my family smile!

Enjoy your own cooking and gathering for tomorrow. I believe that we all have so much to be thankful for that tomorrow should be a day of blessing for everyone. Enjoy your family, relax and take a deep breath...for Christmas is around the corner!

Gas Prices

WOO HOO for gas prices and discounts! I went to Tom Thumb today and used my Reward Points when I got gas. The original price was $1.71 a gallon. My discount was 70 cents off per gallon--making my final cost $1.01!!! OMG! I filled my gas tank for $13.00!!

I remember just two months ago paying nearly $50 to fill my gas tank. I paid it because I had to have the gas, but My Goodness! So, today I have to say that I am thankful for lower gas prices!

Oh, yeah, the family is going to the Tut exhibit in Dallas tomorrow! I am soooo excited!!! Guess what I will blog about tomorrow....TUT!!!

Cowboys won!!! Yeah for that, too! WOW! Today is a great day!

Deebo

Deebo Dog is my son's pit bull. I love this dog! Deebo is more like Scooby Doo than a killer dog. He has lived with us for over a year and half--3/4 of his life. He shares the house with ZsaZsa, my chihuahua. Therefore, Deebo thinks he is just like her...small and dainty. He is not either of these things. Deebo weighs at least 85-90 pounds.

Deebo gets so excited when I come home in the evenings. He almost knocks me over running up to greet me. He will stand on his back legs, putting his front paws in the air for he to grab and "dance" with him. He jumps on the back of the sofa (just like ZsaZsa), puts his left paw in the air for a High Five. He will sit on the floor at my feet and extend his paw for me to shake with him. Yes, Deebo is very animated!

Want to see him run in a circle? Mention the word "cookie" or "squirrel" and he gets in a frenzy! Throw his toy bone or rope across the room and he will run to grab it and bring it to you to play. I love to watch him play!

I know there is a lot of bad press about pit bulls. I believe that there are bad dogs in the world. I believe that pit bulls are dangerous dogs. But, I do NOT believe that all pit bulls are dangerous. That is why I get so upset at all the stories that go around about how pit bulls attack innocent people. I can't help but wonder two things: how was the dog raised and how was the dog treated?

I love my Deebo Dog and he loves his Grandma!

By the way, this is the beginning of the Thanksgiving Break! WooHoo!!!

LONG Week....

OMG! I am glad this week is almost over! I don't remember having a week like this in a long time. Stress has consumed me and I truly think I smiled for the first time today.

First, let me apologize for not posting the past two days. I have not been near a computer in the evenings since Monday and really didn't feel like anything I would have said would have been the least bit thankful orientated!

Now... back to being thankful! I am thankful today for good friends who always make me smile. I have friends that I see everyday at work, friends that I only contact through the internet, friends who I see several times a week, and friends that I rarely see but are always in my heart. You know who you are...you know you make a difference in my life. I am thankful for YOU!

Knowing that there are friends you can confide in, friends who will support you no matter what, and friends who "have your back" is what makes life great. I am blessed to have friends like that in my life. Never doubt that I love ya!

Pedi Mani

Nothing is more relaxing than a pedicure and manicure after a long day! I must say, I am very thankful for being able to sit in a massage chair and let someone pamper me for a while.

Once upon a time I was appalled at the thought of someone touching my feet. I always felt like I had really ugly feet and never wanted someone to actually touch them. Then, one day, I decided that if I ever planned on showing my feet to the public I had to do something to make them presentable. My first pedicure was like a revelation! I soon discovered that I no longer cared what the lady thought about my ugly toes, my callouses, or my hairy legs. I loved being pampered! I would rather have a pedicure than go shopping...you know that must be a big deal!

Manicures just come with the process. I used to have nails put on but it became too much of an upkeep issue. I don't have the time to sit and wait for all of that. But, I will make time for a pedicure!!!

Anyway, TMI I'm sure! But, when I stop to think what I am thankful for today--a fresh pedicure is at the top of my list!!! Happy Monday!

Lazy Sunday

Today was absolutely, wonderfully lazy! I did two loads of laundry, vacuumed the floors, put frozen snack food in the oven for lunch, watched a little football, and took a nap. Just finished cooking dinner and now I am sitting here reflecting and being thankful for having a life that allows me to have a perfectly nothing day.

Should I have done more...lots more. I should have cleaned the bathroom, several more load of laundry and dusted, but I didn't. I did exactly whatever I wanted...and it was great!!! Selfish? Probably. But, I do not regret it.

Next week will be very busy. And you know the week of Thanksgiving will be constant motion. So, I convinced myself that I deserved this lazy day. My wish for each of you is that you do the same for yourself. Take time to just be...be...nothing. No expectations, no plans, just be.

Hope your weekend was great!!! I loved mine!

Saturday afternoon

OK. So, this was not a typical Saturday afternoon. Juan and I went to Elm Street and got work done on his tattoo. We spent our Saturday afternoon at Elm Street Tattoo.

I am thankful for being old enough to make the choice to spend my time in a tattoo shop and enjoying the day. It was fun watching the guy draw the design and then create it on Juan's arm. I am thankful that it was his pain today and not mine. But, I have to admit...the itch is back for more ink!!

I am thankful for walking next door to the funky little bar and sitting there watching all the eclectic people and dogs come and go. And, thankful that they had Guinness!

I am thankful to be home, watching TV and relaxing after a great day in Dallas! I would love to live in a loft downtown!!!

TGIF!

Obviously I am thankful for Fridays!

Not because I had a bad week--my life is great!--not because I have anything exciting planned this weekend. No, I am thankful for Fridays because that means I have two days to sleep late and rejuvenate for Monday.

Weekends are my time to spend with my husband, to clean the house (cough, cough), read my trash magazines, shop and go out to eat. I like to get together with my good friends and socialize in a world outside of education. This time in the 'real world' reminds me why I love education and school houses!

Yes, Fridays are great because they signal a time to begin again. Always a renewal process--just like the seasons!

TGIF!!!

Uptown Theater

Tonight I have to talk about the Uptown Theater. If you grew up in GP in the 60's and 70's like I did then you know about the Uptown. This was our downtown movie house where we hung out every Saturday and created great memories. It has gone through many changes over the years and sat empty for the last several years.

This week is the Grand Opening of the newly refurbished Uptown Theater and it is so cool! I went tonight with Colleen and Thom to see the Double Ace band. This is a local, native GP band who often plays at the Oasis. They are great and I always enjoy hearing them.

All this week and next there are special events planned at the theater. This weekend is a Block Party complete with 50's attire and next week there are old movies every night--Casablanca, Gone With the Wind,Grease...how great is that?? I am excited that GP is trying to bring life back to downtown.

Oh, and the random act of kindness I planned to do each day...didn't happen today...I'll try harder tomorrow!

Random Acts of Kindness

Several years ago there was a movement that challenged us to perform random acts of kindness and pay it forward. It was a novel thought back in the day. Today, as I sit to think about what to blog about today, my mind turns to all the wonderful people I know that do both of these novel things.

Thank you Jody and Fabienne for taking care of the birds today.
Thank you Anna for being so thoughtful and finding ways to celebrate.
Thank you Angie for being there to talk to me when I just need a kind ear.
Thank you LeighAnn for sharing your knowledge and friendship.
Thank you Vanessa for thinking one step ahead of me.
Thank you Mike for always going above and beyond to help.

The list goes on and on...

I am so lucky to be surrounded each day by friends and colleagues who just "take care of business" and do what needs to be done for the good of all.

So, in addition to a daily thankful blog, I am going to make sure that I do a random act of kindness each day. Can't wait for tomorrow!

Cooler Weather!

I love fall weather! I like wearing sweaters, sweatshirts, jackets and flannel. I like bundling up when the sun goes down and cuddling on the sofa in a blanket. The crisp, autumn air gently blows the changing leaves (that we have to rake!) and I know that all good things are coming...like high school and college play offs, Thanksgiving, with Christmas around the corner.

This is my reasoning for preferring fall weather to any other:
1) Spring is too wet and rainy. You never know what to wear or what shoes to put on!
2) Summer in Texas to too hot. You cannot take off enough clothing to stay cool and still be decent!
3) Winter is yucky and cold...icy and slushy. I do not need the extra baggage of really heavy, warm clothes!
40 Fall is perfect...cool, breezy and just right for a light sweater (to hide the extra pounds I always seem to have!).

So, this post is in honor of our wonderful season--Autumn!!! Want to join me in a caramel apple cider from Starbuck's?

Today

Today we celebrated Veterans Day at school. I always look forward to this special day because we take the time to think about our freedom and how we are able to keep it--the men and women who put their lives on the line for us!

I am blessed to have 4 military men in my family. My uncle Dub, uncle Bond, my nephew Brandon and my husband Juan. These men all gave time to the US armed forces so that we could keep our freedom, independence and voice. I am thankful for what they gave up for all of us.

We need to take time to celebrate this special day. We must teach the youth how special it is to serve our country. We have to present history to them so they have a connection to their past. They are our future, and we need to make sure they understand the past.

War is not pretty. I can barely remember a time in my life that was not surrounded by war. I grew up knowing my uncle was in Korea. Then came the Vietnam war, Cambodia, the ongoing war in the Middle East, Desert Storm, Iraq, Afghanistan...the list is long. I remember watching the death and destruction of the Vietnam war on TV. I remember proudly wearing my POW bracelet in high school. I remember setting the dinner table and watching George Bush, Sr. make his announcement on TV about Desert Storm. It almost seems that we have become so used to war that it is a fact of life.

Take time to thank a veteran. They deserve our love and gratitude.

Organization

Having just spent 4 hours at work, on Sunday afternoon, I have to say that I am thankful for organization. I love going to school on Sunday and getting everything ready for the upcoming week. It gives me such a sense of accomplishment (yeah for me and Lindsey!).

Now that the time has changed it gets dark so early that I do not like to stay at school and work. My feeble mind tells me that when it gets dark my day is done! So, I have to make it home before dark or I never get anything done at home either!! Besides, if I am at school I am talking or not focused after 4 p.m.--honestly, I would rather visit with people than work. That is the real reason I have to spend my Sunday afternoons getting things together.

I am also thankful for my husband who grilled the beef tenderloin, washed clothes and cleaned the kitchen while I was gone...I am lucky!

Hope you all have a great week. We are getting closer to Thanksgiving Day and that makes me happy!!!

Passion

I believe that you must be passionate about whatever you do. Without passion life would stand still. I am so lucky, after 30 years, to still be passionate about my career.

I have blogged a lot about this topic so this will be short. However, when I think about things I am thankful for I have to include my career and the passion I feel for what I do. Teaching is truly a calling. It should not be something you do until something better comes along, or while you are figuring out what you want to do when you grow up. Teaching should not be a place filler in your career path.

Being a teacher is the most important job in the world! Teachers are responsible for future doctors, lawyers, astronauts, and scientists. You have to realize the impact you have on each child sitting in your class. You have to give them the best every day, all day long. Teachers cannot afford to have a bad day...but if they do, the kids should never suffer because of it.

I am thankful for the opportunity to have a career that I enjoy. I am passionate about teaching. My heart is happy when I am called a teacher!

Reality TV

I LOVE REALITY TV!!! There. I've said it. I admit I am an addict. Are there 12 steps for this addiction?

I am thankful for reality TV! It gives me an outlet to "zone out" and not have to think or make a decision. What a great thing!

My favorite is Big Brother. I want to be on that show so badly. I could do that! No bugs, no heat, no swimming...only food deprivation (I would be a biatch!!) and memory challenges (I would pray)! I would be the female Evil Dick and I would relish the role.

Yes, reality TV is my life. The way I look at it--I have enough real life drama...I need to live vicariously through others!

So, what am I thankful for on this day--being able to watch other people be the fool I would love to be! Happy weekend!

Paid Off!

I am thankful for the fact that in October I made my last payment on my car!!! Yeah for extra money each month! A clear car title is a rare thing...mostly I trade cars in before I pay them off so I cannot remember ever NOT having a car payment!

I love my car! It is just the right size, gets great gas mileage, looks sporty and runs great! I highly recommend a Mazda...in fact, I am getting the itch for the new Mazda 6. We saw it at the fair and I fell in love. But, I think I love having extra cash for the holidays even more. Now I just hope nothing breaks or falls apart so I can actually splurge a little and buy something completely unnecessary!!!!

p.s. Sorry for the short post--it's been a hectic few days and I am tired!!!

My ZsaZsa

Dogs are so great because they give you unconditional love. No matter what happens, no matter how bad your day, they love you. They wag their little tails when they see you. They lick your hands and give kisses. They cuddle beside you or in your lap.

ZsaZsa is my precious little chihuahua. She is 4 years old and my baby girl! This tiny little white puppy with the tan heart shaped spot on her left side, pointy pink ears and big brown eyes warms my heart each evening when I come home. She jumps on the back of the sofa, wags her tail, barks and gets so excited to see me.

One of my favorite times of the day is when she and I lay on the loveseat, covered in our blankie and watching TV. In fact...that sounds great right about now. Think I will end this and cuddle with my ZsaZsa. I am thankful she came into my life to love me!!!

Tootsie

Joyce Ann (Tootsie) Hale Wilson, my mom, was a remarkable woman.

Moma raised me to believe that I could do anything I set my mind to and be anything I wanted. She supported me, loved me, encouraged me and guided me. Tootsie was loved by all who knew her and I never heard anyone make a negative comment about her.

Moma died when I was 25. She died of cancer. Moma was a heavy smoker--began when she was 14 or 15 and smoked two or three packs a day. I begged her to stop. I threw her cigarettes away, drenched them in water, you name it. I tried everything! She was just too addicted. I am blessed that she was able to meet Juan. I remember sitting on her sofa one day after school, telling her that he was the one I could see myself with for the rest of my life. She smiled and said, "Then I will love him, too." She did not live to see us get married. Nor did she get to see her two wonderful grandchildren. She would have loved being apart of our lives.

A day does not go by that I do not think of her. She is the first person who comes to mind when I accomplish something or when I fail. I know she would have supported my achievements and even encouraged my failures. I miss her so very much.

I am thankful for her love and her memories! Love ya, Moma!

Next...

Of course my next thing to be most thankful for is my husband, Juan. We have been married for 27 years (this December) and share lots of fond memories...some not so fond...but we won't discuss these here. HA!

We actually meet through a mutual friend. Juan was working at NAS Dallas, in the gym. I had just bought and MGB and she suggested that I bring the car out and meet this guy she worked with. That evening Juan and I went to the bar on base and got to know each other. He was cute and very polite. I liked him right away, and we began to see each other almost daily. A few weeks into the relationship I found out that his divorce was not final. I told him to call me when it was, and I waited.

Several weeks went by. I missed him but I was not about to get involved with a married man (not intentionally anyway!). I just spent more time in my classroom and focused on my kids. I was working a part time job at the mall and life went on. I remember the Saturday that he walked into Motherhood Maternity (my part time job!). He was extremely pale and slightly green around the gills. I could tell he was hung over. He walked over to the counter and said, "My divorce was final yesterday." I smiled, told him to go home, recuperate and call me in a few days. He did, and the rest is history!

We got married in 1981. David was born in 1985 and Joy came along in 1988. I have the perfect family--not perfect people, perfect family. Juan is our guardian, our protector, our provider, our benefactor. He takes care of all the "manly" things like trash, mowing the lawn, paying bills, dealing with car repairs, etc. But he also does the laundry, listens to me rant about work and cries when our dogs died.

Don't get me wrong. We have had our rough times. Most marriages do. But, with age comes compassion and comfort. This anniversary will mark the time in our lives when we have been together half our lives. That is a milestone! One that I am happy to meet!

Thankful for...

Robin has a great idea! Post every day, in the month of November, something that you are thankful for. I, too, love November and the Thanksgiving holiday. Taking time to reflect on the great things in your life is what we all need to do. This month actually gives us "permission" to do that!

There are so many things in my life that I am thankful for. Right now I am thinking about my kids. I am so thankful for two really good kids. They are actually young adults but they will always be my kids, no matter how old they get. David and Joy are the lights of my life. I cannot imagine how my life would have been without their smiles, tears, accomplishments and disappointments. These days I see them less and less. Between their work hours and my need for sleep, most days I do not see them. I try to wait up for them to come home, but my morning begins much earlier than theirs does, so I end up going to bed without seeing them. But, on the rare chance that we are all at home at the same time, it is glorious. David is cracking jokes, Joy lights up the room with her smile and we all feel blessed.

So, my pick for today--my kids! I am so thankful that God blessed me with them.

Anyone else want to blog each day about the things in your life you are thankful for? Just think, if we all did this, what positive energy we could produce!

2 things...

you never discuss in polite company are religion and politics...

however...

I usually do not speak out on these two topics. My religious beliefs are my own as are yours. You have your political beliefs and I have mine. God is God no matter how you look at it...we are the ones who put boundaries on that ideology.

Politics is a horse of a different color. My color has always been a variable. I vote based on ideals and goals, not a particular party. My parents were split--one was devout Republican and one was a die hard Democrat. I grew up making up my own mind because my parents gave me that choice.

This year, for the first time, I have a voting child. We do not agree on who to vote for. We do not discuss it. We have our beliefs and we respect that we have the right to not agree--not disagree, but simply not agree. I had a moral decison to make the other day. I could remind her of the circumstances and time restraints of voting (knowing we would "cancel out each other's vote") or just let the time pass and hope she forgot. My choice...I told her. I called and told her to vote. I told her where to go, when to go and how to get it done so she would be able to count.

I know she will vote against my vote. I know that she voted. I am proud of her for that. I wish she shared my views, but, the important thing is that she has a view and she voted!!! OMG!! She voted! She voiced her opinion. I don't agree with her...that happens...it happened with me...it is all good!

I believe that John McCain is the better choice. I believe that John McCain has weaknesses...all politicians do. I worry about Sarah Palin being President (God forbid), but I have to look at the alternatives...I cannot, in good consciousness, vote for Obama. He scares me. He has not represented himself as a Christian, I worry about his religious and political beliefs and background and his affiliations. I usually do not quote scripture or use the Bible to support my beliefs...but, I can't help but feel that biblical foretelling is warning me about Obama. I pray that I am wrong. But, what if I am right?

This blog may offend some...I am sorry you are offended. I am not sorry for my beliefs or my blog.

Frog Alley

Two years ago I started a new weekend activity. I was asked to face paint at the TCU home games in the area known as Frog Alley. Well...I had never really face painted before, but my friends did a little tutoring, I practiced for a while and decided to give it a try. It was so much fun!

So, Saturday afternoons during TCU football season, I gather my bag of paints and head to Ft. Worth. The kids are so cute and they don't realize that I have very little talent. All they know is that they have some paint on their faces and they are happy! All ages come and sit on the stool. The boys want footballs, girls want butterflies, they all want TCU painted in the design. Parents and grandparents stand in line with the kids and help keep them still and calm. I have done three week old babies and grandmothers--all Horned Frog fans!

This Saturday is homecoming and the weather is expected to be great, so I predict our troupe will be very busy. Looks like an afternoon of sitting in one place for two hours and making kids smile. I love it!

Ahh! October

This is my favorite time of year! I love the weather, the change of the season, the energy in the air. Autumn has always been the best as far I am concerned. School starts, high school football, college football, NFL (all football in general!), pumpkins, sweaters, the State Fair, cool evenings...all my favorite things!

October always seems to be one of the busiest months at school. End of the first six weeks of school, assessments, parent conferences, trainings, family events all take so much time. And yet, I find this is my best time to reflect on how my life is going. The fiscal year is ending and my career year is beginning. Lots going on at the same time. Lots of things to think about. Was this a good year for me personally? Did I accomplish all the things I promised myself in January I was going to do? Only a few more weeks to get them done! How will this school year pan out? Will I be able to reach my goals and will the kids and the teachers feel successful? How do I blend my two lives together and keep them separate at the same time?

October is a month of stress and rejuvenation all rolled into one. A beginning and an end all at the same time. Hard to explain it...but I love it!!

State Fair of Texas!

It's that time of year again--The State Fair!!! I love everything about the fair. I love getting up early and making sure we are there by 10 a.m. on a Saturday (even thought I love to sleep late on the weekends)! I love the little "We're Going to the Fair" song that Juan made up over 25 years ago and still sings as we get dressed to leave. I love the drive to Fair Park and the anticipation of a good parking space. I love walking in the gates and seeing the schedule for the day. I love walking straight to the Fletcher's Corny Dog stand next to Big Texas and ordering a corny dog before 10:30 a.m.

Juan and I have gone to the Fair every year since 1983, missing only once in 25 years. We have taken the kids each year--beginning when David was 3 months old. We do this as a family each year. We spend all day going first to the Car Show, Arts and Crafts, Texas Hall, Livestock Arenas, Women's Place...every single building. We eat corny dogs, candy apples, and anything that looks good in the food building. We look for the cheapest beer at the fair and delight in walking that little extra to save a few coupons.

We stay all day. We laugh, we joke, we eat, we drink, we LOVE the fair!!! At the end of the day, we leave and go eat again at Gonzales Mexican Restaurant located on Jefferson Blvd. in Oak Cliff. It is tradition that we eat there even though we might be too tired or full. Some traditions must be carried on! Are you kidding me? Give up a chance to eat real homemade, thick, flour tortillas? Not hardly! We all look forward to that!

Yes, the State Fair of Texas is here once again. Another opportunity for the family to spend a great day together. Can't wait until Saturday to walk through the gate and carry on the Nunez family fair tradition!! See ya'll there!

Tagged!

OK. So, I've been found out. Yes, I blog, but few people really know ,and by the time I get this done there won't be six people left in my short list of bloggers to do this, but here goes... 6 random facts about me...

1. In the 3rd grade, while attending Bowie Elementary, my teacher left the room right after lunch for her "break". This was before conference periods. She was gone for 45 minutes. I had to go to the restroom REALLY badly. As soon as she walked back into the room, I stood up to ask permission to go to the restroom and I immediately wet myself...all over me, the black tile floor... She sent me home--I lived right across the street--and I changed my clothes and came right back to school. No one EVER mentioned that to me. No child in my class, my teacher, ANYONE. So, when I have a little one have an accident at school I try to remember that and keep them from feeling so embarrassed.

2. Much like LeighAnn, I cannot sit still and watch TV. I have to be working on Suduko puzzles, reading my weekly trash magazines or working on the computer. My family takes great pleasure in teasing me about all of this. I cannot even remember the names of movies we have "watched" because I rarely sit down long enough.

3. Trash magazines. I LOVE my weekly trash. Us Weekly, STAR... all of them. Every Friday...every magazine. I read them all and then save them all week to reread, just in case I missed any gossip. In addition, I have Perez Hilton bookmarked on my computer. I am really getting too old to keep up with all the new stars, but I try!

4. I hate my hair. It is so thin that without my extensions you can see my ears poking out. Without my magic hair dust you can see my scalp in the back of my head. I spend more time trying to make my hair look full and normal than I should. My hairdresser is a goddess to me!

5. I have a wonderful husband who allows me to do whatever I need to do or want to do to make me successful and happy. He has always supported me professionally and guided me personally. People rarely see him because he is in the background being my personal cheerleader.

6. I cook chili. Not the "brown some hamburger meat and add a packet of spice" chili. I cook real chili. Competition chili. The type of chili that wins at chili cook offs. It takes a special cut of meat, special spices and about 4 hours to cook. It is spicy, the gravy is thick and the meat is tender. Yes, I have won some competitions back in the day. I placed 5th in the Texas Women's Open in
1994 (out of 150+ cooks) and made the Finals table at Traders Village in 1996 (that would be somewhere between 11 and 20th place out of 350+ cooks). Hot chili and cold beer...nothing better!

Now, who to tag? I think they have all been "taken". And, since no one really knows I blog who will do this?? Anyone reading this who is willing to share???

Here's what you do:
1. post the rules
2. list 6 random facts about yourself
3. tag 6 others
4. pass it on for fun

Dedication

On Saturday we are going to have the dedication for our new building. I have to write my "remarks" to say. I have been putting this off because I have no idea where to begin or what I am supposed to say. I thought I could practice here...

"Walt Disney had it wrong. Disneyland is not the happiest place in the world--our school is!

Back in December when I applied to be the principal of the 14th Street school I was very excited about the possibility of new adventures, new traditions. By the time I was named the principal, the school had been named for Hobbs Williams. I was even more excited and passionate about establishing new traditions and making a difference in the lives of the students that would attend our new school. Mr. Williams has always been a champion for the cause of student achievement. He is a passionate educator who always put students first.

I have been blessed with this once in a lifetime opportunity. The teachers were hand picked. The building is state-of-the-art. The parents are involved in the education of the children. The students are eager to learn. I have a Superintendent and School Board who are supportive of us and our efforts to ensure student achievement."

What do you think? If you know me then you know I can "hold court" and talk to a crowd for hours. Saturday, however, I will be very humbled by the educators that will be sitting on the stage and in the audience. I will be reminded that passion for what you do makes you what you are. I am an educator. I am proud that I have had the privilege to work in this district, doing what I love for the past 30 years.

motherhood

I know that most people who write these blogs do it to show off their families and babies. Since I don't know how to post pics (and don't really have a camera!) there won't be picture anytime soon. And, since my babies are 20 and 23 I won't be talking about all the cute and wonderful things they do are they are growing. You see...my kids are grown...or so they like to think!

When they were little I would marvel at all the little things they learned every day. I relished in watching them take their first steps, talk, feed and dress themselves. It was a glorious time. And, then they grew into school children.

Being the kids of a teacher was not easy. They spent many long hours at the school with Mom. They arrived early and stayed late. No matter what school they attend there was always someone who knew me. They hated this because I often knew what they were doing even when they were away from me!

Then came the teenage years. Heavens know how any of us survived that time! They had very unique personalities and very different lifestyles. Each made choices as to how they wanted to live. As hard as it was then for me to let things happen, it is even harder now.

Once children reach the age of 19 -20 they believe that they are adult and they are "grown". The hardest thing for a parent to do is to let them make choices that you know are not the best for them. You can voice your concern. You can "demand" they do things. You can ignore what is happening. But, in the end, they will make the choice they believe is right. As a parent you have to be willing to stand by your beliefs, voice those as well and pray that all those years growing up they learned values you tried so desperately to teach them.

Sometimes that happens. Sometimes it doesn't.

I think that these are the times that Charles Dickens spoke of..."the best of times, the worst of times."

My two children mean more to me than anything or anyone in the whole world. I would do anything to make sure that they are happy, safe and ready to take on life. The problem is I can't really let go of them and let that happen. You see, I have already watched them stumble and I am afraid to let them fall. I want to protect them from all the evil and the hardships in the world so they don't have to hurt or suffer. I know...I know...that is not possible. I should just back away and let them experience life and learn from their mistakes. Really? Can a mom really do that?

As I sit here waiting for her to walk through the door I can only hope that I have said the right things, I have loved her enough and I have given her all that she needs to become a success in whatever she attempts. What if this doesn't happen? What can I do then? I will still try to say the right things, I will still love her with all my might and I still believe that she will be successful. That is what a mother does.

Yes, children are a blessing...and a pain...and a wonder...and heartbreak all rolled into one. Ahhh...the joys of motherhood.

constant change

Just when I thought things would never change...they did!

David cut his hair after a year of doing "dreds" the natural way. In case you aren't familiar with that it means not shampooing, cutting or brushing your hair. He said he washed his hair with sea salt and soap, but it always looked stringy and greasy. It really wasn't...but it looked that way. It was working for him because he had a job working on a dock. But, when he went to get another job things had to change. So, to my pleasant surprise, he cut all his hair off! He now has a job at a Mexican restaurant in Arlington!

So, both my kids work at Mexican restaurants. Looks like lots of enchiladas and margaritas for us in the future!

Juan got his motorcycle license and is looking at Harleys. As long as he buys one that had a seat for me I am good with all that. I have always been afraid of motorcycles, but these days, the older I get, the more daring I become. Midlife crisis? Maybe...

Changes in our lives are the only consistent thing we can depend on. Never a dull moment in my sweet life!

Follow your passion!

For those of you who know me you know that I have a passion for what I do. I am so blessed that in the early 1970's I decided to be a teacher. I have been so lucky to have found my passion and my career all wrapped into one! Being a teacher for all these years has presented me with lots of paradigm shifts.

Today, being a teacher is one of the hardest jobs in the world. You have to make thousands of decisions every day, and any one of those decisions could change your life. You have to be a mult-tasker like no other, doing 10 - 20 things at the same time. You have to be mother, father, counselor, nurse, therapist, coach--all while making sure that each of the 22+ students in your class makes a minimum of a year's gain in 9 months. Teachers are true miracle workers.

No one can truly understand how glorious and treacherous our jobs are unless you have actually done our jobs. Don't sit at your business world desk and spout off about how we only work 9 months, that we have 3 months off in the summer, how we get off at 3:30 every day...don't even go there with us! We work more hours in a week than most of you. We NEVER get 3 months off and we do NOT get paid for the summer or the holidays that you constantly like to remind us we get! We get paid for our contract days and they divide that over 12 months. We deserve every penny we get.

Sorry! Had to get that off my chest.

Why do we this? Because we love it! We love seeing the little faces every morning, we enjoy watching the kids mature and develop, we rejoice when they "get it". It is true--when the light bulb goes on we feel so rewarded. Each time one of the little darlings hugs you, breaks out in a smile when they see you, confides in you--you just know you are doing the best job in the world.

I can only hope that my own two children get the same personal satisfaction from their careers as I have gotten from mine. I can truly say that the last 30 years as an educator has given me many fond memories. I look forward to many more before I retire.

New to this!

I only hope that I can keep this blog up! Not sure I have much to say that anyone really wants to read, but we'll see.

This will be the place I reflect on my life and my passions. This will be my cleansing place. This will be where I vent, rant and praise. Wish me luck!