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!