Friday, January 28, 2011

I am ready.

Work has been a part of my life since childhood. Dad and mom always instilled in me a sense of pride for hard work. They encouraged me to work and save. I worked. And I always worked at doing my best.

Work began as household chores, the occasional opportunity to work with dad in his business (chain-link fencing and awnings), or with mom as she handled the business books for dad. When I became older at the age of securing a job, I joined the workforce. My first jobs were theater concessions to ticket office, grill cook to credit office, and then an insurance office. I really enjoyed the office type of work because of my being organized. Just keeping things in order and making sure that everything was in its order is what drove me.

After high school I decided that it was secretarial work that I would study. I would work in an office, organize to my heart’s content, and be a productive, hard-working individual. So I began studies at Lander University. After some time and a talk with my parents, I made a decision to continue my studies and pursue a degree in Business Education believing that this would provide for a better opportunity in the work field.

It was during my educational years at Lander that I met my husband. I sometimes wonder the direction of my life had I only gone to college for the two years required for secretarial studies. Where would I be now?

Graduating in ’77 and marrying the love of my life a couple of months later were the beginning of my new life journey.

In marriage I believe that both couples should work outside the home in the early years of marriage. Some may not agree with me and that’s OK. I contributed to our home and our future. For five years I worked…one year in a bank and four years as a middle school secretary. After the birth of our son, we made a decision that I would become a SAHM, and I did for approximately eight years.

When I felt the nudge to begin working again, God had already been working on the job he intended for me; and in fact, he was already preparing me for a wonderful opportunity. Little did I know that the position he chose for me was at the elementary school where our son attended. I was able to secure a position back within the city schools working as an elementary teacher’s assistant. It was the perfect job for me and my family…particularly our son…having the summer months and school vacation days together.

Over the years as our son graduated from elementary to middle to high school and then on to college, I remained devoted and committed as an educator within our school system. Responsibilities for me have ranged from teaching a Reading program, assisting At-Risk students in Reading and Math, to serving as the K-2 Computer Lab Resource Teacher.

Working with students as young as kindergarteners has brought about more challenges than I probably every considered having in my lifetime. However, these challenges have been the most rewarding. I have met many children and their parents/guardians. Some of the children (present and past students) will see me out shopping and come up to me to speak or just gather a hug. I am blessed.

Under the leadership of five principals and countless mentor teacher friends, I want you to know that I am beginning the process of retiring after 25 years. Being truly honest, I would have to say that I have really enjoyed every minute of working. I still enjoy my job. It’s just time for me to live life differently.

I need a deeper, spiritual relationship with my God. I want to better my health. I want to make our home life less stressful. My parents are getting older, and I really want to be with them as often as I can. I want to sleep late. I want to develop my love of the outside by working in the yards, taking long walks, and resting in my hammock as birds sing. I am ready.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

happy birthday mom!

I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me.

They have clung to me all my life.


~Abraham Lincoln

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Update of the Tiger...

Orange and Blue

...the fans wait

...Challenger is ready

...a celebration date

...War Eagle is Our Cry!

...AUBURN TIGERS...

~2010 BCS National Champions~

10:30 PM ~~~Home from Auburn...hubs and I went to the Auburn basketball game. Tigers were playing Alabama today. Garrett was in Auburn attending a soccer clinic and met up with us at the game. This was also the Day of Celebration at Jordan Hare Stadium in honor of the Auburn Football team and their victory as the BCS National Champions. Celebration @ 1 PM and the basketball game @ 5 PM.

As we drove into Auburn this is what we were afraid of. Lots and lots of vehicles...and we needed a parking space.

We drove through the campus and realized that more cars were leaving as there were entering. At the Aquatics parking lot there were several spaces available so we grabbed one quickly. It was a little more of a hike to the arena but really not that bad.

This was my first trip to the new arena. Hubs and a friend usually attend.

Hubs kept telling me that our seats were really great. What a view! Our seats are great! (Looking at the picture below and beginning with the AU section on the far left and counted as 1...we are in section 5, row 15...nice!!!)

There were a lot of people at the game...mostly to see the Iron Bowl trophy return to Auburn.

There was great spirit in the arena. Auburn has a fantastic arena and a great group of supporters. Just wish that the arena could be packed at every game with students and fans just like the football stadium is packed. Hubs, Tim and Garrett take care of our support. War Eagle Basketball Stars...

Monday, January 17, 2011

We need not join the mad rush
to purchase an earthly fallout shelter.
God is our eternal fallout shelter.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Strength to Love, 1963

Monday, January 10, 2011

IT'S GREAT TO BE

AN AUBURN TIGER

~~~~~~~

BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

January 10, 2011

Sunday, January 9, 2011

WAR EAGLE!!!!!

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Ending Our 2010 Year...

What a way to end 2010! Hubs and I were at PCB for the last six days, and it was so wonderful. Our condo was very spacious with an amazing balcony view of the Gulf. As you can see, the beach was beautiful...no matter the time of day.



We enjoyed spending this time together.
Can you believe that not one time did we fuss?



For me I am becoming more of a lover for the quiet and peace. I spent my time knitting,
reading, working my sudoku, or formatting forms I needed for the new year. Hubs spent his time working crosswords, on the computer, and watching tv football games...
and you know there were plenty of games to be watched.

One day we went to the movies to see "True Grit", we shopped a little, and we ate out...Five Guys, Longhorn's, Olive Garden, Panera Bread. But don't fret...I did cook on New Year's Day. Hubs needed to have his blackeyed peas and sliced onion. I added some baked sweet potatoes, beef casserole, and greens (for me).

I'll close this post with pics
of the New Year's Eve fireworks display.


Saturday, January 1, 2011

We spend January 1 walking through our lives, room by room,
drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched.
Maybe this year, to balance the list,
we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives...
not looking for flaws, but for potential.

~Ellen Goodman

Happy New Year....