I've Been Tagged

Me at Christmas!

I've been tagged by Candace at A Garden of Blessings to list 7 random/weird things about myself.

Here goes:


1. At Christmas, my in-laws gave my husband and I this stuffed dog. Normally I do not care for stuffed animals, but this dog just mad me so happy. The dog is rocking on a sled and barking Jingle Bells. Every time I turned it on it made me smile. I hope it does the same for you! Please excuse our Christmas mess. We were blessed with many presents.

2. I am currently a teacher. However, during college I worked in construction almost every summer. I was the low man/woman on the totem poll, which meant I usually spent my days: pushing the buggy at the local hardware store, getting tools out of the van, hauling in materials, sweeping up trash, going to get lunch, getting more tools out of the van, sweeping up more trash, and then hauling the materials and tools back to the van. Having this experience was actually wonderful. I learned a lot about home repair. Now I hardly hesitate before starting small project around the house.

3. I like any tedious job that is detail oriented: peeling wall paper, sorting screws, painting, picking weeds from the garden, and organizing messy rooms or closets.

4. My husband's family and I went to Disney World last summer. I have to admit that I was not that excited (I had been when I was 12 or 13). I guess I thought it was more for kids. Well let me tell you, I was so wrong. I have never had so much fun in all my life! I can't wait to go back!

5. My husband and I have been participating in a lot of market research groups recently. We have tasted biscuits, listened to radio music, and been jurors for a mock trail. It has been very profitable and pretty fun.

6. I have a very long bedtime routine: take out contacts, take vitamin, drink water, put on chap stick, drink more water, put lotion on hands, and turn out light. I know, it is ridiculous. The worst part is that I usually drop on of these items on the floor each night!

7. I really enjoy a clean home. That being said, our home is not clean all the time. But I do try to make a special effort to clean before we have guests over (having people over is a good excuse to get things done). Anyway, because our home is generally clean when people come over, some of my close girlfriends have started calling me Monica (from Friends). I am not sure if this is an insult or a complement, but I will assume the latter.


I tag Beth, Mod Girl, and Steviewren !

Yard Sale Leftovers

We had the Yard Sale for my mother last weekend. The weather did not cooperate for us, but the important thing is that the clutter is gone!

These are just some of the items that did not sale.

I hope it all finds a happy home!

Why I love My Mom

Isn't my mom beautiful? (This is a picture of her and her new presents from Christmas 2007)

Why I love My Mom
(This is only a short list of the millions floating in my head):

Because she is my mom. She gave birth to me, listened to my crying, changed my diapers, and feed me.

Because she once told me that to be a happy old person, you have to start by being a happy young person.

Because she is capable and willing to learn anything she puts her mind to.

Because she taught me how to sew, cook, read, enjoy reading, pray, listen to others, have manners, be a wife, draw, write college papers, paint, be a friend, enjoy watching movies, be a mom, and love.

Because when I answer the phone, she says, "Hello Darling, its Mummy!"

Because she loves to read and listen to books. And continues to educate her mind daily.

Because she once told me no matter what great grades you make in school, if you do not learn to be a great person nothing else will matter.

Because she always let me fall asleep in her bed before making me move to mine.

Because when I was younger, I thought she knew the answers to all my questions. And knowing that simple fact was the only answer I really needed to know!

Because she once took me shopping at Wal-mart during a really difficult time in our lives and we bought a silly doll that made a silly noise just because its silly noise made us laugh during a time when all we wanted to do was cry, cry, cry, cry, and cry some more.

Because she always dried my tears when I was upset!

Because she replays all of her favorite scenes and songs from her favorite movies and CDs at least 100 times in a row.

Because now when I ask her a question and she does not know the answer, I ask, "Why don't you know all the answers anymore?" and she says, "Because now you ask all the hard questions."

Because she always said, "Rae-ch-ell!" in a hi-pitched squeaky voice, late at night.

Because she always brought me Ginger-ale and saltine crackers when I was sick.

Because she was always there to watch Gilmore Girls on Tuesday nights, when I was homesick living away at college. (How much did we laugh and relate to those Gilmores).

Because she took me and my younger brother camping during a hard time in our lives. And that short thrown together camping trip will always have a special memory in my heart (two person tent for three people, cinnamon raisin bread with cheese and grapes, a cot, hot dogs & cheese, a hike, and lots of love).

Because she talks in her sleep and becomes very irrational.

Because she once explained to me that we don't only go to funerals because we were close the the ones that past. But more importantly, we go to funerals to support others who are grieving because they were close to the ones that past. And that is a lesson I will never forget!

Because she taught me how to enjoy coke, popcorn, and random quirky movies.

Because she was/is always available to participate/listen to my sometimes senseless ramblings as a child, teenager, and adult no matter if it was/is 7 in the morning or 11 at night. She never turned/turns me away! She was/is always listening, and responding when necessary.

How can I say Thank You?
There are no other moms like you!
I love you MOM!

God's Provision

These pictures are a few weeks old, but the experience is not easily forgotten.


I knew we were expected to have some bad weather, but I did not know that it was going to be so close. These houses are less than five minutes from our house. I have never heard wind, rain, and hail so strong and powerful.

I can only say that God is gracious and merciful.

Eraser Eradication

E...is for Eraser

As you all might know by now, if you have read my profile, I am an educator. I know what most of you who are moms or homeschool moms are thinking: "So am I."




So knowing that most of you are fellow educators, maybe you have experienced this little soap box that I'm about to get on and ride all the way to the drain.




I get so frustrated, no enraged, when I see elementary school children trying their hardest to complete their assignments using pencils without erasers.




I suppose children use their erasers much more quickly than they use the lead in their pencil, because they are still very much learning about "everything" and therefore, writing many incorrect answers and then needing to erase them. This process causes the children to be left with metal stubs. And guess what? They continue to try and use the stubs to erase their mistakes. The metal stub/non-eraser, in turn rips a big hole in their paper!




This is my favorite: Those pencils you find that look like they have been chewed on. Guess what? They have been chewed. But why, you might ask. I'll tell you why: in an attempt to squeeze out the reminder of the eraser that is left in the metal stub.

This is my plea to all other educators out there: Please, Please, Please, Please give these desperate children a chance. Give them an opportunity to write and erase with the proper tools. Please give them new pencils! I mean really, how much do pencils cost?

This is what a pencil should be: long, sharp and containing an eraser.

Stop the Eraser Insanity!

Graduation Celebration

Recently I came across some old photos of my husband's Graduation party from college. This celebration took place last May. We wanted to throw a big party because it was such an achievement. My husband took most of his college courses at night while working full-time during the day. I am still so proud of all his hard work and sacrifice for our family. I'm positive that I could not have gone to school full-time, worked full-time, and maintained my sanity. But my wonderful husband did!!!


Anyway, for his party we ordered Sumo Wrestling suits! It was hilarious to watch all of our close friends and family wearing these huge suits, running into each other repeatedly, in the end falling down, and having to have other innocent bystanders help pick them up off the ground. We all had a memorable time!