If It's August, It's Time for Birthdays

Both my children were born in August. Micah, the big sis, on the 4th, and Bryan, the lil' bro, on the 23rd. I am truly blessed--my children are wonderful and I know they were sent to me directly from heaven above.

I don't get to be with Micah on her birthday now that she lives in New Orleans, but thank goodness for phones and e-mails. It shortens the distance somewhat. When we are together, we try to make the moments count. We went for a visit during spring break, and during a shopping spree, she found a treasure she liked so I bought an early present. When they were home in July, I sent a little gift sack home and made her promise not to peep until her birthday. This is a repeat photo, but here we are mom and daughter, making a memory.

Bryan's birthday is tomorrow. Since he has moved back to the ASU campus and since tomorrow is Monday, I probably won't see him on his birthday either and he is in Jonesboro. What is a mom to do? We celebrated today while having lunch at grandmother's and papaw's house. Since he is all about drums, he was pretty pleased with his gift. He is taking it to the apartment.

My children are now 27 and 22. They should be about 7 and 2. Time passes swiftly, but I have no regrets. I hope they have never been disappointed in me. I've spent a lifetime running to ballgames, band and choir concerts, plays, piano, flute, twirling, and drum lessons, just to name a few of the fun things. We also had some less favorable experiences like runs to the ER. I've enjoyed every minute (except for the ER) and would do it all again in a heartbeat. From time to time, I still do what I can to help them out or be a part of whatever they have going on in their lives. My major job seems to have ended which is sometimes a little sad, but I remind myself that I'm always on call 24-7. You just never know when the phone might ring and I hear, "Mom." I can usually tell by the tone of voice before the words are ever spoken.

I know birthdays are usually intended for the special person of the day, but I think when these days come along, I am the one celebrating that I have to be the absolute luckiest person in the world to be a mom and to have two such wonderful children.

7 Hugs, (Micah will understand and I think Bryan will.)

Marcia

It's Been Hectic

I do not believe we had summer vacation this year or either I blinked and missed it.

School has reopened once again, and I've been hopping for the last two weeks to be ready when the "little darlings" arrived. Thursday was the big day. I have been doubly busy since not only was my teaching assignment changed 5 weeks ago, but also on Monday at 1:00 for a second time just before school opening on Thursday. My job may be many things, but it is never boring, and secondly it is continually "STC"; the newest acronym in my life--SUBJECT TO CHANGE. I am officially teaching Travel and Tourism all day long. My internship program has ended through a long series of developments which trickled down from the state department in Little Rock. I'm rather sad to lose this program as I thought it was very beneficial to the students, not to mention I had invested hours in building it. I convinced students, area schools, and the business community that it would work and it did. I started 3 years ago with 7 kids and last year I served 60. I've been at the tech center 7 years and I'm embarking on a new program for the 4th time. I'm growing a bit weary of starting over time after time. They must think I have an anointing or a special gift for this type of thing. Just when I get everything running smoothly and in place, we decide we're going to do something different. Retirement is sounding better all the time. Ah well, I'm pressing on with a smile on my face. This, too, shall pass.
On a lighter note, I'm so proud of my son. He has received two ag scholarships this fall and on Wednesday, I got to go with him to have lunch and see him be recognized for one of them. His dad usually goes with him on these occasions as most of the time it is easier for him to get off work. He had a meeting this time that he couldn't miss, so I had a golden opportunity and I took advantage of it. He is moving back to the campus to live. In fact, most of his things have been carried out and he is about ready to stay permanently. It will probably be a little quiet around here, but I bet if he gets a little hungry or needs to do a little laundry, he'll be around.

Looking forward to Labor Day,

Marcia

PS To My Last Post

I love blogging, but sometimes the computer will absolutely not cooperate and I become quite very frustrated. I had one last photo and a comment about our Osh Kosh trip. Somehow, it deleted and you can't pass photos in order to carry a new one back to the bottom of the list. Or at least I haven't figured out how to do it. If you know how let me know. As you look at this photo, it will seem a little strange. Once you read the entirety of my next blog, perhaps it will make more sense. Bill, one of our friends bought this shirt and I picked up my cowboy hat at the Ford hanger. What do you think? Is it me?

Marcia

What Happened to July?

I can hardly believe that it is already August, the 8th month of the year. I think I blinked and something happened to July. It went by almost before it got started. Now summer has officially ended for me as of today as I head back to work tomorrow. Here is a little recap of the activity in my life.

After a week's vacation meshed with July 4th celebration, Micah and Rhyne came home for a summer visit from New Orleans and stayed a week. It was great to see them if only for a short time. It seemed that they only arrived to return home. That was week 2 of the month.

While I was vacationing at the White River in Cotter during week 1, my cell phone began ringing telling me of an additional teaching assignment I would have during the fall and the in-service I must attend in Little Rock for certification to teach this new program of study--Travel and Tourism. The conference was in 1 1/2 weeks. Micah and Rhyne left on Tuesday morning and I left for Little Rock on Tuesday afternoon to stay the remainder of the week. What timing and that was week 3 of the month.

Now while I was actually working, I must say this was one of the better in-service meetings I have ever attended. It was lots of fun and very enjoyable; I almost felt guilty having a good time at a professional meeting; however, let me hastened to say that the days ran from 8 until 6:30 or 7:00 every day, and I would go to bed absolutely exhausted. We would spend the better part of the day in class and then about 3, break for tours of interest throughout the city and end about 6:30 for dinner. We were housed at the Capital Hotel and it was incredible. If you want a weekend get-a-way while being treated like royalty, this is the place to go. When I arrived, I hardly got my car into "Park", when I was surrounded by valets taking my luggage, parking my car, and escorting me into the lobby. My room was decorated beautifully and was very spacious. The bed was so comfortable and the linens so soft. I can't believe I didn't think to make a picture.

I wanted to share just a few photos of places I toured.

We toured the Old State House. This is my group and Linda, our counselor standing next to me, went along for the conference. We had a great time.

We were honorary duck masters at the Peabody Hotel and went along with the "Duck-allac" to retire them for the evening.

We toured the Bill Clinton Library. I had never been there and really enjoyed it. We didn't get to stay long enough.

The Governor came to greet us in the reception hall of the capitol and had his photo made along with us.

The state capitol building.

When I arrived home, I had 4 days to get packed and ready for Osh Kosh. One of those was Sunday, so that one almost doesn't count. Keep in mind, I had to do laundry and pack clothes. I made a trip to the grocery store and made some goodies before leaving. There were bills to pay and errands to run. I had to even make a trip to school for a newspaper interview about my new class. The camper had to be loaded. By Wednesday morning I was ready and we headed out at 5:30 a.m. We make this trip to the fly-in every year and this time we were away 10 days including our travel to and from. We had a wonderful time seeing all the sights, meeting up with friends from all over, and enjoying cooler temperatures. Saturday's high was 72 while all the time the temp was rising the closer we got to home--about 100 to be more exact and we won't even discuss the heat index. And that was week 4.

Enjoy a few photos from our trip.

We did see several planes. The week's theme was a tribute to veterans and the war birds was the feature of the week. We saw an enactment of a WWII bombing by B-17s. It was very moving.

We've come to have so many long-distance friends who share a love of flying. Here is everyone gathered around our camp site sharing an evening meal of brats and hot dogs. It's a tradition at least one night and there will be around 20 or so come and go throughout the week.

On Tuesday night, we always travel to Fon da Lac to have dinner at the Sunset Grill. It's positioned on Lack Winnebago. You can see how it got it's name.

Believe it or not--that's me on a Harley traveling down the interstate. I've never been on a Harley before, so now I can say I've done another first. I loved it!!! Riding a motor cycle at 60 or 65 seeing the countryside gives a whole new meaning to the phrase, "Hitting the open road."

All this running around has come to a halt. Much as I enjoyed it, I'm paying the price as I have spent the last two days doing laundry and straightening my house before getting back into the routine. Without fail every year when the calendar turns to August, the entire world seems to start asking the age-old question, "Are you ready to go back to school?" Well here is my answer. "I just like to eat."

Marcia