Turkey Day

Turkey is on the grill and things are at a point where I am going to get in the shower and needed to sit a bit. I do not see how people eat at noon. We will eat at 5 or 6. I am getting old and slow. I used to be able to do it at noon. Then it was two then four and now here we are. Actually some of it has to do with making adjustments for my daughter in laws family. This gives them a chance to do both. The picture of the turkey was after it was on the grill for aboutg 45 minutes. Hope everyone has a great day! Big howdy to Texas and Nashville!

Had to go out and find some beauty in all this cold dead stuff. Sun came out and I took a small walk down the side of the road behind the house. Funny how perspective changes everything!

Winter is upon us

Things look so sad and different bare. My shade for my swing and my swinging days are over officially now for a few months. I will have to find another place for solitude. My upstairs bedroom has a view of the duck pond across the road. I have a couch in front of the window. I may have to take up residence there. The sun comes in and there is a slight outside view. A nice place to read and think. My bedroom has a darker, warmer, cozy corner for reading and or watching TV. So I do have little places all around. I tend to make little nests. Ryan, I hope you are on the mend. So sorry to hear about your pneumonia. Tough to have to cough and clear your throat after going through a tonsillectomy. We love you!

Nagasaki and Gayle's birthday

Roger worked today but we went to Nagasaki Inn tonight for Gayle's 50th. Whew.... we all are getting old. I had some sushi and chicken. Lu made her a cool purse cake. I did not drive down to Richmond for the surprise party but came home instead to blog a bit and head to bed. I worked again yet another Saturday. It has been a busy few weeks.

A face only a mother would love

Got a face shot of Baxter today. Roger had taken him to the groomer and his hair and beard are shaved off which I don't like as much. He is still my baby though.

Stress from Work

Well, here I am typing. Can't sleep in and have been laying in bed for over an hour and a half trying to fall back asleep.

I decided to bite the bullet and get up. I can't quit thinking about work. My children this year are so emotionally needy and have such problems they deal with on a daily basis. Couple that with having 26 and trying to make up for life's deficits and it becomes overwhelming at times. I just want the best for them and try so hard to meet their emotional needs so we can get to the academics.

We have also, as a staff, had to change our planning and as a team, plan on the computer for two of our five planning times a week. This leaves very little time at school for prepararion and kindergarten prep takes forever because of all of the hands on activities. Oh well, this too shall pass.

I have to go in today to get finished for next week. I was already slow as anything getting ready for the week as it was. I get even more stressed when I start the week feeling like I am not ready. I like to have everything I need completed and at arm's length! So, I will be off giving up even more of my personal time than I should, but what is a dedicated teacher to do?

It is raining here which we need so very badly. Today I must try and focus on my many life blessings. They are truly abundant. I am so grateful for my family and the love we all have for each other. I do not know how people survive and find the will to push on in this difficult world without the love and support of family. I pray for those who have strife between each other to find a resolve and a calm that can only come from God's love and all knowing grace. May peace be with you and yours today and always.

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Playing around with Edit Mode

 

 

 

 

Proud to be an American

Honey, this post is for you. Regardless of the outcome of the election, we are all here as a result of our forefathers quest for basic individual freedoms. This country was founded on these principles and collectively as a nation we will rally around what is decent, good and right for our country. We all have different opinions on how to get there, and different ideas about the decisions needed to make this happen, but when push comes to shove we will always be united.

Day Off! YES!

Today is a glorious day. I can't wait to get outside. Spent the day on Sunday pulling up all of the frosted, frozen dead plant remains. The gardens look so bare. I have not cut back the hostas but they have turned a lovely shade of yellow. I could just spend all day in this cool breeze swathed with the light and warmth of the sun. I sat and drank my coffe at the kitchen table and the sun shines in just right to bathe me in the sun. Warm to my toes I tell ya. Jazzy loves to lay right in the path of the light and bask all morning when she is here. Baxter prefers the cool tile. He has a hot belly I think. Roger and I had an adventure last night. We met Mom at Cracker Barrel and then went to Wally World. On the way home there was one bad wreck that looked like it had several injuries. We no sooner got around it and headed down towards home when Roger says, "don't do it!" and then CRASH! A litle red volvo turned left across traffic on Man o' War right into the path of a jeep going 45-50 MPH the other way. They crashed and she spun completely around. Since Roger is a sworn employee (hippocratic oath and all) we turned around and headed back for him to provide aid while we waited for the emergency crews to respond. Luckily no one was hurt, just shaken up a bit. The little girl was a 16 year old and she was trying to get to a friends house to get her purse and make it back home before her curfew. She did not think the other car was coming that fast. Word to the wise.... Just call home and let parents know what is going on before you rush around trying to avoid trouble! Took these shots of sunset right before we left on our adventure. The moon is the night before trying out the night time buttons!

The shots out the window are of another sunset. I shot them from a chair in the greatroom. The skies have been so pretty and pink the last few nights. Red sky at night sailor's delight.

Trav

Trying some inside video. Kept blurring. I promise I was not even touching a button except for playing with the zoom. The zoom is a little noisy! If anyone has a Canon Powershot SX 10 IS give me some hints...please. It is new on the market and I am not allowed to complain about this camera like I did my other one. Right now as far as I can tell it is not the camera, it is indeed the operator. I am the same with a camera as I am with a computer. I know just enough to get frustrated and be dangerous.

Tried to edit the bluejay. Somewhat better. I have to learn how to do this too.... I seriously need to quit my day job to have enough time for all of this.