Independence

Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose...

 As a social studies teacher, this is one of my favorite holidays. This past year I got to teach 4th grade SS which includes the American Revolution-- one of my favorite time periods. I did my best to not only teach the facts of this monumental event, but also to instill in the students just how BRAVE the founding fathers were. Had the war ended differently, every signer of the Declaration of Independence would surely have been executed. Imagine how they felt as they put pen to paper to sign their "John Hancock".

To the brave men and women who continue to defend the freedom these heroes fought so hard for, thank you. Ironically it was four years ago today I got a phone call that my brother William had been injured in Iraq. Of course, I immediately thought the worst: IUD, gunfire, bombs... luckily it wasn't THAT bad-- I mean, it was bad-- 2nd and 3rd degree burns over 80-90% of his leg-- but he still has all his parts and is able to be active. Not all were that lucky.

I've done some things in my life that I consider "brave," but I have NO idea what it must be like to put my life on the line for my country. Anyone who does that, or is willing to do that, goes through the training process to do that, etc. truly are heroes.

Because of you all, this continues to be a land of opportunity. Many people still risk their life to come here for something better. Often we take for granted all that we have. I truly hope that all the immigration issues are resolved so that those looking for a better life are able to do so. Having now gone through the immigration process, I KNOW how hard it is, and can see why going the illegal route is so tempting to so many. I'm not saying it's right-- just that it is understandable. Being willing to take that risk shows how desperate some people (and places) are.

O beautiful for spacious skies, 
For amber waves of grain, 
For purple mountain majesties 
Above the fruited plain! 
America! America! 
God shed his grace on thee 
And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea! 

 So HAPPY BIRTHDAY, America! I hope everyone has a safe, fun day!

Tuesday, But Feels Like Monday...

My little Easter Bunny

 I do love an EXTRA long weekend, but MAN was it hard to go back today! I just couldn't get it together! First I couldn't get up... then at school it was like I had ZERO plans, even though I did.

Luckily the weekend was much more productive than today! We got some flowers planted and mulch down out front--

Friday night Maddie stayed with Aunt Lacy, so the hubby and I had a late-night-date-night... we went to a local bar when hubby got off work, then an extra late dinner at Waffle House. It was SO good! I haven't been there in ages! Man do I love a double order of hasbrowns covered!

Saturday I did some baking for dinner that night. Then I got Maddie and we headed to her first Easter egg hunt at Aunt Lacy's church. Needless to say she had no idea what was going on, and looked at us all as though we were crazy... but she did rack up some candy!

Oh! I almost forgot! I made my first cake sale this weekend! I made a friend at school a birthday cake-- and I must say, I was impressed with myself. She wanted a Raggedy Ann cake (She had one when she was 6...) and I have a pan my mom had from 1971... This is what I am planning for Maddie's (UPCOMING) 1st b-day, so I was glad to have a "practice run"

Sunday hubby went with Dad and my bros to the Nashville Predators hockey game... he had a BLAST! I'm so glad he had the night off and the opportunity to get out and have some fun...

So this is yet another short week... funny how those always seem longer some how... Oh well, 17.5 days left of school!  WOO YEAH!

Thank You Martin Luther King, Jr.

This gives me chills EVERY time I hear it-- esp around the 2 min mark. I show this to my students every year, explaining that less than 24 hrs later MLK Jr was assinated.

A great man.

A great cause.

A true Hero.

I Know this is a Recurring Theme....

...but once again, I like my horoscope! I'm telling ya, this is gonna be a good year!
(Despite the MIGRAINE I had today...woof!)

Although you may feel quite contained today, you won't be able to restrain yourself from also revealing your underlying optimism. It's not even about consciously applying the power of positive thought. It's just that your greatest strength now is your ability to scope out the big picture and intuitively know how best to organize all the pieces in order to achieve the desired results. Set your intentions and then slowly work toward making your dreams come true.

A Year in Review: 2008

January
1. Did you have a new year's resolution this year?: This is the year to make things happen-- NO REGRETS.. BE FEARLESS!
2. Who kissed you at midnight?: not happened yet, but I s'pose my family as that is who I am with
3. Have you ever been to times square to watch the ball drop?: Nope... not sure I would want to actually...

February
1. Who was your valentine in 2008?: HA! We had an anti-VD dinner-- me, Miche, Josh, et al. Some chick fell in my yard and did serious ankle damage...
2. What did your valentine get you?: honestly, I don't remember much. I know one of my students got me a teddy bear that whistled...it was funny
3. When you were little, did you buy valentines for your whole class?: of course, I still do


March
1. Are you Irish?: Nope... Mc-Scottish
2. Do you wear green on St. Patty's Day?: Yes... 5th graders LOVE to pinch you if you don't
3. What did you do for St. Patty's Day in 2008: Wow... I seriously don't remember...



April
1. Do you like the rain?: LOVE IT! Esp thunderstorms
2. Did you play an April fool's joke on anyone this year? I don't think I did...
3. Do you get tons of candy on easter?: I do... esp Cadbury Eggs... MMmmm!



May
1. What's your favorite kind of flower?: Pansies are my fave!
2. Do you like the spring?: Yes. Means school is ALMOST OUT!
3. What would you think of as a spring color?: Anything pastel-- pink, lavender, yellow... "It's like Easter just threw up on the floor!"



June
1. What year did you graduate from school?: 1995, 2000, 2003
2. Did you go on any vacations last June?: First I went to England with Nan... then to NYC with the family....



July
1. What did you do on the 4th of July?: The fam as @ Aunt V's in VA... we shot fireworks and drank lots of margaritas
2. Went on any vacations during this month?: HMMMmmm... I guess just to VA... Oh and Lacy and I hiked Mt. LeConte also...



August
1. Did you do anything special to end off your summer?: Nope, just headed back to school... woo!
2. What was your favorite summer memory of '08?: My trip to England, fo sho!
3. Do you go swimming a lot in the summer?: not a lot...
4. Do you go to the beach a lot?: not a lot... I am planning a beach trip for Spring Break this year



September
1. Who is your favorite teacher?: Still Talbott... she's my hero! This is her last year... lucky duck gets to retire...
2. Do you like fall better than summer?: Yup... Fall is my FAVORITE!

October
1. What was your favorite halloween costume? This year I went as Las Vegas-- it was awesome!!
2. What's your favorite candy?: Reese's Cups
3. What did you dress up like this year?: Las Vegas... "Lady Luck" was the actual costume name

November
1. Whose house do you usually go to for thanksgiving?: This year I just went to Dad's... as Grandma was out of town again...
2. Do you like stuffing?: (a.k.a dressing) YES! I could eat my weight in it! And I did!
3. What are you thankful for?: great family and friends... a good class @ school... and all the opportunities that I have in life-- I know I am very blessed.

December
1. Have you ever been kissed under mistletoe?: I have...
2. What do you want this year for christmas?: honestly, not much of anything...
3. What's the best present you ever got for Christmas?: Wow, no clue... This year I got some cool stuff: a Cricuit (for scrapbooking), a wish necklace-- to be FEARLESS (conplete with dragon charm), a hip scarf-- to bellydance myself around the house, and lots of notepads and journals to get myself organized
4. Do you like cold weather?: Yes... but I feel if it is COLD, there should also be snow... And I get tired of bitter cold...

1) How would you rate your 08(1-10)?: Hmmm... 7 or 7.5-- definitely better than last year... And I have a good feeling about '09!

2) Where were you when 2008 began? Fredericksburg, VA @ Aunt V's

3) Who were you with? The fam-- Crazy aunts, Jessica, Thom, Mae, Henry, Richard, William, Alexander & Gma

4) Where will you be when 2008 ends? I'm in Ojai, CA with the same fam
5) Who will you be with when 2008 ends? the fam

6) Do you have a new years resolution for 2009? This is the year to MAKE THINGS HAPPEN... and be more FEARLESS

7) Did you fall in love in 2008? Don't know about love... but perhaps more "mcSmitten"

8) You regret it? No regrets! That's the deal

9) Did you breakup with anyone in 2008? uh, no.... that would require dating someone

10) Did you make any new friends in 2008? I'm sure I did... some friends I got to know better... WAIT! I thought of a new friend! Josh 2.0!

11) Who is your favorite new friend? Josh 2.0 (and all his ghosts) win! I also got to know Lacy better-- and that ROCKS!

12) What was your favorite month of 2008? October= VEGAS, BABY! I look fwd to that trip all year. I also loved May/June when Nan and I were in England

13) How many different places did you travel to in 2008?: Oh wow-- see this was my resolution-- Cancun, VA, England, New York, Vegas, California, Indiana, Nashville, Cookeville (hey, might not be glamorous, but it counts!)

14) Did you lose anybody close to you in 2008? not close to me, but several friends did and I did my best to be there for them

15) Did you miss anyone in the past year? Mc-yes.

16) What was your favorite movie that you saw in 2008? Oh wow... hmmm, "Quantum of Solace" or "The Dark Knight" I s'pose.. and "Role Models" cracked me up. There are a lot of '08 movies I haven't seen yet.

17) Do you enjoy where you are now? I feel I have made some definite progress this year. And I feel some more progress coming this year...

18) What was your proudest moment of 2008? Hmmm.... becoming more myself... completing some 5Ks (preparing for 1/2 marathon)... meeting the Dragon- and surviving!

19) What was your most embarrassing moment of 2008? Possibly Justy's bachlorette party in Nashville... apparently I was out of control-- in a fun way... or when I fell @ Justy's wedding...ahahahaha

20) What are your plans for 2009?Be more FEARLESS... survive a 1/2 marathon... maybe even skydive... And I am now pondering a move to Nashville... we shall see!

Advent Blog: Day 19~ Teacher Gifts

Every year I get a variety of gifts from students... Usually it runs from coffee mugs and candles to ornaments and candy... Last year I even got a Bible-- true story!

But this year takes the cake... BEST TEACHER GIFT EVER!

Yep, a bottle of vodka!

(For the record-- the student's mom works @ the school and is a buddy... but it was still hilarious-- and her mom said she was embarrassed to bring it to me-- which was obvious as she rolled her eyes when she said, "Here Ms. Wilson-- don't open it here... wait till you get home.")

Classic!

Advent Blog: Day 17~ Gingerbread

Yes, I realize that ONCE AGAIN I am behind on my advent blog... I will catch up now... promise! If it makes you feel any better, I have kept up nicely with my Advent box...

So.. gingerbread... First of all, here is the history of this Christmas time treat:

http://www.germantownacademy.org/academics/LS/2/ginger/Index.html

My mom used to make elaborate gingerbread houses. She won all kinds of awards. At school we often do "faux gingerbread houses" with the kids. In other words, we make gingerbread houses out of graham crackers. The last couple of years we have further cheated and done Christmas Trees with ice cream cones. We give the kids icing and candy and the decorate away...

Well this year Suzanne and I went back to our graham cracker ways... deciding that we would make enough for her class and mine... so 35+ houses... So last Sunday Suzanne and my friend Leigh came over... I made a couple of pitchers of margaritas... and with Josh's help we knocked those puppies out in no time.

And Thursday at school we let the kids decorate... They had a blast! My 5th graders helped Suzanne's 1st graders-- in some cases vice versa. We made a huge mess... there was lots of laughing... and even icing in eyebrows! (I myself managed to get icing on the BACK of my head. No idea-- don't ask!)

So, for those of you with kids in need of something to occupy their time-- esp now that school is out (YAY!) this is a great activity. The icing we used to put the houses together-- which incidently sets up like brick mortar-- is powdered sugar, Wilton's merengue powder, and warm water. The kids just used regular cake icing to decorate-- you can use food coloring to make it more festive if you want...

If you are not so much into construction, get a box of sugar cones... color some white icing green... and do Christmas Trees. Equally fun-- and a bit easier.

Advent Blog: Day 7~ Families

Family. The people you are supposed to spend time with, especially during the holidays. Unfortunately, holidays often bring out the worst in a lot of families. Perhaps it is the stress of all other holiday activities-- baking, cleaning, decorating, entertaining, wearing tacky Xmas attire given to you by family members whose feelings you do not want to hurt... Or maybe it is just the added pressure that holidays are SUPPOSED to be centered around family, and so you do so much trying to make it "perfect" that things get screwed up.

This is extra tricky for those of us who are from divorced families. Am I right? Can I get an AMEN?

Once, before my mom passed away, my grandma got kind of P-O'd @ me. She was mad because I was sticking with the same holiday schedule I had followed for years: Christmas Eve with dad & fam, Christmas day with Mom & fam. She jumped my ass-- "You need to spend time with your mom! It's Christmas!" I'm sure she was not thinking that there would be an equally emphatic message coming from the other side, in support of my dad. I must say, she (I'm sure unintentionally) made me feel AWFUL! Not Holly Jolly. Not full of the Christmas spirit-- unless the spirit makes you nauseous. It was my cousin (also a child of divorce) that came to my defense and actually stood up to Gma...

Tonight I saw the movie Four Christmases. It deals with this whole issue. Reese and Vince lied to their families @ Christmas for 3 years-- taking trips to exotic locations so to avoid the family stress. "You can't spell families without lies." Of course they get stuck in town and thus have to travel from family to family-- 4 in all, as they are also children of divorce. Needless to say, while suffering through the holidays, they come to understand and appreciate the idea of family.

Yes, it is a pain in the ass to hop from family to family at Christmas. Yes, it is stressful. Yes, it would be easier to sit at home and let those that want to, come to me. (Unfortunately I think that only works when you are married and have back-up when imposing your demands)...

But in the end, after all the gifts are unwrapped and all the pies have been eaten, it's worth it. To spend time with the people that love you unconditionally-- no matter what crazy stuff you have done in your life-- or how badly you have screwed up during the previous year-- it's nice to be accepted, because during the holiday there is lots of forgiveness and spiritual realization-- no matter how bad things are, we still have each other. And the stress melts away as you bask in the warm glow of love...

or perhaps that is the lies in families...

I kid, I kid... No matter the craziness or the stress... or the cross-country travelling... I hope everyone enjoys the upcoming holidays surrounded by family. Try to take a few minutes to just take it all in... they may not be quiet, fire-moments like in the movies... but absorb it, reflect on it... the laughter, the shouting, the madness that is families.

Giving Thanks

Things I am thankful for (in no particular order):

~family
~friends
~travelling
~a good job
~technology
~red wine, champagne, & margaritas
~Las Vegas
~England
~Int'l texting :)
~my cats (even Carl who just turned over a glass of the above mentioned red wine)
~Girl Weekends in Nashville
~digital cameras
~a new President
~books on cd
~chocolate

I am especially thankful for another year to work on achieving my goals and dreams. Teaching school (esp in a rural area) makes me thankful for every opportunity I have, as well as all the opportunities I have had in my life. I am extremely lucky-- I have travelled, been surrounded by supportive family and friends, and been given much. Because of this I feel I have become a stronger person. I am no longer fearful about a lot of things. I am ready for change-- and motivated to make it happen.

I hope everyone has had a fantastic Thanksgiving. The Xmas season is upon us once again. I hope to get more "in the spirit" this year. Tomorrow the plan is to begin the decorating process. This means it will be acceptable to watch some of my fav holiday films... White Christmas, How the Grinch Stole Christmas (animated), and, of course, The Holiday and Love Actually-- though I watch those year-round... I admit. :)

Here are some photos from today:



Mamaw with the grandkids and great-grandkids (minus Mary Beth)


John sneaks into the pictures


Round 1 with the grandkids (before Parri & the girls arrived)


John & Karenna-- quite the duo!