PICTURES OF MICAH AND OTHER STUFF

These are pictures I’ve taken since I got here – mostly in the last couple of days.  Enjoy the pictures of the sumo wrestler Micah!

      

HE’S HERE!!!

Micah Charles Ensor born at 6:48;  9 lbs 2 oz.; 20 inches long with a little bit of black hair.  Pics coming soon.  Mother and baby are fine. And dad is too.

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY

I hope everyone has had an enjoyable day with family and friends. Here is a link to a wonderful post that will remind each of us what today is really all about and why we are so blessed as Americans.

God Bless,

I’M OFFICIALLY

UNEMPLOYED RETIRED!!

Today was a busy and exciting day. There were very few kids at school. Most of the grades had their awards programs yesterday so a lot of them began their summer a day early. The sixth grade had theirs this morning right at 8:00 and a lot of them left right after ---- so----- very few kids. Those who were left, helped teachers finish cleaning up their rooms.

When I got to school, my boss called me in and showed me a letter we had gotten from the Dept. of Ed about the grant report we had submitted early in May. She had done a lot of hard work on it. I had helped a little and then helped her submit it online. Anyway, the online thing apparently didn’t work quite as they had planned so they were asking everyone to send them two hard copies and one copy burned on CD ASAP. Well, I just about panicked because I thought we (read as I) would have to scan all those pages to create an electronic copy to send in. However, after a few deep cleansing breaths, getting my brain in gear and rethinking, I figured out that the task could be accomplished in a much easier way and we got it finished in a couple of hours.

Then I got all the ab lcomputers unplugged and some but not all the wires pulled up out of the way to help get the room ready for the floors to be waxed. I also spent some more time helping Dianne as she’s learning the ropes of using DreamWeaver to update our school’s website.

At about 2:00 I changed into my skirt and sweater I brought to wear for the reception the teachers had planned for the three of us who were retiring. The party started at 2:30. I didn’t think to bring my camera so I have no pictures. It was a lovely party. They had soooo much food and pink lemonade frozen to the slushy stage for punch. There were all kinds fancy sandwiches and some toasted pecans and a huge bowl of fresh fruit and a big cake with fresh hydrangea blossoms. The center pieces on the food tables were big vases of pink and blue hydrangeas. It was just all very nice. They made us sit in three arm chairs out in front of everyone and then we were each presented with a piece of McCarty’s Pottery by a co worker who made a little speech about us. Our librarian who I’ve know for about 25 years -- she was librarian at the elementary school my kids attended before we both ended up at Hayes Cooper – presented me with my gift and she said the nicest things about me. I know we all influence those around us – kids and coworkers but I’ve never really thought about it that often. It was very humbling to me to know that I’ll be missed.

Tonight I’ve pretty much vegged out although I did organize some of the mess in the kitchen/din rm a little bit. Tomorrow I’ve got a whole lot to do so I can head up to Nashville on Sun. One important thing is to go vote by affidavit since I won’t be here for the big Mayoral election on June 2.

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

UPDATE: KINDA

Did I mention the guy came yesterday and did the appraisal on my house. The realor called around lunch to let me know he wanted to come after lunch. I actually left school and went home to pick up some dirty laundry by my bed and then came back to school (were talking 9 miles one way here) and then he didn’t show up until late afternoon. I should have charged him mileage:)

Anyway, I’m just so antsy to know the results. The realtors say they don’t foresee any problems and I’m sure they are right but you never know. So COME ON ALREADY AND LET ME KNOW SOMETHING – YESTERDAY. I mean this is the age of instant gratification and I want to know N-O-W. OK, I feel a lot better.

What else am I doing (besides being antsy) you ask? Well

I got Mabry’s dress in the mail today.
I’ve been spending a bunch of time the last few days showing the girl who will be keeping the school website updated, how I do it.
I’ve been wishing lots of kids a happy summer vacation.
I arranged for Toby to stay with a dog sitter (who loves him as much as I do) while I’m gone to NashVegas.
I’ve backed up all the pictures and files on my laptop to my plug and play hard drive that I’ve had for about 4 months now and haven’t put any stuff on it til today.
I’m going to put the electronic gradebook on one of the computers in the library.
I typed up a list of next years 4k classes for my boss.
I ate my lunch at about 1:15 – time flys when you are having fun.
And . . . I’ve added this update to my blog.

That’s it for now.

DISAPPOINTED – SORT OF …..

I don’t know if anyone else who reads this watches 24 but I’m a little let down by the way the story ended.  Don’t know why exactly but I am.  But, it definitely leaves a lot of room for different ways to have the story line go next season soooo maybe that’s a good thing. 

Okay – gotta get some “stuff” done before bed.

YIPPEE! SKIPPEE! PROGESS WAS MADE

I finished all the machine sewing on Mabry’s dress. I think the style and color has her name written all over it:) I must say my 730 did a great job on the button holes on this dress.

I should have it in the mail by midweek if not before.

I ‘ve packed almost all my glassware. Luckily I didn’t unpack all my crystal and stuff when I moved in here, since it wasn’t going to be a permanent move.

Jennifer asked me to make her a diaper clutch. I will have four when I’m done because the material I had was enough for that many. So, she and Stace will get one and Jen’s friend Gena will get one and I’ll have one for someone else at a later date. Here are the two I’ve done. I did make one mistake -- not that it matters but my plan was to have the initial on the side where the flap opens up so I centered it toward the bottom -- unfortunately I did it on the wrong piece and it ended up being on the back. Oh well, I'll know better next time . (I can hope -- can't I)

Have a great rest of the weekend.

UPDATE

It’s Friday……. just threw that in in case you’ve had a busy week.  It’s been hectic here.  We had state testing and today was our MayDay PlayDay.  They have lots of games that the kids compete in and end with a big tug of war.  Lots of fun for the most part.  At least it didn’t rain  but it was definitely hot and humid :)

They did the home   inspection on Monday – haven’t heard from the buyer as to what, if anything, they want fixed – I’m sure there will be something.  Still waiting on the appraisal for the lender.  I think the house will appraise well, I just want to get all that over with so I can know I’m not wasting my time packing boxes. 

Tonight and tomorrow I plan to finish Mabry’s dress and pack up as much of the kitchen as I can.  I’m going to keep out only what I’m pretty sure I might use between now and when I have to have it all packed.  I’ve made several lists – all on my digital post-it notes on my desktop (they are awesome--- digital post-it notes that is).

I got some bubble wrap at the Walmarts this afternoon.  They have a 150 foot roll.  I think that will be all I need as I have a box full of bubble “scraps” out in my storage room.   My goal is to pack as many boxes as I can before I leave for Jennifers which will be on the 24th unless she needs me sooner.

Okay – enough random ramblings.  Guess I’ll get this weekend started and perhaps report on my progress before Monday.

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY TO JEN AND STACE

I want to acknowledge my daughter and my daughter-in-law on Mother’s Day.  You are terrific mother’s.  The love you have for your children is always evident in the time you spend with them , the discipline you give them and the care you take with them.  They are all so lucky to belong to you.  I also want to say how thankful I am that you have chosen to ignore the rantings of the femi-nazis and instead have based your marriages on biblical principles.  You support your husbands in their decisions.  You work at your marriages, knowing that neither you nor your hubby can give 100% all the time but you love each other any way despite failings and faults and you (and they) are the better for it.  You guard your marriage and in doing so, you enable them to do the same.  I love you for who you are and what you have accomplished for yourself, your mate and your beautiful children. Just thought you’d like to know :)  Hope you have the best Mother’s Day yet.

Now, on a lighter note, I want to say ----MY HOUSE IS UNDER CONTRACT!!!!  It has been a rollercoaster day at my house.  If everything pans out, I’ll be signing this house over to new owners on June 26.  Please pray that everything goes smoothly.

WHERE IS CHER WHEN YOU NEED HER?

This has been the weirdest week ever.  I’ve been in such a funk.  I keep expecting Cher to suddenly appear, smack me upside the head and holler “SNAP OUT OF IT!”  But, she hasn’t so I guess I’ll have to handle it myself.    I’ll begin by responding to the tag my sis-in-law sent my way.

8 things to which I'm looking forward
1.  The last day of school
2.  The first day of retirement
3.  Cultivating a healthier lifestyle
4.  Selling my house
5.  Getting the big move over with
6.  Sewing, sewing and more sewing
7.  The birth of my seventh grandchild
8.  The birth of my eighth grandchild

8 things I did yesterday
1. Finished my last regular Thursday at school – the last 3 will not have the normal routine
2. Enjoyed the treats we had from parents for Teacher Appreciation
3. Baked 7 sweet potatoes in anticipation of 2 new recipes I’m fixing either tonight or tomorrow.
4. Watched Grey’s Anatomy and cried
5. Picked up extra well because someone was coming to look at the house today.
6. Same as Jessica’s number 6
7. Checked my email
8. Watched Glenn Beck (try him – you’ll like him)
8 things I would like to do
1. Win the lottery and pay off Brian’s school loans and whatever else I could pay off for the kiddos
2. Be close to ALL my grands
3. Buy a Prius (gently used one of course)
4. Always remember my non plastic bags when I go to the grocery.  (I keep them in the car but never think of them till I’m checking out)
5. Have an online sewing boutique and actually make some money from it
6. Purchase a Bernina Artista 820
7. Find a quiet cabin on a lake in the mountains and be able to go there and chill for a week or two.
8. Get over my dislike of flying (maybe—I’m not real sure about this one but it sounds good.)
8 shows I watch
1. Anything NCIS
2. 24
3. The Unit
4. Law and Order SVU
5. Without a Trace
6. Anything HGTV that has to do with decorating or buying/selling houses
7. Glen Beck
8. Hannity and O’Reilly (they are back to back so I’m counting them as one)

My realtor left me a note saying that the person who looked at the house today really liked it and wants her mother to see it very soon.  So I’m guessing she is looking for a house for her mom or she doesn’t make big decisions without her mother’s input.

Having a fence for two years has really spoiled me.  What makes me say that you might ask?  Well, the fence guy is repairing a 15 foot section of the neighbor’s fence that helps keep my dog contained.  He began on Monday by taking down eveything and since has been waiting for the ground to dry out enough to dig a post hole that isn’t a well . With a chunk of the fence missing I’ve been forced to go out with Toby – which in itself I don’t mind because I often do that even with the fence.  The problem is, I don’t put the leash on because it always takes longer for him to do his business when he’s leashed.  So the past two nights at some point between 9 and 11 I’ve had to go searching for my dumb dog because something in the dark attracted his attention and he chose to ignore my saying NO,  Stay here or something similar and ran off.  Not far but it was dark and I couldn’t see him.  Even white dogs don’t show up unless there’s some light available so, I had to do some searching to get him back.  Anyway, I got him back and gave him a stern talking to which worked til the next night when it was dark and we repeated the process.  You’d think I’d learn but ……  Anyhoo, the fence post is set in the ground today so I’m hoping the rain will hold off and he will get it all finished tomorrow. 

Sunday I had embroidered 6 items that were going to become burp cloths for Jen’s baby.  Well, somewhere along the way I’ve lost one of them.  How one loses something the size and shape of a diaper is beyond me but I did.  I think I accidently threw it away.  So, She will have 5 new burps instead of 6.  Here are some pictures:   The last one is the one that is missing.

 

I’m going to try and finish those and Mabry’s  dress this weekend and possibly do a little cooking and freezing of food stuffs to take when I go to help out with the new man child. 

Guess I’ve rambled enough so it’s time to post this sucker and move on to other things. 

GOOD NEWS AND BAD NEWS

The good news (for me) is that I allowed myself to sleep away most of the morning. The bad news (for me) is that I shouldn’t have :)

This is what I had when I went to bed last night:

Finished shoulder seams, finished sleeves and finished collar.

Now I just needed to put the pieces together and I’d be down to button holes, buttons, and a hem. Easy peasy. Well, because of not considering the piping around the collar, the collar is way too small sooooo enter these folks

So, as soon as I remake the collar I’ll be back on track.

Can you tell it’s been a rainy day today?

And lastly – here is the reaction of my panel of experts when asked what they thought of my good news/bad news Saturday.

Guess I’m not getting much sympathy for my dumb mistake am I :))