Football Nostalgia?

Today marked the start of our Youth Football League Season. I am so very proud of both of our teams and our excellent cheerleaders. Call me nostalgic, but there is something special about having a sunburned face and no voice because you have screamed ALL day for kids.. your's and other's. The camaraderie that has been established in a matter of three weeks is what it is all about. To watch little boys who are absolutely terrified the first week of practice develop into smiling, winning players is a thing of simple beauty. It is how life SHOULD be.. work hard, play fair, and give your best, hurt a little, smile a lot, and celebrate little successes... YOU ARE A WINNER. These 78 boys are mine for a while and I am already loving each of them. God has placed me in this place at this time... I pray I make the best of the mission I have been given....and maybe... just one day.... these super kids will look back at their time with YFL and call it a blessing!

Let's Dance!!

Tonight I chaperoned my umpteenth hundredth middle school dance. I really don't mind and find it ironic that some things never really change. No matter how lame and easy group dances are... everyone does them! The youngest in attendance run around as if they are searching for something else and the oldest are SO over this entire gig...yet they continue to come. I believe it's cheap entertainment ($5.00 for 2 and 1/2 hours) AND if the odors in the gym and lobby were any indicator... lots of exercise must have taken place. The DJ's did a pretty good job of playing a variety of music and to my knowledge...no MAJOR drama occurred.
The HIGHLIGHT of the night for me was when the majority of the dancing pre-teens rushed the bleachers to dance and scream the old favorite YMCA!! HEY... I thought... I know that one... it was good to feel a part of the craziness. So I thank you Erwin Middle School and your wonderful students. Thank you for giving me a glimpse into my past and for letting me enjoy your fun. NOW...if I could only get the DJs to spin a few Motown Tunes.... my night would be complete!

TRADITIONS???

In the wonderful and quaint small town we live in, there are two major traditions that our community has definite opinions of. One is the Faith Fourth of July and the other is the Annual Fall County Fair. When asked... the reactions are either.. OH MY GOSH.. I LOVE IT... or such nice reactions as OH MY GOSH.. I HATE IT.. I even pay my kids NOT to go.
This strikes me as funny. Do you have to be from "around here" to think either event is a must-go? Do you think badly of others who fall on the other end of the opinion spectrum? What appeals to you about these events? Is it the people? Is it the food? or Is it the fellowship you seek? OR are you trying to reconnect with days gone by when times were simpler?
PLEASE DON'T GET ME WRONG.. I do not attend these events nor do I judge those that do. Just interesting as a transplant to observe such affairs. Hope your fair week has been a good one... regardless of your spectrum end!

FALL???

According to the calendar and all local reports, today marks the official start of Fall. HOWEVER... the buckets of sweat that have saturated my clothing from several hours of out-door duties leads me to the belief that it feels more like July. I think the high for today was 92..WHAT?? 92 degrees? REALLY?? I am ready for some cool, crisp mornings; Fall Festivals; and the idea of a pot of soup sounding like a great dinner rather than an accurate description of my classroom. I want to break out the long sleeves...but not a coat! NOT THAT... not just yet! DON'T GET ME WRONG... I am not complaining... it's just difficult for my "school mind" to get into gear when the weather tells me "it's summer party-time". The conclusion for all this mindless tomfoolery is .... yes, I am spoiled indeed. BUT I AM GRATEFUL to live in a place where SEASONS exist. I AM GRATEFUL to live where I live, surrounded by those I love.... so HOT or NOT!! I am grateful!!
Daniel 2:21
He changes times and seasons;
he removes kings and sets up kings;
he gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to those who have understanding;

Praying for satisfaction and a grateful attitude with whatever HE sends my way!

Family Reunions

Today we went to a family reunion. We also have one next week. In October we have two for my husband's branch of the tree. I admit...I don't always have the enthusiasm I should have for these such occasions. Often you work like a crazy person to prepare for the event and by the time you get there you are exhausted and dreading going home to the mess you left behind. I have to say today's reunion was a no- sweat experience for me. Three Domino's pizzas, a multi-pack of individual chips, and a Food Lion cake were the items I took.. and I brought NOTHING home. I did enjoy looking at old pictures from of my Great-grandparents and find the similarities with those surrounding me really uncanny. One neat thing was I discovered I am related to one of my current students. WHO KNEW??

The thing I guess I should consider is the legacy those before us have left. We are who we are based on the struggles and challenges our grandparents endured. Our work ethic, value system and even in some cases habits are based on their influence. The thing that keeps resounding in my mind is....WHAT am I doing that is worthy of being passed on? Better still...what will Great Grandma Maria be remembered for? This makes my head spin and I have to pray hard to be the person my great-grandchildren deserve. They are going to be world changers.... I just know it.

Saturday Night Confession

Whew... here we are... we have arrived at Saturday Night. The week has been chaotic and jumbled and spent running, running...
....r-u-n-n-i-n-g...wily nilly here and yon. A thought strikes me... I HAVE BECOME IMPATIENT with all things. I do not really know how to relax. My mind is constantly on a nitros induced speeding lap around a track that never seems to end. AND THIS CAUSES ME STRESS. What happened to the times when days seemed to drag along and years never wanted to end? Many elders warned me this would happen. That life would go faster and faster as I aged. They were undeniably right. So I turn the page on the calendar only to be faced with an equally busy and jam-packed week. I hope to take moments each day to de-program and speak pleasantly to my family. I hope to take moments to be still and quiet (at the same time). I hope to take moments each day to PRAISE my God and thank him for the blessings that have become my insane life. I hope to be a good disciple and teach others about HIM through my actions and words. With your prayers... I believe this may be possible. As I type, I feel the shoulders softening and the jaw loosening. Thanks be to God for his answers to prayers.

Mother Hen on the War Path

Last night I got really angry. I am still angry if I am honest with myself. Usually when this happens...the motivation comes from some situation where I can't fix the hurt, anger, frustration of my loved ones....especially my boys. When these occasions arise, I consider animals in nature. A mother hen will literally peck another animal to death when she feels her babies are threatened. SAD TO SAY... I totally get it. I am entirely the mother hen...mess with me.. OKAY!!... mess with my kids...NOT OKAY. At these times, I often find myself saying and doing things that are out of character and wonder..who is this woman? Right now...I am going to have to let the anger go. It is not healthy....I have a splitting headache and heart burn that won't quit. I must set my heart straight and PRAY that the evil doers in the world will see the light of the things they do. In the event that they do not, I must focus on the things I can change...and that would only include my attitude. Thanks for letting me vent....now I must go straighten up my coop!

Blessings to you. Make it a great day or not..it's up to you!