It's been a while. I've missed keeping in touch with all of you guys. The last couple of weeks have been busy and loaded with fun.... not!!  Until this past weekend, that is!!

I hopped onto a puddle-jumper for Atlanta Friday morning, then onto a real airplane down to St. Augustine, FL, aka, 'The Oldest City in the US'. Founded by Ponce de Leon in 1513 at the location of stop 19 on your historic guided tour of the city, aka, "Fountain of Youth - North America's First Historical Site." That stop, along with seeing the oldest school house in America, was probably my favorite. The 'Fountain' area seemed rather scared to me as the guide told the story of the cross being discovered by a grounds keeper as he was in the process of digging to plant. Also marked was the area where Ponce took his first steps onto what he thought was an island. Truly an area to visit if you are moved by this type of thing.  Also, on the tour, visitors are given a drink from the FOY. I didn't take any chances... I drank mine!

BTW, a note about the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse: St. Augustine, Florida.  It is smaller than my 13 x 15 'ish living room, complete with the upstairs for the head master and family to live. The kitchen is seperate from the school house becuase of the heat of cooking. What was used for 'time-out' in those days was a small area under the stairs leading to the living quarters. They called it 'The Dungeon'.... 

I fell into bed around midnight thirty last night, thankful I had the foresight to take today off. Yard mowing was on the agenda, as was the never-ending laundry list. Where is the technology of George Jetson (and his boy, LeRoy..) when you need it?  Heck, doesn't matter... I'll take now verus 1513 anytime!!

 

Tags: St. Augustine, Ponce de Leon, Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse, Fountain of Youth, magical waters, ships in the Atlantic, sailing with the stars, gates of the city, buildings still standing for 100's of years, surviving hurricanes, simply amazing,

Just a thought...

... if we do not like the ideas China represents, why are sending them so many of our jobs and business??

 

Inquiring minds want to know...

Catching Up

I thought I'd take a minute to catch you guys up on what's going on in the world of one Bama Woman. Last Monday, I celebrated my birthday by going to the local bowling alley for Special Olympic Bowling. It was like a real party! I will say, this birthday was much more fun than last years. I'm on a new year, a new outlook (that might last more than five minutes....) and just happy to be here.

This is the time of the year where I crack my knuckles around mid-night and head to bed. It's the yearly IEP time. This year has been easier than most because the guy that I co-teach with is helping to write them. He doesn't read my journal, but I'll give him a big shout-out "THANK YOU!" and a smile. He might enjoy the smile. Sometimes they are few and far between.

This morning while making breakfast of turkey bacon and sweet potato pancakes, I was looking out the window and this was standing at the back of the fence:

This is a picture I found online, but the real coyote looked just like this one. Plus, the real one looked over his shoulder too. Just a little 'living in the country delite'.... real life surprises, I guess. 

Down at the local gas pump, the price jumped from$3.09 to $3.19 in just a matter of an hour or two. Figures. And to update you on the price in Saudi, premium is remaining at a constant 46 cents while regular is priced below that. Yes, i know shipping plays on the price. Yes, I know taxes make a difference. But still..... 

Spring is playing peek-a-boo with us here. One day 77 with pollen tickling your nose, the next, rain and 55. I don't mind the rain. It washes the yellow-green off of Rusty.

Have a good week. Make the best of it. Hug the ones you love and make sure you tell them you love them. How will they know if you don't tell them?

 

Tags: coyote, gas prices, IEP, hug, love

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It seems that spring has finally kicked winter's asp. With the temps being around 66 and sunny, it sure seems that way. Cousin and I have done something almost close to nothing with the exception of just spending our time together and that is ok. We both need the reconnection to family at times.

                                              

Her grandkids will be here in a week or so and if I can figure out how to get back up here to see them, I will. I love those kids and let's face it, I might need someone to pick out my nursing home some day. Might as well be done by someone who has a kind thought about me!!

                                             

 

Guess I'll be headed home tomorrow.... just in time for the Easter Bunny to drop off something special for me. Hope it's something better than a hollow chocolate bunny!!

                                                      

Tags: spring, kids, nursing home, hollow easter bunny

We, Wee & Wii

I made the trip to McMinnville yesterday to see Cousin and her hubby. As always, it's been a blast.

WE: Cousin, C's hubby and I...

WEE: Little people on the screen, some with no legs....

WII: The set-up with games you interact with...

You have got to try this.... unbelievable!!!

Tags: McMinnville, WII, to much fun, you don't need anything else, everyone needs one, not really a commercial because don't you get paid for those?, spring break is early this year, easter is early too, lent is over and i didn't give up anything, I'm not even Catholic,

Rest in Peace

I'd like to take a moment to acknowledge one of the students from the school where I teach. Although not in my classroom, I have come to know her and admire her during this school year. In brief, here is a version of her story.

The week school began, she was diagnosed with brain cancer. It was removed and she began chemo. Around November, the cancer returned and this woman made a difficult decision.... she stopped with her treatments. Just a couple of weeks ago, she returned home in the care of hospice.She knew her time was limited. But all through this school year, she had one main goal. To graduate from high school.... and she did on Friday in a hospital about 70 miles away.

She died the next day.

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Spring Needs to be Sprung

Daylight savings time arrived early this year and I'm beginning to get the spring fever. I always get a little excited when I seen the daffodils popping their little heads into beautiful blooms. There are several batches around the yard and to my dismay, the weather last week about this time was snow. Early Friday morning on the way to work, I stopped and clipped a fistful of the bright, yellow bloomers. This morning, several of them were still sharing their yellow faces with us.

These guys are just screaming for spring, so am I!!!

Tags: daffodils, daylight savings time, spring, sprung, sunny, bright, beautiful

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