Happy Birthday Big Guy

Only one year away from double digits. Happy Birthday Action J******! I love you so much!

Posing with his new golf bag. Quite excited about that one!

Minnie Me!

It was a great day. Today I was wearing one of my favorite Lilly skirts and one of my cute students shyly came up to me.

Cute Student: Mrs. W***** I really like your Lilly.
Me: Why thank you M. How did you know that's what I'm wearing?
Cute Student: Oh I love Lilly, and I saw her name hidden in the pattern.
Me: Me too! And tomorrow I'm bringing my new fleece I bought from the big online sale last week. (Disclaimer: my classroom is like a frozen tundra!)
Cute Student: Sale?!?!?! (eyes real big) I can't wait to tell my mom! She loves Lilly as much as you and me!





It's going to be a great year... I can tell.

Monogram Friday... Read on, you'll get it!

Remember when when you were in college and you had a t-shirt for EVERY OCCASION OF YOUR LIFE???  I had fraternity party t-shirts, band party t-shirts, my girls' school (to be PC:  women's college) party weekend shirts, other college (especially if I dated a boy who went there) t-shirts... OMW, I'm surprised we didn't have one for every time we breathed!  I have since removed myself from all of these worn items. (Except for one, and that's another story!)  I am just not a t-shirt kind of girl any more.  Guess that's because I am a (very) early 40s lady now.

Thus, the dilemma arose every school year for me:  the school t-shirt dilemma.  Every Friday, we teachers are allowed to wear jeans - as long as we are wearing a C******** C***** Elementary t-shirt or a shirt that has the school name on it.  (And those are usually those asexual non-preppy polo type shirts.  Yuck.)  I know this promotes school spirit, and I know that it is a little treat we are given.  I just don't do t-shirts.  And as much as I love, love, love my school, I just don't do t-shirts.

So what's a preppy teacher to do?  Well, I came up with an amazing plan last year. (And my wonderful principal did approve it!)  You see, I love a good monogram on a cute scoop neck Eddie Bauer or Tarjay tee.  So... take a peek at what my monogram is every Friday!

Score one for preppy teachers everywhere! 
(And a big smoochie for my BFF who did the monogramming...)

I Declare War!

A few weeks ago I posted about the barrage of thunder storms in our area.  Well, they are back.  "Summer storms" are the more romantic name we southerners give them, but they really are more of a hassle.  They come at a moments notice with torrential rain and lightning that would scare Ben Franklin back to his French mistresses in an heartbeat.  And then an hour later, they are are gone with a blue sky filled with big, puffy white clouds.

We have had said storms every day this week - the first week of school to boot!  The boys and I have come home exhausted, done the small amount of homework given this week, and eaten a light snack.  Then, I have let them have a little down time to watch thirty minutes or so of television.  (I know I am a terrible mom.)  But today, the satellite went out and the storm was ablowing.  So what did my guys do:  Whine?  Sulk?  Grab the IPod Touch?  Play with the DS?  No... They grabbed a pack of cards and had to longest game of War I've seen in a long time.  And had a ball!

Don't you love seeing your children unplugged and playing nicely together?  Love. it!!!

One Down... 179 More To Go!

Today was the big day.  It's the day I've been working on for the past week.  The organizing.  The decorating.  The planning.  It's the day I woke up at 5:45 AM and woke the boys forty-five minutes later.

It's the day of new L.L. Bean backpacks for my boys, five 1" binders with dividers for my new middle schooler, and pocket folders with brads for my third grader.  It's a day of wondering if they are having a good day.  It's a day of my telling my new fourth grade class that I know they are going to be the very best fourth grade class at C************* Elementary, because "Everyone knows Mrs. W. ALWAYS has the best class!"  It's a day of signing forms and papers sent home with my own children (homework for parents!).  It's a day for a trip to Marble Slab for the special ice cream treat to celebrate this yearly milestone.  It's a day where I am so utterly exhausted that I snuggle under my duvet at 8:00 so that I can rest up for tomorrow.

It's the First Day of School...

"Murfee" Scarves Anyone?

Ok, I am not a big shopper.  Don't get me wrong, I do love nice things, shoes, and clothes.  But I can find it emotionally and physically exhausting to go shopping.  Especially in my sweet town.  I do love my town, but Talbots and Target can only take you so far.  There are cute shops, like Tea Garden - who have the nicest owners (yes, this is shameless self-promotion!) and where I get all my cute, airy tunics.  But all those other stores we love are far, far away...

This is my state's tax-free weekend and my boys are with the grands for a few days.  So I jaunt over to Talbots and buy two white polos, a few other precious tops and a cute turquoise skirt for a grand total of $54.00.  Oh yes!!!  Then I hitch on over to Old Navy to buy for the boys:  $10.00 jeans and $12.50 khakis, and buy multiples of numerous sizes for S and J to try on when they get home.  This is the only way I shop for my sons:  buy every size and return what doesn't fit.  Trust me, it is much easier that way!

But what about for me?  I found a few white spaghetti strap tanks to wear under things and am walking around and... OMW!  Do they look familiar at all?

You might know their pricier cousins...

 Love me some Lilly... but also love me a little steal now and then!

The Value of a Good Golf Swing

S and J have just finished up a great five week golf program at our club called First Tee and I couldn't be prouder of them.  They both have fallen in love with golf, and I am thinking this might be the sport at which S really excels. Because they had such a great experience, neither son is interested in fall baseball as they would rather concentrate on improving their golf swing.  They will be completing the next level as well as taking lessons from the pro instead.  ...I am hoping they will also continue their focus on another aspect of the program.

Not only does First Tee teach fundamentals of golf, it incorporates nine core values (good old traditional values) in the instruction.  At the end of the program, they were even tested on them to see that they cognitively understand what they mean.

1. Honesty - the quality or state of being truthful; not deceptive
Golf is unique from other sports in that players regularly call penalties on themselves and report their own score.
2. Integrity - strict adherence to a standard of value or conduct; personal honesty and independence  Golf is a game of etiquette and composure.  Players are responsible for their actions and personal conduct on the golf course even at times when others may not be looking.
   
3. Sportsmanship - observing the rules of play and winning or losing with grace
   Players must know and abide by the rules of golf and be able to conduct themselves in a kind and respectful manner towards others even in a competitive game.
   
4. Respect - to feel or show deferential regard for; esteem
   In golf it is important to show respect for oneself, playing partners, fellow competitors, the golf course, and for the honor and traditions of the game.
   
5. Confidence - reliance or trust. A feeling of self-assurance  Confidence plays a key role in the level of play that one achieves.  Players can increase confidence in their abilities by being positive and focusing on something they are doing well regardless of the outcome.
   
6. Responsibility - accounting for one’s actions; dependable  Players are responsible for their actions on the golf course.  It is up to them to keep score, repair divots, rake bunkers, repair ball marks on the green, and keep up with the pace of play.
   
7. Perseverance - to persist in an idea, purpose or task despite obstacles  To succeed in golf, players must continue through bad breaks and their own mistakes, while learning from past experiences.
   
8. Courtesy - considerate behavior toward others;a polite remark or gesture  A round of golf should begin and end with a handshake between fellow competitors. Players also should be still and quiet while others are preparing and performing a shot.
   
9. Judgment - the ability to make a decision or form an opinion; a decision reached after consideration  Using good judgment is very important in golf. It comes into play when deciding on strategy, club selection, when to play safe and when to take a chance, the type of shot players consider executing, as well as making healthy choices on and off the golf course.

What great lessons and values to take wherever they go!

Here are my two pros at the driving range of our club.

Golf clap... golf clap...

Laments of an Internet Orphan

Oh. my. word.  I am so happy to be back in the land of the blog!  It has been over a week and I feel so disconnected from all of you.  And in light of my last post, sweet Jo from Bees and Fleur de lis even sent me an email making sure I was OK!!

So here's the story.  And I know it's kind of long.  But please indulge me by reading... I've been away for so long!

Last Tuesday afternoon (July 27th to be exact) we experienced massive thunder storms.  Lightning popping and thunder crashing all over.  And we were smart.  We unplugged everything electrical (computers, TVs, etc.) even though we have surge protectors.  But... we forgot to unplug the phone cords.  D*** phone cords!  So lightning strikes though the phone line and wipes out my husband's computer, a laptop the boys use, and the modem/wireless router.  No phone or internet or computer for unhappy husband.  At least my laptop was not hit, but it's useless for me as I can't blog!!!

Late that evening I use my Droid (Thank God - and I mean that sincerely - for cell phones!) to call ATT for repair and new wireless modem.  Repair man is to come the next day and modem will be sent in a few days.

Next day (Wednesday), I take irritated husband's computer to repair shop to see if it can be salvaged.  Won't know until Friday.  ATT comes and fixes phone line that afternoon.

Thursday, another lightning and thunder storm!!!  Too bad we aren't home to unplug all lines.  D*** it, that lightning hit our phone lines AGAIN!  Oh, and shot the Dish receiver in our bedroom as well.  Irate husband is beside himself.  Later, we call both ATT and Dish for repairs and a new receiver.  ATT says that it could be August 6th before we get our phone line repaired, thus impacting not only phone, but internet!

Friday, I am told incensed husband's computer is unsalvageable.  They were able download information, files, and the like for us on a CD, so I guess that's good news.  Still no phone/internet service.

Saturday, I call ATT to get their sorry selves over to our house and turn on the "steel magnolia" charm and also pull the "my husband is in a wheelchair".  Please don't hate me for that.  By this time, we are done with the whole thing.  We are promised repairs anytime Tuesday from 8 to 5. Oh, wireless modem arrives, but who cares at this point?  And another thing, I am on a major diet so my partaking of fun beverages involves drinking one - and only one - 55 calorie Budweiser Select. 

Fast-forward to Tuesday (yesterday).  Furious husband and I tag team staying home to catch the ATT repair man.  Five o'clock arrives... no repair man.  Chyanne, ATT manager, gets an ear-full and promises a warm body at our house first thing in the morning.

Oh happy day, the angels are singing and playing their harps in heaven!  He arrived!  He fixed the phone line!  He set up my new wireless internet!  He helped S get his IPod Touch wirelessly connected!

Now to get the Dish receiver.  Enraged husband can only take so many more nights of "Best of Friends" DVDs to fall asleep to.