I Think I Can....Maybe

Frank and I went visiting on Monday.  I had not seen Mrs. Jean or Mrs. Betty Jean in a while so we stopped by and visited with them today.  I had such a good time visiting with my Rock Mills friends.  After we got home I piddled around the house and then decided to bake so back to Walmart we went.  I had to have butter and whipping cream.  Monday night I baked a pound cake for school and the house, I made bread - trying out a new recipe, Frank worked in the shop/I watched Hallmark Channell until it was time for him to watch Florida State Football.  I got a little nervous in the first few minutes when Pittsburg scored early on.  Since Alabama and Auburn both won on Saturday night I wanted Frank's team to win too.

 I worked on lesson plans for English in the beginning of the game, got ready for school today.....I start a month long morning duty assignment, I finished up some laundry and meant to iron....but it just did not get done. Lesson plans whooped me. I have been struggling this school year.....but refuse to admit defeat.  I am going to beat this. 

 

I have not taught English in 10 years and even though I have not forgotten it....I feel as if I am reinventing the wheel.  I do not have any worksheets, notes, nothing....all I had in the beginning was the Teacher's Edition of the book....I cannot seem to wrap my head around this class and it is sucking the life out of me.  I decided over the weekend that I would man up to this one.  Who knows...maybe by Second Semester I will be running on all pistons.  I hope so.  I am glad that class is first block and it is over for the day.  Tomorrow I will be even better than today, at least that is what Scarlett said in Gone With The Wind."  I wonder sometimes. 

I feel like I am the end of the year teacher right now....hopefully second semester I will be more like the first owl.  The key word there is hopefully.  I think I can.....maybe!

Hey It's Okay Tuesday!

I got this idea from Glamour magazine. They have a section called Hey, It’s Okay and will list a bunch of things to be okay about. You're welcome to join in and do something like this on your blog. Doesn't have to be on a Tuesday either. Just make sure you link up and that the post you link up is a Hey, It's Okay Post.

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To not understand when people announce they are having a garage sale and then add, “Priced to sell!” Uh, isn’t that the POINT of a garage sale?!


To hate the word twerking. It’s actually been added to the dictionary, as well as another equally irritating word: selfie. Why, America, why?!


To really hope that Amanda or McCrae goes home on Big Brother. I’m worried something will happen and they’ll be safe.


To have not liked the movie The Big Wedding. I rented it on Netflix and it was incredibly boring.


To be excited about this month! So much fun stuff is happening. My mom is visiting, we’re going to the state fair, we’re seeing Wicked, and we’re seeing Disney On Ice!


To love pumpkin flavored stuff. People have said that they have the pumpkin drinks at Starbucks so I must get my pumpkin spice frappuccino (coffee free.) It’s delicious.


To have several giveaways going on right now. You can win a $25 gift card to iTunes here, a copy of the book Raising My Rainbow by Lori Duron here, an Ultimate Life Prize Pack here, and an Orkin Home Education Kit here.

Got bugs? Call Orkin! #Giveaway***CLOSED

**CLOSED--Winner posted here**


Bugs freak me out.

I do not like bugs in my home.

We've had a problem with ants before and I was not happy.

I'm glad there are people like Orkin out there to help. They'll come and help you get rid of your pest problem.


Find out more about Orkin and take The Pest Test:






A reader can win an official Orkin Home Education Kit that includes the following:

• 2 Orkin Factoids 11x17 Posters
- Poster #1 - The Pollinators
- Poster #2 - The Recyclers
• 1 Orkin bug-finding flashlight
• 20 Rubber Toy Creepy Crawly Bugs






My daughter would want one. Even though she screeches at bugs, she still finds them fascinating. She loves playing with those fake bugs and setting them down on the floor to see if I'll screech and think that they are real. (It's happened a few times...I am not proud...)



Giveaway Rules:

--Must be 18 or older

--Must live in the US

--NO PO Boxes



Mandatory Entry: Have you ever had issues with bugs in your home?



Extra Entries:

--Tell me your results of the pest test

--Tweet about the giveaway using #OrkinMan



I will run the contest until September 8th.


Good luck!

Labor Day Tribute

This morning I thought I would share some well and little known facts about Labor Day.  Did you know that "in the United States, Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of their country. In many countries, the working classes sought to make May Day an official holiday, and their efforts largely succeeded. In the United States and Canada, however, the official holiday for workers is Labor Day in September. This day was promoted by the Central Labor Union and the Knights of Labor, who organized the first parade in New York City. After the Haymarket Massacre, US President Grover Cleveland feared that commemorating Labor Day on May 1 could become an opportunity to commemorate the affair. Thus, in 1887, it was established as an official holiday in September to support the Labor Day that the Knights favored.
In 1882, Matthew Maguire, a machinist, first proposed the holiday while serving as secretary of the CLU (Central Labor Union) of New York. Others argue that it was first proposed by Peter J. McGuire of the American Federation of Labor in May 1882, after witnessing the annual labor festival held in Toronto, Canada. Oregon was the first state to make it a holiday on February 21, 1887. By the time it became a federal holiday in 1894, thirty states officially celebrated Labor Day.  Following the deaths of a number of workers at the hands of the U.S. military and U.S. Marshals during the Pullman Strike, the United States Congress unanimously voted to approve rush legislation that made Labor Day a national holiday; President Grover Cleveland signed it into law a mere six days after the end of the strike. The September date originally chosen by the CLU of New York and observed by many of the nation's trade unions for the past several years was selected rather than the more widespread International Workers' Day because Cleveland was concerned that observance of the latter would be associated with the nascent Communist, Syndicalist and Anarchist movements that, though distinct from one another, had rallied to commemorate the Haymarket Affair in International Workers' Day. All U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and the territories have made it a statutory holiday."  "The form for the celebration of Labor Day was outlined in the first proposal of the holiday: A street parade to exhibit to the public "the strength and spirit de corps of the trade and labor organizations", followed by a festival for the workers and their families. This became the pattern for Labor Day celebrations. Speeches by prominent men and women were introduced later, as more emphasis was placed upon the civil significance of the holiday. Still later, by a resolution of the American Federation of Labor convention of 1909, the Sunday preceding Labor Day was adopted as Labor Sunday and dedicated to the spiritual and educational aspects of the Labor movement.  The holiday is often the return to school, although school starting times now vary. For me it is the last holiday before Thanksgiving/Christmas.  Our students have been back in school for two weeks and I have been back to work for a month.  When I was young Labor Day was a time to pack away the summer clothes because you could not wear white the day after.  I always wondered why someone living in South Florida could not wear white after said holiday.  Labor Day has come to be celebrated by most Americans as the symbolic end of the summer. In high society, Labor Day is (or was) considered the last day of the year when it is fashionable to wear white or seersucker.  We were not high society in my household....but no white after Labor Day was permitted....unless it was white socks, or Keds.  Where I live today there is not a whole lot of people packing up their summer clothes on Labor Day.  It will still be in the upper 80's and 90's here well into October.  I hope that whatever you are doing today you are resting and spending time with family and friends.  Enjoy yourself and stay safe.  Happy Labor Day!

Standing Up DVD Winner!

I did a giveaway for the DVD Standing Up here.



I used random.org to pick a winner and it chose...



....number 5, which is Susan!



Congrats!


If you didn't win, I currently have multiple giveaways going on right now. You can win a $25 gift card to itunes here, a copy of the book Raising My Rainbow here, and an Ultimate Life Official Prize Pack here.

The Ultimate Life Giveaway!**CLOSED

**CLOSED! Winner posted here**


I love a good movie.



It seems like The Ultimate Life, out in theaters on September 6th, will be a good one.


Here's what it's about:

Between the pressure of running a foundation started by his late grandfather, being sued by his greedy extended family, and seeing his beloved Alexia leave on an extended mission trip to Haiti, Jason Stevens' world is unraveling. But when Jason discovers a journal that his grandfather began as a Depression-era lad, his writings transport Jason on an incredible rags-to-riches ride. With everything he loves hanging in the balance, Jason hopes he can discover THE ULTIMATE LIFE.

Opening in theaters September 6, THE ULTIMATE LIFE (the sequel to The Ultimate Gift) reminds us some things are worth more than money!



Check out the widget and take the quiz to find out if you live life to the fullest!





A lucky reader can win an Official Ultimate Life Prize pack that includes the following:

--The Ultimate Gift book by Jim Stovall

--The Ultimate Gift charm bracelet

--The Ultimate Life leather-bound journal



Sounds awesome! I want one!


Giveaway Rules:

--Must be 18 or older

--Must live in the US

--No PO Boxes



Mandatory Entry: Take the quiz on the widget and tell me if you live life to the fullest!



Good luck!


I will pick a winner on September 7th.

Happy 18th Birthday Carissa

Tonight we ate supper at La Hacienda San Antonio in Wedowee.  It was once a restaurant called the Hub and everyone loved eating there but when it went out of business a precious Hispanic family bought it.  We were there for a surprise 18th birthday party for Carissa.  She is Renee and Dexter's daughter and members of the Rock Mills Church family. DJ, her boyfriend was in charge of getting her there after we all arrived at 5.  He did a great job.  He gave her all kinds of weird clues....and blindfolded her.

 

 

 

She was definitely surprised.  The food in this restaurant is amazing.  I had Camarrones al Mojo de Ajo and it was to die for.  I have a new favorite dish when I go there. 

The party was great fun.  She got lots of goodies (especially food cards - she is a student at JSU and has no where to cook in her room so we all showered her with gift cards from Subway, Applebees, etc.  She should eat well for a while.

Frank and Carissa.  We love this girl let me tell you.  She has the most infectious smile.

Destinee and Beth.  Both looking happy, happy, happy.  Rock Mills is a close family for sure.

 

Carissa's birthday cake from the restaurant.  Actually it was fried strawberry ice cream.  We were all so full that very little of it got eaten.  We sang Happy Birthday to her a second time.  The first time was when she blew out the candle on her Gigi's cupcake. 

 

Carissa's brother Justin got in on the camera action.  DJ's dad was the head of the table.

Justin without a camera in his face.  This way you can see how handsome he is.

 

Carissa's grandmother does not want to be left out of the camera action.  Flashes were really popping.

Carissa opening her cards.

The main birthday cake.  This is a Gigi's red velvet cup cake.  Renee had those and Gigi's minis.  They are delicious.  If you are ever anywhere that has one....there are two in Auburn....you need to try one.  Take a friend because you cannot eat a whole one.  My favorite is wedding cake.  Yummmm Yummmm.  It was a fun night and I am so glad that we got to celebrate this monumental occasion with the family.  We love you guys!