A Much Needed Update

Where did the month of September go? And now October??? It's funny, when school first started and I would have to tear workbook pages out, I had such a hard time. The other day -- rip -- the pages where coming out as easy as pie (minus the first slice)! I turned the book sideways and I actually freaked out for a split second. There was a noticeable dent in how many pages had actually been ripped out. I thought - my goodness - I hope there's enough here to get me through to the end of the year. In my head, I know there's more than enough -- but still - yikes!! I didn't think I'd torn out that many pages!!

There have been many, many storms where I'm staying, and a few weeks back lightening actually struck a tree in the back yard!! :O That was a little close for comfort!! I didn't even know about it until days after the fact. I finally had some time to get online, and I was told the computer had fried in the storm when the lightening struck!! :O (pictures to be posted - p2bp) Hopefully that will earn me some mercy points with those of you who are frustrated at my blogging absence. Believe me - I am NOT making this up.

School is going very well. Being a disciplinary is becoming easier - It's easier for me to pinpoint when my kids are being naughty whereas before I wasn't "sure." Ohhh, now I know!! They do have many things to work toward as far as rewards for good behavior, and I stress rewards more than punishments -- but sometimes we all need correction.

I've already had 2 pretty major accidents occur during recess -- well 3 if you count the time one boy just fell backwards head first off the slide steps. I saw it happen, and to this day I don't know how he managed that one. I think some angels were at the bottom and cushioned his fall b/c not a scratch or anything was on him. Praise the Lord. One boy got his hand bent backwards by a ball he was trying to stop. Poor lad tried to be brave but as soon as he reached the teachers his big blues eyes just filled up with tears. We didn't have an ice pack on hand so I gave him a freezy pop. He held on to that until it melted and then he drank the sugared treat!

About 3 weeks ago now I was totally out of commission. I had the worst stomach flu I think I've ever had in my life. I couldn't keep food down for almost 6 days. I tried drinking fluids so as not to get dehydrated, but even that wouldn't stay down!! :( I didn't "want" to go home, b/c my mom use to always say (when I was in college), you would just be sick here too if you were home - it just has to run its course. By the 3rd day I was really discusted with not feeling human. I got lightheaded, almost passed out a few times, no strength in my arms or legs, they were just sorta there w/out any purpose. Not a good feeling!! :( I had a lot of support here though, and I finally made it through. I kept singing songs and quoting scriptures that reminded me that the Lord cared for me -- that helped alot.

I have the opportunity to rent a trailor that's less than ten minutes from the church/school, which I am very excited about. It's right off the main hwy which means traveling after a snowstorm won't be quite so scary. I've seen the outside, but I won't tour the inside until sometime this week. Although it's exciting, it's also a little un-nerving, so I'm praying for green lights and a calm spirit if this is where the Lord wants me to move. (p2bp)

This is something I have to share. There are many large farming equipment vehicles you have to share the road with up here -- but I was behind one the other day I don't care to ever see again for the rest of my life. It was a truck with a HUGE fat barrel on the back with a spout on top. I had notice "farm" smells on the drive home, but that wasn't unusual, so I didn't think anything of it. Anyways, this truck started driving partially on the grass, so I thought, oh, this must be his que to me that he's going to let me pass him. So that's what I started to do. Well, all of a sudden where coming up to a bend in the road, and he starts speeding up. So now, I'm going in to a curve, and his big honkin' tires are right beside my car. I thought, ok buddy -- I'm new to this, just go!! So I put on the brakes, and got behind him again. All of a sudden I see his brake lights, and I saw something really weird. I squinted up into the sky as I saw all this black licquid shoot up like ol' faithful out of that spout. In that same instant a look of horror and disguist took over my face and I literally slammed on my brakes as hard as I could. I jolted forwarded as I saw the truck continue on and splat, splat, splat, splat all this manure slammed to the ground about 8 feet in front of me. UGH!!! I screamed out. Now that's something you don't see in the city -- ok buddy you can HAVE the road!!! I don't know if he thought I was trying to cut him off -- I don't know if it was on purpose -- I kind of think it was -- but I thought, if he's lookin' in his rear mirror, than I'll show him I "know" what he did. So I dramatically went A R O U N D the "liquid substance" laying on the pavement and I stayed about 4 car links behind him even though it was killing me to drive 25 miles an hour when I'm usually cruisin' on the higher side of 50. I now know what "those kind" of trucks carry in their barrels. I've been making lots of "mental notes."

The other night we were driving home from church after dark and 2 cars passed us going the opposite way. I said, man I wonder what's going on -- look at the traffic out tonight!! I was told I haven't lived here long enough to be saying that. I sounded like I had been countryfied. Guess it didn't take long to convert me.

There's many more pictures and stories to share. Now that I'm back online I should be more consistent in my writing. There's things yet to be done tonight for school tomorrow. Ahhh, a teacher's work just never seems to be finished. ;) That's ok -- it keeps me out of trouble

.................. well, for the most part! ;P