Math Homework

First grade math homework.....it takes a lot of thinking and concentration. :)

New job + New classes = busy, busy, busy!

Wow! Who would have thought I would be away from the blogging world for so long? I started a new job last month, at the library. Yeah, I know, at the library! Me, a bibliophile if there ever was one, working at a library. It's much better than working at a bookstore, because any book I see that I want, I can check it out for FREE! I would have no paycheck if I worked at a bookstore. lol

Also, last month, I started my fall classes at RSCC. I am now a sophomore. Originally, I had planned to graduate in the spring, but because I can't go full time, I will have a few more semesters to go. Things are going well, I have met with my adviser and I am enjoying my classes. But sophomore year is much more difficult than freshman year. There is more homework and much more reading and a lot of online stuff. I am so tired by the time I get out of class and off from work in the evening. But this is the path that I want to take. I am grateful and thankful that I have the opportunity and the job. Thank you Goddess.

Hopefully, I won't be so long before posting again.

Peace and Blessings.

Countdown to School

Sophie has only three weeks left of summer vacation,(she attends on a year-round schedule) so naturally I am already thinking about her Laptop Lunches. While we had a blast using her lunch box system last year, I want to spice it up a little this year by getting her a couple of new items for it. The first being a few extra containers in bright colors. She loves rainbows so I think she'd like containers in different colors in her lunchbox. Then I'd eventually like to get her a Klean Kanteen, they are quite expensive though, so it will have to wait.

Last year I added a thermos container for hot foods, it went over very well and I am sure we will use it even more as her tastes mature and she tries more foods. I am getting excited about her first grade Laptop Lunches this year. Looking forward to continuing her on the road of good nutrition.

Sophie Cheering

Sophie recently decided to participate in a cheer leading event at the parent/teacher basketball game. I admit to being a bit biased against cheerleaders, this was her idea and decision to do it. We supported her in having this experience and she really worked hard to learn all the cheers and dance moves and thoroughly enjoyed herself while having a great experience. We were very proud of her and I am glad to have been able to put aside my bias and let her do this. This was a one time game, and I don't know how I will feel if and when she wants to cheer on a regular basis, but she does seem to be a natural at it. We will see.

Blogland Catch Up

It's been a while since I posted so I
thought I would just play a little catch
up today.


First up is an interesting pentagram shaped tomato. It was the best tasting one that I got out of my garden...umm, I wonder why that is.


These are some of the bracelets that I made out of recycled belts from the thrift store. They are so boho and fun. I am putting some of them up for sale. Let me know if you are interested. The two on the left top I made for me though.

As the wheel turns.....this is the sunset on my sun wheel that I made from honeysuckle vine last year, what a lovely sight this was.

This morning I was greeted by my two sweeties enjoying some alone time together, while they let me sleep in. A great two-fer that was, Sophie and her dad got to catch up and enjoy each other's company and I got to sleep in for the first time this week!

Last but not least, I started on fall classes this past Monday. A full class load; art appreciation, algebra, world literature, Spanish and world history. So far it looks like all the classes are going to be very interesting with interesting and entertaining professors.

First School Bus Ride

(Not the best photos, but....)

It doesn't seem to matter how many children you put on that school bus for the first time *this is number five for me*, it is always a stressful thing. Even though I am confident of the bus service here in Oak Ridge, and my little poppet has ridden a bus on field trips in preschool. I was still pretty nervous and anxious about her first ride yesterday. It seems so silly to me, but I just was. She is such an independent little girl, that she skipped right onto the bus without looking back. I am glad that I said goodbye before the bus actually got there. :) Her best friend, Andrew rides the same bus, he lives next door, so they catch it together in the mornings. He is in 3rd grade and I feel better knowing that he is "watching out" for her. Even though she can take care of herself in most things. She is thrilled about riding the bus.






When she came home, she ran straight into my arms, which I must say was very rewarding. She said she missed me so much. However, today her dad and I are supposed to wait in the house, so she can come in and say, "mom, I'm home". What a girl!
I think she is going to do just fine and then some.

Sophie's Laptop Lunch

I am having so much fun preparing Sophie's school lunches in the Laptop Lunchbox that we ordered her. She loves it and it's easy to use and fun. David laughed at me this morning for taking photos of her lunch. :) But I am enjoying it and it has given me a new way to get her to eat a more varied diet, we have talked together about what to put in it, we have talked about good nutrition and why its important, and how as you get older your tastes change and you might like something one day that you didn't use to like. So she has agreed to at least try everything that is in her lunch, and I make it a point to put one new thing in it each day.Making certain that she has enough of things that I know she will eat.
Yesterday's lunch at the top consisted of a star-shaped cheese sandwich, unsweetened applesauce, baby carrots, and Annie's Organic Bunny Grahams, plus a Pocky in the napkin.


Today's lunch is peas/corn, gold fish crackers, apple slices with caramel dip, and cheese cubes. (The cheese cubes are the new thing, Sophie is an American slices cheese eater, so these are Colby/Jack.) Oh and a Pocky in the napkin again. So fun!

Sure, it takes a 'little' extra work, but I plan what to pack the night before, and it only takes about 10-15 minutes to pack it up in the morning. And after reading this blog, I am determined that Sophie eat food from home, school lunches leave a lot to be desired, not to mention, her being vegetarian, there is not a lot she could eat at the school. The school will give her PB&J, but who wants to eat that every day? I am sure there will be more of these kind of posts, it's just so fun. Bon Appetite!

More First Day of School Photos

David took these pictures with his phone camera so some of them are less than great. But I want to share more of Sophie's first day of Kindergarten, at least the dropping off portion.

She looks a little nervous in this one, though she didn't seem nervous. It is a big school and there were a lot of kids there.









Here she is meeting up with a neighbor boy, on the left, who introduced her to another friend. My social butterfly.

What a looong hallway......Sophie's class is at the end of it. :)

Mom and Sophie walking down the long hall way.

Sophie is so excited to meet her teacher, Mrs. Williams.

Here she gets the tour from the teaching assistant.

Getting her 'locker/cubbie', its a blurry picture, but the look on her face is priceless....she is so excited and proud.

Tune in next week for the first bus ride......

First Day

Yesterday was Sophie's first day of Kindergarten.

She was so excited and proud. She had no nervousness at all, unlike her mother....:) I don't know why I felt nervous for her, since she went to preschool all last year. She will not go again until next Wednesday, so we have the next five days to process and get ready for the real thing. She will be riding the school bus beginning then, another reason for me to be nervous? I hope not. I will have a few more photos once I figure out how to get them off of David's blackberry phone. LOL

Last Day of Summer Vacation Picnic

Sophie had the idea to go on a picnic for the last day of her summer vacation. She goes to the school here in Oak Ridge that goes on a 45/15 split calendar. They go for 45 days and are off for 15 days all year long, instead of the traditional long summer vacation. So Sophie begins school a month before her brothers do. Anyway, we walked to the park at the Children's Museum and had a simple picnic and then visited the museum for a little while. Sophie enjoyed herself and it was a nice outing.

A Letter to My Grandmother

In the Death and Dying class that I am taking this summer, we are required to construct a 'goodbye' letter. It could be from ourselves, as if we are dying. Or it could be to someone who has died or gone away for any reason. I chose to write to my grandmother Marie Bean, who died this past December. Here is the letter that I wrote to her, along with the questions we had to answer after writing.


Dear Mamaw,

It's been nearly six months since you left us all. The day after Christmas, two days after having your home filled with your own decendents. Your beloved family. I knew in my heart when I said goodbye to you on Christmas Eve and kissed your soft cheek, that it was our last goodbye. I am thankful, so thankful, that I had that opportunity, to tell you that I loved you. But there are a few things that I never told you; you were an inspiration to me as a mother. You raised twelve children in relative poverty, most important, they are all good, honest, caring people today. That is a testament to your mothering.
I remember as a little girl coming to your house, playing in the yard, under the blue hydrangea hush. I remember the hollyhocks and Iris's which I have some of growing in my own garden today. I remember your quiet, unassuming presence, you were always there, ready to help and talk. I remember the biscuits you always had left over on the back of the stove. How I loved your cold biscuits. I got my love of search-a-word puzzles from you. I admire the no nonsense woman that you were. There was no complaining, at least not in front of us. You just did what you had to do. You were a strong woman. I have been told that I am like you in that way. I consider it a great compliment. I love you, Mamaw. Not a day goes by that I don't think of you.


Your granddaughter,
Jennifer

A. What were your feelings? I felt somewhat sad, but also I felt like I was able to tell her the things that I never had. It was satisfying.
B. How do you think those who read your letter, if it had been real, might have reacted? I think if she could have read it, she would have been touched and hugged me, told me of her love for me. But she was never a great demonstrative person.
C. Did you reveal anything unique about yourself? No, I don't think so.
D. Were you able to choose your words carefully enough in order to stay within a 3-page limit?
Yes.
E. What other observations did you note while completing this activity? I have healed well at this point.

Congratulations Sophie!

Our girl Sophie, graduated from preschool this morning. We are so crazy proud of her. She is very excited about going to kindergarten next year, actually next month! Her school is on a year-round schedule so she has only five five weeks off for summer vacation. I hope we can pack a good deal of family fun and adventure into those five weeks. We already have a lot of parties and festivals that we plan to host and attend. And we are going to get in some camping and canoeing, and of course, swimming. She is already having a great time with all her friends in the neighborhood. There is someone over every day for her to play with, our house is very popular with the neighborhood children. It is shaping up to be a great summer! The first picture is her with her friend Jayda wearing the cute cap and tassel that were made for them.



This is her teacher, Mrs. May. She is a wonderful teacher who went above and beyond for all her students. We are so thankful that Sophie's first school experience was with someone so good.








This last one is Sophie under the pencil arch photo op, with her cap and diploma. She is very proud of it.

Congratulations Emily!

Way to go! My lovely daughter graduated from high school this evening. I am so freaking proud of her, it's a little embarrassing, for me and her. lol I had no idea I would feel this way. She did it with A's and B's, after starting at a new school with a very high academic standard, last year as a junior.






Here she is all decked out in cap and gown, fifth from the front on the end.



Going for the prize after 12 long years.






















So glad to be coming out on the other side.















My beautiful, happy it's all over, daughter.

With Josh, last year was his turn, now it's hers.

Congratulations
Emily!!
We love you!!

First Day Photos

David snapped these photos of me on my first day as a college freshman! In the kitchen, getting ready to leave. Woo Hoo!

Outside of the college getting ready to go in...I was so nervous.


Here is a shot of Roane State Community College, as shown in the guidebook.

College Bound!

Wow! What a busy month. I have been so busy getting ready for classes to begin that I have no blogged in that long. I have also, unfortunately, been dealing with some pretty serious depression. That thankfully, and thanks in part to St.John's Wort, I am finally getting through. I began class on August 31. Wow! What a great feeling. I cannot believe that I am going to college! I am so excited and so grateful to the powers that be for being able to do this. I am registered for three-quarter time, due to some immunization requirements that I could not fulfill in time. But that is a good start anyway. Since math was not my thing in high school, I am having to do some catch up in the Algebra department, but I also have a fabulous Sociology class, and a English/Comp class that has a lot of writing, which I love to do. I just today registered for a Fitness Walking class that will get my 1 required Phys Ed credit and should help me to get back into shape this fall/winter. Yea! Next semester, I will most likely be attending full time, if at all possible. I'd like to get through undergraduate school in as quick a time as possible. Since I will have graduate school waiting on me. And no, those are not my books in the photo, just one off the web. Mine did cost an exorbitant amount though. Thank goodness for financial aid! Well, I am off to study. More later.......peace

Sophie's First Day of School

My little poppet, Sophie is a school girl. She began preschool today at a terrific preschool in town. She was so excited, and very brave.

She showed us her classroom and all the things that she did. She has already made friends and is learning more and more about life.

College Bound

"Congratulations! You have been accepted to Roane State Community College. We have received all required documents and your admissions file is now complete." This is what I read upon opening the letter from the college I have applied to. I am so excited! It's all set. I am registered an have my financial aid all in order. I start classes on August 29! Woo Hoo! It has been a dream of mine to go to college. I was all prepared to go fresh out of high school, and then chose to get married instead. Once the children started arriving I just never got back to it. I have been a life long learner, self teaching myself many many things. I never stop learning and trying to learn. It is very important to me. I was to be the first in my family to go to college, my parents were so proud. Then I disappointed them by getting married so young. Now I am excited to tell them that I am finally going! I will still get to be the first in my family to go. Which is a little sad now that I think of it. But I am just so happy that I have the opportunity to do it right this time. Also, by waiting til I am forty to go, I know without a doubt what I want to study. No floundering around trying to find myself, and what I should do. College here I come!