I wanna go there!!!

I love the author Nora Roberts. I adore her writing style, her characters and the pictures she makes in my head. I also love that she writes books in a series, which makes me happy.  Her newest series is the Inn Boonsboro series, which includes the books “The Next Always,” “The Last Boyfriend” and coming in November “The Perfect Hope.” These books are all set in Boonsboro, Maryland and involve the renovation and creation of Inn Boonsboro. Here’s what I love about this series: each suite in the inn is named after famous couples in literature who lived happily ever after. There’s a Nick and Nora suite, Titania and Oberon,  Marguerite and Percy, Jane and Rochester. My own personal favorites – Elizabeth and Darcy, Eve and Roarke (from her own JD Robb novels) and  Westley and Buttercup!!

Here is the coolest thing ever! You CAN really go to the Inn. Nora Roberts and her husband really bought an old inn, redid it and fixed it just like the Montgomery brothers did in the books!! Each suite is designed specially to match it’s couple. Each suite also has it’s own amenities designed specially for it’s couple. Is that not the coolest thing EVER?? I want to go there. The hardest decision would be. . . which room would I want to stay in??

 

You can check it out here: http://www.innboonsboro.com/

Just what I needed

For the last few days, the little inspirational devotion books I read  have been hitting me hard. They have addressed some needs in my life, they have picked at a few scabs where I am wounded and then smoothed a layer of Neosporin right over those sore spots and slapped a band aid on top! 

Last Thursday, two of my books referenced the same Scripture. Different books, different authors, different publishers.

Psalms 139:1-3 

O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.

Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.

Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.

One of them went on to verse 6, but verse 4 seems to get me all the time:

For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.

My mouth gets me in trouble quite frequently. . .

 

Today one devotion is titled “The New Normal.” It talks about one of the hardest things to get through in grieving some of life’s most difficult things is having to accept that what we have NOW, is the new NORMAL way of living for us.  My sister and I had almost this EXACT conversation the day we drove back from the Keys and our mom had just passed away. The whole world was going on just like always and our whole world was all of a sudden, off kilter. But Robyn (who is a hospice nurse and a gerontological nurse said “but this is going to be normal for us now.” Today would have been my parents 51st wedding anniversary – but we have a new normal now. 

Another one of my books says “I can brighten up the dullest of gray days. I can add sparkle to the routine of daily life.” Well, if you’ve looked outside where I live, it’s a pretty gray day. I don’t expect we’ll see the sun all day. But this unexpected school holiday is a chance to catch up on my laundry – one of the routines of daily life that I just HATE. I absolutely HATE laundry. Hate, hate, hate it!!! But, if I choose I can let God add sparkle to my gray day filled with laundry. 

My third little devotion is from my Women of Faith Infinite Grace book.  I just started re-reading this one and today my lesson was by Mary Graham and is called “Flooded with Grace.” it’s about a woman named Geraldine who used to live in New Orleans, but relocated to Texas after Hurricane Katrina.  Again, as I sit home from school today because of Tropical Storm Isaac, and listen to the rain fall, and remember concerns last night about rivers cresting,  I’m  overwhelmed  and feel a bit flooded myself. 

I know that God loves me. I know it in head as sure as I know my own name! But sometimes my heart forgets and needs a little more convincing.  I mean, why on earth does the One who can speak anything He wants to into existence even bother with me? But  then, something like this happens and I get it. If we were working today, I’d have stuck my 27 on my calendar and thought “Today would have been my parent’s anniversary” and then I’d have been so busy, it might never have crossed my mind again. But I’m not at school. I’m home – where I have much more time to think. And dwell. And brood.   So the One who loves me best gave me just what I needed – and He gave it to me through my books I’m reading. Does He know me or what?? 

The End and a New Beginning

They’ve been friends for years.  Two of them met in middle school  and they connected with the other two in band camp before their freshman year of high school. They survived band camps, strange musical productions and  hours of bus rides.  They are “The Four Musketeers.”

I’m not good at many things (this has been reaffirmed to me this week!) but I am a good aunt. I work hard at being a good aunt. That means that I’ve sat thru lots of events I may not have wanted to, because of my niece and  nephews.  One of the things I’ve been around for years was Band. Both my nephews were in the band and Josh  met Cameron in middle school band.  They clumped up with Derrick and Zach in high school.  There were lots of times when the four of them ended up at downstairs at my sister’s house, or in the car, or at dinner. . .  There were times I felt like I had four nephews in the Band instead of just one! 

As they graduated and went to college or to work, I wondered if they’d still stay friends or drift apart. For a while, Zach drifted away, but he’s come back around again.

Last weekend, the four of them spent the weekend together, in Georgia.  It was sort of like their last hurrah. Cameron will never be just “theirs'” again. 

Last night Josh came home and said Cameron was spending the night here. Alli had decided she was staying in their apartment with her girls and he had to get out. So, 3 of the 4 played video games and stayed here last night. Another, one last time.

Today, Cameron got married. It  was a lovely wedding. As Alli’s dad walked her down the aisle, the four of them, along with Cameron’s other friend, played the Bridal Chorus on their instruments. It was incredibly touching. 

Through the years, there’s been lots of pictures.  Sometimes, all four of them, sometimes two, sometimes three. Others have wandered in and out.   Birthdays, prom, band concerts, just fooling around. 

I just had to have one more today!

Why I LOVE the Olympics

I absolutely ADORE the Olympics. If school is in session while the Olympic Games are going on, I always have my students watch as an assignment.  Except for 2004, when we had no electricity thanks to Hurricane Charley, my family watched the Opening Ceremonies right on to the end, as much as we can.  My Aunt Mary Ellen taped the Opening Ceremonies for me and we watched them later!! My nephews learned in 4th grade that to write an essay, you have an introduction, three points and a conclusion. So, here are my three reasons why I love the Olympics.

First, the Olympics make me proud to be an American.  I don’t care if we win or lose (that’s a lie- I always want us to win!)  but I love it when people represent us well.  When we do win, there’s NOTHING like seeing our flag rise up (higher than the rest) and hearing our National Anthem.  It just gives me chills.  I love it when the athletes sing.  (Note to US Olympic Committee – before you give athletes their pass and their credentials, make sure they can sing the words to the National Anthem PROPERLY! That’s a pet peeve of mine!)

Next, I admire athletic ability. I have NONE, but I do appreciate the skills that I see.  I have the utmost respect for athletes who come knowing that they most likely won’t come close to winning a medal, but they come to represent their country anyway. I love good sportsmanship and  I admire the hours and hours of sacrifice spent in training.  Even though I can’t play anything, I can appreciate the heartbreak of defeat or the heart-pounding thrill of victory. I love that we all get to share in that!   I love the stories that they share with us, and I’m not ashamed to admit, sometimes I cry!

Last, (see, I used transitional words!) I love that our country truly is a melting pot, salad bowl, whatever you want to call it. So many countries have people who all look the same and their names all sound the same. We don’t!  When you look at our athletes, we’ve got some of everything. We’ve got blondes, brunettes, redheads! We’ve got names that are very “American" sounding, and some names that could be from any other country in the world.  What a country!!

The Olympics! Just the sound of it makes me smile. Even though the Games only started on Friday, I’m thoroughly enjoying them. I’m hoping for that one moment that will stay in my mind forever, like Mary Lou Retton's perfect 10 vault, and Kerry Strug's crumbling to the the floor, and then vaulting AGAIN! These are the moments that we love.  Don’t' you love the Olympics??

Do you know. . .

Do you know the difference in these two words: Muscogee and Miccosukee?   HMMMM, do you??

Do you know what a chickee is?

Have you ever heard of the Ahfachkee School?

What about the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum? 

 

If you were with me this week, you would have heard these words  a LOT.  I am attending a workshop this week called “Tribal Traditions in the Modern World: The Seminole Tribe, Their Voices and Their Stories.”  Quite a mouthful isn’t it? I was lucky enough to be selected (with 37 other Florida teachers) by the Florida Humanities Council to get to be here, learning about the Seminole Tribe of Florida.  I also got to come with my friends Joan Turner and Ann Stemmerman, which makes it even more fun.  We are spending the week at the Clewiston Inn, a historic inn built in 1938, in the small town of Clewiston. I have an advantage over Turner and Stemmerman, as I was lucky enough (!!) to get to live here in “America’s Sweetest Town” for my last two years of high school.  We’ll save more of that story for another day!

After a day and a half of intensive learning, I’ll just say this:  most of what I thought I knew about the Seminole Tribe of Florida is a bunch of  hooey.  (Yes, hooey is a technical term!)  I must admit, I’ve already had some stereotypical ideas in my own head revised – and we’re not even done  yet. 

I’ll share more about what I’ve learned but I will say this: the word “resilient” keeps coming to mind, over and over again.  I’ll also say this which sounds a bit officious – I’m seeing  a remarkable juxtaposition of modern and traditional.   And just when I think I’ve just seen the most amazing thing – something else comes up.  I’m tired, very tired already, but I’m fascinated with what’s coming tomorrow!!!

What have you been doing this summer?

Today I spent most of the day with my niece. I absolutely ADORE being an aunt, and she is truly one of the delights of my life.  She and my sister lived with me for a time and then moved about two blocks away, so we were close for a long time. Now, they’ve moved farther away, my sister has remarried, and my niece is in middle school so I don’t see her as much – and I miss her.  So, today, we just had time together. 

We started at Sonic and Dunkin Donuts. The girl LOVES donuts.  Then we decided to explore Hobby Lobby, as she’s never been there. We wandered around the entire store – and spent $10.0o.   On the way to Lakeland she said “So, Aunt Sandi what have you been doing this summer?” I had to think about it.  The summer is mostly over, and what exactly have I done this summer? 

I have spent a lot of time reading books and resting.  That sounds very lazy and I don’t mean for it too. My friend reminded me of something and I think it’s true.  Last summer I was sick – I had a wonky gall bladder and it took all summer to get it diagnosed. Every time I ate anything, I felt sick for a certain amount of time afterwards. Every meal, all summer.  Actually, it started in April. I was fine, except for about 90 minutes after each meal – but that wears on a person.  I finally had my gall bladder out in September, but went back to work too early, which caused me to have to miss more time later. 

Last year teaching was one of the worst I’ve ever had.  For many reasons, which are too many to go into hear, I did NOT have a good year.  There were moments of goodness, but as a whole, the 2011-2012 school year does NOT go on my good list.   I k now every job has stress and it’s all different, but politics is making our job harder and harder to do all the time.  Additionally, everybody (and their brother) feels like our job is easy and has an opinion on how we need to do it.  Those same people have no filter when it comes to sharing those opinions with us, and everybody else in the entire world.  All that adds up. 

I take a “happy nappy” every Sunday and on Saturdays if I can get it.  When summer begins, I take naps daily (if I can!)  Usually, about the middle of July, I can’t take a nap any longer during the week.  I just don’t seem to be able to sleep any more. I think by that time, I’ve caught up and  finally feel rested. I’m not there yet – I’m still taking naps every chance I get. I think last school year had quite an emotional toll on me. 

Unless one is a teacher, it’s very difficult to imagine the stress of our job. The constant responsibility and the new things that are added daily and that all need to be done RIGHT NOW just drains a person.  It’s not even lie we can just go home and leave it. It’s always there. 

So, this summer, I’ve read lots of books, and taken lots of naps. I’ve also been lucky enough to spend time with my family and with my friends.  I’m thoroughly enjoying myself, even though there ‘s not much to show for what I’ve done. 

I hope that you have time to rest, relax and enjoy your family and friends. In the long run, isn’t that what is most important anyway?  And a good happy nappy  is always a good thing too!!

236 years later. . .

This is 2012.  1776 was 236 years ago. I’m not getting into the whole “signed versus approved, ratified” mess. I’m going with this  - the birthday of our country is celebrated as July 4, 1776. . . So that makes today our 236th birthday. 

I wonder if our Founding Fathers (and Mothers) would even recognize the country we have today, with what they invented.  I’m not sure they would have. They had their own set of issues – I get that.  I am just fascinated with how they created something that could stretch, change and adjust as times changed. They were brilliant – simply brilliant.

There are some things we think we all know.  We “know” that John Hancock wrote his name really big so that “King George could read it without his spectacles.”  We know that Thomas Jefferson wrote most of the text, there’s all sorts of stories. It was hot, they wrote it in secret. If I had a time machine, that’s one place I”d love to visit. 

Every time I read the Declaration of Independence I’m caught by these words:

“we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”

I think they knew what was going to happen – when they signed it, they were really willing to  risk it all.  What happened to that? I think now, most people in our country are so concerned about ME that we don’t’ think about US anymore. 

I’m glad those 56 men were willing to sacrifice their lives, their fortunes and their  sacred honors. I hope if I’m ever faced with such a decision, I’ll be willing to do that.  I’m very proud and feel very blessed to be an American.  Someone once said “right or wrong, my country is still my country.”  I feel that way -  and hope I always do. 

I’m not sure we feel that same sort of attachment and willingness to devote ourselves to anything. There are a group of people who pledge their lives – we do have the largest volunteer military in the world.   They are willing to sacrifice their lives – and they are MUCH underappreciated and underpaid. They  are underpaid, mistreated and have to fight for the benefits that we OWE them. . but that’s another story.