Wishing You All The Best In 2008...

Enough Happiness to Keep You Happy

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During the year may you have

Enough happiness to keep you sweet.

Enough trials to keep you strong.

Enough sorrow to keep you human.

Enough hope to keep you happy.

Enough failure to keep you humble.

Enough success to keep you eager.

Enough friends to give you comfort.

Enough wealth to meet your needs.

Enough enthusiasm to make you look forward to tomorrow.

Enough determination to make each day better than the day before.

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Dear Friends,

I wish you the best throughout the year 2008. You deserve health, happiness and love. I feel truly blessed to have the friends in which I do and be able to keep in touch with those friends that life's journey has taken miles away. So as a new year is ahead I wish you a "Happy New Year."

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Happy New Year

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Happy New Year

If it didn't bring you joy just leave it behind

Let's ring in the new year with good things in mind

Let every bad memory that brought heartache and pain

And let's turn a new leafwith the smell of new rain

Let's forget past mistakes making amends for this year

Sending you these greetings to bring you hope and cheer

Happy New Year!

Happy Holidays...

2007 Christmas Home Tour

I've been living in the fast lane and have not had any down time to post a new blog. Last weekend I was out of town for classes so I did not get to post these pictures as soon as I would have liked to. December 1st & 2nd I assisted Krystal and Steven in hosting the 2007 Christmas Home Tour. Here are a few pictures from the event. Life is finally slowing down. Last night I finished my last paper of the semester and I only have one more week of teaching until Winter Break.

At this point in my life I feel truly blessed with a loving family, faithful friends, and cheery collegues. May you and your family have a blessed holiday season. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Get Your Motor Running... Get Out The Highway!

Stone Memorial Panthers Host "Run to Read"

5k/3 miles Run

Get your motor running... Get on the highway! was the tune in my head this morning as I woke up and grabbed my new Nike running shoes to run the 5k hosted by Stone Memorial High School. This event was held as a fundraiser for their library to purchase new books needed to meet the Southern Accreditation of Schools standards. As many of you probably do each year I am faithful to make a New Year resolution. In 2005, I promised myself that I would begin exercising more frequently. In order to accomplish my 2005 New Year resolution I purchased a membership with Rush Fitness and began my exercise regimen with a personal trainer. Then, in 2006 I promised myself that I would become more health conscience. So to accomplish my goal I have continued my exercise regimen and began focusing on my eating habits. I have continued to fulfill both of my prior New Year resolutions and have lost sixteen pounds over the last twenty-two weeks. I feel the best I have since graduating high school in 2000. I can't believe it I've lost six dress sizes and can fit back into my clothes from high school. Well, as many of you are aware another year is just around the corner so I've started early on my next New Year resolution. What you probably do not know is that I have recently picked up a new hobby. Yes, I am running slowing but surely. I remember I hated running in middle school and high school during cheerleading. It is amazing how motivating an IPod, new running shoes and the support of friends can do. Over the past several months I have been speed walking, jogging, and running when and if I have time through the week. I must admit it is not as often as I would like or need. Mom and I ran our first 5k "Tiger Trot" on May 19th 2007. Unfortunately, I was not strong enough to run the entire race, but I was proud of both of our accomplishments. In May's race I finished the 3 mile run in 44:30.5. This week I registered us both to run our second 5k the "Run to Read" hosted by Stone Memorial High School. I am proud to share with you we both improved our time. As I crossed the Race Solutions finish line the clock read 38 minutes. I feel this was a major accomplishment. Race Solutions will post the final time on their website www.totalracesolutions.com. When it is posted I will let you know my improved time. Until next time remember a healthy body promotes a healthy mind.

Halloween 2007

Happy Fall Ya'll

As ususal it has been along time since I have posted a new blog so today you will get a two for one deal. Since my last blog in October, Halloween as came and left. I am surprised that I got to slow down long enough to sit down and carve a pumpkin. Although, pumpkin carving is one tradition I had to make time for because I am perfecting my technique. It was actually a stress relief to sit down long enough and put all other thoughts away for awhile. With working full-time and attending accelerated doctoral courses I have not found the time to balance in time for myself. Living so far from town and in a retired area we do not get very many trick-or-treaters, but this year we estimate we seen about forty children. Take just a moment and check out our pumpkins. Mom and I argued over whose was the best. So if you get a chance help me our and post me your thoughts.

My pumpkin was suppose to be Scooby-Doo wearing a witches hat.

Mom's was a night owl.

A Well Deserved Week Off...

I am sorry for the long delay in new information. I have been out of town for a week. I am now back revived and energized. It's a whole new me. Yes, that is right over Fall Break I took some well deserved time away. Mom and I went to Pigeon Forge for several days of what else downtime. Although, we didn't really get to much downtime we had an awesome trip. During our time there we went to shop at the Tanger Outlet Mall, to play putt putt at the Lost Treasure Putt Putt Course, to laugh at Comedy Barn Show, to eat at the AppleBarn Shops, and to take an hour long trail ride at the Five Oaks Riding Stables. Indeed! You did read that right I went horsebacking riding for the first time in my life. I made a resolution to myself that as I turned 25 I would be more adventurous in order to make some lasting memories of what I hope to consider the best year yet. With working full-time and persuing my doctorate I am as tired and stressed as much as humanly possibly so with this deserved time off I am back at the top of my game and ready to go, go, go. Hope everyone is enjoying the sights and sounds of the Fall season. I have included some snapshots of the memories we made.

People Change...

2007-2008

Today, was that much dreaded and awaited day. Annual pictures arrived at school to be sent home. As a teacher we must take an annual picture each year. I have been blessed with wonderful pictures each year as my co-workers tease me. They come running to the door wanting to see my new picture each year. I was shocked when I came home and looked back at my first annual picture with Crab Orchard. I was amazed in how many ways I have changed and matured, much like my personality. As I reflect on the past three years of teaching the memories began to rush back to me. Times of happiness, sadness and a class filled with love and laughter.

• Please take this time to reflect on your own memories.
  

Busy Bee Indeed...

I know that it has been several weeks since I have posted a new blog. If you are one that keeps up with my updates I am sorry for the long delay of new happenings. It has been a never ending week after another. Last weekend I went to Nashville for my first doctoral classes. O' Wow! I am amongst I group of experts in their various fields. Within the class their are two publishers, one president of a community college, two that work with DCHS through the state department and an administrator. Of course all the others have very influential occupations as well, but that was just to name a few. I must say that I felt a bit out of my league. Although, with much support I feel that I will prevail (lol) or at least survive. So I spent the weekend with my principal in which I am attending the program with. I must say that was an experience too. I had an opportunity to get to know her on more of a personal basis. She is certainly my role model at this point. She is the youngest administrator within our school district. Not to mention married and a mother of a five-year old. She told me this week she is getting up at 4:00 a.m. to work on her doctoral work so that in the afternoons she has time to get school work done. That is a motivation in itself. I would like to thank everyone for the words of encouragement, love and support. To pursue my doctorate has been a long time goal of mine. I never thought it would be possible, but I am working my hardest to strive for the top.

Things to be thankful for:

1. I have the world's greatest parents.
2. I have an excellent group of students and parents this year.
3. I have some great eighth graders helping me within my room.
4. I have a supportive administrator.
5. I have a wonderful set of co-workers.
6. Even though, I have not been able to keep up lately, I have a great group of friends.

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O yea! Still S-I-N-G-L-E, but realizing its probability best at this point in my life. God has a plan for everyone and I am convinced no one is meant to live alone.