To 10 things in my life

Hopefully I have more than ten, but here goes with the first ones.
1. My girls, having them is an immense joy, privledge and pleasure.
2. My family in KC. My mom who accepts me as I am, unconditionally. My sister (in-law), Faith, who also has never been an in-law, my brother, nieces and nephews, aunt, former in-laws and dearest friends Larry and Athena (a little long-winded there).
3. My relationship with God. Who is always there also even though I tend to forget. And who always never gives me more than I can handle even though I don't always agree with it. This probably should be nearer the top, but he understands.
4. My true friends, who let me be, who agree to disagree and don't hold it against me when we do, those who listen to me vent, bitch, complain and whine and those who love me in spite of everything and everyone else around me.
5. My angels who constantly surround me and envelope me in their wings when I need it.
6. My three faithful companions who give me joy and frustration (Annie, Able and Tinker).
7. A roof over my families head and a car that runs well and a job which helps me to keeps them.
8. Time off this summer to do things I haven't done in a long time.
9. Taking time to look inside of myself to see what I need to let go of and finding the strength to do it.
10. Having fun and enjoying the life.

Well I guess that's it for now. These will probably change, evolve and revolve. But as a friend of mine says "it is, what it is".

Love and peace to all
Leann

It's about time

It's been a while since i did my thing here. Surprised I didn't kid more comments. I love to read your guy's blogs and feel disappointed if there isn't something new for me to read. However, this doesn't apply to me of course. Up to dateness: Went to Austis a coupld of weeks ago for an in-service and was really impressed by the Yankees who did it, hopefully I can apply it in my new 8th grade classes. Cancelled my three day in-service this week because I was on a roll with working on my house.. I can see the floors in the down stairs (well except the dining room), and boy are they dirty. I've got a long ways to go but it's a start. Leaving Friday with my two baby girls to go home to see my mom and others. Part of me is apprehensive, because I have to keep everybody happy and try to do everything everyone wants to do, keep my oldest from having issues with my mom (and thinking her house is haunted (just my dad)) and seeing everyone that I must see. My kids don't really understand family duties and how important they are to older people. Will be back at the end of next week, and then Beth will stay for another week, yeah... Already know what I'm doing for bookclub, my Two Days with Tim paperbag album, can hardly wait to start on it. Working on reasearch on my dads service in China, Burma and India during WWII, but need some information from my mom. Unfortunately, or not, they didn't know each other then so I've got no letters or anything to work with. Working on research of the 40 and 8, which is a military "thing" for my grandfather. Got to figure out where I start teaching. I've never taught to the TAKs, and I'm bound and determined to have high scores in not only my Pre AP kids but on level as well. However, maybe if I screw up she'll move me back to 7th grade next year (lol). Then comes more in-services and off to Chicago to CHA with the Village People. To all of you that I love and adore have a great week and remember to take deep breaths and smell the lavender.

Outside the box

Oh my gosh. We were so far outside the box with Timmie (for those of you who don't know, that would be the Tim Holtz.)(LOL) that we couldn't even see what it was made of. This was an all time high for me, up close and personal with him, he answered questions, gave positive feedback, answered more questions, made jokes, laughed, talked, answered more questions, challenged, feathers, beeswax, skeletons, crowns, etc... Can not say enough. The three classes I took were incredible, can I say it again INCREDIBLE. I learned so much and worked with mediums I have never before worked with, and spent lots of money on top of it all.

Now the best part of the whole weeked, was spending time with Mechiel and June-bug. It was awesome. Got to teach them a class Saturday night. Bought back lots of ideas to work with. Everything is signed by him and do we have pictures. We scrapped Friday night at Scrapbook Heaven, I actually got two layouts done, my challenge from last week and my bookclub, haven't done that in a long time. Saturday before my class we went to Stamp Antonio. Wait 'til you see my new stamps (hint: Time Holtz). Well, I'm sleepy, time to go nite-nite. Missed you all. Mechiel and June great times with great friends.

Leann

Memorial Day

To those who have served without question, we thank you for without you we would not survive. To those who serve and question we thank you for helping those who are "in", remember they still have to answer to someone, and that is the citizens. Being an American and having freedom doesn't come without a price, and I don't think we should hand it to those who want to enter our nation and enjoy our liberties tied with a silver bow on a platter. We have paid the price more than many, and continue to do so in a country that now tells us either to get out or don't give them timetables, that we have no right to do so. My father was a patriot and he raised me with a sense of dignity and what is right for our country. Do I always agree with our leaders? Certainly not, however they have been placed in a position by people who feel they can lead the best, and until the time comes to change that we must live with it. I remember as a child getting red poppies from the men and women of the VFW. The poppies were to remind us of the blood that was shed so others can enjoy what many do not share but we have and many take for granted. I ask each of my friends to take a moment and remember and thank those who have stood for us when others have failed to do so.

Summer's here, and the living is good

Finally the end of the year. It was tough. End of year was harder than I thought it would be. I shed a bunch of tears on Thursday. I've got people leaving who have been there since the day I walked through the doors, people who have mentored me, listened to me, befriended me and taught me so much. I can never repay these people. They are good, kind and honest human beings. Going to our un-official end of year party tonight, our old principal always threw it, now it has passed on. Have to award the B.o.t.Y. (Bitch of the Year) award tonight. Always did that at school also, so I'm officially retiring it.

I'm so excited about summer. NO SUMMER SCHOOL for me. The first time in 5 years I won't do it. Even my District Content Co-ordinator swore he saw me at the prep meeting for it. I'd have to kill the children if I saw them again. Mrs. Brown has moved me up to 8th grade next year. It will be a challenge as I have never really taught American History in depth and I will have to basically be teaching to the TAKS test. But what's life without a challenge, right? I'll be teaching three on-level and three AP classes, and I have a new team for the most part, my Literature teacher is moving with me so we'll both have someone from the old team to commiserate (sp?) with.

I can hardly wait for this week to begin. LoneStar on Monday and then Mechiel and I head for San Antonio. Mechiel, I can hardly wait and am soooooo verrrrrry excited about it. I have about 40 hours of in-services for the summer, wait before you say anything, I truly love being in a class room. I'm going to Austin on the 10th for a seminar on DBQ's which hopefully will help me in my Pre AP classes. Going home the end of June with both my girls. Chicago and CHA is in July. Don't know if the other person is going or not, but who cares? Phyllis called me the other night to tell me she had signed up for classes and had chosen three with me in mind, but the T. Got there to look at them and all three were at the same time. Told her which one I wanted to do for sure, and she said she'd like to take that one also (hint: memory glass). Looked through the other choices and she and I came up with some alternate items. Told her I was looking for things we could take and bring back to the store to utilize or teach, I'm looking for items from a business aspect, because not everyone going will be teaching when they come back. Going to try to take a couple of day trips to places I've never been before and going to work on the house, read and scrap and before I know it the summer will be gone. But that's okay because I'm going to enjoy it this time. Well, summer is here and the living is good. Love to you all.

This fat thing...

i'm already confused as to country and calculating fat and protein and fiber and the wiz and his munchkins. Am I crazy. Poor Kim she only though I was annal. Things to do with math and food don't calculate well with me. That's why I teach History not Math. It's already sunday night and I'm freaking out over having to write goals. There's a reason AI don't make New Year's resolutions, I don't keep them. They're not for the weak of heart like I am. Chocolate talks to me you know. We have rather nice conversations, but it's usually it's death notice. See I'm so hungry already I'm rambling and making no sense. So, I guess I'll go to bed and dream of sugarplums, and try to visualize my goals to write down.

Priceless

12 days left. Thank you lord!

Summer Plans:
Classes with Tim Holtz,
spending time with friends,
scrapbooking,
spending time with friends,
reading unfinshed books,
spending time with firends,
visiting my mom,
spending time with my girls
the perfect summer-
priceless