Hanging pictures

I'm a BIG fan of google, but watch "how" you word something...because "hanging pictures" is a bit different than "hanging" pictures. Unless you have a strong stomach or nerves. I advise you not to try this particular one. Let's just say, I saw pics of Saddam Hussein that I could have went my whole life without seeing, but on the other hand...I now have some great displays of family portraits. Thanks google, for the GOOD and the BAD!

Elk Expo with the EX-in-laws, a neighbor, and Carl!

I guess about a week ago, my ex-brother-in-law sent me a text to see if Mr. Chad or I could show him and a couple of others around the area to scout out places to possibly elk hunt in December. Mr. Chad had to do something that day, so I became the tour guide.

Now, those of you that know me, know that I LOVE my ex-father-in-law. He was the first "real" father I ever had, other than a few uncles. I married his son at 18 and I was still a kid, so he had some influence on who I became. He is a great man. With that being said, here's the story of the day.

About 2pm, I met them at the Sportsplex, where they were enjoying the Elk Expo, to take them around "section 3" .( I think the hunting area is divided into multiple sections over several counties.) While driving, they proceed to tell me where they can and can't hunt and that they can not hunt on Consol (coun-cil) property. (Please remember, all four of these men live in or were raised in Wisconsin...accent, folks...accent.) I was like, "I don't even know what this is. How do you spell it?"...and then I burst out laughing after they did, because it turns out, they can't hunt on CONSOL's(con-sol) property. CONSOL (http://www.consolenergy.com/) is an energy(coal mining) company that probably owns ALL the property where the ELK roam...reclaimed mountaintops!

Anyway, I took them around the mountains of east KY, to show them my home. It was a wonderful time and I loved seeing my ex-FIL and my ex-BIL, but I loved meeting Carl! Carl is Shawn's father. Shawn is ex-BIL's neighbor/friend/hunting buddy/Wisconsin-ite! He was a nice guy, too...but all of those guys in the truck, combined, did not hold the enthusiasm of Carl. Carl had the gift of gab--like I do, but he was very genuine when asking questions about the locals...ie. education level, occupations, drug problems, rural living, etc. He was a wonderful participant in my tour talks.

At the end of the day, I took them back to the EXPO, where they were going to a "beast feast", I think, and said good-bye. However, Carl thanked me again and again, and I was really glad to have met him. I thought to myself, "I like this ol' guy too bad we can't stay in touch" when from out of left field Carl says, "hey, you got Facebook?" Why yes, Carl, I do.

Here's to a new friendship and how Facebook is not that bad!...LOL.

CBB

P.S. They didn't see any elk that day except on a sign...and that is a funny story for another day, too!

Note to Self ( a letter to God)

Dear God,

I am not lazy.

I am tired

I REALLY want to get up and get on that elliptical machine

at 5:oo...5:30...wait, 6:00am, but you allowed me to sleep so well that I just keep hitting the snooze button!

I am not an over-eater.

I am a dessert lover.

I REALLY want to say no to 2 pieces of cheesecake and choose an apple, but you blessed my friend that made it with the gift of mad culinary skills and she keeps telling me to have another piece. You also know, cheesecake is cut into such small pieces.

I am not taking life for granted.

I am living in the moment of the wonderful life that you have blessed me with today.

I REALLY want to slow down, but you have created a masterpiece and I am in it.

I am not "going gently into that good night".

I am making a difference by teaching and changing lives.

I REALLY want the human race to be better because of something I have done.

Dear God,

My words are never complaints...just me thinking aloud.

You are wonderful.

Thank you.

Christy

Paper Clips

Recently, I watched a documentary called, Paper Clips. It truly was one of the most moving experiences that I have had, as far as movies and dramas are concerned, BUT chances are, if you watch a good documentary and don't cry...it wasn't worth your time. Happy or sad...tears should flow!

This particular doc moved me b/c it takes place in a little town very similar to my own. Lead by a teacher, like me, she aims to teach tolerance to her students, but ends up teaching the whole town...the whole world a lesson! It is amazing!

If you need to be motivated or reminded of the human spirit, this is a movie for you.

Thank you Sandra Roberts and Whitwell Middle School...you have taught me a great lesson!

Mrs. Boyd

I am. I am Superman and I can do anything.

Today's quick story.

I am walking back to my classroom, after dropping my kids off for lunch, when I fall.
Yes, I fell. Just lost my footing and went flying forward...like Superman.
It was funny, but not nearly as funny as NO ONE seeing it!

I know I have a small school, but at any given time there is at least 300 people in the building, but NO ONE saw it...LOL. I went flying through the air...hands stretched out...face flat on the floor!

I am so upset, not a single soul saw my wipeout. It's not even on tape somewhere so that I can watch it at a later date! COME ON!

Oh well, the life of a Klutz!
CBB

Mario in the A.M.

I am not a gamer, most of you know this, but I played Mario on the Wii, with the hubs, for about 3 hours. I am sure that is a record for me--playing ANY video game.
Hard for me to say this, but it wasn't too bad. I was horrible, don't get me wrong! But he allowed me to die, and die, and die...while learning to play. He is a very honorable "gamer" and very patient....LOL.

All this aside, after putting in "my" game time, I came into the office to work, write, and catch up on the blog. After 20 minutes, I heard the worst cursing, and yelling, and carrying on in the TV room. It was him...yelling at Mario!

I thought it was funny, but sweet at the same time...because no matter how I played, it was OK, but that Mario, according to the words I heard flying out of his mouth, must not know how to do anything right!...LOL.

CB

Who's the best? BCS!

Who knew? Who knew I would end up in the same small school that educated me 25 years ago? Who knew I would feel the responsibility of educating kids of the kids I played with everyday? Who knew that I would be so filled with happiness and a desire to change a place ...that I could not wait to "escape" from years ago? I mean really, who knew?

From the time I go to bed, 'til the time I put my head on my pillow, right behind thoughts of my girls and my hub, is good ol' Beaver Creek.

I want every child to WANT to come to school. I want every child to LEARN.

I am surrounded by a staff that has the same enthusiasm as I do and I believe it is going to be a better place tomorrow than it is today. I think with each passing day--it will get better. Scores will go up, attendance will improve, and our "new teacher" high morale will trickle down to the students and out into the community! Beavers will become achievers.

Who's the best? BCS
This is what I was meant to do...I believe!
Mrs. B

One door closes...another one opens!

The recession has hit us, today after 10 years, my husband was laid off from his job...but truly it was a blessing. He has loathed it there for quite a while and felt that he would be more appreciated and respected somewhere else. I think he told them this recently, hence, probably the reason HE was the one laid off...LOL.

Yet, believe it or not, we are both pretty happy with the situation. He is now going back to school and I can get my house painted. There is a "cup-half-full" in every situation.

When I told the girls about what was going on, I think they were just a little taken aback...because since they have known him, he has worked at "Mr.Chad's work"...LOL.

However, when I told Claudia about him going back to school, she said, "Mom, what are you going to make him be?" If I had been drnking something, people around me would not have been happy...LOL.

I admit, I am guilty, I know, for suggesting things, to those I love, but it is only because I want what is best for them. I try to guide my loved ones down paths I have been already that didn't work out so well. Still, Mr. Chad gets to be what HE wants to be now, and wouldn't we all like to be able to start over before we're too old.

I am, HAPPILY, aware, blessings are disguised sometimes.

CBB

The Lockers

Today while working in my classroom, I was horrified to see the insides of the lockers. There were all these names in sharpie...all over them. I thought to myself, "Who let these kids do this and WHY?"...LOL.

It turns out it is a last day of school tradition...one that I do not recollect, but while I was bitchin' about it to the other teachers, I remembered a certain someone that did her high school dorm wall the same way.

About an hour in, the teacher next door yells over, "Mrs. Boyd, can you come over here?". I went and he wanted to show me something...in a locker. It was his name from 10 years ago. I just shook my head and laughed.

Later that evening, I had my hubs come down and fix the inside metal dividers in my lockers all the while, complaining to him about the writing, when all of the sudden he stood up, flipped open one of the lockers and there in the back was his name with the date '87-'88. I almost cried. Two reasons: one, because he did it 20-some years ago (how awful...LOL) and the other that I was blessed to have this part of his past as part of my present.

I wish I could explain the love I have for this "little" school. How proud I am to be there. From K-7...it was my home. I now teach, the people I went to school with....I teach their children. At Open House, I saw people I hadn't seen in 20 years., but it still felt like family.

Therefore, it is my goal to make it a better place while I am there...lockers and all.

Mrs. B

The Goodbye

I have returned from my trip...I wish I could say it was long and strange, but it was not. It was too short. It was full of love, laughter , and memories of a lifetime. I said goodbye to one friend, but thanks to her made new ones and rekindled old ones.

It was a wonderful trip.
Throughout the week, it was a celebration of Kim.

Kim was an organ donor, so somewhere she has spread her love through sight and touch. I thought of that often this week, someone looking through her eyes and seeing the beauty of the world for the first time. Knowing how she had loved her life more than ever in the end and how her own view had changed.

Watching her mother make arrangements for her was, by far , the most difficult. Seeing her boyfriend/best friend, with his head hanging down, just nodding with no words. It was a painful, but awakening time for me. I NEVER want my kids or husband to have to do that, make those decisions so soon after losing me. I am going to make all my plans and get all my "stuff" in order ASAP.

The hardest time, maybe for all of us, was packing her personal belongings. Five days ago, she was in this bed, sitting in this chair, wearing these shoes, putting on this makeup...her mother lives so far away, it had to be done at this time, and she was not ready for it, none of us were. It was difficult, to say the least. This is, also, when she had to pick out her final clothes, her final jewelry, see her final place of living...there was so much finality.
We were all overcome with grief.

Meeting with the preacher, and listening to the musical selections was a happier time. The preacher, Brother Tom, was a good soul and not too church-y. We all got to share stories about Kim with him. We laughed and laughed some more. It was a beautiful time. The music came from her iPod " favorite" selections and were picked by her mother. They were perfect.

On Thursday night, we had dinner and a little drink, and quietly celebrated her life...by living.

Kim's service was 100% Kim...the only exception was no karaoke...LOL. People came to visit her and left, and came and left, and came and left... it's a good thing too, because sometimes people annoyed her...LOL.

When it was time for the service, the music started and our minds were clear that her wishes were met and wherever she was, hopefully looking down on us,
she was smiling...
no, she was laughing...
that laugh...

her laugh:

Take a Chance, Take a Chance, Take a Chance

If you change your mind, I'm the first in line
Honey I'm still free take a chance on me
If you need me, let me know, gonna be around
If you've got no place to go, if you're feeling down

If you're all alone when the pretty birds have flown
Honey I'm still free take a chance on me
Gonna do my very best and it ain't no lie
If you put me to the test, if you let me try

Take a chance on me
That's all I ask of you honey
Take a chance on me


We love you, girl.
Thanks for the memories, the love, the laughter.
http://carpentersfuneralhome.com/obituary_view/10010505