day 23 - bacon, yummy bacon

Today's topic is a bit strange, but I am thankful for bacon. David spoils me rotten and makes my lunch each school day. Today my sandwich had a slice of bacon on it. Oh my goodness - I don't know if I was extra hungry, but the sandwich was delish!

Since we are members of Sam's Club, we buy a few grocery items from their store. One of the finds we discovered is their bacon. It is so very good! Yummy! I want to go cook some bacon right now so I can eat it!

Day 22 - crafty

I found out today that March is national craft month. Hannah thinks this title is hilarious - and fitting - for our family. I am thankful for the ability (and desire) to craft! Today I made a book wreath and a regular floral wreath. I hung the book wreath upstairs in my hallway and the floral wreath on my front door.

A few months ago I saw someone's blog about a wreath they created using pages from a novel purchased from the Dollar Store. I decided to copy the idea.

When David and I moved into our first house in Asheboro, NC, we inherited many belongings from the previous (and only) owner. One of those items was a beatiful wash stand. We also found many old books in the attic. While the books' subjects didn't appeal to me, I hated to throw them away. So, I boxed them up and brought them with us when we moved back to Richmond in 2000. The books have stayed in the same box and now have found a new home in our attic. When I decided to make this wreath, I knew I could use one of these old books. I found a novel, Fire in the Waters, copyright 1951, and decided it fit my needs. The book was close to 400 pages so I knew it would most likely be the correct length to make this wreath. I started ripping pages out and hot gluing them in. An hour later  my "masterpiece" was ready to hang.

I thought it would be a good idea to hang the wreath over the wash stand since both items came from the house in Asheboro. Because the pages of the book were close to the color of my walls, I decided to add the book's hardback cover to the center of the wreath.

Voila - my creation.

Day 21 - yard work, again!

I love working in my yard; today I am thankful for the ability to work in my yard. We worked outside all day on Saturday. David and I pulled up the rest of the silt fence. I love driving the tractor. I like to think that my granddaddy would have been proud of me for driving it. The yard is looking so much better. David and Dad knocked down a bush that was blocking the old road. Before Lydell Drive was created, a dirt road basically passed through what is now my front yard. Since my granddaddy died almost 30 years ago, brush has taken over a lot of the creek and the woods. We are slowly making progress by clearing out the vines and briars. It has been great creating memories of turning my yard into a new creation.



Pulling up the silt fence - a tedious process as the fence and the stakes were 2 feet in the ground!




Dad knocking down the giant bush that blocked the old road.




Hannah working to clean her new bridge near her fort.

 While we were working on the fence, Hannah continued to build her fort. Hannah and Mom found an old picnic table top further down on Grandma's property. We don't know where it came from, but Hannah cleaned it off and is now using it for a bridge to cross the creek. She spent several hours playing while we were also playing. :)

Day 20 - teenagers

Though their lives are most often filled with drama, I am thankful for teenagers! I love teaching high school. Every day at school, without fail, a teenager makes me smile. So many of them have naive expectations for our world - oh to be young again! hahaha  I remember as a teenager that I thought 25 was old; 35 was ancient. I thought my life would be over at 40 - no one over 40 has any fun - or at least, that's what I thought as a teenager. I realized the other day that I was officially "old" when one of my newspaper students asked me what I did on the weekend. I told her we usually go out at least one night of the weekend or try to spend time with our friends. She asked if I only did laundry and went to the grocery store - ah! I did both this weekend! Oh well. One day they will get it - just like I now get it. :)

Day 19 - posted late



Jaden's art from the NRBC pre-k art show

 Today I am thankful for North Run Baptist Church's prekindergarten program. Hannah attended this program for two years as a 3 and 4 year old. She loved it! Jaden attends there now. Last night the school had its annual art show. They kids are so dang cute! The teachers (one of whom is my amazing mom) allow the kids to show their creativity....and the love of art is born. Thank you, NRBC pre-k ladies, for your time and devotion to the program.

Day 18 - HANNAH!

I am sooo very proud of my baby girl for winning Outstanding GA of the year for the state of VA. Hannah receives tuition to GA camp this summer where she will be a guest speaker. She also will speak to a group of girls at the Mom and Me camp in Lynchburg in April! Another speaking engagement will come this fall when she speaks at the statewide WMU conference in Lynchburg - time to brush up on her public speaking skills! :)

Have I mentioned I am proud of her? I am thankful for her sweet spirit, kind and giving nature, and her fun-loving personality. I love you, Hannah!

Day 17 - posted late

Today I am thankful for an uneventful Club Picture Day at Atlee! We had close to 70 clubs take pictures in the auditorium - that's a heck of a lot of kids coming through those doors in one day. My yearbook students ran the day - and they did an amazing job! I am thankful for these students and their dedication to the school and the book. I am also thankful we didn't have any problems!!