Fighting the Good Fight

No, I did not get in a fight, but I am still fighting this allergy thing.  I woke up several times during the night coughing.  YUCK!  Please go away nasal drip!
On another note, I have not felt like cooking when I come home from school the past two days and Paul has been super nice to take me out to eat for the past two nights.  Y'all I know I have said it before but he is the best.
Last night we went to Billy's for pizza.  In case you aren't from around here Billy's is our local Italian place.  The original owner was Billy Lieberman, his son,Joey, played baseball with our son, Mark, and we got to know Billy and his wife, Robin during baseball season.  He semi retired last year and sold the business to a sweet couple that had opened the Chocolate Factory next door to Billy's.  The pizzas are made fresh while you wait.  So good.  We had enough left overs for our lunches today.  Yay!  Come on lunch time.
Wednesday night I was on the phone with my BFF and I got another phone call so I declined it since I hate when people put me on hold to answer another call.  Anyway the caller was a sweet lady in my garden club and she asked if I would be secretary of our group for next year.  I was so flattered but at the same time I realize that just attending the meetings regularly is an effort during the school year and since it will most likely be my last year to teach I would rather wait until I retire and give more time to garden club.  I called her back yesterday afternoon and told her thank you but maybe next year.  I have to be careful not to spread myself too thin.  I have a habit of doing that ya know.
I want to share something with you before I leave you today it is my favorite new found lipstick.  I hate it when lipstick wears off right after I put it on my lips.  Since I drink a lot of water it is usually gone after the first hour. But not anymore my BFF shared her secret of her lipstick and because I am so nice I will share with you.  It's by Revlon and it is called COLORSTAY - OVERTIME.  It is awesome!!!I put it on in the mornings and when I come home after school it still looks great!  Go try it, you will love it!

One more thing for today. Warren Central High School hosted it's 25th  Special Prom.  This is for students with special needs and they are escorted by, for lack of a better word "the cool kids"  Y'all it makes my heart want to explode when I see these precious children.  It is the best thing ever!!! I had tears in my eyes at how sweet the kids were.  It's a big deal here.

Until next time,
Love ya,

Friday Eve

I believe I have mentioned, oh half a dozen times (or more), that I love to count down to special times.  So at school we call Thursday, Friday Eve, because it sounds closer to the weekend.  Crazy I know but when you work with teenagers all day you look for the little things.  So while today is Thursday for the rest of the world it's Friday Eve for us.  I still have this drainage thing going on that causes a cough at night and sneeze fits during the day.  I've tried several OTC things but it doesn't seem to budge so this morning I got out the big guns Musinex D.  I sure hope it knocks this mess out.
Paul is back at Grand Gulf for a few more months which isn't too bad but they are have a down power which means he will work nights from Wednesday (last night) until Monday.  Ugh.  I hate when he is not at home at night.  I am not a scaredy cat by any means but I just miss him.  Snoring and all.  He is working 11:00 pm -7:00 am.  So I really just don't see him in the mornings.
Yesterday was an early release day for the kids and we had a meeting about the mandatory state testing that will start next week.  Bless these kid's hearts they are tested to death.  And it takes up so much of our time.  Geez Louise.  so for those that care we have 25 days of school left, 4 are exam days, and that makes 21 which is divided by 2 since we rotate classes and that is about 10 class days. Or in my world 5 more Mondays!!!!! Come on Summer Time.  Maybe I can sit outside by the pool some this weekend, while Paul sleeps.
Until next time,
Love ya,

Testing and Other Stuff

Today the juniors at Warren Central took the ACT, FREE of Charge.  Really, do they realize what a great opportunity this was.  I was lucky enough not to have to be in a classroom of testing students.  BUT that meant I would have my 2nd period students for over 4 hours.  YIKES.  I really enjoy most of the students in that class and I was really lucky that the ones that make life miserable all had In School Detention.  Thank you Lord.  So the nine students I did have watched 2 movies and played Uno.  I have a strong gene from my Momma  that  I need to make everyone feel welcome or appreciated.  She was the most serving person I have ever known and she always made things so special.
Anytime  people have to do something that might be a little out of their norm or unpleasant I try to do something to make them feel better.  So I made 17 dozen mini muffins and 2 gallons of Plum Tea.  9 dozen  mini muffins had walnuts and then I made 8 dozen that didn't have nuts, in case someone had a nut allergy.
Once they were ready I went down the Testing hall and the relief people would go in and let the teachers come out for a short break.  Y'all those were some of the most appreciative people ever.  I guess standing in a room for 4 plus hours watching people take a test will bring you to your knees.  I am just so grateful I didn't have to do that job.  I am kinda hoping since I have done snacks last year and this year that I won't have to ever do the testing so they will want me to make the snacks.  I'm sneaky like that.
I wish I had take a picture of  the food, but I forgot.  Sorry.  Trust me it was pretty.  I even used red and blue muffin liners and napkins.  Hey I go all out! ha!
I've had this sneezy, draining thing since we got home.  Maybe I am allergic to old houses???
I just hope I can shake it soon.
Until next time.
Love ya,

Last Day

I'm Sunday morning we woke up at our own pace and begin to gather our stuff and get ready for our last day here.  Breakfast was great as usual.  I forgot to take any pictures but it was really good.  We chatted with the other 3 couples staying at Barrow House.  They were so sweet and each was interesting in their own way.  I am always ready to go, period!  Go to get to our destination, go to get home.  We didn't head straight home today, we stopped at a beautiful site of an old home.  Unfortunately the burned years ago but the grounds and the ruins of the house were awesome.  I'll let the pictures tell the story.

The drive into Afton Villa Gardens.  I am sure the spring is awesome with the azaleas on each side of the drive.

Paul and I in the English Boxwood garden.  There were actually 2 English Boxwood gardens.  

The old barn behind the main house that is used as a event venue.  Very pretty!

We got back to Vicksburg around one, stopped for a bite to eat then arrived home. Now to unpack and the head to the grocery store.  

Until next time. 

Love ya,

This Ain't My First Rodeo

Honestly it was my first rodeo. I've never really cared for horses and cows and Cowboys and Cowgirls stuff. I mean I had the "required" cowgirl outfit when I was little but that was about it. They have the big Dixie National Rodeo every year in Jackson but I've never thought about going. You see this weekend was planned around one simple event, school was out on Friday. So I had a 3 day weekend and I wanted to go somewhere. Period. I thought while the rest of the folks were whooping and hollering at the rodeo we could stroll through old houses, shops and gardens. But the more I mentioned our trip to folks they  started saying "oh you need to go to the rodeo". Our B&B host and hostess said online was the best way to get tickets so while we were eating dinner last night, little old multi-tasker me set out to get tickets. But none were to be found. Then just as I was about to give up a lady sitting at the table behind us said she worked at the prison and there were tickets available. She took our names and said she'd take care of it first thing Saturday morning. Now I still wasn't sure about this but maybe it was meant to be. I really wanted to  believe but not sure how much fun it would be for us non cowboy folks. After a lovely breakfast I really wanted to find some fresh Louisiana strawberries. Shirley, our hostess suggested the town farmer's market. We set out to find it but it wasn't open today. We then started the 20+mile journey to Angola Prison.As we neared the prison, they handed us a flyer telling us what could and could not be brought into the prison area.  It was pretty countryside and we arrived along with about another gillion folks.  . We had just started walking to the prison when a sweet man offered us a ride in his four seater ATV. I gladly accepted and away we went. He even took us to a side gate with a very short line. We went up to the will call window and asked for our tickets.  No problem. They were ready for us. We went in with no waiting (this will become important later) they didn't even search my purse. We shopped and I picked out a few things and then I found the plants

. Oh my. If we had been in Paul's truck it would be full but since we were in my car I had to limit myself to two big pots with a tomato plant and I think a cucumber along with some herbs. I both some small basil plants too. They hold them for you until the rodeo is over. We thought we had looked at all the booths and we weren't ready for lunch so we went on the prison tour. It really was interesting.  I mean really. Here are just a few fun facts: Angola is a male only prison, there are currently 6,298 prisoners, 1612 employees, some even live rent and utility free on the 18,000 acres. They grow all their own food, they work 5 days a week, 8 hours a day, they pay taxes, the first three years they make $.02 an hour, they can work up to $.20 max., they are separated by level of offenses. And lots more information.  When we returned I just thought we'd walk back in and not have to wait in the mile long line, and Paul could have but I had a purse. And now they were searching all purses. And the line was about a mile long.  (wait time would have been about an hour) So we opted to walk to the car and leave my purse. Then we just walked back in. Sweet!
We ate lunch and then found our seats. Stephanie L. if you ever read this please know how grateful we are for the front row grandstand seats. We had the absolute best seats in the arena!

Right behind the area where the men got on the bulls and bucking broncos.  As in so close that we got hit with dirt from the bull's hooves. (I'm sure some of that dirt had other stuff that I really didn't want in my hair. Ugh!

I was so impressed and it was really a lot of fun!
I have to say the whole time I was there my heart hurt for these men, what went wrong in their life for them to commit such crimes. They are grown, rough men but they are still some mother's sons and the best I could reason is they either broke her heart or she wasn't a fit mother.   I pray they will turn their life around and if they are released will have a good life.
Now here are some action shots.

A little before the end of the rodeo I made my way down the stairs and waited for Paul, we picked up my plants and hurried to the car. We were bumper to bumper all the way back to the highway.  We got back to the B&B and rested a little. I kept feeling little pieces of " rodeo dirt" in my hair and could stand it so a shower was in order for me. Then we got gussied up and headed to dinner at The Myrtle's restaurant The Carriage House. It was a lovely dinner and. We even had time to shop some before calling it a night and heading back to the B&B.  Here is a picture I snapped as we left the gift shop.  I didn't notice it at the time but if you look at the lower left hand corner I  think I see a small foggy pictures that looks like children.  I forgot to mention that The Myrtles is the MOST haunted house in America.  Or maybe it is just my eyes playing tricks on me.

Night y'all because I can't keep my eyes open any longer.
Until nest time,
Love ya,

Weekend Getaway

Hello Louisiana!  Paul and I made a trip down to St. Francisiville today. We are super pumped to just get away for a few days. I think it's really going to recharge our batteries, especially me as I head into the last long stretch of the school year. Six weeks folks.
When we left Vicksburg it was raining, I told Paul I bet we drive out of it soon. He said we were driving into it! Ugh. Somewhere down 61 South, the rain stopped and it started to clear up. We ate lunch at Mammy's Cupboard in Natchez.  If you've never eaten here you need to put it on your bucket list!  Paul had the special Chicken Pot Pie and I had Chicken salad, it came with veggie soup. Yum!

The rest of the trip was uneventful.

We pulled into St. Francisiville about 1:30 and had some time to kill until we could check into our B&B. So we just puddled in the cute shops downtown.

We checked into the Barrow House and were shown to our room.  Yes I know they spelled my name wrong.  It's not the first time and I am pretty sure it won't be the last time.  I'll get over it.

and relaxed some on the porch and then took a walk to the Grace Cemetery.

Our hostess, Shirley said people are just dying to go there. Ba da bum. Ha! We are now waiting until a decent hour to go eat at the Magnolia Cafe.

They have live music and great food. Gator bites are calling my name!

Until next time.

Love ya,

Special Visitor

Look who is at our house today.  Miss Caroline!! Lauren had a last minute evening out and Mark was working so after my workshop (yay for getting out early) I got my hair touched up, ran a few errands and then picked her up from daycare. I love her sweet face when she sees I am there to pick her up. We headed home and she was singing Old MacDonald  e-i-o. All the way home. So sweet!!

She climbed up in Papa's chair first thing to eat her waffle fries. 

S

Cheese!

Her favorite thing to do is climb up and down the stairs. 

Time is flying by. Soon she'll be running up and down these stairs. 

Slow down time!

Until next time. 

Love ya,

Six More Mondays

See, I told you I like to countdown to things.  Now we are in the final countdown to summer break.  Which for teachers is our own slice of heaven.  I have 2 more purchase orders to use and I attempted to use them Sunday afternoon.  I had all my stuff picked out at Office Depot but we hit that dang snag of no credit card.  This time it wasn't my fault.  I did ask and was told there isn't a credit card and one wasn't needed.  I was so bummed because this week is buy one get one half off on ink.  And man let me tell you I use some ink. I also had 3 packs of the most gorgeous color paper.  I also use lots of color paper.  I hope Central Office gets this figured out.
Since I couldn't use my PO at Office Depot, I had to wait to use my Walmart PO.  Bummer.
But I did buy our weekly groceries.  It is so hard not to get in a rut and cook the same thing every night and every week.  I had a brief inspiration in the grocery store yesterday and we had shish kabobs for supper.  I bought chicken tenders, mushrooms and red and orange bell peppers.  I had onions and squash at home.  They looked so pretty.

Once I coated the veggies in olive oil and pepper then I skewered everything and then brushed Olive Garden Italian Dressing over them.

Paul grilled them and they were perfectly.  I mean yum yum!!

 We had enough so both of us could have it for lunch today. I also bought some small packages of fresh fruit and a bag of butter lettuce salad.  Man, it was all I could do to wait for lunch time.   Last night Paul asked if I could make a blueberry cobbler with the plethora of  blueberries in our freezer.  How can I say no?  So tonight it's spaghetti and cobbler for dessert.  But first I have to work late.  This week is progress report week and I have a workshop on Thursday, so I need to catch up or get ahead one.
Until next time,
love ya,

The "Lasagna" Garden

Beautiful day again. So thankful for this spring weather.  The morning was quiet and relaxing. I did venture outside to look over "lasagna" garden.   Actually it's the far side of our back yard just past our blueberry bushes.  Let me go back and tell this story.  Four years ago before Meme (Paul's mother) died we realized she was going down and we would need to sell the house soon.  I mentioned to Paul that the front shrubs were way over grown and fresh landscaping would be a good selling point. Paul asked me to work up a landscape plan. I did, but it involved removing lots of roof high shrubs; boxwood, red tip photinia, and lovely pink azaleas. Paul tried digging them up with a shovel but the roots were so deep and huge. The only thing to do was to put a rope around the trunk and use the truck to rip them out of the ground. And he did over and over on all the shrubs EXCEPT the azaleas. Those I had plans for at our house.  When it was time to go home only the azaleas were left. Paul went back later that week and I instructed him how to trim them back and then dig them up, put them in individual black garbage bags   Unfortunately we didn't get to finish the yard work because Meme passed away. I hated the yard was a mess when all the family came for the funeral. The next week Paul and his brothers in law planted the new shrubs and put out fresh pine straw. He brought the 10 azaleas home and we planted  them down the side of our yard near the pine trees.   We have lost a few of them but most are hanging in there. Last year my garden club had a speaker talk about Lasagna gardening  which is basically laying down layers of newspaper and then layering green and brown matter to compost. Some areas worked great other areas need weeding often. (And maybe more newspapers under the pine straw). We have added a purple magnolia, 2 pink dogwoods and 2 wisteria.  We also added 2 trellis for the wisteria, a bottle tree, 10 large stepping stones from the old patio and a bird house.  The bottle tree was Meme's, she asked for it as a Christmas gift so we put it near the azaleas.  Before we put in the pool 2 years ago Paul had the pines removed. Some were diseased and dying. In the Springtime this area looks so pretty.  I love this sweet section of our yard. I found several patches of wild Violet's

and some wild strawberry plants yesterday.

Also a bird is nesting in the birdhouse I bought at Canton Flea Market last spring.
So I pulled some weeds this morning and I need to pull some more too but my garden gloves are sadly worn out.  I did buy 2 new pair of gloves today. So I can get busy pulling weeds now.

Until next time, 

Love ya,

Saturday Shopping and Planting

I mentioned earlier that I love Saturday mornings because I can take my time getting out of bed and also getting started on my day. 

After a lazy morning we headed out to Jackson ( I know two weeks in a row). We needed to replace two of the  15 sweet olives we planted last year and get two more azaleas for the "lasagna garden". I also want two geraniums and hoped for two hanging baskets for my front baskets.
We had lunch at Beagle Bagel, which was where we were headed last week.  I got the chicken salad (it's not as good as mine but it is good) and Paul ordered the New Yorker. My sandwich was ready as we moved done the line and Paul was promised his would be right out.

But even after getting our drinks and a trip to the restroom no sandwich. I'm not very patient so I got up and after a few minutes I got our server's attention and asked about my husband's sandwich. Yep he had forgotten it. He brought it right out, although it had a little bit on the burnt edges. Paul said it was good though.

Then we headed to a great garden center off Highway 51. We got 3 sweet olives (I bet we have planted at least 50 of these)UPDATE we have 45 and have only lost 2.

 2 Pride of Mobile azaleas (these were always daddy's favorite) and I got 2 ginormous red geraniums.

I wanted pink but dang these were so beautiful. See aren't they beautiful by the pool?

I also got two hanging baskets of  pink wave petunias. I'm waiting for the sun to drop a little to put them out.
I also needed to exchange the outfit I got last weekend. The pants were huge (my fault I hate to try on clothes in a store) and the top was a tad bit snug. The store was very nice but no more pants in my size but I did swap the shirt and I have a gift card for later. I also needed some make up from Bobbi Brown at Belk's.  I like just a light coverage this time of the year  so I got the tinted moisturizer and best of all they had one case left of my favorite color of eye shadow, Lilac. Yay me.
We' re watching the Masters now and discussing supper ideas. I'm thinking crawfish or shrimp???
Until next time,
Love ya,