On my mind..

No, Georgia's not on my mind, but I have a student at school that has just touched my heart. I know of their home life situation and it's not terrible, but I know it could be much more. I can usually accept life and understand that there's nothing I can do about certain situations and move on. This particular situation has been on my mind since about last Wednesday, and I cannot quit thinking about the situation. This child is absolutely amazing; their potential is beyond anything words can describe. However, there is little guidance in the home. The child had the perfect life and it all fell apart before his/her eyes. As a teacher, it is my responsibility to prepare them for what is to come, but this child has experience the worst of the worsts. There isn't much more I can prepare them for; they've experience things I won't experience for years to come. I strive to make school as special and enjoyable as possible for them, but that only goes so far. Please pray for this individual as God knows who they are. If there is anything I can do to help, pray that I will take full advantage of that opportunity and realize it as soon as possible.

Our last day at Glencoe...

We have been blessed to become a part of Glencoe church of Christ over the last two years. We've gained friends that will last a lifetime and beyond. Sharon, the preacher's wife, has become a dear friend of mine. She's always there to lend a helping hand or listening ear when something bugging me. Her advice is the best, and I will miss her terribly. I have no doubt she will be on my speed dial as we enter our new journey with Roebuck. No matter the situation, she always has a solution- a Christian solution. And she's willing to listen to my fussing when I don't want a "Christian solution." She gave me a sign that said "Sit long, talk much, and laugh often" yesterday. When we get together, that's exactly what we do! I always think of her when I see Splenda because our husbands harass us for "slipping" a few Splenda's into our purse when we eat out somewhere nice!! They say it's stealing! Nonetheless, it's now become a game. She loves Olive Garden's tall skinny packs of Splenda, and we're planning an Olive Garden trip SOON to sneak some Splenda! Well, now that I've shared my ramblings, I hope you give your 'Sharon' a hug next time you see him/her!! Friends are definitely a great blessing!

Wordle...

get your own at at Wordle

• Life has been good lately!
• School is amazing. I have the BEST behaved group of kids EVER!
• We went and looked at a house on Monday. We liked it alot but are still debating as to rent or buy.
• I bought two new tired yesterday ($260 ouch!) and my car drives like it did 90,000 miles ago! Its amazing what tired will do for a car.
• I am sad the women's gymnastics is over! I loveee watching it.
• We will begin worshiping at Roebuck Parkway one week from today.
• Tipin is doing well. She is as rotten as ever, and we wouldn't have it any other way.
• I am having some tests run this or next week to see about pain in my lower left side. I went to the doctor on Monday. Shouldn't be anything too terribly major.
• I am off work a week from Monday... yipee! I've already got part of the day planned. It's amazing how one day off will make you smile for weeks knowing its coming up!
• I saw the first Christmas decorations of the season Monday. I was BESIDE myself with excitement. It makes me smile thinking about the season to come!! (I'm grinning right now!)
• Daniel has one week and two days left at DHR and then a week of vacation! Yay, no more 'bossy bosses'!
• I've been itching to do a project. Anybody got any grand ideas? I'll post a few and see what you think... These are three of my new favorites I've been eyeing...

Project 1) Take a simple canvas tote bag and use bright colored rafia to make sunburst on it!

Project 2) Take an old picture frame, paint it, attach knobs and ribbon, and use it to hang your favorite jewelry and accessories from!!

Project 3) This one is a favorite because I love love love old blue Ball Perfect Mason jars. I have plenty of them laying around to use for this. You make a little shadow box out of the jars using nature and photos!!

Hope I sparked a little bit of creativity inside of you!!! Love you guys, Mandi

We're moving to Trussville!!!!

Our life has been very much like a roller coaster lately waiting on one certain phone call! Well, this morning we got that phone call!! We found out Daniel got the job at Roebuck Parkway as the Youth Minister!! We'll soon be on our way to moving to Trussville!!! Yay! We can't wait!!!

It's a small 'world'...

People actually spend time reading this thing. By people.. I mean not family or friends (no offense), but a coworker! Let me explain myself...

Our school website has a place for faculty to create a webpage. Well, somehow they got the link to my school blog and took it upon themselves to post the link on school website so my students could like from LFHS' site to my site. Sounds innocent right? They just posted my school website. Well, you can link to my school blog from my personal blog!!! Ahhh...

So, one of the teachers at school today said, "I sure did enjoy reading your website!" Huh!? I smiled and acted 'dumb' hoping she was mistaken, but she wasn't. I figured she'd some how found my personal blog, and boy was I was right. After she explained all that to me, I think I turned blood red! So, that was my topic at lunch today in a nutshell... we all had a good laugh out of it!

I've fixed it so you cannot get from my school blog to my personal blog, but I have no idea who (from school) has read this thing.

Small world wide web, huh?

FYI: School has resumed, and I had a wonderful first day with students today. I guess it can only get worse from here, but that's fine by me! Paul, I hope you have a good day tomorrow! Best wishes to all you educators going back to work and parents with kids starting kindergarden!