Monday Magnets - OK vs. AR

Today's magnets represent a very big decision faced by The Lovely Princess (TLP). She has narrowed her college choices to Oklahoma Christian University, Edmond, OK and Harding University, Searcy, AR. This is quite a quandry for the girl who feels overwhelmed when forced to choose her own entree.

Her father & I will neither comment on nor vocalize our preference for either school. I personally don't have a favorite. They are both fine schools and I'm sure she will be successful at which ever one she chooses. She hates it when I say that. :)


Oklahoma Chrstian University (OC) is smaller (2500), closer and very easy to get to. She would get on the turnpike about 4 miles from our house & ride it until she got off the exit that the school is on. Super simple.


Harding University is larger (6000), farther away, but a gorgeous drive. It has a very active study abroad program, which is appealing to TLP. She also mentioned that the food is better at Harding.

Since no major has been declared, it is not a factor in determining where she will attend. So far it looks like the choice of her higher education will be based on food quality and travel time.

I'm so proud.

I'll let you know if there are any changes.

Thursdays Thoughts - Guess the mood

You know what I like about middle school kids? Everything. They are by far the most fun. Their energy is endless, sporadic and intense. This, of course, means they're exhausting.

With all of the snow days we've had in the past month I've become accustomed to short school weeks. This is only my second FULL week of school since Christmas break. Add in to the eternal week a raging throat and sinus infection and you get a cranky teacher.

However following several nights of NyQuil induced nightmares and Fantasia like dream sequences I'm starting to feel better. Drugs are a good thing. :)

It's amazing how a certain behavior on one day can crack you up and the same behavior on a different day makes you want to pull your hair out.

Today was a good day with great kids.

Magnet Monday - RIP Harry

It's actually Tuesday. Yesterday, I went to a funeral. Harry passed away. I did not know Harry well, yet he still had a significant place in my life.

My husband is an only child of older (mid 40s) parents. During the holidays we spend Thanksgiving with his family and Christmas with mine. Our Thanksgiving dinners consist of a mishmash of related and unrelated people. This group can number anywhere between 8 and 14.

Our relation to the group is through my husband's only living cousin on his mom's side. Also sitting at the table is the cousin's wife, (usually)both daughters, and the wife's side of the family. This is where Harry comes in. Harry is the cousin's wife's sister's husband. Got it?

Every Thanksgiving we can count on seeing the core group with an occasional extra. Although this is the only time of the year we see these people, there is still a connection. I try to touch base, evenly if briefly, with each person at the table. I may not get to visit with everyone, but it mattered that they were there.

Harry didn't make it to our Thanksgiving celebration last November. He wasn't feeling well. On January, 24 Harry passed away.

At the funeral I realized how little I knew about Harry. He spent 20 years in the army, served in WWII and the Korean conflict. Worked a variety jobs, owned and operated more than one business and lost a son in the Vietnam War.

My memories of Harry will include his soft voice, kind words and generous spirit.

Goodbye Harry. I will miss you at the Thanksgiving table.

Why I Blog - Part 2

When I write I run into several walls. One wall I repeatedly have to scale is skipping words in my sentences. I tend to think faster than I write/type. The results are sentences that make no sense. I like to think I have this problem because my incredibly quick mind cannot keep up with my listless, lazy fingers. This is not the truth, but I'm going with it any way.

Another writing burden I carry with me is that I over analyze everything I write.


I write and rewrite things over and over and over. I do not like ink pens. They are unforgiving. If I make a spelling mistake or want to reword a sentence there's nothing I can do about it. Those misspelled words or stupid sentences are just radiating from the page . . . mocking me. It's unacceptable! Two of man's greatest inventions are the eraser and the backspace key.

I have other writing foibles, but those will have to wait for another day.

Here it is in a nutshell . . . finally. I hope by blogging I will become more comfortable with the whole writing process and ultimately a better writer.

Monday Magnets - Osceola Cheese

Every fall a group of us "girls" head to Branson, MO and enjoy a weekend of fun and relaxation. Our primary goal is to go to Silver Dollar City, a family friendly theme park in Ozarks of Missouri.


On our way home we almost always stop at Osceola Cheese. I have never seen so many cheese choices in my life. The best part is the samples . . . oh, those glorious samples. It's a great way to be adventurous without shelling out a ton of money. How else would I ever know that I like Taco Cheese or Colby with Bacon and discover that Havarti with Horseradish and Chives just isn't my taste.

I also get bonus points from my husband when I bring home a brick of cheese. It's totally a win-win situation.

If you're ever going through Osceola, MO you must check out their cheese.
Until then here's their website. http://www.osceolacheese.com/

Why I'm blogging - Part 1

One reason I am blogging is to improve my skills. What skills you may ask? There are many that need improvement . . . let's start with writing in general.

My communication of choice is speaking. Man, do I love to talk. Ask any of my elementary, jr. high, or high school teachers, they'll totally back me up on this statement. Words just roll out of my mouth with ease. It can be a problem sometimes . . . often times . . . Ok fine, more times than I want to think about. This is not the case with writing.

Good!

Bad!

Monday Magnets - La Brea Tar Pits

This is one of my earliest magnets. I got this magnet before I even decided I was collecting magnets. My childhood friend, Rhonda, gave it to me. I'd have to check with her about when she took this trip. She travels a lot and it's hard to keep up with her.

You know, quite honestly, I do not have a big desire to visit Los Angeles. I'm sure it's a lovely place, but if I were making a list of U.S. cities I'd like to visit I'm pretty sure it would not make it in my top 25.

I have a distinct feeling I'll be coming back to this magnet to discuss my creation vs. evolution views. Look out!