Idaho, snow and Wyoming to boot!

Hello all family, friends and readers! I am alive and kicking in the land of Idaho! It is snowing buckets right now and we are having loads of fun. We have been here since late on the 22nd and have had a really great time getting to know Kevin's brother, sister-in-law and his niece and nephew, now my niece and nephew. They are so wonderful and we have had fun playing video games, watching movies and going to Wyoming yesterday! During the drive, I saw gorgeous mountains galore and it was so awesome a sight. At one point, I found myself looking up at these mountains and what came to mind was these mountains compared to the concrete jungle of New York City, the high heights of the skyscrapers, made by man, versus these monstrous landscapes sculpted by nature. It was breathtaking and humbling to say the least. We drove to Jackson, Wyoming and traveled in a wagon out to view a huge herd of elk on their elk preserve. The driver of the wagon told us of the elks migration patterns, of how you could tell the age of the elks and the various habits of the males versus the females. It was an amazing sight that I was very thankful to be a part of. Heather sat with a hat covering all of her face, all I could see of her was her eyes. Kevin, Robbie, Orion, Juliana and I were covered with our winter wear, but braving the elements and now, have windburned rosy cheeks. My own personal kiss from nature! I am happily sitting here and watching as the snow falls down and adorns this place called Idaho Falls. It is lovely. The kids are going to go sledding soon and will have more stories to remember their time together. Fun in the snow and New Years is almost here! Maybe Kevin will finally get his cup of hot chocolate that he has been waiting two years for. Yes, New Years is Kevin and my two year anniversary. The day we decided to officially start dating. So, I will enjoy the rest of this snowy trip with my wonderful daughter and husband and feel blessed in knowing that my family gets bigger each time I visit a new family member. It is wonderful. We are looking forward to Orion and/or Juliana visiting us in Ohio in the summer sometime. Life is truly good. Happy Holidays to all!

My book is finished!

Hello one and all! My book is finished! I finished writing it last night and was just amazed at how easy it was! I had closure, I had everything work and my characters were clicking and all was working. It is an amazing feeling to write and just type and words adorn the page and they are actually good!
I have been a writer all of my life, so far, and to actually be able to say, "I wrote a book" is an astounding feeling and it is just so fulfilling. I am at peace with the idea that I have always meant to be a writer. My mom said that before I was able to write, I drew pictures to tell the stories and I have always loved collecting stories since childhood. So, what is even more exciting that all of this is that I beat my deadline of January second and have time to edit properly, write my query letter and then, e-mail my potential agent. No matter what, I can say that I have now joined the ranks of so many and have actually written a book. Of course, what is even more exciting is that there are many people out there that already want to read it! So, to all of my friends and family and blog followers I say, soon, my friends. Soon. For now, I will edit and prepare for the next book. For this is merely the beginning to my journey as Jennifer Martin---the writer.

Life's Interwoven Tapestry

*Written for my Granny---the keeper of memories

Small soft sensations,
felt through vibrations of sound,
reverberations of words
tantalizing the tongue,
dripping forth to tell of memories past.
Snippets of self,
preserved in pictures,
snaps of yesteryear,
framed faces of family
telling so much in a smile.

"Click, click" go the needles,
knit one, purl two, knit one, purl two.
Beauty emerges in interwoven wool.
A smile with dentured teeth,
gleans the knowledge of years,
times of toil and pain.
Knit one, purl two, knit one, purl two.
More photos turned through,
decades pass between pages,
faded photos, familiar faces.

The keeper of memories,
losing her mental camera.
No longer sharp are the images,
in her mind's eye.
Fuzzy and smudged are the edges
of her internal photographs.
Time is stealing her sight.
So many memories becoming dimmer,
Sadness found in blurry
Glaucoma covered eyes.

Eyes that were once
as sharp as her mind,
now, covered and closing in her world.
Tears adorn the corners of her creased face
and arthritis stifles her fingers
forever dancing through each stitch.
The slow interwoven wool forms
into her creation,
becoming her life's tapestry
with each stitch.
"Click, click" go the needles,
knit one, purl two, knit one, purl two.

Hello from the land of writing!

So, why haven't I been blogging, you ask? Well, because I have been writing my book and I have 50,698 words and 152 pages! Yay! What is wonderful about my book is that it is really quite good. I put my writer's hat on and write and then I put on my editor's/English teacher's hat and edit. It is a totally wonderful arrangement. Though I cannot possibly find all of the errors, I am doing a pretty good job of finding many of the errors. So, for now, I write, I love, I live and I laugh. Heather is as wonderful as can be and loving first grade. Kevin is filled with smiles and life is good. My MS is heightened, but better whenever I have a few days off. So, I am looking for to Thanksgiving and family to boot. All for now, just wish me luck in my writing and be prepared to see my name on the shelves of Barnes & Noble someday!

Nothing like a relaxing weekend

Well, after relaxing with friends and family this weekend, I have come to the conclusion that my MS acts up whenever I am just too exhausted, temperature changes and whenever I am stressed. Down time helps me tremendously and Heather says that, "It helps her when she rests." So, I am going to try and take it easy and countdown the days to Thanksgiving and fun in Kentucky. We are going to Idaho for Christmas this year and we are going to have lots of fun with Kevin's family, which is our family now. So, for now, I write, I rest and teach. But most of all, I am a happy mom who has had a great weekend with Heather! We went to see "A Christmas Carol" in 3D! It was awesome! Between that and Chinese food ala bookstore with Aunt Kellee, Uncle Ron, Gabe and Aidin, who could ask for anything more. They were so much fun. So, as for the book. I am done with 127 pages and counting! So, off to bed for now, but all is well.

Hello one and all:). I have missed blogging:)

Hello one and all! I have been sick since October 14th and finally ended my flu-like symptoms on Monday. So, my days have been filled with phlem, sniffling and yuck. But now, I am better! On a serious note, my MS has acted up since I became sick. I have problems walking straight, my hands tingle and sometimes it is a problem holding onto things or even typing if I am tired. I can see fine, but my brain is foggy and my cognitive abilities are also foggy. I went to my regular doctor and have talked to my neurologist as well. I have problems talking in the evenings sometimes and spitting out my words and my energy has been totally zapped. So, yesterday, I started on steroids and Tuesday, I am having another MRI. So, we will see what comes next, but I am sure that I have a new lesion. I am in good spirits and will be just fine. My doctors are amazing and I love dealing with both women---Dr. Allgeyer and Dr. Venkatesh. Dr. Allgeyer was the doctor who helped me to get diagnosed with MS. SHE is the one who recognized my symptoms to be those of MS and recommended me for three MRIs. I have both her and my neurologist, Dr. Venkatesh, to thank because Dr. Allgeyer did her residency with my neurologist.
So, where does that leave me? For now, I am doing fine and looking forward to knowing what is wrong with me and trying to fix it as much as we can. They usually give me steroids through IV drip, not fun, but I can handle it. As mentioned, I am in good spirits, because I am surrounded by an amazing family and friends and will be just fine. Thank you all for reading and I will try to write more often.

I have been tied up in the land of sick...but today, I must write

I have been sick since last Wednesday. It has been a rough time filled with lots of phlem, coughing, cold, fever and more phlem. Sleepless nights and MS symptoms through the roof. I am doing somewhat better. But, all of that aside, today is the two year anniversary of my dear first husband's passing. October has become a rough month for me because October was always Linn's favorite month. He would start decorating for Halloween as of October 1st every year. I remember one year that our neighbors actually thought that our house was condemned or that something was wrong. It was too funny! Linn loved Halloween and was like a kid in a candy store when it came to purchasing new things for his Halloween displays. He loved creating new things for the displays he would put up in our yard and, thanks to him, we attracted sometimes over 300 people on Halloween night. I am hoping that maybe next year, October will be my favorite month again. Ever since Linn's passing, I haven't been able to enjoy October like I use to. Each year, I relive every single day leading up to Linn's death. It is hard and amazing at how much I can recall as if it were yesterday. I loved and still do love my first husband. Thanks to him, I have a beautiful daughter. I know that Linn would be happy with how I am raising her without him and know that he left because he knew that I could and would live on without him. There isn't a day that goes by where I don't think of him, but it is a good thought and a happy memory, not a dwelling on loosing him. I am happy and proud to say that promised Linn sometime before he died that I would live on if he ever passed away. I promised him that I would be of the living and enjoy my life and be a good mother. I smile, knowing that I am okay and I will continue to be just fine.

Chewed up and spit out...come on three day weekend!

Okay, I haven't written lately because I have been busy and overwhelmed. That and I have a cough and a scratchy throat along with my world of children is filled with sick kids. The land of the H1N1 or regular flu is circling our world like a hawk ready to strike. I just hope that it skips me along with my family, is that so much to ask? We got our flu shots...we, we are good people and we know how to take care of ourselves, (cough, cough...). Awww! Who am I kidding? I will be knocked off me "I'm okay, your okay" pedestal and topple to the clay floor with bucket in hand..."pass the pretzels and saltines and hello bed!" But, for now, I fight off even the IDEA of sickness as best I can. What to do when you teach a bazillion kids everyday and your are surrounded by sick kids? I will live to play another day.
Life has been crazy and it always amazes me how the life of a teacher is always so busy. There seems to be no end to my grading and there are always more demands on us, never less, always more. I do my best everyday, but even I am overwhelmed. And, it's not just me. This is my ninth year of teaching and I have heard from many teacher's my senior that they are overwhelmed too. All I can do is "just keep swimming" in this eternal quagmire I call---life of teacher lady...a.k.a.---me. No matter what, what truly is evident is, I love teaching OR, I wouldn't be putting myself through this day in and day out. I am not there to fill out the abundance of paperwork or do various things online, I am there for the children who depend on me to teach them how to be avid learners. I teach the ones that usually fall through the cracks and without teachers like me, they would merely be wallpaper adorning the wall, blending in, neither seen or heard. I will continue on, but BOY! Friday is looking reallllly good. Come on Friday, come on Friday....time for rest.

Another day, what can I say

Life is getting back to normal. I am back at school and the kids and fellow teachers have been great. I am tired, but happy and had a great two days back, so far.
Heather and I have missed Kevin terribly as he has been at the quarter horse congress since Friday. Well, he called me this afternoon and sounded suspicious. I had a feeling that I soon confirmed---he had come home to spend the night with us. Heather fell asleep in the car and then Kevin ran on out to carry her in. It was wonderful for Heather to wake up and have her Kevin Daddy there! We then went out for Mexican food and had fun just being together and thinking of when this would all be done. I love that Kevin has time for us in the fall, but the quarter horse congress is my least favorite event due to the amount of time it takes away from us as a family. I will survive and we are use to it by now, but that doesn't mean we have to like it. So, all is well and I am tired. I will write more another day and Kevin will be on his way back to Columbus. Woe is us, but at least we got to see him for awhile. Happy, happy day!

Sad news from my heart to yours

I am no longer pregnant. I write these words and am smiling with tears in my eyes and am able to say that this child was not for me. There is another soul out there for me, waiting. And so, I will live, love, be a good wife and mother, teach, write and smile. For I know, that I am merely one of so many women who sadly know the feeling of excitement and then loss in the form of a miscarriage. I thank God that it was merely the fifth week in and not four or five months down the road.
So, don't shed too many tears for me, remember, I am blessed and so are Kevin and Heather. We are a unique family who love each other for who we are, no strings. Kevin and I are equals who rejoice in each other's triumphs and hold each other when we just need to be held. I wish for all of you this kind of love that needs no words.
I know that I am suppose to be "bed bound," but after I found out I wasn't pregnant anymore, I knew that I needed to focus on Heather, my first true miracle. We bought some silly string and had a wonderful silly string fight in the front yard when Daddy Kevin got home. (And don't worry, the rest of the time I have been in bed, my doctor said to stay in bed until Friday). I just needed to laugh with my daughter and husband and feel the outside crisp cool air. I needed to feel the warmth of our love found in those fun spirals of colored string and smile once again. So, I will survive. I will listen to my doctor and I will write and remember all of the voices of the many women who have not been heard in the many pregnancy and new mother books that are out there. The voices of the women who have felt loss, have cried and lost a shred of their souls, and in many instances, lost again. For you I will write and smile and laugh and wish us all a happy world filled with love, laughter, smiles galore and babies, adorable and healthy babies.

Happy cooking and fun to boot!

Today has been a day of laundry, dishes and cooking for days! I cooked kale, asparagus, tabooli and a fabulous couscous stir fry. After all of this was done, I read, watched Food Network and cut up veggies and fruit for the week. Sundays are always my day to cook for the week, clean and write. So, here I am doing just that.
Yesterday, we went to Applefest and had a good time. Upon arrival, I looked around me to see tons of people, some of them my students and fellow teachers. The items for sale were the usual, crafty stuff. I was fine and having fun until I walked through the food vendors row. The smell of pig wafted into my nostrils---not good. So, I found one of the smells that makes me nauseous! I avoided the "food row" and retreated back to more crafts. We met up with Doug and Mattie and walked around to the various vendors. As I have previously expressed, I'm not really that big into fairs and festivals unless there is artwork and ceramics there. I don't like fair food and am not all that into being anywhere where there are a bazillion people.
After the Applefest festivities, we went to the dollar store to get contraband for the movies! Then, we met Kellee, Aiden and Gabe at the movie theatre and saw "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" and it was tons of fun! Another stellar night filled with laughter, popcorn and friends.
So, today, I will continue to write without distraction, or try to write without distraction. All for now!

It is a lovely rainy day from the land of pregnancy books and fun!

I have been nauseous all week. Thus is the life of this thirty something mom. I would put up with just about anything if the end result was a happy healthy child. I sit hear typing and looking at my six year old in front of me. She has actually poured over a baby name book so much that she has claimed it for her own. Heather has started a list of names. The funny part is that she is going through them alphabetically. Too cute! She is so excited about having a little brother or sister.
Yesterday was too funny. I had purchased a jar of pickles as a joke the other day---a small jar of baby kosher pickles. The funny part is that, yesterday, I ate the whole thing. Heather helped with only two of the pickles...talk about a walking cliche'. I then text Keller to find out that she has eaten her way through five jars of pickles as she is due April 10th. So, we are the pregnant, the hungry for whatever minerals we are missing, the amusing and the nauseous. Such is life and I couldn't ask for anything more.

Big news, big news!

Hello from the land of this happy go lucky English teaching, grammar preaching, book reading mom! This week has been a wild ride of a week and then some! After months of trying to get pregnant and hoping and praying,...I'm PREGNANT! Complete with saltines, smoothies and nausea, oh my! So, if I didn't get a chance to call you yet, I am sorry, but I have been very busy and my blog is wonderful for sharing news and happenings in my world.
I have always wanted to have a big family, ever since I was a little girl, I wanted to have four kids and a loving husband. I have always been told what a wonderful mom I would make and, finally, after much discussion with Linn, (my first husband) he decided that he wanted an heir. I was lucky enough to have Heather, but that was all the children he wanted. I thought that Heather was all I was going to have...and now, I am blessed once again. The idea that I could have another and that life is as good as it is is staggering to me. I love my life, I love my daughter, I love my husband and my child...to be.

This is why I teach

So, I realize it has been a few days since my last blog, but it has been a good few days. Yesterday I had three students stop by my classroom---three old students. Two that are at the career center and one that I haven't seen for several years---Sean. Sean was that kid that most people gave up on and I never would. I promised myself that I would never let any child slip through the cracks and Sean was one of my babies several years ago. My room was his sanctuary and I was his advocate within the school walls. He walked into my room with his wife, Christy, who was his girlfriend while he was in school. He was wearing his army fatigues. I couldn't have been prouder. Here he was, someone who I treated like a son, who I always told to at least get his GED, here he was married and enlisted. He hugged me right away and told me right away that he had indeed gotten his GED. So awesome. Every time I question my teaching and if I make a difference, things like this happen. A child is alive another day, I reach a child that seems impossible to reach or I get to see where they are now. I do love teaching and am blessed that I have a calling. For me, there is more to my calling though. I am suppose to teach, be a mom, be a wife and also be a writer.
Life is good, no complaints, no regrets just smiling, loving, living, teaching and writing.

Bye bye pain! HELLOOOO happy days!

I am so happy to say that I merely hurt my back and that all is well in my world---no MS flare up! Yay! So, I have taken it easy and now am ecstatic! Today was a good day! My students were great today and all went well.
I think that the best part of my day was the moment Heather and I had after she was done with school and we sat under a tree on the property of Louisa Wright. Heather and I sat and talked about her day. We laughed and smiled, had a good time talking and truly connected. It was nice. Life is all about these moments. These wonderful moments where you just listen and laugh and love. I am so lucky to have such an amazing daughter, wonderful life and a good and kind husband. Heather loves school and she loves learning. Who could ask for anything more?
The other wonderful reality is that Heather is going to take violin lessons! My lovely girl, who has wanted to play violin since she was three, is going to learn how to play. I am so happy to be able to do this for her.
Life is such a wild roller coaster ride. One minute, you are smack dab in reality in the form of pain, pain and more pain. The next, relief, happiness and thankfulness galore. I am so lucky to know that I am alive and full of life. Thank you all for being part of my world. A world filled with words said and words heard. Stories told and stories given. I love being the collector of these stories, both mine and others to share with the world...or, sometimes, with no one..

Heating pad, chores and 100 pages baby!

Today was a day filled with chores galore. I did the dishes, laundry, changed and washed the sheets, cooked, washed more dishes and played with Heather along with helped her with her reading and overall homework. She read to me a number of books and we talked about reading fun. We signed her up for Kids Yoga Monday afterschool in October and November and she wants to do Upward Cheerleading again in the winter/spring months. Heather and I looked over her book order and picked several selections and all is well in the land of books. She was so cute. She said, "there are so many to choose from and I love books!" Then, she looked through her American Girl catalog and picked out what she wants for Christmas. I told her that she was going to get just a few presents this year and she is okay with that. She cut out what she wanted from American Girl and labeled it 1 through 5 according to what she wants most---too cute!---then, taped it to some construction paper and it now adorns the fridge. Yes, dare to dream about Christmas in September. That's my girl!
After all of that was done, I took a shower and then settled down to write and write and write some more! All in all, I started on page 83 today and ended up with page 100! 36, 667 words so far! I am ecstatic! I have no doubts and nothing holding me back now. All is well. I am constantly thinking about my characters and boy! It is tons of fun and amazing how, I can go to sleep, think about my characters and then start typing. It is quite unexplainable the feeling you get when you create characters that you know through and through. So, for now, I am doing great and my back still hurts, but I have rested this weekend. I have been in the land of happy heating pad and we shall see how that pays off tomorrow. Who knows what is in store for me and wow...are my fingers tired of typing! It is nice to have them feeling numb because of typing more so than numb because of my MS. What can I say, here comes the week! Watch out Monday, here I come!

It's Saturday and time to relax

Today is my dad and mom's thirty-ninth anniversary. They are in Maine and having a wonderful time, I am sure. I am amazed and happy that they have been together for this long and now, they are actually cuter than ever. So, "Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!"
Today, I rested and tried to work out my back, all the while trying to take it slow. Yesterday I walked around with a cane at work and was miserable. I believe that I pulled my back or strained something, not fun. So, resting is my middle name right now. That and spending a wonderful girl day with Heather. We watched girl movies and laughed and smiled together.
Yesterday, I walked the halls with my super cool red wooden cane and my students loved the cane! They were concerned for me, but I was okay. I woke up yesterday in pain, unable to sit up easily or sit down after I got up. I did have a moment of, "should I go to school?" And then realized that I knew the answer. The day was September 11th and no substitute could tell the story of this date better than me to my children. After a hot shower and many tears from the pain, I got dressed and headed off to work.
I went about my day, slower than usual, but I did what I had to do. Second period rolled around and an announcement over the intercom stated that we were going to have a moment of silence, do the pledge of allegiance and then, we were encouraged to talk about this day. Well, after the pledge, I asked my students what they remember from September 11th, 2001. They told me that they were in second, third and fourth grade and most did not remember much in the way of how it affected them. I spoke with them about my memories of the day and how, for so many, it felt like they were watching a movie on TV and not a real event. I talked about the importance of our troops overseas and how blessed I feel to know that so many young men and women are fighting for our freedoms. I spoke of how bad things happen and how important it is to enjoy every moment of your life and tell your loved ones that you love them. How, we may lose our mothers, fathers, husbands, wives, brothers or sisters, but we must live on to honor them. They would not want us to give up, they would have wanted us to be everything we were destined to be. So, at the end of this talk, I cried in front of this class of 23 and I apologized for making some of them cry. My teacher's aide thanked me for coming that day, knowing how much pain I was in and how I felt it was important for me to be there. The rest of the day was good, a hard day due to the pain, but good.
Today, I rest and tomorrow, tomorrow is another day.

Friday eve and all is well

I am tired. I admit it and I won't pretend. I am looking forward to the weekend. I love teaching, I am so good at it, but it zaps my energy. This is my ninth year of teaching and I love it, but this is not my last stop on the career trail. The icing on my cake is my writing and I will write and write my way through the rest of my life. My writing helps my MS because I am constantly thinking and working through my characters. Since my brain is active, I am happy to say that I am doing all things good for my brain. I know that I am a teacher, but part of me wonders how long I can keep teaching due to my level of pain and fatigue. The only person that knows the answer to that is---me. BUT, I am happy to say that I have disability both through STRS and Horace Mann, so whatever happens, I am ready. All for now. Time to sleep.

Is it Friday yet?

I am tired...that pretty much sums it up. My MS is acting up in the form of shooting pain through my limbs, not fun. BUT, I am in good spirits, just tired. I am sitting here typing and watching FOX News for a few minutes. Today, besides teaching, I battled the land of the automated phone calls...not fun. It really seems like our society has turned to automated everything and BOY! Is it frustrating or what?! "Push one for English, push two if you are still listening, push three if you want to talk to a real person, just kidding!" I finally got a real person and they had a thick Indian accent. He shifted me over, supposedly, to customer service and it was another automated service...I called back, he did it again, it was automated---again! Frustration, the land of button pushing and saying short answers into the phone only to be misunderstood...ARRRGHHHH! But, I am focusing on my happy place....happpppy placcceee....happpy...place, ah who am I kidding...stupid automated, stupid service that is impersonal....stupid, stupid, stupid.
Tonight we had our Citizens for Mary L. Cook library meeting and it was successful. A meeting of the minds and trying to come up with ideas on ways to get the word out that we need the community's help and input. So, if anyone is available and from Warren county or Clinton county, meetings are at 7:00pm at the library.
All for now, signing off from this tired and frazzled teacher.

What a day, what a day!

So today was a Tuesday/Monday as I would like to say, because my school week started today and boy! Was I tire or what?! So, I drove in the pea soup fog this morning and could not see a car length ahead, it was that thick! I spilled my coffee, was tire, drove in fog and was grumbly until I arrived at school. Upon entering the building, I had already thought that I needed to have a "do over day" moment as I like to call them, when Cody, one of my babies, called for my attention. I looked at this now Junior and he pulled off his hat. Underneath I saw an old man---he had let one of his friends shave off the top of his head! It was hilarious! He literally was "monk friendly" and I laughed most of the way to my classroom, it was so funny! I taught and taught and then we had a fire drill, oh joy, there was fifteen minutes of class lost and then, we had President Obama's speech, another loss of instructional time. His speech was good, it was just time I needed to keep pace with my classes, that's all.
The end of the day held happy revelations in eleven students who came for the first meeting of the In the Ink Writing Group! They were an eclectic group of girls and boy! Can they write! I thought that our school needed a creative writing group and I am happy to say that I'm right. Several students said that they had been waiting for a writing group to happen at the high school. YAY! Happy teacher moment.
After school and much laughter and listening, I picked up Heather and she told me she got a Bowman Brave award for being the quietest student while they were working in the classroom! I am so proud! After school, we met up with KDad and went to our favorite Chinese Restaurant for dinner and now, we are home and it is almost time for bed. Overall, yesterday was a good day, a day of closure after dread over going, and now, I am fine and happy with a wonderful daughter and a good man I call my husband. I wouldn't change anything that has happened in my life. I have laughed, cried, loved, and lived. No regrets, not one. Life is good.

Ohio Renn Fest and done for the day

Today we went to the Ohio Renaissance Festival and I walked over to the Legacy Forge booth where Linn spent so many years working and playing. I said, "Hello," to a lot of different people and dealt with a few that I was worried about due to my getting remarried and their toxicity, but otherwise, it was a success. We went with Kellee, Ron, Gabe, Aiden, Mattie and Doug. I showed Heather all of the swords and told her how her daddy use to wield the claymore over his head with ease and wave it around like a lightweight sword. I looked at the new swords that Linn would have been striving to own if he had lived to see them.
It was a good day, just hard as always to go back there, but I didn't cry. I teared up, but no tears fell. I really just want to enjoy my life and not think about the Renn Fest as it lost its luster with me a long time ago. It was what took Linn away from me every August through October and then we would inevitably fight in October because of who knows what. Renn Fest would pull him away from me and then, away from Heather. On a nice note, he use to love having Heather stand by the side of the booth and heckle the patrons, "Buy a sword, send me to college" and then if they walked by, "don't worry, I've got time." Heather loved to dress up for the Renn Fest and had a blast there.
But, I am done talking about that. It is time to work on my book. Take care and happy Labor Day to all.

Wow...what a summer!

I just uploaded a number of pictures and have to smile at all of the fun memories from just one summer! From Kentucky to Pennsylvania, from Maine to New Jersey and even New York! I found the best pizza ever made in New Jersey at Dottie and Karen's favorite restaurant, I saw Phantom on Broadway, I got to go to two Tiffany & Co stores and even was able to send Dottie a present from Tiffany & Co direct for her birthday as a present from Kevin, Heather and me. I got to spend loads of time with my family along with I got to know my nephew Oliver. I learned what love is all about in truly getting to know my husband, Kevin. He has shown me a new lease on life and I am so happy to know that he would do anything for me and for Heather. I attended an amazing writer's conference, Antioch Writer's Workshop, where I met so many wonderful people and it was solidified that I am a WRITER and people want to read what I write. I found an agent there who gave me a deadline and thus, I write and know that I will be published someday. And, of course, I got married to my loving husband, Kevin, surrounded by family and friends. This summer, I got to know my family and to know my new family, Kevin's family and adore all of them. It has been a great summer.
Tomorrow, I go to the Renaissance Festival. Every year it rolls around, I can't help to think of my belated husband and how much he loved working at the Renn Fest every single year since it opened up until his passing. Last year, I went to the festival holding my brother-in-laws hand and cried as I neared the booth where Linn worked. I kept thinking how, after the funeral, we went over to that booth and spread some of his ashes in front of it. This year, my daughter will introduce her Kevin Daddy to her Daddy's world. A world of hand forged swords and leather goods. A place where everyone is transformed to the time of the Renaissance, a time long ago. I have such strong feelings every year and thus, yesterday rolled around, the first day of Renn Fest. I loved my husband and he was a good man. He was in the hospital the last weekend of the Renn Fest in October of 2007. He died two days after it closed. Thus, each year is a little hard for me. So, tomorrow, I go to the festival with my new husband and face some adversity due to people who don't understand my world whatsoever and how long "time" is when you are a widow. But, tomorrow, I go with my husband, daughter, my best friend Kellee, her husband and two kids along with two other friends of ours: Doug and Mattie. So, we are going to have a great day and all is well. I don't know how to explain to people how it feels to be me, but, I am OK. I am loved, I just have been through a lot in my thirty-eight years. I love life and know for a fact how easily---it can slip away. So, if you learn anything from my posts, please remember this: always tell those you love that you love them. Never stay angry and don't sweat the small things in life. Love the one your with. The grass may seem greener on the other side, but it is up to you to nurture your own soil and water your world in love and kindness, for love grows like any flower as long as you tend to your loved ones. Don't betray those you love, they are all you've got. Make sure to smile at as many people as you can in a day, you never know, that smile could save a life. One smile could change someones mind and make them realize that you care enough to see them and to smile. Love, live, laugh, for life is for the living and today is going to be another amazing day...embrace it. Thank you for reading.

It's Friday!!!!! FRIDAYYYYYYYYY!

Hello all! I have been a busy bee and buzzing all around my world of school. Between seeing more of my children from the career center to seeing graduates along with attending to my present children too, it has been a great week! My theatre students are so amazing and amusing. They are talented and are having a blast in my classes. I am so excited by what I have seen them do this week! The character sketches were phenomenal!
As for why I have been busy, I have been creating a blog on behalf of the Citizens for Mary L. Cook Library of which I am a part of. If you have a chance, check out the blog!
http://citzensformarylcooklibrary.blogspot.com
What is going on with the Mary L. Cook library is nothing new right now in Ohio and many states beyond ours. The state is not providing the libraries with enough money to run properly, not even enough to run with anything more than a bare bones staff. So, I am trying to do all I can and many other people who love the library are all taking part in this group to help keep the Mary L. Cook library open and eventually thriving, hopefully. So, check out the site and if you are local---visit my favorite library, you will be glad you did.
All for now as I need to spend Friday night party night with my family. Lots of love to all of you!
Signing off for now!

Nate and Tyler, my babies came back!

Well, though my day started with personal essays, it continued with hilarious and awesome monologues that my students created. What a morning! With both second and third period being my theatre classes, I was so happy to be entertained and impressed by the skill of my students. From a granny who preached reading your scriptures to a girl pretending to be a British orphan, my cup runneth over! It was so awesome and amusing, I laughed, I laughed some more and then I sighed. Wow! What talent in one room and to think that this was their first assignment!
My day continued with my student aides finally being able to come to my class and with their addition, my life was perfect. My teacher's aides make the world go round. They are previous students of mine who want to help me however they can and they merely want to be in my world a little longer. The best addition of one of my aides was Jen, who is my third period aide, and she arrived just as Robert was on his knees weeping in character....wooooww...her face said it all! She had to return her add/drop slip to the guidance off and arrived back to my class as Cristy was dancing away in character! Her smile and laughter said it all.
The day continued with more assignments due and more personal essays and letters. I read several and learned more about my new children. What interesting lives they lead!
After all the bells had rung, I looked down the hall to see two of my favorite kids (don't tell) walking towards me. What a treat! Nate and Tyler, smiles on their faces and doubts of me remembering Tyler,...as if! These graduates of 2007 visited with me and told me all about their lives now. I told them what was up with me and they laughed at having to try and call me Mrs. Martin since both of them had always called me "Muz." It was so nice to see the two of them, both wonderful boys, now men...time truly does fly. I hugged them both and rejoiced in their happiness and new worlds that have opened to them. I will see them again soon as they are repeat offenders of revisiting their past. These children growing up, but always coming back...to the world they once knew. My old kids...now...men.

Another day in paradise!

Every single day I teach, I make a point to say at some point, "Welcome to another day in paradise!" This I mention at the beginning of class on many many occasions. My students are figuring me out just as I am getting to know them. So far, they are pretty awesome with just a few bumps on the road of knowledge.
I teach Theatre second and third period and tomorrow is their character sketch presentation day. My students have created monologues that they are going to read aloud---either at their seats or at the podium---depending on their level of comfort. Some of my students are going to do accents, others are just going to read as their character, I am excited as always. I love presentation days. It is always fun to see what the kids come up with. I am comfortable once again in my teacher skin and have talked with many students since last week, reconnecting with my children and finding out about their summers and for some---their lives after high school. I know that this teaching part of me is full filled every time I help, every single time I hug a child to me and console them and every time I help them realize their importance in the world. Life is not easy when it comes to being a teacher. I teach one hundred and fifty students and have a study hall with twenty-eight kids, making a whopping 178 or so kids I discipline daily. I feel good about my teacher/parenting skills that make it easy for me to teach them. I love seeing the moments where they truly understand what I am trying to teach them and comprehend the level of my caring. That moment is a wonderful one. Sometimes it is found when they see upperclassmen hug me with a smile filled with respect and caring. Other times, it is when they see me counsel a child and hold them close. But, eventually, they realize that I care and hopefully, they realize that I am not the only one. These children, many of them misunderstood or living hard home lives, these babies pretending to be grown ups, I do what I can while they are mine. I always tell them upon officially meeting them, "from this day forward, you are my children and I am here for you if you need me. You are my kids and I am yours. You are going to grow up, become who you are suppose to be and even then, you will be my old kids, but, I still care about you and want to know all about your life." I tell them, "the door is always open, if it's locked, just knock." Thus, another day in paradise.

Back to the land of kids--onward Monday!

Yesterday, we went to Prospect, Ohio for my niece Bekah's 8th birthday. It was tons of fun and loads of laughter. We arrived to a grouping of hula girls and one hula boy having fun, flower bras included. Heather became one of the masses and they gallivanted around the park in the most perfect weather ever! After much yelling, dancing, running and yelling some more, Bekah opened her presents. She got the usual Hannah Montana themed presents and several Wizards of Waverley place things from us. The final and big present was yet to be revealed. Bekah opened the present and was ecstatic to receive the Hannah Montana movie! But that wasn't the main present! TJ, her dad, told her to open up the DVD and inside was an envelope that said, "this is a BIG gift." TJ and Wendy, her mom, told her to open and read it and her eyes got huge. She was quiet, smiling and just staring....not truly knowing what it all meant. TJ asked her, "do you know what that means?" She read the paper that said, "Hannah Montana world tour" or something like that. The funny part is that Bekah still didn't get it. TJ explained it to her and her eyes got bigger! (hard to believe). It took almost ten minutes for her to truly grasp the fact that she was going to a Hannah Montana concert. At that point, she proceeded to warn us that she was going to SCREAM! And, she did. It was so cute. We spent time at the park with cake and pizza to boot and then went back to TJ and Wendy's house and got to spend time with Walt and Roz. It was nice spending time together and Maycee, my other niece, was just too cute. She had done her part to read the ground in Braille and thus was covered with dirt! It was time for a bath! The thing is, this ten month old doesn't like the bathtub and loves taking a bath in the kitchen sink. It was adorable. She was surrounded by bubbles galore and was just so edible...too cute. We watched the Hannah Montana movie and spent good family time with each other. Then, it was bedtime and morning came before we knew it. Heather ended up sleeping with Kevin and me and I ended up with her ubberfeet in my face...typical.
Today, we stopped at Sams Club, got supplies for the flea market and groceries for home. When we arrived at the flea market, Heather wanted to work with Kevin and I went one row of vendors and found a sweatshirt in her size...yes, cool weather---gotta love it. She worked with her KDad and had a great day and I cooked, cleaned and cooked some more. So, now, it is time to go to sleep. I am ready for another week with my high school children. Onward and upward! But for now, sweet dreams.

Friday, Friday, TGIF---yayyyy Friday! Kids, graduates, I love my job

It has been a crazy week, as you can see by my blogging and lack of blogging. After the wild and screaming children, I was so happy to be in my comfort zone of---teaching---doing what I do best. I worked hard and long all week and all is well. From this week, I was reminded of the reasons why I teach. Any moments of frustration vanished within the hugs of kids and the sounds of happiness out of my students when they saw me. Though I only have one child, I have always been blessed with helping many children in my life. I have met amazing kids and wonderful parents who truly care about their kids and about me as well.
Last night, I had an open house and numerous kids stopped by with their parents in tow. I met parents of students that I have in my study hall even! One of my favorite parents of a wonderful former student of mine stopped by and she was so sweet. She inquired about my wedding and how everything was and how excited she was for me. I asked about her son and how things were going for him and she told me. Her son has Crones disease and I have been talking with her for over a year and a half about him and what she might do in terms of his diet, asking questions of her doctors, and finding out what he can eat. They finally have diagnosed him with Celiacs disease and now has a regulated diet. I am happy to hear that he is doing well and I even saw him today with a big smile on his face.
Life is good. I am tired, but for a good reason. I am tired because---I care. I love what I do, I am good at it and I love having my kids visit. Today I had numerous kids from the Career Center stop by and say, "Hi." I am overwhelmed in many ways when it comes to my kids.
One of my graduates visited today. I taught him as a freshman and he then became a fixture in my life. He is now teaching children, at risk children in a camp. I couldn't be any more proud. THIS is why I teach. And what is the neatest thing, they always come back and visit. I love my kids.

Hello from the land of school and screaming freshman!

Well, I went back to school yesterday and today and we had a crazy time! I am writing this in spite of the fact that I am exhausted! It has been wild! We had the new freshman come yesterday from 3:30 to 7:30pm and then they were here today the whole school day. We got them excited, motivated, and had actual motivational speakers come to help them get excited for school! There was singing, there was screaming, there was running and games galore. We created a cheer, we yelled, we waved towels and the four hundred plus kids were split up into four teams: yellow, blue, red and green. I was on the blue team and the kids were awesome. We competed, we laughed, WE TIRED...
I walked around the school today after the children left and the faces of those teachers who had been involved in the Freshman Focus were drawn, tired and searching for solace. We all had that knowing look and smile that asked for a humongous box of calgon to take us away.
I worked from 7:30 yesterday until 8:20 last night. And today, I worked from 6:40 till 5:30pm. So, I am exhausted. BUT, I didn't want anyone to think that I fell off the face of the earth, so, HELLO, I am here...just tire and slap happy. Tomorrow, we have all of the students and I will be in my normal comfort zone...happy days...happy days...and no more screaming.

Almost home! Yay!

Well, this trip has been an awesome one! Kevin arrived home---to Karen and Ernie's with trailer in tow and all was fine. I was so happy to see him back with us again! From there, we went to sleep and were ready to continue our journey onto Pennsylvania and Granny's farm. We arrived at Granny's and Heather was off and running to the farm and horses barely letting us slow down the car to let her out. She was happy and in her element. Then, we went to the house and got settled. After we arrive, we walked up to see Karen and Mike and observe Heather with the horses and then called Granny to tell her that we had arrived.
She came back home with Mr. Beal, a lifelong friend of hers that I remember from my early childhood as always being a kind man with a smile always affixed to his face. It was a delight to talk with him and then we all settled down to sleep with Heather in a cute tent set up by her KDad.
We woke this morning and Heather was once again off to the farm and said, "goodbye" to Granny and was on her way to the land of horses. Kevin and I prepared ourselves for the day and spent some time with Mr. Beal and Granny. Both told wonderful stories of their fun antics of the previous day filled with the car alarm going off at Eat-n-Park, thus, announcing their arrival. That and a signing of nine writers at the Penguin Bookstore sounded like a fun day.
So, we said, "goodbye" and are now almost home! It was a wonderful trip and with trailer to boot! The trailer is such a gas guzzler, we went from 19.3 miles to the gallon to a whopping 15.4...lovely, just lovely.
We will arrive home, regroup and then go to Aiden's birthday party and after that, rest. Monday starts the first day of school for me and I will meet up with my new Freshman that evening and then more fun on Tuesday with Wednesday being the first official day of school.
All for now and thanks for reading!

More fun in New Jersey

Today, Kevin went to New Hampshire to pick up the trailer he had purchased through E-bay. Heather and I had the option to go with him, but Heather vetoed going. We had a wonderful day with Kevin's aunt Karen and cousin Jonathan. We had more fun spending time with everyone and were able to find a lovely present for my mother-in-law, Dottie. I can't tell because it is on its way there! As for what we did, we went to Karen's favorite pizza place where they think Dottie is the cats meow! We walk in and sure enough, the owner asked, "How's your sister?" Of Karen, it was cute as can be. Then, we told him it was Dottie's birthday today and he said, "wish her happy birthday from me!" So, we did. The food was fabulous and it was a great time. Then, we went to a cute little pottery studio where they taught classes to all ages as well as had pottery for sale. I bought a beautiful square plate with ornate designs on it and a vase. On the way home, I asked Karen if she liked the vase and she told me she did and how she had vases at home but they never seemed to be big enough. I then said that I was glad she liked it because I had bought it for her and Ernie as a thank you for taking us in and letting us share their home. She was happy as can be!
We returned home to her house and went swimming in the pool and enjoyed our time together immensely.
Then, I get a call from Kevin that he was driving the trailer back and the top flew off part way, but that he was okay. The guy who sold it to him, from the RV dealership, met him on the road and promised to make it right. He helped Kevin strap down the roof and then gave him $200 on the spot and asked him to send him an estimate of the cost to fix it and that he would pay it. As we speak, my husband is on his way back to us and fine. I am very thankful that it turned out that way, because he had started driving and the roof of the trailer just lifted up into the air straight up. It was still connected, but had not been latched down by the RV dealership. So, all is well, we are taking it easy and preparing dinner along with having droopy eyes after yesterday's fun and today's swimming. Tomorrow, we go back to Granny's in Pennsylvania and then back home on Saturday for Aiden's birthday party. It has been a wonderful trip and I am so happy that Kevin is fine. Here's to more fun in New Jersey!

Holy rusted metal, Batman! LEGOS, Tiffany & Co and Phantom

What an adventure! I have concluded that my husband is the king of the roads! He navigated the curvy roads with bumper to bumper traffic like a pro all the way to Manhattan and INTO the CITY! I was impressed! Jeff Gordon had nothing on him! Of course, he was doing more than taking a left turn all the time. Kevin zipped in and out of lanes like a well traveled veteran and we arrived in Manhattan in no time at all! I was happy to have this Nascar Knight by my side. Upon arrival, we parked the car in a parking garage and proceeded to begin our walking for the day. We walked to Time Square and my main fun was watching Heather's face! She kept looking around everywhere, all of this was new! She was transfixed! We got to Time Square and my first destination with family in tow was---the tickets for the matinee! We got our barrings and found the ticket booth and stood in line. The one show on the list that I was most interested to see was The Phantom of the Opera. I had seen it in the traveling Broadway series, but NOT on Broadway, which is so very different. We moved up in line and were able to get four tickets, 14th row, CENTER! Four, you say? Yes, we took Kevin's cousin Jonathan with us and had an absolutely wonderful day with him! He is in his latter twenties and always smiles! He is fun to have around and very considerate. So, it was a natural match to take him into the city with us. Our major benefit is that we had our trail blazer, him, directing where things were. Between that and the fact that Kevin grew up in New Jersey, until he moved to Florida, really helped.
We started then the quest for certain stores: F. A. O. Schwartz and Tiffany's---with a stop off here and there for coffee, water and more water. Before we truly began our journey, we got said libations and sat in Time Square really taking it all in. It was a sight! Heather was so excited! Her six year old brain was going into overdrive, it was fun to watch.
We then began our walk towards F. A. O. Schwartz and walked, and walked and walked some more. We pointed out various old buildings to Heather as well as the beautiful ornate columns or faces on old buildings. Churches that were adorned with figures of saints and beautiful arches along side new and modern buildings, what a sight! I was flabbergasted! The last time I had been to New York was when I was twenty-five, thus, at thirty-eight, I can truly appreciate these amazing buildings.
All along our journey, I people watched. New York City is a great place to do just that. I saw so many Europeans and heard a melding of foreign voices. It was a delight to the ears. That combined with the solicitors along with way, hands out with pamphlets, trying to con you into taking part in a tour, go to a comedy club or give money to the homeless. Thus, not always a con, just a very insistent coersion by them.
We decided to go into the Apple store before we entered kid "children heaven" and walked into the glass apple box and then proceeded to walk down frosty glass stairs. It was one heck of an entrance! Heather loved it and then, we were in! We looked around us and there was a hustling and bustling about the store. We sat and talked to a pretty African American girl and she was so informative about Macs. Curly hair, big smile and filled with knowledge of her product. It was nice and very convincing. Needless to say, as to not miff my present computer, I won't say it directly, BUT---next time, my computer will be "New York City friendly," if you know what I mean. Don't want to make my Red machine angry, so, moving on.
After that, we went to F. A. O. Schwartz and you could hear the band of angels practically singing upon our entrance. It was magical. Heather's eyes got REALLY big! I think mine did too, because in front of us was Batman---made out of LEGOS! Not only Batman, but Harry Potter, Hermione, Ron, Hagrid and more! It was an awesome sight. Heather was in Heaven. We even played on the BIG piano! No chopsticks or Flight of the Bumblebee, sorry.
Then, it was on to my Mecca, Tiffany & Co! I had never been in one and here I was, ready to enter! Upon entering the turn-around, I was like a Raven in a hall of mirrors! Sparklies everywhere! It was soooo pretty! After tooling around the first floor, I asked where the sterling silver was and went into the elevator to the third floor. There I was, surrounded by pretties and Kevin said, "Alright, you may have whatever you want, up to $500 dollars. Get busy." I looked all around, after hugging him, and found a wonderful signature bracelet with a dangling heart on it. It was beautiful! There were going to add several links in it and we could pick it up later. I thanked my Knight and kissed him.
We were now on our way to food and then Phantom. Our mission, to go to one of the wonderful Ray's Pizza and procure some zza! We found just the one filled with beautifully tantalizing aromatics and soon landed ourselves with a tray filled with the Italian delicacy of the Gods. Jonathan bought us each a beer and Heather, of course, had water. We sat down and ate our Pizza and due to the fact that I was in New York, I did have a day of cheese---no Vegan pizza, and when in Rome, you eat like the natives. Then, it was time for the Phantom of the Opera and we were ready and in line! Upon entering, we were in air conditioning and ready to be taken away and BOY, were we ever. The whole time I watch and listened and thought of how this was Linn's favorite musical and how he would have loved to see it again. I thought of all the times he use to sing me the songs as the Phantom and I would sing as Christine. I thought how interesting that I had ended up with my Raul. Thus, I cried my eyes out during various times of watching the musical. It was wonderful! I was so happy to share this experience with my daughter and new husband. I turned to him when it was over and thanked him for a wonderful honeymoon, because that's what it felt like, and he said that it had only just begun. A good man, I am so blessed.
The next thing on our list was Kevin's other mission to eat a Cannoli, a true Cannoli. So, we found a little place that sold just that and ate to our hearts delights. After that, we went to pick up my bracelet and went into Toys R US! That was Heather's one request and she was in Heaven once again! She was amazed at the animatronic T Rex in the Jurassic Park section of the store and was just beside herself when she saw the Ferris wheel smack dab in the middle of the store!
After that escapade, we went back to Tiffany & Co and saw more pretties and Kevin asked me if there was anything I couldn't live without and I said, "No." And, we picked up my beautiful bracelet. Then, it was destination food and we found a fabulous Irish Pub and had a nice array of yummies! We went into various shops and got to see NYC at night and the lights, lights, lights! At the end of the night, we were dead on our feet with smiles on our faces and we retrieved our car and drove to where Heather could see the statue of liberty. We figured that next time, she would get to go to Ellis Island, next time, we would do all of the many things that we wanted to do, but could not do in one day, next time. But, for now, NYC in a day, what a magical day!

We are in New Jersey! Manhattan fun today!

Hello one and all! We are in New Jersey and arrived yesterday to Kevin's uncle Ernie and aunt Karen's house and it is lovely! The are so kind and their son Jonathan is here and he is great too! We arrived to hot weather after almost seven hours of driving, but it was a good drive. Heather laughed at movies she was watching on the back of my seat and it was amusing how her laughter happened and intersected our conversations wonderfully. Upon arrival, we were made to feel at ease and went for a swim in their pool, which was great and cool. It helped get our body temperatures down and really set the tone for the day. Then, Karen was kind enough to make a beautiful salad with so many yummy ingredients that I had no problem filling my tummy. I had brought a great deal of food, but barely used mine as hers were great! That and corn to boot! So, a good night had by all. With a few beers and Pale Rider at the end, it was a great evening. I have met more people that love movies just like me! I didn't think it was possible.
So, today, we are going into Manhattan and I can't wait! It has been since 1995 and I am looking forward to seeing Heather's reaction to the statue of liberty, the empire state building and the city as a whole. Well, I will report back with all of our antics!

We are on our way! NYC, here we come!

So, the other day, Kevin asked, "Do you want to go to Manhattan before school starts and maybe see a play or two?" So, needless to say, he didn't even finish his sentence and my answer was out, "SURE!" And then, I was online to see what was playing on Broadway right now. Our goal was to pick up a food trailer he had purchased online that is in New Hampshire and enjoy ourselves on our way there along with see my granny in Pa, which is where we are right now, as well as see his aunt and uncle in New Jersey, which is where we are going today! We are going to stay with his family tonight through Friday and go into New York tomorrow and Thursday! Very exciting! I might not be a big city person at ALL, but I am definitely a BROADWAY BABY! Type of a person. This will be my second trip to New York City and Heather's first. The first time I went to NYC was in 1995 and I went to seven shows in five days---impressive, huh? Well, this time around, I want to go to the 911 Memorial and the site. That will be amazing and sad. I want to point out the statue of liberty, I don't know if we will have time to ferry across to Ellis Island, but if not, we will be back when Heather is older.
This has been a summer of so many firsts for Heather: first plane ride (four total due to connection flights), first boat ride/whale watch, first time to Maine, first time to ride her bike without training wheels and so many more that I lost count! As moms go, I think that I have done a great job at making sure that my daughter had a well rounded summer. We traveled to Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Maine, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, then today---New Jersey, tomorrow New York and New Hampshire on Friday! We traveled through various states and did a nice bit of stopping along the way.
Part of me is truly looking forward to her first day of school when they talk about what they did this summer and she can say, "This summer, my mommy got married, we went to Kentucky, Maine, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York..." It will probably come out, "I went to lots of places and did lots of stuff." Truth be told. Her claim to fame still is that she went whale watching, got seasick, threw up, but it was fun! That is what she say every time she tells that story and I just have to laugh. So, happy day and write you later from Jersey Baby!

Yellow Springs with Kellee and TJ ala soccer! Pass the Bengay!:)

Today, Kellee and I went to Yellow Springs and had a wonderful day! We ate lunch at the Sunrise Cafe, my favorite restaurant there and visited CJ at Living Green---favorite store:). After a yummy meal, we both decided on a vegan chocolate pudding cake and it was amazing! We had a good time telling stories, laughing and shopping. We got coffee from Brother Bear, an amazing coffee shop that is owned by a couple who roast their own coffee beans and it is the best coffee I have ever had. I have to go there anytime I am in Yellow Springs to get my coffee for home. We also went to get some vegan chocolate at a cute little sweet shop that is near the organic grocery store---names are escaping me at the moment. Overall, it was an awesome window shopping, laughing and walking type of a girl day.
While I was in Yellow Springs with Kellee, Heather and KDAD---that is Kevin Dad, that is what she calls him---had fun at the Fairborn sweetcorn festival and also went to the Caesar's Creek flea market---because Kevin had booths/trailers at each location. Heather had a blast!
After all of that was done, we went to the Waynesville Varsity versus Alumni soccer game and proceeded to watch uncle TJ realize his age:). He played goalie---the whole game! AND, both teams tied! So, we are very proud of uncle TJ, even though we realize that bengay may be his friend tomorrow. Good luck uncle T!:)

Newport Aquarium, German food and accordion fun!

So, yesterday, Kevin, Heather and I went to the Newport Aquarium and met up with Kate, Dave and Oliver. We had a great time and saw sharks, jellyfish and fish galore. My nephew, Oliver was racing all around the aquarium and actually laid down and looked up at the plexi-glass tunnel. It was adorable! He was so cute and dutiful dad Dave was right there to videotape him. That and watching him race around and then back to mommy where he could get a bite of pb&j. It was fun to watch.
After our antics at the aquarium, we went to Haufurhaus, or something like that, meaning "German Garden." Dave Kaiser is German and introduced us to a place filled with Bratwurst, German beer and accordion music! It was tons of fun and very amusing. I was surrounded by intestine cased meat and old cabbage---thus, Bratwurst and Sauerkraut---two of my least favorite things in the world. BUT, I survived the stinky Sauerkraut and had to laugh at the atmosphere filled with a polka music. The best visual was that of our waitress. I was looking at the menu and then looked up to see a cute brunette in striped socks and peasant blouse and short skirt---German attire friendly---and a belly ala baby! It was sooo cute! She had a basketball for a tummy and a smile to boot! AND speaking of boot, they had Das Boot to drink beer out of. Needless to say, that would have to be another time, but I did triple dog dare him to drink out of the glass boot.
The night was fun filled and Oliver walked around the place with Heather at his heels. What a good cousin.
Well, all for now from this mom, teacher, wife, daughter and writer! Happy Friday!

Better go get your awma

Okay, so life of a six year old is funny. I do remember in my past actually going to posh parties and front row seats at various big time events, but now I live in the land of Radio Disney. It is really quite cute when I reflect on life so far as a mom and I do remember the first time I contemplated this exact thing when I was sitting in the second row---and excited about it!---at a Disney on Ice event. That was life changing. That and realizing that "I WANNA ROCK!" had a whole new meaning as a mom with an infant. Sad, very sad. I would sit their in my rocking chair with infant in arms, gone were the day of the big hair and makeup---AND that was just the men! So, now the latest thing we do is listen to Radio Disney in the car and sing, BOY! Do we sing! We sing Taylor Swift songs and Demi Lovato, we sing Selena Gomez and Miley Cyrus! I know these names by heart because we also watch Disney channel almost daily and I have caught myself watching it alone...typical. Well, this singing phenomena started with one instant of headphones in the car and the movie in the back of the front seat and Kevin and I got to here her sing---the movie was Alvin and the Chipmunks. "Chrismas...chrismas...nyana na...hana...ya..ma...ya...nanna. Chrismas...Chrismas...hannaa...hayya..."and then even more fun with "Na...yana...a Hula hoop!" So, yes, a star was born.
Now, the car is filled with "Battlefield! Battlefield! Battlefield! Why does love have to be like a battlefield! Battlefield!" You get the idea. Due to the fact that we are American Idol junkies, it is okay to sing Jordan Sparks at the top of our lungs. But I do remember thinking, "What the heck is awma?" And then realized that it was ARMOR....ohhhhh...duh. We still hear words mishmashed in the backseat, but Heather does not hesitate ONE bit when it comes to singing. I don't know WHERE she gets it! As if...
Better go get your awma.

Oliver was baptised today!

Today, we went to church to watch Oliver, my little nephew, get baptised. He was so adorable! He was up there with another little child, a girl who was only six months old. Oliver is 15 months old and a total spitfire! He was a movin and a shakin and having fun with Kate, Dave, Sarah, Derek, and Bert (Dave's best friend) and was as cute as can be! Then, it was his turn to be baptised and the minister held him up and poured the water over his head. He looked like, "Oh! Is it bathtime?" It was adorable. Then, the last scoop of water landed in his eyes. After all was said and done, the minister said, "For a minute there, I didn't know if this was a Baptist baptism or Episcopalian!" The congregation laughed. It was great. Now, Oliver is running around the house with Heather at his heels and his newest thing is to walk around with his tongue sticking out! It is very cute. So, all is well, hot, but well. It is suppose to get up to 92 degrees today! Yuck! The MS in me is screaming, but I will survive. Someday I will have a house in Maine, someday I will have a house in Maine.

Pretty colors everywhere!

So, tonight we got to see fireworks! It was awesome! Heather and I both started in with the "ewwws" and "awwwws" and it was pretttty. Besides that, I got to babysit Oliver and was able to hold him when he was crying and then sooth him, rock him, put him back in his crib and then rubbed his back and he fell asleep. It was wonderful! I also hemmed his cute little outfit that he is going to wear tomorrow for his baptism. It is so cute! I got to spend time with all of the fam and boy! Was it hot! It reached ninety degrees and just reminded me why I live in OHIOOOOO. It is a little cooler there. But still, my idea of perfect is having a house in Maine. It is just such perfect weather there for me in the summer. Winter is another story, but summer is perfect! So, for now, I write and am proud to say that I wrote six pages today! Very exciting and I am happy with how everything is going in my book. Yay! Well, all for now as it is time to go off to bed and have sweet dreams with a not so small six year old's elbows, feet and arms in my face. What can I say, just the typical life of this mom about town.

Good morning from Lexington, Ky.

Hello all! I am sitting on the couch and writing, the coffee doesn't seem to be working and I'm watching food network, why? Because I can! So, I realized how tired I was when I had to pull myself out of bed and the little kid in me said, "but I don't wannnnnnaaa!" But, I got out of bed and proceeded to make some tofu scramble and attempt to become part of the main stream with the use of caffeine...no such luck. I felt like looking around for some coffee grinds I could chew on or a coffee bean. Just goes to show you that we can---go, go, go! But, we do require rest.
So, today I am going to spend time with my mom and dad, both sisters, brother-in-laws and my nephew Oliver. He is soooo cute and he recognizes Aunt Jen thanks to spending a month with him this summer.
As for exciting stuff right now? Not so much. BUT, Kevin is done as of Sunday and will be back to our world on Monday! Yayyy! We can't wait! So, Heather and I are going to do the family thing this weekend and Oliver gets baptized on Sunday and THEN, Kate, Oliver, Heather and I get to go to the Newport Aquarium on Monday. That way Kevin can acclimate to the real world after the land of funnel cakes, ribbon fries, bourbon chicken, etc...has taken him away. SO, can't wait and looking forward to more fun this summer---I don't go back until the 24th! I do go back for a day on the 17th for training, but, that doesn't count:). So, all for now and have a great day! I know I will.

Stupid cars! Stupid people! Stupid cities!

Okay, so I am driving back from Columbus today and the cars are doing the messed up car ballet meets bumper car. I want to roll down the window and just yell, "You are NOT in a NASCAR qualifying race!" But no, I was nice, just focused on "just keep driving, just keep driving..." Arrghhhh! Well, I survived, got home with "the Munch"and then regrouped to go to Lexington, Kentucky---thus, I had to go through CINCINNATTI! Yay, me! So, due to the fact that I didn't learn from my previous days antics. So, I ended up in Cinci at 5pm...duh...
But, funnier than all that, after yesterday's blog, we had a funny incident ala a friend of mine. So, I am sitting at the dining room table last night with his girlfriend talking and Ryan is taking a shower after a long day of working and making funnel cakes, ribbon fries and bourbon chicken, oh my! SO, he takes a shower, we hear a loud THUD and then I jokingly say, "Ha! Watch he fell down, I've fallen and I can't get up!" So, no one checked on him. Ryan finishes his shower and comes out drying his hair with a towel and has the best story ever. He is hold what looks like the faucet.
"Okay, so I am taking a shower and THIS flies off!" He holds up his not-so-trophy. "And here I am, shampoo in my hair, covered with soap and what am I gonna do? I fit this back on and hold it on with my leg and rinse off. And THEN, it shoots off AGAIN! So, I now I have this mark on my leg and at least, no soap or shampoo." We laughed and laughed. Poor Ryan,
After more discussion, Marissa said, "Well, I did knock on the door and you didn't answer."
Which was even funnier, because, if he was hurt, we thought he was OKAY...even though he didn't speak up. I instantaneously said, "I am soooo writing about this in my BLOG and book. Thanks!"
So, yes, my day started without a shower, morning tetris, but boy, did I have one heck of a story!

Ohio State Fair and the land o' no teeth

So, I took today to write all of my thank you notes for wedding presents and boy! Were there a lot of them. Then, after completing them, I copied pictures and e-mailed the pictures to the world along with copied them to CD for various family members. After that, I paid my left arm for stamps, so I am actually just typing with my right.
Anyway, after that, it was time to visit my husband at the Ohio State Fair and meet up with my niece and sister-in-law. Of course I left late enough in the day so that it was not too hot, but in doing so, I got to crawl forward at a snail's pace during rush hour in Columbus...so much fun! The car in front of me was hauling a horse trailer with a horse inside and YES, I got to see the end of the horse that I resembled...duh! Drive at 4:00pm, no problem! Get into Columbus at 5:00pm....stupid! Stupid! So, I arrive to the fun of cars out the yin yang, bumper to bumper traffic and yes, the driver's eye color--blue. I finally got to my exit and called Kevin who met me in his golf cart to whisk Heather and me away. To where? To a place filled with horse poop, huge cows, food that could kill ya, carnies galore, rides that no one should EVER ride and people without teeth. Do you think I'm lying? I walked around and did my usual people watching...couple after couple---big bellies, eating gargantuan food, kids that were little miniatures of their parents and mullets galore. Billy Ray Cyrus would be proud. In the back of my head I could hear his song,"I want my mullet back!" Well, Billy, go to the Ohio State Fair and you will FIND IT!
Today was the Demi Lovato concert, thus, the fair became inhabited by braces wearing teeny boppers sporting their best teenager wear and preparing themselves for screaming, lots of lots of screaming. These young girls were smiling and bouncing as if in one of those bounce arounds while they walked. I had to laugh while witnessing these children. Too funny. To think, someday they would be the ones who...nevermind...to scary.
The people at the fair are unlike any I can find anywhere else...they are almost indescribable! I mean, wow, they are just so, wow. How to explain? Yelling at their children, swear words included, model citizens, truly. I am in awe of these humans unknown by any who don't frequent these fairs of the world. I have to laugh. I don't think that I am a snob, I just have taste...or so, I think I do. But, inevitably, I will have one of those dreams where all my teeth fall out and wake up tomorrow morning tracing all of my teeth with my tongue with a sigh of relief. Then comes the mantra: I love my dentist, floss is my friend, I love my dentist, floss is my friend.

Our wedding ala collage

Duh...duh..duh...der...der

Okay, so it has come to my attention that several people are reading my blog, just not joining my blog! (Join my blog so I know you are reading AND I will keep writing:)) Duh! Silly me...so, I have been spending my time writing my book instead of entertaining the masses...so, here goes!
Since we have last talked, I have a HOUSEKEEPER! It is the coolest thing! No Mrs. Doubtfire or anything, just Selena and she is awesome. She came in yesterday and made my world pretty! Yay, me! So, I of course, being a woman, cleaned before she came. That's what it comes down to, I cleaned----yes, I did---the night before. I explained to Kevin that I had to declutter the place so that Selena could clean it thoroughly.
"So, you cleaned the night before our housekeeper came?" Kevin said and started to laugh.
After explaining it to him, I finally admitted it...what can I say, I am woman, watch me clean.
Besides that, Heather has been riding her bike everyday without training wheels of course. She is a cycling fiend!
Last night I went to dinner with Kellee and Ron, their kids, Ron's mom and Kellee's sister along with Heather of course....boy, was it good! Then, we went to the land of Barnes and Noble...yayyyyy! I bought a few books, yeah, I know...what a shock!
Nothing too hilarious, but, hey! I have a clean house! Selena was awesome and will clean every two weeks....BECAUSE, as a wise writer friend of mine reminded me---"In six months, do you want to say you have a completed manuscript or that you have a clean house?" I chose option C.....both:)

Laughter and tears

Today was a day of lawn mowing and botche ball combined with fun with Heather. It was awesome....fun with friends, neighbors who are amazing.
We miss Kevin. It is hard to be away from him and Heather cried after we went to the fair and then left him there. Not easy being the wife of a man whose busy time is the summer. I remind her that he does this so that he can spend tons of time with us throughout the school year. She just sniffles and nods her head, lower lip stuck out encompassing her face. So sad. He will be done as of Sunday the 9th...can't wait. For now, it is girl time and we will have fun till the cows come home. And then, we lock the doors.

Books, books and more books

I have to laugh at myself. As a typical teacher, I am doing research. Every single summer, I do research. The last few summers have been research about becoming a vegan, MS, animal cruelty, the food industry and now, this summer---it is about chic lit. I know, funny segue, but...hear me out. I write chic lit, I identify my writing as chic lit and I am OK with that. I have thus ordered off of eBay bunches of chic lit and am reading to truly make sure that this is my niche. My book is in no way formulaic, but, I want to see what is out there and make sure that I am not writing the same old story rehashed over and over. I don't want to be that author who is oblivious, not my style. SO, I read and I read and I write and I write. It is quite amusing. I watch people all the time, I eavesdrop, I am on the verge of stalker land and am thankful to so many for my characters. They are the culmination of thirty-eight years of living, listening, observing and being. Thank you, you characters that have come out of the silliest moments in bars, coffee shops, airports and malls. These characters are so very much of what I am and will continue to be as long as I keep reading, writing, observing and laughing. Back to my research. The life of this thirty-eight year old amazon

Wolfie and "I look Stupid" day

Okay, so I didn't blog yesterday, this is why. My cat, Wolfie, had a mishap with a dog or "something" and has bite marks on his butt. He is okay, but he had to go to the vet, it was a big fiasco including stupid visuals of cute kitty with "cone head"---hehehe...sorry, Wolfie. But, and I mean Butt...he is alright.
Yesterday, Heather and I had a wonderful day, cooking pizza from scratch, playing and being together. It was an awesome girl day and I wouldn't change a thing. I realize that every single thing I do helps my writing. Form reading tons of books to spending time with my husband or daughter, it all adds to my writing, as long as I write...so, off I go to land of writing! Well, I guess that I am technically already there! See you tomorrow, same time, same Bat channel!

Life with a Daughter

My daughter is fascinated with febreeze. Who knew? If you would walk around my house, you would smell a mountain breeze here or a cool waterfall there. It is quite funny. I have not, nor will I ever be one of those women in the commercials though smelling upholstery, not my thing. Now, my floors are sticky from the residue, my robes on the back of the door are wet and when I walk in any bathroom---"whoa!" strong smell of overpowering non-nature. It is amazing to watch her wielding the sprayed smells around---two cans as if she is in a standoff at high noon. I am waiting for a tumbleweed to go by. I could see her, poncho on, her two cans at her sides in holsters...oh yeah, it is an image.
Life with a six year old daughter is indescribable unless you have a daughter---girls are funny. From makeup applications on the sly to accidentally forgetting to take off her two piece bathing suit and putting her clothes on over top. Other mothers have warned me of these things---everything from the almighty "I want a bra" scenario to "can I wear makeup?" and the most dreaded question, "Mom, can I go out on a date?" These are all things I dread and would love to turn to my daughter and say, you may date when you are thirty, but, I know better. I will just smile, count to ten and then answer or say, "talk to your father." Hey, it works for men the world round, why not for women too?
For now, I will face the loose teeth that gross me out, the farts that mimic her father's flatulence and the stinky feet---a new addition to our house. But, I hear, boys are way worse. So, for now, I laugh, I react and I count to ten...sometimes one hundred.

Summer Fun

So, what can I say, another day, more writing---let's go! I worked so hard on the blog yesterday, that I only edited my book...not good. So, I will keep it short today, just my thoughts for the day---a journal entry.
After a day of introspection, I must say that I feel great. I need coffee, but I feel good. Summer is wonderful for me to regroup and gear up for fall and teaching. The only problem I ever have with summer, is the heat. If summer was 65 to 72 degrees all summer---I would be in heaven. When I was in Maine for a week this summer, it was my perfect temperature. I was able to be outside without any MS symptoms. Someday, I hope to have a house in Maine and be able to vacation there each summer...even if it is a rental. It was wonderful. What was also great about it was spending so much wonderful time with my two sisters: Kate and Sarah. It was amazing. Kevin didn't get to go, but Heather and I did and we were able to do things together with my sisters, their husbands and my nephew, Oliver. So, I can't remember a more memorable summer. It has been wonderful. I also find myself wishing I was in Maine---right now. sigh....someday.