Dear Student

I was wrong. I thought the second half of the semester would be better than the first. But unfortunately your behavior has not improved. I have never had such a defiant student in my 11 years of teaching. You continue to read your iPad and study for your next class (you admitted this to me while visiting in my office). And each day you continue to challenge me in front of the whole class. What is up with that? Additionally, criticizing the exam questions instead of just answering them will not help you pass the test. And it may not help you pass the class.
How many more weeks until this semester is over?
Dr. T.

More House Photos

I am slowly, gradually, adding things to the house addition.

On the south wall you can faintly see the "Be Thankful" sign I found last week, along with a wagon full of mums that I pulled out of my holiday decorations.



Purchased this clock at Costco the other night. It hangs above the bar.


My sister helped me put on these rub-on letters on my wall. My brother had a brilliant idea to put some photos beneath it. I tell you, he knows everything-- even a little about decorating!

I purchased these bar stools at Pier One. I needed 32" bar stools because of the counter height. Note to self-- don't ever build this way again. 30" bar stools are standard and much easier to find. But thanks to the tip of my friend Jeanne, I went to Pier One, and found these on clearance, plus I got an extra 20% off if I opened a Pier One card. YES! So two bar stools for less than the price of one of the other styles I've been looking at on-line.


This is a table-topper that mom made me. I purchased the pattern when I was in Salem, MA this summer. The pumpkin is from my aunt.

Life Is Good!

I'm in Love....

...with the addition to my house. The carpet came this week. There are still a few minor things they have to do, plus the deck railing and stairs, but we are so close. I am anxious to start adding furniture and decorations to the wall.

My sister and her kids came to visit too. We had a great time decorating pumpkins, miniature golfing, and eating good food. I asked my sister if she wanted to come be my personal chef :)

This is a really easy pizza crust from www.allrecipes.com It is called Valentinos Pizza crust. Super easy to make and then add your favorite toppings.

Ingredients

• 1 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Directions

1. Stir water, sugar and yeast together until dissolved. Add the olive oil and the salt. Stir in the flour until well blended. Let dough rest for 10 minutes.
2. Pat dough into pan or on to a pizza stone using fingers dipped in olive oil. If desired sprinkle basil, thyme or other seasonings on crust. Top with your favorite pizza toppings and bake for 15 to 20 minutes in a preheated 425 degree oven.

Dear Student

Dear Student,
Thanks for coming to visit me today. As you sat in the chair across from my desk, I could tell that you were just a little nervous-- and so was I.

I think the second half of the semester can be a good one for both of us. I've appreciated that you haven't talked to your classmates during class, at least not while I was talking. And thanks for not pouting today.

Remember, I am on your side and am here to help you succeed.
Dr. T.

Funeral for Mr A

I attended Mr A's funeral today. The service was beautiful. My brother-in-law gave a fabulous talk. Mr J played the viola while my sister played the piano and the grandchildren sang, "Jesus Said Love Everyone."

Bar

I'm one step closer.... the bar was installed today. Now I'm on the hunt for bar stools. I found some that I really liked, but they are a little spendy. Of course I always have expensive tastes. My mom says I come by that naturally-- my dad is the same way :)

The Life of Mr J and Mr A

Seven years ago today, I called my sister and encouraged her to make a doctor's appointment for Mr J with Sandy Friden. Though the pediatrician attributed Mr J's behavior to "separation anxiety" after starting kindergarten, we knew something was more seriously wrong. That was the beginning of a long journey. I've never prayed so hard for anything in my life as I did for Mr J in those first few months. Tomorrow it will be seven years since Mr J's brain tumor diagnosis.



Today my sister was once again in a hospital in SLC, this time with her father-in-law. Unfortunately the outcome of this event was not as positive. Mr A. passed away this afternoon following complications from surgery. This event has left a dark cloud on our family, because Mr A. was like family. We spent holidays together, as well as birthdays, baptisms, and blessings. Mr A. was so friendly and made you feel so comfortable. He could talk to anyone for hours. We will miss him.



All of this reminds me about what is most important in life. The most important things are not things, but people.

Life is Good.

Dear Student

Dear Student,

I am sorry that I was not more diplomatic when I talked with your group after class today. The bottom line is still the same-- this behavior has to stop. I still don't understand why you send me daggers when I look at you and wait to proceed with class until you stop talking. Do you think you have a right to be disrespectful?? In 11 years I've never encountered someone like you.

What happened to manners? Maybe you missed out on high school teachers like Bill Wilkins and Al Kiep who instilled respect and civility.

Dr. T.

P.S. Can't wait until teacher evaluations come out at the end of the semester. This ought to be good.

Grateful to Slow Down

I am grateful for the Sabbath. I am grateful that it is a day to remember that it is God that does sanctify me (Exodus 31:13). I am grateful that it is a day of rest from our temporal labors. I know that if we follow this counsel found in Isaiah 58:13-14, our lives will be blessed.

If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:

Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

I am grateful for the opportunity to listen to General Conference. I especially liked Pres. Uchtdorf's talk. Of late, I feel like I am going 100 miles per hour and I only see the acceleration increasing, not decreasing. His talk was a good reminder to me that I need to slow down and proceed as a pace that is appropriate for my circumstances. I can't do everything, though I want to and think that I should.

Life is Good! We have living prophets and apostles on the earth to guide and direct us back to our Heavenly home. By following their counsel we can find joy amidst the challenges.