Randomness

There are so many posts that I want to put up. Perhaps over the Christmas break. FB has most everything. I may just go through the posts on my wall and copy/paste here. Anyway, for now, here's the beginning of some random things about me. 

Oct. 1:
I don't like asking for help.
I don't like taking baths, only showers.
I don't like raspberries.
I loathe soggy bread type things like dumplings.
I've become a pickier eater, but I'm not super picky.
The smell of Penicillin is pretty much the only thing that will make me want to puke.
I'm happy to eat the same thing for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, unless it's cereal. I don't really like cereal.
I've gone to school for at least 31 years, including working at a school.
I'm not as calm as I appear to be.
If I scream, I'll scare myself.
I tend to gravitate toward challenges, and then wonder why when it stresses me out.
I like being in charge, but I don't like other people making me be in charge unless I want to be in charge.
I like being alone, but sometimes I wish that I was more social.
I don't like crowds or traffic.
I prefer hanging out with one to three people at a time.
I love teaching, especially reading.
I love the color of my eyes.
I like talking on the phone, sometimes more than in person.
My least favorite chore is washing dishes.

Today:
I find "sure" difficult to interpret.
I like mud and squishy things and getting messy, especially with clay.
I analyze everything.
I suck on my tongue when I sleep, or so I've been told.
I pray a lot!
Listening to hymns helps me be less annoyed with crazy drivers and provides insight and inspiration.
It takes a lot for me to trust people.
When I get too stressed out, I tend to become a slug.
I don't like crying. (It's okay if other people cry though.)
I don't like wide open spaces.
I like driving in the canyons.
I didn't have any depth perception until I was twelve and a half years old, so sports and anything involving a ball terrifies me.
I like to wander around.
I like getting lost, at least when I try to get lost on purpose.
I have a hard time talking to people I don't know unless there is an easy topic of conversation. I talk about school and education way too much!
I don't take good care of my car.
If I were rich, I would hire a chauffeur.
I like to sew and create things, but I don't like making the same thing over and over, and mending is only as needed and will probably sit in a pile for a really long time, sometimes years.
I like going fast and spinning.
I hate going backwards!
I can be really jumpy, especially if I'm tired or sick.
I can also be extremely silly, but most people don't get to see that side.
I'm good at disappearing and hiding, probably too good.
I like the smell of rain.
I love thunder and lightning storms. This is one thing I miss about NY.
When I was little, I used to collect worms after a rainstorm, then put them in my raincoat pocket and forget about them until it stunk, yuck!
I like to sing, but I don't like an audience. When I was little, I would sing on the roof of my brothers playhouse. I'm sure the whole neighborhood could hear, but they couldn't see me, so it was okay.
I like heights, but I don't like falling.

Sammy's Birthday!

My favorite Sam turned 8 while I was out of town. I promised that when I got back that we would go shopping for stuffed animals since that was what he requested (not just the new stuffed animals, but the shopping part as well). Well, today was finally the day! After finding the perfect new friends (a fox and a cat), we had treats at JCWs (shakes and fries for him, and lunch, shake, and fries for me), yum! He's so cute! I'm glad we were able to hang out this afternoon. Love you forever Sam!

Enjoying his shake and being silly

Sam's remedy for brain freeze - place a warm fry on your throat. This after I suggested that he eat a warm fry! What a cute goof!

People say I look creepy, but I'm not!

Look What I Found!

Spiedie sauce! This is a summer must from my hometown area in upstate NY. If you're not familiar with it, google it. :)

WBT and an Announcement!

This past Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, I attended the annual national Whole Brain Teaching conference in Louisiana! This was such a huge stretch for my introverted self! We weren't just learning about Whole Brain Teaching, we were participating in Whole Brain Teaching! That meant a lot of turning and talking to other people, which in my case, since I went by myself, meant talking to all sorts of people I'd never met before, scary! After the shock wore off, and lots of prayers for help were said, the conference went well, and I learned all sorts of fabulousness to share with my kiddos next year.

There were way more attendees than this! The picture was taken during a break.

The ceiling had all these rolls, but also a lot of water damage? It wasn't musty smelling though.

The outside of the building

The school was really nice and let us eat at the student cafe for lunch. They always served a local style food - fried chicken, rice and beans with sausage, corn bread, cajun spiced chicken nuggets, green beans with bacon, salad, dessert, etc. So fun!

Plus...

I've been offered a position for next year! It happened during my layover at the Denver Airport. I was SO shocked, because I really didn't feel like they would make an offer! It's for a 2nd/3rd split. There are several reasons for a split class. In this case, it means that there are 2nd graders who are mostly ready for 3rd grade work. It's going to be challenging, but with lots of support, prayer, and study, it's going to be great!

Loyd Hall Plantation: part 4

My cabin! 

It was so nice to completely have my own space!

Loyd Hall Plantation: part 3

Local food. It was okay, but seemingly expensive for a little dive place.

The road to the plantation was really hard to find! Luckily the church just down the street was on the map which helped me figure out where to turn!

The plantation has several cats. This one was pretty friendly and greeted me on my way in and out.

This little one was so skinny! I felt sorry for it and gave it some treats. She let me get near, but no touching! She was quite the little beggar though. Cute :)

Sugar cane or corn

This waterway (boeuf) was the original way to get to the property before roads were created. It was wide enough and deep enough for steamboats to go up and down.

The main house

Porkys in Alexandria, yum! This was definitely worth it! It's a tiny little walk up place.
(crawfish pie - didn't like; bbq brisket - amazing! Boudin ball, yum! and gumbo - okay) It was so much food (I wanted a variety to try the local dishes), that I ate the leftovers for lunch the next day.

(source - FB)

Loyd Hall Plantation: part 2

square grand piano underneath the stairs

family bible donated by a relative of the original owner back in 1820

The Native Americans in the area did not like the original owner (it seemed he was also disowned by his family back in England and forced to leave for America - so not so likable anyway?). One time, while trying to kill him, the local tribe shot arrows at the door. the arrows went through to the other side, but were stuck in the door and are now there forever.

dining room

The table is actually older than the house. No furniture was left when the current owner took over, but they did their best to find period pieces. The table is supported by the huge pedestal in the middle and two small supports (modern) on the ends.

all the molding in the house is plaster locally made and original to the house - made with three different types of animal hair and then placed in molds until dry.

The kitchen door has been stripped to show the wood. The kitchen was put in in 1948. The original kitchen is in one of the out buildings that has now been turned into a cottage.

 The walls are about 18" thick and built using clay bricks.

Parlor for guests

It is a custom of the time (1820) that no finial was to be found on the bottom staircase post until the house was paid for. Once it was paid for, an ivory or other special material ball was placed there with the deed hidden underneath.

second floor balcony - the original kitchen is to the right and the commissary (where I stayed) is to the left.

One of the suites in the main house (second floor)