Once Upon A Plan

New Blog Beginning

2008-05-03T18:06:00.001-07:00

We now have our new blog up and updated......visit us to keep updated! (Be sure to update your bookmark!!)

http://hereincola.blogspot.com

For the Moment....

2008-04-21T18:36:00.000-07:00

Some of you I have talked to and some I haven't yet, but for now, I am going to suspend this blog. I will restart a new one soon because I know family and friends want to keep up with the boys. Watch for the posting on it when I get it set up.

Till then..........

"Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end...." ~Closing Time, Semisonic.

Friday Feast #187

2008-04-18T03:15:00.000-07:00

Appetizer
Name a color you find soothing. lavender

Soup
Using 20 or less words, describe your first driving experience.

I missed a turn and almost ran over a funeral home sign.

Salad
What material is your favorite item of clothing made out of?

I don't have one favorite thing ---

Main Course
Who is a great singer or musician who, if they were to come to your town for a concert, you would spend the night outside waiting for tickets to see? Easy....U2 or Aerosmith

Dessert
What is the most frequent letter of the alphabet in your whole name (first, middle, maiden, last, etc.)? its a tie --- e, l, n

Playing Catch Up....

2008-04-13T07:03:00.000-07:00

A few people have e-mailed asking if everything is ok since I haven't posted in a while, and, yes, we're all fine --- it has just been incredibly busy lately!

But here is a little news of what is going on around here:

* Clay was accepted into TWO magnet programs for next year. One -- Horizon -- is an extremely competitive academic magnet. They choose 40 students per year and Clay was selected from about 100 applications. The second one -- CavPlex -- is a media based program that he will learn all about print, visual and production media over the four years. Of course, he is very excited!
*Ron got a "promotion" last week -- he's now reporting directly to the CIO of the company. More work for him, I'm sure! :)

Otherwise, its just life as usual. Ron and I are going to the beach next weekend for a Jaycees convention, Clay is camping and then heading to an OA event the following weekend and Ron and I are joining friends for the Kenny Chesney concert in two weeks. Can't wait for that!

And, not to leave Ben out, he's doing well. The child loves, loves, loves music and The Beatles anymore. He's excited that Grammie is coming on Friday and they are going to use our museum and zoo memberships for some fun. And, he is SO excited about seeing Aunt Marti, Aunt Kim, Uncle Leonard and Zach next weekend at the PC spring game.

I'll try to be a little better about updating......M.

Friday Feast #186

2008-04-04T05:12:00.000-07:00

Appetizer
Invent a new flower; give it a name and describe it. ?????

Soup
Name someone whom you think has a wonderful voice. Keifer Sutherland!!!!!

Salad
On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being highest, how clean do you keep your car?1....I practically LIVE out of my car

Main Course
How do you feel about poetry? LOVE IT!! Reading and writing....love both!

Dessert
What was the last person/place/thing you took a picture of? Steph and Rick last night at Yo Burrito is the last picture I took, the last picture on my camera is one of me and Steph that Rick took.....

The Cup

2008-03-29T21:43:00.000-07:00

We can add to our list of things we have now done (and will do again!)....The Carolina Cup! We got up early this morning and finished packing the car with tables, tents, chairs, coolers, etc. and headed down to Camden for the annual steeplechase event.

When we first got there it was warm and windy, but Ron and I headed straight to College Park and the Vineyard Vines tent. I was hoping for a tee-shirt, which I didn't get, but we did get a whale hat and key chains. Next year, I know to get over there earlier. And, we stopped by the Lilly Pulitzer table where they were giving away cute little photo albums. We got back to our spot, set up shop and then walked over to Elizabeth's where she, Brett, Brian, and Heather were based. We were waiting on Paula, Peggy, Leslie and Meredith --- who got there as the races were starting due to traffic. Over the next few hours though we saw a LOT of people, and a few horses!

The weather deteriorated as the day went on into windy and COLD. I was freezing in my sundress. After a couple of races I decided to walk back over to College Park where some of the Phi Mu's were tailgating. I went in between races while the gates were open and no sooner than I got there did the bottom fall out of the sky. It poured! I happened to find one of the girls and I stayed under the tent she was at for a while, before trying to head back --- only to find the gates were closed as a race was about to start. A very nice guy shared his umbrella while we waited and by the time I got back to our car it had all but stopped raining. Just my luck, I guess! Of course, almost everyone had packed up and traffic was a nightmare, so Ron, Paula, Leslie and I sat in the car with the heat on while it cleared out.

We saw some funny, absurd and interesting sites at the Cup. It was a people watcher's dream!

Despite the weather, it was a really fun time with friends and I think we are all looking forward to next year....with warmer weather.

me and Rhe

my Vineyard Vines whale hat!

Ron FINALLY let me get him a birthday/Christmas/Valentine's gift --- a tent!

after the rain...Paula, me and Leslie

Indian Culture

2008-03-28T11:16:00.000-07:00

Last night Ron and I joined some friends from Jaycees for "A Night in India". We ate some yummy Indian food (which neither of us had ever tried before) and then viewed a slide show about India and learned all about the country from Singe (I think that is spelled correctly)and her family, a friend of Sheila's who moved to the US a few years ago. At most points we had no idea what exactly we were eating, but the "chicken 65" was really good and the dessert -- a flowery flavored sorbet -- was great!

It was definitely something different and we learned a lot, too. Singe is from the southern part of India and she was able to share many of the customs, historical facts and ways of life. I was most interested to learn that she and her family are all Christians and not Hindu or Buddhist....that really surprised us all. She and her husband, Jobe, were married in an arranged marriage (she met him only a month or so before the wedding), yet she told of how her sister wanted to marry a man who was not "chosen" for her. The father sent the man off to complete "tasks" before he would allow the marriage. One of those was that he must convert from Hinduism to Christianity. The man met all of their father's requirements over time and is now married to her sister. It was all very interesting and the family was very sweet. I would love to visit India someday and see, in person, the sights we viewed on the screen.

Friday Feast #185

2008-03-28T11:09:00.000-07:00

Appetizer:

What does the color dark green make you think of? a Woolrich sweater that I have had forever...time to retire, I think.

Soup

How many cousins do you have? 7

Salad

On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being highest, how honest are you? 8, I think we had this one a while back??

Main Course

Name something that is truly free. Air.

Dessert

Using the letters in the word SPRING, write a sentence. Stay put right in new grass. (My creativity is REALLY lacking today)

The Bunco Cup!

2008-03-26T10:29:00.000-07:00

In keeping with the upcoming Carolina Cup, our monthly Bunco theme was aptly dubbed the "Bunco Cup". We dressed up and wore our hats and thoroughly enjoyed Stephanie's great hostessing....she went all out with decorations, "tickets" (even having Rick and Ron direct parking and collect $$/give out tickets), dressing up poor Rosemary like a jockey and cup-themed foods. Best of all was "THE punch", courtesy of Rick's mom!

BubbleShare: Share photos - Powered by BubbleShare

Spring Has Arrived!

2008-03-26T08:31:00.000-07:00

I haven't really posted in a while about what we have been up to simply because we haven't been up to much at all! I got sick right after St. Pat's and I'm just now starting to feel better. The doctor said a bad, bad case of bronchitis, but Ron and I lean towards maybe a case of walking pneumonia. And, speaking of Ron, his allergies have gone haywire. We didnt' think they could ever be worse than in the Upstate, but, well, we moved here......

Ben has been playing his Wii like crazy. In place of the Easter bunny this year, he opted for a Wii sports pack. Clay is still learning his guitar. He's doing really great -- writing his own songs as well as learning the songs he loves. He bought a second guitar and an amp a few weeks ago at a pawn shop. He also won the "tomahawk throwing contest" at OA a few weekends ago which means he'll be representing his lodge at the Dixie in April. Clay did transfer to a new scout troop. This one is a little less "high adventure" and he had a good friend from school there. We've been pleased with the leadership. Clay's "bunny" gift is a camping trip with the troop in a few weeks. We also find out next week which magnet program(s) Clay got into for next year and from there we'll decide if we're staying out in this area or moving over the summer.

Not to be left out, Maggie is still being the family baby! She loves to watch the birds outside our patio door.

The boys and I are on spring break this week and taking it easy. Last night was Bunco (more to post on that later) and tomorrow night Ron and I are going to an Indian restaurant with our Jaycees friends. Then, Saturday is the BIG day -- the Carolina Cup! I haven't been to a horse race in a LONG time (Clay was a baby the last time) and I can't wait.

I can't believe that it is almost April! Wow! Time sure has flown....it seems like just yesterday that I was posting about Christmas. Hard to belive that it soon will be summer! :)

the new guitar

Ben thinks Clay is a rock star or something.....

tomahawk practice

the scoutmaster let Ben give it a try, too

Friday Feast #184

2008-03-21T04:58:00.000-07:00

Appetizer:
Given the choice, would you prefer to live in the country or in the city? CITY.....just in case let me repeat it again....CITY!!!

Soup:
Who is the cutest kid you know? My own, of course! (just check out the sidebar picture if you don't believe me!)

Salad:
Fill in the blank: I couldn’t believe it when I heard ___________.

I couldn't believe it when I heard the police cars in Five Points bellowing, "Please take sheleter immediately" at St. Pat's. (It was quite surreal)

Main Course
If you could star in a commercial for one of your favorite products, which one would you want to advertise? I don't have an answer for this one...

Dessert
What type(s) of vitamins and/or supplements do you take on a regular basis? none really. I occasionally take a multi-vitamin, but not on a regular basis at all.

I Need an Apple!

2008-03-17T15:28:00.000-07:00

I used to eat at least two apples a day --- one at breakfast and one at lunch. Somedays, more. I quit a few weeks ago, not out of any particular reason.

And, wouldn't you know, no apple a day to keep the doctor away, so his office is where I found myself this afternoon.

Thankfully, it is not the flu.....but it is bronchitis. I'm now on five medicines to counteract my lack of apples! You can guess what I'll be putting back in my lunchbox starting tomorrow!

St. Pat's and Tornados!

2008-03-16T16:32:00.000-07:00

What a weekend! Ron's mother came down Friday evening to pick up Ben for the weekend. He hadn't been able to celebrate his brithday with her and Grandpa yet. And, Clay was off to Barstow for an OA weekend. While she was here, we went out to Sandhill for some shopping and then I went downtown after they left to take Ron dinner. Remember the big project that ate up all those weekends? Well, after at trip to Nashville to visit the vendor last week they were sure it would happne on Friday night. Ron got home at 6 AM! He was exhausted and we had planned to meet up with friends for the St. Patrick's Day celebration. We chose to sleep in and go down a little later. In the process I kept complaining that I had a scratchy throat.

We met up with Aimee and Marley and headed to Delaneys for lunch and ended up spending the rest of the day there because of the weather. I had planned to go meet my friend Stephanie to see Edwin McCain and she texted that it was cancelled due to tornado warnings! It was crazy! Apparently it never got bad downtown, but out where we are several friends have told us it was really nasty. Quite the experience for our first St. Patrick's Day in Columbia!

We thought we had gone all out buying beads and buttons and green jewelry, but some of the people were a HOOT!! Like the guy above who was completely decked out in his leprechaun suit. Some people had their hair dyed green, and it was GREEN, GREEN everywhere you looked!

Remember the scratchy throat? Well, I've spent the whole day laying around due to a sore throat and fever. YUCK! Ron has been taking great care of me bringing medicine and picking up so that I can rest. If I don't feel better tomorrow, I'll go to the dr.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Friday Feast #183

2008-03-14T04:00:00.000-07:00

Appetizer
On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 as highest), how much do you like your own handwriting? 7...its not too bad

Soup
Do you prefer baths or showers? baths

Salad
What was the last bad movie you watched? Ha! I can't even remember the name of it, but it was one of those parody movies --- this one parodied football movies

Main Course
Name something you are addicted to and describe how it affects your life. E-mail....it affects my life by requiring me to check it 500 times a day and I'm not happy when I don't have new e-mails (non-junk e-mails!) in my inbox!

Dessert
Which instrument is your favorite to listen to? no one particular instrument....I enjoy a guitar and piano

We Got Our Glasses....Again

2008-03-13T06:39:00.000-07:00

If you remember back at Christmas, we were all excited about getting the Flying Saucer Christmas '07 glasses, well, last night was St. Patrick's Day glass-nite. After the Jaycees membership social at Wild Wings about 15 of us headed over to Flying Saucer to get glasses...and we almost literally got the very last ones they had! (They always go on sale at 7 and they were sold out by 8 last night.) These are really cool, too, just like the Christmas glasses. And, no, we don't use them...these are totally for collecting at our house.

Elizabeth and I show off our glasses!

We even wear our sunglasses at night! Haha! Rhea, Ben and I just all happened to still have them on us and thought this would make a great picture!

This is too funny because Ron and Brett were actually talking to each other....they were inputing their numbers into contacts....

St. Pat's Kick Off

2008-03-07T17:40:00.000-08:00

Even though the big party is still a week away, 5 Points had a "kick off" tonight for St. Patrick's Day. After dinner, again this week, at the Salty Nut, we walked over to the fountain to find out about the dyeing of the fountain, get beads and buttons, Ben had green cookies and popcorn and meet Logan, the Leprachaun.

We had a half hour before the dyeing so we walked down the street to a few shops (bought a cup at the Greek Store and a great new blouse to wear for St. Pat's at Wish). Ron used the time to pass out some of the 100s of "St. Patrick's Day" cups from Jaycees. He had a blast giving them away and making people smile. I think he gave away one whole case! (We still have a few more cases in the car for next weekend.)

At 6:00 we headed back to the fountain, where a bag pipe band was performing as the kids dyed the fountain GREEN!! After a walk down to "Yappy Hour" (even though Maggie was at home we couldn't miss a trip to 3 Dog Bakery) for Boston Terrier Creme Pies. The owner even sent Maggie a shamrock cookie, which thrilled the Maggie-dog!

BubbleShare: Share photos - green toy news

Friday Feast #182

2008-03-07T04:40:00.001-08:00

Appetizer:
If you could be any current celebrity for one whole week, who would you want to be?
Jennifer Aniston...then I could know the REAL story behind the Brad-Jennifer-Angelina soap opera

Soup:
On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being highest), how much do you enjoy talking on the phone? 1...I really don't like talking on the phone at all....I prefer e-mail

Salad:
Name a charitable organization to which you have donated (or would like to). Palmetto Health Foundation - Children's Hospital

Main Course:
What is a food you like so much you could eat it every single day for a month? grapes

Dessert
Have you or anyone in your family had the flu this year? Not officially, I had something with flu like symptoms and was real sick back in October, but I don't know for sure that it was the flu

Happy Birthday, Uncle Ryan!

2008-03-06T06:28:00.000-08:00

We hope your day is great!

Love,

Ron, Melanie, Clay, Ben and Maggie

Celebrating Phi Mu!

2008-03-05T17:25:00.000-08:00

As I posted yesterday it was Phi Mu's Founders Day. To celebrate, nine members of our alumnae chapter volunteered for the Children's Hospital Radiothon. We worked the phone bank and had a great time. The phones were BUSY (thank goodness) and we were on the news! :)

This was by far the most exciting day and hours of Radiothon. The media was there, many of the kids serviced from the hospital and we were able to be there when the final amount pledged was announced. Last year $180,000 was raised and this year it was topped with over $203,000!!!! Amazing!!

I spent most of my time calling and verifying pledges versus taking calls, but I did get to answer a few. The best part was talking to people who have children, grandchildren, church friends or neighbors who were serviced by the Children's hospital and meeting some of the kids --- like the one little boy who came with his mom to make a donation and has been in remission from cancer for two years. I am so glad that we could be a part of making a difference in the lives of children and their families.

After the totals announcement, seven of us headed to Za's to celebrate over dinner!
BubbleShare: Share photos - green toy news

Happy Founder's Day, Phi Mu!

2008-03-04T05:03:00.000-08:00

Today, Phi Mu is 156 years old! I can't wait to celebrate later this afternoon with other local sisters. But, in the meantime, almost 15 years after I was initiated, I still try to live my life by these beautiful words that, together with our ritual, bind Phi Mu's all over the world..

THE CREED OF PHI MU

To lend to those less fortunate a helping hand.

To think of God as a protector and guide of us all.

To keep forever sacred the memory of those we have loved and lost.

To be to others what we would they would be to us.

To keep our lives gentle, merciful and just,

Thus being true to the womanhood of love.
To walk in the way of honor, guarding the purity of our thoughts and deeds.

Being steadfast in every duty small or large.

Believing that our given word is binding.

Striving to esteem the inner man above culture, wealth or pedigree.

Being honorable, courteous, tender, Thus being true to the womanhood of honor.
To serve in the light of truth avoiding egotism, narrowness, and scorn.

To give freely of our sympathies.

To reverence God as our Maker, striving to serve Him in all things.

To minister to the needy and unfortunate.

To practice day by day love, honor, truth.

Thus keeping true to the meaning, spirit and reality of Phi Mu.

What a Sunday!

2008-03-02T17:24:00.001-08:00

We were up early again this morning. Okay, not as early as yesterday, but early for us. My friend, Elizabeth, invited us to visit her church and we got up for breakfast and to pick up some things at Walgreens before meeting her. We LOVED the church and can't wait to visit again.

After service we hurried to drop off the boys and get dowtown to the Heart Center to join the Jaycees to work on the B106.7 Radiothon for Children's Hospital (I'll be back on Tuesday night and if we don't get any calls, I may be calling YOU!) We were able to stay there for about two hours before leaving to meet the JWC girls (and a couple of other hubbies) and the kids from the shelter for a "behind the scenes" tour of the State House. One of our provisionals, Michele, has a husband who works at the state house and he arranged for us to not only see the "usual" tour, but also to visit the basement (which is almost entirely granite and yes there are some tunnels, but not the rumored "escape" tunnels) and the dome(s). I chickened out of going all the way to the top of the dome as the heights got to me about halfway. Ron and whole bunch of others, though, went ALL the way. He was so excited as we were pulling off of Main St. to point to the tip-top of the State House and say, "I was up there!". It was an AWESOME experience to see parts of the building that most people don't get to, hear the history and workings of the facility.

The best joke was that in one room there was a hatch to an underground area and you have to be put in and lifted out by harness because of potential dangerous gas that Jack Bauer wouldn't need a harness and he would make through the gas to the bad guys hiding underneath to save the building. After that we started making JB jokes as the facility guy pointed out safety features.

Another really cool thing was the "moat" that surrounds the building and the earthquake prevention features that have been put in. Completely fascinating!

I will add more pictures later....my friend Paula took some GREAT ones and when I get those, I'll share them, too (especially the one of us in the "dome").

BubbleShare: Share photos - Find great Clip Art Images.

Early Satuday Morning

2008-03-01T12:25:00.000-08:00

I did something for the first time today. I watched the sun come up over the city from the zoo. Ron and I got up at 5:30 (AM..in case you were wondering)to get ready and be at the zoo by 6:40 to volunteer with the Jaycees at the March for Meals 5k. It was great to see everyone and very interesting to watch the race dynamics -- the serious runners to the strollers, those with wheels and those with feet.

I was at the beginning and the end of the race in the parking lot, while Ron was inside the zoo. We were there just to make sure folks stayed on the running path. Afterwards we met up with some of our old and new Jaycees friends to chat for a while before heading over to Main St. for breakfast at Chic-fil-A and a quick walk through the "Excavating Eygpt" exhibit at the Art Museum. It was a great exhibit and I can't wait to take the boys back to see it. Ron and I then came home and took a LONG nap!

(in the photo from L to R: Elizabeth (with Ron hiding behind her), Me, Sheila, Randy, Ben, Hailey, John and Ryan)

How Did You Spend Your Leap Day?

2008-02-29T16:36:00.000-08:00

That seemed to be the question of the day on the Internet, TV and radio. Most of my "leap day" was spent just like always.....at school (though we did go to Young Chef's Academy for a field trip and that was different and fun). After school was a different story.......

Ron and I are volunteering at the "March for Meals" 5K tomorrow morning (we have to be AT the zoo by 6:40 AM...CRINGE) with Jaycees. I needed to pick up our tee shirts so we wouldn't have to change when we got there in the morning and so after getting Clay from school, it was very nice outside, the boys and I decided to go on and utilize our membership by spending an hour or so at the zoo before picking up the shirts and meeting Ron for dinner at the Salty Nut.

We had a really good time. Their were way more people than we anticipated (January and February are free on Fridays for Richland and Lexington residents. I'm guessing that explains it), but most of the animals were in rare form. The flamingos were hilarious...they were "talking" and stretching their necks. We saw the lemurs for the first time. Not sure how we missed those. And, then we got to see the new baby koala....it is SO cute!! Maybe they all new today was "leap day" and they were taking advantage of it!

We go to the zoo quite a bit, most definitely getting our money's worth from the membership. And, I have taken hundreds of pictures, but I still always take my camera and take more. It seems that every time we go, there is something new to document.

I'm sure the zoo won't be nearly as great at the crack of dawn in the morning so I am glad the boys and I enjoyed it this afternoon! :)
BubbleShare: Share photos - Safe Baby Toys

PJ Party Bunco!

2008-02-29T16:15:00.000-08:00

It has been such a busy week that I am just now getting to blog about our second Bunco for our newly named Bunco Babes' group on Tuesday night.

Anaya hostessed at her house and chose a pj party theme. It was lots of fun to go out and get new jammies just for this and then hang out with a bunch of my favorite girls to play Bunco. As usual, we had a GREAT time! I am already ready for next month's Bunco CUP themed night (in honor of the Carolina Cup that following Saturday...which I am also VERY ready for!)

BubbleShare: Share photos - Find great Clip Art Images.

Friday Feast #181

2008-02-29T05:10:00.000-08:00

Appetizer:
Who was the last person you hugged? Ron, first thing this morninig

Soup:
Share a beauty or grooming trick or tip with us. Oh yeah, this is something I am not good at passing out tips on...my best advice, if you don't want to wash your hair, pull it up first thing in the morning with a clip and then shake it out....it falls pretty well.

Salad:
What does the color yellow make you think of? the sun (real creative, I know...its early)

Main Course:
If you were to make your living as a photographer, what subject would your pictures revolve around? cities and architecture....I love unique settings

Dessert:
What was the longest book you ever read? probably, Gone with the Wind or Beach Music by Pat Conroy...right off I'm not sure how many pages are in each, but they are both pretty long. (And, both are WONDERFUL!)

Another Birthday Celebration for Ben

2008-02-23T19:09:00.000-08:00

Today my parents came down to visit and celebrate Ben's birthday. We met them at the State Museum and toured it for a while, did a little shopping, ate lunch in the Vista at 5 Guys and walked the grounds of the Robert Mills house. It was a fun afternoon! And, Ben was thrilled to get another celebration (this birthday has streteched for over a week now!)....he promptly took his $$ gifts to buy a Civil War set at the museum and a new Wii video game!

BubbleShare: Share photos - Play some Online Games.

Baubles and Bubbles 2008

2008-02-22T18:23:00.000-08:00

Last night was Junior Woman's Club's annual fundraiser event, Baubles and Bubbles, for Palmetto Place shelter. It was a terrific and fun night in spite of the pouring rain!

We had great food, some wonderful silent auction baskets and a diamond drop (someone did win, but, nope, it wasn't me....I walked away with two nice CZ's though). We had live music and lots of girl time. I was fortunate to have JWC, Phi Mu, Jaycees, ViA, Bunco, GNO and school friends there to share the evening with....we had a blast! Although the event was fun, the best part is that we raised some much needed funds for the shelter. And, that is what it truly is all about.

Ron was there helping out, as was our friend Dennis....Ron enjoyed getting to meet many of my friends that he hadn't previously met.

I can't wait for next year!!

BubbleShare: Share photos - Play some Online Games.

Friday Feast #180

2008-02-22T06:30:00.000-08:00

Appetizer:
Have you ever played a practical joke on anyone? If so, what did you do and who was your victim? No....

Soup:
What do your salt and pepper shakers look like? Purple and light green plastic (with lots of melting bubbles due to proximity to the stove)

Salad:
Where is the next place you plan to visit (on vacation or business)? It's a secret! :)

Main Course:
What kind of lotion or cream do you use to keep your hands from getting too dry? none really... I use a Mary Kay body lotion and occasionally Bath and Body Works body lotion, but nothing really "hand" related

Dessert
Make up a dessert, tell us its ingredients, and give it a name. I think all the great desserts have already been made up! My only ingredient would be CHOCOLATE!

It finally arrived!

2008-02-22T06:27:00.000-08:00

Ben was estatic to find out that his birthday present arrived (only a week late!). Then, to his dismay he had to wait to open it because I was heading to Baubbles and Bubbles (I'll post about this later.) and Ron was volunteering at B&B.....we were definitely not going to let him open it until we were home!

Needless to say he was thrilled and it was well worth the wait!

Sunday Afternoon

2008-02-17T14:55:00.000-08:00

Since Ron worked again today and couldn't leave to go get lunch, the boys and I packed lunch, went to his office and had a "picnic" in the conference room. Afterwards, since Ben hadn't been to play in a while and since Clay hadn't worked in a while, we headed to EdVenture for a fun afternoon. While Ben played and Clay worked, I alternated taking pictures and reading John Grisham's "The Innocent Man". Now, we're back home --- having worked out, folded laundry --- cooking supper and Ron just walked in! Yea!! We can finally celebrate with his key lime pie!

BubbleShare: Share photos - Find great Clip Art Images.

Happy 41st......

2008-02-16T17:46:00.000-08:00

Ron's birthday has not quite been the birthday one would want/expect. He had to work....ALL DAY (it is 9:00 and he just called that it will be really late when he leaves.) He has had a huge project going on and it was supposed to be two weekends ago, but got cancelled. It moved to last weekend, there was an equipment problem late last Saturday night. It got moved to this weekend....Ron's birthday.

I had made dinner reservations earlier in the week, when we thought this weekend might cancel, too. So, one of the other guys offered to stay behind at dinner time so Ron could keep his birthday dinner reservations with me. I got dressed and took his suit to him at his office, where he changed before we headed to eat.

It was a wonderful dinner! We went to the Capital City Club and enjoyed conversation, food and the beautiful view of the city. Ron had a steak, while I opted for the snapper with pico de gallo grits. (Now, I am not a big fan of grits....I know, there must be some Yankee blood in me somewhere.....but these were GREAT! Who would have thought -- pico de gallo and grits.)

He walked me back to my car before heading back to the office. At least it was on his birthday and not mine! Just kidding! It wasn't quite the birthday I wanted for him this year, but it turned out to be just fine....nothing better than getting all dressed up, good food and great city to enjoy! And, we have a key lime pie (his favorite) to enjoy tomorrow afternoon with the boys. As for his gift, we'll have to plan time to go get it soon ......I just couldn't decide on the right size seersucker pants to get you today, Ron :)

Happy Birthday, Ron!!

2008-02-16T12:23:00.000-08:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

The boys and I hope your day is WONDERFUL!!! (...even though you had to work...)

Friday Feast #179

2008-02-15T06:30:00.000-08:00

Appetizer:

Name one thing that is unique about you. I am ME...you can't get more unique than that!

Soup

Fill in the blank: My favorite _________ is __________ but I like _________ too.

My favorite color is pink but I like orange, too.

Salad

What type of wood do you have for your home’s furnishings?

The kind that comes from trees.....I'm not into woods, so I really have no clue.

Main Course

Who do you talk to most often on the phone?

That's easy....Ron.

Dessert

What level of responsibility do you have in your job?

Depends on who you ask and what day of the week it is.
General population - no responsibility, I teach....its all fun and games with summers off
Other educators - TREMENDOUS!! We are preparing the FUTURE! YIKES!!!!

Ben's 9th Birthday

2008-02-14T16:54:00.000-08:00

Ben started his birthday celebration being woken up to "Happy Birthday", of course! At school we brought cupcakes to share with his class at lunch and they sang it to him as well.

After school, we headed downtown to meet Ron for dinner at Mellow Mushroom. Every year since Ben was old enough to choose where to eat for his birthday, he has chosen Pizza Inn. Since there isn't a Pizza Inn in Columbia, he opted for MM......and it was GOOD!

Once we got back home, he played "Guitar Hero" with Clay for a while before eating cake, singing, again, and opening cards. Unfortunately, Ben's present didn't arrive (we ordered it last week) and it is a HUGE surpise so he's patiently waiting. The funniest thing was that Maggie was whining for cake. Clay turned his head for a second, she hopped in his lap and started eating his cake! It was so funny!! The girl loves birthday cake!

All in all, other than his gift not making it on time, I think Ben has had a pretty good celebration day. He's had calls from his grandparents and lots of birthday wishes! Keep watching for gift update....

BubbleShare: Share photos - Play some Online Games.

Musicians VS. Politicians

2008-02-14T16:04:00.000-08:00

In a few weeks Edwin McCain is playing at the 5 Points St. Patrick's Day event. Ron and Clay have OA plans and Ron is trying to decide if he wants to go to OA or St. Pat's. At dinner tonight I was joking with Clay that his dad was staying behind. Here is how the conversation went:

Clay: Oh, why? He wants to see Edwin McCain.

Ben (in an "I know more than you do, how could you make this mistake" voice): Don't you mean JOHN McCain, Clay?

Happy Birthday to my Sweet Baby Ben!

2008-02-14T04:54:00.000-08:00

I can't believe that my baby is NINE YEARS OLD today!!! The years since he was born have flown by, but have been the best nine years! It is so hard to remember life before Ben. He is such a bright, smart, energetic, sweet and FUNNY little boy!

We can't wait to celebrate tonight after school, Ben! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BEN!!! You are definitely our BEST VALENTINE'S PRESENT EVER!!!!

WE LOVE YOU!! Mommy, Daddy, Clay and Maggie

Monday Gathering

2008-02-11T15:57:00.000-08:00

Today was the gathering that Ben has been looking forward to! Not only did he have a part in his class' presentation, but he was also recognized for his birthday coming up on Thursday and the whole school sang "Happy Birthday" to him. He did a great job speaking....even had his part memorized and was very "theatrical" about it!

Happy Birthday, Aunt Marti!!!

2008-02-10T13:51:00.000-08:00

We hope your day is WONDERFUL!!!

We Love you!

Ron, Melanie, Clay and Ben

(in the picture above: Harolyn, Ashley, Me and Aunt Marti one 4th of July!)

The Johnson Brothers Band

2008-02-09T18:17:00.000-08:00

I am not musical. The only thing I can play is the radio and my iPod --- and I don't even play the iPod very well. (A little "Melanie trivia" for you....I actually failed the orchestra and band entrance tests in elementary school.) And, singing? Only when I am in the car alone or its just the four of us around. Trust me, you should be happy that is the only time I sing. But, contrary to what my students believe (I HATE and I mean to use the word HATE "Solja Boy" so they think I have not musical taste at all...hmmm....who really doesn't have the musical taste???), I think I have pretty good musical tastes. I like all kinds of music and seldom do I not have music going in some form. So, when the Super Bowl was on I didn't watch the game, but I DID watch the half time show to see one of my many, many, many favorite bands - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - perform. I have always LOVED Tom Petty's music.

Clay and Ben have gotten hooked on Tom Petty now as well. And, Clay took it upon himself this past week to start learning "Free Falling" (he's been taking guitar for less than a month). When I left for the beach he had the first little bit down. Tonight, when I got back, he and Ben performed an "unplugged" version for me in the living room. Clay, interestingly enough, sounds slightly like a young Tom Petty and has done an AWESOME job of teaching himself the song and performing it. Ben does an awesome, but hilarious job. (I promise you will laugh until you cry if you watch him....you may have to watch twice. Once for the great laughs and once to actually listen to Clay sing!)

And, so I now present to you the very first video (I hope there will be MANY, MANY more with millions behind them...hint, hint, boys!) of the Johnson Brothers Band.......

Piers

2008-02-09T17:56:00.000-08:00

I LOVE the beach. (Which you already know if you read my previous post.) And, I LOVE piers. So does Ron and we never miss a chance to take a pier walk when at the beach. It is one of those wonderful little pleasures that we very much enjoy.

When I got up this morning I went for a walk on the Springmaid Beach Pier and it was beautiful. I love the sea air on the pier. I love the fisherman. I love the birds. I love the way the waves lap up against the beams. I love that it is wooden. I love the fact the wood is worn and gray from salt and water and people. And, that was, this morning, my revelation. It is comforting that piers are made of wood. It shows that we still have faith in nature to build a structure out over the ocean from wood instead of concrete.

And, I LOVE piers. I LOVE that comforting.

Harmony.....And Disharmony

2008-02-09T17:39:00.001-08:00

That was the theme of the weekend. I left after school yesterday to head to Myrtle Beach for the final sessions of the Teaching American History in SC class that I started last summer. I wasn't sure what to expect, but it was lots of fun (we had some very informative sessions), I won two door prizes (a primary source reader on World War I and the hardback "Reflections of SC"), got goodies (a copy of "Shagging in the Carolinas", a set of primary source documents for World War I, SC playing cards and a CD with all of the elementary lessons on it), heard some great speakers (one on "harmony and disharmony, southern influence in music" and one on "shagging in the Carolinas") and relaxed.

I arrived in Myrtle Beach after one call to Ron (that resulted in a U-turn to get on I-95) and lots of iPod music! The theme of going was Corey Smith's "Carolina" and "Every Dawg" ---- both of which never fail to make me smile. Ron called right as I was heading off of 501 and the person in the car in front of me was taking my picture?!?! Crazy!! I decided to just follow Ocean Blvd. down to Springmaid, where we were staying because I really wanted to see the ocean. I LOVE the ocean.

Once I checked into my room I headed off to our opening session for dinner and speaker. Afterwards, I experienced one of my most enjoyable evenings in a long time. Guess what I did??? Nothing!! I called Ron to say goodnight as I got back to the room (and gave him a little scare until I assured him I was on the third floor....I had propped open the balcony door to hear the ocean) and then, instead of turning on the TV or my iPod, I let the ocean be my music while I read. I finished "Rich in Love" to the tune of crashing waves and the occasional laughter of the church youth group playing games on the beach. It was so wonderful. When I went to bed (I closed the door!) I slept like a baby...I only woke up a few times, and each time I could still hear the ocean. First thing this morning, I headed out to the balcony to watch the earliest sunlight before starting the day. It is absolutely amazing how relaxing it is without a TV, computer or radio/iPod. Maybe I need to try it more often! It was definitely harmony!

After gathering everything up and loading my car, I walked out to the Springmaid pier (which I will post about seperately), bought a few things for the boys, had breakfast and spent the rest of the day in sessions before heading home.

It was hard to leave the beach. Like I said, I LOVE the beach. But, I was glad to get back home to Ron, the boys and Maggie. And, in case you were wondering, I put my iPod in right before Conway and took in off once, as I was getting on I-20 Ron called. I came home with some Aerosmith, some Guns 'N Roses, some Johnny Cash, but fitting with the weekend's lecture on southern music, it was Marshall Tucker and "Can't You See?" that drove me the last bit home.

Pink Is My Favorite Color.....

2008-02-09T17:07:00.000-08:00

And it is a good thing!

Our Baubles and Bubbles fundraiser is coming up in two weeks and our monthly meeting on Thursday night was a "work night". In addition to going over the logistics, we stuffed 300 goody bags that will be passed out and then packed them into cars, including the entire back (with the middle and back-back seats put down) of my Explorer. I had picked up my friend, Stephanie, so we could deliver our "monkey cart" for the garden basket we have been collecting donations and we delivered the bags and with LOTS of help unloaded them at the event chair's house.

This is how the back of my Explorer looks with 200 pink-tissued goody bags (unfortunately the picture doesn't do it justice! And, let me add that these goody bags are FILLED and filled with good stuff!):

Playing Around

2008-02-08T17:04:00.000-08:00

I just didn't get a chance to post these last week. Ben, Maggie and I were playing around in the living room and taking some pictures. Thought I'd share....

Friday Feast

2008-02-08T06:17:00.000-08:00

No Friday Feast this week...the feast site is having technical difficulties!

Mardi Gras!

2008-02-05T19:14:00.000-08:00

Today is "fat Tuesday". Our friends, Leslie and Dennis invited us to join them at their church's Shrove Tuesday pancake supper and talent show. The food was great, the entertainment was fun and, as always, it was great to see them! We very much enjoyed ourselves as we celebrated Mardi Gras and the start of the Lent season.

The boys get into the spirit!

Our friends -- Dennis and Leslie

During the talent show they invited all of the kids onto stage for a "kazoo band", Ben absolutely wanted to participate and he did! He is third from the right....

Happy MARDI GRAS!!!

New Blog Links, Welcome!

2008-02-04T06:55:00.000-08:00

I have added two new links (well, one has been there for a couple of weeks and I kept forgetting to do this...) to my "people we know" sidebar.

Welcome to Jamie's Blog! Jamie is a friend from Junior Woman's Club, GNO and Bunco! I love, and know you will, too, love reading about her and her husband and their adorable dog, Bella!

Welcome to Wendy's Blog! Wendy and I go WAY back! We taught together last year at Boiling Springs Elementary and we were "life lines" for each other. Then, this year I bailed and left her with our grant and a Charleston trip to plan on her own. Luckily, she still loves me! Her blog is new, but you'll love reading about life as a teacher with a husband and her three beautiful kids!

Enjoy!

Seeing the Girls!

2008-02-02T16:38:00.000-08:00

Several weeks ago some friends that I taught with last year and I set up a girl's date to meet for lunch at Fatz in Clinton (it is about the same distance for all of us). It seemed like it was WAY off when we scheduled, but it got here today --- really quickly!

As it turned out I had a job fair interview with a school district pop up for this morning and then I drove Ron's car (see next post!) to meet them. It was so good to see Suzy, Wendy and Nancy and catch up on everything going on with them and at my old school. I think we all agreed that we need to do this more often!

Suzy and Wendy

with Nancy....

....with Suzy

....and, with Wendy....I MISS teaching with these ladies!

New Ride

2008-02-02T16:29:00.001-08:00

Because of everything going on, it has taken almost two weeks to get a daytime picture of our new ride! I drove it for the first time today and all I can say is "smooth".

In a surprise act two weeks ago this Tuesday we retired Ron's ten year old hoopety and bought a 2007 Grand Prix. We weren't really looking for a car, but Ron's car had no heat, radiator and front end issues so we never drove it anywhere -- always taking the Explorer. Out of the blue we decided to do our pre-qualification just to be ready.

The next day we received our approval and a call from a local dealership that they had a deal for us....yeah right we thought. Boy were we wrong! They had one last former rental car that they had picked up and put together a package with a wonderful payment, warranty + extended warranty, paid off Ron's car (site unseen) and brought the car to us that night with all of the paperwork, in case we were ready to take it. The first thing I said to the sales person after I introduced myself was "What's the catch?" "No catch," she assured me, "This is how we do business."

We did all of the paperwork and she drove off in the hoopety! Ron is loving it! Not that we have an abundance of cold weather here, but in the mornings he is very thankful now to have heat and defrost.

And, if you need a new car anytime soon, let me know and I can recommend a GREAT place to buy!

Friday Feast #178

2008-02-01T13:08:00.000-08:00

Appetizer: What is your favorite kind of cereal? Fruity Pebbles

Soup: When was the last time you purchased something for your home, what was it, and in which room did it go? ummm....I bought tea lights a few weeks ago...does that count?

Salad: What is the funniest commercial you’ve ever seen? The flooring commercial where the family and their Boston Terrier are watching a scary movie and it scares the little Boston so bad, she has an accident...I watch it on Youtube all the time for a smile! :)

Main Course: Make up a name for a company by using a spice and an animal (example: Cinnamon Monkey). Paprika Lion

DessertFill in the blank: I haven’t ______ since ______. I haven't been to Charleston in almost a year (haha, Wendy!)

Bunco and a Busy Week

2008-01-31T06:45:00.000-08:00

This week has been so crazy that I am just now getting around to blogging about it! After spending Monday with a cold, Tuesday night was our first Bunco. I hostessed with a "New Year's" theme. It was a lot of fun...as we packed 15 ladies into the apartment to socialize and play! :) Most of us were new to the game so we learned a lot and got to know each other.

Sheila, Stephanie, Jamie and Leslie enjoy the "high" table

The whole Bunco group....all 15 of us!

Clay received his guitar this week (he's been saving his Eagle Scout money for year) and I have heard him play "Smoke on the Water" and "Paint it Black" about..oh, a million times! :) But, its great -- he has guitar practice two days a week after school and he LOVES it! Ben has been building some HUGE Lego world for days -- he says it is his "project". So they have kept busy, too.

Last night some friends invited Ron and I to join them at the Capital City Club after work and then when we got home, we all were in bed by 9:00 because we were so tired! Tonight I have two meetings after school and then, finally...FRIDAY!! It is going to be a busy weekend -- I have an interview with a school district on Saturday, meeting some friends from Boiling Springs for lunch, Scout Sunday at the church sponsoring Clay's scout troop and then we're supposed to meet some friends to watch the Super Bowl. But, as for tomorrow night, I'm planning to curl up with Maggie on the couch and read a book. I can't wait! (I need the rest for next week which is even busier than this one was!)

Primary Day Fun

2008-01-26T09:12:00.000-08:00

Last week for the Republican primary was wet, cold and yucky. Today, for the Democratic primary its cold and dreary. (I hope this isn't a foreboding of our next presidency...yikes!)

Having left Ron's car downtown last night and Clay receiving a call late yesterday to see if he could present at University of Scouting (an adult training event) for the OA lodge as a council rep, Ben and I went with them to breakfast and then dropped them off at the parking garage. Seeing all the media excitement around the state house, we decided to circle around, park and go for a cold walk. We didn't see anyone important, but we did see lot of camera men, reporters and other technical TV people standing around and filming. It was quite exciting to see all this hoopla in little old SC.

Even the parking meters were blocked off for media

You can see the trucks and tents on Sumter Street behind Ben

One of the media set ups on the state house grounds

Across Gervais were even more media tents and trucks....if you notice the people huddled on the median, the news crew was interviewing a guy standing there with a John Edwards sign

Out With Friends

2008-01-26T08:54:00.000-08:00

Tonight Ron and I met downtown and joined some friends at M Cafe for a wonderful dinner and then Town Theatre to see the play "Dearly Departed". I had sushi and Ron had Mongolian Beef, both of which were excellent! Of everyone at dinner, Ron had only met Dennis and Leslie. I knew Christy (from the other couple that was there) but had never met her husband. As we were waiting on dinner to arrive Ron and Michael, Christy's husband, are talking and come to realize that they had a phone conversation two weeks ago.....Michael is sales rep for a copier company and with Ron being in IT puchasing, they had a business call. Too small of world! :)

After dinner we headed to the theatre where we met up with Stephanie and Rick, Elizabeth and Neil and Christina for a wonderfully funny play. The premise is that "Bud" has a stroke at the kitchen table and his family is left to conduct a wake and funeral for him in spite of their own personal problems and issues. It was hilarious! Ron summed it up best, "I'm glad I'll be dead at my funeral."

It was a great, fun night and we look forward to doing this again soon!

Friday Feast #177

2008-01-25T10:44:00.000-08:00

Appetizer: How many times per day do you usually laugh? 2-3 at least

Soup: What do your sunglasses look like? big, black

Salad: You win a free trip to anywhere on your continent, but you have to travel by train. Where do you go? New Orleans.I've always thought that would be a great place to travel by train

Main Course: Name one thing you consider a great quality about living in your town/city. USC COLLEGE FOOTBALL!!!

Dessert: If the sky could be another color, what color do you think would look best? purple....I don't know, I guess I just can't imagine the sky any other color!

Happy Birthday, Grandpa Johnson!

2008-01-23T13:05:00.003-08:00

We hope you have a happy 70th birthday!

Man, Do I Feel OLD!

2008-01-22T21:00:00.000-08:00

Tonight we visited Richland Northeast HIGH SCHOOL with Clay as we begin thinking about next year. I felt like we were looking at colleges! These high schools are so much different than what we were used to in the upstate. We visited three programs at RNE (there are a total of four). The first was PCA (Palmetto Center for the Arts) as Clay was considering auditioning in theatre. It was amazing what they do with the students in visual, literary, and performance arts. The second was a double session with the CavPlex program -- an all media/journalism related program. The students are exposed to print, computer and TV media and have a state-of-the-art news studio (that as of yesterday includes a green screen set up!) If I'd had an opportunity like this one, I would definitely NOT be a teach today....I would have pursued my interest in journalism. The final was an academic magnet, Horizons, that is absolutely top-notch. The students we met in it are all applying, accepted and receiving big scholarships to the top schools in our country.

The whole thing was very impressive. I leaned over to Ron and whispered, "If we'd only had these kinds of opportunities in high school...." He totally agreed. Now, Clay has applications to fill out and interviews to do. Final decisions will be made and posted after April 1!

As for me, I can't believe I have a child going to high school in slightly over six months....when did I get so old?!??!

Skating and King Ben

2008-01-20T16:33:00.000-08:00

Today our JWC group took the kids skating. I did not skate. I checked out a pair for about five minutes before returning them for my Reeboks. Let me clarify that I love to skate. I got a lot of practice in junior high on Friday and Saturday nights and, truth be told, I wasn't too bad as a skater.

So, why did I not use this opportunity to do something I love, you might ask yourself? First, when we moved here, in a sheer moment of gung-ho "we haven't used it in forever, lets throw it away" I did just that and threw away my trusty, wonderful, if well used, "speed" skates that I had for about 20 years. I haven't worn the high top, wobby rentals since I was about, ummmm, eight. I didn't think that today was the day that I should really try those after all. Secondly, this rink didn't have a wall. Now, I used to be a pretty good skater (even worked at a skating rink in high school), like I said, but on these less than stellar, poor performance, orange suede rentals, if I was going to risk life and limb, I at least wanted some semblance of a security blanket, I mean, wall to hold onto (at least at first!) I opted to help one of the little boys for by holding his hand while he learned to maneuver on wheels and then he, of course, got tired of me and was ready to fly! I then used the opportunity to catch up with my good friend Stephanie and chat with the other JWC girls there.

When I got home (thanks Elizabeth for picking me up!) Ron and the boys were waiting to head out for dinner at Burger King since Ron had a meeting in Lexington at six. We promptly crowned Ben "king of the burgers"! Now I have planned this week's meals, grocery shopped and I'm enjoying the fact that tomorrow is a holiday and that means NO SCHOOL!!!

Congratulations!!!

2008-01-19T13:07:00.000-08:00

I want to wish a HUGE congratulations to one of my "great" little Phi Mu sisters, Sarah, and her husband on the addition of Austin Gabriel to their family on Friday!

He is absolutely adorable and is one lucky little guy to have Sarah as his mom (and he's lucky to have all these wonderful Phi Mu aunts, too)! I can't wait to meet him!

Adult Supervision Required

2008-01-19T13:01:00.001-08:00

Clay went to help his friend and fellow scout, Grant, today with his Eagle project. They used power tools to make benches!

Grant's dad did a great job of supervising....Clay came home with all fingers intact! (It must have been because he held his mouth just right...like in the picture.)

Friday Feast #176

2008-01-18T06:24:00.001-08:00

Appetizer: What is your favorite beverage? Diet Ginger Ale

Soup: Name 3 things that are on your computer desk at home or work. (ie...my computer isn't even on my computer desk at home..ha!) my to-do basket, several keepsake cups/mugs, pictures

Salad: On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being highest), how honest do you think you are? 8

Main Course: If you could change the name of one city in the world, what would you rename it and why? I can't think of one that I would change

Dessert: What stresses you out? What calms you down? Better asked, what doesn't stress me out?!?!? Actually finances, work, traffic, Wal-Mart; what calms me down - reading blogs, Ron, a bubblebath, a girl's night

So Long, Little Friend #2

2008-01-17T15:08:00.000-08:00

Clay discovered this afternoon that we lost another family "member".....apparently, little Melvin (who has been with us less than one week) died. From what? No clue. Good-bye, Melvin. Thanks for the six days with us. (In case you were wondering, Ben wasn't real upset. He is our practical kid. "Well, Melvin is dead, too," is all he said.)

Snow!

2008-01-17T07:08:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately (and unlike in our old home town!), it didn't stick. But, never-the-less, we all threw on coats and shoes and ran outside to see the flakes falling.

Calm Before the Storm

2008-01-15T13:34:00.000-08:00

As far as our weeks go, this one is actually pretty quiet and that is so nice as I look ahead to next week which will be wall-to-wall busy!

After school yesterday I attended my first ViA (Volunteers in Action -- Palmetto Health) Executive Board Meeting. I am serving as the CMN Co-Chair for 2008 and very excited about this! As soon as the meeting was over I headed to Ruth's Chris to meet some of the GNO girls for dinner. It was delicious as always! I had the petite filet and ordered a side of the BEST sweet potato casserole I have ever had! Several of us ordered sides and shared so I had the sp casserole, scalloped potatoes, crabmeat stuffed mushrooms and regular mushrooms. There wasn't a bite of anything I put in my mouth that wasn't just terrific (but the sp casserole definitely won first place....the pecan topping was to die for). We had a great time eating and talking. It was so nice to see familiar faces and get to know new women and a few JWC girls even better. Five of us there are going to be playing Bunco starting in a few weeks so it was fun to plan for that.

The rest of this week is pretty slow, too. Tonight Clay has scouts, Thursday I will be at home most likely as our director is giving us a sub day to work on report cards, I pick up Clay's report card on Thursday and I'm suppoed to have a Mary Kay party, but right now I'm not sure if that will happen or not.

I'm loving the rest, though. Starting Sunday, the next week will be full force. It looks like this:

Sunday - Palmetto Place Care and Share (we're skating....how fun is that?!)
Monday - No School (hallalujah!) and Ron and I are having dinner with a vendor
Tuesday - A local meteorologist is coming to school for our kids/Open House for the magnet programs Clay is applying for - for next year
Wednesday - I have to teach a lesson and be observed by the Department of Archives for a class I took last summer/GNO (we have two this month...Ruth's Chris was an "extra") at Macaronie Grille
Thursday - I have a second lesson to teach and be observed/a home party at a friend's house
Friday - Field experience with my class to the State Museum/Ron and I have dinner and theater with some other couples
Saturday - I have a work class to take (so that I can take a day off in February!)

I'm glad those kinds of weeks only come around every now and then! Otherwise...whew!

My New Favorite Pastime --- Free Rice

2008-01-13T15:45:00.001-08:00

I recently learned about Free Rice from GFWC Clubwoman magazine. It is so awesome!

The premise is a vocabulary challenge. You get a word and four possible definitions. For every correct definition you choose, 20 grains of rice are donated to the UN for world hunger!!! How incredible is that?!?!

The site is totally addicting...in a good way. I have learned new words and helped our world at the same time. I'm even using it in my classroom to encourage my students to learn new words. We've set a goal of 100 grains per day and during free time on Friday, my students came up with their own idea to "challenge" each other to see who could raise the most grains of rice! One student (a fifth grader) donated ovver 1000 grains!

Go out and try it! I promise you won't be disappointed in the stretch it gives your brain or the stretch in food it will give hungry people! FREE RICE

Clay Taking His Oath

2008-01-13T15:38:00.001-08:00

Speakers, Banquets and Meeting

2008-01-13T10:50:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I got up early to get Clay out the door for his trip to Camp Barstow for OA training and for me to leave out for the GFWC-SC (General Federation of Women's Clubs) Winter Board Meeting. The board meeting was very informative --I learned a lot about GFWC-SC and I am so glad that I joined a group affiliated (Junior Woman's Club of Columbia). I met many new women and was able to spend time getting to know Amye and Leslie from JWC better. After the meeting I headed home to rest before Ron's friend, Bill, came over and we all drove out to Barstow for the Order of the Arrow, Muskogee Lodge, Winter Banquet. Not that they all aren't important, but this one was really important because Clay was being installed to the Lodge Council as Vice Chief of Inductions....quite an honor for anyone, but especially at his age. We had a wonderful dinner, a great speaker ---Rudy Mancke, and awards. We were THRILLED that Clay received a certificate for having received his "brotherhood" during 2007. We didn't think he would get one since he did his at Skyuka and then transferred to Muskogee. The very last certificate they gave out was for Clay and I think Ron and I just about jumped out of our seats! The group also held a silet auction. Clay won two patches that he bid on and Ron won a "legend" for the OA sash. He gave it to Clay at the end of the night as a "we're proud of you" gift. It was a fun evening and even though we got home very late, it was well worth it. BubbleShare: Share photos - Safe Toys e

Mickey and..............Melvin!!

2008-01-11T18:15:00.001-08:00

After Clay got Mickey the other day, Ben decided that he too wanted a hamster. Afterschool today we headed back over to Superpets for another one and a big tube farm. Ben picked out and named Melvin, who is almost an identical twin to Mickey.

Clay put together the tube farm and we put them in to play. They did great until about a half an hour ago when they started fighting and pushing/shoving each other in the tubes (evidently both are pretty stubborn because neither one would give in and go back). After some research, Clay determined that this type of hamster is not supposed to be with others. So, we have had to seperate the "boys". We put Melvin in the little cage and he completely freaked out! We ended up having to put him in the tube farm and Mickey back in the little cage until we can go get another tube farm on Sunday (I'll be at a meeting all day for the GFWC ---SC Women's Club---board meeting and Clay is leaving early in the morning for Camp Barstow to do some training that is a role of his new OA job).

Otherwise the guys are so cute and funny! They loved the tube farm and have, other than the fights, had a blast playing. We have so enjoyed watching and laughing at them!
BubbleShare: Share photos - Find great Clip Art Images.

Friday Feast #175

2008-01-11T05:15:00.000-08:00

Appetizer: What is your middle name? Would you change any of your names if you could? If so, what would you like to be called? Jolley...it's my maiden name so I wouldn't change it

Soup: If you were a fashion designer, which fabrics, colors, and styles would you probably use the most? pinks, oranges, blues, greens, plaids.....comfortable

Salad: What is your least favorite chore, and why? all of them! I HATE cleaning, but my least favorite is the bathrooms....can you guess why?

Main CourseWhat is something that really frightens you, and can you trace it back to an event in your life? I can't really think of anything right off...I used to be terrified of thunderstorms, but now I LOVE them...especially at night while I'm sleeping

Dessert: Where are you sitting right now? Name 3 things you can see at this moment.
My desk at school. I can see my students, my laptop and permisson slips for our next field experience

M-I-C-K-E-Y...........

2008-01-10T08:54:00.000-08:00

H-A-M-S-T-E-R! (You thought I'd say mouse, didn't you?!?)

After school yesterday we decided to stop at the pet store across from Clay's school to look around. They had their hamsters on sale (yes, I didn't know hamsters went "on sale" either) and Clay wanted to use his own money to get this cute little guy, a temporary cage and his water bottle. He was so adorable and TINY! Soooooo.........Mickey came home with us!

As for his name, it comes from the fact that his little ears are Mickey Mouse shaped! Isn't he adorable?

Reflecting.....

2008-01-09T13:41:00.000-08:00

Next Tuesday will be our seven month anniversary of moving to Columbia! Some days, though, I lay on the couch, looking out at Sesqui and wonder if I really do live here or if I'm just on some long vacation. And, on other days, I lay in the same place and imagine that I've never lived anywhere else and that this has been my view forever. Isn't it strange that sometimes "home" takes on new meanings with our lives?

A friend posted a comment the other day on my myspace and said that I looked "happy" (being in Columbia and with my life here). The funny thing is that when I'm laying on my couch, no matter which thought I'm having I find that yes, I am happy and that I smile at the view. So, yes, she was right, I'm happy....we're happy. That doesn't mean there haven't been struggles and irritations....like trying to find a new gas station and, still, a new church and a new hairdresser! I wonder sometimes what the "best" school is for the boys and if we live in the "right" area for them and us. But, overall, moving to Columbia has been one of the best things to ever happen to me and this family.

I feel like I've grown a million years, yet I feel perfectly at ease with my age. Back in our old hometown I always felt too old or too young. Now, I feel like a thirtysomething. But, I feel like a thirtysomething with some experience.....dealing with a teenager and an eight year old, making new friends, stepping out of my norm/my comfort zones and learning to be who I am ----not who I thought I should be or who everyone else wanted me to be----me. I worry a whole lot less about what others think of me. I've found a freedom to explore, try new things and re-invent myself for the better. Funny, I see the same things in Ron and the boys, too.

Moving here has opened my eyes that people are different --- even less than 100 miles away from each other. I see a lot more professional working men and women and more educational (I didn't say educated, but rather educational) professionals. But, I also see stronger lines drawn between socio-economic classes. Even the world of education is different here. Its a whole new level of expectation and choice. The people are most-times friendlier in Columbia, but definitely more hurried. It seems that we are always running here and there. I wasn't prepared for the political atmosphere --- everyone, I mean everyone has a political opinion. Some keep it to themselves more. And, football is king....college football that is. I can't think of a year that we didn't go to a high school game at least once during the season for the social event that it was; until this year. I'm sure there are high school football fanatic pockets, but we haven't seen them. We found it.....well, interesting.

What does all this mean? Simply, as I tell Ron and my friends frequently, if I'd know how great this would be, I would have moved years ago! I love my hometown, it holds a special place in my heart and always will, but Columbia has in seven months become my home. I feel at ease in this city, like I belong here; in this place, at this time. Back before we moved I always felt that I was "running to stand still" (as the U2 song says), running to or from something without ever moving at all. Now, I don't run, I walk from moment to moment. I'm being me. I'm loving life. And, I'm living life.....every minute of every single day.

And, not one of those days goes by that I don't say thank you to God for giving our family this opportunity. We know that we may not be in Columbia forever. His plans may move us again in the future (hopefully the far, way far off future!) or we may end our days here in the capital city. But, I'm so thankful of this time that I, we, have right now to live the best possible life in the best possible place for us.

A Good DRYER Update

2008-01-06T15:54:00.000-08:00

Well, one load later the dryer is hooked up and its drying! On the positive, it has an energy efficient mode (we'll see how good it actually works), but on the negative side, the laundry room door scrapes it everytime we open/close the door......oh well, you can't have everything and I'll take clothes dried at home with an open door any day over the laundrymat! :)

A Good DRYER Is Hard To Find

2008-01-06T12:50:00.001-08:00

Flannery O'Connor missed the mark....you can find a good man, but a dryer, FORGET IT!

When Ron and I got married 14 1/2 years ago my Papa Walker bought us our first washer and dryer. He basically took me to Lowe's one day and said, "pick out what you want." I chose a matching set of Admiral, a little known then, and now appliance name. Now, 14 1/2 years later the washer, though only one setting works completely, is still cleaning our clothes. The dryer lasted for about ten years before dying and I cried because it was a gift from grandfather and he had passed away by that point. We purchased an affordable, but "great working" dryer.....it lasted for a year and half before it died. In an effort to ensure a LONG time before the next dryer we went to the furniture and appliance store and after looking, long and hard at every model, we chose a high, tech computerized (I mean had we ever bought the matching washer this thing could TALK to it), touch screen, expensive GE Profile. Because I hate to buy appliances, especially when they aren't totally broken and for sentimentallity, we never got around to getting to the matching washer, but, man, was this a smart and beautiful dryer. And, you talk about drying some clothes?!?!? I could push the button for "khakis" and withing a specified amount of time (that the dryer itself determined) Ron's pants and our other whites would pop out wrinkle free.

Flashforward about 2 1/2 years.....shortly after we moved in here I noticed a mysterious "thunk" when using the dryer. I blamed it on the moving people. And, then about a month ago we noticed that after a couple of runnings of the same load they weren't drying as quickly as they used to. And, then, last night! I put in a load of towels, pushed my towel setting and three hours later, I still had wet towels! Ron did a little investigating and decided that he would get up today, take the dryer apart and clean it (we did this for one of the previous dryers and it helped keep it running for a while longer). He did get up this morning, ran some internet-idead diagnostics and determined that the problem is the blower....it had gone out! Apparently, in the internet research, this is the most common problem of this model. And, it isn't exactly an easy or inexpensive fix. We mulled our choices ---- order a $200 part and spend countless hours putting it in (according to those who have done it, it is a real pain and best left to a professional) or pay about $500-700 for a repairman to order the part and fix it. We decided the best option was to go to Lowe's and/or Home Depot and just buy a dryer.

And, that is exactly what we spent our Sunday doing. We couldn't get good answers for our questions and Lowe's and we headed to Home Depot where we chose a semi-technologically advanced Maytag. Out of stock. The only two dryers in stock were a (ha!ha! NO WAY!) GE Profile or a really inexpensive Admiral, the same brand as our original and the 14 1/2 year later model!

After loading it in the car, Ron, Clay and I HAULED this thing up the stairs; I would have paid good money to have been watching this as I pulled something in my elbow and Ron pulled something in his back. Now, as I type, Ron and Clay are hooking it up and I am preparing for a HUGE laundry battle that might take a few days for catch up.

I figure that because this one was about 75% less than the Profile and not fancy at all, it will last for another ten years. At least that is what I am hoping!

And, by the way, I fully intend to suck it up and go buy the new washer to match in a few weeks. Because of the non-emergency status, I will have Home Depot deliver and fight the stairs, though! :)

Friday Feast #174

2008-01-04T04:50:00.000-08:00

Appetizer: When was the last time you received a surprise in the mail, and what was it?
Wednesday....a postcard from a friend who just moved to Illinois and I had no idea!

Soup: If you could have a summer and/or winter home, where would you want it to be? Summer home ---- somewhere on the coast of SC; winter home -----based on today's temp, somewhere in Florida!, but as for a true winter home, I guess

Salad: Pick one: pineapple, orange, banana, apple, cherry. Orange, but I hate to eat them because of the mess....so I only eat when I have a knife (weird, huh?)

Main Course: Describe the nicest piece of clothing that you own. Umm....I own several pieces that I think are pretty nice, but right off not one particular thing jumps out at me....

Dessert: If you could forget one whole day from your life, which day would you choose to wipe from your memory? the day I decided to be a teacher....just kidding (can you tell we are back in school now??!) I don't really have one. Good or bad, the days have all shaped who I am and without them, I wouldn't be who I am, where I am today.

Baubles and Bubbles 2008 - You are INVITED!!!!

2008-01-02T08:22:00.000-08:00

Baubles and Bubbles 2008

The Junior Woman’s Club of Columbia
is proud to present
Baubles & Bubbles 2008

Thursday, February 21, 2008
South Carolina State Museum
6:00 – 8:30 pm

· This ladies-only evening will feature a Diamond Drop – guests will have the opportunity to purchase glasses of champagne – each glass contains a bauble and one lucky guest will find a genuine diamond in her glass!

· Beautiful baskets filled with a variety of luxury items will be available for auction!

Tickets: $25

Tickets are limited!!!

**** Happy New Year, family, friends and blog readers!!! Please let me know if you would like a ticket for Baubles and Bubbles 2008! It will be a WONDERFUL time!*****

Happy Birthday, Michelle!

2007-12-31T05:14:00.000-08:00

We hope you are having a wonderful birthday as you celebrate in Orlando! We love you and can't wait to see you soon!

Love,

Ron, Melanie, Clay and Ben

...In With the New!

2007-12-30T13:18:00.000-08:00

Just like all the great stuff that I remembered in my previous post looking back over 2007, we have SO much to look forward to in 2008 already! I'm thoroughly amazed that the new year isn't even here and we have filled in many a calender date. Here is a look ahead at what we have to look forward to in the new year:

USC basketball game in January
JWC for Melanie
GNO for Melanie, especially dinner at Ruth's Chris!
Melanie is serving as the CMN (Children's Miracle Network) Co-Chair for Palmetto Health's VIA
Clay is serving as the Vice Chief of Inductions for Muscogee Lodge (OA)
The OA banquet in January
The theater with several other couples in January
Dinner for Melanie and Ron with Lee in January
a weekend in Myrtle Beach (courtesy of the Teaching American History in SC grant) in February
Ben's 9th birthday!
Ron's 41st birthday!
Baubles and Bubbles
The SC Book Festival
CarniBall
Spring Break!
The GFWC-SC conference in April
Melanie's 10th reunion at Converse
Melanie and Ben will participate in the Young Writer's Conference
Clay will be attending the OA Dixie, fellowships and ordeals
Clay will turn 14!
Clay will start HIGH SCHOOL!!!!!
Maggie will turn 3!
Ron and Melanie will celebrate their 15th anniversary (hopefully with a fun trip!)
Melanie will turn 35!
Gamecock Football 2008!

Out with the Old........

2007-12-30T11:21:00.001-08:00

2007 wasn't a bad year at all for our family! We had a LOT of good times and a whole lot of change, too...change for the better. I thought with all the "year in review" and "a look back" specials on the internet and tv, our blog should celebrate, too. So, here is "the Johnson's Year in Review - 2007":

We have a teenager! Clay turned 13!!!
Clay earned his Eagle Scout and his OA Brotherhood
Clay transferred troops, twice, and has gone on several camping trips, kayaking and rock climbing
Clay was accepted into the TWO Academy, a single-gender magnet program
Ben turned 8!
Ben played soccer for Columbia United.
He had a singing part in the 2nd grades spring program.
Maggie turned 2!
Melanie turned 34!
Melanie spent a week at Converse College to study the Revolutionary War with an NEH grant.
Melanie spent two weeks with the SC Dept of Archives studying SC history from Reconstruction to 1919 and was able to see many cool sites around the midlands --- Kennsington Plantation, the SC Railroad Museum and the Woodrow Wilson house.
Melanie was named VFW Post 4262's "Teacher of the Year".
Ron had a BIG birthday --- he turned 40!!
Ron was awarded Scouting Mentor pins at 2 ceremonies --- Clay's and another scout/friend, Ryan's.
Ron took a new job with Wilbur Smith.
We took several spring trips to Columbia --- for spring break, for the USC spring game/Hootie and the Blowfish concert and house hunting.
I got a new job teaching a multi-age class at a charter school
WE MOVED TO COLUMBIA!!!!!
We used our zoo, museum and EdVenture memberships A LOT! (we also went to HalloWonka, Boo in the Zoo, Lights Before Christmas, Alien Day and Halloween at the museum)
We went camping for the weekend and hiked at Kings Mountain State Park.
We went to Myrtle Beach for a November day trip.
We adopted Dobby in July and he died in December.
We made a lot of new friends.
We travelled home to Spartanburg for Veterans Day (to put flags on Papa Walker's grave), Thanksgiving, to see Ryan and Miriam at the beginning of December and to celebrate Christmas with the Johnson's at the end of December
My parents came down here several times for "grand tours" of Columbia, for Grandparents breakfast at Ben's school, to shop at the Village at Sandhill and to celebrate Christmas with us

Christmas with the Johnson's

2007-12-29T18:14:00.000-08:00

We got up this morning and traveled to Sparkle City to finally celebrate Christmas with Ron's parents and sister. We all went to lunch at a local Italian place and then came back to his parent's house to exchange our gifts. I think Maggie had the best time of all....Cousin Bailey was there and they chased each other and played the whole time! They were so cute together!

After we finished Christmas, we drove across town to pick up Clay's best friend, Ryan, who is spending a few days with us, made an exchange for Ben at Wal-Mart and stopped at the Beacon, we have been CRAVING chilli cheeseburgers and sweet tea for weeks!
BubbleShare: Share photos - Print Christmas Coloring Pages.

Friday Feast #173

2007-12-28T18:28:00.000-08:00

Appetizer
Name 2 things you would like to accomplish in 2008.
1. To get at least 2 scrapbooks caught up/completed.
2. Finish my +30 masters hours

Soup
With which cartoon character do you share personality traits?
Daria -- she's cynical and has a dry sense of humor

Salad
What time of day (or night) were you born?

night...10 or 10:30-ish, I think

Main Course
Tell us something special about your hometown.

It was the location of the Revolutionary War's "Battle of Cowpens", which was a major turning point in the War that helped the Patriots eventually win

Dessert
If you could receive a letter from anyone in the world, who would you want to get one from?

Pat Conroy --- he is my absolute favorite writer and I would love to have a piece of writing to me from him

Warning: This is a little morbid....

2007-12-27T18:46:00.000-08:00

....but I just had to share Clay's love and care of animals.

Clay wants to be a veterinarian and he LOVES animals, so he spent much of the night before Dobby died trying to nurse him back to health. The next day he told us he would "take care of" Dobby and get him ready. And, he did. Clay made him a little casket in his food bowl and got him ready. (Maybe Clay is prepping for a career as a mortician instead...yikes!) But, it was so sweet how much care he took of little dead Dobby.

We did ask him if he had changed his mind about being a vet and he gave us a firm "NO". He says that it made him more determined so that he could save other's pets and take care of them.

Post Christmas....

2007-12-27T16:33:00.000-08:00

Now that the excitement of Christmas is over (well, pretty much over...we still have to celebrate with Ron's parents and sister this weekend) and we're all still on vacation the blah's began to set in quickly. We've been staying up late, sleeping late and just hanging out around here for the most part. The boys have been playing with their Christmas goods and we did go out to a nice dinner last night at Bonefish Grille. And, then today we couldn't stand it anymore! We just had to go find something to do.

Clay playing "Guitar Hero" for the 1000th time

cooking a post-Christmas meal (notice everyone is still in pjs and this is for DINNER!)

Ron needed to pay car taxes, pick up his tag and I needed to finally (I guess I am officially a resident of Columbia now) change the address on my license. We did all that and had lunch before driving through the Vista and just exploring. Along the way we ended up down at the Riverfront Park along the Columbia Canal. This isn't an area that we have explored and so we parked and hiked a little ways along the trail, stopping to read the history signs, see the old pump house, the canal and a beautiful heron, which I took a ton of pictures of as you will see. It was quite pretty despite being overcast and just the rejuvenation (and excercise!) we needed.

BubbleShare: Share photos - Delicious Christmas Recipes.

Christmas Morning 2007

2007-12-25T20:00:00.000-08:00

It is now officially the end of Christmas day! Our gifts are all opened, we've had breakfast and dinner and now everyone has scattered to their own "place"....Ben is building with Lego's,Clay is playing "Guitar Hero", Maggie's sleeping, Ron's playing a "need for speed" game and here I am blogging! :)

We had a wonderful Christmas morning with lots of GREAT gifts! Too many to even begin to go through, but here are some highlights:

Clay - lots of AE clothes, a Rock (as in Rock and Roll!) encyclopedia, Guitar Hero III and a framed John Lennon wall art. (Eagle ornaments from Ben)

Ben - a Gamecock jersey, hats, Lego's and an iPod (a USC football and mints from Clay)

Ron - a Gamecock sweatshirt, pj bottoms, a treat set, and a manicure/pedicure (a USC iPod cover from Clay, a cocky cup and penguin oranment from Ben)

Melanie - Vera Bradley pjs and wristlet, Bella Bellara perfume and goodie basket gift set (a lion mug from Clay, lion cups, ornament and stuffed animal from Ben....no lion it was great gifts!)

Maggie - a plush blankie, snacks and teething toys (a stuffed lion from Ben and a homemade dog-food set from Clay)

Both boys loved their own personal "root beer kegs"! They thought they were hilarious!

We started the morning by telling the boys that all that was left for them was coal...Clay, of course, tasted the coal which was luckily only licorice chunks. Then they stopped to see if Santa had eaten any of his cookies and Diet Coke, read his note and found "reindeer patties" from the reindeer! We opened all of our gifts, ate our breakfast casserole and chilled out for the rest of the day.

Clay claims this is "the best Christmas we've ever had". Ben chimed in, "...because we're in Columbia!"

BubbleShare: Share photos - Cheap Hotels Vegas

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

2007-12-25T10:25:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas from the Johnson's!!!

Christmas Eve 2007

2007-12-24T09:08:00.000-08:00

We got up this morning and after picking up, I headed out to Wal-Mart and Kroger for some serious food stuffs and last minute gifts. Ron had to work for a few hours and when he got home, we ran out so he could do his "traditional" Christmas Eve shopping.

We had planned to cook a big supper, but instead had what Clay dubbed "fun food dinner"....cajun crab dip, brie, a cheese ball, ham, summer sausages, tex-mex dip, chips, crackers and key lime pie! YUM! After dinner Ron and Clay watched a movie, Ben played in his room and I had a wrapping marathon!

We finished up the night with prepping a breakfast casserole for tomorrow morning, baking cookies for Santa, spreading reindeer food for Rudolph and friends, checking for where Santa was at bedtime and watching a movie.

Now, we're ready for tomorrow morning to see what Santa puts under our tree!

BubbleShare: Share photos - Delicious Christmas Recipes.

Christmas Adam

2007-12-23T18:39:00.000-08:00

We decided today to start a new Christmas Adam tradition of going to do something "Christmas-sy" and then having a nice dinner. Our plan for this first year was to go to "Lights Before Christmas" at the zoo and then dinner at Bonefish Grille. The first part worked perfectly!

We did the lights at the zoo, stopped downtown to see the State House tree and then arrived at Bonefish where the wait was close to an hour. Time to re-vamp the plan! Instead we ate at Red Bowl Asian Bistro out at Sandhill which was, as always, very good and it was still a nice place to eat so it fit with this new tradition! We laugh that when the boys get married and have kids we'll have to take out a loan to keep this tradition going! :)

BubbleShare: Share photos - Print Christmas Coloring Pages.

The Six Saturdays of Christmas.....Saturday 6

2007-12-23T09:03:00.000-08:00

My mom and dad came down to Columbia yesterday to spend celebrate Christmas with us. After lunch the boys and I met them for some shopping and then after a little rest they came over to meet at our place. We headed off to dinner at Little Pig's BBQ and then drove out to Saluda Shoals for "Lights by the River", a drive-thru light display that was really, really good!

We stopped at the "wonderland" on the way out of the park to visit with Santa and then my dad treated us (except Ron and Clay who opted to stay behind) to a train ride around a part of the lights. That was definitely Ben's favorite part!

After the lights we went back to our place and opened gifts. We got some great things! For Clay- AE jeans and shirt, a Clemson t-shirt and goodies; for Ben - jeans, a Lego city set and, his favorite, a Carolina helmet hat; for Ron - a Carolina t-shirt and pullover; for Maggie - an indestructable, glow in the dark ball and for me - jeans, a sweater, a party bag and, my favorite, a 2008 Vera Bradley agenda! We gave my dad a USC golf shirt and Eagles CD and my mom a VB bag and key chain. It was a wonderful time and the gifts were great, but the best of all was being able to spend time together.
BubbleShare: Share photos - Print Christmas Coloring Pages.

So Long, Little Friend

2007-12-23T05:41:00.000-08:00

We have had a death in the family.

After several "he's gone" and "nope, he's rallying" comments yesterday, little Dobby finally died sometime during the night. Clay tried his best to keep Dobby alive by holding him, giving him home-made vitamin water and loving him, but after reading on the internet, Dobby was probably 70+ years old (he was already one or two -- in human years -- when we got him back in August) and just too old to keep going.

He had a wonderful little life with us for the past few months. The boys adored him, even Ron. And, he had great fun being "spider hamster" and climbing to the top of his cage only to let go and fall in the shavings....much to our amusement. And, Ron and Clay will forever wake up with "Dobby-look"!

Good-bye, sweet, little Dobby! We're going to miss you!

National Treasure 2 GOOD

2007-12-22T06:18:00.000-08:00

Even though I felt pretty yucky all day yesterday (still have a cough and a little congestion) I ordered our tickets early to go see National Treasure. When Ron got home, he showered, ate a snack and we went on to the theater. Thank goodness we were 45 minutes early!!! I don't think there was an empty seat in the auditorium!

The moview was FANTASTIC!! My personal opinion is that sequels are seldom as good as the first, this one, though, was just as good. It was funny, heart-pounding (especially for me in the cave scenes as I have a cave-phobia left over from my college days), full of adventure, sweet and, of course the best of all, semi-historical!

Before the movie, Ben was shaking he was so excited (he loves the first one) and during it, other than at the beginning when he kept nudging me and going "told you about that" (about the 3 statues of liberty), he was silent for the entire movie. His eyes were glued to the screen. He made up for it on the way home, though, when he wouldn't STOP talking! :) We laugh that he wants to be "Benjamin Franklin Johnson", treasure hunter, when he grows up. More than likely he'll end up being some great historian or something. He loves history, historical myths and urban legends, secrets and all that.

So, anyway, go see it! Its the best movie I've seen this year.....maybe in two years.

Friday Feast - Getting to Know Your Friends...Christmas Edition

2007-12-21T10:08:00.000-08:00

No Friday Feast this week, so one of the fellow feasters "tagged" us all to do this meme (sor of like those e-mails or myspace bulletins, but in blog form).....this is the first one I've done like this, so here goes!

1. Link to the person that tagged you, and post the rules on your blog.
2. Share Christmas facts about yourself.
3. Tag seven random people at the end of your post, and include links to their blogs.
4. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Welcome to the Christmas edition of “Getting to Know Your Friends.”

1. Wrapping or gift bags? I do both, but I love to buy at places that wrap for you, because I HATE, I mean HATE wrapping presents!

2. Real or artificial tree? artificial....Ron is highly allergic to real Christmas trees and even though he offered to get a real one this year, it wasn't worth him feeling terrible all season

3. When do you put up the tree? as soon as I can after Thanksgiving

4. When do you take the tree down?After the New Year, though our first Christmas it was like February! :)

5. Do you like egg nog? I like it fine, but don't really ever get any

6. Favorite gift received as a child? My walking Mickey Mouse (I still have him by the way!)

7. Do you have a nativity scene? YES! It was made by my grandmother so it is one of our most special Christmas possessions. Ben LOVES to put it up every year.

8. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I teach school, so this one could fill a page!

9. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail cards....emailing just doesn't cut it for me....though I did e-mail out an "Elf Yourself" that was pretty funny (if you didn't get it and can't live without seeing it, message me and I'lll send it!)

10. Favorite Christmas Movie? Christmas Vacation, Elf and Scrooged

11. When do you start shopping for Christmas? whenever I find the first gift for someone that is perfect

12. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? it used to be these candies called "Martha Washington's" that a friend of my aunt made for us every year using my grandfather's pecans, but I haven't had those in YEARS, so now there really isn't one food that I just really associate with Christmas...those were too hard to replace.

13. Clear lights or colored on the tree? COLORED ALL THE WAY!!!!!

14. Favorite Christmas song(s)? Do They Know It's Christmas Time? (the 80s song by all the different people about children in Africa); U2's version of "Baby, Please Come Home"; "Sarevjo Christmas Eve", "The Prince of Peace" and "An Angel Came Home" by Trans-Siberian Orchestra; "Silver Bells"

15. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay at home

16. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer? only if I sing "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer

17. Angel on the tree top or a star?An angel....Christmas 1994, Aunt Marti gave us a beautiful Battenburg Angel that we ALWAYS hang at the top of the tree.

18. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning? we open one little thing on Christmas Eve and the everything else on Christmas morning

19. Most annoying thing about this time of year? trying to get past slow walking people in the mall and finding a parking space

20. Do you decorate your tree in any specific theme or color? Family is the theme--- every ornanment on our tree has some special meaning, remembrance or significance

21. What do you leave for Santa? cookies and Diet Coke!

22. Least favorite holiday song? "12 Days of Christmas".....I absolutely CANNOT stand it!

23. Favorite ornament? oh wow! All of them?!?! definitely the ones hand-made by my children, the yearly "personalized" ornaments (something we started our first Christmas), seriously, it is just too hard to pick ONE!

24. Family tradition? again, all of them?!?! One of our favorites is the "pickle" (I just realized this year how much Ben loves this one, too!) We have a glass pickle ornament and on Christmas Eve, Santa hides it somewhere else on the tree. The first person to find the "pickle" gets a special present!

25. Ever been to Midnight Mass or late-night Christmas Even services? Yes. Last year our family joined my in-laws, including brother and sisters in law at Ron's parent's church for the 11:00 service. It was very sweet....until Clay tried to burn the church down (that is a story for another post, though). I love going to church on Christmas Eve.

Okay, I tag Gina, Kim, Kathy and Allison (not seven, but I'd love to see these answers anyway!)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!

The End of the "Social Season"

2007-12-20T07:25:00.000-08:00

Last night was our last "official" holiday parties! I picked Ron up from work and we headed over to Palmetto Health Foundation's office for the Christmas social. It was nice to see Nan, Paula, Leslie and Dennis while enjoying some yum-i-licious crab cakes and hors d'ourves. Afterwards we headed to Flying Saucer to grab a table early for our dinner-date with Stephanie and Rick.

It was "glass" night and we were determined to get a "Santa Glass" as soon as they started at 7! We ordered one, but actually got 2 from "waitress who didn't listen" (kind of like "he who can't be named" from Harry Potter but in a German get-up and less evil, unless you count "accidently" bringing things not ordered and charging for them....)

Stephanie and I opened our gifts -- we gave her a Vera Bradley wristlet in Mod Blue Floral and I got a set of AWESOME multi-color glass bracelets from one of my favorite stores, Handpicked.... I love them! (If you look real close in the first picture of me and Steph, you can see them!) It was a fun way to end the "social season"! (BTW --- hope you guys have a safe and fun trip to TN! See you next week!)

BubbleShare: Share photos - Cheap Hotels Vegas

Another Christmas Party

2007-12-18T18:14:00.000-08:00

The school had a party tonight and it was nice to be able to share dinner with

Stephanie and Rick (who were invited),

Mary and Cam (Mary teaches with us)

and Becky (our Art/Spanish teacher).

Me and Stephanie

Polar Express Day

2007-12-18T13:30:00.000-08:00

Four years ago when I was teaching 2nd grade we held a "Polar Express" Day at school and I bought a new pair of pjs just for the occasion. The next year I moved to a new school and "took" PE day with me. Ben was also at my school that year so, we both bought new pjs and again last year, new pjs for both of us for PE day. Well, this year, yet again I found myself at a new school and again I brought PE day with me. Over the weekend I went out and bought Ben and I our annual pajamas and today was finally the big day and we got to wear them with our slippers to school!

Mr. Chris played conductor and checked tickets before reading the story to our students. Afterwards, parents served us hot chocolate and cookies! Less you think we did nothing today, we did do math and reading....all Polar Express related of course! We ended the school day by gathering as a group to watch the movie. Too bad this wasn't the last day before break....it was pretty hard to beat!

The Six Saturdays of Christmas....Saturday 5

2007-12-15T15:59:00.000-08:00

I overdid it! We started out at EdVenture this morning for the Discovery Council family breakfast. We enjoyed food, crafts and the Snowville exhibit before coming back our way and starting the day's shopping.

BubbleShare: Share photos - Cheap Hotels Vegas

With Christmas slightly over a week away, I needed to finish the boy's, Ron's and my friend Stephanie's gift. I got everyone's but Ron and he even bought a gift for me. And, I chose to use some of my "award" money for a VB tote in "cambridge", my current favorite pattern and a pair of danlgy, silver hoops.

Now, I am exhausted! Instead of shopping for hours, I should have been sleeping on the couch. I did come home and take a nap and now I'm resting in front of the tv. Only one more Saturday before Christmas! Unbelieveable!

And, on another note, my mom called last night to let me know that my grandmother had fallen and broken her hip. She finally got into her room last night late and when I checked in this morning they hadn't been able to do the surgery because my grandmother is on a blood-thinning medicine and they needed to thicken her blood and she was running a fever. Please keep her in your prayers this week as she, hopefully, will have surgery and recuperate nicely.

Friday Feast #172

2007-12-14T06:15:00.000-08:00

Appetizer: Make up a word and give us its definition. "Amn't"....Ben actually made this up when he was about 3 and I LOVE and USE it!! It is a contraction for "am not" as in "I amn't going to eat this broccoli for dinner!"

Soup: What is currently your favorite song? "Big Girls Don't Cry" by Fergie "

Salad: What’s at the top of your Christmas wish list this year? nothing in particular....I pretty much get what I want---within reason---whenever, so there isn't anything that I just can't live without on my list. If I had to choose, probably something Vera Bradley.

Main Course: Name a scent that reminds you of someone special in your life. Polo Cologne...reminds me of Ron.

Dessert: Who is someone on television that you feel probably shouldn’t be, and why? ANYONE on a reality TV show....they usually just make themselves look really stupid.

Today's News

2007-12-13T14:32:00.000-08:00

The good news: it looks like we are on a Ruth's Chris roll or something....Ron had a lunch conference today at the Hilton, catered by Ruth's Chris and go figure he won a gift card! Looks like we'll be going again before too long!

And, the bad news: I had to take an emergency, well not really emergency, but unplanned trip to the doctor this afternoon. I have a slight fluid build up behind my right ear, a respritory infection and bronchitis. YUCK!

Two Places at One Time = Double Good Times!

2007-12-13T14:12:00.000-08:00

Last night was the GNO (Girl's Night Out) Christmas party. After a cookie disaster, getting dressed and having to stop at Kroger for a pre-made appetizer to replace the cookie disaster, I finally got on the road to downtown. I might have been driving for five minutes when the phone rang....Ron. He was meeting a vendor for dinner and the vendor was expecting me to show up, too. They were sitting at Ruth's Chris and wanting me to get there. I explained that I had this party, Ron explained that he would very much like for me to come join them and we reached a compromise. I would come have dinner (skipping the social hour of GNO) and get to the party in time for the gift exchange. Other than being thirty minutes later than I had planned, it actually worked! I got a GREAT meal and still was able to hang out with my friends!

I stopped by the party to drop off my gift and appetizers and explain the situation before going on to Ruth's Chris (ironically, some of us from GNO are going to Ruth's Chris next month for dinner!). Ron and the vendor were already seated when I arrived. We dined on salad/soup, filet (for me; other steaks for them), mashed potatoes, asparagus, lobster tails and since I had to leave before dessert, Lee insisted on sending home goodies for me including a slice of "chocolate sin cake"! If you've never been to Ruth's Chris it is a high-end steakhouse where all sides are a la carte and fairly formal (I think that must be an unwritten rule or something about kids...the youngest person I saw there was the girl at the booth across from us celebrating her 16th birthday). And, it is SO GOOD!!! I've eaten at Morton's in Chicago and thought nothing could compare to it, but Ruth's Chris definitely gives it a run for the money!

As soon as I finished eating (it was almost 8 and I promised Steph I would arrive NO LATER than 7:30) I left to collect my car and luckily the party was on Laurel, less than ten minutes away. I arrived right as the gift exchange was beginning and thanks to Stephanie I had a number (I'm so glad to have friends who look out for me!) It was a load of fun doing the Chinese auction thing and seeing my friends from JWC and meeting some new women from GNO. I brought home a very nice decanter and glasses set to boot.

Me and Stephanie, one of my absolute favorite people! :)

the cheesy, sorority-girl picture: Sara, Me, Stephanie and Christine, more of my favorite people! :)

Me, Sara and Stephanie

my favorite picture of the night --- Christine, me, Sara, Stephanie and Williesha, we're all JWC provisionals and Sara is our "mom"

Colonial Christmas and Crafts!

2007-12-12T13:07:00.000-08:00

Today we took the upper elementary students to the Lexington County Museum....it was FABULOUS! I can't wait to go back and really explore as we did two programs (which were free for our classes courtesy of the Lexington-Richland Cultural Council!) and only saw two of the houses. I am so amazed by the vast cultural and historical offerings in the Midlands....it is heaven for a history-buff! :)

Our first program visited a 1770s era cabin (which was the size of my living room and housed a family of 18...talk about crowded spaces!) where we saw every day items they would have used, games they would have played, how they made clothes and then we made our own candles!

my candle......

The second program took us into the John Fox house from 1832. This was the Christmas program so we looked at the traditional (and natural) decorations that would have been used in that time period and then we actually went and MADE our own decorations! We made popcorn strands and apple/clove pompadors (?) for the tree at school, a gum-drop tree and cinnamon stick and clay ornaments for our own trees.

This was a wonderful field experience for the students and teachers!

Sunday of Awards!

2007-12-09T17:29:00.000-08:00

Our school's director received a call on Thursday that I had been selected as the VFW Post 4262 Teacher of the Year! This is to recognize excellence in teaching --- particularly citizenship and US history. They invited us to an "awarding" for today and Ron, the boys and I met Victoria and her son, Natondi there. After a terrific meal (chicken, ham, mac and cheese, corn, green beans.....some good ole country cooking!), I was presented with a check by the Post. $$ = YEA!! The post folks were very nice and I turned in a scrapbook for the district judging, which was taking place today. (In the photo I am pictured with the Post Commander and Post President)

Then this evening, we joined Ben's soccer team for the fall banquet at a local pizza place where he received his trophy for the season.

It was quite a day for us!

Bear Bands, Again

2007-12-09T17:25:00.001-08:00

They are just too cute not to post about again this week! We made it to service today knowing that we would have to leave early because of the VFW committment. About five minutes into the service, Clay's nose began pouring blood. We decided to go ahead and leave so he could get cleaned up and not have to go in and out twice. Since we were close to Midtown at Forest Acres we stopped there and headed into Barnes and Noble.

To wile away the time, Ben and I went out to watch Leonard Bearstein and his band and then I walked down to Belk's and did a little Christmas shopping. This week I was actually able to get some pretty good shots of the band and Clay's nose stopped bleeding...he's perfectly fine now.

The Six Saturdays of Christmas....Saturday 4

2007-12-08T18:31:00.000-08:00

I can't believe there are only two Saturdays left until Christmas! WOW!! Time sure has flown!

This morning we stopped for lunch and then went to 5 Points to check out the Christmas celebration we'd heard about. It was pretty much a bust, but the boys got pictures made with Santa, we bought Maggie treats from her favorite bakery, stopped at Starbucks for a mocha peppermint frap and found a ton of goodies on the "$1 sale" table at Greek Store and More.

After an afternoon nap, Ron and I ran a few errands before dinner at Red Bowl Asian Bistro, which was very, very good. Now, we're back home watching one of our favorite movies, National Treasure (we're as excited about the opening date for #2 as Christmas!)

Either way, both are COMING!!

Company Christmas Party

2007-12-08T18:24:00.001-08:00

Last night Ron's company had their Christmas party. The food was yummy and it was nice to meet the folks he works with and their spouses. Not to mention, I love a good opportunity to buy a new outfit and get all dressed up! :) (I couldn't decide on just one picture, by the way!)

In this one, you can see me carrying the lion purse from an earlier post!

Too sweet!

Actually at the party, too bad Ron's eyes were tired and hurting by this time, he couldn't keep them open.