Things That Make Me Wanna Scream

I don't like to be a negative Nancy, but let's face it, there are just things in life that make you wanna scream. Here are a few of mine:

• When drivers refuse to use the turn lane on a five (or more) lane road. I mean, come on, what the heck do they think it's there for? Decoration? Nope.
• The way the students at Georgia Southern drive. Maybe it's this way at all other universities, but these kids have no idea of what's going on around them. They're too busy texting while driving (seen 'em do it), talking on the phone (ok, I admit I do this one), talking to the other people in the car, etc.
• Having a dog that won't do what you want it to. I need Cesar Milan to get on down to south Georgia and rehabilitate my dog and train me.
• When the kids just won't get along. Ok, those of us that have older or younger siblings also drove our parents crazy with this one. And when they said 'one day you'll get pay back,' they were not joking.
• When you've asked the kids at least 5 times to do something, anything and it's not until the sixth time (when you've had to add risk of punishment) that they actually complete the task.
  
• When someone's in the 10 items or less line with at least 30 or more items.
  
• When it's a busy time at Wal-Mart and there are only like 5 lanes open and you're the 10th person in just one of those lines.
• Wal-Mart in general. No explanation necessary.
• Watching "Deal or No Deal" and the contestant turns down $250,000 because there's still a 1 in a gazillion chance that their case is the one with the $1 million in it. (Of course once they turn it down, the next case or 2 has the $1 mill and they go home with $50, if they're lucky).
  
• The fact that I can't call my best friend to chat about an old episode of "90210" or to just reminicise, because she went home to be with the Lord a few months ago. I miss her terribly.

Onto happier things, the things that make put a smile on my face:

• Watching my kids while they sleep. Nothing's sweeter.
• Watching a funny movie with my hubby.
• When my kids draw me a picture or bring me a flower (even if the "flower" is really a pretty weed).
  
• Alone time with my hubby.
• Spending time with good friends.
• Watching "The Office." Quite possibly one of the funniest shows I've ever watched.
• Attending a wedding. Watching others declare their love and committment remind me of my wedding day.
• Holding a baby. The cliche is true: they are the future.
• When my kids actually want to spend time with us. You know what I mean, rather than the come on we're going to X. And the kids ask 'do we have to?' They think of an activity.
  
• Attending a Harry Connick Jr. concert. Not only does he have an awesome voice, he's very easy on the eyes. :-)
• Looking at friends pictures on Facebook.
• Really good chocolate.
• Seeing the "light" go off when a student (or my kids) "gets it." It is in constant change. It could be a concept in class, how to work a problem, etc.
• When the kids do their chores without being reminded (doesn't happen often, but when it does it's incredible).
• Watching my daughter play beauty parlor and "fixing up" her daddy's hair. It's quite the sight!
• My kids laughter. Is there any better medicine?
  
• Though I miss her terribly, I know that my friend is in a better place. A place with no more cancer, sickness or pain. She is in the presence of the Almighty. A place we should all strive for.
• So many more things that I can't think of right now.
  

As evidenced above, the good outweigh the bad. It just sometimes takes more to see the good when it seems that the bad is staring you in the face. I'm trying to get better at seeing the good, just not sure it'll happen at Wal-Mart.

It's been a little while...

It's been a little while since my last post. Suffice to say, we've been busy. As I'm typing Caleb is working on his spelling words & Samantha is teaching her (imaginary) class.

Georgia Southern started back to class last week so I'm still in the midst of placing names with faces. I'm hoping to have a better grasp on this in the next week or so. I have 38 students between the two sections of the public relations writing course and at least 40 in the public speaking course. Not firm on those numbers as I've already had a couple drop - before the first speech even! That's fine with me though - that many less speeches to listen to & grade. :-)

Now I'm listening to my seven-year-old daughter whine like a three-year-old. I can't stand when she reverts back to acting like this. It's so annoying when she decides to act this way. Of course, Caleb gets upset at any sound she makes when he's playing on the Wii. If she breathes too heavily he has a meltdown. Oy!

Time for dinner....til next time.... :-)

Wii Wii Wii All the Way Home

The kids (and by virtue, us parents) got a Wii for Christmas. It's been fun to play and work on getting those higher scores and lower your Wii age. The problem comes when one child gets a lower Wii age and the other gets upset. Or, if they play a 2 player game - there's a winner & there's a loser - and the loser often doesn't take it well. We're working on that one. One thing we've found that has worked (and given the parents the ability to get some time on it) is to have the kids read for time. For however long they read - 15 min, 30 min, etc. - is how much time they get to use on the Wii or computer - their choice. 2 birds, 1 stone. They need to accomplish their Accelerated Reading for school, and Danny and I enjoy playing on the Wii too! :-)

So far the favorite games are bowling, baseball & Mario Kart. What's yours?

Happy New Year

It's here - another year, another 365 days. I can only sit and wonder what this year will bring. I pray that it brings more happiness than sorrow - 2008 had plenty of the latter.

Wishing everyone a happy & blessed new year!