Running For Ridge

On Saturday, October 17th, 2009 I will be participating in the Lung Strong 15K in loving memory of Marty Ridge. A dear family friend, an uncle if you will, was diagnosed with lung cancer in December. He lost his quick battle in May. When I called Jane, his wife, to let her know I was doing this she said that someone told her that there is not much research going on with lung cancer because the money is not there. If you wish to help make a difference in this, please click on the following link and donate to the LUNGevity foundation. Every dollar that they give to lung cancer research is doubled.
http://events.lungevity.org/site/TR?px=1381361&fr_id=1870&pg=personal

Thank you for supporting me and remembering Marty Ridge and others affected by lung cancer.

"Beating" The Heat

Well, let's start with the A/C or lack of A/C. I finally turned my air on sometime around the beginning of June. It never quite was working right. So, last Friday I called the landlord. They just happened to be in town, so thought they would come take a look. They could not fix the problem (big surprise there!), so they supposedly called Monday morning. After not hearing from them, I called Monday night. She called me on Tuesday to say they would come out that day. Tuesday it was not fixed because no one came! Someone finally came Wednesday and ran tests right up until 5:00 when the parts department closed. They said the part would be ordered Thursday morning so to turn my air back on Friday morning and set it at 70. I did as they said but was concerned because extremely hot air was blowing out. I closed all the windows, closed the vent in Pattie's room, and made sure all the ceiling fans were blasting. Came home after summer school Friday to a hot 89 degree house and no one there to work on it!!! So, I decided I would call this time to make sure I would be here to let someone in if needed. Found out that they would not be coming and that I should not have turned on the air. After I snapped back with I was told to, they finally stepped down a bit, got my number, and hopefully will be calling me on Monday. Don't worry, they will be hearing from me Monday morning again! So, needless to say, I was sweating from the time I got home yesterday (also because I mowed the grass) until this morning! It's hard to get your house cooled off when it's 86 degrees outside. It was 81 in the house when I woke up at 2 am sweating!!!
So, to "beat the heat" I headed downtown last night with Anna and her husband Blair and another lady from school for the drum circle. I haven't been in a few years, so it's even bigger than before! The "professionals" gather in a circle on the ground and those wishing to join in grab a space on the steps. It's cool to see the mixture of people drumming, playing another instrument, dancing, and watching from the crowd...plus it's FREE entertainment! The man that kind of leads the whole thing is in the video. He has gray hair, standing with the drums, and tonight he put on a white glove in memory of Michael Jackson!
We watched the drum circle for almost two hours before heading to grab a beer. As we were leaving the bar around 11:30ish all the "young kids" were just arriving. Oh I remember those days! So, watch the video and if it sparks your interest plan a trip up here to see me and we'll check it out in person. Bring your drums and dancing shoes!

Reunited

This afternoon I took Pattie on another play date. This time she not only got to play with her sister, but she was reunited with one of her brothers! Another teacher at school got two puppies back in February. She rescued one from the pound and she got Cash, the brother. The puppies all played together nonstop for almost two hours. On top of this outing, Pattie also went next door and played with the neighbors dogs for about half an hour today while I pulled weeds. Needless to say, I did not take her walking with me this evening. I don't think there were any complaints from her either! She is pooped!

Happy Father's Day

I agreed to dog sit for my neighbors for a week, and the work started Saturday. So, I could not go home to see my sweet dad for father's day. Lucky for him, I will be there about 2 weeks in July to help take care of the grandkids! So, in honor of my father enjoy this song: (it actually goes into Call Me Al which is also a good one. My dad and I used to sing that song in the car together back when it was played on the radio. So, enjoy them both!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqR24ODVlcE

(Not sure how to get the video to pop up on this screen, so just click the link.)

I Love You Dad.

360

Okay, some of you asked for them so here they are...pictures of the rest of my new hairdo! This is now the day after my haircut. Look at me tomorrow and I'll have a totally new hairstyle I'm sure. I can't fix my hair they way they do!!! Oh well, it was great while it lasted huh?! :)



On another note, I met my friend Abby out last night for a few drinks before she heads off next week to China and Japan for a month! She and her sister will be traveling around those areas until the 3rd week in July! So adventuresome!

Hair Cut

I have been wanting to cut my hair this way for about 2 years now. My friend Anna goes to this guy whom she loves. I got his number Friday and made an appointment for today! I told him all about me....I always put my hair in a ponytail, I sweat easily, I don't like hair in my eyes, I barely spend time drying my hair in the mornings, every now and then I use a straightener, and most importantly..I don't want my hair BIG! Here is the end result(remember that my hair was at/right below my shoulders):

Looks great today! We'll see how it looks in a few days! I'll have to get someone to take a picture of the back and side so you can see it...I'm just not that good!

More Lake Pictures

Brad showing his stuff:









Ryan showing his stuff:









The Host and Hostess:









The Ladies:

The Lake

Sunday morning I met Mandi, Ryan, Ann, and Brad to head down to the lake. Ryan (and Mandi) have a boat complete with everything you need to enjoy yourself on the water! We loaded up the truck and headed down to Lake Keowee for the day.
Now, I have been on a boat before and have jumped in the water to cool off. However, I have never attempted tubing or water skiing! I was picturing a relaxing day of sitting on the boat watching everyone show off their talents in the water. Ryan and Mandi had other plans! By the end of the almost 6 hours on the lake, I had gone tubing and successful been thrown off while swallowing a mouth full of lake water! It sounds bad, but it really was fun!
Mandi was also determined to get me to try skiing. I said I would try 4 times so as not to take up other peoples time. The first time I almost got up. The second time I think I was actually up for about 2 seconds. The third and fourth time I completely came out of the skiis and went forward! I bet it would have been great on video! All I could do was laugh and brag that no one else could do my trick two times in a row! ;) I also told them I was determined to get up and ski before summer was over. So, hopefully we are going back in about a week!
I put sunscreen all over and even reapplied halfway through the day. Of course, I have bright red spots in weird places that I know I put sunscreen on! Overall, I'm a little sore in my neck and were the sunburn is; but it's nothing like I thought I'd be! I'm ready to go back and try again!!!

And so it begins...

SUMMER!!!! Our last workday was on Friday the 12th. So, I am living up my first weekend of summer! Until Monday morning at least when summer school workday happens and summer school then begins. I can't complain because it's only half a days work for pretty decent pay.

By 7:30 Sat. morning, I had already put in my first load of laundry, had a cup of coffee, and was starting to clean my extremely dirty house! It stinks that I can't sleep in late anymore...I would have taken sleeping until 7:00 even! Pattie and I went on an afternoon jog at the park. I didn't realize it had gotten that hot; so even Pattie was worn out this time! I know I was! I came back home to get the food ready for Girls Wine Night!

I hosted the evening at my house. Everyone started coming over around 7:30 and we stood in the kitchen until after 9:00. Hopefully one day I'll have a kitchen with barstools, or at least more counter space for people to sit on! We munched on cheese/crackers and a yummy black bean & corn salsa I made. I had chocolate covered strawberries in the fridge, but they didn't turn out as great as expected. I'll just have to host again to redeem myself. Of course, they were still okay. You just can't go wrong with chocolate and fruit in my opinion!

Now that the evenings done, I've had a goodnights sleep, and the dishes are done; it's off to the lake!!! Mandi and Ryan invited me along with some other friends. Should be exciting!!!!

Tooth Fairy

Is there a tooth fairy for puppies?!
Pattie sat while I was putting her water down this morning and spit something out on the floor. As it hit the floor, I was thinking what did she get now! Once I placed her water down and picked up the hard "trash", I figured out it was her tooth!!! The vet said that she would start losing her baby teeth! Aw, she's growing up before my very eyes!
Guess I need to bring her home a tooth sticker and necklace from school so she can put it under her pillow tonight for the tooth fairy! ;)

It's Official...

...the parking spot is now mine!!! Now, I just have remember to park in it!
The first end of year workday we have a breakfast at Atlanta Bread. It's a time for coffee, muffins, danishes, croissants, and adult conversation! It's also a time where we say goodbye to the staff members that will be leaving us. The biggest one this year is our dear Mr. Pressley. Luckily, there were not too many tears today. We have all been on one big roller coaster of emotions this week. After all the presents were given, the current teacher of the year stood up for one last presentation. I was thinking we had something else for Mr. Pressley, and then she pulled it out. The famous hat! It's a colorful beanie complete with a spinner on top. Every TOY writes on it, then passes it along to the next teacher. The tradition is only about 5 years old...and so it began! I have officially taken over!
As I was pulling into a parking spot back at school, I noticed the TOY parking spot had been decorated! I reversed and pulled into my own parking spot for the next year! It came in handy today when I was leaving school during another afternoon storm! (It's not the best picture, but all I had with me was my cell phone.)

Celebration continued

Tuesday night, my friends met me at Blue Sky Cafe for dinner! One of my absolute favorite places to eat! It has great food and a great atmosphere. We were able to sit outside on the patio; which worked out especially great for the kiddos! They were able to run around in the house they have until it was time for dinner. Maggie, Justin, and their two boys along with Crystal, Danny, and their two boys came and brought the entertainment! It's always fun to see the boys interact with each other. They are too cute! Ann and Brad came too along with Mandi. I felt so loved to have such great friends to celebrate my day with me!
After dinner was over, Ann and I went over to Mandi's house to enjoy a beer and some more girl talk. It was a great way to spend my day! I feel lucky to have such wonderful friends! Thanks to everyone for making me feel so special.
The party continues: We tried to have an adult only pool party the next day to end the school year. However, thunderstorms had their own plan for us. So, we gathered inside for food and cocktails as the rain fell outside. That's okay, we have all summer to enjoy Tina's pool.
Saturday night, I'm having a girl's wine night at my house! Friends, food, girl talk, and wine...what could be better?!!!!

School Celebration!

Not sure exactly how it all happened, but somehow I turned 31 on Tuesday!!!! Man, time flies when you're having fun right?! I received three gift cards from the class. I can now go shopping at Target! When I'm finished shopping, I can choose to eat at either Subway or Zaxby's! Too sweet!

Mrs. Watkins (along with my sweet room moms) brought the "special snack" for the occasion. We enjoyed chocolate cake with whipped topping! Notice the Carolina blue icing! The kids know me all too well! If you look closely at the first picture, you see my wide eyes. I caught the cake right as it was starting to slide right off the tray! So, we set the cake down and I got close to it!
Mandi, Dinah, and I were being silly in our pictures. We all look a little crazy, drunk, or something! Guess that's what the end of school year will make you look like! Yeah for summer!

Too cute!

Caroline and Pattie LOVE each other!




I'd shop here for the prices, but not for the change!

Bittersweet

On Sunday, May 24th Marty Ridge died. A dear family friend and backyard neighbor since late elementary school, Marty was a loving man who could do some cookin'! Diagnosed with lung cancer right after Christmas, he lost his quick battle although he certainly gave it a fighting chance. He is in a much better place now where he no longer suffers or feels pain; but he will certainly be missed by many.

Phillip, Jammie and the kids were able to come down for the funeral. I arrived Wednesday evening and they came around lunch on Thursday. It was great to see them all, but the circumstances stunk. Thursday was filled hanging with family before and after the funeral. Friday morning, we spent running a few errands and playing outside. Saturday was much of the same in addition to a few yard sales. Jammie's birthday was on Sunday the 31st, so seeing as she LOVES yard sales that's how she spent her b-day weekend. Rural Hall celebrated their 35th year of being a town with a big celebration down at the park. We were able to walk down to enjoy the festivities stopping at a neighbors house for a pottery sale! (my fav!!!) There were bounce houses, slides, face paining, old cars, music, all the fried food you could imagine, and vendors of all types. The last thing Sawyer decided to do was get an airbrushed tatoo! (I know, you're thinking Myrtle Beach right now huh?!) So, he decided on a spider like Spider Man. However, he choose orange and green so it ended up looking nothing like Spider Man. Oh well! He thought it was very cool! I'm seeing a future event happening around his 18th birthday!

Saturday evening, Phillip took Jammie out for a birthday dinner. GG, PaPa, and I got extra time to play with the kids and put them to bed. Just a little practice for the upcoming summer adventures! ;) Sunday was spent sitting around reading books, doing some last minute playing, heading to church, then over to Gen's for a yummy lunch! Pattie enjoyed herself too!