Meanwhile down in north Georgia

I got up with Ted as he got ready for work...and then went back to bed for awhile.  I looked at the weather forecast back home for early afternoon and rejoiced that I was in Georgia!

It was rainy and foggy...but I did not care1

This sign was in my line of sight as I sat on the couch.  Do you know how tempting that is?! ha

Cozy and warm and rested!

Treats!

I had lasagna ready when Ted got back from work.  He left early!!!!!!  A huge deal!  He picked up salad and got "home" before it was dark! Sweet tea and dinner never tasted so good!

Cuddling and catching up and a Marco Polo from Teddy telling us it was a good thing I left Wednesday night!  So thankful for the extra time too!

Friday....a gorgeous day!  The friendly cat sleeping in the sun.  He talked to me when I hung laundry out to dry in the sun.

Time for devotions and breakfast...

Time to just chill...and eating popcorn all by myself! No begging puppies!

Sooooo...funny story for Friday night.  Ted had found a diner to go to in Corneilia.  We parked and as we walked to the downtown area there was a fabulous smell.  The building right in front of us had "Wood fired grill" on the sign.  MMMM!  "Let's go there then, if you want!"  I commented that I bet they had yummy pizzas and stuff like that.  We walked in and Ted noticed the guy who opened the door and mumbled, "This isn't what you think it is."  I was looking at all the frames on the wall trying to see a menu as the guy asked if we had a 7:45pm reservation.  Uh...no...we... "Oh let me go see if we can get you in..." as he walked away.  Ted was telling me this was going to hurt!  It is pricey, I know these type of places.  I said that we could just leave...walk out while he was in the back checking...but he was quick...and Ted said it's fine...does he look fine in this picture?  We sat down at the fancy table...and were handed wooden covered menus with limited items...and prices that made me want to crawl under the table.

Oh he teased me about my choice...but we really did share the decision!  We were so tricked by the woodsy, bbq smell!  

It was an uppity, up place with so-so food in our opinion.  I had salmon and I think mine that I make at home tastes so much better.  Ted had steak that was very good...and I was relieved since he was paying the bill!

Wood fired grill...at the Community Brew & Tap was not at all what we were expecting...

and expect that I will hear of "my choice" for many months to come.  We walked down the sidewalk a few more steps to see the diner that Ted was expecting and he whined out loud at what we saw!

A 1950s diner...with a smash burger...shakes...fries...and such.  "I was expecting to have a date for about $27.00 for the two of us...instead we paid that plus for each of us."  But he still loves me...and he kissed me in front of the phone booth kissing booth!

A memorable evening in Corneilia, Georgia...at a fancy restaurant and then a stop at Dairy Queen for ice cream!  We are comfortable like that!  And I love how he laughed through the night with me!

 

Valentines Day 2022...lasted all week this year!

It is winter in Michigan!  Fresh snow...and a beautiful sunrise!

My little friends who keep me company every day...and all their red, pink, and white for Valentine's Day!  So excited to share love and kindness with each other!

Easy party treat this year...ice cream with sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, and mini M&Ms.  "Best treat ever!"

Some love...

A pictures sent to my love...with my necklace he sent.

Yes....I ate all three!

Love for the two kiddos still at home...per request...stromboli!

A gift for my love that I hesitated packing...I'll take it at spring break!  

Thankful that I stuck to my "to do list" this time! I had worked on school work for a week or two to be all prepped for my sub!  I had plans done and papers pulled.  Tuesday, I got all my errands all done in preparation of leaving town on Thursday...and then the weatherman started talking about the arrival of ice and snow!  Wednesday morning, my friend suggested that I try to leave earlier so I didn't lose out time with Ted.  I texted him to see if he thought that would work.  He changed my flight...and all of a sudden...I was leaving Wednesday night before the big storm!  OH MY!  I was giddy!  We had a great day in K5 and got lots accomplished.  I got home and packed my bag and counted down the hours till Teddy drove me to the airport!  I enjoy flying and I could not wait to land in Atlanta!  The hallway to the plane made me smile!

I had a whole row to myself and enjoyed the quiet!

Love looking out the window...mesmerized by the light and clouds...even at night!

And I maneuvered through the Atlanta airport and found Ted waiting in the jeep for me!  Yes...we took a minute to kiss before taking off!  Oh to be back with him made my heart flip flop!

Traffic was light and we headed north...

Oh I am so thankful!!!  It has been a long almost two months!  And I am so thankful for a friend that suggested leaving early!  And double thankful that Alisa is able to sub for me!  She was so excited and I know my class is in capable hands...I'm not even going to think about that teacher hat these next few days!

 

The two sides of a teacher

As I look at the pictures of my week, I noticed there are two sides to me as a teacher!  There is the fun, creative, excited about learning teacher that spends hours planning and looking for just one more way to reach the struggling or reluctant learner.  I engage as many senses and body parts as I can in each school day.  This week...we made slime to practice letters, numbers, and shapes!  Oh the squeals as we had to follow directions to measure and mix and knead!  As I mentor other teachers, I implore them to do the same....or deal with behavior issues that suck the life and fun out of every single hour of the school day.  Be consistent.  Be tough.  Be fair as possible.  Be fun!

Which then leads me to my other side of teacher life...the longing for quiet hours and enjoyment of our peace-filled home!  Every day when I come home, I am mentally spent with the fast moving morning.  It takes me a little bit to settle down and relax...often falling asleep in the chair cuddled with the dogs.  I don't have the desire or energy to do any more than that lately.  I know that many of those "feelings" are impacted by the changes in our family right now and I am thankful for the time to "adjust"!

After the afternoon and evening of rest and regrouping, I am ready to do it all again the next day...spurned on by what I see our big kids doing with their life and the words of my little friends "this is the best day ever!"  I know what we are doing at our school is important and life-changing!  I know the foundation of doing things God's way that we lay is life-giving!

So I will take every opportunity...whether big or small, long or short...on the simple days or in the crazy days of spirit week to keep pouring into these little hearts and minds!  I will join the crazy in pajamas and laugh at the popcorn all over the floor.   I will give my best during the hours of 7:30am to 1:00pm because it matters!

I will do my best to share what I have learned over these past 24 plus years...but only when I am asked.  All these lessons have cost me, my husband, and family.  I hold the treasure of learning like a strand of pearls in my hand.  I am learning that these pearls are not to be cast before everyone...because not everyone values this kind of treasure.  With every passing year, so many things make more sense as I read in God's Word.  I wish I could say that I understand it all, but I don't.  I struggle...but one thing that I know...love makes a difference and sometimes love means holding your pearls.

I have fourteen little friends this year that are being reminded that God loves them.  He uniquely created them.  So there is purpose in all the fun things that we do inside our classroom!  It is also a place of happiness and peace...even in the crazy of each day.  The fun learning is generated by a teacher who loves what she does, loves her students, and loves God.  

So if you can't find me...I may be hiding at home trying to get re-charged for the next day or week or month!