S2L Scrapbook Challenge! October 24-31!

Hopefully, I did this right. I've just started digi-scrappin' and it's awesome, but I don't have all of the programs and knowledge yet. This was actually done as a powerpoint slide and then printed. Not bad for the first one. I feel like I should note the wonderful designers who helped with the freebie product, so thanks to the following.......
DAC_RachaelH_TrickorTreat-paper
Shannonfahrnbach_HappyHalloween-elements
cnash_daydreambonus_swirly2

Teaching

The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires. -- William Arthur Ward

That's a good one. It's been another several weeks and I'm trying not to get discouraged by this particular website. There are many things I like about this format. It's very easy to personalize this blog, but I've found no contacts at all and there's no EASY way to contact others and make friends. I have another blog on K102 and I've got lots of friends that I talk to regularly. I feel like I'm part of a community there. I feel like I'm alone here. So, maybe that's okay and I will use this as a diary since so few people will ever see it. We'll see.

Anyway, what's happened since July 18? Well, on the 19th we took off for Duluth for the day to watch the AirShow. We were a little concerned about the weather as we drove smack into a fog bank coming over the hill into Duluth, but we hung around the canal for a bit and then headed up to the airport and the SUN BROKE THROUGH!!!

Everything flew that day including the BLUE ANGELS!!! OMG! They were awesome.

Relay For Life was wonderful. The evening was gorgeous and Anne and I raised over $700 and the event is over $50,000 so far. Our event closes August 30, so we're still accepting donations. Then that Sunday, the 27th, we shipped Anne off to Just For Kix Dance Camp and we left for "parts unknown". Three days with no kids, no dog, just me and my buddy. No plans, no reservations, just drive. We ended up in Brainerd, Gull Lake, Nisswa, Pequot Lakes, Whitefish, and Pine River. Tuesday morning we woke up in a little cabin on a quiet lake with no one else around. It was so peaceful, nothing but the birds, insects, wind and frogs. We drove back to Mom's Tuesday night so I could be there Wednesday morning to take her, Curtis, Jen and Alex to the airport for ALASKA!! I am so jealous. I got home Wednesday afternoon after Fred had gone to work and the house was so quiet. I missed Anne so bad. She came home Wednesday night. She'd had a blast. We had a couple of days with basically nothing to do so we cleaned out her old room and moved her down into Lacy's old room. Then we moved the big bed from my office up to the new guestroom (Anne's old room) and moved the futon down to the office...............soooooooooooo much more room!

Tuesday August 5th, we had our 2nd Annual National Night Out party and it was GREAT! We have such a cool neighborhood. Jill offered her house, Denny made an 8-pound hamburger, and we had a blast. And so we're just about caught up, I guess. See ya in a month or so...school will have started by then so I'll have more to talk about I'm sure.

WHY I RELAY...............

In MEMORY of Craig and all of the others.......
Anne and I are at it again and on Friday July 25th we will be RELAYING with over 200 others at Lakeville South High School in the ACS Relay For Life in Lakeville.
It's a dusk to dawn event signifying the journey from darkness to light. We participate every year to join people around the world in celebrating those who have survived cancer, remembering the people we've lost, and supporting the lifesaving mission of the American Cancer Society. Relay For Life is symbolic of the cancer patient's battle with cancer. As the sun sets with the first couple of hours, it symbolizes the end of what was thought to be a healthy life. The overcoming darkness throughout the night represents how scary the disease can seem and those dedicated participants that choose to stay show that this is not a battle that is fought alone. Then, with the sunrise comes a new day for the cancer survivors with hope and energy to keep fighting the disease. The Society works hard every day to prevent cancer and save lives by supporting groundbreaking research, affecting public policies that protect us from cancer, and educating people on how to prevent or detect cancer early. The Society helps people with cancer in their own community. And our efforts at Relay For Life can help the American Cancer Society to keep working toward a cancer-free future.
Please consider making a donation to us or join our team. You are helping deliver the hope that future generations will not have to endure cancer threatening the lives of their friends and family. You have the power to fight back against a disease that affects millions.
Our goal again this year is $1000!!!!! If each person that reads this contributes JUST $10, we will have made our goal and so much more. For that $10, you may have a Luminaria made in memory or in honor of someone close to your heart. The Luminaria ceremony is held at dusk and includes a Silent Lap. It is quite a moving experience.

Craig's Cruisers Relay Team was formed in memory of my dad and Anne's "Gaga", Craig W. Letch. There have been great advances toward the cure for the brain cancer that took Craig. Your contribution could make that cure a reality. We want to invite you to show your support in the ongoing fight against cancer by joining us for this year's event. Please visit the website listed below for more information, including details on the inspirational Survivors' Lap and the moving Luminaria Ceremony. We hope to see you there! If you can't join us, will you please visit the site and make a donation to support our efforts? Either way, you will make a real difference in the lives of people facing cancer and in the lives of the people who love them. To request a Luminaria in honor or in memory of your loved one, please send me their name(s). Again, your contribution is greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Very Sincerely,Carla and Anne Cooper
(if you'd rather send a check or decorate your own bag, please let me know, here, and I will privately send you my address)
URL to Craig's Cruisers, Carla's personal donation and ACS website: http://main.acsevents.org/site/TRC/RelayForLife/RelayForLifeMidwestDivision?pg=peditor&fr_id=7313&px=6031697

The God I Forgot About

James 1:12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

It seems that God, again, just has to hit me over the head with a 2x4 to get my attention.

I had the most wonderful evening with my friend Cheryl on Friday. Where we normally see each other for dinner or lunch for about 2-3 hours every 3-4 months or so, we spent 6 HOURS at Houlihans on Friday night. The staff was fantastic and left us ALONE (we tip very well) unless we signaled that we needed sustenance or drink. (the drinks were non-alcoholic) We sat and talked and talked and talked and worked out the entire world's problems..........well at least most of ours. I UNLOADED about all of the crap with the OC (oldest child) and she gave me what I've needed most, affirmation that we're not the most horrible parents in the world and we have to spend this time looking out for Anne and not worry about our decisions.

So the God part of it is that He has put Cheryl in my life, He has been providing daily inspiration via loving my hubby, the internet, the phone, and even the horoscopes (yes, I read them but don't spend my life by them). But the greatest thing is that they have been telling us to slow down and evaluate and not worry and oh my gosh! it's spot on!!!! I believe that He puts various forms of information in front of us regularly to remind us that He's there and He'll use whatever will get our attention at this time. He's a marvelous God and He knows what we need.

Joshua 1:9 Be strong and courageous.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

She just walked in the door like she still lives here and can come and go as she pleases. I bit my tongue being pleasant to her. "I just came to get my mail." Great. Thanks for that.

The bible verse was on my home page today when I opened it. It was just what I needed. Be strong for I will be with you. Lord, I need you with me. I need to start over and love her unconditionally and let it be. I will let You handle her and hope and pray that someday she will realize we tried to do what was best for all. Thank you Lord, for carrying me.

Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Yup, that sure says it. Well, Lacy left last Saturday and I've been between crying and screaming ever since. When I saw her empty room, I dissolved into tears. Then when I tried to contact her (by text, darn it!) to get some information for insurance, she was so rude and contemptuous! I alternate between worrying about her and wishing her good riddance. I can't help it. I love her so much and I despise the way she acts!

Anne wants to move down into Lacy's old room and I'm inclined to let her. Fred is beside himself and can't let her. He still believes there's some chance of getting through to Lacy and she'll magically change and want to come home and "play nice". It ain't gonna happen. Fred lives in this dreamworld where it's the 50's and he's Father Knows Best. That's what we used to look like when we were all together and father did know best. I miss those days.

The most important thing I have learned over the years is the difference between taking one's work seriously and taking one's self seriously. The first is imperative, and the second disastrous.- - Margaret Fontey

Keep on walkin’ with rocks in your shoes.....

Fancy meeting you here again so soon..... I really thought I'd be so busy that I'd only get back to journal once or twice a week. Well, that may be how it eventually works, but for now, I'm taking the time I do have available to add entries. Rocks In Your Shoes is a country song (which is where I'm spending most of my time lately) sung by Emily West that refers to staying on course even when life smacks you in the face and tries to knock you down, if not out. That's what I'm feeling like this minute.
The point right now is that we're seriously informing the OC (oldest child) that she needs to leave the house. We love her so much and we just can't figure out WHAT we've done wrong that she's become so selfish and rude and inconsiderate that she thinks she can live here and be that way. She's decided to blame us for everything wrong in her life and acts like she is going to hold it against us even while living here, rent-free, come-and-go-as-you-please. We've set down some "Rules for Getting Along Together" and she's basically chosen to pick and choose the ones she wants to follow or not. By seriously I'm mean that I've told the OC that she's "moving out" several times in the past 6 months due to the above infractions, but I never follow-through. I've let her get away with completely disregarding me, her dad and her sister AND calling me several very ugly names last week. With school coming to a close, I just wanted to relax a few days and then address it next week. I was going to ask her to leave, but last night Fred had had enough and, when she got home, he told her that she had one week. She began crying and ended up leaving to spend the night at the boyfriend's (he was at his graduation-all-night-party). Wonder what she told his mom about that?!? Before she left she actually had the gaul to ask her sister, "Do you have any idea why Dad is making me leave?" She didn't respond.
Gotta run....I'll return with updates after softball with the TA (teen-ager)....the one who stills likes us.......................
Rocks In Your Shoes by Emily West
So you had some bad luck, life sucks
Can’t do nothin’ right
You took some wrong turns,
Got burned way too many times
And so you fall back with all that
hurt that just don’t wanna heal
So then you do the why me,
This can’t be happenin’ again
Hey what’s the deal man
I can’t take much more of this
You put your time in
Payed your dues
Believe me I know how you feel


I guess you gotta make a choice
When it hits the fan
You can get a little down or get a little mad
When there’s stones in the road
only one thing to do
You gotta learn to walk with rocks in your shoes
Come on!


I heard some good lies from bad guys
Makin’ me their mark
They did a drive by bang, bang
Big hole in my heart
Needed a crash cart, CPR
Sister I was fadin’ fast
I had a poor me trophy
Kept it on a shelf
Did the too proud,
Too cool to ask for any help
But when I gave in prayin’
I only got what answered back
And He said,
I guess you gotta make a choice
When it hits the fan
You can get a little down or get a little mad
When there’s stones in the road only one thing to do
You gotta learn to walk with rocks in your shoes
Come on!
Bitter’s like a weed
If you let it grow
It’s gonna trip you up, yeah
Somewhere down the road
To get where you’re going
There’s only one thing to do
You gotta learn to walk with rocks in your shoes
You better learn to walk with rocks in your shoes
Come on!
Keep on walkin’ with rocks in your shoes

This song talks to me about continuing to love her and persevere through her anger and mine. And, I'd hope it spoke to her about taking responsibility for her own actions and decisions and discontinue blaming "everyone else". Not that she'll ever read this. I don't think she knows that I have a blog. Another great country song right now that completely applies is, Back When I Knew It All by Montgomery Gentry. Maybe I'll put that in tomorrow.

The difference between school and life? In school, you're taught a lesson and then given a test.

In life, you're given a test that teaches you a lesson.
That's right, school's out for summer! No more pencils, no more books, no more teacher's dirty looks.................well, okay, I'm the teacher, so I can still give the dirty looks, just not to those particular students. I hope I've spent the year teachiing them things that will help them pass life's test.

It's actually been a tough year for me too. I had no idea what it would be like to raise children of my own. The line between teacher and parent has been very thin this year and it's been tough on all of us. Sometimes I contemplate giving up the teacher-parent thing and other times I want to give up the parent thing altogether! Really! So, this is "me" doin' a jig down the hallway on the way out the door to v-a-c-a-t-i-o-n! in the summertime!

I'm sure I'll see you along the way, but don't be surprised if it's a few miles in-between!

Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces up, snow is exhilarating; there is no such thing as bad weather.

Okay, I'll try that. There's no such thing as bad weather, there's no such thing as bad weather, there's no such thing as bad weather, there's no place like home, there's no place like home, there's no place like home.....yeah, whatever. The weather in Minnesota right now is incredibly irritating. Summer has yet to arrive in any way, shape or form. It teases us with beautiful, warm, sunshiny days in the 70s and then snaps us back into dreary, rainy, cold. It's May 29th, for heaven's sake. Oh my! It's May 29th!! It's our 27th anniversary today. We celebrated with Fred's folks on Tuesday, so I guess we forgot about today. We've talked at least 5 times on the phone today and neither one of us said anything. Man, at 20 I didn't think I'd do anything for 27 straight years and the very next year I snagged Freddy. 27 years, two kids, two dogs, four moves, and at least 17 vehicles later and look at us..............we're still happy!! WooHoo!! Happy Anniversary, Babe, I love you more today than yesterday and not as much as tomorrow.