An Interesting Start to My Day and Some Shout Outs to My Peeps!

Today's been weird already, so there's no telling how strange this post will be. You've been warned.....


First off, I was wrong. Very wrong. We did get a snow day today...hence the "weirdness." It just doesn't seem natural to be sitting at home during a week day. I'm not complaining....I'm enjoying it at the moment. But I didn't wake up that way......


Last night, David and I watched TV like hawks watch their prey. We switched back and forth between the Weather Channel and the local news channels. (On a side note....when did the Weather Channel become a place where you show movies and have reality shows? I say if your name is "Weather Channel" you are obligated to report on the weather. All the time.) The closing of schools started last night. I got a text message saying that the university was closed and I was instantly happy for two things: 1) I am not a university student anymore. No more stressful classes. 2) I was happy for my friend Ashley who is taking a full graduate load and just started working at my school. She replaced a teacher that left at Christmas. I'm glad she gets a break off from both of those today. But back to our story....I watched the little ticker at the bottom of the news that was reporting the closing of schools. My school district was not listed. My initial thought was that we wouldn't miss school. But here's my thinking....if you're going to cancel school, let me know so I won't worry and wonder about at the last minute. Which I did this morning-lots of times.


I got up this morning at 5, and staggered to the living room to turn on the TV to see if we had school. Nothing listed. I watch some more...nothing. I checked the district's web page. Still nothing. So I pat myself on the back for correctly calling that we'd have school and I go to the bathroom to start getting ready. But when I turn on the faucet, nothing comes out but this hissing sound. Did I mention that I don't do well without the necessary utilities? (This includes electricity, water, cable TV, and ice.) So I woke up David to find out if he shut the water off or if we were facing frozen pipes. He mumbles that he didn't turn off the water. I check the thermometer and it's only 35 degrees. Not at freezing yet. How could my pipes be frozen?


In the midst of pondering this, I finally get a text saying that school is canceled. Thank the Lord! Me without water in the morning is not something you want to experience. I quickly try to assess whether the problem is ours or the community's. I drove down to my parents' house (they live down the same street) and snuck in to check the water. Yup, they have water....the problem is ours.


I get back home and David is up and trying to figure out why we have frozen pipes when the temperature outside isn't freezing. In the meantime, I get Raelynn up and both of us get dressed. Then I took her to my parents' house so she could use the bathroom. (She hasn't mastered the fine art of going outdoors.) I was real tired so I fell asleep on my parents' couch and Raelynn played with the dog. I slept for an hour and half.


When I woke up, I called David and he said that the water was still working. So we packed up and came home. We then went into town to get some breakfast (2 eggs over medium, toast, sausage, and hash browns with all the extras on it) and went by David's school so he could pick up some stuff.


Now I'm here at home, watching it snow outside. It's supposed to get much colder later and this snow that's melting as it hits the ground will become ice. I don't do ice on the road. Ice in my cup....that's a different story.


Anywho, thanks to those of you who are reading my blog as a result of my status update on Facebook. I really like to blog and it makes me happy to know that others read it. I even delude myself to believe that I'm funny. Thanks for humoring me.


As per my status, a few friends sent a shout out so I'm going to tell you a little about them.

Patricia M.-I met Pat several years ago when I moved to Mississippi. She was a gifted teacher at my school. She has since moved to another school, but I'm blessed because she is now my daughter's gifted teacher! Pat and I went through National Boards together and I'll never forget her tenacity. She worked so hard and did such a great job. I'm really proud of her. (BTW, she'll do anything for a friend. You can't beat that with a stick!)


Brandi H.- I met Brandi a few months ago. She was a university student that was completing fieldwork hours in my class. She has this incredible sense of humor. She cracks me up on a regular basis. Brandi was a great teacher in my class and really cares about the students. I'm sad that she's not with me anymore, but she'll be doing her internship at my school starting next week! I really like that she "gets" me. (After all, she suffered through watching Bon Qui Qui on YouTube with me and my continual references to this video....)


Kamille N.- I will never forget this woman. Ever. She and I met a couple of years ago and her child is now in my class. (I could tell you a story about our first meeting...hilarious!) She has the most contagious laugh and is so funny. And she loves. She loves her kid, she loves me, she loves her friends and family.....I don't know of anyone that hasn't met her and doesn't leave a better person. She and I always have the best time together. I'm glad she's my friend.


Tunisa R.- Like Kamille, I currently teach her son. She is a strong and independent woman that wants the very best for her children. She is one of those parents that you wish you had more of. She goes over work with her child, she asks questions if she doesn't understand something, and above all is an advocate for her children. I hope that her children know that's amazing. If they don't realize it now, I know they will someday. She's a wonderful person.


Susan J.- I met Susan this past summer at the Writing for Thinking Institute. My initial impression was that she was a quiet person. I was wrong. When Susan has something to say, it's important.... and you better listen. She has a great sense of humor and big heart. At first, I had a hard time connecting to people that summer. Not anymore. She manages to stay on top of people's Facebook statuses and comments. That means a lot because I know she's thinking of me.


Emily Z.- I don't normally call her Emily. I know and love her by her last name. Which is a shame since she's going to get married this summer and I don't know if I can use her married name. (It's a nice name but not nearly as fun to say as her current name.) Anyway, I don't think I have met a more kinder person in my life. She loves everyone. She helps everyone. And she's always happy. Happy to see you, happy to talk to you....happy. I'm so glad I get to work with her everyday. When I get down and out, she's the one that makes me smile.


Rachel S.- I am related to Rachel by marriage. Her dad is my husband's cousin. I met Rachel many years ago when my brother married my husband's sister. I tend to be kind of nervous around people I don't know...or for that matter, people I do know. I can clearly remember visiting her house and how Rachel and her mom made me feel so welcome. We talk some when I see her at family functions, but sadly this isn't very often. And that's too bad because she's one of the saner ones in my husband's family. :-)


So there you have it.....a rundown of my day and a little about some of the people in my life. There's nothing I can say except that I'm blessed. I have water at my house, a day off of work, and wonderful people in my life. It doesn't get any better than this.