getting ready for the first day

I spent the morning at the science department chair meeting. I'm very excited and pumped up for the new school year. I think we teachers have to revel in the excitement that comes in August every year. I found out a new teacher wanted to get rid of an aquarium so I scored a new aquarium for the classroom. It's pretty big, the frogs will be very happy.

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I spent some time yesterday meeting with Brian Stevens. This man is a candidate for state senate in 2014. He is running against Stacey Campfield. I have never met a candidate running for office before. I don't believe I had ever had the notion that this person was someone I could relate to, therefore, I wasn't really interested in meeting someone just so that I could "get a good look at them". I appreciated that Brian Stevens wanted to know what was going on in the minds of his constituents. I believe that the purpose of having a representative in government, is to provide our community a "say' in how things are done, as well as to provide the community insight into what is discussed and decided at the state level. So many of these laws affect us, and yet, most of us do not know what is entailed. I know you've heard of the "ridiculous laws" that are ancient, and not updated and just "don't fit the times". Well, I believe that some of those laws are not so ancient, and were passed because not enough people knew that there was even a discussion about making these types of decisions. I would like to push for our citizens of Knoxville, Maryville, YourTownUSA to become educated on the process of government on every level. There are so many things that you could have a say to and you wouldn't have to be subjected to decisions that have ramifications that affect your life for years to come. You could make your city "smart" by being a part of the conversation. It's not necessarily the way things have been done, but with dwindling resources and stressed economies, etc... it's definitely necessary. Good Luck to Brian Stevens! More importantly, good luck to Knoxville. May your representative in 2014 TRULY represent the opinions of an educated majority.

July 2012... On change

Summer of 2012... Praxis Praxis Praxis... is the system fair? right? Why am I here?
Seeking. For what? Finding alternative shoeing= questionable, radical, commitment.
Equine therapy with lasers... Interesting, expensive investment, promising. Application? Therapy on it's own, or does it need to be in conjunction to another, "say therapeutic massage"? Questions...
Praxis is complete. Four weeks until news of the results. Less stressed now.
Opportunity to work summer school. Two weeks turned into four. Met a wonderful mentor and teacher. Amazing really, and wish I was a friend of hers rather than a peer. Scoliosis...hmmm where did that come from? Believe in holistic?  Testing faith in that system. Commitment to a change of life, with Brendan. Feeling better and like I'm in uncharted territory... Diet is a BIG part of your life. It's like I'm not the same person I was... Weird huh... Anyhow...
Walter. Walter is amazing. He's beautiful, and fun, and sweet. He is a gift. He is mine for now and I will revel in it. He is too big to hug, or he'd be with the dogs on the bed.
Options, what are the options? Right now I feel like I'm charged and ready. Ready for the opportunities to continue to expose themselves. Foot in the door with summer school and homebound. Opportunities to make extra money. Want to get out of debt.
Asheville, sell please. August... will we pay off our loan? Please yes... No matter what, don't mix business with family. It's a terrible idea, no matter how innocent or necessary or riskless it appears at the time.

Summer in Maryville, TN 2012

2406 Old Knoxville Pike

Maryville, TN 37804

Petunia Pot

 Hydrangea, replaced the wild and crazy rose at the front corner of the house.

 The Veggie Bed is sitting behind the Pretty Flowers bed.

 Pretty Flowers Bed

Since it's been 3 months that I last visited my blog, or posted anything on it, there is a lot of catching up to do. Today we live in Maryville, TN. We closed on our home on Valentine's day. I really believed that somehow there would be a new foster family for those puppies. Mom was adopted in two days after returning to Young Williams, but the puppies remained with us. They were to stay with us until our friend had room for them in her own place. That never quite materialized and we have grown quite attached to them. The blonde one is named Blondie. The black one we call Clyd, rhymes with Sid. It was originally Bonnie and Clyde, but we always butcher names until they come out just a little more original than they started. I'll upload pictures of the babies at the end of this post. Our new home has a great yard for the dogs, and so far I've created two beds for vegetables and flowers. There are many birds who live in the trees around our home. There are blue jays, robbins, finches, black birds, mourning doves, a hawk, and a host of others that I couldn't name if I wanted to.
Casey Anthony and pups when we first got them. They were about two weeks old. I say that they were born on August 1, 2011. Now it's June 2012. They're 10 months old now.

Clyd (rhymes with Sid), is being a momma's boy.

 Blondie is tired after a day of running around at the farm.

Erika has introduced me to Walter. He's her five year old off the track thoroughbred. I am totally falling in love with him. He's such a sweety on the ground, and when I ride him, he keeps me awake. He's fun without being crazy. He's exciting without being dangerous. Perfect actually.

 Brendan is working with his friend Tommy and making furniture on the side. It's pretty amazing what he can create from his mind's eye. I've just started to enjoy my summer break. I'm looking for some work so that I can bring some more cash into the household. We have a lot on our plate right now. We have the house in Asheville on the market and we're really hoping that the sale goes through. We've hit quite a few snags, and that's a shame. It's June 2nd and I believe the temperatures are in the 70s with a breeze and blue clear skies. I don't think that this day could have been anymore wonderful. I've ridden, gardened, and now I think I'll take a moment to relax.

Vote Smart

For a long time now, I have been asking for a way to gather information about a candidate for government. Apparently I was not the only one looking for an easy way to do this. I just found this during a random google wander. Check it out!  Project Vote Smart

January 16th has many interesting memories

Today is a federally designated holiday honoring Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Junior. According to The Corporation of National and Community Service's website, this holiday, established in 1983, was purposed to be a day of service. According to the website, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s vision was not just focused on civil rights, but responsible, sustainable community. I spent most of my life hearing facts about Dr. King during this month. As a teacher, you are encouraged to teach about Dr. King during this month. I however, had never specifically learned that Dr. King's legacy included community participation and giving. I think it is wonderful. I would like to take this information and share it with my students. Most likely I will develop a project that my students can participate in that will honor Dr. King's vision of community service and community development. There is more information available at http://mlkday.gov/about/serveonkingday.php . I urge you to hop on the link and check it out. I will follow through on some of my service projects today in order to honor a man who lived by his heart and believed in the ability of people to be human. I wish that I could have met him. Thank you Dr. King, for everything.


January 16th has been the birth of many other interesting memories as well. Check out This Day in History from the History Channel.

Random Props for MoJoe's off of Southerland Avenue

I can't say enough how much I enjoy Brad and the rest of the crew at MoJoe's.
Brad Grant is the owner, coffee connoisseur and overall great guy! Stepping into the shop is to find yourself in Asheville without leaving Knoxville.
The brightly colored walls, entertaining and enlightening art, and the coffee are just incredible. As if this is not enough, there is also great food and deserts to be found at MoJoe's. The wraps and deserts are delicious and hit the spot whether it is breakfast, snacks, lunch, or an early afternoon dinner.

MoJoe's is open Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturdays 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

If you want to visit MoJoe's you will find it at 2920 Southerland Ave. Knoxville, TN 37919.
You can also like MoJoe's on Facebook.  
Come on in!
Say hi and order the first cup. After that, you will be hooked.

"Something you said to me, changed my life. So, thank you." - Customer's compliment to Brad, the owner. (overheard at Mojoe's on January 2, 2012)

I'm not the only one who feels this way!