Those Who Can

John 3 years ago at the start of his 22nd year teaching.

There are many things which annoy me about my husband and just as many things about me which annoy him. I know. It’s hard to believe I could annoy anyone, but I suppose I have to take him at his word on it.

As I was saying, my husband has many flaws. He is a terrible, with a T to the terrible, gift-giver. Somewhere in a nearby landfill there is an ironing board which bears testament to this fact. He is an equally poor attentive listener. Should John-Heath be placed on meds for ADD one day, I will blame his dad for passing on bad genetic material. Also, my husband can be a scrooge, especially when it comes to his time. You thought I was going to say money, didn’t you? Well, he can be that, too.

Yet, for all these annoy adorable imperfections, there is one thing my husband does better than just about anyone else I know; teaching.

Indulge me for a moment while I brag on him, and mark this moment for posterity’s sake, as it is not often he deserves such boastful expressions, especially since he paid no attention as our son drove to the end of our driveway yet again in his little tractor while on his watch.

Quite simply, he’s excellent. He has been for a long time but now he has a little recognition to back up my claim.

A few months ago our faculty named him as our school’s Teacher of the Year. Then a few weeks after that he was informed he had been named the Middle School Teacher of the Year for our county. This in itself was a real thrill for our family, as we work in one of the largest counties in the state.

Then he received another congratulatory call. This one came as we were on spring break. John had been chosen as the Upper Cumberland Region Middle School Teacher of the Year. The UC Regional Field Service Center is made up of 22 counties/districts, so this was a complete surprise and a wonderful honor!

John and the kids on our farm last summer.

Now, his application will be forwarded, along with the names of the other regional winners, to the committee who will select the winners to represent each of Tennessee’s three grand divisions (East, Middle, and West). Each grand division will honor an elementary, middle and high school teacher. From those 9 the field will be narrowed to three and then one, the Tennessee Teacher of the Year.

Here’s hoping we’ll have even more good news to report a little later (knock on wood, salt over your shoulder, rub the rabbit’s foot).

Two Perks of Blogging

Two neat things have recently happened to me via blogging and I thought I’d start this week off by giving you guys the scoop.

First, a few weeks ago I entered a giveaway sponsored by Cindy over at My Dream Sample Box and, as Gomer Pyle would say, “Surprise, surprise, surprise!”, I won. Then just before Valentine’s Day a pretty little box arrived in the mail full of all kinds of goodies. I wish I had taken a picture of it but I didn’t have my camera on hand when it arrived. It was packaged so pretty, too. Anyway, tucked away in the box were homemade candies, soaps, candles and candle melts, a cute little polka dotted ribbon headband (I don’t have a little girl anymore so I’ll have to pass it along to someone else), hand cream, and a Boo Boo puppy.

The Boo Boo Puppy was my favorite. I will definitely be using it with John-Heath. He is all boy and, as such, is ALWAYS getting scrapes and bruises. Basically, a Boo Boo Puppy is a washcloth that has been folded and stitched in the shape of a puppy and has wiggly eyes, tiny pom pom nose and a pacifier in its mouth. Mine is a girl because she’s wearing a yellow bow. It comes with this little saying

If a boo boo has you feeling crummy,
Stick an ice cube in my tummy.
Hold it to your boo boo tight,
Soon everything will be all right!

How cute is that!

Be sure you check out Cindy’s page where you can purchase your own sample box. She has new ones for each season and holiday.

Finally, last night I found out I was one of the recipients of an award given by a fellow blogger. Amy over at Sitting At Our Kitchen Table has bestowed upon me The Stylish Blogger award. Stylish is not a word I often use to describe myself but I was none the less blown away at such a thoughtful gesture and I had a big smile on my face to prove it. If you get the chance stop by and take a peek at Amy’s blog. I would recommend the post she did on her take of the Oscars ;) It was too cute!

An Award - Plus My Nephew, the Souvenir

I came home this past Friday night to the nicest surprise. My friend Kate over at Southern Belle Simple had bestowed upon me a blogging award. If you have not had the chance to visit with Kate you really should. She is the sweetest gal and, best of all, a Tennessean like myself.

Do you remember what it was like when, as a student in grade school, you were assigned a pen pal from another school, city or state and you would anxiously await letters from them. Well, that's a little what it's like meeting new friends through blogging, except that you aren't graded on the 5 parts of the friendly letter, which is waaayy better.

To thank Kate and honor my award, I am passing it along to a couple other gals. If you get the chance stop by and check them out. I think you'll be glad you did.

Angela @ SlaughterHouse Rules
These are just some of the sweetest posts you'll ever read. They'll bring a smile to your face and, possibly, tears to your eyes. A case in point is her post from today about a special locket.

Vanessa @ Southern in My Heart
I've just recently begun stalking Vanessa but one pretty neat thing about this gal is she married a homeless guy who proposed to her. Just kidding. It was actually her boyfriend dressed as a homeless man holding a sign that read "Wifeless - will work for marriage". How cool is that?

Ladies, according to instructions from Kate, you are free to pass this along or keep it all to yourself.

This past Sunday after a family lunch my husband took the boys (my son and two nephews, ages 5, 6, and 9) on a hike around the farm. This has become almost tradition. Anytime they are all together here they must go on a hike, an adventure always. This time as they walked they were listening to stories about pioneers, settlers, cowboys and Indians and each chose what he would want to be. After one boy proclaimed he was a pioneer the six-year-old proudly stated "Well, I'll be a souvenir then."

Meet Some Amazing, Versatile Bloggers

As promised here is a list of some of my favorite blogs. I check in with these gals just about every day. If you get a chance you'll want to stop by and visit with them too. Because they are so fantastic, I am forwarding The Versatile Blogger Award to them.

Kate

Southern Belle Simple

(A fellow Tennessean with whom I share my tomato woes. Check her out. Everyone loves a belle.)

Omgirl

Little Pink Houses

(Lives, well use to live, in the cutest little pink house. I am a sucker for old homes. They have such character and charm. I can say that because I once lived in a very old home myself)

Carrot Jello

Oinkle Doinkle

(I was sold the first time I visited her site and saw a couple dancing to the Beatles' Ob La Di Ob La Da. Funny stuff)

Trish

Pink Preppy Lilly Lover

(Just lovely. She posts the most amazing pictures)

The Redhead Riter

(I could spend hours on her site alone. Currently, though, she is facing a sad situation with her dad. If you are a person of prayer please say one for her. I know this is for someone you don't know but I believe it really doesn't matter if we know a person. God knows them.)

Stephanie

NieNieDialogues

(The very first blog I ever had the pleasure of reading and the catalyst for my own blogging adventure. A truly inspirational story!)

I think you'll really enjoy their blogs and come to see very quickly just how inadequate mine is. Happy reading, ya'll.

The Thursday Three

Well, I’ve just been blown away this evening. I have been honored with my first blogging award. The ever sweet Kate over at Southern Belle Simple

has awarded me the Versatile Blogger Award. Right back at ya, Kate. You’re great!

It seems that this distinction comes with a stipulation, though. In order to receive it I must list 7 things about myself. I think I might be able to do that if I wrack my brain hard enough. You remember, it hasn’t been long since I filled you guys in on 100 things about me. Surely I can come up with 7 more.

I actually had another post ready for tonight until I found out about the award. Therefore, today’s Thursday Three will need to become the Thursday Seven. And in honor of my honor I think I’ll list 7 great things I’ve won over the years.

1. $50
Once when I was about 13 my family visited Cave City, Ky (okay, stop laughing. It was only about an hour’s drive from my home and we decided to go for a couple days... every other year. I guess you can start laughing again). Anyway, at this little souvenir shop that sold a lot of things made out of cedar and corn cobs, I registered in a drawing to win $50 cash. Of course, I never thought I’d win but a few weeks later a $50 bill arrived at my house in the mail. Talk about some honest shopkeepers.
2. Most Thoughtful Girl
This honor was bestowed upon me at the tender age of nine by my 4th grade teacher as part of an end-of-the-year classroom awards day. There are some who have doubted the legitimacy of this award over the years.
3. Most Talkative
Sophomore year band awards. This award was never in doubt.

Now that's a high-quality certificate

4. Miss Southern Belle 2nd Runner-up
This was a hometown pageant to celebrate Tennessee’s bicentennial in 1986, and my first experience with an up-do.
A really UP up-do

5. 2nd place in Poetry Recitation
I recited a poem about a rose at Union University Spanish competitions held in Jackson, Tn. during my junior (?) year of high school. Versos Sencillos por Jose Marti. That means “Simple Verses by Jose Marti” and it is the only part that I can still recite today.

6. Versatile Blogger Award
Given to me by the ever fabulous Kate.

7. My husbandIt did take some wooing, especially after the french fries caper. Refer back to my May 4th post to refresh your memory about this incident.
Any guess as to the decade in which my senior prom occurred?

Thanks again. It seems only right that I now pass the award on to others. But who? I’ll have to to give that some thought and get back with you. Stay tuned.