The wedding!

Friday morning was Prince William and Kate's wedding, the one I have been looking forward to since they announced their engagement. I am such a softy for British weddings. I was up at 5 am for Diana's wedding so I was determined not to miss this one. I almost woke up too late. I got the time wrong and had my alarm set for 5 am but just happened to wake up at 4:30 am, thank goodness. I tiptoed into the kitchen and turned on the television and saw Prince Charles and that home-wrecker Camilla getting out of the car so I tuned in just in time. When Kate stepped out in her beautiful dress, I sat at kitchen table, grinning from ear to ear. I laughed out loud when I realized what I was doing but I just LOVE royal weddings! When I saw William in his uniform and he told Kate she was beautiful, I just loved it. Yes, I loved their carriage ride and "the kiss." This crazy world is in such a mess that we need some good news. We need two seemingly sweet, kind young people in love to wipe away all of the sadness in this world. For a few hours, the world stopped worrying about wars, natural disasters and financial problems and focused on something positive. Oh, my. We need so much more of that. Here's to Kate and William. May you have a blessed life together.

Crazy Weather

I've said it before and I'll say it again: When the weather folks and especially the National Weather Service say three days before a storm that it will be bad, you need to listen! Several days ago, we were warned about today and here we are with schools closed and tornadoes and flooding. I wondered, and honestly hoped, that we would go to school late this morning because I dreaded the teachers and students being out in this weather. I was a little surprised when they cancelled school but I agree with the decision. It is one thing to be in a storm as an adult but it is no fun to be in charge of several scared students during one. I just like to be home with Michael (and preferable my husband) when a storm hits. He said he'd drive to work this morning-into the direction of the tornado-and I said no way! He did stay here until the danger had passed. It looks like the storms aren't over yet. Husbands on the way home and Michael is content. We'll ride the storm out together.
Everyone stay safe.

Go Team!

What a week! Even though I have been fighting a cold (and now a sinus infection), this has been a great week for Team M&M. Let me explain: Last fall, a coworker and I were talking about how to raise awareness during April for Autism Awareness Month. I also asked if her class would consider baking cupcakes for Team M&M since her class has baked for other charities in the past. She immediately said yes. Fast-forward to this week. Her wonderful students and assistants baked and decorated some fabulous cupcakes from scratch. (I told her I had never baked anything from scratch. I always depend on Duncan Hines!) I also had a class that helped with the baking and I am so proud of them. Lots of my students volunteered to make signs and go around during lunch selling. At the end of three days, we had sold $309.50 worth of cupcakes! Amazing!

Also, at last year's walk, my sisters and cousin suggested that we have a yard sale to raise money for this year's walk. We had that yard sale yesterday and today and raised $431! I am so excited! The walk is not until September so we have lots of time but it was so nice to tie these events in with Autism Awareness Month. I know at school, many of our students learned so much about autism and came away with a greater understanding of students that might be different. I truly appreciate all of the effort that went into these events by my family, coworker, students and assistants.

Last, tomorrow is Easter. I have a song that keeps running through my head with the lyrics: "He is risen! He is risen! And He reigns forevermore!" All I can add is "Amen!" Everyone have a wonderful Easter.

Yard Sale Time Again

My sisters, mother and I have been gathering stuff for a yard sale. At last year's Autism Walk, my sister and cousin talked about ways to raise money and they wanted to have a yard sale so here we are! We are having it Good Friday at my house (message for address) and all of the money will go to Team M&M. I am trying my best to raise money a little at a time this year. Our friends and family have been so generous but they can only do so much and I hate going to the same people for the fourth year in a row. We have done well with the ink recycling. I have another big box to ship tomorrow. I am also still waiting for the money for the purse party. Every bit helps. A little at a time!

We went to Murfreesboro yesterday and the traffic was awful! I have never seen it that crowded-just bumper to bumper. We have the same pattern every time we go to Murfreesboro: Sam's Club, Target, ToysRUs and The Outback. We're in a rut!

I hate to complain but I hope the weather levels out soon. This cold - hot - cold pattern is making my asthma flair up and also makes the cold seem so much colder after the temperatures get into the 80's then down to the 40's. As we all know, it will be getting hotter soon so I best just wait it out. :)

Keep your fingers crossed that we raise lots of money and get rid of everything! Have a great week.

Too Many

I helped out at the Autism Support Group's booth at the mall's health fair today. We handed out information about autism and also about the support group. What amazed and saddened me was the number of family members who came by and said they had a relative with autism. It just broke my heart to meet the mother of a beautiful little boy. She looked so sad and overwhelmed. I told her to hold on, that it would get better. I believe it will for her but it is hard to see when you are first walking that walk. I still have awful days. I hope the relatives come to the meetings. It helps to meet others who have lived through the tough times. It is also good to hear the successes and think that your child might have those same break-throughs. If you know someone who would like to attend, we meet September - April on the last Monday of the month at the high school. The time is 4:30 (pizza and visiting) and 5:00 is the meeting. Childcare is available but you need to call the special education office at the central office to let them know so they can have enough assistants there. Please send a message if you need more information.

The rest of the day has been laid back: downloading some walking music for my Mp3, watching Pride and Prejudice AGAIN, and just hanging out with my guys. The weather is beatiful so my butt needs to get to walking!

Sunday looks like it will be a good day, too. Enjoy it!

ipad 2: So much to learn!

Last month, I was asked to attend a workshop at Tennessee Tech with two other English teachers. Tech got a grant to show English teachers how to use technology to teach English. The exciting part is that we received a new ipad 2 with 3G, a cover and a wireless keyboard. It is on loan until we finish the project in the fall then it is mine! I am so excited! We attended the first part of the project Thursday night from 4-8 and the hours flew by because it was so fascinating. I have wanted to use a web site or something with my classes for years so the students could comment on our class work but I didn't know how. The professors told us that we would learn to create a web site, use the ipad and even cell phones to teach English. I think it will make me a better teacher and will keep the students much more engaged in the class. I can't wait until our next sessions in June.


Isn't this weather beautiful? I am so glad to see sunshine again. It was dreary for so long. I have a weird internal rule: no Crocs or sandals until it is at least 70 degrees. I hate cold feet! Also, my poor toes need some good coats of polish. Sounds like an excuse for a pedicure. ;)


I hope you have a good week. Beware of Monday's storms. It might get rough. Be safe.

April is Autism Awareness Month

1 in 110 children...

1 in 70 boys...

An increase of 600% in the last 20 years...

Every month is Autism Awareness Month for so many people in the world. Pray that a cause and a cure are found. I love my smart, artistic, sweet boy who happens to have PDD-NOS/Autism and I love my friends and family who love and support him. God bless all of you.