Memorial Day

What does Memorial Day mean to you? To many it means an extended weekend, or the start of summer, or a weekend getaway at the shore. To many military families, it means so much more.

Memorial day is the day that we remember our fallen heroes; those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

What Heroes Gave
by : Roger J. Robicheau (U.S. Army)

Each donned their uniforms
To be defenders of our liberty
Their mission sure, their spirits bright,
Guard freedom's home, be brave, to fight,
On final day they faced their call,
Each gave their best enduring all,
We'll never know what they went through,
But know they loved this country true,
Deep down inside we all should feel,
What heroes gave, their cost so real,
We must stay thankful, grateful of
The gift of freedom through their love,
Their loved ones bore the greatest pain,
What we can't now, some now sustain,
To God I pray their pain will cease,
And each will find long-lasting peace,
Remember this from year to year,
What heroes gave shouldn't disappear,
We'll never let their special day
Their time for honor slip away
These brave fought for a nation free,
If not for them, where would we be?

I am very thankful to have my soldier home safe this Memorial Day, but our thoughts are still with our friends that are overseas and those who are gearing up to go.

As you have your BBQ's and cold beverages, while being with loved ones and friends, take at least a minute of your weekend to remember those who gave all and those still apart from their loved ones fighting overseas for our freedom.

Memorial Day Weekend

The unofficial start to summer is here! This means that not only do I have Monday off, but I also have only 3 1/2 days with the little kids left! Of course this is bittersweet. I NEED summer vacation like you wouldn't believe, but I will miss my students (Even if they have driven me crazy this past week!)

While America is sitting in traffic driving to the shore, or getting a tan on the sand, I will be working all weekend. Blah. I haven't had a day off in 22 days but who's counting? I do have Sunday off, so hopefully I can catch some sun then!

Wishing everyone a safe and fun Memorial Day Weekend!

No Contact

I guess I should make that plural...no contactS, for at least a week. I visited my eye doctor back in January and received a prescription for my new contacts. I wear monthly disposables, and I normally order them for the year since my insurance covers it all in one shot.

By April, my right eye was bothering me. My eye didn't hurt necessarily, but I felt uncomfortable when my contact was in. It wasn't as though I couldn't wear it, but it was annoying all day. I didn't have very clear vision in that eye, and every once in while it would just start watering. Annoying.

I tried to just put it off, thinking it was the contact itself. So I changed the contact, but to no avail. So, reluctantly I called in today for an appointment, thinking I could get in before my cruise (I want to be able to read the drink menu clearly!). Shockingly, they fit me in TODAY! When I met with the Doc, I tried to explain the situation, and she set about examining my eyes. She told me that my right contact had a tear and asked me to take them out. I did, and didn't see a tear (I really thought I was going crazy at this point) She said it was microscopic (Apparently I should have a microscope at home), and then wanted to check my eyes without the contacts.

She informed me that I had an abrasion on my right eye and was shocked I could wear the contacts at all. (Having a high threshold for pain could come in handy later I guess) I have no idea how this happened, but it had to have happened awhile ago and the tear in the contact was a coincidence since I had just changed them and the annoyance has been happening for quite awhile. Anyway, at the end of the appointment I have to have drops 4 times a day to prevent infection, and no contacts for at least a week, until she sees me again. I haven't worn glasses out of the house since high school (Unless I am feeling very lazy). It should be an interesting week, especially since I have to work at the restaurant all weekend.

I think I should get laser surgery and never have to worry about lenses again? Could this be a birthday present? ;)

Lost

Today marks the end of a great TV show: Lost. I have to admit that I did not watch the first two or three years. The smoke monster scared me, and as a general rule I don't watch scary things. (Yes, I am a big baby, The Haunted Mansion in Disney scares me).

I started watching about three years ago and got hooked! It drives me crazy how I am left every week feeling more confused then I was the week before. The constant questions of 'What is going on?' and 'Where are they?' plague me, but I love it! You love to hate some of the characters, and other characters you love (Jin and Sun...who doesn't love them?) You find yourself rooting for the 'good' guys and yelling at the TV. It has been an amazing journey.

I have been waiting all season to get my questions answered, and tonight is finally the night. I just hope it actually answers my questions and I am not left hanging. I better find out what or where the damn island is, and what exactly is going on!

Are you going to be watching?

2 Years!

It has been two years since I started this blog! I can't believe it! It seems like yesterday Michael and I talked about starting one so he could keep in touch with family and friends while he was deployed, and look what it turned into! Instead of him being able to write, I used it as an outlet for frustration, happiness, and sadness while he was gone.

I never thought that I would still be doing this two years later, but I have to say I love it! It still allows me to vent if I need to, or share exciting news or funny stories. I love looking back at old posts and remembering how it felt writing those. I went back and looked at my first post which chronicled how I found out Michael was deploying. I remember thinking that we still had a few months to go before he left, but I knew we needed to cherish every moment. Now I can't believe that whole year went by so fast!

Amazing where you can be in two years. Imagine where we will be two years from now!

Reasons to Love Teaching

Besides the adorable kids and their funny comments, FIELD TRIPS! Today we are going here :

The City of Brotherly love! This is my favorite place in the world! I have always loved the city, and it does help that my entire family is there as well.

Don't worry, I'm not letting the 9 and 10 year olds loose in the city, instead they are visiting historic Philly! We were smart this year and asked that every child take a chaperone with them. I cannot tell you how relieved this makes me! While I love visiting the city, I remain on pins and needles until every kid gets back on the bus and we are headed down 95. Luckily, since all but two of my students have chaperones, I am free all day to walk around by myself (in case of emergencies), and be a little less stressed.

Not only do I have a trip today, but tomorrow, myself and two other teachers are taking a group of students to an economics competition, which means I am out of school again! This week is turning out to be pretty good!

Now, lets hope all 22 kids and their parents can find their way around and get back on the bus, AND I make it home in time for class. Oh the craziness that is my life. How many days until that cruise?

Happy Birthday Titan!

Our first 'baby' turns 9 today! Michael bought him because he was born the day he left for basic training....I guess it was a sign! Now the little boy is 9! He isn't any bigger then he was 8 years ago, but he makes up for his size by his bark. Even poor Rocky is scared of him. He celebrated today by getting a special bone and brand new bandanna!

I swear our dogs can smile! HAPPY BIRTHDAY LITTLE BOY!