A Far Green Country

A Quote to Ponder...

2008-12-09T08:27:00.000-06:00

A lesson well learned by Your's Truly....

Life is just a mirror, and what you see out there, you must first see inside of you.: Wally 'Famous' Amos (1936 - )

A Few Favorites :)

2008-12-09T08:05:00.005-06:00

While life has been a beautiful, wonderful sort of busy, I thought I would share some of my favorite links with you--both old and new. Each one is fun and entertaining in its own right and I hope you go and have a fun little peek!

Audible Beauty - a devoted collection of to love of all things audible in movies, especially the music.
LOST - Find 815 - an online, interactive game...I'm sooo addicted!
Gaelic Storm - an Irish/Celtic band with a modern twist...I've been a fan since 1998!
Wikipedia - JRR Tolkien - I love reading up on this man...I find him incredibly fascinating and incredibly talented...and hey, wikipedia a favorite site of mine also!
WAJ - Although, this man here, is the most wonderful and fascinating of all--there is no talent here, just mere awe and wonder.

I hope this gives you a few things to keep you busy and entertained on this gloriously, snowy day!

Poll Result

2008-11-30T21:12:00.000-06:00

This last month's poll was about your favorite candies...here are the results!

Which is the best Halloween candy?

Butterfinger	26.7%
Snickers	26.7%
M & M	0%
Reese's	0%
100 Grand	20%
Milky Way	13.3%
Laffy Taffy	13.3%
Mike & Ike	0%
Other	0%

W.A.L.L.-E

2008-11-30T21:10:00.000-06:00

I'm a bit behind in what is playing in the theaters, but I went with a Special Someone, to the Budget theater in Milwaukee...we happen to catch this little flick, and I must say, that if you have not seen it...you have to! It is a very cute, funny movie...and not to mention that the CG is excellent! Definitely one for the buying!

Holiday Absence :)

2008-11-30T19:10:00.001-06:00

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving holiday! I know it's been a long time since I posted, however, I have been busy beyond imagine :) I will be back tomorrow with some fun little stories and anecdotes (hopefully)! Happy Sunday!

A Surprising Moment

2008-11-23T14:10:00.005-06:00

As I drove back from a weekend away, I heard a song on the radio. I'd heard pieces of it in the past, but for some reason, today, this song moved me to tears. It is a beautiful and reassuring song about a Father's love...I hope you enjoy it just as much.

"I Love You This Much"

He can't remember
The times that he thought
Does my daddy love me?
Probably not
That didn't stop him
From wishing that he did
Didn't keep him from wanting
Or worshipping him

He guesses he saw him
About once a year
He could still feel the way he felt
Standing in tears
Stretching his arms out
As far as they'd go
Whispering daddy
I want you to know

[Chorus:]
I love you this much
And i'm waiting on you
To make up your mind
Do you love me too?
How ever long it takes
I'm never giving up no matter what
I love you this much

He grew to hate him for what he had done
'cause what kind of father
Could do that to his son?
He said 'damn you daddy'
The day that he died
The man didn't blink
But the little boy cried

[Chorus:]
I love you this much
And i'm waiting on you
To make up your mind
Do you love me too?
How ever long it takes
I'm never giving up no matter what
I love you this much

Half way through the service
While the choir sang a hymn
He looked up above the preacher
And he sat and stared at him

He said
'forgive me father'
When he realized
That he hadn't been unloved
Or alone all his life
His arms were stretched out
As far as they'd go
Nailed to the cross
For the whole world to know

[Chorus:]
I love you this much
And i'm waiting on you
To make up your mind
Do you love me too?
How ever long it takes
I'm never giving up no matter what
I love you this much

(above link takes you to the video)

Quote for Today

2008-11-21T15:33:00.002-06:00

I found this quite fitting:

"When I give, I give myself."
Walt Whitman

What's Different?

2008-11-21T13:46:00.004-06:00

I am finding myself so happy for this Christmas. This Christmas is the first in a very long time, that I am excited to see come. Don't get me wrong...my last school I was at was a wonderful school, with a great faculty and congregation...I was just getting too burnt out. God knew I needed a change! (For which I am very thankful!)

My new school and church family are wonderful! I am looking forward to a Christmas break that is not spent exhausted and recuperating. Not just time spent with my family and friends, but quality time spent with them. I am finding myself excited about Christmas and the Children's service we are preparing; instead of dreading all the extra work and time that had to be given into it, not to mention the guilt that would follow, because after all...in the grand scheme of things, it's nothing compared to what has been given me.

I am so glad to have found that joy again...that zeal for the season...after all, it was the day when God kept His promise.

The Wonder of Music...

2008-11-20T21:00:00.004-06:00

There is something to be said for Christmas Music. It has a special quality that can compare to no other. The worst day can be miraculously changed when you come home, turn on the radio and the tune "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" begins to float through the house. That bad day seems to just melt away and all that is left is the peace and excitement that this time of year brings.

Sigh.

I love Christmas.

I love the lights. I love the scent. I love the colors. I love the anticipation seen in each face of little ones. I love the overall joy that seems to run across the air, intoxicating each and every person it encounters. Just in writing this post I have a strong desire to put up my Christmas tree and start decorating the house.

I do...I do so love Christmas...

A Good Tuesday Chuckle

2008-11-18T19:39:00.002-06:00

After having a bit of a frumpy day, I found this little video to be quite uplifting and entertaining...hope it gives you a bit of a chuckle as well!

Things You Learn in Kindergarten-Revisited

2008-11-18T12:10:00.000-06:00

Since I've been on hiatus from the blogosphere, I've been going back and reading through some previous posts. I thought it would be fun to reacquaint you with them as well!

Did You Know...that if you and your friends are playing house, the girl with the biggest purse is the Mom?

Yeah, I didn't know that either.

First Field Trip - A Little Story to Brighten Your Day...

2008-11-17T17:01:00.004-06:00

During my years in Michigan, my all-time-favorite field trip of the year, was to the Apple Orchard/Pumpkin Farm; so naturally, when I relocated here to Wisconsin, I very much wanted to find that same experience here...and I did...sort of.

About a month ago, Preschool Teacher and I took our students to a local orchard for a field trip...and it just happen to be the coldest, wettest day of year! We had 22 little troopers though! They bundled right up and tromped through the orchard. They were on a mission! We were there to pick apples and that's what they were gonna do!

When we came inside to 'warm-up', our Apple Guide was introducing the children to the different types of apples; in particular to the apples that share names with people (Molly, Jonathan etc). She held up an apple and asked the children, if they new anyone with the name of Jon or Jonathan. Only one child raised his hand...when I noticed which child it was, I was very confused (knowing that he had no one in his family with this name) but nothing prepared me for his answer of, "Yes! John the Baptism!"

I laughed soo very hard.

I love kids.

Quote of the Week

2008-11-16T20:38:00.001-06:00

Oh, this made me giggle! Have a great start to your week!

"At my age flowers scare me."

George Burns

Winter is Upon Us

2008-11-15T12:11:00.005-06:00

It has happened. The first snowfall. I awoke one week ago today, only to find my new world, blanketed in white. The snow only lasted until mid-afternoon, however, it was long enough to count as the first snowfall. I took some picture to commemorate the moment. Enjoy!

How Old is Your's?

2008-11-13T18:40:00.002-06:00

This is interesting! See if your brain is as old as your body, or, (perish the thought) older!

Read the following instructions since the game is in Japanese:
Procedure of Flash Fabrica Game:

1. Touch 'start'
2. Wait for 3, 2, 1.
3. Memorize the number's position on the screen, then click the circle from the SMALLEST number to the BIGGEST number.
4. At the end of game, the computer will tell you the age of your brain.
Good luck !!

The First Has Fallen...

2008-11-12T18:29:00.000-06:00

Last June I relocated back to Wisconsin when I accepted a new Director/Educator position. We are 12 weeks into the school year and we've had our first faculty "casualty." Our 7th grade teacher has been out sick the last two days...during report card week...and the end of student teaching week. It is amazing at how wonderful this faculty is, that when one of our own is down, we can juggle things in such a way, it would make clowns feel inadequate. Here's to Mr. D's recovery!

Weekends!!

2008-11-07T18:13:00.001-06:00

Yay!!! There are not enough exclamation points in the world to express my joy in the fact that it is Friday!

The People Have Spoken!

2008-11-05T17:27:00.003-06:00

It's not like it was a real surprise. I mean, the way the country has been going the last few years, it was sort of a given. So, congratulations President-Elect Obama...hopefully your promises will ring true!

Each Year....

2008-11-04T17:37:00.001-06:00

I love fall more and more. Fall and I have a very close, intimate relationship. Fall never asks for you to step out the door looking your best or to do anything other than admire its beauty. It wants nothing more than to please and make the admirer happy. So, thank you dear Fall. It was wonderful spending time with you today.

Quote of the Week

2008-11-01T20:27:00.002-05:00

I thought this summed up my opinion on writing today.
Enjoy:

"Writing books is the closest men ever come to childbearing."
~Norman Mailer

A New Beginning

2008-11-01T16:53:00.006-05:00

I have arrived. It has been quite a journey the past few months. Leaving Michigan was a very bittersweet event. Michigan had truly become my home and I had been blessed with a wonderful circle of friends, who became to be family. Saying good-bye was very hard.

The difficulty of leaving, was matched with the joy of coming back home...to Wisconsin. Though having grown-up on the western side of the state, the eastern side is quickly becoming home. I have found my new adventure to be just that...a great adventure. I have met wonderful people, visited fantastic new places, and revisited some favorite old ones.

I can't wait to see what else lay ahead.

Coming Back!

2008-10-31T16:08:00.000-05:00

Hello to you all! I know I've been gone desperately long...but that's what happens when you take a summer course, accept a new job, and move to a different state!

Now that I've settled into my new home and begun teaching my new little ones; I am going to begin blogging once again. It is something I have missed and can't wait to get started!

Off we go!

The Crazy Life

2008-04-11T15:17:00.002-05:00

That is the perfect description of what has happened this school year...and boy has it gotten even moreso! Not only have I doubled my workload this school year, but now I've taken a call (new job) in Wisconsin! So as of June 14(ish), I will be relocating to the Appleton WI area (yeah Stacie)! This unfortunately means that my witty sense of humor and insane babble are on hold once again as I make this new and exciting transition to a new job, new place--new life! I will be back to the blogging community--just don't look too hard for me until the fall...

Happy Spring!

It's a New Year...

2008-02-15T16:06:00.004-06:00

It's been a New Year for almost two months now and this is my first post. Shame on me for being such a bad blogger. It would be different if I had internet access at my home, but seeing as I don't, well the occasional post will have to do for now--at least until life gives me some extra wiggle room!

For fun, I thought I would post some actual pictures of Jack--instead of the "look-a-likes" I've posted before. Hope you enjoy them--he really is a cute pooch. I tried to get a picture with his "Elvis-curl-lip" but he just wasn't going to cooperate!

In all the hustle and bustle...

2007-12-18T14:44:00.000-06:00

this time of year brings many of us to times of nostalgia. I visit this time more than most people I am sure--but especially more so since it seems like every person I've lost touch with in the last 12 years has begun to resurface into my life! (Don't get me wrong--I love it!) But the visit to Nostalgia is inevitable when this much rekindling is taking place!

I do have to say though, I am very glad that the ones doing the rekindling, are those I am glad to rekindle...ex-boyfriends, crabby ex-coworkers yeah, I don't really need to hear from you, thanks. Old friends, roommates, relatives...all welcome! By all means, drop a line--we've got a lot to catch up on!