What I've Learned This Semester

Today I celebrate my 27th birthday and the last day of school for 2010...it has been adventurous, enlightening, and - at times - very annoying and frustrating. But, nonetheless, I survived the first half of my first year as a teacher and I've learned a few things along the way:

1. Being a floating teacher stinks. On the bright side, I don't have a room to decorate.
2. While there are always a couple of poop-heads in the mix, overall I have some really good students (but I will probably always call them "creatures").
3. It's OK if I have scribble marks and White-Out in my grade book.
4. Not every student will pass my class.
5. There are lots of ways to spend my free time...grading papers is not one of them.
6. I am the adult in every teacher-student conversation.
7. Being cool - according to 7th graders - is not in my job description.
8. Every day is a new beginning. I greet students with a smile and hope for a good day.
9. I can laugh at myself, even if no one else thinks I'm funny. 
10. Patience is a virtue.
11. I'm not all that impressed with Texas history, I still prefer U.S. history and would like to teach 8th grade someday.
12. I am not perfect.
13. Passing out in front of 7th graders was a good thing. They remind me constantly to eat and take care of myself. Plus, it proved I am human.
14. Teaching at any level is great birth control, but middle school is a league of its own.
15. My expectations of students are too high in some areas, and too low in others.
16. The expectations I have for myself are too high in some areas, and too low in others.
17. Organization is crucial.
18. I need to improve my documentation and organization system.

Whew, what a time this has been. I have enjoyed the past 4 months, but I'm going to fully enjoy my Christmas break with family and friends and return to school in 2011 rejuvenated and ready to have another successful semester.

God bless.

There's No Place Like Home

There are no words to describe the delight I have experienced this past week in Kentucky. Dorothy was right, "there's no place like home!" The weather was spectacular - sunny most days with very cool temperatures, plus a light dusting of snow on Thanksgiving Day! It was great to see everybody too. I have such a wonderful family...related and non-related.

As I do every time I pull out of the driveway headed back to Texas, I cried like a baby.

When I arrived Sunday afternoon (I left Texas at 2:30 am, so my arrival time was earlier than usual), Mom and Dad and their pack of pets greeted me in true Kentucky fashion. Tess, Ben, and Speck were wagging their tails so fast their bodies were twisted. I met the two newest members of the family: Misfit and Janey, the adopted cats. There was obviously one doggie missing and I was quick to ask, "Where's Case?" She had somehow escaped Doggie Daycare (a.k.a. Mom and Dad's house) and was still on farm-arrest (a.k.a. staying with her rightful owner, Kaleb, at the farm).

Before I went to the farm to "rescue" Case, I had to make a visit to the cemetary. Since it had been a full year since I had been home to KY, I missed the funeral of G.T. One reason I wanted to come home for Thanksgiving - besides the obvious turkey day celebration and family time - was to pay my respects graveside. I miss G so much.

I spent a lot of time driving around the beautiful countryside of Western Kentucky visiting family (remember, I don't have friends - I have extended family members!) and taking pictures along the way. There were times when I would park my car on the side of the road and walk into the empty fields. Believe me, I am not afraid to get mud on my shoes. Most of the fields in the area are empty, have been rolled over, but some have short corn stalks still standing. Also, most of the leaves have fallen off the trees so the views from hilltops are clear and without obstruction. I hope you enjoy the photos!

Thanksgiving 2010 - McDaniel Family (Louisville, KY)

Back row: Georgia, Brenda, Steve, Carol, me, Kathy, Belinda, Brian, and Jessica

Front row: Joyce, Noah, Eddie, and Nana Rose

Case Tapp

Church located between Dixon and Clay, KY

Country road take me home...

Dad and Kelby (nice sunglasses!)

Main Street - Sebree, Kentucky

I took this picture at 4:00 am this morning; perhaps the lights were left on just for me. Obviously, in Smalltown, U.S.A., there's not a whole lot of activity in the downtown area at this time of day!

There's nothing better than an afternoon drive through the KY countryside!

This is the field behind Mom and Dad's house.

Dad's sweet corn patch and large garden spot and more Tapp farmland in the background.

New friends at Deer Creek Lodge

Jessica (Brian's girlfriend), me, and Brian (my cousin)

Kentucky Sunrise - BEAUTIFUL

After eating a Thanksgiving meal, you have to take a nap!

me, Uncle Cris, Brian (he's hiding behind the pillow), and Jessica

Carol and Georgia are seated at the table.

Bridge to Sycamore Lane

This is Mom and Dad's entrance. Their house is atop the hill and The Shop is the white building on the right, at the bottom of the hill. It's an oasis, party-central, and an all-around awesome place.

Me = HAPPY

The old barn behind me is full of tobacco, but the Tapp's will be emptying it soon.

Ben is giving me lots of kisses; he's probably the sweetest dog I've ever known. And, I've known a lot of dogs in my 26 years!

I'm standing next to Dad's large garden spot and sweet corn patch. The county road is behind me, on the other side of the tree-lined creek.

Smiling Cousins

Noah will be 10 on Dec 13 and I will 27 on Dec 17. We like to CHEESE in pictures!

Robards School

This is my elementary (k-6th grades) school. I was in the last graduating class before the school closed. It makes me sad to see the property's poor condition. I have such fond memories at this building. We were the Roaring Eagles!

I was going to say this is the road Mom and Dad live on, but just about everybody that's anybody lives on this road. And if they don't, they wish they did!!!!

SNOWY SURPRISE!

Black Friday was actually a white one in Louisville - I don't think my car has seen snow until now.

Steeple at Webb Memorial United Methodist Church - Clay, KY

This is my 'home' church and where Kevin and I were married in 2007. I love the steeple, it is one of my favorite features of the building.

The Dog Pack

Speck, Case, Ben, and Tess

Webster County High School - my alma mater (class of 2002)

After 11 hours of driving, I was so happy to see this sign!!!!!!!!

Battles with the Porcelain God

Oh, what can occur in a span of 24-hours!

I left school yesterday afternoon feeling a bit queasy and sick to my stomach, but I had felt like that most of the day and just shrugged it off to travel jitters or "that time of the month" kind of thing. My plan was to stop in Emory at the in-laws for the night and get up really early this morning and begin the long drive to Kentucky.................my, oh my, how plans can change!

As soon as I arrived at the in-laws house, I run through the door and into the bathroom - where I stayed most of the night. There is nothing worse than a stomach bug. I absolutely HATE being that kind of sick. It's miserable, disgusting, and oh-so-unpleasant.

The unpleasantness got out of my system around 4:00 am and I was able to sleep through the morning and until 1:30 pm, when Kevin called to see where I was. Much to his surprise, and my dismay, I had to reply, "in bed at your parent's house!"

Good news: I'm feeling much better.

Bad news: I'm still 800 miles from Sebree, Kentucky.

Better news: I'm leaving EARLY in the morning and trying this road-trip thing again!

Happy "early" Birthday!!!

Yesterday (Saturday, November 13) was a total blur. I was up before 6:00 am grading my students' tests and papers before I left for a Texas Teachers training seminar in Arlington. The alternative certification program I am in (Texas Teachers) required me to attend that particular session for an upcoming test I must successfully pass before I receive my permanent teaching certificate. Basically, it was 8.5 hours of test-taking strategies and "perfect scenario" classroom situations about pedagogy (the study of teaching) and professional skills. I scored 79% on the practice test, and I haven't even sliced the plastic shipping cover off of the study booklet I ordered about two months ago. I really need to get on top of that, it's rather critical in my teaching career.

I finally get home yesterday and want so badly to crawl into bed and sleep for the rest of the afternoon and night, but instead I start grading papers again until Kevin finally says, "I'm hungry, but nothing sounds good." Well, that's helpful for the live-in cook we have...named ME. He decides to go to Wendy's because he wants to stop at Home Depot and look at lumber for a squeeze-chute he bought at an auction that needs a new floor before he tries to resale it (side note: he loves going to farm and ranch auctions to buy implements and trailers and other equipment to resale in Craigslist; he's been really successful....and if he's happy, I'm happy.) We go to Wendy's and neither one of us is very hungry so he gets the kids' meal of chicken nuggets and I get the chicken sandwich. For two big-and-tall people eating kids' meals at Wendy's, I'm sure we were a sight. The toys inside the bags were nothing to write home about, so we gave those to two boys eating a Frosty with Grandma and Grandpa on our way out. Good deed of the day: check.

On to Home Depot we go............

Drinks in hand, Kevin and I stroll into Home Depot and price the lumber he will need for his project. He has to go back up there today with the Dodge truck and flatbed trailer because it would not have fit into the bed of the Tacoma last night. Since we lead such entertaining lives, we decide to spend our Saturday evening walking through H.D. looking at power tools, bathroom fixtures (no, the master bath has not been touched...YET!), furnace air filters, and finally kitchen appliances. Fifteen minutes later, we walked out of Home Depot with a receipt for a Maytag dishwasher that will be delivered next week. The one we currently have is on its last leg and the little support brackets that hold plates and cups on the shelves are breaking off and the unprotected metal (where the plastic has broken off) is beginning to rust. Needless to say, we need a new dishwasher. Home Depot was having a sale, so we bought a dishwasher last night! It's pretty fancy too. All of the kitchen appliances are black (not my preference, but they were here when we bought the house) so, of course, we bought a black one last night. It has a clean front with a single handle and all of the controls are inside at the top. It has a stainless steel tub and extra-tall capacity for platters on the bottom shelf. The regular sticker price was $598 and the sale price was $298. For an additional $50, H.D. will deliver, setup, and remove the old one. Sounds perfect.

As we are leaving Home Depot, Kevin turns and looks at me and says, "Happy early Birthday."

"Thanks," I replied.

A quick trip inside H-E-B for some groceries and to home we went to watch football games and I finished the grading I had begun early, early yesterday morning. Now today, after church and the youth's Thanksgiving Dinner, I will record them into the online grade book before I have to submit them to my principal. I also need to finish lesson plans for this week.

Five days until a mini-vacation............Kentucky here I come! :o)

Let the countdown begin...

The countdown has officially begun...just 268 days until I leave on an international mission trip to Haiti. I am super excited and very nervous but looking forward to the trip.

I went on my first mission trip last summer to Oklahoma City with the Genesis Youth Group from First United Methodist Church in Joshua. I knew I wanted to continue working on youth mission teams in the future; it is such a blessed and blissful experience. In 2011, CTCYM will be working along the Gulf coast in Texas and Louisiana. The junior high youth will be working closer to home in the Central Texas Conference. Wherever they go, I want to be a part of the team changing lives and being changed within.

A couple of weeks ago, my pastor and friend, Rev. L., returned from a mission trip to Haiti. You can read more about their trip and mission here. I was most moved of L's trip when she returned to Joshua and shared with the congregation the pictures of smiling, grateful Haitians among the ruin and destruction they call home. In the community of Thor - just outside the city of Port-a-Prince, L and her team helped clean debris around a building that houses the area's district superintendent, a local church pastor, and visiting mission teams. They cleared the debris one five-gallon bucket at a time. Talk about WORK! 

The most touching - and closest moment to Christ for me - was L's story at the Sunday worship service at a small white chapel in Thor at the United Methodist Church. From the outside, it was just another damaged building that had been repaired well enough to host to weekly worship services. But inside, oh it was alive! Contrary to many, the church is not a building. Rather, it is the people! Singing songs of grace and hope and love, L and her mission team, along with their Haitian friends, blended their voices of English and French-Creole into a sweet, sweet melody. At one point in the worship service, an older woman holding her granddaughter handed the small baby to L. For the next two hours, L cradled the child in her arms. No doubt, there is new meaning to holding Haiti in your heart.

I hope you, too, will hold the people of Haiti in your heart and daily prayers. And, I ask you keep me in your prayers as I prepare for this mission trip. The team from First UMC Joshua will leave Wednesday, August 3, 2011.

Here I Am, Lord

I, the Lord of sea and sky, I have heard My people cry.

All who dwell in dark and sin, My hand will save.

I who made the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright.

Who will bear My light to them? Whom shall I send?

Here I am Lord, Is it I Lord? I have heard You calling in the night.

I will go Lord, if You lead me. I will hold Your people in my heart.

I, the Lord of snow and rain, I have born my peoples pain.

I have wept for love of them, They turn away.

I will break their hearts of stone, Give them hearts for love alone.

I will speak My word to them, Whom shall I send?

Here I am Lord, Is it I Lord? I have heard You calling in the night.

I will go Lord, if You lead me. I will hold Your people in my heart.

I, the Lord of wind and flame, I will tend the poor and lame.

I will set a feast for them, My hand will save.

Finest bread I will provide, Till their hearts be satisfied.

I will give My life to them, Whom shall I send?

Here I am Lord, Is it I Lord? I have heard You calling in the night.

I will go Lord, if You lead me. I will hold Your people in my heart.

Keepin' my mouth shut

Instead of sharing my thoughts, I'll savor the taste of this non-dairy ice cream. I will piss less people off this way.

Mom always told me, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all."

Much-Appreciated Praise

The first six weeks are over, report cards have been sent home, and the routine of being a "floating" teacher is getting easier. The students have settled - somewhat - and they are learning to adapt their products to my expectations. For most students, it is the first time they have been pushed academically and most of them have accepted the challenge. For others, they will learn soon enough. I have high expectations for these young people because I know they are smart, but they are very lazy. And, truth be told, they have been - in my opinion - "babied" far too long. There are two specific students that I am thinking about right now, that walked into the classroom with an I-don't-care-attitude...eight weeks later, they know Mrs. Hutchison will not accept mediocre work and are performing very well.

When the second six weeks began, I set four goals for myself:

• attend as many pull-outs and professional development classes as possible;
• improve communication with parents and document EVERYTHING;
• integrate more resources with lessons; and,
• more CLASS work, less HOME work!

It took six weeks for me to learn this, but most students do not complete their homework. There are several reasons for this, including a new block schedule, but overall it is like pulling teeth to assign homework and then have them return it - much less DO the work! Thus, I refuse to fight this battle so I have integrated more classwork activities into my lessons and assign fewer homework assignments. Afterall, the class period is 90 minutes - I have to stay engaged or I lose interest too!

My passion in the classroom is built upon my passion for life-long learning. It is no secret that if I could go to school and get paid, I would - oh wait, I do! Seriously, if I could have stayed in college and gotten multiple degrees and paid for my time, I would have done it. I love to learn. Nowadays, I love witnessing my students experience their own a-ha! moments. The lightbulb flickers and then, BAM! it's bright. Those are small successes that I cherish. I also enjoy those classroom conversations when everyone is listening and engaged in the lesson. For a few moments in time, I have their undivided attention and they are human sponges, just soaking everything in. Those moments are even sweeter when my louder, more rambunctious students are participating.

During today's TEAM meeting, our principal surprised us with a visit. She met with us today to discuss our curriculum frameworks and pacing; miscellaneous requests (i.e., a District-issued laptop would be nice); and upcoming Learning Walks. These are non-evaluative classroom visits by teachers, principals, and administrators to observe and provide an opportunity for continuous learning and feedback on instructional practices. Teachers in FWISD are required to participate on two Learning Walk teams during the academic year. Of course, some of those teachers will have their own classroom visited for one of these walks.

Mrs. B told me that I would be participating in LW's with an additional role: she has submitted my name to the District to visit my classrooms. Of course, I was afraid that she has forgotten about my "floater" status but she complimented me by saying:

Mrs. Hutchison, you have accepted this position as a first-year teacher with ease and determination. You do not complain, and you do not use your situation as an excuse. I have visited your classroom, as have other campus administrators, and you are engaging your students with interactive, well-planned, and well-paced lessons. You are an example of what other teachers need to see, and learn from, during our Learning Walks - which is why I have submitted you to my administrators to be on the list of rooms to be visited by teachers and administrators from other campuses. 

Wow. Thank you, Mrs. B, very much. The kudos I received this afternoon are greatly appreciated. There are been instances where I have doubted my decision and ability to become a professional educator, but these tiny moments of success push me to become an even better one. The Son (yes, I believe in heavenly presence!) was shining on me this afternoon........my 4th period class was well behaved today!!! 

LIGHTS OUT!!!!

It's been a while since I've posted, my apologies. After today's "events," I felt the need to share my utmost embarrassing moment (thus far) in my teaching career of six long weeks:

I passed out in class. Well, in the hallway. I've been congested and sneezing since the weekend, so I've been on a steady diet of nasal decongestants and allergy medication....and not so much food. To be honest, I bet I have not eaten a decent meal the past four days. First period was un-eventful, it included department planning and grading papers. Second period is split with lunch and the first half was fine. Second half, towards the end, WOW! I was conferencing with students about missing grades and the cold sweat began. I immediately knew I was going to pass out. I was dizzy, my head was spinning, and the lights were about to go out in Nicole-ville. I asked one of my students to get the nurse but they sat there confused and unsure what to do........go figure!

In a split-second decision, I leave the classroom hoping to find a teacher nearby to watch my class. At the time, I didn't know where I was going except to get some help. I made it to Ms. Elbert's door and said, "Can you watch my......." and the next thing I know I'm on the floor with LOTS of people surrounding me! Two other teachers were with Ms. Elbert; they stayed with my students, while I'm laying in the middle of the hallway. Embarrassment does not even come to close to what I was feeling. I was fine. I knew I was fine. I just needed to pass out, and I'd be ready to go again!!!!!!

The nurse comes, with her wheelchair - of all things! - and wheels me away to the elevator. The uber-sweet nurse takes me to the "school hospital" and takes my blood pressure, temperature, and asks all the right questions. My vitals were perfectly normal (of course they are, I said I was fine!) and I finished drinking a Mountain Dew and ate some saltine crackers (yum!). After twenty minutes, I had had enough. I begged to go back to class. The precious darlings (really) from second period took my cart of books and my uber-heavy bag downstairs to my next room, where it was waiting for me in third period. They were super-worried about Mrs. H. On "B" day, I have some of the best students ever. While they can drive me crazy, they are sweet when it counts.

Lesson learned: I'm taking my lunch tomorrow. I will stop for 30 minutes and eat, I promise! Geesh, I feel so ridiculous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Peace out, my Benadryl is kicking in. (*Smile*)

Survive first week of school as a Teacher......CHECK!!!!!

I am officially a teacher in Fort Worth ISD with a signed contract and six classes full (well, not really) of some really bright, intelligent students and a couple that will either get with the program or leave the Pre-AP program. I teach 7th grade Pre-AP social studies at William James Middle School in Fort Worth. The school is one of the oldest education buildings in Fort Worth, built in 1927, and is home to 1,300 students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. It is crowded, but manageable. WJMS also began the A/B block schedule this year. Students have four 90-minute classes each day, plus lunch. Teachers (that would be my category!) have three 90-minute classes per day, plus a planning period.

I survived my first week of school......a major accomplishment!!!!!! My first week of school can be summed up in a single word: CHAOS. There's been a lot of it.

Curveball #1: Schedules
The district implemented a new Student Information System to consolidate attendance/rosters, gradebook, curriculum frameworks, educator resources, schedules, and stuff I do not even know about into one program. This program had a big problem, or "bug" in it from the beginning. During my first six days, I had different students at different periods every single day. The students got new class assignments daily - even multiple times a day - because of conflicting scheduling issues with the computer program. The very first class I was introduced to had three students, the next had 49 in a room with 28 desks.......yeah, do the math. Luckily, by the end of the week most of my classes had leveled out, with the exception of one class that currently has 4 students. Supposedly, when we return from the Labor Day weekend on Tuesday, classes will be leveled. I'm curious to see what happens next week. 

Curveball #2: I am a "floating" teacher.
I do not have a classroom. Instead, I "float" around the school building to different classrooms each period and either push a cart of books or have students carry the books downstairs for my next class. This situation is not really chaotic, it just sucks. There's no better term. It royally sucks. I have a laptop (that I received on my fourth day), but some teachers will not allow me to use their Promethian Board (interactive white board....I will not try to explain except to say that they are really cool if you know how to use them extensively and I know very little), for displaying class notes, charts, pictures, maps, etc. used in Texas history and geography. Go. Figure. Not only is it frustrating logistically, but I'm trying desperately to get organized and there is no way to do what when living out of a giant Land's End bag and pushing around a cart. Seriously. I have an accordion file labeled for each class period that I will use for homework and other assignments that I collect from students. Of course, this first week, I think I taught the same lesson 100 times - AHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Curveball #3: no air-conditioning on Day 3
I will just say that this problem was finally resolved and I was praising the A/C gods. When I sweat, I do not glisten. I am Sweaty Betty. There are no other words to describe a fat girl in dress pants, pushing around a cart full of textbooks, and climbing three flights of stairs with a giant LE bag. On this particular day, I can honestly say I was questioning my decision of becoming a teacher. I was also thinking about that kindergarten position I turned down. I bet those little bundles of boogers were nice and cool in their classroom!!!!!!!

Curveball #4: why is my last name so hard to spell?
Hutchison. H-u-t-c-h-i-s-o-n. That's it. Hutch like a piece of furniture; the letter "i", and son like boy child. It's not hard. I must have a million profiles with FWISD because my name is spelled differently on every piece of paper and file I have seen. It is correctly spelled on my contract and employee files; but incorrect on my paycheck (fortunately the account number is correct so I still get paid!), student schedules, and my school email address. I spent three months trying to change my name after Kevin and I got married.....maybe I should have stayed Nicole Edwards.

Curveball #5: paper
Each team and/or department is supposed to have a supply of paper accessible to teachers for the copy machine. Well, the paper supplier does not have paper. Therefore, teachers do not have paper. Only a handful of teachers have paper leftover from last year that they are using. The rest of us are S-O-L. I found two packages of paper in the closet with items from my college apartment to print my syllabus and a couple of worksheets for class activities. I guess it will all even out in the wash because I do not have a classroom to decorate.

I think I am going to enjoy the curriculum. Seventh grade social studies is specifically Texas history, and we all know that I could use a little more of that. I do wonder: why is it that Texas gets a year dedicated to its history? In fact, students get Texas history in 4th, 7th, and 11th grades. What the heck?!?! I'm not even going to argue this, I'm just going with the flow. Nodding and smiling. Just nod and smile. Nod. And. Smile.

WJMS is a magnet school with special programs in engineering and robotics, fine arts, languages, and college-prep. It is going to be a challenge for me to keep them challenged, but I'm excited to see what happens. There are so many things - lessons, projects, and activities - that can be done with Texas history. It reminds me of marketing and public relations, you can go in so many directions. We've talked this week about the five themes of geography (location, place, movement, interaction, and region) and the four regions of Texas. Next week, students will be responsible for designing a billboard or postcard promoting tourism in a specific region of Texas. Nothing like a little P.R. and promotion for these 7th graders. Look Mom and Dad, I'm using my college degree!!!!!! hahahahaha

I have a really good team of teachers in the social studies department that are very supportive and kind to the "new kid on the block." I also have a mentor teacher who makes me laugh and she's definitely my biggest fan. She's gone to bat for me more times than I can count this week, I'm grateful for Ms. Jones! Her spiky hair matches her awesome and hilarious personality.

This is going to be a fun year. I have already scared some students into submission and a few others that I would like to beat but I will refrain in order to keep my job. One called me the "handwriting nazi" and I took that as a compliment because my point got across. Have you seen the chicken scratch these people call handwriting these days? Good gracious!!! I will probably have my first parent conversation next week too. Ahhh, I love how I can stand at the front of a room and stare at these 12 year olds with my "evil look" and they stop talking. I don't have to say word - it's great!!!! HEHE

OK, so that is my first week of school and I survived to tell about it. I had so much fun I'm going back Tuesday morning. Please pray for me. :)

Ranch auction and Snowcones

Kevin and I were up bright and early this morning for a trip to Mertens, Texas for an auction. If you have not heard of Mertens, it is a tiny, one-horse-town located southeast of Hillsboro at the intersection of Highway 22 and FM 308. According to the city limit sign, the population is 146.

I love Smalltown, USA.

I wish I had taken my camera today. The scenery was stunning. Our drive took us from the busy and congested Interstate 35, near outlet malls (on tax-free weekend no less), to wide-open farm land filled with combines harvesting corn, cotton, and maze. The dust was all around, but the air smelled so much like home. The auction was located on a beautiful ranch with rolling hills, several ponds, and many heads of cattle. Kevin had his eyes on several pieces of equipment and implements, while I had my eyes on dragonflies and grasshoppers. The homestead set on top of a large hill overlooking a pond and there were several large oak trees all around too. One tree in particular was tucked away behind an old garage and away from the auction crowd. That's where I setup my own personal oasis for the day. It was perfect. A beautiful view, an awesome breeze, my big-fat-comfy lounge chair, and sweet tea from the local cafe. I drifted to sleep twice, it was so peaceful.

Another reason for my camera: We passed a small house with a hand-written sign in the front yard, "Farm fresh eggs, honk for service." Honk for someone to bring you a basket of eggs or honk for the hen to do her business?!?!?!

The auction was a bust for Kevin, implement prices were much higher than he was willing to pay. For the first time, in a long time, we came home with an empty flatbed trailer. Oh well...

Just when I thought the day had blessed me with enough goodness, I got to chat with Rev. L, read a thank-you note from Evelyn and Nate for their wedding gift, and the Monajami's came over for dinner. It was nothing fancy, just carryout pizza. I promised Cameron that if he ate at least one slice of pizza, I would take him to get a snowcone. He held me true to the promise and we both enjoyed a treat from the Joshua Sno-Ball. He wanted strawberry and I, of course, got banana. Have I told you lately how much I love these liquid sugar treats? YUM-MEE!!!! Driving back Cameron says, "Tank you Aunt Co, I wuv you."

Today was just too cool not to share with somebody. How is YOUR weekend going?

Southern staple, Sushi Sticks, and Julia Roberts

Serious question: what beverage best compliments sushi? Well, sweet tea my dear!!!!!!

Last night was pretty darn incredible. I spent all day yesterday cleaning my disgusting house (how can dust accumulate that much and that quickly?) waiting for my favorite Cali-Texas girl to arrive (Kim H.) for Girls' Night. I had been looking forward to last night for several days. There were six ladies total and we had a FABULOUS evening! We met at Hibachi for dinner and later watched "Eat Pray Love," the new movie with Julia Roberts, based on the true story of Elizabeth Gilbert.

Dinner at Hibachi was nice. The service was great and the food was delicious. Plus, it is a great place for a variety of food palettes because not everyone likes sushi. Kim and I shared edamame (steamed soybeans) while the others had soup and salad.

For dinner, the ladies ordered items from the Hibachi and let me tell you: that was a HOT show!!!! The chef (I guess he was a chef, he prepared their meal?) was great though, I would like to know where he got his water bottle because I want one in my kitchen too. The scallops looked AMAZING - they were huge! Too bad everything on Hibachi was slathered in garlic butter, or I might have had to get me a little taste of the deliciousness. Kim and I shared several sushi rolls.

Tiger Roll - Salmon and tuna inside with tuna, salmon and eel, eel sauce and crunchy on top

Scorpion Roll - Shrimp tempura, cheese, green onion, cucumber, jalapeno, topped with avocado, crab stick, and flying fish egg

 
Rainbow Roll (pictured above, right side) - California roll wrapped with sashimi and avocado
 
Los Angeles Roll (pictured above, left side) - Snow crab, mayo, masago, avocado, cucumber ***Let me just say that the snow crab featured in the Los Angeles roll is actually Krab with a "k." Yeah, we rolled in high-style last night!
 
I learned something last night about myself: I'm not a fan of sashimi. I mean, last night the sashimi was too thick. There were "steaks" of salmon that would have been perfect portion-size for someone's Hibachi entree. I think my omega-3 intake for the month was consumed last night, geesh!

As for the movie, it was good. I liked the book better. I have to wonder though: what would a person think - who had not read the book - about the movie? Would they understand it?

Like the book, the trips to Italy, India, and Bali are separate and their own stories. Gilbert's story could be printed into three books and portrayed into three movies. The transition is abrupt. As for the experience: I loved it!

Note to General Hospital fans: James Franco is in this movie. He totally surprised me too. I was wondering, "where's the dead bodies and crime scene art?" Weird, apologies for my diversion.

I wish I had more Italian in my genes....maybe I would enjoy the journey of life more. Perhaps I could become a master of il bel far niente - a sweet Italian expression that means "the beauty of doing nothing." Although, most recently, I have gotten good at doing nothing!

Thanks to the girls that made Girls' Night so much fun: Kim H., L.D., M.J., C.Z., and D.K. We have to do it more often - and invite more friends!!!!!!!

Note to Premiere Cinema: turn the volume DOWN.

Goal Setting 101

Youth lesson tonight on goal-setting and I heard "sacred echoes" for my own life. Based on James 4:13-16 ~ goals are good to have, as long as God is glorified and main priority. My plans (up to this point) have been disappointing because I forgot a major Truth: God fully exists and His will be done; the future is in his hands.

How could I forget this? Rather, Lord please forgive my stubborn, self-centered plans...they obviously failed because You were not my focus. I pray for grace and forgiveness - and another chance. (insert do-over button here, please)

Open doors that I have not seen; illuminate paths I've been too hesitant to trek...show me your way. Your will be done.

Ecclesiastes 7:8 - patience is better than pride. To finish what we start takes hard work, wise guidance, self-discipline, and patience. Anyone can start a project, but vision without wisdom results in unfinished projects and goals.

What are your goals? Have you ever felt like you were on the wrong path and going in the wrong direction? How did you rearrange your route? Are you confident in your decision? Do you have an unfinished project that you would like to begin again?

I tried it.......and liked it!!!

My mother always said, "try it once, if you don't like it...don't eat it!" Well, I tried something last night I had never eaten before: SUSHI; and, it was really, really delicious!!!!!!

N and S invited me along to celebrate S's 30th birthday - C was my date! - and we went to The Fish, a Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar in Dallas' West Village. The restaurant was spectacular: very modern design with black, white, and red decor. The waitstaff was very thorough and their attention to our service, and my dairy allergy, was appreciated. Because of this excellent experience, my expectations of future sushi meals are very high!

As soon as we sat down and began looking at the menu (it was all Greek to me!), I immediately said, "I will try whatever you order, except for eel." I also needed help with the chopsticks. I failed miserably at trying to hold my own, so the gracious waiter brought me a set of kid's sticks. The sticks were bound with rubberbands holding a folded piece of paper at one end, very clever idea for this sushi novice. I had an a-ha! moment before dinner also, if I had to eat with chopsticks everyday, I would lose a lot of weight!!!!!!

We began the meal with appetizers - scallops and calamari. The calamari was dipped in a tempura batter (made with milk), so I could not eat the squid. Rain did not fall on my parade though, I've never been a fan of squid. However, the pan-seared scallops in sake soy sauce with jalapeno were incredible!!! The scallops were sweet as sugar but the jalapeno was kickin' hot. N and S enjoyed the miso shiru soup while I enjoyed the house salad with a ginger sesame vinegarette. C ate all my crunchy wontons, carrots, and cherry tomatoes, but the lettuce and dressing were delicious! Bonus feature: the waiter brought me a fork for my salad, bless her precious heart!!!!

The star of the evening: SUSHI. I don't remember every sushi roll, but here are some that we ordered:

Lickitty Split - Spicy tuna and soft shell crawfish topped with tuna, salmon, yellowtail, and avocado
Not one of my favorites, I think I enjoy softshell deep-fried the best!!!

California Roll - Crab, avocado, and cucumber
Very simple and light. Of course, by the time this arrived I was stuffed to the gills (no pun intended!) I loved the black sesame seeds in the rice too, very tasty.

Tiger Eye Roll - Smoked salmon, cream cheese, and jalapenos rolled in soy paper
This was an "off limits" option because of the cream cheese, but N and S really enjoyed this one.

Sea Diver - Fresh water eel and avocado w/ snow crab, avocado and cucumber inside
Remember that comment I made earlier, well - yeah, I tried eel and LOVED it. So much, in fact, I thought it was bacon. And I love bacon!!!! HAHA I'm not kidding, I couldn't make this up if I tried. After the first bite, I asked, "this is really good, is that bacon on top?" N and S reply: "no, it's eel!" (everyone cracking up laughing, even C).

Cheeseburger Roll - Crab, avocado, cucumber inside topped w/ tuna, escolar, avocado and spicy sauce
Excellent name for a sushi roll without cheese. The cool and crunchy cucumber paired with the spicy mayo was perfect with the crab and tuna - very flavorful. Another one of my favorites.

Sooooo.....I'm really liking this sushi thing. Never in a million years would I have thought to say those words, but hey, I'm full of surprises. Thanks N & S & C for a fabulous dinner, I hope S has a wonderful 30th birthday too. I'll send Kevin away more often so we can enjoy more sushi dinners!!!!!

Blessings,
Nicole

P.S. Are you a fan of sushi? What's your favorite kind of roll? Can you use chopsticks without help from the Kiddie Table!?!

Commander Nicole at Galactic Blast Praise VBS

What do you get when you mix a bright orange space suit + Galileo, the green gorilla + 150 kiddos in K-6th grades + 100 youth and adult volunteers????

GALACTIC BLAST PRAISE VBS 2010!!!

So much fun. So much worship. So much to do in two hours times! First United Methodist Church in Joshua began VBS on Sunday and it has been a wonderful event. Tonight (Monday), more than 140 children attended Galactic Blast Praise, that's a church record! Coordinators are expecting even higher attendance the rest of the week. WOW!!!!

And now, for some extra fun.....

As the Commander of the Starship and talker to Galileo, the green gorilla, it is my pleasure to share some pictures of me enjoying VBS just as much as the younger kids!!!

The Genesis Five singing and entertaining the crowd!!!

Serious concentration on the craft project.

Ta-da!!!!

Foods we SHOULD eat.......very interesting!!!

A sliced Carrot looks like the human eye. The pupil, iris and radiating lines look just like the human eye... And YES, science now shows carrots greatly enhance blood flow to and function of the eyes.

A Tomato has four chambers and is red. The heart has four chambers and is red. All of the research shows tomatoes are loaded with lycopine and are indeed pure heart and blood food.

Grapes hang in a cluster that has the shape of the heart. Each grape looks like a blood cell and all of the research today shows grapes are also profound heart and blood vitalizing food.

A Walnut looks like a little brain, a left and right hemisphere, upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums. Even the wrinkles or folds on the nut are just like the neo-cortex. We now know walnuts help develop more than three (3) dozen neuron-transmitters for brain function.

Kidney Beans actually heal and help maintain kidney function and yes, they look exactly like the human kidneys.

Celery, Bok Choy, Rhubarb and many more look just like bones. These foods specifically target bone strength. Bones are 23% sodium and these foods are 23% sodium. If you don't have enough sodium in your diet, the body pulls it from the bones, thus making them weak. These foods replenish the skeletal needs of the body.

Avocadoes, Eggplant and Pears target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female - they look just like these organs. Today's research shows that when a woman eats one avocado a week, it balances hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight, and prevents cervical cancers. And how profound is this? It takes exactly nine (9) months to grow an avocado from blossom to ripened fruit. There are over 14,000 photolytic chemical constituents of nutrition in each one of these foods (modern science has only studied and named about 141 of them).

Figs are full of seeds and hang in twos when they grow. Figs increase the mobility of male sperm and increase the numbers of Sperm as well to overcome male sterility.

Sweet Potatoes look like the pancreas and actually balance the glycemic index of diabetics.

Olives assist the health and function of the ovaries

Oranges, Grapefruits, and other Citrus fruits look just like the mammary glands of the female and actually assist the health of the breasts and the movement of lymph in and out of the breasts.

 
Onions look like the body's cells. Today's research shows onions help clear waste materials from all of the body cells. They even produce tears which wash the epithelial layers of the eyes. A working companion, Garlic, also helps eliminate waste materials and dangerous free radicals from the body.