"Gone With the Wind" - What is it about that movie?

We, as a family, had a great experience today - ALL of us, INCLUDING GILL (who hates going to movies), went to see "Gone With the Wind". This was a special showing in the local theater by the Franklin County Parks and Rec Department and the Civil War 150 Committee. 2012 is the 150th anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War. There were people dressed in period costumes and information about upcoming Civil War remembrance events. It was really nice! For only $6, you received a ticket for the movie AND a small popcorn and drink. Since there's no way you can usually get in the movies for that price, much less afford food, that was a great deal!

So anyway, there we are at the theater...Gill, me, Carrie, and her best friend, Joanna. We sat with my mother and saw a lot of her friends there as well. The movie was on a DVD (you could tell because at the bottom of the beginning you had choices to make regarding whether to play Part I, see special scenes, etc.). I think a little of the picture was lost as a result, but not enough to make a difference. Gill had seen the movie a long time ago, I've seen it enough times I could (almost) quote the dialogue, my mother was familiar with it, and the girls not at all! Every time someone would die, Carrie would lean over and go "Really, Mom?? SHE (or HE)'s gonna die too?" I think she and Joanna liked it, though - they said they did, so I'm taking their word for it!

Now for the movie - for those of you who've seen it, you know that you either love it or hate it - no in between! I've loved it for as long as I can remember! When I got married the first time (to my boys' dad), he gave me the book, which I had never read, as a wedding present. I'm sure we saw it a few times on the big screen since we were both such fans of the movie and probably saw it on TV as well. Later on, the guy I was dating at the time gave the VHS movie to me for either my birthday or Christmas (can't remember which). We watched it and I remember he didn't like it that much. Oh well!

I don't know what it is about the movie...half the lead actors are British and I'm sure there are historical inaccuracies in the film (one of which Gill has already pointed out to me - HA! Like I would know!!) although it's pretty true to the book. It's just - GWTW!!! The legend!! The romantic Clark Gable, the beautiful-but-nasty Vivien Leigh, the so-pure-and-nice-you-want-to-smack-her Olivia deHavilland, the namby-pamby Leslie Howard...you gotta love 'em all! Oh, and who could forget "Mammy" and her priceless looks at Scarlett - she provided most of the humorous moments in the film and deservedly won an Oscar (first black woman to do so) for her role. Or Prissy, who "didn't know anything about birthing babies"!! I'll have to admit, during the part where Scarlett tears down the curtains for a new dress, I couldn't help remember Carol Burnett's take on that scene...

While we spent most of our day in the theater...it's a 3 1/2 hour movie, after all...it was well worth it! I would like to thank my husband and my daughter who generously indulged me by going to see something they'd never have gone to see on their own. I'll always remember this day!

Stick a fork in me - I'm done!

Well, it's been awhile since I've posted (I can hear my children yelling "Yeah, MOM!") so I decided I would write one more self-pitying, poor-me blog about my quest for a teaching job and then be done with it.

About a month ago, I found out that a music teacher in the county was leaving mid-term (early retirement). Some of my wonderful friends at Windy Gap encouraged me to apply, so I got up my courage to ask for the opportunity to interview and got my chance.

Unfortunately, I must not have said the right things because I didn't get the position. About three weeks after my interview, I got "the letter" stating that the position had been filled, they would hold my application for a year, blah, blah, blah. That letter promptly went into the trash.

So - as the title states, "stick a fork in me, I'm done!" After three years of trying and failing, I've gotten the message that it won't happen for me. Actually, I'm okay with this as I really truly enjoy what I do and love where I am! The money of a teaching position would have been lovely, not to mention teaching a subject I love, but I would've had to go to three different schools, learn all the kids, etc., and while I feel I'm capable of doing that, I'm fine where I am. I'll never get rich, but that's okay too!

Lucky for you, you won't have to read any more posts about how I wished I had done all this a long time ago. I'm fine, I'm done, I'll stay where I am as long as I can - it's finished!!! Over! Kaput! Done! (you get the message)

My life-changing experience

As you can see, the title of this post is "my life-changing experience". It won't seem like much to most of you when I tell you what it is...but believe me, it has really changed my life big-time!

What is it? you say. Well, my mother decided that she wanted to see me with nails before she shuffles off this mortal coil, so she paid for me to have fake nails put on until mine grow out. Those of you who know me know I have NEVER, EVER, EVER in my life EVER had fingernails! I have bitten my nails since I was old enough to have teeth!! I can remember being 4 years old and my friend's mother bribing me with painting my nails if I'd stop! I can remember having "Thumb", a noxious substance, painted on my nails so I wouldn't bite. Did it work? Temporarily....but then I'd be right back at it, the stuff wore off, and my poor mom just gave up and let me have at it.

Soooo...off I go to a Vietnamese establishment in Rocky Mount on Tuesday to have it done. I'll admit I was a little nervous, since I REALLY rely on being able to bite, just a little, and knew I wouldn't be able to at all! The lady put these horrendous-looking long talons on each nail at the tip, then, thank goodness, cut most of them off, shaped, ground, shaped, ground...you get the picture. The weirdest part was when she was through with me, she hadn't polished my nails yet and they looked not that great - but then, this regular white guy who looked like he should be working in Kroger's painted my nails!! HA! He actually gave me the "French" nail look (white tips, clear everywhere else) and painted my nails carefully. What a surreal experience!!

Supposedly, these things last about 3 weeks and then I have to go in again for more work. I'll probably stretch mine out a little longer since I don't intend to spend tons of money on my nails. They look pretty good - but then, a 3rd-grade boy at school asked me if my nails were fake, so I guess they're not fool-proof!! HA! Some of the little girls said they liked them. Carrie hates them - she said she wants my stubby fingers back! Oh well, she'll get used to them, and hopefully in the next few months or so I'll have my own nails and won't have to resort to fake tips.

As you can imagine, not being able to bite my nails has been quite a challenge. Also, I can feel every single separate nail on every finger...and as I type this, my fingers are making clacking noises which I suppose I'll get used to. They also clack when I play piano! I'm having to relearn how to do some things, like picking up pencils or small objects, because I had adapted to doing so without nails!

So - while this wouldn't impact most people, it has had a profound impact on my life! I have to say, I kinda like 'em and hopefully will unlearn biting my nails so I can carry on with my own in the near future.

Fascinating post, huh??? Are you happy now, oh-daughter-who's-been-bugging-me-to-post?

First Day of School - WHEW!

Well, today was the first day of school! Can't believe it's here already!

After my cafeteria stint (dumping trays and trying to hurry kids along with their eating), I went to kindergarten. We have two classes, so I decided to go to the class with the new teacher, thinking she might need more help than the one who's been teaching awhile (although they both had extra help today!). When I got to class, all the children were sitting in their seats playing with various educational games like cards with animals and letters on them, magnetic letters which they were using to spell out their names, etc. We put nametags on all of them so we'd know what to call them - there were 23 children in there and it's almost impossible to remember everyone, although the teacher was doing a great job of it! I was impressed by her patience and insistence on certain rules, like raising hands before speaking and not talking while others are talking (a very hard concept for most school kids). Another lady who usually subs at the school and I stayed in the room all day, making sure the children didn't kill or maim each other (just kidding, they did really well!).

My after-school duties include car rider duty. This is usually pretty painless and today was no exception. We have a great team of teachers/teacher assistants who get the children out of the lobby and into the correct cars in record time. There was one kindergartner who was left, but he seemed not to mind too much and I'm sure was out of there pretty quickly.

I'll be doing K-duty for probably the rest of the week before starting my real schedule with the 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. Can't wait to see my "older babies"!! I'm sure they can wait to see me, though - HA! Should be an interesting year!

School Days are (almost) here again!

Hello all! For those of you who don't live in this area, you are probably amazed and astounded to learn that school, for the children, starts on August 17. The teachers (and teacher assistants, like myself) started back last Wednesday, August 10. The first day back was rather surreal, as I felt like I had just said good-bye to everyone the day before!

The reason we start back so soon is because we spend a certain number of days out every year because of snow, the threat of snow, a random snowflake, ice, random ice, etc., etc. In other words, we panic and close schools. Now, this was NOT the way we did things back in the "good ol' days" (or as I say, "dark ages") when I was a child. Back then, bus drivers put chains on the tires and kept on truckin'. Of course we had to miss on occasion - I can remember when I was in 4th grade we were out for a week because of deep snow with a layer of ice on top. It was FABULOUS for sleigh riding!! We paid the price for missing by going on Saturdays or never getting an Easter break. I could probably count on one hand the number of years we ever got more than a couple of days, if that, of Easter break. It just didn't happen!

Anyway, I have to admit that I'm kinda glad to be (almost) back in the school routine, even if it does cut into my free time! I didn't finish all the things I had planned to, though I did get a few things done. It was good to see all the teachers I worked with last year - and to meet the few new ones for this year. I have a new schedule that I'm rather excited about and hope all goes well this year.

Do I have a point? Well, no, not really...except to say that I do so enjoy my job, feel lucky to be in it, and can't wait to get going!!

Vacation Bible School and the Power of Children

Our church just completed its Bible School session yesterday. We generally have it with the Boones Mill Church of the Brethren because we don't have enough young children in our church to have it by ourselves - plus we enjoy the fellowship of other churches!

Every year for probably the last six or seven years, I have taught music to the children. At first, I had a very good pianist working with me, but as technology has evolved, I now use CD's to accompany our singing as you just can't replicate the arrangements on the CD's on a piano.

"Get to the point, already!" I can hear you saying. Well, the point is this: every year, I say "no more, I'm going to let someone else do it next year." But every year, I go back - with a sort of "oh gee, I really don't want to do this", but yet excitement because of the music and wondering what we'll end up singing. This year was no different - except that for the first time, my daughter and her friends would not be in a class and so would not be coming to me for music. While I knew they were happy about being "too old" for a Bible School class, I was a little sad because I enjoyed teaching them and hearing them sing. I was also sad because I knew Carrie wouldn't be there for the last session due to her beach trip.

This is where the power of children comes in...(yes, there is a point)...even though things were different this year (as above), the children that DID come to me, although not my own, were happy, enthusiastic, well-mannered, and ready to rock! I let them pick out the class-specific song they wanted to sing, we did movements to the words, and each class did something special that no other class did. For example, the pre-K class made their own "shakers" (margarine tubs with beads in them) for the theme song "Shake It Up" and quickly learned when exactly to shake their tubs. Another group memorized their words and had two soloists, and the third group chose a rather difficult song but performed it very well.

The power was this - even though I was feeling down on Saturday and didn't really want to go to VBS at all, I knew I had to - and thanks to the kids, I was so glad I did! The smiles on their faces and their desire to perform their song to the best of their ability was so heartwarming and lifted me up out of my "poor me" depression. You can't be depressed around young children - they won't allow it!! Without even knowing it, they made me feel better and glad I was there.

Thanks to all of you, VBS kids!!

My every-day, hum-drum life

Catchy title, isn't it?? But there are some people in this household who will not leave me alone unless I post something and it's not her father...that narrows it down...

My husband has a blog on which he posts what happens on an almost daily basis. He's a busy guy around the farm and has a great sense of humor, so his blogs are generally enjoyable and interesting. I, on the other hand, don't normally post unless I have something significant to say - a point I cannot get across to my dear daughter! However, I will endeavor to make this blog somewhat interesting...

OK, today (and the last couple of days) has been super hot and humid. Since we have no AC in the house (yes, you heard me - no AC in the house), we survive with fans....most of the time. Today was one of those days when even a fan didn't really do it! Thankfully, this afternoon has been less humid - WHEW!

Today was designated "trash day" by me, so this morning Gill and I loaded up the truck (and we moved to Beverly...no, not quite!) with stuff that I've been wanting to get rid of for months. We didn't get rid of everything, but the majority is gone! YAHOO! There always seems to be something that needs doing around here, which I am sure is a common complaint for most people who own or rent houses.

Let's see, what else...Vacation Bible School starts tomorrow night and goes through Saturday. I have been working to learn the songs I will be teaching - not an easy thing as they all come with movements. The movements make the song more interesting, but also more complex, since you have to remember the music, words, AND movements! However, the children seem to like doing it this way and the movements seem to help them remember the words better - or at least, I hope they do!

Another project I have been working on at home is going through my dresser. Those who know me best know that I have a hard time throwing things away...I still have Christmas cards from the 70's, for example! I have found several interesting items which will be shared with my boys when they come to see me, along with stuff I didn't even remember having, much less saving! For example, I forgot that for a while, I saved every Dave Barry column that was in the Sunday paper in Richmond...yep, I did! Maybe I can get a spot on "Hoarders" or one of those awful reality shows!

Well, my imagination is running low and it's about supper time. You'll hear from me next time only when I have something to say that's worth reading!!!