National Board Tests

In addition to the dreaded portfolio, the National Board process also requires that you take a six-part test. Each part (for me) was on a different subject area and included literacy, math, arts, social studies, science, and health. Each essay must be completed in 30 minutes--it's a booger to say the least. But, I was thankful to have my friend, Sara with me. What an adventure the day turned out to be. When we arrived at the testing center, they would not let Sara in to take the test because her driver's license was expired. She had several forms of id, but they wouldn't accept any of them. I thought this was ridiculous because even if it had expired, it was still able to verify who she was. Nonetheless, the lady there agreed to let us push back our test time so we could go to the DMV and get Sara a new license. We had to wait there at the DMV for about an hour and a half, and by that time, we were just giddy, and laughing about everything. By that time, it was time for lunch, but we didnt' have time to eat. We had to start the test by one or we wouldn't get it finished by the time they closed. As frustrating as that all sounds, I actually think it was God's way of taking my mind off things. By the time the test actually started, I wasn't nervous anymore and was just finding the humor in the day. As a matter of fact, when I read my science question (which was beyond ridiculous!!), I was able to laugh instead of cry! :) The best part of the story is what happened after the test. Apparently, the test, along with the events of the day, took quite a toll on me. We decided to do a little retail therapy after the test and I went to Michaels to buy t-shirts for my kids so we could make EOG spirit shirts. So there I stand in Michaels with an arm full of shirts and this lady says, "Awww...you must be a grandmother!" I know I must have looked dumbfounded--I must have looked rougher than I thought, but grandmother, really??.....Glad that NB crap is over, at least for the time being.

A Sad Day on Pine Cone Lane

Every spring, Jamie and I get anxious awaiting the return of our neighbors, Floyd and Maureen. They spent half of the year here, and the other half in Florida. They were actually trying to sell their home in Florida so they could move here full time. They typically come to NC during April or early May. So, yesterday, our phone rang and we noticed it was them. We were excited because we knew this would be the call saying they would be coming up in the next day or two. Maureen always called to let us know they were on their way! Instead, we heard a broken-hearted Maureen tell us that her husband of 55 years had passed away. Jamie and I were heart broken as well. Floyd was a precious man, and was the best neighbor anyone could ask for. Below are some of my favorite Floyd and Maureen stories. I feel the best way to honor him is to share with others what a fun loving man he was...I hope you enjoy reading about a man we were honored to call our friend.

Our earliest memory of Floyd was when Jamie and I had just bought the house. This was a year or so before we got married. Since neither of us were living there, and we spent most of our evenings working on the remodeling, the yard work had taken a back seat. I'll admit the grass was a little high, but nothing major. Floyd came over and said, "Are you going to mow the grass, or do you want me to find someone to do it for you?" We were appalled at his bluntness. Jamie assured him we would get it mowed. To be honest, we worried about what we were in for...was he going to be the type of neighbor that hounded us about everything....To beat it all, after Jamie did mow, we came over to work the next evening and found that our yard had been raked. We still laugh about this to this day because what we took as being rude, we now know was just a glimpse of who Floyd was....the kind of guy who would do anything to help you, and loved doing things without being asked or without being noticed.

One memory that really stands out was the afternoon that Jamie was moving our grass. He was almost finished when the mower stopped working. A belt had snapped. Our yard looked funny because their was a small patch of grass in our front yard that still needed mowing, and the rest of the yard was beautifully cut. Of course, the next day, while we were at work, Floyd brought his mower over and finished up. When we got home and saw that rest had been mowed, we immediately knew who had done it. The funny part actually came later....there were many summer days I would sit over on the porch with Floyd and Maureen and just shoot the breeze. On this particular day, we were talking about the deer and rabbits eating the crops in our gardens. I went on to tell Floyd about the rabbit that I believed was eating my day lillies. After telling him how and why I thought it was a rabbit, he burst out laughing. Turns out that because my day lillies were not blooming, he thought they were grassy patches (which is what they look like when not in bloom), and mowed them over. Had I known he had done that, I would have never said a word. Oh well, we got a good laugh about it, and every time I look at those lillies, I giggle.

Other fond "Floyd moment" happened last summer. I had been out working my flower beds all day. I saw Floyd and Maureen sitting out in the yard and decided to go over and say hello. Bella and Scooter loved Floyd and Maureen and ran over there ever chance they got. So I took them over to say hi. Floyd insisted on getting me a chair so I could sit and talk a while, but I refused and told him I could just sit on the ground. I was already dirty. But, I sat down on a yellow jacket's nest! I got stung several times on my back side....and man did it hurt! A few minutes later, Maureen came over to ask if I needed any help. They were afraid I might not be able to "reach" my injury to apply meds. This shows the precious spirit both of them possessed. But, after that little occurrence, Floyd always made sure I had a seat when I came over. :)

There are many more stories I could tell you about him...about fixing him fried okra--a delicacy he had never tried, or about how he secretly ordered two copies of his gun magazines so Jamie could have one--only to pretend they just sent him an extra, but I hope this gives you a glimpse of the wonderful friend and neighbor he was. He will be missed more than words can say.

Hug those you love...you never know what the future holds.

We're back!!!

After a several month drought on our blog, I'm happy to report that my Boards portfolio is finally turned it and I'm back to blogging!!! It was actually due on March 31st, but it's taken me a few weeks to catch up on all the things I neglected during the process: sleep, house work, yard work, and family time. The board process was actually far more difficult than I had once imagined it would be, and although many people warned me about that, it's one of those things you can't fully appreciate until you've been through it. Looking back, I'm not sure this was the best year to tackle such a project. Between finishing my masters program and being at a new school, it was a little more than I should have attempted (to mantain any level of sanity). Although I will not know the results until December, it was a success just to finish the booger! I'm happy to have my life back, and look forward to updating you on the other things going on the past few months!