~beach time~

Finally, after much technical glitches.....I'm finally back in business. Whew. I hope all is well and fall has greeted you with its cool breezes and color......peak should arrive about next week 'round these parts......the schedule is 'full up' as my grandpa would say, that is for October. 

As I was on my run/walk....this morning....these words- somewhat fuel to our souls- crossed my thoughts: I am Me because of the women before Me. Yes, not only our past establishes who we are, but I think a powerful voice inside us is the past women and their stories. Sometimes I look at mine....and think how strong they are/were. What they have endured.....gone against......and proven. These talks are important to slip in with our kids....understanding our past gives us the strengths and base to build upon understanding of the world and our place within it. 

My mother: an unfolding story.........

My grandmother: 4th grade education, babies at age 14, bus driver, cosmetologist, strong business woman, and powerfully successful in many areas of her life.....

My great grandmother: Homemaker, farmer & gardener, mother of 12 children, peaceful, loving. 

We did get a chance to feel the Gulf of Mexico at our toes and the warm breeze on Destin's Emerald Coast....so beautiful....even Vandy enjoyed himself....he becomes a crabbing dog when we take him at nightfall to the beach. What we saw? A  fisherman caught a shark while we were there....the kids liked that. We ate at Surf's Up (a new spot) very beautiful and good! Overall, it was a nice get-a-way with a new scenery and different feel for a change...one we all needed! 

I think Olive wants to go too....her name is changing less, I think Olive may stick....

After Fort Walton...or Air base tour...the boys wanted WWII stuff and military supply place.....well, I found a flea market and antique store...sorry, hey, but at least they had helmets!

My kids' names on these.......lol

Hilly's first crab she  claims....

Coop loving this atmosphere.....

Ahh.. ..those sunsets.....

Her kitty sure did miss her!

cotton fields...

Yes, I drove one of those......

~ harvest moon ~

“Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.” 
― Ralph Waldo Emerson

They have found liquid water on Mars....and the Blood Moon, Harvest Moon, lunar eclipse happened. Cooper has been especially excited about it......thanks to Mr. Redding! I've been reading My Side of the Mountain at night to Cooper......He's enjoying it......

This week has been busy as most.....school work is never-ending as usual. Cooper finished up football season and this weekend is our fall break. We will all go to Destin, Florida...it should be nice to feel that ocean breeze and relax for a while. I plan on it......

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A Harvest Moon over Lake Champlain...one of .my favorite spots.

Ava & Hilly after their flag football game together!

Brock's game at John Paul II this past Friday....it was a rainy game...but it was all turf as you can see......= no mud!

Cooper had his first 6th grade after school event: Glow Party - it was a huge success! Here he is with his friends. 

Yes, my sheep fell over and couldn't get up.....the struggle is REAL

Randy Toy visited my classroom to speak on Tolerance...we've been studying this in many of our stories and I wanted students to gain a more symbolic feel through the arts.....we don't have programs like this and feel this is such a valuable part of who we are as humans!

Tuckered out after her basketball practice!

Hilly and Misty May......sweet girls!