Friday, October 20, 2006

My 200th Post . . . A Little Bit ALL OVER THE PLACE!

Well, it's hard to believe that I have actually written 200 posts on my blog . . . or maybe it's not so hard to believe? Gary and everyone else in my family always comments about how much I love to talk. I guess that blogging is just an extension of this, maybe?

I had thought about writing a sorta reflective look at why I blog in commemoration of this 200th post . . . some musings about how blogging connects us all; how it's a wonderful way to preserve my memories and how cool it will be to read all of this years from now; how it's a wonderful tool to sharpen my writing on a daily basis; how it's a way for me to reflect on my life and to truly realize how much I have to be thankful for.

But, instead, I just have a whole jumble of things I thought I might write about this mid-Friday. (And actually, you know, I kinda just wrote about the importance of blogging to me, huh? lol)

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What in the WORLD happened to the weather while we were gone? When we left Orlando yesterday before noon, it was 90 degrees. This morning when I woke up to get the kids ready for school, it was absolutely FRIGID (well, frigid by Alabama standards). It was rainy and cold and mopey . . . yuck! Oh to be back by the pool!

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Waiting in our mailbox when we came home last night was a letter from our County Board of Education congratulating Delaney for being recognized as a Fifth Grade Scholar. This is a BIG honor and is only given to the top percentage of students--they must have a certain grade point average and a certain grade on the standardized SAT test. Delaney has never made a B and her SAT scores were up around the 98-99 perecentale (excuse me for bragging here!! I'm a very proud Mom!!). We are very proud of her and look forward to going to the recognition ceremony. She'll get to wear a new, fancy dress and be treated like a queen for the evening!

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Okay, Florida may be in the southern part of the United States (in fact, I guess it's the southernmost state in the nation), but that does not mean that it's truly SOUTHERN. While just about everything at Disney World made me very happy, one thing got on my last nerve! I just about screamed everytime I asked, "Do you have sweet tea?" and my answer was, "No, only unsweet. But we have sweet n' low you can add to it." What kind of racket are they trying to pull down there? There is nothing more Southern and precious than sweet iced tea and I was craving it BAD after about a day of not having it. Imagine my joy when we stepped into a Shoney's outside Atlanta and I asked for a sweet tea--and got it! I think the waiter got a kick out of me when I squealed, "Thank the Lord we're back in the South!"

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While we were gone, McKenna has enjoyed Homecoming Week festivities at the high school. They've had spirit week, where they had to dress up every day according to a different theme/. And, according to her stories and the pictures she showed me, she really got into it! She dressed up super-tacky for Tacky Day (believe me, it was BAD!) and then dressed up like a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle for Celebrity Day (how funny is THAT? she told me that she had students and teachers telling her all day how great her costume was?). I love that I have such a friendly, social daughter who loves to have FUN! And today was the final Spirit Day and she was all decked out in school colors--gold and purple fake "hair," gold and purple and white necklaces, and hairbows to match (and, of course, gold and purple shorts over her jeans).

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Getting to go away to Disney World made me realize how truly grateful I am to have the health and the ability to ENJOY life. We don't have the kind of money we'd like to have; in fact, we often struggle through the month. We don't have the fanciest THINGS. But I have a hubby who is responsible and is lucky to have a job that allows us to go on trips like this. AND I have a family that (except for the occassional melt-downs and grumpy attitudes) loves to have FUN . . . we can look at each other at the end of the day--whether it's on vacation or after just one of those regular ole busy days--and say that we really LIKE being together. Isn't that a wonderful thing?

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Congrats on your 200th post...and thanks so much for sharing your amazing Disney pics! I almost feel like I was there with you ;) At least I know I was hoping I was, LOL.

Phats said...

Congrats on the 200th Post!! :)

Homecoming week, loved it when I was in HS, hate it as a teacher. Absolutely nothing gets done that week, and the fights seem to increase. I do give Extra Credit to any student who dresses up though. The worst part of Homecoming for us is the night of the powderpuff game, seeing is how after there are TONS of party's with illegal substances. Sounds like she really got into it, those costumes sound great!

Disney is my favorite vacation spot I love it, it's like magic. And frigid?!? You do know they are calling for SNOW here in Indiana Monday, SNOW YUCK! Trade ya?

Anonymous said...

Welcome Home...We don't have all the $$$ either...but I'm glad that we have the love and happiness that we have instead...in the end it does make us a lot happier than the $$ ever would! KWIM

Job trips are a very nice perk!!!

The ballgame tonight is going to be FREEZIN!!!!!!!!

Unknown said...

I REALLY liked your pics from DW!!
Well done on reaching your 200th and may I say that you are looking very young for being 200 years old :P

Anonymous said...

WOO HOOOO big 200!! And welcome back! CONGRATS TO D!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Congrats to Delaney! That is so great, and I know you are proud!
And that is so funny about the ice tea. I think I would have felt the same way about it.

--Ang

Unknown said...

That is a wonderful, wonderful thing. What a blessing and testemant to God's goodness in your lives. It's so refreshing to read others blogs who are truly happy in life. It's not about the THINGS...it's about the people we are in relationship with and the lives we touch. Glad you're back!

~grey said...

excellent 200th post~!
congrats!

Delaney Gates said...

Oh, I *adore* your last paragraph. So so true. Congrats on 200, by the way! :)

Phats said...

You Alabama people make me laugh when you talk about frigid weather :)

My freshmen year at Purdue we cheered in a snowstorm! Not the easiest thing to do, but it turned out to be a fun memory.

Anonymous said...

I looked at your pictures from Disney World. They are so good. It looks like everyone had a lot of fun, even Sydney.
Love you,
Mom

Linda said...

Congrats on the 200th post!! :)
I was frigid this morning as well. It was 57. You get used to the warm weather when it turns chilly you freeze. LOL

BTW
I am a grandma!!! :) He was born Wednesday.

p.s.
I loved spirit week in high school soo much fun.

Anonymous said...

Great post for your 200th!

the not so "new" mom on the blog said...

Wow, Happy 200th Post! Congrats on D's achievements!!!! You have the right to brag about your girls achievements !!!!! I just stopped by to say hi - had a rather hectic day and will catch up all my blog reading tomorrow!