No More Single Digits

Amelia turned TEN May 16th. How did THAT happen?? We got up early on the 15th to open her cards and gifts that had arrived by mail. (I'm so glad things still arrive by mail!)

 

 

Why did she open things a day early? 

 

This year, instead of a party, she wanted a shopping spree. And since her birthday was on a Monday, we decided to open her cards a day early so she could shop on Sunday.

 

She didn't mind opening her cards and gifts a day early. She's good that way.

 

She was very pleased to find some gift cards had come in the mail.

 

Grandma & Grandpa Blackman sponsored a shopping trip to JC Penney, and Aunt Courtney, Uncle Johnny and the cousins sponsored a shopping trip to Sears. (All favorite places for Amelia to shop.)

Grandma Bisset is sponsoring a shopping trip, too!

 

And Evelyn gathered some choice items to give to her sister.

 

And I'll take this one as a gift to me--one of my favorite current pictures of them!

 

Happy birthday, Amelia! You know what you want, you are determined and insightful, and you are an awful lot of JOY rolled into one ten year old person!

Healthy Discussion

For years I was baffled by angry debates. I grew up in a home where it was encouraged to discuss things from all different angles and to see all points of view. Nobody got heated. Dad and Mom would explain one side of an argument, then the other. This pertained to political topics (which I admit bored me to tears) as well as to spiritual, religious, and biblical subject matter (which held my interest a little more.)

Once out of my house, it didn't take long to realize that not everyone grew up this way. :)

The biggest down side to growing up this way, for me, is that I often have a hard time formulating my own opinion. :)

Things I Know and Things I Don't

Recently a colleague offered to get something out of my car for me. When she asked me what my license plate number was, I paused...and confessed I didn't know. 

However, I do know all sorts of other things. Like the middle names of all my aunts and uncles. Or all the towns Alan and I visited on our European trip in 2001 (in order!) Or all the teachers our girls have had since they started school (again, in order.) All the state capitols. All the books of the Bible. And at one point I even knew all the lyrics to the rap in the middle of the now-obscure-1990's-CCM-Michael W. Smith song, "Love Crusade,"

But don't ask me the license plate number of our other car.

Our New Favorite App

It's called "Masquerade," and, well, you can see what it does to one's face. Makes selfies even more appealing. Or not.

 

Yes, that's me.

Puts tears in your eyes, doesn't it?

 

Or maybe gives you a new identity. Like me as Amelia Earhart.

 

Or my friend Tamara as a Superhero. Or rock star?

 

Or here's Tamara as me and me as Tamara in the ever-popular "Face Swap." I love how the bottom of her bangs become a unibrow.

 

There we are as normal people. Well, as normal as we people are. I miss teaching with Tamara! (But I don't miss making lesson plans, to be honest! And teaching is EXHAUSTING!)

 

Here I am with my former Battle Monument School colleagues at the wedding of my fellow music teacher--who is in the background of the photo. These are great people right here. I'd put my kids in their classes any day.

No app needed for the above pics...but I got sidetracked into adding them!