Harry Potter and Young Friendships

I went to see the new Harry Potter movie at the Ritz Theater. The time was midnight. I don't think I have ever stayed up that late to go to a movie. I have to say it wasn't that bad. There ere many of my former students there. I really enjoy it when they see me and give me a quick hug. It makes my day....or night....as the case may be.



I enjoyed the movie. It has been quite a while since I read the book. So, I think that added to my enjoyment. It made it all fresh and I certainly didn't remember enough to quibble about whether it was different from the book or not. It was long, though. But, it needed to be. I may have to go back and read the book again, just to make a comparision...for fun.



I am enjoying being a grandmother tonight. I got to eat supper with Shaun, Jamie and the kids. It was so nice to eat something that I didn't have to cook. And Shaun and Jamie made a great supper....a combined effort. I got to play in the yard with the kids after supper. I sang songs for them that I sang with my students at school. Isabella especially liked "My Mother is a Baker." It is a repetitive song and has motions. She will be a good singer, I think.



I am fairly new to Facebook and have really enjoyed it this summer. It keeps me in touch with friends and family. It lets me feel connected. I am most surprised at the young friends that I am making. I really do value those new friendships. They have some surprising viewpoints...of which I am not always in agreement...but I love how caring they are and how interesting I think they each are. They are special. One has even asked me about piano lessons. Now that I am going to have to seriously consider. Seriously!

Homework and Home Work

This week was spent doing those tedious things that have to be done, but for the most part go unnoticed.


I am getting excited for school to start. I will be in a different room again this year. But, it will be a good change. All of our things are in place, except for the finishing touches. I am glad to have one year under my belt as a Title I teacher. I have set a few personal goals for the year. I try to do that each year. I also hope to add two new titles to my position. More on that later...


I spent one day this week with two of my grandchildren. We had fun playing. We blew bubbles, played with Play-Doh, put puzzles together, strung wooden beads, and read books....some more than once! I recommend Move Over, Rover. It was perfect for their ages of 20 months and age 3.


I have read for pleasure this week, too. I finished the book, Sick Puppy by Carl Hiaasen. It was the first one of his that I have read. It's about an eco-terrorist with a trust fund that becomes involved with corrupt Florida politicos. It is pretty entertaining and funny in places. I will probably read more of his books. Now I am reading one of my all-time favorite authors, James Patterson...Where the Wind Blows. Then, I have Hide and Seek by him, too. We'll see if I can get them finished before next week.


Samantha, Lucas, and I went out and watched fireworks last night. The purpose being for me to photograph the fireworks for my class. Out of all of the ones I took, probably two or three are worth keeping. By that, I mean, good enough to enlarge and frame. The rest are just o.k. We had to make a stop by the local Taco Bell for Lucas. He was threatening to take a bite out of something or someone if we didn't!



I made a pizza from scratch today. It was a white pizza. I made my own dough. I added fresh baby spinach leaves, halved grape tomatoes and ground chicken. I made my own white sauce with fresh crushed garlic. I topped it off with a little shredded mozzarella. Mmmmm, it was really yummy! I wish I would have made more....

The Day After

Today is the day after the big Farewell Open House. The party was held at Dan and Amanda's home. She had it decorated beautifully with stars and stripes.

There were over 80 people that showed up for the party. All of them were there for one reason...to show Dan how much they care about him and to wish him well.

Dan spent time visiting with each person. Poor guy, he loves to eat, and he was so busy talking that he hardly had time to get a bite! The food was fantastic, too!

The ground was still muddy from all the rain the day before. It was the coldest Fourth of July on record! So, all the kids had to stay indoors. But, with all of the young children, the house was relatively quiet. They spent the time downstairs in the basement. They were entertained with all the toys.

Most of the people left by 7:00. But, a few friends of Dan's from high school and college remained to visit longer. They sat around the kitchen table reminiscing and laughing. What a wonderful time for them to be together!

I helped Dan get music loaded to his mp3 player and I gave him another one, too. Time was just going too quickly. He had to leave at 11:00 to report for the Guard and the Regular Army. Shaun drove back from Bloomington to ride with him. This way they would have some time to spend with each other to say "good-bye".

We left about 9:45. It was very difficult. I know that I will be able to see him for a very short time on Wednesday at the departure ceremony. But, this was hard on Mom. Luckily I have a very supportive husband that helped me get through those rough minutes.

Today has been spent going through the photos from yesterday. I tried to get several pictures...without being too annoying. LOL! I have class tomorrow and I'm suppose to have portrait photos for it. I'm going to be scrambling to combine many into one! I have had the luxury of having my house to myself. It isn't often that I get to do that. I'm not complaining, but it is nice occasionally.

One day down and how many more to go? We'll take them one at a time.