The Sharpener That All The Teachers Are Talking About

I was recently viewing a teacher's blog and I came across an article about how great these pencil sharpeners are in the classroom setting. Something really good about it is the fact that a teacher created the sharpener.   As a teacher, I know the difficulties with keeping a good pencil sharpener in the classroom.  They break the pencil lead and lead to a lot of lost class time.  I would like to order one of these for my own classroom, but I can't right now.  I am hoping I will win one and then be able to come back here to brag about it!  Check it out! 

     

http://classroomfriendlysupplies.com/

Wah

I spent the afternoon visiting my friend from Potosi.  We call each other Wah, don't ask me why, it started years ago and has never stopped.  We don't get to see each other very often, nor do we talk daily.  When we do get together, it's like we haven't been apart. 

We talk about our grandkids and life.  Reminisced about the past and wonder how we are still alive..hehehe  I love my Wah!  She is a great person, inside and out!  We are planning to get together again next Friday for lunch.  It's a shame that life takes us all in so many directions that we don't have the time for each other.  We use to be inseparable.  When you saw one, you saw the other. 

We have a bond that two friends really do need to have.  I would trust her with my deepest, darkest secret and most of all, I would trust her with my life!  She is a true friend!

Down Memory Lane

It's almost 2am and I am sitting at the computer thinking about my family.  As I get older, family history becomes more interesting.  I enjoy researching for past generations and learning about them.  Everyone talks about the economy and how bad things are getting.  When I look at pictures of my ancestors, to me, they had it pretty bad. 

I dread doing laundry, even as simple as it may be to put a load in the washer and push buttons.  Dreadful!!  A picture of my great-grandmother using a washing board to scrub the clothes clean for her 10+ member family would actually be more dreadful.  To think of all of the modern machines and how much easier it is on us all, what in the world would happen if we had to do it the "old" way?  Chapped, cracked, and bleeding hands from a day of hard work.  Arms sore and tired from all the scrubbing, let alone the length of time spent to complete one load, that would only take 20 minutes in a modern machine. 

Not only doing the laundry, but having to hoe the garden, can the veggies for winter, cooking big meals, and mending fences.  Yes, some of these things are done now, but by very few.  We all have to admit that our life isn't that difficult.  When you think of the generations before us, our life is quite easy. 

We all really do take advantage of our modern ways of living.  We should be thankful for all of these luxuries that make our life easy.  I am guilty of the "want" theory.  I want this and I want that.  While I am spending my hard earned money for things that I truly don't need, others are getting rich.  Mom once told the story of only getting a handmade rag doll for Christmas.  I too received a handmade yarn doll when I was young and I still think of that doll.  It was made by a friend of my mother's, her name was Venie Allen.  A very creative lady.  

I will never forget the corsage she made for me on my 8th grade graduation.  She pulled a white peony and a purple iris from her garden.  She then wrapped the stems with a white piece of materal and pinned it on my dress.  I admired her for her wit and creativity.  She was my inspiration into creativity.

Now I am thinking that I am going to add some family history to my blog.  Even though I don't have any followers to view it, it makes sense to me.

Sweating in Mid Missouri

It is so hot and humid here in Missouri.  Our lawn is so damaged due to the drought and by the sun.  We have been watering it daily and the weeds are the only thing growing.  I have heard a lot about global warming, yet I don't know much about it other than the climate changes. 

I remember the hot summers when I was a child, but it didn't seem like the humidity was as extreme as it is now.  It sure makes me thankful for electricity and A/C.  I worry about those that don't have A/C in these conditions.  What are they doing to stay cool??  Years ago, we would go to a nearby stream and play in the water.  It kept us cool and refreshed.  These days, one would be lucky to find a stream available to freely "jump in" without having to pay a parking or entry fee.  That is so sad!  We can't blame the economy for that one!

I remember my momma sitting on the porch with her iced tea in a greenbean can, wrapped with paper towels to absorb the moisture from the can.  She said that it kept her iced tea colder.  I am not sure if it did just that, but I believed her. I would give anything to see her sitting on the porch, drinking her iced tea in a greenbean can, again! She also would keep a wet washcloth on the back of her neck.  Now, I can honestly say that it does work.

While attending the Brickyard 400 in Indianapolis, I would use the washcloth technique and it helped tremendously. I would just dip the cloth into the cooler water and use it to cool down.  I have also used these spray bottle fans.  Other than it spraying everyone behind me in the bleachers, it worked great.  Some people don't appreciate a cool mist hitting them in the face in 101 temps.  Go figure!

Hello!  My name is Tina and I am excited to own my own blog!  I love to create, whether it be primitive crafts, handmade cards, or household items. 

I have a 29 year old daughter, Shawntae, and a 5 year old grandson, Shaun.  They are my pride and joy!  I have a wonderful hubby of 5 years, Dean.  We have two doggies, Dusty and Riley.  Riley, a teacup chihuahua, that is the queen in our castle.  She rules this kingdom and has daddy wrapped around her paw.

Here on my blog, I will be posting my creations and my thoughts.  For 9 1/2 months a year, I am a 6th grade English/Reading teacher.  I love my career, although it is quite challenging at times, it is a rewarding career choice.  Education is one thing that cannot be taken from us.  Currently, I am on summer break from my career and enjoying each day. 

One of my favorite hobbies is taking a nap!...hehehe  Some people say that sleep is over-rated.  I beg to differ!!!  While napping, my brain is still active and I find that my most creativity comes from my nap time.  When I awake, I feel refreshed and ready to put my creative thoughts to work.

Here you will see the Queen of Gostlingville.

How precious is that?