Flashback Friday--Justify My Love

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Today I'm taking you back to my college days! Robin and I would listen to this CD while we got ready for class. The video was pretty racy for the day, and who can forget the spoof they did of it on Wayne's World?! Hilarious!!

So here is some old school Madonna for you! Justify My Love!



So what about you? What memory are you thinking of today? Please share!

Wordless Wednesday--My Little Pirate

Hard to believe its been 5 years since Isaac was that little!

Ahhhh, the joys of teaching elementary school!

Current joy: Bronchitis! Yes, the lovely cold I've been trying to treat all weekend finally forced me to the after hours clinic this afternoon. It is bronchitis. I've got an antibiotic and two cough medicines: one for day and a narcotic syrup for night. So at least I'll sleep well, right?

I also have laryngitis, so I had already decided not to try to work AND go to class tomorrow. Wednesday will remain to be seen. The doctor gave me an excuse for Wed. too if I need it...not that I usually give doctor's notes to work, but hey, if anyone asks, right? This is a stinky week to be gone from school, but it just can't be helped!

I slept much of Saturday, most of Sunday, and then drug myself through the day today. Sleeping as much as possible tomorrow is planned up until time to get ready for class!

Flashback Friday--We Are Family

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TGIF! This song is one that you just can't be in a bad mood and listen to! It reminds me of my sisters! I had a K-Tel record called Hot Nights, City Lights that had this song on it. I adored my sisters (still do) and they were absolutely the people I wanted to be with if given a choice. So let this song take you back a decade or three and remember those disco days!



What about you? What are you flashing back to today? Share with us!

Wordless Wednesday--Logan

My 15 year old nephew who gets lots of playing time each week! Also known as Ked's little brother!

Photo by Rindi Perry.

The Potter's Hand

We sang this as an anthem this morning, and it is just such a beautiful song! I thought I'd share it with you!

Just for fun! Are you a witch??!

You Are 45% Witch

It's unlikely that you're a witch. At least, no one thinks you are. You may still be interested in witchcraft, but you're by no means a stereotypical witch. While you don't seem all that witchy, people may think you're a bit weird. You're definitely a little offbeat. No one really knows what to make of you sometimes.

Are You a Witch?

Flashback Friday--Give It Up

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Tonight is a big football game against one of our biggest rivals! There was a time, years ago, when I was a fan of the opposing team! We lived there for 4 years and I was an avid Viking fan at the time! This song takes me back to the first year we lived in the town, when I was in fifth grade. It really was one of the greatest times of my life, and I made some lifelong friends there.

So in honor of the GC/PV ballgame, here's KC and the Sunshine Band--Give it Up!



So what about you? What takes you back to the glory days today? Please share with us!!

We interrupt your regularly scheduled blogging....

due to a stinky stomach bug! I stayed home yesterday to take cupcakes to Adam's preschool class. That ended up being the only time all day I left the couch! I took every drug I thought might get me through class and made it through, but I laid down as soon as I got home. Then I was up and down all night running to the bathroom. Lovely! I called my principal early this morning. I'm sure my classroom is an absolute wreck after me being gone for 2 days, but it couldn't be helped. This house is a wreck, too, and my family is coming over tomorrow evening for a little birthday celebration for Adam. Glad they're understanding! LOL

So no wordless Wed. today....I've got about an hour and a half before the boys get home so I'm gonna take my last nap. We have to have portraits done tonight for our church directory, so I'm gonna have to muster up enough energy to find clothes for all of us and try to make myself look presentable! Wish me luck on that one!

Hope that this doesn't invade my computer and come through to you, cause it has been a hum-dinger!

Happy birthday, little bit!

My, how you've grown! This was your first Halloween, the last with Papaw. I'm so blessed by you being in our family, Adam, and am so proud to call you my son! I look forward to watching you grow even more!

I love you, sweetheart!!

Curious as a Cat #5!

1) What would you do if (or What will you do because) your workplace was (is) closed today and you could (can) do anything you wanted?
I would try to sleep late if the boys would let me, and spend time just vegging out and enjoying my family. I might go out to lunch and take the boys somewhere to play!

2) Have you ever been emotionally attached to someone in a way that was detrimental to you?
Hmmmm.....I'd say I have, like to ex-boyfriends and such!

3) What is the most beautiful word you know, in any language?
mommy

4) What one thing limits your freedom the most?
Having to go to work! LOL

5) Show and Tell. What comes to mind first when you see this picture? Or, tell a story if it reminds you of one. (It is a picture of a tree on a beach)
Reminds me of our cruise this past June!

Come join in at Curious as a Cat!

Cafe Chat: Gossip

Without sharing names and using specific details, please share a time when gossip reared its ugly head in your life, and what was the outcome (whether you were the one who gossiped, or the gossip was about you).

Oh my...my tongue is my worst enemy sometimes. I know of two specific times that I have spoken without knowing all the facts about something, and was called on it. It was very humbling, but I admitted that I was in the wrong and apologized. It was quite painful. The second time took quite a while to heal, and was particularly difficult since we were in the same circles and ran into each other often.

There have been times that I have been the subject of gossip as well. Several years ago, a parent came to me and wanted her child taken out of my classroom because she had heard that I was 'hard-nosed'. Though in a way, I felt good because I do expect a lot out of my students, the fact that parents of students I had taught were dissatisfied and talked out in the community about it stung. The same parent came back later and apologized with tears in her eyes, and other teachers have since been told that I was the 'best thing that ever happened' to her daughter.

Gossip hurts. It is something that I have to guard myself against. I enjoy talking and having the latest news, but I have to ask the Lord to keep me from doing so.

Do you have experience with this that you'd like to share? Come join in Cafe Chat at the Internet Cafe Devotions site!

Feeling much better today

Thank you for your kind comments. I had my pity party last night, complete with panic attack on the way to Chris' Mamaw's house, where I made him bring me back home. I just could not face trying to converse and act like everything was okay when it WASN'T. I would have upset Mamaw, too, and I hated to do that. So I stayed here, watched Miss Congeniality and worked through some work-related emails, and fell asleep early. I know that Chris was worried about me. In 10 years of marriage, he had never seen me in such a state.

To answer some questions, this is not a hivey rash, it is more of a flat, dotty rash. I have been fighting this since mid-July. I have been told it was shingles (and took a round of Valtrex, I might add), taken one shot of steroids, taken two rounds of oral steroids, had a skin biopsy, been told I was allergic to Prilosec and then also all other class of acid blockers as well. ALL to come back to the fact I broke out AGAIN. It has been very trying, especially as I deal with my husband, almost 5 year old and 7 year old, church issues, starting back to full time first grade teaching, starting into a graduate program, and dealing with issues at work. So do ya see why I was pretty down last night??

But after some alone time and some intense prayer (read: begging the Lord), I feel much better today. I have put my big girl panties on and am dealing with it. Not that I'm not still discouraged, but I'm claiming healing in Jesus' name. I am asking everyone that I know to pray, and if I flare up again, I'm going to ask my dad to pray a prayer of healing over me. This is quite bold for a United Methodist born and bred girl to say all this, cause it just isn't usually our way, but I know that the Lord has Power over all, and I know He doesn't want me to suffer. If I have to start coming off my medications, then suffer it will be. I really fear for my mental health if it comes to that.

Will you please join me in this? Will you please pray that the Lord will take this rash from me, and that it will never flare again? I would so appreciate it, and will sing His praises when it happens!

You may read these same words on my other blog and if you frequent the same sites I do, may see it there too. Please forgive me for not restating this at every site. I thank you for your prayers again, and know that Jesus will be the conqueror in this!!

extremely discouraged and frustrated...yes the rash

I just got back from the dermatologist where we looked at the results of the allergy tests they started on Monday. Guess what turned up??


A big fat NOTHING!

It was all I could do to keep from bursting into tears right then and there in front of the doctor, nurse, and Isaac. Will this rash never end??? Yeah, we keep seeming to get it under control, but then go a few weeks and it is back! Right now, I'm using an antihistamine cream, but will it just come back when I stop using it?

If it does come back, then he suggests stopping taking the Diclofenac. That helps control the fibro pain and the IBS. The other things that I take are for the anxiety and depression. So basically, I'm screwed if it comes back. I could be having to change meds for quite a while.

I just want to shout I give up! I want to crawl in bed and sleep for about 2 months. I've HAD it. I haven't even gone to get Adam at daycare yet cause I just don't want to see anyone. I need to go to the drugstore and pick up a refill....again, don't wanna do it.

Please pray, cause I'm just.....argh. I can't even put it into words anymore.

I feel like a traitor

I'm wearing a Virginia Tech t-shirt to school today.

Which may not seem like a big deal to you, but being that I am a lifelong Tennessee fan living on the Tennessee/Virginia border, I take a lot of ribbing, especially given this years' lackluster season. But I do have a good reason to wear the shirt!

Today Jonas Houseright, a Gate City native and a former student of our school, is coming to read to our students as part of a program that Frank Beamer has started.

So I'm showing the team spirit. Now, I do have a bit of rebel in me.


I'm wearing Tennessee socks!

Some rebel and traitor I am, huh??!

Flashback Friday--Eye of the Tiger

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I still get thrilled at this movie! My sister Brenda LOVED this movie. I don't even remember how many times she saw it in the theater! I saw it twice in the theater myself! Who didn't get pumped up by Rocky beating up Mr. T? I always had trouble liking him after that, too! I could use pumping up today, so I present to you...Eye of the Tiger!



Share a song that takes YOU back!! And have a great weekend, too!

Wordless Wednesday--Soccer boys

Isaac


Adam
Photos courtesy Rindi Perry. Happy Wordless Wednesday!

And the rash saga continues....

I went back to the dermatologist yesterday to start the allergy testing. It was interesting...a nurse put a bunch of little circle patches on my back and drew a grid to show were each one was located. She then taped it all to my upper back. It is a strange feeling! It has been on for about 24 hours now, and is starting to feel itchy. They will take the tape and patches off tomorrow, and I go back to the doctor on Friday to see what the results are. Part of me is afraid I'm gonna be allergic to stuff I can't get away from or don't WANT to give up, like milk or cats. I guess whatever shows up, I'll remove it and reintroduce stuff to see what has been causing the rash/itch!

I'm just ready for this to be O*V*E*R!

I don't have class this week cause our professor is at a conference in Mexico. Tough for him, huh?! I feel like I've been given a gift of an evening at home!

Hope ya'll are having a great week!

Curious as a Cat #4

1) Why do we give people hugs?
To show them affection and comfort.

2) When have you most shocked yourself?
When I've done some crazy things that I didn't think I had 'in me'....right, Robin?! LOL

3) Where would you consider constructing a small altar in your house or yard?
In the back yard in a shady spot near a grove of trees

4) If you could change one thing about your typical day, what would you change?
The gettin' up time til about 8!

5) Show and Tell. What comes to mind first when you see this picture? Or, tell a story if it reminds you of one. (it was a picture of an electrical outlet)
It reminds me of when the boys were babies and we had to keep all the outlets covered!

C'mon....join in the fun! Click here

prayer for today

Lord, help me not to be irritated at my husband and others today. Help me not unsaid things into the things that are said. Help me take people and their actions at face value. Help me not to be resentful. Help us to pick up this house so that we can enjoy tomorrow. Thank you, Lord, for helping this itch to subside. Please continue to heal me, and if it be Your will, Lord, help us to figure out what is causing this. Help me greet others with Your love and grace and to be genuine and loving instead of sarcastic.

I'm really struggling right now, Lord. I am feeling inadequate in much that I do and say. Please help me to focus on what I am doing and do whatever task is at hand to the best of my ability.

Help me to continue to fight urges toward foods that I don't need to eat. I know that my body is to be Your temple, and that I need to work toward being the best me I can be, as far as my health goes.

Thank you again for the opportunities that you have placed before me concerning teaching and leading children. Help me to speak with kind and encouraging words, even when I don't feel well. Help me to be an example of how to rise above my shortcomings. Help me to be effective.

Just wrap your arms around me, Lord. I'm not feeling like ME today, and I need Your help.

Flashback Friday--Bang on the Drum

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I think I heard this song on KZ106 in Chattanooga every morning of high school as I was getting ready for school. It set the right mood for such things as pep rallies and ballgames, and the weekend in general! So to set your weekend up right....here it is!!



So what is on your mind this fall Friday?? We wanna know!

Went back to to the doctor

...now they are thinking it is some type of contact dermatitis. So I've got a cream to treat the current outbreak, and I go back 3 times next week to have an allergy patch test. Though I hate having to go through that, something has got to give! Thank you for your prayers...please keep sending them up! I am feeling them!!

It is back.

The dreaded stinkin' never ending rash, that is. It is so very depressing. It may just be the major contributing factor to the huge funk I've been in this week. I am breaking down and calling the dermatologist office again tomorrow. And asking if I need to be referred to an allergist or what. I soooooooo don't want to go back on the steroids. I'm so over this, and over feeling blah, and over not being appreciated at certain places that I frequent. I don't feel like going into that right now, but please, please say a prayer or two or hundred?? I could really use 'em!

Wordless Wednesday--Homecoming

This week is Homecoming Week! I need to take pics of me and Isaac as we dress up for the spirit days...yesterday was Hillbilly/Camo Day, today is Sports Team/Book Character/Nerd Day, tomorrow is Twins/Mismatch Day. One of my nieces is on the Homecoming Court as a Freshman Attendant! I'm so proud of her and excited!!