December brings in feasant hunters from all over. Anywhere you go, there are men dressed in their camo pants and jackets. They hide out in the wheat fields waiting for a feasant to cross their path and when it does, they hopefully win a dinner prize. It is cold, sometimes wet, definitely windy, and I assume, boring.
I have discovered a better and more efficient way to hunt wild game. Lets see, so far my hunting record is as follows:
1. barely a hawk
2. almost a coyote
3. definitely a few birds
4. hardly a jack rabbit
5. and a scoot away from a burrowing owl
I would say that my list of animals almost caught in my hunt are way more exciting than a feasant...and all I used was my vehicle. In my opinion, car hunting should be the next big "hit" for hunters all around.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Saturday, December 6, 2008
The Great Veggie Debate
So I've come to find another difference between city folk and small town folk - vegetables! Small town folk are what I would call "snobs" when it comes to vegetables.
Trent has said things like, "Are these green beans from a can? I can tell. You can taste the can." How do you taste the can?
I've also heard things like, "Wow, this frozen corn is pretty good." What do you mean it is pretty good? It's corn! If you like corn, of course it is good! Corn is corn.
Apparently Trent's family is not the only people who feel this way about vegetables. All the women at school agree that there is a huge difference between fresh vegetables grown from a local garden, and vegetables that come from a can or the freezer. To which I reply, "Normal people eat veggies from a can all the time and never think any different!" Perhaps it was just my family that ate vegetables from a can, but I still can not taste the difference.
In other news, I think we have mice. I discovered some suspicious droppings in our bathroom the other day. Trent told me that this was a good possibility, but I usually try not to believe the bad things he tells me. I have yet to actually see the creature, but now I have to turn the light on when I use the bathroom in the middle of the night because I'm afraid I might step on one. My team teacher told me a story about her husband using the bathroom in the middle of the night and hearing hissing noises. When he turned on the light, there was a RAT in the toilet. I am forever scarred from that story.
Trent has said things like, "Are these green beans from a can? I can tell. You can taste the can." How do you taste the can?
I've also heard things like, "Wow, this frozen corn is pretty good." What do you mean it is pretty good? It's corn! If you like corn, of course it is good! Corn is corn.
Apparently Trent's family is not the only people who feel this way about vegetables. All the women at school agree that there is a huge difference between fresh vegetables grown from a local garden, and vegetables that come from a can or the freezer. To which I reply, "Normal people eat veggies from a can all the time and never think any different!" Perhaps it was just my family that ate vegetables from a can, but I still can not taste the difference.
In other news, I think we have mice. I discovered some suspicious droppings in our bathroom the other day. Trent told me that this was a good possibility, but I usually try not to believe the bad things he tells me. I have yet to actually see the creature, but now I have to turn the light on when I use the bathroom in the middle of the night because I'm afraid I might step on one. My team teacher told me a story about her husband using the bathroom in the middle of the night and hearing hissing noises. When he turned on the light, there was a RAT in the toilet. I am forever scarred from that story.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Road Kill
So I've seen a poor cat been hit in the road. I've seen a poor puppy been hit in the road. In San Antonio, we see poor Bambi's been hit in the road. But only in Earth do you see a poor cow been hit in the road. Yes, yes - it seems that someone's poor cow got out and was hit by a vehicle. I know what it did to the cow; I can only imagine what it did to the vehicle!
Cotton stripping is almost over. Yay! That means I can have Trent in the evenings again. Although, his late hours means that I get to watch what I want to watch on T.V. Thanks goodness for DVR!
So I told you about the Olton Sorority, right? Well, I have decided that I don't really want to be friends with old ladies that wear sorority pins on their blouses, wear buns in their hair, and recite the sorority pledge with a secret handshake - not really my cup of tea.
Well, it turns out that there are a few other young ladies from right here in Earth that were seeking the same friendship I was searching for. One called me up a couple of weeks ago about possibly starting our own social gathering of young women from Earth. Myself and three other young girls met tonight for the first time to construct a list of other young Earthite gals that might be interested in the same.
You might be astonished to find out that there were four young girls from Earth that met tonight, but just wait - together we came up with a list of about 14 girls we would want to invite. Can you believe that? I didn't know Earth even had 14 people living in it! Ok, maybe that's an exaggeration, but still...14! We will invite all of them to get together for food and fellowship on December 4 at my house.
Wish me luck as I continue my quest for a friend!
Cotton stripping is almost over. Yay! That means I can have Trent in the evenings again. Although, his late hours means that I get to watch what I want to watch on T.V. Thanks goodness for DVR!
So I told you about the Olton Sorority, right? Well, I have decided that I don't really want to be friends with old ladies that wear sorority pins on their blouses, wear buns in their hair, and recite the sorority pledge with a secret handshake - not really my cup of tea.
Well, it turns out that there are a few other young ladies from right here in Earth that were seeking the same friendship I was searching for. One called me up a couple of weeks ago about possibly starting our own social gathering of young women from Earth. Myself and three other young girls met tonight for the first time to construct a list of other young Earthite gals that might be interested in the same.
You might be astonished to find out that there were four young girls from Earth that met tonight, but just wait - together we came up with a list of about 14 girls we would want to invite. Can you believe that? I didn't know Earth even had 14 people living in it! Ok, maybe that's an exaggeration, but still...14! We will invite all of them to get together for food and fellowship on December 4 at my house.
Wish me luck as I continue my quest for a friend!
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Trent and His Stripper
So Trent has been coming home really late at night. It was beginning to concern me, so I decided to play detective and fight out where he has been spending his evenings...you will never believe what I discovered.
Trent has been spending all of his time with a stripper!
Ok, so I'm talking about a cotton stripper. It is cotton harvest and Trent spends all day and night riding back and forth in the cotton fields collecting new fluff. Trent actually does not drive the stripper. He's actually in charge of driving the truck that the stripper dumps all the cotton into (there is a name for this truck, but its something weird and I don't remember it at the moment.) Then the cotton gets dumped into another truck that compresses the cotton in to massive cotton bricks along the highway to be picked up.
The wind picked up a few days, so along with cotton balls flying along the highway, I also played frogger with tumbleweeds yesterday. Welcome to West Texas!
Trent has been spending all of his time with a stripper!
Ok, so I'm talking about a cotton stripper. It is cotton harvest and Trent spends all day and night riding back and forth in the cotton fields collecting new fluff. Trent actually does not drive the stripper. He's actually in charge of driving the truck that the stripper dumps all the cotton into (there is a name for this truck, but its something weird and I don't remember it at the moment.) Then the cotton gets dumped into another truck that compresses the cotton in to massive cotton bricks along the highway to be picked up.
The wind picked up a few days, so along with cotton balls flying along the highway, I also played frogger with tumbleweeds yesterday. Welcome to West Texas!
Friday, October 31, 2008
Small Town Trick-Or-Treatin'
Here are a couple major differences between Halloween in the big city and in a small town:
1. In San Antonio we began Trick-Or-Treating when the sun was going down. In Earth and Olton they finish Trick-Or-Treating before the sun goes down. As soon as the school bell rang, parents picked up their children and began the door knocking spree.
2. In San Antonio we strolled up and down the neighborhood streets knocking on the doors of people's homes. In Earth and Olton the businesses open their doors to Trick-Or-Treaters. The children walk up and down Main Street gathering candy from the banks, the post office, the gift shops, the clinic, the grocery store, and the care center.
So I experienced my first Halloween in a small town. It was a charming scene driving through the small town watching the children dressed in costumes walking down Main Street. It was almost right out of a movie. However, we live right off of the highway, so needless to say, we did not have any Trick-Or-Treaters come to our door, except our adorable neice and nephew.
One major holiday passed, two to go. I guess I will begin shopping for my Christmas decorations now!
1. In San Antonio we began Trick-Or-Treating when the sun was going down. In Earth and Olton they finish Trick-Or-Treating before the sun goes down. As soon as the school bell rang, parents picked up their children and began the door knocking spree.
2. In San Antonio we strolled up and down the neighborhood streets knocking on the doors of people's homes. In Earth and Olton the businesses open their doors to Trick-Or-Treaters. The children walk up and down Main Street gathering candy from the banks, the post office, the gift shops, the clinic, the grocery store, and the care center.
So I experienced my first Halloween in a small town. It was a charming scene driving through the small town watching the children dressed in costumes walking down Main Street. It was almost right out of a movie. However, we live right off of the highway, so needless to say, we did not have any Trick-Or-Treaters come to our door, except our adorable neice and nephew.
One major holiday passed, two to go. I guess I will begin shopping for my Christmas decorations now!
Sunday, October 19, 2008
The Joys of Buying a New House...Make That an Old House
It all started when my parents came to help me move into my new...old house. My dear mother accidentally dropped an earring down the drain in the guest bathroom. In the process of retrieving her earring, the pipe was apparently so old, that it just broke in half. It took several weeks to finally replace the pipe in the guest bathroom. But that's just the beginning...
Since then, we have:
1. replaced a leaking sky light (and we still lack the second sky light)
2. repair the sprinkler system
3. fix the broken heater
4. buy several parts for a disfunctional dryer
5. repair a shower that leaks into the kitchen
6. unclog bath and shower drains after the power went off
7. replace leaking faucet on the water heater after discovering a large puddle in the hallway
Ah, I'm sure there will be more added to the list before the end of the year...especially when winter comes, but we have thoroughly enjoyed our new old house, despite the speed bumps. Our master bathroom is finished and gorgeous, and we are almost finished painting everything we wanted to paint. In the spring we will probably begin reshaping the outside parts of our new old home. I will try to upload some pictures of the facelift we have given our home as soon as I find my camera charger which was somehow lost in the move. But for now, I think I hear a paintbrush calling my name.
Since then, we have:
1. replaced a leaking sky light (and we still lack the second sky light)
2. repair the sprinkler system
3. fix the broken heater
4. buy several parts for a disfunctional dryer
5. repair a shower that leaks into the kitchen
6. unclog bath and shower drains after the power went off
7. replace leaking faucet on the water heater after discovering a large puddle in the hallway
Ah, I'm sure there will be more added to the list before the end of the year...especially when winter comes, but we have thoroughly enjoyed our new old house, despite the speed bumps. Our master bathroom is finished and gorgeous, and we are almost finished painting everything we wanted to paint. In the spring we will probably begin reshaping the outside parts of our new old home. I will try to upload some pictures of the facelift we have given our home as soon as I find my camera charger which was somehow lost in the move. But for now, I think I hear a paintbrush calling my name.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Roosters and Such
Welp, it has been a while since I have updated. I just wanted to let you know that we are still alive!
The fruit flies are also still alive. I'm going to buy some vinegar to drown those suckers today. Trent and I have turned it into a game competition to see who can kill the most. We think we have found the source: there is a sky light on our back porch that attracts those flies like a magnet.
I also found a car wash in Olton. I thought I was going to have to wash my own car, gasp! However, I can get the outside and the inside of my car cleaned in Olton...by appointment only, and for a high price. But totally worth it!
Also, I have been meaning to let you know that roosters really do crow in the morning. Every morning when I get to school, I can hear several roosters crowing from somewhere in town. It's how I know that I'm awake!
And now I shall go buy my vinegar.
The fruit flies are also still alive. I'm going to buy some vinegar to drown those suckers today. Trent and I have turned it into a game competition to see who can kill the most. We think we have found the source: there is a sky light on our back porch that attracts those flies like a magnet.
I also found a car wash in Olton. I thought I was going to have to wash my own car, gasp! However, I can get the outside and the inside of my car cleaned in Olton...by appointment only, and for a high price. But totally worth it!
Also, I have been meaning to let you know that roosters really do crow in the morning. Every morning when I get to school, I can hear several roosters crowing from somewhere in town. It's how I know that I'm awake!
And now I shall go buy my vinegar.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Invasion of the Fruit Flies
Mosquitoes, Flies and Fruit flies...OH MY! So it turns out that fruit flies LOVE small west Texas towns. And they particularly love my house - specifically my kitchen sink. I think I have mostly taken care of the problem now with my good friend Clorox Bleach, but there were a couple of days last week when you could catch me hovering over my kitchen sink actually talking to my now home invaders:
"You better watch out you stinkin' fruit fly! I'm gonna get you!" and after I clapped my hands together a few times and finally caught one of these nasty creatures, I would say, "HA! You other flies take note of what just happened to your friend!"
Trent told me of a method they use for keeping wildlife out of their crops - kill the animal and hang its carcas on a fence around the crops to warn others of the same species of what might happen to them if they dare to enter. Well, I was killing fruitflies left and right and leaving their squished bodies on the wall as a sign to all of their buddies: DON'T MESS WITH ME!
Like I said, I think I have mostly taken care of the problem now, but I will continue to slap the snot out of those little monsters until they are all out of my house!
"You better watch out you stinkin' fruit fly! I'm gonna get you!" and after I clapped my hands together a few times and finally caught one of these nasty creatures, I would say, "HA! You other flies take note of what just happened to your friend!"
Trent told me of a method they use for keeping wildlife out of their crops - kill the animal and hang its carcas on a fence around the crops to warn others of the same species of what might happen to them if they dare to enter. Well, I was killing fruitflies left and right and leaving their squished bodies on the wall as a sign to all of their buddies: DON'T MESS WITH ME!
Like I said, I think I have mostly taken care of the problem now, but I will continue to slap the snot out of those little monsters until they are all out of my house!
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Good, Good People
So yesterday I received a phone call that no one ever wants to receive...Trent was in an accident. He's ok, but it turned out to be a pretty bad accident. Praise God he walked away with only a few cuts, bruises, and a bump or two. But, this blog is not about Trent...
This blog is another tale of life in a small, small town. After I received the call, I ran down the hall to tell the secretary that I would be needing a sub for the day because I was leaving to go to the doctor with Trent to get him checked out. As I walked back down the hall to my classroom, three other teachers stopped to tell me that they were praying for Trent. How did they already know?
It wasn't five minutes later that the youth minister at the church we've been attending called me to check on Trent and let me know that he was on his way to the hospital to see him. How did he know?
Trent's mom and dad received phone calls all day checking up on Trent. I guess what they say is true: word gets around in a small, small town (as I heard it from a line in a country song).
That night we had several visitors at our house to check up on Trent. These people do not call to let us know they are stopping by, they just stop by (which I'm not quite used to yet since I like to hang out in my pajamas most of the time.) The local preacher stopped by to say a word of prayer, as well as the local youth director, Trent's old secretary, our neighbors, and of course, Trent's family.
We are indeed surrounded by good, good people (as I heard it from an old Audio Adrenaline song).
Now as for the other boy involved in the accident - please keep him in your prayers. His name is Kody Fields and he was not as fortunate as Trent. He is still in the hospital with a broken leg, and drugged up because of his injuries. He is also suffering from bleeding of the brain - we are no sure how severe it is, and probably will not until they decide it is safe to begin taking him off of the drugs. Please pray for his physical healing and a spiritual healing.
This blog is another tale of life in a small, small town. After I received the call, I ran down the hall to tell the secretary that I would be needing a sub for the day because I was leaving to go to the doctor with Trent to get him checked out. As I walked back down the hall to my classroom, three other teachers stopped to tell me that they were praying for Trent. How did they already know?
It wasn't five minutes later that the youth minister at the church we've been attending called me to check on Trent and let me know that he was on his way to the hospital to see him. How did he know?
Trent's mom and dad received phone calls all day checking up on Trent. I guess what they say is true: word gets around in a small, small town (as I heard it from a line in a country song).
That night we had several visitors at our house to check up on Trent. These people do not call to let us know they are stopping by, they just stop by (which I'm not quite used to yet since I like to hang out in my pajamas most of the time.) The local preacher stopped by to say a word of prayer, as well as the local youth director, Trent's old secretary, our neighbors, and of course, Trent's family.
We are indeed surrounded by good, good people (as I heard it from an old Audio Adrenaline song).
Now as for the other boy involved in the accident - please keep him in your prayers. His name is Kody Fields and he was not as fortunate as Trent. He is still in the hospital with a broken leg, and drugged up because of his injuries. He is also suffering from bleeding of the brain - we are no sure how severe it is, and probably will not until they decide it is safe to begin taking him off of the drugs. Please pray for his physical healing and a spiritual healing.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Earth's 100th Birthday & Corn Pickin'
Last weekend was Springlake Earth's 100th year celebration for the school. They invited all alumni to the pep rally, an enchilada dinner in the cafeteria, the Homecoming football game, and a choice of a talent show or the Homecoming dance.
Trent and I only attended the dinner and the football game. The talent show afterwards was apparently only for the old farts and after hearing about it from Trent's parents, I'm extremely happy that we did not go.
There were a lot of people in attendance. Some came from far far away to revisit their alma mater. I made sure I was looking cute, because I figured I would meet a lot of Trent's old pals. Well, there were a lot more old people there than young, so I decided to change into something more comfortable before the football game.
I did get to hear a lot of stories of how bad Trent was in school. He got sent to the principal's office a lot for a whoopin! One time he accidentally mooned a teacher. I also heard stories about fights he got into, and throwing mashed potatoes on the cafeteria wall. It also turns out that Trent was a bully. He likes to think he was doing justice by only picking on kids that had a "big head", but it might be hard to make friends around here because Trent probably hurt their feelings back in high school.
Welp, it's corn pickin' season here in West Texas. That means that Trent is gone all day and doesn't return home until about 10 o'clock at night. I'm usually in bed by the time he comes home. His mom is nice enough to cook for them and take dinner out to the farm. I guess farmers need to eat too. Trent told me one time before we got married that his mother would do this for them, insinuating that I would also be expected to do this for him. Good thing his mother still lives here!
I went out to the farm the other night with his mom to deliver the tacos she had made. Trent was sweet enough to take me out on the combine. Those things are amazing! Its large claws cut the corn stalks, and somehow the ears go through a machine that cuts the kernals into the bin of the combine, and spits the ears back out onto the ground. Then another large truck pulls up next to the combine, Trent manuevers a long tube over the bin of the second truck, and begins to pour the kernals into the back of the second truck. That truck then takes the corn to the co-op to be inspected, and then I guess they get paid for it.
The weather is cool here, the leaves are changing, and corn is being cut all around - fall must be coming! And I couldn't be more excited about experiencing this season with an actual fall climate this year! I've already researched where the nearest corn maze and pumpkin patches are located. I have my fall decorations out, and I bought new fall scented candles. Now I just need to hang my fall wreath! Yay for fall!
Trent and I only attended the dinner and the football game. The talent show afterwards was apparently only for the old farts and after hearing about it from Trent's parents, I'm extremely happy that we did not go.
There were a lot of people in attendance. Some came from far far away to revisit their alma mater. I made sure I was looking cute, because I figured I would meet a lot of Trent's old pals. Well, there were a lot more old people there than young, so I decided to change into something more comfortable before the football game.
I did get to hear a lot of stories of how bad Trent was in school. He got sent to the principal's office a lot for a whoopin! One time he accidentally mooned a teacher. I also heard stories about fights he got into, and throwing mashed potatoes on the cafeteria wall. It also turns out that Trent was a bully. He likes to think he was doing justice by only picking on kids that had a "big head", but it might be hard to make friends around here because Trent probably hurt their feelings back in high school.
Welp, it's corn pickin' season here in West Texas. That means that Trent is gone all day and doesn't return home until about 10 o'clock at night. I'm usually in bed by the time he comes home. His mom is nice enough to cook for them and take dinner out to the farm. I guess farmers need to eat too. Trent told me one time before we got married that his mother would do this for them, insinuating that I would also be expected to do this for him. Good thing his mother still lives here!
I went out to the farm the other night with his mom to deliver the tacos she had made. Trent was sweet enough to take me out on the combine. Those things are amazing! Its large claws cut the corn stalks, and somehow the ears go through a machine that cuts the kernals into the bin of the combine, and spits the ears back out onto the ground. Then another large truck pulls up next to the combine, Trent manuevers a long tube over the bin of the second truck, and begins to pour the kernals into the back of the second truck. That truck then takes the corn to the co-op to be inspected, and then I guess they get paid for it.
The weather is cool here, the leaves are changing, and corn is being cut all around - fall must be coming! And I couldn't be more excited about experiencing this season with an actual fall climate this year! I've already researched where the nearest corn maze and pumpkin patches are located. I have my fall decorations out, and I bought new fall scented candles. Now I just need to hang my fall wreath! Yay for fall!
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Sorority Pledge
I was never in a sorority in college. I didn't feel that it quite suited me. However, I'm willing to give sorority life a chance for the sake of the experience...and it seems that I have my opportunity!
It turns out that small towns sometimes have sororities for women in the community. Well, Olton has a sorority, and as a new member of the community (I qualify because I work in Olton) I was invited by a fellow teacher to attend pledge night for this so called sorority.
I received several emails reminding me of the first sorority meeting and listing all of the young girls from school that are part of this sorority and would be at the meeting. So I read the names and decided that if all of these cool girls were part of it (and I need to make friends) that I would check it out. So last night I drove to City Bank in Olton to participate in my first sorority pledge party with some cool, young girls from school. Unfortunately, none of the young girls from school could make it, but failed to mention that to me. There were six other women there, most in the 40's - 50's, sporting their sorority pins on their chest, carrying a notebook with greek letters across the front, and all reciting the sorority pledge.
Backflash: this reminds me of when I worked at Girl Scouts and all the older women that worked there thought they were still a Girl Scout and were just proud to be a part of something. They were all a bit cooky (not to be confused with cookie, which they happened to eat a lot of.)
So there I was trapped in the Upper Room of the City Bank having dinner with six strangers in a sort of cult-like fashion. Quite an experience - all for the sake of making friends!
So will I join? You betcha! I talked to my fellow teachers who ditched me, and they all assured me that they will definitely be there next month. So I suppose I will give sorority life a one year trial and see what happens...like oh my gah!
It turns out that small towns sometimes have sororities for women in the community. Well, Olton has a sorority, and as a new member of the community (I qualify because I work in Olton) I was invited by a fellow teacher to attend pledge night for this so called sorority.
I received several emails reminding me of the first sorority meeting and listing all of the young girls from school that are part of this sorority and would be at the meeting. So I read the names and decided that if all of these cool girls were part of it (and I need to make friends) that I would check it out. So last night I drove to City Bank in Olton to participate in my first sorority pledge party with some cool, young girls from school. Unfortunately, none of the young girls from school could make it, but failed to mention that to me. There were six other women there, most in the 40's - 50's, sporting their sorority pins on their chest, carrying a notebook with greek letters across the front, and all reciting the sorority pledge.
Backflash: this reminds me of when I worked at Girl Scouts and all the older women that worked there thought they were still a Girl Scout and were just proud to be a part of something. They were all a bit cooky (not to be confused with cookie, which they happened to eat a lot of.)
So there I was trapped in the Upper Room of the City Bank having dinner with six strangers in a sort of cult-like fashion. Quite an experience - all for the sake of making friends!
So will I join? You betcha! I talked to my fellow teachers who ditched me, and they all assured me that they will definitely be there next month. So I suppose I will give sorority life a one year trial and see what happens...like oh my gah!
Friday, September 5, 2008
Name That Allergy!
Apparently it is allergy season out here. It is also harvesting season. So it turns out that every year during harvest, your nose will plug, your eyes will sting, and your head will feel like someone is pressing a brick against both sides of your head. Suhweet! And I hear that right now it is just Milo and Maize allergies...we haven't even gotten to the good stuff yet: Corn! Pray for my nose!
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Workin' 9 to... 3?
Here are few more interesting tid bits about life in a small town:
1. The bank closes at 3. What's up with that? Now, that I'm teaching, I don't know when I will get to go to the bank. Good thing I have direct deposit! Man, 9 - 3. What a life!
2. Businesses take IOUs. Today I went to get my toes painted, but of course they dont take debit or credit, and I did not have any cash or a checkbook. She told me just to come back tomorrow.
3. Football is King. Wednesday night church doesn't even start until 7:30 for high schoolers because so many of them are still in football practice.
Tonight Trent and I attended the youth classes at church because we hope to get involved in the youth program there. There were just as many junior high kids in class tonight as there are junior high kids at my huge church in San Antonio. Since Olton is such a small town, kids are just looking for something to do...and luckily church is about the only thing that provides activities for youth. And the best part is - half of them are not even Christians! Talk about a ministry! This stuff just gets me excited!
1. The bank closes at 3. What's up with that? Now, that I'm teaching, I don't know when I will get to go to the bank. Good thing I have direct deposit! Man, 9 - 3. What a life!
2. Businesses take IOUs. Today I went to get my toes painted, but of course they dont take debit or credit, and I did not have any cash or a checkbook. She told me just to come back tomorrow.
3. Football is King. Wednesday night church doesn't even start until 7:30 for high schoolers because so many of them are still in football practice.
Tonight Trent and I attended the youth classes at church because we hope to get involved in the youth program there. There were just as many junior high kids in class tonight as there are junior high kids at my huge church in San Antonio. Since Olton is such a small town, kids are just looking for something to do...and luckily church is about the only thing that provides activities for youth. And the best part is - half of them are not even Christians! Talk about a ministry! This stuff just gets me excited!
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Kids Rock
So I complete my second day of teaching 5th grade today. I'm pooped! I love my students though. Like I've said before, most of them just need LOVE! Both of my team teachers are Christians, so we have started out our days praying together. Does this only happen in small towns?
Well, here is something that I think is pretty special: the church that we have been attending has started a new program on Tuesdays after school. They are gathering all of the kids in K - 6 (that have parent permission of course) and walking them over to their youth building. After a snack, the kids are rallied into a room to sing along with wild and crazy VBS-type songs, and then shared a short message of the gospel. KIDS ROCK is the name. Today I did the "Superman", the "Water Sprinkler", the "Robot", and the "Invisible Hoola Hoop". It was SUH-WEET!
Hopefully the popularity of this program will grow because there is a need for children in the community to learn more about Jesus. For a lot of the kiddos, we are the only Jesus they will encounter.
Praise God for silly songs with goofy hand motions!
Well, here is something that I think is pretty special: the church that we have been attending has started a new program on Tuesdays after school. They are gathering all of the kids in K - 6 (that have parent permission of course) and walking them over to their youth building. After a snack, the kids are rallied into a room to sing along with wild and crazy VBS-type songs, and then shared a short message of the gospel. KIDS ROCK is the name. Today I did the "Superman", the "Water Sprinkler", the "Robot", and the "Invisible Hoola Hoop". It was SUH-WEET!
Hopefully the popularity of this program will grow because there is a need for children in the community to learn more about Jesus. For a lot of the kiddos, we are the only Jesus they will encounter.
Praise God for silly songs with goofy hand motions!
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Not Just Salamanders
It's amazing the new discoveries that are being made in my backyard every day! I mentioned the wildlife in this part of the world, and for the most part I was being sarcastic, but I am being proved wrong. There are critters here that I have never seen unless there were in a cage or aquarium on display somewhere.
Yesterday, a new creature was tucked away on our back porch. It was the cutest little furry creature I've ever seen. It had little bitty feet, and a little bitty tail, and little bitty ears. It was rolled into a little ball against the wall and too timid to look around at the large giants hovering over its little bitty body.
Yep, it was a ..... mouse. But the cutest little mouse I have ever seen! I wanted to keep him and name him. Harley found him later and thought it was one of his toys, so Trent felt obliged to fling that mouse over the fence to save it from a horrible death: being eaten by Harley. However, I fear that its life may have come to an end upon hitting the ground after its flight through the air. May that cute mouse rest in peace.
One other brilliant discovery made yesterday: we have a peach tree in our yard! I did not know this, but yesterday there were peaches on the ground and blooming all over the tree's branches. I tasted one - yummy! Peach cobbler anyone?
Friday, August 15, 2008
Not Just Snakes
New wildlife was spotted today in our backyard. If you know me, you know I'm terrified of lizards. It's ok if I see one, as long as it's not near me or able to jump on me. As a matter of fact, I don't really like any critter that has the ability to jump and land on me - hence the grasshopper incident of 2008. (April knows what I'm talking about!)
Well, today I spotted a lizard...but not just any lizard. This lizard was not very big, maybe about five inches long, and it was skinny - much like the green lizards we have in San Antonio. But this lizard was not green!
It was also the first day back to school for all the new teachers. One thing that is unique about a small town is that the local churches are sponsoring the teachers' lunches for the next week. Today the Methodist church fed us a great spread of fresh corn, ocra, green beans, squash and tomatoes. We also had potatoes, roast beef, ham, stuffed green peppers, deviled eggs, spinach casserole, and a whole lot more. There was banana pudding, brownies, and an assortment of pies for dessert!
There was a prayer before lunch and a prayer after lunch. There were also several door prizes donated by local businesses.
I can't wait til lunch on Monday!
Well, today I spotted a lizard...but not just any lizard. This lizard was not very big, maybe about five inches long, and it was skinny - much like the green lizards we have in San Antonio. But this lizard was not green!
It was also the first day back to school for all the new teachers. One thing that is unique about a small town is that the local churches are sponsoring the teachers' lunches for the next week. Today the Methodist church fed us a great spread of fresh corn, ocra, green beans, squash and tomatoes. We also had potatoes, roast beef, ham, stuffed green peppers, deviled eggs, spinach casserole, and a whole lot more. There was banana pudding, brownies, and an assortment of pies for dessert!
There was a prayer before lunch and a prayer after lunch. There were also several door prizes donated by local businesses.
I can't wait til lunch on Monday!
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Outside of Earth
When you live in Earth, sometimes you just want to get out of Earth for a while. Trent and I took a day trip to Amarillo to visit with our friends Kara and Luke. They were nice enough to take the day off to show us some of the highlights of Amarillo. And of course you can not visit Amarillo without seeing Cadillac Ranch!
Nice Legs! The man who created Cadillac Ranch had some other interesting pieces of Art in Amarillo, such as these:
We finished out the day with a great burger at Blue Sky. If you are ever in Amarillo, grab a bite to eat there. It was very tasty. Now I leave you with this: a view from our front porch. Sometimes it's hard for some people to see the beauty in Earth. However, today I captured what Earth looks like when a storm is rolling in...pure beauty.
Nice Legs! The man who created Cadillac Ranch had some other interesting pieces of Art in Amarillo, such as these:
We finished out the day with a great burger at Blue Sky. If you are ever in Amarillo, grab a bite to eat there. It was very tasty. Now I leave you with this: a view from our front porch. Sometimes it's hard for some people to see the beauty in Earth. However, today I captured what Earth looks like when a storm is rolling in...pure beauty.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Why is THAT in My Garage?
Welcome to Earth, where snakes like to hang out in your garage...and husbands seem to be nowhere around when you need them most!
So I had to call Trent's dad to come get the snake. Turns out that it was just a garder snake, but the garder snakes in San Antonio are about the size of an earth worm. This was no normal sized garder snake to me. Bleh!
So I had to call Trent's dad to come get the snake. Turns out that it was just a garder snake, but the garder snakes in San Antonio are about the size of an earth worm. This was no normal sized garder snake to me. Bleh!
Attack of the Killer Okra
Have you ever seen ocra like this? I'm used to the weenie ocra at Souper Salad!
They reminded me of witch fingers.
What's coming up in Earth:
Tonight (Friday) - Fish Fry at the Wolverine
Saturday - Day trip to Amarillo (our mini vacation)
to meet up with my good friend Kara Deal and her husband, Luke.
Come back soon to see pictures of our upcoming weekend!
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Picture This!
How to have fun in Earth:
Shave a mohawk.
Marvel at the wildlife (not pictured: birds, jackrabbits, snake)
Rock out on Rock Band
Go to the Earth Rodeo
Enter the popular cow milking competition.
Enjoy the West Texas sunset.
Shuck some corn.
Wash some corn.
That's a whole lotta corn!
Compete in a potato sack race.
Cut some corn.
Hang out with your good lookin' hubby.
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