Another generation...

Catie has spent the afternoon and evening with me today. My goal for this afternnon was to complete Ally's cake for her reception. Catie was helping with this goal. As we were in the kitchen, I realized that Catie is the same age I was when I started cooking. She has spent alot of time in the kitchen with me this summer and is turning into a great little helper. She is very opinionated and will tell you "straight up" if she does or doesn't like something you have cooked. She is also eager to start cooking things by "her very self." We decided today that she can make Sarah's birthday cake this year. Catie is going to ride down to Orlando with me on the 2nd and will be able to deliver it to Sarah in person. She is very excited about "really cooking something important." I find it to be a great source of joy to spend time with her in the kitchen and to be able to pass on the skills Mom taught me, I taught Sarah and now am teaching Catie...There are many traditions that can unite a family and I think sharing Grandmomma's recipes and cooking secrets is certainly one of those. I cannot even measure how important the cooking skills Mom taught me have been in my life. (I helped put myself through ABAC by catering and spent almost 30 years working in the Food Service/catering field) I still love to read cookbooks just as much as I do a novel. One of the realities of life is that Momma has lost her ability to cook or create new recipes to share with all of us. My talent for cooking was nurtured by Mom in its early stages. Because it is no fun to cook for just one person (me) I am able to use this talent to help out my parents by cooking for them from time to time. I know that cooking helps me to get rid of stress... something about beating those eggs and whipping that cream... :-) I also love to share my cooking with the missionaries, my children, my students and my special friends, I guess it's my small way of "giving back" to those who bring me joy on an everyday basis.

I admit it...I'm tired...

I have not been sleeping well for past week or so...don't ask me why...I am following my same bedtime routine...just not sleeping soundly at all. This is not good... I guess maybe I have alot of stuff on my mind at the moment.
Considering that I really did not start my work for the day until after noon, I feel like I got alot done. I made several frozen meals-actually about 50 of them. They consisted of brocolli, cheese, rice and chicken casserole, pasta and beef casserole, pasta and chicken casserole. I also made about 140 mini banana muffin for breakfast during school. I put three of them in a snack bag and put them in the freezer so I can just grab them and go!
I was able to pull a suprise visit on Mom and Dad this afternoon and deliver some meals and some "goodies" to them. Although I knocked on the door, they did not hear me. Momma was sleeping in her chair and Daddy was on the phone in his bedroom...so I just waltzed in and waltzed out-totally undetected! It was lots of fun to do that. I guess I can have a new nickname "Sneaky Susan"

Parent's jobs...

Next topic...Where did your father go to work every day and what did he do? How did your mother spend her day? Did she have a job or do volunteer, etc. work outside the home?
Although my father was in the Air Force for my first 18 years of life, I cannot honestly say I knew exactly what he did on a daily basis. I know he worked as an administrator, teacher, and inspector and at one time, he even worked somewhere in a building that had no windows at all. I know he escorted some military prisoners a couple of times. I remember Mom just commented alot on how handsome he looked when he was in his uniform. :-) Mom was a real stay-at-home Mom for as long as I can remember. She would always fix us some sort of hot cereal for breakfast and make sure we eached kissed her as we left her every morning. ( I still do that... Go to school and still kiss my Mom when I am leaving her! ) I remember every Thursday for several years we helped her go through her Tupperware orders and bag them. She was a super Tupperware dealer and loved doing it. One of her "at-home" jobs that has had a lasting impression on me is her catering business. I can't count the nunber of times I have earned money personally by catering and using her super recipes. Thank goodness Mom taught us all to cook because "someday we might need to know how."

What' in a Name?

Today's topic: Who gave you your name and why? Did you have a family nickname? How did you get it? I was named for my grandmother-Daddy's mom. She was Louise-thus my middle name. I am not sure why I was named Susan. I have had many nicknames throughout my life. Some have been special to me, some have been less than flattering. I was called "Cattle" when I was in my tens. This was a name that some ignorant people thought was funny to call me. NOT! Grandmomma and Daddy have called me "Susie Q." Carol has called me Susie Whoosie for many, many years. I have been known as "Crazy Aunt Susie" by many of my nieces and nephews. However, no one has ever called me "Sue." It is not a name I like and I let people know that right away! One of my all time favorite names to be called, however, is "MoM." That is one I feel eternally blessed to be called. In spite of many ups and downs in my personal relationships, the blessing of being mother to Travis and Sarah has exceeded all my expectations.

Favorite Pastime...

I was looking at some things online today and saw some journal topic "prompts." One was about your favorite pastime as a child and did you prefer doing it alone or with someone else? I have always loved to read. In fact, I can't remember not loving it. I remember when I was about 9 or so, Mom forbade me from bringing home any more "Winnie-the-Pooh books from the school library. I think I read through all the small blue book series of biographes of famous people that our library had. Then it was the Nancy Drew-Hardy Boys-Louisa May Alcott binge. John Jakes and his North and South series and the Westward Ho books were also favorites. Remember, Nance and Carol, when we used to buy those for Mom, but would read them before we gave them to her because we could read faster than she did. Our lives were in three month chunks as we waited on baited breath for the lastest one. I loved reading the fairy tales in the big read bound books in the bookcase...The Snow Queen, Jack the Giant-Killer and Little Black Sambo.
In high school I got hooked on Frank G. Slaughter and his novels. I learned alot of the background of the well known Bible stories of Ruth, Joshua, Peter and Luke by reading his biblical novels. His medical suspense novels used to keep me on the edge of my seat. I remember being thrilled to look in the Jacksonville phone book and actually see his name listed as a physician! How I would have loved his autograph! I have always preferred to read alone. I don't like reading aloud and never have. I confess I didn't like to read aloud to my children and was truly grateful when they started to love reading at an early age too. Today, I eagerly await the next Patricia Cornwell, Anne Rule, John Grishom novels. I also like to read historical fiction and true crime novels. This past summer, from June 15th to August 4th, I read 2, 587, 423 words which translated into 487 AR points and $40 earned for the ESMS library. Why did I do that...simple....because I had the time and I could!

Almost over...

The holiday as we know it is almost in the bag for this year. It has been a quiet day with an opportunity for me to sleep late today and not feel guilty about it. I guess that is one advantage of having no children to wake up early for on Christmas morning. I must confess that I did not go to bed until the wee hours of the morning because I was reading a super good book. It did not seem like Christmas today, but then again, it has been truly hard to get into a festive mood this year anyhow.
I did enjoy a visit to Mom and Dad's this afternoon. Sometimes you just need to know that when you bare your soul with your parents, they still love you unconditionally. That is a very special blessing I have and I appreciate that more than I can say.
It is hard to believe that a full 5 days of my break has gone by so fast! Sloooowwwww dooowwwnnnnn ....let me enjoy it!!

Christmas Eve at my house...

I arrived back home this afternoon after spending yesterday with the kids in Orlando. They are both working tonight and tomorrow at the "Happiest Place on Earth!" . Although the visit was busy, it was great to see them both happy, healthy and employed!! I gave Lacey an extra special good bath tonight because I missed her while she was at Granddaddy's while I was gone.
READ THIS NEXT PART AT YOUR OWN RISK...I AM BEING HONEST AND SOME MAY NOT LIKE WHAT I WRITE....I realize that I could have been at the compound tonight, but I did not go for several reasons. First and foremost, I really am tired from the trip to Orlando. Also, I realized today that 5 days of my Christmas Break have gone and really haven't had a break yet. I have either been busy preparing food for Ally's reception, to take to the kids, or cleaning my house thoroughly for the first time in a month or so. My final reason will sound really stupid, but unless you have been in my shoes, don't assume you know how I feel...Some of my family will probably be offended by this reason, but I was assured when I started blogging that I could be honest. Last year, on this day, I was hurt by some actions of my family. I am still working through that hurt that is related specifically to the "family" gathering at Granddad's house. Because I choose not to offend any family members on their joyous evening, I stayed away... Do not get me wrong...I truly do love my family. I just have a hard time understanding their actions at time. I know that my family has a hard time understanding me at times, too and maybe that is the problem...

I'm Alive !! I'm Alive...

Today was the dreaded/much anticipated day before the Christmas holidays/final exam day...I am here to report that I have survived it in one piece...I must tell you about two incidents that happened yesterday with my students. I was sitting at my desk toward the end of 6th period yesterday and about half of my students were crowding around it. I told them that if they didn't step back, I was going to become claustrophobic. One of my darlings piped up and said...Wait for it...this is totally true..."Ms. Tucker, I didn't know you were afraid of Santa Claus. Also this past week one of them asked me if Viagra Falls was in Las Vegas! Needless to say, I so totally ignored that question!
I am posting this so late (early) because I tried to go to sleep about an hour ago and for the moment--it aint happening! So I am trying to make myself sleepy because heaven knows I am about a year behind on my "Beauty sleep!" Hope everyone is nicely tucked in bed with visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads. Of course, if you wake up with a headache...DON'T BLAME ME ...

The newly employed...

So this afternoon, I took the initiative and decided to see if I could put my latest plan in action. I got Lacey and went to the assisted living center (Maple Court) on Tift Avenue. I have always liked the looks of it from the outside...Anyway, I went in and asked to speak to the program director. I told her that I had a wonderful dog that just loved to be petted and loved and I thought she would make a great therapy dog. I told her about having Lacey in the recent Christmas parade and how well she did and how the little kids reacted to her. I was told that they had just been discussing earlier that day about having "Pet Therapy" for their residents, but was not sure which direction they wanted to go with it. When I told them that I had Lacey in the car, they let me bring her inside...Lacey worked her magic with not only the residents sitting in the lobby, but also the employees there...She will officially be a "member of the staff" when I get a copy of her shot record back to them tomorrow. I just felt bad that Lacey is such a wonderful dog and I was basically the only one who got to interact with her for any length of time. Also, it helps me in my quest to look outside myself to help meet the needs of others around me. So, I figure it will be a win-win situation...

All I want for Christmas...

I want peace... Peace in my soul and peace of mind for my children.
I want to feel the joy of looking forward to the future instead of dwelling in the past
I want to be able to ease the burdens of those people I love
I want to be able to have true and unconditional love from someone who is special to me.
I want to be able to have a deeper understanding of my place in this world
I want to develop a unshakeable faith in the goodness of people
I want to make a difference in the life of someone.
I want the aches and pains of my parents to be relieved from time to time
I want less heartache and more closure
I want to be wanted for myself...not just for what I can do for or give to someone

I want to know what the Lord truly wants me to do with the rest of my mortal trial....

Struggling...

Although I have kept myself busy with a purpose or task to accomplish everyday, since around Thanksgiving I have found myself struggling privately with depression. Although intellectually I can understand the reasons for my depression, but I cannot seem to shake it off. I am trying all sorts of things, but none seem to be working at the moment. Maybe tomorrow will be different.......

Feeling helpful, yet helpless...

I realized this morning as I was walking back to the outpatient clinic surgery room with Mom and Dad just how helpless I felt. I watched them walking arm in arm, with their halting steps, yet supporting each other as best they could...and I about how weak they both were physically, but yet how solid is their relationship with each other. Yes, I was able to help Mom undress and get ready for the day, but I cannot take either one of their afflictions away or even help make them better...
All I could do was be there if either one of them needed me for anything. What a blessing it must be for them to have unshakable assurance in each other's love-no matter what!

Surprise ! Surprise!

This morning I received a phone call from Bill Johnson. He was the committee chairman for coordinating getting the flags, etc that we used when the Wall came. He also happens to be the president of the Woodman of the World lodge here in Tifton. Their meetings are held the same place we have our family reunions. Anyhoo, he called this morning and invited me to the Lodge's Christmas party this evening. (I had spoken at one of their meetings during March) Since I had nothing better to do this evening, I went. It was weird walking into the building and not seeing any of my relatives there. The meal was catered by the Ole Time Country Buffet so not only was the meal free for me, it was good! After the meal, of course there was a visit from Santa Claus. Then they went into their "business" part of the meeting. I didn't want to be rude and just get up and walk out, so I just sat and looked as though I belonged there. Bill and this other lady (some kind of officer of the group) said now it was time to give presents to the "big kids" there at the meeting.
Bill looked around the room and then he opened this envelope and started reading something about the highest award that the lodge gives each year. It was the "Honor Award." He said it is an award given to a person in the community who is not a member of the Lodge, but who the lodge members decide has done something noteworthy in the community, but also upholds the values of the Lodge. He then called my name to come forward. I almost choked on my ice cube I was munching on and he had to call my name twice. He presented me with the Honor Award and everyone gave me a standing ovation! Needless to say, I was stunned! The plaque has my name engraved on it and the year 2008. It was truly an unexpected gift and I am deeply humbled by it.
Later on, they drew numbers for the door prizes. I got a small, green tinsel tree that has two dog figurines that sit on either side of it. The dogs even look like Lacey. They both have Santa hats on. My Christmas decorating is now done for this year!! Yeah!!
Oh, one more thing....I got my new bifocal contacts today. Other than give me a headache, (I guess from all the things I can now see that I had been missing before! ) I can feel nothing in my eye and that is the way they are suppossed to feel. I guess I thought they would have a line in the middle of them or something, but they are just weighted a little heavier on the bottom curve. Isn't it amazing what technology can do these days!

I survived Christmas Parade 2008 !!!

Today was the Christmas Parade for Tifton. It was the 4th time my History Club youngins and I have participated in this event. It followed a different route this year and was held later in the day. Catie was my valuable helper again this year. This is the third time she has helped me and she is getting pretty good about it. By the time we got back home after the parade, we had walked about 4 miles !!! Needless to say, no treadmill exercises tonight...I am proud of myself because last year I couldn't even walk half the route. I did have a crisis just before the parade however. I was sitting down on the curb with some of my students when I discovered that somehow I had lost my phone. I looked around and had a student call my phone and we heard it ring....from the drain hole we were sitting on top of!! We lifted the cover off it and looked down...sure enough....there was my poor little phone....laying there....just looking up at me. The battery was laying beside it and the back cover was about two feet away! I ended up walking down to where Chief Smith and a couple of his officers were standing. They. of course, laughed at my predictment and graciously came do my rescue. All the way back to the drainhole, he kept hollering out " Yep, She dropped her phone down the sewer!" (Boy, with friends like him....you know the rest...) One of the officers climbed down the hole and rescued my phone. Amazingly, when I put it all back together...IT WORKED!!
I took Lacey with me to the parade and she behaved so well! She loves to walk and loves to get hugs and she got plenty of both today. It was really neat to see the reaction of the little ones along the parade route. She would go over to them and then sit down and wait patiently for them to pet her. I just love her!
I just realized that I have never posted pics of her. Here are a couple of pics of her in her Christmas Parade outfit and other things she has been involved in.

Testing....testing...one...two...three...

Today was certainly the day for tests! I started out at Dr. Efaw's for my 6 months checkup. She was pleased with my BP (it is lower than it has been in years!) and also my weight loss. She gave me some hints as to how to push through the plateau I have reached with the weight loss, so I will keep you posted on how those work...
From there I ran over to Albany State to take the MAT (Miller's Analogy Test) which is a required test for entrance into the Graduate school at Valdosta State. It is comprised of 120 analogies in a 60 minute time frame. I had never taken it before and quite frankly had not studied for it except for a couple of short practice online tests I took last night. I need to have no lower than a score of 390 to be considered for the school. Most people average a score around 400. I got a 412 on it!! Yea me...!! I think the biggest help I had on the test was the prayer I uttered while sitting in front of that computer before I clicked the "Begin" button.
After completing that test, I bebopped it back over to Tifton to see Dr. Moorman about my eyes. I have found myself squinting more in the last couple of weeks than I have in a long time. So I felt I should get my peepers checked-especially before having to start reading all the pages in the required readings for the college courses in January. So.....long story short....I do not have any cataracts, glocoma or macular degeneration....but I do need to advance to the next stage of contact wearing----BIFOCAL CONTACTS!!! I should get my new "eyeballs" in about a week...I be "seeing" you then.............................