Practice, Practice, Practice... And It Will Be Great!

The EHS production of Bye Bye Birdie opened last week. My students told me not to come see it yet.  They felt the play wasn't ready quite yet.  I respected their wishes and waited a week.  I cannot say if they were ready opening night, but tonight they were wonderful.  Hard work always pays off.

If you are reading this and live near Easley, head out to see the play.  I guarantee that you will laugh at Mama who does a respectable Northern accent and old lady walk.  You will be impressed with the props.  You may even the references to history that are sprinkled throughout the play. You will see dreams inching closer and closer. It is well worth the small admission price.

I do not know all the performers in the play.  I have had the pelasure of teaching several of them however. Katy who plays Spanish Rose was a premature baby who fought to live in the early weeks of her life.  She (like Taylor) was saved through treatments funded by the March of Dimes and through prayer.  Katy is a tiny thing, but she knows exactly what she wants to do with her life.  She will be studying drama when she enters college next year. I fully expect to see her on the big screen one day.  There are three sisters who figure prominently into the play; each totally different from the others but all incredibly talented.  Anna Cat and Caroline teamed last year for the Wizard of Oz. They returned this year to showcase their talents along with their little sister Mary Helen.  Caroline has an amazing voice.  For Christmas, I was one of the fortunate ones who received a CD of Christmas music sung by her. She will also be famous one day.  Anna Cat is a comedic actress.  Hilarious! Little sister plays a little boy in her first dramatic turn.  I wonder how the older girls convinced her that was a good idea...  She was hilarious though.  The tap dancing sad girls practiced a few steps in my class this year, so I was glad to see that all the extra practice paid off as they looked like true dancers up on the stage. Great Job girls!

Now, if I can just get the tune We love you Conrad... oh yes, we do... out of my head..

If You Are Happy And You Know It Clap Your Hands

Clap. Clap. Clap. Clap. Clap.  You get the point.  I am happy today. Joyful.  Giddy. Content. Whatever word you want to use to describe my mood. I'm in a good mood. It has truly been a wonderful day for many reasons and for absolutely no reason at all.  Days like today are gifts that help us make through the not-so-great-days. I am thankful for the gift of today.

I started my day off by observing one of my favorite school year traditions.  I met G for breakfast.  We meet every Friday to catch up, chat, vent, and kick start our Friday.  We have been working together for six years now, and our Friday breakfasts never fail to start my day off right. The breakfasts feed my spirit as well as my body.

Today was a special day in my AP classes.  It was the day that my students take their final reading quiz of the year; they have finished reading the entire textbook cover-to-cover.  They were proud; they were tired. They brought food - doughnuts, chips, fresh fruit, soda. It was a day of celebration. They accomplished their first goal.  Now, we begin reviewing for their AP exam.  Students who receive passing scores on the exam receive college credit. They are prepared or they will be by May 6th..

Next, I had Student Council.  If you have read this blog before, you know that I love Student Council and that I love them more on days they are productive.  Today, things were marked off the list. The presentation of robes ceremony is coming together.  The senior slideshow is coming together.  Powderpuff is coming together.  I even had time to practice my narration for the Easter Contata which is all about God's love.  Just repeating the words celebrating Jesus' gift to us makes me smile.  God is so good!

During planning, I had a short visit with a friend, watched a video off the Crazy Love website reminding us how amazing God is, planned Monday's lesson, and worked on Tuesday's test.  I was productive while feeding my soul.

After work, I stopped by the bank to set up a savings account just for Paris.  Yes, I am actually going in a couple of years.  I need to do that for myself. I don't need to win the lottery to do it though.

I also stopped by Wingard Jewelers to look at rings.  My house was robbed in September and they took everything of value from the house.  We have been blessed to replace the things that needed replacing.  However, my jewelry was stolen.  This bothers me for many reasons, but the one that keeps resonating with me is that I no longer have a ring to pass down to my grandchildren.  I had always planned on giving Taylor the engagement ring that his dad gave me.  It was a beautiful carat solitaire with a sapphire wrap around it, but someone else has it now. Someone who doesn't deserve it or understand that it was given in love. However, I have decided to not let the thieves steal the idea of an heirloom for future generations from me.  I want to buy a statement ring to pass down.  Wingards is having a fantastic sale.  All rings are half off and they offer layaway.  I found a ring.  I didn't buy it.... yet. It's being held for the next week while I think it over. I like to ponder purchases for awhile... It's a cluster ring, so it's not nearly as valuable as the solitaire that was stolen.  It is beautiful though. I can see myself passing it down after wearing it for the next 50 years.  I might just have to buy it...

It's been a wonderful day.  I am happy.  The future doesn't look as scary as it did when I started this blog. I can actually see a future; that's definitely a step in the right direction.  Clap. Clap. Clap. Clap. Clap.