Even more mundane and way less necessary

We're home from dinner and the bookstore (and the sports store and Gap.) We've ridden our bikes, mapped out the new garden (in the dark, I might add), bathed the kiddos, laid out soccer clothes, and bid them all a "go to sleep as fast as you can." It was a nice evening in town, but it feels good to sit down and relax for a bit....sans children. I've wanted to update about so many topics lately, but I can never think of them when I'm here. Let's see if I can manage to strike a few off of the list:

6th GRADE:

I wish I could tell you that my sixth graders are, each and every one, the joys of my meager existence. However, my mama did her best to teach me not to lie......What I mean to say is....well, they are a motley crew interesting group of young minds. Suffice it to say, we're learning all about each other, and they're growing on me. I have always viewed my time with my students as a way to reach out and get my hands on a life that I might can change the course of--cheezy--but very realistic. That being the case, I have TONS of opportunities with this group. Maybe too many opportunities. Luckily, I have been given the chance to teach the 7th grade group (my 6th graders from last year), and I am so happy to be with them another year. They are an amazing group of firecrackers, delinquents, whiners, overachievers, princesses, and jocks. I just love them to smithereens. My 6th graders just wrapped up a unit on Helen Keller, and it was so much fun to see their minds wrap around something new and to hear my old group rehash what they learned/remembered from their encounter with Helen Keller last year. It made me proud that they had remembered so much of what we learned about her and to hear how much they enjoyed it. Several of them told me that it had been their favorite book. That's not something you hear from many middle school aged kids. If you want a good read, try The Story of My Life, by Helen Keller. You won't regret it.

GARDEN

We recently took out the back side of the garden that was a grapevine wall. It was very much an ordeal that GardenDaddy had no desire to participate in, but I managed to con him into it anyway. So, that took several days of clearing, chopping, burning, etc. We added the rest of the fencing to enclose the enlarged area where the grapevine had been. Now, the plan is to level the inside of the garden--which involves me with a tiller....YEEHAW, add a plank swing and a ginormous fountain in the center (which we have purchased and waiting), lay a flagstone path, move all of the large pieces (crepe myrtles, etc.) to new locations in the garden and start over with some new permanent plantings. Got that? To make a long story short, I have a lot of work to do. I'm happy to report that a garden (and some irrigation pipes) are being installed by a landscaper on the other side of the yard. A girl has got to know her limitations (regrets to Dirty Harry.)

HOUSE

I'm dreaming of a new kitchen and keeping my fingers crossed. We're still at a deadlock over adding on versus building a new house. Either way, the work we have planned will go on, but we have to come to some agreement soon. DaddyPinkie's business is eating our house.

TRIPS

We're planning on going to Biltmore during Spring Break. Can I tell you how excited about this trip I am? I have dreamed of going to Biltmore for years. And years. And yes, years. Speaking of dreaming for years, if GardenDaddy can not accompany me to England this summer, there is a very real possibility that I'm going to see Ang alone. (Whether she likes it or not! HAHAHAA!) What is standing in my way, you ask? Flying over the ocean. I'm phobic. It's no secret. When I say phobic, I mean, Dr. Phil time people. Ang assures me that I can do it. She who flies across oceans for the heck of it. And enjoys it. Sigh. Still, I think of all the places I HAVE to see. I can't NOT go. Right?

Of course, Jack is planning a trip to Lima, Ohio to ride some train. I'm not thinking so.

TV

Survivor is back. Why did they have to vote of Chicken? What the heck? He was pure comedy. The Gravedigger. Gee. Nice underwear. I'm almost sad they voted off the wrestler with the boobs. She really liked stirring stuff up. Bear Grylles. Have you heard? If not, I'll not go into it. He broke my heart. You can Google and read all about it. Beware. It ain't pretty. Now then....Dirty Jobs. If they would ever produce a new episode, I might have something interesting to tell you about and poetry to dedicate to Mike Rowe. Since they seem opposed to doing a new episode, I'll just have to be happy with the re-runs.

Well, I suppose I'm fresh out of topics. PinkieDaddy is waiting for me to watch a movie with him anway, so I guess I better shut this off. Happy weekend!