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I'll be heading home in a few minutes. I've had a wonderful trip. This part of the country has something historical for just about anyone, I'd guess. We roamed around the National Marine Corps Museum on Thursday, a beautiful structure with many inspiring exhibits, plus real planes and helicopters to examine. Then on Friday we visited Mannassas, hiking for several miles through the preserved battleground. On Sunday we took a trolley tour of DC, spending extra time at the National Cathedral, the White House, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Arlington National Cemetary. Finally, on Sunday, we spent an enjoyable time exploring Mount Vernon, the buildings and the grounds...especially relaxing on a short cruise on the Potomac River. Sunday night I had the best meal of my entire life...I think. It was at a small restaurant in old town Alexandria, called The Wharf. I must describe the food: seared gigantic scallops, lobster succotash, broccoli au gratin, and mixed berry creme brulee. Wow!! We had other nice meals, and I was happy to taste David's favorite hamburger in this area...a yummy creation at Five Guys.
I'm looking forward to being home, but not to driving this alleged 6 1/2 hour trip. Oh well, I have a book on CD to finish, and I get to sleep in my own bed tonight.
This week will be full, with a couple of church activities/meetings and a lunch with a couple of my Kirtland teaching buddies. I hope to get into my classroom and assess the situation, maybe even begin moving some stuff around and "decorating". Next week (Aug 28) is teacher work day, then classes resume on Tuesday, Sep. 2.
Well, the road is calling my name, and hopefully the nasty DC traffic will be manageable this late in the morning.
***** Tuesday, 08-19-08 update
I'm home. Pansy survived without me, but Jon-David says that she acted like she was mentally ill while I was gone. Hmmm...I'm not sure what that means. But she was super happy to see me, and has been an angel since I've been home. I am going to do some cleaning projects and maybe some sewing for the remainder of my vay kay. Maybe I can finish my one book I had hoped to read over the summer, as well...Austen's Mansfield Park. I listened to The Memory-Keeper's Daughter during my DC journey, and it was pretty good. I also bought a short bio of Martha Washington that I hope to squeeze in. I need a haircut, and hair-coloring ASAP.
Boy, it's good to be home. But I'm missing my three far-away grandkids... |
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I'm enjoying the odd and quiet setting of a hotel room at the moment. I arrived at about 10:30 last night in Stafford, Virginia, outside of Quantico. David has a pretty nice set-up at the Marriott here, a small but well-supplied suite. I just finished my computer-related business...the church e-newsletter and his work expenses, so I thought I'd update my blog.
I had a really nice time with the Naums. Isaac got his first pair of glasses on Tuesday, and he looks just as cute as can be. I was also able to take head shots of Olivia and Barry for the Club Escuela project. The really nice part of this project that has been undertaken by Hannah and me is that it is giving us a reason to start experimenting with doing portraits in a kind of off-beat way...but some of the results, no, ALL of the results have been successful.
So, I'm in Virginia now and am looking forward to some sight-seeing and a relaxing weekend. Off to lunch now and to see where my husband has been working these last few months. More later... |
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Jon-David sent out this message today:
"I was finally emailed the 2nd best news today. I will not be hacking LeBron or pimping a new zero-turn this fall. I will be receiving autographed memorabilia and it will be put in a place of prominence in Club Escuela. The book closes on the trick shot challenge, but LeBron and the Cavaliers have not "heard" the last from me. Brian Payne and I are working on a tune that we hope will force its way to Cavaliers prominence. The song is entitled "Hands Down, Man's Down". It was inspired by the game play and quote from DeLonte West during the Wizards series this past spring. We hope to share it with you soon.
There, There... Let us not have tears. I have some good news.
If you recall an email I sent out a month ago or so I said that our campaign had two goals: 1. To play LeBron. 2. For one of my voters to win 5 large. The latter was achieved. I am proud to announce that Grant Gritzmacher (a good friend of Brian Payne) has won the dough. Grant lives in CT with his wife and newborn son and plays bluegrass music with Brian and me when he is in town. His favorite artists are Woody Guthrie and Kelly Clarkson.
Thanks again for your votes and support,
Jon-David"
So...there you have it. We don't know which other video actually won; I suppose a formal announcement will come out at some future time.
I went to the first day of a 2-day training today; it is the basic training for the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) for non-verbal individuals. It was really an enjoyable day, and I'm looking forward to tomorrow's session. I met a really nice couple (dad is a physician) who have a young daughter (17 months) who is non-verbal and they suspect has Autism. We did our group activities together, and they were just great.
Next week I'm going east to Harrisburg, Quantico, and Washington, DC; I think I may be the oldest American to have never been in DC, but I'll remedy that soon. I get to see Olivia and family, too...what a bonus!
To relax, I have started a little knitting project. I did not think I would still remember knitting and purling, but it all came back to me. I am not happy with my ability to cast on stitches to begin, but I'll get Olivia to coach me next week. I'm making some of those super easy and super cool knitted washcloths...I just love those.
I'm enjoying the 20-minute challenge on pleo hosted/sponsored by her. Today is day 7, and I'm all good. Today I walked several blocks in downtown Cleveland during my lunch hour to get in my time. I feel really good! |
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If you know what one of these is, why have you not sung its praises to the highest heights? Why have I never heard of this until today? I am breathing more easily thanks to you, dear Neti. You freaked me out at first, but once I got used to you, you did your job well.
Thanks, Neti...and thanks to Hannah for turning me on to your simple, soothing ways. |
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That's how I feel! My phone just won't stop ringing. Things must be slow in the old on-line graduate programs. I've had calls from Grand Canyon University (Phoenix), St. Joseph University (Philadelphia), and Abilene Christian University. The programs are very similar for a Master of Education in Special Education...36 hours, between $400 and $500 per hour. I'll need to verify the acceptability in Ohio for each program. The thing I'm liking about two of the programs is the freedom to take a class at a time, making it easier to do my job well while getting these credentials. Also this will let me avoid a huge financial hit every semester by spreading it evenly over the life of the program; I'm not interested in accruing any more debt. Most recently I spoke with Grand Canyon and they were talking scholarships/grants...that got my attention!
Does anyone remember that game...Miss Popularity? How about Mystery Date? Then the ever popular Barbie - Queen of the Prom?? I loved those games; they really fed the vanity and unrealistic expectations of little girls in the 60's. Come to think of it, they weren't too helpful for little boys back then; have mercy on the unfortunate boy named Poindexter, after his namesake was the dud of the Barbie game. Yeah, those were some of my fave games.
Cash is loving the little pool we set up. I babysat him for a couple of hours while Hannah had lunch with a friend; we got along quite well.
Must go pick blueberries now. |
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