Things you learn in high school are useful!

When you're a high school student sitting in a math class that seems more like a foreign language class, you sit there and wonder:  do I really need to use sine and cosine when I get out into the real world, will I really care what x equals, will I ever see a quadrilateral on the side of the road and need a geometry proof?  Sorry Mr. Lewis, Mr. Derwort, and Mrs. Danford but the answer is no!

Of course, certain classes like Mrs. Mercer and Mrs. Dodson's literature classes are very handy now that I have children who are starting to read chapter books. Hopefully they will continue to love to read into high school and we can share opinions on the books that I read when I was in high school.  And thanks to Mrs. Monbrum's Typing I and Typing II classes, I am a whiz at all the typing games on the computer.  But there are two classes that I took just for fun, to fill up time slots during my junior and senior year, Spanish I and Spanish II.  Little did I know that these classes would be beneficial for me during the 2000's.  I never thought in a million years that I would need to know Spanish.  I dislike airplanes therefore, I will never be traveling to a Spanish speaking foreign country and need to ask, Donde esta el bano? (Imagine the little squiggly mark above the n). And I didn't live in an area where there was anybody that spoke Spanish as a first or second language.

Let's pause from the topic for a moment and let me tell you a few things about these Spanish classes.  First, they were the weirdest classes, I ever took in my life.  Second, the very first day of Spanish I the teacher, Mr. Salanik, brought out a guitar and sang La Bamba like it was no big deal.  What?!? Teachers don't sing in the class!  From then on I knew this class was different. Third, the homework sheets, quizzes, and tests were handwritten by him.  He would use the names of the students in class for the sentences he used.  Of course, he always thought it was funny if Harry el gusta bailar with Barbie, or Michelle, or Susan, or anybody else but me.  The teacher would look at me and smile to see if it was bothering me.  He was an odd duck I do have to admit.  I did good in the classes.  Got an A in both.  It was fun at the time and then forgotten when I went to college.

It dawned on me the other day, that I took those Spanish classes all those years ago, so I could one day correctly read any Dora the Explorer book that was brought to me by my three girls!  I know how to pronounce the words (still can't roll my R's) correctly, I can tell the girls what the Spanish words mean (without having to look at the index at the back of the book with the English words written next to them), and  most importantly, I look like the smartest mom in the world to my three girls because I can understand a foreign language (to a certain extent).

So, I guess I do owe Mr. Salanik a thank you for teaching me Spanish.  It's good to know that my time studying in high school is finally paying off!  Adios!

The beginning of a new year...2013

My family rang in 2013 with a wild game of Power Puff Girl Monopoly followed by Clue. In which, both games were won by Wendy. We had a few appetizers, watched Dick Clark's Rockin New Year's Eve, had some sparkling Grape Juice for the toast, noisemakers for the celebration, and a passed out 5 year old.

My Granny used to say whatever you do on New Year's Day you will do all year!  We always agreed with her and therefore, we would sit around in our PJ's all day, playing games, watching T.V., and eating left over Christmas candy and cookies.  That was all nice and fine when you're 15 but not when you're 40!  My New Years' Day consisted of doing dishes, laundry, making dinner, and catching up on a ton of Girl Scout stuff.  So I guess my year will consist of doing dishes, laundry, making dinner, and catching up on a ton of Girl Scout stuff.  As I think on this it's really not so bad.  Making dinner means I have the funds to feed my family and that we are not eating out.  Doing the dishes and laundry means that I have a wonderful family that God has given me to take care of.  And as for Girl Scouts, I love my Scouts so doing for them makes me happy.  (On a side note, I also watched T.V., played on Webkinz, and messed around on Facebook so the year's good).

The New Year is also a time for making resolutions.  While I don't think I have ever kept a New Year's resolution in my life, they are still fun to think about and it's just something you must do on New Year's Day.  My resolutions for 2013 are probably the same as many years passed and also the same as many of yours.  I resolve to continue to eat healthier therefore continue on my weight loss journey.  Had a little set back during the Holiday season but I am back on the road as of today.  I resolve to have more fun with my family.  Because of all the sadness that took place before Christmas in that little Connecticut school, it made me see that time is precious and I take that for granted.  So, more fun times with the girls--movies, games, reading, going places, mommy and me dates.  I also resolve to make God a more prominent figure in my life.  Of course, I read the Bible but not as much as I should.  I go to church, but then forget about it throughout the week.  I pray, but only when I want something.  I have begun a devotional that mom gave me for my birthday, called Patterns of Grace.  The very first devotional had this Bible verse:  "Great is his faithfulness, his mercies begin afresh each morning" Lamentations 3:23.  What a great way to begin a year!  Even if I fail at any one of these resolutions or anything else in life, God will be there to wipe away my failures so that I can start afresh each morning.

I am looking forward to making this year a great one for me and my family!  May your 2013 be filled with love, happiness, and all things good!