Prayers for my dad, please. He's not doing well at all. Today was not a good day.

"You may have fallen down, but, don't STAY down. Get back up..."

I'm trying. I'm trying really hard to get back up. It's taking me longer than I'd expected, but, I am getting there. Sometimes people say things without even realizing what they've told you. Sometimes you get answers in the silence. Sometimes, no, most of the time, I can read between the lines.

I've been watching Joel Osteen a lot lately. It's amazing how everything he says seems to fit, perfectly. What a way to look at life. I LOVE listening to him.

God is an amazing God. He is good. ALWAYS.

Why?

Oh, CRUD!!!! I forgot to turn in my letter of intent!!! Today was the deadline!!! I think, or is it next Friday??? (must check on that Tuesday!) Darn, guess I'll have to go to Alaska now!!! or Texas? or Australia? Somewhere, anywhere....I seriously think Alaska is sounding pretty good though. I don't think I've ever lived anywhere as long as I've lived here. In my whole life. I'm a nomad, or is it "nomad-ess"? Ha!! Got the itch to move. Soon. Maybe I just need to take a road trip. Maybe the cabin fever from all the snow last week and the week before is JUST NOW catching up with me!! I just want to go. I want to walk, drive, fly, or cruise. I don't care, I just want to go. Get the heck out of Dodge. But, I can't. At least not until Spring Break or the end of May. Maybe not even then, who knows? I just want to run, well, maybe not run....drive. Get in my truck and just drive, forever.

TGIF!!!!! I'm SO glad the world's longest week is over!!!! After being out for most of the last two weeks for snow, this week seemed to drag on forever.
Did the workshop thing yesterday, then, got a wonderful massage. Have missed my weekly massage the last two or three weeks. I slept REALLY well last night. It was SO hard to get up and go to work this morning. Now, exactly three weeks until Spring Break!!! Yay!!

I found a gift certificate to Two Sisters in my mailbox at school today. I thought everyone received one, however, it turns out I won a door prize!! On Wednesday, the Parent Support Group fed us a wonderful lasagna/salad meal, and I won one of the door prizes that they gave out!! Can't wait to go use my certificate!!

Hump day! I think I might be able to survive the rest of the week now. Only two more days. Tomorrow, I go to ANOTHER workshop, then, yet another on Monday. I'm so ready to be done with all the workshops scheduled for this year. I'd much rather be in class, with my kiddos.

Counting the days until Spring Break!! Can't wait!!

God is good.

Normally, they give us until April 10th to decide if we are returning to teach the following year. This year, we have to let them know by this Friday, or at least sign the letter of intent. What's up with that? I don't understand why they're making us decide so early this year. I need more time to decide. Seriously thinking about moving to Alaska. Why not? I need to get back on the website and finish the application I started and just see where it takes me. Fairbanks has already e-mailed me (even though the application is only partially completed), and notified me of the interviews/job fair in March. The application stays online for 25 or 30(?) days, and anyone in the school system in Alaska is able to view it. I can even do my interview by Skype, instead of having to go in person.

What to do? What to do?? Some days, I just want to run away.

Thanks, and Happy Valentine's Day to you too.

For some reason the following keeps popping up in my path, in various places:

"When the time was right,
the sea parted,
the walls fell down,
the lions went hungry,
the sun stood still,
the waves were calm,
the stone was rolled away,
the clouds were parted,
the Lord ascended...
And when the time is right,
the King of Kings will return.

God is never early and He's never late --
He's always right on time and His plan for you is good."

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

I can't count how many times I've encountered these words in the last few months. I guess God is trying to tell me something. What a comfort this verse has been to me over and over the last several months. What is really ironic is that this verse was the verse chosen by Morgan's Senior class as their verse.

On a different note, while in B'ville, a young girl ran up to me, in the store, and gave me a hug. She was one of my middle school students that just moved away right after Christmas. She was absolutely one of my favorites. She was a very, very sweet girl, who had the most infectious laughter. Every day she laughed and always had a smile, such a happy kiddo. Yet, I learned later that this was one of many homeless children in our building. I would've taken her home in a heartbeat. She was just one of those good, good kids that you couldn't help but love to pieces. God knew I needed a hug today, and He sent an angel to give me a great big 'ol hug. Thank you, Lord. I love you. Please take care of that precious little angel, watch over her, and make sure she has a warm home, food, and warm clothes.

God is good.

48 degrees for the high today in B'ville. What a difference a day makes!! 70 degrees difference from yesterday!! Felt nice outside today. I got a huge portion of my driveway shoveled this morning. My dad came over and tried to help me, with me begging him to stop. I'm so scared he's going to overdo it and pass out or have another stroke or seizure. I finally convinced him that I wasn't going anywhere and that I was stopping. After he drove off, I finished up as much as I could do for today. I'm so tired of shoveling snow.

I went to B'ville later with Jake, Amanda, and the baby. We went to eat at one of the Chinese restaurants. Then, we went to the store and bought a few supplies. We had a good time. It was good to get out of the house.

I guess the cabin fever finally hit today. Not having such a good day, but, actually, I don't really think it's related to being stuck inside. That really hasn't bothered me. I'm a homebody, I guess. Just not doing too great today.

Morgan is coming home later tonight. She's been gone since last Sunday.

:(

What a day!! Woke up to NO electricity at 7 a.m., this morning, and -31 degree temperatures!! A record low for the state, EVER. Bartlesville was -28 degrees. The whole town was out of electricity. Amanda and the baby had spent the last two nights with me. Jake had to stay in Tulsa the last two nights for work again. After we ate breakfast, we decided to go over to Jake and Amanda's house. They have a gas cook stove, so Amanda said she'd go over and shut off the living room and kitchen doorways, and turn the heat on. We bundled Jakob up and I kept him here until she got everything ready. We went over and it was so nice, warm, and toasty!! Thank goodness for gas stoves!! What a difference. It was less than 40 degrees inside my house, probably lower, actually.

We finally got electricity restored around noon. I went back to my house to find that I had no water!! I had left all of my faucets running, yet, I still had no water!! I was sure hoping my pipes hadn't frozen!! Some of my friend's pipes froze when we had -18 last week. Thankfully, a couple of hours later, my water came back on.

Jake was planning on coming home this evening, so, his driveway needed to be shoveled again, so he could pull into it. I went out and shoveled almost all the way to the road, then, Amanda came out and shoveled the huge piles of snow the grader had pushed up to the driveway, at least a couple of feet deep. We worked hard. Yesterday, I shoveled a path between my house and Jake's. That's a calorie burner, for sure!! Whew!! Hmmm....seems like just the other day, we did this. This last snow filled in all of our paths from last week!! Snow, on top of MORE snow! It was good to get out and get some much needed exercise after being stuck inside the last couple of weeks.

Hoping our electricity and water stays on. That's no fun.

God is good.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

Lots of paperwork to do at school again today, of course, there always is, but, even more today, for some reason. The day flew by again!!

I made it home before the snow!! So glad!! I loaded up clothes, toiletries, food, etc., just in case I ended up staying all night with my friend. I came on home as soon as school was out. It was SO cold, I think I shook halfway home. I unloaded all of my supplies out of the truck, sat down for a few minutes, then, texted Amanda to see if she needed any help with the baby. She said yes, so, I went over when Jakob woke up, and fed him while she did a few things she needed to do.

I'm REALLY hoping we get enough snow to call off school!! Several schools have already cancelled, even before the snow has started. We still have tons of snow on the ground from last weeks snow!! I actually have drifts that are still at least a foot or two deep!! Come on snow!!! :)

God is good.

It had been a full week since I'd left the house. I attempted to back out of my driveway this morning and almost got stuck in the ice and snow. Messy, messy, messy. The day went by quickly at school, so much to do, so much paperwork, getting prepared for possible days out due to more snow coming, just tons of work. It just flew by, way too fast.

Errands to run after school, done quickly, then, home to shovel my driveway. I decided I didn't want another episode like this morning. I shoveled quite a bit, then, decided to back my truck in, hopefully, making it easier to get out of the driveway in the morning. Oops!! Unfortunately, I got the truck stuck!! Ugh!! Had to dig out with the snow shovel. Finally, got the truck unstuck and finished shoveling enough (I hope!) to get out in the morning without getting stuck.

Got mail today, for the first time in a week!! Yay!

Ugh...can this school year go any slower? Yes, today went fast, but, I have a feeling the rest of the year is going to drag by like molasses in the winter time...

I miss my mom. This house is so big and so lonely. I think I'll move. Far, far away. Alaska, Texas, Australia, anywhere but here. I just need to go. Maybe that will help, I don't know?

I need to pack. Supposed to snow tomorrow, so, I may have to spend a night or two in B'ville. I'm going to be prepared, just in case. I'd rather be at home though, but, a very sweet friend has offered to let me stay at her house if it gets too icy.

Watched the Super Bowl with Jake, Amanda, and Jakob. Good food, lots of baby snuggles and kisses, awesome night! Morgan went to watch the Super Bowl with her boyfriend.

I go back to school tomorrow. Boy, did I get spoiled, being off for four out of five days last week!! Paper work, here I come!!! Ugh....

"Picture perfect memories, scattered all around the floor.
Reaching for the phone cause, I can't fight it any more.
And I wonder if I ever cross your mind.
For me it happens all the time." Lady Antebellum

Oh, and DITTO! :)

Jake, Amanda, and Jakob came over earlier today. They said that Jakob had said "Grammy"!! So, they brought him over to see me!!! We played in the floor like we always do, then, he started getting tired and sleepy, so they took him home to let him take a nap. Then, they came over and had supper with us later this evening. I made two different quiches, and an ooey, gooey, apple pie/tart thing. Amanda brought some Salisbury steak, potatoes, and green beans over. We had potluck!! It was all good!! I'm stuffed to the gills.

Morgan is getting sick again. She did not take her antibiotics to Raelann and Adrean's house, so, being stuck there all week, did not take those meds., so, is now feeling sick again. She took all of her heart meds., but, forgot the antibiotics. She has not been well long enough to get her flu shot!! If she ever gets over this, we HAVE to go get flu shots, asap!!!

Did not get to check my e-mail until late tonight, but, was glad to hear from an old friend.

Snow day numero cuatro!! :) Another good day. Morgan finally got to come home later this evening. I got out and helped her shovel some of the driveway, so she could pull onto it. Ugh!! That's hard work!! Definitely good exercise!

Jake went back to work today. Then, this afternoon, it started snowing again! It took him two and a half hours to get home from Tulsa. It's normally an hour from downtown, I think, from where he works to his front door. It's scary, waiting on the kids to make it home safely. But, they both made it, thank the Lord.

I feel really bad saying this because most everyone else is going stir crazy being stuck inside during the snows aftermath, but, I am thoroughly enjoying the days off!! I still LOVE my snow days!!! I haven't gotten bored once!! I still have plenty to do to keep me busy!! I can always clean and organize the house, do laundry, read, or watch a movie. I don't understand how people can get bored. There's always something to do.

Praying for a good friend who had a very serious surgery today.

God is good.

Third snow day! Another one tomorrow! I got out and shoveled off my porch, a path to Jake's house, Jake's porch, and the end of the driveway, so, he could pull up into his driveway. Someone made a couple of rounds last night and bladed the road in front of my house, which pushed up a huge pile of snow in front of the driveways. I was afraid Jake wouldn't even be able to pull up over it when he got home. He, Amanda, and the baby were able to make it home from Tulsa today. I was very worried about their drive home, but, they made it home safely. Thank you, Lord. Now, to get Morgan home! She's going to try to get home tomorrow. I think the roads will be a little bit better tomorrow, or at least I hope so. Jake said the highways were not bad, just the city streets and on/off ramps.

Amanda requested some of my homemade chicken noodle soup, so, they came over and had some for supper this evening. I got to play with Jakob for awhile! It's been a good day. Loving my snow days!!

Been alone since Monday evening. I mean ALL alone. Lots of time to think. I thought it would be hard to be alone. I was pretty upset when I found out I would be all alone, on Monday night. However, it's been very quiet, peaceful, and actually quite nice. I still miss my kids. But, turning off all of the alarms has been so nice, and I actually slept in today. Yesterday, I woke up at 4:30, but, today, I actually slept in until about 8:30 or 9:00ish.

I'm enjoying my snow days. Tomorrow is another snow day. I suspect Friday will be, as well. I needed these days off. I was ready for a breather. Thank you, Lord, for the beautiful snow.

God is good.

Another snow day!!! Yippeeee!!! Finally got to get out in it today! Went out to feed and water the dogs, took a few pictures, stayed out for just a few minutes. Brrrrr....it is cold out there!!! But, oh, so pretty!! I love it!!!

My dad is doing better today. No more seizures during the night or anything else. Maybe the additional anti-seizure meds. will help. I hope and pray they do. They will probably spend at least one more night at the hospital.

Enjoying my snow day, even though I'm all alone. Miss my kids though. Would be much more fun if they were here. Taking a few pictures of the snow as it gets deeper and deeper!! There are drifts that are as high as two or three feet high!! Snow is so high up on both my front and back doors, I can barely open them.

Getting ready to do some cleaning, organizing, and maybe a little baking. Looks like I might have a few days to get a lot of chores done! Just praying that none of us lose any power. Praying for those who are having to work outside in these conditions.

After I get my chores all done, I may just have to break out the 'ol paint brushes and do some painting, or get out the sewing machine and make some more corn pillows! I'm feeling a wee bit crafty today!!