Hello to everyone important in my life !!
We were asked to attend the grand opening at the Inn at Crestwood last night. We met Randy and Patricia there and saw the new area they are calling the Lounge at Crestwood. We were very impressed with it's stunning and sophisticated atmosphere. The large room opened to a huge wrap around deck overlooking the mountainous expanse. It was like out of a post card from another country. Indeed a new experience for us Hillbillies here in Appalachia. I would like to say that we will go there, but it is very far away and will have to be just for special occasions.
Our Saturday began early, very early, 3 am early. Raccoons again at the feeder, They can not get in it now with the new top that Dudley engineered, but they can sure try, and they looked pathetic trying. Hanging by one foot, reaching as far down as possible to get the feed inside the trap door,,,,HAHA they couldn't do it! It was fun to watch even tho it was 3am. The Swans, that usually hiss when they do not like something, just watched from the safety of the water as all this was going on, what good are they ? An hour later, more noise, yelping, crying ...I got the spot light again and saw three raccoons at the big pond with deer watching them scamper all around, This place is 'wild' at night !! So, now I am fully awake, I find a place in the sunroom and curl up.
One of the things we pay attention to here on the farm is the weather report, Dudley is very deligent in checking to see if we are going to have rain or frost etc. This kinda gives us an idea to what direction our chores should be done. This past week, after school I mowed the fields before dinner because of the impending rain. Same today, we decided that we had to get some of the wood that had been cut on the driveway split and stacked. So, in a matter of 2hours we had added another cord to the split pile. Glad we rushed, because soon after the rain came down. We will have to do many more sessions on splitting the wood that we had cut in the Spring, It is piled everywhere, even up on the hills. But the reason we started with the pile on the driveway is...TA DA !!!! We will finally have the driveway re-grated and topped with 'crush and run'. Yeah! no more low areas where water collects. no more dirty fenders on Sandi's car !!! Yeah! So, come all you flatlanders...you can get in now without scraping the bottom of your car !!
After a dismal day here, on and off the football field, we are looking forward to the Gators stomping their opponents again tonight! It's great to win!! I might as well gloat this year, because with Tim Tebow gone next year the Gators may struggle..we'll see. Well, I have to put on the rain gear and go feed the Swans , they are waiting for me.
Everybody get your regular Flu shots at least this year !! Love, Sandi
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Good Evening Family and Friends,
This morning started out in the usual fashion, Charlie needing his all over body scratch, coffee, and then a look outside, Two deer in the garden and 4 on Cemetary Hill. The groups did not seem to be together, or even interested in each other. As I went quietly to the front porch, grabbing a quilt now because of the coolness, I startled the 4 deer on the hill and they slowly made their way up behind the red barn and were temporarily out of sight. When they re-emerged high on the 'Highway to Heaven' , they began chasing each other and racing up and down the hill, back and forth, and then nipping each other, for about five minutes they frolicked in the Autumn mist that covers the hill. It was a great start to the day, for them and me.
Dudley decided to begin splitting wood, and filled the splitter with gas, it ran out on to the ground. Two holes had been chewed into the gas tank of the splitter, If it's not one thing it's another, we will definitely have to do some 'thinning' of the animal population around here before they destroy everything we have. Don't know if it was a raccoon or the ground hog, but why ? a gas tank? With that plan scrubbed, Dudley decided to move more of his stuff from the garage to the workshop in the barn. I'm liking this workshop already, it's cleaning out my garage !!
Everything stopped around here as we prepared for the Florida/ Tenn game. It proved to be a great game right up to the last quarter, but Florida kept it's winning streak alive and hopefully will continue to another SEC Championship this year. Tonight is the GA / Arkansas game, Allison has already called 3 times, as she is in the stadium at Fayetteville having a great time.
Dudley and I got in the hot tub tonight, a very nice relaxing bath for tired muscles and minds. It is especially nice when the air turns cooler. The view from tub is great and private, no need for suits, just a quick glance around for the UPS truck driving in ..just fooling.
I'ts getting dark earlier here in the Mountains, and it is not even Daylight Savings Time yet. That will change by the end of October and then it will be dark at 5pm. So I had better enjoy the last remaining days of late afternoon light while I have it.
Well everyone, I hope you are all well, no swine flu yet ? With me working in a Kindergarten I suspect I will come down with alot of strange things..yuck. oh well, hazards of the job. I'm still really enjoying the kids and the school. more on them later.
Take care and I'll talk to you all soon. Love much, Sandi
This morning started out in the usual fashion, Charlie needing his all over body scratch, coffee, and then a look outside, Two deer in the garden and 4 on Cemetary Hill. The groups did not seem to be together, or even interested in each other. As I went quietly to the front porch, grabbing a quilt now because of the coolness, I startled the 4 deer on the hill and they slowly made their way up behind the red barn and were temporarily out of sight. When they re-emerged high on the 'Highway to Heaven' , they began chasing each other and racing up and down the hill, back and forth, and then nipping each other, for about five minutes they frolicked in the Autumn mist that covers the hill. It was a great start to the day, for them and me.
Dudley decided to begin splitting wood, and filled the splitter with gas, it ran out on to the ground. Two holes had been chewed into the gas tank of the splitter, If it's not one thing it's another, we will definitely have to do some 'thinning' of the animal population around here before they destroy everything we have. Don't know if it was a raccoon or the ground hog, but why ? a gas tank? With that plan scrubbed, Dudley decided to move more of his stuff from the garage to the workshop in the barn. I'm liking this workshop already, it's cleaning out my garage !!
Everything stopped around here as we prepared for the Florida/ Tenn game. It proved to be a great game right up to the last quarter, but Florida kept it's winning streak alive and hopefully will continue to another SEC Championship this year. Tonight is the GA / Arkansas game, Allison has already called 3 times, as she is in the stadium at Fayetteville having a great time.
Dudley and I got in the hot tub tonight, a very nice relaxing bath for tired muscles and minds. It is especially nice when the air turns cooler. The view from tub is great and private, no need for suits, just a quick glance around for the UPS truck driving in ..just fooling.
I'ts getting dark earlier here in the Mountains, and it is not even Daylight Savings Time yet. That will change by the end of October and then it will be dark at 5pm. So I had better enjoy the last remaining days of late afternoon light while I have it.
Well everyone, I hope you are all well, no swine flu yet ? With me working in a Kindergarten I suspect I will come down with alot of strange things..yuck. oh well, hazards of the job. I'm still really enjoying the kids and the school. more on them later.
Take care and I'll talk to you all soon. Love much, Sandi
Monday, September 14, 2009
FIFTEEN MINUTES TO
Good Appalachian evening everyone !!
Dudley is cooking dinner and I thought I would give you a quick rundown on the day's events. Not that they were all that exciting, but here goes.
This morning, after a restless night's sleep for whatever reasons.?.I got up at 6:45am and enjoyed what I suspected to be one of the last few warmer mornings. It is wonderful to greet the day outside on the deck and hope to spy a wild night straggler that has not quite made it into the cover for day. I will miss the soft light, breeze and smells that is a mountain summer morning. The winter will be here soon enough.
The drive to Little Milligan School is 15 minutes. it is along the prettiest part of 321 towards Watagua Lake. It wouldn't take that long except that the road winds and curves so much you had better have your breakfast completely digested, or you are in for a surprise. The route takes you by a huge mountain face of solid rock that was cut away to make the road in the 50's. After years of DOT shoring it up, pinning. and netting, it still cascades rocks down onto the road, that's what happens when you try to fool with Mother Nature.. 321 was actually closed a few years ago because of rock slides in this area
Then, the route slopes and winds down to the Elk River, where our closest convenience store is located. There you will find a gas station and a locally owned diner. The diner is called the Elk Mills Diner and is famous for their good and cheap food. The surroundings give you pause when you enter, but at least the cement block walls are now painted and there is a curtain on the window, courtesy of Dudley's mother Shirley. When the diner's owners decided to 'redecorate' 10 years ago, she presented them with the only kind of curtain she knew how to make. After about 6 years, they washed it and put it back up, So there it is still. Every time we would come to the Farm during the last 25 years, Mom and Dad Carter would take us to the Elk Mill Diner. It was a great treat,..no one had to dress up, wash their hair, wear make-up or have manners, and ball caps were required. It is still a great memory but one that is not often revisited, because of the nature of the food, Don't get me wrong, it is sanitary, but not too healthy to say the least and our tastes have gravitated to more Bistro.
After I pass the infamous Elk Mill Diner on 321, which by the way should be a 'must do' on your list when you are in the area, I continue my easy downward slope to the Watauga Lake. The Watauga Lake was made in the 1940's by the TVA to stop the area from uncontrollable flooding and to supply much needed electric to the surrounding area. The whole town of Butler TN was moved to it's present day location so that the Dam could be built. The Lake, which is really a Reservoir, stretches hundred's of miles and has many marinas and recreational and camping spots. Around the lake I travel, always noting the level of the water, because in years past the water has been very low, showing the solid rock sides of the previously unexposed mountain. But today, and lately, the water level is high and everyone is happy, The marinas are happy and the campgrounds are happy and the fishermen are happy.
Then, as I reach the low point on my decent from the Farm, the far away mountains come into view. God, at His finest, uncluttered, unspoiled, uncomplicated. It is a early morning reminder of why I love where I live. It is the spiritual side of this area, the connection with the Earth, unchanging, unyielding, everlasting. I smile , and remember as to where I come . But as a direct contrast...I see.. Kudzu. A vegetation brought into the area by meaningful biologists to control erosion, has covered the natural landscape , producing monster like silhouettes on the local trees and mountain faces. This unnatural and imported vine growth has changed the landscape forever. It will eventually destroy the very essence of the beauty that is Appalachia.
The school signs signal my goal. I slow. I re-adjust, I come down to Earth. I am Teacher.
After a wondrous, breathtaking drive to Little Milligan School, I am greeted by loving children who exclaim,, 'we missed you Ms Carter,, we Love you Ms Carter,',,, Can life be better ? Why am I here?
School is out. I come back the winding road to my Farm. I slow, I re-adjust, I come down to Earth. I am ....
LOVE TO ALL..Sandi
Dudley is cooking dinner and I thought I would give you a quick rundown on the day's events. Not that they were all that exciting, but here goes.
This morning, after a restless night's sleep for whatever reasons.?.I got up at 6:45am and enjoyed what I suspected to be one of the last few warmer mornings. It is wonderful to greet the day outside on the deck and hope to spy a wild night straggler that has not quite made it into the cover for day. I will miss the soft light, breeze and smells that is a mountain summer morning. The winter will be here soon enough.
The drive to Little Milligan School is 15 minutes. it is along the prettiest part of 321 towards Watagua Lake. It wouldn't take that long except that the road winds and curves so much you had better have your breakfast completely digested, or you are in for a surprise. The route takes you by a huge mountain face of solid rock that was cut away to make the road in the 50's. After years of DOT shoring it up, pinning. and netting, it still cascades rocks down onto the road, that's what happens when you try to fool with Mother Nature.. 321 was actually closed a few years ago because of rock slides in this area
Then, the route slopes and winds down to the Elk River, where our closest convenience store is located. There you will find a gas station and a locally owned diner. The diner is called the Elk Mills Diner and is famous for their good and cheap food. The surroundings give you pause when you enter, but at least the cement block walls are now painted and there is a curtain on the window, courtesy of Dudley's mother Shirley. When the diner's owners decided to 'redecorate' 10 years ago, she presented them with the only kind of curtain she knew how to make. After about 6 years, they washed it and put it back up, So there it is still. Every time we would come to the Farm during the last 25 years, Mom and Dad Carter would take us to the Elk Mill Diner. It was a great treat,..no one had to dress up, wash their hair, wear make-up or have manners, and ball caps were required. It is still a great memory but one that is not often revisited, because of the nature of the food, Don't get me wrong, it is sanitary, but not too healthy to say the least and our tastes have gravitated to more Bistro.
After I pass the infamous Elk Mill Diner on 321, which by the way should be a 'must do' on your list when you are in the area, I continue my easy downward slope to the Watauga Lake. The Watauga Lake was made in the 1940's by the TVA to stop the area from uncontrollable flooding and to supply much needed electric to the surrounding area. The whole town of Butler TN was moved to it's present day location so that the Dam could be built. The Lake, which is really a Reservoir, stretches hundred's of miles and has many marinas and recreational and camping spots. Around the lake I travel, always noting the level of the water, because in years past the water has been very low, showing the solid rock sides of the previously unexposed mountain. But today, and lately, the water level is high and everyone is happy, The marinas are happy and the campgrounds are happy and the fishermen are happy.
Then, as I reach the low point on my decent from the Farm, the far away mountains come into view. God, at His finest, uncluttered, unspoiled, uncomplicated. It is a early morning reminder of why I love where I live. It is the spiritual side of this area, the connection with the Earth, unchanging, unyielding, everlasting. I smile , and remember as to where I come . But as a direct contrast...I see.. Kudzu. A vegetation brought into the area by meaningful biologists to control erosion, has covered the natural landscape , producing monster like silhouettes on the local trees and mountain faces. This unnatural and imported vine growth has changed the landscape forever. It will eventually destroy the very essence of the beauty that is Appalachia.
The school signs signal my goal. I slow. I re-adjust, I come down to Earth. I am Teacher.
After a wondrous, breathtaking drive to Little Milligan School, I am greeted by loving children who exclaim,, 'we missed you Ms Carter,, we Love you Ms Carter,',,, Can life be better ? Why am I here?
School is out. I come back the winding road to my Farm. I slow, I re-adjust, I come down to Earth. I am ....
LOVE TO ALL..Sandi
Saturday, September 12, 2009
LITTLE MILLIGAN SCHOOL
Eight years ago today our world changed. Let's all remember the way we felt that day, and the way we felt the weeks after, when we put patriotic stickers on our cars and hung American Flags from our porches. Why do we need to have a tragedy to befall us to know what is good and true? Even in our own personal lives we forget how truly blessed we are everyday, we become complacent and even bored sometimes with the mundane things that make up our lives. Always wanting more. I bet everyone of the people killed on 911 would gladly trade places with anyone of us if they could live out their lives doing the same things we find taxing. Find pleasure in everything !
Little Milligan School. An old building, built in the 50's, simple concrete with large windows and high ceilings, chipped linoleum floors, exposed pipes and hanging 'schoolhouse' light fixtures. But the rough physical appearance of the building belies the loving family atmosphere of the teaching environment inside. These Appalachian kids are getting the finest education without all the distractions that city kids face. There are no drugs, no gangs, no clothing jealousies, no soda and candy machines, no bells and no locked security doors. Parents come and go, two stray dogs live at the school loved by all, the principal was a student there as a boy and then a janitor and then a teacher, giving real ownership to the job. He is so loved, that when he walks into the lunchroom during lunch, the kids spontaneously chant 'JR, JR, JR' ! ! his name. Did anyone of us have a principal like that ?
On the other hand, the children that make up the 150 student body are some of the poorest in the country. They come from families that have lived in this part of Appalachia for a century, subsistence farmers most, they had no fluoride in their well water and of course no dental care, so alot of the children even in Kindergarten show horrible tooth decay and gum disease already. Again, some of us hate going to the dentist, but these kids would probably jump at the chance to go. It's all a matter of perspective isn't it?
I have obligated myself to working with the Kindergarten 4 days a week. I am exhausted when I come home but in a good way. I know that I am helping mold little lives, not that I have all the answers, as I am learning as much as the kids are, mainly about myself. As I have said before, retirement has given me the freedom to explore other things. And I find the more I let go of the 'details' of my life, the more life I have.
Moral. Don't sweat the small stuff.
Love to you all... Sandi
Little Milligan School. An old building, built in the 50's, simple concrete with large windows and high ceilings, chipped linoleum floors, exposed pipes and hanging 'schoolhouse' light fixtures. But the rough physical appearance of the building belies the loving family atmosphere of the teaching environment inside. These Appalachian kids are getting the finest education without all the distractions that city kids face. There are no drugs, no gangs, no clothing jealousies, no soda and candy machines, no bells and no locked security doors. Parents come and go, two stray dogs live at the school loved by all, the principal was a student there as a boy and then a janitor and then a teacher, giving real ownership to the job. He is so loved, that when he walks into the lunchroom during lunch, the kids spontaneously chant 'JR, JR, JR' ! ! his name. Did anyone of us have a principal like that ?
On the other hand, the children that make up the 150 student body are some of the poorest in the country. They come from families that have lived in this part of Appalachia for a century, subsistence farmers most, they had no fluoride in their well water and of course no dental care, so alot of the children even in Kindergarten show horrible tooth decay and gum disease already. Again, some of us hate going to the dentist, but these kids would probably jump at the chance to go. It's all a matter of perspective isn't it?
I have obligated myself to working with the Kindergarten 4 days a week. I am exhausted when I come home but in a good way. I know that I am helping mold little lives, not that I have all the answers, as I am learning as much as the kids are, mainly about myself. As I have said before, retirement has given me the freedom to explore other things. And I find the more I let go of the 'details' of my life, the more life I have.
Moral. Don't sweat the small stuff.
Love to you all... Sandi
Monday, September 7, 2009
Laverne and Buddy
Hello Everyone !
Labor Day
Hope everyone is enjoying their day off. College Football games are on and the hint of Fall in the air. A great time of year!
We were blessed this weekend with a visit from our dear friends from GA. Laverne and Buddy. Our friendship started in a rather bizarre way. You see, Dudley and Buddy worked at the Nuclear Plant together, and knew each other for years. But separately, Laverne and I knew each other through the arts community in Augusta. It was at one such huge art show that our husbands were helping us set up our booths and they ran into each other, Dudley introduces me to his friend Buddy from the Plant, and then Buddy tells me that his wife Laverne has a booth in another part of the building.... recognizing her name, a new relationship between the four of us began..and has lasted, thru the up's and down's of life's changes all these years, and for that, I am grateful.
So, their quick trip to the mountains was a welcomed one. We spent much of the time on the front porch, as usual, and catching up with grandchild's pictures and all of our children's progress. All was good. Dudley made an excellent dinner and we stuffed ourselves silly. We always eat well when we get together with them. Both men are excellent and innovative cooks. The evening was very late when we went to bed and only in the morning did we find out that Laverne had trouble sleeping. Now, I have trouble sleeping in a strange bed, as alot of people do, but Laverne didn't sleep because after hearing the stories that we told of the wild life and especially the bear sightings around here, she was scared and heard 'noises' all night. Poor Buddy, she kept him up too. !! I think they had a great time, but were probably eager to get back to their quieter less wild neighborhood! I love you Laverne, you have enriched my life, and the amount of laughing we have done over the past few years has surely increased our life expectancy 10 years!!, another 10 years to have you in my life will be a blessing !
The swans are in the Blog again. They never are too far from trouble. The feeder was broken into Sat night and we were up at 4am with the spotlight looking at what was making all the racket at the pond. Raccoons again. Dudley made a special bolted top and we'll see how that goes. Then we noticed that the underwater aerator was 'bubbling' funny. So with Buddy's careful supervision, and the swans and Laverne and I looking on, Dudley donned the waders and went into the pond. It turns out that the air hose was off and the connection broken, You see, the swans have a grand time going under the water to 'play' with the bubbling machine, they position themselves on top of the rolling water at the surface and even have tried to pull the actual aerator up out of the water, we had to weight it down. So who knows how it broke, but I have my suspicions. I have asked Brian to help me start a website so I can write about my swans in depth. They are fascinating and I think other swan keepers could benefit from our cumulative knowledge. When that is up and running I will surely let you know.
Well, thanks everyone for reading my Blog, I hope you are enjoying the mundane things that are my life. What does that say for those of you that are reading this? But I am glad you are, because it is for me, and for you.
Love , Sandi
Labor Day
Hope everyone is enjoying their day off. College Football games are on and the hint of Fall in the air. A great time of year!
We were blessed this weekend with a visit from our dear friends from GA. Laverne and Buddy. Our friendship started in a rather bizarre way. You see, Dudley and Buddy worked at the Nuclear Plant together, and knew each other for years. But separately, Laverne and I knew each other through the arts community in Augusta. It was at one such huge art show that our husbands were helping us set up our booths and they ran into each other, Dudley introduces me to his friend Buddy from the Plant, and then Buddy tells me that his wife Laverne has a booth in another part of the building.... recognizing her name, a new relationship between the four of us began..and has lasted, thru the up's and down's of life's changes all these years, and for that, I am grateful.
So, their quick trip to the mountains was a welcomed one. We spent much of the time on the front porch, as usual, and catching up with grandchild's pictures and all of our children's progress. All was good. Dudley made an excellent dinner and we stuffed ourselves silly. We always eat well when we get together with them. Both men are excellent and innovative cooks. The evening was very late when we went to bed and only in the morning did we find out that Laverne had trouble sleeping. Now, I have trouble sleeping in a strange bed, as alot of people do, but Laverne didn't sleep because after hearing the stories that we told of the wild life and especially the bear sightings around here, she was scared and heard 'noises' all night. Poor Buddy, she kept him up too. !! I think they had a great time, but were probably eager to get back to their quieter less wild neighborhood! I love you Laverne, you have enriched my life, and the amount of laughing we have done over the past few years has surely increased our life expectancy 10 years!!, another 10 years to have you in my life will be a blessing !
The swans are in the Blog again. They never are too far from trouble. The feeder was broken into Sat night and we were up at 4am with the spotlight looking at what was making all the racket at the pond. Raccoons again. Dudley made a special bolted top and we'll see how that goes. Then we noticed that the underwater aerator was 'bubbling' funny. So with Buddy's careful supervision, and the swans and Laverne and I looking on, Dudley donned the waders and went into the pond. It turns out that the air hose was off and the connection broken, You see, the swans have a grand time going under the water to 'play' with the bubbling machine, they position themselves on top of the rolling water at the surface and even have tried to pull the actual aerator up out of the water, we had to weight it down. So who knows how it broke, but I have my suspicions. I have asked Brian to help me start a website so I can write about my swans in depth. They are fascinating and I think other swan keepers could benefit from our cumulative knowledge. When that is up and running I will surely let you know.
Well, thanks everyone for reading my Blog, I hope you are enjoying the mundane things that are my life. What does that say for those of you that are reading this? But I am glad you are, because it is for me, and for you.
Love , Sandi
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
September on the Farm
Hello All !!
We are having Climate Change here in NE Tenn !! The evening breezes are cooler and the mornings alittle chilly! But I suspect we will have more warm days ahead before we really get into Fall. Then the tourists will flock to see the leaf color. They call those people 'leafers' and the local economy loves them. It is a beautiful time of year, but I hate the traffic, especially the motorcycles, but it would be a great way to see the Blue Ridge Parkway wouldn't it ??
I really am liking the freedom that retirement gives me, and i hope to experience different things, after all, as one person said, 'time is running out' Well, I do feel like 40 , so I hope to be able to explore other things for at least another 2o years! Brian is saying , am I going to have to wait that long for the Farm?..No, is the answer, I might be Tahiti by then !! Really, I have never lived anywhere that has given me so much pleasure than this area. I have found out that I gain a quiet strength from the Mountains and the life style here, The people are incredible and the air and water clean, A definite change of lifestyle for sure. But it's not for everyone I guess.
Which brings me to my latest adventure, Dudley is just glad it doesn't cost him any money like the last 'good' idea I had of getting Swans.... But anyway, as I said in a previous post, I am volunteering at the local school. I just presented myself there one morning and they were eager to have me, No background checks, no references, no waterboarding....they took me at my word that I was a retired teacher, and not a sex offender! Amazing in this day and time, Don't tell the rest of the school boards in the country, they may ruin the good thing we got going here. If you want a background check here, like if I wanted to work as a teacher or substitute, you have to pay for it yourself. I guess that makes sense doesn't it ? Simple logic, something missing in today's world,
So I show up Monday morning at 8am, a small hardship since I do tend to enjoy my slow wake up period, coffee, porch, Fox and Friends. etc. but I hurried to my new job, excited and nervous, You see, they put me in Kindergarten with a 25 year old BEAUTIFUL new teacher. She is amazing. I can not say enough about her. If this is what the new teachers are, our students are in great hands. I imagine Desire and Allison being like her. BUT, my role is to support, and because i want her to like me, i am completely her slave, It will take her a while to trust me, but I hope she will, because I am having a ball !!! I really thought I would be better with 4-6 grade, because that's what I am familiar with , but love those screaming munchkins !! They are putty in your hands, They need to learn EVERYTHING !! and 2009 Kindergarten is not like the Kindergarten we knew, they are expected to READ by the end of the year !! Incredible,! but we have known for a long time the early years are the most important in a long successful plan of learning. But it is still the parents that have the most influence over the child's learning curve. The difference is night and day , you can tell which parents have worked with there kids and which ones have let them watch Batman for 4 years. They will never catch up. But enough of my soap box, I love the chance to do this, and as the news gets out in this small school that there is a volunteer in the K program, and they learn that I am the daughter -in- law of Shirley Carter.... I am proud and I feel like I fit in immediately. Reputation is everything sometimes, it can carry you , until you make your own, and that's what I intend to do.
Well, I think that is enough from The Farm today, I wish you all the very best and hope you find joy in your life , and if you don't have it , go look for it, it's worth it the time and effort. Love, Sandi xx oo
We are having Climate Change here in NE Tenn !! The evening breezes are cooler and the mornings alittle chilly! But I suspect we will have more warm days ahead before we really get into Fall. Then the tourists will flock to see the leaf color. They call those people 'leafers' and the local economy loves them. It is a beautiful time of year, but I hate the traffic, especially the motorcycles, but it would be a great way to see the Blue Ridge Parkway wouldn't it ??
I really am liking the freedom that retirement gives me, and i hope to experience different things, after all, as one person said, 'time is running out' Well, I do feel like 40 , so I hope to be able to explore other things for at least another 2o years! Brian is saying , am I going to have to wait that long for the Farm?..No, is the answer, I might be Tahiti by then !! Really, I have never lived anywhere that has given me so much pleasure than this area. I have found out that I gain a quiet strength from the Mountains and the life style here, The people are incredible and the air and water clean, A definite change of lifestyle for sure. But it's not for everyone I guess.
Which brings me to my latest adventure, Dudley is just glad it doesn't cost him any money like the last 'good' idea I had of getting Swans.... But anyway, as I said in a previous post, I am volunteering at the local school. I just presented myself there one morning and they were eager to have me, No background checks, no references, no waterboarding....they took me at my word that I was a retired teacher, and not a sex offender! Amazing in this day and time, Don't tell the rest of the school boards in the country, they may ruin the good thing we got going here. If you want a background check here, like if I wanted to work as a teacher or substitute, you have to pay for it yourself. I guess that makes sense doesn't it ? Simple logic, something missing in today's world,
So I show up Monday morning at 8am, a small hardship since I do tend to enjoy my slow wake up period, coffee, porch, Fox and Friends. etc. but I hurried to my new job, excited and nervous, You see, they put me in Kindergarten with a 25 year old BEAUTIFUL new teacher. She is amazing. I can not say enough about her. If this is what the new teachers are, our students are in great hands. I imagine Desire and Allison being like her. BUT, my role is to support, and because i want her to like me, i am completely her slave, It will take her a while to trust me, but I hope she will, because I am having a ball !!! I really thought I would be better with 4-6 grade, because that's what I am familiar with , but love those screaming munchkins !! They are putty in your hands, They need to learn EVERYTHING !! and 2009 Kindergarten is not like the Kindergarten we knew, they are expected to READ by the end of the year !! Incredible,! but we have known for a long time the early years are the most important in a long successful plan of learning. But it is still the parents that have the most influence over the child's learning curve. The difference is night and day , you can tell which parents have worked with there kids and which ones have let them watch Batman for 4 years. They will never catch up. But enough of my soap box, I love the chance to do this, and as the news gets out in this small school that there is a volunteer in the K program, and they learn that I am the daughter -in- law of Shirley Carter.... I am proud and I feel like I fit in immediately. Reputation is everything sometimes, it can carry you , until you make your own, and that's what I intend to do.
Well, I think that is enough from The Farm today, I wish you all the very best and hope you find joy in your life , and if you don't have it , go look for it, it's worth it the time and effort. Love, Sandi xx oo
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