Sorry

I haven't been blogging lately. I am too busy. Phillip is very sick right now, and the kids have been more needy since last week, for some odd reason. I'm exhausted but I'll blog again very soon.

Break out the car magnet, bust out the bumper stickers...

My baby's going to McFadden School of Excellence, a Murfreesboro magnet school. We got the call yesterday. Yippee! She was so proud. I had her call both sets of grandparents and her daddy at work to tell him and it was hilarious. She was very adamant that she should start today. I had a hard time convincing her that she won't start til August. :) She can't wait. She already has it all planned out to see her cousin, Skylar, in the cafeteria everyday. We'll see if it works out that way.

Miles' first wobbly tooth

Before:

After:

The tooth fairy left $5 under Miles' pillow. Miles used that $5 to buy a $20 Hungry Hippo game. Ha! Lola got a really neat, vintage looking jack-in-the-box for being such a big girl who never, ever needs Pull Ups anymore!

More time at the park

Today I took the girls to the park. We had some drama at first, because two little boys decided to be bullies. First the pushed Miles down and then they kept hitting her intentionally with a frisby. Finally, they blocked her into a tunnel slide and taunted her. I had to tell them to buzz off and they said I was mean. Later, we had a more postive time because the bullies left. It was a beautiful day and it was made even sweeter when baby Lola came running to me to report that she needed to use the bathroom. We rushed across the playground and she continued her new big girl talent of keeping her big girl panties clean and dry! I'm so proud of her.

My sunshine, Miles... growing up too fast.

Another one of Miles...


Lola had a ball ripping and roaring...not to mention the static electricity!

Lola was pooped out by the end of our visit!

Magnet School

Miles met the criteria for McFadden School of Excellence, a magnet school, but was placed on the waiting list due to the number of siblings above her on the list. Siblings get first priority. There are 40 spots for kindergarten. Other schools have 12 to 14 kindergarten classes but McFadden only has two. We are not too worried. She’s number 14 on the waiting list, so I am confident that she will make it into the program. If 14 people turn down their spots, she gets in. Last year, the entire waiting list got the opportunity to go there b/c people accept other magnet school offers or choose public schools closer to home, etc.

We are so proud of her for meeting the criteria and I know that whatever is meant to be will be. If she doesn't get a spot, Barfield is where she was meant to go!

Creative writing 101

I have to find a way to organize my thoughts enough to create a novel. I don't think there is anything in this creative world that could make me as proud as publishing a well liked novel. I know I'm capable of the creative writing and the vivid imagination. I study the books that I read and make a mental note of the things that I like about each. I just can't get focused enough to sit down and tap out a true outline and then a novel. I'm fairly frustrated with myself tonight.

I do know that I've certainly decided that I would never want a novel written by me to have a slow start, and that I'd like to write southern fiction. I also know that I'd prefer that my novel be set in another time, and I think this is where I'm running into my writer's block. Perhaps the first step is to do more research on my preferred time frame and gather more knowledge for accuracy in writing.

Another thing that I do know is that one day, I hope you'll walk into a bookstore and see a popular southern fiction novel set somewhere between the 1940's to 1960's with my name on the cover.

On the agenda for Tuesday...

My girls are soooo happy that Mr. Neil is coming over to hang out with them while Momma goes to her Junior League meeting. They are ready to have so much fun. I wonder how many piggy back rides he'll give them before I get home???

Bittersweet

I saw this poem on me friend, Jennifer's blog, and I loved it! She attributed it to Ruth Hulburt Hamilton.

Song for a Fifth Child.

Mother, O Mother, come shake out your cloth,
Empty the dustpan, poison the moth,
Hang out the washing, make up the bed,
Sew on a button and butter the bread.

Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?
She's up in the nursery, blissfully rocking.

Oh, I've grown as shiftless as Little Boy Blue,
Lullabye, rockabye, lullabye loo.
Dishes are waiting and bills are past due.
Pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peekaboo

The shopping's not done and there's nothing for stew.
And out in the yard there's a hullabaloo,
But I'm playing Kanga and this is my RooLook!
Aren't his eyes the most wonderful hue?
Lullabye, rockaby lullabye loo.

The cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow,
But children grow up as I've learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down cobwebs; Dust go to sleep!
I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep.

School bus safety

Hey, everybody! My family needs a big favor! This is composed by my sister, and I would appreciate it if you could help us out. Note where it points out that having older buses on the road won't save the money they believe it will, due to increased maintenance. I know that some people might say that this is a self serving purpose, but we need your help! I know you would prefer that the school buses carrying your precious cargo remain no older than currently allowed. Last year, the arugment was that all buses needed to add seat belts, but this year, they are saying they can be five years older and still on the road with no seatbelts. It doesn't make a lot of sense. By the way, I already sent an email to all the reps on the list and it took about three minutes.
Dusty Brown

The state legislature is voting Wednesday to extend the time a school bus can be driven to transport children from 15 years to 20 years. The primary reason for the bill is saving money. It is bad legislation because it means older, less safe buses with dirty diesel engines will stay on the road longer. Because of higher maintenance costs on these older buses, school systems won't save as much money as they are expecting to save by passing this bill.

I have listed some state representatives and two samples letters asking them not to vote for this bill. Will you please help us by sending one of the attached letters or something similar to the representatives' emails before Wednesday?

We really appreciate your help! Thanks so much!


Barker, Judy rep.judy.barker@capitol.tn.gov
Brown,Tommie F. rep.tommie.brown@capitol.tn.gov
Dunn, Bill rep.bill.dunn@capitol.tn.gov
Harwell, Beth rep.beth.harwell@capitol.tn.gov
Hawk, David rep.david.hawk@capitol.tn.gov
Hensley, Joey rep.joey.hensley@capitol.tn.gov
Jones, Ulysses, Jr. rep.ulysses.jones@capitol.tn.gov
Lollar, Ron rep.ron.lollar@capitol.tn.gov
Maddox, Mark L. rep.mark.maddox@capitol.tn.gov
Turner, Larry rep.larry.turner@capitol.tn.gov
Weaver, Terri Lynn rep.terri.lynn.weaver@capitol.tn.gov
Winningham, Les rep.leslie.winningham@capitol.tn.gov

If you need help with what to say, here is a sample:

Dear Representative _____________ -

I am writing to ask that you not support the legislation that will be coming before your House Education Subcommittee next week. Currently there are 8 bills dealing with school bus life extension, and each of them in my opinion is bad legislation.
You are being asked to extend school bus life based on local government’s recent requests. At first glance this certainly seems to make sense that in tough economic times we search out possible ways to save money. However, upon further review of the facts this type of measure could have far reaching negative impacts.
If we allow this type legislation to occur we will be putting our children’s safety and health secondary to revenues. The State of Tennessee has enjoyed a wonderful pupil safety transportation record! Why would we allow poor planning at the local level to impact the safety of our children?
Please do not allow this legislation to pass in its current form.

OR

Dear Representative _____________ ,

It has been brought to my attention that legislation will be coming before your House Education Subcommittee next week. This legislation attempts to extend school bus life from 15 to 20 years. Please know this legislation could have a negative impact on our school age children.
As you are aware, the local, state and national economies are in bad shape. However, this is not a reason to put the safety and health of our children in jeopardy. Extending school bus life from 15 to 20 years jeopardizes a good documented record of pupil transportation in the State of Tennessee.
Please do not allow this legislation to pass in its current form.