January 28 - 30: Snow!

Who knew that when I left for school at 5:45 AM on Tuesday, January 28th that I would not get home until 1:45 PM on Thursday, January 30th!

Snow started falling around 11 on Tuesday. Students were so excited! Around 1:30, we were told that we should dismiss as soon as buses arrived. We moved bus riders to the cafeteria and waited for the buses to arrive. They didn't come. We started showing a movie. Still they didn't come. 

We split the group, by buses, into the classrooms to wait. I was with Stephanie McCullough in her classroom. We live in the same area and we were not hearing good things about the roads in East Cobb. Meanwhile, at school, snacks were delivered. We watched another movie. Parents began slowly arriving to pick up students. 

We had a large group and they were getting restless. So we went to the media center and let the students use the computers. Our older students were amazing. They helped the younger ones without being asked. I was so proud of them.

Around 6, chicken nuggets, bananas, and juice were served starting with the youngest. My 2 pre-k students were picked up as they ate. I was very happy to see their parents. The little ones were starting to get anxious. Based on the traffic horror stories we were hearing, we knew we were in for a long evening.

Around 7, we regrouped by grade level. First grade stayed in the media center. A child threw up - it's just not a sleepover until someone throws up! A few buses started arriving by 8. All parents were called to see if we should put the child on the bus or have them wait at school.

At 9, we had about a dozen first graders. Donna Mann read a bedtime story and the students lay down to sleep/rest.

I work with amazing people. Staff members that lived close by began offering their homes to us. I had worn loafers to school so I declined knowing that I would not be able to navigate icy conditions in that footwear. However, Samantha (Sam) our fabulous PE teacher, had extra gear in her car. She passed out coats and shoes to those in need. 

Around 10, I knew that all of our first grade students had parents on the way. Several first grade teachers and other staff members were staying with them so I joined a walking convoy to Lea Artzi's home. Eight of us - Maggie, Caitlin, Sam, Adrienne, Jamie, Amanda, Lea, and myself - left the building at 10:30 PM. 

We walked faster than the cars and school buses on the roads. Driving conditions were horrible. We passed a neighborhood providing beverages, snacks, and shelter to those in need. We also met an ATV delivering beer, gas, and transportation as needed. There are a lot of good folks in the world!

We walked 1.2 miles to Lea's house. We were so exhausted, but adrenaline had kicked in. We ate a pasta dinner and talked/vented until 1AM. Lea gave everyone sleep wear of pajama pants and t-shirts. After I finally fell asleep, I dreamed the students also came to Lea's house for breakfast and they stopped up the toilet to overflowing. It was just a nightmare. I think we all had a restless night.

Lea's hospitality included breakfast. After our Wednesday morning meal, we walked back to school where one student remained with our administrators. Some of our group chose to walk home in the light of day, some chose to try driving home, and some chose to return to Lea's house. I was in the latter group. I did not want to add "wreck" to the joys of the past 24 hours!

Jamie, Amanda, and I - all Cobb County residents - walked back to Lea's. We lunched, showered, washed clothes, and relaxed - just waiting for roads to thaw. Lea made yummy hot chocolate! It had a little something extra in it that I don't usually partake of, but it was delicious! Lea and Jamie worked on Bat Mitzvah snack bags. The bags were adorable. We followed a lot of Facebook comments. Rich, Lea's husband, made it to Publix just before they closed for the day and got supplies for a fajita dinner. Overall, it was a good day. We were warm and safe and felt welcome in the Artzi home. A huge thank you goes to Lea, her husband Rich, daughter Mia - who gave me socks, and son Nate. They were simply fabulous!

 

On Thursday, Jamie and I were up first. Bailey, their cute doggy, wanted out of her crate and out for a potty break. Because we are helpful houseguests, we decide to let Bailey out. Right before Jamie turned the knob, she said " I wonder if they have an alarm." Yep. They do! 

Around noon, we walked back to the school on icy sidewalks. Jamie picked up Buster the bunny from her classroom. Then Jamie and Amanda carefully began their journey home. Alan and Austin came and picked me up - my heroes! My journey was almost over. The roads were not bad except in shaded areas. Abandoned and wrecked cars still lined the roads in some areas. We stopped for lunch and then went home. Our driveway is a snow/ice field, but I'm home. HOOOOMMMMEEEE! It's all good.

 

Happy birthday to me

I am more blessed than I deserve. My wonderful husband spent months harboring a secret plan to whisk me away for a week long cruise for my 

birthday!

Alan and I flew out of Atlanta on Friday night. Bill and Diane surprised me at the hotel in Miami. Saturday we used the public transit system and went down to Bayfront Park to walk around and have lunch. And, of course, there was a book fair (we just finished ours at school).

On Saturday afternoon, we boarded the ship. After the buffet visit, I went to the room and crashed! I missed the evening festivities, but slept for 12 hours so it was all good.

Sunday was a day at sea. The weather was nice. Alan and Bill spent most of their day by the pool. Diane and enjoyed an hour of sun followed by a leisurely lunch and a nap. The day passed quickly and before we knew it, it was time to dress for the 'gala'. A show, a dinner, and  another day completed. 

On Monday, Diane and I had massages. The massage was fabulous! That 45 minutes made the whole day wonderful!

After the evening entertainment, we lounged in a piano bar area. It was a beautiful space. Music played while we watched people around us.

Tuesday - Our day in St. Maarten - we disembarked and noticed wind turbines to generate electricity. Alan loped up the hill to get his picture made beside them. A police officer started blowing a whistle so he scrambled back down. We definitely do not want to get arrested in a foreign country! 

We rented a car and ventured out. First stop - airport beach. The planes fly directly overhead and land right behind you!

 

 

We continued our drive around the island and through the very congested area around Marigot. We found great beauty in the most unusual place - the road to the dump! We spotted horses, donkeys, cows, goats, and chickens on the way.

We had a great lunch at Rancho where my travel mates enjoyed ginger rum! It was a big hit! 

After lunch, we made our way back toward the terminal where Diane and I shopped while the boys got in a few more minutes of island exploration!

Wednesday - Our day in Puerto Rico! We walked through Old San Juan and made our way to the old forts. We walked from one fort to the other. The streets were cobblestone and narrow. The views were great! The sun was shining. While frost was collecting on deck at home, Diane and I were getting sunburned.

Bill and Alan walked down and are standing in the lookout. We continued walking and found the a beautiful cemetery by the fort and the coast.

Thursday - we were back at sea. Diane and I another spa visit. It was wonderful again!

After the massage, I went back to our room. Diane then stopped by to get me for lunch. I grabbed my room card out of the slot by the door and headed out. When you take the card out, the lights go out automatically after a few minutes. It wouldn't have been a problem if Alan hadn't been in the shower! He was completely in the dark, in the shower, with shampoo in his hair and eyes - oops!

Friday - Inclement weather prevented us from stopping at a private island so we had one more day of relaxation at sea.

Saturday - Our bags were packed and we headed home. Austin picked us up from the airport.

When we arrived home, Gina, Steve, Connie, Don, Susie, Amanda, and Alex surprised me with a birthday dinner! They are the best!

November weekend!

Our weekends have been great this fall. This past weekend, we went out on Friday night to the Marietta square with Bill and Diane and Janice and Mike. We ate at the Australian Bakery where Alan and I relived our trip. The murals of Ayer's Rock and Harbour Bridge prompted Alan to pull out his Ayer's Rock photo. 

After eating, we strolled the square. We checked out where Michele's bridal luncheon will be held. They were giving out free samples. It gets a thumbs up from me! I then bought a book for the media center. 

On Saturday, Alan's tennis team won the Alta championship and he got another big plate! It's his 3rd one! He came home to a relaxing evening by the fire with me, Karen, and Eric! Eric had a soccer game in Kennesaw so they spent the night! I love having them here!

On Sunday, after bidding a safe voyage to Karen and Eric, we spent an afternoon relaxing. At 3:30, we left the house to meet with Janice and Mike and Bill and Diane for dinner and Rockettes! Kathryn invited us to her house afterwards for dessert! Michele and Jeremy joined us! I was out until 10 PM . . . On a school night!

Mountain weekend

Glenn and Beth joined Alan and me in Cleveland, Georgia for a weekend in the mountains. We arrived first, ate at DQ, and picked up supplies at Ingles. After returning to the cabin, Alan enjoyed time at the clubhouse jacuzzi while I stayed behind, read, and baked cookies. When the first batch came out of the oven, Glenn and Beth arrived and Alan was right behind them.

On Saturday, Glenn, Beth, and Alan went for a hike. Then Beth, Alan, and I went into Helen to stroll around while Glenn watched the Bulldogs lose to Vanderbilt. It was sad. But after naps and a bar-b-q dinner, we were all happy again.

First Weekend in October

Bill and Diane have friends who own a house on the Coosawattee River. They had the opportunity to stay there and invited us up. We accepted! On Friday, we met for dinner at the Cajun restaurant in Ellijay. Diane's sister, Debbie, and her husband, Rusty joined us. After eating, we said goodbye to Debbie and Rusty and headed to Walmart for weekend supplies - fire logs, dessert, etc. As we drove into the gated community, we saw about a dozen deer! They were everywhere. They are fed by the neighborhood and not terribly afraid of people.

We arrived, unloaded, and enjoyed a fire by the river! It was so relaxing!

On Saturday, Alan and Bill tubed down the river. All they had to do was walk out the door and drop their tubes in! Very cool! They floated to a designated spot and then Diane and I picked them up.

Our next adventure was the Georgia Marble Festival in Tate. We ate and listened to music.

Then we repeated Friday's activities - Walmart and a fire! A deer ran right beside Diane and Alan as we sat by our fire at the river! It was dark and we didn't see it coming! 

On Sunday, we explored the neighborhood.

Then we relaxed some more before heading home! Our final stop was to purchase apples on the way home. It was a great weekend!