Sunday, July 29, 2007
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Sadie Mae!
A while ago I posted pictures of Chloe, our first dog. After Chloe, we got Sadie, another Golden Retriever. Here are a few picture from the last three years!
The boy and the pup taking a nap.
So peaceful!
Car ride home from my parents after spending the day with their dog, mad dog Maddie.
Posing for the camera.
Thanksgiving 2004 in Clarks Summit.
Posing again. Wanted her picture taken after the cat's photo session!
You woke me up for this??
Tug of war with Maddie over the squeaker duck. (Sadie on left.) Sadie won after intervention--it was, after all, her Christmas duck!
Christmas collars. (Sadie on right.)I can't imagine how boring our life would be without Sadie. She definitely keeps us entertained! She also is doing incredibly well with obeying me. Mark's another story--she thinks he is a joke. I've even been able to take her in the front yard without a leash and across the street to see her friends Louie and Roxy. That's a really big deal at our house. (However, I can't do it when Mark's home. It really stresses him out since Chloe was run over.)
Some of Sadie's favorites: sleeping (if one of us is in the bedroom, she has to be in there too!); eating, especially pizza crusts, popcorn, the doggy sundae at Dairy-Go-Round, and apples (pizza and popcorn are now forbidden, but she knows that Mark will cave); sleeping in the living room; running around the yard like a crazy dog; sunning with the cat in the dining room; sleeping wherever is most inconvenient for me; and actively participating in the neighborhood watch--she lets us know if anything is amiss, even if it is just a leaf falling off the tree!
What a crazy dog!
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Teaching How to Read
Tomorrow I start teaching a BC student how to read. She is not my student, but I have worked with her on her grammar in the Writing Center. I've never actually helped her with homework; it has always been instances when she came to me because she wants to better herself. That is the kind of student that I love!
When I have told friends about teaching her how to read, I always get the same response--but isn't she already in college?? That is what I find so sad. She is a functional reader, but she cannot read for pleasure. She told me that she just wants to be able to pick up a book and read it. Right now, she can't. She can only sight read--meaning she can read words that she knows, but she doesn't know how to sound out words. I can't help but wonder how many of my students, and just people in general, are in the same situation. The thing that makes her different is that she is going to do whatever it takes to change.
She wants me to teach her what sounds letters make, i.e. phonics. So today I was out buying flashcards for her. Even though she has a teenager herself, she wants me to teach her like a kindergartener. So right now, I am going into work early on Wednesdays to meet with her. I will be sure to let you know how things are going. It is definitely different from what I normally do--teaching business and college writing!
For those with more experience in this area--any suggestions?
When I have told friends about teaching her how to read, I always get the same response--but isn't she already in college?? That is what I find so sad. She is a functional reader, but she cannot read for pleasure. She told me that she just wants to be able to pick up a book and read it. Right now, she can't. She can only sight read--meaning she can read words that she knows, but she doesn't know how to sound out words. I can't help but wonder how many of my students, and just people in general, are in the same situation. The thing that makes her different is that she is going to do whatever it takes to change.
She wants me to teach her what sounds letters make, i.e. phonics. So today I was out buying flashcards for her. Even though she has a teenager herself, she wants me to teach her like a kindergartener. So right now, I am going into work early on Wednesdays to meet with her. I will be sure to let you know how things are going. It is definitely different from what I normally do--teaching business and college writing!
For those with more experience in this area--any suggestions?
Chloe
Okay Becky, here you go. Here are pictures of the late Chloe Lexis Cross. (You must have missed the Christmas one of her in an earlier post.)
Sleeping
More escaping!!!
5 months old
I'll post Sadie pics another time. I can't believe how skinny Chloe is compared to Sadie. All Chloe did is run, though. I fed her over 7 cups of Eukanuba/Iams a day, and she still looked like that. Sadie gets less than half of that, and she still has enough stored to get her through a lean week or two. Interesting.
Sleeping
Waiting for an ice cube
Escape!
More escaping!!!
5 months oldI'll post Sadie pics another time. I can't believe how skinny Chloe is compared to Sadie. All Chloe did is run, though. I fed her over 7 cups of Eukanuba/Iams a day, and she still looked like that. Sadie gets less than half of that, and she still has enough stored to get her through a lean week or two. Interesting.
Quietness
It's 12:19 a.m., and I am sitting here trying to get caught up on work. I have a ton of grading to do, but no motivation to do it. I also have a messy house to clean, but it's only going to get messy again tomorrow. Mark's in bed. The baby we're watching is asleep. The cat was asleep until the dog yawned, but they are almost asleep again.
Basically, I am by myself, and the last thing I feel like doing is work. It is easy to come up with reasons to not work. I don't want to wake Mark or the baby. I ran out of pages in my gradebook, so I can't record the grades (actually, that is a pretty big deal--I will have to go out and try to find a new gradebook tomorrow). Oh, I just remembered that I have a response to a grade appeal due (technically, due last week). It is one of those grade appeals where the grades speak for themselves, but the student filed the appeal before seeing the breakdown of her grade. I really should go take care of that.
Basically, I am by myself, and the last thing I feel like doing is work. It is easy to come up with reasons to not work. I don't want to wake Mark or the baby. I ran out of pages in my gradebook, so I can't record the grades (actually, that is a pretty big deal--I will have to go out and try to find a new gradebook tomorrow). Oh, I just remembered that I have a response to a grade appeal due (technically, due last week). It is one of those grade appeals where the grades speak for themselves, but the student filed the appeal before seeing the breakdown of her grade. I really should go take care of that.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Monday, July 9, 2007
Starting Year Seven--2007
Happy 6th Anniversary! It's hard to believe that it's only been 6 years. Of course, if you count the time we dated, we've been together 11 1/2 years. That is a LONG time!
We celebrated a day late, Sunday, by going to Olive Garden. I think we go there almost every year.
Flowers from the boy. (And yes, he took the picture, in the kitchen, with the paper towels on backwards and unrolled in the back.)
Happy 6th Anniversary! It's hard to believe that it's only been 6 years. Of course, if you count the time we dated, we've been together 11 1/2 years. That is a LONG time!
We celebrated a day late, Sunday, by going to Olive Garden. I think we go there almost every year.
Flowers from the boy. (And yes, he took the picture, in the kitchen, with the paper towels on backwards and unrolled in the back.)
The flowers in full bloom (not a great picture).
Starting a seventh year!
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Softball, Swinging, and a Family Reunion!
Last night were Mark's last regular season softball games, and they won both games! Mark had several hits and even scored a few times. He also managed to hit the second base runner on the shoulder/back. Way to go Mark! Next week we head to the play offs.
On Saturday, we drove down to Ohio for our annual family reunion held the weekend before the 4th of July. This is the third year that we have had it, and it is nice to get to see everyone again. While we were there, I went on the swing. There is nothing like swinging to make everything seem all right again!
On the way home, we stopped at a garage sale and a thrift store that I have been dying to stop at. I got a few books, and a 1980s Cabbage Kids doll. Mark was very patient--he knows how much I love garage sailing and thrift store shopping.
Happy 4th of July!!
On Saturday, we drove down to Ohio for our annual family reunion held the weekend before the 4th of July. This is the third year that we have had it, and it is nice to get to see everyone again. While we were there, I went on the swing. There is nothing like swinging to make everything seem all right again!
Mark on the Swing too!
The 7 Girl Cousins
On the way home, we stopped at a garage sale and a thrift store that I have been dying to stop at. I got a few books, and a 1980s Cabbage Kids doll. Mark was very patient--he knows how much I love garage sailing and thrift store shopping.
Happy 4th of July!!
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Eating Disorder Awareness and Resources
In the past year, I have become increasingly aware of eating disorders (EDs) and the devastating impact they have, not just on the person who is struggling, but on family members and friends as well.
A very close friend of mine has been struggling with anorexia for just over a year. I have learned so much about EDs through her struggle, and I realized how many misperceptions I had about it. To me, it always seemed pretty basic: you start eating and that is the end of it. It is SO MUCH more than that. EDs distort your thinking and convince you that you are fat and ugly even when you are severely underweight and malnourished.
I also learned that you can't assume that people with EDs are always thin. Another friend, who I recently learned is bulemic, does not fit that model. Too often we base our thinking on appearance, and that is one of the biggest problems with EDs.
These friendships have really opened my eyes, and I hope that you will check out these links and become more aware of EDs as well. And even more so, if you are struggling, I pray that you will use these resources as part of your recovery process.
Ways to help someone with an ED:
Be there for them. Talk to them like you did before you knew. Don't "preach" to them or try to fix them.
Don't offer trite sayings such as "Just eat," "If you wanted to stop, you could" or some of the most hurtful ones like "You just need to pray more" or "You just need to trust God more." Often we say these things because we don't know what else to say. Instead, just tell the person that you just don't know what to say but that you are praying for them.
Educate yourself.
And most importantly, PRAY for them. If appropriate, tell them that you are praying for them. Encourage them in this way.
I want to leave you with a quote that I found on one of these sites:
"Sticks and stones may break her bones, but words could cause her to starve herself. . .to death."
A very close friend of mine has been struggling with anorexia for just over a year. I have learned so much about EDs through her struggle, and I realized how many misperceptions I had about it. To me, it always seemed pretty basic: you start eating and that is the end of it. It is SO MUCH more than that. EDs distort your thinking and convince you that you are fat and ugly even when you are severely underweight and malnourished.
I also learned that you can't assume that people with EDs are always thin. Another friend, who I recently learned is bulemic, does not fit that model. Too often we base our thinking on appearance, and that is one of the biggest problems with EDs.
These friendships have really opened my eyes, and I hope that you will check out these links and become more aware of EDs as well. And even more so, if you are struggling, I pray that you will use these resources as part of your recovery process.
Ways to help someone with an ED:
Be there for them. Talk to them like you did before you knew. Don't "preach" to them or try to fix them.
Don't offer trite sayings such as "Just eat," "If you wanted to stop, you could" or some of the most hurtful ones like "You just need to pray more" or "You just need to trust God more." Often we say these things because we don't know what else to say. Instead, just tell the person that you just don't know what to say but that you are praying for them.
Educate yourself.
And most importantly, PRAY for them. If appropriate, tell them that you are praying for them. Encourage them in this way.
I want to leave you with a quote that I found on one of these sites:
"Sticks and stones may break her bones, but words could cause her to starve herself. . .to death."
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Nana & Grampie's House
When we arrived at Nana and Grampie's house in Nova Scotia, one of the first things we did was take a quick tour of parts of the farm with Grandpie in his 1987 Toyota. Mark and most of his cousins learned to drive in the truck, but it is definitely nearing the end of its days. We sat on cushions because the seats were almost gone, as were the floor boards. We were told that they (Nana and Grandpie) "decided" to not register it for the road this year. Later we found out that the "decision" had been made for them when it failed inspection.
We had a great time staying with Nana and Grandpie on the farm and seeing all the apple orchards and vegetable fields. It was nice being able to walk to his aunts and uncles' houses. We definitely enjoyed the laid back atmosphere up there that is so different from the constant busyness here in Michigan!
Grandpie in the Sun Room
Eating Lunch Before Leaving
Mark with Nana and Grandpie
We had a great time staying with Nana and Grandpie on the farm and seeing all the apple orchards and vegetable fields. It was nice being able to walk to his aunts and uncles' houses. We definitely enjoyed the laid back atmosphere up there that is so different from the constant busyness here in Michigan!
Fun with Melanie
On our last full day in NS, we went to Halifax for lunch with Mark's cousin Melanie. We had so much fun that we invited her to go to Peggy's Cove with us. Mark and I agree that it was one of the best days of our trip!
At Peggy's Cove
Cousins!
We went to a gift shop/restaraunt at Peggy's Cove, and we saw this 11 lb. lobster! It is 77 years old. They aren't big enough to eat until they are 10, but we have never seen one this big before! With the current market price of $15/lb, . . .
Peggy's Cove
Peggy's Cove is the most photographed spot in NS. It also has the only functioning (in the summer) post office located in a lighthouse.
It was a VERY windy day--not a good day for a skirt! "Fortunately," Melanie loaned me a pair of shorts to wear under my skirt. Mark preferred that over my plan to stop at the mall and buy a pair of pants!
It was a VERY windy day--not a good day for a skirt! "Fortunately," Melanie loaned me a pair of shorts to wear under my skirt. Mark preferred that over my plan to stop at the mall and buy a pair of pants!
The view of Peggy's Cove from the Swiss Air Flight 111 Memorial.
One of the Swiss Air Flight 111 Memorials
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