Someone sent me this on an email. It was too sweet not to share with ya'll. Hope I am this much fun when I get older. Enjoy. Disney and Six Flags pictures to come soon!!!

World's Greatest Drummer

Last night I had the privilege of attending the Woodruff Middle and High School Year End Band Concert to see none other the one and only Jamie. Who is Jamie you ask???

Jamie was a student in my very first, first grade class as a teacher. He is now about to enter the 7th grade and last night was his first spring concert. I was so proud when I looked on the stage and saw him standing there beside the bass drum that was twice as big as him. He played the bass drum on 2 songs, the snare on one, and a tambourine solo all the way through this Latin/Aztec type song. He did so good. His Mama B said that they are wanting him to march next year. Anyone who knows me knows that I am more than excited about the possibility of going to see that.

Jamie is a great kid, or should I say young man. Back in the first grade he was so so smart and now he is continuing to shine in middle school.

Funny story I remember about Jamie... At the end of his year I got them to draw a picture of me in a journal and write me a letter. Before he drew his picture he asked, "Can we draw you skinny?" I laughed and asked him did he think I was fat? He said, "kinda." He then said, "If we don't draw your fat can we at least draw the nose hairs?" I laughed til I cried. Kids will keep you humble that is for sure.

A big special thanks to Mama B for inviting me and to Papa W for helping me get in the door. You guys are great. If you ever need a hand, just call!

Killed a Frog;Saved a Frog

Yesterday I was cutting grass to get the yard ready for the big Mother's Day dinner I was fixing. I was mowing along when I noticed something blow over in front of the mower. I thought it was a leaf. I kept going and to my surprise it wasn't a leaf... it was the bottom half of a frog. Not sure where the other half went.... I was so sad that I was responsible for its death. I could care less about all the fire ant hills I ran over and the spiders I squished along the way, but the frog was bad...

I kept cutting and the whole time I was worry myself over that cut in half frog in the back yard. When I got to the front yard I ran over the lid to the gas meter and chopped into a million bits... When I bent over to pick up the pieces, I looked down in the little hole to see a little frog trapped down inside. He was hopping and hopping but could not get out.

I ran inside and got something to reach down there and get him with, but I had to smash a big ole black widow first. Didn't want to die from spider poison on account of the frog.... I reached down in the hole and carried him to the creek behind my house.

I was so happy that I could save the little guy. I some how felt that all was now well in my yard.

Top 10 Things I Love About Mama

1. She can fry a mean hamburger!!!!!!!!! Not to mention salmon patties and cubed steak!

2. She can decorate a house like no one else. You should see her pink bathroom with a barbie doll in it... Only she could make it look good.

3. She is so so so so patient with this mess of a son she has.

4. She taught me how to treat a lady....now if I can just find one :0)

5. She is a VERY hard worker.... She has been through more than her share of "stuff" and always presses through it.

6. She is doing better in college than I did... 1 A and 2 B's this past semester. One year to go!!!!

7. She is so funny. She probably doesn't know this, but I laugh all the time when I am around her. She always says something to make me laugh... Ok, sometimes I am laughing at her instead of with her, but she is funny!

8. She is fun. She loves to go and do just about anything. We love to go to yard sales. The picture above is from a trip she and I took to Disney the summer before I started teaching.

9. She loves the Lord. She would tell you; she is not perfect, never has been...that's why she needs His grace so much.

10. She is just a good mama. We fuss and fight like all kids and parents... Most of the time she is right. I admit it... right here on the World Wide Web... Hope she sees this. I love her so much.

Happy Mother's Day!!!!

11. My sister said to add this... Even though she loves her more, I am still the favorite!!!

Dear Maudie

Dear Maudie,

4 years ago today, you meet Jesus. I was there when you saw Him. It was such a hard day for me, but I knew the amazing sights you were seeing and it helped me. I wish I could have seen what you saw. The last few earthly breaths you took were so peaceful. I just knew you were with Him. You had breathed so hard the days before. I could tell He had touched your lungs and that made me happy.

A lot has happened since you have been gone. Who knew 4 years could bring about so much change. First of all, I got my own house. Actually I started building it about 2 months after you left. I wish I would have started a bit sooner so you could have seen it, but I was too chicken.

It is a really pretty house.... 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, and a big open living room. You will never guess what I have hanging on the wall in my kitchen... 2 things... 1 your little knick-knack shelf that used to hang by your door, and 2 a picture of me and you framed with a note you wrote me with the Alumini Casserole recipe on it. You told me not to let anyone see it because your handwriting was bad but it is my most proud item in the house. It is number 1 on my "save in case of fire list."

In my living room I have your green chair that used to sit in your "red room." I decorated my whole living room around that chair. Bobby didn't want it when you left it to him so I got it. I am so glad I did. It looks great.

In my hall I have the shelf you left me from "the little room." It has all of my Africa souvenirs on it. Looks so good!!

In my bedroom I have the chest of drawers you left me. I think about you every morning when I get ready.

It's funny...As I write you this letter I realize I have a little piece of you in every room in my house. I am so glad. I really miss you so bad sometimes.

Some days I would give anything for a frozen Salisbury steak TV dinner and tater tots on TV tray with the Price is Right playing on the tube.

Some days I would give anything to come over and take you to Hardee's and Community Cash.

Some days I long for Quincy's and a trip to Wal-Mart.

Some days I feel like pulling up onions and potatoes and snapping green beans.

Some days I feel like bouncing a ball of your roof.

Some days I feel like laying down under the shade of your big 'ole tree in the front yard on your cool thick grass. It was the best grass anywhere!!!!

Unfortunately since you've been gone I don't make it over that way anymore. Things over there haven't changed a lot and it is hard for me to go.

I am still keeping up with the weather just like you taught me too. We are just now starting to come out of a really bad drought. Lake Hartwell was dry as a bone. I am looking for a new rain gauge. Maybe I will find one soon. We had a big snow this year too. You would have LOVED it. It was the fattest snow I have ever seen.

Some other things that have happened since you've been gone... I got teacher of the year 2 years ago. It was an honor. I moved to the Philippines... It was "interesting" to say the least, but I feel the Lord used it for the best! Johnnie-Lynn has had another baby, and Jessica has one too. They both seem to be doing really well. Mama is in school. Matt is a teacher now. I went on a 7500 mile cross country trip. It was awesome. So many times I wanted to call you and tell you where I was.

One thing that hasn't changed.... Matt is still my roomie. I know you would be glad about that. During one of our last conversations you told me to keep a good roommate as long as they would stay. It would be cheaper for the both of us... He is a good one and it is a lot cheaper!!!

I know you are dying to ask me about a girlfriend... and I will tell you the same thing I always did.... Maybe one day!

This day every year makes me think of you. Some people will read my letter to you and think I am crazy. Some people will read it and think it was too personal. I hope however that they will read it and realize just how special you were to me. I just know that the Lord let you be my "great" grandma because you were the greatest. I am so blessed that I got to have you in my life for 26 years... Most people never know their great grandma, much less for 26 years.

I often wondered what in the world I would do without you, and I must tell you... I have carried on... Don't get me wrong... I miss you something awful, but I know that I will see you again one day. Make sure my mansion is right near yours. I love ya.... Happy Mother's Day!

'Til I see ya again,
Jed

Points to Ponder

These are thoughts that my random mind is pondering....

1. Why did I find pine needles from my Christmas tree when sweeping 6 months after Christmas?

2. Why is a hedgehog so cute, but dangerous.

3. Why did the bus boy spill tea on me tonight when he was cleaning the table next to me?

4. Why do people who complain never do anything to fix it?

5. Why am I blogging and surfing when I have other work to do?

6. Why do we call people "red headed" when their hair is more of an orange color?

7. Why do they call it "throwing out your back?" Where does it really go?

8. Why don't I eat more brown cows??? These are the best!

Getting the Stare Down!

I was having dinner tonight when I noticed a kid staring at me... This happens quite often for us teacher folks... Especially since I ran the tree exhibit last year and saw about 6,000 kids.
Kids all over Spartanburg know me and I have no idea who they are. Teachers know their little group and most of the ones on the grade level, but we do not always know the ones coming up.

He kept staring and staring 'til finally he got up and started walking around the restaurant to get a better look at me. As I was eating he crept closer and closer. I was trying not to pay him any attention because I wasn't sure if it was me or the TV he was looking at.

Finally, he got right next to my table and said... "Is that you Berry Berry?" and before I could say yes he took off back to his seat. I laughed so hard!!!! It was hysterical!!!!!!

No!

This is a hard word for me....

Sometimes I feel like saying "no" to someone will mean they wont like me anymore.

Sometimes I feel like people will talk bad about me and say I don't ever have time to help them.

Sometimes I feel guilty for saying it.... Like I need to do more to help.

Sometimes I feel like saying "no" means they will not ask me again.

Sometimes I am so thankful I say it.

Sometimes I wish I would say it! (That is a whole other blog!!!)

Sometimes I wish people would say it to me.

Sometimes God says it, and man am I glad when He does!!!

Painted Ladies and Tadpoles

Last week I posted a video of the larva of a painted lady butterfly changing into its chrysalis. On Friday we released all of our newly formed butterflies into the wild. There was one with a gimpy wing and he could not get out of his pupa. I told the class I would let him find his own way out so he could make himself stronger.

Later in the day a student and I went back to check on him and sure enough he had gotten out. Only he was helped out by a bird. His wings were there, but no body. I was afraid the student with me would be sad... She said... "O well.. Guess some bird has a full belly now."

Today I went in from the weekend and one of the tadpoles we are raising was floating on the top. It was unfortunate that he was the dead one because he was one of the only ones who had started sprouting tiny legs.

I have no idea what happened... Maybe he was sick from the water... Maybe he was needing air and his gills had gone away.... Maybe he had the swine flu. Who knows??

Regardless of the reason; I had to flush him. Maybe the others will do better. There is a pond in a small courtyard outside of the school... Maybe I will let them all go tomorrow. Wish me luck!

Blog From A Front Porch Swing 1

It's Saturday... kinda overcast... with a chance of sprinkles... This has to be one of my favorite kind of days... There is a slight breeze and just enough humidity to keep you from drying out, and the porch swing is moving at just the right pace. The ferns are twirling about, and "Everlasting God" is playing on my Bose sound dock...

I love it right here in this spot.I can see the robins are diggin' up something in my front yard... Freshly weeded yard I might add. I got up this morning and got to work... I feel good about the work. My yard is not the most beautiful in the neighborhood, but their is a sense of pride when you've worked outdoors. I bought 2 new Hibiscus too. One is like a Hibiscus tree. I potted it and it is beside my door. The other is just a bush. I planted it around the corner.

No garden yet, but I think I am gonna do what Katie said in her comment and plant it in buckets. That totally eliminates the need for a tiller, and I really don't want to plant too much. Better get on that next week. There is some more time today, but got other things more pressing right now...

What you ask??? The 2 mounds of laundry laying my bedroom floor. They have been clean for a week and just laying there. My good friend "JJ" says she likes to leave her clothes there and have a "pickin pile" I guess you can say I have had a pickin pile this week and last.

I also need to get some school stuff done.... plans, plans, and more plans. Never can plan too much. Especially here at the end. Have to have lots for them to do or they can get crazy. Hard to believe only 22 more days and I will be at the end of my 7th year. Where in the world does time go?

As I was cleaning up the flower beds this morning I caught me a toad for school this week. We are studying amphibians. We have some tadpoles at all different stages in the class and now we have an adult to with them. He is Eastern Spade Toad... Please do not be impressed with my amphibious knowledge. We just looked at them Thursday on the Internet and I knew what to look for. His middle toe looks like a spade. They are very common in our area.

Well.. There is a pesky fly buzzing around me now... Gonna run. I hope for this to be one of many blogs from the front porch swing. Just some random thoughts and happenings as I swing and relax. I plan to spend lots of time right here this summer. Come back and see me.

J.E.D.