Things We Do For Children...

This little piggy, I mean weenie in a bun, made a special appearance at our school picnic Tuesday night. How do I look?

Bonefish Grill

After my long, but good meeting today in Columbia, I went with a great friend to this restaurant. Let me say that I LOVE IT! Service was awesome and the food was fantastic! I especially recommend Bang Bang Shrimp and Lucy Chicken. What is it with me and goat cheese lately? I cannot wait to go back. There is one on Woodruff Rd. in Greenville so I will be going back really soon! Click here to see if there is one near you!

Blur!

Today has been a blur... I am going so fast I do not know if I am coming or going...

Feet hit the floor at 5:45

conference @ 7 this morning

non stop teaching and doing all day because my sub plans are depending on me finishing EVERYTHING TODAY!!!!

conference @ 12:30

conference @ 12:50
no planning because of conferences...BEHIND... O shoot!

Get the room ready in .5 seconds for Open House tonight.

RUN out of school so I can get home and Run my 6 miles...

6 miles in 47 minutes.... TOLD YOU I WAS IN A HURRY!

shower

pack for an overnight trip to Cola.

get back to school for dinner plans by 5.

be in the classroom by 5:45 for a student who has to come early because of a ballgame... AINT I SWEET????

dress up like a hotdog for the back to school picnic after open house.

finish my sub plans after open house because I will be out tomorrow for an all day meeting in Cola.

Drive to Columbia tonight so I don't have to get up at the crack of dawn.

find a bed and CRASH into it!!!!!

Help me Jesus, why did I stop long enough to blog??? O yea, that's right... I had 15 minutes I didn't know what to do with!

Were You Worried?

It's almost 8PM and no post today.... Were you starting to worry? Never fear, the blogger is here.

Now that you can rest, and know that you will have something to read today let me tell you my good news.... wait for it... wait for it...

Ok, there isn't any good news. It is Monday, what good happens on Monday right? It is the end of our weekend and we have to work... au contraire mon frere'

Here are some amazing things that happened on a Monday.

1. May 6, 1889- The Eiffel Tower opened on a Monday!

2. October 2, 1950- The Peanuts first began being published in newspapers... On a Monday!

3. January 6, 1975- The premiere of Wheel of Fortune... Yep, on a Monday!

4. May 25, 1982- Jay Leno started on The Tonight Show... You guessed it.. MONDAY!

5. September 27, 2010- That's today... If you are reading this, then you are alive, and that is something good. Make the last few hours of this Monday count!

Are You A Vegetarian?

Today at church a story was shared about a man who had really been trying to live out his faith at his job. He wanted all of his friends and coworkers to really know he was different because of his faith in Christ.

The man prayed everyday for encounters to share about this faith. Finally, a coworker came up to him in a break room and said, "There is something different about you."

The man of faith was elated on the inside. This was an opportunity that he had prayed for...An opportunity to share about his faith and love for Christ.

His co-worker then replied, "Are you a vegetarian?"

The moral was that we needed to be active in sharing our faith and not just wait on opportunities, yet create them. I am a bit different though, and my brain immediately started thinking about vegetarians.

I know a few vegetarians. They are all great people!!! And, when looked at from a faith stand point, there are some lessons I can learn from my herbivore friends!

1. They are passionate! If you ever talk to a vegetarian they will convenience even the heartiest meat eaters, for a brief moment, that all meat is repulsive. Of course, we then see a burger and forget all about it, but nonetheless, their passion makes one think!

2. They are committed! Day in and day out they work hard at planning their meals, travel, routines, etc around how they can stay committed to their choice of diet. They prepare meals ahead of time. Many times they sacrifice going out to eat with friends and family because the places they go do not support their diet. Yet, they continue on without wavering!

3. They are not ashamed! Every vegetarian I have ever met, would without question tell me why they are vegetarians, how they came to be one, why I should be one, how healthy it is, etc. Regardless of whether or not I agree with them because I LOVE chicken, steaks, burgers, steaks, burgers, steaks, burgers... did I mention steaks? Their pride in being vegetarian and the way they save lives of animals cannot be put down. They literally do not care what we carnivores think.

These 3 examples can prove to be a great inspiration to those of us like the man at the office, seeking to share our faith.

Be passionate! Be committed! Be unashamed, and people will notice a difference!

Silly Saturday 4

Some silly things that made me laugh this week...

1. A conversation with a kid...
Kid: You look just like your daddy.
Me: I do? Have you seen my daddy?
Kid: nope!
Me: How do you know I look like him?
Kid: I just know.
Me: Well, is my daddy handsome?
Kid: Well he must be, because you looking good.

2. When I told a kid that their next reading reward was a cup of ice and a Sprite at lunch he responded with a scream, "OMG, this is the best day of my life."

3. The other night when I was running this kid, about 5 years old, took off out of his driveway on his bicycle to ride beside me. His mom ran off the porch yelling for him to stop. He turned around and yelled back, "Hold on mom! I'm racin' a man!"

4. A little girl was writing a biography about a little boy in our class. One of her sentences said, "If he sees a corn dog in the cafeteria, he will eat it up!"

5. Due to circumstances beyond my control (kids birthday, long lunch line, and the chocolate milk throw up machine) there was no lunchtime for me today. I ate my turkey sandwich as I walked back down the hall to my room. I laughed to keep from crying.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle... In Jesus' Name!

Last weekend when I was helping out at the Matthew West concert I took this pic in the church lobby. They were located in several places throughout the lobby, and there were ones specifically for the bulletins located just inside the doors to the auditorium. You may look at this and see just a trash can and 2 recycle bins, but what I see is...

1. a church that is not worried about the look of recycle bins in their lobby.

2. a church with volunteers (someone has to collect the recycling.)

3. a church that is conserving...the bulletins are recycled in a way that they can be used again for the following services.

4. a church that is doing its part to protect the planet.

5. a church that is on the move.


I wonder... why aren't all churches leading the way with recycling...After all, isn't reducing, reusing, and recycling the very heart of being a good steward?

New Creation

This past Sunday a lady came up to me after church and asked me, "Where was Jed the trumpet player?"

Obviously, I was a little confused... She said "You know, the guy that used to play the trumpet in the band before you."

I realized that she didn't recognize me. I told her, that I was Jed. The look on her face was priceless!!!

She asked me if I was I sick... If something was wrong... Why had I lost so much weight. It was so crazy to me that she had no idea who I was because my physical appearance, in her mind anyway, had changed so much. She was relieved to know that I had not left the church and that I was still playing. She had been worried about me.

I have been thinking about that conversation all week. Not in the light of my physical appearance and weight however, but my spiritual appearance. You see, about 12 years ago I gave my life to Jesus and asked him to change me from the inside out. I knew I was a mess inside and that's where the change needed to start. That said however, I knew that once the inside was all cleaned that it could not help but ooze outward and hopefully people around me would see a difference in my life.

Some days I feel like it is oozing outward a bit more than others, but I know all too many times my "spiritual" appearance goes back to the ugly mess it used to be. 12 years into my journey with Jesus, do I look, act, talk, give, behave, love more like Him?

It's my prayer that I would remind me people of Him so much that they would literally have to ask, who is this person? Is this Jed?

One of the first verses of Scripture I learned as a Christian was 2 Corinthians 5:17...

"Therefore, if any man is in Christ, He is a new creation.
The old has gone, the new has come."

This week as you walk your journey, look to see if your appearance is different. If it is, GREAT!!! If not, the good news is, if you are reading this, it's not too late for a makeover!!!

A Peek Inside My Boxes

Tailgating at Church

Isn't it funny that most of us hate to wait, yet one of the favorite past times of college football, tailgating, is all about waiting...Granted you are doing it with food, fun, and friends...but nonetheless it is waiting.

Friday at the Matthew West Concert, we were at Brookwood Church in Greenville. They have taken the idea of tailgating to a new and awesome level in my book. Tailgate at church!!!!

They have a special service just for baptisms, and they invite families of the church to come and celebrate the special day with an exciting atmosphere of family, fun, and worship. I LOVE THIS!

Maybe if we all got this excited about church it wouldn't be so hard to get people there.

The Second Coming!

Check out the squirrel's return!

Operation Christmas Child and Matthew West

Friday night's concert was AWESOME... What would you expect when you mix the artist of my favorite Christian song, Matthew West- Only Grace, with my favorite ministry in the whole world....Operation Christmas Child.

WOW... I was so excited. We gave out over 600 boxes to be filled and got to introduce a lot of church people to OCC. How in the world do they not know? I guess the same way that there are people who live all around us who do not know about Jesus...

Below are some pics from the event. You'll see the pic of the auditorium... It was full. We chose to sit all the way at the back and we loved our view!

If your church does not participate in Operation Christmas Child and you would like to get it started, let me know... I CAN HELP!!!!!

If you don't attend a church and would like to help, leave a comment and I will get you some info.

56 days til Collection Week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Silly Saturday 4

Things that made me laugh this week...

1. On Tuesday we watched the president give a welcome back to school speech. I told the kids we were getting ready to watch the speech and a kids asked, "Is the chief coming here?"

2. We were writing alliterative phrases this week and a student came up with this one... Hippos hop to Hawaii to get hula skirts. Pretty good huh?


3. Inventive Spelling... Just like the word sounds!!!


4. Feel my sparkles... This CANNOT be explained. I would have to tell you in person. Maybe the most HILARIOUS thing to ever happen to me as a teacher!!!

5. We were studying alliteration... The sentence that went with this picture was, "Manny made Marty mad!" When the student explained the picture he said that Manny (on the left) made Marty (on the right) mad, by pulling down his pants. Thus the mean face and all the tears coming from poor Marty!!!

6. Some kid asked me right as they were leaving if I lost all my weight when I was in my fifties?

7. When studying puns a kid shared this one... What do you call a pig that does karate???
Answer: A Pork Chop!

Happy Saturday!

Matthew West and OCC

Tonight at Brookwood Community Church in Greenville I am working at the Matthew West concert promoting OCC.

Matthew West is a Christian Artist who is promoting Operation Christmas Child on his tour this year. I am so excited to be a part of it. Listen to some of his lyrics in the videos below. IF you are not busy and looking for a great way to spend a Friday night, the concert starts at 7. tickets are 10 dollars at the door. Maybe I'll see you there!!!

A Million Dollars

Survivor season 21 started last night. I love this show. I have watched since its first year and love the whole adventure of it all. Maybe one day I will apply.... who knows??

Anyway, Jimmy Johnson, former NFL coach of the Dallas Cowboys, is on the show this year. It struck me as odd that this man who is already a bazillionaire was on the show competing for a million dollars. Not 20 minutes in, he had a meeting with his team and told them he did not expect to win the million, pretty much because he did not need it, but he wanted to help someone else get it.

Can you imagine??? Being at a place in your life financially where you would not want a million dollars because you had so much money anyway... I cannot fathom that!

This got me thinking... If I ever do get a million dollars for some crazy reason... What in the world would I do with it? Here is a list of things I would start with...

1. 10% to my church.

2. Pay for my nieces college.

3. Pay off my mom and sister's house.

4. Buy Matt a house.

5. Pay off school loans and get my doctorate.

6. Do 5,000 shoe boxes for OCC

7. Duh... pay off my house... I about forgot.

8. Hide the rest for my needy kids at school....

Do I have any money left????? I guess a million dollars is not all that much.... Maybe I better hope for 2 million!!!

What would be on your list of things to do with a million?

Foursquare

Have you heard of Foursquare?

It is an app that you use on smart phones to "check in" to the various locations that you visit throughout the day. When you check in, you earn points and badges as a reward. You have friends online with you that compete to earn the most points for the week.

Each venue you check into gives you more points...When you visit a place for the first time you get bonus points. If you check into the same place more than anyone else you are named Mayor of that place.

Lots of retail stores and restaurants have jumped on this bandwagon and are now offering discounts and specials to their mayors. I am proud to say that I am the mayor of several places... Subway, Ingles, Lowe's, Office Max, AMRBC, and Mike's on Main in Hendersonville. I am a few more visits away from becoming the mayor of Target.

Some of the places that I have visited that have specials for those who check in are McCallister's Deli and American Eagle.

You can also leave a comment about the place you visit...Recommend food to eat, good servers to ask for, what is on sale, etc.

A lot of people give me grief about "checking in," but it's kinda fun and it is another way to keep you connect with your friends. If you have a smart phone, download it and add me soon!

Shhh...Someone May Be Listening

Today while I was pumping gas, this lady at the pump beside me was going on and on about her child's teacher. She apparently was very unhappy because she thought her kid had been treated unfairly in the classroom.

Being a teacher, I was listening to every word she said and I began to wonder...

I wondered if I knew the teacher.

I wondered if my parents talked about me like that.

I wondered if the child had really been treated unfairly.

I wondered if the mother said all of these things in front of the child.

Then, what did I see in the back seat? The kid...

This made me so sad... Talking about your kid's teacher in front of the kid is probably the worst thing you can do for the teacher, yourself, and the kid. It damages the relationship because the kids always tell us what parents say. The kid loses respect for the teacher because mama doesn't respect him/her. It is a lose-lose situation.

I learned a valuable lesson today... Someone is ALWAYS listening!

Is It Too Early...

to drop a few hints for Christmas????

Carolina/Georgia Game

Silly Saturday 3

Here are a few happenings from this week that made me laugh...

1. On a computerized test that my kids had to take in the computer lab this week one sentence in a comprehension passage they had to read said..."I was sitting on the toilet in the downstairs bathroom when a spider fell from the ceiling."

2. When letting a class toad go near the school pond, a student asked me how you could tell a boy toad from a girl toad... She thought the boys had more bumps.

3. When a student was entering her AR password I kept telling her to enter her number... She never could get it to work. She was supposed to put it in her lunch number that she has been using for 4 weeks, but instead she was using her phone number

4. A kid told me he had a midget skateboard... I asked him what midget mean. He said, "O Mr. D haven't you heard??? Midgets are people but they are miniature grown ups."

5. A student walked into a 5k classroom. She announced to the teacher that she was new today and this was her new class. The teacher, "un" notified about a new student was puzzled and begin to help the girl find her class. After several minutes the teacher looked her bookbag to find out she was in 4k. The little girl replied, "I was 4 yesterday, today I am 5 and I want to be in your class."

6. This one is all on me and non school related... I went running last night. When I returned I was so ready for water and a shower. I would have to wait though... I locked myself out!!! O well, I did an extra mile and half waiting on a key!

Confessions of a Runner

These are things you need to know about me as a runner... I confess!!!

1. I sometimes dread the thought of going for my run. Once I get out there I am fine, but going is not always easy.

2. I am sore a lot!!! I stretch and stretch and ice and ice, but my shins hurt and are very sensitive.

3. I sometimes have my headphones in my ears with nothing playing.

4. Even after all the weight I have lost, I do not like running with my shirt off until after dark. Just that whole mindset I am still over coming.

5. I want to buy shows based on how cool they look while I am running and not based on comfort, but I know comfort is better for me... Maybe they make that bright yellow shoe I want with a good cushioned sole soon.

6. My favorite song to run to is Poker Face. (I am ashamed!)

7. Some times I shoot rockets when I am running. If you run, then you know what I am talking about.

Anything Goes Sauce

Yesterday I told you what I didn't like. Today, let me tell you what I do.

Below is a pic of this Anything Goes Sauce that I received as a gift form a student at the end of this past school year. The mother heard about my weight loss and my new found love of grilling, so she wanted to get me something to enjoy on the grill all summer as an end of the year present.

This sauce was THE BEST grilling sauce ever. It came from The Fresh Market and it went great with absolutely everything. It tastes great on ribs, pork chops, chicken, burgers, and even grilled veggies. If you are over on the east side I highly recommend you get some. Get me a bottle too. I am never over that way. Maybe I will make the trip. I think I will. If you comment on this post, I may have to just give one away in a raffle. Hmmmm.... that sounds fun!

Kashi Go Lean=Kashi Go Gross

Since I have been trying to eat healthy this past year I have tried lots of things. I have found lots of new treats that I love, and they have helped me on this journey. One line of food that I kept seeing and hearing about was Kashi. About a month ago I gave in to the Kashi craze and tried their "Go Lean" high protein cereal. It was the worst thing I have ever tried to stomach. It literally tasted like a box of horse food... No I have never had horse feed, but I have fed them and Kashi cereal tasted just like horse feed smells.

Last night for dinner I cooked the Kashi Roasted Veggie Pizza for dinner. I have had it in the freezer for months. It too was a huge disappointment! The crust was paper thin and no tomato sauce on it. I cooked it 5 minutes passed the recommended time and the crust just was a soggy mess. It was not filled with veggies like the picture showed either. I was very disappointed. I think the Kashi brand has received my last hard earned dollar.

Running Essentials

Little did I know how much my life was gonna change when I started running back in March. Running is now one of my favorite things to do. I literally plan my weeks around it so that I can make sure to get it done. Instead of sleeping late on Saturdays, I am up early so I can get in a longer run. This Saturday was especially nice since the air was soooooo cool!!!! I am gonna love running this fall!

As I have developed into a runner, I have also developed a routine to accompany my running. Below are a 10 key essentials to my daily runs. I have to have these to make my run successful. Sometimes I have not had 1 of the things below and it sure made the run tough. I could not have made it 15 miles on Saturday without these key items! Check them out and add them to your running routine!

1. I think the first one is obvious. If you do not know why this is needed, consider yourself blessed!

2. I have one of these before every run. They give me a quick dose of carbs and protein!

3. Bananas are sooo good before a run. They give my just a little extra fuel. I especially like these on a race day. They got their own special blog last week.

4. When I first started running, I would throw on any old pair of socks and run out the door. Now, I am a little more choosy when I open the drawer. I like a tight fitting sock that doesn't slide too much. Socks can cause blisters just like the shoes. Make a wise decision!

5. These shoe got their own special blog too. Again, when I first started I wasn't that picky...Now, O yes... VERY PICKY! If you are serious about running. Get some good shoes!

6. How could you run without this?????? If you run without one, I need to know your secret. I am so nervous because mine is totally about to die!!!!

7. I keep a towel in my car for the moment I get done. I am usually just soaked, especially when running in the heat this summer. Believe it or not, I have been so wet and my body temp is so messed up right after the run, that I use the towel like a blanket sometimes to "get warm."

8. After running I have about a 15 minute stretching routine that I do. The image below does not show exactly what I do. It was the only image I could find. I stretch my calves, hamstrings, thighs, Achilles, groin, then do it all over again. I don't do a whole lot pre run. Its better to stretch a warm muscle than a cold one.

9. While I am running, I think about what I am gonna eat after I am done. The eating afterwards is probably my favorite part of running. Contrary to the popular opinion, just because you run does not give you free reign to eat whatever, but you can eat more than normal. The first thing I always want after a run is a big 'ole bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios. I have them for breakfast everyday, and I just crave them after a run.

10. I read on more than one running website about this last thing... Chocolate Milk... I LOVE IT!!! Turns out, it is a GREAT post run drink. Full of Carbs and good for bones! I chug a big glass full after every run. I get my chocolate fix everyday!!!!

Happy Birthday Johnnie-Lynn

Today is my sister Johnnie-Lynn's birthday. I can't believe it, but today she is turning 27. In my mind she is still like 10, but in many ways she is farther along in life than I am. She is married with 2 awesome little kiddos and is a fantastic mother and wife!

In honor of her birthday today I thought I would list 27 memories that she and I have. Some of them you might know, some of them you might not. If you have a moment, wish her Happy Birthday on my comment.

1. She was obsessed with her Cricket doll when she was little.
2. Her nickname was "princess." I hated that name!
3. Look at all that snow snow!!!
4. She once naired my under arm.
5. She once sold her old clothes door to door to make enough money to order a pizza for lunch.
6. I rescued her reindeer antlers in the middle of Highway 9.
7. The day her water broke.... NO BROTHER should experience that with his sister!!!
8. A mone chick uh!
9. Yo Trabajo!!!!!!!!
10. The night I pulled you out of the chair.
11. Remember when we ran out gas on the jet ski all the way near the bridge?
12. She is forever getting lost.... DIRECTIONALLY CHALLENGED!
13. Field Day birthday party hosted by brother!!!
14. She used to have Hippie Beads hanging in the door frame of her bedroom.
15. One of my college roomies, Ritchie had a big ole crush on her and sent her roses!!!
16. She used to cry when I would tickle her.
17. Once she got mad at me and threw the phone at me.
18. Hickey Forehead!
19. Remember when you climbed out the window of the trailer?
20. Christmas Eve night until LALA! What fun!!!!!!! I wish we were still little.
21. Christmas morning photos in the trash.
22. Laughing at mama.... TOO MANY TIMES TO COUNT!!!!!!!!!!!!
23. Yard Saleing.
24. 18 Rolls in a basket! HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
25. OMG, I almost forgot.... WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR FEELINGS???????????????
26. Even after 27 years, she still calls me "brother".
27. She is an awesome wife, mom, and sister. I love her very much! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHNNIE-LYNN!!!!!!

One of My Favorites!

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure;
Save from wrath and make me pure.

Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to the cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;

Helpless look to Thee for grace;

Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die.

While I draw this fleeting breath,
When mine eyes shall close in death,
When I soar to worlds unknown,
See Thee on Thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.

Silly Saturday 2

Here are some things that made me laugh this week...

1. We were reading this sentence in class... "The wolf howled at the moon after he ran in the snow." We were looking for verbs. I taught the kids to ask themselves the question.. "Can I..." and then say each word of the sentence... If they could do what ever they asked.... then it was a verb... Look at the sentence.. Can I "the"? no.... Can I "wolf"? no... Can I "howl"? yes (verb!) Can I "moon"????? One kid shouted out, "I can moon!!!!!" he giggled and knew exactly what he was talking about while no one else did. I lost my composure for just a bit! He was right though... it can be a verb!

2. We were studying the water cycle in class with a Ziploc bag half filled with water. We hang it in the window and let the water evaporate and condense. I told the kids we were gonna make clouds in the bag. A little girl asked, "Can we make it thunder in there too?"

3. Overheard on the playground... Girl: "Girls are better than boys. It says so in the book."
Boy: "What book?"
Girl: "You know, the one with all the rules!"
Boy: "You mean the Bible?"
Girl: "Yea, that's the one!"

4. During our Farmer's Day Dance a 2nd grader said he was "gone dance like he ain't never danced before." I wish I could have a recording of this. It was hilarious!

5. I saw a crayon rolling on the floor and asked someone to pick it up. Someone said... "Poor thing! He is homeless and needs a friend!"

Love this bunch of kids. They are gonna provide for many Silly Saturdays. Have a great weekend!

A Little Taste of Heaven

Last night my lips met one of these sandwiches for the first time in almost a year.... 11 months to be exact... It was a little taste of Heaven... I enjoyed every single bite!!! It was the only choice at a dinner where I spoke about Operation Christmas Child so I had to eat or wait til after 9. It didn't hurt me though. When I got home I headed out for a personal best run of 7 miles in 54 minutes... Maybe I will have another sandwich tomorrow... I won 2 coupons to Chick-Fil-A at the dinner. :0) Happy Friday!

Just Because I Want To...

I talked about this Saturday... Here it is!!!!! I hope it makes you laugh!

Running Shoes

It seems like someone asks me at least once a day what kind of shoes I run in. When I first started I just used my plain 'ole New Balance tennis shoes. Then as I got more and more into it I realized that I needed a bit more cushion and moved to a pair of Asics. I kept running and running and realized that even those were not the best for me.

Finally, since I felt this running thing was not a fluke, I made the trip over to Greenville to a store called Run-In. The people there were so knowledgeable and recommended the shoe below, a Mizuno Wave Rider 13. It is a light weight shoe with great support and cushion. They made the recommendation based on the wear on my old shoes. If you go over there be sure to take your old ones.

I am very involved with these shoes. I cannot imagine running with anything else. I am already looking forward to my next pair in 500 miles.... 300 miles to go!