Real boxes for a real move

Knowing we are moving, I have put off packing up boxes for months now, but this weekend started the official move. Our possessions are starting to go into real boxes for a real move. While cleaning out closets, I stirred up dust and a lot of old memories. Among many fond memories, I found Ashley’s elementary yearbook of when she was in kindergarten. She was in Mrs. Donna Smith’s class. Wow, those kids were so cute! Donna was too! She had long hair. I also ran across Ashley’s all time favorite children’s book called Jillian Jigs. I think the reason she liked it so much was because it fit her perfect:

“Jillian, Jillian, Jillian Jigs!
It looks like your room has been lived in by pigs!”
“Later, I promise. As soon as I am through,
I’ll clean up my room. I promise. I do.”

“Later” always came before “soon” when it came to Ashley cleaning her room and I am sure several roommates can attest that the book fits her still today! She likes things to be freakishly super clean, but for some reason she can live with a cluttered room. I also found a collection of old love letters my husband sent to me while we were dating during my early college years. They are really sweet! It is sad to know the younger generation is missing out on good old-fashioned love letters.

Kelly

Me a Coach???

Me a Coach???

Last week I had a couple of interviews and one was for a social studies job at a tiny school. The position was for a Social Studies/Head Football Coach. Before going to the interview, I commented to my husband, “Surely they looked at my resume and know that I don’t coach.” He replied, “Hey, I think you could pull it off. It is six-man football. All you have to do is tell them boys that when they get the ball, they need to run, and run, and run until they either make a touchdown or get tackled!” Sure enough the first words of the interview started with, “Sooooo…..can you coach?” I took a big gulp and replied sheepishly, but proudly, “Well….uh, I ..I can coach Social Studies UIL.” . . .

So, now I am waiting it out to see if they can find another coach who teaches another subject, if so, then I possibly could find myself as a new employee of this little, but terrific gem of a school. For their sake, I hope not as a coach. Now what makes this story so funny is if you know me, then you know I am one of the most uncoordinated and un-athletic persons alive. In fact, I do not know a whole lot about sports in general. I am the person that once put the lettering “Tee-Off” instead of “Tip-Off” on a school basketball bulletin board. That was really embarrassing!!! Who would think a minor mix up of words could be so important! More so, who would think people could not let that minor mistake die, but they don’t! To me, it is like Tomato or Tomatoe/Potato or Potatoe. What’s the difference?

Hut, Hut, Hut!

Kelly

My Friend Amanda

About a week ago, my sweet friend Amanda wrote about me on her blog, “The Silver Lining.” She said some very, very nice things, which made me both laugh and cry. I think she is buttering me up for something. Maybe she needs a kidney. As a way to say thanks for her kind and encouraging words, I want to say a few things about her…

When I think of my friend Amanda Kirkpatrick. I think of family. She loves her family!!!!!!!!! I will never forget about the time we were on a 2-day school trip together and sharing a room. By the way this room did not have “piped-in music”. [The “piped-in music” thing was an honest mistake that anyone could have made! Right Donna?] As we were getting ready for bed, Amanda pulled out framed photographs of her kids and placed them on the nightstand beside her bed. She loves her husband, children, parents, siblings and in-laws very deeply and they are all extremely close. The only other one to rank above them is her God. She loves Him more than life! There is not a student who has passed through her class, which has not seen or felt her love for God or the love of God. She surrounds her world with scripture. I can’t count how many times I have seen her carrying a Bible to school or on a trip. She is a fine example for her own daughters to follow, as well as the young girls at CHS who she teaches or coaches. My friend Amanda is an encourager and one who has huge heart for those hurting or in need. She is always getting prayer chains ready for someone and working on other ways to help meet their needs. We have shared countless memories and laughs together and I cherish each and every one. Amanda, thank you and know that I love you.

Kelly