Today I got my braces off and I thought I would show off my brand new straight teeth in my same old smile. Here I am sporting my new retainer case, a box of Sugar Babies, a bag of popcorn, and Sweetarts, which were all a parting gift from the orthondontist.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Braces Free!!!!
Numbness
It's easy for us to ask God why things happen, but it's not alway easy to understand. This past weekend has been tough on many, many people. The majority of you already know that Bryan's dad has resigned from Highland Park Church and has decided to leave Kim (Bryan's mom). It has been both a shock and disappointment to say the least. Needless to say, things will never be the same. Bryan and I are lucky in some regards that we are not living in Jackson right now, but then again we feel like we can't do as much as we should for the rest of the family. We are getting bits and pieces from family members, friends, and other people and when the time is right I might explain more, but for now I am not going into specifics. It is going to be a long road of recovery for everyone. When the numbness wears off and the hurt and pain is more prevalent, Bryan and I are thankful that we know that God has a purpose for all of this, no matter how much this sucks. Please keep Kim, Amy (and Adam), Matt, Bryan, HP, the many others that have been hurt, and yes, even Robert, even though that is hard to say right now in your prayers.
Friday, December 5, 2008
It's the Thought that Counts
Last night when I arrived at the Housing Authority, I was showered with gifts. I was greeted by two of the regular clients right around 5 p.m. Anthony, a guy in his late fifties who is reading at about a 1st grade level, held out a dusty Mixed Berry Glade candle as a gift for Christmas. Carolyn handed me a Christmas card that she signed. There was nothing extravagent about these gifts. In fact, they were probably things that most people would throw away if they received them. To me, though, I am not sure I have ever received such sincere gifts in my entire life.
The clients that I work with live in public housing and they often times don't have enough money to buy themselves food or clothing. They thought enough of me though to sacrifice what little they could to give me a gift. I was definitely humbled to say the least.
A few minutes later a new client walked in with a box of fruitcake candy. He was a 65 year old man who had recently had a stroke and was wanting some extra help with phonics. He gave me the box of candy because he said he needed to make a good impression on his teacher. He also said that he didn't have an apple or else he would have brought me that instead.
Working with adults is amazing! Although I am teaching them how to read they are teaching me about life. They understand that it's the thought that counts. They are completely authentic. They are my inspiration and I am truly grateful that God has allowed me to learn from them.
The clients that I work with live in public housing and they often times don't have enough money to buy themselves food or clothing. They thought enough of me though to sacrifice what little they could to give me a gift. I was definitely humbled to say the least.
A few minutes later a new client walked in with a box of fruitcake candy. He was a 65 year old man who had recently had a stroke and was wanting some extra help with phonics. He gave me the box of candy because he said he needed to make a good impression on his teacher. He also said that he didn't have an apple or else he would have brought me that instead.
Working with adults is amazing! Although I am teaching them how to read they are teaching me about life. They understand that it's the thought that counts. They are completely authentic. They are my inspiration and I am truly grateful that God has allowed me to learn from them.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Whirlwind of Events
Last week I mentioned that I had a lot to write about and now I just have even more. I guess I should start with my last day at school. I not only had the worst day of the year, but probably the worst day of my entire teaching career. I was screamed at by a very mean and hurtful parent in front of all of my students and other parents at our Thanksgiving Celebration Feast. It was not pretty and I was very upset by it. I won't go into specifics because that just brings it all back up again but I did get in quite a bit of retail therapy later that evening.
Wednesday was full of packing before a trip to the tanning salon and the orthodontist. Yes, I said tanning salon. I had my second spray tan visit in hopes that I might have some color for Amy's (Bryan's sister) wedding this past weekend since I was wearing a spaghetti strapped dress in the wedding. My first visit was during the previous week right before I grew incredibly sick from a stomach virus. Let me just say that freezing cold spray and horrible tanning solution fumes does not help a person with a developing stomach virus at all. My second visit was not as bad and I did have at least a little color for the wedding. We left for Jackson shortly after my visit to the orthodontist and enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner with my family.
Thursday morning Bryan ran in a 5K with his sister and I was there to document the event as well as provide moral support. As soon as the race was over we headed north to Rutherford, TN to visit my grandparents. My grandparents are not in great health so I cherish the time I get to spend with them. My grandmother showed me how to sew a pinwheel design and I am not sure that I have ever felt more special around her. It was definitely the highlight of my day. We spend the rest of the day at the Tillery's house and ate another round of food. Later that evening I went with Amy and Kim to the church to work on things for the wedding and then Amy gave me a haircut. As I was getting my hair cut, Bryan decided he was going to go to the television studio with his little brother who is a camera guy for the 6 and 10 pm news. Because I was in the middle of my haircut and I couldn't go with him, I had to wait in town until a little after 11 for him. Needless to say I was not very happy but I was very thankful that I got to talk to Kelly for a while and do some much needed venting. (Thanks, Kelly!!)
Friday morning I skipped the shopping adventures and slept in for a little while. Bryan and I ate some breakfast with my parents and then headed into town to pick up his tuxedo for the wedding. Then we ate at our favorite Mexican restaurant of all time, Los Portales. It was so delicious. Next, we went to play disc golf at Union University, which by the way was a horrible place to play and we basically had to go on a treasure hunt to find the tee boxes and baskets/poles. It was fun anyway. Friday evening we had the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner at the church and then headed back to my parents' house to crash for the evening.
Saturday morning was filled with hair and make-up stuff at Amy's salon where she works. We participated in all the normal wedding stuff and Amy and Adam (our new brother-in-law) were sent off to a have a wonderful honeymoon around 5 pm. We helped clean up all the wedding stuff that had been worked so hard on for the past few months. It is funny how much work goes into a wedding and how fast it is all over. Their wedding did make me and Bryan reflect on how far we have come since we were walking down the aisle 5 years ago. That was such a special day for us and each new day just brings us closer.
Sunday, Bryan and I split our time between two churches. We went to Highland Park for the early service and to my parent's church, Oakfield Baptist for their service. Then we ate lunch with my parents, packed up our stuff again, and headed home.
Our break wasn't too much of a break. It was more like a whirlwind of events but it was fun and great to see family and friends.
Wednesday was full of packing before a trip to the tanning salon and the orthodontist. Yes, I said tanning salon. I had my second spray tan visit in hopes that I might have some color for Amy's (Bryan's sister) wedding this past weekend since I was wearing a spaghetti strapped dress in the wedding. My first visit was during the previous week right before I grew incredibly sick from a stomach virus. Let me just say that freezing cold spray and horrible tanning solution fumes does not help a person with a developing stomach virus at all. My second visit was not as bad and I did have at least a little color for the wedding. We left for Jackson shortly after my visit to the orthodontist and enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner with my family.
Thursday morning Bryan ran in a 5K with his sister and I was there to document the event as well as provide moral support. As soon as the race was over we headed north to Rutherford, TN to visit my grandparents. My grandparents are not in great health so I cherish the time I get to spend with them. My grandmother showed me how to sew a pinwheel design and I am not sure that I have ever felt more special around her. It was definitely the highlight of my day. We spend the rest of the day at the Tillery's house and ate another round of food. Later that evening I went with Amy and Kim to the church to work on things for the wedding and then Amy gave me a haircut. As I was getting my hair cut, Bryan decided he was going to go to the television studio with his little brother who is a camera guy for the 6 and 10 pm news. Because I was in the middle of my haircut and I couldn't go with him, I had to wait in town until a little after 11 for him. Needless to say I was not very happy but I was very thankful that I got to talk to Kelly for a while and do some much needed venting. (Thanks, Kelly!!)
Friday morning I skipped the shopping adventures and slept in for a little while. Bryan and I ate some breakfast with my parents and then headed into town to pick up his tuxedo for the wedding. Then we ate at our favorite Mexican restaurant of all time, Los Portales. It was so delicious. Next, we went to play disc golf at Union University, which by the way was a horrible place to play and we basically had to go on a treasure hunt to find the tee boxes and baskets/poles. It was fun anyway. Friday evening we had the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner at the church and then headed back to my parents' house to crash for the evening.
Saturday morning was filled with hair and make-up stuff at Amy's salon where she works. We participated in all the normal wedding stuff and Amy and Adam (our new brother-in-law) were sent off to a have a wonderful honeymoon around 5 pm. We helped clean up all the wedding stuff that had been worked so hard on for the past few months. It is funny how much work goes into a wedding and how fast it is all over. Their wedding did make me and Bryan reflect on how far we have come since we were walking down the aisle 5 years ago. That was such a special day for us and each new day just brings us closer.
Sunday, Bryan and I split our time between two churches. We went to Highland Park for the early service and to my parent's church, Oakfield Baptist for their service. Then we ate lunch with my parents, packed up our stuff again, and headed home.
Our break wasn't too much of a break. It was more like a whirlwind of events but it was fun and great to see family and friends.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Going Private
I know it has been several days since my last post and I am sorry. I have had plenty to write about which I will have to write about in little spurts I guess. I have gone private since my last post though and I felt like I should give an explanation.
I never intended for anyone to actually read what I have to write, I was merely using my blog as a reflection of my life and what I think. One day last week I was checking my email and read an email about teachers that were getting in trouble for using Facebook, etc. I have a private setting on Facebook but my blog was open for the world to read. I figured I didn't have anything to hide, but you never know when someone is going to take something the wrong way. Then I did a search for myself on Google. I looked up my username: teachertillery, my name, and my blog's name. I came up with a list of multiple blog entries with all three of them, so I figured I better make my life a little more private. I often share trials of my classroom or graduate school and I didn't want any of that taken the wrong way. So if you are reading this, then you are one of my 100 readers that I can now have with a Blogspot private setting (not that I have 100 readers). So, I hope you will stick around and go through the effort of logging in to read my ramblings because I truly love all the feedback that I receive. You all keep me writing!
I never intended for anyone to actually read what I have to write, I was merely using my blog as a reflection of my life and what I think. One day last week I was checking my email and read an email about teachers that were getting in trouble for using Facebook, etc. I have a private setting on Facebook but my blog was open for the world to read. I figured I didn't have anything to hide, but you never know when someone is going to take something the wrong way. Then I did a search for myself on Google. I looked up my username: teachertillery, my name, and my blog's name. I came up with a list of multiple blog entries with all three of them, so I figured I better make my life a little more private. I often share trials of my classroom or graduate school and I didn't want any of that taken the wrong way. So if you are reading this, then you are one of my 100 readers that I can now have with a Blogspot private setting (not that I have 100 readers). So, I hope you will stick around and go through the effort of logging in to read my ramblings because I truly love all the feedback that I receive. You all keep me writing!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Things I Love
I have been making a list in my head of several things that I love and here is just a few of my new favorite things:
- I love the color orange right now. The beautiful fall leaves have really made me feel happy. It's too bad that in just a matter of a few days they have gone from the tree branches to the ground.
- I love my new white winter coat. I am sure I am going to regret getting cream in the long run but it is just glorious right now. (Just so you know I was in line to buy a red coat and then changed my mind at the last minute to by a white coat.)
- I absolutely love Starbuck's Pumpkin Spice Frappuccinos!
- I love being able to stay in my pajamas all day and watch movies. Yes, I did that Sunday instead of writing Chapters 1 and 2 of my thesis.
- I love my church, my group of friends and I that meet on Saturday evenings for Bible Study. We are a group of people that are actually being genuine about growing intimate with God...(more to come, eventually).
- I love music. If it weren't for music, I am not sure I could have survived 5 years of commuting.
- I love the sound of a disc hitting a disc golf basket. Bryan and I were eating at the park on Saturday before our round of disc golf (it was borderline a picnic:) ) and I heard a disc hit a basket. It immediately made me feel so good. I am not sure why except for maybe the fact that I have finally found a sport that I can somewhat play.
- I love extra blankets on the bed. I love to be warm and toasty, but I especially love the weight of the covers on me. It's a good thing that I live with an energy nazi and we keep our house freezing cold in the winter.
- I love snuggling up to Bryan on the couch to watch an evening of television shows, which I am about to do right now. :)
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Spilling the Beans on the Big 26
My birthday was on Friday and I turned the big 26. I have never made a big deal out of birthdays and so I tried to ignore the fact that I was turning one year older. I also try to ignore the fact that my birthday is on Halloween, a holiday I used to despise. I've learned it's not so bad anymore.
I didn't really want anything for my birthday and the red coat I really loved at Old Navy that Bryan was going to get me ended up looking horrible on me so I passed on his offer to buy it. So I truly could not think of anything that I wanted. I was much too busy worrying about a birthday gift of my own that I wanted to purchase for Bryan.
Bryan has really gotten into photography. He loves to just go capture moments in time. He has a nice camera that is about 3 years old now and he has gotten a lot of use out of it, not to mention the hours he has spent photographing kids' sports. Well a few months ago Nikon announced a new camera they had for sale. Bryan has been dying to have it. It's not something he necessarily needed but he absolutely wanted it. The new Nikon D90 is pretty expensive, ok not pretty expensive but a whole lot expensive.
We discussed buying it a few times and several times I brought up the fact that he didn't need a new camera. Well, Bryan didn't know that since I got my big raise at the Housing Authority that I had been saving all of my paychecks to buy this camera for him. I couldn't believe it! I was actually keeping a secret from him! I had every intention of buying it and having it here for him to open up on his birthday which is Wednesday, but my plans fell through. I tried to purchase the camera four different ways online using a bank draft because I was not going to use credit card. After becoming so frustrated with Amazon I resorted to trying to buy it locally. My only option was to buy it from Best Buy but I had to buy an additional lens which Bryan did not need plus caused the price to be $300 more. I was devastated that my only option left was to use our only credit card that Bryan carries in his wallet. So Friday night, while we were eating my birthday dinner, I gave enough hints for Bryan to guess what I was getting him. That's right, I spilled the beans. At first Bryan thought it was a heartrate monitor because he is going to be training for next year's Chicago marathon soon. It was hilarious. When he finally guessed the camera his eyes got so big. It was absolutely adorable. I don't think I have ever seen him so giddy. Just his was reaction was one of the best presents ever.
Since then we have used a different company and hopefully the camera will ship out on Monday in time for him to actually get it on his birthday. :)
I didn't really want anything for my birthday and the red coat I really loved at Old Navy that Bryan was going to get me ended up looking horrible on me so I passed on his offer to buy it. So I truly could not think of anything that I wanted. I was much too busy worrying about a birthday gift of my own that I wanted to purchase for Bryan.
Bryan has really gotten into photography. He loves to just go capture moments in time. He has a nice camera that is about 3 years old now and he has gotten a lot of use out of it, not to mention the hours he has spent photographing kids' sports. Well a few months ago Nikon announced a new camera they had for sale. Bryan has been dying to have it. It's not something he necessarily needed but he absolutely wanted it. The new Nikon D90 is pretty expensive, ok not pretty expensive but a whole lot expensive.
We discussed buying it a few times and several times I brought up the fact that he didn't need a new camera. Well, Bryan didn't know that since I got my big raise at the Housing Authority that I had been saving all of my paychecks to buy this camera for him. I couldn't believe it! I was actually keeping a secret from him! I had every intention of buying it and having it here for him to open up on his birthday which is Wednesday, but my plans fell through. I tried to purchase the camera four different ways online using a bank draft because I was not going to use credit card. After becoming so frustrated with Amazon I resorted to trying to buy it locally. My only option was to buy it from Best Buy but I had to buy an additional lens which Bryan did not need plus caused the price to be $300 more. I was devastated that my only option left was to use our only credit card that Bryan carries in his wallet. So Friday night, while we were eating my birthday dinner, I gave enough hints for Bryan to guess what I was getting him. That's right, I spilled the beans. At first Bryan thought it was a heartrate monitor because he is going to be training for next year's Chicago marathon soon. It was hilarious. When he finally guessed the camera his eyes got so big. It was absolutely adorable. I don't think I have ever seen him so giddy. Just his was reaction was one of the best presents ever.
Since then we have used a different company and hopefully the camera will ship out on Monday in time for him to actually get it on his birthday. :)
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