BAD cell phone policy

School is in session and all seems to be going well. I still have issues with the cell phone policy at the middle school but all I can do is voice my opinion. Last year they started the school year with an out-of-sight and out-of-mind attitude towards cell phones. That lasted about 1/2 the year and some kids were doing some less than desirable things with their phones. You are gonna have that no matter where you are or what age. The school changed their policy mid-year and banned ALL cell phones on school grounds during school hours. The students are not even allowed to have them in their lockers/backpacks turned off. If they are caught in possession of one they will be written up.

I agree that cell phones have no place in school, especially for middle school kids. But I will have to say that for students with after school activities they are a useful tool. I disagree with the ruling that a student cannot even possess a cell phone even if it is turned off. If a student is searched, PROPERLY, and a cell phone is found and is ON, then write them up. But if the student is complying and keeping the device off, please don't punish them.

We experienced this last year. Our youngest daughter had an old cell phone she was using because her other one died. Well this phone died too and was still in her backpack. It was not even a functioning cell phone at the time a search was performed of her backpack. The teacher soon learned that it didn't even turn on and when they found out it was not functioning that teacher proceeded to throw it away right there in the classroom. That should never have happened! Our daughter was written up for having the phone in her possession. It didn't bother me as much then as it does now since I have had a chance to think on it.

I believe the policy should allow for devices as long as they are out-of-sight and OFF. If a student is caught during school hours with a device ON, then punishment should be in order. This is an age where kids are starting to find their identities and earn trust from their superiors. How can they earn a little bit of trust if they are never given a chance. I don't believe that the school is doing any favors by treating these kids like they are guilty before they ever have a chance of going anything wrong. Maybe punishment for offenders, especially when doing something undesirable, needs to be more harsh but let them have the chance to prove themselves....It has worked for the high school and they are managing 2300 students!

School Starts 2009

It's official...the kiddos started school today. They were understandably excited, anxious and even a little scared. My freshman is starting a school with nearly 2300 students - the largest she has even seen. She told me that her school was larger than the mall and that was just wrong! My 8th grader is headed back to rule the school and was excited about seeing all her friends. I am just happy to have my house back during the day! They have been driving each other crazy all summer and it will be interesting to see how they react to each other now that they head in opposite directions every day.

I have one more night of insurance class and then time to study before I schedule my state exams. I am preparing to enter the mighty world of insurance and am excited for this change as well. This is a whole new thing for all of us but I know I can do it and am ready for a career. This will also allow me to set my own schedule so I am not a slave to a cubicle and I can be available for the kid's activities.

My husband is preparing for a little more alone time but since the Dr. said he can get out more I am also expecting him to get a life again. We have several neighbors that are home during the day and they always have a "project" going on and some trips to the community center and pool could be good for him too.

We are hoping to get back out to the coast again soon. Maybe a trip down to Wilmington since I have not been there yet. This photo was taken in New Bern, NC spring break this year when we stopped for lunch downtown. We were only traveling thru but hope to be back next summer for their 300th anniversary. There was a lot of construction going on to prepare but it is one very cool town....its also the birthplace of Pepsi Cola. Check out the official website for the celebration.
http://www.newbern300th.com/

Football season is here!

OK...I love football but since moving to NC I have had a little difficulty enjoying it so much. It isn't easy when your favorite teams are on the opposite coast. I like the Carolina Panthers and all but I have been a fan of the Seattle Seahawks since I was a little girl. My other favorite team is whoever is scheduled to play Dallas that day!!! I have always disliked Dallas to an extreme, mostly because the owner is a less than savory character in my book. The new stadium is a pure example of how somebody's large ego won out over common sense. Those huge video screens are so low that a tall person would feel compelled to duck when walking under them. They are obviously in the way of normal play and will have to be moved much to the chagrin of the proud owner. O well!

Only 2 more days until school starts and I know I am ready. We did enjoy a very nice day yesterday as a family. We went up to the state's Farmer's Market, walked around and indulged in treats that we don't normally see. We don't get to drink Nehi sodas and snack on homemade pecan sandies every day and that was nice. It was also nice to see that smiles among the feuding sisters did start to emerge fairly early and didn't go away. We brought home some giant peaches, snap beans and blueberries and I can't wait to eat them.

My husband did very well walking around and we managed to find him places to sit to rest on a regular basis. We also went to church in the evening since the crowds are smaller in the Saturday night service. He also managed to get in his regular trip around the neighborhood with the dog.....and he was feeling great! I cannot tell you how proud of him I am since only 6 months ago he was bed ridden with fractured vertebrae and he is only 60 days out from a stem cell transplant.

We still take each day at a time but there are many more good days than bad ones now and that is a blessing from above. We praise our Lord, Jesus that he has been healed and his cancer is in remission.

More Freedom!

After a trip to Duke University yesterday we have good news. The Dr. has cleared my husband to do more activities than before. He can now go to public places and be around more people. We still have to use some discretion but he can do things like pool therapy to rebuild his back and take some classes at the community center to keep him busy. His immune system is still barren but his blood work came back normal and there is NO sign of the M protein that causes Multiple Myeloma. He is in remission!!! Praise the Lord - The stem cell transplant worked!

His birthday is at the end of the month and this one will be worthy of a party! It has been a rough year for all of us but we are thankful that we had each other. Our family motto is: "We may not have it all together, but together we have it all."

What to do?

My husband's biggest battle right now is boredom. I am trying to help him by pointing out small projects and he is grateful but I am running out of things too! Now if I could just make him see the dirty dishes, unfolded laundry and unmade beds.....Wives from all over would pay for that if I could figure it out! We tackle the new heating element for the clothes dryer today......ooooo fun.

We find out on Wednesday what the Dr. thinks of his progress and if he can do more public activities. Our daily walks down to see one of our neighbors has been the extent of his social life and he looks forward to it. I know he is doing well and will be able to do much more with the Dr.'s permission.

Summer is coming to a close for the kids but it is my favorite time of the year. I love the cooler evenings, crisp mornings and being able to watch the colors of fall come in. The seasons change and many people resist the change. I say its a waste of energy to fight the change....embrace it. Live it! Change is inevitable. Everything changes so why do humans hate it so much? Because it moves us from a place of comfort. Its nice to be comfortable, but it should never be a lifestyle.

Obama promised change and his eloquent words were full of hope. But you cannot force people to change against their will no matter how much hope it has. The human race resists change and President Obama is finding that out. The change he is proposing must happen in stages. Our health care system is sick but treatment will be a process not a shot in the butt! Much like my husband's illness, it will take a lifetime of care and maintenance.

Dealing with the Bureaucracy

Do you have any idea how difficult it is to prove that a 7 year old was in a certain place at a certain time over 48 years ago! And to top it all off, the time window is 30 days during the summer months so school records don't really count.

That is what we have been facing since we found out my husband's diagnosis of Multiple Myeloma. He qualifies as a "Downwinder" from the nuclear testing our wonderful government did in the 50's and 60's in Nevada. The government is responsible and they admit it.....we just have to PROVE IT! Multiple Myeloma is a cancer proven to be directly related to the radiation exposure.

http://ruralhealth.hrsa.gov/radiationexposure/

We are getting closer, but its amazing in this day and age of "information" that it wasn't really that important 40 years ago to keep every bit of "information" and we survived! The IRS doesn't even keep information that long - I know because we tried. The last bit of information we need just may be in finding his parent's employment records if they exist anywhere.....wish us luck because we will need it!

Yummy Fig Appetizer

Fresh figs, halved
Almonds
Honey
Balsamic Vinegar
Sour Cream

Ok, so if this seems like a weird combination of ingredients....it is! But it works.

Place the figs cut side up on a baking sheet and place a whole almond or several almond slivers inside. Place under the broiler for just a few minutes until the almonds get toasty and the figs are warm. Let them cool a few minutes and place them on a serving plate. Drizzle them with a little honey and balsamic vinegar and place the sour cream on top or on the side if you wish.