Tuesday, August 07, 2007

New Experiences


One of the many dirt-throwing pictures!


Under a tent, in the hot summer morning, a group of politicians, educators, students and parents gathered...

WAIT! There were plenty of reporters there. I don't need to write like one! ;)

Never been to a groundbreaking before this morning. Never had the daunting task of choosing words to represent the emotions any high school parent might have at such an occasion as this. I was just me. And I had fun!





Unexpected things--food, keepsake shovel and hardhat, a trophy to memorialize the event, and a tumbler. The last, definitely, most practical of all. (Although, as an aside, I must say I think Garland was very happy with the shovel!)




I'm just glad the school is able to move past some of the controversy, even though there are still bridges to repair and build. (Interesting to me, Alta Vista Elementary, cited in this same Time article from 1958, and their issue of preservation wasn't even raised during their new building process when Katy and Emma attended that school!)

Thankfully for the people who have invested 7 years getting to this morning's groundbreaking, there were no protesters present, and in this evening's news we'll discover how the press will skew the event.

Click on this to see our ABC affiliate's coverage online. If you look carefully, you will see both me and Garland!--go to the "video" link on the lower left!


Principal Linda Nook and me, chatting with construction workers after the ceremony

It was a good morning. And on the way out, Katy stopped by Guidance to finally pick up her diploma.

That was the biggest accomplishment of the day.

Sunday, August 05, 2007

All These Projects!

As I told Jessie, and you all, I have been very busy lately!

First, Emma's gown for Renaissance is near completion...


Garland has been busy replacing the girls'/guest bath because of an extensive leak...


Katy had 4 wisdom teeth pulled, two of which developed dry sockets...

Laura's room has been redecorated for her to begin her high school career. I find this the most interesting. Her favorite movie is "Breakfast at Tiffany's", and it has inspired her for a "Tiffany's blue" wall paint with black and white accents. Before she left for a week with her dad in NJ, she selected pillow fabric. In time, we will recover her bedspread to black, but for now, the denim should work!

(This is her color choice...but I keep reminding myself that in four years, each room in my home will be mine and Garland's to decorate as we wish. I can agree to her taste for a few years!!)

Two weeks from Wed. we leave with Katy for Hope College. In the meantime, here's what awaits my schedule:

1. Daily oral surgeon appt's with Katy until ?.
2. Leadership training with this year's new choir officers/head table in St. Pete Aug. 10-12.
3. Center Stage camp Aug. 13-18, 8-3pm.
4. Celebrating Emma's 17th birthday, last packing details with Katy, orientation with Laura.

If you don't see much of me, now you know why! :)