What'cha Workin' On Wednesday ~A Teacher's Alarm Goes Off Early

Like all teachers across the country,

this teacher's alarm goes off early... 5a.m.

My high school students ask "WHY?"

Well, obviously, there's getting ready...

answering parent emails...

and going to the supermarket to purchase supplies for lab.

Upon arrival at school,

bags are hauled inside,

and equipment is set up for the morning's activities.

This lesson had a sweet ending.

Have a Thoughtful Thursday...

Be Kind to One Another.

Take care,

~Natalie

Help...I'm Turning into an Old Lady!

With two 'bum' wrists it takes me twice as long to do the things that I used to take for granted.

I need to get up between 4:30 and 4:45 just to get myself ready,

to the Supermarket,

and to school on time.

Sooo...just wanted to show you my first breakfast in the weee hours of the morning.

Right, it's a breakfast fit for an old lady...

And, my new hairstyle?

I guess, it's pretty much a "shampoo and set".

Most salons aren't even equiped for that!

You need to check yourself into the assisted living facility to get a decent "shampoo and set"!!

I guess it's inevitable...

It can't be stopped.

It's gradual...

You aren't aware that it's happening.

But, one day, you wake up and realize, 

you've turned into your mother.

Take care,

~Natalie

So much to be Thankful for... and a Cyber Monday Reminder...

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday...

Family...Good Food...Giving Thanks...

And now...Thanksgiving 2011 is just a memory.

A good memory, that is.

Emily prepared her first Thanksgiving Dinner for us in her apartment.

Turkey roasting in the oven...

stuffing in the slow cooker...

potatoes waiting to to peeled and cooked...

We had all our favorite side dishes...

stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy...

sweet potatoes, scalloped corn, and broccoli salad...

Carving the turkey is a position of honor and always goes to the oldest man in the household.

(that would be my hubby)

Amy traveled the farthest...

she was responsible for the beverages.

It was just our family of four, and I so enjoyed our time together.

And now we are all back in our own homes, packing away the pumpkin decor.

We are ready to face the reality of Monday morning at work,

rejuvenated after spending time with family.

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend.

Take care,

~Natalie

p.s. 

Remember... tomorrow is Cyber Monday.

 Use 'OFGthanksyou2011' 

as the coupon code 

to receive 10% off 

everything in my Etsy shop...

along with several more shops from the

Old Farmhouse Gathering team.

Scroll down to the previous post

for all the clickable links.

Thank you! 

Oh, What a Beautiful Morning...

It is the most fabulous morning here...

Perfect temperature, no humidity...

I couldn't resist taking my cup of coffee outside.

I finally finished my chickens.

I had been waiting to get to a Hobby Lobby to buy beads...

...for their beady little eyes.

The morning was perfect for the photo shoot for her Etsy listing.

Whatever your Sunday plans...

I hope you can enjoy the outdoors.

Take care,

~Natalie

Please visit Karen, at Sew Many Ways

to see everyone's wonderful creations.

Things in my House Thursday ~ The Little Things that Make Me Smile

I make a pot of coffee every morning.

The other day when I opened my kitchen cabinet,

I discovered this sweet surprise.

It was perfect with my morning cup of coffee.

A Home Away from Home~Tuesday's Tip of the Day

Most of you know that during the month that my mom was in the hospital,

I stayed at a motel in Grand Forks.

I so appreciated a bed to sleep in...

A shower to freshen up...

Some Wireless to be in touch with family and friends...

A Continental Breakfast to nourish...

But what's up with a Motel

and their lack of electrical outlets?

Here you see

Our mini refrigerator...

Our Microwave...

Our Wall Light...

...And Emily's Phone Charger...

OK...

...We still have more stuff to plug in...

So I purchased an inexpensive power strip...One I can use when we stay out of town...and it will be stored in my suitcase.  That way, I cannot...will not... forget to pack it. 

In this day of technology...we need more outlets...

for multiple cell phones, camera battery chargers and computers.

We need to plug in alarm clocks, lamps, shavers, hair straighteners, and blow dryers.

If motels do not provide enough access to electrical outlets,

You need to be prepared!

Dark Mornings, Spring Break, Family, Flood, and Good Food

Like for everyone else, it was dark in the mornings when we went to school and work this week.  Monday was the start of our 4th and final term.  I am now teaching Fitness for Life and Personal Development.  I love teaching these two courses...the topics are so relevent for our young adults today.

It was Spring Break-Part I...our district believes in gender equality...so we have two short spring breaks, rather than one long...part over the Girls BB State Tourney...and part over the Boys BB State Tourney...

I enjoyed time at home...I de-winterized as much as possible...the tablescape...the dishes...the snowmen...the sweaters...

The deep snow is melting from our deck...


And hubby did his best to help it along!

We enjoyed time with family.  Our cousin's son, Corey and his wife, Kelly, had their sweet baby, Lily, baptized on Saturday.  

Her heirloom baptismal gown was over 100 years old.

Here are the proud great-grandmas in attendance.

This is the creek behind my mother-in-law's place.  See how the ice is melting and the water is rising...

There is a dike, however, there is talk of sand-bagging...

Today's news reported that High Schools in Fargo were released so that students could fill sandbags there.

And tonight's dinner?  Since the sun was shining...and the snow is off the deck...

...Grilling is a must...

This product in our market advertises that it is a Product of Norway.

 Line says that it looks nothing like the salmon in Norway! 

 But after all...this is South Dakota...it's the best we have...

We are going to try this recipe. 

What's the Hurry?

It has been cold and crisp in the mornings here. When the alarm goes off...it is tough to think about getting up and out...I linger under my covers just a little too long. This morning was no different, so by the time I left the house, I was running 15 to 20 minutes late.


When I turned from 12th Avenue on to Dakota Street, I found myself in a long string of cars that was moving very slowly...I honestly didn't think it was possible to drive that slow. We were traveling at 5 - 7 mph. And just when I started to grumble to myself...a very familiar tune started to play on my radio...

Christmas Shoes

I have read the book...more than once.

I have seen the movie...more than once.

But today, that very slow driver was placed in front of me...

that very special song came on the radio...

I was given time to listen to the entire song from start to finish....

it certainly was a sign for me to slow down

and focus on the true meaning of Christmas.

Please take 5 minutes, click on the Christmas Shoes link and listen to the song...again.

Where the Weekend Went

Saturday was a beautiful morning for driving...Hubby was heading east, then south...his band was playing in a Jazz Club in downtown Sioux Falls. I was heading east, then north...for various college activities.

I arrived in time for lunch. We had a bowl of Southwest Chicken Soup at Sandellas...right across the street from campus...

... ...and to Emily's delight...they were finally pouring cement...this street has been under construction for years...she and Jake have been crossing this muddy street all fall to get to class...

It was Recruitment Day/Parent Weekend for the Bison lacrosse team. Since Jake's parents live in Seattle, I was honored to attend as his substitute mom. Wearing #5, he is a team captain, a leader on the field.

It was cold and wet...we spectators were wrapped in blankets...so not much for pictures...sorry...

Tailgating was also cold and wet...

Here is the band...marching around the backside of the Fargo Dome.

Since the football team cannot seem to win, the band was, again, the highlight of the evening.

Emily sat in the reserved section with me. She had her flashcards handy for when there was a break in the action.



After a bite to eat, I checked in with Weber...Cathy and Keith went out with another couple after the game, so I beat them home.

This morning, I had a wonderful visit with Cathy. She was a good friend in college...and a good friend to this day...