Memorial Day

I do an analogy for the kids at school. It goes like this.
Do you know how big a football field is? Well if we were to lay people down side to side and head to toe across the entire field that is how many bodies died in World War II. When we were bombed and after the ships were sinking and after and during all of the fires the only thing that did not burn was our AMERICAN FLAG.
What is sad is that every morning I stand and pledge to the flag at my school. I also watch the children, many have no idea why they are doing the pledge. Teachers I know that we have an insane core curriculum that MUST be done for the "TESTS" but take the time to explain why the pledge is done. Who knows this little gesture might help get a little bit of respect back in people. Oh and teachers do the pledge also instead of talking with a parent or someone else. Children also learn by example, be one. For all of the men and women that have served and are serving this beloved USA, THANK YOU! To the families of those lost, God Bless You.
This is also written in memory of two of my children's friends killed in Iraq.
Spc. Adam D. Froehlich, US Army, Pine Hill, NJ, killed March 25, 2004
and
Spc. Anthony "Joe" Dixon, US Army, Lindenwold, NJ, killed August 2, 2004

A Horror in the Garden

In 1984 Steve and I bought our home. Several trees were in the yard and over the years many have come down one way or another. Two of the trees were MULBERRY. Now I don't know if you are familar with this monster. Why do I call it a monster? Because the roots do whatever they want even 23 years after the tree came down. While the birds are fat and happy, I am not. These horrible berries are everywhere! I cannot cut this down as it has grown on my neighbors property, just beyond the fence. Moral of story, never ever plant this tree it takes over everywhere a roots grows.

Deviled Eggs

Why write about this? It has recently caused huge fights in my house! I have been making deviled eggs for at least 30 years. I am known for my rocket launchers, as Steve calls them. (and the smell they omit after eating ...) Well my loving sweetheart is on a diet. He went onto the internet to research of all things, deviled eggs. He then proceeds to inform me that I am cooking them all wrong. WHAT?!?! He tells me all of these crazy things the web sight has told him. I very lovingly explain that he has not had a problem with MY deviled eggs in 29 years so I do not by any means want to hear another word about this. HA, does it stop him? NO! Will I bend? NO! Am I currently sitting here typing while eggs are cooking my way? YES!

18 Days To Go

When someone says 184 days it sounds long, it is long. Many days are longer than others. Anyone that says a full moon does not effect children has never been in a classroom. I think I say it every year, and I mean it every year, "This one has been the longest". Well maybe not the longest, but definately the hardest I've had in 16 years. I can honestly say that I will be very happy at 1:30pm on the 15th. If anyone reading this takes anything from it, teach your child respect. Let them know if it is given it will be gotten back. Somewhere, somehow something must change in this world.

Out of Reverse

Today I went a bit into reverse. I don't like doing that. I am tired, a little scared of what will come of all the tests that must be run, and I am fed up with some specific people. So when I lost my cool, for a good reason, then was called on it, a bit of the "Old Dawn" appeared. Thank goodness it was only a bit. I walked away before the appearance became something I would be ashamed of. It is hard sometimes to keep her in check. I have worked hard to change from who I was years ago. I'm back moving forward again - with HIS help.

Mother's Day

Mother - 24 years and 11 days ago I became one with a beautiful daughter Kimberly that has gone for and gotten what she wants. 14 and a half months later a son Timothy that just wasn't having any of that "wait one more month" stuff. 18 and a half months later Diane, another daughter that has been an amazing wonder. I am very blessed. My three children have grown into wonderful adults. People say to me, "You've done a good job" I say no, "They have" They are all their own persons. I hope that some of the good things I have said or done along the way are in the back of their heads. I hope that some of the wrong things I have said or done are there also. I want them to know I am not, nor would I ever claim to be perfect, far from it. I want them to remember my mistakes and then not do them. When my mother was dieing and she asked to be disconnected, on an August the 24th, I understood why. Doctors said she would most likely pass that weekend. She did not. Instead she shut her eyes and would not open them again for me. The night before she died she opened them for her best friend, they talked. My mom died at 3 am the next morning, the date - September 13th. Mother's aways teach whether the lesson is good or bad, mine taught me all the way until the end.
My lesson - Patience.
Happy Mother's Day Mom.

Playing In The Yard

It was a nice day today. Windy but not to chilly. A good day to finish the hedges. I am now covered in scratches after working for 8 hours in the yard. I am so sore. I was bound and determined to get this vine ripped out. I don't know what it is, or where it came from and after all that time working I am still not done! I was crazy realizing that the Mulberry tree we cut down in 1984 was still having trees come from the roots a good 20 feet away! So I sawed and sawed. At one point I was sitting on the ground and couldn't get back up. So I crawled until I could grab something that would assist me. (I am old and was barely moving by this point) So in the end, 2 trash cans filled, 7 trees sawed down with "Dawn" muscle, and more to put in trash cans when I have empty ones. (We are not permitted to put out piles of branches) All in all a good day and I felt wonderful looking at my accomplishments.

A Good Laugh

Ok warning do not drink anything while reading this post.
Picture this, a lunch room full of 110 first graders, 9 of which are mine. Me grabbing and opening juices, opening milks, telling children to sit down, taking cheese off of pizza, cutting pizza, reminding this one and that one to eat, listening to screaming, picking up trash, RIP!!!!
My children that have realized what happened "Oh no, Mrs. Dreher!!!" My darling "Al" our custodian that is behind me has now broken into laughter and collapsed on the bench seat. Me, I have stood pulled my shirt as far down as I could and ever so cleverly slid over to the end of the table.
Mind you my students are SPECIAL. Some have dumped their tray and gone to where they are to sit. Some are with me. My darling "DB" is my protector. The head teacher has now come out of the faculty lounge, looks at me, realizes something is obviously wrong. "DB" whispers into Mrs. K's ear. OH!! Okay now the music teacher that has outside duty, she takes 6, the teacher takes 3. Me I take to carefully walking to the office praying for a needle and thread. My wonderful secretary friends break down in laughter but are angels with the needle and thread. Now where to hide and sew my pants. Ah, preschool is on a walk. I go there. I hide in the bathroom. I am on a little chair 6 inches from the floor sewing the 9 inch tear. The door opens, "SCREAMS"!!
Poor Bev she is definitely more scared than me. She is shaking and me I start laughing and crying. Then she is like Wooo Wooo! I hope you can picture all of this as it was one of the funniest days I have ever had.

My Beautiful Kimberly Marie, Happy Birthday

24 years ago a beautiful little 7 pound 9 ounce baby girl came into my life. Her hair brown, her eyes blue. Her name Kimberly Marie. The amazement was just numbing. My life with her has been something I would never ever give away. Every moment whether good or bad is a memory burned into my soul. My oldest, my pride and joy has turned into the woman she always wanted to be. The wisdom she has is way beyond her years. I know where she was, where she is, and will be awestruck with where she goes. Happy Birthday Munch, I love you.