To every teacher out there I say THANK YOU!!

WHAT TEACHERS MAKE

The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life.
One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education.
He argued, "What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?"
He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers: "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach."
To stress his point he said to another guest; "You are a teacher, Bonnie. Be honest. What do you make?" Bonnie, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, "You want to know what I make?She paused for a second, then began... "
Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could.
I make a C+ feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor if this student has been barely passing. I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can't make them sit for 5 minutes without an I Pod, Game Cube, or movie rental...
You want to know what I make?" She paused again and looked at each and
every person at the table.
I make kids wonder.
I make them question.
I make them criticize.
I make them apologize and mean it. Not just say I'm sorry, but I am sorry for....... I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions.
I teach them to write and then I make them write. I make them read, read, read. I make them show all their work in math.
I make my students from other countries learn everything they need to know in English while preserving their unique cultural identity.
I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe. I make my stud ents stand to say the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, because we live in the United States of America.
Finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life. Bonnie paused one last time and then continued. "Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, I can hold my head up high and pay no attention because they are ignorant... You want to know what I make?
I MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
What do you make?"
THIS IS WORTH SENDING TO EVERY TEACHER YOU KNOW.

In Seclusion...

I am in seclusion here in my part of the world. I went out to go shopping at a market here a week or so ago and got...umm...lets just say an infection of some sort on MY FACE! Went to the doctors and got some cream...she said to put a band aid on my face so that at night I won't get the cream all over. Okay...NOT! I had an allergic reaction to the band aid and now let me tell ya....it ain't pretty! So I am in hiding and feeling a little like the elephant woman................... I AM NOT AN ANIMAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am sopposed to be at the fabric store with Downstairs Jen and Walker Tiki but nooooooooooooooooooooo I am in hiding so I don't give Americans a bad name over here. I should get presents for that I think! AUGH!! So when you go about your un-infected lives out there please think of me and send some good wishes my way!!!

:)

dawn

Hurray!! My dog is all better tonight!! Her gums are pink, shes not shaking and she ran around a little when I took her out. The best we can figure out is that she got into some laxitives! That's what the little heathens were trying out this weekend. NOW WHY LAXITIVES I ASK YOU??????????? They are so not fun!!! When I heard it was laxitives I just sat there with my mouth open. I mean come on!!!!! Sheesh! Next thing you know pepto-bismol will be in.

Thanks for all the kind words and thoughts headed our way for my Abbey. I love that dog!! :) Night everyone!

dawn

This morning I took my dog out for a quick walk. She ate something small on the ground and for the rest of the day was drugged out of her mind. Let's move on from the fact that it scared me half to death thinking that I could lose her..and let's move on from the fact that it could've cost us a small fortune in vet bills..let's instead focus on WHAT WAS THAT PERSON THINKING?????? The word on the street is that a couple of the teens were experimenting around here this weekend. My dog must've eaten whatever they left laying around. Those of you who know me know that I am very much a dog person...especially this little one I found a couple of years ago in a shelter. She had me at hello! :) It just about broke my heart to see her in such a state today. It happened at about 6:30am and it's almost 4 now and her gums are finally pink and she has stopped shaking. I don't know what I would've done if anything bad would've happened to her. I tell you one thing...I'm going to be really careful with her for the next couple of days! I'm off to cuddle with my dog for awhile now. I don't think I'm going to let her out of my sight for the rest of the night.
dawn

Abbey

No matter where I am in the house this little girl follows me. Right now she is laying next to me while I am on the computer reading my blogs. Dogs are the best!!!

p.s. Yuck!!! I had no idea that my foot got in the picture...sorry for those of you who are eating at the moment...heehee

We had snow yesterday...and look what I found in my freezer when I was looking for something to make for dinner. :) My little boo-bear wants to keep this in here til the summer time. How long do you think I can keep this in here and stand to look at it?? hahahahahaha Life with a 9 year old!

I got this video from another blog I read...and baby makes 6. You can find her here
http://jody2ms.com/
This video is not from her...it's from another family. She put it on her site for us to watch and be informed about seatbelt safety. Thanks Jody for sharing this. Please please watch this if you have a child at home. You won't be sorry.
dawn

my bestest buddy

Look at this gorgeous woman!!!!! This is one of my dearest friends in all the world. She is mom to two of the best kiddos and she is doing it all on her own. Here she is at work. If I had to think of one word to describe her it would be Fantastic. Go on over to her blog and tell her hi...

http://bekahbyrd.blogspot.com/

You rock Bec!!!

love ya,

dawn

WA-HOO!!

Guess what opened right around the corner from us??? DUNKIN DONUTS!!! Of course...in the interest of good blogging...I had to go and check it out. Annnnnd since I was checking out Dunkin Donuts here in Korea I needed to get an assortment so that I could say I tried everything. heehee When I walked in and got a coffee I was so excited that I may have done a happy dance. And since I was doing a happy dance the people who worked there may have been tickled and felt the need to give me a gift. See the thing with a ribbon around it............

It's my very own Dunkin Donut apron. I love it here people!!! While the hubby and I were out and about it started to snow. Guess who made an appearence in the snow??????????? NAKED KOREAN MAN!!!! Of course as soon as I got the camera he went back in so I took some pics of the snow. I'm thinking he knows I'm trying to get a picture of him so he's no started to mess with me. It's okay....the camera is going to be by the window now. :)

Here's the snow coming down pretty good.

This is the view right outside our window in the living room. I was standing on the balcony with my hand out catching snow and waving to the gate guards. Now Lauren and I are off to get in the van and see where $10 in Won will take us. I'll post pics as soon as I get back. Bye everyone!! Stay warm!!

dawn

my first paycheck!!

I got paid today!!!!!! Can you hear the happiness in my writing??! This is my first paycheck in over 12 years!! I only worked a day and a half but let me tell you that my bacon bits looked good in the ole' bank account!! It would pay for dinner out with the hubby but I don't care!! I made some money!! heehee Why I find that so satisfying I have no idea. I just felt like I contributed something which begs the question...haven't I been contributing something all these years at home with my kids? SHOOT YES! Hmmmm something for me to ponder. I had a lady ask me the other day if I regreted not working all this time, like maybe I let a bunch of opportunities pass me by. I don't feel that way at all. My kiddos are happy, healthy and safe. I feel that when I became a mom that my opportunity to stay home was a blessing! Many moms out there have to work. And please don't mistake me...whatever works for your family is great! To each his own is my motto. For us it's been good having me home. We move around so much and my hubby has such crazy hours I felt like I was the one constant in their lives. Boy this sounds preachy...okay back to feeling great about making some money....happy dance time!!! WHOOPIE!!! AND A HUGE KUDDOS TO ALL THOSE MOMMAS OUT THERE WHO EITHER WORK OR STAY HOME. We are the bomb!!

chicken soup + cookies = a happy man once again

The Capt came home and got his homemade chicken soup plus I threw in some chocolate chip cookies fresh from the oven for good measure. His belly is now full and he's watching a movie on TV...happily. Our little boo-bear has a friend over and her older sister has them both in the kitchen making sugar cookies...flour is everywhere. The oldest is out with friends. Life is good here at Chez' Owens. Night everyone!!

my cranky Capt....

Okay, so yesterday I went to Downstairs Jens house to cut some blocks for my BOM project. I also had my middle daughter home sick...she is still home today with a fever...I wasn't able to get to the grocery store cause I was home with her. The hubby was going to be at work late so I'm thinking dinner can be something quick and easy....pancakes!!! Then...then! a friend of my daughters comes over after dinner. His parents are in the states due to a death in the family so a lot of the mommas at church are taking care of him. My daughter invited him over for dinner before she got sick but in her defense she did say she had to ask first...I promise this is going somewhere. :) Anyway since she didn't get back to him we figured he wouldn't come. Nope!!! Hell hath nothing on a starving boy just after basketball practice. So I hurried and looked in the fridge and warmed up a couple of the pancakes and gave him the last two eggs. GUESS WHO CAME HOME AND CAME HOME HUNGRY???! Yep, the Capt. If you have never seen a man get cranky when he is tired and hungry and only has pancakes smothered in butter and cinnamon to eat well let me tell ya it ain't pretty!!! Since the pancakes were pretty good, if I do say so myself, I had a hard time finding any sympathy for him. Annnnnd I might've told him so...heeheehee. In the spirit of restoring harmony to my little part of the world I am making up a batch of this...chicken and dumplings. I'll get that man's tummy all warm and toasty if it's the last thing I do!!!! Everyone say a prayer that tonight goes better then last night!!!! VIVA LA CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS!!

a neat momma...one of my favoritest things.

If you want to read a blog that will have you laughing and crying go on over here and say hi to a really neat woman...
http://gwendomama.blogspot.com/
I warn you before you go...take some tissue. Make sure you tell her hi.
dawn

Block 6!

Here is block number 6 from my BOM that I'm working on. This quilt is going to be really big when I get done with it. I'm thinking that I'm going to do a meandering stictch to quilt it. I NEED A LONG ARM BADLY!! I think that when I get back to the states I may just bite the bullet and buy myself a Little Gracie Shortarm. :) That won't be a hard bullet to bite!!

chooks chooks and more chooks

Hey, does anyone out there have directions on how to make a chook?? I want to make some different ones to use as pin cushions but I can't find a pattern. Anyone out there in blog land do any?? I would love you forever and ever if I could get a pattern from you...ooooooh maybe I would even send you a little something from Korea!! :)

It's that time of year again. Last night the hubby brought home his W-2. I hopped online and went straight to turbotax.com. After 15 minutes we had a return!!!! Gotta love the internet. The actual refund drops into your bank account in 10 days but they file and tell you what you get right away. Hurray!! I am feeling a HUGE fabric spree in my future!!

Today was a nice day. I went to Downstairs Jen's house to cut some more blocks for my BOM. I'm sewing one up right now. Guess what..............this morning I looked out the window to see what the weather was like and there was Naked Korean man!!! And he didn't have a stitch on. WHAT IS UP WITH THIS GUY?????????????????????? I about killed myself running for the camera. When I came back he was gone. I think he knows I'm trying to get a picture of him for the blog. Hey, maybe he reads me!!! Is that you out there Naked Korean Man???????? GET THOSE CLOTHES OFF AND STAND ON YOUR BALCONY AGAIN SO PEEPING DAWN CAN POST A PICTURE OF YOU...with the man parts blocked out of course..heehee. And I found out that I get to substitute for the Home Ec teacher on the 5th..6th..7th..and 8th of Feb. Whoooo whoooo money money money....MONEY!! That is another fabric spree. Happy quilting everyone!

dawn

Here is block 4 of my BOM. I'm working on Safe Haven from the Thimbleberries Big Book of Quilt Blocks. Today I'll be plugging along on block 5. Hurray...quilting!!!

Hell's Kitchen

The following photos were taken by Downstairs Jen...I left the camera at home.SIGH!!

Okay, went to the market again with Downstairs Jen and 5th floor Tanya. Usually the market is a happy place for us...lots of shiny things to buy and weird food to giggle about. Today was a little different. We must've taken a wrong turn cause we ended up in a section of the market we've never been to before. When we turned the corner we saw this happy guy...

He is selling live (for now) rabbits and hens. The things on the bottom left were dead (ewwww) pheasant or ducks of some kind. My brain started yelling "THE HORROR! THE HORROR!!! RUN THE OTHER WAY!!! DON'T LOOK!! OH MY GOSH I CAN'T STOP LOOKING!!!" We were fascinated at this point and wanted to investigate a little further...silly silly us..here is what we came upon next...

These are puppies for sale..they were about $20 a piece. There are more dead pheasant on top of the cages. The bunnies were alive and just sitting there. I went up to one and whispered "run!! freedom!!!" he didn't go anywhere. By this time we three are looking at each other and all of us were thinking Krogers this ain't so it's time to go the other way. When we turned around we saw this delight.....

This is the before and after duck slaughter. I know, I know, for those of you out there in the world who have markets instead of grocery stores to get your meat you're thinking what is weirding you out about this. I've just never seen anything like it. My hamburger is usually between a bun and my duck comes already cooked by a cutie named Jocque'. This made me feel kinda sad. Don't even get me started when I peeked inside of a shop and saw the bunny guts and just skinned fur on the ground!! On a lighter note I did find something that looked like one of my little brothers.........

heeheehee I'll let you guys (Jeff, Mike and Matt) decide who this is..heeheeheehee Just a little big sister humor!!

Hey we did see the cookie guy again and I bought a ton of Korean cookies to bring home and hear my family sing the "you are the bomb mom" song. Can you guess what I am having for breakfast??!

So goes another wonderful trip to the market...have a great day everyone!!!

Saturday fun

The hubby and I decided to take a taxi downtown for lunch. I love downtown!! Every time you go you can see something different. We had lunch at one of the many pork places and then went to a coffee shop to relax on the third florr and people watch. While we were there two young men came up to us and asked..well one of them asked the other one just stood there and grinned at us..he asked if we had the time. My hubby starts to tell him the time when he says "no..do you have the time?" He proceeds to try and tell us that they are students and need to interview someone for class. I think they hit gold when they saw some Americans. I start grinning at Grin Guy and say sure! FUN IS ABOUT TO BE HAD YA'LL!!! AND I'M NOT MISSING ANY FUN!! He then asks if he can tape me on a little recorder...I grin even bigger ans say sure! The hubby is just rolling his eyes..party pooper! He asks a bunch of questions like where are you from?? where do you live now?? what is your job?? loved that one! I proudly said "I am a substitute teacher" heehee two days of work and you'd think I've been there for years hahaha. Then they wanted a picture with me. You know now that I think about it I'd probably be a great target for Al Quida. Ma'am can we kidnap you...........HURRAY FUN!! SURE!! heehee So admist much bowing they left and we went back to coffee. Now you're asking what's up with the cookie?? Well they came back and had cookies for us!! I say cookies cause truthfully there were two but I ate the chocolate one right away. Hey, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do! Truth again...I'm eating this cookie right now while I type. Hey! I need energy!! I am off to reheat the 15 bean stew I made last night. Have a good one everybody!!!
dawn

soooo true!!! QUILTERS RULE!!

I found this over at Stitchin Heaven.com and thought it would put a smile on the face of all the quilters out there...it's pretty funny and really true!!

We've all heard the classic line that only a quilter would take
yards and yards of material, cut it into little pieces and then sew
them back together again. While this statement is true and a little
funny to think about, it doesn't even scratch the surface of the
things that only a quilter would do.

Only a Quilter would spend more hours sewing several hundreds of
buttons on a quilt to embellish it, but wouldn't take five minutes
to replace a button on a pair of pants.

Only a Quilter would give the gift of a wedding quilt two months
after the birth of the couple's second child.

Only a Quilter would put hundreds of dollars worth of fabric into
her fabric stash because she might find a use for it sometime, but
wouldn't replace a 50-cent needle on her sewing machine.

Only a Quilter would let three later-arriving patients go ahead of
her at the doctor's office because she is on the verge of completing
a block.

Only a Quilter would rush to finish a gift quilt. Not so it's done
in time for the recipient's birthday, but so it's done in time for
Show and Tell.

Only a Quilter would make a special quilt to give to her son, who
would then have to attend quilt shows just to see it.

Only a Quilter would use freezer paper in the production of
something to keep someone warm.

Only a Quilter has a welcome mat at the door to her home and
an "Enter at Your Own Risk" sign on the door of her sewing room.

Only a Quilter invites everyone to see her sewing room, then
says, "Don't look at the mess."

Only a Quilter says, "I really don't need another project," then
offers to make a quilt for a friend.

Only a Quilter will buy more than she'll ever need of one fabric for
her stash, but slightly less than is needed of another fabric to
complete a project.

Only a Quilter would give a quilt book to the guild auction then bid
on it to get it back.

Only a Quilter would drive 40 miles in a hurricane to attend a quilt
show, but call out to have her dinner delivered because it is
drizzling.

Only a Quilter's family would put up with, understand and love a
quilter.

Tiki's quilt top

Today I cleaned house...did laundry...made a big dinner...and got this quilt top done!!! Tiki your quilt is half-way finished. I'm off to baste it and then watch some TV...my eyes are tired!!! night everyone!
dawn

Friday!

It's Friday here on my side of the world. I didn't get called in to work so I'm gonna clean house and get some laundry done. I promised the Capt I'd make 15 bean stew tonight for dinner and also I think I'm gonna make some strawberry shortcakes just cause he's so darned cute. So that's my day for today...cleaning...laundry..cooking. Whew!! Am I exciting or what??? Hey, found this cartoon online and thought it was pretty funny. Happy Friday everyone!!!
dawn

Just got called in to work!!! YIPPEEE!!! BRINGING HOME THE BACON BAB-BEE!!! I called the Capt and told him...he is so thrilled that his wife is working again he can't see straight!! hahahaha Wish me luck! Anyone know what Sure Start is???? That's where I'll be today. Bye all!!!
bringing home the bacon..lala bringing home the bacon lalalala

A FIGHT!! A FIGHT!!!

I had to put some gas in Ole' 2010 so while the hubby and I were on base running errands we stopped by the gas station. The guy ahead of us pulls up to the back pump. He could've pulled up to the front so I could get gas too but nope. He gets out of his truck and I ask the hubby to see if he can get him to move up for me. So far everyone in "MY CAR" was happy and relaxed. So the hubby says to Mean Gas-station Guy, "Hi, can you move your car up so my wife can get some gas?" Mean Gas-Station guy says, "No". All mean and sarcastic like, he wouldn't look at my hubby either. The hubby just looks stunned for a minute and then asks the guy why. The guy says if he pulls his truck up there won't be enough room. WHAT???? There was plenty of room!! No one else was at the gas station but Mean Guy and us. So my hubby tries to reason with Mean Gas-Station Guy and the guy turns around and says to my hubby,,, GET THE F#@$ OUT OF MY FACE!!!!!!!!!! I say Oh my gosh! Then it's on!

Hubby: You are a very rude man. That was totally unprofessional. You don't need to use that kind of language in front of my wife or the attendent. (who by now came running out to see what she could do...she weighed about 85 pounds wet so I'm thinking "Yeah, you go girl.")
Mean-Guy: I SAID GET THE F$%^ OUT OF MY FACE.

Here is where it took a down turn. They both stepped close to each other and "had manly words". I'm sitting in the car with the attendent lady standing next to me. She is trying to get me to get out of the car and get my hubby. I'm thinking "Yeah you're on drugs cause I'm not getting in the middle of that! In a minute one of them is gonna cock a leg and pee on the other one to establish who is manlier!" heehee
Mean-Gas-Station-Never-Had-A-Friend-Never-Will-I-Feel-Sorry-For-His-Wife-Guy finally left and shaking attendent lady and shaking wife all breathed a sigh of relief.
WHEN THE CAPTAINS WIFE WANTS GAS SHE BETTER GET HER GAS PEOPLE OR THERE WILL BE YOU KNOW WHAT TO PAY!!!! So goes life in the testosterone zone. :) And how was your day??

It's a great life!

The kids are back at school...hey hey...the kids are back at school...oh yay...I love it I love it I'm having a great day!! That is sung at the top of my voice in rap--mommy style. The kiddos are back at school and my house is spotless since I cleaned yesterday. I wanted to be all ready in case I got called in to work...since I am a working woman of the 21st century now. They didn't call and I am trying to contain my glee that I got the whole day to myself and don't have to feel guilty!! HURRAY!! Oops...some glee escaped! After the kiddos left...with me singing to them the goodbye song from the Sound of Music...I got a cup of coffee and came in here to read blogs. My dog came in a second ago and got on "her" overstuffed chair. I sat with her for a couple of minutes and we both gave this big sigh of contentment. I am going to quilt quilt quilt today. I need to finish the quilt for Lauren's teacher. I want her to be able to give it to her this Friday. I am off now to finish my blog reading...watch a little View...and then get to my day of quilting. Life is good here at Chez' Owens today!! Have a great one everybody!!!
dawn

This is me! :)

You Are An ENFJ

The Giver You strive to maintain harmony in relationships, and usually succeed.Articulate and enthusiastic, you are good at making personal connections.Sometimes you idealize relationships too much - and end up being let down.You find the most energy and comfort in social situations ... where you shine. You would make a good writer, human resources director, or psychologist.

What's" Your Personality Type?

I got this over at Quilting is my Passion. Love her blog by the way. Take this test and see who you are. I think mine was pretty spot on!

THIS IS SO MUCH FUN!!!!

I just checked my blog and read all of the comments....aren't comments THE BEST THING SINCE AIR??!!!! I love love love them!! In case you can't see me through the computer, don't laugh! I am doing the happy dance because of comments. Thank you to everyone out there who reads this thing and loves blogging and meeting new friends just as much as I do...Happy blogging everyone!!
dawn

happy morning spent...........

So I know I put on here that I was cleaning and cooking a huge meal today...guess what I've been doing instead????????????? READING ALL YOUR BLOGS OUT THERE!!! I have spent a very nice hour with my coffee and my "puter reading blogs. Yep, and I don't feel bad about it! Nope!! Well, the hubby has walked by here twice and each time he said "are you still reading about other people??!!" and "what are you laughing about??!! You don't know these people!!" Silly silly man! Of course I know them!! It's funny how when you start reading about other people you really feel like they are friends. I know that when one of you writes about problems in the family I feel for you. Or when someone signs off cause they have an emergency I check on your blog to see if you're back and also to see if everything is okay. When you post a joke I laugh right along with you. When your kiddos are having problems with the bully at school I get mad at the bully and the bullies family...hey...I know people who can take care of bullies!! EMail me and we'll talke! heehee My favorite is when I get a comment from someone out there!! LOVE THAT!! Okay, enough already...I am off to chase away some dust bunnies. Have a wonderfully bloggy day everyone!!
dawn

Martin Luther King Jr Day

What's everyone out there doing today?? My whole family is off since it's Martin Luther King Jr's Birthday. Even in Korea everything shuts down on all the bases. I promised the Capt I'd make some ribs and a big lunch. I'm also gonna clean house and get laundry all caught up...I am very exciting, I know! :) So what are your plans..do you have the day off...are you kiddos home???? I hear much groaning and moaning so I'm thinking there are a lot of kiddos home!! heehee Have a great day today!!

dawn

Too cute!!

I found this while reading a blog...I thought it was soooo cute!!!! Hey Bec...I think this is you and me!! Of course it's YOUR butt doing the snoring!! heehee
dawn

quilting stuff and delurking week

It's delurking week!! If you stop on by my blog leave your name and a quick comment...I'd love to meet ya and say hi!! Delurking week...from what I understand..is for those of us who read blogs. We are sopposed to leave a comment, a quick hello, or a big long email stating how much you love us!! heehee SO SAY HI ALREADY SO I CAN SAY HI BACK!!!!




This Saturday Downstairs Jen and I hit the fabric shop! I got a bunch of autumn colors to go with my BOTM that I'm working on. After I finished paying the lady and went to get my bag she grabbed my hand and said, "no"! Then she quickly got a bunch of other fabric and smiled then told me, "free...for service". I GOT FREE FABRIC!!!!! Just cause we stopped by her booth and bought something from her! Jen got some free stash too!! Here is what I got....





I know I've said it before and I'll say it again...I love this place!!!












I started working on this years Christmas gifts. I am working on another BOTM by Lynette Jensen..it's in her Big Book of Quilt Blocks. I already know who is getting this...a certain someone in my life who loves to get his hands dirty in his garden and watch his birdies in the back yard. :) Can you guess who?? this is the first block...







Here is the 2nd one....












And the 3rd. I'm going to try and work on a couple more today. I still need to work on the BOTM from the same book for my daughters teacher. Her 16 year old son was just diagnosed with a form of cancer and I'm thinking she can use all the support she can get. If you are a quilter that means you make a quilt for them! That's what I've got ahead of me today. We're gonna go to church in about an hour and then home to play with my fabric. I love days like this. Now remember...if you are lurking out there and reading this....DELURK!! :) bye!
dawn

my first day of work...

Well today was my first day of work after 12 and a half years as a stay at home mom. I HAD A BLAST PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I got to sub for a 2nd grade teacher. There were 19 kids in the class...5 of them with special needs. It felt so good to be back out there!!!!!!!!!!! Yesterday I was worried if I'd like it or not or if I'd mess up cause I've been home to long. Let me tell you......when I played freeze tag with them...I had em eating out of the palm of my hand!!!! I can't even tell you what it feels like to know that I just brought some "bacon" home!! heehee Or as my hubby calls it "bacon bits". :) You know what was kinda weird??? I ate lunch in the Teachers Lounge! What a trip!!! There I was...in no man's land. I even talked...using big grown up words!!! It was just to weird. THE TEACHERS LOUNGE!! I remember walking past there in school and trying to peek in if a teacher was walking out. I so badly wanted to know what went on in there....NOW I KNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Everyone was really nice to me and told me to have a nice day. One guy even asked for my name and said he might ask for me when he's out next week. I am exhausted now. It just hit me this very minute....I'm off to take a nap. I gotta take this back to work thing slow! heehee Thanks for all of the kind words of encouragement you all gave me out there. It helped a lot! Have a wonderful weekend everyone!!
me

the time has come...

Well...it's happened. I am now gainfully employed. SIGH! BIGGER SIGH!!! I start substitute teaching sometime this week. I go in tomorrow to get some days. I'm not to sure how I feel about it. The Capt is a happy man let me tell ya!! He is seeing bills being paid as we speak. You want to know something funny.......shhhh don't tell anyone what I am about to tell you...this is in the vault girls!! For those of you not "in the know" the vault is where we put each others secrets and then we lock it and keep them in there. Okay...back to me...the funny thing was when the secretary called to tell me I had the job the first thing I thought was..."hey, am I going to have time for quilting??" The second thought was..."OH MY GOSH MY HOUSE IS GONNA FALL APART!!!" Now I know that the days I do have to sub I will be home by 3 but still!!! This will seriously cut into my fabric shopping time! I have decided to suck it up! 12 years is long enough to be at home. At least that is what the hubby says...he may be a little worried about retirement and maybe is thinking we should start saving a ton of money...why did I have to marry a practical man??!!! Anyway, I will keep everyone abreast of what goes on as I try my hand at subbing....the way trouble finds me this should be pretty good. Wish me luck everyone!!
dawn

VACATION IS OVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The kids went back to school today!! Can you hear the Angelic Choir singing in the background????? It was a looooooong vacation and it took everything I had not to giggle uncontrollably when they were going out the door. I think my maniacal grin gave me away though. Today I am catching up on some much needed house work and laundry and I'm making a big dinner to celebrate everyone being where they belong and me having my house back!! Yippee!!! Have a great day everyone...I am off to start the cleaning fest!!

Day Out with Sarah

On Saturday the base we live on decided to fiddle with the water lines so they turned the water off from 9am-4pm. What's a girl to do?? Go out with Downstairs Jen!!! Lauren was off on a ski trip...Kareem and Anthonie headed out to see a movie so it was boo-bear and mom time. We headed downtown with Jen and two of her kiddos. She took me to the neatest store!! It was about 5 floors of stuff...you know how I love stuff...and it was decorated and set up all fung-shwayie. Here is Sarah next to a ball that cost about a zillion dollars...this store was not for the Walmart lover in me! :)


This is a display of dish-ware set on sand in the middle of ta-tami mats. We think before you shopped you had to take off your shoes cause you never...I mean NEVER step on these mats with shoes on.










Here is boo-bear having candy covered strawberries on a stick and Downstairs Jen!













This is in front of a store that sold clothes and tiny stuffed animals. Right across the street you can see Downstairs Jen taking pictures of the high heeled tennis shoes..what's that all about???











There were a ton of signs that took the two of us back to when we were in Jr High and body noises could make you laugh....I'm afraid that we were giggling all the way down the street. Here is one of the tamer ones that made me laugh. heeheehee








After all the walking around it was time for lunch, plus is was COLD! out and started to snow. We went on to a pork place and this is what I had. See the stuff that is behind the bowl of soup...it's yellow...know what that was?? COLD MASHED POTATOES! Yep....eewwwww! I didn't like it! Everything else was yummy. It took 5 waiters to get our order...one who could talk semi good in English and the other 4 to giggle and give her moral support. I absolutely love downtown and could go there every weekend! Sarah got a pair of rockin' boots so she had a good time. As we were walking back to the car to go home I look up at a coffee shop and there were my men standing in the window trying to get our attention. Love it when that happens!! We went in and chatted with them for a couple of minutes and then it was on home to take a nap! How was your weekend??

Starting the morning off right...

It's Sunday here in Korea. I've got to get the family up in about 5 minutes so we can start getting ready for church. Before I let the chaos take over I wanted to start the morning off right.
Coffee - yep
huge! cinnamon bun - yep
reading other peoples blogs - yep
smile on my face - OH YEAH!!
Happy Sunday everyone!
dawn

Growing up

Well our son had quite the weekend. He and his girlfriend broke up. It's sad cause we liked her and they had been together for a couple of months. He is 17 and his heart is mending fast! The reason that they broke up is what's stuck in my craw! Her father doesn't want her to date someone outside of her own race. Let me tell you I said it much nicer this time then the blog I had written just previously...I raged on and on about how I felt on the subject and then took a nap. I woke up and decided that I couldn't care less how "he" came across in the blog but I did care about the girl. So anyway, it gave me a lot to think about yesterday. This is my son's first time going down that road. See I am white and my hubby is black...for those of you who don't know us and read the blog to catch more pics of me in the rockin boots. It hurts me. I adore him and know how special he is. It hurts me that someone would look at him and find him wanting just because of his race. I had someone tell me that this is what I signed on for when I married my hubby and I just thought..."ARE YOU ON CRACK??!" The problem is not who I fell in love with...cause let me tell you I feel hard and forever..the problem is looking at the outside of someone and not the in. Isn't that one of the lessons we try and teach our children??
So anyway, my son grew up a little bit this weekend. Maybe not in the way I would've liked for him to, but he did just the same. This will stick with him when he goes looking for his next girlfriend or when it comes time to meet a girls father and it hurts me. More so then it hurt him. He was more upset with the father then with the loss of the relationship...oh to be 17 again!! :)
My hubby was a little amused with my feelings on the subject and said it was something he has dealt with his entire life. Well that hurt me as well. These are "my" guys! So now I am going to have to pray mighty hard that the next time I see the dad I don't go up and punch him in the nose...Bec where are you when I need you!!! Come over fast and bring the toilet paper for some good ole" house TP-ing!!! They still want to be friends and she still wants us to love her, which we do, and she is going to be at church tomorrow, which makes me glad. This is a new chapter in my life with teens. I am going to buckle in tight cause I think this ride may be bumpy. If you think of me this week please just send up a prayer for wisdom and guidence!! I need all I can get!!!! Soon my oldest daughter will be 16 and then she can "date". AAAAAAUUUUUGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!!

a day in the life...with a 9 year old

Conversation with my boo bear today went a little something like this:::

Boo-bear: "Hey mom...you can't push out burps like you can toots."

Me: "Oh really??"

Her: "Yeah..burps are complicated!"

Me: laughing hysterically and trying to drive down the road...."yep baby they sure are."

And so goes a day in the life here at Chez Owens heehee

Reading other blogs...

I was wondering how many of us who have blogs read others on a regular basis? My Capt came in last night as I was reading my loooong list of blogs and started laughing at me. He asked me what I find so fascinating in reading about the every day happenings of other peoples lives. He said this as I was searching for tissue just having read a post about a woman traveling behind her daughter and grandchildren on a curvy road..her daughters car went over the edge. Every one was fine but you could tell she was shaken by it and my heart went out to this woman even though I've never met her nor talked to her. There is a simple kinship between mommas. So I've been thinking about why I read blogs and this is what I came up with...I like two kinds of blogs. I love ones that have to do with quilting and also I love the ones who write about their adventures in "momdom". I love taking a peek at the quilts other woman are making..who they are making them for....why they are making them even tools they love the best. I love laughing and getting teary with other moms as they go through their days just trying to do the best they can. It's nice and also comforting in a way to know that there are other women out there who "get" it. You know what I mean?? I love blogging to keep track of our adventures here in Korea and being able to have an outlet for some of my feelings. Some things are easier typed then said. :) When someone leaves a comment it's the icing on the cake for me.
I find myself being honest in myown blog. Maybe I've shocked a few people at how open to new ideas I am. Why this would shock anyone I have no idea. You don't survive as an Air Force wife unless you have an open mind and heart. My being a Christian is in no way harmed by this only enhanced. I do know that friends I've kept in touch with over the years have suddenly stopped being in touch with me. I am wondering if this blog has something to do with that. I've even learned things about myself keeping a daily diary of my life. I can tell you that I have enjoyed it immensely and will continue to do it for as long as we are here in another land. If you do read blogs remember to keep an open mind. Enjoy it for what it is...a peek into someone else's life and then feel honored to have been given that chance. It's fun! Okay...just some things I have been thinking about..heehee I'm off my soapbox now and taking my daughters out for some shopping and the library. Look out Korea I am about to leave my house and who knows what will happen out there today!!! :)

IT IS SO TIME FOR THE CHRISTMAS VACATION SEASON TO BE O-V-E-R!

Is there anyone else out there that is ready for the kiddos and the hubby to go back where they belong??????????????????????????? IF I HAVE TO DO ONE MORE PILE OF DISHES...COOK ONE MORE MEAL...DO ONE MORE LOAD OF LAUNDRY...WALK INTO A ROOM THAT I JUST CLEANED AND SEE IT MESSY....I SWEAR SOMEONE AROUND HERE IS GOING DOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Someone out there send me some Calgon and send it soon!!!
signed...
losin' it in Korea

2007!! and the mafia guy!! and intrigue!!! What a night!!

It is officially 2007! Wow where has the year gone?? Tonight we went to church to ring in the new year. I've got lots to share!! Remember that post about the main mafia guy here in Korea?? My Capt and I were at a restaurant with friends and when we were leaving we saw this awesome Lamborghini. He asked the guy standing there if he could take a picture of the car and the man said yes. When we got into our friends car she told us he was the main mafia guy!! Well tonight we saw him again!!! As we were driving to church we saw the car AND the mafia guy getting out of it. There was another guy...I think probably his bodyguard..who was ushering him into another car. The guy opened the car door for him and stood right by his side til he got in. Then they sped off. The other car was a BMW. Intrigue intrigue intrigue!!! I am sure I was watching a "major deal" going down. Sigh...then it was off to church. CHURCH WAS FAB-U-LOUS!!! It started at 10 and then at midnight we went to another room to eat breakfast. A Korean group of singers came and I tell ya...they gave us all goosebumps they were so good. It was a really special way to ring in the year. We were all there as a family, safe and happy. I started thinking what my resolutions should be. Usually I go with the whole lose weight thing and a couple of other regulars. This year I'm not even going there. I AM going to try and be healthier and exercise cause it makes the hubby happy and we all know I LIVE FOR THAT!! heehee But mainly I was thinking that this year I will try my hardest to just be kind. We have been teaching the kiddos in Sunday school about the Golden Rule..do unto others as you would have them do unto you. That is my resolution for this year. I just want to be nice. This includes being nice to myself. Sometimes we are so hard on ourselves and I have resolved to be "okay with me." So if I see any of you in the future let me know how I am doing and have a wonderful New Year!! May this next year be full of fun, filled with happiness and find you safe. It is now 2am so I am off to bed! Nighty night all!!