Golden Girls Clinic Part 1

Paige (and I) were excited that she was invited by the coach of the Golden Girls dance team to participate in their dance clinic last week. The Golden Girls are the national champs in their division and are incredible dancers. Paige has posters of them up in her room and knows all the girls bios, etc... (it's really cute!). Their coach, Jamie, is the most winningest (not sure that's a word :) coach in the state of TN. She produces some great dancers.

Last week they had a clinic and the girls learned a routine that they were going to perform at halftime of the boys basketball game. Paige and her best friend, Avery, were beside themselves. They were asked to be moved up to the middle school dance division...big stuff in the eyes of a fourth and fifth grader ...wink!

Here are the pics of her fun day!




I love how they are in position ready to go and the others are just chatting :) Our girls dance at a studio where you have to be on it at all times...hee hee!


Doing a little Kid n Play action :)


Avery and Paige with their favorite Golden Girl, Hannah. She takes at the same studio as the girls and is such a sweet and WONDERFUL role model for these girls. Her momma raised her right!


Paige and Kate. Kate is the daughter of one of my best friend's, Barb. We just love that little peanut...and Paige digs her big bro, Mitch (aye yi yi!).


Getting the GG's to sign her poster. With a smile like that you can bet it was a GREAT day!

Pics from the event and video to follow next :) Now, I am off to play in the SNOW with my girly :)

Isn't she lovely?

Love my girl! We're busy, busy and did I say, busy? I have lots to share, but it will have to wait until this weekend. If I don't get around to visit your blogs, I'll be checking in on you all this weekend!

One more fav. of my girly :)

Dear Dad,

63 years ago today, nanny gave birth to you. You were her first born and the light of her life. I heard her talk about you growing up to the point of nauseum when I was little. At the time, I was bored to tears hearing about your childhood. She would go on and on about how you would spend all hours of the night shooting basketball, to the point of bothering the neighbors late into the night. How she was so proud of you as you played basketball in high school and scored 40 points in one single game. Or, about the time your team played the rival team for the state championship in the brand new Municipal Auditorium and it was sold out. You scored 37 points that night and she was so proud. I wish I would have listened harder to the stories so that I could remember all the details.

I feel like I am forgetting little things about you and it is devastating to me. I hear you loud and clear in my dreams, but when I wake up I can't recall what you sounded like, exactly. I wish you were still here to sing your stupid songs that I would always roll my eyes at and make my silly "whatever" sound. I miss you saying, "see ya later, sis" as you did for so many years as you walked out the door. I miss you calling me pola, honeybear, sugarbooger, sissy and all the other names you came up with.

I miss so many things, but mostly I just miss you! I hope that you are playing golf today on your birthday on the most amazing golf course you could have ever dreamed of. I want you to know that I love you and you are remembered on this special day. Love you dad!!! Happy Birthday!

Black and White Wednesday

My friend Lisa has started a Black and White Wednesday and I decided to join in on the fun this week. I love how stoic she looks in this pic. Go here and check out all of the other great entries :)

Thank you!

Thanks so much for taking time to reach out when I was feeling a bit down. I truly appreciate my blogger friends more than you can know. Sincerely, thank you!

I have had a talk with a few of my friends about how I was feeling. That was a hard conversation for me to have, but one that I was NOT going to let go. I am learning that as I grow older, the need to have an abundance of friends isn't my priority. My priority is to have a handful of friends who truly are there, listen and care.

Anyway, moving on...

Paige just started playing basketball this week and OH.MY.GOODNESS!!! The child is in hog Heaven. She is so little, but she is playing point guard and is so quick and is a great ball handler. I had so much fun watching her play. I wish my dad could see her go after that ball. He would be so proud.

I have been leaving my camera alone lately, but boy was I missing it. Paige let me take a few fun shots of her this weekend...just being silly, but I love them. I had an idea while I was processing them and I am hopeful I can see it to fruition. My heart has been so heavy about the earthquake in Haiti and I want to give back. So, I've decided to take headshots next weekend and give the proceeds to the American Red Cross. I might not raise a ton of money, but any little bit can help. The situation is so horrific and I am so sad for all of those affected...particularly the children.

Here is my favorite picture from the weekend :)



I hope you all have a GREAT week and thank you again for your sweet messages. I am so thankful for each of you that took the time to leave me a message of encouragement :) xoxo

Not a one way street...

My heart has been so heavy lately. I am sitting here in my classroom, all the kids have gone and I am just depleted. So much so, that I don't even feel like gathering my things to go home.

I have always been called, "Dr. Phillis" at school, because most come to me with their problems. I am flattered that friends feel that they can trust me with their secrets, issues, concerns, dreams, etc... I always want people to feel good about themselves and it TRULY bothers me when someone is hurting or sad.

I have prided myself on always being a good friend to others. It's important to me. Always has been, always will be. I like to listen and share in others joys and triumphs and cry with them through the good times and the bad.

All of that said, I feel like I deserve to be heard, too. Lately, in many, many areas of my life, my concerns and issues are completely going unnoticed by some of my very dearest friends. I have called several confidants and asked them if we could have coffee or if they had a minute to chat, only to receive a reply that implies, "I just don't have time to listen to you". It hurts.

I don't want to become jaded and not still remain a loyal friend, but I am seeing as I get older that some friendships are a one way street and it sucks. Sorry for the language, as I don't allow Paige to say that word, but it is the truth. I just don't have the time for it any longer.

I am tired of listening to people talk on and on about their kids for what seems like hours on the phone, only to not ever once ask me about the wonderful kid in my life. I am also tired of walking by people at school and hearing all about their children or spouses and don't get the same common courtesy back. I am sick and tired of it.

I just want to cry. I know I am spilling my guts out and many of you may think I am an absolute emotional wreck and perhaps I am. I do know that what I have to say is important to me and for those "friends" who value me as much as they say they do should realize that I am flawed and have hurts, too.

Well, I have just sat here at my computer at school and have confessed my soul. I feel better...at least my blog listens to me, right?! Sorry to be such a wreck. Just one of those weeks and if I didn't get it out I feel I might have spontaneously combusted! not really...just joking about the combusted part :)

I need sunshine!

I just needed to post something that closely resembles warmth, as it is soooo cold here in the south. I don't like it! I am a flip flop wearing, pool going, lounging with a glass of wine on the deck, sleeping in kinda girl :)

Come on summer!!!!

I sure with I had exciting news to share over here in my little corner of blogdom, but I don't. Life is fairly boring right now, which I guess one could look at as a good thing. I'm just trying to keep my head above water until the three day weekend!

Have a great one, my friends!

Snow day with my girl!

The meteoroligists in our area usually get a "deserved" bad wrap. They go waaaayyyy overboard about our "huge winter weather" that is rolling in. Well, initially they said we would have from 3 to 6 inches. What ended up happening was a whopping .5 inch ... :) It was enough for my county and Paige's county to call off school for two days, so we made a day of it.

My friend Barb called and asked if we wanted to joing them and a few other families at the Family Fun Center. We were in! I knew a little girl that would LOVE to bowl and win tickets. I'll let the pics speak for themselves...


Paige and Meghan with Matty looking on. The girls got creamed in bowling by the boys :(


Waiting for the final scores. They have that blank stare on their faces...lol!


Paige playing some spin the wheel for tickets game...she won 400 tickets and became the kids new idol :) I told her I was taking her to Vegas with me!!! :)


Redeeming her tickets...they were like gold!


So Paige was a willing model today and let me take some portrait style pics of her. I just love it when she allows me to photograph her. I don't give her a lot of direction, as I love to capture her true personality. THIS is HER face...she makes this expression all.the.time.


She is my sweet girl.


I LOVE this pic and her little overbite. She won't have it for long...braces are in her future this month. Glad to have a pic of her cute smile "pre" braces.


Paigeee poo! :)

As an aside...after everyone left the bowling alley today, Paige and I had such a fun snowball fight. When we were finished, she voluntarily hugged me (which she never does anymore) and told me that today was the best day ever! I agree, P, I agree!!!

Vanderbilt game with special friends!

Today Mark and Annslee took Paige to the Vandy women's basketball game. Paige had a BALL (no pun intended!). We value their friendship so very much! I'll let the pics that Mark took speak for themselves :)


Why, look at those two superstars...Paige and Annslee!



I just love these two!


Paige's favorite player! #23 point guard!




Serious cuteness!


Paige shooting from the free throw line. She said the ball hit the backboard and that was good enough for her :)


I love little Annslee's hand on Paige's leg. She is just so special to us and to Paige. She is like the little sissy in Paige's life...precious!

Thanks Mark, Annslee, Lala and Coby for being our special friends!!!

Partay!

I LOVE New Year's Eve and the festivities and fun my friends and I always have. My best friend, Barb and her husband Aaron, had a great party. The good (and sometimes not so good) part of going to Barb's is that she has a son, Mitch. Paige and Mitch are both in fifth grade and have been in class together for two years now. Paige and Mitch are both FANTASTIC kids and we trust them to take care of the little ones...they are peacemakers and I love it. However, Mitch is a total 'cutie' and I don't know how much longer they will enjoy just hanging out and playing board games, if ya catch my drift :)

I digress...

We had such a great time talking, laughing, eating, partaking in some adult spirits or as Paige refers to them as "Mama drinks". We just had a great time. I am so blessed to have such amazing friends. Lots of pics from the past couple of days...






Barb and Aaron are amazing chefs! They make the BEST mussels I have ever tasted...yummo!


Barb and Amy are two of my dearest friends. They know EVERYTHING about me and still love me?!? :)


Me and Barb and my GOOFY hat...! My teeth look purple because I had a glass of red wine :)


This pic CRACKS me up! Look at my cuties face... :)


Aaron being, well, Aaron. He played football for Purdue in college and then went on to play NFL for a year. If you look closely, his pinky finger is completely out of whack. He thinks it is absolutely HILARIOUS to get my goat and contort that thing in all different ways...grosses me out. Ewww! :)

A fun night was certainly had by ALL! Hope your New Year's Eve and Day were wonderful, too!

Happy New Year!

It is my hope that 2010 brings about some significant happiness for everyone. I usually set unattainable goals and then become upset with myself when I don't meet the goal. This year, I have some goals that are very attainable and will bring about good things in my life and the lives of my loved ones.

1) I am going to work on my weight. This time next year I want to have a new, slimmer me. I want to feel better and become more active. I am FOR SURE starting back to Weight Watchers next week, as it works for me. Nuff' said :)

2) I am going to go to bed earlier. I know that might sound silly, but it becomes a real issue for me when I have to get up and educate over 20 first graders daily. My problem is that I don't even begin winding down until after 10pm. So, computer is being shut off earlier, Paige's homework will have to be done BEFORE dance (this will be difficult), and I will be ready to hit the hay earlier.

3) I would like to spend more QUALITY time with my family and friends...doing things that make happy memories. Just existing together and being in the house together is not always quality. I want to laugh more with my family and enjoy each other, as I really am blessed with wonderful people in my life who I truly enjoy. So enjoy each other, it is!

4) Stop spending so much money on frivolous items and save more. SERIOUSLY save.

5) Travel more and make big plans. I don't think life is any fun if you stay put all of the time. My goal is for my family to start planning more trips and getaways and getting outside of our comfort zone. We already have a GREAT possibility for the summer :)

These are five little things that don't cost much money or will just kill me to do. I am going to do my darndest this year to make these goals a reality.

Hope you all eat your blackeyed peas today, enjoy your family and think about the things you'd like to see happen this year!
Happy 2010!