ONE ROOM SCHOOL HOUSE

in the mission statement

at ELA,

HISTORY

is strongly emphasized

and is to be integrated

in ever subject matter.

i do not know how the idea was born.

i do not know why 1863 was chosen,
but i am sure
the gettysburg address anniversary
had something to do with it.

january 24, 1863
upon leaving my home
noah took one look at me
with bulging eyes
"you look so old and so real"
(newsflash...in a month
a half century and i am real...)

the moment i put the opticals upon my nose
and laced that last boot,
sternness, somberness and
seriousness encased me in such a way
that i did not know how to act.

 i visited classrooms
and observed with my
picture box.
i was in amazement of the many
individuals that came dressed in character.

students were assigned to a
ONE ROOM SCHOOL HOUSE
alphabetically
accomplishing two purposes
school with siblings
school with a range of ages

no electricity,
just the natural light and lantern
boys seated on one side,

girls on the other
students wrote on slates
with
chalk
there were spelling bees
lessons on cursive
recitations
schoolyard games

teachers were stern
non complying students
stood with their nose to the wall

for the semi full

experience...

press the smile box slideshow below

This free photo slideshow generated with Smilebox

BRIDAL SHOWER

i was invited to attend a BRIDAL SHOWER the theme something for the home my assignment the dining room luckily, i was parntered with my mother she had a dining room i do not she set an elegant table with limoge china i am a work in progress with lovely china inherited from my mother in law next, bring a favorite recipe what? a recipe? a recipe that works? one that tastes good? thankfully chelle came through with RED velvet cake finally, advice for the bride... words of wisdom i believe it is three strikes and you are out i certainly had three strikes, but this isn't baseball dad and noah chauffeured mom and me to saratoga springs  intrinsic beauty surrounded me... a blanket of ice and snow blended in with the white of the sky  the club house was decorated with classic romance as always, it was a thrill to reconnect with friends and cousins  we conversed and played games "you will have 15 children live in a tent work at 7 11 in cedar city, utah" "i am sure that there was jello in 1930..." savored delicious food and refreshment then came the glorious gifts and words of wisdom i presented Xan "a recipe... mmm...i don't cook and when i do it is a disaster the next best thing...  vanilla cinnamon brûlée candle it sounds gourmet smells like the real thing and when someone comes to call 'your home smells amazing what are you making' just wave your hand 'oh it's nothing' " my advice "learn to cook the one thing that has been a constant in my 15 years of marriage is 'a homecooked meal makes me feel loved' from hubby and decide day one the kind of habits you want in your home on a daily basis family prayer dinner at the table who will pay the bills and maintain the car" and then i turned it over to emily post my mother. her finesse and class left listeners better for having attended our gift the RED YOU ARE  SPECIAL PLATE there was a bit of entertainment and help from the men and all of us left with the bride's favorite, a bottle of coke "it's the real thing" just like their love story. best wishes to xan and thomas This free photo slideshow generated with Smilebox

METANIA IN 2014 !!!

new year's eve 

at the groendyke home

is simple.

never out to late night parties,

getting gussied up to welcome 

in the new year.

we prefer

home.

cozy.

rested...

maybe a party hat or two.

this year

mom and dad

planned to celebrate

with grandma garff

on good ol' devonshire circle.

an invitation was extended

and we gladly accepted.

the marriott

had prepared mini reuben, tuna, 

and egg salad sandwiches

cheese and crackers

fruit and veggie platters

wonderful desserts

so it took us two trips

to deliver the goods,

it was well worth it.

grandma's home

looked festive.

we speak a bit louder

and the visits

filled with laughter.

the word of the year

METANIA 

meaning change.

chelle issued a challenge

via phone

"come unto christ and be perfected in him"

dad poured the sparkling cider

and each took a turn toasting in the new year

HAPPY 2014