Nevada Day

The day started early with hot chocolate, breakfast croissant sandwiches, and staking claim to a spot on main street for a parade. This years theme was honoring our military, past, present, and future. It was great to see so many branches of the military supported; current, and past. You can always tell when it is a election year. Candidates come out in mass as parade entrants to get in their last few visual prospects before election time; and being that we are a battle ground state it wasn't to surprising to have both Obama and Romney entrants also. Once you got passed the politicking it made for a nice parade in a bath of sunshine after our chilly and wet week. Following the parade we went to our local large park for the carnival and observation of the traveling Vietnam Wall. Powerful would be an understatement. Seeing the wall itself is breathtaking but seeing people leaving things, and searching for loved ones made the experience even more breathtaking. There was also a separate wall for lost soldiers  of our current war. Afterwards there was discussion with the kids about the meaning of the wall and the importance it exudes. It was a very powerful day but a great day in so many ways. The community came together and celebrated our states birth, honored military men and women of past and present, and observed a loss of lives.

busy, busy, busy, pumpkins, and apples

I haven't posted in a while, I haven't read a book in a while, I haven't baked in awhile, I haven't done anything but take care of my family, plan for six grades, and continue my own education. I did however this last weekend partake in one of our family traditions: Apple hill. We pile into the car early in the morning and make the two hour drive over the hill to Camino (Placerville), California so we can pick our own pumpkins and apples, have fresh made cider, apple dumplings, apple pie, shredded beef sandwiches, take in the mountain air, and visit some great family farms. Of course we an buy pumpkins at the store, make our own cider, apple pie, and dumplings but there is something about getting out there and picking your own pumpkins, harvesting your own apples, and supporting local (okay, maybe not so local for me) farmers. We enjoy ourselves as a family, and, although the weather hasn't really changed, this little trip signifies a change in seasons for us, and a new phase of the year.

Things I don't understand

There are some things, alright a list of many things, that I do not understand but one of which is starting to irritate me. I know that men and woman are different; men are from Venus and women are from Mars, so the saying goes, and some people have their secrets. I try my hardest to obey the boundaries, not ask questions, and let things be. I always figured when my significant other was ready to discuss it, he would, but those times are becoming farther and farther between. He use to eventually come around and talk to me and now his choice of a conversationalist is a mutual friend of ours. While he is pushing me away, he is choosing to talk to someone else. I understand that loss is difficult especially when it is a truly loved one such as a parent or sibling that had a life end way to early and unexpectedly and I understand that each year on the anniversary of the death there will be certain emotional upheavals until the heart begins to heal. Why does this process include pushing away the one person in life that you have pledged to be a partner with, share things with, and open up to others? I don't get it. Everything can probably be chalked up to the man versus woman emotional differences . . . and it is one more thing I need to learn to deal with.

Great Reno Ballon Race

It has become tradition, once a year, to pull ourselves out of bed before the sun comes up to see the Great Reno Balloon Races. The events start with a glow show then dawn patrol, and usually ends with a mass ascension. The last couple years we drove to the convention center, paid the dollar per person and rode the bus right into the park. This year I thought that I would try to park, I was able to park at the university and walk up with the kids but for the sake of ease and convenience, I think we will stick to the annual bus trip. It means getting up a little earlier but it definitely pays off. The kids enjoy the miniature donuts that we partake in every year. The field is full of little ones in PJ's, college kids who have been up all night, families and friends from around the world, and an experience one will not soon forget. Because of our wonderful Nevada weather dressing warm for the pre dawn festivities is a must and we always bring a few blankets in tow with thermos's of hot chocolate and coffee. Layers are a plus so you can shed clothes as the sun comes out and warms the day. This year we had some new balloons; a globe, a shark, a strawberry, a pepsi can, and a man with sunglasses to name a few. We also had some good old dependable balloons such as Smokey the bear, the Wells Fargo Wagon, and Darth Vador. This year mass ascension did not take place due to the unstable air conditions so for the first time in a couple years we were able to wonder around and take really great pictures of the balloons that are hard to get during mass ascension. Both experiences are great in different ways.

A picture of dawn patrol

Up, Up, and not so away . . . 

Newbies

Oldies but Goodies

Busy Busy Busy

The last week has gone by so quickly. Amongst all the excitement of a teaching job there was a graduation party, and a birthday party. I am quickly learning that the first week of school is exhausting. It isn't entirely a bad thing, it is just a busy week. On another note one beautiful young lady tried out for the volleyball team and made it and a beautiful little lady will be moved to first grade instead of staying in kindergarten. What an exciting week!

Turning up

Well  . . . I think things are finally turning up. I had interview for a 5th teaching job on Monday, which I felt really good about it. When I got the call back I was a little saddened by not getting the position but the principal and vice principal liked me enough to find a way to hire me. It was kind of nice to know that they like me enough to make something work so that I could be a part of their team. The position isn't something I had originally seen myself doing but it is an adventure and I am going for it. So . . . the last couple days have been a whirlwind of human resources and trying to get classrooms ready. So exciting!

Movie, Movies, and Movies

Yesterday I took a break from my reading goal, worrying about whether or not I would get a job, and spent the day watching movies. I went old school and enjoyed a day of Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart, Fred Astaire, and Ginger. Sometimes there is nothing better than a classic.  Watching movies with such Iconic actors reminds you of why they are iconic, why they are the standard. A lot of classic stars carry an elegant nature that you don't see very often anymore.

On another note, I watched a more recent movie called The Red Baron, as you may have guessed, is it a movie based on the german flying ace from world war one. The movie focuses mostly on The Baron's military career as a pilot but you see a personal side to the man that is intriguing. I truly enjoyed the film and would't hesitate in recommending it. Yes the movie is based on historical information but because of the movies basis there is a lot of action that pulls in those that need more than a great story to stay interested in a film. The movie has a little bit of everything for everyone.