Time to un-Pause

So imagine you have paused from doing anything at your job for 8 weeks? Does that seem or feel weird... or maybe just seem wonderful! I will wake up tomorrow morning early to go back to the workforce and it seems so weird. It is strange us teachers just put on hold our jobs for 8 weeks and then get SLAMMED the first week of August! Things are not gradual at the beginning of the school year-trust me. It is mass chaos for weeks it seems and truly exhausting.

My sister and I were talking about the beginning of the school year and how it can be fun-especially since you know that means it's football season! We went today to see Fletcher's first grade classroom at North Lee, which led him to picking up the "pointer" and teaching Winston certain letters as Winston sat on the rug like a little student. Rach and I agreed it was a super cute moment!

Thought I would inform of you of my teaching experience/background, in case you don't know and might be curious.

1. Student taught at Oak Grove Elem. and Cleveland Middle which was a strong affirmation that Abby was NOT made to teach 1st graders!! :o)
2. Moved to Nashville and taught 6th grade Language Arts, Bible, and Social Studies for 2 years at Donelson Christian Academy. I also coached cheerleading. This is one of my favorite places and I miss it dearly. (Also got my masters in Educational Leadership at Trevecca Nazarene University... which means I can be a principal!)
3. Moved back to Clevegas last August and currently teach 8th grade Reading at Lake Forest Middle school where I coach cheerleading and also serve as an SGA sponsor. ENOUGH extra-curricular!

**Future aspirations** I LOVE teaching and being in the classroom, but I could see myself in an administrative position someday. I think and pray about it all the time, but the right time will come when the right door opens. Until then... the classroom is my second home!

Happy beginning of the year to all of you fellow educators! I hope it's a productive and blessed year for you!

To Do List

So this is a strange post, I admit it. I thought I would put up my "to do" list. To Do lists can describe a lot about a person. I don't know exactly what, but I think they do-shows priorities etc. Do compare to my list, and I'm curious how different everyone's are.

return flowers to Hobby Lobby
take stuff to school
mail in new address to Br. Cty. Schools
call a/b cell phone defect
return book to TG
frames for posters
brown and blue curtain
tray tables
plane tickets to Texas
upload pics to Walgreens
balance check book
pay CC bill

**Please note: I don't put regular routine things on here like laundry, cooking, reading, etc.**

I am sure some of you moms and wives are thinking-"GEESH lady! That's nothing compared to mine!" BUT-this is my life and as of now, this is my list until I get to change diapers and cook dinner for a family. Trust me, I would gladly trade in my frivolous list for that. :o) Feel free to pick me apart and assume things about me from my list.

Healer

Tonight at Bible study everyone was talking about how great the new Hillsong album is-even though it technically isn't even out yet. So my friend T tells me about this song on the album.

It's called Healer. The story behind it is amazing. This guy Mike goes to the doctor and they inform him he has terminal cancer. He goes home into his studio, presses record, and this worship song just comes out. The video shows him on stage, with an oxygen tank and cane performing this song in front of thousands. AWESOME. It totally brought me to tears. Here is the link to the youtube video telling you the song story. It's 6 minutes long, but worth your time. (Sorry, you'll just have to cut and paste it)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZ_ny8hMgRY&feature=related

Have faith.
Pray.
Believe.
Trust.
Listen.
Just be.

Go Big Black!

So I have had to adjust to the phrase "Go Big Black!" considering I have been a Kentucky fan all of my life, cheered at Cleveland High School, and taught at DCA-whom ALL are the color BLUE and two of them are even the WILDCATS! Sooo... I am now assisting in cheering on the black and gold, which is a pretty big adjustment.

Yesterday and today I have been at cheerleading camp. I would put up pictures, but I think I could get in trouble for that, so I'm withholding.

All has went well, except for the fact the particular gym (like a real gymnastics gym) we are in hasn't really had the air working, and it's almost 100 degrees outside! It has been SOOOOO HOT! One of my girls had a small injury today, and she had to get a stitch underneath her eye. She was quite a trooper even though I'm sure she will have a war wound tomorrow. A girl coming out of a stunt totally popped her in the face with her elbow.

Let me share one important thought about cheerleading. If you are considering allowing your child to cheer or be apart of it yourself somehow, please be aware that it is SUPER dangerous and injuries will happen. These girls are throwing other girls in the air and it is totally up to them to be responsible and catch them. Trust me, safety is ALWAYS first with me, but things do happen. My girls know the rule-if the flyer hits the ground out of a stunt, they all run. Although you may not consider cheerleading a sport, it is full body contact and is very tough.

So... if you are a cheerleader mom or dad-please try to refrain from calling, texting, emailing, etc. your coach and asking him or her to be more careful. I mean seriously, would you call your son's football coach and say, "Hey... my son had a few bruises today, can you try not to let that happen tomorrow at practice?" Girls can be tough too, so let them just deal with it. We made a rule today that if anybody else complained about being sore, they would run suicides...geesh, isn't this what they tried out for??? And I'm happy to say there wasn't anymore complaining.

My adventure this year as coach has begun and I am SURE I will have many more stories to entertain you with.

Photo Shoot

So during the TN 10 summer vacation in June, we decided to take a group photo shoot. We started this last year at the beach, hence the large "white" jumping picture at the top of this site, and we want to keep it a tradition every year. We wore navy and white and even had Cameron's parents come and take REAL professional pictures with their REAL professional cameras. They were soooo wonderful and the boys (uh, actually husbands) who assisted throughout were fab too. It took us about 2 hours in the HOT sun, but it was well worth it! Lots of memories! Cameron was so gracious to combine the massive amount of pictures taken (around 1000!) onto a DVD for all of us girls. So here are some good shots... and maybe some not so good shots! (Disclaimer: Remember, only 8 out of us 10 were there. Don't want you to think I can't count.)

HAHA! This first pic is our "HILLS" impression.

The Dark Knight

So I was 1 of those millions that watched "Batman: The Dark Knight" at midnight last night. Katie and I made a dash to Wal-Mart (which helped me stay awake!) and then headed to the theatre where some friends were saving our seats. They were showing it in like 4 theatres!

We got there 40 minutes early and it was already packed! So, I made it through the 2 1/2 hour action packed film and didn't fall asleep, but was utterly exhausted when I left.

I must say, it is quite a film. I do believe it will live up to its expectations and will probably break records. There are things I liked and didn't like about it. I don't want to ruin it for anyone who plans on seeing it, so I will keep it vague.

The Good stuff...
There really isn't any bad language and I was thankful for that. I can't handle a million f words! The actors are absolutely fabulous, and YES, Heather Ledger as the Joker was probably one of the most amazing roles I've ever seen played. Personally, it was ten times freakier for me since he is no longer alive, but he did play this part to perfection. This movie definitely keeps you on your toes the full 2 1/2 hours, which is needed when it gets that lengthy. I also LOVE looking at all the cool Batman gizmos and gadgets and you can't forget the "bat cave"! Christian Bale isn't too bad to look at either, so that always helps.

The Not So Good stuff...
Geesh, definitely had to turn my head a few times when it came to some violent, gory parts. I still felt the ultimate effect though. Didn't care for the freaky voice they gave Batman. I actually kinda laughed, because it sounded so fake to me. I really enjoyed the Joker line-up, but I didn't care for the Two Face drama. Oh well though, that's probably how the comic book does it.

I should never be a movie critic, because I'm sure I don't look at the stuff they do, but these were my overall thoughts. I think you should definitely go see it and pay the money for it. It's a superb film.

Ode to the Fletcher Pool

We moved to Cleveland 15 years ago, and we have had that house ever since. It's not a huge, brand new house by any stretch, BUT my mom LOVES it and it is perfect for our family-especially because of its pool! If you have ever been close to ANY of the Fletcher girls, then you have probably swam in our pool. North Cleveland youth group kids, Cleveland High School kids, cheerleaders, DZT girls, and anybody else we felt the need to include. Between the three of us, we have pulled in the swimmers and layer outers-thats for sure! This pool even got a "shout-out" on Lisa and John's wedding favors!

Now, we have the joy of having the little kids here! So some of you that swam in this pool in college, are now bringing your own kids over so we are passing on the prize. My mom loves for the pool to be used everyday and she doesn't care who comes over! It also has a diving board AND a slide, which is not very common! These are some old pics from the past 2 summers. My days are numbered when it comes to enjoying this pool this year!

California Pictures

Fresh Prince of Bel Air house!

My days are numbered

I really feel as if I have NOTHING to write about. How sad! I never thought I would get to this point, but I was wanting to blog and realized-I don't even know what to say!

My summer life consists of working out, running errands, hanging stuff on the walls, laying by the pool, eating, and hanging out. Kind of sad actually.... I did start 2 books on my way to LA and that's about the most exciting thing going on-living through other people's lives in books! ha!

I wish I had a strong involvement in a church right now, because I could be using my time in service for others. I feel as if I've been out of town almost every Sunday, and I hate missing church that much! I have been going to the Bible studies at NC in the middle of the week, and they have been great. Very interesting and educational in learning the pure Word. It's been good.

I need to enjoy these last 3 weeks because my life will take a drastic turn when school starts. My days will consist of school, then cheerleading practice til about 5:30 almost every day. Not to mention, football games once a week, so therefore that whole night is jacked up. I'm putting off going into my classroom as long as possible, because I'm totally dreading it. ugh... AND it's expensive to get things for the new year, and NO, we don't get money from our school for that! Guess I need to start saving now!

Los Angeles

... so that photo (even though it's not mine) is about how close mom and I got to the sign! That was one of our MANY adventures in California-riding up Mulholland Drive (where so many famous people live) and getting unbelievably close to the big sign!

We crammed a lot of fun and adventure into just a few days!!! All the fun included: going to see "Wicked", taking a tour of famous people's homes, driving down the Pacific Coast Highway, going to Rodeo Drive and seeing all the fun "Pretty Woman" movie stuff, going to the Hollywood Bowl and seeing the LA Philharmonic do the Bugs Bunny on Broadway Show, being near just a few famous people, shopping on Melrose Drive, visiting "Sprinkles" (an unbelievable cupcake shop!), eating at "The Ivy", taking a tour at Warners Brothers and seeing so many of the FRIENDS sets (maybe my favorite part!), and much more!!

Here are a few generalizations I have now made about California (or LA) after my visit.
1-The weather is AWESOME and almost perfect. Tempts me to move there!

2-The people there are VERY nice! Everyone always asks where you're from and they are very accepting of pretty much everything.

3-Too much plastic surgery. LIPS everywhere! It's actually not attractive AT ALL.

4-Blonde hair and big sunglasses on skinny girls... everywhere! So, I'm thinking "The Hills" might actually be a pretty good depiction of most of California.

5-They didn't really have any chain restaurants at all... which was pretty cool to me, because we were always trying to eat somewhere different.

I'll add photos soon!

in LA!

Ok, can't write much because I'm getting charged MUCHO dollars for using our hotel's computer but here are a few highlights..

1. We have a convertible to drive around in! yay!
2. Drove down the Pacific Coast Highway to Malibu today and saw our first movie star-Jane Seymour (who is Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman AND was on Dancing with the Stars). I totally spotted her in a random restaurant...
3. While walking down the CROWDED Santa Monica beach-guess who I ran into? Brandon Chatfield!! Yup... mom and I were in the midst of thousands of people and I actually run into a good friend. Unbelievable! He also ate dinner with us tonight!

That's all for now! I'm going on a "Stars Tour" tomorrow so then I'll get to learn all the dirt on all the famous people! YAY!

Also... totally thought I saw Tom Cruise in a store today, but it was my imagination... here you feel like everyone is famous! And also, why would he be shopping in a podunk store that I shop in??

Slump

Ugh... I'm totally in a slump. I have no desire to work out. It's so hard to go from a strict schedule i.e. work, grading papers, working out with a trainer to having looooong, pretty, hot summer days by the pool!

Don't get me wrong, I love it... but I am totally a creature of habit and it's hard for me to get back in the habit of doing something active when I took a short break. I feel as if I've been wrestilng with what I am going to do today for physical activity...
Do I go to the rush and do weights or the eliptical or the treadmill or the bike?
Do I walk on the greenway?
Do I go home and lift my own free weights and work my abs on the "ab ball"?
...but, I don't have my ipod with me and that would be boring ...but, It's too hot outside to walk on the greenway and that's no fun ...but, maybe someone will walk with me later tonight when they get off work.

EXCUSES EXCUSES! I've got to get my act together!

PS-I'm leaving for Cali tomorrow, so I may not write until next week. Maybe I can update from there!!!