So, that happened...

     I turned 40 on this past Tuesday. Now before I tell you any more, it is funny the reactions that you get when people learn of said birthday. 

     Young people (39 and under) feel sorry for you and offer condolences to you with fear that it will one day happen to them. 

     People in their fourties welcome you into a special, secret club. There is a secret handshake and passwords and all, but I don't want to tell you and lose my membership. I just got it, after all. 

     People 50 and older still call you a "youngin'". That's nice. 

     Now students, well that's where it is interesting. There are two reactions there. Students around the fifth grade age-level know how to schmooze. "I thought you were 30!" Heh. Nice work, kid. You still failed the spelling test. Kindergartens and first graders? 40 is the kiss of death. My principal announced my birthday in chapel and everyone sang happy birthday. I hated that. Then her words were, " If Mrs. Wise were to run around the chapel for every year she was born, she would be very fatigued" I am pretty sure that the kindergartener I was sitting next to thought that meant I was 100 and ready to keel over at any moment. He kept eyeballing me. I think I worried him. 

     But, my day was a blessed one spent with my "children", friends, and family. 

     My class decorated the "living room" side of our classroom with balloons and their shining faces. After the pent-up excitement of the promise of popped balloons ( NOT by me) and the rush of sugar, the parents took them outside to run laps and pop balloons (those that survived the throwing of the balloons and exclamations of, "Happy Birthday!")

     They also sang their own version of "What Does the Fox Say?" entitled "What Does the Owl Say?" In their song were the many phrases that I say, apparently a lot:  you're done, air high five, all that and a bag of chips, great minds think alike, gold star, you're my favorite, anything from The Princess Bride, counting, I didn't drink my coffee yet, Stewart is having a bad day, What day is it, you're a nut, boop yourself in the head, walk of shame, and, my personal favorite... I'm going to jump off the deck. Gee. I need new material!!!!

     My own family was so sweet in celebrating my birthday. My husband made me lasagna, and my mom brought more cake. Cake is really a weakness of mine. Both cakes were from my favorite bakery, Bakers of Buffington. Gee, I am predictable. My school family and my real family know my weakness. It blesses my heart because of their thoughtfulness in celebrating my special day. 

     My husband continued this thoughtfulness during the weekend before and after my birthday in taking me to my very favorite antique flea market, Shupp's Grove. The first visit was their Spring Extravaganza which was filled with prims! The following weekend was their garage sale weekend (the first Saturday of each month). I met so many nice people that day. I love to hear the stories behind the items they are selling. I met this sweet lady, Joan. We talked for a while. She told me about the old store her father ran. She was selling some really nice prims. Another couple I talked to gave me good tips to make sure that my tent for my garage sale didn't blow away ( it's hard to make change and hold onto a tent. I was always fearing that I would do a "Dorothy"). I go to this flea market often. A little too often. I kind of have a "Cheers" relationship with the people there. Everybody knows who I am. Is that good or bad? I am not sure, and I bet my husband has mixed feeling about it as well... 

     Here are a few of the goodies I picked up on my excursions...

     I actually got the little stove with some birthday money. It's a toy stove from the 1920's. I got it on eBay for $20 including shipping. I don't know if that was a bargain, but it was so dear. Then, it inspired me to look for vintage wood and metal toys. The little iron and rolling pin were a bargain. The feed sacks were the big score. They are the heavy, rough cloth with make-do patches. I got them for $3 each. They are in great shape!

     I  just think this little stove is adorable!

     Now these next two items I love, but I am interested in some creative ideas in using them. The sieve I got for $10. I am not sure whether to use it on the wall, suspended from the ceiling??? What do you all think?

     My mom picked up this strainer for me at a garage sale for $2. I always wanted one. I saw some ideas for using it on Pinterest (and by ideas, decor, not food. I am pretty sure that would be a disaster!) . I was just curious as to your ideas! :)

     Well, that is all for now. I have actually been plugging away at this post for most of the week. I feel bad not posting. I miss all of you. I will start plugging away at some posts on my field trip to DC, spring decor pictures, and a tutorial of sorts! Whew! Big plans! 

     Before I forget, Charlie says, "Hey!"

Love and hugs,

The Marm

Almost there...

     So the school year is done.  My students are gone.  My room is getting emptier.  I am closing up shop.  Things still to do: 5 days of in service, report cards, and cleaning my room (ugh.  It needs it!). Oh, you saw the doll?  Well, we'll get to her later...

     Exciting things?  They have begun construction on an addition to the school.  It is interesting to see the "bowels" of the school since the ceiling panels are being removed.  And, apparently, we really do have bats in our belfry. But God is sooooo good.  I have been there for 12 years.  I was their first fourth grade teacher, and now, their third fifth grade teacher. My first class had 5 students.  We had 3 kindergartens, 1 first, 1 second, 1 third, and 1 fourth.  A few years ago, we dropped to an all time low of 60 students.  We thought we would have to shut down.  But, God had mercy on us and other plans for us.  Next year, we will have 180 students.  We have NEVER had 180 students.  My class, instead of its normal range from 6-14 students, will have 20 students.  We will have 3 kindergartens, 3 first grades, 2 second grades, 2 third grades, 1 fourth, one fifth (with an aid!  Yippeee!), and our middle school will continue for the second year.  We don't have a speck more room.  So many people have donated work or even steel for free to make this happen.  God is so good.  It is overwhelming. But, it is a mighty responsibility for all of these little hearts and souls.  I know I sometime ask for prayer, but if you could thank and praise God on behalf of my school for His amazing work and grace, I would appreciate it!

     My class has a dedication ceremony.  We call it a service of consecration.  Many schools call it fifth grade graduation.  We want to focus less on a completing of a grade, more so on praying over them and celebrating with them the next phase in their life and the importance of God being in it. Students have to give a short speech, they get really nice Bibles (which they just lovingly carry back to their seats.  It always gives me a happy heart).
     I have to give a speech, which doesn't bother me.  I wish I was this confident back in speech class in college.  It would have gone A LOT better.  But, it is a lot of work getting the final prep done.  I was up for 48 hours straight.  I am still not caught up on sleep.  Especially on a cloudy day like today.  Zzzzzzz...
     BUT!  We always get the most delicious cake (it has been know as "Mrs. Wise's request- they are so kind!).  I have a real weakness for good, homemade cake.  This comes from a bakery called "The Bakers of Buffington".  It tastes like the butter cake your grandmom would make.  Oh. My.  I have to admit, sometimes I drift off on stage during the ceremony thinking about the cake.  Shhh.  Don't tell.

     So, in "reward" of a long week, I am declaring this day a crafting holiday.  I have set up the comfy chair with all of my needfuls, ready to go.  I have my coffee ready and the series "Miss Marple" keyed up!

Love feedsacks!  These are remnant squares.  I want to use them for prim little dresses, but I don't know if I can bring myself to cut them up!

My pinkeeps are just hanging around.  Selling them from a blog is hard.  So, these will be listed on Ebay.  If you are interested in these, or others on my blog, please let me know.  I won't list them on Ebay.  There are some other items on eBay that are ending today!  Check it out!

     Okay, so I got this doll at my antique flea market on garage sale days.  I paid $10 for her.  The lady said that she found her in her mother's or grandmother's attic (I forget). She also said she had a face that only a mother could love.  LOL! She certainly has the face a prim mother would love! I named her Annabelle. 

     I don't know if she is old, but she is really unusual.  I am curious what you all think.  There are a lot of pictures, but I wanted you to be able to see the workmanship.  I like her no matter what, and I think that $10 is an okay price to pay.  So, on with the show...

Sorry that she is "mooning" you, but the different colors of wood were interesting.

It looks like "N U E Powell" and then the number is either a 18 or 78.

So, that is the word, Humminbirds, here!  What are you up to this weekend?  I can't wait until vacation to sit down and get caught up on blogs!  Thank you for sticking with me!

Love and hugs,

Heather