Gatekeepers...

In my last post, I mentioned a book I was reading. The name of the book is Gatekeepers, Let's Talk About Teaching by Tammy McMorrow. I've known Tammy since she was born, and I'm excited to be able to share her first book with you! You may also enjoy visiting her blog, Forever in First.

Although the intended readership for this book would be teachers and educators, it's a book which may also give parents great ideas for helping their children develop a love for learning and for reading. It made me wish all children had a teacher with such a heart for their students.

I enjoyed the entire book, but the two final chapters, Listen to your Heart and Surrounded by Greatness had a powerful impact. I had tears in my eyes as I read them. The author is a teacher with high standards, along with love and positive expectations for her students.

I highly recommend this book for any of the teachers and parents in your lives!

Staycation, the Budget Version...

Our week of "Staycation, the Budget Version" is quickly coming to a close. We slept in a bit today, then Paul headed out in the heat for a car show. He took one of those neck scarves you soak in water and said it kept him very cool. Enough to enjoy a couple hours of classic cars before heading home to the air conditioned house.

While he was gone, I cruised the internet, listened to some programs I'd recorded, and read for a while. I'd caught up on my laundry and ran the dishwasher last night. It was nice to have that out of the way

This is what I'm reading! It's a wonderful book for teachers, parents,
or anyone else in the business of working with or educating children. 

This afternoon, with our outdoor thermometer reading 107, we ditched the idea of cooking indoors or out, and splurged on an Idaho Pizza delivery. Delicious! Then Paul and I enjoyed two movies, for the second time this week, which we rarely do anymore. We watched Tom Hanks in Inferno, which was filled with action and intrigue. Continuing on the intrigue theme, Paul selected Alfred Hitchcock's Notorious with Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman. It's one of our favorites and it had been a long while since we'd seen it. The classics definitely hold up over time, and it was as great as we'd remembered!

Classic Hitchcock, a great movie!

It's been so nice having him on vacation this week! He got to attend a couple of his favorite car shows, even though his Chevy is out of commission. He did a few projects around the house and in the garden, and we mulled over ideas to improve our front patio and flower bed. We also spent time talking about life, our thoughts about the future, and reminiscing. Sometimes life gets so busy, we forget to enjoy the simple moments. Conversation, relaxation, laughter, and just enjoying each other's company. It's all part of the glue keeping us connected and enhancing our lives together.

Holiday and Anniversary...

We had a quiet Fourth of July this year. One son had to work, so we quickly threw together a lunch of hot dogs, potato salad, and baked beans, and shared a meal before he had to leave. Our day was spent relaxing. We read, chatted, watched a Netflix rental called Get Low, with Robert Duvall and Sissy Spacek. When it got dark, we wandered outside to watch a few fireworks being set off around the neighborhood.

We had decided not to do anniversary gifts, since we had to replace our large front room window and get the 52 Chevy repaired again, among other unexpected things. Paul decided to surprise me anyway! He got me a few of my favorite things, three books and a movie. Other girls need diamonds and bling, but give me good films and books any day! The movie, Holy Matrimony, was a fun choice for an anniversary. It stars one of our favorites, Monty Woolley, and an actress we weren't as familiar with, Gracie Fields. I need to see what other films she was in, as I really enjoyed her performance.

Books and a movie from my wish list and a beautiful card!

We decided to have dinner at home. French Dip sandwiches and a simple dessert of sliced pound cake layered with a filling of cream cheese blended with strawberry jam, topped with fresh crushed strawberries. Simple and delicious! While we ate, we watched another favorite movie, North by Northwest. It's a Hitchcock film starring Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, and James Mason. A perfect way to spend our day together!

I'm feeling very grateful for my husband, my sons, and the life we share together! Loved and blessed are my words for today! 

Wishing you love and blessings in your life.