New Gadgets

Today my yard looks better than it has in months. Taylor really pulled out all the stops and did a GREAT job on it! Now, Taylor has done a fair job in the past, but nothing like today. He's never had the excitement about it that he did today. There have been times when I've felt like a nagging wife when it comes to this issue. "Today looks like a good day to do the yard, huh Taylor?" Then a week later, "Will you please do the yard today, Taylor?" And yet another week later, "Taylor! Our yard looks TERRIBLE! You've GOT to mow!" Why the change today, then? Well, there's no mystery. He got a new yard gadget. Yesterday while I was at a workshop in Pine Bluff, my guy and Matt had a "man-breakfast". (Their term, not mine.) That's not all they did, though. After their meal, they went to Lowe's. I can just imagine the scene that unfolded.

They walk in, full from their hearty man-breakfast, chests puffed out with pride because, yes, they ARE men. They casually talk as they walk down the aisles, jokes being cracked here and there. Then, they both stop short. (Here, the camera slowly pans away from their face and up to the....ta-da!...Black and Decker Leaf Hog.)







The voices of angels sing and a light from heaven shines down upon this fine piece of manly equipment. They both walk toward it, and it's over. One of them is getting it today, and that's that.

So, being the wonderfully supportive and generous wife that I am, (and because Taylor's birthday is Friday and I hadn't gotten him a big gift yet) it was my husband's lucky day. He is now the proud owner of a new lawn gadget. Today, he used it like a pro. Drive by the house and check it out!

I Got Got

So last night I checked my email and got one about these people who had all died from spider bites! The spiders, it turned out, had been living under the lids of toilet seats in restaraunts, planes, etc. I was horrified! So I quickly sent this email to all my dear friends and family.

Oops. Today I got two emails (both from members of Taylor's family, none from mine...this will be more relevant in a minute) telling me that this is a hoax! Come on, people! I've heard of these hoaxes, but I've never actually been the victim of one. (I'm actually surprised it took this long.) Why in the world would someone waste their time making up some elaborate story about a toilet rim-dwelling spider and send it out to the world? It's just silly.

Some of you may say that it's silly that I actually believed it. Well, if you think that, then you obviously don't know me very well. I am notoriously gullible, and I believe most everything that I hear. It's not the best quality, but I've been this way for years, and I have a feeling that it's incurable. I'm especially prone to be gullible in the area of health, because (here's where the family thing comes in) my mother raised me to be very paranoid about health issues! Sorry, Mom, that I'm pinning this on you. It's not like she forced me to believe these things, but she is paranoid, and I am gradually discovering that I am becoming my mother. This is just one more piece of evidence to back up that fact.

So, now I'm way embarrassed...I never like for people to know how terribly gullible I really am. I guess I'll get over it. Worse things have happened. I apologize to anyone who got that forward from me. It's all a lie! It's terrible...I think I may never forward another email again. The world will probably be a better place because of it.

It's happening...

Every year...well, last year...every illness my students got, I got. I was hoping that this year I would miraculously be immune to all the adolescent germs and not get sick. Ah, how naive of me. It's beginning this week. I've had a total of 7 kids out over the past 4 days sick with the same thing. They all complain in the beginning of having a headache. What have I had ALL day? A headache. Not just any headache, either. This one is a whopper. It's escalated in intensity throughout the day today. Right now my head is pounding. I hope I only get the headache part of this and not what followed for my kids!

On to better news...Taylor and I spent Labor Day weekend in Kansas with his family. We had a blast! We rode up there with his brother and sister-in-law...and their baby, Eli! Eli is about 9 months old and SO cute! He's got one tooth and is just beginning to stand up by himself without holding on to anything. He'll be walking before we know it! Taylor and I had a great time visiting with everyone up there. I can't wait till we go back next year!

A positive note to leave on...my second year teaching continues to be WAY better than my first! One thing that's better about the second year...I know people! My students from last year come back all the time to see me, and it makes me feel good! Last year, nobody came to see me, and it was kinda sad. But not this year! It's fun to see my old students again...and thank God that that've moved on to another grade. ;)

MySpace

I have a myspace account now. I caved and got one just so I could see someone else's. I figures I should at least make it look good and put stuff on there. You can go see it at www.myspace.com/tayleejames. Hope everybody's having a great Labor Day weekend!