Down in Mississippi

What kind of forwards do you get?

2008-11-14T05:04:00.002-06:00

It's funny-when I get forwards from friends it's usually about friendship...maybe recipes. When Walker gets them, it's about boobs. There's something not right about this.

Walker and I are trying to move into current times. We both joined facebook, though we have no clue what we're doing and aren't sure if we want our business out there. We'll see how long it lasts. So far we found a girl Walker and Vin both know very well-and she lives in Hattiesburg, about an hour away from us!

Have you ever had a job you really liked, with a culture you didn't think you'd find anywhere else, but then a new boss is hired and everything changes? You go from doing your best and feeling great about it with rave reviews from bosses to totally questioning what you're doing and receiving lower scores than you've ever gotten on reviews. I know Andrea and I have talked about this some. It's what's going on at my school-32 year veterans all the way down to rookies. Sad, really. I just keep telling myself it's not about me, it's for the kids that deserve the best I can offer.

Our first party!

2008-11-01T17:09:00.000-05:00

Walker and I hosted our first party last night. We had a few people over to hand out candy, then we had a fire in the back and made s'mores. It was definitely a good time, though we have way too many leftovers!

The joys in our life right now are coming after work and on weekends...if you catch my drift. I still love the kids at school and am having fun with the cheerleaders, but I'm definitely ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks. There's not much for Walker to say about his job at this point.

Lisa and Sean have a new healthy baby girl, Maggie and Craig have a healthy baby boy, and Carmen and Jason have their second baby boy! It's truly a blessing to become aunt and uncle again! Hopefully we'll meet all the new babies soon!

Another month goes by...

2008-09-08T20:38:00.000-05:00

And I missed several of my very best friends' birthdays! I love you and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

I've tried to talk and text since I'm not the best at keeping up with the blog. Things are different at school lately. My students are awesome...it's all the extra stuff that's difficult. This is stuff I'd rather talk or email about privately-call me paranoid, but I don't want to overdo the publicizing of school drama. Walker is staying busy with work and is looking forward to a training trip to Wisconsin.

Football season has begun! Not only are we doing all the AU games, but we ordered NFL Sunday ticket, too. Not much gets done around our house on weekends! Luckily Stew, Sue and Ellie came to tailgate with us for the first game. It was nice to finally meet sweet Ellie! This weekend will be my first trip to Starkville to see the Auburn Tigers defeat the MSU Bulldogs-I can't wait!

AU Fan Day

2008-08-04T20:16:00.000-05:00

We went to Auburn for practice Saturday morning, then Fan Day that afternoon. It was our rookie attempt, so we were somewhat ill prepared. We ended up waiting about 3.5 hours to meet Tubby and I will post the pic after they send it to me and I scan it. Walker will tell you that Chris Todd looked pretty sharp, and that he may end up getting more reps than Burns.

The 4 wheeler was one of Walkie's customer's and we got it stuck in the mud the night of the pic on the last post. THANK GOODNESS we pulled it out just before dark. We were all coated in dark mud, which didn't really show up on Reese.

I started school last week with a new administration. They've given the principal 2 years to bring us up to a level 5 (superior) school. We're level 3 with a 20% special ed population...among other issues. It'll be interesting.

Walker has broken into the commercial market some, which is great! There are rumors that Jimmy Buffet is pulling out of the casino down here, and that's not great. The question of our future in Gulfport comes up every so often and has arisen again lately. I will definitely do this school year...then we debate again!

Need I say more?

2008-07-28T21:42:00.000-05:00

If that ain't country...

2008-07-27T08:18:00.000-05:00

After mowing last week I just rode that puppy down to the pool and hopped in!

Walker's out at Chandeleur Islands fishing this weekend. I haven't heard from him since Friday night, so I'm hoping it's a good sign that he's having fun. In the meantime, one of his customers brought a 4 wheeler over for me to try out this weekend. I'm telling you...custom black-out rims...the works! I took it out yesterday know now that I NEED one!

Maggie and Whitney came to see me last week! It was awesome to have some friends come down. We spent most of the time sitting around and talking-sorry, we forgot to get a pic!

School starts next Friday for me. I was asked to mentor a new teacher, I will be the liason between my school's science dept and the other middle school and I have cheerleading. I'm excited, but nervous!

2008-07-11T07:27:00.000-05:00

Walkie and I haven't taken a pic together in a while, but here are a couple from our night out with Ohio friends, Heather and Brian, Jim, and Jack and Kara. Kara is in the green shirt and Jack has the bottle. They had a baby boy three months ago!

While the dogs are away...

2008-07-10T16:41:00.000-05:00

the bunnies will play! This guy was in our backyard last night munching away. Mom has had the girls for a few weeks while we travel, and I'm going back to get them Monday. We saw some good sized lizards, too, but luckily no snakes. Reese will have plenty to chase next week!

My ocean studies course was AWESOME! We went to a couple of the islands, ran trawls for specimen (and ate the leftover shrimp), and hiked a few times in addition to clasroom lecture and activities. When I left that one, I met up with a similar class in Ohio and spent a day with those teachers. A couple days later Joy took us to a wildlife rehabilitation place, where we saw some really cool animals (like this bald eagle). So I'm being educated a ton this summer, and it's getting me excited about next school year.

Before our trip to Ohio, Walker had his state tennis tournament. His team didn't quite make finals, but they were very impressive. Walker's the #1 singles guy on the team and his last opponent ended up spending the night in the hospital because of the heat (and intense competition.)

Last night we went to our favorite bbq place-they opened one near the house. Julie was the bartender. I'm telling you the looks, bubbly personality and VOICE (not sure about mouth size :) )were all there. The girl said I could take a pic with her next time we go.

2008-07-03T17:51:00.000-05:00

I'm the worst blogger, I know. Life is good...busy. My sister had her third child, Dashiell Edward, and he looks EXACTLY like Jason. Julie had Riley Elizabeth, Christa had Paige Katherine, Susan had Ellie...none of whom we've met, but we're DYING to see them!

I went to cheer camp with our squad, took an ocean studies course, visited my sister in VA, my mom in TX and now Walker and I are in OH. More soon.

8 days and counting...

2008-05-10T18:05:00.000-05:00

Can we get some free food for this advertisement?!

Busted!

Dixie still hasn't found a burying spot that Reese doesn't find later.

She works hard...really

I have a two month break coming really soon...and I'm thrilled about it. I had my first tennis match this week and have plenty to work on this summer. I'd like to get to a level where I can play in some of the tournaments and maybe pick up some mixed doubles matches with Walker. It's ambitious for sure, but a goal nonetheless.

Walker went to the lake with Reese this weekend to do some yard work. It's the first time the girls have been apart this long. I kept Dixie here to keep me company since I had to do a coach safety course. Last weekend we went to the Hard Rock-they opened a country bar inside that we wanted to try. It was a blast!

Walker was slammed with work this week! It's a great thing in a time when the building market is slow. Hopefully it will continue into the summer.

Walker watching Transformers

Good Morning!

2008-05-06T06:25:00.000-05:00

Just a quick blurb before I run off to school...Walker's tennis team is in the state finals this summer! The captain of his team told him that Walker beat the best player in Hattiesburg last night.

In an effort to impress my husband, I have taken up tennis as well. I'll never win player of the year, but it's a start. I had a few group lessons and my league starts this week.

Less than 3 weeks of school left!! After that I'm headed to Jo's to watch Liam play soccer and (hopefully) watch the kids while she gives birth.

Middle School is Never Boring!

2008-04-02T16:59:00.001-05:00

It's the week before spring break and all should be calm...
We had 2 girls smoking weed in the bathroom, I was reemed by a mother that happens to work in the superintendent's office, boys were caught buying things with counterfeit money, and our pricipal (who I really like) announced that he is leaving at the end of the year...AND IT'S ONLY WEDNESDAY!

Here's a kicker-the cheerleading coach asked me to be asst coach next year! Should be tons of fun...once I learn something about cheerleading. Hurkey-double hurkey-banana won't get me far!

A Pretty Good Little Saturday!

2008-03-17T20:34:00.000-05:00

When I find the camera cord, I'll post the pic...Walker sitting at the edge of his La-Z-Boy, mouth open. What enthralling film, you ask? Transformers.

Saturday we had a leisurely breakfast at Cracker Barrel, then a long walk in the woods with the girls. We saw a big snake at the end, but it didn't deter us. We spent an hour or so cleaning out flower beds (thanks to the previous owners for having low-maint plants!) It was time for lunch, but we weren't especially hungry, so we made smoothies...then added rum. We laid in the sun and went to dinner fairly early so we could sit out by the water and watch the sunset. I would say we were home and asleep by 10. May not be exciting to you, but life moves a little slower down here by the ocean.

Walker has a big week with his OS gone for 2 days, 2 tennis matches and the prez of the company coming Wednesday for a tour and dinner. I have Friday off, so we're going to the lake to do some work. Speaking of days...my students could not be more entertaining these days. I have 80 13-15 year olds, all trying to do as little as possible, some trying to learn something in the process. As you would expect, they are so honest in telling me how I look (oooh Mrs. Roth has on her big hoop earrings OR Mrs. Roth, you look a mess today!), and how I say dorky little things a lot (it's funny, Mrs. Roth.) I will say they repeat a lot of my little sayings (waiting on you, Christmas...Eeeaassssy there, cowboy...DUDE!...some of the faves.) All in all so sweet and funny. You're catching me on a good day-who knows what tomorrow will bring. That's what I love about middle school! Take a sec to think about how you were back in those days!

S-E-X-Y you ain't got no alibi...

2008-03-12T19:34:00.000-05:00

You sexy, what what, you sexy!
This was my cheer to Keith Urban from miles away...and how I entertained new friends at a girls' night last weekend. If you've been out with me, it's a familiar scene.

Sssoooooo life is rolling right along in South Mississippi! Walker has been here over a year now-can you believe it? He's still looking for happiness with his job and we are considering options, so nothing major to report at the moment. His tennis leagues have started, so he's staying busy.

I'm enjoying 8th grade science and hope to teach with the same team next year. The lack of desire to learn and frequent disprespect is a challenge, but it wouldn't be middle school without some of that. The burn out rate is high at our school, so who knows what next year will actually bring.

The drywall is hung and finished in the basement of the lake house. It'll be a while before it's ready for guests, but we're excited about it. We are going to paint walls, then stain the concrete. Before that, though, we have to pressure wash the deck and stain it, then do other work in flower beds and in the upstairs. That's half the fun, I guess!

My nephew, Liam, is starting soccer this spring! It's hard to believe he's old enough! I'm going at the end of May to see some practices and a game. I'm loud at my students' games, so you can imagine how hilarious it will be with me out there yelling at 4 year olds! Cecily is absolutely fearless and getting around well. She's a very agreeable child, so it'll be interesting to see what happens when the new little one gets here!

Dre and Jim, Lisa and Sean, and Maggie and Craig are pregnant! Congrats to the new parents-to-be! No, it does not make me any more ready to have my own. Walker and I have briefly talked about fostering rather than having our own. We'll see...in a few years.

We love and miss you!

Eventful Times!

2008-01-06T15:38:00.000-06:00

Happy New Year!
We went to Atlanta to spend Christmas with Walker's family, including our new niece, Piper Grace. New Year's Eve we set up dinner at a table in the living room so we could watch the Auburn game. I pounded out some chicken...cut up bread...chopped herbs...and turned my back for 2 seconds. Reese ate everything-4 raw chicken breasts and all. Luckily I had more in the freezer.

Walker has joined a tennis club and I joined a local gym, so we are getting more involved and active. We went to the Mississippi Sea Wolves hockey game Friday night, which was actually a lot of fun. Saturday night we did a late dinner at TGI Fridays and watched the wild card playoff game. Things are looking up at the moment!

We're still here!

2007-12-03T18:09:00.000-06:00

It's been so long since last we wrote...and a lot has happened. Starting with Halloween week, we'll move ahead. Our moms came to visit and gave us a good boost in spirits and motivation. In one day they built shelves and COMPLETELY organized our garage. Talk about amazing!!! They also decorated for fall and helped hand out candy. Yes, they covered themselves with sheets and scared the kids that came by, which was a blast.

November brought wonderful surprises as many of our friends learned of pregnancies, including my sister getting ready for #3! Though I would love for my children to be close in age with Jo's and our friends' children, I'm still not sure about the parenting thing. We're getting lapped at the speed of light, but not willing to rush anything.

October was a record high $$ month for Walker at work-he made more than Panama City, which has been open for years. November was slower (expected around the holidays) but he was assigned a new boss. He now reports to a guy in Jackson, who seems to be really nice and helpful. This has helped decrease stress a megaton.

The kids aren't cutting any slack at school, so I'm on my toes and learning lots. There have been discouraging days, but moments of total enjoyment, so I stay balanced. I'm having to brush up on astronomy right now-I'll be ready to teach it next time around :).

Walker and I should have a new niece by the end of the week, and are thrilled to get to see her this weekend. Here's a pic from Alison and Michael's shower a little while back...with some of the best ladies in America.

For all the history buffs, this weekend marked the first time Walker has helped me decorate for Christmas. We turned our columns into candy canes and hung wreaths in the windows. Simple, yet festive.
Enough for now? I think so. Looking forward to bowl season.

still here...

2007-09-24T18:17:00.000-05:00

Since the last post, Walker held a grand opening at his yard. Joy coordinated most of it and came to town to help make it happen. It was a huge success, including a lengthy newspaper article the day before and tv news appearance the evening after. Execs came in from Chicago and the senator sent a rep for the ribbon cutting. Hopefully it will lead to plenty of new business as he has 2 trucks ready to go.

The 8th graders and I have been learning a lot...I have some amazing students this year that I wish you could meet. Without a doubt, this is more challenging than anything I have ever done. Today we learned a song about atoms and went carolling to other classes.

We've been struggling a little bit (a lot) with our move and being away from friends, which is why we haven't been calling you guys. It may not make sense, but we'd rather talk to you guys when we're upbeat and positive. While we stick with the decision to move, it's not easy.

2007-08-30T14:46:00.000-05:00

Yesterday marked the two year anniversary of Katrina, as most of you heard on the news. There were other victims we were worrying about yesterday, though, as I learned that the mother of one of my students was shot and killed in her home. Through students we learned that there was a history of domestic violence with the alleged perpetrator, who is the father of 3 out of 5 children in the home. The incident occurred in the middle of the night while the children were there. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

2007-08-01T17:34:00.000-05:00

Students start Friday! Talk about nervous! Luckily Walker's family was able to come visit and help us relax and get some things done around here. Walker continues to work extremely hard and is on his first fishing trip with customers right now. We'll go to the lake for the first time in a while this weekend-we've heard vines have over taken the house. Please keep in touch!

Back to the grind...

2007-07-25T18:31:00.000-05:00

We were able to go to Savannah for our friends Mary and Scott's wedding, then stop and see the Cohens and Kennedys in Tallahassee. If you haven't met Molly yet, you will be amazed by her beauty and luscious lips! The next weekend we got to hang with Stew and Sue, then the Serotskys (Ella is off the charts in height!) It was a great end to a short summer...as I headed back to work yesterday (nerves really kicking in!) Luckily we'll see Walker's family this weekend, and in case you haven't heard, we're getting a niece!

Walker is still struggling with HR stuff-1 of his 4 guys is definitely quitting and 1 is talking about it. It leaves him with the original 2, which are awesome guys and really hard workers. Today was the first inventory and I'm waiting for Walk to come home and debrief (it's almost 7pm). We absolutely appreciate your continued support as we work through this transition (I can't think of a better word...)

Luckily...

2007-07-12T08:18:00.000-05:00

You can get gas, booze and hardwoods in one convenient location!

It's been pretty quiet aroud here since our last post. I think Walker would spend the night at the yard if they had a bed and shower. I've been demanding he come home at a decent hour so he can relax and unwind before he has to turn around and go back. The vice prez of his region came this week and was impressed with what's going on. Next week he'll get his 2nd boom truck and be able to take on more business. As of right now, he's keeping the truck he has really busy. It definitely looks like he'll make money this month!

I've cleaned and unpacked my classroom and am starting to get excited about the year (though really nervous, too.) It'll definitely be different from Lanier...

Or neighbors, John and Patsy are ultra awesome and we've hung out with them quite a bit. I was actually over there in the pool yesterday when Walker called-he took me to dinner at the new Hard Rock Casino with the finance manager of his company. Dinner on the company is always way fun! We're headed to Savannah for a wedding by way of Tallahassee tonight. We finally get to meet little Molly Mae!

A word from Walker (finally!)

2007-06-30T11:18:00.000-05:00

The past couple of months have been the most trying and pressure filled of my life. My feet hit the floor at 5 every morning and I usually don't get home until 6 or 7. I have received very little help from my manager. It would be one thing if I was just handling the sales aspect, but that is only a portion of what I have to deal with. One of the most difficult tasks has been trying to find employees. I have a great operations supervisor and one of the best class A drivers and operators I have ever seen. I have to watch every cost and so when I send an applicant for a drug screen and a back ground check, that is a cost. As of now I am one for three. The one I am hiring had a kidnapping charge, but he explained to me that it was because he is black and his girlfriend was white and her parents found out and pressed charges. The other two I did not hire were felony drug charges. I have to balance my inventory to ensure that I do not have too much or too little. The problem with that is I know all the products that I need, but my sales will be so sporadic that I can't just bring in every item that I know that I eventually will need to have on hand. I don't have an accounting clerk, so I have to do most of the month end closing of the books. All of this amounts to an amazing learning opportunity, both mentally and physically (I have to run loads until people are hired). Starting a brand new center from nothing, is an experience that few people get to have. I have had one truck running loads for about 2 weeks, and after closing the books last night my profit margin looked great and I think that in month 2 we might even make money. If I am slow to return emails or calls during the week I apologize, but things are so hectic right now. I appreciate everyone's support and I hope to see you guys really soon.

Things That Go Bump in the Night

2007-06-15T18:14:00.000-05:00

Maybe I'm the only one amused by such things, but I love to listen to big bugs fly into our windows at night. We have three windows across the back of the house and the giant mosquitoes outside want to come in really bad. Check out the little guy that tried to take advantage of the situation last night by climbing up the back door. He's about the size of a silver dollar (Carmen, you'd think he was so cute!)

There's a trail in the woods behind our house where the girls and I walk every day. There are two big mud puddles and I noticed a ton of tadpoles swimming around. Watching them grow will keep me occupied a while.

2007-06-13T17:22:00.000-05:00

Walker's yard is open! He's working on getting some business, hiring drivers and warehouse, and waiting for furniture and computers. Baby steps...

In the meantime, we arranged the living room furniture (finally). This is the view from the entry hall-the brown thing on the bottom left is our couch and there's about 3 feet to the wall behind it. Our chairs are squared in front of the tv and there's about 4 feet to the wall behind them. That left room to show off the antique roll top desk in front of the windows, which still need treatments.

2007-06-11T11:52:00.000-05:00

In case you haven't heard, Walker and I will be aunt and uncle in about 6 months!

Congratulations Alison and Michael!

So DirectTV offers local channels to 95% of the country now! Great, right? Sure, unless you're in the 5% that gets nothing...like we are. We plugged in the rabbit ears to watch the Cavs last night (a disappointment in itself).

I took some inspiration from my multi-tasking queen of a friend, Heather, and cranked up the music today-I have to get these boxes unloaded! Probably the only difference is I turned up the 90's (if you know her, you know what I mean). I started a new pile of boxes, which Reese thought was another bed.

Here's one for the kids: Can you find the animal dozing amidst the mess? Worthless!

Let's be fair-Dixie's had a tough day of defending her flip!

When I get out of the house more I'll have pictures of something besides the dogs!

Making Progress!

2007-06-06T07:14:00.000-05:00

Don't worry-we have 2 matching La-Z-Boy chairs so there's no fuss. Walker says I have the better tv view, and I say he got the better bathroom sink...ah compromises!

The stack of boxes is getting taller (thanks, mom, for getting it started), which means we're getting settled, but the house is a mess. We visited the neighborhood pool for the first time Sunday and then took the dogs to the pond. We almost didn't get Dixie back home-she LOVES to swim and they were having so much fun they actually looked trained when a jogger came by!

So we spent most of last night doctoring dogs-I took them to the woods and something peculiar happened to Reese's eye...

Can you see how swollen it is? Dixie ambushed her in the woods, so she must have scratched it. Walker put a cold compress on it after we rinsed. Between that, allergies and ear infections, they're keeping us busy!

Walker has 2 employees now and product on the way. He's getting busier and Joy is helping us with marketing for the grand opening. I saw my classroom fo the first time Monday and will be able to move in soon!

2007-05-30T12:08:00.000-05:00

Let me first fill you in on some local wisdom we learned at the Waffle House (we were at one of two non-smoking tables.) Grown man says to 5-6 year old boy, "Ain't you dip or chew yet? You play baseball, don't you? You gotta dip or chew if you play baseball."

Booze and a Big Screen

Our first weekend in the house!

I have accepted a position at Gulfport Central Midde School as an 8th (or 7th) grade science teacher. The populaton of students will be very different from Lanier as this is a Title I school (high number of low income families.) I am thrilled about the opportunity as I have spoken with the principal several times and an 8th grade teacher and they are so nice and laid back. Class size wll only be about 20 students and technology options will be good. I'm not sure if you can see the FEMA trailer park next door...

Walker's yard is still not open, but he has been meeting customers and shipping orders fom Mobile. Graduation was a couple weekends ago at Mercer and it offered closure to 2 years of hard work.

2007-04-06T12:22:00.000-05:00

Welcome to our blog! We thought this would be a good way to keep everyone up on the adventures that moving to Mississippi is sure to bring. You might see his and hers versions every now and then as Walker sees things differently than me.

This is from my first weekend visit in Mississippi. I laid out in the parking lot getting sun while we waited for Walker's laundry. You could tell Walker had't used a coin laundry in a long time-he kept running in thinking someone was going to take his clothes. No one did.

I went back this week for spring break (there's no bigger party than the one at the D'Iberville Winngate Inn!) I forgot the camera, but will post new pics soon. I interviewed at Pass Christian Middle School and spent time driving around and shopping.

More to come!