It’s that time of year again. Time for school to be out , and time to say good bye to that favorite teacher. With 3 boys, I have bought many teacher gifts through the years. And as a teacher myself for the last 18 years, I have received many also. So, as a favor to those of you who do not teach…here’s a little helpful info: Do NOT give us another mug. We have mugs out the wazoo. We have mugs with every imaginable saying…for every season. We have mugs stuffed with yucky hard candy, individual packets of coffee or hot chocolate, or with a tea towel. We will NEVER need another mug…ever. We shop the dollar stores, too. So it is kind of insulting to us when you give us something we saw in the 1/2 off bin at the EVERYTHING’S a DOLLAR store. Yes, I know it is the thought that counts… but I hope I counted more than $.50 in your child’s life. We also have a plethora of note pads, cutesy pencils, and stationary with our initials. (But, I do like the stationary…I just have more than I can ever use.) And, I know how easy it is to run into Bath and Body and get a cute little gift pack already wrapped up and all, BUT…everyone has their own favorite fragrance and it just might not be Tangy Orange Blueberry Sizzle! Oh, and those cutesy teacher pins and necklaces….we do not enjoy these. They are NOT cute.
Now, here is a list of things that any teacher would be proud to be presented with: a picnic in a box…one year I was presented with an inexpensive tote filled with cute paper plate, napkins, cups, utensils, tablecloth , a selection of soft drinks, and a gift certificate to KFC. I loved it! This year a group of 3 children gave me a momogrammed jewelry and ring holder shaped like a hand. Very useful! Hanging plants or dish gardens are always nice, too. All the hard work is done, all I have to add is water. And I got a set of note pads monogrammed with ‘A NOTE FROM MRS. OWENS….these have been very helpful. My favorite though are the gift cards. This year I got them to several restaurants in town like Sonic, Chick-Fil-A, Olive Garden. Outback. I also got one to Wal-mart, and one to Atlanta Bread . In recent years, I have gotten them for Lifeway and Books A Million. These are the ones I have enjoyed the most! Since I love to read and summer is the time I am most able to.
There is 1 family in our school who does the neatest thing for me each year. They have 2 children and they have both gone through 3 years with us. Each year, the Mom has the child write a personal note telling why they liked that teacher. She copies( before they can write) exactly what they say. This is a treasured surprise every year. Hope this helps when you start that gift buying this year.

I’d like to document 2 of those sweet letter from the Smith children.
From CAROLINE: “You teach us songs. You make us be in programs. I love you because you love me and you teach us. When we had the last program, you laid sheep out for us to hold if we needed to and we sat down when the program was over and you told us how good we sang and we practised a fun song. You brought a little finger puppet sheep and you made music fun.”

From SPENCER:”Mrs. Owens, you’re the best music teacher ever! We love you, Mrs. Owens. Everybody loves you. You’re funny and kind. You are the best music teacher in the whole wide world! You are a good music player. You pick out good songs. Everybody loves you. Thank you for doing everything for us.”

Now, if that doesn’t melt the heart of a teacher…I don’t know what will.

Lori and Tara
Originally uploaded by Tonja Owens.

Don’t mean to upset anyone out there in Blogland…but these are the 2 sweetest young women anywhere…and they’re mine. Well, they are my neices, but thay makes them half mine, doesn’t it? These are the daughters of my sister and BIL, Joy and Tommy. On the left is Lori…now she’s a hoot and a half! Smart as can be, but she definately lives up to her nickname…Loopy. She graduated last week from Alabama with a Masters in Social Work. It has not been an easy ride for her and she’s faced some BIG bumps in the road…but, she’s handled it…and met her goal. We are sooooo proud of her. She’s as ADD as I am and I don’t think I could have made it through like she did. She is moving back home and I am so excited at the chance to spend more time with her. On the Right is Tara. She is married to her love…Will. Now Tara and I are also alike in lots of ways. We both have a love for the medical field. She works in radiology in special procedures, and is in big demand by the doctors. She can get it done. Very astute in medical matters, she has made herself indespensible at one of our hospitals here. She is extermely caring and sensitive ( I told you she was like me…LOL)
I also have always loved working with preschoolers and have completed much training in this area. She and I taught a class of 5 yr. old children for several years before she got married. The, she stopped to be with her hubby and I stopped because I had been in PS work in our church for 25 years. We recently built a new preschool building…wonderful facilities. I was asked to come in and get it up and running properly. Training teachers and putting proper rules and regulations in place. When I agreed to do it, I had only 1 condition. That I could train a younger woman as I was working through this, so she could take over and continue running things. And guess who was willing to step up and do it…Tara and Will. So, I am thrilled. Tara is quite capable of the job and Will is learning quickly.
I am so fortunate to have these girls(and Will) in my life. Sometimes I find my self drowning in testosterone at my house…so it’s wonderful to get around my sister and the girls. Helps with the sanity, you know!
They both love the Lord and are committed to live a Christian life. They have the highest of standards and live up to them. I am proud to call them mine.

Niven Morgan
Originally uploaded by Tonja Owens.

A few years ago, I was on a girlfriend’s trip to Destin, and shopping was on the “to do” list for the day. We stopped at a shopping area at Sandestin and started visiting all the little shops there. While still out on the sidewalk, I smelled the most wonderful aroma ever. It smelled like I think heaven might smell. Following my nose, I went inside and was treated to the most delicious fragrance that filled the room. “What is that?,” I asked the salesgirl. She showed me the votive candle that was burning. That was the only one burning in the store, and it smelled even out onto the sidewalk. “Niven Morgan,Gold.” she said. I had never heard of it before. But from that moment on, I have been a convert. The fragrance comes in perfume, body lotion, hand cream, bath gel, room spray and candles. I have horrible allergies and I can not wear anything heavy. But, this is so light and fresh and clean smelling, it never bothers me. There is not a store in my town that carries it, but by going online, I was able to find it in an even smaller town about 30 miles away. Of course, I think it’s a great reason for an extra trip to Destin. If you are interested in where I bought it in Destin, I’ll be glad to tell you the name of the store. Just thought you may like to try something different. But, be warned…if you smell it once…you’ll be hooked.

HOW FUNNY!!!
Originally uploaded by Tonja Owens.

Tracey has asked us all on her blog list to do this. She said to list 7 quirky or unusual facts about yourself. Here goes:
1. If I find a product that I like, I tend to stockpile it in multiples. I don’t ever want to be without it. I do this with toothepaste, and lotions and makeup, deodorants and any thing that might be discontinued. If I find the perfect t-shirt…I’ll buy it in all colors.
2. I have trouble falling asleep. I have a Palm Pilot, and Alex put some games on it. So every night before going to sleep, I play solitaire, or word games. Usually I will get sleepy in about 10 minutes. I keep it right beside my bed so if I wake up in the night, I just play some more till I get sleepy again.
3. I actually like my grey hair. I have never colored it. When I was a teenager, I frosted my hair a few times, but that got old. Luckily, when my grey started coming in, it was pretty even. My mom has the prettiest grey hair, and I’ve always loved it….my dad, too. People ask me often who colors my hair (thinking that it is highlighted or something)…my answer? “God.”
4. I am so A.D.D. My mind races from one thing to another, and I find it so hard to stay on one task. I have a thought and off I go to pursue that and forget what I was doing originally. I especially have a hard time sitting in church. And I love to go to church. But, let the pastor mention something…and there I go. When I was first married, Don couldn’t understand why I couldn’t be still, and he is of the opinion that in church you sit still, and listen…Do not move, or whisper or heaven forbid ,write. If I can doodle with a pen, or take notes…I can listen. Finally…he got it. Give me something to do with the action part of my brain, so the listening part can listen.
5. I am OCD about many things. One of these is purses. I have to have a purse that coordinates with my outfit of the day. Take 1 purse for the season.?..NEVER. I change daily. Now it does not have to match…just go with the outfit. And I notice other people’s purses. I just can’t stand to see an old dirty purse that has obviously been used for years. A cute purse need not be expensive….just fashionable.
6. I do not like movies or t.v. that is scary . I do not like seeing or hearing people or animals get hurt or killed. If I am going to spend my time watching a movie or a show on t.v…..then I expect it to make me laugh or be uplifting in someway. I do not mind dramatic shows…just not killing and torture. I have all the drama I need in real life…..
7. I am a very fast reader. I have always loved to read, and in college I took a speed reading course. So, if nothing stands in my way, I can read at least a book a day. Of course, someone always wants to eat or wear clean clothes or some other useless thing…..I’d much rather read.
8. I am a collector. I collect things I love. Some of my favorites are: sheep, little ring boxes, snowmen, funny cards, primitive samplers,birdhouses, and the letter “O”.I don’t know why it is, but there is a feeling of joy when you add one more to your collection.
My newest item of interest is garden statuary. Not the new stuff, old and broken pieces. Love that “used up” look.
9. I’m not too good at following rules….I did more than 7…oops!

The photo is of my sweet DIL, Suzanne, and I at Santa Rosa Beach. We had just gotten soaked while waiting for a table at a restaurant!

PURSE CONTENTS
Originally uploaded by Tonja Owens.

I was asked to do this several weeks ago, and I have just gotten time enough to comply. So here are the contents of my purse today:
Handkerchief and nasal spray…never leave home without it
Emergency chocolate…you never know when you may need a
transfusion…sometimes it is THE best
medicine!
My paycheck and grocery list
Oversized wallet
Cell Phone
Gum and Mints
Sweet and Salty P-Nut Bar…when chocolate just won’t do, or you
just want both
C.D. used in program last night
Palm Pilot…my life is in here
Fingernail file
Pill Box
Post-It Notes and Marker
Hollywood Fashion Tape…see previous post…went to Stein Mart
yesterday and bought another box.
3 Lipsticks…MAC Pro Longwear Lipcolour…The best! Put it on in the
morning…it lasts all day…REALLY!