I am a music teacher in a Christian Preschool. We have K-3, K-4, and K-5. Our school is connected to a fine church here in town and leads right into a terrific Christian school. This is a job that is perfect for me. First of all, I think the Lord gifted me to work with preschoolers. And, this is where I feel most comfortable…sharing the beautiful world, and lessons from God
with them. I love the freedom to pray with them and talk about the Lord anytime I want. But, we do have FUN. We sing, dance, play games, paint to music…whatever strikes us. I learned long ago that in order for them to “let go”…I had to “let go”. So goodbye inhibitions and pride. In my classroom…its all about the kids. And fun is had by all. We have about 300 students, and we have 2 programs each year…at Christmas and in the spring. It’s time for our spring practices to begin. This year our theme is The Floating Zoo. So songs about Noah and the ark are constantly running through my head. There are very few programs that are published for preschooler musicals. So for the last 20 years I have written and compiled my own programs. This entails lots of work going through musicals and putting together age appropriate songs. Sometimes I just write my own songs if I can not find the right one. I have a friend who wants me to have these published, and that may be a possibility in the future. One of the teachers at my school got this in an e-mail and gave me a copy. I though I’d share it with you:

Everything I Need To Know…I Learned From Noah’s Ark

1. Don’t miss the boat.

2. Remember that we are all in the same boat.

3. Plan ahead. It wasn’t raining when Noah built the ark.

4. Stay fit. When you are 60 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big.

5. Don’t listen to critics. Just get on with the job that needs to be done.

6. Build your future on high ground.

7. For safety’s sake, travel in pairs.

8. Speed isn’t always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs.

9. When you’re stressed, float awhile.

10. Remember, the ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.

11. No matter the storm, when you are with God, there is always a rainbow waiting.

While doing some file cleaning, I ran across this poem that I wrote for my neice and her husband. My sister has 2 daughters, and they are both beautiful girls. Lori is in grad school and Tara lives here and is married. She married a guy who is MR. Outdoor Life. He has her fishing and hunting and such. Well, when the family heard that she was going deer hunting with him…we were quick to voice our opinions. At least, I was. Now, I have an aversion to deliberatly causing harm or pain…let alone death…to any creature. But, I also know that that sentiment is not shared by everyone. Sweet Will, her husband has been most understanding of my vocalizations about his lifestyle. He assures me that all the deer they kill are used for food. Which really does nothing to ease my feelings…not as long as there is a Winn-Dixie in the near vicinity. But, I digress. The fact is…he took her deer hunting…complete with her head to toe camoflage outfit and gun. No…she did NOT look cute. I have always thought she and I were very much kindred spirits….BUT..she liked it! And not only that, she killed a deer! And then did the whole blood ritual ….and they made a PICTURE…and delighted in showing me. :0
So, I wrote this for them:

This is the story of terror and fear
That happens when hunters named Tara are near.

Deer Mommy always said, “Stay close by my side
When Tara comes around…there’s no place to hide.”

But I did not listen, my heart would not stay.
I just lost all my senses when sweet Will came my way.

My Papa would tell me “Those boys are no good…”
But, I’d forget his warning when Will entered our woods.

His face looked so kind that it was difficult to see
That fierce female warrior crouched in the tree.

But behind him she was, just waiting her chance
To turn my demise into her victory dance.

Sweet Will could not stop her, though I’m sure he tried
When Tara gets the scent…it’s “Bambi…Bye-Bye”.

She stood…then she shot…then jumped to her feet,
“Will, oh sweet Will, I’ve shot us some meat!”

Now what is left of me is hanging at your place.
My meat’s in your freezer…my blood’s on your face.

My story will be told in woods far and near:
GO HIDE AT YOUR AUNT’S HOUSE WHEN TARA IS NEAR!!!!!

P.S….they still speak to me, too.

A GOOD FRIEND IS LIKE A GOOD BRA:

Hard to find
Supportive
Comfortable
Always lifts you up
Never lets you down
Never leaves you hanging
Always close to your heart

🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

CIMG0565
Originally uploaded by Tonja Owens.

I found these shoes at the mall. Aren’t they just the cutest? I have confessed my shoe obsession to you before, and it hasn’t gotten any better. When I saw these, I just had to have them. One of the kids at school (age4) said, “Mrs. Owens, you got everything in the world on your shoes!” And that’s about the truth. Of course, I didn’t NEED them…but they sure make me happy when I wear them.

Geranium
Originally uploaded by Tonja Owens.

Several years ago, I went to visit my Granny, who lived in North Carolina. She died at the age of 91. She was a flower expert. Oh, the beautiful flowers she had in her yards. Always, she tried to teach me about the different varieties of plants she was nursing along. She said to me that day, “Tonna (that’s what she always called me), did you see my high geraniums? I have worked so hard on them and they are really putting out.” I told her I hadn’t noticed them in the yard. So I went out to look. Of course, I was looking for a new variety of geraniums that were taller growing. I couldn’t find anything that I didn’t know. So, I went back in to tell her. “Well come on and I’ll show you where they are.” Off we went to the side of her mobile home and there it was…….CAN YOU GUESS WHAT IT WAS?……..it wasthe lovliest bush of HYDRANGEA!!!!

Isn’t that the sweetest story? I can’t ever see hydrangea bushes without thinking of her. I just know when I get to heaven, she will have some new “heavenly” flowers to show me.