2011 Thanksgiving

This year, for the second time in a row our family will NOT be together for Thanksgiving.  As a family we were supposed to go to Hilton Head Island together to be with my father and Alison, Kirstie and Johnny, but Devon's work would not let him have the time off so he had to decide if he was going to quit or stay.  He decided to keep his job, which meant Devon had to stay back home with Mark while I took Marissa and Robert with me on the trip.  Jessica stayed at BYU.  She will be having Thanksgiving with her roommate and her family.

We had a safe drive down, although we had a near miss with a big 4x4 truck almost hitting me.  We passed three accidents.  The first thing we did when we crossed over the Hilton Head bridge was drive to one of our favorite beaches.  Robert and Marissa love to play in the sand and jump in the waves.  We didn't get down to Hilton Head until around 4:00, so we didn't have much time for the beach.  The sun sets at 5:20 - early, although it was perfect timing.  At 5:20 my dad called saying it was time to meet him to got our pass into Sea Pines (where we are staying for the next few days).

Our first night we ate at the Crazy Crab - delicious!  Robert, Marissa and I played 5-Crowns after Dad and Alison went to bed.  We are missing Mark, Devon and Jessica!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving day and dinner.  The weather was perfect.  We got a few things taken care of in the morning (yes, shopping on Thanksgiving) and then a walk around the harbor.  The kids loved playing on the playground like they did 4 years ago.  They are much older and bigger now - it was so different.  We also took them to the Sea Pines beach.  They played in the sand and water for what seemed like hours (it really was only one or two).   Alison didn't come.  Dad and I had a good chat sitting on the beach or walking along the shore.  It was nice to have one on one time with him.

For dinner, I made a ham and we heated up turkey.  We also served stuffing, mashed potatoes, corn, green beans with almonds, and rolls.  For dessert we had pumpkin pie with whipped cream.  The kids opted to have vanilla ice cream instead.  They have never (Ever) wanted to try pie.  Their loss!  

Friday- Black Friday!  We slept in.  Dad and Alison had an appointment in the morning, so after they left I got the kids ready and we went out for our traditional Ihop Breakfast.  Marissa got the Cinna-Stak, Robert the Pancake Platter and I got the short stak.  Ihop is delicious!  We all enjoyed a nice cup of hot chocolate.  After breakfast we drove over to the mall.  I was amazed that I found easy parking.  The stores weren't too crowded and the check out lines weren't too long.  We made it to the various shops, in and out including purchases in one hour.  At 12:30 we went back to Harbor Town to meet up with Dad and Alison.

The afternoon was one for adventure and fun.  We started at the Sea Pines Forrest Preserve.  We spent approximately 2 hours walking the trails and having the opportunity to see amazing wildlife.  We saw several large turtles, three aligators, squirrels, lizards, horses, and birds.  The most exciting was seeing the aligator sunning himself on the opposite shore of the swamp/river.  He was as still as could be - I was glad he was on that side and not on our side.  

From the Forrest Preserve we drove to the miniture golf range - we had a great time playing all 18 holes.  Five on one course is a bit much.  We had a family pass us, but that's okay!  Robert and Alison finished one UNDER par!  Alison and Robert would take a wild shot and somehow it would end up close to the cup.  They were so lucky!  I had par for the second round but was way over on the first round.  Sai-la-vee!

We had left overs for dinner (we need to use up the food).  Robert and Marissa played in the pool from 7:30 - 8:00.  The temperature of the water was delightful.  They enjoyed their time in the pool and the hot tub.  We finished the evening by playing card games together.  Great day!

Saturday was our last day at Hilton Head Island.  We had a great breakfast with Dad and Alison before verturing out for a 5K walk to some ruins.  They were the Barnley Plantation Ruins.  Nothing spectacular but a nice read on the local history.  We love Hilton Head Island.  It is close enough to get to in one day, the landscape is amazing, the people friendly and the peaceful lifestyle very enjoyable.  After our walk we had lunch and then I took the kids to the beach while Dad and Alison went shopping.  The weather was beautiful at 12:00, but by 1:30 (when we left for the beach) it was overcast with a chilly breeze.  The kids enjoyed playing in the sand and at the edge of the water.  Robert was the only one to go all the way in the water and when he came out his fingers were slightly blue…um.  We had a fun time, but at 3:40 we left the beach with only one destination in mind…Hot chocolate!  I bought three to go.  A good warm drink - YUM!!!  We were back at the condo by 4:10.  We needed to shower, finish packing so we could get a good head start on the drive home.  We left around 5:00 pm.  We stayed the night in Clifton, SC.  What a lovely Thanksgiving holiday!

Hit by Surprise

Today on my way home from work I was sitting (in my car) on Rt 42 waiting for the traffic to move when I saw, in my rear view mirror, a car approaching faster than I thought it should.  Within split seconds of each other the following events took place:  my first (and correct) thought was, "they are going to hit me."  I dismissed it thinking, "No, they must see me," and I pumped the brakes to make my red lights flash.  Pump, Pump!  As soon as I start to pump the brakes I hear the tires squeal against the pavement.  "Oh no, they are going to hit me :\" - then there was a split second of silence - I thought I was wrong.  "Wow, she stopped in time." Just as I finished that thought - or maybe even as I was thinking it - BAM!  My head and upper torsoe jerk forward while the rest of my body is restrained.  My car was struck hard from the rear.  "Oh my gosh, I've just been hit!"  The papers that were hibernating on my dashboard are now scattered all over the passenger side of the car.  I put the car in Park, open the door and see who hit me.  There is a young lady in the car behind me telling me to drive my car to the next driveway.  As soon as traffic starts moving, I drive my car into the parking lot and she follows.  She is young, only 25 or so.  She is so sorry.  We look at the damage and exchange the necessary information and she leaves.  My back bumper is destroyed.  I decided to sit in my car while I call her insurance company right then and there while the details and information is fresh in my mind.  My neck and upper left side of my back are sore.  I hope the pain goes away soon.

What a night!

After the accident, I still had to go to Kroger to get groceries for the family.

What a night!

In all honesty thought, I have so much to be grateful for.  I wasn't hurt - she wasn't hurt.  The car is damaged but fixable.  I could drive the car home.  All is well.

Marissa ranked 9th

Holy Cow!  Marissa is ranked 9th in the state for Freshmen girl XC runners.

She is one of the 10 fastest freshmen in the state!  WOW!

That's my girl, you go girl!!!

2011 Taste of Broadway

Robert performed with the 7th Grade Choir.  It was a great show.  The 7th grade choir performed "Wells Fargo Wagon" from Wells Fargo Wagon, "Don't Stop Believing" from Rock of Ages, and "Seize the Day" from Newsies.  Everyone did a fantastic job.  Robert nailed his lines and choreography.  He is a natural (but he won't admit that he likes it).

Red Ribbon Week at NOHS

Not that I should be saying "Yes" to any more assignments, but I did.  About a month ago the NOHS PTSA wasn't going to do anything for RRW because no one would step up and accept responsibility for it.  After several attempts at trying to convince others that we could do a great job with just a little team work with no one jumping in to help,  I wasn't going to let a perfect opportunity to help students understand the importance of making good decisions, so I said "Yes".  I'm so glad I did.  I met wtih my dear friend, Lana and together we organized a weeks-worth of activities.  Monday was the kick off with dozens of posters and banners like these

going up around the school.  Monday also was the kick off for the pledge table.  At the pledge table students had the opportunity to sign/agree to "Make Good Choices."  

The Pledge read, "I pledge to make good choices, to be a positive role model for my friends, use safe driving practices, avoid illegal use of cigarettes, drugs or alcohol."  The pledge table was up at school for all three lunches Monday thru Thursday.  For signing the pledge they recieved a sticker, red ribbon bracelet and a piece of red candy.  They were told that the class with the most signatures will recieve free tee shirts.

On Thursday we had our finale assembly with Brandon White as our Key Note Speaker.  We shared footage from the movie, "The 5th Quarter" and then he shared his experience of being a UK football player and the devistation that happened when three teammates decided to drink while under the influence of alcohol.

After the assembly the students were given the opportunity to have their pictures taken in photo booths for free during lunch.  We called this "Picture Yourself Making Good Choices".  The students really enjoyed the experience.

In the end we had nearly 600 students sign the pledge.  On Friday the winning class was announced - Freshman class.  Everyone in the Freshman class will recieve a free tee shirt that says, "Choices Matter!"

It was a great week!  I'm so glad I didn't give up.  We spent less than a dollar per student - which is amazing considering…($24 for 2000 stickers, $188 for 1000 bracelets, $7 for table clothes and red beads, $600 for photo booths, $0 for speaker, $50 for thank you gift for Brandon White).  We had at least 2 volutneers to manage each pledge table - great support!

The tee shirts were printed at no cost to the campaign.  I did this by getting sponsors to pay for the printing.  Thanks to The Brook Hospitals, Phoenix Printing, American Mothers of Kentucky, Bristol 42, The Burning Bush, Fuzziwiggs Candy and Roger Harness we were able to print 300 tee shirts that say "Choices Matter" to the winning class.

I am so grateful the for opportunity to serve.  It did not come at a convenient time in my life what with me working a full time job, but it was worth every moment of stress, every phone call and all the determination I used to make it a success.

NOHS Girls State Runner Ups in State Championship

It was the perfect day for the High School 2A State Championship Race.  The race was at 12:15 and the weather was around 60 degrees.  There was a semi-strong breeze that added a level of strategy to the run, but other than that - it was perfect.  There were approximately 400 runners ready to take off - every one wanting to chase South for the state title or runner up slot.  

girls warming up

Marissa coming around the first bend

Marissa at the first 1/2 mile mark

Marissa with only 600 meters to go - looking very strong

Marissa at the finish - 19th place
A TOP 20 finisher

Our Fantastic Five:
Christina, Caitlin, Shelby, Marissa, Emma

To be continued

Boys State Championship!

For the second straight year in a row the NOHS boys XC team comes away with the 2A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP!  This year Taylor Sanders came in 1st place leading his team to victory!

Taylor Sanders, Senior

Robert Repels at Red River Gorge

Saturday, November 11:  Robert and a huge group of scouts leave the area and head to the Red River Gorge to camp for the night.  The next morning they will hike to the bluff to repel 120 feet of straight flat rock - straight down.  

Getting harnised up

Watching Jake go down

over the hardest part

Robert looks like a natural

Robert had a great time.  The view was amazing.  Almost all the scouts did repel and climb back up.  It was 120 feet.  Robert was the second scout to go, following Jake (17).

The one thing his leaders said to me was, "He has  no fear."

Isn't that the truth!

Orr's come for a visit

Well, it wasn't until 1:30 am when Sandra, Seth and Hannah Orr rolled into town, but it was well worth it.  We've missed them so much and hadn't seen them for a while.  (I was with them at BYU's orientation, but the boys hadn't seen eachother since last Thanksgiving).  Hannah went to stay with her friends.  Seth and Robert went on a campout together at Red River Gorge to repel a 120 foot cliff and rock climb up… (oh  my goodness).  I took Friday off work so Sandra and I could have a great day together - and that is exactly what we did.

Marissa Ranked 19th in the State

Wow!  With Marissa scoring another PR at the Regionals she is now ranked 19th in the State of Kentucky.

This is crazy.  She loves cross country, she loves her coaches and her teammates.  It's very humbling to see the little weak girl succeed!

Preparations for NOHS Red Ribbon Week

Well, about two months ago I reluctantly but with a determined mind accepted the challenge of chairing the Red Ribbon Campaign at NOHS.

I met with my dear friend that is the chair of the Red Ribbon Campaign at NOMS to get more ideas and contacts … and off I go to get an exciting program done from NOHS.

In two weeks:
1) the walls at NOHS will be covered with posters made by the students of the National Art Society at NOHS of positive messages to help the students avoid addictive stimulants such as cigarettes, drugs, alcohol, gambling, p*rn, etc.

2)  Personal accounts will be announced on the morning PA - followed with Make good choices and a reminder of the next days events.

2) everyday the students at NOHS will have the opportunity to sign and pledge to avoid addictive stimulants and make good choices.  Each person that signs a pledge will receive a sticker saying "I pledge to make good choices" and a prize.  The class that has the most signatures will win a free tee shirt.

3)  On Monday they will be given a Red braclet with printing on both sides
4)  On Tuesday the students will wear Red and continue to recieve the braclets
5)  On Wednesday the students will receive Red Licorice candy because it is "Sweet to taste the good choices in life"
6)  On Thursday we are hosting a Red Ribbon Kick off assembly.  We will have a short video presentation, and then a special speaker, a graduate and former football player from UK.  After the assembly the students will have their pictures taken in photo booths that say, "Picture Yourself Making Good Choices"
7)  On Friday, the class with the most signatures will be announced.  T shirts will be given out at the end of the day.  I am still looking for a sponsor for the T-shirts.

Other than the t-shirts… I am done.  Posters printed!  Braclets orders and received, stickers ordered and received, candy purchased, photo booths contracted and scheduled, t-shirts designed and awaiting the "go" on printing.  It feels so good to have a great campaign organized.  The assembly was supposed to be on Wednesday but the auditorium wasn't available so it had to be moved to Thursday.  It will work!

Still to do - find sponsor(s) for t-shirts.

Regional Cross Country

The day started out at only 40 degrees with frost on the grass, but by 10:30, the time Marissa's race started it was perfect racing weather.

It is the Regional Cross Country meet.   Only the top four teams go onto race in the state meet.  The NOHS boys are ranked #1, and the NOHS girls are ranked #2.  Marissa has been sick all week with congrestion and a cough.  Alli has been out for weeks with a injury to her leg, Shelby has missed three days of practice…we are unsure if the girls will be at their best today.

At 10:00 the boys race started.  Devon was there to cheer on his teammates.  The NOHS boys come out strong.  Around the 2 mile marker the NOHS Boys were runners 1,2,3,4,5,6 with a boy from anther team here or there.  All seven of our runners were in the front, with Taylor way in front.  Taylor finished at 16:08, then Tyler, Luke, Matt, Eric, Erik, and then David.  We took first place!

At 10:30 the girls race started.  Marissa got a great start.  At the 1/4 mile mark she was in 4th place behind Gabrielle and Catarina Karas, a girl from South, and then her!  WOW!

She is the first runner for our team.  By the two mile marker some other girls had crept up.  She was somewhere around 10th place.  This race is one were you can't really see the girls run very much.  After the two mile mark they run the perminter of a corn field.

When they came out Marissa was right there around the top 10 and still the first runner for our team.  

Then they run up a hill, around a different (smaller) corn field and finish up hill.

Marissa came around the last corner so strong and charged up the hill.  She passed one girl on the way up but then someone passed her at the last minute.  She finished 11th in the region!  She ran another PR for an amazing time of 20:40 (which now makes her the fast girl in the Lowe house).  Our region is the strongest region in the state.

Marissa Lowe

Emma Brazeau

Shelby Adams

Caitlin Beyea

Christina Ausley

Emma Brazeau, came in two runners behind, then Shelby Adams two behind her, gap - then Caitlin Beyea, Christina Austley, then a gap before Taylor Adams, gap and then Alli Hall.  Poor Alli struggled the entire race.  I hope she is okay.  In the end we took 3rd at Regionals.  South Oldham was 1st, Collins was 2nd but only by 7 points.

Interesting Week working

There are some major differences between subbing and permanent sub job.
1.  While subbing you follow the teachers prepared plans or, if the teacher didn't prepare plans, wing it for the day
2.  Permanent subbing is that you become the teacher and prepare the lessons, prepare the assessments and in special ed, compile the documentation.

Thank goodness I am trained not only in teaching but also in Special Ed.  I would be completely over my head if I didn't have any prior knowledge of how to work with kids with special needs.  I work with a mixer of different needs.

What I have come to know in just a short amount of time is that I am already attached to these kids.  I have invested so much time and effort in preparing lessons, considering a schedule for teaching, assessing and documenting their work.  I have stayed up past midnight a few nights just so that I have everything prepared for the next day.

After Monday, I thought this is impossible.  There are 14 kids (not all at the same time) in a small room.  I teach 9 subjects (each requiring a different lesson plan):  social skills, reading 4, writing 2, writing 3, writing 4, math 2, math 3, math 4.  I love the teaching, but there really isn't enough time per session, and then there is the fact that I have to keep it all straight.  Who gets tested for what, how often, where are the resources, etc.

Luckily, but Friday I really felt much better about the schedule, the assessments, documentation, etc.  Great way to end the week.  Now, I have the weekend to prepare for next week.

Marissa Ranked 34th in State

Marissa's PR is ranked 34th in the State of Kentucky

Starting Monday

I had just come home from church on Sunday when I got a call from the principal at Liberty.  The lady I will be subbing for went into labor and had her baby earlier that day.  This is her first child.  What a great day for her.  I was asked if I could start on Monday…WOW!

That came fast.  I had an appointment Monday morning that I couldn't get out of but then went to Liberty to start "full time".  I'm a bit overwhelmed but I am also so excited to work with these kids.