Getting Closer

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Kerrie and Jerry are having a baby! I know I thought that would never happen either. I think that they thought that would never happen, but I guess we all thought wrong. My, my, how things do change. They seem very excited and are looking forward to the challenge. Mom and I went up to Tennessee for a couple days back in March for the baby shower and they got lots of nice things. I think they were most excited about the Pac-N-Play! I have no idea why or how that can cause such excitement in a persons life, but trust me it was all the rage! I was most excited and shocked about the size of the tummy! I was expecting her to be showing a little but no where near what she was. I think the doctors have moved up her due date to July 1st! I'm very happy , but a little nervous for her too! They also picked up their crib this week. She has been very fortunate and blessed to have a smooth pregnancy. All the doctors think that things are progressing nicely and according to schedule. I have started the planning for the shower that I will be having here for her. I think we've decided the last Saturday in May, but Kerrie is confirming that with me this week. We are considering having it at Mema's in the new Florida room. I think it would be beautiful there. I will be keeping everyone informed as we get closer to the day. Enjoy the journey, Ashley

Book Character Day

All Aboard!!! You guessed it.... I was none other than the engineer on the Polar Express. Well, It's a pretty easy outfit when dad works for the railroad. It was a great day at WES as the teachers dressed up as their favorite book characters. We had some classics like Pinocchio and some other more modern characters that I'm personally not as fond of. However, if it gets children to read I am willing to bend a little.(little) We were very excited and I must admit that sometimes it takes some creativity to get and keep students excited about reading. Can you believe that Ms. C was Thomas the Train? We matched in true "Ashley Form!" What a great day. Yes, the joys of teaching. I absolutely LOVE it:)

Enjoy the journey,

Ashley

Goodby Gretchen

Well, many of you know that our sweet Gretchen puppy died a few weeks ago. I have not posted about it because I just don't do things that make me upset on purpose, but now I think I can say a few words about it. She was an absolutely wonderful dog. We got her when I was in the 9th grade. I know right....she was very old because I am in my seventh year of teaching now. As a brand new puppy in our house Gretchen would suck a passifier like a child, and she would sit up on her back legs and beg for food every time we ate dinner. Those are things that you think are absolutely adorable when it's your dog! Many of you also know that in her healthier years Gretchen had a bit of a weight problem, much like her mama, so when it would snow she made one long track instead of four footprints. This was also a source of much laughter when the winter weather came around. Gretchen was never a real sporty dog instead she choose to pass the time barking, sleeping, getting petted, and eating or drinking from her water bowl. None the less, in her later years she had many health problems. Her back legs were paralyzed so she scooted around our house for the last couple years, and we would have to carry her outside because she couldn't make it on her own. She had really struggled after our house fire, her nerves were just never the same. So, she died on a Monday, and Dad buried her in the backyard with our other companions through the years...I guess it like they say when it's time it's time! Until another day, Ashley

Train Concert

Hey Soul Sister, I even love the title of this one.

Valentine Snow

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Enjoy some of the sights and sounds around the neighborhood, again as we're snowed in. We have about 3.5 inches and they say a few more flurries could come in Sunday night. Be safe and stay warm! Enjoy the journey, Ashley

Happy Birthday Seth

I can not believe that you are FOUR years old.

How you have grown.

Happy Birthday

Hope you have a GREAT day!!! Love Ya Little Brother

Kassidy May Evie Livingston???

Yes, Kassidy May Evie Livingston. That is what I "thought" one of my students name was on the first day of school this year, however I soon realized that she is in speech and has many difficulties learning. She is without a shadow of a doubt my comedic relief this year. I absolutely LOVE to see her come to class everyday because she makes me, her classmates, and even herself laugh all the time. So I am going to allow you just a moment to enjoy some of the comments that she has blessed me with this year. First, to protect her I am changing the name in this post. I am still not sure how she thinks she is Kassidy May Evie Livingston, when she's just plan old Kandice Jones. I do call her "Kandice May" and she loves it! Then, a couple months into the year another 4th grade teacher at our school sent Miss Kandice May to my room to borrow some tape. When I gave it to her she said "Mrs. Gillespie says thank you really much!" kicked her little foot up in the air, turned, and headed back with tape in hand to Mrs. Gillespie's class. I guess she thought that was a completely normal interaction, but as soon as I realized what had just happened the students in my class said "Miss Ford did Kandice mean to say...thanks very much?" I told them that she probably did. They said oh well, that's just Kandice, and it was pretty funny. I said I think your exactly right. Now, there's a lot of times that we'll say "thank you really much, and just grin!" Today Kandice came up to me and said "Mrs. Gill-st-...Gill-is-...Gill-s-..Oh just forget it that word gets tricky and your not her anyway!" She turned and walked away. I said "Kandice May, dear one, please come back. What do you need?" She said after all that, "I forgot." Well, we had a little lesson on how to say Gillespie and she agreed to try it for Mrs. Gillespie later on in the day. I asked again, "Did you remember what you needed earlier?" She said, "If it was to go to the bathroom I'd know it, so I guess it aint that important!" I said well I guess your right about that, but if you think of it you let me know. Last one for this post. After lunch we all go to the bathroom and she told Mrs. Gillespie "Mo mo's running!" Kara asked her to slow down, repeat, try another word, and so on, but Kara just could not understand her. She sent Kandice to me to get help. She knocks on the classroom door, which is open, then says "mo mo's running! Help...Quick!" I stop teaching go over to her at the door and say "what honey?" She repeats "Help mo mo's running!" I looked back at my class, and we all said in unison. "The commode is running?" She said "YES!" I told Mrs. Gillespie that I had buzzed the office and Ms. Dot was on the way. I know that maybe this seems like a lot about nothing, but when you work with kids all day everyday, you really look for some positive. Kandice came to me reading on a kindergarten level and now is on 2nd grade level. She is almost on grade level in math and as you can tell we are working hard on her speech! The one thing that we do not have to worry about is Kandice's heart! She is the most precious, hard working, sweet spirited little lady. I am so glad that she is in my class and has touched my heart this year. To Miss Kandice I say "Thank you really much!"

Winter Time Is Here

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I thought that I should take a minute to give the Boiling Springs snow update. This is what it looks like at our house these days, and I love it! I was tutoring a child after-school Friday when it flurried for just a minute. However, by the time I got home from school our front yard was covered. It continued through the night and into the morning hours here. Our snow total is just over three inches with a slick layer of sleet on top of that. I ventured out for a few minutes (with Lexie) to take some pictures of the winter wonders around our neighborhood. I love the red barn photo, and I've lived here all my life and never even noticed it before. It is actually in a neighbors backyard, but now that the area between our homes has been cleared we can see it. I did have to zoom in with the camera to get it to turn out. None the less, it made for a beautiful view and moment in the snow today. I have always enjoyed snow days, but I think most school employees do right? I think snowfall is fairly rare here and it makes me really enjoy it when it comes around. My thermometer says the temperature is 27, so I'm not anticipating much melting. I wonder what we'll do about church in the morning? I'm close to the pastor, so I'll give him a call later. Enjoy the snow, Ashley

SNOW

We have almost 2 inches at 9:30 January 29, 2010, and still snowing.

Happy Birthday Ashley

Ashley

The first time I held you in my arms,

I never wanted to let you go.

I knew that very moment my heart would

be intertwined with yours forever.

It was easy to hold on tight

when you were a child.

I wanted to protect you from the threatening

menaces of the world around you.

But I knew that I would soon

have to loosen my grip.

You'll never know how hard it was

for me to release my grasp,

and let you venture off on your own.

Even though my fingers let go,

my heart never did.

now you have grown into

a most remarkable woman.

You are everything I ever wanted

my daughter to be and so much more...

You are a woman I am truly honored to know.

You are my heart, my soul, my love, my joy.

And now, more than just my daughter

You are also my friend.

Suzy Toronto

Happy Birthday

Shiftwork

I'm working 7 to 3, 3 to 11, 11 to 7! You have to be a George Straight or Kenny Chesney fan to understand the ramblings of this post so far. However, I do hope to clear up some confusion in a fairly quick manner. Many of our friends and family know that the last couple weeks have been abnormal around the Ford house. Yes, even more abnormal than usual, and I know that's hard for some of you to believe. Dad has been working a different shift at work and it has had everyone all out of sorts (even the dogs). It has caused a change in our supper routine because it's just mom and I a couple nights. It caused a change in our bedtime rituals because his shower times overlapped ours, and Friday mornings when all three of us were trying to get to work for first shift was a nightmare! You people know "it's a two hour process for me!" The most important change that all this brought about was that he was working on Sundays and hasn't been to church with us the last three weeks. I have to stay this was so strange. Mom and I just kept talking about how weird it was without dad there. We've missed his praying, singing, and worshiping with us more than we ever imagined. So, we have prayed over this daily in private and public. We called in the real prayer warriors (Uncle Tommy & Aunt Cathy) to help us with this. Now, I'm happy to report that as of now Dad is on a shift where his is able to be back at church with us on Sunday! Yes, praise the Lord. This is truly an answer to prayer! I thank Jesus even now that I am already looking forward to worshiping with my family on Wednesday and Sunday, and I won't be taking that for granted! Enjoy the journey, Ashley

Happy 2010!

It's New Year's Eve! It's that time to reflect on the past year and look forward to the future. Around this time each year I think of Psalm 23:6 "Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life." I guess this is my prayer for 2010 that throughout the year I'll remember that verse in the good times and in the trials. Even when I turn 30 (in less than a month!) After all I have so many blessing in my life, and great friends and family to share things with. Here are just a few things that are to come in 2010.... 1. Kerrie & Jerry are having a baby 2. I turn 30 3. We're taking a cruise 4. Mom and Dad's 30th wedding anniversary 5. Did I mention that Kerrie & Jerry are having a baby? 6. to be continued ... I'll "try" to keep you up to date with the RACK ROOM CREW. Happy New Years Eve, Ashley

Merry Christmas

Well, I can't believe that Christmas Day is tomorrow. We have had our annual trip to Lake View and Dad, Mom, Kerrie, Jerry, and I are all back and in our Christmas PJ'S. Actually only the girls are in the festive PJ's! Mom is just about finished with the cooking and all the gifts are wrapped and under the tree. I was thinking about the wonderful memories I have of celebrating Christmas and relating that to the children that I know and love. I hope and pray for all the children out there, and that you have a warm, safe, fun and Christ filled Christmas. I saw a church sign this week as I was out and about that said..." Mary wrapped the 1st Christmas gift!" I am so thankful for that gift. The gift of Jesus Christ. It's taken me 29 years to really understand the meaning of Christmas, and I sometimes wonder if I really get it even now. I sit here tonight typing this and wishing and hoping the very merriest Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Love,

Ashley

Better late than never

In the last post I said I would update the BLOG soon, well I as you can see I did not. But I will now. I am back to working part time again till we get into our busy time. The biggest and best thing that has happened in and around the RACKROOM is that I have not smoked since March 25, 2009 that will be 6 months this Friday. People have asked why and how I stopped smoking I really do not know, the cost had a lot to do with it and me being the only one in our family that was still smoking had a little to do with it. I went cold turkey the first 7 days then I started taking ***CHANTIX*** with a lot of praying I have not smoked. The odd thing is at times I still reach into my purse for the smokes as I am driving this seems to be the hardest time that I want to smoke so far and I can't do something else to get my mind off the need or want to smoke and with God's help I will not smoke again. Ashley is in school again as a student and teacher. She is a teaching 4Th grade ELA (Reading & Writing) to 3 different classes so she has about 60 kids a day. She says it seems to be taking her longer to adjust to the students and the curriculum this year. There is a big difference in second graders and fourth graders. Her classes (PAA) meet twice a month it is a 3 year program, when she completes the program she will have her second Masters in Administration. This means she can be an Assistant Principal then maybe the principal of a school in her future . Rick & I drove to Bristol the last week of July to get Kerrie so she could spend the week with us at the beach on our annual vacation. This is where we take pictures every year waiting for a table At Sara J's . We had a great time did not do anything special. Relaxed by the seaside and by the pool spent a very low key week. Going to close for now will update later in the week.

Still Alive and Well

We are still here in the land of blogs, just been so busy with life. Will update and down load pictures from the summer real soon now that vacations are over and we are getting back to our routines. ~ Cindy ~

Happy Birthday Aunt Lou

Happy Birthday We Love You You.

Happy Birthday Two Times

Seth O. turns 3 today!! Happy Birthday I have tried to get his picture the last few times we had seen him, but he would have no part of it so I will use an old picture of him. It is also my brothers birthday so we will celebrate with him today too. Terry Lee celebrates the big today. We celebrated his big day on Friday, little birthday fairies came to work during the night and left cake and decorated the shop for a birthday celebration. Love The RackRoom Crew

Happy Birthday Kristi

Hope you have a great birthday!!!

Love

The RackRoom Crew

Locks - Of - Love

Can you believe that one person had that much hair??? It was on my head and I had no idea how long it had gotten. Anyway, I had my hair cut Friday and I had enough to make another wig for a cancer patient. I can't tell you the feeling that you get when the hair goes back in a ponytail and the silence in the room is there. All you can hear is the sound of the scissors cutting off 12 inches of your hair. I always think that I am going to be BALD. However, as you can tell I am far from it. I actually have a lot more hair than I thought I would. If I had known where the 12 inches was going to fall this time I would have had about 14 inches cut. Here is the best picture we were able to get. As you can tell I have had quite the trim, but I really didn't need all that anyway! This is obviously BEFORE! This is AFTER! It feels so good and looks a lot healthier. I am also loving.....I mean loving, that it now takes about 7 to 10 minutes to dry instead of about 20! I wanted to share this post with everyone, not to bring praise to myself, but instead to encourage any kind of "giving back" or giving to those who are less fortunate than yourself. I love to donate my hair every chance I get. If you are interested in donating hair all you have to do is cut it in a 12 inch ponytail and take to the gift shop @ the Gibb's Caner Center at Spartanburg Regional. I can smile today thinking that one day really soon a beautiful lady that has cancer and is feeling down and out might have a better day by wearing my hair on her head! What a thought:) Love Ya, ~Ashley~ PS Don't tell me if you don't like it!