Time’s Fun When You’re Having Flies, Especially If You are a Frog!

Wow….it totally looks like I’ve given up on blogging.  Ummm…yeah, I guess I did (have?).  Let’s see if I can get back to it.  So, what’s going on in my world since April.  Hmmm…..WORK!  I finished my Technology Specialist contract at the beginning of June and transitioned directly into the Assistant Principal’s job, even though my contract didn’t officially start until July 1.  I’ve been working pretty much non-stop since then.  I LOVE MY JOB!  Which is good since I spend a lot of hours there.  The work can be stressful, demanding, and time-consuming, but I’d like to think I’ve been doing a pretty good job.  I guess when performance review time arrives, I’ll know what the boss thinks!

Other than work, it’s been pretty much nothing.  I continue to pursue photography as a hobby and I’ve gotten better.  I’ve taken a few more classes at Callaway Gardens that have really helped.  I highly recommend the classes!

Now, with a couple of weeks at Christmas, there are no real exciting plans.  But maybe that will give me some time to blog.  In the meantime, all you folks out there have a very Merry Christmas!!!

Peace,

Lisa Ann

A New Chapter

I’ve been in education for 26 years now.  I’ve taught just about every science course in high school and even taught in a community college and as an adjunct for Auburn University.  It seems as if I’ve gone to school my entire life!  I guess I have….my parents were both in the education business and I spent my summers hanging out in and around schools.  Heck – I even used to cut the football field and clean locker rooms.  I can buff a floor really well, too!

Well, anyway, I say all that to tell you all about the latest chapter in my professional career.  Beginning July 1 I will assume the role of Assistant Principal at Auburn High School!  I am so excited (and so nervous)!  Auburn High is one of the top high schools in Alabama and I’m so honored to have been chosen for this position.  It will be challenging, but I know I’m up for it!  I’m surrounded by a wonderful staff who will help me and guide me every step of the way. 

But mostly, I’m guided by the memory of my father, Larry East.  I think he would be very proud of me and what I’ve accomplished as I followed in his footsteps as an educator.  At the end of every day, if I can answer 2 questions with a YES, then I know I’ve done the right thing.  (1) Were the decisions I made today in the best interests of the students? and (2) Would my Dad have been proud?

My Dad, Larry East, in his WWII uniform.

Wish me luck…..

Lisa Ann

Random Photos

Today I was at Callaway Gardens taking a photography class on Landscape Photography.  After the class time, we went to the Callaway Brothers Azalea Bowl to put into practice some of the concepts we learned.  This is a 2-day class, so I’ll go back tomorrow morning (early) and we’ll work some more on outdoor/nature photography.  By the way, the header photo is one of mine taken in Jacksonville, Florida in December 2010.   Here are a couple of photos from the class:

Callaway Gardens April, 2011

Callaway Gardens April, 2011

My brother, Gary, and his wife, Ann, along with my great-nephew Ben are visiting my mother (GiGi) this weekend.  After the class, I cruised by GiGi’s house to visit.  Here are a couple of photos of Ben – my favorite model!

Ben enjoyed playing Frisbie with the neighbor's dog!

Ben and Brown Puppy

Lisa Ann

Life Questions

I’ve had the chance recently to ponder some of life’s biggest mysteries and questions….you know, the “who, what, where, why, and how” of life.  I can’t say that I’ve had any great epiphanies, but the wondering, in and of itself, is a good thing I suppose.

I guess the biggest question I’ve pondered is “Who Am I?” I really don’t know the answer completely, but it did make me start thinking more about who I am NOT.

I am NOT the perfect wife, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, employee,  etc…..Now, please don’t think I ever claimed to be, but somewhere along the line, many people in my life seemed to start expecting me to be.  And I guess I started expecting me to be, too.  I’ve been expected to ALWAYS say and do things according to someone else’s expectations, and while I certainly want to always be worthy of people’s respect, I know that realistically, I can’t.  I’ve learned that I’m okay with that.  In this world we all do the best we can with the information we have at any given time right where we are and the decisions we make reflect that.

I’ve also learned that I am NOT a stagnant person.  I keep growing and changing and the things I enjoy doing keep growing and changing, too.  I’ve found a passion for photography.  I’ve found I love being with people more than I used to.  I’ve found I love lots of different types of music. I’ve found I love wearing really hot shoes with really high heels. I’ve found I like wearing skirts better than I like wearing pants.  None of those things make me a “bad” person, just maybe different from the person you’ve always known.  And because I’m not stagnant, these things will change one day, too. 

I’ve also discovered, in all the pondering and wondering, that I’m NOT going to accept anything less than pure, unadulterated happiness.  Now, this one is not so easy and requires more Life Questions….like, “what is happiness?” I realize that all of us have sad and depressing events in our lives and circumstances that drain us of positive energy and emotion, but the flip side of dealing with that is having a soul-deep, joyful spirit.  How you get that varies with each person I imagine, but I have learned that being positive and happy and radiating energy and enthusiasm go a long way to making ME happy.  I guess the long and short of this is that you get back what you give.  I don’t want to get back anything other than HAPPY!

So, I’ve rambled sufficiently even though I thought I had a clear vision for this blog entry….thanks for bearing with me, and let me know your thoughts.

Peace!

Lisa Ann

There’s a Storm a Comin’ – the Cooking Show!

When you are facing a power outage that could potentially last days (notice I said DAYS not hours), one thing you need is food that requires little or no preparation.  When Hurricane Opal hit we were without power for 6 days.  We lived on the back porch!  Because we like to camp, we have the luxury of camping equipment, including a camp stove that allows us to heat up soup and cook some things.  Thinking ahead, I decided I felt like cooking today and prepared some things that we can heat up pretty easily.  Please note these fall under the category of “comfort food” and not “health food.”  But during ice storms, calories and cholesterol are rendered totally ineffective.

Cheesy Chicken and Rice

Yes, Paula Deen, a WHOLE stick of butt-ah!

I boiled chicken breasts and thighs in about 10 cups of water to create the broth (I also added some chicken bouillion cubes).  Shred the chicken and add back to the pot.  Add salt, pepper, and oregano to taste. Add a stick of butter (yes, the WHOLE stick).  Add 2 cups of rice and bring to a boil, stirring constantly.  Add in onion – as much as you like.  Reduce heat and simmer until liquid is absorbed.  Add more water/broth as needed.  When the rice is cooked, add 8 – 12 ounces of cheese and stir until melted.

A big pot of yummy goodness!

Southern Cornbread

Corn Meal, Eggs, Oil, Buttermilk, and a Cast Iron Pan.

This is one I have no measurements for….put some corn meal in a bowl.  Add and egg – or two – depending on how much corn meal you used.  Add some oil.  Add some buttermilk.  Stir.  Too soupy?  Add more cornmeal.  Too dry?  Add more buttermilk.  Make sure your pan is well seasoned – I still spray mine with non-stick cooking spray.  Bake at 400 degrees until you get this:

A basket of hot, golden deliciousness....yummy!

Chocolate Chip Coconut Pecan Pies (an experiment)

Somewhere between Columbus and Albany, Georgia is a roadside produce stand.  On my last trip back from Florida I stopped and bought a jar of coconut pecan pie mix.  I mixed in a cup of chocolate chips and baked it in individual tart shells.  Himself loves chocolate chip pecan pie, so I decided to try this.  I’ll let you know how it turned out.  They look pretty tasty!

The cast of characters....

Ready for the oven....

They look and smell delicious!

Himself made a batch of his WONDERFUL chili – you’ve not had chili until you’ve had this stuff!  Major deliciousness going on here!

Too bad there's no smell-a-vision!

I don’t know how much ice we’re likely to get – the predictions range from one-half to over an inch.  I guess we are as ready as we’re gonna get.  At least we won’t starve!

Lisa Ann

There’s a Storm a Comin’!

I live in the Heart of Dixie.  That’s Alabama to ya’ll outsiders.  I guess I live here for a few reasons, one of them being the my ancestors didn’t care too much for cold weather, ice, and snow.  Well, we’re about to get all three it looks like.  Around these here parts, that means a level of craziness that exceeds even what most Yankees believe is customary (I’m leaving the Damn Yankees out of that group as they live here, too, and won’t go back).  In any event, the level of craziness is most evident at “the Wal-Marts” and Kroger.  Just ask my former student, Cliff McCollum, who just saw two women arguing over a package of hot dogs (they probably weren’t even all beef hot dogs either).

At our house, Himself and I are obligated to participate in the craziness because living out in the country presents a set of challenges related to this type of weather that my urbanite friends don’t understand.  It is inevitable that we will lose power and because we are so far from civilization, we have no city services so we are total electric and have a well.  So, for the past two days, Himself and I have been doing our best to be ready for the impending “Ice Storm of Aught and Eleven.”

The most crucial part of our preparedness is WATER!  Total Electric + Well = NO WATER.  For you city dwellers, that also means NO FLUSHING.  Therefore, a supply of water for “the necessary” is…well….necessary.

No power also means (obviously) no lights, no stove, etc…. It’s a good thing we have camping gear at the ready!

Lanterns all over the house...extra batteries where needed, too!

Propane lanterns and camera batteries, check!

Camp stove and coffee pot - priorities!

There’s also a lack of entertainment out here in this kind of weather, so we make sure we have cards, dominos, etc… The age of technology also means making sure the iPods and Kindle are charged!

I couldn't make it without my Kindle!

We also have to make sure we have the kind of foods that can easily be heated on the camp stove.  Yesterday I braved the madness and went to the store…not really because of the impending storm, but because the pantry was bare!  I did lay in a few more cans of soup and some items that are easily prepared using our camping equipment. 

Yum-Yum!

The animals are good to go, and so are the people. 

My biggest concern?  Will I lost power and/or satellite and not be able to see the Bowl Championship game tomorrow night?  SAY IT AIN’T SO!

Lisa Ann

P.S. – my cooking preparations are coming up soon!

Three Cups of Tea

Most people who know me, know what an avid reader I am.  It started when I was three and my brother, Randall, taught me to read.  Typically, though, I read what would be considered “fluff” fiction.  Mysteries, suspense, romance….that sort of thing.  Recently a Facebook friend recommended that I read “Three Cups of Tea” by Greg Mortensen and David Oliver Relin.

Of all the books I’ve ever read, this was probably the most inspiring.  Greg Mortensen, after a unsuccesful attempt to climb K2, finds himself in the remote Pakistani village of Korphe.  What follows is one of the most remarkable and amazing stories of a man and the promise he made to build a school for the children of Korphe that eventually turned into over 130 schools and numerous other projects, aimed mainly at education, in Afghanistan and Pakistan.  

As an educator, this book reminds me in no uncertain terms that education is the key to overcoming poverty, disease, famine, terrorism and even war.  As my friend said, “It points out many of the things we’re doing wrong in [Afghanistan].”  I’ve been inspired by this book and can’t recommend it enough.  It’s a definite MUST READ for everyone!

Lisa Ann

P.S. Thanks to DGC for the recommendation.  I’m now reading “Stones into Schools” by Greg Mortensen.  That review is forthcoming I’m sure!

Samwise Beagle, the Temporary Dog

Let me preface this by saying I’m an animal lover.  I’d rather be around animals than most people I know.  Okay MAMMALS…..not creepy crawlies and slimey slitheries.

This morning I looked out the back door and in the pasture, eating from the calf’s feed bucket, was a beagle.  I have a weakness for beagles.  Even if they do smell kind of funky.  I decided that I had room for another dog in the yard, so I immediately went outside, treats in hand – the peanut butter kind – to try to persuade this transient canine that living on the hill would be kinda cool.  He was a bit skittish, but eventually he warmed up to me and checked out the digs.  Here was his favorite spot:

 

 Wrigley, Boomer, and Blue (okay, not Blue so much but I think he’s gay) were willing to let him share their morning rations.  Which he did most appreciatively.

Any animal that makes even a temporary appearance at the house, has to have a name.  After only a brief consideration, I settled on Samwise Beagle – I’ll call him Sam.

Sam trotted off under the porch after filling his little belly.  I don’t know if he’ll stay or not, but if he’s smart he will.  It’s a pretty good gig around here for a dog….

Lisa Ann

The Jacked-Up Redneck Christmas Tree

“Ack,” I yelled (I’m not a very good yeller - or old, either.  Okay maybe you didn’t get that part).  Anyway, the “ack” was because as I was trying to put ornaments on the top part of the Christmas tree, it started tipping over sideways.  Himself came running in from the kitchen wondering what my malfunction was and quickly saw me standing on my tip-toes trying to put the top back on the tree.  “Oh, hey, yeah….that broke when I brought it down.  But I can fix, just hold that while I run out to the shop and get something.” 

Five minutes later, Himself walks back into the house with a roll of duct tape.  “Hold it right there, mister!  You are not fixing this Christmas tree with duct tape!”

“No, really, I can do this.  And you’ll never see it,” Himself said.

“But I’ll know it’s there!  I don’t want a jacked-up, redneck Christmas tree!  This just isn’t right!”

Well, because I’m short I lost the battle of the duct-taped Christmas tree.  And I do have to admit (grudingly so) that I couldn’t see it afterwards.  However, the tree was leaning and I told Himself that.

“Okay, hang on, I can get that, too.”  Himself reached up and SNAP!  The star that’s graced the top of the tree 20 times BROKE!  “Ack,” I yelled!  “The star!”

“I can fix it,” Himself said.  “Hang on….let me find the glue gun!”  Thankfully (I think) the glue gun was at work and if I know Himself, he’ll never remember to bring it home.   So the star is propped in the top branches – rather precariously – of the jacked up redneck Christmas tree.

Ahhhh……I love the holidays (NOT!)

Lisa Ann

Scenes from Alaska Part I

I never got around to posting any pictures of my Alaska trip back at the first of June.  The two weeks spent there was amazing!  Pictures can’t do the scenery justice, but I thought I’d start by posting a few of my favorites.

One of the first “stops” on the cruise portion of the trip was Hubbard Glacier.  Luckily, there had been enough warm weather the week before that the Captain was able to sail very close to the glacier.

One of the most amazing experiences was a whale watching cruise out of Juneau, Alaska with Capt. Jack Cadigan aboard the Scania.  He only takes out 6 – 10 people per cruise so it was great to be out with such a small group.  And the other folks got cold so they went below.  I was able to be up top and get the following AMAZING photo.  Apparently it is not all that common for tourists to see a whale breach, so I feel so fortunate to not only have seen it, but to have captured the image.

A couple of my favorite photos were taken while sailing into Vancouver.  The colors that morning were just amazing!  And believe it or not, the following two photos were taken at the same time – just in opposite directions!  The light was so different!

These are just 4 out of literally thousands of photos that I took on this trip.  I’ll post more in the coming weeks and months.  It is so much fun to go back through the photos and relive the trip.

Lisa Ann

P.S.  These photos are MINE!  Keep your grubby paws off!