Last day in August

Got my first paycheck in two months today! Still not sure how many years of experience they'll allow me to bring into the system... 27 would put me at the top of the pay-scale; I have 30 (16 as a teacher/14 in administration)... must still be waiting for docs to come back from Gainesville, Managua and Asheville; check #1 had me at the bottom of the pay-scale!

Sunday, August 29th

We had a record attendance at our College Life Group (Sunday school class) this morning... around FIFTY students!

The t-shirts were part of promotions for the first Sunday of the school year...

Saturday, August 28th

Dennis Robinson sent me these pictures of Tim warming up at halftime of their 1-0 exhibition loss to Appalachian State...
Tim is still waiting for his first chance at some playing time...

Wednesday, August 25th

Sat-Sun, August 21-22

Kara spent the day with her dad Saturday (the photo was taken at the Orange Park Mall)...
We joined Grace and her sons for worship at Chets Creek this morning (Kara and Grace pictured in the lobby)...Mark Smith led the college life group this morning... he and Kara were in the nursery together at the church where both Grace's and my family were members (in Gainesville) in the mid-80's!

End of Week One

GREAT first week!... after 14 years in the principal's office, I have affirmed my appreciation for the job done by classroom teachers... it is one extremely demanding ministry! Here's a peek at the lunchroom during my shift... the fourth of five!Kara had a little bout of toncilitis and has been in Gainesville visiting her grandparents; she'll be up tomorrow, stay through church and lunch Sunday!
Tim has had a great week of three-a-days with the UNCA soccer team... says he's ready for classes to start though so that coach will ease up on them a little.

First Day of School

I'm a "floater"... meaning that I teach my five classes in five different classrooms!
Florida has instituted a cap of 25 students for any given classroom... mine are all capped out!

Here's a look at half of my first period class on day one:...and half of fifth period, which meets for 25 minutes, breaks for lunch, and meets for another 25 every day...The school was designed for 1,500 kids, and has required "portables" since day one; current enrollment 2,100+

Tim's College Move-In Day

The Richardson's helped Tim get moved into his dorm room today (and sent me these pictures!)
He and his teammates had their first official meeting with the soccer coaches; registration is complete (classes include Calculus, Economics and Chemistry); fees have been paid; all but one of his books has been purchased... pretty much ready to roll! My son the college student...

Saturday, August 14th

Success! Nathan made the top bid on this 2002 Honda Civic SI Hatchback at the Salvation Army auction this morning... Grace and I get to teach the college life group (Sunday School class) together tomorrow morning... we've been studying all that has been written on the life of the Apostle Andrew!

Friday, August 13th

Pre-planning went well, although there are still tons of things to get done before the first day of classes (Monday!)

Nathan's Mitsubishi Eclipse died a couple of weeks ago and he has been looking at potential replacements ever since... here's a Nissan 240SX that we decided against last weekend... just a few too many "issues"...

Sunday, August 8th

These headed back to Asheville after lunch... I know those highways well... 450 miles, 7 hours...Tim begins workouts with the soccer team on Tuesday, official practices the following Monday; both he and Phil start classes a week later (Phil @Kara's Alma Mater)...

Thursday, August 5th

Crazy day! ...started with a 2:00 a.m. visit to the ICU at Memorial Hospital! Grace's brother Jonathan had a little gastrointestinal scare; he's recovering nicely now, out of intensive care and in a regular room...

This is also the second anniversary of this blog...today's is the 728th entry, which is a couple short of one-per-day!

Wednesday, August 4th

Three different Disney parks yesterday, Universal Studios today!TK, Phil and G-Mom pictured at Hollywood Studios...

Monday, August 2nd

My sister Betsy and her family are obviously taking good care of my 23-year-old... a friend gave her a ticket to California, so she cleared her schedule and went... the blessings of youth and the freedom to "be spontaneous."

Tim and Phil spent the night at my new apartment/took advantage of the racquetball court/played a little of that, but also made up a few games of their own!

Sunday, August 1st

Tim and Phil rode in from Hilton Head just in time to join us for lunch @Five Guys...Kara was given a free flight to California last Friday and went to Saddleback Church this morning with her Uncle Mike, Aunt Betsy (my sis), cousins Ryan and Nicole!

Garage Sale Day

Grace, Nathan, Will, Jonathan and I worked really hard for the couple of hundred bucks the sale generated, and the house is a mess, but we are glad we did it (and that it's over)... Took my share of the profits and made a deposit on this 2000 Nissan Maxima:The really big news of the day from the UNCA Financial Aid Office: Tim has been awarded $6,700 in scholarships and grants for his freshman year (more than half the projected cost)!