Karma...

I know it isn't right to find pleasure in others bad luck but when the person is reaping what they sow, well, there is nothing you can do but take pleasure in it.
There are bad people and even good people have a right to take pleasure in Karma coming around and teaching those bad people what is like to receive a taste of their own medicine.
I know it is really wrong to be happy and laugh when you hear someone tripped and fell and normally I would feel bad but the person I am referring to in this post does not deserve my good side to come out and lecture my bad side for being so pleased.
Anyone who takes the pleasure this person did in treating people wrong every chance they got and have no idea how to treat anyone right deserves every spoonful of Karma they receive and double in some cases but I will take a single spoonful at this point because it has finally taken place.
People Karma is a true bitch and may take her time coming around but she always makes the round trip. She may not always bring a full wallop but it always has a kick.
Thank you Karma, I knew you would make it at some point.

First Harvest

They are very, very green but they were the largest ones on the plants. It was brought to my attention taking the largest ones off the plant would help and allow the smaller ones to get bigger. All the plants have lots and lots of smaller tomatoes. But here are the first fruits of my labor of love!

Dilation...

Anyone who has ever been to the eye doctor and this is actually something everyone should have done at least once in their lives. The dilation process is always done. Well, for me it is a normal part of every visit. Now when I say a normal part of my visits it is usually only the left eye, well yesterday one of my favorite doctor's aide got a little too dilation drop happy...lol We were talking and I did distract him with a story and stuff. They always check the pressure in both eyes but because we were chatting he dropped the dilation solution into the right eye and then started to drop in the left eye as normal.
I stopped him after the drop and reminded him we were only supposed to dilate the left eye and I was there alone.
The interesting part is when my eyes are dilated it doesn't take the full fifteen to twenty minutes to fully dilate. It only takes my eyes two to five minutes and then takes multiple hours for them to go back to normal. So, yesterday I had to drive home after my appointment basically blind because everything was blurry. I, unfortunately, didn't have a choice but to drive myself home and not stop anywhere between the doctor's office and home as I had previously planned.
It really is a great thing how everything is fast acting with the fact I have to get injections and lots of stuff done to my eye but it is not so great how it takes so long for the effects to wear off. I am grateful the effects don't wear off before the injections of course but at the same time when I am not getting the injections I hate how it takes so long and I have to go without real sight for multiple hours after and can't read anything.
Long story short, I got dilated and still made it home all on my own. Happy Friday everyone!!!

Eye Update...

Went in for the follow-up after the last injection. Vision has decreased again to 20/40 this time around. I was also told the scaring from the laser procedures is permanent and will continue to cause some vision loss but we are still going to continue the steroid injections at least two more times.
I am trying to stay positive in regards to the whole having a needle stuck in my eye every four to six months. I have decided I am going to be as stubborn as I can about not giving up on my eye healing. I am under no illusion the vision will return to 20/20 but if I can atleast not have to use excentric vision tactics to see letters, words, and symbols I will keep pushing through the whole injection process.
I have to say it is no fun getting stuck with a needle in a normal area but in the eye, there is no way to avert the sight of the needle myself I have to rely on the doctor to actually keep the needle out of my sight line when he is coming towards my eye.

Gardening Fail...

Despite my hopes for the Zucchini and the Cucumbers they have just not produced as I thought they would. I saw some but something got to them and they have all died. The tomatoes have survived but still don't have any turning colors yet.
However, there is fruit on all my plants now and I am so excited to see the fabulous little green bulbs at the ends of the stalks. I have several large green tomatoes and am just waiting for them to start changing color so I know they are ready to harvest and enjoy.
The lettuce has also continued to do well after such a rough start. I am really proud of the fact even though the veggies I really was looking forward to the most have failed, the whole gardening experience has been fun and I will try it again but a little bit earlier next time.

Disappointment...

Having a rough day and feeling very disappointed. Disappointment is always a part of life and for the most part, I really try not to allow it to get to me but today has not bee a great day without reading the submission of my nonfiction book was rejected today by one of the publishing companies I submitted the writing too.
Being the grown-up sucks sometimes. Holding up your head when all you want to do is scream is hard and I hate having to do it at times. Unfortunately, there are those times when it has to be done regardless of feelings of frustration or anger.
I will overcome as I always do and turn things into a learning lesson for myself and prepare for the next time because there is always a next time.
Be strong, be smart, be inspiring because there is always someone watching your actions. I got this and will do things the right way.

Teaching Methods...

We all have different ways of teaching when we get into teaching and we generally learn as we go what works and what doesn't.
I know I could not do elementary school because I just do not have the patience for kids of those ages any longer, except of course my wonderful nieces, whom I love dearly. I also have a lot of respect for teachers of any grade. However, I honestly believe if you are a first-year teacher it is in your best interest not to disrespect a seasoned teacher.
I am also of the opinion you don't go in with the attitude of the principal from the movie Matilda and behave as though since you are the grown up, you win and the student loses when they don't comply the way you think they should. Or enjoy actually punishing students who don't meet your standards personality wise.
I have had my own experiences with teachers I honestly believed should not be teaching but somehow they are and do. All I can say is don't be a Ms. Trunchbull! Also, don't disrespect another teacher, it is just wrong!!!

Twitter...

I am so excited I have finally made it, I have more followers than I am actually following. So exciting! When I started tweeting I had no idea what I was doing but I have caught on and it seems to be working for me. Now if it would just increase my book sales then I would really be making it somewhere.
They say it takes time to grow and I have found this to be true. My blog following has been slowly growing and even if I haven't said thank you to all of you who follow my blog I appreciate each and every one of you!!!
Twitter is up to 700 followers as of tonight and I am up to 10 different countries showing with followers for my blog. Thank you to you all and You guys rock!!!

Tomato Jungle

As you can see my cages for the tomatoes are just too small. The tomatoes I planted I had no idea how large they would get but now they have out grown the cages I have around them and I am fighting to keep them from breaking off from the weight of the limbs themselves.
I am very proud of my tomato jungle and can't wait to taste my first grown at home tomato. I will, of course, post pictures of the first picked and ripened tomato. But as you can see from the pictures it will still be a little while before I can harvest any. More keep showing up each day I look. If anyone has any suggestions on how I can get the limbs to stand straight please feel free to comment below.

Bad Winds...Poor Tomatoes...

This morning as I left I found one of my tomato plants completely on its side and some of the roots showing. I was unable to do much more than to lean it back up to standing position and hope for the best until I get home.
I hate to see any of them fail but I guess one grouping out of the six is not too bad with the amount of wind they have to hold up against and with as top heavy as they are currently. The saddest part is this one has several tomatoes on it and I hate to lose any actual tomatoes.
It is a wet day so I will keep my fingers crossed I can get the root back in the ground without damaging it or any of the others.

Boiled Peanuts...

Anyone from the south can tell you boiled peanuts are the best thing ever. Sunday on my husband's way home he remembered to stop and get me some boiled peanuts from a stand he passes on his way back from his monthly drill.
They were a great surprise and taste pretty good, but they are nowhere near as good as my family makes. I grew up on boiled peanuts, it was a summer family staple. We all looked forward to summer family gatherings because we all knew there would be boiled peanuts.
Now I have no clue where this idea for boiling them came from but I am sure happy to tell you I am glad it was thought of. They are best when the peanut itself is really soft and salty. This is something my step mother and uncle have mastered. They have huge pots they do this in and these pots are specific for this purpose. I don't think we use them for anything else. Not even pasta which we eat a lot of when we get together.
If you have never tried or heard of boiled peanuts I say the next time you are in the south or have a friend visit from the south ask them to bring you some to try. You will get addicted, as long as you actually like peanuts.

Family & Friend Update...Irma #4

I am happy to report I have heard from all family and friends in FL are doing fine and had very little damage. I am thankful the damage was so minimal because it could have been so much worse. I was still very concerned about my one daughter because I had not heard from her since Sun around 2:30ish but I finally heard from her.
Most everyone is without power but uninjured and safe. The safe part is the most important in my opinion. I am grateful all my friends and family are safe, healthy, and only have some yard work to do with all the wind and rain they endured.

Irma #3

As of this morning, Irma has made her way past most of my heart pieces. Now we just have to wait for it through the storm surges. Several of my heart pieces are without power and it is unknown how long they will be this way.
I am watching out my windows at the gray and gloom which has begun here several states away from the bands heading north. I am nowhere near the storm itself, but will still get plenty of its rain and potentially some of its lesser winds.
Please continue to send prayers and positive thoughts to those waking this morning to find out how bad the actual damage Irma left them. Most of central FL are still under curfews to keep them all safe and some to keep from getting themselves into trouble.
It is really sad how things like this can bring out the really horrible side of people when they think they won't get caught.
To all in FL thinking of you all. To those in GA I am thankful Irma has decreased in strength but please still stay safe.

Happy Girl!!!

It is good to be married to a mechanic. I told yesterday how my vehicle wouldn't go into 2nd, 4th or Reverse after I left my friend's house and was heading home. Turns out the bolt which is supposed to have a self-locking nut so it won't just fall off.
Well, mine fell off. I am telling you now if it is something not normal to happen, it will always happen to me. I am just glad it wasn't anything more serious which would take longer than 15 minutes to be fixed.
I now have all my gears and can drive my own car to work tomorrow. YAY!!! Am a happy girl tonight!!!

The Bold Type

This show was really fun to watch and I truly enjoyed this new show. I found it very entertaining and fun.
The characters were easy to like and connect with. I have to say I think my favorite is the Melora Hardin who plays Jacqueline Carlyle. She is a strong and collected woman who inspires her employees as well as encouraging them to think outside the box.
The three main characters are growing as adults right in front of our eyes as we watch each episode. They are always faced with choices in both personally and professionally. The story lines are always very realistic and touch the watchers.
I love a show that not only gets the entertainment attention but also makes you see the reality in the story.
I have always enjoyed shows which make me want to see the next episode even if they don't follow the same story line through every episode. Verity is the spice of life and when a show can hook and keep me hooked I am a happy camper!!
If you did not catch this show during the season I encourage you to check it out on FreeForm streaming and watch it.

Irma #2...

I may not be in FL at the moment but many parts of my heart are in FL and I am watching the updates like a hawk. I am not so much worried about where the path may go once it leaves FL as I am as the path and destruction it is going to cause in the areas I have love ones and friends.
I know it will lose strength the longer it stays on land, but right now I am getting frustrated with the inability to protect those I care about from this storm. Most of them are grown but some of them are not. It is just hard to be sitting here unable to do anything but watch and wait to see what happens.
Please keep all those in the path of Irma currently or soon to be in your prayers. I am not one to ask for others to do things I would not do myself but at this time I find myself saying prayers for those in the path of Mother Natures Fury.
To all those in her current path and those projected to be in her path please be smart and make the safe choices and listen to the mandatory required evacuations. They have been implemented for your safety because of what is expected to happen during and after Irma passes. Don't think you are smarter than the experts because you aren't which is why they are the experts and you are not. Stay safe!!!

UGH!!!

So today was a great day, I got to spend some time with two of my friends I used to work with. The sad part is we had to do it at the hospital because my one friend's daughter is recovering from having her appendix taken out. However, she did eat a little and we got to see her smile after the past few days being so rough, bless her little heart.
Made it to my other friend's house to drop her off and visited a little bit longer then got into my car to head home. I made it about 2 miles from her house and I could no longer shift into 2nd gear, 4th gear, 5th gear or reverse. Now I drive a manual transmission so the inability to manually shift is a major issue and anyone who drives a standard vehicle knows this, it sucks.
I finally made it home and got the vehicle to shift into 5th gear. However, I still have to try what my husband suggested and pump the clutch to see if there was an air bubble in the line because the fluid was full.
Nothing more frustrating to end the day on than car trouble. I guess I should be happy I didn't get stranded and was able to make it home. I still have to say UGH!!!

Irma...Cat 5

Earlier this week I talked about how Hurricanes cause a multitude of damage but being from Florida we don't usually get as worried unless they hit the Catagories 3 and above. Well, Irma is one to be very afraid of no matter where you are from.
She is due to impact my home state as a Cat 5 & 4 and as long as she keeps moving she will continue to slow down as she moves up the country. However, should she move back into the Atlantic for any reason she will strengthen and when she hits Georgia, SC, and NC on the coast she will cause major damage in these states as well.
We all need to be watchful on this particular storm. There is a low-pressure surge just above NC which can turn Irma and fuel her. Be cautious and prepared and pray she will not stall over any of the states or the east coast could look just like the east coast of TX.
Please keep the support and prayers going for those in TX and in the Carribean, just add those on the East Coast of the US as well. The damage is going to be severe and there will be people in great need. Fortunately, we get enough of a warning for those who need and can evacuate are evacuated and there is only damage and loss of life is minimal.
Bad weather is no joke, but it is a fact of life. To all my friends and family, stay safe!

Score...

I don't normally talk about my cooking, because, let's face it I am not Betty Crocker by any stretch of the imagination. Now, there are certain things I have mastered cooking and they always turn out very good.
But tonight I actually made homemade Alfredo Sauce and my husband said it was better than the Italian restaurant here in our small town and trust me when I say we love that restaurant. I don't get compliments like this very often from any of my immediate family.
I am proud to say however, my sons can actually cook. It is always good to know your kids won't starve out on their own.
I took a cooking/homeck class in middle school because it was required for all the 6th graders to attend each of the elective classes. I spent a total of 9 weeks in this class. Not a lot of time to really learn anything more than the basics for cooking because we also learned how to sew.
However, tonight I can happily say I scored big with my sauce and am proud of my accomplishment!

Hurricanes...

Being from Florida like I am, I sometimes forget it isn't normal to everyone for Hurricanes to hit. Most of us from the southern corners of the US and around the Gulf are very used to them hitting during the season.
I had several students ask why do they say, get into a bathtub? I had to control my giggle as I tried to explain the reason behind it. The looks I received made it impossible to not laugh. Honestly, I would think any state on the east coast should be used to this kind of thing during Hurricane season but I guess since not all the states get hit on a regular basis like Florida they don't always remember, especially the younger generations.
All they remember is not having to go to school if it was too bad. Growing up in Florida it was a running joke to have Hurricane parties because they hit so often. Now, I go to the stores and they are completely wiped out because people are afraid they are going to be stranded in their homes with no way to get food.
However, they do this in winter when there are threats of snow storms or ice. Weather makes people do some crazy things.
Now, don't get me wrong sometimes the hurricanes are really bad and cause so much destruction it takes months to years, to recover. It just means those were stronger than what normally take place, during the season. However, over the years I have noticed the storms have increased in severity which does make them a lot scarier but still doesn't take away from them being normal events.

Back to Work...

The break over the summer was good but I am happy to be back to work and seeing the kids. It is good to feel a part of something bigger than just myself. It felt so good to help a student understand something they were working on.
I enjoy the fact I can make a difference even in just the smallest way because to the student it isn't small. Teaching is usually a thankless job but there are those moments when the thank you is expressed without words.
When you see the light go on and know you got through is the best thank you there is! Even though I am not a full-time teacher it is a great feeling to know I can still make an impact. There is no reaching every student but reaching just one is enough.
There are also those you don't even know you have reached but did. It feels good to be one of the lucky few who get to see the ones I have reached and helped.
Thank you to all the teachers past and present out there! You guys Rock!

People Watching...

When you go out into public, do you find yourself watching others around you or completely focused on what you are doing?
I myself find people watching very interesting and fun. I watch their facial expressions, body language and they way their mouths move when they speak. In my head, I see a story unfolding for each one.
Those individuals who are on their phones are the best to watch as the story in my head unfolds around them. Depending on their expressions and body language the story can spin to thriller, horror, suspense or fantasy.
As a Pisces, I have found I can pick up on peoples emotions without even knowing them or being close enough to hear what they are saying. Most people say everyone gives off emotions through body language and facial expressions. Me I know I do, but not everyone is so easy to read.
When I sense someone's emotions the stories follow the line of emotion giving lots of twists to the story. Most of the stories are very short because I don't stay focused on one person or one group of people.
If you don't or haven't ever watched people when you are out, you should try it and see where your mind takes you.

More Fruits of Labor

The Cucumbers and Zucchini are finally showing veggies. I had to share. I have to say I really was beginning to wonder if they would produce anything, have been having issues with bugs. However, they are now showing good growth and the lettuce has gotten larger. The tomato plants are starting to show more tomatoes on all the plants. I did not take any more pictures of the tomato plants this time but I will once they start changing colors. They are getting bigger and the rain we had the past two days did them a lot of good even though the wire baskets weren't holding up to the wind.