January 2020
Hello Everyone!!!

Helpers for Writing

We recently watched a You1Tube blogger who had some fabulous ideas for writing.  Check out these and see which will help you!!

* Coggle
* 750 Words
* Write or Die 2
* Written? Kitten!
* Scrivener
* Novlr
* Brain.FM
* Byword
* Evernote
* Daily Page
* Twin Word Writer
* Edit Minion
* Coffitivity

Warwick Fulfills Its Promise

Warwick (said "Warick") Castle is so beautiful and really is a working castle. There are so many things for kids to do as well as adults - jousting, coloring of family arms, princess tours in the Princess Castle, throwing rats (stuffed) through a hole on the yard, and much more. We enjoyed seeing the armor and talking to the dressed actors, who are very well hearsed in their history!

A Beautiful Day

We were so blessed that it didn't rain until this afternoon.

We spent a lovely morning at St. Paul's Cathedral, soaking up all of the lovely architecture and of course, people watching.

My favorite painting is in there - "The Light of the World" by Holman Hunt - so worth another trip.

Mackenzie bravely hit the steps to the dome and got the loveliest of views - my legs hate stairs, so I was content to sit among the lowly persons and watch.

I have yet to figure out why Americans are shocked to meet another American - do they think that they are the only ones who travel abroad? :)

We ended the day at the London Dungeon - a disappointment for me - it used to tell the history of torture that the English used on their victims - now it is an amusement center. Mackenzie enjoyed it, so that is what matters. The wait was 1 1/2 hours and we did it, but I did it in a chair and got to fraternize with the workers - enjoyed them all. They are kind people and two of them cracked me up and asked me if they looked like "G"s. Like Gangsters - I had a laugh on that one!

We ate an extremely late lunch at Pret a Manger - my favorite take out place. Sat under a tree that kept the rain from getting us and I enjoyed a wonderful sandwich and sweet potato chips and then banana bread. More fun tomorrow - on to Westminster Abbey!

Loving London

We got up this morning and had a wonderfully proper English breakfast, and then headed out to St. Martin-in-the-Fields for brass rubbings. Then we went over to the National Gallery and enjoyed the lovely paintings. Our biggest stop today was at Harrod's (Mackenzie is in love). We had lunch and enjoyed the shopping. Way too many people there though. Our taxi driver informed us that the reason for all of the Arabs being here was because it is their typical "buying season" and that it is too hot where they live. He says if it weren't for them,well, life would be much different. Had a great dinner at the Jack Horner pub - I had a steak and mushroom pie and Mackenzie had a chicken sandwich - Yummy!

Made it to London - FINALLY!

Mackenzie and I are finally in London - well, she's in bed - couldn't sleep on the plane - me either. Delays were the name of the game yesterday - we even got delayed in the air for 40 minutes making circles over London.

There was insanity at Border Patrol - and a rude Brit to go along with it.

It took forever to ride the Tube to Covent Garden only to find out that the hotel had given incorrect instructions on their website, so into a cab we went.

We are so tired that we agreed to eat a late lunch and then sleep and begin anew tomorrow, so friends, I bid you adieu. (^~^)

University of Arkansas, Little Rock

Greetings from Little Rock, Arkansas! I will be here from June 19 - 24, teaching Advanced Placement concepts to middle school English teachers. Ought to be a great, hot (pant) week. :)

Mackenzie Graduated ! Whoo Hoo !

I traveled to Delaware for Mackenzie's high school graduation from Alexus I. duPont High School in Hockessin, Delaware, on June 4, 2011. So proud of this kiddo for sticking with it and having something awesome to show for it! It was a short trip to Delaware, but one of the most important trips I have been on in a long time. Look for the next posts - they will be from England and Scotland and Mackenzie will be with me - her first overseas trip!

Spring Break Rules!

Joshua, Papa, and I got to go to some fun spots during Spring Break! We rode the train from Rusk to Palestine, we visited Blue Bell, we played in San Antonio, and rode horses at Cowgirl Cheri's in Boerne, Texas. Oh, and best of all (it would be according to Josh), we got to go to Buc-ees and get lunch!! Whoo hoo!

I've Been Traveling but Too Busy to Blog!

I need to catch up everyone about my travels!

Joshua and I went to Colorado over Thanksgiving 2010 and drove over 600 miles to do all of our fun stuff!

First we went to Estes Park, where it snowed and we hunkered down at Rockmount Cabins, near where our family used to stay when we were kids. We drove into the Rocky Mountain National Park so Joshua could play in the snow at Bear Lake, and so his Meme could drive on her favorite road - Trail Ridge Road.

Well, long story short - Meme slipped on the ice at Bear Lake and burst her bahookus and thankfully, enjoyed the snowcapped views on Trail Ridge Road.

After Estes Park, Josh and I drove down to Southern Colorado to Canon City to go to the Royal Gorge and ride on train that Santa visited!!!

From Canon City, we drove back north to Colorado Springs to see Santa, yet again, at the North Pole. Man, it's changed since I was eight years old! :) LOL Josh had an absolute blast on the rides and some of them even I rode with him (I'm not saying it was a fabulous idea, but I rode with him).

Then we drove back to Denver and came home. Aaaah, the memories!

Fund For Teachers

Fund For Teachers is to be applauded for having such wonderful programs that avail teachers of the opportunity to go to wonderful places.

I intended a very long time ago to put this post here, and got caught up in the packing and sightseeing and never did it.

I am so very grateful to them for the opportunity that Sarah and I have had to take such a fantastic journey.

If you know of a teacher in the Houston area that would like to pitch a wonderful idea for learning, please have them see the Fund for Teachers website - you can Google their organization and get the most wonderful items.

Thank you, Fund for Teachers. I had an absolutely wonderful time in Greece. :)