Show us what makes you happy

Today on Kelly's Korner is show us what makes your happy. This topic makes me happy just to think about. Awhile back I posted this. Check out what makes me happy in life. I could go on forever- because it's the little things in life! Happy Friday. Only 1 more day of school.

I'm Hip or I'm old?

I wore a shirt similar to this to school on Monday. Along with my cool distressed jeans. I was walking down the hall and a fifth grade girl caught my attention "Mrs. T***, look" at the same time she was holding her shirt out on display and smiling wide. It was my exact American Eagle shirt. Ugh... so, my question is this. Am I cool for being in style, or am I getting too old to shop at AE. What do you think? The girls in my class said I'm cool (well all except one who said I shop at a teenage store). I hope I'm not too old, because I really do love my comfy tee shirts!

Wordless Wednesday

Our school went to the zoo last week. This was the best thing I saw! Check out the bite on that cute little guy. I think it looks a bit like he has a grill! I love it!

The Gulf Coast

You might know I'm a big Jimmy Buffett fan. You may also know I'm a big fan of the beach. The recent oil spill that occurred is a tragedy on so many levels, for the environment, first and foremost, and the people of the region. Well, JB's sister has a restaurant on the gulf coast and she wrote a wonderful article about the action that needs to be taken. Check it out!

The coast is open for business

By Press-Register Editorial Board

May 16, 2010, 5:18AM

By LUCY BUFFETT

Special to the Press-Register

Dear coastal inhabitants everywhere and all who know the joy of putting their toes in the ocean:

I can’t remember when we have had a lovelier spring along the Gulf Coast.

In recent years, we have gone from crisp, clear mornings in February to tropical 90s temps by mid-March. But this year, it finally seemed that we were getting back to normal — back to the easy, Southern rhythms of my childhood, with the winter season moving gently into a luscious spring.

Spring was taking its own sweet time unfolding before diving head-on into the desperate heat of summer.

Everyone could feel it. You couldn’t help but notice the majesty and color of the coastal foliage bursting with brilliant pinks and purples, sounding the calls that we wait for all year long: "Let’s go to the beach!" "The fish are biting at the Big Mouth!" "Let’s take a boat ride!" "Tadpoles are out in the creek!"

That is how we live here on the Gulf Coast. Our love of the water — the Gulf, the bays, the rivers, the estuaries — and the way we enjoy it is absolutely holistic.

It transcends race, religion, socioeconomic status, age, gender and political affiliation.

The Gulf Coast is where the everyday person can play. We love where we live and are proud of it.

We get amused sharing it and seeing the surprise on folks’ faces when they realize that a little piece of unlikely paradise exists smack at the bottom of this magnificent country of ours.

So imagine our dismay, anger, grief and absolute heartbreak over the ongoing catastrophe of crude oil continuously and arrogantly flowing into our beautiful Gulf of Mexico.

This is indeed a major challenge for us physically, emotionally, environmentally and economically.

Personally, I prefer to remain positive about the oil spill’s impact, because I know mountains can be moved with a positive attitude. Why wouldn’t that work with a runaway well?

I do, however, live in a very real world, and I know that our corner of this world stands to be affected by the oil spill.

As we are called to action, we will respond with the dauntless spirit of coastal people, especially those born in the hurricane corridor. We will weather this storm as we have weathered the other monsters that have roared upon our shores in the past: by working hard, side by side, with dedication, compassion and a sense of community, and earning some fun in the process.

I am hoping that there will be little damage or interruption of beach recreation. Perhaps the oil spill will be just an inconvenience, much like too many jellyfish in the water or the occasional riptides.

If not, we are going to need everyone’s love, support and help. So I have a very special invitation for people to join us here in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach and on Dauphin Island and Mobile Bay.

Don’t cancel your plans or reservations. This could be one of the most memorable vacations you will ever have.

Most of you travel with children. What a great opportunity to teach our kids so many valuable life lessons — from the beauty of volunteering to the importance of helping your neighbor during a crisis, learning about the fragile ecosystem that created the remarkable Gulf of Mexico, and meeting new friends from all over the country with the same purpose of keeping our beautiful shores safe for our children and wildlife.

Recently, I asked a friend of mine’s 6-year-old if she knew how many oceans there were. "One, Miss Lucy," she promptly responded. Then with a little hesitation, she added, "Don’t they all touch?"

Out of the mouths of babes.

What is happening in our back yard could just as easily be happening in yours. But does it matter? We are all one. We all touch.

Am I outraged? Damn right! Is there a need for accountability? Damn right! But that is not my job. There are others who are trained and better equipped to master that task.

I’m a fry cook. I’m open for business. And so is the Alabama Gulf Coast.

We will take each day as it comes and make the best of it.

I am asking all of you who love this area as much as I do and love your own coastal areas to please not abandon us.

I promise you we will welcome you with open arms, some ice-cold sweet tea, an ocean of belly laughs, a plate full of scrumptious food and a humble, grateful heart.

Lucy "LuLu" Buffett is owner of LuLu’s at Homeport Marina in Gulf Shores and the author of "Crazy Sista Cooking: Cuisine and Conversation with Lucy Anne Buffett." Her e-mail address is lucyanneb@aol.com.

Reggae Fest 2010

Last year was the first year we went to the Reggae Fest. See here if you are interested. Well, it is that time of year again and I am over the moon with excitement. I've been thinking about the fried plantains, jerk chicken, and amazing music and atmosphere all week! I can't explain in words how much I am looking forward to this. It's like my little slice of Jamaica... or at least as close as I'll get for awhile. If you are in the area check out the website for more information. It is a night well spent.

Class number 2- check

We had our second class this week. I wish I could tell you everything, but there is all sorts of confidentiality involved. So, what I can tell you is it wasn't as bad as I had prepared myself for. I wouldn't say it was fun by any means, but it wasn't horrible. They had a former birth parent come and talk with us, as well as a few teens in the foster care system. Listening to all of them left me with a lot to ponder. The birth parent has really made a turn around and it was great to hear a positive story. She now volunteers to help other birth parents. The teens were very articulate and it showed me what I already know in my heart. There are some wonderful kids in the system. It was tough for me to hear a couple times this week that these kids aren't normal. A friend of Anthony's who was a social worker told us the stories we hear are about the E and F kids, not the A,B,C, and D kids. How true! I hate it that people stereotype any group of people, but this group in particular. We have this week off from class and then after that only 3 more classes. We finished all our paperwork and fingerprints. That is a big sigh of relief. In one month we will be finished with the classes and then that just leaves the home visits. It will be here before we know it.

Show us your hometown

Today over at Kelly's Korner is show us your hometown. I've lived in Louisville for almost 5 years now, but when I say "I'm going home" I often mean my hometown of Lexington. So, I've decided to share my favorite things about each city. I've learned to love Louisville, but Lexington will always be #1 to me. I'm still exploring Louisville and there are so many amazing things I haven't seen yet.

Lexington

Keenland is the race track in Lexington. It is seeped in tradition. After all we are know for our whiskey and our horses. What better way to spend a day!

And of course in Lexington, this is our pride and joy. I actually love the football team more- but we are a basketball state.

Triangle Park is in downtown Lexington. I've loved these fountains since I was little. I used to scream "Fountain, Fountain" when we drove past.

Honorable mention:

Lexington Farmer's Market

The Arboretum

Flag Fork Cafe

Louisville

I have to say, if I weren't married to Anthony I would be living in a small town. But I have to admit... this is super pretty to look at!

This park is right next to our first Louisville home. It is called Tom Sawyer and the walking paths are great. They also have some good hiking too.

Honorable mention:

The Waterfront

Spaghetti Factory

Churchill Downs

How does your garden grow

This is the 3rd year I've had a vegetable garden. I enlarged it this year and have been able to have double the size as it was before. I can't tell you how wonderful it is to have your own garden! How amazing it is to watch it grow! In order to prove how wonderful it is here is a list of the benefits:

• Vegetables picked fresh from your garden have far more flavor than the older produce you find at the grocery stores.
  
  
• Vegetable gardening for your family can be an economical means to stretch your food budget
  
  
• Vegetables picked fresh from your garden are far superior in vitamin and nutritional content. Every day that a vegetable is off the vine, it loses a significant portion of it's nutritional value.
  
  
• Growing your own vegetables ensures that no harmful chemicals or unsanitary growing conditions will affect your family's food and health (organic gardening).
  
  
• In these uncertain times, it is comforting to know that you can take matters into your own hands in providing for your family
  
  
• Growing vegetables and gardening is fantastic exercise!
  
  
• There is a definite sense of satisfaction in watching this natural wonder that you've helped to create, grow. Every day, you see changes in the garden: plants grow, flowers bloom, fruit forms on the vine, and vegetables seem to grow right there before your eyes.
  
  
• Vegetable gardening is also a wonderful family-oriented science project. Have the kids keep a daily journal of what they've done and the changes they see in the garden.
  
  
• Having your family help with the garden instills basic values of self-sufficiency, responsibility and work-ethic. Donating surplus vegetables to neighbors or your local food pantry will help your kids understand the importance of tithing and of community.
  
  
• With every meal that you provide your family from your own fruit and vegetable garden, you help reduce the strain on an already overburdened food supply chain.

http://www.howtogardenadvice.com/garden_info/gardening_benefits.html

Wordless Wednesday

How I spent my Saturday night. Hanging out in Anthony's college sweatshirt, catching up on my blogs, shows and hanging out with my fur babies.

Cuban food- yum

On Friday we went to a Cuban restaurant in town called Havana Rumba. Normally I could never get the dear hubby to a Cuban restaurant- he is strictly a meat and potato kind of guy, but the fact that 10 of our dearest friends were going to be there pushed him over the edge. I was even a bit nervous about trying Cuban food. It was so fun, and yummy! I had a Mojito, which I normally don't like, but were so yummy and fresh. For dinner I had a Churrasco Chicken, with sweet potato fries, which was equally yummy, but next time if I go I'll be a bit more daring. If you have a Havana Rumba near you I highly recommend it. The atmosphere and the food was perfect and well worth it!

Our first class

On Saturday we went to our first Foster to Adopt class. We had been prepared by our friends who have been through the program. They had warned us that a pretty picture wouldn't be painted, so I prepared myself. Apparently I had not prepared myself enough because I came out pretty deflated. I guess I was frustrated because you can't lump any one group of kids into a set stereotype and I kind of got that vibe. There are some great kids in the program and I think that sometimes people forget that Anthony and I talked for a while after the class and I talked to my girlfriend who just adopted. I felt re-energized afterward. I know there is a perfect kiddo for us and that it will all work out, all we need is a little bit of faith. Because otherwise this journey of ours is going to be way too long!

Itty Bitty Stitches

I have a sweet friend, Ashley. She has this amazingly creative side. She has a website on etsy and a page you can follow on Facebook. She does monogramming and embroidery, on just about anything you can think of. Take a second and check it out! It is way better than buying from the store because everything can be personalized just for you.

Coastal Living New Column

Look what I just did! These are pictures I entered at Coastal Living for a new column. I know many of you may not have the crazy passion I do about the ocean but I'm sure you have some amazing pictures. I LOVE to take pictures! Visit Coastal Living for more information.

SHOW US WHY YOU LOVE THE COAST! It’s for a new column we're calling "Your Coast" where we'll feature our favorite reader-submitted photographs and stories in every issue. We want to see breathtaking beach scenes, fun family vacations, brag-worthy fishing catches, stunning sunsets, cool water sports, beachside kids and pets, and whatever unique photos you have up your sleeves! Send us a high-resolution picture along with a lively description of where you were, what you were doing, and the story behind each image. What’s special about it? What were you feeling when you were there? What does the coast mean to you?

Here’s what you do: Type your name, address, phone number, and your description into the body of an e-mail, then attach the image and send tocoastallivingmag@gmail.com. Be sure to tell us when and where the photo was taken. Photos must be in .tif or .eps format, and need to be high-resolution (at least 300 dpi). Please limit one entry per reader. Please do not submit anything other than digital images, as Coastal Living will not acknowledge or return mailed photos, or be held responsible for lost, delayed, or damaged images. All submissions become the property of Coastal Living. Because of the number of submissions, we are unable to respond to questions concerning receipt of a submission; no phone calls or e-mails please.

Terms of Use: If we decide to use your photo, you understand that we can use it anywhere in the magazine or on our Web site, including e-newsletters and blog posts; that we will display your name and a brief description of the photos; and that other bloggers will be able to post comments on your photo. You also acknowledge that the photo is yours alone and that no one else has any rights to it, and that we may delete it at any time. Coastal Living will not acknowledge or return e-mails or images. Photo descriptions may be edited for grammar, clarity, and/or length.

Show us your life

Today on Kelly's Korner is show us your favorite books/children's books. I am and always have been a book worm. When I was little I would devour them! I remember trying to control my laughter as I worked my way through the pages. Since I am now an elementary school teacher I have compiled a list of all my favorite books- both children's and adult.

1. The Giver:"It was almost December, and Jonas was beginning to be frightened."Thus opens this haunting novel in which a boy inhabits a seemingly ideal world: a world without conflict, poverty, unemployment, divorce, injustice, or inequality. It is a time in which family values are paramount, teenage rebellion is unheard of, and even good manners are a way of life.December is the time of the annual Ceremony at which each twelve year old receives a life assignment determined by the Elders. Jonas watches his friend Fiona named Caretaker of the Old and his cheerful pal Asher labeled the Assistant Director of Recreation. But Jonas has been chosen for something special. When his selection leads him to an unnamed man -the man called only the Giver -he begins to sense the dark secrets that underlie the fragile perfection of his world.

2.Any Dorothea Benton Frank book- think beach and life lessons: http://www.dotfrank.com/

3. Hooray for Wodney Wat: Poor Rodney Rat is teased mercilessly by all the other rodents because he can't pronounce his R's in this beginning to read title by Helen Lester (Houghton, 1999). When Camilla Capybara joins the class and announces that she is bigger, meaner, and smarter than any of the other rodents, everyone is afraid, especially Wodney. One day he unwittingly catches Camilla out in a game of Simon Says, and surprises himself and saves his classmates from big bully Camilla. Told with deceptive simplicity, this is the provocative story of a boy who experiences something incredible and undertakes something impossible. In the telling it questions every value we have taken for granted and reexamines our most deeply held beliefs.

4. any Mary Kay Andrews book: more southern settings with some great humor. Check out my recommendation here

5. The Glass Castle: a memoir about a woman with a difficult childhood. Very touching!Jeannette Walls's father always called her "Mountain Goat" and there's perhaps no more apt nickname for a girl who navigated a sheer and towering cliff of childhood both daily and stoically. In The Glass Castle, Walls chronicles her upbringing at the hands of eccentric, nomadic parents--Rose Mary, her frustrated-artist mother, and Rex, her brilliant, alcoholic father. To call the elder Walls's childrearing style laissez faire would be putting it mildly. As Rose Mary and Rex, motivated by whims and paranoia, uprooted their kids time and again, the youngsters (Walls, her brother and two sisters) were left largely to their own devices. But while Rex and Rose Mary firmly believed children learned best from their own mistakes, they themselves never seemed to do so, repeating the same disastrous patterns that eventually landed them on the streets. Walls describes in fascinating detail what it was to be a child in this family, from the embarrassing (wearing shoes held together with safety pins; using markers to color her skin in an effort to camouflage holes in her pants) to the horrific (being told, after a creepy uncle pleasured himself in close proximity, that sexual assault is a crime of perception; and being pimped by her father at a bar). Though Walls has well earned the right to complain, at no point does she play the victim. In fact, Walls' removed, nonjudgmental stance is initially startling, since many of the circumstances she describes could be categorized as abusive (and unquestioningly neglectful). But on the contrary, Walls respects her parents' knack for making hardships feel like adventures, and her love for them--despite their overwhelming self-absorption--resonates from cover to cover.

My new blanket

If you remember my mom has taken up crotchet. After a couple months of work look what I get. I'm actually using it right now! It is so toasty and soft and will match our basement perfectly when we finish it. I know the pic isn't the best but it is huge!

Wordless Wednesday

The first roses from my garden. I wish the computer had scratch and sniff. They smell as good as they look.

Unveiling the beach vacation

Vacation is nearing and I am getting super excited. I think about it during the day and can feel my toes start to wiggle at the anticipation of the feeling of the sand. Here are some pictures of the anticipated beach destination.

Melt my heart

I feel like I am trying to drag the school year to an end. But comments like these melt my heart. I was working on a slide show for my kids, and this year I wanted to have their voices recorded over the slide show. I decided to have them say their favorite thing about their year. One of my sweet (and ok teachers do have favorites) boys said

"My favorite thing about this year was telling jokes with Ryan and making Mrs. T*** laugh".

Melt my heart, I love that kid!

Dinner by myself

On Thursday I had to tutor at 3:30 and then again at 5:30. I had some time in-between and was starving because I skipped lunch to catch up on some work. I decided since it was a beautiful day I would head over to a cafe close to where I was to have an early dinner and catch up on some grading. As I pulled up I realized, I have never eaten in a restaurant by myself. In my 28 years... is that possible? Is that normal? I don't know. Regardless I did enjoy the quiet time by myself on such a pretty day. I forget sometimes that I am surrounded by 22 little people every day, and occasionally I need to be all by myself, with my thoughts. It makes for good thinking:)

By the way I love the food here! Sun dried tomato, feta pasta, and fresh fruit!

Show us your life

Today on Kelly's Korner show us your life is How you picked your kids names/future names.

Seeing as we don't have kids yet, but have spent lots of time attempting to reach for that goal of course we have names picked out. At least tentatively. First, we have some guidelines:

His:

nothing too common (this rules out my love of Biblical names)

likes the idea of initials as a nickname

Mine: (are a bit more lengthy)

love Gallic names

can't be names after kids who drive or have driven me bonkers as students

love family names

love names that remind me of my favorite things (I would love if he would go for Marley)

So, with all that said we like:

Savannah Elizabeth - Savannah because of Savannah, GA and Elizabeth is my Grandma's middle name

Delanie Anne- Delanie because of the Jimmy Buffett song and Anne is a middle name that goes back 3 generations

Kaden Thomas- Kaden is Gallic and Thomas is my grandfather's name

Brayden Lloyd- Brayden after a sweet little boy in my class when I student taught who stole my heart and Lloyd is a family name

Who knows if these will actually be the names of our kids. But it is fun to come up with them!

We are adopting!

Have I mentioned this?? I really can't remember. We decided back in January that we wanted to adopt through our State Foster to Adopt program. Next weekend we start a 5 week program to prepare for the process. We are not expecting everything to go smoothly, but we are hopefully excited about what the future holds. It seems in sharing this with others I have found that it is on many people's hearts too. It amazes me the number of friends and acquaintances we have that want to adopt. If adoption is something that is on your heart check out these links. There are so many kids out there! I can't wait to share more about this in the coming months!

This is the program we are going through http://chfs.ky.gov/dcbs/dpp/faqfostercareadoption.htm

Steven Curtis Chapman's adoption website is very informational

http://www.showhope.org/

Wordless Wednesday

I have a crooked smile. But when I don't smile I look like a grump. I have practiced trying to make it straight, but it just won't go straight.

Author Recommendation

About this time of year I crave a good, easy read. No Jodi Pouclit, or Jeanette Walls, even though I have a few of those waiting to be read. What I need now is a light, relaxing read, preferably one that has a beach setting. Well, I have found just that from Mary Kay Andrews. She writes some wonderfully, funny books that are all based in the south. All her books are pretty quick reads and I haven't disliked one of them. If you are like me and looking for this type of fun read, check out Mary Kay Andrews. I think my favorites are The Fixer Upper and Hissy Fit... but there are plenty more, and it is hard to pick just one.

Rustic Beach Room

Just got my newest Coastal Living in the mail and I am loving it! Each time I flip through the pages I get new ideas for decorating, cooking, and places to visit. I can't put all of these ideas into action right now, but I figure if I keep a running list of all the things I love when the time comes I can pull it back up and dig my hands in. All these ideas come from the Rustic Beach Room section of this month's issue

I love Lilly

One of my dear friends bought a Lilly Pulitzer dress for Derby and I'm not gonna lie I am super envious. I LOVE Lilly. In case you aren't familiar Lilly is a wonderful designer who has a very beachy, preppy style. Maybe it will be something I can purchase in a few years, but when I stare at those price tags now I just can't do it. In the meantime I will spend a few hours daydreaming on the Lilly website. Here are a few of my favorites.

A night out

Being a teacher my nights end somewhere around 10. However, I had Friday off (Oaks Day is a national holiday here in Louisville) and we had plans to go out. First Anthony and I went to an Easter Seals Charity event. This is always a fun place to people watch. Like this elderly lady, who really got down on the dance floor. I know the picture isn't the best, you have to look really closely but it is worth the look.

After that we went to a bar where a friend of ours was playing later that night. While we were waiting we found these guys to listen to. This is totally up my alley- a wide variety of acoustic music, and Anthony recorded my favorite, Steal my Kisses. They were fun to listen to and watch. They were the perfect example of a paradox. Tall white

guy, short black guy. Tall guy in jeans and tennis shoes, short guy in sandals and shorts.

Finally, before our friend's show we watched The Velcro Pygmies. Not really my style. I've never been a rock kind of girl. But they put on a good show with the rocker hair and 80s rock cover music.

All and all it was a good night. Much needed in my boring day to day life. Let the Derby festivities begin!