Singing

John and Maggie LOVE to sing. When John doesn't start the process - Maggie does. You know Snoopy on the doghouse - with head thrown back and the O's coming out of his mouth - yep that's Maggie. She loves to sing and John loves to encourage her. I sit by and laugh like crazy. The more I laugh - the more they sing. You gotta love it!

Snow Days

We weren't supposed to get much snow and I didn't expect any at all. I went to bed on Sunday night - February 7 - without even considering that I might need to check the roads on Monday morning. I woke up around 3:00 and tossed and turned until Maggie needed to go out at 4:30. To my amazement, the ground was covered. By 4:40, I had received an email that school was closed. As a 12-month employee, I had to report to work anyway. In spite of the snow and sleet, I made it to work safely. Around 11:15, the superintendent decided to send us home because the roads were getting really bad. Daddy was in town for a doctor's appointment and by that time, had made it safely back to the house. We spent a great afternoon entering his family tree on Ancestry.com, looking at old photos, and cooking. The snow was beautiful and I took some pictures without getting out in it. I always walk around in the snow but this snow was heavy and wet - which made for good coverage and great snowman making - but wet clothes pretty quickly. When all was said and done, the schools were closed through Wednesday and federal court was canceled on Monday and Tuesday.

What a week it was...

I anticipated having a hard week the week of January 25. I knew I would be testifying in federal court in the district's unitary status hearing. After 20+ years under court supervision in a federal desegregation case, it was our time to move forward with release. I was prepared, but anxious, as the thought of cross-examination didn't thrill my heart. Little did I know on Sunday morning, January 24, that court would only be part of my week. Early afternoon on the 24th, John and I decided to brave colds temps and a stiff breeze to ride our bikes. We parked on the North Little Rock side of the river and layered on the clothes. We rode across the Junction Bridge, through the River Market, around the Clinton Library and the Heifer Village, and through town to the Riverdale area. We were riding directly into the wind and I noticed John was riding slower than normal. He pulled over and before I could tease him, I realized that something was seriously wrong. He was gray - having chest pains - shortness of breath - and was sweating profusely in spite of the cold. He wouldn't let me call 911 and wanted me to return to the car - leaving him alone in a parking lot. That was out of the question. I called Betty to pick me up. By the time Betty got there, he was better so I left long enough to get the car and get back to him. We loaded bicycles and went home. No luck getting him to the doctor, but I was able to convince him to stay at my house until Monday so he could see Dr. Tilley. The next 4 days were crazy - with doctors and hospital and tests and stents being co-mingled with court and testifying and cross-examination. For John - Monday was very high blood pressure (198-110) and meds - Tuesday was a physical, failed stress test, and appointment with a cardiologist - Wednesday was a heart cath, 3 blockages, 3 stents, and a night in the hospital - and Thursday was getting out of the hospital.

John's heart before the stents. Notice - blood, then almost no blood, in 3 areas. Scary stuff!

For me, Monday was a full day in court and a full day of concern that I was in court and not with John - Tuesday was being with John for all of the tests - Wednesday was split, early AM with John at the hospital, a full day of testifying, and spending the night at the hospital - Thursday was getting John home and then another half-day on the stand.

We were very blessed. John did not have a heart attack. The 3 stents worked well from the start, restoring the blood flow. He did not have any complications and the prognosis is wonderful. I survived court.

Catching Up

Wow - far too much time has passed since my last post. Instead of trying to do multiple posts, I'm going to hit the high points and get it done. First and MOST important - the date for my wedding is March 20 - 60 days and counting. We are getting married at the Edwardian Inn in Helena.

The Edwardian Inn

We will be accompanied by our family and closest friends and that is so very important to both of us. My older sister and her family will not be attending. That hurts my heart more than I can express, but I can't change it and it will not ruin our day.

November and December were both very busy months. In November we did a lot of organizing at what will be our home in Hope, traveled to Helena where we rode our bicycles 62 miles in the Tour da' Delta, and celebrated a quiet Thanksgiving in Sherwood. Marcia came down from Rogers to celebrate with us. John's Thanksgiving was very different than times past because all of his previous holidays had involved a large extended family. With the loss of his precious Mom in March, it has changed and his sisters stayed home with their immediate families.

John at the Tour da' Delta

The Mississippi River bridge on Highway 49 is LONG and steep. Have I mentioned I hate bridges - even in a car - and on a bicycle - well - it was BAD.

December was even busier. We decorated 2 houses for Christmas, attended the Nutcracker Ballet, visited kids and grandkids in Louisiana and Missouri, went to a Razorback basketball game, and did more organizing!

Christmas morning at Jenn's house in Missouri.

and on New Year's weekend - we RESTED!!

Blessings ~ Letitia

TIE in Conway - October 8-10

I am spending the better part of 3 days in Conway at a TIE (Technology Infused Education) workshop. I have already learned so much. When I do things like this, I just want to find a place with a great connection and play with what I have learned. There are so many possibilities for using this with students to get them - and keep them - connected to learning. Both of the presenters are very good and have a wealth of information to share. WOW - what a day!

I'm getting married!

Just typing the words for the title makes me smile. In July 0f 2008, I started riding my bike with a man that I had known for years - John King. We met in the mid 90's when the technology coordinators from the 15 coops and the "3 ladies from Pulaski County" began meeting monthly for sharing and training. John and I got to know each other and over time became friends. I changed jobs in 2001 and didn't see him again until August of 2007 when we crossed paths at another state-level meeting - this one dealing with testing. We caught up with where we were in our lives, went out to dinner and a movie, went to a concert, and exchanged brief emails and phone calls. Without knowing it, we both bought bicycles and began to ride. When we found out that the other one had started riding a bicycle, John asked if I wanted to ride the Big Dam Bridge ride with him in September. We started riding together then and over the course of the next weeks or few months we fell in love. Neither of us knows for sure when it happened. On August 16, 2009 - while riding our bicycles at the river - John proposed and I accepted. He gave me a beautiful engagement ring on September 4 and we are discussing March 20 as a possible wedding date. I am getting married to my best friend and it makes me smile.

Vacation 2009 - Traveling West

On July 10, John and I left on our first vacation together. (DC didn't really count because work had to come first.) I took off at noon on Friday, July 10, to finish getting my stuff ready for our trip. By 5:00, the car was loaded with all the important stuff (including bicycles), an early supper had been eaten, and we were ready to go. On Friday night we drove until we were about an hour west of Oklahoma City, spending the night in Clinton.
John at the Oklahoma Welcome Center on Friday night.

We were on the road fairly early on Saturday, but had a long day ahead of us - goal - Holbrook, AZ, by bedtime. We took lots of photos as we traveled across the rest of Oklahoma, the Texas panhandle, all of New Mexico and into eastern Arizona. There was so much to see and we really didn't have time to make all the stops that we encountered along the way - like just what is "Roman Nose State Park" and why are those cars buried in the ground like that? Temps varied back and forth from over 100 to the low 70's as elevation changed and we drove in and out of rain.
The Texas Panhandle is the perfect place for a wind farm (look closely in the distance.)

And then there are rocks - lots of rocks...

New Mexico along I-40 West

A rainy sunset in Arizona