The Wedding

Yesterday was the big day for Sonya and Jason. They were married at 3:30 at a beautiful chapel in a cemetery. Yes, that is correct--in a cemetery. I was thinking that the significance of the cemetery was because Sonya loves all of the Mexican skeletons that are for Dia de los Muertos or the Day of the Dead.

However, her mom said it was because of the stained glass windows in the chapel. Sonya is an artist and is majoring in art at Southern Illinois University and has gotten into stained glass. Her mom said that since Sonya and Jason don't belong to an organized church, they weren't able to get a church with stained glass. Most of the churches around this area are newer buildings and don't have stained glass. As I looked around the chapel at the stained glass, I totally understood why she chose it. The stained glass is awesome and there are many depictions of lillies which has a special significance in that her daughter is named Lillia.

The part of this that I liked so much is that I have always said the only two things I want out of life are a Mexican Wedding and an Irish Wake!! You can do both at this chapel!!!

Sonya and Patrick have been friends since they were in high school. Sonya and Lillia have been a part of our family for several years. Last year, she decided that the best plan for her and for Lilia was to move to Illinois to live with her parents and to be able to finish college. We were all sad when she moved, but knew it was for the best. And it has turned out to be for the best. Jason is a wonderful young man who loves Sonya very much.

The ceremony was beautiful and unconventional which is so Sonya. Jason's sister, Lisa, was the "Best Woman" and Patrick was a "bridesman." They included both of their children in the service. At the end, the four of them, Sonya, Jason, Lillia and Cassidy, all had a vase of sand. Together they poured their vases into a larger vase signifying the blending of their families. I don't think I have ever seen anything like this and it was so beautiful!!

The reception was a lot of fun. The Elks Club reminded me of the one in Douglas. They are probably very similar no matter where you go. Patrick did a toast to Sonya and told the story of her walking down the beach in Rocky Point with her high heels on pretending to be Marilyn Monroe. The toasts at a wedding are always emotional and when it came time for Sonya to talk, she had a difficult time. She thanked her parents for all that they have done for her and then she thanked me. I was absolutely not expecting this and it touched me so much! I didn't and still don't know what to say to be included like that. It certainly meant a lot to me--more than words can ever express, Sonya!!

We are on our way to Chicago now. We have had a wonderful time here in Southern Illinois with Sonya and her family. I am so glad that we were able to come to this wedding and I am so happy for Sonya and Jason!! Sonya, you deserve the best and I thank you for being a part of my life and enriching it in many ways!!

PS--The song for this post was the song that Sonya and Jason picked to walk out of the church after they married!

The Little Red Barn at the Cabin in the Woods

Those of you who are around my age or older will probably remember the television show "Green Acres" with Ava Gabor and Eddie Albert. Well, we are officially at Green Acres. We arrived in Carbondale, Illinois early yesterday afternoon. Sonya had sent information about several places that we could stay when we got here. There are several cabins in the area and most of them were already booked. The Cabins in the Woods still had one left--The Little Red Barn, so I booked it. It is off the beaten path in a beautiful, green forest. Our cabin looks a bit like a barn that has been converted. It has two bedrooms, a living room and kitchen area, one bathroom and a huge screened in backporch with a hot tub.

Right down the hill is the barn with the pigs, goats, donkeys, horses, and a variety of chickens, roosters, turkeys, guinea fowl, peacocks, etc. They have several dogs and cats who have free run of the place. Needless to say, Cameron is thrilled to be here! There is satellite television, but no internet. It is really relaxing and so far away from the hustle and bustle of city life and a welcome change from the hotels and cities where we have been staying. I think I could spend a few weeks here!!

We met Sonya at the tuxedo shop. She came back to the "barn" and then took Cameron back to see Lilia. We fixed steaks on the grill along with corn on the cob, zucchini, and baked potatoes. Once again, it was nice not to eat in a restaurant!

Lilia came back with Cameron and spent the night with us. We are sitting at the Starbucks at Barnes and Noble right now, getting caught up on my blog and email.

This afternoon we go to the wedding rehearsal and then to Sonya's parents house for the rehearsal dinner. Tomorrow is Sonya's and Jason's wedding at 3:30. They had originally planned to have the reception on a lake that is close by. A few weeks ago, this part of Illinois was hit with an inland hurricane and the kitchen where the reception was to be held was destroyed. Of course, Sonya was really disappointed and had to find some place without much notice. She was able to book the local Elks Club, which was definitely not her first choice. There is an Elks Club in Douglas that we have spent a lot of time in over the years so I love the local Elks Clubs!! It will be fun no matter what!! I know that Sonya will make a beautiful bride and Jason is an absolutely wonderful young man!!

We are here in Carbondale until Sunday when we head for Chicago for three days. So far this has been an awesome vacation and so great to be away for a few weeks. Haven't been able to get totally away as I have my school Blackberry and have had to deal with a few issues.

It is amazing to me how different life can be in the various places across the United States. I am glad we took the time to drive and not fly in and fly back right away. It has been so good for Cameron to see all of these different places and for me, too! It has been a relaxing and fun week, although I miss my little Lucy and the other dogs!!

St. Louis Blues (as in blue from the cold weather)!!!

Inside the tram

Busch Stadium from inside the Arch

Looking up at the Arch

Cameron dressed for boat ride on the Mississippi!

It is June 3rd and it is cold here in St. Louis. Don't the weather gods know that it is June????? I know that those back in Arizona are probably thinking I am nuts, but I like the warm weather!!

St. Louis is really a great city. We are staying right downtown next to the Mississippi River and by the St. Louis Arch. We are close to Busch Stadium where the Cardinals have been playing every night that we have been here and a few blocks from Edward Jones Stadium where the St. Louis Rams play football. The Courthouse where Dred Scott went to court to ask for freedom from slavery and where Virginia Minor asked for the right to vote for women is right across the street.

Yesterday we went to the St. Louis Zoo where we got caught in a torrential rain two different times, but it was warm and humid. Apparently, there was some severe damage from this storm. We didn't experience any of that storm.

Early this morning there was a very loud sound and then a voice came over the intercom telling us to disregard the fire alarm. We are on the 16th floor and that was a bit scary!

Our plans for today were to take a river cruise and visit the Gateway Arch. Part of the plan was not to spend $30 on a sweatshirt at the gift shop at the Arch!!! I was not prepared for this as I am thinking of summer in Arizona where you only need a sweatshirt if you are heading to mountains.

The river trip was very interesting and very cold!! The Mississippi is an incredible river. And all of the history here about the Westward Movement brings back all of the reading that I did many years ago. I have always loved history.

I was in St. Louis one time before--the summer of 1965. I was a delegate to the National Y-Teen Convention in Washington D.C. that summer and we traveled on a chartered bus from El Paso to Washington. The Gateway Arch was not finished until October of 1965 and I remember being in awe of it then, even when it wasn't complete.

I had no idea that you can actually go up into the Arch in a tram. There are eight very small cars and that is probably the reason the attendant asked if anyone had claustrophobia when we bought the tickets. There are seats for five people in this little car. This tram was designed by an engineer in the 1960's.

So we all pile in this little space and proceed up to the top of the Gateway Arch....... Now you have to picture this...Cameron who is afraid of going on rides at Disneyland is actually excited. His mother is terrified!! This is our brave, confident Kerri!!! We get to the top and take a few pictures and Kerri wants to get down. As she said and when I thought about it...we are up very far in the air with nothing beneath us--as opposed to going up in the Sears Tower or Empire State Building. When she put it that way, I could see her point. So we headed back down in the very small tram car.... Kerri was very relieved when we got to the bottom and got out!!

It has been a great three days here. Tomorrow we head for Carbondale and Sonya's wedding. I am anxious to see Sonya, Lillia, Jason and her family. We are staying in a cabin in the woods called the "Little Red Barn." I don't know if we will have internet access there or not. I am just hoping it is a bit warmer (I think)!!

Somber Visit

On Saturday, we left Gilbert for a trip to Illinois for our friend, Sonya's wedding. We decided to drive so that we could visit different places in our country and give Cameron that experience. So far, driving is about all that we have done. We spent the first night in Albuquerque getting there quite late. Kerri's friend, Tyson, met us for drinks near the hotel we were staying.

Sunday we drove for many long hours and got to Oklahoma City late again. There is a two hour time difference from Arizona to Oklahoma, plus it was Sunday. We had trouble finding a place to eat and finally ended up at a Denny's. Of course, they have a different menu for after 10:00 p.m. I had no idea as I obviously don't go many places at this time of night!

This morning we visited the site of the Oklahoma City bombing. The memorial is beautifully done to commemorate this horrific event from April 19, 1995. There are chairs dedicated to each person who was killed that day.

"We come here to remember those who were killed, those who survived and those changed forever. May all who leave here know the impact of violence. May this memorial offer comfort, strength, peace, hope and serenity."

This is what is written about the purpose of the memorial. What I find amazing is the feeling that you get at a site like this. People who are walking around are talking quietly, etc. I remember when Patrick and I went to New York on St. Patrick's Day after September 11. Everyone around the site at that time were quiet and appeared introspective.

I remember that day very well. It was the end of innocence for us. The fact that such an act of violence could happen here in our country by someone who was a United States citizen was so sad. Then we experienced September 11th six years later. I always read about things like this happening in other countries, but we seemed to be insulated here in the U.S.

I remember talking to my mom and Teresa that day. They told me that a family friend was killed that day. His name was Richard Cummins and he worked for the Department of Agriculture. He was the son of their friend, Christine. I recently wrote about Christine's great granddaughter, Samantha, who won the Margaret Shannon Leadership/Citizenship Award at my school--such a small world and so many connections.

So today when we visited the memorial, one of the security officers took me to the chair with his name on it. He asked me how I knew him. I told him that Richard had grown up in my home town and I knew his mother very well. I remember my mom telling me at the time that his mother was never told that he had been killed. She was in a rest home in Tucson at the time and died shortly after.

Seeing the memorial today was a somber experience and reminded me that we as Americans are not immune to terrorist attacks like people in other countries have experienced for so long. Hate is such an ugly emotion and brings out the worst in humans. It is so simplistic to think that we should all be friends. However, respect for human life and differences of opinion should not result in such a terrible tragedy. My hope for the future is that we can realize this and learn from history and past mistakes. I guess that truly is almost too much to hope for. Maybe if everyone could have the experience we had today and see something like this beautiful memorial, it might make a difference........... I pray that isn't too much to hope for!

Schmooze with Suz!!

My dear friend, Susie of Arabia, is coming to Arizona this summer! I know many of you have become "blogger friends" with Susie through my blog. She has also made some other blogger friends who happen to live in the valley, plus some old friends from Douglas. So I am having a party for everyone who would like to meet and visit with her. Please mark your calendars for Friday, June 26, at 6:30. Please send me an email (srogers67@cox.net) if you are planning to be here and I will give you more information.

Susie has become a world-wide celebrity because of her blog. She moved to Saudi Arabia about two years ago because her husband is originally from there. Susie is from my home town, Douglas, and I have known her for many years. Her blog has won awards and is amazing!!! Right now, it is banned in Saudi Arabia!!!

So if you haven't read her blog, there is a link to it on mine. Get to know her and join us on June 26!! I will be doing another post when the time gets closer!!

I am so excited to host this event at my house and to see and visit with Susie!!!

Awards and Memories

The last week of school is always emotional for many reasons. I have always felt this way. As a teacher, it was hard to say good-by to the students that I worked so hard with all year. As a principal, it is a culmination of another year watching children growing academically, socially, and emotionally. It is always bittersweet to say good-bye to our sixth graders. Many of them have been with us since kindergarten. On the last morning of school, our sixth graders do what we call "The Sixth Grade Walk." The student council members lead with our school banner and we play the school song over and over on the intercom. The sixth graders walk by every classroom and say their good-byes. All of the other students bring out chairs to wave good-bye. I got so many hugs from the students as they walked by!! I truly believe that the sense of community that is built is the reason that this happens.

Each year I always hate to say good-bye to families that I have known for many years as their children have gone through our school and the last child finishes sixth grade.

On Tuesday we held our 5th and 6th Grade Awards Assembly. Awards are given out for most outstanding sixth grader, sportsmanship, community service, most improved, and the student who showed the most courage. All of these awards are named after either a former student, teacher, or volunteer who has died. It is always very touching when these awards are given out.

For fifth graders, we give out an award to a boy and girl who show kindness. This award is named after my dear friend, Ellen Widmer, who taught with me when I was a teacher and then came to Gilbert El to teach after I became principal. Ellen was one the kindest people I have ever known. We named this award after her just before she died five years ago. She was so thrilled and touched to have this named after her.

A few years ago I decided to also give an award to a fifth grade student in my mother's name. It is called the Margaret Shannon Citizenship/Leadership Award. I ask for students to be nominated who show citizenship and leadership characteristics and then chose one. For the past few years, either Teresa or Kerri have been at the assembly to help me give this award. This year, neither could be there, so Cameron helped me present the award.

The young lady who one this award is named Samantha. She is a terrific young lady!! Earlier this year, she was chosen as our Character Counts Student of the Month. Samantha organized a garage sale last fall to raise money for a local organization that rescues dogs called Friends for Life. Samantha has also been a student council representative and a peer mediator in the past. Every time you see Samantha, you see a child with a big smile on her face and a hug to give you. She has been this way since kindergarten!

Next year Samantha will be the principal liaison as part of our student council so she and I will meet regularly to discuss student council business.

When Samantha came up to get her award, I told a story about a connection that we have. You see, Samantha's great grandma was a dear friend of my mom's down in Douglas. They often played bridge together. Samantha's great grandma, Christine Cummins, was a teacher in Douglas for many years. I told her that her great grandma and Cameron's would be very proud!

Another connection with our families is my Uncle Bill was very good friends of her great uncle, Frank.

Another year has quickly passed. They seem to go by faster and faster the older I get! It is hard to believe that I have been an educator for the past 38 years. I can honestly say that I have had the best job imaginable and I wouldn't trade it for anything!! I hope to continue to have the energy to do this for a few more years at least!! Being an educator is such an important job in our society, especially today. I don't think that people in the "real world" realize how much time, energy, and emotion is put into this job and how important having some time away from it to rejuvenate is.

Carl Jung said "One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings. The curriculum is so much necessary material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of a child." I so agree!

Yes, We Have No CARDONNAY!

Yes, you read the title correctly!! I LOVE MY COUSINS!! Tonight Yaya had an "old fogies" dinner at her house. Pat was talking about wine and she actually called Chardonnay CARDonnay! After the laughs, I realized that it would be the perfect title for this post!! You can tell that Pat isn't much of a wine aficionado.

Our generation tries to get together every few months to reminisce, laugh, discuss politics, tell stories, etc. This was the first time that we have done this since Phil died in January. I was so glad that Yaya planned this evening as we all needed it. Yaya, Pat, Cecilia, Jay, and Yaya's dear friends, Barbara and John, and I enjoyed a wonderful evening. We even had a "maitre d" who set the table, poured the wine, and did the dishes. And we actually allowed Matt to eat with us..... He told Yaya earlier that he didn't understand what we talk about half the time and she reminded him that she has to listen to his friends and him when they sit around talking...

Tonight we discussed politics. Fortunately, we are all in agreement on this subject.... We did talk about the sorry state that our education system is in right now. It was depressing and we did try to keep away from anything too depressing.

It is always so relaxing for me to get together with my wonderful cousins. I have said this before, they are really my sisters and I love them very much!! Tonight was a much needed respite for me from the last several weeks of school.

I hope we can get together more often like this. I love to have all of the younger generation and all of the kids, but we don't really get to visit like we do at "The Old Fogies Nights!"

Thanks for tonight, Yaya, I needed it so much and I always love our time together! It is such a blessing to truly enjoy being around the family!