The Fast & The Furious...

There are times in life where it seems that life just kind of sits around with nothing to do, and there are times of the complete opposite. I haven't seen life around here for awhile now with Melissa working from 7:00 in the morning until 6:00 in the evening and then working on lesson plans and homework until bedtime. Me, it seems like I have really started to settle in to my position at church now that I have had 3+ months to get used to the pace and expectations of a new work environment. I'm finally to the point where I don't feel like everything is right at the brink of "crisis mode" in having to be done right away, and it's a great feeling. We're hoping that Melissa can get to that point too here in the near future. Nothing like a new school, new grade, and a whole new state, church, & house to help that crisis mode along.

Since I haven't posted in awhile, i'll give you a little update from me. Minnesota really is a beautiful state. Lakes everywhere surrounded by forests and groups of trees with walking paths going through or around it all. I had no idea that you could actually be in a major metropolitan area and still have this kind of nature so close. I took our new technical coordinator for a drive around town today and just realized again for myself how much I like it around here. We all drive from work to home and vice-versa at least twice a day, and sometimes I never look at anything besides the bumper in front of me. (Let's just call that cautious driving...) I will say that it feels like winter is upon us at an early date. Winter in Michigan & Indiana started to feel like it was coming around by the middle of October, but here i'm starting to catch the look and feel of winter in September? Where did I move again? North? I must be crazy. Here's hoping that those lakes are good for skating or something else during this chilly season.

In an un-related note, Melissa and I have actually become mild sports fans. We had the opportunity (Thanks Terri...) to attend a Twins game not too long ago, and Twins fever has gripped the city with their recent clinch of a playoff spot. We still don't glue ourselves to the television every time that they are playing, but if we're surfing around and the twins or Vikings are on, there's a good chance we might stick with them till the end of the game. I know that we are put to shame by the fans of such teams as the Ohio Buckeyes, Chicago Cubs, and Michigan Wolverines that are among our friends and family, but I just wanted to let you know that our TV will now stop and most local sporting events and also any Indianapolis Colts games. While in Indiana, we stuck with them through some terrible years, there's got to be some type of post season vistory some day. Why give up now?

Other than the above, there are many other things to tell, but alas it is almost midnight and I must retire. Thanks for taking the time to catch up, and I look forward to seeing you all again here soon! Bye for now! (David)

I'm famous!!!!

So, first of all, I guess I should share that school started this week. I would have blogged sooner about it but I've been SO STINKING BUSY! Even as I type I've got hours of lesson planning and grading haunting me, but it'll just have to wait because I had an amazing discovery this afternoon. My name, as far as the students are concerned is Mrs. Gafford. Not a common name; you don't regularly hear of Gaffords (outside of the few that you all know and love...). But before my kids came in from recess, I was looking over the math lesson and read the following:



Did you read the story problem next to letter a? It has my name! Right there in my math book was a story problem about Mrs. Gafford! I couldn't have been more shocked. Obviously I wouldn't have been so surprised if it was a more common name but I've never met a Gafford that I'm not related to (by marriage). I just got a kick out of that. I guess I'm easy to please. (My students thought it was pretty cool, too).

Labor Day a couple of days late

This past Monday (Labor Day), a couple from the church took David and I to the Minnesota State fair for an afternoon of fun and food. Here are a few highlights...



The Dahlia flower arrangement with a ballpark food theme,



The Sock monkey dress,


And of course, the deep fried candybar. Yum!

Thanks Deb and Steve! We had a wonderful time!