March 26th

On March 26, 1987, my dad and I were waiting in the Indianapolis airport for my Spring Break flight to Tampa to see my sister and nephew; when he collapsed from what I thought was a heart attack, a wonderful couple started CPR. Two days later, after 48 pints of blood, he died from an aortic aneurysm. I never had a chance to thank the couple or to repay all 48 pints of blood. Every time we have a blood drive at school, I ask my kids to help me repay the blood. Wish I could have thanked the couple, too. I've always felt like the couple never knew the outcome OR how grateful our entire family was for their efforts. I still tell the classes learning CPR what a difference it can make.

Sharon pointed out that our mom used to say that we didn't marry because we could never find someone as wonderful as our dad - and she was right. All three of us were daddy's girls. I think Bryan knows that feeling with his girls. It's a special bond.

MY TWO FAVORITE SONGS

"For Good"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzrGFQysfYU&feature=related

"Nothing"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUTafCLoDcE&feature=related

Lyrics for "For Good":

ELPHABA: I'm limited just look at me

I'm limited and just look at you

you can do all I couldn't do, Glinda,

so now its up to you for both of us

now it's up to you

GLINDA: I've heard it said

that people come into our lives

for a reason

Bringing something we must learn

and we are lead to those

who help us most to grow

if we let them and we help them in return

Well I don't know if I believe that's true

But I know I'm who I am today

because I knew you.

Like a comet pulled from orbit

as it passes a sun

Like a stream that meets a boulder

halfway through the wood.

Who can say if I've been changed for the better

but, because I knew you

I have been changed for good.

ELPHABA: It well may be

that we will never meet again

in this lifetime

so let me say before we part

so much of me is made

from what I learned from you

You'll be with me

like a hand print on my heart

Now whatever way our stories end

I know you have rewritten mine

by being my friend

Like a ship blown from it's mooring

by a wind off the sea

like a seed dropped by a sky bird

in a distant wood

Who can say if I've been changed for the better?

But because I knew you

GLINDA: because I knew you

BOTH: I have been changed for good

ELPHABA: And just to clear the air

I ask forgiveness

for the things I've done

you blame me for

GLINDA: But then I guess we know

there's blame to share

BOTH: And none of it seems to matter any more

GLINDA & ELPHBA: Like a comet pulled from orbit

(like a ship blown from its mooring)

As it passes a sun

(By a wind off the sea)

Like a stream that meets a boulder

(Like a seed dropped by a bird)

Halfway through the wood

(in a wood)

BOTH: Who can say if I've been changed for the better?

I do believe I have been changed

for the better

GLINDA: And because I knew you

ELPHABA: because I knew you

BOTH: because I knew you,

I have been changed

...for

... good.

Lyrics for "Nothing":

[DIANA] I'm so excited because

I'm gonna go to the High School of Performing Arts!

I mean, I was dying to be a serious actress.

Anyway, it's the first day acting class

--and we're in the auditorium--

and the teacher, Mr. Karp... Oh, Mr. Karp...

Anyway, he puts us up on the stage with our legs around each other,

one in back of the other and he says:

"Okay... we're going to do improvisations.

Now, you're on a bobsled.

It's snowing out.

And it's cold...Okay...GO!"

Ev'ry day for a week we would try to

Feel the motion,

feel the motion

Down the hill.

Ev'ry day for a week we would try to

Hear the wind rush,

hear the wind rush,

Feel the chill.

And I dug right down to the bottom of my soul

To see what I had inside.

Yes, I dug right down to the bottom of my soul

And I tried, I tried.

[Spoken]And everybody's goin'

"Whooooosh, whooooosh

...I feel the snow

... I feel the cold

... I feel the air."

And Mr. Karp turns to me and he says,

"Okay, Morales. What did you feel?"

[sings]And I said...

"Nothing, I'm feeling nothing,"

And he says "Nothing Could get a girl transferred."

They all felt something,

But I felt nothing

Except the feeling That this bulls**t was absurd!

[Spoken]But I said to myself,

"Hey, it's only the first week.

Maybe it's genetic.

They don't have bobsleds in San Juan!"

[sings]Second week,

more advanced,

and we had to

Be a table,

be a sports car

...Ice-cream cone.

Mister Karp, he would say,

"Very good, except Morales.

Try, Morales, All alone."

And I dug right down to the bottom of my soul

To see how an ice cream felt.

Yes, I dug right down to the bottom of my soul

And I tried to melt.

The kids yelled,

"Nothing!"

They called me "Nothing"

And Karp allowed it,

Which really makes me burn.

The were so helpful.

They called me "Hopeless,"

Until I really didn't know

Where else to turn.

[Spoken]And Karp kept saying,

"Morales, I think you should transfer to Girl's High,

You'll never be an actress,

Never!"

Jesus Christ!

Went to church, praying,

"Santa Maria,

Send me guidance, send me guidance,"

On my knees.

Went to church, praying,

"Santa Maria,

Help me feel it, help me feel it.

Pretty please!"

And a voice from down

at the bottom of my soul

Came up to the top of my head.

And the voice from down

at the bottom of my soul,

Here is what it said:

"This man is nothing!This course is nothing!

If you want something,

Go find another class.

And when you find one

You'll be an actress."

And I assure you that's what

Fin'lly came to pass.

Six months later I heard

that Karp had died.

And I dug right down

to the bottom of my soul...

And cried.

'Cause I felt...

nothing.

RUMORS

A couple of teachers are telling who they think will be taking the early retirement incentive - I will be turning in the letter on Friday - not really ready, but probably necessary. I've had a good run for the 38 years I've been proud to teach at Hobart High School. Administration is making a decent offer that I can't afford to pass up. Has to be 12 of us or it's a no-go. I cry every time some one asks me, so I have to get under control. It's been 18 years since they've made any retirement offer; the $$$ crunch is going to be awful; we've been pretty much "guilt-ed" into turning in the letters (so no one gets R.I.F. letters); no one is indispensable, but I hate leaving my "babies."

I knew I wanted to teach since fifth grade - WHAT I wanted to teach changed often! I loved biology - especially genetics - and REALLY wanted to teach it. In 1967, technology was not what it is today; handicaps dictated WHAT you COULD do. (My eyesight was legally blind and my eyes don't "line up" - when I looked in a microscope, what I could barely see wasn't ever one picture - biology teacher was out of the question.) I began my college career in special education; changed to elementary education; switched to secondary English; changed to speech; ended up with speech, theatre, and English.

After getting my bachelor's and master's degrees, I started job hunting and interviewing. The summer of 1972, I interviewed all over the state of Indiana - Lawrenceburg one day and Hobart the next. I WAS GOING TO TEACH SOMEWHERE!

The first year I started at Hobart, I sat at meetings complaining how hot and stupid I was for wearing a blue, long-sleeved, polyester dress! (I now complain how cold it is in my air-conditioned room!) The second Saturday, at the laundromat, I met a lovely lady who noticed I was new. In speaking with her, we discovered that her son and I both starting teaching at Hobart - Steve Balash was at the junior high school, and I was at the high school. That Sunday, Cynthia Lach asked her mom if she could bring a new teacher to lunch; I never left Cyndi's mom's table! I remember thinking I'll only be here a few years and then move on. Thirty-eight years later, I'm sad to be finally "graduating."

That first year, I struggled to add grades by hand; a friend (math teacher) actually came and helped me! My parents gave me a re-conditioned calculator for Christmas that first year - it could add, subtract, multiply, and divide. It cost a fortune even though re-conditioned. Today, I could buy a solar powered one for a buck! Now, I act like the world will end if the computer goes down! Heavens forbid if I make an error in STI!

I have actually resided in only four different rooms in the past 38 years. I started in the old building in Room 104 (which eventually became the cardio lab); moved to Room 124 when the auditorium was built (there for 25 years); was moved to Room 101 between Leto and Swanke; and landed in Room 1303 in the new building. Every room was my "home" - probably spent more time at school than at home at times! I wanted my kids to be comfortable and also feel at "home."

I have taught Speech 1 and Advanced Speech all 38 years! Although the class is not required, probably 95% of the student body takes the beginning class (there aren't many one-semester classes, so it frequently becomes an alternative.) I was privileged to be theatre director for over 20 years. I have actually taught every English class at one time or another - in regular school, homebound instruction, summer school, or Challenge School.

(I have even taught English classes that no longer exist! These include Mass Media, Business English, ISTEP+ remediation, and FLIP.)
As I complete grade 56 (K-12 + 5 years ISU + 38 years HHS = 56) it seems fitting that I started Kindergarten during the 1955-1956 school year.

It has been an honor to have lived in Hobart and gone to school at HHS for 38 years. I have never "gone to work" - I "go to school" - and am glad that I'm leaving before it becomes WORK - at least that's how I will choose to look at it.

BE THERE!

MAKE THEIR DAY!

CHOOSE YOUR ATTITUDE!

PLAY!

ONCE A BRICKIE, ALWAYS A BRICKIE!

DECISIONS

January 2010

Sometimes I just HATE being an adult

and having to make decisions.

January has been rough --

Sharon in the hospital and I can't stay all the time;

new grading scale with end of semester;

new classes;

old class with new ideas;

these were really

MINOR decisions

compared to the one that

I have to contemplate.

I've always planned to have both knees replaced

using up most of my more-than-220 sick leave days

before I retired.

I could do this any time,

but once I start my classes,

I tend to "fall in love" with them and

don't want to leave!

Now, I might not get the chance to use them at all.

SCOH is offering a "deal" to get rid of some of us

"older" teachers.

Last time an offer was made was 18 years ago.

This may be the only time I have a chance

to take advantage of some insurance help.

Catch is:

there needs to be at least 12 of us to take the

"buy-out"

and not more than 14.

Letters have to be in February 5th;

we won't know until the cut-off date of February 19th.

If there are more than 14,

the first 14 will get it;

less than 12, no buy out.

(I'd sure hate to be #15!)

If you want to hear God laugh,

just tell Him you

"have a plan!"

Think I'll leave it in His hands!

DECEMBER

When I was 10-11 years old, I was a VORACIOUS reader. I read To Kill a Mockingbird the year it was first published (which TOTALLY let my kids know how old I was when I taught the book to freshmen!) It was my favorite book UNTIL I read an excerpt in "Readers' Digest" of Patrick Dennis' Auntie Mame. I HAD to get to the library and get the book. Suddenly, I KNEW what kind of aunt I would want to be some day!
As a child, Bryan never really called me "Auntie Shirley"; Cyndi's kids all did. When Bryan (and Sharon) moved to Hobart, he started to introduce me as "my aunt, Shirley," which worked for me!
I never really got to be the "Auntie Mame" for Bryan (just too close to his mom), but there were a couple of times.
The one I remember the most was when he and his mom were "discussing" his wanting to get his ear pierced. Sharon was ADAMANT that she would NOT take him. (She knew that he'd be a little freaked by the process.) The two of them were going back and forth about it and I felt it necessary to spout out, "If you get it pierced, I'll get the diamond for it." THAT sealed the deal for him!!! (My Bryan likes "bling" almost as much as I do! Yes, I "followed through" with the offer!)
Jackie was always the "conservative" sister. HER girls did get "Auntie Shirley's" gene for "flash and trash" - BOTH have liked pink, purple, and glitz! My jewelry box is their favorite "toy" in Hobart!
So, how have times changed? When I was THINKING about getting a tattoo a couple of years ago, Jackie wanted to go with me (still does.) Bryan and Amy have become the "sensible" ones (thank goodness!) and ALL of them have made me so proud as parents!

EAT ICE CREAM

Received this in email -- its message hit me!
MOST OF US CAN SEE OURSELVES IN A COUPLE OF THESE SITUATIONS! YOU ALL MEAN THE WORLD TO ME!
"Real Integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that nobody's going to know whether you did it or not."
Too many people put off something that brings them joy just because they haven't thought about it, don't have it on their schedule, didn't know it was coming, or are too rigid to depart from their routine. I got to thinking one day about all those people on the Titanic who passed up dessert at dinner that fateful night in an effort to cut back. From then on, I've tried to be a little more flexible. How many women out there will eat at home because their husband didn't suggest going out to dinner until after something had been thawed? Does the word "refrigeration" mean nothing to you? How often have your kids dropped in to talk and sat in silence while you watched "Jeopardy" on television? I cannot count the times I called my sister and said , "How about going to lunch in a half hour?" She would gas up and stammer, "I can't. I have clothes on the line. My hair is dirty. I wish I had known yesterday, I had a late breakfast, It looks like rain." And my personal favorite: "It's Monday." She died a few years ago. We never did have lunch together. Because People cram so much into their lives, we tend to schedule our headaches. We live on a sparse diet of promises we make to ourselves when all the conditions are perfect! We'll go back and visit the grandparents when we get Steve toilet-trained. We'll entertain when we replace the living-room carpet. We'll go on a second honeymoon when we get two more kids out of college. Life has a way of accelerating as we get older. The days get shorter, and the list of promises to ourselves gets longer. One morning, we awaken, and all we have to show for our lives is a litany of "I'm going to," "I plan on," and "Someday, when things are settled down a bit." When anyone calls my "seize the moment" friend, she is open to adventure and available for trips. She keeps an open mind on new ideas. Her enthusiasm for life is contagious. You talk with her for five minutes, and you're ready to trade your bad feet for a pair of rollerblades and skip an elevator for a bungee cord. My lips have not touched ice cream in 10 years. I love ice cream. It's just that I might as well apply it directly to my stomach with a spatula and eliminate the digestive process. The other day, I stopped the car and bought a triple-decker. If my car had hit an iceberg on the way home, I would have died happy. Now go on and have a nice day. Do something you WANT to do -- not something on your SHOULD DO list. If you were going to die soon and had only one phone call you could make, who would you call and what would you say? And why are you waiting? Have you ever watched kids playing on a merry go round or listened to the rain lapping on the ground? Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight or gazed at the sun into the fading night? Do you run through each day on the fly? When you ask "How are you?" Do you hear the reply? When the day is done, do you lie in your bed with the next hundred chores running through your head? Ever told your child, "We'll do it tomorrow," and in your haste, not see her sorrow? Ever lost touch? Let a good friendship die? Just call to say "Hi"? When you worry and hurry through your day, it is like an unopened gift -- thrown away. Life is not a race. Take it slower. Hear the music before the song is over. I cherish our friendship and appreciate all you do. Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here. we might as well dance!

A YEAR OF THANKFULNESS

Last Christmas, Amy and Bryan asked everyone in the family to share a story once a month. When I was looking over the year's stories, I suddenly realized all the reasons I have to be thankful.

DECEMBER 2008

When I would go to Florida to visit, Bryan never wanted to go to bed on time. Bedtime would start out with Sharon saying, "Go to bed, Bryan." And then he would say, "BUT, I love you, Mommy." That continued 20 to 30 minutes. He would come to the living room door, and in the SWEETEST voice, say, "I love you, Mommy." This would continue for 20 to 30 minutes until Sharon would finally tell him, "I know; now go to bed!"

JANUARY 2009

I call this one "Can You See if We Have a Quiz? I Didn't Take a Bath Last Night."
When Bryan was in junior English, reading Grapes of Wrath (I think it was that novel), in my study hall, he asked me to call Mrs. Lopez to see if they had a quiz that day. When I asked him if he hadn't read the assignment, he told me he took a shower the night before. (No connection for me!) Seems he read while soaking in the tub, and since he took a shower, not a bath, he hadn't read the night before! Judy (Mrs. Lopez) just laughed when I called and told her Bryan wanted to know if they had a quiz since he didn't take a bath! When I explained, she said, "No, he's safe today, but needs a bath tonight!"

FEBRUARY 2009

When Sharon and Bryan moved to Hobart, I didn't realize HOW "territorial" I was! Oh, not at home - shifting things around, giving up closet space, giving up bedroom - those were EASY. Now, let's talk about SCHOOL! Suddenly, I wasn't the only one in Room 124! For 16 years, I was the ONLY person to inhabit my room. Then came BRYAN - oh, and his "entourage." My chair became HIS chair (& I hate a warmed-up chair); my desk became HIS desk (especially at lunch); my toys became HIS toys. WHAT A CHANGE FOR THIS PRISSY GIRL! I could reach out and touch/find anything in my room or on my desk - no more. The worst was my FAVORITE mechanical pencil. I loved that pencil. So did Bryan! I cannot even count how many times I would chase him down on stage to recover MY pencil!
Three years ago, the new band teacher had a study hall in my classroom. Suddenly, it was Déjà Vu! This Brian would walk off with my red gel pen. When I chased HIM down, his answer was, "But I like that pen," to which I reminded him that's why I BUY mine!!!

MARCH 2009

shoes:
For being the "perfectionist" that he is, Bryan was always so good about shoe shopping.
Interesting fact - Sharon has never bought a pair of shoes for her son. Mom and Dad bought all the special ones when he was little; after move to Florida, Auntie Shirley was the shoe person. Twice a year (before school started and at Christmas) we would go "shopping."
Now, if you know my Bryan, you KNOW he hates to shop! But this would be our big day! We would go and ask to see every size 13/14 in stock and Bryan would pick from those choices. The big day was the time we came home with TWO PAIR !!!!!

APRIL 2009

NOT A LAZY GUY
Sometimes, I think that Bryan should do more at home; seems Amy multitasks and Bryan focuses on one thing at a time. Then I remember how overloaded he CAN be - and doesn't complain.
Flashback to 1994 - Bryan's senior year:
He had 7 periods a day. Most seniors had a study hall to cut the load a little; Bryan's was so he could do more. Bryan was listed in my study hall because he wanted to be in the Theatre class but had some academic thing then. It was a way for him to be in two classes the same hour (bless Mrs. Howell for doing this!) BUT, here's what really happened in that 55 minutes:
He would get my keys; check out; go get his mom at home (she broke her ankle/leg and couldn't get to the car); wheel her to the car; get her in; take wheel chair back to apartment; run back to car; [Sharon drove to work in Gary (Joyce Sportswear) and the security guy called the office, the guys came out with a wheelchair she had there, and took her in.]; come back to school; check in; run to study hall; go to next class.
Bryan would learn the theatre stuff during lunch (even the Talent Show dance - thank you, Crissy!) and at end of the day, he would reverse the study hall stuff to get his mom home and THEN he was back for rehearsal! As Sharon got stronger, he would often wait and do the reverse trip AFTER rehearsals.
THEN it was help Mom at home and homework.
AND he didn't miss a day of classes!
He amazed me then and does now!

MAY 2009

Family "jewels" (NO, not "that" kind)

When Bryan was a young lad, I think he thought Auntie Shirley must be RICH - never ran out of toilet paper and had so much jewelry! He asked me why his mom didn't have jewelry. I answered, "Oh, honey, YOU are your mom's gems!" thinking he was more important and valuable than any piece of jewelry. He immediately burst into tears thinking because of him, she couldn't afford jewels! (I have a long history of being misunderstood!)
A few years later, I was riding with Bryan taking leftovers from garage sale to Salvation Army, when he was lamenting his rich college friends who now had great jobs and were driving BMWs and Porches es. I told him, "Your babies are your Porches es." He IMMEDIATELY understood and said that they were more valuable than all the "things" in the world. He finally understood what "gems" are!

JUNE 2009

Sharon posted on FB about me sending down T.P. (actually had to send TWO rolls before we got to store!) It reminded me of how Bryan as a little guy thought his Aunt Shirley must be RICH. Why? She NEVER runs out of toilet paper! The bear doesn't even lay down! (Sharon and I both had a T.P. cover that was a bear head with a skirt that covered a roll.) Toilet paper impressed him!

JULY 2009

FAVORITE JULY MEMORIES:Dan Quayle kissing baby Bryan in Hobart 4th of July Parade the summer before Quayle elected V-P; waving at the parade until arm gives out; getting candy thrown and sharing it with everyone; burning black spots on 2 x 4 watching "snakes" "grow" as they burn and twist; singing "I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy" while doing sparklers (also know as "Yankee Do's"); fireworks in the street for all the neighbors; "neon" necklaces and bracelets for all the kids; celebrating FREEDOM!!!

AUGUST 2009

August 26, 1992 ~ the day MY life changed. For 20+ years, I had been responsible for NO ONE but myself. I lived alone. I went to school and came home whenever I wanted.
August 26, 1992 ~ the day MEANING came into my life. The day Sharon and Bryan moved in with me from Florida. I doubt that either of them ever knew how complete my life finally felt. I spent 20+ years feeling like I was "waiting" for something. I found it that day.
August 26, 1992 ~ the day LOVE had a meaning.

SEPTEMBER 2009

Fall has always been my favorite season: cool, crisp, smell of leaves, school starts....
Remember the first fall when Bryan and Sharon moved to Hobart - Bryan and I were walking out the back door at school; suddenly, the huge tree in front of the Administration Building seemed to have changed color overnight. It was magnificent! Bryan and I just stopped in our tracks looking at the enormity of the tree.
I don't think it's ever been as pretty!

OCTOBER 2009

The second Halloween/All Saints/All Souls/Mom's birthday since Mom joined Daddy in heaven - have me thinking about her. Halloween was her mom's birthday - both women were the most independent women I knew.
I'll add that MY grandmother was always adamant about voting -- she voted the first year women could and every, single election after that -- with the exception of one. My mom was born on November 7, 1927, which happened to be an election day. My grandmother actually TRIED to vote that day, too. Sharon (my twin sister) was planning to vote when she ended up in ER one November 6th, was admitted to the hospital for several days, yet she wanted to go vote. Amy (Sharon's daughter-in-law) gave birth the next day, November 7, 2007 -- 80 years to the day my mom was born -- she, too, wanted to go vote on election day, yet she was in labor and her husband, my nephew, was at the hospital with his mom in the ER (Amy had the other three kids with her until the nurses literally threw Bryan out of the ER to go with Amy!) Amy did get to vote on the 6th, even though she started full labor the next morning at 3:00 a.m.; Bryan did not since he was in the ER with his mom!
My grandmother actually was one of the 1st women to vote - and missed only 1 election day - the day Mom was born!
In the homily this Sunday, our priest talked about how he always adds our parents in the prayers - very comforting as this week reminds me how lucky we all were to have such strong women in our lives. Mary Lou's ideals live on!

EXTRA FALL STORY 2009

Even though summer was short,

I still looked forward to the fall season.
I love the changing colors,
the crisp, cool air,
the sounds of band practice,
choir working on holiday songs,
auditions and rehearsals for theatre,
and school in full swing!

This year fall has been even more beautiful
-- no packing --
wondering
when we'd move in the new building;
finishing many "chores"
waiting to be finished;
spending weekends
sleeping in;
watching
the grandGodchildren
play soccer!

Most importantly,
waiting
for the newest Mumaugh
-- Amy and Bryan
are due with #5
in December --
has made fall even more brilliant!

One of my FAVORITE holidays is
Halloween!
Everyone can be silly,
play like a child,
and enjoy giving out treats!
ENJOY!

NOVEMBER 2009

On Sunday, November 1st, church had our saint statues displayed. This included the Infant of Prague statue. Years ago, Vickie (Gramsy) gave me a small Infant of Prague statue as a gift; Bryan was always mesmerized by it because you could change its outfits. Bryan called it my "Barbie Jesus"!

DECEMBER 2009

When I was 10-11 years old, I was a VORACIOUS reader. I read To Kill a Mockingbird the year it was first published (which TOTALLY let my kids know how old I was when I taught the book to freshmen!) It was my favorite book UNTIL I read an excerpt in "Readers' Digest" of Patrick Dennis' Auntie Mame. I HAD to get to the library and get the book. Suddenly, I KNEW what kind of aunt I would want to be some day!
As a child, Bryan never really called me "Auntie Shirley"; Cyndi's kids all did. When Bryan (and Sharon) moved to Hobart, he started to introduce me as "my aunt, Shirley," which worked for me!
I never really got to be the "Auntie Mame" for Bryan (just too close to his mom), but there were a couple of times.
The one I remember the most was when he and his mom were "discussing" his wanting to get his ear pierced. Sharon was ADAMANT that she would NOT take him. (She knew that he'd be a little freaked by the process.) The two of them were going back and forth about it and I felt it necessary to spout out, "If you get it pierced, I'll get the diamond for it." THAT sealed the deal for him!!! (My Bryan like "bling" almost as much as I do! Yes, I "followed through" with the offer!)
Jackie was always the "conservative" sister. HER girls did get "Auntie Shirley's" gene for "flash and trash" - BOTH have liked pink, purple, and glitz! My jewelry box is their favorite "toy" in Hobart!
So, how have times changed? When I was THINKING about getting a tattoo a couple of years ago, Jackie wanted to go with me (still does.) Bryan and Amy have become the "sensible" ones (thank goodness!) and ALL of them have made me so proud as parents!