Essie -- the Invisible Cat

Last night my nephew Maxden who just turned 8 came to spend the night. I have 6 nephews and 4 of them live in town. They come to "Aunt Kristy's and Uncle Brian's" one at a time for sleep-overs! We took Maxden to Pizza Hut and the mall to pick out a baseball hat for his birthday present. We had so much fun! Then he took a bubble bath and watched "The Polar Express."

The boys love our cat Essie. Unfortunately, Essie doesn't love them. She is such a "scaredy cat" that she usually hides the whole time they are over. Since her favorite hiding place is under our bed, I'll find the boys lying on the floor desperately begging her to come out. Sigh! I feel so bad because I want them to enjoy her. Usually later in the evening when we are telling stories before bed, she'll sneak into the room to investigate. Last night I don't think Maxden ever got to see her.

I took this picture one day when she was lying on top of my clean laundry that I was getting ready to iron. Cats definitely have a mind of their own!!

One Week Down -- 35 More to Go!

What a great time the first week of school was! The first day was a little "bumpy" and I had to call a parent right away to remedy an "issue." However, "day two" was much better and by today the students seemed to be settling in. Since I have quite a few new students, I don't think they quite know how to take me! I find myself teaching like my mom -- it is so funny when I am saying or doing something in class and I'll think, "Ohhhh, that was so much like my mom!" Since my mom is a master teacher, I have always tried to teach like her!! Energy and compassion!

Don't worry no one has had to "drop for ten" -- yet!!

"Good Morning, Miss Dove" MBA 1994

"Good Morning, Miss Dove" Cast

Maranatha Baptist Academy

Today's featured production was presented at MBA in 1994. It has been neat to hear from different people who remembered Harvey at MBA. Since this play was the following year, many of the same actors starred again including Molly Akins, Bekah Flaming, and Aaron Sturgill. This was the year I talked Jason Wredberg into trying out. Wow! What a natural he was! I believe he found his "gift" that year and he has been dramatic (in a positive way) ever since. Jason is now a youth pastor at a large church in Raleigh, NC. He worked with my parents for several years at Postive Action. I always told Jason he had potential!!

Praise the Lord for what He has done in many of the lives of these young people!!

The Director and "The Boys"

Jason Wredberg, "Miss Carlson" and Aaron Sturgill

Jason Wredberg, Molly Akins, Keith Cashner, and Josh Collins waiting for "show time"!!!

Happy Birthday, Pop!

I'm a few days late, but I did get his card and gift to him on time. My dad is my hero!! In addition to being a godly, Christian father, he is very intelligent and wise. I am so thankful to have had a father who was (and is) loving, dependable, and consistent. I'm so proud of my dad and thankful that he is still with us. He had quadruple heart bypass surgery a few years ago. He is doing well and works diligently with my mom at Positive Action for Christ.

When we were little we called our dad "Papa" because he is Scandinavian and that was what the father was called. Then as we got older his title was shortened to "Pop." I know it isn't the usual title, but I'm thankful for a unique title because he is definitely special!! I love you, Pop! Happy "66th" Birthday!!

Harvey TTA 1997

Well, I have already fallen behind in highlighting one past production per week. I'm sure you'll forgive me since my days are filled with teacher meetings and my nights have been filled with class (Monday), orientation (Tuesday) and church (Wednesday). Thankfully tonight I do not have a scheduled event. I do need to work on my wonderful lessons for next week!

Last week I highlighted my first production at MBA in 1993. Today I am going to jump to my second production of Harvey at Tennessee Temple Academy in 1997.

This is a picture of the cast:

Even if you do not know the students, it is fun to see similarities between like characters. One of my favorite memories of this play was opening night when I was running around trying to make sure everything was ready. I walked out into the auditorium and was greeted by two familiar faces, Oz Price and Mrs. Price (from Maranatha).

Oz had played the lead role in the MBA play four years before. I was so elated to see them. For some reason they were passing through town and the Temple campus and happened to see the posters for the play. Since the artwork was the same, they knew I had to be the director. What a wonderful joy to have a former Harvey cast member in the audience that night.

Great memories!

Aaron Leatherman played a hilarious Mr. Wilson and Rachel Harrison Ragan a perfect Mrs. Chauvenet. They are both married now (not to each other of course)! My how quickly time flies. I saw Rachel at Remembrandts a few weeks ago. Her little boy is named Harrison (I wonder where they got that name??) and she has another baby due in February.

Jessica Hutchison and Anna Vaupel were some of the first high school students I met at Temple. In addition to both girls being talented actresses , they went on to Temple University and were on the Columbine drama team about 3 years later. Anna graduated from Temple University with a Bachelor's in Speech Education a few years ago. She and I have a rich history together. I am so proud of her. Having just arrived in China, she will be teaching English there for the next 2 years. You will hear more about her as she has been in many of my plays and drama teams.

The last thing I remember about this production was that it was a week or two before we got married in 1997. I got sick at the beginning of the week of production and went to the doctor. I guess I thought I was superwoman and thought I could teach school, direct a play and get married all in the same month. The doctor wasn't sure what my "disease" was and so he quarantined me to my apartment. I said, "No, I'm sorry, sir, I can't stay in, you don't understand." His professional reply was, "No, I'm sorry but you don't understand." I had to stay home for 2 days. Dr. Hunt, my principal, was wonderful and had all of the cast members and seniors run errands for me. My good friend David Sneed stepped in and directed the dress rehearsal and I showed up for the performances that weekend. All went well and the rest is history!

The Rat Race Has Begun!

Wow! Nothing like jumping right back into the frying pan! We had a wonderful weekend filled with visiting with friends and family. Brian's cousin graduated from grad school on Sunday.

Teacher inservice started Monday. After inservice I drove 45 minutes to my night class and listened to informative speeches for 3 1/2 hours. Whew! Today we had three sessions of orientation during which time the students registered for their classes. It was an exciting day! Our enrollment looks good and there are new students in every grade in the secondary. It is going to be a great year! I'll do my best to post updates! Good night!:)

Summer Is Over

Today is my last day of summer vacation. Unbelievably inservice starts on Monday. I am excited! I love being a teacher! Even though the year is long, hard and challenging, summer break has a way of erasing the memories of the difficult days.

I love fresh beginnings. Having painted my classroom this summer, today I'm going to finish decorating my room. I have been praying for my students and the opportunities that lie ahead for the year. As the senior class sponsor, I will definitely be busy again this year.

Yesterday I received a message from a former student who is on deputation with her husband to go to the mission field. She thanked me for my influence on her life and her training. Her note brought tears to my eyes, not because I had done anything (trust me, sometimes I feel like a failure as a teacher). I was overcome with gratitude to the Lord for allowing me to have a small part in training young people to serve Him.

My Best Friend!

It was 12 years ago this month that I made the infamous trip to Tennesse staying with my future-in-laws after only meeting Brian once. Since my parents and Brian's parents were friends, they arranged for us to spend some time together. Thankfully the Lord was leading and guiding, and the rest is history.

Recently I found a list of characteristics about Brian that I made on the airplane flying back to Wisconsin. At the time I was trying to sort through all of my thoughts and feelings after the week was over. I thought he was:

Confident, Competent, a Leader, Decisive, Spiritual, Tender to the Lord, Humorous, a Hardworker, Reliable, Conscientious, a Servant, Close to family, Thorough, a Good planner, Organized, a Nice dresser, Classy, a Good listener, Complimentary, Athletic, Patient, a Natural Teacher, a Gentleman

Wow! What a list for a husband! I did not want to let this guy get away! God was good and Brian kept calling. I moved to Tennessee the next year. We dated for about nine months and were married the next spring. We celebrated our ten year anniversary this past March! Guess what? The list I made after one week is still true after ten years!

My mom always reminds me of the verse, "Delight thyself also in the Lord and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart." It was worth waiting 29 years to find my sweetheart!

Stage Fright

One of my colleagues at school has worked with me on a two-year project to incorporate communication skills training across the curriculum. As we continue our project this year, our principal has asked us to give a report on the results of the project during inservice next week. We have seen remarkable advancement in the attitude toward speaking in public among our students.

Of course, I have always enjoyed speaking in public. Being raised in a home in which communication was encouraged greatly enhanced my speech training. Since my dad was a preacher and my mom was a teacher there was no "fear of speaking in public" spoken of in our home. In addition, my parents were incredibly supportive of anything we did "up in front of people." I can remember working in Vacation Bible School, Jr. church, Sunday school, as well as giving testimonies regularly in youth group and in church.

I am so thankful for parents who, while they were teaching me to love and serve the Lord, also helped me to overcome stage fright before I knew what it was. Fear of speaking in public is the number one fear of adults. I have never been able to understand the reason for this startling statistic. Thankfully I had wonderful parents, caring teachers, and a supportive Christian community that affirmed my abilities and worth to a loving heavenly Father who has given all of us the gift of communication.

HARVEY MBA 1993

As you can tell by my sidebar directing plays is my hobby. When choosing a field for my masters I wanted a degree in Dramatic Productions. However, I soon realized I wouldn't be able to earn a living directing plays, so I went with Speech Communication.

Over the years I have continued to dabble in Dramatic Productions. I would like to feature one of the many plays I have directed or participated in each Tuesday. The first play I will highlight is my first attempt at directing Harvey at Maranatha Academy in 1993. I think posting pictures of the casts will be enjoyable because those who are checking may recognize some of the cast members.

Also, if you are in contact with one of these cast members please tell them about the blog. I would love to hear from my former students. I have just found Bekah Flaming on Facebook.

Incidentally, I have now directed Harvey three times. Obviously it is one of my favorites (but I don't think I will direct it again!!) I first saw Harvey at Miller Park in Bloomington, Illinois when I was in high school. I was delighted by the production and never forgot it.

If you are unfamiliar with the story, Jimmy Stewart starred in the original movie in 1950. Although it is very humorous, I am always struck at the story's end when the importance of relationships and people prevails. I won't give away the plot, but it is delightful! Anway, here is the MBA cast of Harvey from over 14 years ago:

Cast: Floor Keith Cashner (Harvey) Bottom row (L to R) Amy Carlson, Tiffany, Angelia Jordahl, Molly Akins, Bekah Flaming, Deanna Vegter; Top row (L to R) Oz Price, Jonathon Hanneman, Paul Poppert, Luke Akins, Steve Smith, Aaron Sturgill, Miss Carlson (me:)

(I think I got everyone correct -- I'm going by memory -- of course, these are the girls' maiden names)

Blessings of Friendship

Last night Brian and I had a delightful dinner with our good friend Sheila. Although Sheila has been an "honorary member" of Brian's family long before I came to town, I have known her for about 12 years. What a blessing she is! She never forgets a birthday or an anniversary of any one in our family. She sends us cards for just about every holiday (except maybe Halloween). We enjoyed catching up. Sheila is up on everything with technology and the internet. She told me she finally got onto MySpace the other day! I love the fact that she always wants to learn and do something new. Of course, I told her about our blog and so she is familiarizing herself with the art of blogging. I'm sure she'll be up and at it soon.

As a godly, faithful Christian, Sheila has spent her life serving the Lord and giving to others. Thanks for the delicious dinner, Sheila! We love and appreciate you!!

Home Improvement Queen

This summer I have not had to work except for teaching an evening speech class at a nearby technical college. The class meets every Monday night for 2 1/2 hours and is a hybrid class which means they meet half the time in class (to give presentations and discuss) and the other half of their work is done on-line. I've been wanting to become more familiar with online education, so I'm thankful for this opportunity.

I made a bargain with Brian that I would do "home improvement" projects instead of working another part-time job. I've gotten much accomplished and still have had much time off while doing some things for school.

One of my last projects was to stain our deck. I signed up for a Deck Staining Seminar at Lowe's (they do them all the time and they are free!!). When I got to Lowe's I was the only one who came for the class, but I got an individual tutoring session from "Ron, the Deck Staining Expert"!!! I took detailed notes (let me know if you'd like a copy). He loaded my cart with all of the supplies that I would need and I was off -- confident that I could do this! After all I do have Cutlan blood (and Grandpa Cutlan could do anything!!)

I got the deck all prepared just before we let on vacation. Then we have had so much rain since we got home that I wasn't sure if I'd get it down. Well, this week has a sunny forecast. Yeah! I got out early this morning and worked until lunch. Now it is too hot, but I may try to finish it tonight. Since I couldn't take a picture, I found this one from the internet:

It really is this dramatic! It looks awesome! I'll take a picture of the final product when it is finished.

Has anyone else done a project that went well?? I love to get ideas.

The most exciting thing was the money we saved. Last summer a guy that did some other painting for us told Brian he would give him a deal and do it for $500! Thankfully we didn't fall for his "deal"!!