My Son, The King

OK! I know I am bragging. My son once again is the king. He won his last pageant, America's Fabulous Faces. He can go to state, but we are not. We are going to leave it alone. It costs like $400 to enter him in state and that does not include food and hotel stay. So it is a bit expensive, just for a chance for a $5 trophy, crown, and sash.

This is Ashton after the crowning ceremony.

These of course are the PROUD parents of King Ashton Arnold!!

6 weeks Left

Well, I have six weeks left. I am so ready. I feel like she has dropped some, but it is probably my imagination. Everything hurts now, so yes I am completely miserable. But the end is in sight. I have an appointment this week then I am going every two weeks.

Update on Mr. Fishy: We have a new one. Well, sort of. If you remember the original Mr. Fishy (beta) was killed by my wonderful husband. Yesterday, we went to get another beta. Wal-Mart in Pine Bluff did not have very pretty ones. Then we went to the Pet Cellar in Star City. They were ugly to. Not much color to them. We ended up with a Black Moor. I tried to get Ashton to pick out a pretty bright orange gold fish. Instead this is what he wanted. It is the ugliest thing I have every seen. It is black with big black eyes. How depressing? Anyways, the fish looked really small at the pet shop. We got home and put him in the one gallon tank. He barely fits. So today we went and purchased a 10 gallon tank. On the bright side, now I can buy some colorful fish to make up for the ugly black fish that Ashton and Michael just adore.

Regarding my last post on the tight clothes. It was a WOMAN that told me my clothes were too tight. I think that is what hurt the most. The males never said anything.

Tight Clothes

Tight Clothes? No I am not talking about really cool clothes. I am talking about my clothes are too small. One month left, my clothes are tight. It doesn't matter if they are maternity or not.

Today, I was told I was not dressed appropriately for school. I was thinking ok I have finally gotten caught wearing my tennis shoes. No, it was my shirt. I couldn't believe it. I wasn't dressed as a hooker. I had a long black skirt and one of Michael's henleys. I was told it was too tight over the stomach. To me I was thinking, but I am 7 weeks away from possible delivery. What do you mean it is too tight? I decided to wear this shirt because the actually maternity shirt was too tight and form fitting.

Old me, we send an e-mail or go to the office of the higher up and ask them to buy me some clothes that fit. Lawsuit or something. I am sure it could be consider discriminatory or something. I have seen teachers wear worse like the titty shirts. No, mine was too tight on the belly. I didn't even show skin but was told it was not appropriate. Sounds like discrimination to me. Too bad I am only pregnant and cried about it. I just wanted to go home and never to return.

It really hurts when you are trying your best to show up even though it is living hell these last months to move around and you get criticized for your clothes being tight. Maybe someone could explain it to me. I am just upset. I don't have money like others may to go and buy larger clothes for one month and fix it. My family is living on one income. Just makes me want to scream.

Just One of those Days

Yesterday was just one of those days. You know the ones you wish you could blink and it will all be over (in fact that it never happened). Well, that would be my day.

Yesterday, my teaching license is on the line. Now, teachers must be observed within their first three years of teaching in order to receive full license capability. Well, I am doing mine during my first year. I wanted to get it over with and not even have to think about it. In fact, most wait until April or May. No not me, I did mine as soon as possible. Let's just say, I hope the state really needs teachers.

I chose to do a lesson on writing. Thinking this lesson would be easy because the students are already use to the routine. They have only been doing it since beginning January. Let's just say the kids acted like they had no idea what they were to do. Below are just a few of the mishaps that I had to deal with.

• The regular aide was out, so there was a sub. She kept my student that was being tutoring too long. (I had to wait on him to start his group). I am ok with timing because crap happens and you have to deal with it.
• Next, the aide brings my mail in. Of all times, during the lesson that I am having the state department observe. She just stood there and did not say a word. It felt like 10 minutes. I know it was probably like 5 seconds, but it sure did seem like forever. Finally, I stopped my lesson to take the mail from her. I believe she would have stood there until I acknowledged her.
• I had one student who when they do not want to do something will pick his scabs and try to get up to get a band-aid. Forgetting the observer was there, I told him he would just have to bleed and he was not going to get up. He better write a story and not say another word.
• The students could not sit still to work in their small groups. They wanted to roll around on the carpet.
• The students wanted to run from their seat to the carpet where I was. (A BIG NO-NO)

This is only a few of the things that happened. I couldn't believe it. For a day for everything to go wrong, it was yesterday

To finish my day out, I had two students to throw up and have to go home. One urinated on herself. One did the other on himself. All I can say is WHAT A DAY! I should have called in.

On a much brighter note, I redid the lesson today. It went smoother than any other lesson. This just put icing on my cake.

Tribute to my Daddy

Today is my Dad's birthday. He would be 65 today. Two years ago his life was cut short due to pancreatic cancer.


My Dad, Ralph Fletcher, was born on February 4, 1942. He was raised in a big family. There were seven boys and one girl. My Dad spent time in the army, but never made it past training. During a tear gas training practice, my Dad became legally blind. His tear gas mask did not work meaning his eyes were basically destroyed by tear gas.


Dad became an elementary teacher. I guess he was my inspiration. He loved to teach math as well as I do. In 1971 he married my mother. They later divorced to only get remarried in 1978. During their second marriage, they had my sister (Hope) then me. They did however later get divorced again.


Even though my parents were seperated, it never seemed that way. You hear of these horror stories of divorces and the child not ever seeing their other parent again. My Dad was always around. He did everything for me and with me. He was at all school events, piano recitals, dance recitals, etc. He was truly remarkable. We never had trouble getting money to support us from him. He was always there.


Dad is the greatest. I can remember every Halloween, Dad coming over to make jack-0-lanterns for us. We never asked. He just did. Dad would do anything for us. To me that is a true Dad. One who goes out of their way to do for their children. They don't care what obstacles are in the way. They will see that the job is done.


My Dad took care of my mother when she was dying of lung cancer. Despite their differences, he was there for his children again. He did not want us to quit work or college. He just wanted our life to be normal. My Dad was nominated in 2003 for the Parent of the Year Award at UAM for this very reason. Dad was always there for us. He never let us down.




In 2002, I got married. This was only four months after the death of my mother. Being a Daddy's girl, Dad didn't really agree with my choice. He did however grow to love Michael. Dad not really knowing how to help me plan for a wedding did his best. He wanted to make sure I had everything. My Dad would not stop at any limit for me. He was the greatest through the death of mom and my wedding. He was my angel.



In May of 2005, Dad became sick. I moved home from Jonesboro take care of him. I did not know how I would do this and keep my marriage, but I had no choice. Michael, Ashton, and I moved in with him in Arkansas City. By the end of May, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. I knew his time was short. I am just thankful, that I had one more angel in my life, MICHAEL. He took care of Dad while I finished my internship and graduated. My September, Dad was very ill. He decided on no more chemo or radiation. I have to say I don't blame him. Dad began to take morphine daily for the pain. It was a struggle to face him every day and not be able to help him not hurt. After all, that is what he did for us. On October 7th, he took his last breath. This was one of my saddest days, to watch my father take his last breath. It was sad, but yet peaceful. My Dad was no longer in pain.



Looking back on Dad's life, I am so glad he was a part of mine. It use to sadden me that he was gone, but I am thankful he was a Dad that stuck around for his family even though he was divorced. He was still a family man to his children. He never let us down. For that I love my Dad.

MY DAD IS THE GREATEST! I LOVE HIM SO MUCH!

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