To all of you who called, emailed, facebook messaged me, or offered us a place to evacuate, Steven and I are fine. I honestly had no idea there was a hurricane. I can tell you this, there have been much worse thunder and lightning storms here than what we experienced last night. Steven and I went to bed at 11:00, and it wasn't even raining outside. I thought I might wake up during the night, but I slept soundly. Thank you all so much for your concern, prayers, and well wishes! I hope you have a marvelous Labor Day weekend!!!
xoxo,
Ashley
Friday, September 3, 2010
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Early Release
Our school releases at 1:00 this afternoon, which means it still counts as a full day (we don't have to make it up).
I am so pumped.
Steven is so jealous.
I love being a teacher :)
xoxo,
Ashley
I am so pumped.
Steven is so jealous.
I love being a teacher :)
xoxo,
Ashley
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Big Earl
So, they tell me there's a hurricane a brewin' in the Atlantic...
I, Ashley McCulloch Meadows, am a total storm person. Since I have never been through anything majorly damaging or terrifying, I have had no reason thus far to be scared of storms. In all actuality, I have a lot of fond weather related memories...
When I was a little girl, I remember Mom and Dad packing us up in the van and taking us over to the MacPhees to ride out tornado warnings. I was always so excited to go because the MacPhees had a full basement in their house, which was full of toys, rollerblades, and games. We would spend hours down there, waiting until all the adults felt like the tornado had passed.
There were other times when there would be thunder and lightning so bad that it would knock the power out. All four of us kids would sleep in a huge pallet in the living room floor. We would gather up all the blankets in the house and throw them together for the ultimate "air mattress." I remember sitting up talking and laughing with Betsy, Whitney, and Taylor for hours, or until Dad yelled for us to go to sleep.
In college, I vividly remember Hurricane Ivan because me, Taylor, Steven, Austin, and Patrick hunkered down at their duplex and had a great hurricane party. When the power was on, we played Mario Cart and cooked dinner. Later when the power went out, we put together puzzles, played cards, and told stories. We laughed so much that weekend! Thankfully, all Auburn got out of Ivan was a lot of wind and rain.
Also, I have been in a couple of snow storms, which are my absolute favorite! We have had snow the past three years in Auburn, and each one has made for a lot of fun (and mandatory days out of school :). One year, all of our friends met over at Halal Court to wait out the storm. Michael brought over his Nintendo 64, and needless to say, we had a great time. One year, we woke up on a Sunday morning to a blanket of snow covering everything. Steven and I drove his Jeep to First Baptist and worshipped the Lord while the snow continued to fall. After the service, we went over to his parents' house and made snow men with Conner and Katie. So much fun!
So, here's hoping that this hurricane goes on by and leaves no damage in its path. Maybe it will just be another fun weather experience to add to the list!
xoxo,
Ashley
I, Ashley McCulloch Meadows, am a total storm person. Since I have never been through anything majorly damaging or terrifying, I have had no reason thus far to be scared of storms. In all actuality, I have a lot of fond weather related memories...
When I was a little girl, I remember Mom and Dad packing us up in the van and taking us over to the MacPhees to ride out tornado warnings. I was always so excited to go because the MacPhees had a full basement in their house, which was full of toys, rollerblades, and games. We would spend hours down there, waiting until all the adults felt like the tornado had passed.
There were other times when there would be thunder and lightning so bad that it would knock the power out. All four of us kids would sleep in a huge pallet in the living room floor. We would gather up all the blankets in the house and throw them together for the ultimate "air mattress." I remember sitting up talking and laughing with Betsy, Whitney, and Taylor for hours, or until Dad yelled for us to go to sleep.
In college, I vividly remember Hurricane Ivan because me, Taylor, Steven, Austin, and Patrick hunkered down at their duplex and had a great hurricane party. When the power was on, we played Mario Cart and cooked dinner. Later when the power went out, we put together puzzles, played cards, and told stories. We laughed so much that weekend! Thankfully, all Auburn got out of Ivan was a lot of wind and rain.
Also, I have been in a couple of snow storms, which are my absolute favorite! We have had snow the past three years in Auburn, and each one has made for a lot of fun (and mandatory days out of school :). One year, all of our friends met over at Halal Court to wait out the storm. Michael brought over his Nintendo 64, and needless to say, we had a great time. One year, we woke up on a Sunday morning to a blanket of snow covering everything. Steven and I drove his Jeep to First Baptist and worshipped the Lord while the snow continued to fall. After the service, we went over to his parents' house and made snow men with Conner and Katie. So much fun!
So, here's hoping that this hurricane goes on by and leaves no damage in its path. Maybe it will just be another fun weather experience to add to the list!
xoxo,
Ashley
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Friends
Why should I still be surprised that God provides all of our needs. Like I've mentioned before, Steven and I were scared that we wouldn't be able to find friends since we are living in such a small community, but God provides.
Emily and I decided while we were on our way home from the WCHS game that we both needed a little girls day, so she picked me up Saturday morning, and we made our way to Baker's Square in downtown New Bern for breakfast. It is an Amish owned restaurant, and let me tell you, it was delicious. Emily ordered French toast and I got a gravy biscuit. Everything was so oversized that there was no way you could eat it all (well I could probably eat it all, but I would have been sick for the rest of the day).
After stuffing our faces, we made our way to Morehead City to go to a teacher's store called Teacher's Pet. Emily teaches 4th grade at one of the Elementary schools that feeds into WCHS, and I wish you could see her classroom. It is like a work of art. She and her husband, Brandon, spent a lot of time in her classroom this summer, and it definitely shows. Anyway, we both got a few things for our classrooms and made a quick trip to Target and Harris Teeter.
Some of you may be thinking, "Okay, the title of this blog says 'Friends', so get to it." So here it is...Emily has been an answered prayer of mine. I really enjoy hanging out with her. We are a lot alike, and enjoy a lot of the same things. It was a great day spent with a really good friend!
xoxo,
Ashley
Emily and I decided while we were on our way home from the WCHS game that we both needed a little girls day, so she picked me up Saturday morning, and we made our way to Baker's Square in downtown New Bern for breakfast. It is an Amish owned restaurant, and let me tell you, it was delicious. Emily ordered French toast and I got a gravy biscuit. Everything was so oversized that there was no way you could eat it all (well I could probably eat it all, but I would have been sick for the rest of the day).
After stuffing our faces, we made our way to Morehead City to go to a teacher's store called Teacher's Pet. Emily teaches 4th grade at one of the Elementary schools that feeds into WCHS, and I wish you could see her classroom. It is like a work of art. She and her husband, Brandon, spent a lot of time in her classroom this summer, and it definitely shows. Anyway, we both got a few things for our classrooms and made a quick trip to Target and Harris Teeter.
Some of you may be thinking, "Okay, the title of this blog says 'Friends', so get to it." So here it is...Emily has been an answered prayer of mine. I really enjoy hanging out with her. We are a lot alike, and enjoy a lot of the same things. It was a great day spent with a really good friend!
xoxo,
Ashley
My First Week at WCHS
I have had a great experience, so far, at WCHS. The teachers came back to school on the 19th, so we had four days to get everything ready for the students who returned on the 25th (Wednesday). I met so many nice people, who have been so warm and helpful to me. I feel so blessed to be able to work with so many friendly people.
Okay, so I admit it...I thought transitioning to another states course of study and teaching a different grade wouldn't be too much for me to handle. I arrogantly thought, "Oh, I've been doing this for three and a half years. I can figure all of this out in no time." Couln't have been more wrong. EVERYTHING is different from Alabama. The books they teach are different, the Writing Assessment test is different, and their expectations are very different. I spent the better part of last week at the school trying to figure out my curriculum and make a 90 day plan to turn in to administration. Now that it is almost completed, I feel much better about what I'm doing and SOOOO much more prepared.
I finally met my students on Wednesday, and I have to say, I am very pleased with everyone in my class. I mean, of course there are always going to be a few "Chatty Cathys", but all in all, they were very well behaved. I am looking forward to getting to know them much better over the coming months.
Steven and I went to our first WCHS Eagle football game with Emily and Brandon. We had a lot of fun hanging out and talking with them and all of my new teacher friends, but we got killed by New Bern High. New Bern High is a bigger school and in a different conference, but the rivalry is still bitter (much like my alma mater, LCHS vs. Hatton game). I felt bad for the boys and coaches because they really wanted to beat New Bern...there's always next year.
Overall, great week at WCHS! I'm excited about the rest of the semester!
Okay, so I admit it...I thought transitioning to another states course of study and teaching a different grade wouldn't be too much for me to handle. I arrogantly thought, "Oh, I've been doing this for three and a half years. I can figure all of this out in no time." Couln't have been more wrong. EVERYTHING is different from Alabama. The books they teach are different, the Writing Assessment test is different, and their expectations are very different. I spent the better part of last week at the school trying to figure out my curriculum and make a 90 day plan to turn in to administration. Now that it is almost completed, I feel much better about what I'm doing and SOOOO much more prepared.
I finally met my students on Wednesday, and I have to say, I am very pleased with everyone in my class. I mean, of course there are always going to be a few "Chatty Cathys", but all in all, they were very well behaved. I am looking forward to getting to know them much better over the coming months.
Steven and I went to our first WCHS Eagle football game with Emily and Brandon. We had a lot of fun hanging out and talking with them and all of my new teacher friends, but we got killed by New Bern High. New Bern High is a bigger school and in a different conference, but the rivalry is still bitter (much like my alma mater, LCHS vs. Hatton game). I felt bad for the boys and coaches because they really wanted to beat New Bern...there's always next year.
Overall, great week at WCHS! I'm excited about the rest of the semester!
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Last day...
Today is my last day off. I have had an especially long summer break this time around because in Alabama we got out of school May 21st. North Carolina kids didn't get out until June 12th, which means they don't come back to school until August 25th. I go in tomorrow for workdays and professional development. I will have four days to do a total renovation of my professional life and get everything in order.
I have enjoyed being off work, although I have found that the more I am off the more useless I become. Steven and I live in a small apartment right now, so there isn't much to keep clean. Bridget cooks all the time and never hesitates to invite us to join them. We don't have a yard to take care of or kids to play with (yet). Needless to say, I have had a lot of time to myself. I hope I haven't become too much of a loner.
I am nervous about tomorrow. I don't know anyone, but I am sure it will be a lot of fun. I have butterflies like I did when I first began teaching at OHS. Say a prayer for me. Anyway, I'm off to the school to get some owrk done and then to treat myself to a pedicure ;)
I have enjoyed being off work, although I have found that the more I am off the more useless I become. Steven and I live in a small apartment right now, so there isn't much to keep clean. Bridget cooks all the time and never hesitates to invite us to join them. We don't have a yard to take care of or kids to play with (yet). Needless to say, I have had a lot of time to myself. I hope I haven't become too much of a loner.
I am nervous about tomorrow. I don't know anyone, but I am sure it will be a lot of fun. I have butterflies like I did when I first began teaching at OHS. Say a prayer for me. Anyway, I'm off to the school to get some owrk done and then to treat myself to a pedicure ;)
Saturday, August 14, 2010
(an early) War Eagle!
Auburn football is less than a month a way. I wanted to pay tribute to this momentous occasion with a little picture diary of sorts. War Eagle!
Me and husband (not then, of course) opening game day 2006.
All of the girls waiting for the student gates to open (2008).
"Go big or go home!" (Opeining Game 2007)
LSU game with the girls (2008)
My two favorite Auburn fans (LSU 2008)!
Rolling Toomer's corner (2007)
Osborns + McCullochs = Auburn Family (2007)
Tailgating (2009)
Sue and I with the boys (2006)
Rolling Toomer's corner after beating Bama (2006).
The year of the thumb (2006).
Holdin' it down since 2002.
After beating Florida (2005).
"It's great to be an Auburn Tiger!"
Me and husband (not then, of course) opening game day 2006.
All of the girls waiting for the student gates to open (2008).
"Go big or go home!" (Opeining Game 2007)
LSU game with the girls (2008)
My two favorite Auburn doctors (Beat LSU game)!
My two favorite Auburn fans (LSU 2008)!
Rolling Toomer's corner (2007)
Osborns + McCullochs = Auburn Family (2007)
Tailgating (2009)
Sue and I with the boys (2006)
Rolling Toomer's corner after beating Bama (2006).
The year of the thumb (2006).
Holdin' it down since 2002.
After beating Florida (2005).
"It's great to be an Auburn Tiger!"
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