"The greatest test of courage on earth is to bear defeat without losing heart!" ~Robert Ingersoll~

My Mom picked Salem up at school today, since I was working. I called to check in with him, sometime after 3:30p.m. this afternoon. I had already heard the news that he didn't win in the election, but hadn't talked to him since I had dropped him off at school this morning.
I asked him if he was o.k, and this is what he said, "Of course I am o.k.!, I'm not even upset, because at least I can say I won as President once while being at W.C.M.S. and I have 4 more years to try it again at the high school!" I paused, with a lump in my throat, and told him I loved him "muchly" and would see him after I got off work.
I sat at my desk feeling a "proud Mom moment"come across my heart, knowing that he actually understands good sportsmanship:) Because, it's not about winning, it's about how much fun you have while playing the game:)

GOOD LUCK SALEM!!!

"The Speech for 8th grade Student Council President" by Salem Wanamaker


Every year that I have been in school, I have always strived to do my best. I didn't work hard just for a piece of paper on Awards Day, I worked hard to earn the respect of my parents, teachers, and friends. I have always tried to set a good example for those around me and be the best person I could be! I have always shone myself a responsible person and I know that it will take a very hard-working, determined person to take on the role of Class President.
For the last 3 years here at Warren County Middle School, I have worked hard to achieve goals both physically and academically. I have been an ACTIVE member of STUDENT COUNCIL, BETA, YOUTHACT, SCIENCE CLUB, TSA, PEP CLUB, AND M.T.S.U.-METS ---ALL 3 years here at W.C.M.S.! I have also accomplished being on the ALL "A'S" HONOR ROLL as well---heck I even made it through Ms. Southard's Algebra class last year---and to me, that's an accomplishment of it's own!!!haha:)
On a more serious note, I would be honored to be your 8th grade Class President. I want to use my leadership skills to represent you, my fellow classmates, our school, and our community! I will work just as hard for my student body, as I do for myself, and I promise to make your voices heard! Together, we CAN and WILL have the best class ever here at Warren County Middle School! And as we approach the beginning of an end here together, we can always have our laughs and memories---memories of us "LIVING ABOVE THE LINE IN 2009", and every now and then, WE CAN REMEMBER HOW GREAT WE WERE IN 2010!
So, tomorrow, Friday, August 28, 2009, remember to vote for the candidate who will be represent our 8th grade class. The candidate that is the MOST QUALIFIED, has the MOST LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE, and will guide us with pride---PIONEER PRIDE throughout our last year here at W.C.M.S.!!! I KNOW that I am that guy!!!---heck, I am the only guy in this race. haha:) so VOTE SALEM WANAMAKER, YOUR 8TH GRADE STUDENT COUNCIL PRESIDENT. THANK YOU AND GODSPEED:)


**Good Luck Salem--We love you:)**

Happy Birthday NANNY.....

Happy Birthday to my "MIL"---Brenda Wanamaker!

Hope you had a great day, Thanks for all you do!

We love you,

Love,

Terry, Paula, Salem, & Carter J. and Sophie Anne

MISS WARREN CO. SCHOLARSHIP PAGEANT.....

"QUEENS FOR A CURE" RELAY FOR LIFE Team presents the 4th Annual Miss Warren County Scholarship pageant. The event is scheduled for Saturday,October 24, 2009 at the Warren County Middle School Auditorium. Not only will one lucky lady be bestowed the crown, she will also receive a $500 scholarship!

All proceeds benefit our local RELAY FOR LIFE & The American Cancer Society.

Applications are available only at Kathy's Bridal & Gifts in the Plaza Shopping Center.

Reserved tickets will be available soon!!!

The reigning 2008 Miss Warren County, is the beautiful Miss Olivia Grace Majors. Other past winners include, Hannah Taylor and Lacy Pack.

For more information please contact Kathy Brewer at 931-473-7969.

(Photo used with permission by Dawn Winton Photography---Thanks Dawn:)

Happy Birthday GRANNYMA.....

Happy 83rd Birthday today to my beautiful, grandmother, Inez Stewart.

She is my hero, my mentor, and my best friend.
I love her more than words can say, and I hope she has the most wonderful day.

2 BIBLE Quotes to Ponder.....

" And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but TATTLERS also, and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not!"

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"Give, and it shall be given to you. For whatever measure you deal out to others, IT WILL be dealt to you in return!"

"Smokin in Mc Minnville".....

More like "Fryin' in Mc Minnville"!!!
It was extremely HOT yesterday, with temps reaching almost 100*!

Terry, Salem, & I were on a mission--- that being to pass out fans for my SIL, Darlene Bryant, who will be up for re-election in May for WC Trustee:) We stopped by Holly Medley's booth, who works for Darlene, and sampled some of their great chicken! Tommy really knows how to make a "mean" BBQ sauce---YUMMY:)

I also was thrilled to run into a beautiful friend, Miss Emily Hobbs & her mother, Margaret. Emily recently won the Miss Country Sunshine pageant, and will compete in June for the title of Miss Tennessee. She definitely is a ray of sunshine---always smiling:)

As we were leaving, we saw a beautiful chalk drawing on the pavement of George Washington. Whoever drew this is very talented. We had a good time, but I was so excited to get back to the car, with the good ol' AC on full blast:) On the way home, Terry said he was definitely entering the competition next year, and I do have to say, he can smoke some tasty ribs:) "Watch out Bobby Flay---here comes Terry T." haha;)

"You can FOOL some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can
not FOOL all of the people ALL OF THE TIME!!!"


~~Abraham Lincoln~~

LEADERSHIP MCMINNVILLE Class of 2009.....

These mouthwatering, MOLASSES cookies, were made especially for the LEADERSHIP MCMINNVILLE Class of 2009. Mayor Rone and W.C. Trustee Darlene Bryant, honored the class today at a luncheon sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce.
Thanks "D":)

CONGRATS:)

CORY MORRIS

I am soooooooo very proud of you on such a BIG accomplishment! I knew you could do it!!!

WAY TO GO!

Cherry CHEESECAKE Cupcakes...

I have to admit, this was a first for me! I have never attempted cheesecake, because I personally don't think I could ever make them--even remotely to compare--to Delores Bratcher & Doris Stephens's delicious cheesecakes!!! They are "The Bomb"!!!
But, I did try to make these cupcake cheesecakes, only for a very special request!
Paula Morris asked me to make two very special "gentlemen" a belated birthday surprise. Cody Deason & David Britton, both celebrated birthdays this past week, and they both, also LOVE cheesecake!

She even suggested, that if I didn't have time, that I could just use one of those cheesecake mixes you can buy in the store---O.K.---"Are you flippin' kidding me?" I don't think so!!! Everything I make, is totally, 100% made from scratch! I'm not one of those "out of the box" kind of bakers:) HOMEMADE to me, means totally homemade, not---made at home--that's a different story!!! So, I searched hi & low for the perfect recipe, and I found it.
When I finished, I boxed them up and delivered them to Ms. Paula's last night. I hope they enjoyed their birthday treats today from her & the entire Morris family. I know she loves them both very much!!!

"It's going to be a CRAZY CUPCAKE weekend!!!"

"AMEN.....What a letter!"

Below, is an email I received today from my Uncle Danny. After reading this, I thought I would share with all of you. I personally, commend Ms.Lyday for writing this letter.

This 4th grade teacher has said it all, and she was brave enough to attach her name to it.

April 17, 2009

The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington , DC 20500

Mr. Obama:
I have had it with you and your administration, sir. Your conduct on your recent trip overseas has convinced me that you are not an adequate representative of the United States of America collectively or of me personally.
You are so obsessed with appeasing the Europeans and the Muslim world that you have abdicated the responsibilities of the President of the United States of America . You are responsible to the citizens of the United States . You are not responsible to the peoples of any other country on earth.
I personally resent that you go around the world apologizing for the United States telling Europeans that we are arrogant and do not care about their status in the world. Sir, what do you think the First World War and the Second World War were all about if not the consideration of the peoples of Europe ? Are you brain dead? What do you think the Marshall Plan was all about? Do you not understand or know the history of the 20th century?
Where do you get off telling a Muslim country that the United States does not consider itself a Christian country? Have you not read the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution of the United States ? This country was founded on Judeo-Christian ethics and the principles governing this country, at least until you came along, come directly from this heritage. Do you not understand this?
Your bowing to the king of Saudi Arabia is an affront to all Americans. Our President does not bow down to anyone, let alone the king of Saudi Arabia .... You didn't show Great Britain , our best and one of our oldest allies, the respect they deserve yet you bow down to the king of Saudi Arabia .. How dare you, sir! How dare you!
You can't find the time to visit the graves of our greatest generation because you don't want to offend the Germans but make time to visit a mosque in Turkey ...... You offended our dead and every veteran when you give the Germans more respect than the people who saved the German people from themselves. What's the matter with you? I am convinced that you and the members of your administration have the historical and intellectual depth of a mud puddle and should be ashamed of yourselves, all of you...
You are so self-righteously offended by the big bankers and the American automobile manufacturers yet do nothing about the real thieves in this situation, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Frank, Franklin Raines, Jamie Gorelic, the Fannie Mae bonuses, and the Freddie Mac bonuses. What do you intend to do about them? Anything? I seriously doubt it.
What about the U.S. House members passing out $9.1 million in bonuses to their staff members on top of the $2.5 million in automatic pay raises that lawmakers gave themselves? I understand the average House aide got a 17% bonus. I took a 5% cut in my pay to save jobs with my employer. You haven't said anything about that. Who authorized that? I surely didn't!
Executives at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be receiving $210 million in bonuses over an eighteen-month period, that's $45 million more than the AIG bonuses. In fact, Fannie and Freddie executives have already been awarded $51 million not a bad take. Who authorized that and why haven't you expressed your outrage at thi s group who are largely responsible for the economic mess we have right now?
I resent that you take me and my fellow citizens as brain-dead and not caring about what you idiots do. We are watching what you are doing and we are getting increasingly fed up with all of you.
I also want you to know that I personally find just about everything you do and say to be offensive to every one of my sensibilities. I promise you that I will work tirelessly to see that you do not get a chance to spend two terms destroying my beautiful country.
Sincerely,
Every real American

P.S. I rarely ask that emails be 'passed around'.................PLEASE SEND THIS TO YOUR EMAIL LIST.......it's past time for all Americans to wake up!

Ms Kathleen Lyday
Fourth Grade Teacher,Grandview Elementary School
11470 Hwy . C
Hillsboro , MO 63050
(636) 944-3291 Phone
(636) 944-3870 Fax


This woman may lose her job for this letter. I believe we owe it to her for expressing the outrage that we feel but fail to address. Please pass this on.

"COMPLIMENTS".......

COMPLIMENTS are pouring in from all around, over this ADORABLE T-shirt, made exclusively for Pre-Pioneer Learning Center!!! Ms. Beth Deason & Ms. Paula Morris were "styling & profiling" today, at the system-wide teacher in-service:)
Word has it, KATHY'S BRIDAL & GIFTS, has it "going on" with this cute new font---LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT:)
Thanks to everyone who took time out from their lunch, to stop by and register at PPLC's giveaway. They had over 170 entries!!! Way to go girls---YOU ROCK!
Sherri Smith @ Irving College won the teachers tote from KATHY'S BRIDAL & GIFTS, and Linda Gann @ WCMS won the gift certificate from COOKIES BY PAULA. Congrats:)

My "bestest" BFF/SIS, Paula Morris, asked me to inform all of her readers out there in "blogger land", if you wish to leave her a comment or message (since her blog is currently under construction), please feel free to do so on my blog:) I miss her humor & uplifting words, especially her stories of just everyday life. But, for her betterment and for now, I will just have to talk to her on the phone every night---and day:)

TEACHER IN-SERVICE GIVEAWAY.....

Mrs. Beth Deason & Mrs. Paula Morris, both with PRE-PIONEER LEARNING CENTER, will be having a GIVEAWAY at tomorrow's system-wide teacher in-service at WCMS's cafeteria. Please stop by their booth and register to win a Monogrammed Teacher Tote from Kathy's Bridal & Gifts, and a gift certificate for 1 dozen cookies, of your choice, from cookies by Paula.

"Dear GOD, deliver us from Mondays!"

"BELATED BIRTHDAYS"......

When you have big families and lots of friends, especially on both sides, then of course you're gonna have LOTS OF BIRTHDAYS:)

Last week, not only did we celebrate Carter J's birthday, but we also had 3 more.....all within a week!!!

My "bestest" friend, Cherita Barnes-Murray, celebrated her birthday on July 21st. My nephew, Cody Durham celebrated his birthday on July 22nd.

And my "favorite twins", and cousins, Regan & Ramsey, celebrated theirs on July 24th.

So, with my new job, and the fact that I worked everyday from 8:30 until 6p.m., sometimes later, I want to wish all of them a very Happy & Belated Birthday:) I love you all so very much and I promise you will all get your gifts, and maybe some cookies too, if I can work that into my schedule:) Just kidding:)haha:)