Sky Ranch Adventures

This is our second year to take our 5th graders to Sky Ranch for their outdoor education. I had a great time this year and loved getting to know my kids so much better. I love Sky Ranch for many reasons but one is that it is a Christian camp. During the school year they do not focus or push their Christian influence but the presence of God is definitely there. In the back of most cabins there is a fire pit and a large cross erected. They have also placed verses up on the walls in the cabins, meeting areas and various places throughout the camp.


My favorite verse that I saw was Philippians 4:8 "Finally brothers whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things."

The teachers dressed up one night for a live in the dark game of clue. This year I assumed the role of the cowgirl which my students thought was fitting since I have a barn in my classroom. As luck would have it, I did the crime out of all the characters!

Teachers were also the object of a friction, gravity, forces of nature experiment on the zip line. We dropped off of a 3 story structure all of the sake of science...my favorite!


The classes that the kids participated in while there were a fresh water study, an animal ecology, Native American (one of my new favorites) and forces in nature. We had great weather and the scenery was beautiful.

All 79 students that traveled to camp with us!

A Walk Down Memory Lane With Grandmother

I consider myself honored when I get to hear about my Grandmother's life. I often wonder what it would have been like to live in the 50's and sometimes feel that I was born in the wrong generation. Tonight she was gracious enough to share lots of details from her life.

Turns out she used to work in a sort of General Store named Hazwalds. Apparently this store sold wallpaper, paint, china, crystal, records and many other things. Brides would come in and register there! I have to say that I was a little shocked to hear that she enjoyed some of the music that they sold there and her favorites were in the "popular" section. One song that she named for me was Tennessee Waltz. I had to find this song to hear it!



Her next job was selling and applying Merrell Norman makeup! She applied masks, foundation, powder and "rouge" to faces! Who knew that she ever had her foot in direct sells. She went on to reveal that she loved the makeup and held a few parties.

She and Granddaddy decided that they were up to a change of scenery and moved to Austin. I don't know that I would ever picture Grandmother living in the very crazy city of Austin. They lived above a hardware store in a little apartment. Grandmother took up employment at Montgomery Wards doing an office job which didn't end up suiting her. Granddaddy worked for a short time at a grocery store and then moved onto a job repossessing cars.

I also got to hear about some intimidating police officers who made if very difficult for Grandmother to get her drivers license once Susan was starting school. She was not passed one time for driving too slow! Poor Grandmother! I love her to death, but yes this is something I can see her doing!

I feel like I have had a priceless picture of history and into the life of my favorite Grandmother!