Kinect Fun!

Rick got an X-Box Kinect for his birthday this year. While people are playing the game, random pictures are taken by the built in camera.

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KY Reading Journal Article

Several Shelby County students were featured on the front and back covers of Kentucky Reading Journal’s fall issue. This professional periodical is published by the Kentucky Reading Association and highlights research and best practice in the area of literacy. The theme for the fall issue is “Creative Expression through Literacy, Literature, and Reading.” My article is the first one in the issue and highlights book clubs I facilitated at Simpsonville Elementary School between 2007 and 2009.

If you click the title of this blog post, you will see a blurb about it on the Shelby County Public Schools website.

Deacon Ordination: October 17, 2010

Simpsonville Baptist Church

"Grilled Cheesus" Episode of Glee

"Glee," an incredibly popular phenomenon, recently explored spirituality on the third episode of this season. When Glee club member/Quarterback, Finn, sees an image of Jesus in his grilled cheese sandwich, he starts praying to what he calls "Grilled Cheesus." The Glee Club members end up sharing their individual spiritual beliefs, including Christianity, Judaism, Atheism, and a few mash-ups of other belief systems, as they attempt to deal with the sudden heart attack of Kurt's father.

My first response was shock at the sacrilegious nature of the theme, but I quickly realized that the episode gave me important insight on the types of beliefs in our world today. I am surrounded each day with people who have similar beliefs to my own. How can I ever know how to engage with and respond to those whose beliefs aren't my own?

One important scene was between Finn and Emma, the school guidance counselor. She doesn't make fun of Finn's vision of Jesus in the grilled cheese. Instead, she gives sound advice about the way God communicates with us. She explains away the bizarre coincidences that Finn was inappropriately attributing to God after he prayed to the "Grilled Cheesus." As Emma says, "God works in all kinds of mysterious ways, but I'm pretty sure he doesn't spend a lot time trying to speak to us through sandwiches."

Meanwhile, Kurt (who happens to be gay) visits a church service with fellow Glee Club member Mercedes. Mercedes sings in the choir of the all black congregation. She asks the congregation to pray for Kurt's dad and for Kurt. She acknowledges that Kurt doesn't believe in God and prayer, but she says, "Life is too hard to go through alone, without something to hold on to and without something that's sacred." Kurt is noticeably moved by the love and compassion and acceptance shown to him by the members of the church. A lady sitting next to him grabs his hand and another smiles at him from across the aisle -- love and compassion Kurt often doesn't receive in the secular world he encounters each day at school.

One of the final scenes is incredibly touching. Cheerleading Coach Sue Sylvester is visiting her older sister in the assisted living home. Janie has Down Syndrome. When the girls were young, Sue would pray to God to make her older sister better. Sue turned her back on God because he didn't answer her prayers. The following dialogue takes place while they play checkers:

Sue:"Do you believe in God, Janie?"
Janie: "Do you?"
Sue: "No, I don't."
Janie: "Why not?"
Sue: "Because when we were little girls, you were perfect in my eyes (Janie grins big here), and I watched the world be cruel to you."
Janie: "God never make mistakes. That's what I believe."
(Sue becomes visibly emotional.)
Janie: "Do you want me to pray for you, Sue?"
Sue nods, "Yeah, that would be nice," and chokes up.

Kurt doesn't change his stance on God by the end of the episode, but he does acknowledge that prayer is good and that the prayers his friends have offered up are good. Even ever stubborn Sue Sylvester realizes that God may be more real than she ever thought.

I almost didn't watch this episode of Glee, but now I'm glad I did. I'm glad for the insight into the many ways that others in our society think about God and religion and prayer. I'm glad for the encouragement to reach out to those who are different than I am and to never hesitate to pray for those around me, even when they don't know I'm doing it.


For a synopsis of the episode, click on the title of this blog post.

Dr. Holliday at Summer Library Conference

I'm a couple of months late in posting this, but I figured it's never too late to share important moments in the world of Kentucky school librarians. Kentucky's Commissioner of Education, Dr. Terry Holliday, spoke to school librarians from all across the state at one of our conferences in July. His encouraging words motivated us for the 2010-11 school year!

Click on the title of this post to go to TeacherTube to watch it.

And Dr. Holliday tweeted about it:

News Alert! 42 Year Old in Line for New Halo

Well, the fifth part of the Halo saga video game is released tonight at midnight. And my 42 year old husband will be in line with a friend at the local GameStop to get the game he's had on reserve for nearly three weeks. And what's amazing is that guys in their 40s are one of the biggest demographics for video games like Halo!

I guess I can't make fun of him too much -- I was the one standing in line when the second Halo came out since Rick had to work that night . . .

Good times.

Confessions of a Tourettic Mind

When I think about my friend Brian, I think about my early college years hanging out at the Baptist Student Union, double dating to see Journey in concert in Shreveport, spur of the moment camping, and laughing with someone who is wonderfully down to earth. In the pictures you see here, Brian is the one with red hair, a beard and a huge smile. One of the pictures is from that spur of the moment camping trip; the other is from a cookout at my parents' house in Louisiana before the big State Fair LA Tech vs. NLU game.

What doesn't come to mind when I think of Brian is Tourette's Syndrome. Because the group I hung out with never thought of Brian in terms of Tourette's, I naively assumed others didn't either. Unfortunately, Brian has encountered many, many folks throughout his life who have defined him and others by tics and shouts rather than by what's in their hearts.

Brian has begun a blog to express some of the frustrations he has experienced over the years dealing with others' reactions to his Tourette's. The blog is truthful, brutal, and eye-opening. If you have experienced Tourette's yourself or through a friend or family member, read Brian's blog.

(Click on the title of this post or on the link to the right under "Favorite blogs.")

Midnight Movie at 43?

I've been going to midnight movie premieres for a very long time. But, I tell you what, once I hit 40 years old, I started rethinking that whole idea! For some reason, I continue to push myself to be one of the first to see the latest movies. I just HAD to see the latest in the Twilight Saga last night. Of course, now I'm smarter with age -- I've learned to at least take the next day off from work.

The pictures here are Erin, Matt, Rick, and me at the 12:41 a.m. showing of "Eclipse" at Tinseltown in Louisville. There were at least a few more folks our age at this one than at the midnight showings of the first two Twilight movies, but the majority of attenders were still teenage girls.

Happy 20 Year Anniversary!

Scrapbooking design personalized with Smilebox

Super Hero Librarians!

Laura Younkin and I donned super hero capes to share a presentation with school librarians from Jefferson County Public Schools. With the "Wonder Woman" TV theme playing in the background, of course.

Hobnobbing

Karla and I (and several other friends from work) got to talk about education and health care and retirement with Lieutenant Governor Dan Mongiardo last week. He's running for U.S. Senate this year, so we were definitely interested in all of his comments. He seemed interested in what we had to say, too!

Happy Gotcha Day, Bessie!

Today is the 12 year anniversary of Bessie Mae's adoption. I sure do love this smart, stubborn, loving puppy dog!

Frankfort Flood

This picture shows the waterfront park area near my office building. I usually walk down the steps to the right and along a walking path. The watered covered area on the side of the trees closest to the front of the picture is normally a park area with picnic benches and a parking lot -- all completely submerged. If you look closely you can see the tip top of a park sign almost completely covered with flood waters.

New iPads!

-- Post From My iPad

Location:Kentucky 1747,Jefferson Northeast,United States

Customer Service?

Customer Service: _____ Publishers. Can I help you?

Me: Hi, my name is Kathy Mansfield, and I’m the textbook coordinator for the state of Kentucky. I noticed that our contact person from your company has retired, and I’d like to find out her replacement.

Customer Service: Which county?

Me: I’m the coordinator for the whole state, so I need to know the person who is the contact for your company for the whole state of Kentucky.

Customer Service: We don’t do things that way. What county?

Me: Well, we have lots of counties in Kentucky. I need to know the name of the person who handles the state contracts and bids so that I can get some information to him or her.

Customer Service: Ma’m, as I’ve said before, we don’t operate that way. You have to give me the name of a county. We have representatives for each county.

Me: I am the state textbook coordinator for Kentucky and represent all the counties in Kentucky.

Customer Service: Which county?

Me: The name of the previous person was ___________. Can you tell me who replaced her?

Customer Service: We do not have state representatives. We have reps for each county. Which county?

Me: Ummm, well, let’s see, I guess Jefferson County.

Customer Service: Elementary, middle, or high school?

Me: All grades. I am the state coordinator for all the textbooks for all the grades in the state of Kentucky.

Customer Service: We don’t operate that way. Elementary, middle, or high school?

Me: Ummm, I guess, high school?

Customer Service: The high school representative for Jefferson County is _____.

Me: Will he be able to give me the information I need for the state contracts and bids?

Customer Service: The high school representative for Jefferson County is _____.

Me: Okay, then.

Customer Service: Have a nice day.

Me: (heavy sigh)

Long Winter

“The fiddle moaned a deep, rushing undertone and wild notes flickered high above it, rising until they thinned away in nothingness, only to come wailing back, the same notes but not quite the same, as if they had been changed while out of hearing.” (pp. 119-120) The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder

I love the imagery from this sentence. A fierce blizzard has arrived, and Pa knows the magnitude of their situation as they brace themselves for the rest of a long winter. The description of Pa’s fiddle playing conveys the mood of the setting – the deep, rushing winds and wild snow bursts that bring uneasiness to the family.

We’ve had a snowier than usual winter here in Simpsonville, Kentucky. A fellow school librarian today mentioned that his school has missed 30 days already this year due to inclement weather. Even with the cold, snow, and ice we’ve experienced this winter, it pales in comparison to what the Ingalls family and their fellow settlers experienced out on the prairie. How did they manage in such dire situations? As I read this book for the first time, I am reminded of how grateful I am to have a strong, warm house, hot and cold running water, and all the other wonderful amenities of modern life.

Louisiana Cookin'

Rick has an article in the February/March 2010 issue of Louisiana Cookin' magazine. He wrote about smothered cooking in Louisiana. The article includes five recipes, including an original creation of Rick's.

More Snow!

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Let it Snow!

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Loving Laughter

This picture reminds me of how much fun my friends are and how important laughter is. Thank you to all my wonderful friends and family who keep me laughing!

The NLT and Me

Enter this contest from Tyndale Publishers by clicking HERE. Share your testimony about how the New Living Translation has impacted you, and you can win a prize!

Free Christmas Promotion From Tyndale Publishers

Click HERE to get your free copy!

Christmas at the Governor's Mansion

American Association of School Librarians Conference

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Autumn in Kentucky

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Daddy's Girl

Bessie loves to ride in the truck with Rick. This is one of my favorite pictures of her out running errands with her Daddy.

Note: You'll see Rick's travel Tabasco bottles. He keeps Tabasco with him at all times for any food opportunities that come his way.

Book Contract!

Rick signed his first book contract! He'll be writing a Bible reference book for Zondervan. Rick also has an article that will be published in the January issue of Louisiana Cooking.

I'm so proud of my writer husband!

Pitiful, Sad, Shameful, Scary (and a bit funny, too!)

Off to the Big City

When Rick visited my new office for the first time, we had to ride up the elevator to the 18th floor. As we rounded the corners to the elevators, Rick asked, "Which ones are the up elevators and which ones are the down elevators?"

I guess he's still standing there. I just walked away in embarrassment.

When Did We Lose Respect?

I have been amazed and appalled at all the uproar concerning President Obama's upcoming televised message to school children. Here in my own county in Kentucky, parents have been notified that they can send a note to their child's teacher if they don't want their child to listen to the President of the United States speak. Is he going to talk about the War in Iraq? No. How to be a good democrat? No. The debate over the death penalty? No. He is going to challenge school children to do well in school and to set goals for themselves. Wow. How controversial!

When did respect for the office of President of the United States go out of style? When did the novelty of hearing the President speak to school children lose its charm? I have never agreed 100% with any President, but I have always respected the office of President of the United States, and I will instill that same respect in my children.

Prayer Life?

I prayed to God each day;
I asked for many things:
"Bless my home, my job, my kids,
And help us live like kings."

I asked for help with money.
I asked for pain-free life.
I asked that as I go along
I never would see strife.

Then one day it hit me --
God has never said,
"Life is all carefree
And never filled with dread."

Instead the Bible says
That trials and grief will come,
And through those times we learn
All that God has truly done.

He gives me what I need
To tackle every foe;
He provides me strength and grace
To help me as I grow.

Now my prayers have changed --
Instead of "Give to me,"
I thank the Lord for life
And whatever it may bring.

It Takes a Village . . .

It takes an entire village, or in this case neighborhood, to raise a basset hound. When Bessie decides she's tired, she just plops down wherever she is -- someone's yard, middle of the road -- it just doesn't matter to her. AND she absolutely won't get up until she's darn well ready. Picking her up is not an option, not only because she weighs in at 65 pounds, but also because she screams bloody murder if anyone tries to pick her up. I've learned over the past 11.5 years to just stand or sit and wait the whole ordeal out. I find that it's a great time to catch up on phone chats or solitaire.

This morning I took Bessie for a walk. I didn't realize it was quite so warm outside, and Bessie soon decided she was hot and tired. As we slowly crept up the sidewalk, our neighbor Anissa hollered out, "Looks like a VERY leisurely, slow walk today." She was probably worrying about Bessie dropping right there in front of her driveway since they were packing up to head out somewhere. I urged Bessie forward. Then, PLOP, down she went in Mrs. Bishop's front yard. Mrs. Bishop soon pulled up in her car and commented on the sad state of affairs. I apologized and said that she was tired. "No problem, as long as she doesn't poop in the yard, she can stay as long as she needs to," commented our accommodating neighbor.

After we sat in Mrs. Bishop's yard long enough for her brother to unpack the entire car of his belongings, one by one, for an extended stay, I decided to recruit Rick's help. The following text exchange occurred:

Kathy: Bessie's pooped.
Rick: Where?
Kathy: Behind Stephanie's house.
Rick: She pooped behind Stephanie's house?
Kathy: NO. She IS pooped. Won't move. Come help!

While we waited on Rick, I decided to try coaxing Bessie as best I could. "Let's go home and see Daddy!"; "Do you want a cookie?"; "I'll race you home!"

Soon, neighbor Stephanie ventured outside. "Looks like Bessie is down for the count," she laughed. Rick walked up. Still Bessie stayed motionless in the cool grassy shade of Mrs. Bishop's house. Rick began the usual litany: "Let's go home!"; "Do you want a cookie?" Bessie just blinked at him. We decided to play "Where's Mommy." This is one of Bessie's favorite games. Mommy (me) hides behind a tree or behind a fence and Rick says, "Where's Mommy?" Then Bessie runs to look for me. Neighbor Stephanie looked on with amusement as I hid behind successive trees and patio fences while Rick yelled over and over again, "Where's Mommy?"

Still, Bessie remained unmoved. Neighbor Stephanie chimed in, "Bessie, don't you want to go home?" (I'm sure she was not happy about the Mansfield clan just hanging outside her back door for the entire day). It was time for the big tease. "Bessie, do you want a peanut butter sandwich?" This is Bessie's all time favorite treat. Her head lifted up a bit. She raised her eyebrows. Then she placed her head back down on her paws and yawned. By now, other neighbors were looking out windows and through screened doors to see how long the ordeal would last. (Although most of he neighborhood is used to seeing this weekly spectacle.)

Finally, we pulled out the big guns. "Bessie? Do you want to go home and play the light game with Mommy?" (The light game is Bessie's favorite -- chasing a laser light through the house. She never tires of it, but I knew she was already worn out and didn't need to run anymore). Well, up she rose quick as lightning! Stephanie just laughed in amazement. Bessie came running towards me like she was a puppy. She never slowed down as she happily trotted home, tail wagging, knowing she had once again proven her abilities to be in charge of the humans.

I guess it doesn't take an entire village/neighborhood to raise a dog after all. It just takes the promise of a laser light chase at home.

I Got to Meet Governor Collins!

Last night I had the honor of meeting former Kentucky Governor Martha Layne Collins. She was the first woman governor of Kentucky and is a Shelby County native. I teach in the same school system that she attended as a child. Our new high school has been named in her honor.

Vacation?

Even when Rick and I go home to Louisiana for our annual summer week and a half vacation, we seem to take our Kentucky hobbies with us. For me, it's American Idol for the X-Box. For Rick, it's cast iron cooking/grilling. We are so predictable.

Louisiana Grocery Shopping

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Preacher Rick!

Rick did a great job giving the message at Simpsonville Baptist Church this past Sunday. One member said on her way out of the service, "I could have sat here another 3 hours and taken notes!"

I think he did a fabulous job.

Flirting With NLT

Today the pastor flirted
With a little NLT.
It made the sermon real;
It spoke so much to me.

But then he shifted back
To old favorite: NIV.
The pastor ended up
Explaining words to me.

Why explain God's Word
When the explanation's here--
Waiting to be read
From NLT, the Truth made clear?

Adoption Update

The CCAA (China Center for Adoption Affairs) has updated their website to reflect that dossiers logged-in through April 30, 2007 have been through the review process.

What does that mean? Well, it doesn't mean that anything has sped up in the process, but it does mean that our dossier has moved from the "Reviewing Room" to the "Matching Room." We were logged-in April 16, 2007. Since dossiers logged-in through April 30, 2007, are through with the review process, that includes us!

How long will we be in the "Matching Room?" No one knows for sure. It could be up to three years or more. Rick is always optimistic that the process will speed up, though.

In the "Review Room" is where dossiers are translated from English to Chinese and reviewed by China adoption workers. All the recommendation letters, doctor reports, financial info, and other details about our life are looked at for any discrepancies. If everything is in order, then the dossier moves to the "Matching Room." This is the place where China adoption workers match couples to children. Lots of variables go into this part of the process, and wait times are very hard to predict. Our friends who were logged-in 9 months before us aren't even close to a referral . . .

I'm just glad we've moved one step closer to Elianna.

Who's a Nerd?

Happy Birthday, Ted??

For my 42nd birthday I expected my usual store bought, white cake, white icing, decorated birthday cake. I do so love them.

Ever the frugal economist, Rick found a good deal at the local market.

(sigh)