Facts of Five and Activities...

If you are a new follower let me give details of Facts of Five. It was a model I used when I taught students with special needs in a self contained classroom. I presented a category such as ‘Five Cartoons’ or ‘Five flavors of Kool-aid’ and the students had to consider an idea that fit the group. It was fun and thought generating yet in the meantime, I was able to get to know what was important to my students.
So our category for today is five activities that have been occupying my time instead of blogging!

Okay, I’ll begin: I’ve been…

1.) …cleaning soil remnants off the sill and out of the tub since Angel-Kitty insists on hoeing and raking the dirt out of the plants! I have no desire to take a mud bath! and by the way, don't let the name fool ya~



yeah, UH-OH is right!

2.) …hanging out at the pool and racing down water slide to keep cool in 90+ degree heat. I love summer!

3.) …finalizing one school year and embarking upon another in year round school- so basically, I’m one STRESSED out teacher!!!

4.) …probing for disoriented seashells that Angel-Kitty is adamantly excavating out of the sand containers and hiding under throw rugs. FYI: she’s grounded for life- and perhaps ALL nine of them!

...a glimpse of what I come home to everyday!

...a good hiding spot, but then we step on the rug and the shells are crushed~

5.) …taking pleasure in my boy since he’s leaving for Boy Scout camp on Sunday and will be gone for an entire week-aka SEVEN nights and EIGHT days; UGH!

NOW do you understand why I’ve been absent? I thought you would…

"Doing nothing is better than being busy doing nothing."

by Lao Tzu

Got Books?

Hi folks,



Remember me? Hurricane? Yeah, I’m the cute golden retriever who is…well, cute! But I’m also charming and endearing and sweet—wouldn’t you agree?


Anyway, I’m writing to you because you expressed an interest in my book so I wanted to ask a favor. It may not be easy for Nee Nee to ask for help but truly I have no qualms about leaning all 75 lbs. of me against someone OR stepping on their feet to get attention. I also don’t hesitate to thrust my nuzzle under a hand, ANY hand so somebody will pat me.


Therefore, I have no hesitancy to ask you to buy my book. You know, I have only 20 copies yet to be ordered before my book goes to print. Isn’t that amazing? Just think, YOU could be just the purchase that puts me over the edge! But totally in a good way :)  I’m so excited I could just piddle on every fire hydrant.

Please help me out! Nee Nee said when the pre-sales reach 100; I could get a special bone, new doggy treats or perhaps a new toy. WOW! I’d love a new toy! or perhaps more ice cream?


So click on the website address: http://sbpra.com/tracyspaine/


When you are there you will see my beautiful picture; aren’t I handsome? I wrote a poem for you-want to hear it?

Order your book, or maybe two?

One for a gift and one for you!

Perhaps a grad or maybe Dad-

You’ll get a hug from Nee Nee, and a slurpy licky-lickie from ME!

Hee! Hee!!!

Thank you so much for helping me out.


Love,


Hurricane


P.S. Nee Nee apologizes for the high shipping and handling. She is one mad Mama over that but please don’t take it out on my Nee Nee! It wasn’t her fault! Actually they told her it was necessary to ship UPS Ground through the printing facility, otherwise there would be no tracking or insurance and, in the event there is a lost shipment, it can’t be traced or replaced. Okay, so now it makes sense.

Happy Father's Day??

“Little Tracy” appeared upon awakening yesterday, which coincidentally was Father’s Day.

I don’t like Father’s Day! I never have, and I probably never will-other than the fact I honor the wonderful father my husband is to our son; that is truly worth celebrating!

Therefore to honor the inner child, I made no comments on facebook regarding the significance of the day nor did I write a post addressing the date. In fact, I began reading and commenting on my bloggy friends’ posts prior to the uprising of angst, as a result I ceased.

Imagine standing in front of a multitude of cards at the Hallmark store attempting to choose a card with the basic intent of showering love, adoration and affection toward the male figure in your life.

Believe me when I tell you there are NO cards that say, ‘No thanks from me, your daughter-You were a HORRIBLE father!’ or perhaps a card using sarcasm, ‘Thanks for ruining my life; want to pay my therapy bills?’

This tumultuous relationship has over-shadowed and clouded countless interactions with men including that of the Heavenly Father. I remember attending church pleading and bargaining with God to let the drinking discontinue or the beatings subside. I begged Him to end ALL the wrongdoing just as He had calmed the mighty seas.

He didn’t! My anger in Him mirrored the tides with the continual ebbs and flows. However, thanks to obvious therapy and long conversations with pastor friends, Connie and Karen; the anger dissipated and my relationship with God has been transformed as a solid rock.

Which why on June, 19th-Father’s Day I rose to greet the sunlight hours, crabbiness and all to assure the child within by way of a silent prayer...

Thank you for this day to bid eternal praise for the many individuals

who acted as father figures all through my life.

Thank you for loving me even when I doubt your intentions and

harbor resentments toward you. In this, I ask for your forgiveness~

Thank you for a loving husband who is an affectionate and

devoted father to our son. Amen~

"An angry father is most cruel towards himself."

by Publilius Syrus

Hey, it's me, Angel-Kitty!

In view of the fact that I was up near the beginning of time this morning I got to the computer first; hee hee! But I wanted to notify you of the mighty-fine award my Nee Nee got for her blog the other day. It was so sweet!

Hah, and that’s what it was called; …the Irresistibly Sweet Blog Award! She received it from her bloggy friend Susan Fields over at well, Susan Fields. You should go check her out.

I understand that upon receiving this honor, Nee Nee is suppose to tell you seven things about herself but that is why I got on here because I want to contribute…this should be fine, right? You don't think she'll get mad at me, do you?  I promise to be nice because well, she does take care of me~

Okay, here we go…

1.) Nee Nee surveys where she places her feet when I am near, especially in the kitchen so she doesn’t squash my beautiful tail. Thanks Nee Nee!

2.) Daddy says Nee Nee can’t hang with the big dogs, whatever that means. All I know is at night when one and all are active; she and I cozy up on the couch under a soft blanket, close our eyes and go into restful slumber…ahhh!

3.) Nee Nee knows where EVERYTHING is…whenever anyone has misplaced or is unable to locate something, just ask her~ and you will find it! She locates my security string every morning and gives it to me!

4.) Nee Nee has a soft belly and a big lap which makes a superb dwelling for an inconsequential cat nap.

5.) Nee Nee has a saying I hear a lot; ‘Things happen for a reason.’ I guess that’s why I waited all alone in that tiny cage for two months with strange people gawking and poking their fingers in my face before Nee Nee and my family adopted me.

6.) Nee Nee talks so soft and gentle to me and never yells. She calls me ‘her baby’ and tells me I am so sweet; maybe I should have gotten this award along with my Nee Nee?

7.) Well, Hurricane may have grabbed the spotlight with his book deal and all that fancy-schmancy stuff, but I think I captured her heart.

Nee Nee is supposed to pass this award to her deserving bloggy friends but I know that she adores all her pals. I hear her say kind things about all of you and your posts, so I think I speak the truth when I say you are ALL are worthy of this scrumptious admiration.

So here’s to you, and you, and oh yes, YOU too!

Just some thoughts...

I don’t like change.

I feel very comfortable and content with the status quo. With the end of a school year approaching within twelve short days and the beginning of the year well within reach, I tend to get distracted and unfocused. Typically the repercussion of my distractibility tends to come out via mindless eating and bounding between activity to activity with modest steps forward in any productive direction.


Change brings forth my insecurities in the world around me that separates my heart from my head. I ‘know’ all is well. I ‘know’ I am loved. I ‘know’ I am strong. I ‘know' I am capable, however anticipated altering of my surroundings detach me from what I know transcending me to what I feel.

I feel insecure, I feel vulnerable and I feel anxious. I experience self-doubt and question my capabilities as a wife, a mother, a friend and a teacher; Does my husband still love me? Does my friend’s silence indicate distress by what I’ve said or not said? Did I balance time between my writing and my son?

I linger within this mind-set as a hummingbird hovers around nectar. Suddenly I tire of the conflict between the mind and the heart which necessitates a firm retort, accompanied by gentle clemency to allow myself to be fully human.

I remain still and allow the perfectionist qualities to release their strong hold on my existence. I breathe deep and recite the Serenity Prayer while slowly discharging unconstructive beliefs that cling like barnacles to the harbors of my mind.

“Change is the essence of life. Be willing to surrender what you are for what you could become.”

Grateful on this day...

…sixty seven…60 + 7…30 + 30 + 7 = yes, 67!!!

In my thrust to accomplish 100 pre-sales for my book-Life through the Eyes of a Hurricane: Doggie-Dog! I’m realizing the risk I’ve taken by putting myself ‘out there’ regardless of the immense fear of facing rejection are proving to be successful.

Can you believe it? Thirty- three away from my manuscript going into publication; being in print~ a published author, a writer! If you were one who has already purchased a book, I thank you from the deepest crevice of my heart. I truly do: Thank you-I am truly grateful!

So in the final move forward, I ask kindly: if you were one of the individuals that stated, ‘Yes! I will be purchasing a book!’ OR 'I need to do that, just haven't done it yet!' Please do it now. I am 1/3 of the way in reaching that destination of 100…by this time next week, I could possess the dubious honor to have that ‘Goal Reached!’ stamped beside my name on the print-out I receive from my publisher.

Then I’d do cartwheels down the street! …and you think I’m kidding!

“The more intensely we feel about an idea or a goal, the more assuredly the idea, buried deep in our subconscious, will direct us along the path to its fulfillment.”

By Earl Nightengale

Happy Anniversary~

June 10, 1995

Happy Anniversary on this day, to the man

I would marry yet again.

When asked to devote my book no doubt it would be

to the first love of my life, Scott-

who took an aching, bruised, and battered heart

and tenderly enveloped my spirit with care, love and

total devotion.

I’m certain it was demanding and at the least challenging

being a husband to me

filled with minute trust, hope and belief:

along with modest faith in the arrangement of holy matrimony.

But he persevered, and crawled

through the deep crevices and craters-

abraded the sharp and jagged edges and

collectively we ascended through the abyss.

I thank you, I praise you,

I adore you and I certainly love you!

Poetry of Old...

'Wilted Dreams'

I desired to grow a beautiful flower~

to be proud of it and say

'I did it myself!'

So one spring day,

I put a seed in the ground

and buried it in dirt.

I watered it and nurtured it

and finally saw a sprout.

On days that passed

it grew so big and

smelled so sweet and pleasant.

I hoped it would live forever.

Then one day

I went out to pick it

to put it in a vase,

but there I found

my flower

had wilted.

Hey, it's me, Angel-Kitty again...

Awww, Hurricane’s in Trouble…

Let me enlighten you with the actions yesterday at our house somewhere between 4:00 and 5:00am; how was I to discern it was a weekend? As a rule, since I AM the little sister, I don’t know these finer points in life quite yet because I’m still so young, you know? (That’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it!)

But Hurricane told me to pounce on the bed and sink my teeth into Daddy’s toes- therefore like all obedient little sisters; I do as I’m told. I did! And Daddy hollered at me to go away, ‘It’s the weekend!’

So sheepishly, I park myself on the windowsill and gaze at my birdie-friends. I observe as Dad sits up and rubs his eyes, and all of a sudden I hear this, ‘What the H-E- double hockey sticks!’ I can’t say those words or else I’ll get scolded so I hope I spelled that naughty word correctly.

Nee Nee wakes up of course and I need to investigate what Daddy is referring to and you’ll never believe what I spotted?

OH MY GOSH!!! Hurricane has patches of blue fur on his belly, on his paws, on his head…I giggle ‘cuz he looks silly! He has insignias of sapphire on the quilt, on the bathroom tile….

Then Daddy spots more, well spots…he follows the blue crumbs so to speak underneath the bed which is Hurricane’s hiding spot when he realizes he’s in trouble and sure enough, Daddy discovers the culprit—YEP, OH BOY! OH BOY! …a blue fountain ink pen! And it wasn’t in one piece!

Yes indeed! Hurricane had crushed that writing utensil to smithereens and ink blemishes covet the floor covering. So of course, Hurricane lunges below the surface to hide and becomes yet more immersed in fluid prior to sneaking out which dabs more territory of the room painting a canvas of cobalt.

AWWWW, can’t help but feel sorry for the guy…the tirade of attempting to unsoil the carpet, the bed, Hurricane took quite awhile with a great deal of mumbling underneath Daddy and NeeNee’s breath. Some of the words I didn’t understand but then you know what?

Hurricane is giving Daddy lickey-lickie’s on his face tattling it was MY fault because I hopped up on the night stand and lobbed it to the floor. Can you believe that? …ratted out by my own brother!

I AM SO MAD!! The nerve of him and to believe I felt sorry for him. At the moment I’m in hot water…

Daddy said Hurricane had a grand departing gift; azure smudges on his fur. Well, where’s my parting gift?!

Never mind…I think I’ll just hide up here to hide until the situation blows over.

Anyone want a new kitty? I'm really not any trouble~

Hey, It's me, Angel-Kitty!

Did you think I’d ever get back on this contraption? GeezLouise, I do declare! My brother Hurricane’s writing his memoirs and selling his book! Hurricane-this and Hurricane-that! I now see that being the baby of the family is truly going to impact my self-esteem and I have a gripe. Well, maybe not one, but two or maybe more: I'll keep you posted!


Hurricane walks through the neighborhood and people say things like ‘Oh Hurricane, you are such a handsome boy!’ and ‘Hurricane, you can always come home with us!’ Blah, blah, blah…

Well, take him home with you PLEASE so I can get some peace from all this mumble-jumble about Hurricane. Having an older brother who is quite the STUD is damaging to my self-worth. I have to fight for every morsel of attention and every toy I own; which really, I don’t have a lot.

Did I tell you about my security string? Well, I have these special strings that I just adore. I clutch them in my mouth very daintily, I might add- through the house and WHA-LAH, instant entertainment! Nee Nee and Daddy informed me that there is one in every room of the house and that should be good enough. But hey, Hurricane has an entire basket of toys which are strewn between each room. So why are MY strings such a problem?

I’ll tell you why…that dog steals my strings and does anybody care? NOoooo!

Nee Nee even put my next favorite toy; a wadded up piece of paper (yeah, I know-I have such expensive tastes in play things!) on the end of one of my strings and hurls it across the hardwood floors. I run after it and skate across the room on my bottom; what fun! I proceed to transport it back to her and the process begins again.

UNTIL Hurricane wants to join in and then he captures my string in his mouth and slobbers all over my paper and runs under the bed hiding: CHICKEN!

‘Dang-it Hurricane! Do you have to ruin everything?’

Brothers…I have one for sale if you want one! Perhaps I’ll give him to you for a string~