Waking Up With Facebook

When I was a little girl, I often had sleepover guests at my house. I could hardly wait for them to wake up in the morning so we could laugh and talk about our day. Now as an adult in the computer age, I log on to my email, then to Facebook to see what is going on in my friends' world. It has become part of my morning routine to see who is up and chatting each morning. Nothing has changed really, except geography. For now, instead of my friends being at my house for a sleepover, they are spread out all over the globe and we talk via the internet. That is pretty cool!

There is a small group of my close girlfriends spread out across the U. S. who lived with me in a dorm at Abilene Christian College. We began our email conversations long before Facebook was introduced to the internet world. Then, making the transition to the social community of Facebook was easy. I've found many more friends from college that I would not have ever heard from again if not for Facebook. One small group of people who be-friended me are some former students. These students were only in second grade when I taught them. Many of them are married with families and it is just so neat to see what they are doing as adults. Different from friends in college or former students, are friends I have made through our work with the Baytown Little Theater. Most of them are still here in Baytown, but some who have moved away are on my list of friends. It was through Facebook that I learned a theater family we mini- reunion. That should be a lot of fun. It is wonderful to catch up with friends we've not seen in a long while. Other groups of friends I have on Facebook include church friends, family, and former co-workers in the school system. Recently, I have started a search to find high school friends who I am anxious to find. All have touched my life in some way either big or small and now we are renewing friendships on Facebook. That is a large number of friends from all walks of life.

For me, opening my computer to see what is going on with my friends is a convenient way to stay in touch. When I am finished and need to get to work, I simply close my computer. I can pick it up or close it down any time during the day. What's more, I haven't had to stay on the telephone just to see how they are doing. I couldn't come close to connecting with as many people as I do through Facebook. For sure, phone conversations are nice to hear a real voice sometimes. For example, my husband is away this week and even though I've been able to keep up with his daily activities through Facebook nothing beat the times we talked on the telephone to really feel closer to him across the hundreds of miles between us. Yes, phones still have a very prominent place in our society for a personal conversation, but for brief updates, you can't beat Facebook. Well, that is unless you have Twitter, which I do not presently have an account. It's just a matter of time before I do and perhaps a new Blackberry. *wink*

Even though I rarely have sleepover friends anymore, it is nice to wake up and visit online. If you haven't joined Facebook yet, you should. Don't be afraid to browse the site like you would a department store. Type people's names in the search window and you might be surprised to find many of your friends. Friends who have just been waiting for you to wake up and give them an update. So, go ahead, get started and stay in touch with many more friends who have touched your life than you thought possible. What is really nice is you'll love being able to say Good Morning to 100 or so close friends without putting clean sheets on the bed.

What's on your mind?

Summer:Working as Water:Oil

As my mom used to say, "It's hotter than blue blazes out there." I just bet we could have actually fried an egg on the sidewalk today! Whew! I can't believe Kim worked in the yard on such a hot day. My cats are not even begging to go outside either. Well, okay, Baby thinks she wants outside, but as soon as she got out there, she'd know it wasn't the best decision. Yes, my cats make decisions, don't yours?

Fortunately, I have not had to be out in the heat today. I went to a school and gave tests for the school district. Four first grade children before lunch and only two fifth grade students after lunch. Not a bad gig really. I get paid to give tests to some pretty sweet kids. Those fifth graders worked hard today and finished one test with 9 subtests. It made me tired and all I did was operate the stopwatch and explain the tests. The first graders worked hard too. Their only disappointment was that the test started at 8:00 again tomorrow morning. I'm with them, 8 o'clock is way too early to wake up during summer vacation.

Finding summer work has really been a weighty task for me. When you think about it, I've never had what is considered a real 8:00-3:00, Monday through Friday summer job. I had a few part time jobs, but never full-time and certainly not all summer long. Besides those piddly jobs were back before I started teaching school. Those hardly count! Since I was a career student and teacher, I have enjoyed summer vacations off since I started first grade. That's a long standing habit and not easily changed. So, surely you can see why my will to muster up the energy to work during these dog days of summer is just not there. It's hot! I should be swimming in a pool, going on picnics or to places like Schlitterbahn or a nice beach house. If flip-flops can't be the official footwear for the job, I don't want it. Working in the summer? I don' think so.

Unfortunately, the bad news is that I really need to work. I don't want to, but finances being what they are, its something that has to be done. The testing I'm doing now will only last until Wednesday or Thursday if I stretch it out. After that, its back to beans and rice. Just joking! However, its on the verge of such low-budget meals. The 50-dollar question is, "What?" What can I do to earn money where I don't work long hours, nights, weekends or get bored? "Picky", you say? You are probably right, but I'm no spring chicken anymore and I need my R & R.

Well, I'll keep thinking on it and in the meantime, if you come up with an idea for me a job, please drop me a line on Facebook or leave a comment here. Oh, and it needs to be within the area where I live. I am not willing to relocate, unless its to Paradise where the living is easy and my flip-flops are allowed.

Happy Martin Father's Day! 2009

This post is simply a pictorial tribute to the Martin Dads past and present.

Down front is Jason Kelly Martin (10 months), with great-grandfather, Harold Kelly Martin, Sr., his son and Jason's grandfather, Harold Kelly Martin, Jr. with his son and Jason's dad, Harold Kelly Martin, III (Kim). (1977)








Kim with sons Jason (5 years), Kyle (3) and Ryan (9 months) . (1982).












Kelly and his son, Kim. (2007) Kelly and son, Lane Martin. (2009)



Kim with his sons, Ryan, Kyle and Jason with his son, Kim's grandson, Aidan Kelly Martin (4 years old). (2006)











Our son, Jason, with his daughter, Regan (4 years old) and with son, Aidan. (2008-09)





Steve Russell may not be a Martin, but he married Kim's sister, Ferryn Martin. Steve
pictured with children, Christian and Hannah.