Time has truly gotten away from me as far as this 'blogging' goes. I'm just not very good at finding time to sit down each day or even once a week for that matter to update our lives. I am envious of those of you that do, but really there just aren't enough hours in the day.
Anyway, since my last post we've celebrated Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years and now into Mardi Gras. Well, in my life Mardi Gras is a season...not so much in the 'part of the world' that I live in, but whatever. I have an AWESOME Mardi Gras wreath on my door, made for me by my pal Shannon Hand Roundtree. She has started her own business 'Wreaths for all Occasions' and was kind enough to donate one to the silent auction at Tunica Academy and when I saw her Mardi Gras wreaths, I HAD to have one. I'm sure most people passing my house wonder what those strange masks are on my front door, but just like before...'whatever'.
You might be able to tell from my tone that I am just a bit out of sorts today. Not that anyone is really reading this with my 3 'followers' but if I may just take a moment to 'vent', I would be ever so appreciative.
This year I took on the task of PTA Treasurer. I did it because I TRULY wanted to be more involved with the school and feel like I was 'doing something' to help. I've loved getting to know the teachers and administration and I've been in contact with parents that I would probably not have met had I not been in this position. I've loved it...really, for the most part, I have. HERE is my gripe though. Our school has SEVERAL fund raisers throughout the year that require LOTS of volunteer support in addition to monetary donations. Well, in spite of the 'recession' we have been very pleased with the outcome on the money side. I am so disappointed to say though, the volunteer support is less than satisfactory and I would even venture to say unacceptable. I grew up in a small school, so I am aware of what it takes to be 'successful' and keep things running smoothly. My mother was always 'available' for any task that she was called on to do whether she was working or not. I learned that from her and I am happy to say that I am making every attempt to be the same way.
At Tunica Academy this year, here is what I've experienced that aggrivates me to no end. People who volunteer to take on a task and then either half-heartedly do it and barely complete it if they complete it at all. Those who complain to anyone and everyone that will listen about the way things are done, yet they never lift a finger to help do ANYTHING. OR...those same people who can not understand doing something DIFFERENT and lose thier minds about it, but still never offer to even help do it the old way.
I have my faults, I'll be the first to admit that! I procrastinate like crazy, but I honestly get things done 'under the gun' better than starting a month early and then losing track of what I'm doing. I'm aware of that 'flaw' though and take that into account when I have a task to handle. I'll accept critcism for how I do things...I may not like it, but I'll take it and then I will try to do better next time. So, with that said, criticize me all you want...I'm a big girl.
As in most small schools, there are the same handful of people that do ALL the work ALL of the time. In our case, I've noticed this year that we are even short of a 'handful'. (Props here though to those who worked on the Big Blue Blash...lots of work went in and it was a GREAT event. STILL lots of those who said 'I'll help, I'll help'...and never saw them again, but I can't complain much on that event at all) It's time for some folks to STEP UP TO THE PLATE though. There are people that help and 'do' and have been for 20+ years. They are tired...they are OVER IT and I don't blame them. There are over 200 students attending TA and I can say without hesitation that we have less than 1/3 of the support of the parents of those students. When PTA meetings consist of 5-6 of the SAME Teachers and MAYBE 3 parents...THREE?!?!?!?! What's the point? I keep asking myself that question and my answer is this...
I grew up in a school that I can now appreciate. Sure, there were politics and things that should have been done differently at times, but for the most part it was and is done right. Parents were and are involved in their children's lives. The school RUNS because of volunteers NOT looking for recognition, but looking to improve their children's education and day to day lives. At Tunica Academy THAT is what needs to be in the forefront of every parent's thought. YOUR CHILDREN!!!! What is the alternative if this school ceases to exist? Even though that has almost come to reality in the past, I really don't think people have SERIOUSLY considered the ramifications of that. In Tunica you have ONE other school to choose from or you will drive 30+ miles one way to another school or you will have to find a school that will bus your child to and from. NONE of those options are what I want for myself or my child.
The answer is...we have no choice. If you are a parent, then GET INVOLVED before you condemn or complain about the way things are done. If you are a parent, GET INVOLVED before you blame teachers or admistration. If you are a parent, GET INVOLVED before you judge other people for being involved. If you are a parent...BE A PARENT!!!
Imagine our suprise going to bed with a forcast for 'possibly some light flurries' and waking up to nearly 4-5 inches of snow!!! This was a few weeks ago, of course, and I'm OVER the cold weather now, but Webb had a BLAST! Tony, Holland and Dobbs came to pick us up that morning and we all went to the levee, where there were probably 20 children and their parents sledding. 'Mr. Tom' brought hot chocolate for everyone, which was REALLY enjoyed because it was FREEZING!!! John Allen joined us after he went to work for a while and took a little trip down the hill once or twice with Webb, which was pretty funny if I do say so myself. 
The crew, Webb,Dobbs, Anne Lawton and Maddie Kate, flew down the levee many, many times and enjoyed every second! I was pretty impressed with Webb towing the sled back up the hill for the girls (almost every time). The rest of the day was spent thawing out and lots of indoor activites...mostly electronic. Webb got a Wii and a Nintendo DSi for Christmas and I'm not terribly proud to say that he is a bit addicted to both, but VERY good at both, as well. As clumsy as he is, his hand-eye coordination is AMAZING on both of those games. 
