Thanksgiving

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! We did. We loved spending time with our families. We had Thanksgiving with my Grandma last Sunday and I have no pictures from that- sorry! It was delicious, trust me. I guess I couldn't hold a camera and shovel in all that food- there's my excuse! Here are some pictures to share from our other Thanksgiving activities! Love you all.

A Talbott tradition: Gingerbread House- Making after Thanksgiving breakfast!

Mommommy's Monkeys!

Cole made Twizzler shingles...

Cole on his first hunting expedition! They didn't see any doves, but he said he had fun anyway.
Squirrel hunting on Thanksgiving- no luck then, either!

We had a delicious meal at Grandma Pam's- Aunt Carrie makes the best Potato Casserole!

Reese and Parker at Corey's track.

Dalton Report

Y'all love some dressing! It took the top spot in the poll by a huge margin! Looking forward to my grandma's this weekend..

All is well here. Reese is running for school secretary and the election is coming up next week. Say a prayer for him.

Also say a prayer for my student, Shyheim. He went to visit his daddy in prison this past Friday. He told me all about it today and he is very sad. He told me all about the new tattoo his dad got with Shyheim's name on it. His dad has 19 years to go, and I want you to pray for that family. The holidays are not happy for everyone.


Brandy and I had a wonderful time in Asheville this past weekend. I loved the tour of Biltmore even though it was super cold. The weather cooperated, at least, and the rain held off for us to get into the house and then to our car. We had snow there Sunday morning!! I even got to see Matthew's band play Friday night! Brandy loved their music but not the "lead screamer". That is a common reaction. We had delicious sushi and Thai at Stir Fry Cafe and some good pasta and wraps at a downtown restaurant which I can't remember right now.. (Maybe Brandy will comment and name it.) We also had a great buffet at the Deer Park restaurant at Biltmore. We saw the new James Bond movie Saturday night because Brandy said nobody ever goes with her to the movies and she hadn't seen one in the theatre since the first Pirates of the Carribean!! However, I was a terrible date because I fell asleep about 12 times so I'm sure I drooled and/or snored beside her.



You know, it is so special to keep a friend your whole life. You know each other so well -you don't have to explain yourself, because they pretty much have you all figured out. Hanging out together after all of these years, it feels exactly the same! We had so much fun, just without the trouble we used to get into:) And if I may say so, I think we look better than we did in our high school pictures!!

useless information

So, here's a midweek report...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HOLLY!!!!!!!

Some of you were concerned about the boys' living conditions after I put up the new picture heading. Don't worry, they love their new barracks in the basement, and I give them plenty of bread and water ;)

Cole and Reese had dental work yesterday; Reese had cavities filled and Cole had a rogue tooth pulled. We were there for about three hours! True earned a trip to the dollar store for that.

Afterwards, we came home and watched Superman II (1982). Actually, only True watched the whole movie- everyone else napped for at least part of it! It wasn't the best day off since it involved pain and suffering for some, but I enjoyed having so much quiet time with all three of my boys.

Now that soccer is over, we have so much more free time. I love it! Barry will be done with classes in about a month, and I only have two more recording sessions left! Our whirlwind will die down a little, I guess.

I took Cole and Reese to see The Sound of Music at High Point Theatre Sunday. Hmm. It wasn't that great. The singing was excellent. The acting...wasn't. Also, the guy playing Capt. VOn Trapp was neither handsome or a good performer. It was a little disappointing! Especially since we paid MONEY to see it. I felt like I was watching Danville Little Theatre! These performers are amateur, also, but they have a state of the art theatre and a reputation for high quality shows. I guess I expected too much.

We went to see a flamenco trio at the Tate Street Coffee House Saturday, and THAT was cool. You guys have to go there with me: coffee and free live music every weekend. DOn't worry, it's not always flamenco!

Saturday, we had a dance lesson with Caroline so that I could learn more foxtrot and some Viennese waltz. Oh, it was so hard! I am so used to doing the Latin dances now, and it's way different. After waltzing so quickly in circles I was truly dizzy!! We have to put something together for the Adult Choir musical at church, and the music dictates that it be these dances, but I wish it could just be swing!

I'm going to Ashville this weekend with Brandy, so I'm pretty excited about that time away. We're going to Biltmore; I haven't been there since I was little. Wait, that was Chinqua-Penn. Mom, have I ever even been to Biltmore??? Can't remember.

I know, what a boring post!

The Dalton Report

All is well here and I hope it is well with you!

Let's see...news...

1. Cole's soccer team won the Championship! That was exciting. He played great defense.

2. Report cards came home this week: all A's and B's. I took the boys to Mimi's Cafe to celebrate, and they thought it was cool.

3. I am finished with one song for my cd and I'm still working on two others. Hopefully, we'll finish those on Tuesday and move on. I'm on track and everything's on schedule, but it's harder than I thought! Having my voice played back in my ear while I'm singing is throwing my timing and I have hated the results on the first few cuts. So, I keep working!

4. Barry made an A on his Technology test and a 93 on his math test this week! He is doing so great.

5. Speaking of my sweetheart, he has a very bad cold and could barely speak yesterday from the chest congestion.

6. Pray for one of my students, "T". This is the situation:

Yesterday, when I unlocked my classroom, I saw a note she had pushed underneath my door. I assumed it was the usual "why I don't have my homework" letter and picked it up. Now, this student is a tough girl. The kind that doesn't get bullied or intimidated, the kind that doesn't bother anybody but has the other girls' respect because they know she could take them on two at a time, if she wanted to. Actually, she's kind of like Annie in that way (you know, Little Orphan Annie?). It's a strange comparison in my environment, I know, but she really has that kind of tough persona. She also is constantly getting sent out of class for mouthing at teachers.

She was in my class last year, but I don't have her this year. She was good for me and never showed me disrespect, but she didn't exactly give me smiles and hugs, either. I tell you all of this to explain why, when I read her note, I panicked. It said, " Dear Ms. Dalton, I need to talk to you about something that is bothering me. I don't know who else to talk to and it's been bothering me for a long time."

Since I know her not to be intimidated by other children, I ruled out a common "she called me a name and took my boyfriend" scenario. It must be serious if she came to me, a teacher she doesn't even have anymore. I immediately worried that she was pregnant. I couldn't think of what else it could be.

During class change, I saw her and motioned her over. I asked her if she could come to my room at lunch, but she just started talking right there, crying as she whispered, "I want to talk to my Daddy. He hasn't seen me since I was two. My momma told me he took off, but my cousin saw him at Fox and Hound ( local restaurant) and told me. Can you please call him, Ms. Dalton and tell him I want to see him? Tell him to come and see me at school. I just want to talk to my Daddy."

Of course, you know that I could not get involved. I prayed for her, hugged her, and told her I would think it over. Before I left yesterday afternoon, I told her that I had referred her to our school counselor and gave her half of my Hershey bar. It was all I could do.

I realize that there is always more to the story than a child realizes. Maybe her father is the scum of the earth. Maybe there is a restraining order, or he's lost his visitation rights- I don't know. I do know this- she is hurting. She, like so many other children in this world, is the victim of somebody's bad decisions. I thought of my boys and the pain they have suffered. Then I thanked God that they are able to have the peace we have managed to salvage and I felt assured that I am doing the right thing by allowing contact and accessability. It may not be possible for T's mother, and I know that, but I also know that bitterness and anger cause many children to be used as pawns, weapons, and prizes.

Please pray for T. as she struggles though whatever her family situation is. She is at a dangerous age when she needs so much attention and affirmation. What she doesn't get from a father figure, she may seek from a relationship with a boy with disastrous results. Her mother is going to be called in and free counseling will be provided for them both as they work out the issue.

The Dalton Report

Good Morning!

Check later for more Halloween pics- sorry! I'm sure that's what everyone expected the day after Halloween, but our camera was dead so we have to get pics from Mom & Dad's camera.

The meeting at the studio went great and I start recording on Monday! I'm excited and no longer nervous. I'm doing my favorite thing with people who know what they're doing and I couldn't be happier.

We had so much fun last night! We went to Danville, hung out with Mom and Dad, went trick -or- treating in our old neighborhood, and went to Kristen's Annual Halloween Bash. We couldn't miss that- a family tradition that involves lots of food, children, and screaming!

Cole's play was wonderful and he was amazing. He was, truly, the very best one. I am so proud of him!

Reese's team lost the championship, but, as a consolation prize, I let him stay up that night until 9:45. He and I got under the covers in my bed and watched Dancing With the Stars and ate cotton candy (thanks, Vera!!). Somehow, that made it all better.

True went to the pumpkin patch Thursday, but he couldn't bring a pumpkin home because the small ones were all frozen!

This week was stupid busy!!! I am so tired and ready for a break. I have an optional work day Monday, of which I think I'll take half, and Tuesday I'm off!

Barry and I will be dancing in our church's Christmas musical. Yes, that's right, DANCING!! Hey, it was the preacher's wife who had the idea. There is a song in the musical that is a nostalgic look back at Christmas music past, sort of a 40's theme. SO, we'll be doing a little swing, a little foxtrot, a little waltz. Please come and see us- December 14 through the 17- if you can.

Miss everyone!