UPDATE FROM ERIC

Hey!

I'm still here. I just have not been online in ages. When school is in session it tends to keep me busier than I like to be. Over the summer, I spent time with the boys playing games and all. I have not taken a grad school class since summer '06 and that's usually about the only reason I get online. So, what am I doning online now? - I'm taking another class so have to be online for that. I do like reading about everyone, just don't have much time to do it (school is back in session - just finished our first week).

I'm only teaching one class this year, but am editing and piloting a new text book being published by A Beka Book, our publishing company - the largest publisher of Christian school text books in the world - check them out online. For the piloting process I have to also write all tests and quizzes as well as the curriculum day-by-day guide - so, it will be another busy year besides all of my other usual school activities.

I'm sorry I have never gotten a picture to you of our latest arrival (Keith - born last December.) He too has added to our business here around home. I don't have a scanner or a digital camera, but - I think I may be able to scan some pictures up at the University C-lab since I am back to taking classes - I'll check it out up there next time I'm up there.

Oh, the yearbook was dedicated to me at school last spring - that was a nice surprise.

Well, the boys are in grade 3, 1, K5 and Keith is 8 mo. old.

Mommy is doing well and me - wow, I'm almost 45 years old - hard to believe.

Not a lot else to tell, I will not be quite so scarce at lest for the next 3 months since I'm taking a class and will be online frequently with that (I just hope I have time to sleep - the dumb class doesn't even start until 8/30 and I already had to read one book and have 4 chapters due in another.

Gotta go, see ya,

Eric (Collins)

Hey Carron,

I finally did get caught up just this morning. School keeps coming - quizzes and tests to grade - they just don't stop. I've got a slower than usual weekend with only two quizzes to grade but I do have lesson plans to write for a new text book (geometry) that we are using this year. I have to stay a couple of weeks ahead for that to coordinate test and quiz plans with the other geometry teacher.

The boys are playing video games so I came in here to read emails. I also checked the blog site and enjoyed some of that. This computer is for ever slow - but the dial-up is free through my UWF connection - can't beat the price.

We finally got some new picts of the boys - I just need to get them scanned. Other than staying busy at school, all is going well here - only 6 weeks until the new kid is due. We still have not decided on a name - we are bad about agreeing on names - two of the boys didn't get their names until 24 hours after they were born. I guess we are too picky - I think we did OK though: Neil Clayton, Ty Landon, and Cole Steadman. The neat thing is that they meanings are similar:"champion/from the farm" (or "clay pit" depending on the namebook you look at), "sovereign/from the open grassy meadow", and "triumphant one/who grows up on a farm". The names are also not abbreviateble (something Tammy wanted).

Well, we've set a hard pattern to follow. I hear from my parents that it has snowed up there already. We are enjoying mid-to upper 60's temps in the AM and 70's to 80's mid-day. We have had a couple of mornings in the 50's, but that is pretty rare here this time of year. We do get temps in the 30's and 40's in January - occassionally we get snow, but that is very rare.

Brian Z. and I have had a couple of emails, but have not gotten together (my fault with school keeping me on the run). My father-in-law tells me that if you keep the mule pulling the plow too much sooner or later he just quits and goes to the barn - he always has some funny way of making his point - he is really a great guy other than the fact that he is married to my mother-in-law - that story is the usual mother-in-law thing.

We usually don't have breakfast on Sat. - everyone sleeps in then we eat a late brunch (actually my sleep-in time today was 6:30am.) Anyway, the boys are saying they are hungry and want me to fix something (mommy let's that be my job on Sat.) so I need to go feed three little tummy's. How does bacon, eggs, and pancakes sound - Ty (5) says he doesn't want pancakes - he wants eggs, grits, gravy and ommlettes (?sp).

Thanks for all of your work in coordinating communication and the web site.

Eric (Collins)

Hey Carron,

I finally got a few minutes to work on reading emails - sent off a couple to Brian. I know all of us appreciate you taking time to post stuff to all of us. I have gotten more emails from you in the past 2 months than I have (other than at work) for the past 3 years. I'm not use to it and my computer is old and poky slow. I am still not caught up - probably won't have time to read more until next weekend but have been reading every line. I had not heard about Phil - that is really sad.

Well, I need to go grade some quizzes - teacher's bane! I hate grading papers and study and prep for class gets old, but it all falls out of sight and mind for the joy of standing in front of a class of kids and teach them the stuff. Do you remember geometry with Mr. Fearing? It's hard to believe

I have been teaching it myself now for 20 years!

Eric (Collins)

Wow, stick a subpoena in Eric's pocket and he can go as Karl Rove for Halloween.

TOM H.

(Ok, I am seriously laughing some ass off here!)

Hello, y'all!!

*Below is an e-mail from Eric Collins. Oh, gosh, can you imagine his horror when he opened his e-mail after a MONTH and saw all the updates and e-mails from classmates? How funny is that?? I am attaching a picture of Eric and his beautiful family. It was scanned on my home scanner, so it is not the best, but I have had a lot of people ask about Eric, so I wanted to include the photo he sent me with his reunion information. He and his wife are expecting their fourth child soon!!

*It was a slow news day. That's all I have. I did exchange a few e-mails with Maribeth, but nothing so important it requires posting.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Take care ~

Carron
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Carron,
Hey. I haven't been online in about a month - once school starts time flys.
I jumped on here tonight as I was looking for an update for a math program - checked email and wow - I've got for pages of stuff to catch up on - I see onin the list from Brian - will try to get to that soon.
I did get in touch with Scott over in Iraq - also forwarded his address to my sister - Scott worked with for several years at United Fire and Casualty in CR - her and several others there wanted to email him.
I will try to get some picts to you - I don't have a scanner so will have toget with a friend. Can't do so this weekend - have two tests to grade and adumb bulletin board to put up - oh, I have to make it first too. I have not had to do bulletin boards in years but am being video taped (geometry) for home schoolers to use - so I have to contribute to the room visuals - I have to do one bulletin board a month so at least I have time to get it ready.
I'm also going on a class outing with the junior class Friday evening for a few hours - they'll do football, and a bunch of kid stuff followed by sandwiches, chips, soft drinks, and dessert treats.

I'm not taking a class for my lates degree this fall so that is why I'm not online much - I'll try to work through your emails over then next week or two if I can now that I know they are there.

Gotta go - I was supposed to go kiss the boys goodnight but I think they may have already dozed off - if Ty (5) is still awake he will want me to snuggle with him for a while.

See ya,

Eric