Hello, Blog!

Three weeks? Three whole weeks. I'm sorry I've neglected you, Little Blog. I've had a busy three weeks. I've been consumed with things that took me away from you.

Since we last talked, I went to Granbury, Texas (a very cute town) and had Thanksgiving with some of Micah's family. It was a delicious feast. I quite like turkey. I have much to be grateful for. My heart is full. I am an immensely blessed person by none other than my Savior. I have the promise of everlasting life, a husband that loves me more than I can fathom, a family that surrounds us with love, friends that support us, Dodger who makes a frown turn upside down, and a job that reminds me that I love to learn and reminds me what a fortunate person I am.

Speaking of work, I have been teaching multiplication and division. Two and three digit multiplication and long division. I'm glad a two week Christmas break follows multiplication and division. Slow and steady wins the race. I have a sweet class that is working really hard.

Just a quick pop in to say, "Hello, I'm still here!"

Much love,

A Newsworthy Fieldtrip

First, thanks for the suggestions on the vacuum and toilet. I had Micah helping me with housework on Sunday and he also agrees that our vacuum has succumb to Dodger's hair. I suppose that will be on my wish list.

As for the title, last month my classroom kiddos and I, along with the other fourth grade teachers took a fieldtrip to Caprock Canyon. The point of the trip was to give them some memorable experiences to draw upon for the writing TAKS as well as integrating science, social studies and peer relations. I filled out a questionaire about our experiences, and we made it onto the PISD website. It was also submitted to the newspaper; I'm not certain that we will make it into the paper.

http://www.plainview.k12.tx.us/Portals/0/docs/jan.seago/News/Highland_Fishing.pdf

Much love,

Domestic Questions

Help! I have two domestic dilemmas.

My first problem is the vacuum cleaner. Mr. Dodger is quite the hairy thing and has basically ruined my vac cleaner that I bought just two years ago. I bought a new hose for it, but still it cannot handle the volume of hair that he sheds. I need to find a GREAT pet hair cleaner. Does anyone have a recommendation for a vacuum cleaner that you love? I'll also take recs for those you don't recommend because seriously, who wants to spend money on a vacuum cleaner only to have to break down after the first few passes...

Domestic problem #2 is the toilet. I clean it. Really, I do. It's been cleaned with comet and vinegar separately (we have serious hard water). It has this smell. This strange gaggy smell. I don't really want to leave anything in it like a drop in since Dodger occasionally likes to take a slurp out of the potty...desperate times calls for desperate measures, I suppose. Anyone else experience clean, yet smelly toliet in their homes?

Much love,

Week in Review

I have been quite lax in my posting lately. I'm really trying to think what to say...I mean really...I'm kinda at a loss.

a. Made delicious veggie-cheesy soup this week. Soooooo good! Micah even ate my leftovers...this is huge!

b. Went to the ophthalmologist this week. My prescription stayed the same, and I'm the same in both eyes...yeah for easy contact wearing!

c. Got my teacher evaluation back...always a relief to hear that I do not, in fact, stink at what I do. Kidding aside, I did well.

d. Dodger had to go the vet last weekend and is taking new drugs and food and seeming to feel considerably better!

e. The cotton was stripped this past week. I get kinda bummed when all that is left is the sticks. I really like the white sea of fluffy cotton.

f. I watched The Proposal this weekend. Cute movie. I am eyeing another Sandra Bullock movie that I want to see, Blind Side. I love a good heartwarming movie; at least that's what it seems like from the commercial.

g. Micah got his car back from the repair joint. Both cars fixed!!!

h. This week, on November 9 we will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the tearing down of the Berlin Wall. I remember being only seven years old and watching the wall come down. A boy at school brought a piece of the wall. Powerful words by President Ronald Reagan, "General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization: Come here to this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"

Much love,

My Salt Obsession

I crave salt. I really, really, really like salt...the good salt. My potato chip purchasing ways have been transformed after my Friday afternoon grocery store trip. I suppose when the house runs out of toilet paper, and then you begin looking around for Kleenex, of course, none and then you are scrambling to the kitchen for paper towels, none, and then you are resorting to option number four to "toilet paper" in the form or paper dinner napkins...you know it's time to head to the grocery store. And this disappearing toilet paper cycle using happens once every month before I go to the store. I never thought of the grocery store as a great shopping experience. It usually ends up that I have bought nothing and I spent too much. Well, I was tired and just grabbing stuff here and there trying to make it home to start the weekend and I grabbed Lay's Kettle Sea Salt and Cracked Pepper Chips...oh my, tasty! So very tasty! Enjoy!!!



Much love,

A Rough Week

I am tired. Really, really tired. I haven't known exactly how to describe my week this week so I've avoided writing all week. Tired, really tired, that's how I can describe it now. First, there was a tragedy that occurred with a student I taught in my very first group of kids. I found out through the grapevine, but it stuck with me and just made so sad for his family and young friends. And, how I remember those first few classes so vividly. Sometimes I see them around Lubbock and I think, it is so bizarre how old they seem. Aren't they suppose to be wearing braces and kid sizes still?

Then, a parent I had last year...a great parent, was put on the ventilator with either pneumonia or swine flu after having a baby a couple of days previously. Our whole school has been so concerned, but it really took me back to just a couple of years ago when my mom was in a very similar situation. Praise God for miracle babies and that she is off the ventilator as of last night.

On top of those things this week, I've just felt tired. The kind of tired that sleep isn't helping. I even looked at myself in the bathroom mirror one day at school and thought, tired. I really need to get "untired" because we have evaluations this next week.

Okay, I can't write a post like this without saying something good. Oooh, I picked up my refurbished settee and it looks great. Dodger's new dog food arrived that will hopefully help his allergies. I got a ton of grading done. The insurance check arrived to fix my car which is in the shop as we speak. See, lots of good things. Funny how it is easy to remember the unpleasant over the pleasant.

Much love,

Baby Love

"Oh baby love, my baby love, I need you, oh how I need you..." This part of the song (not so much the rest of it) describes how I get the hankering to see my nieces to get some good sugar, sweet hugs, and fun giggles.

My sweet Reece at 3.5 years old. She thinks she is a real life princess (hence the princess shoes that she wore all over town; she was a hit in the style category) . Her favorite things to say to me "You so funny, Aunt Tolby."


Baby Reagan is now hitting 3.5 months. She is a calm baby. Reece loves to tell people that that is her baby sister. Their car seats were side by side in the car to make room for me, and Reece was petting her while she was sleeping. I hope they grow up to be the best of friends.


Anywhere Dodger is, so is Reece. We had to go run off some energy. Although, that didn't really happen!


A visit north isn't quite complete without Daddy feeding us!


I had hugged, snuggled, wiped tears, cooed, and I was plum tuckered out so much I slept through church. I sure am glad I got my baby love quota in!

Much love,

October 15 is National Grouch Day

Are you a grouch? If so, you have your very own holiday tomorrow. I had no idea about this "holiday" until Mrs. Stephenson on my team came up with this journal entry for our kiddos tomorrow, "October 15 is National Grouch Day. List ten things that make you grouchy." I suppose, I'll kick off the list a day early.

Things that make me grouchy

1. Reaching in the refrigerator in the morning for a Coke, only to realize that there are none.
2. Poor customer service. If I am going to pay you, be on time and act professional.
3. Stubbing my toe on furniture.
4. Non-planners. I'm really bothered when I don't have a plan in advance.
5. My cell phone service company and the mortgage company both messing up our bills this month! I don't like paying double.
6. The overwhelming pile of grading on my desk
7. When people zoom past my on the highway, only to cut me off and slow down right in front of me.
8. The alarm. Both of them. Sadly, I set two alarms since I am quite the dreamer, and sometimes the sound of the alarm coincides with dreams and I don't know that I turned one off so I have to have a back up.
9. When the copy machine jams.
10. Negative Nellies...I think negative breeds negative...on that note, Happy Grouch Day!

Much love,

Wife of the Year Award out the window

Alright, believe it or not I yet again have had another poor spousal moment. I think that is putting it mildly. So here's the story.

I get home Friday from a field trip. The field trip is called Ag in a Bag. That means "agriculture." And, lots of it. Grains, corn, farm animals all set in a giant barn. Basically it's allergy attack waiting to happen trip for me. I drugged up with Zyrtec and Benadryl and was ready to go! The field trip was good, and I was able to breathe and felt much better than last year on the same trip. It was our first field trip of the year, and I just got nervous not knowing how my kiddos would do and of course, they were great. I had just had a crazy, long week where I felt like a hamster on a wheel and the wheel was spinning and I couldn't get off...ugh, I hate that feeling.

So, I came home and felt relieved to end the week. I get a call from a lady who has been refinishing our furniture that she would like to deliver it. I get excited to see the final product. She delivers the furniture and we have a nice chat with her and her husband. By this time, it is time to hop in the car and have dinner with the Holloways. I was excited to eat some of Mindy's food (I seriously want to be like her in the kitchen!) and have some good adult conversation aside from school chat!

Micah goes to pull his car out of the garage and I'm doing my usual obsessing about turning lights off when I open the garage and see him hands on heads, halfway down the driveway, car on car.

That's when the ranting begins. Lots of ranting. Apparently, I said a lots of words that I don't remember saying. Words I didn't think I actually said, but maybe I did. It's like all of my anxiety and stress from the week turned into a funnel of fury and this was my out. I could say whatever I wanted because I was tired and stressed and something bad just happened. I went big picture with it. You know what I mean. You don't do this, this, this and this. And another thing..... And while I'm at it..... I was a real "B" with a capital B. No doubt about it. I was so mad about what I perceived was going to happen that I couldn't see that we were both insured and it was an accident. Okay, so I took it so far as "Now we will never have kids!" Um, Colby...overreaction! So my mind went from car scratch to he doesn't want kids? Can I blame this on a mild case of raging hormonal imbalance?!?

Maybe this accident happened so that we pay more attention when we are actually on the road with others. So, no yummy dinner and funny conversation for us at the Holloways and their cute kids. No pumpkin patch the next day. All thanks to me and my fury. And, about 24 hours later, I could actually laugh about the unforunate incident.

Moral of the story. Stay away from me when I'm really fired up and mad. It doesn't happen very often, but I got a lot to say when I get cranked up. AND, accidents happen. See Micah, I believe in accidents.

P.S. Here was my Day 16 Reasons I love You: That we are now laughing about this little car matter. This little bitty tiny old car deal. So small. Pretty much didn’t scratch it

See, told you I didn't deserve Wife of the Year.

Much love,

Football and Church

Football and church. That is the story of autumn for me. Last Friday, we went to my first Plainview Bulldogs game. This game was homecoming...I do love some pageantry, if I say so myself. While I'm on the subject, Katie Rush was the bestest homecoming queen I have ever known...I still want to steal your crown!!! Sorry to digress. And, the game was against...ahem, the Mean Green Pampa Harvesters. Who lost. Who looked so sad loosing. I really hope that that was there traveling band and not their entire band. I just remember buying my spirit ribbon every Friday home game to wear at Travis Elementary, and then after Daddy was off work, he would pick me up and we'd go to the game together. I was just in awe of the cheerleaders and game traditions. I was so excited to be a Harvester one day. Little did I know that I would become a Sandie and love it, too. Thanks Jennifer for the tickets, and I'm glad her hubby got a win for his team! Her little daughter was all about Micah. All the girlies love them some Micah. Who could blame them? Tickle, tickle Micah!

Pulled out "Gumby" (the giant green rain poncho Mitch gave me to wear last year that I "forgot" to give back) for the Tech game. We had some pretty swanky seats thanks to Jason. We sat on the 40 yard line rows one and two right behind the benches. It was a different perspective seeing the team that close. And, yes, we got rained on. Ashlee, Micah and me all swaddled ourselves under "Gumby" at one point or another and at a couple of times, all of us were under it. I'm sure we were quite the sight for those above us. Ehh, who cares?!? It was a win for Tech. Not a glamorous, rah, rah, kinda win. More like, we've got to get better quick kinda win.

Sunday we went to church to find out one of the associate pastors had gone to be with Jesus. He was such a nice man who always had a warm greeting for us and knew our names. I remember one of the first times we visited he came by to say hello at one of the back pews in the church. I really admire people who are just very warm and welcoming to all. I really think it's becoming more and more lost as our society becomes more fast paced and self serving. Later that day, we attended a gospel performance by Happy Union Church at Wayland. I was toe tapping and wanting to join them on stage. We loved it! Sharon, you absolutely light up on stage singing!

And, lastly. My petunias were leggy and had to be tossed. The coleus wilted and now my pots by the door are baren. Even the potato vine was looking pathetic and had to go. But, my a couple of my mums returned from last year, and my geranimums are going strong!



Much love,

I will not be winning wife of the year...

Yesterday, after a very productive day, I came home with a horrible headache. One of those that pounds on top and goes down deep into the neck. Ick. I took some Tylenol. Barely touched it. Added some more Tylenol. Then, I went with the classic Benadryl...my seasonal allergy drug of choice. It must have had something to do with allergies because I was out. Apparently so out of it that I didn't wake up to notice that Micah was up all night sick. Sick. Sick. I didn't even know he was sick until today at 6:15 p.m. when I got home. Apparently, I did wake up and ask him why he couldn't stay in bed. Great. So now I'm rude in my sleep?!? He's told me that I talk about nonsense in my sleep, but now I'm just downright tacky.

To add to not winning the wife of the year award, he started sending me little reminders of why he loves me each day. Today' he wrote: Day 8 That you slept all the way through my NIGHT OF SICKNESS last night. I think it’s cute but I can’t believe how you did it.

Much love,

A Hole in One and Old Friends

Last weekend, Micah agreed to play in a charity golf tournament at the last minute. His team won the whole thing! Not only did they win the tournament, he also won closest to the pin on several holes and get this, hit a hole in one! His first hole in one! Micah is really very humble and probably has told very few people about this; he donated one of the big prizes back to the charity to be auctioned off at their gala. He sent me a text out of the golf course so excited and came home really ecstatic, too. You know though, it wasn't about the prizes...(although he did say he was a little bummed when the hole before was the 10,000 dollars cash prize for a hole in one...this one wasn't!) I think he most enjoyed this hole in one for all the years of playing golf for fun, then playing competitive golf and he went out there relaxed, and confident, doing something he loves and it just worked out. I think the timing made that shot more special for him. Maybe I'm making my little theory more than it really is, but maybe this is a life lesson for me about God's timing. I know that we can want something so badly it hurts, but I need to hold strong that God's time is the best and will make our desires so much sweeter to savor. I tease him that he is good at everything and he can generally top me at anything. I'll let him take his hole in one, but just know that I still am the ultimate thumb wrestling champion around this house, Bud. Congratulations, Micah John!

I've said old friends are like your favorite sweat pants. You feel comfortable in them. They are your favorites. You never throw them out. They are the ones you choose if everything is clean. You hang on it no matter what. A dear friend from high school flew in this weekend. I so enjoyed catching up with her and her sweet momma, Brenda. I feel comforted knowing I still have friends that anything they say or I say we already know about. There's truly something special about an old friend. And, Brenda, I'm so proud of your seven years cancer free...all October I will think of you and your brave fight! You are one of my personal heroes!

Micah also got to see some of his old friends this weekend. He flew down to Houston where he met up with Kevin and Sean to watch the Tech game. Yikes, not a pretty one. Nevertheless, I'm glad he got some good time with his old friends.

Here's to life lessons on a golf course and old friends...they both do something good for the heart.

Much love,

Autumn

Summer is my favorite season. Hands down. No question about it. And, no, it's not entirely because I have no work to report to. I love just about everything during summer, but I happen to like several things about fall. Here goes.

1. bright yellow mums
2. hay bales
3. pumpkins
4. turtlenecks (Micah totally makes fun of my turtlenecks...I happen to love a good turtleneck sweater!)
5. Pottery Barn catalogs with the Thanksgiving table all set up
6. wearing the new clothes that I bought at the end of summer for back to school
7. coats and cute scarfs (I'd rather not have to wear a coat, but I'd also like to have weather like Hawaii.)
8. Tech football games
9. turning on the floor heater in my car until my feet turn red
10.holly berries that come out our shrub

See, ten things I like about fall. Now, if I could somehow manage to wart off the time change and colder weather I'd be set!

Much love,

A List

No, I'm not on the "A" list of all the parties or celebrities...it's just a list. I'm reading There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom to my students after lunch. In the book, the main character, Bradley Chalkers, writes a lengthy list of topics in which to discuss with the new counselor at his school. First, I wish I would have a counselor to plop down on to discuss everything. Not that I have too much to discuss...and I have Micah who is quite a good listener. Secondly, I don't really have that much to say in terms of stories, but I always am thinking so here's my list, too.

Things on my mind as of 09/17/09

1. Today my mom is 54.
2. She started our phone call by singing to herself.
3. Then I finished the birthday song.
4. Maybe this is why I really like my birthday.
5. Tiny baby frogs
6. Dodger spits out tiny baby frogs.
7. Autumn
8. Mums returned from my planting last year!
9. Desperate for a haircut
10.Highlights, too
11.The movie The Game...strange
12.Fall returns our favorite television shows.
13. C'mon Tech surprise everyone
14. Win!
15. Ralph Lauren calf hair printed leopard shoes with an adorable ankle strap
16. Perfect fit bootcut jeans from Gap
17. Reece singing "I'm a Pin-cess" and playing on her keyboard
18. Laundry
19. Need to go get gas
20. Need to go the grocery store
21. Need to make whisper phone out of pvc pipe
22. Not handy
23. Need to make or buy privacy offices
24. Grading
25. Unfortunate incident on the playground today
26. Appeared to be used toilet paper
27. On my foot
28. I was wearing flip-flops.
29. Lysol
30. Sanitizer by my next door neighbor teacher who actually washed my feet...sainthood!
31. Left early.
32. To shower
33. More sanitizer
34. Now wearing socks
35. So gross
36. Scare therapy?
37. I hate germs.
38. Allergies
39. Cutting corn
40. Fridays.
41. Creepy birds who explode their nasty feathers in my lawn
42. Trying to brainstorm a hobby
43. Maybe I'll work on just being on improving what I'm already doing.
44. Joking with man with a gun on his hip
45. Great students
46. Impressionable children
47. Laughing
48. Lawn chairs in the grass
49. Starry nights
50. God is great!

Much love,

A Must Read

Through reading a friend's blog she had a link to Pioneer Woman blog. My first thought was if this is about retrieving eggs from a chickens or about how to make your own detergent, I'm out. Micah was in the other room watching college football and I was trying to find something to do with my time besides the things that needed to be done...like the papers I have neglected to grade...that are still in the car that I told Micah, make me grade papers...he clearly hasn't...good man. On Pioneer Woman's website, she writes her love story about her mid-twenties dating, shortly followed by her meeting her now husband. You have to read it. It's called From Black Heels to Tractor Wheels. It describes her life from a country club kid, going to college in LA and then winding up with a ruggedly handsome cowboy and planning life on a ranch with passion sprinkled in. I read the whole thing in my spare time in two days. It's good. Really good. It sucks you in, good. I make me laugh out loud, got me a little hot, and made me relate to those great phone calls and smelling the scent of Micah anywhere he had been after he had left. At one point, I walked into the living room where Micah was lounging on the couch and planted one on him. His response, "What kind a Fabio novel are you reading in there?" Find some time and read up!

http://thepioneerwoman.com/blog/category/black_heelstractor_wheels/the_night_i_met_marlboro_man

Much love,

September 11, 2009

Funny how September 11, 2001 seems not that long ago. In fact, I wrote on my board "09/09/09, cool huh?" Wednesday...wrote on my board today regular 'ole 09/10/09 and then nearly forgot tomorrow is September 11. Time has passed and I nearly forgot. Eight years ago, I never thought I would almost forget. How fortunate I feel that I almost forgot! Eight short years ago I was watching the Today Show getting ready for a Tuesday class in Holden Hall in my Stangel dorm room when the second plane crashed. I went ahead to class, but came back to my room and sat glued to my television trying to get through to my friend Laci who I worried about as she attended Columbia in NYC...phone lines down.

Thank you God for the freedom that we experience. Thank you for the safety that you have blessed our nation with. I pray for the families and friends of those who lost loved ones that day. I pray that you would comfort them. God, I thank you that I when I drive to school, go to the grocery store, attend church, that I never question my safety. I owe so much to our armed forces for protecting these freedoms. Bless them and their families. And, God bless America.

Much love,

Farewell white pants...

Ahh, Labor Day has come and gone for this year. My white pants will hang until Easter returns. My mom would always make us put away our white dress shoes in favor of black patent strap shoes as a child. As I was making my evening news article check, I found this interesting read. I had no idea the theory of traditionalists versus the upward mobility of the middle class who revolted against the notion as silly and unpractical. I suppose I'll just have to hunt for a pair of winter white pants, or cream...I cannot break the 'ole black patent shoe rule after Labor Day.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/20090908/us_time/08599192068400

Much love,

Texas Tech football season opener

After our own personal pep rally to fire up, we headed south for the season opener. I love the atmosphere on campus on a game day...the smell of cookers, all the Tech attire, fans from all generations and all walks of life...I love it. It was a slow start to the season, not what most predicted. Maybe slow and steady wins the race!

Watch for Tech in the commercial below...love the music!

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=280643080001&ref=nf#/video/video.php?v=280643080001

Much love,

Shades of gray

I'm still pondering on a discussion I was having Saturday before the game. It started by nonchalantly talking about the upcoming gubernatorial race. There is no such thing as a perfect canidate because there is no such thing as a perfect person. Micah points to single topic voting. Am I a single topic voter? Are there some issues that inherently trump others? Who is the moral police? Are Democrats more for the poor? Are Republicans more Christian? Hogwash. Sometimes the media and individuals on the far side of party lines try to paint these pictures. Then, Micah and I had to go act on a "hot tip" birthday present idea and the conversation continued in the car. He pointed how could I be against the death penatly, but still vote for a candidate that was for it all while I can't vote for someone who is for abortion. So, this has me thinking still today. Seeing the big picture can be hard. I must include that Micah and I banter and somewhat pester each other on political discussion all while having eerily similiar leanings (we are nerdy and took a lenghty political test and literally scored within tenths of each other). Wasn't right/wrong, good/evil so much easier when we children. Now, I see in shades of gray. And, aren't shades of gray hard to figure?

Much love,

Time flies

a. I was teaching about the census today. The last census was taken in 2000 when I graduated high school. I remember Micah telling me about his job as a census enumerator when we were first dating. The kids I teach were still babies at that time. Time flies.
b. Speaking of time flying...the kids I starting teaching 5 years ago are now seniors in high school. They will be in college next year. College doesn't seem that far away for me. It's just bizarre. Again, time flies.
c. We will have lived in Plainview 2 years in a few months. I still say we are new to town. Time flies.
d. My hair was last cut at the beginning of the summer and has now grown several inches longer and probably out width wise, too. My next appointment is at the end of September...I need my hair to cooperate for the next 29 days until my hairdresser can make it back from surgery.
e. I was in a store today when the shoplifting alarm by the door went off. The store manager ran out to try to catch them. I didn't notice a thing. I should be more aware.
f. I played kickball today and then I smell like recess.
g. I'm still super tired everyday. Yea three day weekend. I miss sleeping in and no makeup, hair, or shoes days!
h. I got off the phone with my niece Reece, she tells me almost everytime we talk, "Aunt Tolby, you are funny. Where you are? (yes, I typed it right...where you are) Where Dodder? Where Micah?" Then, we sing our ABC's, but tonight we went with Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. I love my sweet Reece!
i. I'm excited to have Micah home after he went on a golfing trip for the weekend. I'm glad he goes and does boys activities, but I sure love when he comes home to me! He played some fun courses and caught a Cowboys/49ers game in the new stadium (even though he is a pretty serious Packers fan). Dodger and I did some serious resting and cleaning to catch up this weekend.

Much love,

Three new laws to note

Be careful! I was reading today's Plainview Daily Herald newspaper and there are three new laws that we all need to be aware of that start on Tuesday...obviously that state is putting a grace period for some cases.

1. Regardless of location in a vehicle, each passenger must wear a seatbelt as of this Tuesday.

2. All children under age 8 must be in an approved safety seat, unless they are taller than 4 foot, 9 inches. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, "Law enforcement officers may only enforce the new changes in the law with written or verbal warnings until June 1, 2010." After that officers can either arrest violators or issue a citation. The fine for a first violation is $25 and $250 for future citations.

3. It will become illegal to "use a wireless communication device in a school zone unless the vehicle is stopped or a hands-free device is used."

Good laws. Happy law abiding!

Much love,

Happy Weekend Friends

Saturday, oh, Saturday...you are my friend! I really am excited about Saturday, if you can't tell. I was tuckered out after all the hub-bub of the first week of school. I even went to a girls night last night and stayed up after midnight after the first week of school. This is huge! My friend Kim looked over at me in disbelief that I was still there past 10 P.M. It was fun...a little homemade pizza (which my pizza stone is looking like it's been used 1.0 times now!), delicious desserts, and wedding albums to pass around all while wearing pj's. Thanks Mindy for hosting us...a great time was had by all. I brought one of the desserts, and I thought I'd give out my recipe. It is actually my granny's recipe and it was a favorite (I have lots of favorites in the sweet department!) of mine growing up. The name of the recipe is Better than Sex Cake...growing up I did not know this...we called it Party Cake...when I was older my granny laughed and told me the "real" name of the cake. As I was checking out Paula Deen's recipes, she has a recipe almost identical to my granny's. If only she would have opened Lady and the Granddaughter...

1 box of yellow cake mix (bake according to the package)
1 box of French vanilla pudding (make according to the package)
1 large can of crushed pineapple
2 large bananas
Lemon juice
1 cup of sugar
coconut for topping
whipped topping (I go cool whip...otherwise you can mix 1.5 cups of heavy cream and 1/3 cup of sugar until stiff).

Bake cake according to directions. While the cake is baking, combine pineapple and sugar together until boiling. Poke holes in cake. Then, pour pineapple mixture atop cake (I drain a little of the excessive liquid off). Let cool. Make pudding according to the box. Pour pudding on top of cooled cake. Cut 2 bananas into thin slices and soak in lemon juice. Arrange bananas on top of the pudding mixture. Top with whipped topping. Toast coconut. Decorate the top with toasted coconut. Cover cake and put in refrigerator until cool. Prepare to enjoy!

Happy Weekending to you all!

Much love,

Could I be any more tired?

It's Thursday night which means tomorrow is Friday! I'm so tired. The first week just wears me out. I use the Harry Wong method of practicing procedures, repetition, repetition, repetition. I like things to work like a well oiled machine. My voice has been scratchy at the end of the day and my feet, oh my aching feet! I have a truly delightful class this year...I'm excited to see all the neat, fun things I can teach them this year. Don't you love teaching kids that you seriously would love to bring home! My 4th grade team decided to wear either matching or color coordinated gear all week...so far we've worn the same green top, teal, black and white, pink and orange and tomorrow we are wearing our school tees with ties to honor our p.e. coach (on Fridays he often wears his shorts with a tie!). Anything to keep it lively and fun! Oh, and I have bought a GREAT pencil sharpener. If school supplies excite you like they do me go buy the X-Acto heavy duty sharpener. It has revolutionized my sharpening ways! Okay...that's all I got. I will try not to only post about school, but really that's the language I speak from August-May. Maybe I should find a hobby or two to branch out?

Much love,

Year 5

Today I started my fifth first day as a teacher. On the upside, no one vomited this year on the first day! On the upside, I wasn't naive enough to wear heels...I went with flip flops! However, I think I talked more today than I did all summer long. I desperately needed a coke when I got home. My face sorta hurts from all that smiling I did, too. The kids and I should sleep really well tonight. They looked half kaput at the end of the day...can't say I blame them. They seem like a very sweet bunch! Okay, short and sweet. I'm tired. Night, night. Yes, I realize it's 8:18. School hath begun.

Much love,

The alarm clock sounds

I miss not waking up to an alarm clock. Aren't alarm clock sounds so unnerving...even if you set it on rain or the waves noise setting...it's just not so peaceful before 7 in the morn! I don't have much to report other than I work and work some more and it feels good to have a clue about school.

Besides work here's what I got:

a. I need to find a way to get on Who Wants to be a Millionaire?...I know lots of useless and useful info. I think I could do pretty well!
b. There are two songs that are annoying to me on the radio..."God is great, beer is good and people are crazy..." and "She was rockin’ the beer gut and I love the way she’s not ashamed
Rockin’ the beer gut well it’s just some extra love around her waist..." This are two examples of what were they thinking and what are they talking about?!? Cringe worthy.
c. I have got to find something else to eat besides Smart Ones and Lean Cuisine for lunch when school starts...after years of eating the same things everyday, my palette is tired...suggestions welcomed!
d. Real shoes hurt my feel....I'm rocking a pretty sweet boo boo from breaking in new shoes. Too bad it's not 85 year round...year round flip flops!
e. Micah is sickly in bed tonight with a sore throat. Poor thing. He has a really sad looking puppy dog expression when he is sick. I think he could be on a medicine commercial.
f. Oprah is going to interview Whitney Houston...so I read! I love Miss Whitney and her version of the Star Spangled Banner even in a windsuit!!!

Much love,

Week 1

Man, time flies! I felt like I hopped on one those things they have in airports that speed up walking (I clearly am at a loss for the correct term) last week. I kicked it into high gear after hanging out in neutral for the last two months! I had a couple of inservice days I had to attend, but thankfully it was nothing too painstaking. Dare, I say that it was interesting. There, I said it. I am having a great time getting more organized this year. I can fill up a trash can fast! I found stuff in my closets that have been around since the days of the TAAS test...hello trash. We had registration on Friday and we had a really great day. I met some of my children. I am looking forward to getting to know them and seeing all of their potential ooze out!

Just a note to brag on my baby, Dodger Malouf. We took him for his annual shots Saturday and he was well behaved. He did jump up on the bench to sit in between Mommy and Daddy (remember, he thinks he's human because we have treated him as such), but learned that wasn't "cool" because all the other dogs sat on the floor. When we got back to the room all by himself, guess where he jumped? The bench made for people. Then, the vet came in and said that if she knew she could get a Jack Russell to look like Dodger she would get one. Again, I say, isn't he so handsome?

I have a WORKING cell phone again. I can't promise that I can work it...yet. It rings and has a screen. What more can I ask for?

Much love,

Goodbye Summer

Where did it go? Seems like not too long ago I was sitting in the same chair that I sit in now writing about my first year as an elementary school teacher. And, wow, what an experience it was! I've been up to school to uncover and rearrange my room a bit, but the staff was still waxing the floors and the janitors closet had moved into my room so tomorrow I will go and have a big work day sprucing up the space!

I also have a dentist appointment tomorrow and I'm really nervous. Thankfully, they squeezed me in and since I traveled to Houston for the math conference, I am not required to come to all of the meetings this week!!! I had been meaning to get in, but just kept putting it off. I had this wonderful dentist growing up. One of my earliest memories was being in excruciating pain and having to have an after hours root canal. I remember it was around Christmas time since his toy train decorations were out in front of his office. So, confession...I haven't had my teeth cleaned in two years. The last time I was in the dentist office, I split the back of my pants and showed my tail to the whole office while cashing out. Maybe that's why I haven't been back! I remember going back to school and at the lunch table the next day, I asked if anyone had noticed my rear hanging out of my black pants. Thankfully, I had not being standing in front of 13 year old children teaching with my posterior exposed! I must go do some extra maintence before my 7:50 AM (seriously, I haven't seen that time in a while!) appointment. Gross.

And, lastly, I should NEVER make fun of Micah's upgrading his phone. My screen went dead. Followed by my phone going dead 7/8 times you turn it on. I now am giving up old faithful because she has failed me. Sad, sad. The good news is that I got a new one for free. Phones are not something I like to spend money on. I prefer to spend mine on the electrician that is coming tomorrow to install the new entry fixture! Woo hoo, goodbye tacky, faux crystal brass thing!

And, I just read where Brooks and Dunn are splitting apart. Seriously. Boo!!! They have to keep making music. They provide for much entertainment for our car concerts during road trips. I really should film one of them. It's pure bliss.

Off to floss.

Much love,

We've been missing out

After Micah received his I phone today and played with the "apps" he proclaimed that "we've been missing out." Does my phone ring? Does my phone not break every couple of months? And, is my phone probably considered the most basic, free phone out there these days...probably. I'm not missing out. But, I will admit that it does look pretty snazzy. I'm just not one to spend on electronics and toys...it's not my thing. Which does prompt me to think...if I wanted to run out and buy something...what would I choose to buy?

a. I can always buy stuff for the house. I like to nest. I like to feel comfortable. Home goods excited me.
b. I really would love to buy a Paula Deen cookbook. I can't decide which one, though. Maybe I need a collection? I like my arteries unclogged. I'll start with one.
c. Okay, here's some technology. I would like to buy speakers for the I Pod so I can play music I found on I tunes for my school kids. Micah walked by and said we could find those at Wal-Mart. I will be performing my rap tunes in a matter of weeks. Tickets are limited, but it will be quite a show!
d. Microdembrasion. At my teary doctors office visit, the facialist came in to discuss this procedure ...not covered by insurance and kinda pricey on top that I would have to leave work early, keep coming back. It is supposed to help fine lines, redness, age spots and smooth skin. Sounds dreamy.
e. Teeth whitening. One of the first things I noticed about Micah were his pretty teeth. I have a teeth whitening custom tray, but I would like to have some more gel.

That's it. I was even stretching it with the teeth whitening gel. The school supplies are on the shelves. I've already cried. I just really like summer. I like warm weather. I like decompressing. I like not wearing shoes. I like snuggling with Dodger. I like lounging. I have been going up to my classroom to start working on my classroom. I'm pretty sore after moving heavy file cabinets and my desk around. At least, I'm not moving into a new school hauling boxes up stairs!

Much love,

Sunday night thoughts

1. This is my last full week of summer. Where did it go??????????????
2. On a bright note, I get to go back to school and will actually have a clue as to how this year should go! I wish there was a different title on this news article, but Highland along with many of the other elementary campuses were rated Exemplary this past year!!!
http://www.myplainview.com/articles/2009/07/31/breaking_news/286803dh_xml.txt
3. I wonder if Army Wives is a new episode tonight.
4. I'm into making my own yogurt parfaits lately for breakfast and a healthy snack. I get vanilla low-fat yogurt, frozen mixed berries (let thaw and add a smidge of water and sugar substitute) and grape nuts. So good! The yogurt also helps makes the cereal less crunchy...I use it instead of milk so I get my dairy when I eat cereal!
5. We had healthy snack time during TAKS week and I've rediscovered string cheese! I like Sargento's low fat mozzarella!
6. I hopped in Micah's car this week and discovered he had cut out a picture of me and put it by his gauges. I do love him!
7. This week I found some very snazzy deals shopping. My best find was an Ann Taylor jacket orginally $249 marked down to $29.99. I also bought some patent leather Barbie pink shoes with an extra 40% off at Dillards!
8. I've been stalking Gap for their new perfect fit (not a lowrise!) bootcut jeans...they haven't come in yet, but I want to try them on.
9. I had a small breakdown in the dermatologists office this week. My face is has been breaking out and after the doctor told me that for the time being there wasn't much he could do (on a bright note, he said we could "bomb" yes, I said "bomb" my face with medicine at a later time), I began to tear up. I actually began crying after he left the room, into the parking lot, went to Taco Villa for comfort, cried in the parking lot eating a bean burrito with extra cheese, shopped for comfort, called Micah and cried some more. Carly Simon's Your So Vain might be written for me...
10.Today's sermon was a series of construtive spirits...kindness. Good message. Kindness is love acted out.

Much love,

2-7

July 30 was my 27th birthday. I'm looking forward to a great year. I love my birthday. It was a GREAT day. I got lots of online messages, calls, texts and presents...thank you all...you know how to make a girl feel loved! Here's how I celebrated...

Clearly, I have no shame and decided to be the focus of our chalkboard table.


Put a pink dress on because it is my favorite color! This was taken later on in the evening...do I look tired?!?


Micah took my mom, Karli, Reece, and Reagan to lunch at Tokyo (it's where they cook in front of you). I chose it because I thought Reece would have fun watching them cook. Think again. She screamed, "FIRE!" And ran. I ate with a three year old on my lap assuring her there would be no more fire. Here's what Reece and I didn't finish that became yesterday's lunch.


Let there be cake. Karli made me a strawberry cake with cream cheese icing. Then, the girls and I played. Reece decided to water my grass so yet again (she came over last week and did the same thing) she stripped down naked and ran around with the water hose and her Dora umbrella over her head. I should've had my camera...it was a moment to savor!


Micah's card. He knows my feelings towards cats....grrrrrrrrrrrrr. He told me Dodger picked it out. Oh, it sang "Happy Birthday" with cats meowing!


Besides a very nice gift certificate to my favorite shop in town and Home Depot for my entry light fixture, he knows my love for toffee and he loaded my gift sack full!


My mom got the dining room changes going with this chandelier I've had my eye on for quite a while! Mitch hung it (the poor thing...it was really heavy and a challenge to get up there!) when they were here last weekend! I like to go into the yard at night and see it illuminating the house!


And, a little something for my classroom!


I've already found the spot for this cross that Karli found that matches my decor marvelously.

I also received a very nice giftcard to Ulta from my in-laws. Have you been in? Wow...so many fun things, I spent quite a long time perusing the shelves. I was on a mission for a blow dryer...still looking, but ended up with a face mask and a curling iron (so desperately needed as mine was in sad shape).

Then, the day was over and my heart felt full, but I wanted one more thing to complete my day...a late night run!


And while we were out, might as well rent a girly movie to boot. I watched it the next day as it was late...not great, not bad...just cute!


God has blessed me with wonderful friends and family. Thank you all for a very special birthday!

Much love,