Our weekend getaway

As it happens, we didn't make it to Austin to see the bluebonnets, but that's okay. We thought about going this last weekend, but Micah booked us at the Hyatt Regency Spa and Resort in Santa Ana Pueblo. It rained all weekend in Austin, but was beautiful blue skies in the Sandia mountains. I spent the weekend having a massage, facial, and a pedicure. I just needed out of the Texas Panhandle for a few days, but ended up so relaxed. I thought I'd share some of the trip!

Friday night we arrived about 8:00 and decided to go to the dessert buffet and walk around the hotel. I felt at home near the warm fire!

Micah, Friday night in the lounge as I sat fireside.

I found this horse and waited until no one was near to take this childish picture. Haha!

Saturday morning we woke up for our bread making class. It was fun! My bread had CM for Colby and Micah!

Micah had to have lots of special attention at the bread making class. His turned into a blobby shape.

While our bread was baking, we decided to take a walk and take some pictures. This was the main courtyard.

Picture in the courtyard.

View from the balcony on Saturday.

Then, we decided to take in the culture by watching the dances from our balcony.

Ultra relaxed!

Then, it was time for our pottery class. Mine was horrible. The instructor had to help me LOTS!

Micah was the class star, of course. His pot was really good and he even painted it neat! A+

I decided to spare you all pictures at the spa, but know it was good! Here we are outside of the Corn Maiden restaurant. I had buffalo steak with lobster in the center. So good!

Micah before the dinner. He ordered something with 4 types of meat and it came out on this Excalibur sword looking presentation--I should mention that my jaw about dropped when Micah suggested we eat at this place solely based on price alone.

Chilly desert night after the Corn Maiden dinner.

My last spa treatment was a pedicure. I was bored in the car and decided to take a picture of my toes. My skin was so soft!!!

On the way home we got wedged into a non-passing lane with a bajillion semis --here's Micah face as he drives below speed limit.

Lastly, isn't it sweet to appreciate home after being away for only a couple of days? We love Texas!


Much love,

Dodger Malouf

It's true. We are obsessed with our dog. Calling him a d-o-g is so odd considering the way we treat him; he runs the house. The saying, "If momma ain't happy; ain't nobody happy" is all wrong in this house...it's more like, "If Dodger ain't happy; ain't nobody happy." He's on vacation with his grandparents (which to him is like going to a spa resort), and we really miss him. I miss how he greets me at the door and paws on my pants for me to pick him up and then gives me stinky, nap kisses. I miss our evening television watching snuggling. I miss how he goes to bed when I do. I miss how he paws at the covers at 5 am (it's almost clockwork) wanting under the blanket--on my side of the bed. I even like being shoved to the middle of the bed between my two boys. He's such a great companion--always loving, never judging. So three cheers to Dodge for being the best!






Much love,

Are you really living?

During my 55 minute drive this morning, I tuned in to Kidd Kraddick this morning. This was a pretty typical drive, except instead of laughing or zoning out, I cried. I can cry at the drop of the hat, but this was crying while driving--in between semis. Eeeks. I've been thinking a lot about death lately. Morbid? Actually, no. I attended a funeral last week; I didn't know the person very well so it was sort of like watching everything from the outside. For me, it made me examine what I really want out of life. It put things into perspective. I've been so focused on house repairs, organization, savings, yadda, yadda, yadda that Micah and I felt like we are passing each other in the night. Exhausted from work, needing a break, just too much going on, not enough a money, were all the excuses we used. Yesterday, I agreed to a weekend getaway. Today, I looked up the hotel were I wanted to go and said we have got to reconnect. Get me out of the Panhandle. Why? As I listened to Kidd Kraddick, it was about a man named Randy Pausch, a professor at Carnegie Mellon. He is dying of cancer. He is married and has three children. He gave his last lecture on childhood dreams. My childhood dream...to be married, have a family, be kind, and be successful. So thanks to Mr. Pausch, I'm going to live in the moment more. Lately, I have wanted a picture in a field of bluebonnets. It's April, and if I have anything to do with it...I'm going to the Hill Country this weekend to knock that small dream off my list (I'm even hoping it makes it to the Christmas card). I suggest you go to U Tube and type Randy Pausch. Get ready for tears. And, go chase you dreams.

Much love,

Bye bye Mullet

Is that how one spells mullet, one t or two? Reece and Karli came to visit this weekend. Reece has the same hair Karli had when she was little...thin and not much. I think I came out of the womb with big hair...in fact, I know I did (it was bright red, but fell out and grew back blond!). I told her that I would cut it, but Karli who makes fun of the new bangs would have nothing of the sort so Reece had her first salon experience! No more party in the back...now we have a nice, little girl bob!

Pre-Chop

In the process of the hair cut

So happy to have my hair cut and mostly a nap!

The girls (notice Reece has a swiffer sweeper in her hands--she's picking up the cleaning at an early age!).


Much love,

Blah, Blah, Blah

I can't think of anything too momentous to post , but I'm trying to just get into the hang of this blogging business so I'm writing about "nothing."

1. I'm not sure I like the color I painted my toenails last night; it's a funny pink.

2. I'm still sunburned from last Sunday's baseball game...not yesterday, LAST Sunday.

3. I didn't wear a jacket/fleece/cardigan to work this morning, and that was exciting!

4. I called cheaters parents today...not exciting.

5. I held a really cute baby today at work (I didn't want to let go!) and my class decided to take poll and the vote has that I needed kids. She was too, too cute!

6. This weekend we hung two new light fixtures. It took was 5 hours to hang two, and we are still not done with changing the screws so it looks better. I should mention while we are changing these fixtures these birds are making these super loud mating type noises freaking me out! I also did more sweeping and cleaning of the garage...the elliptical machine just needs dusted and my tail on it! I also lined almost all the kitchen shelves and unpacked more boxes!

7. I have a new, great restaurant to eat at in town; I even had some this weekend. Rockin' R. So delicious. It's just my kind of food...meat and potatoes (see why I need to be on the elliptical!). I love, love, love the armadillo eggs. Sounds gross? All it is is some sort of pepper sliced with a cream cheese and bacon wrapped around it. WOW!

That's all I have, but at least I posted. I'm working on Micah to write. Maybe he has something of value to post besides toenail polish?

Much love,

You only make what???

One of my counselors at school sent this to me; it made me start thinking I could do quite well for myself if only I was a babysitter! I've heard people say, "Well, you get summers off." I want to reply with, "Yes, that's so I don't seek permanent therapy for the abuse that is heaped upon us regularly."

Teacher's Salary

Teachers' hefty salaries are driving up taxes, and they only work 9 or 10 months a year.

It's time we put things in perspective and pay them for what they do--baby sit!

We can get that for less than minimum wage. That's right. Let's give them $3.00 an hour and only the hours they worked, not any of that silly planning time.

That would be $19.50 a day (7:00 AM to 3:30 (or so) PM with just 25 min. off for lunch).

Each parent should pay $19.50 a day for these teachers to baby-sit their children.

NOW...

How many do they teach in a class, 30? So that's $19.50 x 30 = $585.00 a day.

However, remember they only work 180 days a year!!! we're not going to pay them for any
vacations.

LET'S SEE....

That's $585 x 180= $105,300 per year.

What about those special teachers and the ones with master's degrees?

Well, we could pay them minimum wage, and just to be fair, round it off to $7.00 an hour. That would be $7 x 6 1/2 hours x 30 children x 180 days = $245,700 per year.

Wait a minute--there's something wrong here!

Average teacher salary $50,000/180 days = $277/per day/30 students = $9.23/6.5 hours = $1.42 per hour per student.
A very inexpensive baby-sitter and they even try - with your help - to EDUCATE your kids!

WHAT A DEAL....

And the parents don't even have to buy us pizza!

I spend lots of awake time here!

I have a small portfolio of sweet letters, cards, and awards in a binder. I open it up for validation from time to time and I decided to take pictures of my classroom to add to the collection of work. I really like my classroom. I have a wall that faces the front of the school so I have a concrete wall. Posters don't stick so I decided to paint (gasp for all other teachers; painting walls is like a school sin!) my wall. I thought I'd share the part of my world so few get to see.

My door: I had my students make gingerbread men to teach them about the policies of vastly different Texas presidents. Then, after the kids learn about the differences they had to use the five senses to describe the policy (example--Lamar kicked out Native persons out of Texas by forcing them north of the Red River. This example would have been drawn and captioned underfoot and would have served as the touch sense).

Our daily calendar

Six flags over Texas

View from the front of the room towards the back wall

The mural I painted on my cement wall

Replica flag of Battle of Gonzales

Texas flag and personal picture bulletin board in the back corner of the room


Much love,

Weekend Wrap-Up!

We had a great weekend! Micah's parents and Ashlee came to visit since helping us move in. What workers they are (and with happy hearts, I might add)! Windows were washed, cabinent hardware was put on, lawn mowed/fertilized/watered, crown moulding repaired, lighting fixtures hung, plumbing updated, and the rock garden was finished and the soil was turned over. On Sunday, Micah, Ash, and I went to the Tech baseball game. It was a beautiful day and I'm sporting my first burn of the season...oops! When we returned home from the game, Mitch and Sherry had finished up and even cleaned up the kitchen and folded my laundry (soooo great!). It was such a blessing. I had been in a winter funk being stuck in the house with the miserable cold and this weekend just made you want to be outside. I felt overwhelmed with all the things I don't know how to do around the house, but I feel like I've got a jump start thanks to them. As a matter of fact, I swept out the garage and vaccummed my car last night as I felt inspired to keep the momentum going! Spring is such a blessing--almost like a fresh start to our winter "funks."

Much love,

What happens in Vegas...gets you at home

It was great to see my friends. It was great to get away for a weekend. It was great to laugh at Sean's fork throwing shrimp across the Hilton Buffet room at unsuspecting people. It was not great to lose at what felt like a 80% rate at the tables and sportsbook by the time the weekend was finished. The week after is a little tougher to get through when you've helped pay for Kathy Hilton's next great reality show to get off the ground.

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter! I went to church this morning. I found a colorful little jacket in the closet to wear with pants this very chilly morning. I squished in with Micah's aunt and uncle on the pew so I wouldn't have to sit alone. It's a different perspective from the balcony...I kinda like it. Then, I went to Aunt Marilyn's for Easter lunch; she's a great cook! Since then, I have been lounging and dozed off a bit. Micah returns home late tonight; I'm excited to see him.

I was sent this survey, and since I haven't done one of these in awhile...here goes!

The Usual

Name: Colby

Age: 25

Birthday: July 30

Finish the Sentence...

I am...in my pajamas lounging around after church.

I like…home cooked meals!

I hate...when people are rude, judgmental, and overbearing!

I love...Micah and Dodger and family and friends. I love a lot of people!

I want...to have my house decorated and done with, but this would require decisions to be made—ah!

I need...coke in the morning...otherwise you will be looking at a grouch.


I wish...it was summer!

I'm tired of...cold weather. Sunshine, green grass, flip flops, flowers…hurry!!!!!!!!!!!!

Currently

Wearing: Green pj pants with a coral henley with Dodger’s pink nap blanket wrapped around me!

Eating: Nothing…I went to Aunt Marilyn’s house and ate a ton!

Thinking about: School tomorrow and Micah coming home tonight!

Wanting to do: I’ve been thinking about a vacation this summer. I want to visit the southeastern coast.

Listening to: The television is on the living room and it is filtering in the guest room where I am sitting.

Random

List 5 traits you look for in friends: trustworthiness, sense of humor, honesty, values similar to mine, and good communicator

List 5 traits you look for in a partner: Godly man, sense of humor, goal oriented, thoughtful, handsome

Who is your hero? Daddy…he’s an inspiration of how to live by faith, work hard, and has always been very caring and loving to all his girls.

Any regrets? Of course. Anytime I hurt someone’s feelings, or said something uncalled for is regretful, but I try to learn from the mistakes!

Name one person you want to get to know: People in this town!

Name one person that you've kissed: Micah

Name one person that you tell everything to: Micah

An interesting fact about yourself: I gnaw on pens and blankets, but I never used to do this when I was a kid.

If you are single, why do you think you are: Taken and loving it!

One major goal you have: to be a really wonderful wife and a great mom one day.


List 5 bad habits: 1: worrying too much about school, what people think about me, etc. 2: hitting the snooze button too many times 3: speaking without thinking about the consequences of those words 4: being a little ocd about germs 5: not getting my rear in shape

Favorites

Quote: For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Taste: coke

Smell: The Theta house fragrance during rush…I need that smell!!!

Brand: I’m not super brand specific, but I gravitate towards J Crew, Banana Republic, Ann Taylor when I shop.

Sport: I like to play tennis, but I like watching Tech play.

Teacher: Mrs.
Peurifoy, my 2^nd grade teacher. She was so sweet. She came and picked me up for ice cream and would take me over to her house to play in her husband vintage car collection.

Movie: Steel Magnolias. I still cry when Shelby dies every time.

Do you read Cosmopolitan? Most of the time no. I don’t subscribe to many magazines. I read O, In Style and Marie Claire on are on the coffee table now.

Do you drink? Why or Why not? Not too much. I think beer tastes terrible. I only like sweet wine. And after one drink, I’m usually set for the night.

Do you smoke? NO! I’ve never even tried it. The thought of unnecessary wrinkles, yellow teeth, stinky house and clothes was never appealing to me.

Have you ever cheated on anyone? No.

Do you work out regularly? No. Do I need to? Yes. This is an area where I’m not super motivated. I need a class or a friend. The scale is telling me that it is time.

Do you play any sports? I used to play tennis. I still can play, but I don’t.

This town needs...

Micah and I had a discussion a couple of months ago about what this town needed. We have little palette for fine dining and don't have crazy recreational activities. We generally take pleasure by just hanging out with each other. I've heard many people say, "Oh, this town has nothing." Now, that's not true. I think if we just added these places we would have a much improved town.

My list:

1) Target (This would be so much better than Wal-Mart. The Wal-Mart here is much better than the one near the duplex in Lbk.)

2) Donut Stop (This is an Amarillo institution. Daddy would get me fresh donuts every Sunday morning. I love me some pastries!)

3) Ann Taylor (Such an easy store to buy in...I can wear these clothes to work, church, or casually. Plus it's supposed to be in the 40's and snowy tomorrow here and it's Easter...I don't want to wear my winter black on Easter...depress.)

4) Great Spa (Today is such a pretty day and I wanted a pedicure or even a massage. I had no idea where to go, maybe there is one in town, I just don't know...)

5) Toss up between Rosas or Taco Villa (I could go either one on this, but Micah insists Rosas.)

So, sign me up for the Chamber of Commerce or Economical Development Board!

Much love,

My Parents!

My mom called this evening to tell me that my parents got remarried! I love both of them, and I'm very excited for them. They wanted to have a very small ceremony so they went over to a friend who is a minister to be married--just the two of them. YEA for my parents! I love y'all!

Much love,

Boring people get bored??? And, job applications.

One day I was watching Dr. Phil who said "Boring people get bored." While I agree to some degree, in my case today...I don't. Micah is in Las Vegas for a long weekend. He didn't look at the calendar to see it was not only my spring break but it was also Easter weekend. While I understand that he only sees his friends every now and again, I was bummed it just wasn't another weekend like when I was at work. He's called several times and is having lots of fun! And, this sounds silly, but I really miss him. I like coming home and talking about our days...even though they are often mundane and he can't tell me very much about his day. So I've been filling my time waiting on the garage door man (twice) and plantation shutter man (twice), and calling others to see when they are going to show up...the carpet in our bedroom needs reseamed, the local nursery to supposed to assess the soil and tell me what to plant, the garbage man is supposed to drop of a dumpster (my garage is getting a funk from all the trash that needs dumping and since we live outside city limits--we have a pay trash service and our dumpster needs delivered quick!). I like to run-on my sentences. Bad habit. I have made beds, unpacked boxes, done dishes, read magazines, vacuumed, laundry, lined shelves, swept the walkway, talked on the phone, and even have been to Wal-Mart (seriously...this town needs a Target!). I'm not a boring person, but frankly, I'm bored of this. I want to meet people who are nice and like us or not like us...I don't care! Or a spa might do the trick too for relaxation. I think I'll go see about that!

These are our Vegas faces. Micah took these before he left as a joke. I can't find his picture, but make no doubt there was a big, goofy grin on his face!




Micah brought home some job applications and they are staring at me. I'm scared to fill them out. I really like my job. It has taken me a while to like my job. When you are new the figuring out process takes awhile. I like the people I work with. I love my lunch group. I laugh until it hurts, and have been known to cry a little. We talk about those things that MSN articles tell you not to talk about like politics, kids, religion, and relationships. We've discussed it all. I'm the youngest at the table, and I feel like any of them would be a wonderful aunt, mom, or big sister. It's like a little family. And, I'm good at my job. Really good. I'm not good at thousands of things so it takes a lot for me to say that. It's just a long drive and two extra hours out of my day. My principal has already asked what my plans are next year and my renewal contract was in my box last Friday. I'm going to go work on those. I figure if God brought us here, this is where my home needs to be. He will open those doors and He knows my purpose. I just can't quite see it...yet.

House Update

The house is coming along nicely. Our time, energy, and money is going into the house. I'm really glad we bought it. We have had a few things break, but mostly we are putting our touch on the house with cosmetic changes. Here are some updated pictures!

OUTSIDE PICTURES

Rock garden after (no tarp, barely any rocks left--the tiny Christmas tree will be making an exit shortly...what a workout!)




New fence



INSIDE PICTURES

The camel colored carpet is new, but the old is the blinds.

New plantation shutters!

This square pattern is the pattern of the carpet.

Guest room...different carpet, but not blue!!!

This is our box room. Usually we just shut the door and try not to look, but really it's improving...we've upacked lots and lots of boxes. This was the carpet in the house before. We didn't replace this room since we knew we'd use this as our place to keep boxes!

The wine colored chair on the left is new for us (thanks Daddy!). This was my favorite chair in my old house...I called it the "nap chair." There is an ottoman that goes with it, but it's in the nook behind the chair. We are going to have it recovered, but I don't know what fabric pattern I like quite yet!

These kitchen cabinets used to be a light varnish on oak. We had them painted white. Our next venture is hardware. The blue countertop and backsplash will hopefully be gone soon, too!

Our chocolate painted bedroom...the carpet is the same as the living and dining room.

Blinds had to go...ivory silk panels instead frame the windows


Much love,