Day Two

--No vomit
--Wore flats
--Still tired, but I haven't fallen asleep yet. I actually came home and started laundry and watered the flowers.
--If I did all the math I was suppose to teach, I would only teach math.
--I already feel behind.
--I like teaching vocabulary. So far, we've learned "luminous" and "belligerent."
--First parent conference at 8 AM this morning...no comment.
--Attended Sexual Harassment training after school
--I hugged more. Learning to accept hugs. Does this make me a bad person?
--Patience is still a virtue.

Much love,

Day One

A few observations from day one:

--They hug...I'm not sure how I feel about it...my mom told me to just get used to it; I'm adjusting.
--I had a student vomit first thing this morning. Luckily, not in the classroom, but the bathroom across the hall smelled funky.
--My feet hurt. I'm not used to wearing dresses and heels (albeit kitten heels) all day. I'm in my sweats now. Tomorrow I will wear flats.
--My class told me I "go too fast." I don't repeat well. I will try to be better.
--Patience isn't the gift that comes naturally.
--I had a kid sneeze on me.
--I made it and I'm going back tomorrow. Still need prayers. Still miss my school. Working on patience. Patience is a virtue. I will repeat the last one over and over again. Patience is a virtue. Patience is a virtue. Patience is a virtue...

Much love,

I'm pooped

Good morning! I tried to sleep in this morning, but 7:50 rolled around, and I was awake and not going back asleep. I've been working nutty hours. I left school last night at 9:15 after being there since 8 am. Lots of long hours. My body hurts from lugging files, supplies, lifting bookcases, books, desks--I'm so sore. I should mention, I'm on the second floor of my school, too. Double sore. I've been to Wal-Mart (grrrr) about five thousand times, and I've on my way there after I found out I needed more stuff. Then, back up to school for a full day of work. I'm hoping that I don't have to go there tomorrow, too. I need rest. My mind is going almost constantly with all of the to do's on the list, and the ones I left off, and the ones I might needed to have put on the list...so exhausting. My house is a disaster area, too. I literally fantasize about having an assistant or even a clone version of myself..oh, I could get so much done! I'm off to Wal-Mart and work!

Much love,

Gully washer and thunderboomer

"It's comin' a gully washer (interchange thunderboomer, too)," is what my parents say when it thunderstorms. My vocabulary has been inadvertently infiltrated, too--especially when I'm mad. Micah looks at me like I fell off a turnip truck (my parents, again) out in Arkansas when I use anything that isn't common language. Sorry I got sidetracked (like so often my stories do)... it's been raining quite a bit in the Texas Panhandle this last week (that was my point). Last Thursday, we went to dinner with the Owen family at the Plainview Country Club (so good!). I like them; they are funny and make great dinner conversation...no awkward silences at that table. They even laughed when my tea went flying across the table onto Micah (in my defense, I was sitting on the crack of an uneven table). Back to the story (Micah tells me I am the worst story teller...I agree, I stink...oh, I have a good story about stinking as a story teller...for another day), when we walked in it was hot outside, but while at dinner the sky went super dark and the wind went nuts. By the end of dinner, it was pouring rain. As we are walking out of the dining area, the power went out. We make it to our cars, and there are no street lights (thank goodness for polite drivers who know how to drive and Micah who was driving...I would have had a panic attack). I desperately needed gas, but no power means no gas, but we made it home. No power at home, either. Michael Phelps was swimming that night and Micah was not happy that he was sitting in the dark not watching. I was enjoying the adventure a little more! However, the power returned thirty seconds into his race and all was well with the world, again. Here's a few pictures to document our power outage:


Sad face thinking he was missing the Olympics

He makes this face when he doesn't want to take pictures. I call it his "frog" face.

Our brave boy held down the fort while we were gone!

Light source...it actually wasn't that dark and kinda fun!

Much love,

No tears today

Just an update for those who may think I'm about to jump off a roof at any moment...no tears today. We had registration today for our kiddos. Thirteen of mine showed up which means I'll have transfers or late registration kids in my class. The thirteen that came to class were cute! Some were super quiet and some were very chatty, but it looks like a sweet group. I'm exhausted from my "perma-smile" and handshaking. It's going to be a different group than my kids in Lubbock, but kids are kids, right? I also made some new friends with our special education assistants. They told me that "I was one of them." I figure that a good thing! I like being liked!

Okay, it's not nine and I'm in my ratty old Evans shirt and pj pants. I'm fixing to settle into some Olympic watching!

Much love and TGIF,

OMG, overload

Oh my goodness...brain overload! Thanks for all the encouraging words the last few days. There's been more tears for Micah to mop up (and Bev, too...so sorry I was heaving and sniffling into the phone...I love that the free counseling services are provided on the phone, too) the last few days, but it's okay...remember, I'm still under construction. It's hard being new. I've been too busy to breathe. I will post more, but I'm on my way to a dinner engagement.

Much love,

Odd duck out

Today was my first day of school as an elementary school teacher. We have to work inservice for the next two weeks before the kiddos show up to school. I remember hearing that elementary teachers are really into their inservices. My observation was that this was indeed correct and I felt like a duck out of water. I walked in and they handed me stickers to place on "getting to know you" posters. There was a poster that asked, "Are you more intellectual or creative?" I along with three or four others placed a sticker on the intellectual side. The creative side had what seemed like the rest of the elementary district. Then, I was handed a plate and asked to decorate it to represent myself--mine was monochromatic red. The person next to me was cutting up her Starbucks cup to decorate hers along with some of the left over stickers from earlier. I witnessed copious note taking from my table mates. I also saw a politically incorrect themed lesson with song included that I will not be using any time soon but was the hit of the workshop! Next, I was dressed up and I got volunteered to report about forests for our afternoon project. I had volunteered to do the research for the project thinking that would keep me out of the spotlight...forget that...they had twigs coming out of my pants, hair, shirt--I was a leafed wonder. I can only imagine what the coaches would have said at Evans. I hate speaking in front of people if I don't know them. Everyone knows my voice goes up ten octaves and gets ten thousand times twangier when I'm nervous. I know it is going to get better. It has to...right? I am trying to be conscience of my attitude and the words I speak. No one wants to be around a Debby Downer. I'm working on softening my heart toward change.
I need this construction sign around me, and hopefully God does a work in my heart.

Much love,

Tech season opener t-minus 20 days away

After church and a lunch with our Sunday school class and Micah mowing the lawn, we headed to football practice in Lubbock. Yep, he's started watching dvds of last season's games and wearing his football tees more and more...it's time. I was even excited to go. I've never been on the practice field before. We were right there with media and stood right next to the players. They are HUGE...I mean HUGE. The foot work was crazy fast and Crabtree makes a catch look so pretty and easy. I want Harrell's tan, too. A few things I noted about practice: ear muff the kids--there's no censoring here, it's loud and I couldn't understand what the heck they were yelling most of the time, be ready to move--you will get run over, big dudes fighting are a little fun and I got to see one today. Oh, and I also heard a spectator tell a player that he needed to earn his scholarship; if I was that player in pads and crazy heat...I would have molly-whoped him. Here's a few pictures; Micah took the good ones. I took the ones of people I didn't know...just snapped away.







Much love for the Red Raiders,

Hogg Maulies, classroom, and bbq

It's been a few days, a few exhausting days since I wrote. I've been working diligently on my classroom since last Tuesday. I've been taking progress pictures and I'll get those up hopefully later this week. Ashlee drove in on Friday to help me with my room...I may call her Saint Ashlee or owe her a thousand favors for the time she put in. She painted, moved, and perched on a ladder to hang four giant bulletin boards (I am terrified of heights and falling). As a matter of fact, I went to put stuff on the bulletin boards today and I had to remember to breathe a few times. We really got a lot accomplished yesterday, and I feel so much better. Thanks, Ash...you are a blessing!

We went to dinner with Micah's cousins and their friends. My blog was the conversation (shout out to Brandon who says he reads my blog once a week!) along with the word " schmuck." If you didn't read the comments, I found out what it meant. Oops. Needless to say, the word "schmuck" was the most used word of the night. Later in the evening we attended the Hogg Maulies concert in Silverton, TX in Briscoe County. Don't know where it is...neither do I...still. I was a passenger along for the ride. I stink at dancing, but I got a slow dance out of Micah and took a twirl with Ethan. It's fun to do new things and have no idea where you are sometimes!


There were goats.

And it is chilly even in August!

A brother/sister picture.

And sometimes they act creepy together!

Sad or sassy?

I get to take this cute boy home with me!

Nick was Brandon's friend. Thanks for getting us home safely! They let me drive the dually for 5 minutes before I was ordered to pull over. Not a drop of alcohol in me, but when all you've driven is Honda Rhonda...giant trucks aren't your friend!

We ended the evening with a drive thru trip to McDonald's. Ode to the accidental #11...fish.

Micah was a barbecue judge along with ten other notable locals today at the courthouse for a big Kiwanis club fundraiser. There were twenty entries in four different categories so he ate EIGHTY different times! He was sequestered the whole time so I didn't go. I was going to go afterward so I could eat some deliciousness, but he called and needed to go digest at home. I came home from working at school, and he was wearing elastic shorts and took at three hour nap!

Much love,

Sentimental Schmuck

I am a sentimental schmuck (I really hope schmuck doesn't mean anything bad..it's one of those words I use, but don't have a totally clear understanding of the definition...it sounds Yiddish). I wrote about cataloging cards, but I've also been finishing up scrapbooking our wedding (yes, over two years from when I started). I saved napkins, business cards of vendors, coaster, toasts, song lyrics, and even the receipts of bills. Maybe one day my daughter will be interested in her parents wedding. I had a very tearful moment last week. I opened up a picture box to look for cards I may have missed even though it was a picture box. At the very bottom of the box was all the letters and cards Micah sent me early in dating. I thought they were lost when my mom moved out of the house I grew up in Amarillo. I feel so bad; I accused my mom of inadvertently throwing them away. Tears, and more tears. Then, I frolicked around the living room with a tear-stained faced screaming, "Look what I found!" I was particularly excited about one of the notes (the first letter I received as I left Tech to go home for the summer), I read it so many times that the paper was soft. I am not one for clutter, but I love to save precious memories. For instance, right now I'm wearing a super ratty Gonzaga t-shirt Micah had in college that a friend who went there gave him. He wore it over to my dorm room one night and I fell asleep talking on his shoulder. I left a makeup stain the the white t-shirt. It looks awful, but I love the shirt...still wearing it.

Okay, I'm off to work in my classroom; it looks like a frightening disaster area. They have moved much of the hall stuff and the custodian closet into my room as they prepare to wax the floors. Yesterday I picked staples of the cork and woodwork while taking down old bulletin boards. Today will be filled with scrapping tape off of woodwork (the building turned eighty this year) and file cabinets with goo-gone intermingled with hauling more files upstairs. Glamorous, huh?

Much love,

My goodluck party

I had my goodbye, scratch that, good luck party today at On the Border hosted by Beverly, our school counselor. I was so humbled and blessed by all those who came. The gifts, cards, encouragement, hugs, and simply people being present was a gift in itself. I tried to get a picture of everyone there (Karen P had to leave early, so here's her shout out!). I have enormous respect for all of these ladies; they are hard working, caring, funny, and great friends. I will miss plopping down in my usual seat at lunch, but my new lunch box that fits my daily Santa Fe Rice and Beans Smart Ones will be a reminder of our our chats. I may just need to take a personal day and show up for a "C" lunch therapy session! Thank you all for a great luncheon. You've warmed my heart!

The two tables

Fuzzy, but this is my teacher momma (we kinda look alike and were neighbors), Donna

Monica and Cindy

Monica and the sweet, sweet Braidy

Elaine, Jessica and Monica

Laura and Karla

Fay and Treena

Linda and Amy

Bev, Carol, Bev, and Melissa

Cathy, Carol, and Christi

Tommie and Tana

Much love,

Everything but the kitchen sink

I had a birthday on Wednesday; I'm now 26. I mean when I was in college I thought upperclassmen were so wise and old (what, were they 21? And I'm 26.). My sister-in-law let me know that was old; thanks Ashlee. I'll be sure to remind you of that in a mere few years. People my age are becoming doctors, having babies--some have more than one, and essentially grownup! The good thing about birthdays is that people really let you know how much they love you. I was on the phone, receiving mail and gifts, receiving messages on facebook/myspace most of the evening...made me feel really nice. It's like the Sally Field moment, "You like me, you really like me!"

What else...oh, Ashlee came into town. They played nine holes. I drove the cart and took my shoes of on the greens to feel the spongy clipped Bermuda grass. We ate a couple places and visited family one night.

I went to Lubbock yesterday and had lunch with Angela (shout out!), my student council sponsor buddy from Hutchinson Middle School. McAllister's is one of my favorite places to eat; chicken salad sandwich, no tomatoes, every time! I went on a shopping spree for my classroom. In elementary, they have themes. My theme will be Texas. I figure, do what you know. I went and dropped off some of the stuff today. I have, no lie, somewhere between 12-15 bulletin boards. I am a little overwhelmed. I went into my classroom and my bookcases needed painted and so do the baseboards. I've got a LOT of work ahead of me.

Oh, and then I went to Ann Taylor yesterday. HUGE sale! Go, go, go! Thanks Ashlee for the gift card...I got some great things that were originally $80 for $9.98!

Oh, and I'm excited about my going away party on Monday from Evans. I going to miss those people so much. I like that they liked me for who I was, and it is like a little family.

And, I am going to miss watching Oprah. I just got finished watching Maria Shriver on the show today. I think I'd want to be her real life friend!

Much love,

Sweet and sour pickles

I was squirming in the padded church pew on Sunday morning. It came time for the children's message; I watched as the little boys in shorts and sweet little girls in fluffy dresses perched on the steps around the pastor. Then, he pulls out two types of pickles. He asks the children about sweet pickles and sour pickles. He said sour pickles are those people who are selfish, self-centered, and don't help others--sour. Sweet pickles are kind, thoughtful, caring, and reaches out to others. If we were just talking about taste, I'd pick the sour pickle, but unfortunately, I often act like the sour pickle. The children went back to their seats and then the message began. He talked about reaching out to others--helping people of lower position in life. I given money here and there, and I've bought for the angel tree, but I cannot recall where I have made a personal difference. To add to my guilt, I was walking into church, a bit tardy, and someone asked directions to a Sunday school class. My sense of directions was off and I didn't know where we were going and I wasn't very helpful, and he was on crutches with a homeless looking man walking next to him. Instead of looking at this moment to be positive and a chance to be an imitator of Christ, I acted like an annoyed brat. To sum up, this sour, selfish pickle needs to change her ways and reach a helping hand to others. I have a long way to go. Jesus was not hanging out with the prosperous, well-educated. Isn't that the goal--to be Christ-like?

Much love,

The family that plays together, stays together

My parents came into town today to see our progress and hang out! I took them on the tour of from our perspective of Plainview...church, Micah's work, and my school! We ate at our favorite Mexican food place and celebrated my birthday (okay, so it's on Wednesday, but in my family we celebrate birth weeks, and when we were little my dad said the birthday celebration went all month!). Mom and I went to my favorite store and I bought an adorable mercury glass side table on the recommendation of the owner; I wasn't sure at first, but I'm liking it now! Oh, and we had a bit of golfing and football in the backyard; I'm the least sporty member of my family. You know it's bad when you are getting tips from your mom whose throwing the ball with your husband...

Trying to get the golf ball into the bucket


Hot, hot, hot outside!


Dodger is tuckered out after playing outside with us!

Much love,