Oh the joys of traveling!

Well...I figured this would be a good place to tell the tale of my traveling woes. :)

Christmas day...Dan and I were suppose to fly to Spokane to be with my family for Christmas. About 4 am Dan woke up really sick. He tried hard to make it but we barely made it to the airport. After some prayer and discussion, we decided that I should go on so we didn't lose both plane tickets. So began my traveling fun. :)

The plane trip up to Spokane wasn't bad. However, I would like to know whoever said that no one travels on Christmas day and where they traveled. Both flights were full so much so that not everyone could get on the plane. I got there just fine and my brother and sis n law with my nephews picked me up.

Spokane has not seen so much snow in years. 1996 was the last real snow storms they have had. I never saw so much snow in all my life. It was fun though. My brother took me for a ride on the four wheeler. They tried to convince me to sled but I wasn't that brave!

I had such a great time visiting with my family. I met my new neice. She is almost 18 months old and I finally had a chance to meet her. She is so cute! She was a lot of fun. My nephews wanted me to stay longer but I had to get back to Dan and Magnum.

So Tuesday (30th) I'm on my way back and this is where the fun begins. My flight was to leave at 2pm so we decided to go to my mom's favorite place Taco Bell before heading off to the airport. I got to the airport by 12:30. I got my boarding pass and went through security no problems. I was talking to Dan on the phone when they let us know that our plane was delayed. We were then suppose to leave at 3:40. Well that would make me miss my connecting flight. I stood in line for almost an hour just to talk to the ticketing person about changing flights. So in the meantime I called my brother and Dan to see what they wanted me to do. They were putting people up in hotels and giving vouchers and even flying first class. So it was finally my turn and I was prepared to just return the next day and try again. But they found a later flight leaving Denver. So I made it home at 12:30 this morning.

I met some really nice people. That always helps in a bad situation. We were all making lots of noise when we found out that the delayed plane was due to a coffee pot leak! Another reason no one should drink the stuff. But at least I made it home in one piece. It just makes you appreciate home that much more. I was happy to get home.

So to all of my friends who have read through the ramble... Happy New Year!

Gardner Christmas Lights

Ok...so if you haven't checked out my neighbor, go do it! ;)

Dan took me by another cool house tonight. Ok... I'm going to just type the website. You drive up and put your radio on 99.9 and the lights are syncronized with the radio. Anyway...here's the link www.christmas.tysonh.com You can see their blog and get a map to their house. There is also a link to other cool sites in KC area.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!!

I just wanted to post a Merry Christmas to all my friends! Thank you for all the treats! Most of all thank you for all your love and friendship!

Dan and I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas with your friends and family. (I'll be thinking of you all while I'm neck deep in snow!)

We'll see you all when we get back!

So that didn't work...

Well I see that the link didn't work. Well...go to youtube and type in Longview lake christmas lights and you can see a small portion of what it looks like. It is really awesome...and if you are short on time and gas...come by our house and check out our neighbor. Park safely on the side of the road...bundle up in a blanket....roll down the windows...and listen to the music while you look at the lights! ;)

And if you get to cold...come on by for some hot chocolate! ;)

Merry Christmas!

Christmas lights...oh how I love them!

If you love the lights at Christmastime, then you have to take the family to Longview Lake in KC, MO! It is well worth the drive and it is so awesome!
I'm going to try to link this to a youtube video of a portion of the lights!

Finals Time Again

Oh It's Finals time again...when all the children wail and whine! The last minute cries of turning in work that was due so long ago! The stress of writing the final and checking it twice and even three times. (You try making a 100 + multiple choice test...it's tough!) The stress of making sure everyone knows what to study.

Oh it's finals time again...and then it's Christmas break!!!! Hoooray!!!!

That's what makes finals bareable!

Turkey Lurkey

Well...the turkey has been heated and reheated. The trimmings have been gobbled up or tossed out because we can't stand to look at them anymore. Black Friday shopping was successful or somewhat successful. With all these things done, it's time to turn our thoughts to Christmas.

Ok....so I'm not ready yet but my neighbor has already started putting up his elaborate array of Christmas cheer. :)

So here's to all my friends.... Merry, Merry Christmas!!

It's Time for Twilight!!

I'm just moments away from going to see Twilight! I can't wait... I'm so excited!

I had to go to the grocery store this morning to keep my mind off of it. I probably would have sat here and watched the trailers over and over. :)

Have a great day!

Happy Anniversary!!

That's great, it starts with an earthquake, birds and snakes, an aeroplane -
Lenny Bruce is not afraid. Eye of a hurricane, listen to yourself churn -
world serves its own needs, regardless of your own needs. Feed it up a knock,
speed, grunt no, strength no. Ladder structure clatter with fear of height,
down height. Wire in a fire, represent the seven games in a government for
hire and a combat site. Left her, wasn't coming in a hurry with the furies
breathing down your neck. Team by team reporters baffled, trump, tethered
crop. Look at that low plane! Fine then. Uh oh, overflow, population,
common group, but it'll do. Save yourself, serve yourself. World serves its
own needs, listen to your heart bleed. Tell me with the rapture and the
reverent in the right - right. You vitriolic, patriotic, slam, fight, bright
light, feeling pretty psyched.

It's the end of the world as we know it.
It's the end of the world as we know it.
It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine.

Six o'clock - TV hour. Don't get caught in foreign tower. Slash and burn,
return, listen to yourself churn. Lock him in uniform and book burning,
blood letting. Every motive escalate. Automotive incinerate. Light a candle,
light a motive. Step down, step down. Watch a heel crush, crush. Uh oh,
this means no fear - cavalier. Renegade and steer clear! A tournament,
a tournament, a tournament of lies. Offer me solutions, offer me alternatives
and I decline.

It's the end of the world as we know it.
It's the end of the world as we know it.
It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine.

The other night I tripped a nice continental drift divide. Mount St. Edelite.
Leonard Bernstein. Leonid Breshnev, Lenny Bruce and Lester Bangs.
Birthday party, cheesecake, jelly bean, boom! You symbiotic, patriotic,
slam, but neck, right? Right.

It's the end of the world as we know it.
It's the end of the world as we know it.
It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine...fine...

(It's time I had some time alone)

Happy Anniversary...it's been a great 5 years! Here's to many many more!

Leslie....this question is for you!

I'm so excited for Friday! So, Leslie, are you still going Friday? Let me know... :)

Twilight fanatics rejoice only a few days left! :)

Tagged Again!

Haha! That Leslie...she tagged me again! ;) I think she loves my witty comments! And I can't resist a good tag! ;)

8 Favorite TV Shows:

1. CSI
2. CSI Miami
3. CSI NY
4. NCIS
5. Law and Order CI
6. Fringe
7. Burn Notice
8. Supernatural

Hmmm...do you see a pattern? :)

8 Things that happened yesterday:
What didn't happen yesterday!

1. Got to school later than normal and still beat everyone.
2. Gave a quiz that almost everyone passed...for a change.
3. Taught a hard grammar concept and the kids got it.
4. Emailed so late I was the last one here.
5. Played with my puppy.
6. Made Dan get McDonald's for dinner...I didn't feel like cooking!
7. Watched Smallville and Supernatural.
8. Finally fell asleep.

8 Favorite Places to Eat:

1. McDonald's
2. Sonic
3. BBQ Shack
4. Chapala's
5. China Taste
6. Gambino's
7. Austin's...all about the half price burger, baby!
8. Anywhere!

8 Things I look forward to:

1. Finishing my book.
2. Eating at BBQ Shack tonight
3. Going to see Twilight
4. Finish reading the 2 books that I started reading
5. My parents coming for Thanksgiving
6. Christmas in Spokane WA
7. May 31.....any guesses?
8. Summer!!!!

8 Things on my wish list:

1. a new coat
2. $$$$$$
3. no more bills
4. no more student loans
5. Wii
6. See my neice and nephews
7. See my brother
8. more $$$$$$$

8 People I tag:

1. Sarah
2. Leslie...I tag you back... can you come up with more? (It's a challenge!)
3. Kristin
4. Leah
5. Brooke
6. Heather
7. Amber
8. Anyone else who reads this blog! Aha! You've all been tagged!!!!

Bittersweet

Well the news came bittersweetly yesterday as they announced that our ward was going to be split. Speculations were abounding from every direction. At 2:30 yesterday afternoon in a meeting in Lawrence, we were given the information. Ottawa ward has been split into a new Ottawa ward that included new saints from Baldwin. A new Gardner Ward was created. This includes the saints in Edgerton as well. We all will not meet in the Paola Ward Building.

I'm excited but sad also. I will miss all the good friends I have made. But hey the good news is we are still in the same stake and if we want to do a Gardner/Ottawa wards party we can do it! :) I'm excited for the growth of the church. I'm in awe of how much the church in our area has grown in the 6 years that I have been here. I can't believe all the wonderful people that I have been blessed to know in that time.

When I first moved here I was very sad to leave all my friends back in Texas but everyone here made me feel at home. Thank you all for being my friend. I look forward to getting a chance to get to know more wonderful saints. (Maybe I will be able to keep all the new faces straight!) :)

This is not goodbye, as President Ross said, it is merely so long for now. And I'll see you all next Sunday at Stake Conference! ;)

Stressed OUT!!!!!

I'm using my blog to vent today! I'm completely stressing at right now. So much so that I woke up yesterday with hives on my neck. That doesn't help with the stress for sure.

I have a conference this weekend for work. No big deal. I look forward to it every year. I have to do sub lessons though. Pain in the butt! That's the least of my worries though.

I am a co-sponsor for the International Club at school. We are hosting a Thanksgiving Feast to honor the 15 foreign exchange students that we have. It's next Tuesday! The kids have done NOTHING! Then the principal calls me because he got his invitation...says this is great. He wants to notify the press! Holy crap! We went from just a small shindig to some great big ordeal! So now we are trying to make this nice. Here's the deal...we are all going to the conference this weekend! So we have scrambled yesterday and today in hopes we can pull this off without looking like a bunch of idiots!

Then there is the book! I haven't got the copies back and that's ok. I haven't had time to think about it right now. And I think it would stress me out even more! I hope after next Tuesday I will have time to focus on the book. :)

And if that wasn't enough to worry about the desktop computer upstairs went kaput! Poor Dan has to wait for me to get off my laptop so he can use the computer.

So there's my life....ughhh! Thanks for letting me vent! I must go and start on the very long to do list! Hugs!

Twilight Tickets

Ok...Leslie and McKae... Twilight tickets are available online today. I bought mine already. AMC30 for Friday 21 at 10:45 am. If I were you, I would go ahead and buy your ticket today. :) go to www.movietickets.com They are not sold out yet but when people get wind that you can buy them now..they might be out fast. ;)

Twilight soundtrack is out November 4. :) Wooo hooo! itunes here I come!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAN!!!!

Happy birthday Dan! You are awesome! If you see him, wish him a happy "34th" birthday! Gee..then that makes me "83"! Whew..I'm old!

Happy Halloween!!

Here's wishing you all a safe and happy halloween!

Welcome to the world of novel writing....

Welcome to my world. Writing novels are fun even editing is fun but waiting is not so much fun. :) I'm at the reader's stage of the process. I have a couple of copies out being read. McKae came by yesterday to tell me that she is reading it and likes it so far. Yeah! Ask Dan, I'm not very patient when it comes to waiting to hear what everyone thinks about it. I like it but does that mean the rest of the world does. Poor Dan still hasn't finished reading it and I don't think he likes me in the room when he is. I keep saying how far are you? What chapter are you on? Do you like it? I think he gets annoyed. Sorry honey!!

So to occupy my time until I've heard from the "masses" I have been in search of publishers only to find that the really good publishers want you to have an agent. So now I am in the process of finding a couple of different literary agents to help me sell my book. :) Writer's Digest.com is my new best friend. I can't believe how much cool stuff is on that sight for writers. Keep your fingers crossed and say lots of prayers for me my friends! I'm really going to do this!

Here's to Mental Health Days!

Ok...so Friday I took off for a mental health day. I just had to get some things done. I cleaned some of my house, saw Sarah and worked on editing my book. So today I finished editing my book like I wanted. yeah!!! I got it printed off and bound.

So Leslie you are first, I'm bringing it tomorrow to church! McKae, you too. :)

Now that the book is in it's "research" mode, I can obsess over finding a publisher. This is the hardest part of writing a novel. If anyone knows anyone in publishing...let me know. :)

I'm on to the next obsession! :)

Update 2008

Obsessions are abounding with me yet again and still! So here's a list of obsession updates:

1) Book....I finally finished!!! And I finally have a title: It's the End of the World as I Know It. Whew!! Didn't think I was ever going to come up with the title. I'm on page 37 of the editing processes. It turned out to be 119 pages all together. I hope to be done editing and revising this week so that I can have it ready for my test subjects Sunday or early next week. ;) (Keep your fingers crossed!)

2) Twilight....still is an obsession. I was watching the Scream 2008 awards last night and they showed yet another trailer for Twilight! Leslie WE ARE GOING!! ;)
By the way...Dan read Twilight and is on New Moon! He is not quite as addicted as I was but at least he's reading them.

3) HSM3....comes out this Friday!!! McKae, you and I are there on Saturday!!! ;)
(I'm such a kid!)

4)NCIS...that might be a new one. I can't stop watching...4,5 and 6 then on Tuesdays at 7 too. Ahhhh! I watch while I'm cooking, cleaning, eating, working on my book! Aghhhh! I just can't get enough of it. (hee hee)

Well...that's just 4 if I continue on...someone might want to send me to the looney bin. Maybe I need to go there. :) Hugs to you all for being such a great support! I will have a very long Thank you page! ;)

magnum's new look

Well...I was tired of Magnum's matted hair so we took him on Saturday to a groomer. I wanted to cut his hair. I know it's a little late to cut his hair with it getting cold and all but it had to be done. He was shedding like no other. So here is what he looks like now. :) I feel like a mom with her son's first hair cut. :) I still think he's adorable. You tell me what you think?

more pics

My favorite time of the year

It's Halloween time again. My favorite time of the year. I love dressing up and getting to be someone else for a day. I love handing out candy to the kids who come to the door. They are so creative. I love that it is a time to be creative and kids need more creativity in their lives.

I also love that my neighbor gets into the holiday too. I am posting some pics of my neighbor's yard. I took them last night. It was really cool to see them at night. Enjoy...and Happy Halloween!

CSI Tears....Spoiler if you haven't seen it yet!

Did anyone else watch CSI last night? Oh my...I cried like a baby. I have been waiting all summer for last night's episode. I knew that the guy playing Warick Brown was going to get kicked off the show but I was hoping that he wouldn't die. I cried for almost half the show. Sarah comes back. I warned Dan ahead of time that it was going to be an emotional show for me. :) I was ok for a while until they showed the funeral at the end. I could take it no more...I cried some more.

I'm a cry baby what can I say. :) I cry at Kodak commercials, Hallmark commercials, etc. There is even a bank commercial that makes me tear up. And forget about the doggie commercials...I'm a mess when that 30 sec. spot is over. Uggh!

Well...good thing it's Friday and no kids at school...I might start crying again! Ha ha ha! Love to you all! Peace out!

7 Quirky Things About Me

Leslie tagged me to write 7 quirky things about me. I have lots of quirks but I don't want to tell all my secrets either. ;) So I will attempt 7.

1. I don't like people (even Dan) cooking in my kitchen. I freak out when things are put back right. Sorry Dan.

2. I can go for a couple of weeks without doing real housework and then one day I snap and I'm ticked off until its done.

3. I get obsessed over weird things...ie: reading Twilight series, writing a book.

4. I get annoyed if I don't get my diet coke in the morning. (Is that a quirk or another obsession?)

5. When I'm driving, I jump if I pass someone on my side. (Like someone stopping on a side street.) Guess that came from being hit 2 by other cars.

6. I cry at everything. Hallmark commercials, cards, other commercials, movies (even those that are not supposed to make you cry) Everything!

7. And a final quirk...my life might be disorganized but my desk has to be organized.

Well...that's all about me. :) Tag to anyone!

Tag to all who read!

I don't normally put lists on my blog but hey it's Tuesday...I'm sitting at my desk with a Beehive hair piece on and my saddle shoes and thinking...so what is normal?

Tag to anyone who reads...post on your blog! (Amber thanks for the idea!)

1. 2 names you go by: Mary and Marilou

2. 2 things wearing right now: a beehive wig and 50's cat glasses

3. 2 things you want right now: shopping with my mom and for it to be 3:00

4. 2 things you did last night: watched tv and worked on my book (Chapter 9 is under way)

5. 2 things you ate today: Sonic burrito and the day is still early

6. 2 favorite drinks: diet coke and diet coke

Have fun!

Obsession Update 2008

Ok...so I just thought that title was funny! Could be the lack of sleep?!

Here's the skinny....

The book is coming along. I'm on page 3 of chapter 7. It just flows out when I'm near my computer. (If only I didn't have to work!)

The book has no title yet. So for now it's Untitled Manuscript. I want a good name for it and it just hasn't come to me yet.

The goal is to be completely done writing the first draft by the first of November. Then edit, add, change, delete, and all the other fun stuff that comes with writing to be done by mid December. I would really like to get it out there for publishing by end of January. I think it would be a cool birthday present if I could get someone to consider publishing it by my birthday in February. That would be one sweet birthday!

Oh and Leslie...I really like the name Leslie Hawk. May I steal it? It might make a great character in my book. :) I'll mention you in the dedication page! (Tempting I know!)

I want to be done with editing and stuff before I let a few read it. So hang in there. I'm a perfectionist and this could be a little while. Hopefully I will be able to stay on track with my timeline. I've got a little free time coming up so hopefully that will help me out.

Pray for me please! I really want to do this. :) Thanks to you all for your support!

Obsessions

Does anyone else ever get obsessed with something? Am I the only person in the world who gets a mind to do something and then its the only focus?

As you all know from my blog, I read all the Twilight books relatively fast. I was completely obsessed with finishing them. (Dan is reading them now...hee hee) That was all I could think about. At work it was hurry and figure out what we are doing so I could read on my plan time. I was beginning to think that I needed to check myself in somewhere. :) I listened to several interviews with Stephenie Meyer and was just in awe. (I still am!) I'm reading The Host now. I like it but I'm taking my time.

This leads me to my next obsession. I have always wanted to be a writer. I have had this dream since I was about 12 years old. I wrote a play for the YW in my ward when I was in high school. I wrote a short story that I should have had published but never did. I wrote half a novel by the end of my senior year but things happened and I was discouraged. I gave up my dream to be a writer. While on my mission, my companion and I wrote a song for my brothers wedding. Another companion of mine was playing around on the keyboard and created a song that 2 months later I wrote words for it. When I got back home, I called Diana the one who helped me write the song and asked what she thought about getting it published. She liked the idea and told me to put my name on it since she claims she only came up with 2 words. So I published it as a Poem in the World Literary Poet Society's Anthology. It felt so awesome to have something that I wrote out there for someone else to enjoy. So...

That brings me to my next obsession. I have Stephenie Meyer to thank for this one. I saw an interview with her and she said that if you have a dream to write do it. You will never know unless you try. So I'm trying! I have written 5 chapters so far. I may post the first chapter on my blog soon to get some thoughts. I have a couple of friends from work who are reading it as I go. Everyone so far has been really supportive and excited. I hope that continues! ;)

So if anyone knows how to get books published....please let me know! That's the part that scares me to death!

Whew! I finally finished!

Well...I finally finished the last of the Twilight series. They were awesome! Oh my... I wish there were more. I hope the movie doesn't disappoint us all! But I have a feeling that it won't let us down!

Yeah for Bella and Edward...and of course little Nessie!

I wish she would write a book about what happens to all of them when Nessie gets older. Oh well...I will wait... So it's on to another obsession! ;)

I'm so obsessed!!!! Part 2

Ok... So I finished Twilight ran and bought New Moon. I finished New Moon yesterday and ran to Walmart yet again to buy Eclipse! I can't put these down! It's made me quite popular at school! All the girls who have read them now think I am the coolest teacher ever! (I guess they didn't ask thier English teacher if she read them!)

I so love Edward! I don't know why I don't like Jacob but I don't. :) I wish she would just tell Edward yes, get hitched, and be with the love of her life forever. Ughh...is that too much to ask? Is it really?

So I forsee me finishing this one this weekend and having Breaking Dawn started on Monday! Wish me luck! My poor house! I need to vaccum but I can't vaccum and read at the same time! Aghhhhhh!

I think I need a Twilight support group!

I'm officially obsessed!

Well...I am officially hooked! Thanks girls! :)
I did not clean my house and read until I finished Twilight. I got to the last half of the book and refused to put it down until I was done. I just had to know what happened. I couldn't wait for this morning...so I could go buy the 2nd one!

So I got up got dressed in a hurry and went to Wal-mart this morning before coming to work. Geez! Poor Dan will never get fed a cooked meal until I'm finished reading them all!

I even went so far as to go to the website and watch interviews with Stephanie Meyer and listened to her play list for each book. OK... Can I just say that she and I really do like the same kind of music! I feel very inspired to write the book I've been wanting to write for a while now. We'll see what happens this summer!

Ok...so has anyone read her new book Host? I'm going to read it but I want to get through the Twilight series first. I also saw that she has a new Twilight series book coming but it's been delayed due to someone being a jerk and publishing parts of it online.

Ahhhh! I've caught the craze! Go Edward!!! (She better stay with him or I'm going to be mad!)

Woooohooooo!!!! It's FRIDAY!!!!!!!!

Woooohooooo!!!!!!!!!! It's finally Friday! We just had another exallerating pep assembly with Coach Diener. It seriously makes you want to kick someone's butt. You don't even care who it is! You are all fired up!

Well...I've been teasing the football players all day that they are going to be playing the first ever "water polo" game in GEHS history. So kuddos to all the moms who have to wash those uniforms tomorrow. Kuddos to all the fans that are going to sit in the rain and watch this magnificant game of "water polo".

As for me... I will be home watching metro sports and being high and dry! Our school is going to be the first game highlights they show this week. :) GO BLAZERS!

Woeful Wednesday

It should be joyous Wednesday...after all I did get paid today! Well at midnight last night anyway. Well...it would have been joyful Wednesday BUT.....

1. I had to fight with Magnum for the cover all night. (He still thinks he's a little puppy!)
2. I couldn't figure out what to wear.
3. Having a horrible hair day!
4. Check to see that my paycheck came in. (Yippeee!)
5. Go to Sonic because I wanted a giant Rte 44 Diet Coke....and my debit card doesn't work! (Bank shuts it off when I run low in the bank account and forgets to turn it back on!)
6. Go to Price Chopper for breakfast because I can write a check.
7. Get biscuits and gravy...make it to check out lane....girl puts it in the bag and lose half of it by the time I get to work!

Having a wonderful start to an already depressing Wednesday...(funeral is today)
PRICELESS!!!

Hope you all are having a better day!

Ode to Cold Weather

Cold weather is my friend on some occasions. Like when I'm snuggled up in my warm cozy bed sleeping soundly. When I can dig out sweaters and add more clothes to my wardrobe. When I can feel the cold breeze blow in my face...wakes you up in a hurry!

Cold weather is good for snow days! ;) I love snow days! (Wishing I could have one this week!) I don't go any where on snow days...just sit at home snuggled in a blanket watching TV! Ahhh...the life!

I do have issues with the cold weather on other occasions. Like when ever joint in my body decides to ache. When my legs and knees do not want to work in the mornings. Or wrestling with the coat and trying to drive.

So cold weather has its good things and its bad. But I am just glad that it is finally here! :)

Lost A Dear Friend

I'm writing again because for some reason blogging has become very theraputic for me.

My dear friend Don Bechard passed away this morning. He has been battling cancer for a while. He lost that fight this morning. He had his wife and some of the family there with him when he left this earth. However, his daughter was at school and had to be told at school.

We are all sadden by this but I know that he has gone to Heaven and that he doesn't hurt anymore. I can't stop smiling when I think of Coach. He touched so many lives by his strength and courage. That man never frowned. He was in so much pain but never let on. I admire him greatly and so happy to have known him. He truly was an inspiration to me.

Now comes the healing part for his family. He was very close to them. Don was a very religious man and believed that God would take care of him and his family. He was a member of the Catholic church here in town. I know that there is a special place for him and that his family will see him again. I am so grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ in my life. I can't imagine not having it in my life.

Here's to Don....Until we meet again!

Go Blazer Blue!!!!

Here's my cheer and shout out to all the Blazers today! Fall Sport season is officially here! Wooohooo! Go Blazers!

I'm getting fired up for the pep rally at the end of school today! ;)
I got to wear jeans again to work so I'm a pretty happy camper! :) (Plus it's remote control night!)

Well...actually...I have things to get done tonight. But it is all good! :)

Happy Friday y'all!

Aw...the signs that fall is approaching

Since I stayed home on Tuesday...I undoubtly had to return yesterday. It was a great day for watching Finding Nemo in Spanish. It was raining and the kids were just dragging. :) (Much like their teacher.)

Well....it rained and therefore turned cooler. And oh what a joyous day it was. I saw only a couple of pairs of short shorts roaming around. I saw lots of hoodies instead of the normal "falling out" of shirts! Hallelujah!

Another sign of fall is Dan's first football game of the season. Yes, he was gone refereeing yesterday. Then he had a football rules meeting so he didn't get home til 9pm. Magnum and I had a great time! We got to visit with my visiting teacher and then we had dinner. I did some stuff and watched tv. Yep, you guessed it...whatever I wanted! I've learned to appreciate fall!

Another game this afternoon, but Dan will be home in time for dinner. :) Guess I get to watch what he wants to or go upstairs and watch what I want to... ;)
But tomorrow night, the remote is all mine! :)

Home with a Sty in my Eye

So I just have to say how much I hate using "sick" days for being sick. I woke up Sunday morning with a sty forming on my right eye. I have had them before...painful but usually really small and gone in a day or two. Ok...not so much this time. By Sunday evening, I had a knot forming. It finally starting coming to the service but it is much larger than I have ever had. I spent yesterday with a swollen eye and wanting to scratch my eyeball out. Ughhhh!

I woke up this morning and it was still there and painful. I just called the sub line and figured it was better to be home than at work in pain. I keep putting a hot rag on my face. That helps...so if anyone knows how to get rid of these awful stys please share! I'll take any suggestions at this point!

The "sweet" smell of pigskin!

Oh it is at last that time of year when I smell the "sweet" smell of pigskin...oh wait that was my class yesterday! Ok...no seriously!

Yes, alas it is football season again. Tonight marks the first night of Dan being gone almost every night of the week and even most Saturdays. The time when I have sole control of the remote and can watch every sappy "chick flick" I own. I can even watch Camp Rock a few hundred times without hearing..."Are you seriously watching that AGAIN?!" I can have time to play with Magnum...maybe. But there is sadness to the being a "football widow". Darn, I have to go get a hamburger or go somewhere to get dinner because I refuse to cook for just me! (Ok...so maybe that part isn't so sad after all!) Subway here I come...I want to try the Jared diet! Date nights are few and far between during football season.

I use to work some football games to get out of the house during the season. But then I wised up...hey why am I leaving the house when I have the tv to myself and can watch what I want. I must be crazy to waste that! So now I don't...I can go to a game if I want to...or just stay home and check out the Friday night movie on the Disney channel. So here's to all the "football widows" who gain control of their remotes if all be it for a season! Happy Football Season!

Umm....yeah...and if anyone wants to go and do something on Friday nights....you just let me know!

Is it safe....

So as Labor Day approaches, one must ask themselves...is it safe to wear white after Labor Day? I mean that use to be a fashion rule followed by the masses to not wear white after the Day of (non)Labor. But seriously, does any one follow those rules anymore? I wonder if I dare to wear white on Sept. 2 and see if the fashion police come and arrest me for a Fashion Violation! :)

Just a thought...hmmm... anyone else want to tempt fate with me?

Wish someone would give some of the girls at school some fashion violations! Bring on the cold weather...then they will cover up! Ok...some any way!

My rantings for the day! Toodles!

Tired Tuesday!

Whew! I survived Open House! That made for a long day and I still managed to get to school way to early again this morning. I just like being at school early. I eat my breakfast at my desk...checking email and just getting organized for the day. :)

This is a crazy busy week. I think I have something going on every day. But that is quite all right...it keeps me out of trouble. (wink wink)

I volunteered to help the person who is helping the National Honor Society Sponsor who is out on maternit leave. I helped a little last year so I knew how to do some stuff. I helped with the big invitation meeting today. That was actually a lot of fun. Then I am co-sponsoring the International Club so I worked on the officers application packets. We are meeting on Thursday after school. All that and I still found time to teach my classes, talk teaching strategies with a couple of new teachers and plan out the rest of the week. Whew..!

Sleep's comming early tonight...I hope!

Inside Joke

Well...the original pictures that I was trying to put on yesterday was in a scrapblog. If I ever figure out how to do it I will. So therefore the title page wasn't there. :) So here it is...It's the end of the world as we know it. It is the name of a song by REM. We put it on the front of our wedding invitation because that was the reaction we recieved upon telling the world that we had finally found someone and were getting married. Nobody in my old ward believed me until I moved! Even then some were sceptical. So the day of the reception there were some mighty surprised peeps! :)

How's that for a romantic story on this hectic Monday!?! Well...it's off to the "solitude of fortress"! Tonight is Open House!

spanishteach76 - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Per your request...I finally found some fotos of Dan and I. We did these almost 5 years ago! Wow can you believe it! It will be 5 years this November. :) The title page is a joke that if you recieved a wedding invitation way back then you will catch. Read the title carefully and you will probably catch on. If not let me know and I will expound on it at a later date. Enjoy!

TGIF

TGIF....NEED I SAY MORE!!!!!!!!!!!

Prayers Needed

I'm sending out an SOS to all my friends today. A dear friend and colleague has been battling cancer for the last 2 years. We almost lost him last night. He came back to work as school began but only made it a couple of days before having to return to the hospital. He was in severe pain. They discovered nodules in his muscles and determined it was cancer. He is on some heavy medication to stop the pain. They started his chemo only to have to stop yesterday. He was moved to ICU due to complications. His Kidneys are shutting down. He had an unhealthy amount of fluid built up in his body that was causing a lot of problems. The last word I received was that they found the cause of the fluid (an infection in his blood) and they have stopped chemo until further notice.

I'm sending this out to the blog world... for prayers for Don and his family. Don and his family have a special place in my heart. Their oldest son Conner just turned 20 this week. I do believe he has put his studies on hold to help his mom. If you could take a moment today and say a prayer for Don and his family that would be awesome. I know that the Lord will hear us. I know that the Lord has a plan and I am praying that He will be there to comfort and direct Don and his family in that direction. Thanks to you all for that!

Things like this make me appreciate the gospel in my life. I know that going through what I did with my own dad made me appreciate having the Lord in my life. I am grateful for eternal families. I wish that everyone could experience that feeling of knowing that we can see each other again. I know without a shadow of a doubt that was the only way I got through that trial in my life. If you ask my mom and brother they would say the same. I am glad to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!

Ahhhh it feels like fall today

Good morning all! I was awakened early by the sound of Magnum barking. Poor thing has been restless for the last couple of days. I'm not sure what's going on but he wakes up barking. Anyway...after many moments of trying to fall back to sleep. Sleep was achieved well until the alarm went off. Unfortunately, I had only been back to sleep for only 30 minutes.

Ahh..the signs of fall...getting up at the crack of dawn to hurry to the Fortress of Solitude (my classroom) to meditate over the goings on of the day. Well this morning was greeted by 60 degree weather! Oh could it be! Joyous Fall is here! Ok...a little premature I will say but hey a teacher can dream!

I survived the first partial week of school without asking when is the next Snow day or in service day! I figure if I can make it this week without asking, "Is it May yet?" then life is good.

To all the moms out there, I know you are excited for school and all...but could you not be quite so HAPPY about it! Just kidding! Life is good!

I will miss my morning episodes of the Nanny and whatever is on Sci-fi all day. I will miss playing with Magnum and playing on my computer all day. I will miss having lunch when I want to and day trips to Walmart. (If only to look around)
And most of all I will miss just doing what I want when I want! :) But hey someone has got to teach the children and I do like my house!

Have a great Monday!

If only you could see me today!

Well...it's the first week. It's not a marathon day as yesterday but I'm still wiped out. I don't understand why they want to take school pictures the 3 day of school. I mean seriously...we are all walking around completely exausted, with dark circles under the eyes and pretty much wonder if we are not death warmed over. We all are glad to be here but there is so much to do and so many meetings that it really does wear you out.

The discussion this morning (among some teachers and administrators)was that we think we start school a little to early. Other schools around start later than we do and it has caused some hiccups in the system. Such as students moving in don't know that we have already started school. Some kids taking classes from Johnson County Community College (and the college hasn't started yet!).

I know all the parents are glad but some of us are wishing for a few more days! :) I hope everyone had a great first days of school.

Isn't it lovely...to be back to work!

I'm so tired! It always happens this time of year. I forget what it's like to be at work and then I remember! ;) No seriously, today was not that bad. I actually enjoyed the "motivational" speaker and the superintendent didn't act like a stiff shirt. :) He smiled and made jokes...it was great. I got to know the new teachers in my department a little better. I found out that Ashley and I have something in common...a love for Guatemala! I was talking to her a little bit about my experiences there as well. She and her husband are really nice. Our new French teacher, Andrea, is a sweetheart too. I was sad that Linda, who I taught with for 4 years, wouldn't be back this year but it is going to be ok. :) I know all of you are probably getting excited to send the little ones off to school next week! ;) I'll be ready for Tuesday...I hope!

Tuesday Ramblings

Nashville Star is now over. I have been keeping up wiith it for the past nine weeks. It has been quite a roller coaster ride. I love singing and love watching these shows because I guess that in some deep corner of my heart I wish it was me up there singing my heart out. So last night was truly a nail biter. I was hoping that some how they could have a 3 way tie. The last 3 were the ones I was rooting for all season. :) Then it was down to the final 2. Gabe Garcia and Melissa Lawson. I was hoping that they would both win. They were so awesome. :) Melissa ended up winning and that was cool. I hope someone picks up Gabe as well and both of them will be on the radio. :) Now I will sit and wait for the next show. ;)

Monday Rantings

Happy Monday! This is the last few days of sweet vacation! Thursday is the day I get back to work. Although the kids don't show up until next week, we have the joy of sitting through countless meetings and figuring out what we are going to do the first week of school. I'm glad I'm ahead of the game in that aspect.

For all the comic book fans out there or even those who love the Superman, Spiderman, etc movies..Dan and I discovered the funniest thing on youtube. There is a guy that made some pretty funny videos with Super heroes and villians. You can get to them by typing in I am marvel and I am DC. The guy's name is just another random guy. We watched them and died laughing. A lot of inside jokes about the world of comic books and making movies. :)

I tried to find a good Maxine cartoon about Mondays but couldn't find one quick enough to post today. I'll keep my eye out! Hope you all have a great Monday!

Focaccia Tastes Good!

If you haven't had the chance to taste Focaccia Bread, you are missing out. I love it and you can find it at Price Chopper or Wal-mart. I was looking through my bread book this morning (since I didn't want to go to my classroom today and otherwise sheer boredom) and found the recipe. I thought it wouldn't be too hard to make. So here was my attempt. It doesn't look like the kind from the store but it still looks good to me. I'll let you know how it tastes later. Maybe I'll even sneak a picture of Dan eating a piece of it. :)

Wacky Wednesday

RAIN, RAIN, GO AWAY....ok so yes we needed the rain but not quite so much of it. :) I have a workshop this morning and I got drenched. It is a good thing that I came in early so I can dry out before I freeze to death in the school library. But I have to laugh that it hasn't rained this much pretty much all summer and the one day that I have a workshop it rains! :) There is my rain rant for the day!

More to come later!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Tuesday Thoughts

First I have to say I am really loving the whole blogging world. It's an awesome way to voice opinions and thoughts. Kuddos to whoever created the blog.

So to all my friends who love ice cream and Sonic. The new fried ice cream blast is to die for. If you don't want to be hooked for life don't try one. I made the mistake of getting one today and it is sooooo good! I am afraid I'll be back at Sonic all month long getting one.

Speaking of Sonic....try putting blackberry in Diet Coke next time you're there. It is really good. I usually drink my D.C. plain but every now and then I try something new. I also like cranberry in it for a tangy treat. :)

I had so much fun at the Arboretum on Saturday. I loved all the messages that we heard. I loved walking around the gardens and seeing all of the wonderful things Heavenly Father has created for us. I do want to go back and walk around some more.

I had the chance to go to Powell Gardens in Missouri while my mom was here. It was so beautiful. The Day Lillies were absolutely stunning. I'm going to post a few pictures for your enjoyment. (I won't post all 108 that I took!)

our "little" boy

I just wanted to post a few pics of our little boy, Magnum! He's so cute and adorable. We love him dearly and he sure is good company when Dan is gone refereeing.

The First Blog Ever :)

Hello all! Well I've seen so many of my friends with blogs that I decided I might as well join them too. The more the "maryer"! I figured this is a great way to keep up with friends and allow my friends to keep up with Dan and I. I only have a few more days of vacation left before the school year whirlwind begins again and Dan is off reffing football. So here's to figuring out this whole new world of blogging before I get back into the grind of school. I hope you all have a marvelous evening.