Useless ramblings

A little more before and after

2011-10-05T17:28:00.003-05:00

So the picture on the left was from about 2 years ago. One of my kindergartners grabbed my phone and took a (very unflattering) picture. 60 pounds later is the picture on the right. I really can't believe the difference until I see it in photos. Let me tell you it's been really nice fitting into normal size clothes. I've gone from a tight 16 pants and xl top to a size 6 pants and Medium top. I'm pretty happy with my size right now, I just have some toning in the belly area to work on. My goal weight is only 16 pounds away, but I honestly don't care if I get there or not. I'm actually happy with how I look right now...and that's the best feeling in the world.

This is my rant

2011-08-24T18:52:00.002-05:00

I am a teacher. I don't do it for the money or the glory. I am not a super hero. I am human. There are rules in place to keep your child safe. Some people get angry because of these rules. Sometimes mistakes get made...again, we're human. Budgets get cut, so teachers get cut. My average class is 40 students. I don't just "have fun" all day with your kids. I teach them how to sit criss cross apple sauce, how to raise their hand when they want to speak, how to manage their time properly, how to play nice with others, how to put a bubble in their mouth in the hallway, how to say please and thank you, oh, and how to sing.

My days are not always filled with joy and sunshine, but I have to put on a happy face for my kids no matter what's going on in my life. This is not an easy job...especially now.

So please remember when we do make a mistake (and we will), yelling at us isn't going to solve the problem. The first day of school is always going to be chaotic...no matter where you go. You may have to wait longer to pick up your child from the car rider line. Five hundred other parents had the same idea you did.

Just be patient with us. Teachers need positive reinforcement too!

The big Five - OH!

2011-08-17T13:40:00.005-05:00

I'm happy to say that 50 pounds are gone! Yay me! Now, I'm not big on having my picture taken anywhere from the chest, down. It took quite a bit of looking to find a "before" picture...and it's not even at my fattest!

This was actually taken in 2007 on our family cruise. I'm about 8 pounds from my heaviest. Ugh!

And this...was taken today! :o)

If it weren't for my dang boobs, I'd probably look a little slimmer. I still have 26 more pounds until my goal, but what a difference 50 pounds makes!

Slow and steady sucks

2011-08-08T21:56:00.003-05:00

This losing weight stuff is for the birds. So how long ago was that last post? Like, forever ago. I had 5 pounds to lose. Five measly pounds! And in all that time, I've lost just 3 of them. And I worked my butt off (literally) for those 3 pounds. So just 2 more until the 50 pound mark. It really does get harder the closer you get to your goal. But I am proud to say that I'm in a size 8 bottom. We just won't talk about the top. I'm still a little top heavy, but I'm working on it. And I may eventually meet up with a surgeon to take care of that issue.

Just 5 more!

2011-06-27T22:30:00.002-05:00

Okay, just 5 more pounds and I'll be at a big milestone! I'm on the scale every day. I know I shouldn't be, but I just can't help it. I've finally broke my plateau that I'm not sure I already wrote about.

But I think I worked out too hard yesterday. I wore my heart rate monitor while doing Zumba, and when I finished, it said I had burned over 600 calories! I think I actually did a double take on my watch. That's almost double what I normally burn. I guess I upped my intensity quite a bit. I was all excited about it until today when I woke up. I've felt like a slug all day. I probably should have eaten more yesterday. Lesson learned.

You know what makes me a little happier?...

2011-06-24T12:32:00.004-05:00

A NEW CAR!

It's my responsible dream car. I have other dream cars, but they would just be dumb ideas right now. It's a Toyota Camry. Actually it's Joe's car (my Corolla is gonna last FOREVER)...don't you just love Toyota?

Puppy didn't like sliding around in the back seat, so I put his seat in.

Ya, we're pretty happy with it.

Weight for it...

2011-06-17T21:45:00.002-05:00

So I've realized that blogging isn't really my thing. I can never think of anything that's really blog worthy. Although I'm always out and about and think of something really awesome. But by the time I get home and on the computer, the thought's gone.

And I do take lots of pictures, but I don't think anyone wants to see pictures of my garden (I surprisingly haven't killed yet) or my dog. I don't have any fun baby stories because I don't have any babies. I know...I'm a sad little creature. Until then, you're going to have to read about me...just me.

And unfortunately, the one thing that consumes my life right now is my weight. So that's what you get to hear about. Exciting, I know.

I'm about 6 pounds from hitting the big 5-0. This is a big hurdle for me. I've never lost 50 pounds before (and yes, I HAVE needed to in the past). Fifty pounds is when you get to see before and after pictures. I'm still working on getting those 6 pounds off my belly.

I recently found a full body picture of myself at very near my heaviest (about 8 pounds less than my heaviest). I refused to take any pictures below my neck before all this began. I think I was in fat girl denial. But it's a good representation of how round I really was. So when the time comes (hopefully in the very near future) I'll be showing you what a difference 50 pounds makes...that's like half a skinny person!

The Unknown

2011-05-21T15:22:00.002-05:00

This is the time of year where teachers everywhere start thinking about greener pastures...or maybe it's just me. It's no surprise to anyone who knows me that I hate my job. And I don't just think it's the place I work (although it IS sucking the life out of everyone who works there). Teaching's no fun anymore. You have to be too careful what you say and what you do. Administrators don't have your back anymore. Parents expect you to be miracle workers.

Our district has taken a huge budget blow for next year. Teachers getting RIFed (Reduction In Force) or transferred against their will. Unfortunately, this house was not unaffected. Joe was transferred from a job he loved at the high school to being the ONLY band director at one of the poorer performing middle schools. We've also been told that at the elementary level, PE, art, and music will be the only "specials" rotations at the school. That means 140 kids will be split between 3 classes. Doesn't that sound like a GREAT idea??!! Ya, we're really excited too. I don't know about you, but teaching 45 kindergartners at a time just sounds like the time of my life.

So the job hunting has begun. I have zero training and experience in anything but teaching, so you can imagine my resume has NOT been getting a lot of hits from employers. Personally, I think being a teacher qualifies me for a lot of jobs, but tell that to the guys at HR.

Dieter for life

2011-03-07T18:55:00.003-06:00

Every 6 weeks or so, I have an appointment with a dietitian...and I can't believe I actually paid money to this person. I suppose it's kind of like going to a Weight Watchers meeting, without the group support. Why don't I just go to a Weight Watchers meeting? I don't know, but this dietitian hates Weight Watchers...mua ha ha ha ha! I feel like I'm doing something naughty by doing WW too, but a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.

So my dietitian wants me to keep a food journal. I don't even keep up with blogging about my life. What makes him think I'm going to write down EVERYTHING I eat? And every time I go see him I have to lie about pretty much everything. Not that I'm NOT doing what he's asking, but I have no idea how much protein is in the casserole I made last night.

Here are the questions I get asked every 6 weeks:

D: What are you doing for exercise?

Me: Zumba, Walking, Other Workout DVDs.

D: Are you using resistance bands?

I always lie and say yes. He's very testy about this, so I just lie. I know, I'm bad.

D: How many calories do you take per day?

Me: About 1300-1400. I actually have no idea. When I use to write everything down, this was what it was. I just don't care to write anything down again...ever.

D: How much protein?

Me: 50-60 grams. He keeps ragging on me about my low protein intake...LOW? Seems like a lot to me!

D: Are you drinking enough water?

I'm so sick of these stupid questions. Do people actually tell the truth? Again, I lie so I don't get him on his soapbox.

Me: At least 60 ounces.

I've told him before about my water situation, but he doesn't care. As a teacher it's difficult (impossible) to give yourself bathroom breaks throughout the day. My only time off is first thing in the morning. After 9:15 if I need a restroom break, it's "so sorry, no time". Needless to say I don't drink ANYTHING during the school day. But it's ALL I drink on my way to work and after school. I pretty much gave up cokes.

So since my last appointment 6 weeks ago, I had only lost 2 pounds. I was pretty stinkin' proud of those 2 pounds. He just kept telling me how much more I could have lost had I drank more water, and upped my protein, and not had that one cookie I let myself have at that baby shower. I think he does it on purpose to piss me off at him enough to lose the weight to spite him. That's pretty much how I feel now. He is the devil.

Random post

2011-03-02T08:17:00.002-06:00

Since I'm home sick today, I thought I'd take the time to actually post something!

The weight loss is coming smoothly, but VERY slowly. I think I've just got over my latest plateau thanks to Slim Fast and Fiber One...oh, and Zumba! I just bought the DVDs and LOVE them! I had tried it a few years ago with some friends, but I hadn't done the "Learn the steps" section, and had no idea how to do anything. Needless to say it was frustrating and I stopped. But I love it now. One more pound down. And many, many more to go!

I've been very restless lately in my job. I'm not sure if it's what I do, or just where I'm doing it. Some days I really do enjoy myself, but not most. I've been giving a lot of thought to getting out of teaching, but my college degree is crap to employers.

And in other unrelated news, I'm still not pregnant.

4 Months To Go

2011-02-01T19:04:00.002-06:00

I know my days at my current job are numbered once the school year ends. And depending on this Saturday, maybe even before then. By my choice, of course.

There's a new school opening up next school year in the same district. It's considered a "Green School". There's a giant water run off container at the front of the school where the toilet water is recycled from rain water. Most classrooms have giant windows so they can use more natural lighting. The school is beautiful. The music room sucks, but the rest of the school is awesome. I plan on being the first music teacher in that building. I've already started bugging the new principal. I've found people who know her, and tell them to mention my name to her. She wants me to call her when the position is posted. I'm pretty stinkin' excited.

And then there's this Saturday...

Me and a friend from work (who hates her job even more than me) are going to a job fair Saturday morning. We have to take our passports. And if we're hired on the spot, we'll be going overseas by April. It pays REALLY well, so going overseas for a year is NO problem. I'm pretty stinkin' excited about that too! :o)

It's All Too Much

2011-01-15T17:03:00.004-06:00

Okay, so I'm feeling a little bit better than yesterday...a little more focused. All holiday decorations are put away. That was step one. My mother in law is understanding about my anxiety with my clutter, so she sent me this audio book.

It's actually really good. It's good motivation when you just don't feel motivated. I'd take before and after pictures of my de-cluttering, but I must say I'm pretty embarrassed by the mess. We'll see.

Moody Judy

2011-01-14T22:58:00.003-06:00

I've been avoiding the blog. Mainly because I've been a negative, moody mess. My house is a giant pig sty. I don't know how this happens with only 2 people living here.

I've had the hiccups for the last 30 minutes.

My Christmas decorations are still up.

I think I've got A.D.D.

Resolutions

2011-01-05T18:37:00.002-06:00

I usually try not to make new years resolutions. The only reason being that I don't like breaking promises to myself. Silly, I know, but I've NEVER kept a new years resolution.

But this year I'm going to make one. And it's going to be a tough-y. I WILL get pregnant this year. And I'm going to do everything in my power to do it. Charting, temping, testing. I think I'm ready to do it all again.

There was a time a couple years ago I had done all this before. Months of taking my temperature EVERY morning, charting everything I could think of, trying to time everything just right. I got burned out.

But I'm ready to start it up again. And I think this is gonna be the year. :o)

Do I really sound like that?

2010-12-11T20:56:00.002-06:00

I still get weirded out when I hear a recording of myself talking. I STILL think..."Do I really sound like that?"

I only thought of that because it seems to work the same with pictures of myself that other people take. When I take my own pictures, I use strategic methods to make sure certain parts don't get shown (pretty much anything from the chest down). But when other people take a picture, they don't think of these things unless I tell them. And if I KNOW they're taking the picture I do tell them. Then there's the ones that get you when you least expect it and post it online for all to see. I saw this certain picture of me and thought "Is that REALLY me???" It was not only a full body picture (which I would never okay), but a profile shot at that. So not flattering at my heaviest weight.

I'll be on the treadmill if anyone's looking for me...

Land of the lost

2010-11-06T15:06:00.002-05:00

And hopefully lost forever.

27 pounds down, 54 to go. I've decided not to be overwhelmed by this number...especially near the holidays.

Things to be excited about:

1. I can wear a LOT more clothes in my closet. (Back in May, I had 1 pair of pants and about 3 shirts that fit me...I refused to buy any more fat clothes)

2. When people at work notice a weight loss, it encourages you to keep going.

3. My boobs are getting smaller! :o)

4. I don't have to shop in the "big girl" section anymore...no more Lane Bryant.

The other night I was laying in bed on my stomach and thought I might be laying on something, but it was just my hip bone. Haven't felt that in a while.

I know I have a long way to go, and my goal may be pretty lofty, but I'm just gonna keep on truckin' one stinking pound at a time.

The way we were

2010-09-28T20:14:00.006-05:00

This last Saturday was a day I had been looking forward to for a long time. It was our High School Band reunion!

I had no intention (ever) of going to my regular high school reunion, but THIS was different. These were people with whom we spent many evenings and weekends. So much of our time was spent together, and then all of a sudden we began new lives. A lot of us still look the same...but different.

I felt a little bad for the spouses there who had nothing to do with our past. They must have thought we were all a little dorky...and we probably were.

But I hope we get to do it again soon. And not in another 13 years.

A little venting

2010-09-24T22:01:00.003-05:00

1. This school year sucks...and it's only September.

2. People at work think my classroom is a multipurpose room they can use when they see fit. This makes me angry.

3. Kids steal. This also makes me angry.

4. My house is a mess...all the time.

5. My weight loss is slower than watching grass grow.

6. My iPhone is on the fritz. Grrrr.

7. People keep asking me to do stuff I don't want to do...but I'm a big sucker and do it.

8. My husband works all the time. All....the....time.

9. Corporal punishment at my school NEEDS to happen.

10. I think my hormones are making my crazy.

How hot was it?

2010-09-12T19:03:00.002-05:00

It was Africa hot. It was stupid hot. It was really stinkin hot today. And of course I was out in it. First Texans game of the season, and hopefully THAT was the hottest it'll be...wishful thinking. My sweat towel was soaked by 9:30...AM. We weren't even outside 2 hours and all of our clothes were a shade darker from the sweat. It's not a very lady-like feeling. My elbows were sweating. I was gonna take some pictures, but we all looked so sad and miserable, that it just didn't seem appropriate.

But we did beat the Colts, so I can't complain too much. Oh, sorry...did I already complain too much?

Did I tell you it was hot?

Are you Ready for some Football??!!

2010-09-10T20:46:00.003-05:00

Okay, so I took your advise Jessi, and will do a post on my football games. I only like to post if I have pictures, and I never have pictures, so I just don't post about stuff. But I took a couple pictures at our last Texans game, so here you go...

Okay, so the mellophones are a little dorky. It's 112 degrees, so we have to keep entertained. The trumpets just rolled their eyes at us. They're just jealous.

So I never thought when I joined band in 6th grade that I'd still be playing at 31. But here I am, along with many other grown adults, reliving our high school glory days...except a lot of us sound better. And it does sound better in person compared to the crappy recordings on YouTube.

This is from a couple years ago, but we all still look the same. If I had the cool iPhone that took video, you'd be watching us all the time...but I don't.

Abso-stinkin-lutely nothing

2010-09-09T17:35:00.002-05:00

I've been getting the feeling recently to just delete my blog. I have nothing to blog about. I have no kids, and this time of year I have no husband. I don't do anything exciting on the weekends. I work...I go home...I sleep. It's very boring, therefore, I don't write about it.

Perhaps you could give me ideas about what a single girl can do to make her blogging more exciting.

DQ country

2010-08-06T19:13:00.004-05:00

It's a good thing I don't have TV, because every time I go to someones house who does, the commercials always get me. I am an advertisers dream. Ice cream is my guilty pleasure, so Dairy Queen commercials are dangerous. So stupid me saw a Dairy Queen commercial today and went ahead and drove to the nearest DQ (not very close) to get their new mini blizzard. Remember when they had the Breeze? It was the same as the blizzard, but with frozen yogurt. Where did that go? Was it not marketable? I know I loved it. Digressing...sorry.

AND the blizzard of the month is THIS!

Isn't it fantazmic?! It's Oreos AND Brownies. My two favorite things. And in a much more manageable (mini) size at only 430 calories. Um...ya.

But I didn't eat all of it, so I'm thinking I only had about 380 calories worth. I can live with that. And it's not like I eat this kind of stuff all the time. I mean, I haven't had a blizzard in like 3 months.

So I figure Monday's a good day to start the diet.

Debt sucks

2010-07-21T09:49:00.003-05:00

Right after the hubby and I got married, we decided to go into real estate investing. I say "we", but I wouldn't say I was 100% on board. I did what I could, but being socially handicapped there wasn't much I could do.

So nearly eight years later, all six of our rental properties have FINALLY been sold...or was it seven? All I care about is that they're gone. But certainly not forgotten. Since a few of them were owner financed, we had to buy them full out before we could sell them. Needless to say, I think we've learned our lesson for buying rental properties...don't.

Now we sit on our mountain of debt. I figured if we can eat Ramen for the next three years, we'll be able to pay it all down. And hopefully before I'm 40, we'll be living in a REAL house! Debt sucks.

But it's too hot!

2010-06-06T14:00:00.002-05:00

I don't feel like doing anything. Last night as I was writing my former post, we both noticed how warm it was in the house. I just figured since the sun was beating on the house all day, it just hadn't cooled down yet. I was wrong. By 11 this morning we hit 85...INside. I SHOULD be Spring cleaning. I get up and work for about 5 minutes, then I crash. It's too hot.

So I just stare at the pile of stuff in the guest room that needs to be put away before someone actually sees it and thinks we live like the show Hoarders.

Summer is here!

2010-06-05T20:54:00.002-05:00

Summer, Day 1:

Slept until 8:30. It was wonderful. I had absolutely no plans or obligations for the day. That was also wonderful. I spent a good hour experimenting with my semi-new hair cut...went a little crazy with the curling iron, but it turned out super cute. I took pictures, but I don't like my face so you can't see them.

I had an interview at a really great school last week. So thinking positive, I took everything home from my classroom that belonged to me. It's amazing how much stuff you accumulate in just a few years. I don't know how teachers do this for 30 years. I don't think I'll ever get use to the exhaustion. But now we get some much needed time off to think about "how many more year until I retire?".

Plans for the summer:
1. Sleep.
2. Go to New York at the end of the month.
3. Sleep.
4. Try to make it out to Utah.
5. Sleep.
6. Get my house in some kind of order.

That's all I've got so far.

We've got the housekeeper coming out Monday. Yay! But I still have to get the house "housekeeper ready". I sounds silly, but if you've ever had a housekeeper, you know what I'm talking about. Things need to get put away. Otherwise there'll be little piles of stuff everywhere afterwards.

So now that Summer's here I feel like I should have lots more time to blog...but I honestly doubt I will. :o)

I can see the light!

2010-04-26T07:36:00.002-05:00

This time of year teachers everywhere are rejoicing. We like to call this the home stretch. Just one more week and then it's finally...May. And just to top it off, we have standardized tests this week. For 3 straight days, our kids have to sit in a very uncomfortable chair while taking a very unnecessary test. Well what if they fail, you ask? No problem! We'll just pass them on anyways. They'll catch up in the next grade, right?

But I digress...

The end of the school year is upon us, and I've already filled my summer with plans of doing nothing. A trip here and there, but mainly nothing. Someone once told me that if the best part of teaching is June, July and August, then it's time to stop teaching. I disagree. Aren't most people's favorite days of the week Saturday and Sunday? Why is this any different. It's a job, and that's just one of my perks. There's no company car, no conferences in Cancun, no going out to lunch...ever. From 7:30 - 4:00 it's go, go, go. Our lunch is a race to see who can eat the fastest so we can get back to our classroom to set up for the next class. Our conference period is a mad scurry to get things put away from the day before and lessons planned for the next week (or next day!). I feel no guilt for having a couple months off to recuperate from 187 days of pure chaos.

And now I've run out of time, and the kids will be coming in any minute. Perhaps I'll find another 10 minutes before the school year is done to write a little more. Or not.

No tact Nellie

2010-02-04T19:57:00.002-06:00

Faculty meeting today after school. It was a big deal since the superintendent was coming. It was a crock of crap. He talked to us for 30 minutes about how the kids are number one and how we are number two...blah, blah, blah. Why do we have to be constantly reminded that the kids are number one? Whether we're joking about it or not, we KNOW the kids are 1st. We're TEACHERS for crying out loud! We wouldn't have a job without them. We always like to make those silly comments about teacher work days being great since there's no kids at school. We're JOKING! Our super apparently has no sense of humor. We got a huge speech about this today...I'm not really sure why. Morale? Highly unlikely considering after he left, we were YELLED at by our pricipal...yelled...at us.

I know our principal is new at her job, but she lacks a certain tact about her position. Yelling at your staff at every faculty meeting is not the way to gain loyal teachers. I still have no idea why we got the 3rd degree. One minute we're going over practice TAKS scores in groups, the next...yelling. I felt like I was just scolded by someone's mother. But I do have to admit, it gives us lots to talk about for the next few days.

Baby Fat

2010-02-02T21:42:00.002-06:00

Since we've had our new "fun times" administration, our staff has been given many duties that make us want to slit our wrists. One of my duties is making sure nobody kills each other in line during breakfast. It's very exciting.

But one thing I've noticed by spending time in the cafeteria is what these kids are eating every morning. Crap...junk...garbage...SUGAR! What are these people thinking?? To give a kid lucky charms, a donut, and chocolate milk?? Now, I know I'm no Slim Sally, but come on! It's no wonder a good 60% of the kids at my school are overweight when they start off their day like that.

Oh let's not stop there...Lunch.

A typical day at lunch consists of processed chicken nuggets, or processed fish, or processed beef...get the idea? With a side of instant mashed potatoes, corn, and smiley fries. YES! They'll serve 2 types of potatoes on the same plate...I kid you not. There is rarely anything green on their plates. The USDA has regulations about the fat content and calories, but nothing about carbohydrates or sugars.

If a child is on the free and reduced lunch program, they are required to get milk, whether they drink it or not. Half these kids don't even open them. They just go straight to the garbage (which is actually fine with me since I'm not a fan of milk). But it's the principle of just wasting it. But I digress...

Food in our schools is atrocious. Especially at the elementary level where it's hardly edible. On the off day I happen to forget my lunch, I would rather starve than eat anything from our cafeteria.

I can't make this stuff up!

2009-12-06T00:22:00.003-06:00

My neighborhood is so jacked up! Although most nights are pretty quiet, we have plenty of entertainment on other nights. And it's ALWAYS at night that "things" happen. Joe says we should write a book about all the drama that goes on here. I've decided we need to start smoking in order to fit in better. It's like an undercover operation, and we're about to get made. We're overqualified to live here. We have all our teeth, pay our bills on time, don't smoke, we can speak a complete sentence without dropping the F-bomb, and we both have jobs. Completely overqualified.

So last night was no night of disappointment. Let me preface this by saying we live on the inside of a 90 degree curve into the neighborhood. It snowed half the day yesterday, and iced over after. I was not at all surprised to hear a thud outside around 9:30. I've heard this thud before. I heard it when our mailboxes were taken out last year, and again when a pole was taken out last winter. We went outside to take a look and saw what we thought we'd see...one of the "watch it, there's a curve here" sign taken down by a car, but no car in sight. Our neighbors came out too; probably thinking they took out our mailboxes again.

We went back inside thinking nothing of it. But once I sat down, I had this nagging feeling that something wasn't quite right. I didn't hear the usual squealing tires that precede a crash. Nor did I hear a car take off after hitting the pole. So we went back outside with flashlight in hand. Across the street there's a GIANT drainage ditch, and just guess what was at the bottom of it? Yep...the freaking car! It's about a 20 foot drop. Of course we started freaking out and called 911. Some boys from the houses next door to us went down to check on the guy, but he was okay. Actually, he was great...cause he was drunk! Stupid drunk. AND didn't speak a lick of English.

So the fire trucks get there, and the ambulance, and the State Troopers. It's a mess right outside our front door. And to make it even more interesting, the boys who went down to help the guy noticed a bottle of liquor in the car and threw it away from the car so they could go back later and retrieve it. Is that not the dumbest thing you ever heard!? Idiots...

Half the neighborhood was in our front yard wondering what was going on...and smoking. A girl 2 doors down came trotting along about 8 months pregnant without any shoes on! It's 20 degrees and the preggo didn't have shoes! I was just waiting for her to light up too.

There is just no shortage of drama here in Trailer Trash Estates. It wasn't even the accident that made the evening so interesting...it was the neighbors! I wish I had a hidden microphone or video camera. You'll just have to be content with the view we had from our front porch.

Thorny Thursdays

2009-12-03T19:35:00.003-06:00

Today is Thursday. Every Thursday morning I have a REALLY hard time getting out of bed. This stems from a fear that one of my Thursday kiddos will drive me to the point of insanity where I cannot be responsible for my actions. Why should I be responsible? Most of my Thursday kids don't feel the need to be responsible for their actions. If they happen to hit me all I can do is document it. If the tables were turned, my career would be over. Yes, I've been hit twice this year, pinched, and had a chair thrown at me by a 5 year old.

All of this has happened on Thursdays. I'm glad this Thursday is over. Just 2 more until Christmas.

Hugs to Last a Lifetime

2009-12-02T08:48:00.002-06:00

Every day I come to school I always think about writing this blog. The hug blog. I get more hugs in a day than I blink my eyes. Last year it was probably more. I had morning bus duty last year, and therefore got to greet about 80% of our students first thing in the morning. These kids are very lovey-dovey. I tried to count one time how many hugs I got in a day, but quickly lost track.

Hugs are pretty much the only things that keep me going this year. Every time I think I can't take anymore "stuff", I get kindergarten at the end of the day...and 27 hugs in 2 minutes.

I'll miss my little huggers next year if I happen to get a new job.

Hugs are fun! :o)

Thanksgiving Trip

2009-11-28T15:23:00.012-06:00

For Thanksgiving this year, we thought we'd go visit Joe's mom in South Carolina. We had a blast. She sent us to Charleston for a couple nights to do some touring around. The first tour we did was a culinary tour. It wasn't really what I expected, but it was still pretty good. We started out in this hole in the wall cafe that shared it's building with a Lil Cricket conveinent store. I was skeptical. It was fantastic. The grits were better than any other restaurant we went to while there. We went to a couple candy stores, a chocolate shop, a bar-b-que restaurant, where I actually ate some collard greens...still don't like them though, then to a spice store, and then a kichen gadget store. I can't believe I didn't take a single picture on that tour, but there you have it. Again, not the tour I was expecting, but still good.

I think we probably ate every 2 hours we were there. They have the best restaurants. If you ever go, I highly recommend Hanks seafood. That might have been our favorite. I liked Magnolias too, but we both agreed Hanks was fantastic.

Some more fun times in Charleston.

We then made our way to Hilton Head Island.

Joe and his mom.

Riding bikes at the beach.

I tried to take a picture of Phil over my head from my bike. I'm not a very good shot.

Joe's mom and I even had time to go to Savannah.

So we had a pretty eventful Thanksgiving. I'm thinking we need to go again in the Spring to fully enjoy the East Coast.

Decisions, decisions...

2009-11-01T20:11:00.002-06:00

I think I'm getting to that point in my life where some big changes are needed to be decided.

Decision #1: Buying or building a new home.

We've lived in our "neighborhood" for about 5 years now, and I'm thinking it might be time to move on pretty soon. Once we sell out last rental property, it will be time for a change in scenery. I'm really not too picky. Preferably just one that doesn't move every time we have a storm...and a garage would be nice too.

Decision #2: Change jobs...again.

When I came to my school last year, I thought I hit a gold mine. The kids were great, the administration was great, my team was great. I should have known it wouldn't last. Some new schools opened up, redrawing our district lines. Lost a lot of good kids. Then our principal ends up going to one of these new schools, so we get a new principal (she is the devil). And only one of my team members is the same as last year. I don't know if I mentioned our principal is the devil, but she is. She makes it really hard to want to stay there. But I love what I do, and I know the kids. She is the devil.

Decision #3: Baby?

This is like a constant ping pong match going on in my head. Back and forth, on and off, yes or no. I have no doubt I'll be a good parent. I'm not really sure what I'm waiting for. Hubby is the decision maker in the house. I can't make a decision to save my life. I've never been "on my own" and therefore have never had to make any tough decisions. I'm spoiled, I know.

So there you have it. These are the things on my mind at this point in time, in no particular order.

Fuming

2009-10-29T08:33:00.003-05:00

So our district has been on the news this last week. EVERY night this week. Good ol' Wayne Dulcefino's sticking his nose in other people's business...again. I don't think this man reports news. I think he reports crap. Twisting the truth around until it looks ugly. Our district and superintendent have been accused of misusing taxpayer's money for travel and training of teachers and administrators. I do agree some of the trips are unnecessary, but this is nothing new in the education world. EVERY district does this. They all spend lots of money on consultants and training.

I'm not always happy about what decisions our superintendent has made, but I don't think turning his name to mud is the answer. As a teacher in this district, I fume when I see these "news" reports about us. We spend countless hours with these kids during the school year trying to make them better people. We are counselor, teacher, and parent to many of these kids during the day. We spend more time with them than most of their parents, give them more hugs than they get at home, and discipline them better with our words than with our hands.

If our district wants to send us away from here for a few days of training, why the hell not?

Just a lot of nothing

2009-09-26T15:52:00.002-05:00

I haven't posted in a while because I haven't had anything to post. Since school started up again, life has been very monotonous. I get up, go to work, perfect my vocal abilities all day, go home. It's just been a great big pile of boring!

There is one bright and shining star from the last few weeks. I've been dropping weight for no apparent reason at all. I'm not going to complain, but it usually takes drastic measures for my weight loss. Hopefully I don't have some terminal disease or anything.

With it being High School Football season, I'm feeling the effects of being single again. I might go on a date once in a blue moon with the hubster, but usually I'm content with taking myself to Subway for dinner and ending the evening with the purchase of a new book. I might have a slight addiction in that area...at least it's legal. I've been trying to keep myself occupied with as many hobbies as I can manage. I think I'm doing a pretty good job of it too. Bagpipes are getting learned, scrapbooks are getting started (notice I didn't say finished), books are getting read, and on and on it goes.

I know...it's okay to be jealous. :o)

1st day of school

2009-08-24T19:04:00.002-05:00

So I don't use any real names when it comes to work. I would hate for someone to think I was talking about them...I can just plead ignorant. Today was obviously the first day of school. These next two words deserve their own paragraph.

It sucked.

Most of the classes I had were great. I went through my 1st day spiel and on they went. We even got to play a game in 1st grade. They were my favorite...by FAR. Kindergarten is last in the rotation this year.

That also sucked.

I thought they were crazy in the morning...I think they get crazier as the day goes on. Having 29 five year olds in one room pretty much sucked every motherly instinct out of me. Not only did we get their sweet little faces for 50 minutes at the end of the day, but we also got to keep them for the next hour while we waited to dismiss them to buses. Now I'm not going to play the blame game, but having the specials teachers dismiss kindergarten to buses is a BAD IDEA. Do we HAVE a transportation list?...no. Do these kids even know their own name?...no. Do THEY know how they get home?....hahahahah!!!!...no. I had 2 in tears before the day was over...BECAUSE THEY NEED STRUCTURE! I don't even HAVE my own kids and I know this.

I was never so happy as to come home and do dishes. Even teachers need a little structure in their lives.

Day 11:

2009-08-13T17:59:00.003-05:00

So I'm well into week 2 of my new program, and the only thing I've noticed is a slight lessening of back fat. THAT'S IT! Now, back fat is not the most attractive thing, so I'm okay with that, but the scale won't budge, and the tape measure is not very promising. Don't get me wrong, I'm going to stick with it. Obviously 2 months isn't enough time for my body to adjust to working out. All that time with a personal trainer must have thrown everything out of whack!

But like I said, I'll stick with it. I'm determined to buy one of those clearanced swim suits in December and stare at myself in a mirror for hours on end. This is something I've never done, but hope to accomplish before 2010...not the staring at myself in the mirror part, just the buying a bathing suit.

So hopefully I can keep up with this workout routine once school starts. I guess I'll know after tomorrow. :o(

This body of mine just doesn't want to cooperate!

2009-08-03T17:10:00.002-05:00

Okay, so I've got just one more training session with my trainer on Tuesday. This makes me happy. It's hard. Not that I actually thought it'd be easy, but sometimes I just like to workout at home. Like today...

Joe and I have started another, oh, I mean a new workout program. This one's a lot cheaper than a personal trainer and hopefully more effective. It's one of those Beach Body programs that you've only heard of if you stay up late and watch infomercials. I did my first workout this morning. The sad part was I got my heart rate up to ludicrous speed just during the warm up. This is not good. I realized very quickly this program is probably for people who are NOT fat and want to look like Gerard Butler in the movie "300". I was just waiting for the guy to tell me to upend a tractor tire 10 times in 30 seconds!

I thought my trainer was hard...this was ridiculous! But I'm going to stick with it. I'm hopeful I might actually lose some weight. 4 weeks with a personal trainer, and nothing! I think I might have gained a pound. I'm at my wits end here people! Perhaps this 90 days of Hell will be my saving Grace.

Day One: Check!

A workout to die for

2009-07-21T14:24:00.003-05:00

I'm dying! Okay, maybe not. I think I finally got pushed too far at the gym today. I was only about 15 minutes in before I actually started to get nauseous. What the hey! Wendy said that can happen when there are too many days between workouts. Well I didn't want to look like a weenie, so I just pretended like I wasn't about to barf all over myself. But I stuck it out and finished the hour without incident. I think the only reason I didn't just say forget it and grab a snowcone on the way home was the fact that I've already PAID for the sessions.

And of course after an hour with Wendy I was told to do my 45 minutes of cardio. This chick doesn't mess around! I was sweating in places I haven't sweat since drum corps. I'm almost embarrassed to walk in the parking lot. It's so not attractive. I was beat. My legs felt like jelly, I have a headache, and I don't want to get off the couch.

Just 25 more weeks...

It's July already?!

2009-07-18T00:11:00.003-05:00

This summer is going by WAY too fast! I should have known it would. The last school year went by just as fast. I have done a lot this summer, but I'm not ready to go back in 3 stinkin' weeks! Now those of you non-teachers don't need to do that whole "cry me a river" thing. I know I have a pretty sweet gig, but these vacations are well deserved. Having a whole 20 minutes of complete adult conversation in an 8 hour period, keeping a smile on my face for 50 minutes at a time, and demonstrating how to make a circle on the floor can take its toll. I have enjoyed not getting sneezed on the last 6 weeks, but I do miss a lot of my kids...well a few...okay, maybe just 1 or 2.

I even had such high hopes as to want to work on my curriculum during the summer. I really don't know what I was thinking. All my books are still in my crate where I left them the last day of school. I don't even want to look at them...I'm just not ready :oP

I have about a week and a half left with Joe. Then I probably won't see him again until Christmas. Puppy and I will miss him. I'm sure I'll be writing more often in the fall about how much I enjoy eating alone. Perhaps I should start a support group for wives of band directors. I digress...

So puppy is doing really great after getting over the Parvovirus. I weighed the little porker today and he's back up to his pre parvo weight. Looks like he was plenty spoiled at his gramma's house this last week! I'll have to post some pictures once I can find my dang camera cord!

All by myself

2009-07-03T15:54:00.006-05:00

Sometimes being on your own for a while can make you appreciate being married. Since Joe and I are both teachers you would assume we spend lots of time together during school breaks. On the contrary...

Summer week 1 and 2: I was in Minnesota, minus husband.

Week 3: husband at band camp, then off to NYC, minus wife.

Week 4: husband at band camp during the day. I think I saw him all of 3 evenings before...

Week 5: husband off to see his mother in South Carolina, minus wife.

This is where we are now. I kept myself busy today by going to the zoo, hanging out in Hermann Park, and going to the Japanese gardens.

Mr. Giraffe just wanted to show off some hiney for us.

This was in the Japanese Garden in Hermann Park.

So I had a good time even though I WAS by myself. There's lots to do on the West side of town, so next time I'm dragging hubby with me and he WILL enjoy it.

Forever battling the bulge

2009-06-26T15:27:00.003-05:00

My hubby wasn't very happy when I joined a gym back in February, but since I go pretty regularly, he's come to terms with it. He's even joined one of his own. Unfortunately he can't join mine cause no men are allowed past the front door. :o) Mine's pretty inexpensive, and I have everything I need there. When he signed up for his he got some personal training sessions with it. I was a little jealous. All week I've been thinking about how expensive it is for the trainers at my gym. But when I walked in the door today I was pleasantly surprised to find them having a special on trainers! I took it as a sign.

So now I have Wendy. My first session with her is July 7th. A little later then I wanted to start, but it'll have to do. I'll have to let you know how much I like her after that. First impressions tells me she's one of "those" trainers. Spunky, lots of energy, talks too fast size 2. But I think I'll like her. Her nutrition advise is good, but goes against everything I've been conditioned to do the past 8 weeks on my eating program (which has actually been working). Conflicting information sucks.

So here I go trying to lose weight the "natural" way. Let's hope it's all worth it!

Camera (phone) dump

2009-06-22T20:58:00.012-05:00

My camera sucks. I take more pictures with my phone. Lately I've taken a crap load of pictures...just thought I'd share.

Dobbie is free! This is the day he came home from the vet hospital.

Happy Birthday Jules!

1 week old.

One of my favorites.

Hmmm...

That's right...I'm cool!

I just love my carseat!

Wow mom, it's really hot here.

Holy crap! 105!

Ahhhhh...the coolest place in the house!

Summer vacation...week 1

2009-06-11T10:00:00.003-05:00

11 hours in the car on Monday and 8 hours in the car on Tuesday brought me to Minneapolis for 2 things:

1. My sister is about to give birth any day. I was going to come up after the birth, but plans changed because of...

2. My puppy has been at the vet hospital since Monday for Parvo.

I do not wish this virus on any dog. It's horrible. I though about taking pictures of him at the hospital (thinking it would be the last time I'd see him), but he really looks terrible. I'd probably just cry every time I saw it. I get calls twice a day from the vet giving me updates, and I go see him every day. This particular hospital is the best in the area, so we'll see how well he comes out of it.

The last day

2009-06-07T09:05:00.002-05:00

Oh the joys of being a teacher. Let's hear it for the next 2 1/2 months off! Technically Monday is my last day, but the kids went home Friday for the Summer. Just one more day to sit around and do nothing until the announcement is made to go home. Friday was pure chaos. 5th grade had their "graduation" ceremony. Me being Mrs. PTO, I had to serve cake, make punch, and be nice to people who were really just pissing me off. Our parents are lacking something called common courtesy, tact, politeness...I could go on.

Being a teacher I've learned so much about what NOT to do as a parent. I'll be SO ready when the time comes.

At the end of the school day Friday (which happened to be 11:30) all the teachers went out to the sidewalk to wave goodbye to the kids leaving on the bus. This seemed to be some kind of tradition. A kick line was started...songs were sung...and a huge cheer rang out as the last bus pulled out. I have no cord for my camera, so my camera is pretty useless right now. So I took a picture using my phone. You'll have to check my facebook to see that joyous occasion. :o)

Field Day!

2009-06-01T17:57:00.003-05:00

The last week of school has begun...field day! This was probably going to be the funnest day of the week. We saw Kindergarten and 1st grade today. It was a blast. I wish I could post pictures of the events, but I don't think that's really legal.

The first event was the relay run. I've never seen so many shoes flying off feet! Don't these kids know how to tie thier shoes? Oh wait...no, they don't. We had trees marked that the kids had to run around. I got to stand at one tree (with shade :o) and direct the kids around it. Many of these kids still don't understand much English, so that was hilarious to watch.

Second event was the potato sack race. Some of those little Kindergarteners were swallowed up in their sack! My favorite part was when they would fall down. Is that wrong?

Then it was off to the gym for some much needed air conditioning and some scooter relays. I laughed so hard I was crying on this one. Some kids really have no common sense. But those are the most entertaining.

Last even was back outside to the tug of war...class against class. Sometimes it just wasn't fair, so us teachers would give one team an extra pull. Every team ended up winning at least one tug. That's just the way we are these days. There are no losers anymore.

Every student was then awarded a bracelet and a popsicle for their efforts.

Two grade levels down...4 more to go!

Last week

2009-05-30T22:27:00.003-05:00

The last week of school is upon us. For me this means Field Day. I'm crazy excited for this to happen. The boys think I'm just crazy. The boys refers to the coaches. They're a fun lot. I had an awesome team this year. It's just too bad our principal is going to a new school and everyone is jumping ship to welcome the new principal...my team included. 3 out of the 5 of us are leaving. I am not included in that. 3 schools in 3 years is enough. I'll just stick it out and hope for the best.

One thing I WON'T be doing next year again is PTO president. That is the most craptastic job in the world. I've truely never been to Sam's Club so much in my life. All I've heard all year is how wonderful the events were LAST year...all the activities they did LAST year. It's funny how nobody noticed how they ended up $6,000 in debt at the end of the year though. In one week I wash my hands of you, PTO!

I was up at school today (yes, a Saturday) to clean up, and do a bunch more PTO crap I won't be thanked for later. My classroom is in a sad state of affairs. It gets to be so drab when you take everything off the walls and put everything away. Although inside I'm doing a little happy dance I won't see it again for 2 1/2 months. I'll have to take pictures on the last day of my sad little classroom with it's ugly blue walls...and a picture of the last bus rolling out of the parking lot!!

You call THAT a banquet?

2009-05-10T20:03:00.002-05:00

Earlier this week my hubby tells me I was invited to their band banquet. I was SO excited! Again, like the last post, I though I could relive some of my past through Joe being a high school director. And again I was wrong.

Disappointment #1: It was at the school...in the cafeteria. Decorated nicely, but really. The cafeteria? Ours were always in the ballrooms of hotels. Maybe we were just spoiled.

Disappointment #2: Dinner was catered by Texas Roadhouse. Now, I love me some Roadhouse, but not for a banquet decorated in the style of mardi gras.

Disappointment #3: I had to sit at the head table which meant no playing with my iphone during the ceremony.

Disappointment #4: The "ceremony" took nearly 3 hours. Awards to be given, speeches to be made. I felt like I was at the academy awards...EVERY senior gave a speech.

Disappointment #5: Had to stay till the bitter end. Being the band directors wife, we couldn't very well leave early. We were the LAST to leave.

Disappointment #6: No dancing, no DJ, no photographer. Again, maybe we were spoiled.

That was 5 hours of my life I can't get back. Can you tell I was a little disappointed?

Reliving the glory days?

2009-04-26T20:51:00.002-05:00

When Joe got his new job at the high school I though "This is going to be so awesome! I'll go to all the football games, be the fun band directors wife, go on great high school band trips again. It'll be like I'm reliving a piece of high school".

I am so dumb.

Point number 1: I went to ONE football game all season (near the END of the season) just to watch the band of course. I paid $7 to watch half time, then left. I don't like paying to get into football games. I'm not use to it.

Point number 2: I find I don't like hanging around a bandhall anymore. After teaching band, it just makes me feel old. No more fun band directors wife.

Point number 3: I did get to go to Chicago, which was fun, but not with a bunch of 17 year olds.

Silly, silly me.

I'd rather be teaching kindergarten

2009-04-12T18:26:00.003-05:00

I had written this witty post about being sick. But when I tried to post it, it deleted it instead. Personally, I don't care enough to write it again...I'm going back to bed.

We have a piper DOWN!

2009-04-04T18:33:00.002-05:00

Have I told you I'm learning the bagpipes?! I started the last week of January, and I think I'm coming along quite nicely. I'm a bit competetive by nature when it comes to music, so I make sure I'm the best in the beginner class. I feel like I've reverted back to beginner band circa 1989. I was sweet but vicious when it came to the chair tests.

Playing on the practice chanter is not as easy as it looks. It looks like an anorexic recorder, but sounds much nicer. We get to look at getting the real pipes when we've mastered the basics. I'm determined to become master of all things bagpipe. The only thing is paying for the stinking things. Of course buying pipes is like buying any other instrument. The more you pay, the better quality you get...unless you know where to get them. I play the trumpet. I know where to buy a trumpet for a good price. Bagpipes = Greek. Well, actually they're Scottish, but you get the picture.

My Easter gig better be paying really well this year.

Apparently I'm no Spring chicken

2009-03-26T21:04:00.002-05:00

I teach Kindergarten up through 5th grade. It's no great shock to me when the little ones tell me their moms are younger than me...I've gotten use to it. But when the older ones tell me the same, it makes me do a mental double take. My 5th graders are 11. Several of them have told me I'm older than their moms. I'm 30...you do the math.

Tomorrow's Friday, so that makes me happy. Plus it's more like a do nothing day. All specials classes will be in the gym for some jump rope thing. My poor Friday class. I don't think they've done anything remotely musical in the past month. There's always something on Friday. I have a feeling they won't mind.

It's break time

2009-03-14T17:14:00.002-05:00

Spring Break:

Day 1 - Slept in til 6:45. I'm a rebel, I know. Watched some Law and Order. Watched the hubby attempt to fix a broken water pipe in the ground (which was also broken by said hubby). Decided a plummer would be called.

I haven't decided if I will brush my hair today. It being 5:30, it's doubtful that will happen.

Floors have been vacuumed. Ironing is done.

This is one exciting Spring Break!

Week at a glance

2009-03-05T19:06:00.002-06:00

I turned 30 last week. I didn't burst into flames. I didn't grow a new wrinkle. I only cried a little. I have gained a couple pounds, but I'm going to blame that on the new decade old I am, not the whole bag of Tortilla chips I ate. It was pretty uneventful...and I was okay with that.

TAKS test was on Tuesday (in case you aren't a teacher and didn't know). The longest day of our lives. The day where you get no planning period, no recess, silent lunch (have to eat with the kiddos too), and you get to do absolutely nothing while the kids take the test. We aren't even permitted to read. Constant monitoring is expected. I was so bored, I did manage to read my TAKS manual. It was fascinating...really.<----sarcasm

We found out our fire marshall is coming next week. As PTO president I was told to clean up the area behind the stage...it's PTO stuff. We have about 6 billion easter eggs back there. Wal-Mart donated them after Easter last year, but we're not allowed to celebrate at school so that was a wash. If you need any easter eggs or coloring for eggs, let me know. I can hook you up.

Here comes 30...ready or not

2009-02-23T19:17:00.003-06:00

Alright people...it's time for a new blog, I suppose. I've been a busy little bee, so any "free" time is spent sleeping. But I guess it's time for a comeback.

I've dubbed this the last week of my 20's. I'm sad. So sad, in fact, I think I cried a little in my car on the way home today. I've tried to get in shape to ring in the coming of my 30's, but by body had other plans. I joined a gym about 6 weeks ago, and have gained a total of two pounds. I blame this on my body thinking it's already 30.

After 45 minutes on the elliptical machine, I walk my jelly legs over to the weights (grabbing every machine on the way, just so I don't fall). I do this 4 days a week, and have 2 extra pounds to show for it. Can you feel the evil squint in my eye?

It's a nice gym...women only. That in itself makes it worth any money, but it's cheap too, so I get my cake and eat it too. Mmmmm....cake....

I digress...

I haven't planned ANYTHING for my big day. I thought of going to a technology training at school in the morning, but that seems kind of lame. I even thought about buying myself a set of bagpipes, but I suppose I should wait until I'm a little better. Wow, I haven't even written since I started learning the pipes...that's sad. Well, now you know. I'm learning the bagpipes. They're awesome.

Well, me being almost 30 and all, I guess I'll go to bed now...not quite 8 yet. Seems appropriate.

At least I KNOW I'm a loser

2009-01-16T19:44:00.003-06:00

I'm suppose to be running a 5K on Sunday, but I've decided tonight not to do it. A few months ago it wasn't a problem. For some reason these last few months I've gained a good 20 pounds, and can't run for more than a couple minutes at a time. I couldn't even finish it the other day. I've been running since April of last year...this makes no sense to me. I have no urge to embarrass myself by not finishing a 3 mile run. I honestly think stress can make you gain weight. It sure did give me a mouth full of canker sores bad enough to put me on as few solid foods as possible.

So I'll keep those marathon runners in my thoughts on Sunday morning. Maybe I'll actually be awake by the time the thing finishes.

Outta town!

2008-12-17T13:41:00.002-06:00

So I'm in Chicago. I'm sitting at a very nice hotel (in the lobby cause our room's not ready yet). I've been sitting here for well over 2 hours with nothing to do. I'm such a loser.

More later.

Busy little bee

2008-12-08T20:22:00.002-06:00

Counting drive time, I've been pulling 14 hour days. These are not fun. I'm one of the first ones at school and one of the last to leave. I leave the house, it's dark...I get home, it's dark. Poor puppy is not enjoying his time at home alone for 14 hours a day. I've thought about putting him in doggie day care. I use to laugh at those people, and now I have become one.

I can't teach him to use the doggie door yet since we STILL don't have a fence via Ike. We use to have parts of a fence, but the hubby decided to burn it all. I think he has a problem with being a slight pyro. We're outside the city limits, so we don't have a burn ban. Anyone can burn, and everyone does.

Anyhoo...

It's 8:30, and I'm finally home. Just 6 more days. I took off the last 3 days of school to go to Chicago for a convention. I'm pretty excited. I love my job, but if it's a choice of being there or not being there, I'll take the not being there.

I have a program on Thursday. 4th grade. I hate 4th grade. No, I shouldn't say that...I hate programs, and programs hate me. They're a huge waste of time. I've lost 10 weeks worth of music class to practice a stupid program! Don't call me on Friday...I'll be highly hungover. I'm sure it'll be a fiasco and will blog about it as soon as I can. Stay tuned.

Belle

2008-12-03T19:02:00.003-06:00

When I was just 14, mom brought home a cute little min pin puppy. Beauty and the Beast was one of our favorite movies at the time, so we named her Belle.

For almost 16 years Belle was the family dog. And although she wasn't the most photogenic, we still loved her.

We'll just skip that whole Thanksgiving thing

2008-11-24T21:26:00.004-06:00

I put up my Christmas tree on Saturday. I've been in the spirit since Wal-Mart put up their Christmas stuff back in October. I like my tree...it's simple. This is our third Christmas with this tree. I bought it the week before Christmas in 06 for 70% off. It was time to upgrade from the 3 footer.

Puppy had to have 3 shots today. He was not a happy puppy. I think the fecal test was his least favorite. He keeps dragging his booty on the ground. I don't blame him. I felt guilty, so I bought him lots of treaties and chewies and a new bed. I'm such a sucker...but look at that face!

Traffic suuuuuucks!

2008-11-14T20:26:00.002-06:00

I hate traffic. I figured I could write a whole blog on traffic and how much I hate it. If you've ever been on FM 1960 during rush hour, you know how much traffic sucks. Red light...move 20 yards...red light...move 20 yards...red light.

Then there's road construction that seems to last FOREVER. That, and I never see anyone working on the road. Lanes just merge for no reason at all. People need to learn the rules of merging. It's like a zipper, people! I only need to let one car in...ONE! Just because you're in a pickup truck doesn't mean you're special. You need to merge like everyone else. One car at a time. Can you tell this is a pet peeve of mine?

Bit of randomness

2008-11-07T23:01:00.002-06:00

I went to the Spring/Westfield football game tonight. It was the last game of the season, so I thought I'd make an appearance. Both bands had gone to State, so it was a great halftime. It reminded me of being in High School Band. I actually missed it there for about 12 minutes...then I was okay. I actually saw one of my students there tonight. My kiddos eventually go to Westfield...that school that's been in the news at least once a month for murders. Yep, that's us. I can't imagine my students turning into thugs, though...but I'm sure some will, but that's a whole other post.

I'm exhausted. I'm not looking forward to tomorrow or Sunday. I have to listen to 40 clarinets play very poorly tomorrow. Sunday is yet another Football game against the Ravens, I believe. And then we just start again on Monday. I would love to see my husband sometime before Thanksgiving, but I don't think that's going to happen.

Well this blog was pretty random. I really did have something planned before I started typing, but words just seemed to ecape me at the least minute. I'm going to bed.

Good times from elementary school

2008-10-29T20:36:00.003-05:00

I really love my job this year. I get to act like a complete fool, and I'm loved for it. I get called beautiful every day by 5 and 6 year olds even when I'm feeling not so lovely. As long as you keep the little ones entertained, they keep the compliments coming. Sometimes I just have to laugh at some of the goofy stuff they say.

"My toe hurts."

"I have a loose tooth."

"I ate a pop tart for breakfast."

"My brother's 2, but I don't like him."

They feel the need to tell me whatever pops in their little minds at that moment in time. At which point I usually reply with the same thing. "Alright, thanks for that fascinating glimps into your life." Usually they just giggle and go away. I'm sure they have no idea what I just said.

I've also mastered the art of giving bribes for good behavior. Stickers are my vice. Don't think 5th graders won't do anything for a sticker...especially if it glows in the dark. The Dollar Tree has become my favorite store. It really is a teacher mecca. I don't really care if they love me because I give them stuff. I know how boring music class can be. They have to look forward to something...even if it is a Sponge Bob sparkly sticker I slap in their heads as they walk out the door.

Don't hate, motivate!

2008-10-25T18:53:00.003-05:00

I'm having a hard time finding the motivation to do ANYTHING these days. I give a dog and pony show all day, plan for a program, head up a committee, write eviction letters on occasion, starting up two clubs, and was asked to be nominated for president of our PTO. I guess they figure I have more than enough time. I'm not a regular ed teacher, so I must have hours and hours to spare. Well, I figure it's an honor to be picked by your principal to head up her PTO.

That aside, I was asked by my husband the other day if he could possibly have a home cooked meal AT HOME. I suppose I have been neglecting my wifely duties. But I don't even cook for ME...it's hard to get motivated to cook food I don't eat to satisfy his lust for meat and cheese. He'll just give me a dirty look if dinner was couscous and seitan kabobs. Mmmm...wheat gluten on a stick...

Precious puppy

2008-10-22T19:03:00.002-05:00

His name is Dobbie. Like the house elf in Harry Potter. If you don't know Harry, than I'm sorry for you. Dobbie's growing up so fast. I think he's even bigger than this picture which I took about a week ago. His favorite toy is his Kong as long as it has peanut butter in it...otherwise, it's his least favorite. Chewing on things is his forte. Mainly he likes to chew on me and not the $7 Nylabones I got him. He loves to go outside and play in the backyard, but I have to watch him or he'll go over the fence that's STILL down from the hurricane.

Kitties aren't too thrilled about him, but they're lazy and stubborn and just stay in their room.

yulkyuyikjhml66666,

That was from Dobbie. He says hi.

A new fur baby!

2008-10-14T20:15:00.003-05:00

This is our new puppy. We're just calling him puppy for now...I can't think of a good name. Any suggestions?

Keep up the crappy work!

2008-10-06T19:53:00.003-05:00

I'm having an extremely hard time feeling peppy for my boys this season. They're freaking 0-4!! That sucks! That game on Sunday was hard to watch...well not all of it, but we lost...it's hard to remember the rest. Our team sucks. It's so sad. People pay lots of money to watch a losing team. Luckily I don't have to pay money to watch (I get in for free), but I still have to watch. It's still painful to see them lose week after week. I'm still bummed about this.

I scream, you scream...

2008-09-29T18:11:00.007-05:00

I just finished dinner. A half a pint of ice cream. It's not real ice cream, of course, but I think I've found the best non-dairy ice cream EVER! Sure it's $3.89 a pint, but worth every calorie ridden bite. Just because it's non-dairy doesn't mean it's non-fat. This was my dinner...nothing new to me. I figure if I don't eat anything else it's okay, right? Right!

Although I think it's going straight to my butt. I started running on the treadmill instead of outside for vanity sake. There's so much on me that jiggles (especially my back end) that I have no need to showcase this in the outdoors. But I digress...

The ice cream stays. I have need for it. It makes me happy. I've given up a lot in the food and beverage department...I'm keeping the ice cream. If you ever see it in the store, you have to get it.

Program, shmogram...

2008-09-27T18:51:00.002-05:00

I hate programs. I really don't remember being in any programs when I was in school. I remember seeing my sister's Kindergarten program, but that's it. Why do we DO these? Every day for the next 6 weeks (luckily only during 1 class) I get to put on the same music, and teach the SAME songs! It's right before Thanksgiving, so I suppose it'll have a Turkey day theme. I've got 3 songs...nothing more...I have to start this on Monday...I'm so not creative. Any creative ideas are welcome. Just keep in mind I work in the ghetto. Parent volunteers are non existent. Nothing too over the top. No really...I need ideas.

Neighborly love

2008-09-23T15:58:00.004-05:00

I love my neighbors for many reasons.

1. They're always home and can sign for our packages during the day.

2. They help me mow the lawn when I'm looking pitiful with my crappy lawnmower.

3. They provide endless entertainment when the sun goes down.

I guess they figure if they can't be seen, they can't be heard. They're like kids who think sound doesn't travel. I'm sure the alcohol has a lot to do with it, but the more they drink, the more entertained we are. During the week of no power there was no shortage of Next Door Excitement. We usually sit on the back porch...I don't know why, we just do. But since we had the generator running in the back, we had to make do with the front. We'd go sit in the complete darkness out front and enjoy the cool weather. The only way you'd know the neighbors were out was the light from their cigarettes glowing. We might actually be the only ones in our neighborhood who don't smoke and have college degrees. Anyhoo...

A very large tree came down on 2 of their cars during the hurricane...about 8 feet from our bedroom window. They were obviously not happy about it and made their anger known to anyone in a 1/2 block radius...from their front porch. That porch has seen more drama than a Broadway stage! But we don't mind. It's worth not having TV with neighbors like these! :o)

Life after Ike

2008-09-21T14:11:00.002-05:00

Holy crap! That hurricane really sucked. Not that not all hurricanes don't suck, but that was a doozy. It's taken a week to post because it's taken a week to get power. I'm not going to complain too much about that, we had a generator from Rita...we were lucky. Finding gas for it was another story. Water was just turned on today...eight days without water. That was the worse part. But we still have a house, so I don't really care. I wish I could get the pictures off the camera, but that'll have to wait. Hubby decided to put them all on HIS computer and delete them off the camera. But soon I promise to show you lots of water and destruction.

Power companies from all over the country were here working on downed lines. I've never seen anything like it. They were awesome. The power went out late Friday night. We started seeing trucks in our neighborhood on Thursday morning, and by the time the sun went down on Friday, the power was on. As the trucks left the neighborhood, it was like a parade of onlookers hooping and hollering from their front yards. These men were heros to us.

Our fire department was also awesome. Twice during the week they came to our very low class neighborhood and gave us all cases of water and bags of ice. They're certainly getting a letter from me!

Going to PODS (points of distribution) was not in our plan, but we did eventually go to one for ice and water. I was not happy about going to one, but ice was in short supply since most grocery stores still didn't have power either.

Things are starting to feel more normal now that I don't have to brush my teeth with bottled water, or take sponge baths with baby wipes, or go outside to cool off. I'll be posting pictures as soon as I get them.

Head to the hills!

2008-09-11T17:10:00.002-05:00

Even without TV, I know there's a hurricane coming. Hurricane Ike...almost to the middle of the alphabet already. Freakin' hurricanes. You could be a hermit and know it's coming. It's like Armageddon. Lines at the gas station, signs at the gas station saying "no more gas", the bumper to bumper traffic headed north, bread and water gone from every store in a 100 mile radius, and a lot of really bad drivers. This morning we heard there would be no school tomorrow. Well that was a shocker. I suppose the catagory 3 hurricane headed our way didn't tip us off.

Before the end of the day, those of us who lived far were told to go home at about 2:15. I didn't get home until a few minutes ago...about 2 hours to go 20 miles. I guess that's not bad considering with Rita I sat in traffic for 12 hours and went 5 miles. I didn't complain about my measly 2 hour drive home. But mom lives down by Galveston. I don't envy that drive if she decides to come up here. Not that my house is any safer...it's farther north, but built on wheels.

Is it just me, or does it seem like there are a lot more hurricanes forming every year? What the heck is going on? Oh well. Here's an extra day to get my house clean, and do lesson plans...yippee. Let's hope I have power while doing it.

Sick already

2008-09-07T14:46:00.003-05:00

My eighth day of school, I felt a little tickle in my throat. Well, I am talking and singing all day, so I thought it was just voice strain. Day nine I wake up with a stuffy nose. This is not happening the SECOND week of school! As teachers we accumulate days every year to use as we see fit. If we change districts, we lose our local days, but keep our state days. My last year of teaching, I thought that would be it for me. I went ahead and took ALL my days that year. I had 21. Yes, I took 21 days off school...I hated it that much.

Fast forward to the present. I am now starting with no days of sick leave...not that I would take any right now, but coming from 21 days to nothing in one year is quite impressive. My immune system is crappy. I really was sick a lot that year. My first year of teaching little kids who don't like to wash their hands takes its toll. I had several colds, the flu (twice), pleurisy, ringworm, and a few upper respiratory infections. It was a rough year. So here I go again. Into a new battlefield of germs and infection. Second week of school...I think that's a record. Even though I've sprayed Lysol on all my door handles, keep hand sanitizer on me like a drug, and wash my hands 27 times a day, it was all for nothing.

These next two weeks, I'm going to do a little experiment. I'm not going to sanitize anything, and see if I still get sick. Might as well have a little fun with not being able to breath through my nose.

So tired...

2008-08-28T23:52:00.002-05:00

I just got home from a football game...it's midnight, on a school night. We got the shaft, as usual at. This time it was no food AND no locker room. All this after a fun day at school with, count them, 2 fire drills in one day! Why 2 fire drills in one day, you ask? Because we didn't get out fast enough the first time.

Let me preface this by saying it's the first week of school. The first fire drill happened first thing in the morning. Do you remember what class I have 1st? KINDERGARTEN! Did they happen to warn us about this coming doom?...no. No time to tell them not to cry from the loud noise coming from the walls. No time to learn how to say line up and stay quiet in Spanish. Did I mention they don't speak English?...No?

Well after this complete disaster, while I was bringing 5th grade into my room, ANOTHER alarm goes off. Now I'm just annoyed. But luckily they speak English, so not so crazy. I'm assuming we got out fast enough this time since there wasn't a third alarm...I wouldn't be surprised. Perhaps tomorrow.

I'm going to bed.

First day of school

2008-08-26T17:50:00.003-05:00

The first day of school came and went on Monday, but we (the Specials team) didn't have any kids that day. I felt pretty bad for those classroom teachers who had to be with their kids all day without a conference (or what we call a long lunch). Today was my real first day.

1st thing in the morning we have Kindergarten...oh, joy. I'm a pretty fast talker, so I really have to slow things down for Kinder, or it's buh-bye attention spans. Kinder is what I like to call The Animal. They have to be taught EVERYTHING! From where their feet go when they're standing or sitting, to how we don't talk out of turn (blurting), to where your eyes need to be when the teacher's talking...you know, stuff you tell your kids every year and wonder why they can't remember it. But it's all good now. Once I brought out the sparkly pencils to give out, they learned really quick what was appropriate. It's amazing what a little bribe will do!

This worked in pretty much all my classes. I love most of my Tuesday kiddos. Let's hope the rest of the week goes as smoothly.

New school, new year

2008-08-24T20:35:00.003-05:00

It's the night before the first day of school. Of course, all teachers are anticipating this day so much it's going to be hard to sleep. I think we might be more anxious than the kids...I know I am. With my new job comes new responsibilities. I'm by myself this year. I've never been alone in teaching. I'm actually kind of excited. I can do whatever I want! This makes me happy. My PALM team is awesome (PE, Art, Library, Music). They keep me laughing, which is something I highly enjoy doing.

There's really no point to this post. I know I'm rambling, but I can't think of anything else to do with myself. New school clothes are put away, tomorrow's outfit is laid out...LUNCH!...I need to put my lunch together. Okay, that's enough rambling! Wish me luck!

The plateau

2008-08-21T21:29:00.002-05:00

Being fat sucks. On the road to skinny we hit bumps, detours, and sometimes we crash. I don't know what catagory I would fit into, but I haven't crashed. Having something to work towards is suppose to help me, but I haven't been motivated enough to work. My 5K is in just over 4 months...hopefully this is enough time to get my butt in gear (literally). 3 miles in 4 months? I think this is possible, even for chubby ol' me.

It's back to school time!

2008-08-21T18:49:00.002-05:00

Having a new job has it's pros and cons. Pros: Meeting new people; decorating a new room; 1st days of school. Cons: Meeting new people; decorating a new room; 1st days of school. Right now I love my school. I love my admin, I love my team, and I love all the other teachers...right now. Ask me again in a couple of weeks how I love it. The excitement of back to school is in the air, but it won't last long...a week, maybe two.

Let me tell you what I'm not looking forward to: Morning bus duty; Telling the students their other music teacher isn't coming back; Being compared to said "other" music teacher; Having kindergarten for 45 minutes 1st period...need I go on? I've been in my classroom for the past couple of weeks getting it ready. Our meet the teacher is tomorrow night. I'm trying to prep myself for the disappointed little faces of students who come to visit their "former" music teacher. I'll let you know how this goes.

Operation sunscreen

2008-08-10T23:45:00.001-05:00

Operation sunscreen is a program we put together to help protect the troops as they help protect us! With your donation of $20, you will be providing a Mary Kay sunscreen set to troops overseas including:

1 SPF 30 sunscreen

1 Lip protector sunscreen SPF 15

1 After-sun Replenishing gel

If you're interested in donating to this great cause, please email me at heatherclark79@marykay.com

I will make all the orders from my computer and ship directly to the Soldiers Angel Network, so all you need to do is donate! :o)

I AM SPARTACUS!

2008-08-10T17:39:00.002-05:00

I received the BEST news last night as we were ending our first NFL preseason game. Phantom Regiment WON FINALS!!! Woohoo!!! All of us Regiment alum in the band (around 5 or 6) went totally berserk. I think most people around us figured it had something to do with the Texans winning in the last few seconds of the game, but no. We had other games on our minds. Good job Phantom! I'm still so excited I can't stop smiling! I feel like such a loser for not having seen the show this year, but you better believe I'm buying the video.

So I leave you with a little snippet of the show this season. Maybe when I get the video, I'll have a little Phantom watching party!

I AM SPARTACUS!

The High Cost of Low Prices

2008-08-07T22:53:00.004-05:00

The last few months have been months of change. Mostly they're changes that were better for me and for the environment. I went vegan, I only buy American gas, I use less plastic bags at the store, I got a reusable water bottle, and many other things I just can't think of right now. My new venture to save the world is boycotting Wal-Mart. Thanks to my friend, it was recommended I watch a sort of documentary on how Wal-Mart is destroying the world.

"The High Cost of Low Prices"

This is a must watch movie. I hated Wal-Mart before, but this just made me feel better about it. All "Mom and Pop" businesses in small towns are completely wiped out when Wal-Mart comes to town. It was very eye-opening. Low wages, high cost medical coverage, encouragement from management to take advantage of government hand outs, managers changing weekly hours to keep employees under 40, and factory conditions in other countries. I WILL NEVER SHOP THERE AGAIN. You shouldn't either. This company is evil! Most of the products from Wal-Mart are manufactured in China, yet I've seen commercials about how we should buy American and shop at Wal-Mart. LIES! I don't like liers. I'll gladly take my business where it's appreciated and needed. Go rent this movie!!!

The road to skinny

2008-08-01T16:31:00.002-05:00

Losing weight has been a real eye-opening experience for me. I've realized a few things:
1. I CAN do it.
2. I feel better.
3. I look better.
4. I still LOVE food.

I decided last week that it was time to try on the wedding dress. This was the ultimate test. Now, I was still a chunky monkey at my wedding, but I'll take what little satisfaction I can get. It fit, and I was happy. I even did a little dance around my living room to celebrate since I happen to be alone. This is probably the only outfit in my closet that has survived since the wedding. Needless to say, my wardrobe is lacking in the smaller clothes department. Some days I really look sad. Frumpy shirts and shorts with a saggy butt. New clothes are not in the budget yet, so it's just going to have to do.

I've got about 35-40 pounds left to lose before I'm a skinny bitch, but I have faith in my system. I would put up a "before" picture, but I'll spare myself the embarassment. Those of you who know me can just picture it, I'm sure.

Three days with Mary Kay

2008-07-31T22:11:00.009-05:00

I just got back yesterday after being in Dallas since Sunday. I went to my first Mary Kay Seminar, and I had a blast! I've never seen so many women in one place! It was like I stepped into a Lifetime movie. A few women brought their spouses, but men were a rare sight indeed. I didn't get to stay in the same hotel as my area, so I was in a room all by myself. But what a room it was!

This place was crazy! It was like the Oscars and Miss America rolled into one.

It was so awesome to watch my new Sales Director Jessica walk across stage with my former Sales Director Holly!

I had a blast with my MK girls!

MEME

2008-07-25T10:34:00.002-05:00

What were you doing 10 years ago?
I was traveling the country marching with the Phantom Regiment. I can't believe that was 10 years ago! After getting back in August, I started dating my husband...how time flies.

Favorite Snacks:
Tofutti Cuties
Cashews
Peanut Butter

To do list:
Get dressed...we have small goals in the summer.
Oil change
Pack for seminar
Pick up dry cleaning

Jobs I have had:
Taco Bell
Petsmart (for 1 day) :o)
Babysitter
Private lessons
TCBY
Band director
Elementary Music teacher

Places I have lived:
Atwater, CA; Kearns, UT; Tucson, AZ; Houston, TX; Bountiful, UT; Friendswood, TX; Huntsville; Vanderbilt; Conroe.

Bad Habits:
Sleeping too much...according to my husband, it's a bad habit.
Not answering the phone.
Biting my nails.
Procrastination.

5 Random thing people may not know:
1. I like the smell of gasoline.
2. I died several times when I was 18 months old.
3. My secret dream is to be an opera singer.
4. I want to learn to pole dance.
5. I sleep with 6 pillows.

CDs I would want if stranded on an island:
How would I listen to these CDs? Do I have batteries for life? Anyhoo...
Wicked
ABBA
Moulin Rouge
Enchanted
Mozart's Requiem
Beethoven's complete symphonies

What I'd do if I were a billionaire:
Buy new house
Invest the rest!

Cows are ...not in my chili!

2008-07-22T23:34:00.003-05:00

Ooooh honey, I made some awesome vegan chili tonight. I was in kind of a cooking mood for some reason. This is not the norm for me recently. I've had no urge to cook, but since going out to eat pretty much sucks for me, well...a girl's gotta eat! So anyhoo, I made this really kick butt black bean chili. At least I think it's kick butt, you may not. Even my meat-loving husband liked it, although he did mention the sacrilege of not putting meat in chili. Can you see me rolling my eyes?

Pictures are going to have to come later. The camera seems to be in hubby's truck. I don't know why he takes the camera everywhere he goes. I've found lots of stupid pictures on the camera of things like music stands, recording equipment from school, speakers, a piece of floor in the bandhall...I don't know why, I just have this violent urge to delete them all! Where did this tangent come from?...

Back to the chili. I totally made up the recipe. I had some black beans, some vegetable broth, and some tomato sauce, it just seemed like a good idea. There was of course some other stuff in it too, but I'll tell you when I post pics.

I'm also in the process of making some no-cream ice cream. I got this recipe out of my Vegetarian Times magazine. It's peanut butter ice cream, but I'll have to let you know how it is later...it's not ready. I'll make sure to take pictures of that too...mmmmm...ice cream.

Cheating on my Toyota?

2008-07-17T01:04:00.002-05:00

I had to put my Corolla in the shop the other day for repairs due to an accident like 6 weeks ago. Ya, it's finally getting done...I figured it was time. I had a good time talking to the insurance guy for the old biddies who hit me. He was telling me how very elderly and confused she sounded...and she was just lying to him. I set him straight though. I just laughed out loud when he said the elderly part. They were only in their 50's, but I thought they were elderly too when I saw them decked out in their moomoos and house slippers. "Must of had a rough life", the insurance guy tells me. He was a hoot!

Anyhoo, I digress...

I get to have a rental car while mine is being put back together. They didn't have a compact car available, so I got the next best. It ended up being a Nissan Altima. This is the coolest car ever! There's no key. There's a sensor in the lock/unlock gadgetty thingy. As long as it's in the car, you just push a button to turn it on. It's amazing! Don't laugh at me, I drive a base model Corolla. I was lucky to get a CD player. I love my car-car, but I think I might get drivers envy when I have to turn this rental in.

It's freakin hot!

2008-07-14T17:43:00.003-05:00

It is so hot in my house right now, we took small trips in the car just to get cool. I really don't know how anyone lived without AC. I'm sweaty, my hair looks terrible, I'm grumpy, and I'm wearing almost nothing. This is not a pretty picture. I even took a cold bubble bath last night...it felt wonderful. I thought maybe our house was just crappily insulated, but I don't remember it being this hot in the past. We finally figured out there's something wrong with our air unit. They're suppose to call us back in the morning. In the mean time, we sweat. Texas in the summer sucks.

I'm not shy, I just don't want to say anything dumb

2008-07-05T11:23:00.002-05:00

There's just nothing like going to a cookout where you only know about 2 people. Expecially when you're a social retard like me. Hubby has the fortunate nature to be able to talk to anyone, anywhere, wheather he knows them or not. I on the other hand have the unfortunate disposition of having nothing to say to anyone, known or not known. I like to call myself more of an observer, a people watcher. I've heard some might mistake that as pride and conceit. Whatever...I just have nothing to say.

So don't think I don't like you because I don't talk to you. I just haven't mastered the art of conversation yet.

Breakfast!

2008-06-30T17:18:00.002-05:00

Okay, so here's a couple pictures of my latest concoctions. My hot cocoa and scrambled tofu...yummy!

Hooray for tofu!

2008-06-29T21:26:00.004-05:00

I've been experimenting with new strange foods, and I haven't been disappointed yet. The other day I was craving something sweet, but the only thing chocolate I had in my house was a tin of baking cocoa. Well this calls for hot chocolate, vegan style! I poured 1 1/2 cups of soy milk in a sauce pan with 2 T of cocoa and a 1/2 t of Stevia. Whisk together on low heat until it starts to steam, not boil. Then I added a touch of vanilla before pouring. This was pretty darn good! Even hubby liked it. This is when I know something is good...if the carnivore likes it, it must be fantastic.

Lately I've been craving scrambled eggs. Yes, I still crave meat and dairy, but I just improvise with what I have. When we went to Moab for our reunion, I got to spend some time with my aunt and uncle who are vegan too. They took me to a restaurant that caters to us weirdos. I got the scrambled tofu. It was so incredibly yummy, I've been craving it ever since. So I decided to make my own tonight. I'm one of the pickiest eaters I know when it comes to textures, so I was a little apprehensive about making my own scrambled tofu. It was so easy! I took a handful of tofu and squeezed the excess water out. This made a perfect scrambled "egg" consistency before I even cooked it. Then I heated a nonstick skillet with a little bit of garlic flavored olive oil on medium heat. In went the tofu, salt, pepper, some Tony's, and onion powder. I was amazed at how this really tasted like eggs! I have found my new favorite breakfast dish. Oatmeal was starting to get a little old. I wish I had taken a picture of it, but I was so hungry and it smelled so good, I didn't get the chance. But I'll make it again tomorrow I'm sure!

Family Time Part 2

2008-06-23T16:45:00.008-05:00

On the fifth day of our little family adventure, it was the last day of the reunion. I was a little bummed. First for having to get in the car again with kids who couldn't play nice, and second for not getting to go to Salt Lake at I had intended. So I got my camera out and took lots of pictures of people I'll miss until my next visit.

This is Great Grandma Dot. She likes to hit people with her cane...luckily, she didn't have it.

Next to that is one of her daughters who happens to be my grandmother.

This is my grandma's sister, Janice. She's only a few years older than mom, so we grew up with her kids...my second cousins I guess. Then here's Rosalie, one of Great Grandma Dot's sisters.

And of course here's me and my mom. That's grandpa on the right, mom's dad.

Well, we had a good time but it was time to leave. But not home...oh no. It was off to Nebraska to help my sister-in-law with some flooding problems!

Family time

2008-06-21T11:14:00.006-05:00

The last 10 days have been a little crazy. The hubby got to miss out on all the fun, but I was right there in the middle of it. Last Wednesday and Thursday we drove from Houston to Oklahoma City to Moab, Utah for our family reunion. Once we got there, I had a good time. I really can't say the same for the trip there.

Just kill me now. This was day 3 in the car when we finally arrived in Moab.

Day 4 was pretty great. We went hiking in Arches National Park. Mile and a half one way my patootie!

Just a little further...

This was no mile and a half! But it was worth it.

This was just up to day 4. Stay tuned for the rest of my family vacation.

Saying goodbye to Lane Bryant

2008-06-10T17:21:00.002-05:00

Weight: 166

I've hit a crucial turning point in my weight loss. I no longer wear clothes from Lane Bryant! Those of you not familiar with good ol' Lane are the lucky ones. It's a clothing store for sizes 14 and higher. I've been shopping there for about 3 years. After hitting a size 16/18 I couldn't wear normal clothes from Target or Macy's anymore. 16 petite is not exactly an easy size to find! But Lane Bryant never failed me. I could always find my size and was always happy with what I got.

So out with the old, and in with the older. I'm so glad I never got rid of my "old" size 12's. I didn't get to wear them very long before I started ballooning. I don't mind wearing clothes I wore before I got married. I don't need new ones. It gives me more pleasure putting on a 7 year old pair of jeans than it does to just buy new ones. Although, don't get me wrong, when I get a job I'm hittin' the mall!

Who done it?!

2008-06-09T16:34:00.005-05:00

Even though I don't have kids, I can still feel very mom-ish sometimes. My cats are kind of like my kids, except I wouldn't die for them or take them on vacation with me. But when it comes to doing naughty things, I go all mommy on them. Lets take for example chewing on stuff that doesn't belong to them.

Was it you Phoebe?

Or maybe it was Belle?

No. I'm thinking it was the one who ALWAYS CHEWS ON STUFF!

Or what about this one?!

His favorite is glossy paper. You know, the kind from which pictures are made. I've lost many pictures due to his taste in chew toys. And it's not like I can put him in time out or take away his TV. Is there a cat whisperer somewhere who can help?

Scrappin' it

2008-06-07T13:57:00.011-05:00

Last weekend mom and I went to a scrapbook retreat. "What? You scrapbook?" No. I like to pretend I do...I have a lot of stuff. I think that qualifies me as a scrapbooker. I did make about a dozen of these cool accordian books for our reunion coming up.

Pictures would go inside...so they tell me.

Like I said, mom went with me too.

I attempted to do some "normal" pages as well.

This didn't last long. Of course, mom and I weren't as die-hard as the other ladies there. We went shopping on Saturday, walked around the graveyard, and went to bed before midnight every night. I think it was a pretty fun weekend. I'm sure we'll be doing this again soon!

You mean I'm suppose to have protein?!

2008-06-06T11:50:00.002-05:00

I love it when I come across the concerned person who thinks being vegan is UNhealthy. "Where do you get your protein?....Are you getting enough protein?....It's not healthy to not eat protein." I don't think I've ever met a person in this world who suffered from a protein deficiency. Did you know 2 tablespoons of peanut butter has 8 g of protein? Or 1/4 cup of pumpkin seeds has 19 g of protein?! Or 1/2 cup of tofu has 20 g of protein?! Or 1/2 cup of beans has 7-10 g of protein?! I don't think I'm going to die from lack of protein any time soon.

Another one in calcium. Well, I did have to start taking a calcium supplement, but not because I stopped eating dairy. It actually came to my attention, when I started researching how much of what we all need to be healthy, that we need 1000 mg of calcium daily. I wasn't even getting this before, so I decided to start taking the calcium (600 mg thank you very much). Problem solved.

Can you tell I've been confronted today about this?

Meatless mania!

2008-06-04T19:52:00.002-05:00

I have discovered the yummiest meatless wonder since going the big V! I kid you not, you would not be able to tell the difference between these and other processed chicken patties. I am in faux chicken heaven!

A relaxing evening out

2008-05-14T21:36:00.004-05:00

Went to Buffalo Wild Wings tonight. Our waitress was in training...it was pretty obvious. She said something about her being a dork. I said that I understood...we were all band teachers. She proceeds to tell us how she use to laugh at the band kids in high school. The beer helped to soften my sense of humor. I then proceeded to laugh at her for her ignorance. Funny how things come full circle.

Quarter life crisis, part 2

2008-05-06T22:36:00.002-05:00

I think I'm having another quarter life crisis. Or maybe it's just been going on for the past year...who knows. My job prospects are a little scarry. Not only am I applying for jobs in the teacher world again, but if that doesn't work out, I'm also sending my resume out to some really random jobs. I've been searching for the last 2 1/2 hours on hotjobs for anything that looks remotely promising. I've come up with an Export Coordinator for a trucking company (at least I think it's a trucking company...not really sure), and some kind of analyst for Anadarko. I think I'd rather have the latter, since it's only about 5 minutes from my house and right next to the mall! I've always secretly wanted to be one of those business people who have power lunches at Brio or Cheesecake Factory. But I digress...

Well I am selling Mary Kay now, but I would need to work my little Mary Kay ass off to bring in anything substantial right now. I'm just a Mary Kay baby.

I think I'm ready to get my corporate feet wet, though. That regulatory analyst position is looking pretty good right now.

Heart breaking

2008-05-04T15:24:00.002-05:00

One of my best friends is going through complete heart break right now. For reasons unknown to us at the present, the baby she's been carrying for the last 30 weeks has gone to be with the Lord. I have no idea how this feels. I don't know how to comfort her. She seemed so strong when I talked to her and saw her in the hospital. I was a basket case! She's one of my best friends, and I don't want to see her hurting. I can only hope and pray that her labor is painless, and her delivery is quick. I love you sweetie!