Friday, March 25, 2011

Contagious

I've had a pretty negative outlook towards my job this year, but it's not about the kids.  The kids are awesome.  And as I was running a couple minutes late this morning, which is rare for me, I could hear a couple of my kids around the corner and down by my room waiting out in the hall.  I heard "Mrs. Schaeffer" being said among the mumbling.  As I turned the corner, I was taken aback by the huge smiles and "There she is!" and "Hi, Mrs. Schaeffer!"  And oh the smiles.  They were so big and so genuine.  I couldn't help but break out into a huge smile myself.  What an awesome way to start the day.  If I decide to do something else one day, it's the kids that will bring me back to teaching.  And okay, those long summer breaks aren't bad either.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Update

Daddy began chemotherapy two days ago, and so far the most significant symptom is being very tired and weak.  No signs of nausea, and he'll know in a couple of weeks if he can expect hair loss. 

I've always considered my dad to be a strong man, but mostly in physical size and strength.  I recall many trips to the lake where DeeBee and I stood up on those shoulders and used him as a human diving board.  Or being hoisted up on those same shoulders to get a bird's eye view of the world that seemed so far below.

The past several years I've realized how strong he is on the inside as well.  All the more reason why he's going to win this battle.

Duke Solution #23

That's how many solutions I think I've tried to keep him from destroying the backyard.  All I know to do is put everything up high or in big pots.  If this doesn't work, and he has been known to dig out plants from pots, then maybe I'll resort to cactus.  I hate cactus.


Notice I have planted rocks in my flower beds.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

H-town

The weekend to Houston was fun and over too quickly.  Got to see good friends, ate a lot of good food, got my art fix, and got a steal on a pair of suede knee-high boots.  $120 boots for $30!  Yes, that's a trip highlight.

Ate at this tapas bar (gotta enunciate that clearly when talking to someone on the phone) called Mi Luna.  It was heaven (your voice is supposed to go up two octaves when you say that, like Will Farrell in "Elf" when he's demonstrating to Jovie that anyone can sing).  Alan and I have decided we'll be watching our weight when we move somewhere that has so many dining options.  Actually Alan will never have to watch his weight.  Grrr.  Anyway, I snapped these photos:

 Holy Mama, that was some good food.

I just want to reach out and pick up that glass of wine.  We were sitting outside in a shopping/dining area called Rice Village, next to Rice University.  Alan and I often poke fun at people who like to hang out and be seen in these trendy areas, and there we are right along with them thinking we're so different.  The difference is we didn't drive up in our Mercedes or Lexus, and my shoes were probably from Target.

Okay, doesn't that look like I totally staged and perfectly positioned that little work of art?!  I couldn't reproduce that if I tried.  Just plopped it on the bread and there it was.  I love food.  Food is gorgeous and yummy, and I love every last calorie.

We went to the Museum of Fine Arts because they were having an Impressionists exhibit.  I am no artist, am not able to spout off names and titles of works of art like some, but I did take an awful lot of art and art history courses in college for someone who was not an art major.  So I LOVE ME SOME ART.  And this was the piece I was most excited to see:

That's a crummy image, but I had some difficulty finding an online picture that I could copy.  I'm a Van Gogh fan.  What a strange life he had.  He died just a few months after painting this self portrait.  But here was the painting I most wanted to see, and they had glass on it.  Put a rope or barrier or whatever you have to do to keep people from touching it, but don't put glass on it!  Geez.  Anyway...in case you're thinking I'm sounding too artsy-fartsy, let me assure you we were completely immature during our museum visit.  I had as much maturity as a 12-year old boy every time I saw the token boob sticking out of any biblical woman's garment, and Alan was finding random celebrity likenesses in the portraits.  I don't think you're supposed to burst out laughing in a museum.

It was a simple trip, but always fun when you're with the person you're supposed to be with.  Alan always tells me how much he enjoys being with me, no matter where we are.  I hope a lot of wives hear that.