Los Angeles

We began our trip in L.A., so that's where I'll start. Not long after we landed and found our hotel in Garden Grove (which we soon discovered was an inconvenient part of L.A. for us to stay in, yet cool that we've been where Sublime sang about!), we headed to Hollywood. Some things you just want to say you've "been there, done that," and that was the thinking behind walking down Hollywood Blvd, driving through Beverly Hills and down Rodeo, and seeing the Hollywood sign. It was cool and I'm glad we experienced it, but I can't think of a reason to go back. That sounds worse than I mean for it to.

I think this picture of Bailey and Keena was taken at the corner of Hollywood and Vine. Just 'cause!

Rodeo Drive kind of looked like streets of Paris.

While in the L.A. area, we drove to San Bernardino for Alan to try hangliding. This is a picture of Alan flying tandem of course, and I could be wrong but I think they were about 2000 feet up? He's glad he tried it, but I don't think he feels the need to do that ever again. It was fun for us three girls to watch, though.

After the hangliding, we drove to Venice Beach. I don't even know a word to describe it - bizarre is the best I can come up with. I've seen and heard about Venice, but nothing on TV or in the movies could ever compare to actually being there. It's just so WEIRD. You spend the first 20 minutes or so walking around laughing, pointing, with your jaw dropped half the time. And then it just gets creepy, dirty, sad. (I don't have good pictures, because I wasn't about to pay anyone just because they were painted silver or walking around in nothing but an American flag speedo.) I think you have to keep a good sense of humor to enjoy it, but frankly I couldn't wait to leave and wash my hands!

The beach itself, however, was beautiful and clean.

Sunday we spent at Universal Studios Hollywood, and I think it's safe to say that we were all a little disappointed. Universal Studios in Florida last year was awesome, with lots of thrill rides, water rides, etc. The one in Hollywood had way more 3D and 4D experiences than a person like me who gets motion sickness easily can handle. There was ONE roller coaster, if you really want to call it a roller coaster, and ONE water ride in which we barely got wet. So really, I can't say a lot for a theme park that we gave $250 to (before food) and only moderately entertained us.

The next day however, we spent at Santa Monica Beach and had a great time! The beach was beautiful, and except for how bone-chilling cold the water was, it was too short a day:

Does Alan look cold? :-)

The girls played in the waves and tanned, while I spent a lot of time walking up and down the beach and taking pictures of Alan surfing for the first time. By the way, if we ever move remotely close to a beach, Alan's first priority will be buying a surf board. He's absolutely hooked:

So after a few hours at the beach, we packed up the car and began our very long drive towards Yosemite. I was ready to leave the city for the mountains, and Yosemite did not disappoint. I'll post those pictures tomorrow!

Aaaawww...

Hard to believe that this rotund, often grouchy and sometimes vicious cat...

...was once this sweet little kitten:

I found Junior's kitten pictures while going through some old CDs today. I took this when he was a few weeks old, before I had a digital camera, and when I was still retarded when it came to taking pictures.

When we first found Junior at around ten days old, I was taking classes at UTPB and had to drive home most days between classes to bottle feed him. We also had to teach him to go pee and poop, but that's another story. Anyway, one day I came home and couldn't find him. He couldn't walk yet and his crawling skills weren't great, so imagine how confused I was when he was missing. Finally I found him ON THE COUCH curled up underneath a pillow. I can just picture those tiny, razor-sharp claws digging into our couch as he climbed all the way up.

He'll be four years old this summer, but we have enough "Junior" stories to fill a decade. Many of those stories leave people wondering why we allow him to live with us! But if you had been there from the beginning, when he fit in the palm of your hand, and when he was bottle-fed and burped like a baby, you might be hooked like we are. And you'll probably never see it for yourself, but he really does have a sweet side. :-)

Good Beginning

We had a fun, relaxing time at DeeBee's in Oklahoma and came home on Saturday. I should be more clear when I say "relaxing," because what I really mean is lazy. I haven't sat and vegged that much in a really long time. It was nice and went by too fast.


Charles (Caitlin's boyfriend), Caitlin, and Bailey


Alan and DeeBee

Bailey left for church camp the day after we got back, so Alan and I are childless this week. This always leaves me with mixed feelings - glad for the alone time with Alan but somewhat restless when my "mom" duties aren't needed. I'm filling the time with household chores, cooking, yard work, a little swimming, and some reading if I can get into my book. I'm not very chipper this week, which I'm 99% sure can be blamed on hormones, but nevertheless...keeping busy is key. We've only been home two days, and I'm so ready to leave again for vacation.

On a break

I've been busy and preoccupied with other things, and have let this little journal here take a backseat. Monday we leave for Oklahoma for a much-anticipated, relaxing stay at my sister's. A week later Bailey leaves for church camp, and a week after that is our trip to California (Cali, as Bailey calls it). Somewhere in the middle I plan to move my classroom, paint the living room, and cook, cook, cook. Cooking is one of the many things that I let take a back seat during the school year. And reading. And socializing. So I hope to do more of all three this summer.

I also used to blog more. Maybe some of the above will provide something to blog about.

Hide and seek

If you have a cat and a suitcase, then I'd bet money the two have met. Cats love suitcases and dresser drawers.



When we get home from a trip, we leave the suitcase out for a couple of days so that Junior can play in it.

10 days!

Just stuff. That's my reason for not blogging. Nothing exciting or life-changing, just stuff. School is simply crazy right now, partly due to activities and deadlines, and partly due to the OVERWHELMING discipline issues. They fight, hit, kick, argue, bicker, tease, cry, tattle, cuss. I'm gonna hurt someone soon. Here's a sample of what my kids did this week to a teacher:

Student to teacher: "They're talking about you."

Teacher: "I don't care if you call me names."

Another student: "Okay, then you're stupid and ugly."

After a full day everyday of playing mediator, police, counselor, and maybe teacher, I'm tired. The summer break is a time to get away, refresh, forget. Otherwise we'd never come back!

Earth Day

A couple of weeks ago on Earth Day, I passed out large newsprint paper and told the third graders to write "Why I Love the Earth" at the top. They were to artistically demonstrate that statement, and this was a time when I did NOT give them a choice on whether or not the statement applied to them. I'm no tree-hugger, but I was determined to force a love for Planet Earth on these kids whether they liked it or not! The wall outside my classroom is now decorated with all of their posters, but here are a few samples:

Did I mention it was an interpretative assignment?

Procrastination

Love the job, hate the grading. It's time to get settled in front of the t.v. and start my weekend. Joy!

Swimming

I'm on my way to go swimming - my latest workout of choice. I won't make any claims that this will be the exercise I'll stick with long-term, because when have I ever stuck with something? But a workout with no impact, no sweat, and no weather issues is tough to beat! The downside is not knowing if a lane will be available, although so far it hasn't been an issue.

I was a little self-conscious at first, because there's no telling what I look like swimming. I've been comfortable swimming since I was pretty little, but I never had to swim with "form." So far, it's really relaxing in a butt-kicking kind of way. I can only do about 10-12 laps right now, while Alan does about 27. Show off!

Anyway, I'm enjoying it for now, and it's an awesome workout!

Spring has sprung

A little excitement here tonight. We're having thunderstorms hitting about every 20-30 minutes, and each time there's been heavy rain and/or these little beauties:

Aren't they cool? Can't remember the last time we had hail this size...

I have to admit that when I opened the front door to start recording and was hit with this, I was a tiny bit spooked. Especially since we were also in the middle of a tornado warning.

The Amateur Gardener

Seems that most of our long distance friends and family live in areas where winter hasn't gotten the message that it's time to move on. And then there's us. We don't have the scenery that most of you have, but I have to say our weather's hard to beat sometimes. (Wednesday's high is expected to be 92.) My plants, the very few I have, started coming up several weeks ago and survived a couple of mild freezes along the way. This Salvia plant comes back bigger and better each year.



The Rose of Sharon in front of the guest house is not much to look at right now, but it just came out of nowhere last year...those quirky acts of nature are usually my favorite. Kind of like last year when a Morning Glory vine started growing up through the rotted seat of an old wooden chair.

And I think this is the first time I've ever planted tomatoes. I bought two different varieties just to see how each one does. I placed them on the scorching hot west side of the house. I eat some version of tomatoes almost every day, so I don't see these going to waste. We'll have salsa all summer long!

First Place

I posted this picture on Facebook and commented that Alan won a 10K in his age division last Saturday. Turns out he won the 10K overall, with a time of 45:42. It was around 40 degrees when he ran, not temps Alan likes to run in. Anyway, I'm just bragging on my husband!

Out of it

I've been in a migraine fog the past few days, but I'm not sure I would have had anything to blog about regardless. I knew before we went to the matinee late Friday that I had a headache coming on, and I knew going to the movie would make it worse. I'm not sure why, but it does - even renting a movie. Weird. Anyway, it's been a crummy few days but I'm hopeful today is the end of it.

On a positive note, 51 of our 55 students passed the state test, and 30% received "commended performance." And the four who didn't pass get a second chance in a few weeks.

By the way, the movie was "Taken" and it was really good. If you're a vengeful spirit like me, go see it!

What Rocks About Spring Break:

• Sitting down to eat breakfast.
• Not showering 'til 2:00 p.m.
• Having time to cook.
• Getting more than 15 minutes for lunch.
• Going to the gym at whatever time I want.
• Watering the yard.
• Wearing flip-flops.
• No makeup.
• No schedule.
• No kids!

If I remember correctly, it was Alan who found him and wanted to keep him.

I spent several months looking for a new dining table and chairs. I sold the old set on Craig's List back in October or November and started looking for a replacement that I could keep for many years. I quickly found the table, but it took longer to find the perfect chairs. Several weeks ago I found these gorgeous chocolate leather chairs from Overstock.com, and then a couple weeks later found the two rust-colored leather end chairs from Pier One. So basically I bought the whole set piecemeal, but it turned out really pretty and somewhat eclectic....just what I wanted.

I owned the previous set for about 13 years. It was so outdated - purchased when "country" was still the rage. This new set is anything but country!

So...imagine my dismay when 5 days after bringing home the end chairs and thus finishing the set, I discover this:

Yeah. Those are teeth marks. Anyone want a cat?

Fault

Last week one of my students popped off that the our state standardized test "is to show if the teachers are doing their jobs or not." I know she's not really the one who said it, that one of her parents probably said it and she just repeated it. Still, I didn't give the most polite response.

And yesterday as I walked around my students' desks as they took the test we've all been preparing for, I watched a nightmare unfold throughout the day as a child here and another child there rushed through the test, didn't use a single flippin' strategy I taught them, and basically failed the test before my eyes. Although most of them did fine and will pass, it's the ones that chose to do nothing that will do the most harm - to our district, our school, and to my credibility.

Alan reminded me that in a couple weeks when the results roll in, there'll be success stories to celebrate. But unfortunately, the system doesn't work that way. We'll focus on the failures, including the ones who tried so, so hard and just couldn't quite "get it."

Coming Soon

With temps at 90 degrees the past couple of days, it didn't seem right to have a wintry photo scene on the banner. This was the beginning of spring looking out my kitchen window last year. Can't wait for my favorite season!

Pivotal Week

There are many things I love about teaching, but preparing students for a state standardized test is not one of them. This week is crunch time, and therefore I'm working late, not sleeping well, and crashing when I come home. I can't wait until it's over, and we can get back to having more fun with our lessons. When I was in third grade, I never dreaded going to school. Elementary school was fun! Now it's high-pressure and way too stressful for a 9-year old...and the teacher. Wish us luck!

As Seen on TV

We own this one piece of furniture that causes much concern (if not fear!) and cursing each time we have to move it. It's an armoire, about a hundred years old, with dangerously wobbly legs that twist and pinch any time it's moved. But this piece is our only antique and really quite pretty, and therefore worth the trouble. We've been wanting to move it into the guest bedroom for quite some time, and Alan recently had the idea of getting the Forearm Forklift. Have you seen those silly commercials where they stop people in the middle of a mall and ask them to move a refrigerator across the floor by strapping on the "Forklift?"

Well listen up my TV-watching America - that thing is awesome! We bought the forklift and as soon as we got home started moving the armoire with ease.

Little did we know that despite how easy it was, we needed additional help:

Lots of help.

And still more help.

Stealing moments to relax and read...

I bought a book on CD before starting the drive back from Dallas last Saturday. I've been listening to "The Kite Runner," which has been a best seller for quite a while I think. It's a fascinating yet difficult (as in disturbing) story to listen to. I really like listening as opposed to reading this one, because the author pronounces all the middle-eastern terms and names better than I could attempt in my head. It just seems more authentic. Anyway, I know it's not a new book, but I recommend it to anyone. Just be prepared to be affected by it, in that you'll carry the story around in your head throughout your day and think about things you've done in your own life.

I'm also reading "Elijah of Buxton," which is probably found in the young adult section. So far it's very funny and endearing, but I just know it's going to take a sad turn.

Anyone in the middle of a good book?

West Texas Sunrise

Another photo on the way to school one morning...

A humongous Valentine

Alan and I got back yesterday from a weekend away in Dallas (we stayed in Dallas but spent most of the time in Ft. Worth). Ft. Worth is the one other place where we feel at "home," so it's always fun to go back and visit our favorite places. Most of those places involve food, but we usually end up at one of the museums as well. Neither one of us had ever been to the Modern, so that was fun for a while. I'm a closet art fan, and the Modern was so cool, but even I reach my time limit in a museum.

As our weekend was coming to an end yesterday, we had lunch at one of our favorites - La Madeleine. Alan and I often make fun of pretentious people, and you'd definitely find that type of clientele at La Madeleine. So as we were pulling up to the restaurant, I pointed out that maybe this was our pretentious thing we do? And some would see going to the museums as pretentious. But we really do love that restaurant and going to museums together. Anyway, it was a fun and fitting Valentine's weekend for us...pretentious or not. :-)

But the most exciting part was bringing home the biggest Valentine I've ever received:

Ah-ha!

I'm annoyed at how grainy and blurry this video is, because my camera keeps focusing and unfocusing...is there some setting I don't know about? Anyway, I finally captured Junior playing his favorite game involving a hair-tie (or in this case a headband), in which he hides it, finds it, hides it, finds it, etc. He can go on like this forever, hiding it and then acting so surprised and proud that he was able to find it and get it back out from underneath the rug.

Homage to Hitchcock

I've seen this sight several times around town, but only in a couple of areas and only at dusk or dawn. I just think it's cool. This was on my way to school this morning.

My next baby will not be human.

Things have been so busy and stressful at school, that all I want to do is come home and veg. So my postings have been few and far between, although quite honestly I've had little going on that was blogworthy.

We did do some car shopping yesterday, which proved pretty unsuccessful. The vehicle I had my eye on has been sold, but there's another one very similar that we might negotiate on this week.

I've known I was getting a new (as in a couple of years old) SUV for almost a year now, many thanks to Alan being diligent to take a big chunk of my paycheck each month and sock it away towards the car fund. We've been saving $1500 a month since sometime last spring so that we could purchase the car outright. Let me tell you, when you first start getting a decent paycheck again, after being a college student and barely working for so long, it's hard to see that much money zapped away each month! But it's been worth it.

For many months now, I've been "looking" so to speak...checking out vehicles every time I'm driving around town, asking people about their cars, reading Consumer Reports' data, etc. I know what are my must-haves, my deal-breakers, and which bells and whistles I would like but could do without. Finding a used car that meets all your requirements is not that easy.

I started out wanting a Toyota Sequoia, but man those things are pricey. I think I've narrowed it down to a Ford Explorer with third-row seat, preferably the Eddie Bauer edition. Wish us luck, because my next post could be a picture of my new car. If I seem a little excited, consider the fact that our cars our 12 (mine) and 14 (Alan's) years old. I think we're due for an upgrade!

Open, Sesame!

Over the previous holiday weekend, Alan and I decided to tackle a project together. The front door of our little guest house needed to be replaced, even though I really tried everything to keep that rustic, cottage-style door. It was so old and beat up with layers of peeling paint - so authentic looking for an old "cottage." But since there were so many holes in the door that you hardly needed to use the installed peep-hole, we finally trekked to the Depot and bought an unpainted door slab.

It took us over a span of two days to hang this new door - chiseling out the places for the hinges, trimming the door, drilling the holes for the door knobs, painting it, and finally hanging it in place. None of it was very easy, because half the time we spent figuring out which hand tool or power tool we should use for each piece of the project.

After all was said and done, we think we did a pretty decent job. But our hard work was to no avail, since the door frame was probably as old as the original door and had previously been drilled and chiseled and gouged into so much that we can't get the door lock to hold. So it looks like we have more work to do on the frame before we can call this project finished, but at least the new door is pretty. And the fact that Alan and I worked as a team on something very frustrating and were still friends afterwards, is an accomplishment in itself!

Homecoming

President Bush came home to Midland yesterday for a farewell gathering. I didn't attend, but I did watch it on our local news. It's perhaps the best speech I've ever heard him give, considering many of his have been awkward at best. He was so relaxed, funny, poised, and confident. But of course he was in front of a very warm and welcoming crowd - his hometown. I've believed for a long time that time will reveal some things that make the public think twice about his time in office. It's not that I don't think he should be accountable for certain conditions, I just think we as a public tend to be pretty pompous about how much we "know."

I'm sort of neutral on this new administration. I might be skeptical that any big changes are really going to occur (for the better), but I also don't want to be the type that thinks we're all doomed. We're not, and we'll be fine. Maybe better, who knows. I was sort of put off by some of the jabs in Obama's speech towards Bush and his administration, and will steal Alan's word by saying it was pretty petty, considering the time and place. But hopefully that isn't an indication of what the man is really like. He's my president now, and I'm hoping for the best.

And that's probably the most politics you'll ever hear from me.

Bed warmer

Imagine this at the foot of your bed every night. We might as well get a Labrador.

With a capital "B"

Wow, I'm following off the face of the internet earth. I just looked at the date of my last posting, and I think that's the longest dry spell I've ever had between posts. Nothing's wrong. I just kind of bore me right now, so why bore you?

I've had enough blinding sunshine.

The banner photo is from two years ago. See? We really do get snow here on occasion. Anyway, just some wishful thinking on my part...it might work.

Let's get this party started

I don't want this to be a negative post. But man, am I ready to see 2008 in my rear view mirror. There were some pretty tough moments from this past year. The kind you don't laugh about "one of these days." Ever. I know we're supposed to believe that everything happens for a reason, but I'd give anything to change the footprint of this year.

Having said that, there were some truly awesome moments as well. Alan finding a job in Midland rather than the transfer to Houston was such a lucky break. Getting a teaching position at what has so far been a great campus, and having a great fall semester with the kids has been wonderful. Our trip to Florida was so memorable, so much fun. Going to my sister's during the summer, which I could probably call an annual event now, is always a good time. (I can't wait for this summer's trip!) And I really feel blessed to have made several new friends this year.

Who knows what's in store this year. I just want to slow down and take it all in. Maybe if I slow down I'll do a better job keeping in touch with friends and family. We'll see...

Here's hoping you have a wonderful new year (and have fun ringing it in tonight)!

Playing with my toys

This was the year of technology-related gifts, thanks to my mother who is probably on a first name basis with many QVC employees. We now have a digital photo frame, digital photo key chain, digital photo and video album (wallet size), an HP Photosmart printer (fun!), a power stick, a power inverter...I'm sure I'm forgetting something. I really have no more excuses to not carry pictures of my family with me. Oh, and thanks to DeeBee I can now listen to my iPod in the car!

And then on the culinary side, Alan and I bought each other new cookware and knives, but I also got two new cookbooks and some stoneware. I'm going to use the stoneware today when I make my first cauliflower gratin (thanks, Barefoot Contessa!).

Mostly it's been fun to spend the short but sweet time with all of us together. With Addison living on her own now, it's rare we have those "family" moments. Hope you all have had a happy time with your families as well!

Christmas 2008

Finally got the four of us together for our "annual" family portrait.

Then we had to include Junior in one:

And then for any of you who remember when I shared the "Chandler" pictures of Alan, this is for you. Be sure to click on it for the full effect:

Why we keep him

He's just so darn pretty. I kept this picture's settings to be giant-size when you click on it. You just gotta see those eyes up close.

I think he's part bobcat. Or lion:

It required a lot of will power on his part to not bite me during these shots.

No eggnog, please

This came from DeeBee's page, and it seems fun to play along for Christmas. Plus, I can pretend I have something to blog about when I really don't.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I like to wrap, and I always choose a theme/color, but that in no way means I go to a lot of trouble to gift wrap. Wrapping paper and name tags are about all I do!

2. Real tree or Artificial? One year Alan and I had a real tree, and we won't do that again any time soon. Some day I should tell the story of how Alan disposed of that tree.

3. When do you put up the tree? After Thanksgiving when I have time.

4. When do you take the tree down? I leave it up until right before New Year's.

5. Do you like eggnog? Hate it.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? I got this lime green bean bag one year, and I might have cried.

7. Hardest person to buy for? Father-in-law

8. Easiest person to buy for? Addison and Bailey

9. Do you have a nativity scene? No, but I think they're sweet.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail, but I didn't get around to it this year.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? In 6th grade we had a gift exchange, and I drew the biggest box as my gift. All the kids had been dying to see what was in that BIG box. It was a plastic red piggy bank, and everybody laughed! I felt kind of sorry for the girl who brought it, but come on...it was ugly.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? "Rudolph" because I know every line, and it brings back a lot of memories with the girls.

13. When do you start shopping? November, early December.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I think I've regifted a gift card.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Mashed potatoes, corn, green beans, rolls

16. Color lights on tree? White

17. Favorite Christmas song? O Holy Night

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? I'm with DeeBee. I don't believe in packing up the kids and taking them away from home for Christmas.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixin, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, and of course Rudolph.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? I don't do a tree topper. Just makes the tree seem off-balance.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? We work it around the girls, their dad, whomever.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? The long-ass lines at Kohls!

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? I've done a mixture of bronze, cream, gold and glass the last couple of years, but I'm really liking the jewel tones that are out there!

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? I just answered this on #15.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? I want one of those things to convert VHS tapes (like my home movies) to DVD, but it's too expensive.

Happy feet

It's December 20th and I just walked outside barefoot. And took my sweet time. And it was NICE. Some things about West Texas, like our winters, do not in fact suck.

Countdown

I've been looking forward to tomorrow (today actually) all week, and not just because there are moments I want to dropkick those kids out the door for the Christmas break. I really do look forward to those days where I get to relax and enjoy the time with the kiddos, and not worry about test scores and silly mandates from the district. We get to have FUN tomorrow and have a Christmas-packed half-day of school!

Now if I could just get some sleep and be AWAKE for tomorrow.

Whoopsie!

Here's how the lights looked...

...before I ran over one of the strands. Guess Alan will be replacing a string on his day off tomorrow.

Ick

It's going to be a quiet weekend. Alan has the stomach bug and is quarantined to the bedroom. I'm not going within 10 feet of him. How I haven't gotten it the past few weeks is beyond me, since I've been around countless kids with high fever and vomiting. (Teaching is such a glamorous career.)

So, I think I'll continue with Christmas shopping and work on the mountain of paperwork from school.

Lights and Mischief

We might have a new holiday tradition...Alan and Bailey putting up the Christmas lights. This is our first time to hang lights outside, but I can't show a picture yet because I think Alan is on a roll and may be adding much more.



And for those who enjoy the Junior videos, here's one of him playing with the giant toy we apparently bought just for him - the Christmas tree. This shows a major differences between cats and dogs. Dogs will run and act guilty if they're caught doing something wrong; cats will continue right in front of you just for spite. Or is that just Junior?

Oh, Christmas Tree!

Aaah, yes. Who doesn't love assembling the Christmas tree and meticulously arranging the lights, only to be left with a strand that stops working.

"We're not in Kansas anymore."

I guess I took a complete break from everything over the Thanksgiving break, including blogging. We spent the past few days at Karl and Ashley's house and got to see almost all of Alan's extended family. We did what most people did - ate, watched football, and of course shopped:

Austin and Ashtyn loved Bailey, and I know she'd say the feeling was mutual. They were so sweet. Here's some pretty serious Wii playing with Austin, Bailey, and Alan:

Karl and Ashley were awesome hosts, but I bet they're glad to have their house back to normal. I know I'm looking forward to being back in my own bed tonight. I have an interesting week that starts with jury duty tomorrow followed by decorating for Christmas (with Junior's help) tomorrow night, so I'm guessing it'll be a more blog worthy week.

I'll take this, thanks.

Junior approves of the new dining table and has claimed it as his domain. It's a good thing this table is ginormous to accomodate his weight. Perhaps some day when we have chairs, he'll lose his right to sit on furniture where we EAT.

It hurts so good!

I can't remember if I've mentioned it, but recently we joined the gym. I've dragged Bailey to spin class, body pump, and I've tried Zumba on my own. We've also gone a couple times just to run on the treadmills.

I probably shouldn't point out things that make me look old, but oh well. During spin class I did something to my knee and was up that night for three hours due to the sheer PAIN. After Zumba, I could still feel the muscle soreness after 5 days. Wednesday, Bailey and I went to Body Pump, and here I am two days later up at 5:00 a.m. taking two Advil. Body Pump uses free weights and whatever you call it - a barbell? As we were leaving the class, I literally could not lift my arm high enough to talk on my cell phone. I had to bend my head DOWN to the phone. Bailey and I were laughing so hard at how our muscles were reacting, particularly when we had to walk down the stairs to the lobby of the gym.

Bailey is suggesting swimming next, and I am all for that. A nice warm pool to soothe these aching muscles.

Tomorrow is a 5K that I'm not ready for, but I might attempt anyway. It's strictly for girls and women, and the motto is "run like a girl." I can do that! But only if these muscles have recovered some. Still...it's a GOOD PAIN!

Thank You!

Just wanted to say thanks to our veterans out there, and especially the ones I can call family!



Our school made a wall of fame, so I placed "bricks" with Dale's, Leigh's, and Karl's names on it. We went outside by the flagpole for a short memorial, and I thought it was sweet to see such a large group of kids saying the pledge (even if they don't know where their hearts are). We say the pledge every day in class, but it's not something most of us do on a regular basis. We have some kids that don't recite the pledge because of religious reasons, which sometimes annoys me, but I guess I appreciate that we live in a country where they're allowed to honor their beliefs.



Just thought the photos were cute and wanted to share!

Kaboom!

We got up early to go watch this:

The sound from the explosives was as cool as the implosion itself. But the eerie part was afterwards when the dust cloud started coming towards us. Made me think of 9-11.

My fellow Americans...

Well, I guess I'm off to vote here in a little while. I know a lot of people who voted early, but I don't like to do that. I like the energy of the actual day! For me, it's that one special day where you feel very patriotic and very much a citizen! And trust me, I only "get into it" on this one day. I don't follow the campaigns very closely, I don't watch the debates, I just don't like either candidate by the time election day comes around. But you know what I do like? I like my money. And even though it won't matter, I've got to go vote to have a voice on what I think about people who want to "redistribute" MY money.

Have fun watching all the hoopla tonight!

A Murderer and a Martian

That's me as Lizzie Borden, trying to convey my "I'm in a daze because I just hacked up my parents" look, and Alan as Marvin the Martian, obviously. Alan's costume was pretty darn cool. And pretty darn time-consuming to create. He pulled it off pretty nicely!