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.