Thursday, December 18, 2008

Thirteen things I will do in Atlanta:

1. Kiss Izzy!
2. Meet Natalie!
3. Hug and love on my Blubs and Sampson!
4. Babysit the cutest girls in the world!
5. Enjoy Krystyn and Papa Bear's company and positive vibe!
6. Eat at Magic Mushroom!
7. See David, Marty, Luke and Cassidy!
8. Tell my sister and Papa Bear to enjoy some relaxing time away from the house!
9. Make a mess...it seems to happen every time I go and am supposed to be helping out.
10. COOK!
11. Make cookies with my Blubs!
12. Take pics with Blubs and Sampson!
13. Try to be the best sister and aunt possible, and enjoy every moment I get to spend with the
Halls!

Now I need to go to sleep, I have to leave my house at 4a.m. to catch my flight. Usually, that wouldn't be too bad because I am a morning person, however, I am a little (ok, a WAY MORE THAN A LITTLE) excited to go to Atlanta. I wonder if Krystyn has told Izzy I am coming.....

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Thursday Thirteen!

Thirteen things I am thankful for:
1. My parents....all of them!
2. Isabelle aka Blubs
3. Natalie aka Sampson
4. Delta reinstating my Skymiles so I can go to Atlanta for Christmas.
5. My job.
6. My true friends....They know who they are so I won't name them.
7. The color PINK!
8. zoE and Leroy...They make me smile when no one else can.
9. Krystyn and Papa Bear....They love and support me no matter how crazy and angry I get!
10. Zachiepoo, Aidan and Brianna.
11. My students...They are so very special but so sweet and loyal and amazing in their own individual ways.
12. David...I could do a million Thursday Thirteen posts about him and how amazing he is!
13. Faith...This is a tough area for me, but I am thankful I have it!

Thursday, November 6, 2008


Thirteen phrases I said today that I know I will say again tomorrow:

1. "The warm-up is on the board."
2. "Yes, you write it in your journal."
3. "Raise your hand if you have a question."
4. "Write the sentence CORRECTLY...don't copy it directly from the board."
5. "Stop, look and listen."
6. "Hello. I am talking."
7. "Keep your hands to yourself."
8. "Use your inside voices."
9. "Why do we capitalize this?"
10. "Sit down."
11. "Put your butt in a chair."
12. "Your butt needs to hit the plastic.....quickly!"
13. "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all."

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Wordless Wednesday


Leroy zoE

Saturday, November 1, 2008

I'm BAAAAAACK!!!!!!

I know it has been a very long time since I have posted anything, but I have not forgotten to follow my fellow blogger buddies! I will try to be better at leaving comments so you know I came. Anyhow, this is a summary of what I have been up to since I last posted:


-Instead of losing weight, I have gained a few pounds. I am not freaking out, YET, but I am going to start running again tomorrow morning!

-My bathroom was redone and looks beautiful. However, it took a long time and was a very messy process. After a particularly long day at work and another loss for my volleyball team I came home to this:


I am very lucky mom lives so close, she quickly arrived with a bottle of wine and a home cooked meal! We laughed, then vegged out and watched Grey's Anatomy. OK, OK you keep on laughing since it wasn't YOUR TOILET on YOUR BEDROOM FLOOR! It was so close to my bed I almost tripped on it when I woke-up the next morning. I truly think remodeling should come with a free stay at a local hotel until it's complete! My bathroom does look amazing, and yes, my toilet is back where it belongs!

-My roof was also replaced. This process was much less annoying, however, the roofers did leave a mess in my yard. A small price to pay for a leak-free roof so I won't complain anymore.

-I became an aunt AGAIN! Natalie Grace was born on October 13! I can't wait to meet Sampson in person...sorry kiddo, the nickname is going to stick!

-My Blubs, also known as Izzy, turned 2 on October 14! I will put up pictures of her birthday gift as soon as I get some. I got her new bedding for her big girl bed. Grandma and Grandpa are delivering it this week.

-I turned 26...and am totally freaking out about it! When I turned 25 I kinda got scared and really started to feel old, but something about 26 is really scary to me....I feel so close to 30! Being 30 is by no means a bad thing, but since I am VERY SINGLE and really want to have a husband and kids one day it freaks me out. I don't want to be 45 and wonder what on earth I did with my life....but if Papa Bear and Krystyn keep popping out kids every 2 years I may be OK with that and not need my own! Some friends and I went to Mo's to celebrate and got to see a great show. Lonestar played and they were wonderful! It was a very fun night!!!

-Volleyball season is over! I am sad and excited at the same time. It is very draining being at work from 6:30am-6:00pm and even later on game nights, and coaching at tournaments 4 Saturdays in a row. I coach the 8th grade B team and their record is not good, but, they won 2nd place in the Spring tournament last weekend! I was very proud of them!

-I have had severe eye drama, and we finally learned Wednesday morning that the cause of it was an abrasion on my cornea, that turned into an ulcer. I have an ulcer in my eye, which is the most painful thing I have ever experienced and caused my eye to swell, water and look gross. And of course, the doctors and nurses kept wanting me to open wider and look at the light. Really, do you not see the pain I am in and that I Can't open any wider because it's swollen?!?!?! It got so painful I started throwing up, at the doctors office, and he still shined the light in my eye and then had his intern do the same thing!!!! I am all for education and all, but they really were crazy thinking I was going to go through the whole bright light in my hurt eye again. So, I just pushed the stupid eye light shining machine away and said, "No." It was so bad I threw up in a Ziploc baggie in my mom's car on the way home...and just my luck, the baggie had a hole in it! Of course!!!!! But, my mom did have a towel so it wasn't too traumatic. I did learn if my contacts ever irritate my eyes I will take them out immediately! here is my eye the night before it got really bad:
My eyes do look really green when surrounded by so much redness!

-My mom and I discovered Kirkland's! I always knew about this store and went a few times, but now my house is really starting to feel like my HOME with all the cute pictures and such! And their prices are great! I really am thinking about getting a job there during the holidays! I love their stuff!

-I watched a PETA video and decided I am done with fish and shrimp, too. I have not been eating beef, chicken or pork for quite some time, but would allow myself to eat fish and shrimp, but I think that's out now as well. I am not going to be a crazy advocate or anything, but I love animals too much and have never really enjoyed meat. To each his own!

-I learned that as of January 1, 2009, I will no longer have Zachie as my roomie...he is following his dreams and moving to Las Vegas! I am sad, but it's going to be the first time I have truly live on my own so I am looking forward to it, too!

-Labbie (Zachie's dog) got her own area so my backyard looks great and I got to put out my patio furniture! I bought it in 2006 and never used it except in a garage so i am very happy to have it outside!

-I learned that Delta Skymiles expire so I would not recommend getting a Skymiles account and would suggest going with Continental since their miles don't expire and they usually let you put flights from other carriers on your account. It might bot seem like a big deal, but I flew to India and had around 22,000 miles that I lost...but it doesn't make sense since I have flown every year since then. I am fighting to get my miles reinstated, but I will get my free ticket and close that account and use one that has miles that don't expire. Miles that expire---so stupid!

-I finished 2 great books: My Sister's Keeper and 19 Minutes, both by Jodi Picoult. Both were wonderful and I suggest anyone that enjoys reading to read these two!

Whew! That was lots of information, but I am sure I left some things out. I will add them as I remember.

I do have a question though: Who do you vote for when you really don't agree with either candidate? I know I am a wild Liberal living in a very Conservative state, but I am still torn as to if I should go vote at all. I don't really agree with either, so do I pick the 'lesser of two evils?' Your thoughts are really needed with this!

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Disclaimer: I KNOW that I am not fat, nor am I saying I think I am fat. I am out of shape and not happy about it, that's all!

Thirteen Reasons I want to lose Weight:
1. I am not happy with my body.
2. I only have 3 pairs of jeans that fit me (yes, I own 18 pair).
3. I got on the scale and I weigh more than some knocked-up person I know that is due Oct. 16.
4. I have cellulite...on my STOMACH!!!!!
5. 2 dresses that used to be big on me barely fit over my hips and butt.
6. One of my students (that I had last year) asked me how I got so fat over the summer (in his defense, he is a little guy and trying to gain weight for sports, etc.)
7. I eat food that is bad for me...all the time!
8. I spend too much money at Happy Hour....
9. I drink too many calories at Happy Hour....
10. Then I eat to many calories at Happy Hour because I feel good and 'don't care', when deep down I do and get upset about it later...when Happy Hour wears off!
11. I am single and have time to work out.
12. I want to be healthy, not just lose weight.
13. I want to listen to people complain about their weight...and NOT want to jump in the conversation.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Wordless Wednesday



Me and my department head! We were so excited to be at work after Ike!

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Nesting?!?!?!

So, I understand that all preggo women go through a period of 'nesting' where they get everything ready for the baby. My question is this: Is nesting contagious? As many of you know, my sister is knocked up with Sampson (no, that is not the real name so don't get all excited) and was nesting some when I was there. Why have I been doing so since I returned home? I have vacuumed my entire house twice a week, bleached everything that could be bleached without being ruined, fertilized my lawn, watered every day, put up a bird feeder, put up a new wind chime, washed every piece of laundry I could, organized and re-organized my closet, organized my garage and cleaned out my car. So, am I nesting because I caught it from my sister? All you mom's out there...what do you think?

Atlanta

I have been truly blessed and lucky to have been able to visit my sister and her family three times this year! Still, I am not sure how they can call Atlanta home, but it's not changing anytime soon so I have learned to live with it and buy tickets when they are cheap! Here are some pictures of me and my Blubs from the visits this year!


We tried to take a picture of ourselves at lunch:


After our attempt at a photo, Izzy started to model for me! She was cracking me up, especially since she has been in a 'no picture' mood lately. here are her glamor shots:

This picture cracks me up, too! Izzy really wanted to hold my camera but since it is still pretty new to me, and I didn't want it destroyed I told her she could not have it. She was not too happy with that and gave me this look:

How pathetic, yet so darn cute!

I like to do fun things with Izzy, since I don't see her very often. We went to Kangazoom or Kangajump or something like that one day...she had a blast! And it's a killer workout!

We got there before the place opened up and she was so good waiting in the car to go, "JUMP!!!"

Little Miss independent:

We both look so innocent...right? This is was the trip after she covered herself with A&D Ointment, but before she did it with Vaseline. Anyone need a free babysitter????

I can't wait to visit again, and when I do I will get to hold Sampson. Feeling the baby kick and have hiccups is great and all, but I am ready to hold it and spoil it rotten!!!! Thanks Papa Bear, Krystyn, Izzy, Sassy and Sampson for letting me come visit...and continuing to do so even though I seem to let Izzy make the worst messes!

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Catching Up!

I have been so busy since school started! Volleyball began the third day of school, so I am not leaving my school until 5:30, sometimes later, every day. I know, that's not that late, but when I have to drive from Aldine to Katy in rush hour traffic, it's not so fun. Here are some of the fun things I did this summer! (I did teach summer school, so it was not all fun!)

My grandparents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a family trip to Mackinac Island. It was fun, relaxing and beautiful. Unfortunately, the place constantly smells like horse poop. There are no motorized vehicles on the island, so you either walk, ride a horse, or take and horse and buggy carriage. Add it up= horse poop aroma 24/7!


Krystyn and Me at the casual family dinner:



Mom, Great Aunt Rose and Aunt Theresa on the ferry ride to the island:



Krystyn, me and Mom going to the formal anniversary dinner:


Krystyn and me before the formal dinner. She is one hot momma!



Our mom and her two sisters, Deb and Theresa:


We did have a really great trip. I was able to see family members I only see about every five years. Congrats to my grandparents for 50 great years....I hope to have this celebration one day in my future!


I also got to go to a few Astros games! I had season tickets last year, but did not even think about buying them for this year (they are expensive and I also had no idea who would want to go to all the games with me.) These are some pictures from the games:

Me and David:


It was very special for David and I to go to a game together. He took me to one of the playoff games in 2005, the night before my birthday. We had AWESOME seats behind home plate (he paid a ton for them) and could even see Barbara and George a few rows in front of us. He even sweet talked the camera guy to getting us on the 'kiss cam', which is displayed on the big screens at Minute Maid Park. It was my 15 minutes of fame! OK, more like 3 seconds, but it was very exciting! The Astros did not win, but it is still my absolute favorite game of all time! Thanks David!






TBH invited me to a game, because her friend got tickets for free from a client. I brought along my 21 year old friend, Max, (No offense to young folks out thereand for the record, Max can sine and play guitar like noone I have ever heard. He is so talented and fun!) and this is what he did with my camera:



The Astros won so we were trying to get a picture with the fireworks in the background so please try to imagine them being there. My sister is the great photographer, not me!

Next post, my tripS to Atlanta and some summer fun in the sun!

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Special Students

Just a reminder, I do teach 7th and 8th grade special ed. This is a 3 minute story about what can happen in my room on any given day:

Student walks into class with his hand to his mouth. I asked him what was wrong. He told me he was bleeding. I asked him to show me where he was bleeding from so I could determine if he needed to go to the nurse. He opened his mouth (yes, OPENED) to show me a small palce where a tiny speck of blood was on the roof of his mouth. He told me he cut it on a chip at lunch. I told him to go rinse his mouth with water and it would be fine. I thought everything would be ok with a good mouth rinse....wow, I was totally wrong.
He returns from the water fountain, still holding his mouth saying now he needs a band-aid. I asked him how he was going to put a band-aid INSIDE his mouth. He told me he has done it before. I told him no, and to have a seat. Then, he completely freaked and started crying telling me he had to go to the nurse right away, becuase she would put a band-aid in his mouth. The nurse at my school is very educated and would not give him a band-aid for this non-existent wound inside his mouth.
I took him outside to talk to him and let him calm down. He did, came back into class, and the rest of the day went great.
I get to work the next day, and there is an ee-mail from one of the assistant principals...the students mother called to say i neglected her child when he was hurt, and he would not be able to come to school that day. She said she was taking him to get stitches in his mouth!?!?!?!?!
STITCHES!!!! The next day? Are you kidding me????? Of course, the assistant princiapl had dealt with the mother several times and knew that I would not neglect a hurt student. He returned to school the next day without a doctors note, or stitches. This is why I think teachers need to be paid more!!!!

Monday, August 18, 2008

Why We Should All Have Leather Furniture



Meet TBH (her name will remain annonymous, but she knows who she is), an English teacher from Texas. She was so excited about meeting this great guy and going on a few dates with him. She was a little worried he was not very into her because they had only kissed once. Since I am a female myself, I did understand her concern but also reassured her that he would not be hanging out with her every day possible if he did not like her. So, she comes to work one day with a rather disturbed look on her face. I instantly thought something had gone wrong with the new guy in her life, so I asked her what was up. She didn't say anything, just rolled up her jeans and showed me her knee.

My response, "Ouch! What happened? Did you fall down or get a spider bite? What is that?"

TBH (responding with a huge grin on her face, "I got it while making out with K (the guy she thought didn't like her). We were sitting on the couch making out, for a while, and my knee started burning. Girl, I didn't care because he kisses really good!"

Me, "Well, I am glad it was worth it!"

Today, TBH came to work and informed that K is having leather furniture delivered today...and I am SURE she will be over there as soon as possible.

Lesson Learned: Don't make-out on fabric couches! I will let you guys know tomorrow if she gets any wounds from the leather!

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Thursday Thirteen


Thirteen Reasons I am Excited School is about to Start:
1. I won't have time to be bored (which results in eating for the fun of it)
2. I will get to see my students from last year
3. I will see some really good friends every day
4. My classroom is going to be super cute
5. I feel like i really know what I am doing this year (finally!!!)
6. I will be more active
7. I will get to spend time with regular ed. students when I coach
8. Getting to know the new staff members
9. Learning more about my students
10. Watching my students succeed and grow
11. Learning what to do in order for my students to be successful...and implement it through their daily work
12. Trying to be the best teacher for my students
13. I will have some great stories to tell (my students provide some great entertainment and laughs)

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

River Trip

As many Texans know, the Guadalupe River is a great place to go in order to escape the Texas heat by floating down the river, drinking a cold beverage. Last year, it often flooded and I was not able to make it to the river...I didn't want that to happen this year. So, we went on a family river trip!! We packed up and took off early Friday morning with the trailer in tow, and MANY beverages on ice! I made a special treat...let's call it 'M's Fruit Cocktail' which is fresh pineapple, apples, strawberries and peaches sliced and soaked in VODKA!



Friday we hung out in the river near our campsite, and decided we would float down the river Saturday. We chose to do a 7 hour trip, which is a long time to be in the sun drinking!! But, when you don't even have to move to go to the bathroom, why not enjoy it?

We always bring a grapefruit bag along to throw our cans in so we don't litter. About halfway through the trip we stopped to empty the trash into recycling bins. By this time, we had quite a few empty beer cans. My mom, being the neat freak she is, went to the shore and had Zach and Joe throw her the empty cans. As I mentioned, we did all drink seeing as nobody had to drive or (this is more important to me)get up to pee. Since the cans were empty it was difficult for the guys to throw them to the shore. In order to add some weight to the cans, they filled them with a little water. GREAT IDEA, right?!?!?! Well, Joe threw a beautiful toss that had nice heigt and would be easy to catch. Mom had her hands above her head and it looked like it would be a great catch. But, the can slipped right between her fingers and smacked her in the nose. Joe quickly apologized but we thought it was just a small accident and mom shook it off. This is the result:




We did have a great weekend and mom had an awesome story to tell at work!

Joe flexing his awesome muscles!



Joe and Zach

Monday, August 11, 2008

New at This

Welcome to my Blog! I am still very unsure of where this is going to lead...but I think I have some entertaining stories I just have to share. I am a Special Education teacher at a middle school (oh, the stories I could tell about that!) but I am going to use this space to share what happens in my regular life. It seems as though people place teachers in a category of pure innocence....you will soon learn this is not the case. Stay tuned for tales from the Family River Trip and what happens when you make-out too long on a cloth couch...yes, I do have a picture!!!