Faith, Family, & Friends...

**warning - long post!!**
For whatever reason, the past two days I have been feeling very sentimental. Maybe it is the season...I got a little teary eyed during part of the Christmas pageant last night, and today Mom called with some sad news about a friend of hers. Her old boss that we grew up knowing - she worked for him for something like 25 years - was diagnosed with cancer. He hadn't been feeling good for a few weeks. Within 2 days of being diagnosed, he is in ICU and went into code blue last night, but they were able to bring him back. How scary it is to me to think that one minute we are going along with life and all is fine, and the next day, we could be gone. It really makes you stop and think - do you have any regrets? Anything you've been putting off saying to someone? Is someone you should say I love you to? Amends that need to made? A hug to give? His kids do not deserve to lose their dad so early - they already lost their mom way too early a few years ago. It just doesn't seem fair...I can't imagine my Mom not being there to call whenever I need her - even to ask a simple question. It breaks my heart for this family - what they are going through right now.

I have found that I have started to rely on my faith more and more. Last week, when I had a stressful moment, I reached for my Bible to read a few verses. I am grateful that my faith is getting stronger each day. Prayer is a powerful thing - please say a prayer for this family tonight. And, be thankful for the family that you have with you today! We just never know what tomorrow brings...

A few weeks back the pastor said in his sermon, the three most important things in life aren't things - the three most important things are faith, family, and friends. That just makes perfect sense - doesn't it? If we've got those three things, how can we go wrong? :-)

Maybe I should've titled this Philosophical - ha! Thanks for reading if you are still with me! Hugs to all my friends and family who read!! I'll leave you with this email that I recieved almost a year ago...it reminded me of Kevin and really fits all family and friends...

Two Horses
Just up the road from my home is a field, with two horses in it.
From a distance, each looks like every other horse.
But if you stop your car, or are walking by, you will notice something quite amazing. Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind.
His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good home for him. This alone is amazing.
If nearby and listening, you will hear the sound of a bell.
Looking around for the source of the sound, you will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field. Attached to her halter is a small bell.
It lets her blind friend know where she is, so he can follow her.
As you stand and watch these two friends, you'll see how she is always checking on him, and that he will listen for her bell and then slowly walk to where she is, trusting that she will not lead him astray.
When she returns to the shelter of the barn each evening, she stops occasionally and looks back, making sure her friend isn't too far behind to hear the bell.
Like the owners of these two horses, God does not throw us away just because we are not perfect or because we have problems or challenges.
He watches over us and even brings others into our lives to help us when we are in need.
Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by the little ringing bell of those who God places in our lives.
Other times we are the guide horse, helping others see.
Good friends are like this .......... You don't always see them, but you know they are always there.
Please listen for my bell and I'll listen for yours.

I did it!!! Woo-hoo!!!

I made it one year without smoking!!!

And as a reward for myself, I splurged and got a new pair of Birkenstock's...aren't they cool? I get to wear them tomorrow! (and darn it, I did charge 'em, but I've been good, and I'll pay for them next month!)

In other woo-hoo! news, I just finished my final, and I was super prepared! I don't know my score yet, but I will be walking lightly and smiling all day tomorrow in my new birks! No worries here! Yee-haw!!

Holiday Checklist

My holiday checklist got a BUNCH shorter in the past few days (actually yesterday - I took the day after the concert off! There ain't no way this teacher could hang out until midnight and get up at 5:30am. I am not as young as I use to be! ha!)

Anyway...I spent the day FINISHING my Christmas shopping...yep, finished!!! I have $8 in my checking account to last until payday, but I'm finished shopping, all my bills are paid, and here's the best part - I didn't charge one single gift!!! Woo-hoo!! I also finished the Christmas decorating inside and outside AND made the Christmas cards. That is top secret though until they go in the mail! ha!

Now, if I can just make until Friday, I'll be laughing! My final is Thursday night!!! urgh! Nerves...I've been studying a bit every night. Well, the past two nights! ha!

Gotta run - Kevin gave me 10 minutes and my dinner is ready. A man that cooks is SOOOO nice!!

Keith Urban Concert

Keith Urban did NOT disappoint! My hands hurt from clapping, my throat hurts from screaming and singing, and my feet hurt from tapping (or the boots!) I liked Keith Urban before the concert, but now I LOVE him!! He put on a great show, and he really seemed to enjoy himself throughout the show. He has a smile that would melt anyone' heart...he is just yummy!!! And, he can sing and play the guitar! ha! It did crack me up how the women would reach out and try to caress him and then look like they were going to faint (of course, I might be jealous too! ha!) Two lucky ten year old girls got to go up on stage b/c their poster said all they wanted for Christmas was a hug from Keith Urban. How cool is that!?!

For a real look inside the concert and not me rambling about how cute Keith Urban is - check out my uncle's blog - he really walks you through the concert. He's much better at those things than me!!

Oh, and that's my Mom, me and my sister-in-law. Not a bad picture for a self-portrait with my cell phone. I couldn't get a good picture of Keith himself, but again, if you click on over to Focused Distortion, my uncle has a yummy one that I'm sure his girlfriend took! :-)

Weekend Stuff

Friday started off with the scrap night that honored my prego buddy Donna...FUN! I am pretty sure by the picture above that she appreciated and loved her gifts! ha! We had a great scrap night...yummy Mexican food (for Donna), double yummy desserts, cake, girl talk, giggles, presents, and we even got some pages done. I can't show mine because I was working on a Christmas present! :-)Here's Donna's profile carrying twins with a due date in February! She looks great!

Today, we went to a church Christmas program for one of the little girls in my classroom. It was really cool! (Although, I missed "my" church or the one I've been going to for a year....so doesn't that mean that I've found my home??? Kevin loved the church we were at today...it was a Methodist church and apparently there are alot of similarities to the Episcopal church that he loves. You would really think finding a church would be much easier than this since we were raised in the same one!!! LOL!)

After church, we went on an adventure to the local laundromat!! Believe it or not, I am 34 years old and have never been to a laundromat until today! Our washer is leaking...so until the Maytag repairman can visit or better yet, until we have some money to PAY him, I guess we are going to the laundromat. On the plus side, with 5 washers going, you get the laundry done alot faster! Ha!

Well...I guess I better go get ready for the KEITH URBAN CONCERT!!!!

Scrappin' Excitement!!!

And, I owe alot of it to Steff over at An Inside Look...my blogger/teacher/scrapper friend. You see, I bought this set of stamps probably a year ago and LOVED them. Since then I haven't been able to find them anywhere to buy more fonts. I posted about it a few months ago and Steff led me to a website where I hit scrapper stamp pay dirt! Now, of course, I bought Ms. Steff a set as a thank you (just like my original set), and I was so disappointed, they are on back order. Bummer! I promise they are coming though, and you will love them too! Tomorrow night I will be a stamping queen!! Look at the fonts I got ~

You know it is the last Friday of the month, so it is girls night of scrappin' fun!! And, to add to the fun, we are dedicating the theme for the night with food and goodies for my pregnant friend that is expecting TWINS! She is craving Mexican, so Mexican food it is! I will take a picture of her to share ~ she is due in February and growing fast!

Bunch of Nothing...

Not much happening here except I am still sleeping with my nose covered in Vicks and a breathe right strip....is there any relief for this cold thing going around? It won't go away!!!

Simba has currently moved to bringing in moles instead of snakes. And, he is at least killing them first! This is an improvement, because the moles have been destroying the yard. So, for once, I am happy with my fat hunter cat! ha! And, if you haven't seen one in person, moles are funny looking!!

I have pretty much finished decorating for Christmas on the inside of the house. This weekend, I need to decorate outside. I don't put lights all over the house, just the front porch, front door and wreathes on the windows. I should be able to knock that out!

My final for my master's class is one week away. I HAVE TO STUDY!!! I need to start now...but I procrastinate on these things!!

This weekend, Sunday will be a big day in LoriLand!! First, I have the honor of being invited to watch one of the kids in my class in her Christmas program at Church. She is a doll, so should be fun. Then, I get to see Keith Urban in concert that night with my Mom and sister in law. Go ahead-hate me-I get it! After all, it is Keith Urban!!!

Wordless Wednesday: patience by Jax!

Getting started...

I got two new items tonight for the Christmas decorating season...first the Believe sign hanging above one of my Santa's...I love it!And then this very cool Snowman banner that I just hung over the mirror above the fireplace. We are still looking for Kevin a stocking for the angel to hold. I have a serious thing for snowmen!! LOVE THEM!

I am tired of the same old stuff every year, so I didn't get everything out this year. I think I like it better. I didn't put my garland around the fireplace or my villages out...I may decide to, but for now, I am liking the simplicity. I also got my first Christmas card in the mail already, & I think it is my first ever handmade one! Way to go to my scrap buddy, Laura! You beat my Aunt Debbie and no one ever beats Aunt Debbie in getting cards in the mail! ha!
And, lastly, the tree...hello! Last year, I wrapped it in heavy plastic and stored it in the garage with the decorations & lights still on. BEST IDEA EVER!! My tree was up and plugged in within 5 minutes!! (I got this skinny one last year b/c my living room really isn't that big and the 6 foot one that I had swallowed the room. Isn't it cute?)
Tomorrow, I will try to get the front porch looking holiday like and happy! :-)

It was here and gone so fast!

I think I have post-hosting blues! You know how you spend all week getting the yard and house ready for the big event, then it's here and gone just like that? We hosted the big family Thanksgiving today, and it was a success. But after everyone left, I felt a little sad. I was so busy running all day and doing stuff that it went too fast, and I didn't feel like I even got to talk to anybody! So, I called one of my best cousin buddies (that had JUST left my house - ha!) and we talked for about half an hour. I felt better! LOL! However, I am very upset that I didn't take very many pictures and barely got any good ones!! The weather didn't cooperate today, and there weren't many picture taking opportunities! I hope Aunt Lyn shares like she promised - otherwise, what kind of scrapbooker will I be? ha! Awww...I am getting rid of these blues just chatting on the phone and blogging! Kevin thinks I am crazy! :-) Who me?

I know I should just relax tomorrow after this mad rush all week to get the yard and house ready, but I think I am going to try to tackle some Christmas decorations!!! Not everything...just some fun stuff! Like the tree and the stockings....speaking of, we need a good Christmas card idea for this year. Do we put just me, Kevin, and the dog OR bring the cats in too? I can't decide...these decisions are very important! My Christmas cards make me smile every year...it has to be just right! Should we wear Santa hats? Hmmm....go here to see last year's card and here for the year's before that! Let's hear your creative thinking!

Thankful...

It really is that time of year where you have to reflect on all the good in your life and take the time to be grateful. I like to think that I do that on a regular basis, but I know life gets busy sometimes and things are taken for granted. I know I am blessed and have so much to be thankful for...here are a few things in no certain order:

1. I am thankful to have Kevin back in my life. We were such good friends for so long. I missed him when I moved and our lives went separate ways. He was one of those friends I could always count on. And, now he is back in my life where he should be. I am grateful for the way he makes me feel loved on a daily basis and can make me feel like the most beautiful person in the world. I also love that we have common interests - like camping - and enjoy spending time together. He is my best friend!

2. I am thankful for my family (even with all their drama! ha!). We are very fortunate in our family (not that we see it all the time) but we are. We have not really had to suffer any loss or major illnesses in my immediate family. We have had two cases of breast cancer in recent years and both were survivers!!! yay! Now, that is something to be thankful for!! I love being with family...my Mom is awesome! I am glad she has blocked my teenage years! ha! My cousins are more like friends than family. I know that for the most part, family is my safe place to fall when I need it.

3. I am thankful for friends...ALL of you! My BFF, my scrap girls, my work friends, my blog buddies, my family friends....Life wouldn't be the same without friends! You are my rock!!

4. I am so thankful for my pets!! You know I am nutso about them! They are my babies!!

5. I am thankful that I have a house of my own where I can have pets. I know being a teacher and not making much money, that after the divorce, I could've easily ended up in an apartment. But I searched and searched until I found a house I could afford...I had four pets to think about! ha! I downsized, but I wouldn't trade it for the world! I love my cozy little house!!

6. I am thankful to love my job again!! AHHH!! And thank you to all my friends who helped make that happen by giving me the push I needed! My new job is the best!

7. I am thankful to be back involved in Church again and reading/studying my Bible. It brings about such a peace...

8. I am thankful that the gas leak the gas company just repaired did not harm me, Kevin, or any of my pets! Whew!

HOPE EVERYONE HAS A GREAT TURKEY DAY!!!

Now I know...

I am an idiot...(hold comments!) About a month ago, I noticed a pretty sizable ant mound in the backyard. Since Jax had gotten into fire ants before and had such a bad reaction, I thought, "I'd better cover that up, so the dog doesn't step on it." BIG MISTAKE! I covered it up with Jax's kiddie pool (yes, my rotten dog has his own pool!) and forgot about it....Fast forward to today when I needed to hurry and mow the back
yared before it rains tomorrow....

I lift the pool and OMG! The ants literally made a home for themselves the size of the pool - all the way to the top!!!!! Note to self - don't cover an ant pile...just leave it alone until you can get some ant killer. I mean, seriously, have you EVER seen an ant pile this big? LOL! Only I could manage this one! Even Kevin was in awe...what am I going to do with this thing? ha!

One more workday...

...that's right - only one more day of work this week and then 5 days off in a row!!! YIPPEEE!!!
That should give me plenty of time to get all the stuff done I need to do before the family Turkey day at my house on Saturday!! (IF the weather cooperates!!) Kevin and I have been sick since Saturday - achey, congested, exhausted, runny noses, blah, blah, blah. That didn't help the yard work get done this weekend though! AND it's supposed to rain on Wednesday...uh-oh! That could really hinder the leaf raking job...and the mowing...hmmm!

I did manage to get a few things marked off my list in between naps and medicine over the weekend! Remember my list:
1. sleeping in (BIG time!) Done!
2. raking leaves
3. cleaning up the back deck Done!
4. mowing or begging Kevin to mow
5. laundry Done!
6.cleaning out the snake infested flowerbed Done!
7. burning leaves and yard brush
8. buying turkey for our Thanksgiving the next Saturday Done!
9. going to Wal-Mart (I hate Wal-Mart!) Done!
10. grading papers (of course!) Done! (today but still counts!)
11. hopefully finishing my Master's project DONE!
12. cleaning out my car
13. going to church Went!

As you can see, it is mainly yard work left...cross your fingers for us! It also looks like on Saturday when I have about 35 folks in my small house that it is going to be rainy and cold!!!! Where will we all fit? This is my fourth year to host turkey day, and we have always gotten lucky with the weather where we could spend the majority of our time outside. Last year, we even ate on the back deck...oh well, it's only Monday...I'll save my panic for later in the week! ha!

Thursday Thirteen

*Since Kevin and I don't get to go to his parents house for their turkey day this weekend (We had serious cards stacked against us between work and house sitters...these things happen.) Here are - Thirteen Things I am doing instead of eating turkey and all the yummy desserts!!!

1. sleeping in (BIG time!)

2. raking leaves

3. cleaning up the back deck

4. mowing or begging Kevin to mow

5. laundry

6.cleaning out the snake infested flowerbed

7. burning leaves and yard brush

8. buying turkey for our Thanksgiving the next Saturday

9. going to Wal-Mart (I hate Wal-Mart!)

10. grading papers (of course!)

11. hopefully finishing my Master's project

12. cleaning out my car

13. going to church

Cookbook Fundraiser!!!

Ok gals - you gotta do this one! It's a cookbook!!! And, a really good one !!! The rescue group, BoxAR, that I volunteer with is selling cookbooks to raise money. It has over 300 recipes, and they are good ones that real people submitted ... I hate those fancy cookbooks that you don't know what the ingredients are!! They are $15 a piece - email me if you want one or leave it in the comments, and I'll take care of it.

If you live close, I'll bring it to you. If not, I can mail it for an extra $2 or hold it until next time I see you. If you want to pay by credit card and have BoxAR ship it directly to you - go to the website to order - http://www.boxarrescue.rescuegroups.org/

Come on - help out a good cause and get something cool in return!!!

Boxer slobbers all around!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Snakes 101

You guessed it...he did it AGAIN! Only this time...it was ALIVE, and Kevin was at work!!! I admit that I panicked at first a bit when I saw it, but then I also realized that both cats (yes Nala got in on the action) were keeping it corralled to one area.....so I had time to gather my wits and find a pair of shoes. I just kept thinking "ewww...what if slithers over and touches me!" So...once I had shoes on, I decided I had a minute to call Kevin at work and yell at him for lying to me that snakes were in hibernation right now! Whatever! :-) Now, I needed a plan...better get a picture of the ticked off LIVE snake in my house for my bloggers (see what a good, thoughtful blogger I am!) Ok...shoes, yelled at Kevin, and took a picture...now how do I get this thing out of my house!!! A BROOM!!! I ran to the garage and grabbed a broom and opened the backdoor. I hit him towards the door about three times (boy was he getting mad too!). Once he saw the open door, he was gone...slithered right on out and under the deck. Then, I thought "crap! I just let him go! Why didn't I kill him?" Oh well....maybe he'll be in hibernation soon???

I did get this picture too so my imagination wouldn't later run wild with me, and I could identify him with my handy dandy Arkansas Game and Fish Snake Guide. Turns out, he is a harmless Garter Snake - but, a snake IN THE HOUSE just the same! And yes, I have decided to let Simba live - so far! He is in big trouble though!! And believe it or not, I still wouldn't go without that doggie door. The good far outweighs the bad!!

Here are some snake facts I researched after this:
*Snakes will defend themselves by biting when attacked or feeling threatened, otherwise they will attempt to retreat from humans. (think the broom was threatening? ha!)
*If the head is chopped off, or the body cut in two or crushed by a large object, the snake will die immediately. (duh?)
*However, for a short time after decapitation, the latent nerves in the head can cause the head to bite. (great!)

Want to prevent snakes in your house or yard?
*don't get a cat! (LOL!)
*Keep your lawn mowed short (oops!)
*Remove piles of logs, brush, rocks or other debris on the ground. (oops again!)
*Make sure home is well-sealed.
*Minimize mulch and low-growing flower or plant beds immediately around the house. (darn it!)

I see some serious yard work in my immediate future!!!
Freakin' Cat!

Lazy Day...

Today was a much needed lazy day!!!! AAAAHHHH!!!! You know how sometimes you just need a day where you have nowhere to be and don't even get dressed? That's the day I had today, and I haven't had one in so long. I feel like I've been running, running, running...and this weekend, add burning up the road to the list! We drove 3 hours to a ballgame Friday night and 3 hours back home, and Saturday I got back in the car to meet Mom half-way to do some Christmas shopping. Today, I literally slept until 10:30 am and could have kept sleeping!!! I am refreshed for the week!

Happy Weekend Everyone!

I had computer issues most of the night, so big post for me! I am about to crash!!!

I will leave you with this ~
I had my last parent conference Wednesday. The one I've had to reschedule numerous times due to her not showing up. In the middle of the conference FOR HER CHILD, she says, "I hate to interupt you, but what grade is this again?"
I wish that were a joke, but it isn't!

I can't leave on a down note...
How about this for happy ~
Tomorrow is Friday!!! I love my job!!! My class is awesome (even though they are chatterboxes! ha!) Check 'em out over at our class blog!

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Things That Make Me Smile This Week...

1. My students thankful papers that I graded (so sweet!)

2. Seeing Simba all curled up on Kevin's belly just purring away

3. Sharing an inside joke with Kevin

4. Overhearing my students talking when they think I'm not listening (they are currently arguing over if I have a boyfriend or not! ha!)

5. Having my LAST parent conference today!!!

6. Being 3/4 done with my big master's project!

7. Jax being finished with his shots - thank goodness!

8. Watching Nala jump for the couch and miss (she is not a graceful cat!)

9. Planning a roadtrip with Kevin (Friday we are going to watch a high school friend coach his football team in a playoff game).

10. Simba coming through the doggie door with nothing in his mouth! ha!

11. A clean house - even better - it was cleaned by the cleaning lady on Monday!

12. Fresh sheets....ahhh!

13. Dinner at TaMolly's with my cousins

Wordless Wednesday: fat cat from all the hunting!

Boogers gross me out!

And, I have a booger picker in my room!!!! Ewwww!!!! What can I do? He is one my smartest and best kids. I love him to death, but he is always digging in his nose. I mean - finger lost in there - digging!!! And, to make it even worse, he sometimes puts the finger in his mouth after...I don't want to know if he is eating....yuck...I can't even say it! How do you talk to a kid about this? It really grosses me out!!!! Once, I saw another girl in class watching him with this amazed, yet grossed out look on her face, and I just about fell out laughing. But, I held it in and managed to get her attention to shhhh! before she blurted out to the whole class.

ok...seriously, do I just let it go? Or, is there a way to make it stop? Seriously...help!

His days are numbered!

This gorgeous cat of mine, Simba, is going to be the death of me! He is quite the character! First of all, he thinks he is a rottweiler, because for 9 years his best friend was Rocky. Simba definately runs the house around here. However, I am about to kill him! (I wouldn't, BUT I thought about it Saturday!!)

Let's just say my "house" cat is no longer a house cat. He LOVES the doggie door, and he has been bringing me prizes since it was installed. Lizards - no biggie - scoot 'em back outside. Grasshoppers - no biggie. Frogs - not a problem. Week before last, a dead mouse - well, I said, at least it was dead. Last week, a LIVE mouse...hmmm..I'm not too crazy about that one! THEN YESTERDAY, WHAT WE ALL KNEW WAS COMING - A SNAKE!!!!!

Yep - he is lucky it was dead by the time I got home to discover it! We had a little "coming to Jesus" meeting, but I don't think he listened! LOL!

Here he is - he wouldn't even leave him alone for me to scoop up and throw outside...notice I used a big piece of paper...I was scared it might come to life on me! ha!

A little of this & a little of that

Below - I am on the outside of the glass door taking their pic! (Imagine what I'll be like with REAL kids! ha!)

*Halloween is always more fun around here for me than for my pets! They were properly tortured last night. Kevin and I got giggles out of it! And, Christmas dress-up is right around the corner! LOL! Not many trick-or-treaters though, but the ones we had sure got a kick out of the critters dressed up!

*Today I went to Newport (where I grew up) to interview a High School teacher of mine for a paper I'm doing for my Masters class. She was a chemistry & Physics teacher when I was in HS, and she was a favorite teacher of mine. She was one of those teachers that made a lasting impression - I still correspond with her through Christmas cards each year. Well, now she is the HS librarian - which is why I interviewed her. It was certainly surreal being back at the old HS after 16 years!!! Not much had changed, but it all seemed smaller for some reason. I did leave feeling a bit OLD! I babysat her kids when I was in HS and now they are 23 and 26 years old! How does that happen? ha!

*I also got to have lunch with my Mom today. We got all caught up. She had an hour and a half, and we got all our girly talk done! Lunch was yummy too! Thanks Mom!

*If you are wondering, today and tomorrow are teacher meeting days. I asked if I could use my "workday" for my Masters that I get with the tuition reimbursement program. Much better than sitting in meetings all day!!!!

*I still hate the class I am taking this semester. I am actually actively signed in right now and listening to it, but not watching the power points. The professor cancels class all the time. Last week, she cancelled again and gave us a big assignment instead. Then when we logged on tonight, she said a few things we would do, but instead of covering two of the chapters we were supposed to - she'd just give us an assignment on them and post it tomorrow! URGH! It's almost over!

*Saturday, my scrap buddies and I are going to a huge scrapbook sale!! BARGAINS! And, having lunch after...so looking forward to Saturday!!! Lots of favorites there - girl talk, scrapbookin' and food! HA!

Validation...

...not that I needed it, but....
Remember how bad my school had become last year? Just out of control behavior from the kids ~ look at my school tag if you dare! I try to forget! Well ~ when I transferred, there were about 15 teachers total that left last year. BIG SIGN that something was wrong!

Here's even MORE validation that I wasn't loosing my mind, and it wasn't me or being "burned out" on teaching. Two of the new teachers they have hired this year have already quit. It has only been one 9 week period!! They hired subs to take their spots, and the subs have already walked out! Then, the assistant principal had to go into one of the rooms one day to teach, and SHE had to call security. Hmmmm....think there is a problem here?

**PS. My new kid has had great days every since his "flip out". I have really seen him start coming out of his shell and smiling. I think he's decided he likes us! How could he not? ha!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

I know he didn't!!!

...YES ~ he did!!!

He brought a LIVE mouse INTO the house!!!

Jax and I stayed on the couch...and Kevin saved the day! Whew!

A day in the Country...

Kevin and I went to Mom & Dad's for a bit on Saturday to drop off the pop-up for winter storage. (So Kevin could park in the garage for winter - see how thoughtful I can be! ha!) We love a good ride on the 4-wheeler around the country. He refused to look for the picture - I believe his words were "you are not putting a picture of me on your blog riding bitch." hmmmm...Mom took it anyway! Love her! ha! Why do men think they always have to drive?
Here are some updated pics of Stormey - remember he was just born the last day of March!! Still a baby - but look how big he's gotten!! That's his momma in the bottom picture, but for some reason he is always following Milly around (the horse in the pic above). And no that isn't Jax in the picture - it is his older brother though!
And lastly, a redeeming picture for Kevin! hee-hee!

The Fairy Tale Ended Today...

...I got a new student yesterday. And, my perfect classroom came to an abrupt halt! What a difference one child can make...sad, but true!

Quite honestly, today was a day from hell!! I felt like I was back at my old school...oh wait, this student transferred from my old school!

He started out just off task during group work. No biggie...then apparently he decided to talk to the girls in his group about lap dances...hmmm...pretty SURE this was WAY off topic! So, he received a check (my discipline chart is a series of checks). Well - this is when the hell started. He started with the back talking and mumbling under his breath...this gets under my skin worse than anything!! So...a trip to the hallway to try and talk to him about his behavior and explain the expectations at his new school - he had ZERO interest! DEFIANT!!! If said - look at me - he looked at the ceiling - if I asked a question, he refused to answer. Well - it reached a point where I made the phone call home. While I was making the call, he comes over to my desk, says "who are you calling?" AND REACHES OVER ME TO DISCONNECT THE PHONE!!! YEP - HE HUNG UP THE PHONE SO I COULDN'T CALL HIS MOM! Ok...by this point, my nerves are fried & I am tired of being nice - but really folks - what can we do? As teachers, we really have NOTHING we can do & kids like this - well, they know that! So, I called his Mom and left a message. He proceeded to just wander around the room basically ignoring any and all directions I gave him and look to get in trouble. The kids came unglued when he messed with their beloved chess game! And, this is how defiant he was - I asked him to please leave the game alone and not touch it b/c his classmates had a game going & to respect his classmates. He looked at me and slowly and deliberately touched one of the pieces and kept his finger on it. Basically like I dare you to do anything. URGH!!!!! Well, when he went behind my desk and picked up the camera and started shuffling the papers around, I said, forget it! I lined my class up to take him to the office - thinking all the while - how am I going to get him there? And, like an angel appearing out of no where - the principal was coming down the hall!! Yay! And this principal...she doesn't play around! She took him into the hallway and ALL the 3rd graders could hear what was going on...he was pretty defiant with her too and that doesn't bode well with her! (or me) In the end, he had counseling today, and she let him know since it was his second day of school, she was only calling home this time, but if it ever happened again, he was suspended.

I called him Mom after school...I hope she isn't one of those parents that sounds supportive but really doesn't do anything. She sounded like she was really upset about it and going to take care of it. I hope so. She said I could expect an apology tomorrow....

...tomorrow IS new day AND it's Friday AND it's scrapbook night...so I'll let this go now that I've vented. I just pray that my awesome year isn't over so soon!

It's been awhile...

...and you know how some of us girls love these questionnaire thingies...ha! Got this one from Steff ~ thanks for the material!

What kind of SOAP is in your bathtub right now? I have a bar of Dove and a bottle of Suave body wash

Do you have any watermelon in your refrigerator? No

What would you change about your living room? I'd make it bigger so we could all fit in it on scrapbook night & be able to see the tv (that would be a flat screen with surround sound - while we are dreaming! ha!)

Are the dishes in your dishwasher clean or dirty? dirty

What is in your fridge? Not much at all - couple of bottles of water, slices of cheese, sour cream, eggs, mustard, a little mayo, butter...some of Kevin's cooking sauces & that's about it!

What is on top of your refrigerator? cookbooks, my favorite picture of Sydney and Autumn and my great-grandmother's candy dish

What color or design is your shower curtain? It is a silky material - brown with beads across the top...prettier than it sounds! ha!

How many plants are in your home right now? I don't have luck with indoor plants...only flowerbeds...so no indoor LIVE plants just fake ones!

Is your bed made right now? No...Kevin left after me! urgh! I hate it when the bed isn't made! But he thinks - why make it? You are just going to get back in it and mess it up! ha!

How many pillows do you sleep with? 2 - sometimes 3

Do you sleep with any lights on at night? yes - I have to have a night light

Do you have a welcome mat on your front porch? Yes and it says "Must Love Dogs" - big shocker huh?

Chore you hate doing the most? cleaning the bathtub...sometimes I'll clean everything but that!

Any retro items are in your home? no I don't think so

Do you keep any kind of protection weapons in your home? Yes - I have a gun for protection & I have a guard dog and a guard cat! LOL!

What does your home smell like right now? right now it smells fruity from the thingy plugged in the wall...but Jax just had dinner, so that could change quickly! ha!

Ever been on your roof? Nope

In case of fire, what are the items in your house which you’d grab if you only could make one quick trip? Wonder how quick? If I had time to get stuff, I would get my pets, my scrapbooks, and my grandmother's quilts. Everything else could be replaced.

There - I got my quiz fix for a bit! LOL!

Wordless Wednesday: Favorite Things About Camping

We're home! :-)

We ended up going to Charlton - about an hour & 10 min. from home. It was just what we needed! We headed out Saturday morning, sat up camp, relaxed, listened to the Razorback game, Kevin made dinner, and we sat around the campfire. Sunday, we went exploring & headed home. Having a pop-up camper ROCKS!! We took Jax for his first trip since we were close to home. I am not sure what he thought about it - he liked the exploring part, but sitting around camp, he could probably do without. Somehow, I have managed to raise a dog that can't swim (discovered on a recent hike) and WON'T go #2 in the woods - I guess he prefers his own backyard toilet - ha! He seriously held it until we got home! And, yes, it was a gassy ride home! LOL! Enjoy the pics! More tomorrow!! hee-hee! Only I can go away for 24 hours and come home with 35 pictures! (I won't make you suffer through them all! ha!)

Take me away....

I still don't even know where we are going tomorrow, and I don't care! I just need to get away for a bit! No cell phone, no computers, no phone, no work....just me, the dog, nature, and my man. Ahhhhhh....is it tomorrow yet?

Kevin's work schedule is wearing us down...(but yes, we are thankful for the job). They have finally hired a new manager!! And now another manager is going on vacation, but his boss promises he will start the job duties he was HIRED to do the next week! We just need to make it one more week! There have been a few other curve balls thrown our way this week (especially Kevin) but we are staying focused and keeping in mind what is most important.

Wish us mucho peace while we take our last camping trip until Spring!!!

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Things Happening in My World:

1. My Bubby fixed my computer tonight for FREE!!!! Thank you Bubby! It is still at his house but will be home and running soon! Ahhh...

2. Parent Teacher Conferences are Monday, and I really should be working on Parent Conference forms right now instead of blogging!

3. I have given Jax 3 of his 8 shots of Adequan. He is already like a new dog! I highly recommend these expensive shots to anyone who has an arthritic dog!!

4. I have a Master's project due at the end of the month that I am starting on early.

5. And, I got my grades back for my presentation and the project that I thought I did horribly on - both A's! yippee!

6. Race for the Cure is this Saturday!

7. I am walking with my cousins, Peggy and Kristen.

8. After the race, Kevin and I are going on our last camping trip of the season. A short, but needed trip!

9. Kevin has had to close the restaurant every night this week again. We are just seeing each other as we come and go to work. It sucks!! He has Sat/Sun off - hence the camping!

10. I am going to help my friend, Donna, who is expecting twins to register at Target tomorrow. (Remember we went to Babies R Us on Sunday)

11. I LOVE my job!!! Have I said that lately? Well...I do!

12. I love my co-workers! They are my new bff's! :-)

13. I am ready for the weekend, because I need some time with my man!

Wordless Wednesday

Weekend Snapshots

Friday night after dinner with my buddy, Peggy and Jax's fav housesitter, Kristen, we tortured the cats with the Halloween costume that they bought for their dog. Simba was not too pleased at first. However, by the end, he was purring. So...don't let him fool ya - he liked it! ha!

Now...I have a healthy enough respect for the crazy cat below, Nala, to just lay the costume on her - not go to all the trouble of putting her legs in and everything. I mean, I don't want to lose a finger or get the crap end of her revenge - if you know what I mean! ha!

My critter kids hate Halloween and Christmas b/c I'll always find a way to torture them by dressing them up!

Saturday morning, I went to Skylar's (the little girl in the middle with the neon green uniform) soccer game. She is in my class at school. I loved it! Not a bad morning ... I hit the local Starbucks and sat out in nice weather enjoying the game!

After the game, we had a family day at the State Fair. Me, Peggy, Sandy, Kristen, Kayce, and Peggy & Sandy's mom hit the fair. The best part is the food - yum! I had a funnel cake, sno cone, and cotton candy...again, YUM!

Below is Kristen getting in over her head feeding the animals! ha!

I don't ride the rides - I am chicken. But, I will happily watch others and take pics! :-)
Sandy and Kayce got flying lessons:

Saturday night, Kevin and I watched the Razorback game...we won't even talk about that disappointment.

Then, Sunday, I went with my friend, Donna, who is expecting twins, to help her register at Babys R Us....FUN! Do I finally - at 34 years old - have baby fever? I'm NOT telling...heehee!

Randomness...

I did it! I gave Jax his first shot last night!!!! yay! And it wasn't hard at all! He didn't even flinch! (It helped that his second fav person in the world, Kristen, was petting him!) So...only 6 more shots to go!

I hope you can read this below - it is cool! This cat is a seeing-eye cat for this blind yellow lab! Awww! How cool is that!?


Ok - more tv talk - did anyone watch Women's Murder Club last night? The new show based on the James Patterson novel series. James Patterson ROCKS, by the way! I watched and liked it! Thank goodness for DVR! hee-hee!

One of my kids at school is having a soccer game this AM, and I'm going to watch her play. I've never been to a soccer game. Should be fun! Then I might go to the State Fair that is in town afterwards. Can you say funnel cake???? Mmmmm!!!!

Told you it was random! :-)

Class

This is the first semester that I am not enjoying my master's class. It is more frustrating than anything & cancelled ALOT! It is also going to be the first class in my Master's that I don't make an A!! It's true - turns out she had to grade the final on a curve b/c everyone did so poorly. I would've had a D, but with the curve I have a C on the midterm. I made a 82 (which in her class 83 to 92 is a B, 93 and up A, you get the drift...so I originally made a 72 but in her class that is a D!!!)

Tonight I have a presentation (in 45 min) and I have a project due. I admire all you folks who can do flowcharts - it has given me more headaches than I can count. I hate those arrows! ha! Seriously though, we had maybe a one time 10 minute tutorial on it. It's only 15 points, so I am letting it go....

On a better note, I LOVE the new show "Dirty, Sexy Money"!!! Is anyone else watching? Only 3 shows have aired so far & Kevin & I are hooked! It is second on the 'ole DVR recording list! (And I deleted Private Practice - just not liking it.)

Wish me luck tonight on my presentation!

**updated: Presentation is over...and it went. This just isn't my class! I turned in my project that I'm not too proud of either. I have one big project and my final left. I just hope to pull a B in this class and move on to the next one!

Have a great weekend! :-)

Autumn's birthday party on Sunday...

Some pics from my niece's 9th birthday on Sunday...the girl is a horse NUT! Horse presents, horse cake, horse wrapping paper....ha!

Dodged a bullet...

Jax went to the vet today, and I just knew he had torn his other ACL and surgery (expensive surgery) was our fate! But, I was wrong! Sometimes, it is nice to be wrong ~ ha! He has really bad arthritis. He gets to take a series of adequan shots twice a week for the next four weeks. Guess who gets to give those shots? ME! I think I can, I think I can...just keep repeating! ha!

My baby is getting old...it makes me sad. :-(

We can handle a little arthritis though...from what I hear from friends who have used these shots with their dogs, he's gonna be as good as new in no time! Go Jax - watch out opposum's! ha!

PS. That's my cousin, Tanner, in the pic above! I'm probably in trouble for posting it!

Fundraisers, football, and together time...

Yesterday was a good day...I love a good Saturday! :-) First of all, Kevin & I have been on different schedules all week. One of the managers quit, and he had to close every night this week. So, he left for work at 2 in the afternoon & got home after I was in bed. Basically, we missed each other coming and going all week. So, Saturday was our day to finally spend together! And, I had him back at the grill! ha!We had a hot dog fundraiser for BoxAR, the boxer rescue group that I volunteer with in Arkansas. Remember all those hot dogs that were in my freezer? GONE! yippee! Granted, we didn't do as well as we thought we would (but it was a Razorback game day IN Little Rock, & we were in Cabot). But, we made about $125 more than we had! Plus, I sent all the leftover hot dogs to the kennel for the boxers to snack on! :-) I bet they were happy ~ I know Jax was when he got a few off the grill!
Above is one of the BoxAR board members - trying her best to get customers! She reminded me of the CiCi's Pizza people who stand outside the restaurant with the sign! ha!

And here is our table:

(Over to the right hand side is a basket of holiday collars that are handmade - actually by the board member above). I got one for Nala for Halloween ~ she ain't happy about it either! hee-hee!We took a long way home b/c we had the grill loaded in the back of the truck. Kevin and I love a good road trip!! Once we got home, Kevin had put some beans in the crockpot before we left. So, he made one of my favorite meals - beans and cornbread! Am I a southern girl or what? ha!

Then, we had to listen to the Razorback game on the radio b/c we couldn't find tickets to the game. Well, the radio was packed in the pop-up camper. So...another road trip to nowhere! Just us and the dog going nowhere listening to the game! ha!

Once we got home, we watched the new series Dirty, Sexy Money. (I had the pilot and first episode on the DVR) That show is AWESOME!! We both loved it! So....that is going to be my new show to pick up this year. I just don't feel the love for Private Practice (sorry). I think it's because I never really liked Addison on Grey's.

Ok...gotta run! My niece has a birthday party at 2 o'clock. pics tomorrow!

Reflections...

**warning - I have no idea where this post will take me. Just getting out some thoughts/feelings/memories that have come to me throughout the day - consider yourself warned!**

11 years ago today, I was in San Francisco marrying the man I loved more than anything. I can't believe that was 11 years ago...it some ways, it is a distant memory & in others, I remember it like it was yesterday. Some details are still crystal clear....I can remember looking at him while we were saying our vows and thinking, "this is a dream". That day is still one of my happiest memories...we were surrounded by our close friends and had amazing views all around. We truly loved each other...what went wrong? Well, lots of things, but I really try not to dwell on the negative. Is there really any point at playing the blame game? Not now...it is best summed up with we were young, and we grew apart. We are two totally different people (those who know us both are probably laughing right now going no kidding!) Alan is a night owl, mr. social, knows everyone, life of the party, spontaneous, out every night....I am the polar opposite - in bed around 9/9:30, don't like to party, a major homebody, my idea of a good night is scrappin' with a bunch of my friends at home. You get the idea - I loved the stability of being married and the responsibilities of married life - he felt the opposite...so, it was doomed.

Lots of people ask me how we managed to stay friends (because he is still a best friend that I can rely on). I don't really know the answer except we never let things get nasty or ugly. We never really fought. We were always friends, just not the best husband/wife. I really only remember letting him "have it" twice during the separation. It will be 4 years in January that we separated...crazy! But, I only remember getting truly MAD about twice...mainly, I was depressed. It was bad! I guess I was mourning the loss of my marriage and my best friend. It is a major life change...all the sudden your life is in an uproar & nothing is the same. I think I took it harder than most people b/c I never really thought of divorce as an option. Almost everyone in my family has been divorced, and I was determined that it wasn't going to happen to me. Well, I learned you can't control everything, and it takes two people to make a marriage work. So, it hit me hard. Despite all his faults, I loved him. I loved him deeply. I would have done anything in the world for him. So, I felt like my world had crumbled around my feet the day he walked out the door. I struggled for over a year...probably close to a year and half.

I was probably clinically depressed. It is a hard thing to overcome. I think that one of the reasons that Alan & I stayed friends is because he didn't "desert" me in that when I was depressed, he was always there for me when I broke down. Keep in mind that for the past 8 years before this, I kept up a fake front with everyone else that life was fine and we were a happy couple. So, Alan was the only person who truly knew me and the only person I felt I could be true self around....it didn't matter what time of night or what he was doing, he would answer the call & listen. I have a healthy respect for those who struggle with depression b/c I have been there and don't ever want to feel that way again. I admit that it was bad enough that on at least two occasions I actually considered taking my own life. I admit that b/c MAYBE someone reading this is or has thought the same thing before - and it DOES get better!!! I hated with a passion hearing that when I was depressed - I wanted a timeline - WHEN will it get better b/c I truly didn't see how it could - my life was ruined in my eyes. Well, it does get better...I fought my way back. And it was a fight!! I remember going to the doctor and not being able to tell him what I needed b/c I was crying so hard...he knew and gave me some anti-depressants. I really didn't want to take them - I wanted to overcome this on my own. But I went to the doctor b/c I was sick of it. Turns out, just having the security blanket of the anti-depressants in the drawer if I couldn't fight it on my own, was all I needed. I never took one...slowly, things started getting better. I fought my way back to the top, and I am happier than I have been in years!!

Some friends tell me I need to tell my story of the divorce to support groups and help others going through divorce. I think everyone has a story, and no one's will help until you are READY to overcome it. People told me all kinds of motivating stories - no help! That was great for them, but it wasn't me. I will say that watching Oprah everyday helped b/c she always had someone on with a story worse than my own! I would think "could be worse, that could be me".

I never thought I would be where I am today - divorced, 34, and no children. But, if I count my blessings, I am truly blessed in so many ways. And really, life is good! I just choose to focus on the positive and leave the rest alone. So, to anyone going through divorce, my only advice - if you want to take it - don't waste your time being bitter or playing the blame game. Remember the good times you had together and leave the rest behind!

**remember - you were warned! I feel better now getting that out!**

Look what I found!

I was innocently pulling a few weeds in my wild flowerbed while waiting on the call from Sandy and Tanner to go eat, and look what I found!! Isn't it cute? So tiny!! We put a quarter next to him, so you could see how small it is! I, of course, am taking it to school tomorrow. The kiddo's will love it!
** And we AREN'T keeping it!!! I will, however, let it go tomorrow in a much safer area than my backyard. (think Simba & Jax!)

Wordless Wednesday

Updates...

Here are some updates on all the drama around here lately: (and just so you know, I only like OTHER people's drama ~ I prefer it stay away from my house! ha!)

*lawnmower drama - my cousin's hubby has repaired their mower. So, I am no longer responsible for the destruction of another person's property! ha! AND, the part came in for our mower today. Kevin will attempt to fix it tomorrow...more to come later!

*money issues - I still have not charged! Can I get a "yee-haw"? LOL! I got my retro-active paycheck today!!! That got me to even! AND, I have the money saved up to pay my property taxes on the 10th!!! So...now I just need to save to fix the Jeep and the computer! Almost there!! (And then Christmas shopping will hit! ha!)

*mid-term - don't ask! I didn't do well, but life happens! I don't have the actual grade yet, but I was clueless on one of the essay questions!

*Kevin - is back on track & we are going to make a Celebrate Recovery meeting our date on Friday night!! He found a new meeting last night that he really liked ~ they only meet once a week, but at least he has that every Sunday night.

*computer - still broken, but I am using my school laptop. It is next on my list to repair!! Wish me luck!