Let the fun begin...

Got this from Vader's Mom and and the rule is if you read it, you were supposed to play. So sure - why not!?! I needed a post! :-)

1.Do you like cheese? Of course. It makes everything better!
2.Have you ever smoked? yes for years...but not for the past two! woo-hoo!
3. Do you own a gun? You bet I do! Dad just gave me a new one!
4. Do you like listening to Christmas music? Sometimes. I have to be in the mood.
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? not really
6. What do you think of hot dogs? I like them at ballgames or when I'm camping!
7. Favorite Christmas song for all time? Silent Night
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Dr. Pepper
9. Can you do push ups? very doubtful!!
10. Who is your favorite Grey’s Anatomy Character? Was Izzy but she's weird right now!
11. What’s your favorite piece of jewelry? a watch - can't be without it
12. Favorite hobby? scrapbooking, reading, blogging...
13. Do you eat “exotic” foods? I try not to unless Kevin makes me try it!
14. Do you have A.D.D.? Not officially - sometimes I behave like I do
15. What one trait do you hate about yourself? you all know I hate my freckles
16. Middle Name? Dawn
17. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment? "My name is so country" "I am sleepy" "I am ready for it to be tomorrow at 2:30"
18. Name 3 things you bought yesterday? dinner at TaMolly's, stamps, ink cartridge
19. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? Dr. Pepper, Dr. Pepper, Dr. Pepper
20. Current worry right now? I worry b/c Jax is getting so old...
21. Current hate? overbearing parents (at school - not mine or Kevin's -ha!)
22. Favorite place to be? camping with Kevin
23. How will you bring in the New Year? luckily, with Kevin!! :-)
24. Where would you like to go? Alaskan cruise
25. Name three people who will complete this? I don't know - surprise me!
26. Do you own flip flops? Of course - several!!!
27. What shirt are you wearing? brown sweater
28. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? Don't think I've ever tried but I like warm sheets
29. Can you whistle? yes but not well
30. Favorite color? green
31. Would you be a pirate? No - I couldn't be mean (at least not for long! ha!)
32. What songs do you sing in the shower? I am too grouchy in the morning to sing anything!
33. Favorite girl’s name? not sure...
34. Favorite boy’s name? these aren't fair questions for a teacher with hyper kids right now!
35. What’s in your pocket right now? nothing
36. Last thing that made you laugh? New Adventures of Old Christine
37. Bed sheets as a child? Not sure but probably strawberry shortcake!
38. Worst injury you’ve ever had? that I remember - getting thrown from a horse
39. Do you love where you live? Yes!
40. How many TV’s do you have in your house? Two
41. Who is your loudest friend? Holly (although Kevin doesn't have an inside voice either)
42. How many dogs do you have? Just Jax!
43. Does someone have a crush on you? Kevin does since he was 15...heehee!
44. Do you get embarrassed easily? yep
45. What is your favorite book? Too many to pick...love classics and James Patterson!
46. What is your favorite candy? Nerds
47. Do you know all the words to the Fresh Prince theme song? just some...
48. What song do you want played at your funeral? Something cheerful I guess?
49. What were you doing at 12 AM last night? Sleeping
50. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? I gotta pee!

It's MeMe Time!!

Got it from Vader's Mom...
1.What is in the back of your car? an old quilt
2.What color is your toothbrush? purple & white, I think??
3.Name one person who made you smile today. Kayce
4.What were you doing at 8:00 AM? asleep...ahhh...summer break!
5. What were you doing 45 minutes ago? talking to the neighbor and working in the front yard
6. What is your favorite candy? Nerds or peanut M&M's
7. What is the last thing you said aloud? Jax can do that - he's the smartest dog ever!
8. What is the best ice cream flavor? Rocky road
9. What is the last thing you had to drink? Dr. Pepper!!!
10 What are you wearing right now? shorts and Cozumel T-shirt (I wanna go back)
11. What is the last thing you ate? burrito at TaMolly's - surprised?
12. Have you bought any new clothes this week? no - not a big clothes shopper
13. When was the last time you ran? me, run? ha!
14. What was the last sporting event you watched? cousin's T-ball game
15. Ever go camping? As much as possible!
16. Do you have a tan? not anymore - it caused all my freckles!
17. Do you take vitamins daily? No, but probably should
18. Do you go to church? yes and searching for home church
19. Do you like Chinese food more than pizza? pizza first please
20. Do you drink your soda with a straw? out of a glass? Only when I'm out.
21. Are you someone’s best friend? yes
22. What are you doing tomorrow? lunch date with Carey, doing a home visit for BoxAR rescue, and working in the flowerbeds
23. Where is your dad? I have no doubt he is asleep in his recliner
24. Can you say the alphabet backwards? nope
25. Do you have a maid service clean your home? I have a cleaning lady every other week
26. Do you have a favorite pair of shoes you wear all the time? flip-flops
27. What color is your car? silver
28. How do you like your popcorn? With salt and butter
29. How did you get your worst scar? No scars really
30. Look to your left. What do you see? Jax asleep
31. What color is your watch? silver
32. What do you think of when you think of Australia? my ex was from there
33. Do you use chap stick? not really
34. Do you have a dog? a very spoiled one!
35. Last person you talked to on the phone? Kayce
36. Have you met anyone famous? no
37. Any plans today? It's 10, so I'll blog a bit, read and crash!
38. How many states have you lived in? one
39. Do you dye your hair? I get highlights...covers any grey that may come in! :-)
40. Do you like cats? Well, yes, I have two! They are my babies too!
Wanna play? Tag… you’re it!

My Summer Top 10

1. barefeet (love it and my feet are dirty because of it!)
2. flip flops
3. going to the lake for the day or weekend (especially when my parents come and Dad drives us all over the lake in the boat)
4. CAMPING!!!
5. sleeping in...no alarm clock ROCKS!
6. no papers to grade - yes!
7. getting together with my BFF - Michelle ~ It's a tradition we have had for years since we are both teachers.
8. time to read books
9. toes...I love my toes and love painted toenails!
10. the smell of food on the grill ~ especially if Kevin is cooking!!

**Play along ~ what are your favorite things about summer? You can link up over at FlipFlop Mamma's site.

It's been awhile, so why not?

It's a tag you're it! :-)
The rules are as follows:
1. Post the rules!
2. Answer the questions about yourself
3. At the end of the post, list 5-6 people you would like to tag and leave a comment on their blog letting them know.
4. Let the person who tagged you know that you posted your answers.

So here goes....

1. What were you doing 10 years ago? I was 25, married, buying my first house, Jax was a puppy, and I was in my first year of teaching!! Life was very different 10 years ago...makes me wonder where I'll be 10 years from now...

2. What are 5 things on your to-do list today? finish the laundry (urgh), mow the backyard, weedeat the backyard and front yard, finish the last of the catering clean-up, and READ some of my book.

3. What are some snacks you enjoy? anything chocolate (of course), I love peanut M&M's, and those new 100 calories snacks, and bean dip with fritos (yum)

4. What would you do if you were a billionaire? I would definately have lots of land and move my Momma closer. Then I could rescue abused horses with her help as well as fostering boxers. My family and close friends would be well taken care of and local animal shelters wouldn't want for anything!! I would buy one of those big RV's and Kevin and I would travel whenever the urge hit!

5. What are three of your bad habits? I worry too much. I have a hard time saying no to people when sometimes I should and it adds stress to my life instead of making life easier. I have to have a clean house or I can't sit down and relax.

6. What are 5 places you have lived?
Piggott, AR (no jokes -heehee)
Newport, AR
Fayetteville, AR
Little Rock, AR
and where I live now

7. What are 5 jobs you have had?
Nanny
waitress
vet tech
leasing consultant
teacher

8. What is currently playing on your IPOD? Ummm... I don't have an IPOD. Is it bad that I don't even really want one?

9. What are the last 5-6 books you have read? The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren, 7th Heaven by James Patterson, Dear John by Nicholas Sparks, Marley and Me by ??, and I am reading Lifeguard by James Patterson now.

10. Who do you want to tag?Anyone who wants to join in!I would LOVE to see your answers! Let me know if you do it :)

What if....

What if I could meet someone in the art world to chat with - well, I wouldn't know who to pick or what to talk about...I am not artsy. Unless, you could count writing as a form of art, then I would like to meet James Patterson - my all-time favorite author.

What if I could have one wish granted for the benefit of all mankind - I would wish for there to be no child abuse or neglect, and that no child went to bed without food or feeling loved. Is that more than one wish?

What if I could travel anywhere in the world - There are lots of places I would love to travel, but right now, I would LOVE to go on an Alaskan Cruise and enjoy the scenery.

What if I could live in a period other than the present, for 24 hours - this one is easy for me, I have always wanted to live back in the days of the old western movies with the big dresses and sexy cowboys! ha!

What if I could make over three areas of my body - my thighs, my freckles, and my butt (maybe that treadmill we are getting from Kevin's parents will take care of two of those!)

What if I could become an animal for 24 hours - hmmm...my spoiled house cat, Nala! She sleeps all day and only gets up to tell everyone else what to do for HER.

What if I could bring someone back to life for 24 hours - my grandpa C ~ He was the best male influence in my life, and I regret not getting to talk to him about what happened between me and my Dad before he died. I wish I would've had more time with him ...there are so many things I'd like to say.

*This tag came fromVader's Mom. I pass it along to whoever wants it! :-)

Crazy Eights MeMe

*with updates at the bottom!

CRAZY EIGHTS!
I was tagged by Lindsey to play along, so here I go!

8 Things I'm Passionate About:
1. Kevin & his sobriety
2. my pets (aka fur kids)
3. my family and friends
4. teaching
5. organizing!!
6. scrapbooking
7. blogging
8. animal abuse/neglect

8 Things I Want to do Before I die:
1. earn my master's degree
2. para-sail (maybe this summer!)
3. go on an Alaskan cruise
4. see New York
5. swim with dolphins
6. see the Grand Canyon
7. have kids of my own
8. win the lottery! :-)

8 Things I Say Often:
1. Shhhhh!!!
2. Listening skills are very important (to my NON-listening class!)
3. No talking in the hall.
4. I need to write that down or I'll forget.
5. What time is dinner? (to my personal chef, Kevin)
6. Is Simba inside? (before I lock the doggie door)
7. I love you.
8. I'll just wait....(on my class to be quiet and LISTEN! ha)

8 Books I've Read Recently:
1. How to Eat Fried Worms (a favorite)
2. Chocolate Fever
3. All About Rosa Parks
4. Uncle Jed's Barbershop (love this one)
5. Follow the Drinking Gourd
6. The True Story of Ruby Bridges (brings tears to my eyes every year)
7. currently reading my class textbook: Practical Research
8. and The Purpose Driven Life with Kevin

8 Songs I Could Listen to Over and Over:
1. American Pie - Don McLean
2. Mustang Sally
3. Candle in the Wind - Elton John
4. Earle - Dixie Chicks
5. Jackson - Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash
6. I Need You - Tim and Faith
7. Leather and Lace - Stevie Nicks
8. When Will I Be Loved - Linda Ronstadt

8 Things That Attract Me to My Best Friends:
1. honesty
2. loyalty
3. fun
4. laughter
5. has my back and I have theirs
6. can put up with my neat freak quirks
7. let's me vent and vents back
8. scrapbooking is a plus! ha!

8 People I Think Should Do Crazy 8's:
if you haven't already been tagged, go for it! :-)

** updates: My Aunt went home from the hospital today - no surgery yet. They put in a stint and are letting it drain. Hopefully surgery won't be necessary. Thanks for the warm thoughts and prayers.

AND, I just got my assignment back from last week - I MADE AN A!!!! Now, wish me luck on the midterm this week. I am going to study right now!

Over and out! :-)

One LONG MeMe!

Since Steff and Tee did it, you know I had to do it! And, since all I did today was clean and put up Christmas stuff and re-organize (I love it!), that didn't leave me with much material!
Here goes...let's see who can read to the end...Kevin?? ha!

1. I have come to realize that my butt:
ain't no white girl butt...baby got back! ha!

2. I have come to realize that when I talk:
Kevin is not ALWAYS listening...or my kids at school for that matter!

3. I have come to realize that I need:
to re-do my budget.

4. I have come to realize that I lost:
my desire to smoke! Yay!!!

5. I have come to realize that I hate it when:
People lie for no good reason! urgh!

6. I have come to realize that marriage:
is not the fairy tale...it is WORK!

7. I have come to realize that work:
is something that can make your life miserable if you don't like what you do!

8. I have come to realize that I will always be:
unhappy with my body/looks (i.e. freckles, see #1, and add thunder thighs!Ha!)

9. I have come to realize that I like:
the idea of being married again...didn't know if it would happen!

10. I have come to realize that the last time I cried:
was over something very touching...and that I've been crying too easily lately! hmmm?

11. I have come to realize that my cell phone is:
something I can't leave the house without!

12. I have come to realize that before I go to sleep at night:
I always lay on my right side and have my pillows laying a certain way...

13. I am currently thinking about:
how long this is and if I should really do it...how many people are really reading it! LOL!

14. I have come to realize that babies:
still scare me, but may be in my future afterall!

15. I have come to realize that when I get on Myspace:
I am getting old!

16. I have come to realize that today I will:
be grateful for a good holiday and seeing friends that are really like family!

17. I have come to realize that tonight I will:
look forward to Kevin being home from work and snuggling!

18. I have come to realize that tomorrow I will:
not be ruled by the alarm clock! YAY for being a teacher!!!

19. I have come to realize that I really want to:
start going on vacations on a more regular basis

20. I have come to realize that true friends:
love you no matter what...they are the ones who surround you in a crisis and hold you up!

21. I have come to realize that the person who might repost this is:
Ummm...maybe Lindsey...or Tasha! (that's a dare!)

22. What bill do you hate paying the most?
My student loan...it's so big, it's never going away!!!

23. Where's the best place to eat a romantic dinner?
on the beach

24. Name of your first grade teacher?
Mrs. Nickelson?

25. What do you really want to be doing right now?
I'm ready to get back to the book I'm reading...

26. What did you want to be when you were growing up?
a teacher

27. How many colleges did you attend?
got one Bachelor's from UofA and then another one from UALR, now working on my master's at UCA! I love school! ha!

28. Why did you wear the shirt that you have on right now?
It's big!

29. GAS PRICES First thought?
Killing me!

30. If you could visit anywhere and take someone with you...
An Alaskan cruise with Kevin...or New York...or the Cayman Islands...

31. First thought when the alarm went off this morning?
it didn't ...hee-hee!

32. Last thought before going to sleep last night?
I was exhausted from traveling all day...I don't remember thinking ANYTHING!

37. What errand/chore do you despise?
cleaning the bathroom or going to the grocery store! urgh!

38. If you didn't have to work, would you volunteer at an art gallery?
no - art isn't my thing

39. Get up early or sleep in?
Sleep in if at all possible!

40. What is your favorite cartoon character?
Road Runner

41. Are you planning on remaining in your current field?
Until Kevin opens a restaurant...yes!

42. Do you see yourself married in the next five years?
Yes (Kevin are you still reading? hee-hee!)

43. Your favorite lunch meat?
smoked turkey

44.What do you get every time you go into a WalMart?
a headache!

45.Beach or lake?
Up until this summer I would have said lake, but after Mexico I'll always say the beach! (I agree totally with Steff's answer on this one!)

46. Do you think marriage is an outdated ritual?
No - I think people don't take it seriously anymore.

47.TV show you miss?
Grey's...when is the strike over?

48. Favorite guilty pleasure?
bikini waxes - if you haven't tried it, you should!

49. Favorite movie you wouldn't want anyone to find out about?
not one really...

50. What's your drink?
Dr. Pepper!

51. Cowboys or Indians?
Who are they? ha!

52. Cops or Robbers?
I'm torn...I like a uniform, but I usually go for the bad boy!

53. Do you cheer for the bad guy in a movie?
Sometimes...

54. What Hollywood star do you think resembles you best?
Jennifer Garner (ha! Wishful thinking!) I do have a JoLo butt though!

55. What do you want when you are sick?
Kevin's chicken noodle soup and some vick's

56. Who from high school would you like to run into?
no idea!

57. What radio station is your car radio tuned to right now?
I listen to CD's mostly

58. Worst mistake that you wish you could take back?
wow! I don't want to think about negative things...maybe staying too long at my old job. I would say something with my marriage, but those mistakes got me to where I am today (much happier!)

59. Do you like the person who sits directly across from you at work?
I love the teacher across the hall - my new BFF! :-)

60. What famous person would you like to have dinner with?
Oprah

61. What is the best gift you have ever received?
Anything made...I love the stepping stones from Syd and Jacob and the scrapbook from Michelle...but I'm not knocking all those AWESOME gift cards I got for Christmas!

62. Have you ever had to use a firearm?
No...but I have one if I need it!

63. Last book you read?
Double Cross by James Patterson

64, Do you have a teddy bear?
No.

65. Strangest place you have ever brushed your teeth?
????

67. Somewhere in California you've never been and would like to go?
LA

68. Number of texts in a day?
probably 1 or 2...depends on the day

68. If you had to choose- would you start a new career or relationship?
career

69. Favorite Winter Olympic Sport?
What?!? I don't have one!

70. Pencil or pen?
Pen fine point

71. Ancient Egyptians or Mayans?
Egyptians

72. How many jobs have you had?
I don't know...I had a job in HS at a video store, then in college as a waitress, then at a daycare, then teaching with a summer job as a vet tech...those are the main ones!

73. Are you where you thought you would be at this age?
No...but it's been a fun ride anyway!

Told you it was LONG! ha!

Holiday Meme...it's my turn!

Ok ... I've been putting it off, and I even like these questionnaires! ha! Here goes:

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? both - depends on the gift
2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial
3. When do you put up the tree? Usually the weekend after Thanksgiving...
4. When do you take the tree down? Almost always the day after Christmas b/c I get tired of looking at it! ha! I have even taken it down Christmas night before...bad, I know!
5. Do you like eggnog? yes
6. Favorite gift received as a child? would have to be my chalkboard ...oh, or the year we got the Atari
7. Do you have a nativity scene? no :-(
8. Hardest person to buy for? my dad and now Kevin's dad too!
9. Easiest person to buy for? My niece...anything with a horse and you are safe!
10. Worst Christmas gift ever received? a freakin' fishing pole! (from an old boyfriend - I later dumped him! ha!)
11. Mail or email Christmas card? Oh...I LOVE making and receiving Christmas cards!! Mail is the best this time of year b/c I don't dread going to the mailbox!
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? The Polar Express
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Usually October and November - I try to be done the first part of December
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I don't think so...but I am not going to say that some haven't ended up in a yard sale....
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? all of it...the turkey, the pecan pie, the dressing...all of it!
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? clear
17. Favorite Christmas song? Away in a Manger
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Burn up the roads - gotta go to Mom's, Granny's and Kevin's families now too. Although when we have little ones, we want to wake up Christmas morning at our house
19. Can you name Santa's reindeers? It's Monday and my kids were extra hyper today...I'm not even going to try! ha!
20. Do you have an Angel on top or a star? I always had an angel until this year and with the new tree a star looks better
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? morning
22. Most annoying thing(s) about this time of year? rude people and traffic! urgh~

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!

Dawn

It's another tag!! Thank you to Steff for giving me a post today! LOL! This is a new one that I haven't seen before, and it uses your middle name ~ enjoy!!

Here are the rules:

1. You have to post these rules before you give the facts.

2. Players, you must list one fact that is somehow relevant to your life for each letter of their middle name. If you don’t have a middle name, use the middle name you would have liked to have had.

3. At the end of your blog-post, you need to choose one person for each letter of your middle name to tag.

D is for ditsy! LOL! I have so many blonde moments that I had to get blonde highlights!! hee-hee! Seriously, I can do and say some of the dumbest things....keeps life funny though!

A is for animal lover! No shocker there....anyone who knows me knows that I am crazy for my pets (even call 'em my fur kids b/c they are my kids!), and they are spoiled ROTTEN!! I am also a sucker for an animal in need and have picked up a few on the side of the road. I have even stopped to help a turtle cross the road before getting hit!

W is for wishful! I am very wishful about life in general...I wish for happiness for myself and everyone I love!! I wish for a lifetime of sobriety for Kevin!! I wish for a good class this year! I wish to have a family of my own someday! I wish money grew on trees! (hee-hee!) I could keep going, but I'll stop for your sake!

N is for neat freak!!! It's true, and it's a sickness! :-) I am very organized and like things in their place when not being used. (I have to add a wish here - I wish for some of my neatness to rub off on Kevin. (ha!) He's gonna kill me for that!) I have loosened up over the years, but I'm still a neat freak!!

There you have it - my list! Here are my tags:
Tasha
Lindsey
Lindsay
llcoolworld

I was tagged!

I was tagged by MaryKathryn over at Just Going With the Flow... You know I'm a sucker for these things, so I'm going to do it everytime! It's like those getting to know you emails ~ you either love 'em or hate 'em! LOL! And, I guess I love 'em! hee-hee!

Ok - basically I had to come up with 8 random facts about me. I tried to come up with stuff that I hadn't put on any other tag, so it was kindof tough! Here goes:

Rules: 1. We have to post these rules before we give you the facts. 2. Players start with eight random facts/habits about themselves. 3. People who are tagged write their own blog post about their eight things and include these rules. 4. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged and that they should read your blog.

1. I love giving people gifts ~ especially if I've made them something like a scrapbook, or I know it is something they really wanted or needed. But, I have a hard time holding onto it for very long. I get so excited about giving it to them that I want to give it to them right then!

2. I didn't always have all these freckles! They are a result of the sun ~ oh if only I had realized!!! But anyway, it is the first thing people from High School notice if they haven't seen me since then ~ the dreaded freckles!!!

3. I can't lie even if I want to! Those little white lies even get me! If you are paying any attention at all when I'm trying to lie, you will catch me b/c I squirm and even have a big grin on my face! It's really pitiful!

4. I HAVE to eat poptarts and drink a Dr. Pepper every morning!! I couldn't BELIEVE there was NO Dr. Pepper in Cozumel!!!! NO Dr.Pepper!! I calmed down eventually, but it was hard! ha!

5. My junk drawer is even organized. I really can't help it! :-)

6. I started my Masters in hopes that I would get a chance at a family someday and be able to be in a job that could stay at work and have less stress so I could put all my focus and love into my family where it should be. I don't know what it is going to be like this year at a new job, but working at an inner city poverty school, I put alot of my energy into my job, and there are days when it would leave me with nothing left to give. I didn't want to neglect family for my job! So ~ I started my masters in Library Science and Media, because getting kids into reading is really my favorite part anyway!!!

7. I LOVE to read! And according to Kevin, it is freaky how fast I can read a book! ha! I have read about 5 James Patterson books this summer. I wish I had more time to read during the school year!

8. I love to help others and do things for other people, but I am horrible at asking or even accepting help for myself. I feel bad like I am imposing on people or something when I have to ask for help.

And...there you have it! Hopefully 8 NEW facts! Now I am supposed to tag 8 more folks, but after reading most of my blog reads yesterday, I think all have already been tagged. So ~ if you read this and haven't been tagged. Go ahead and do it too!

Finish the sentence survey MeMe

Maybe I should……start working out...but I don't want to! ha!

I love……life, my family, Kevin, my critters, all my friends (I am blessed - I have a lot to love in my life!)

People would say that... I’m compassionate (I learned this from an email quiz where people had to send back one word to describe you and almost everyone sent back compassionate! Thanks!)

I don’t understand…people who abuse or neglect children!

When I wake up in the morning…I hit the snooze!

I lost…the ability to pay attention during long time spans ~ I swear I have adult ADD!!!

Life is full of…adventures!!

My past is… something I have no regrets about because I can say I lived!.

I get annoyed when…people are rude.

Parties are…not the same for me now as when I was younger ~ha!

I wish…that one day I will hear the word Mom directed at me...

Dogs …are the best companions!!

Cats…do what they want, when they want!

Tomorrow…is another chance/opportunity.

I have a low tolerance…for idiots! (those people in meetings who ask dumb questions and have no idea what is going on AND then you might have to take orders from them....but hopefully that is all about to change with the job change - LOL!)

If I had a million dollars…I would travel, donate to animal rescues, and share with my peeps!

Tagged ... It's all about meme (what the heck is meme by the way?)

INSTRUCTIONS: Remove the blog in the top spot from the following list and bump everyone up one place. Then add your blog to the bottom slot, like so:

An Island Life
Whee! All The Way Home
Melanie in Orygun
Queen of Drama
These Are the Days...



Next, select five people to tag:
Tasha
Trina
Lindsey
Stef
FlipFlop

(enjoy ladies ~ hee-hee!!)

What were you doing 10 years ago? 10 years ago, I was a nanny (which is why I don't have children! It was an eye opener!) I was married, had just bought a house, and was looking for a teaching job.

What were you doing 1 year ago? I was finally embracing the single life...enjoying my summer - teaching summer school, making new friends and just taking it easy - ahhh...last summer ROCKED!!!

Five Snacks You Enjoy
poptarts
frito's and bean dip
chocolate chip cookies fresh from the oven
peanut M&M's
oreo's

Five Songs That You Know All The Lyrics To
I like to think I know the words to all the songs I sing to on the way to work, but I probably make up some words along the way! ha!
Tim McGraw - Red Rag Top
Sheryl Crow/Kid Rock - Picture
Shania Twain - Any Man of Mine
Dixie Chicks - Earl had to die
Sugarland - Something More

Five Things You Would Do If You Were a Millionaire
Donate to local animal rescue groups
Help family
Buy a house on land so I can have all the critters I want (and a bonus scrapbook room!)
Take all my peeps who helped me through my divorce on a big trip to the beach (1st class!)
Adopt a child of my own

Five Bad Habits
I haven't smoked in 6 months! (yay!) but I still want one in times of stress!!!
Potty mouth (but it's gettin' WAY better!)
Not returning phone calls
Putting too much pressure on myself
Worrying

Five Things You Like To Do
Scrapbook!!!
Work in the flowerbeds
Chill out on the couch and watch tv with my dog, Jax
Sleep in on the weekends
Camp

Five Things You Would Never Wear Again
leg warmers
layered shirts with the collar turned up
daisy dukes (no one wants to see that!)
a bikini (those days are LONG gone!)
spandex

Five Favorite Toys
laptop
camera
cellphone
camper
tivo

now it's your turn!!!

Tag ~ You're It!

Got this tag from (the mad) Household of Indemini Capri. Go check out her blog! If you scroll down to her last Thursday's post, you will see some of the funniest cat pics!! She could win a contest with those!

OK - here goes - the tag is:
8 Random Things About Yourself:

1. I love to sing and dance, but I can't do either! So, I only do either one when I am by myself or with kids. My kids at school think I can sing! LOL!

2. I am very competitive. I hate to lose!

3. If I won the lottery, I would open some sort of animal rescue sanctuary. (no big surprise there I'm sure! ha!)

4. I am not athletic at all. I am actually very clumsy...I can fall down just walking along!

5. I like shopping for house stuff much more than clothes! But I am not a big shopper either way ~ it's gotta be a bargain too!

6. I LOVE projects around the house. (There it is Kevin - you have been warned!! hee-hee)

7. I am told that I have alot of patience. I don't think so sometimes, but other teachers at school seem to think I have more patience than most with troubled kids. I guess I could see that, but put me in the wrong line at Target or behind a slow car in the fast lane ~ NO patience here! :-0)

8. I have not given up on my happily ever after... :-) (No pressure Kevin! LOL!)

Now, I tag L-Girl and Tasha!!

My 200th Post!!!

Crazy, but true! I really just started blogging to easily share pictures with family and friends. Now I am hooked, and it has even taken the place of writing in my journal. It now IS my journal! However, I didn't and still don't always know some of the blogging basics - apparently for your 100th post, you write 100 things about yourself, then you post it in your sidebar. THEN, when new people visit your blog, they can read it to quickly get a "glimpse" at who you are! I missed that - so here it is on my 200th post. (because I admit to liking reading them on other people's blogs that I visit!) If you are interested, read on - if not, hope you come back tomorrow! ha!

Here goes nothing (100 things is ALOT!!):
1. I am a 3rd grade teacher.
2. I am working on my master's degree...
3. in library media (elementary librarian)
4. I have taught for 9 years now...
5. at the same school in the projects.
6. I have taught 1st grade...
7. and 2nd grade.
8. I teach rising 5th graders in the summers.
9. I get way too attached to my kids!
10. I always cry the last day of school. (although this year may be a first - ha!)
11. I turned 34 this year.
12. I am divorced...
13. for 3 years now.
14. I was married for 8 years.
15. Divorce was one of the hardest times of my life.
16. My ex-husband is from Australia...
17. which is how I got to travel there.
18. We actually managed a friendly divorce..
19. and I consider him a dear friend to this day.
20. I believe there is no need to waste life or time being bitter...
21. hence one of my favorite quotes "find joy in every journey".
22. I don't have kids (maybe someday).
23. only have "fur" kids...
24. two cats - Simba and Nala...
25. one rotten boxer - Jax
26. I volunteer for boxer rescue in Arkansas.
27. I have a guinea pig, rabbit and fish in my classroom as pets.
28. Everyone knows I am a HUGE animal lover!!
29. I came by that trait honestly from my Mom.
30. I was raised on 10 acres with cats, dogs and horses.
31. I also love gardening (working in the flowerbeds).
32. love scrapbooking
33. My girlfriends and I scrapbook at my house once a month for a girl's night .
34. love tulips...
35. and sunflowers (have a tatoo of one on my ankle)
36. Springtime is my favorite season when everything is blooming.
37. I am not a very good girly, girl!
38. I dress for comfort...
39. and don't neccessarily LOVE to shop...
40. I could wear my tennis shoes or berkenstocks everyday!
41. LOVE to camp in the summer...
42. just bought a new pop-up camper
43. My favorite childhood memories are from camping trips.
44. I HAVE to start my day with a Dr. Pepper and pop-tarts!
45. Won't drink anything but Dr. Pepper!
46. I am a major homebody!
47. I am usually found with family or at home.
48. I am dating my best friend from High School and college.
49. We dated once before when we were 16 (for about 6 months).
50. We have known each other since we were little kids...
51. were raised in the same church...
52. used to get in trouble for passing notes in the back pew.
53. My boyfriend is a recovering alcoholic.
54. I fully support him in his daily battle with the disease.
55. In return, I have never been more loved in my life.
56. I love to read...
57. and try to pass that love of reading on to my kiddo's at school.
58. I am way behind on my books to read at the moment.
59. I blame it on Cosmo and Us Weekly - ha!
60. I am addicted to the computer!!
61. E-mailing and blogging can really suck me in for hours!
62. I HATE to cook!
63. Luckily, my boyfriend (Kevin) is GREAT at it and actually likes it!
64. I am a definate case of type-A personality!
65. I am majorly organized...
66. and like organizing things...
67. can't help it!
68. (and Kevin is the opposite of type-A personality! ha!)
69. I like a clean house - no wait, I LOVE a clean house!
70. I admit to indulging and having a cleaning lady - she ROCKS!!
71. only on 71...ok... i love to laugh!
72. I try to laugh daily.
73. I HATE my freckles!
74. HATE THEM - if I could change one thing about myself that would be it!
75. I wish I had stayed out of the sun when I was younger.
76. I envy those with flawless skin (my cousin Kristen is a great example of GREAT skin!)
77. I do like my feet though - I'll have to take a picture for ya! ha!
78. My toes are cute! :-)
79. I am NOT a morning person!!
80. Do not talk to me until I've been up for at least an hour!
81. I blare my music really loud in the car...
82. especially in the mornings on the way to work.
83. I think I have adult ADD.
84. My attention span gets shorter and shorter!!
85. I have a hard time sitting still for a movie.
86. I always check a DVD to see how long it is before I watch it.
87. Then I time how much longer until I can get up! ha!
88. I have one brother...
89. we are total opposites...
90. so we drive each other crazy!
91. I have a beautiful niece...
92. who is horse crazy like my Mom.
93. My proudest moment was graduating college...
94. and winning teacher of the year last year.
95. It was nice to be acknowledged for what I love to do!
96. I hope to finish my Masters,
97. continue being silly,
98. and laughing at myself,
99. enjoy where life takes me,
100. and live happily ever after! :-)

4 Things...

4 jobs I've had:
waitress (pd my bills in college!!)
leasing consultant
vet tech
teacher

4 movies I would see over and over:
Wedding Crashers
Walk the Line
St. Elmo's Fire
The Polar Express

4 TV Shows I like to watch:
Grey's Anatomy
Boston Legal
ER
What About Brian
(can't leave out - King of Queens & The New Adventures of Old Christine)

4 Places I've been on vacation:
San Antonio
San Francisco
Las Vegas
Australia

4 foods I love:
(there are way more than 4!! ha!)
beans/cornbread/fried potatoes is my fav!
deer steak (if cooked by the right person!)
pasta
sour cream chicken enchilada's

4 places I'd like to be:

Hawaii
on any beach away from here!!
on my way to pick up my winning lottery check!!
hanging out with Kevin anywhere

I was tagged...

Here are the directions:
1)Grab the book closest to you
2)Open to page 123, go down to the fourth sentence
3)Post the text of the following 3 sentences on your blog
4)Name the author and book title
5)Tag three people to do the same
***
For One More Day
"...Was that guy for real? Was Pittsburgh really scouting me?
What if they are? He said..."
~ this is from~
For One More Day
by Mitch Albom
(I grabbed this book because it is the book I am reading at the moment. You can't go wrong with Mitch Albom for a feel good book. Loved his book The Five People You Meet In Heaven. I recommend it to anyone who hasn't read it yet!)
***
I'll tag...
L
Taylar
Tanner

5 Things You May Not Know About Me...

Another tag topic from Lindsay's blog that looks fun!

Here goes:

1. I sleep with a night light. Yep - it started once I moved into this new house (not new anymore been 2 1/2 years). And now, I can't sleep unless I have some sort of light. Crazy!

2. I am a car snob! Don't know how that happened either!! I mean my first car was a Ford Pinto that costs Dad $75 & I've had some bad car stories! But somehow over the years, I became a car snob! A man in a black yukon with a dog hanging out the passenger window is just really is sexy to me! ha!

3. I am a taxi service to my neighborhood kids. Just took one to basketball practice & will pick him back up in about 30 min. When their parents get in a bind, they know they can just ask me, I'll take 'em. (and I don't mind!)

4. I wear contacts. This always freaks out my kids at school. I can't see very far away at all without them! And I feel like a big geek in my glasses, so I really only wear them at home.

5. I LOVE to eat! I am not one of those girls that eats a salad and picks at her food. If I go out to eat, I am getting my money's worth! ha! I am a meat and potatoes girl, BUT I don't like my food to touch. I'm weird! :-)

A to Z of Me!

I have had this bug that has been going around & sick all day! So, my brain is mush & I am copying a neat idea from Lindsay's blog earlier in the week! (Michelle ~ hope this satisfies your need for a good read! ha!)

A - Available/Single? Single & lovin' every minute of it! :-) ~ am I still single if I have a boyfriend? I think so...

B - Best Friend? Luckily, I have lots of 'em! Michelle T, Peggy, & Sandy are my main peeps! ha!

C- Cake or Pie? tough one ~ I'll go with pie!

D - Drink Of Choice? Dr. Pepper

E -Essential item you Use Everyday? computer!

F - Favorite Color? green (followed closely by red!)

G - Gummy Bears Or Worms? Gummy Bears

H - Hometown? (raised in) Newport, AR

I - Indulgence? bikini waxes (crazy I know!)

J - January Or February? February ~ it's my birthday month

K - Kids & Their Names? 3 fur kids ~ Jax, Simba, & Nala :-)

L - Life Is Incomplete Without? friends, family, laughter, and critters!

M - Marriage Date? My first marriage date was Oct. 4 '96, & if I am ever brave enough to try that again, it will take a strong man! LOL!

N- Number Of Siblings? 1 Bubby

O - Oranges Or Apples? Oranges

P - Phobias/Fears? snakes, spiders, heights

Q - Favorite Quote? Find Joy in every Journey

R - Reason to Smile? I am blessed with truly wonderful people in my life!

S - Season? Spring

T - Tag Four People? I can tag two ~ L & Tanner

U - Unknown Fact About Me? I say I don't want kids but really I would love to be a Mom ~ I'm just afraid I'd be horrible at it! (or maybe some of you did know that!)

V - Vegetable you dont like? can't think of one...

W - Worst Habit? smoking

X - X-rays You've Had Recently? my back when I threw it out this summer

Y - Your Favorite Food? Toss up ~ italian & Mexican!

Z - Zodiac Sign? Aquarius

On a lighter note...

It has been a sad & crazy week. I am trying to get out of my funk, so I will post something lighthearted in that attempt! I copied this from another blog that has awesome ideas!!

FIVE FOR FIVE

1) Five Minutes to yourself. How would you spend them ideally?

Reading

Blogging

Laying on the couch snuggled with my critters

Sitting on the backdeck enjoying the weather

Weeding the flowerbeds

2) Five Dollars to spend right now. How or where would you spend it?

Sonic.. they have the best drinks & ice!

Peanut butter M&M's

See what I could find at the scrapbook store

Chocolate dessert from Pasta Jacks

Vacuum the car - it needs it bad right now!

3) Five Items in your house you could part with right now?

the stack of bills waiting to be paid!!!

the cat hair that floats down the hall - no matter how often I clean! :-)

Jax's gas! LOL!

homework brought home from work

stinky liter box - but that can't happen!

4) Five Items in your house you absolutely, positively could never part with?

My critters

my scrapbooks

my grandmother's quilts

my computer

my phone - sad, but true!

5) Five Words you love?

Love

Happiness

Family

Sunshine

Thank you - two words but nice to hear!