It's Just What I Do

Snowing Again

2011-02-04T14:02:00.003-06:00

It's been snowing again all day. Fourth snow day. I guess summer is canceled.
It is beautiful, though without the 45 mph winds making it blizzard conditions.
I have gotten a lot of work done, but not today. I decided to try out the Elliptical even with my broken toe. Worked out well!
I'm considering getting a jigsaw puzzle out, but I still have lots of work I could do.
We've been having movie night every night. I really enjoyed Grumpy Old Men and Grumpier Old Men. Undercover Brother was pretty funny, too.
What are your favorite movies?

Post Ph.D.

2011-02-03T10:53:00.004-06:00

I love being in school. Reading. Researching. Writing papers. I do. I know, I'm a nerd.
But some days, I can't help but wondering what I'm going to do with all the time I have when I graduate.
Thoughts:
1. Blog again! I mean regularly.
2. Read blogs again.
3. Quilt again. I want to make this and this. Maybe I'll even finish my Dear Jane!
4. Learn to applique. I want to make this and this.
5. Wow, and what about this and this!?
6. Play my cello again.
7. Play my guitar again.
8. Sit around and watch all the House episodes without feeling guilty.
9. Really clean my house.
10. Nothing.

Random Thoughts

2011-02-02T13:51:00.002-06:00

Hi friends! News: I have a broken foot. Ok, it's my toe, but it's at the base of my toe by the ball of my foot. I wish I had some great story like I was chasing a burglar or saving a child from being hit by a bus or roundhouse kicking my hubby, but no. I walked into the night stand.
I had crutches for a week, but fortunately I now have a walking shoe. Hurts and I'm still slow, but muuuch better than crutches.

We're snowed in. It's 10 degrees. Not used to this like Natalie probably is. Second day with no school. I don't know what the main streets look like, but the neighborhood streets are by no means clear. Hubby made it out in the FJ. I don't think my Mini would make it.

I found a pair of cute shoes online that I'm thinking about getting. I guess I should wait until I can wear them on both feet. These are awesome, too!

Remember I said it was 10? Well, the wind chill is -11. The dog next door has been outside all day. I probably ought to call animal welfare.

I have written an IRB, read two chapters, re-written my class syllabus, and found numerous articles that will help me with my research.

Driving

2011-01-18T21:25:00.002-06:00

My son earned his Driver's License today!! He started a job and got his license all in one week. All was well until he got called in to work, and left...BY HIMSELF!! Wow. That was nerve wracking! He should be home any minute now, then I can relax!

Long Weekend

2011-01-16T15:58:00.004-06:00

It's been a nice long weekend for me. DH is out of town for a conference, and my son started working! We're so proud of him. His first job, and Tuesday he'll be getting his license, so he can drive himself. He wasn't too keen on my taking a picture of him in his Whataburger uniform, so you'll have to take my word that he looked handsome.
I made some magnets with the flat marbles. This is my favorite one, though in the picture it looks as if she has smallpox or something.
This is another fav, though one of the first I made and I didn't put a plain white card stock circle behind the printed paper, so you can kind of see the magnet, but it makes for a better picture.
We got my son a car. While looking for him a car, I found one I wanted, too. It's convertible!! And sooo cute. Only one person can ride with me, though. So my son and I were wondering today, if you're in England and the steering column is on the left side of the car, is the gear shift reversed? Jill? Do you know?I was marveling while emptying the dishwasher at how many Fuzzy's cups we have. I think my DH likes it just a little! haha....there were three more in the dishwasher, and who knows how many he has in his office!
Oh, and you see that stained glass in the background!? My step-mom made it for me for Christmas. I love, love, love it!

Did I tell you I'm going to Jamaica this summer!? I'll be going with the Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf. We'll be staying a week, and I can hardly wait!

Classes start this week, will be interviewing some parents of D/deaf children. If you're interested, let me know!

A Sweet Friend

2011-01-11T20:33:00.003-06:00

I visited some blogs yesterday. I haven't visited many in many months, but in my last few days of 'freedom' before classes start again I thought I'd check in on some friends. I left a comment on one, and got a very sweet email back saying that she missed me. It made my day and reminded me that even though I haven't met many of you, you are still a part of my life. Thanks, Natalie!

Happy New Year!

2011-01-09T13:31:00.003-06:00

Wow, it has been a great start to the New Year! I got everything I wanted/needed for Christmas and more: a new-to-me Mini Cooper convertible! We were looking for a car for my son, and ended up with two.
School has started again and I am once again amazed at how being on 'red alert' always exhausts me. Classes start next week and I will be taking two and teaching one. While working full time and being a wife and mom. Pray for my survival!
Some friends got new phones, so we got their old BlackBerrys. We've upgraded, and as my sister said, I'm sitting at the 'cool' table now!
It's very cold here today, so I am going to get my book and curl up by the fire.
Be blessed!

Well....

2010-11-17T19:32:00.001-06:00

I admit defeat! School and school are all I can handle. I won't be deleting this blog, because hopefully I can post again in the summer.
See you in June! :)

New Car

2010-07-21T19:54:00.002-05:00

My son is driving!
He's been saving his money for about two years and is now the proud owner of a
Oldsmobile Intrigue!

More Trip Pictures

2010-07-19T21:26:00.003-05:00

My dad plays this game in the swimming pool with the grand kids. They hang onto a noodle (the train) and then they go up 'snowy mountain.' On the way up to snowy mountain you go through these obstacles like "Buster's Bumps" and "Bill's Hills." This year was his 72nd birthday, and my clever sister made this cake of snowy mountain!

We built bird houses.
We sluiced for rocks at Hiddenite Mines. The boys loved it.
This is the library in my sister's little town. So quaint. I love it.

Home Sweet Home

2010-07-18T18:35:00.003-05:00

Just got back from a ten day trip to see my family.
This swing doesn't get much use.
They live in a small town in Pennsylvania. Very quaint. They have ducks they like to feed on the towpath behind their house. Donkeys used to tow barges carrying coal for fuel for the homes on the canal.

This is my younger nephew. I'll have to do a whole post on 'peeking' shots I have of him!
For some reason I cannot upload any more pictures, so more to come tomorrow!

Nephews

2010-07-15T19:45:00.004-05:00

First of all, I have no idea why there are two pictures of the giant green pepper on my last post. I guess I could take one off, but it's kinda funny, so I'm leaving it there.
I've been at my dad's for almost a week now with my sister and nephews. The older of the two nephews rarely stops talking. Seriously~the talking ceases in sleep or during a movie. Midstream he'll say "Can I tell you something?" My responses started with "Yes" then moved to "You already are" and then to "No." Which didn't stop him, he just keeps right on going.
I've also heard "why?" approximately 5,624 times.
If they don't like an answer you get a "WhaT?" with the final consonant clearly articulated. Funny.
The three-year-old likes to tell this joke:

Knock knock.
Who's there?
Alligator.
Alligator who?
Just an alligator.
To which he falls down in peals of laughter.

So cute. We've been to the children's discovery place, sluicing for rocks, the aquarium, swimming, swimming, and more swimming, and building Lego structures galore. I'm headed home Sunday. I plan to sleep the rest of the day! Happy Weekend.

Fourth of July

2010-07-04T21:08:00.003-05:00

Happy Independence Day Everyone! I survived my "June." Taught summer school, took a class, and taught a class at OU. Finished all my homework, including my twenty page paper on time! Yep. Here's a pict of my crazy kids. My son will be leaving for church camp in a couple of hours. I guess they figure if they start the 15 hour drive at 11 pm, the kids will sleep. Yeah......right.
My daughter will be TWENTY on Wednesday. Wowza, I'm old! Ha. The guy at Sam's who wrote on her cake hadn't had all that much practice. At least he spelled everything right.

We had a cookout...make your own kabobs with the two largest green peppers I think I've ever seen.

Hope you all had a great June and weekend.

Funny Teacher Story

2010-06-16T21:30:00.003-05:00

Ok, I admit it, I'm in waaaay over my head. Teaching summer school for the district, taking a doc class (with a 20 pg. paper due in a couple of weeks), and teaching a college class. Not only that, grading papers, answering emails.....yeah.

This morning, I'm in line at the water fountain with my class (K-1st grade). I always count when kids are getting a drink or they tend to stay there for 20 minutes while the people in line behind them wither away. So, I'm counting backwards from ten. And this kid says, "You're counting backwards!" I said, "Yep, and it's your turn, do you want me to count forwards or backwards?" He says "I want you to count in Spanish!"

Church~Old Style

2010-06-06T22:14:00.002-05:00

We went to church with my in-laws this morning. I've been lots of places in my 42 years and love where we're at now, but a Church of Christ a cappella rendition of "The Old Rugged Cross" can still give me goosebumps!

On another note: I begin my June work/school marathon tomorrow. Probably won't be by much, but I'll check in. Have a great summer!

National Spelling Bee

2010-06-03T17:46:00.002-05:00

I was listening to Air1 while watching A at the skatepark this afternoon. They were having people call in to do an impromptu spelling bee in honor of the National Spelling Bee finals on TV tomorrow night. The words were like: onomatopoeia, pfefferneus (which I can't find the correct spelling of....Seth?), and some other word I'd never heard of.
I am not smarter than a fifth grader.

Wind Up Sushi

2010-06-01T20:43:00.001-05:00

How's this!? Great, right? I know it looks like a piece of french toast, but it's supposedly egg sushi. A great gift from my secret pal this year.

You probably won't see much of me for June. I am overbooked, as usual! I'll try to pop in now and again to let you know I'm alive!

Memorial Day

2010-05-31T16:26:00.001-05:00

Taking time to remember friends, family, strangers, and their families who have served our country.
Thank you.

Really!?

2010-05-27T21:21:00.001-05:00

This was at Wal-Mart the other day. Wow.

A Skateboard Ramp!

2010-05-24T17:01:00.003-05:00

He loves it!

We Are Building.....

2010-05-22T22:20:00.002-05:00

Check THIS Out!

2010-05-21T16:50:00.002-05:00

Our anniversary is next Friday. Thirteen years. It's been a little slim, so we decided we weren't buying each other anything (does that ever work? No.). I spent about $30 on hubs.

Hubs got me THIS! Isn't it beautiful!? I *love* it!

I have to make a place in my 'craft' room for it, so it's temporary home is the living room. It works! It has a knee lever instead of a foot pedal. How cool is that!? The book and bobbins and presser feet were in the drawer. Date: 1951! SOOO excited, can you tell?

It's called Necchi. Anyone familiar with?

On another note....I just watched my son drive away on his first 'drive' with the driver's ed people. Sniff! On both accounts!

Bookstop

2010-05-20T21:41:00.005-05:00

My first job was at a book store. I loved it.

I don't usually unpack all my junk when I teach at a new school. Don't always need everything for each specific grade/subject that I teach, so I just leave some of it in boxes.
I am doing a quilting project with my third graders, and began searching boxes for the fabric crayons. And I unearthed this. This is my name tag from.....oh sheesh, I don't even want to tell you. I was 16. Mishi was the nickname given to me by my manager. Remember those old label makers!? And in case you didn't catch the name of the store, it's on there twice.
I think I actually wore it attached to that pin that says "Does your mother know you're out?" Nice.

Fruit Dip

2010-05-17T21:20:00.002-05:00

Hi all! I stole this from Stacy. SOOOOO yummy! Made it for small group at our house last night.

Recipe:

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sour cream
2 cups whipped cream
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, sour cream, brown sugar, sugar, maple syrup and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth. Fold in the whipped cream.

Purty Flowers

2010-05-15T11:48:00.003-05:00

Went outside a couple of weeks ago and saw this beautiful iris. This is what happens when it is the first spring in your new house. We had an awesome arc of daffodils in the front beds, too. I love irises...especially purple. They always remind me of my grandmother. I love the dusky purple of this one.
These are awful pictures of my bluebonnets. Needed macro.
Had to buy myself a couple of these when I saw them at Home Depot. A little bit of 'home' in our front yard. My grandmother also had bluebonnets in her yard. They filled a whole side flowerbed, and it seemed every year there would be more. These are looking kind of scraggly right now, but there have been lots of seed pods, so we'll see. Always an adventure waiting to see what will pop up next year.

On anther note...I interviewed for a job that I found out last night that I didn't get. I didn't need the job, it would have been sort of a promotion and definitely more money, but that's okay! Not complaining because I still *have* a job. Just FYI.

Have a lovely weekend. Hope you have beautiful flowers where you are!

It's a Right not a Privilege

2010-05-14T17:36:00.003-05:00

This bumper sticker says "Everyone has the right to be stupid, but you're abusing the privilege."

So, is it a right or a privilege, or are they one in the same?? :)

Ents

2010-05-13T06:53:00.002-05:00

Apparently, we teach Ents at my school.

Tornadoes

2010-05-12T21:12:00.004-05:00

We were not affected by the tornadoes other than losing power for about seven hours. Some members of our church and some students and teachers I work with were hit fairly hard. We went over to one house last night to help them clean up their yard. This tree used to be in a yard two houses down. Some people are still without power and water.
Happens in a blink, happens in a flash!

Happy Mother's Day!

2010-05-07T17:49:00.001-05:00

So, what's the best advice you got from your mom?
I'll start:
~Get your teaching certificate, you'll always have a job.
~Send Thank You notes

I am Alive!

2010-05-05T18:10:00.003-05:00

Hi all! Or should I say the two of you that are still here!
This has been one crazy semester! I had my last class this evening. It was my hardest class yet, but I learned a lot! We had to design and implement a research project. It was fun! I did mine on sign language vs. PowerPoint on the effect of learning sight words. As it turns out, neither worked better than the other. I wanted sign language to win! Oh well. I didn't have a lot of time, I think one intervention would have proven more effective had I done it longer.
My last class for this semester is tomorrow night. I'm ready for the break before summer classes start.

Three more weeks of school. June will be rough...I'm teaching ESY, taking a class, and teaching a class. But July....going to see my sister and her family and my dad.

Hope you all are well.

Thirty-One

2010-03-27T13:29:00.000-05:00

Hey all! I'm having a catalog party for my friend who is selling Thirty-One bags. They are SO cute and you can have them monogrammed! Check out her website and let me know by Tuesday if you'd like to order something!

What a Day!

2010-03-24T20:02:00.002-05:00

I got my Research Design test back and got a 100! Thanks to those extra credit questions ;)
When I got home, I *finally* had the results from the interpreter's test I took back in December. I got a 3.4. I need a 3.5 to be an educational interpreter in Oklahoma, but I don't care! It was SO much better than the last debacle! I am so proud of myself! And it's not like I'm going to quit my job and become an interpreter, but I wanted to have it in reserve. Just for kicks, I *can* be an educational interpreter in the states of NJ, KS, KY, LA, NC, and WI. They only require a score of 3.0.
Texas isn't on the list. Hm.

Spring Break

2010-03-21T18:26:00.003-05:00

What a great Spring Break! I went down to see my Momma in San Antonio. We shopped and ate a lot. One specific place we went to eat was called the Sand Bar. Very fancy....I'm sure we committed a few faux pas. We ordered the shrimp appetizer and this is what we got. Yeah, the WHOLE shrimp. It was quite off putting. The waiter with an Australian accent explained that they cook them whole so that you know they are fresh. Okie doke. The wasabi aoili was pretty good.
We also saw one of Rey Mysterio's masks. Not really, but it was funny.
My mom and step-dad have a rat terrier. She doesn't eat much. I thought this was so funny because we buy the 40-lb. bags!
My car went from 29,999
to 30,000
My sister-in-law got married. Outside and their new house. It was nice.
Here's the groom talking to my beautiful grandmother-in-law who will celebrate her 91st birthday this year.
And here's a sweet picture of my hubs and the beautiful bride.

Street Sign

2010-02-28T14:06:00.003-06:00

Last weekend, I went to the OKC fairgrounds where they were having the library book sale. Great fun. I got 11 books, including fairly new hardcover bestsellers for $10. As i was leaving I saw this sign. Don't know if it's named after Ree or not, but I'd like to think so as she's the bomb!

Another Teacher Story

2010-02-26T19:10:00.001-06:00

Sorry I've been MIA lately. I am stressed this semester. The classes I have are really challenging. The sun hasn't been out much, and blah, blah, blah.
Anyway, today I was working with my third graders and one of them said, "How much more time until lunch?" I said, "I think you can tell time by now, you tell me." She said, "I know, but it's hard and takes effort." I said, "Welcome to the rest of your life."

Teacher Story

2010-02-10T20:35:00.001-06:00

I had my Kindergarten group in with me today, and one of them pointed up to a sign hanging from the ceiling and said "What's that?" I said, "It's a sign, it says Happy Valentine's Day." Another kid says "And the baby shoots the arrow." ha!

Yummy Dip

2010-02-09T19:29:00.003-06:00

Hubby found this dip recipe that we took to a Superbowl Party:

Buffalo Chicken Dip
1 pkg. (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1/2 c. blue cheese dressing (or Ranch)
1/2 c. Frank's RedHot sauce
1/2 c. crumbled blue cheese (or mozzarella)
2 cans (12.5 oz. each) Swanson Chicken Breast

1. Stir the cream cheese in a 9-in deep dish pie plate until smooth. Stir in remaining ingredients.
2. Bake in preheated 350 degree over for 20 minutes. Stir and serve with veggies or crackers.

My Crazy Son

2010-02-06T12:10:00.004-06:00

My son is in art again this semester, and the assignment was something to do with Target. I thought this was pretty clever! Freehand.
He ordered a new pair of shoes from the local skate shop a couple of weeks ago. It took forever for them to come in, but we finally got them yesterday. The first thing A did when he got in the car was to open the box and smell them. He's weird like that.

Magazines

2010-02-02T18:39:00.002-06:00

So, I get home today from an all-day conference, and this kid is standing in my driveway. SIGH!! He's all excited and I know he is about to sell me something. It's one of those "I'm trying to earn points to do yada yada. If you buy a magazine, I get points." So, I figured the best way to get him to leave me alone to eat what turned out to be bad Chinese food was to buy one. I picked one and he was filling out the form and I was filling out my check until he said "That'll be $75." Are you freaking kidding me? For a magazine subscription?? Sorry, kid!

New Project

2010-02-01T21:58:00.003-06:00

Well, we're on our third weather day off from school, with a fourth tomorrow. I started this new Mariner's Compass quilt today. The colors in the photo aren't true. The points that look yellow are actually light green.
I like it so far!
I'm actually going to a conference tomorrow, so I won't be off again. They'll tack these days on to the end of the school year and we'll be going into June! :( Hopefully the temperature will be nice and toasty tomorrow to melt this ice!

More Winter

2010-01-31T11:33:00.003-06:00

Umm...I don't think this is supposed to happen.
Pretty ice crystals on the blackberry bush.

Giant icicle.
Didn't want to chance the roads to go to church. Haven't left the house in 4 days now, and I'm OK with that! Got a lot of homework done, laundry, quilted, and slept a lot. May be back to work tomorrow.

Winter, Part 2

2010-01-30T17:30:00.004-06:00

Our neighbors lost a big branch of their tree.

You can't see them, but there are two cardinals in the tree that had previously been feeding from our feeder.

Stuff

2010-01-27T20:09:00.005-06:00

Wow. I just can't keep it all up! I guess I'm just going to have to post once a week and make it a good one! I started classes again last week. This semester I am taking Small-N Design and Language and Literacy Development.
I *finally* finished the quilt to hang in the doorway of my classroom. It's been a hit. My first self-designed quilt. The flowers could have used some leaves, but it didn't happen.
I thought this was a cute self-portrait of one of my students. The blue line around his ear is his cochlear implant! :)
Here are some things I bought at the quilt show a couple of weeks ago. These fat quarters will be used for my Dear Jane quilt. Which should be finished in approximately 2030.
This was a cool pattern that looks kinda like circles, but it's not. It came with the triangle ruler to help out.
The pictures are from my camera, so the color's not so good, but these fabrics will make a cute bag to hold groceries or stuff. I have lots of stuff.
Random beads/sequins. I may do a crazy quilt someday....any advice?
This will be something new. It is a felted wool penny pincushion. (Not the bear, he's just there to look cute)

Quilt Show

2010-01-16T18:45:00.004-06:00

I went to the quilt show today..

It was a lot of fun.

I spent almost all my Christmas money.

Got some material, beads, fabric, and patterns.

I forgot my camera, so these pictures are from my phone.

My back and feet were sore when I finally sat down in the car.

Someday I will enter one of my quilts!

I Fell

2010-01-05T18:52:00.002-06:00

Well, I decided it was time to start working out again. Not really a New Year's Resolution, because I'm no good at those, but more of a New Year's Ultimatum because I refuse to buy any more pants. So, yesterday after work I got the trusty step out. I couldn't find my DVD, I think it's still packed away in a box. No matter, turn on a DVRed House and just make stuff up as you go. Well, I'm all into House when I stepped off the end of the bench (step) and fell flat on my butt.
Today I did Billy Blanks. No falling. But a lot harder.

It's been a great couple of days back at work. I've decided I need to tweak my schedule to give everyone more of what they need. So far, I still have a planning time, so I'm ok!

Hot Springs

2010-01-03T19:52:00.004-06:00

We drove to Hot Springs for New Years. It was really nice. The water coming from the springs is 140 degrees. There were a couple of fountains, and also a couple of places to see the water coming out of the ground.

There is a row of old bath houses that are part of the National Park. Two of them are in operation now. Hubs and I got a 'bath' and a massage at our hotel. It was very relaxing. I highly recommend it!

This is inside the Fordyce Bath House. It is a museum/visitor's center now. This stained glass ceiling panel that is in what was the men's bathing room is made of over 8000 pieces of glass.

Back to work/school tomorrow! I'm ready to see my kiddos.

Happy New Year!

2009-12-30T16:22:00.002-06:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful, blessed Christmas. As you can see by the last couple of posts, we spent a lot of time around the house due to the weather. It has been a nice break, though. I have worked many hours on the quilt I plan to hang in the doorway of my classroom, but am not sure if I will finish in time or not as we are off to Hot Springs tomorrow! One of my husband's friends from high school invited us, he will be proposing. It should be a nice little get away before reality sets in again. School starts back on the 4th, and I begin college classes again on the 20th. I will be taking one and co-teaching one this semester.
Hubby and I are going to try an Irish pub tonight for date night. I hope it's good. It may not really even be Irish!
We have enough candy here from Christmas to last us until Halloween next, which is not good for my waistline.
Talk to you when we get back! Have a safe and Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas, Part Two

2009-12-25T19:58:00.002-06:00

Here we are on Christmas Day! Did you get everything you wanted? I did, and my family was happy, which is what I wish for the most!

This drift is in our neighbors yard...A. dug through and poked his head up!

Here he is before the digging commenced. We had a nice lunch with our neighbors, and a relaxing afternoon. Off to watch more movies.

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-24T17:30:00.004-06:00

We've already had a wonderful Christmas! We drove down to the Metroplex and had Christmas with my in-laws and their families.

Yesterday we were in San Antonio with my Mom and family down there and it was 75 degrees. We had a great visit and had a delicious "Christmas" dinner of homemade lasagna, stuffed mushrooms, and Milky Way cake. Dear Daughter got to make the rounds with us, so it was nice.

We got home just in time for this! Blizzard in Oklahoma. It started with sleet this morning, then turned to snow, with winds gusting around, it's crazy! The dogs don't want to go out. Hubby's mom was supposed to come up and dear daughter was supposed to come back, but it's just the three of us. We have a fire going, I quilted all day, we're going to open one present and watch movies.

I hope you all have a blessed Christmas. Stay safe and warm!

Last Day of School!

2009-12-18T19:11:00.002-06:00

Last day of school before Christmas Break (well, they call it Winter Break, but I call it CHRISTmas break). Lots of assemblies and parties and goings on, the kids had a blast.
We are leaving to make the rounds, I'm so excited to see my mom and other family. We will be in the Ft. Worth area and San Antonio.
I hope you have a blessed and Merry Christmas!

Wordless Thursday!

2009-12-17T07:13:00.001-06:00

I wonder if those are 3D glasses on their tree!?

Christmas Parties

2009-12-16T19:23:00.002-06:00

We've been going to a lot of Christmas parties lately. "White Elephant" gift exchanges here in Oklahoma are called "Dirty Santa." It has nothing to do with being dirty. Today was our school Christmas party. It was Bring Your Own Snack, Drink, and Gift. You know those plastic Solo cups everyone uses for parties? Yeah, my principal filled hers up with whiskey and drank it. Straight!

I really hate it that I'm getting old enough that I have to floss after eating meat.

I love Christmas nougats that have the little Christmas trees in the middle. I eat all around the outside to leave the Christmas tree in the middle.

We have two more days of school and then we're off for Christmas activities. We leave to see my in-laws Saturday morning and then off to my Mommy's. We'll be back here for Christmas Eve and Day.

What are you getting for Christmas?

Interpreter's Test, Part Deux

2009-12-12T11:17:00.002-06:00

If you remember, I took the interpreter's test previously. The last one was for the state of Oklahoma. I took another one today. It is called the Educational Interpreters Performance Assessment (EIPA). It was very different, and the people were very nice. I actually feel pretty good about it. I won't have my results for a few months at most, so we'll see!

Finished!

2009-12-10T22:08:00.003-06:00

I have returned from my last class of the semester completing my eighteenth hour. Whew! I also stayed and talked to my professor about getting some paperwork turned in, my timeline for graduation and my dissertation topic. She's on board with it all and I am pumped!

Christmas is sneaking up on us. I have most of my gifts purchased and wrapped, but not all. This weekend will be the huge baking weekend! Oh yeah!! Cookies for everyone.

We've been to two Christmas parties already and we'll have two more this next week. We'll be headed down Texas way to see the fam for Christmas, I'm so excited to see my Momma. We'll be back here for Christmas Day, first one in our new house!

I hope all is well with you.

Fatherly Wisdom

2009-11-30T21:16:00.003-06:00

I had a great Thanksgiving, how about you? We traveled to see my hubby's family on Wednesday and Thursday, and then I flew out to North Carolina to see my grandmother who isn't doing too well. It was sad, but I'm glad I got to see her.

My dad teaches college. He shared a story with me he always tells his students on the first day of classes. He asks them to imagine their lives as a long lake. Would you rather cross the lake in a rowboat or a canoe? After discussing the pros and cons, he impresses upon them that we should strive to cross the lake of life in a canoe. While canoes may be more unsteady and take more effort, you are facing forward. In the rowboat, you are facing backward looking back on things that are in the past.

I hope you are all in canoes!

Monday Musings

2009-11-23T21:28:00.002-06:00

1. I'm a lame blogger.
2. I am very busy. I did complete one more class this week, however. Special Ed law...I will not miss you.
3. I sent a child home with lice today.
4. I think we found a church. We're going to Sunday School and everything.
5. One more day til Thanksgiving break!
6. I still haven't finished the quilt for the opening to my classroom.
7. There's a car that sits about a block away from my school. After seeing it there for a couple of days in a row, I began to wonder what it was doing....a spy for the principal to see how often I'm late? Nope...she's the crossing guard!
8. I missed Pioneer Woman on her book tour through OKC.
9. I'm a glutton for punishment. I'm taking another interpreters test Dec. 13th.
10. I have no idea what to get my husband for Christmas.

Funny Kid Story

2009-11-12T20:50:00.003-06:00

We gave out surveys to all the teachers, parents, and students at our school. One little boy in the third grade class I go into had a novel idea. In response to the question "What would you change about our school if you could?" he said "I would change all the people into dinosaurs."

Happy Veteran's Day!

2009-11-11T19:00:00.002-06:00

It doesn't take a hero to order men into battle. It takes a hero to be one of those men who goes into battle. ~General Norman Schwarzkopf

Monday Musings

2009-11-09T20:28:00.002-06:00

I saw a beautiful rainbow on the way home this afternoon.

I finally met the little lady across the street from us. She'll be 85 soon. She has four children, but doesn't seem very well taken care of. Sad.

I wonder if my daughter will ever change?

Why are kids so fascinated with knowing their teacher's first names?

How exactly do first graders know how to pole dance (Yep, had to stop a couple a few weeks ago)?

Shadow Box

2009-11-01T21:08:00.002-06:00

Beautiful shadow box
Originally uploaded by miadca

This is the shadow box hubby received. They did a most excellent job in placing everything. There is a flag coming that was flown over Baghdad that will have a certificate and everything. Just wasn't here in time. How neato is that!?

For those of you that know my husband, he will no longer be shaving or getting his hair cut. If you'd like to follow the hair saga, check his Facebook page.

Hubby is Retired

2009-11-01T21:03:00.003-06:00

When did my two beautiful children grow up!?

They used to be this big

And this big.....

Hubby had his retirement ceremony on Friday. We had a great lunch with lots of friends and cake!

Someone cleverly swiped this picture from hubby's Facebook page and made a great cake.

And cuz It's Just What We Do, we like to take the piece right out of the middle!!

Catching Up

2009-10-29T20:25:00.006-05:00

Hi! Yep, still alive. A dear friend called last night and in the course of the conversation apologized for not calling much, but said that she reads my blog to keep up with us. Oops! I've been so delinquent here she's way behind, and so are you! One of the problems (excuses?) is that I love to put pictures. Well, with the moving and the wayward child moving back in, classes, new job, yada, yada, I just haven't been as diligent. This will be a catch up post, nice and random, just like you like 'em!

Here is some delicious new fabric I got to make a quilt for a Christmas present. At the rate I'm going, it will be for *next* Christmas.

Yesterday, we decorated pumpkins at school. We used pipe cleaners, yarn, sequins, fabric, googly eyes, markers, and hot glue. Ouch. I think they turned out really cute.

We did our dress up/fall parties last week. Michael Jackson showed up.

A friend of mine gave me this series of books a looong time ago. I finally dug one out a couple of weeks ago and devoured it. If you like quilting, you might like these books. Harmless, easy-to-read. Thanks, Sherilyn!

My son is taking art this year. He recently completed a drawing of the Kool-Aid guy. The bottom is the original, the top is his version. Nice job!

Hubby showing his dark side.

I found a pretty mushroom in one of my plants.

We found a snake in the yard.

Earlier this summer hubs taught me how to put up a fan. Boy, were my arms tired, but it's always fun learning something new. Thanks, honey!

I also have been teaching one of my classes. I love it. By the end of this semester I'll have 21 hours. Only 500 more to go. Kidding, but it feels like it.

We've also used our fireplace. It's so much fun, I love it!

My job is getting better. Don't think I'm cut out for it, I like the babies with more severe disabilities, but I do love my hearing impaired kiddos.

Have a safe and fun Halloween!!

Fall Break

2009-10-16T13:39:00.003-05:00

Oh how I love Fall (break). I get so much accomplished when I don't have to work. The weather is so nice and the sun is finally out. I am happy, happy!

I have already changed my address at OU (bout time, dontcha think!?), found a quilt store and bought fabric there, bought fabric at Hobby Lobby for the back of the quilt to cover my door, mailed hubby's birthday present back for a larger size, took my less-than-two-month-old laptop in for repair (they better not charge me), and made bread and stew for dinner.
Now all I have left to do is write a lit review, do a mid-term, finish the quilt, get my oil changed (the line was too long today), and watch UT beat OU. :)

Joke in the Bus Line

2009-10-14T18:27:00.004-05:00

The running/current joke with the kids in my bus line is:

Kid: Why were you under there?
Me: Under where?
Kid: You said Underwear!!

Elementary school humor. Gotta love it.

Funny Sign

2009-10-13T20:34:00.002-05:00

There's a sign at a local liquor store....100% alcohol, no gas.
I think it's so funny and clever. I smile every time I drive by. I keep meaning to take a picture, but I never do, so the words will have to suffice.

I did, however take some pictures of my kids at school today with my phone. Can't put them on here, but they looked so cute! I have these plastic Harry Potter 'glasses' that we read with. I call them our reading classes, they help us read better. One kid was having trouble today, and he said "I think I need to wear the glasses!"

Update

2009-10-04T16:10:00.001-05:00

Hi all, nothing to report. Just homework, homework, and more homework. But I love school. I love Fall! It only got to 57 today. So nice. We are doing some work on our back porch. Hopefully I'll have some before and after photos soon. It looks great.
Back to work on my Selective Mutism lit review! TTYL

Wordless Wednesday

2009-09-30T21:04:00.002-05:00

Early Halloween Decoration

2009-09-26T17:57:00.002-05:00

Yuck.

A's Birthday

2009-09-26T17:52:00.002-05:00

A turned 15 last week. He wanted an ice cream cake. An *OU* ice cream cake! I cried.

He got the requisite skateboard along with a video game and money from the grandparents. He's saving all his money for the next time he needs a deck or shoes. They don't last long in this house!

And the he had a nose bleed!

Don't you like his hair cut!?

Oh My!

2009-09-19T10:08:00.001-05:00

It's Official

2009-09-11T22:03:00.004-05:00

I live in Crazyville. If everything else I've ever told you on this subject wasn't enough....

When I left work for lunch today at 12:00, there was a field blocked off for parking. It included lights and porta-potties. Hubby said when he left, there were people buying permits to set up their canopies for tailgating across from the stadium. The game isn't even until tomorrow! After dinner we drove through campus so I could see. All the restaurants were packed, as I'm sure the hotels were. Nola, are you up here!? Someone had even spray painted their front lawn (nice house) with a big OU, spotlight and all. I wish I had had my camera, but didn't and there's no way I'm leaving the house tomorrow! I'll have to get a picture of it next week. I'm sure it's not going anywhere.

On another, sadder note, hubby got word today. He will be out of the Navy soon. He will be looking for a job. It is ironic that we hear this news on 9-11, eight years after the events that prompted us to re-enlist in the Navy in the first place. We knew it was coming, but it's still sad, though not nearly as sad as this day eight years ago. I mentioned it at school today and we were struck by the fact that the children were babies at the time. They have never known a world without terrorism. Hopefully they will someday. Hubby is one of the heroes that helped in the plight. Thanks.

Good Idea!

2009-09-09T07:01:00.002-05:00

I was in one of my Kindergarten room yesterday and the teacher was giving the procedure for the stamping center. She has large washable stamp pads, paper with words printed on it, and alphabet stamps. She was explaining that you need to find the correct letter to match each word, dab it in the stamp pad, and stamp it onto the paper to spell each word. This little kid yells "Yeah! And don't lick it!"

Labor Day Weekend

2009-09-07T20:15:00.003-05:00

It's been a great long weekend. We had some new friends over for dinner on Friday night, some of Hubby's friends from high school Saturday and Sunday, and slept in today! I've been working on a quilt for my classroom doorway. There is a doorway but no door, and people put curtains up. Well my dumb self decides to make a quilt instead of just buying some curtains, so I still have nothing up there. Between all the food and brownies and cake I think I gained back the two pounds I lost during the week.
I've also been working diligently on homework, and have more to do this evening.
I'm glad my sister has joined us in the computer age because I get to see pictures of my nephews more frequently!

Half a Vitamin

2009-09-02T21:17:00.001-05:00

OK, so what do you do when you get to the bottom of the bottle of vitamins and there's one that's just a piece? Do you take it? Do you take it by itself, and only get half the daily recommended allowance, or do you take it with a whole one and get one and a half times the recommended daily allowance? I feel like an LD child that won't take a broken cookie!

OU Mania

2009-08-28T22:22:00.004-05:00

OK, These people are crazy! I've talked about this before, but now we actually live in the same town as OU. I never thought it possible, but it's worse. I even have put an OU license plate on the front of my car so that it doesn't get vandalized.
So this morning, I'm riding with my windows down, music on loud, and I stop at the red light. The man next to me rolls down his window, jerks his thumb backwards and asks if that means I'm a Texas fan. I said, No, sir, I'm just from Texas. He says, Oh, good, well, and I said, I figured I better put that thing on the front so my car doesn't get vandalized. He says, well, you need to add an upside down Longhorn to the back.

No, sorry.

He did have me laughing the rest of the way to work!

Funny Teacher Story

2009-08-27T20:01:00.004-05:00

We were making paper stars at school the other day. A 'getting to know you' activity since I am new at the school. I had them write their names in the middle, and on each point of the star, a different fact about themselves: favorite color, brothers and sisters, favorite food, what they wanted to be when they grow up, and if they had any pets. So, this one boy gets to the What do you want to be when you grow up? question and says he doesn't know. I said, well, just think about it, I know you can come up with something. So he finally says: "I know!! I want to grow up and be married to a woman and not be gay like my uncle."
Um...
This is one of those moments when you pray your face will remain motionless. He finally decided he'll work in a fish store.

On another note, I am taking three classes this semester. I am pretty excited about it, too! It may kill me, but at least I'll go happily! Ha.

Week Two, the Trip

2009-08-12T08:53:00.004-05:00

These picts got a little out of order, but I'm too lazy to fix them, because I am leaving for San Antonio to see my Momma on my last free weekend before school starts, even though my room isn't ready yet. Oh well. It'll get done.

Obviously, we went to Vegas. This is a cousin that came with us. Couldn't pass up this shot!

Hubs won $550! Woo-hoo. And I bought a new pair of shoes, and it was gone. Just kidding. About it being all gone, not about the shoes. They're really cute.

This is where we camped at the Grand Canyon. We drove to a place very remote called the Toroweap Overlook.

As you can see, you can get very close to the edge. Too close for my comfort! Ha. It was beautiful!

Before we left CA, we drove into LA and toured Hollywood.

Hubs got better picts than I did at these two places. There are more on my Flickr page.

A also learned to surf at the beach at San Marcos. He loved it and wants to move to California.

Have fun!

Then we were off to Colorado. Now there I could move. It was awesome, and the weather was nice and cool. Glad I brought a jacket. We stayed at Purgatory, but no skiing this time. We rode the Durango-Silverton Railroad and had a blast.

This is what my husband looks like!

Aspen trees. So beautiful, and I remember them from when I was a little girl and we went skiing every year.

Here are my two clowns.

Don't think I told you guys....I got A's in both my Stats classes I took this summer! Woot!

The End.

San Diego Zoo

2009-08-11T20:24:00.004-05:00

San Diego Zoo!

Cool lizard. Yep, it was real.

The requisite hippo photo for my daughter.

Really big water.

Messin' around!

Yeah.

Week one of Trip

2009-08-08T20:28:00.002-05:00

We had a great trip. We drove from here (Norman) to Carlsbad, NM. We stayed the night and then went to the caverns the next day. We took the Natural Entrance self-guided tour and also did the King's Palace ranger-guided tour. It was beautiful. It was interesting to learn about the young man (Jim White) who discovered the caverns thinking the bats were smoke from a fire.

We stayed until the evening to watch the bats come out of the cave. No pictures allowed, but it was awesome the number of bats that come out. They come out in a spiral formation counterclockwise and we watched for at least thirty minutes.

We drove to El Paso for the night and then on to Yuma, AZ for another night. It was interesting to see the fence demarcating Mexico.

A had never seen a cactus so big!

I loved these flowers.

We then drove to my husband's cousin's in Escondido. I've never had an In-N-Out burger, so of course we had to stop there. Pretty delicious!!

Bye! Off on a Trip for Two Weeks!

2009-07-23T07:50:00.000-05:00

This is How I Operate

2009-07-22T14:24:00.003-05:00

Those of you that have been with me for awhile may remember this post from when I first started blogging.
This is the 'desk' I've been using at summer school (we're in the home ec. room). The funny thing is, my sweet friend who shares the desk with me is neat and tidy~see right side of desk. Not one thing out of place. Mine is, obviously, the left side. Yep. Someone else works in there with me. I'm not making this up.
It's how I rebel. And it makes me happy.

Thanks for the Memories....

2009-07-21T13:14:00.002-05:00

I was at Hasting's the other day and picked up The Smiths and The Psychedelic Furs. Brings back such memories, and makes me want more!!
So, what were some of your favorite bands back in the day, or now for that matter?

We're headed out Thursday on the California adventure. We'll be seeing Carlsbad caverns, the San Diego zoo, the beach, Los Angeles, Vegas, the Toroweap Overlook at the Grand Canyon, and Durango and Silverton! Won't be able to post here, but I'll keep my Facebook updated.

High of 89 and My Yard

2009-07-17T13:50:00.005-05:00

Here's a random picture of me and a student. It has nothing to do with this post.

Here's my new garden friend. A and I named him Mo. He's been there all week.

I love how these periwinkles start to bloom. Like a spiral.

Here's my favorite tree in our yard. I don't know what it is, but I like it.

Here's a close up of new growth.

Here is my dad giving my nephew a lesson on how sundial works.

Here are my Caladiums.

Here are my dad's Caladiums.

Here are my plants looking very sad with brown leaves....

And here's what they're supposed to look like. When I bought them it said full sun, but I guess it didn't necessarily mean 104 degrees full sun. I water them every evening.

It's only supposed to be 89 degrees today.

I think if they make it through the summer, then they might get to be as nice looking as my dad's.

Thought for the Day

2009-07-16T13:03:00.001-05:00

Practice isn't the thing you do once you're good.
It's the thing you do that makes you good.
~Malcolm Gladwell
(10,000 hours! I guess I'll never be good at anything!)

Wordless Wednesday

2009-07-15T18:40:00.002-05:00

I love taking upside down pictures!

Random Thoughts

2009-07-14T13:57:00.002-05:00

Well, I thought today was Wednesday, so I was going to find a great trip picture for Wordless Wednesday, but obviously that will have to wait until tomorrow. So you're stuck with my rambling thoughts. Course, I probably only have one reader left (hi Momma!!) since I haven't posted regularly in so long.
I am teaching summer school for my last school district for 6 more days. I like to take the back roads because they are so peaceful (well, as peaceful as you can get with Seether's Careless Whisper blaring). On the way there I usually drive with my windows down, but not this week as it's already 85 degrees when I leave the house. I love to look at the houses and think that someday I'll have one out in the country like that (course, by the time I get one, I'll be too old to take care of it). It's not too flat, and no traffic. On the way home today I was so busy daydreaming that I missed my turn. No problem, I went down a big block and explored that street of houses. This morning I saw a turtle, the second one I've seen, and a few weeks ago, I saw a tarantula. Wish I had had my camera for that one!

Trip to N. Carolina

2009-07-13T15:05:00.003-05:00

Here we all are at the North Carolina Zoo, me and A, my sister and nephews.

This is my precious nephew! All he wanted to do was ride the train. When we got there, after about 1579 requests, I said "Are you happy now!?" As you can see, he's happy now.

We also swam in the pool. My sister has really big guns from catching the little guy for about an hour. He heard my son say "CANNON BALL," so prior to each of his jumps he would say "Tanne Ba!" It reminded me of Oh Christmas Tree in German. Oh Tannenbaum, oh Tannenbaum....

Here's my handsome nephew ready for the pool!

We had a great time. We didn't get to stay long, but it was nice to at least be able to go. My two-year-old nephew as we were driving in the car said "Look, a hot air balloon!" Did my speech-language therapists heart proud!

My sister has an iPhone, which is evil. I could get into some serious trouble with that thing! My littlest nephew knows how to find the app he wants and play a game. Wow.

It was back to work today for the last two weeks of teaching summer school, then, we're off to California!

Huh

2009-06-29T08:44:00.000-05:00

"The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest Rome become bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance." --- Cicero, 55 BC

Not Too Much Longer

2009-06-28T12:32:00.004-05:00

This has been my life for the past three weeks. I still have three more days of class. I am finishing up a test and my class project this weekend, and then will have one more test. I've only gotten one grade back so far. It's been an extremely challenging class, but I think I'm doing OK. So, another week and hopefully we'll be back to our regularly scheduled blog entries!

Here's a couple of pictures of the house, we planted some Caladiums and Periwinkles in the beds out front.

Here's the porch. We had a fun Housewarming party last weekend and my momma got to come! Another dear friend gave us that "Howdy" sign above the door...how cute is that!?

The living room.

The kitchen with all the Hard Rick Cafe glasses....you can't really see very well. Hope you all are well!! See you soon!

First Exam

2009-06-17T08:10:00.000-05:00

99% !! Woo-Hoo!!

You Know It's Bad When...

2009-06-12T07:18:00.003-05:00

About four years ago while waiting for a show to start at Disneyworld, a bird pooped on my head. Yesterday on the walk to class, I'm minding my own business and yep, you guessed it, another perfect hit~he must have had good aim. At least last time I was stationary. Twice!? What is the likelihood!?
Hubby and I went out for dinner last night and we sat at the same table we sat in last time at that restaurant. I said, I wonder what the statistical probability is for us getting the exact same table we got last time!? Then when the waitress came over, he wasn't ready to order. He said I'm not ready because I'm going to get something different. I said, Yep! You're the variable and I'm the constant! (I always get the same thing. I am comforted by consistency.) Statistics is infiltrating my brain.
And I'm thinking of doing a study on how many people have gotten pooped on by birds, cuz really!?

We're off to Relay for Life tonight. Just what I need, a sleepless night. It'll be fun, though, and a good cause.

Statistics

2009-06-08T19:43:00.003-05:00

Hi all....I survived my first statistics class. Partly because I had already read the material, so that was good. The class is 5 hours a day and then we have homework assignments, so I have a feeling that I'm not going to be updating my blog very much for the next month. Not that I have been much lately anyway, this move and now class is eating my lunch!
I'll be thinking of you all even if I don't get to read ya!

Before and After

2009-06-02T13:19:00.003-05:00

This is my son's room before. You can't tell, but it's sponge painted a light pink.
We made a black stripe around the top and the rest is blue. Add a black fan, and it's perfect. his room actually turned out the best. His sheets are the same blue and his comforter is black, so he's all coordinating now. He likes it.Here's the kitchen/dining room area, it was all white.

We used a dark tan color in the kitchen, which we also used in the entry way. The living room is a linen color now, you can't tell in the picture.

This is the main bath. It was already this color and we liked it so we left it!

We have all the furniture in now, so of course it all looks different, but we also still have lots of boxes and no pictures hung, so those will have to wait.

I also got bit by one of my students today. Wowza.

I'm Back!

2009-06-01T19:44:00.002-05:00

Whew! It's been quite a few days! We finally got the last things moved to our new house today. We had the phone and Internet turned on Friday, but the Internet didn't work. Long story short, it's finally working now.
We painted everything we wanted to paint, A's room rocks! We're figuring out all the ins and outs of the house, and we worked for a couple of hours in the yard this afternoon. It looks really nice.
I also started teaching ESY today. I start my stats class next Monday. The teacher posted the notes, so I'll start looking over those tomorrow. And try not to cry.
We're still waiting for our refrigerator. A mix-up, and it should be delivered tomorrow. I'll be happy to have iced tea again, and ice for that matter. And I can cook at home. Enough eating out for awhile. We've been living out of the coolers since Thursday.
Hope you're all still out there and enjoying summer!

Painting

2009-05-24T21:33:00.002-05:00

We finished painting today. Everything looks great. I got a drop of paint in my eye! It was like the movie 28 Days Later when the guy is looking up at the bird and a drop of blood falls in his eye....I may turn into a zombie in a month or so. I'll have pictures of the paint jobs (before and after) as soon as all the dust settles.
We've been moving and unpacking as many boxes as we can each time we go, but the fridge isn't going to be delivered until Thursday, so we can't start staying there until then. We met some of the neighbors today, they seem nice.
So, off to bed to start again tomorrow! I'll be catching up on blog reading when all the dust settles, too. I haven't forgotten you.

House

2009-05-22T08:19:00.001-05:00

We're off to close on our new to us house!! Then I'm off to check out at school and then back to the house to paint. A especially doesn't want a pink room. He chose a fade of black to blue, I'm doing the guest/craft room a light Mocha color and the living room will be Linen. We also get to get a new refrigerator and dishwasher.

Woeful Wednesday

2009-05-20T13:07:00.003-05:00

I've been packing. And packing. I am reminded why it is so lovely to have the Navy move you. They would have this time except we are "breaking our lease," even though they told us we could move out whenever. Who knows. (I'm sure all you other military wives are just shaking your heads...I know.)
I am also packing up my classroom. It is always a sad thing, but again, we're usually moving because of the Navy, and this time it's by choice. A choice that is logical and best, but difficult nonetheless. I haven't told many of my co-workers or kids, but the word is getting around. I've been at this school in this classroom for three years, so it's been a lot of weeding out what's mine and what belongs to the school. Each book, folder, or game brings back memories of when I read it or played it....
Hubby's been out of town, his grandmother passed away. He'll be back tonight, and then crunch time begins. We close on our new house Friday!

Special Olympics, Part Deux

2009-05-17T12:06:00.004-05:00

Well, we survived! Three days of keeping track of 14 Special Olympians, miles of walking, and a sunburned face and neck later, we're home.
We had a fabulous time!! We arrived on Wednesday and some of our kiddos did their events and then we were off to Mexico Joe's for dinner. That evening, we attended the Opening Ceremonies.

Our group was seated pretty high up in the arena, and one of our little guys was scared, so we got to move to the floor. How about this guy's ride, huh?

True to Oklahoma weather, we had to move to the lobby (we were up too high) due to severe weather. They told us we could go back in, but it was more trouble than it was worth.

Thursday morning it rained on us a bit, but then cleared up for the races. Everyone completed their events and got their medals and ribbons. Very exciting. Then we were off to Hideaway Pizza for dinner! Yum...

Couldn't forget the ice cream at Marble Slab. We watched Wall-E, which the kids all loved.

Friday we got up, packed, cleaned, and headed to Eskimo Joe's. All our friends back home got to see us on the web cam. I think everyone was happy to get home. We had a great time, and the OSU campus was beautiful!

Special Olympics

2009-05-12T12:56:00.002-05:00

Hi all! I'm off to Special Olympics in Stillwater tomorrow through Friday. Should be a great time, I think we're going to have to change the events to slip and slide and mud wrestling if the rain doesn't stop.

I get quotes in my email everyday and here's the one I got today. Kind of thought provoking.
The soul attracts that which it secretly harbors; that which it loves, and also that which it
fears. ~James Allen

Have a great rest of the week, hopefully I'll have some pictures with no people to show you!

Happy Mother's Day!

2009-05-09T20:39:00.005-05:00

"A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie." - Tenneva Jordan

I have a lot of special women in my life. Some I see infrequently, some rarely. None enough. Some are gone to receive the jewels in their crowns. Here are a few:

Grandmargaret~my maternal grandmother, she's home. I always thought she was pretty, even with that gap between her front teeth. I cannot think of a time I saw her angry. She was patient, she gave me my first sewing lessons. I remember making mud pies and huge Thanksgiving meals with all the family. The best thing was "Goody Bags" on Christmas. She would buy random things like band-aids, olives, and calenders all year long and the shopping bag full of stuff was your Christmas gift. It was awesome. I think I'll do it for my grand kids. Hopefully that won't be for a long time.

Nano~my paternal grandmother, she's home, too. She kept us every summer for what seemed like months. She would take us places and make us things. She always had cheese toast, chocolate cake, and coconut pie. She taught me how to crochet and embroider. She got me hooked on wrestling when it was the Von Erichs.

Momma~She lives in San Antonio. She suffered through my pink hair, choir concerts, and called me every Monday night my Freshman year of college. She sent me packages for everything, and last year sent me 40 different birthday present wrapped in 40 different wrapping papers for my 40th birthday. She has been known to say "I'm not the one that has to wear it." She has a great laugh and sense of humor, she's always happy. She took us to plays and ballets and the zoo. She taught me how to cook, she's great at it! Momma...Milky Way cake and Lasagna, please?

Grandma Jill~grandma to my kids, friend to me, she's a Yankee now, originally from England (she taught my children to say bahhth for bath). She took me in as her own. She helped me raise my children when I was working two jobs. She was always supportive no matter what my latest craziest idea was. She helped me realize I could be strong on my own. She gave me my last sewing lessons, and would not accept anything less than perfect. I could use your help right now with this pair of pants and a dress, and several other unfinished projects lurking around!

Marlene~My step-mom. She lives in North Carolina. She rocks! She doesn't put up with any poop, she always listens and wants to know what's going on in your life. She put up with me during those sulky teenage years when I was thinking I don't like you just because I'm not supposed to like you. Even though she treated us like her own. She has great advice on raising children, and excellent style! I know, I've driven all over town with her looking for the exact right coffee table.

I love these women and so many more. Thank you.
Happy Mothers day to everyone, mom, friend, teacher, sister, whomever you may be today!

"Mothers are all slightly insane." - J.D. Salinger