My Friday Night

I don't know what is going on with me...I have been in such a baking mood. Tonight was yellow cupcakes with chocolate frosting...I made a little design while I waited for the second batch to cool off. : )

I blame DC cupcake episodes : )

Right Where I Wanna Be

This weekend was uneventful and nice. No where we had to be...just places we chose to be. On Friday night, J and I went and got Schlotzsky's and watched "Get Him To the Greek." (not very good) It was nice to be able to have a semi-date night together. I say "semi" because J did end up playing PS3 for quite some time while I read but being together is perfect enough for me. 



Saturday morning I got up and headed over to Pamela's because Colleen & Ava are in town. While I was playing with Ava, Amy, Pamela, Colleen, Meghan & Cole. J was playing golf. Perfect Saturday.

After hanging out with the girls, I went and got my oil changed and came back home and washed my car inside and out. Best I've ever washed it. : ) When I finished washing my car, J got home. We decided we would get potatoes for dinner. We ate potato shack and then went and got Spoons (my favorite). Once home, J played his game and I read my book until around 10 when our neighbors (Kelly & Paul) invited us over to sit around their fire pit and hang out. We went over there and roasted marshmallows and hung out until 2am! Totally not like us- but so fun to be social and hang out with other couples.

Sunday was total low key. Justin woke up with a terrible headache and fever. (I immediately thought he had the flu) so he stayed in bed all day drinking Gatorade and sleeping. I took Pip to the dog park- I took a video of him running around like crazy but it says it is too big to upload. Hmph. I'll work on that. *figured our the video*   So cute- he has so much fun at the dog park plus it has been nice outside so its good to get some fresh air. After the dog park I ran to the store to get some more Gatorade and some crackers for J. The rest of the day I watched Glee and hung out.

Today I didn't have to go to work cause its Presidents day. Thankfully J woke up feeling much better. We are hoping it was just a 24 hour bug. I have spent today picking up, doing laundry, etc. Who knows what the rest of the day will hold? Tomorrow back to the grind...

Here is a smilebox of all the pictures I took of Ava...I can't believe how big she is getting. I can't believe she is 5 months old!!!

A picture slideshow by Smilebox

Photos from Our Valetines (2-16-11)

Create your own free slideshow design

Happiness

This morning I got to sleep in a little because I had a workshop to go to today. When I woke up, this is the sweet little face that was peeking out from under the covers. How adorable is he?

Secondly, my happiness continued this afternoon. *more to come on my workshop later* Justin is not the most romantic of men. When he gave me flowers (that one time) he put them in a chair in a corner and said oh yeah..I got you flowers never taking his eyes off the tv- or when he proposed "You know I love you right?" but to Justin and I that is our love language. We know. Its just how we tick and how we work. Well for Valentine's day J was out of town so when he came home today...he dropped a bag on the floor and said.."There's your Valentine's Day present" I am SO excited. I have begged forever for a stuffed animal. My mom still has the first stuffed animal my dad ever gave her so I wanted one too. I figured after being together for over 4 years I should have a stuffed animal...isn't he cute!? I'll sleep with him every night. I named him "Rig"  - perfect fitting for J's job- it is gonna be Justin's dogs name too when we get our next dog. (so no stealing it)

Things

Things on this Monday:

1. I have taught myself the beginnings of knitting. Granted, I didn't get far but a little each day. I was so proud of just learning how to cast on- it seems like once I get the hang of it - it shouldn't be hard. We will see.

2. I wasn't expecting any Valentine's today because I don't have my own classroom. I just pull kids to work on what they are struggling with, however a sweet little boy who I work with brings in a present for me this morning. So sweet.

3. Picasa is really frustrating me. I can't upload photos. UGH! So annoying!!! They really need to find a way to fix this problem!!

4. I am reading every Bluebonnet Book *EVER* nominated- which is 1980-2011 @ 20 books a year. (It  was a challenge) That's 600 books. I have read 121 so far. Only 469 left. *Bluebonnet Books are a Texas Award that is given to a children's book. It is 20 books that are chosen and voted on by the kids grades 3-6. I love it because you know that it is good literature. I have read every book that has ever won the award, now I have been going back and reading the books nominated.

Dog Park

This afternoon Pip and I headed to the dog park. It was finally pretty outside so we headed to the dog park. We haven't been in so long at first Pip was unsure but it wasn't long before he was racing around like he always does. He is so funny, I love watching him race around with the other dogs. It was packed. He even got in the water with a Westie. (not what I was hoping for) On our way home I put him in the trunk (don't worry- I have an SUV) since he was wet and muddy  but he decided he was no trunk dog. He jumped over the rows and landed in the passenger sit and before long was PASSED OUT! So cute little baby...

What I've Been Up Too

This is me in my friends awesome purple ski suit with Pip inside the suit. It has been freezing here.

Pip has been cold- hence his snuggie

True Love

YIPPIE! Fire in our fireplace

Justin worked hard all last Saturday putting these together.

My baby & me enjoying the fireplace

Tater Tot Casserole

The Recipe card- so good

Friday night I was in a cooking mood- I made homemade chocolate cupcakes with strawberry cream cheese icing.

Icing:
 1 stick butter,
1 block of cream cheese
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
3/4 cup puree strawberries



YUM!

 The chocolate cupcake recipe was Martha Stewart's One Bowl Chocolate Cupcakes. So there you have it- my exciting life. Today I have been doing laundry, picking up, thinking about making some heart shaped sugar cookies- but think I might wait until the chocolate cupcakes are gone.

Something to Remember

A 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud man, who is fully dressed each  morning by eight o'clock, with his hair fashionably combed and shaved perfectly, even though he is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today. His wife of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary. After  many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, he smiled sweetly when told his room was ready.

As he maneuvered his walker to the elevator, I provided a visual description  of his tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on his window.  I love it,' he stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just  been presented with a new puppy. Mr. Jones, you haven't seen the room; just wait.' 'That doesn't have anything to do with it,' he replied.
 
Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time.

Whether I like my room or not doesn't depend on how the furniture is  arranged ... it's how I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it.  'It's a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice;  I  can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the  parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful  for the ones that do.
Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open, I'll focus on the new day  and all the happy memories I've stored away...Just for this time in my life.

Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw from what you've put in.
 
So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank  account of memories!
Thank you for your part in filling my Memory Bank.  I am still depositing.
'Remember the five simple rules to be happy: 
 
1. Free your heart from hatred.
2. Free your mind from worries.
3. Live simply.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less.









 
P.S. Pictures from this past weekend to come soon! Hopefully tonight!

Not Strong Enough

Obsessed is NOT a strong enough word for my love of Glee.

OMG! LOVE LOVE LOVE! How am I just now finding this obsession!?!?!

Knit?

Does anyone know how to Knit? I keep looking at Etsy shops for photography props as well as cute stuff for when we have a baby but think it would be so much cheaper if I could figure out how to do it. I think I would enjoy it. Anyone know of some good tutorials or anything?

Dinner & Staff Photo

Last night was so much fun. After school I went home to Justin relaxing on the couch with a pillow under his back. He said his back was hurting so he was resting. I left him to rest and headed to see Kelly. We hung out for awhile and decided that we should go on a double date. So we headed to dinner with the boys and it was so much fun. We all get along so well and had a blast. I didn't take any pictures but it was so much fun and we are planning on doing it again soon. Although next time we have decided that it will be with the fire pit in the backyard. SO FUN!

Today is group pictures. So I got up early and was determined to not miss the staff photo at 7:30. Well I get ready and see my makeup is at school. GREAT! Just perfect. So I hurry to school and when I get here- there is NO parking. I mean really? The whole teacher lot was full. Sometimes I am late and I always have a parking spot...I don't know what was going on but super annoying. So I drive around to the front of the school and have to sit in line with all the parents dropping off their kids. Finally parking and running into the building at 7:45! So much for being in the staff photo. Maybe next year...

Missing Her...

Granny's birthday was February 3rd- she would have been 86 years old.

This morning at church I cried as I watched a grandmother in front of me crying singing "I will rise when he calls my name. No more sorrow, no more pain." Granted, I have no idea why she was crying (I'm assuming she lost her husband- wearing a wedding band, but no man with her) Instead of a man being with her her daughter, son in law and granddaughter were the pew with her. When her granddaughter saw her crying she leaned over and wrapped her arms around her. I was so jealous that minute. That I couldn't wrap my arms around my Grandma. And then I realized what we were singing and my tears turned to joy because Granny is doing just that...She rose when he called her name. She has no more sorrow and no more pain.

Here is a video of the song sung at Granny's funeral. It is called Serenaded by Angels. So good.

She went to sleep one night
Never to awake again
But everything was all right
Between her and Him
She awoke in Heaven's courtyard
Free from pain within
The angels gathered around her
And took her by the hand
Serenaded by angels, up to the throne
Serenaded by angels, finally at home
Surrounded by praises, to the King
Welcome to Paradise, the angels did sing
Now I close my eyes at night
And try to imagine
That city of brilliant light
Waiting for me
But my mind cannot conceive
So I'll continue to dream
Till I'm transported there
Then I will be

As much as I miss Granny, I know she was serenaded by angels and rose when he called her name.

Snow Day!!

Last night they told us that school would be postponed until 9:30. I was excited about getting some extra sleep but really wanted the whole day off but with the forecast saying less than an inch of snow accumulating, I wasn't holding my breath. However, this morning I got a text from my team leader saying NO SCHOOL! : ) GLORIOUS! J has off today as well. I get up expecting to see a winter wonderland. NO. The snow wasn't even covering the grass. We had more snow than that last year and we had school! But I'll take a snow day anyways. : )

We have been highly unproductive. I feel like its Saturday- its so exciting to know its only FRIDAY! I could totally get used to three day weekends. We slept in, ate breakfast, sat around, washed J's reds, and watched 2 episodes of Glee. (my newest obsession). 

We were supposed to go to the CSISD Education Foundation Fundraiser tonight called "50 Men Who Can Cook" but since the whole town practically shut down they have canceled it for tonight and are re-scheduling. I really hope J will be in town when they re-schedule so we can go. At the fundraiser, they have 50 different restaurants come in and cook and you walk around from booth to booth and try the different food along with a silent auction and entertainment. We were going to go with our friends Kelly & Paul. (They are the ones with the sweet baby, Jake). I was so excited all day because I knew tonight we would have something fun to do with our friends. RAIN CHECK!

Who knows what will be for dinner? J is playing his game and I am going to go finish reading my book. The story of our lives. : )

Hope yall all had a fun warm snow day!

P.S. I PASSED MY ESL TEST!!

P.P.S. We just went and bought gas logs for our fireplace. I am so excited to have a fire in our fireplace! Can hardly wait! Yippie!!

Horror Story

So...yesterday evening I took my ESL test. Well I get there at 3:45 (not sure how long it would take me to get there) and check in isnt until 4:30 but I wanted to make sure I had everything I needed and was ready to go. So I get there and read a magazine until 4:30 when she checks me in...only to tell me MY LICENSE IS EXPIRED! UGH! FAIL #1 I had no idea I have been driving around without a valid license! They have to have a VALID form of ID. UGH! "Do you have a passport?" YES! I DO! (bonus- I know where it is)  So, thankfully the lady told me if I could be back by 5:30 she would let me take it. I go get my jacket out of the locker and realize my passport is in my MAIDEN name. FAIL #2! I freak out and tell the lady which she proceeds to tell me then I have to have my marriage license as well. UGH! FAIL #3 Hopefully, it is where my passport is but no guarantees. I am like freaking out. I get in the car and call Justin crying. He thinks it is also where I thought it was. So I run home like a mad crying lady and THANK GOD FOR AN ORGANIZED HUSBAND!! My passport & marriage license were there. I hurried back and got back at like 5:05. PHEW! I think it helped me relax about the test because my mind was going crazy about other things. So in the end, it worked out and I took my test but STRESS MAJOR! 

Also, every year around this time I think to myself..."Will I ever know what it is like to breathe out of my nose again?" UGH! I hate it. I took some medicine to make my nose stop running last night and woke up feeling like my head was going to explode because it was all stored up! CANT WIN! I am about to run on my lunch break to get some different medicine that will hopefully succeed in helping me breathe from my nose once more...

1955

Comments made in the year 1955!

got this in an email at work today...

‘I’ll tell you one thing, if things keep going the way they are, it’s going to be impossible to buy a week’s groceries for $10.00. ‘

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‘Have you seen the new cars coming out next year?  It won’t be long before $1, 000.00 will only buy a used one.’  

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‘If cigarettes keep going up in price, I’m going to quit; 20 cents a pack is ridiculous. ‘

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‘Did you hear the post office is thinking about charging 7 cents just to mail a letter.’

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‘If they raise the minimum wage to $1.00, nobody will be able to hire outside help at the store.’

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‘When I first started driving, who would have thought gas would someday cost 25 cents a gallon. Guess we’d be better off leaving the car in the garage.’

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‘I’m afraid to send my kids to the movies any more.  Ever since they let Clark Gable get by with saying DAMN in ‘GONE WITH THE WIND’, it seems every new movie has either HELL or DAMN in it.’

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‘I read the other day where some scientist thinks it’s possible to put a man on the moon by the end of the century. They even have some fellows they call astronauts preparing for it down in  Texas .’

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‘Did you see where some baseball player just signed a contract for $50,000 a year just to play ball? It wouldn’t surprise me if someday they’ll be making more than the President. ‘

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‘I never thought I’d see the day all our kitchen appliances would be electric.  They are even making electric typewriters now. ‘

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‘It’s too bad things are so tough nowadays.  I see where a few married women are having to work to make ends meet. ‘

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‘It won’t be long before young couples are going to have to hire someone to watch their kids so they can both work.’

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‘I’m afraid the Volkswagen car is going to open the door to a whole lot of foreign business.’

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‘Thank goodness I won’t live to see the day when the Government takes half our income in taxes.  I sometimes wonder if we are electing the best people to government.’

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‘The drive-in restaurant is convenient in nice weather, but I seriously doubt they will ever catch on.’

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‘There is no sense going on short trips anymore for a weekend.  It costs nearly $2.00 a night to stay in a hotel.’

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‘No one can afford to be sick anymore.  At $15.00 a day in the hospital, it’s too rich for my blood.’

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‘If they think I’ll pay 30 cents for a hair cut, forget it.’

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If only times were still so simple...
 

I have to take my ESL test tonight. Yeah I know I'm a little late. I didn't take it when I graduated and my district last year didn't make me- however, in order for me to get a full time teaching job next year in this district I'll have to be certified so I figured I would bite the bullet and go take it this evening. Say a prayer. I don't want to have to pay to take it twice! : )