Tagged

Tag, I'm it!
I've been tagged by Shelley at Toadally Talking, which by the way is a wonderful blog. This is a good thing since it's been forever since I last updated. Here are some ground rules for tagging, though I don't really know enough bloggers to tag them.

1. Link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Ok, so here ya go. Seven random/weird facts about me:

1. I am totally into American Idol. I can be a total armchair critic of the contesant's chances in the music industry.

2. I love the fairy figurines from Faerie Glen.

3. I've developed a thing for quiche this past year.

4. Costco Churros are soooo bad for you, but taste so good.

5. My husband got me into playing World of Warcraft, but at least I can walk away. Some people really can't for hours on end.

6. Law and Order: SVU is one my favorite shows. I love to watch Elliot and Olivia interact.

7. I'm still on the hunt for the perfect spring shoe. I am ultra picky about my shoes.

Blink of an Eye

So today was a complete case study in how a day can start out one way and do a complete 180 just like that. Hubby woke up with a migraine and called in sick to work. That meant I didn't have to get my daughter up and saved me some precious time. I wanted to get right out the door, so I scooted N right off. Instead of eating at home, I treated N to some hot chocolate and a scone from a little coffee stand I frequent. Ironically, I can't stand coffee so I too had hot chocolate and a blueberry muffin. We sat outside his school and ate our breakfast. It was a fun way to start the day. I was worried about Kevin, but getting the extra time to hang out with N just made us both really happy. I got to work in a really good mood and earlier than usual for a change. Some of my coworker noticed how sunny my mood was and one even commented about "the extra spring in my step" as they called it...:) I had that song by The Brady Bunch, "Sunshine Day", stuck in my head all morning.

Then, I got a call from N's teacher at lunchtime. His school suspected he had pink eye and he needed to be picked up. They also said he couldn't return until he had a doctor's note. So after making a series of phone calls, I finally arranged to have my babysitter pick him up and take him home (Kevin had no carseats). I tried to focus on teaching literacy to small groups and the formal observation being done by my principal. I suddenly couldn't concentrate and struggled for the remainder of the afternoon. I left right after school and took N to the doctor. Then I ran some errands and returned to the school to make arrangements for a sub. I realized that I was ill-prepared for one, so I had some catch up to do, so N and I were there for quite some time. Then we needed groceries, so we had to go to the store. Luckily, N was keeping up his energy just fine, but was hungry. We grabbed something from the deli and made it home just in time for American Idol. I gave him his eyedrops to treat the infection, but he had a tough time with it. He's very sensitive to any sort of pain and his eyes were really bothering him. I let the kids stay up a little bit to watch TV and then tucked 'em both in. K wasn't feeling too good either, so I'm glad I'll be home to take care of them both tomorrow. Now I'm sitting here watching The Karate Kid and updating my blog. It was certainly a long day's journey into night...

Catching up

Alrighty, so I've been too lazy to blog lately. I'll admit to that. At school, the students were going through state testing and I've been dealing with a myriad of things such as fundraisers, job hunting, and the regular pile of stress that comes with a typical day of teaching 6th graders. Report cards are due in just a few weeks, so I have that to look forward to on the horizon. What I am pleased as punch about this term is that I have been so much calmer this time around. Last fall, everything was simply overwhelming and I lacked the confidence I needed. I think I've conquered that problem for the most part and feel so much more at ease. During one of our recent fundraisers, my students helped run the concession stands for a family night sock hop. Imagine the amount of work that went into that whole process. Even though my teaching partner and I worked from 7:30am-8:30pm, we had a blast being able to hang out with our students in a more relaxed setting and be playful. I even did the twist with several of them. They got such a kick out of that.

On another note, hubby and I weren't able to go out for Valentine's day, but we arranged to go out the following night (Friday). We opted to go to Macaroni Grill. In addition to their delicious bread, I had their fabulous fettucini alfredo with chicken. Hubby had a portabello muchroom chicken dish. Afterwards, we walked around the outdoor mall nearby and splurged on some gelotto for dessert. Yummy! We have been making a concerted effort to go out at least once a month as we tend to neglect that part of our relationship. I guess that happens to a lot of couples once you add family responsibilities. We've learned the hard way not to let that happen again. It was a wonderful date. The next one will hopefully be at a movie as it's been ages since we've been to one together. I think it's been about a year.

All in all, it's been a pretty nice February. I am grateful that things have been going well at work for the most part. Since the school is closing and there are extenuating circumstances, there is a negative energy throughout the school that is understandable for the most part. Though I have fallen victim to this dark cloud myself at times, I am learning to find balance. For part of our recent China unit in Social Studies, I invited a guest speaker from the Portland Classical Chinese Garden to give a special presentation to our students in honor of the Chinese New Year. One of the things she shares is the special significance of bamboo in Chinese gardening and art. She explains that bamboo often bends, but doesn't break easily. I've literally taken that to heart. Now my mantra has become "Bend like bamboo..." It is a pearl of wisdom that has begun to help on those not so sunny days. I am excited for some of the personal and professional changes on the horizon, but also anxious at the same time. I'll do my best to blog as things happen. There is so much that I just don't have time to include here, but I'm trying. Maybe next time, I will include some recent photos of the kids and do an update on them...:)

Memo Lane

At the halfway point in my first year of teaching, I got to reflecting on my checkered past of professions and that of others I know. People in my life have had some major highs and lows that I have extended an ear to listen or a hug to celebrate. For instance, my best friend has had a string of scary job experiences in the last year as she continues her search for that elusive happy "work" place. However, she has managed to grow from each one. As for me, I have worked in a number of environments that have been both positive and negative experiences. Though I do think that some workplaces are truly on one end of the sanity spectrum while others are at the complete and utterly opposite end. When I was getting my sea legs in the labor force, I babysat, washed dishes, pumped gas, filed stuff, rented movies out, and performed a myriad of other entry level tasks to earn a paycheck. In all those jobs, I'd say it was my tour of the video store circuit that provided me with some of the more entertaining moments. From tyrannical bosses to creepy co-workers, I've seen it all. However, some of my fondest memories also took place while rocking out to endless reruns of Tommy Boy (one clerk played it constantly).

Anyhow, it was when I got out of college that I really experienced the professional world with new eyes. Armed with my handy-dandy degree, new doors suddenly opened for me. On average, I held my next three jobs for approximately 2-3 years apiece. It seemed to me at the time that I was a loyal staffer at my jobs. It took a lot for me to motivate me to move onto new positions. I learned a great deal in the field of social services while working with tramatically brain-injured survivors, troubled youth in residential treatment, and parenting teens. Just when I felt I was finally hitting my stride with my chosen path, I get the crazy notion to switch careers. For reasons I'm still sorting out, I decided to enter the field of education.

Looking back, I was definitely at a crossroads in my life. To be certain I was making the right choice, I opted to work as an instructional assistant at a middle school with behaviorally-challenged youth. It appeared to be an easy segue into this new realm. How could I know just how hard that year would be both personally and professionally? Did I mention that the teacher quit just before school began...the program was in its pilot year and so no structure was set up...and the new teacher had almost no experience? Did I forget to add that both of my grandfathers had cancer and passed away in a space of three months? I will spare you the rest of the story, but suffice it say it was a year of tremendous growth and soul-searching. In a nutshell, all of it messed with my head and took me to the edge. However, I found what I had been searching for...my reason to pursue teaching. I took such joy in working with the kids and it just felt right.


I switched schools and found true happiness in my next position. The Kinders that I taught were so little and loveable! Also, I began work on my masters. Life began looking up and while the road to graduation was a rocky one, I am so glad that I did it. The one thing that has been difficult, is how many job changes I've had in the last three or four years. I had to quit my job with the Kinders to complete my student teaching and that was a tough job to leave. To supplement my income, I subbed whenever possible. You feel like a ghost and not really part of any staff. What's worse, my first teaching assignment was for a school that will close at the end of the academic year. Needless to say, the morale there is quite low and so it can be a challenge to be around all that negative energy. However, I am taking each day as it comes and getting the most I can out of this experience. I realize that it is a waste of time and energy to worry over things that I cannot change. I pray that my next work experience will be somewhere I can finally lay down some roots. Whatever direction the pendulum swings for me, I hope that I learn something valuable along the way and get to smile every now and again.

The Bucket List

Okay, I haven't seen the movie yet, but I get the general concept of The Bucket List. Basically, it's about two old guys who realize their time is running out and so they decide to fulfill their lifelong "to do" wish list. Things such as jumping out of an airplane and taking an African safari are on the agenda. So ever since I first saw the previews for this movie, it got me thinking about how we all need to live life in such a way that we don't just expect there will always be more time to get everything done. We all get complacent like that. I know I do. Ever since my brother died at a very young age (at 22), I have wanted to get on with the business of living life in a manner that embraces life to the fullest. My brother was that way towards the end and strangely enough, it was one his parting gifts to me in a heart-to-heart we had just months before his life was cut short. As a result, I probably seem a bit offbeat in some people's eyes. I've always looked at life through a movie lens...it can be as romantic and crazy as you want it to be...if you are willing to be that way yourself. Maybe that's why I have made some of the choices that I have. We don't live forever, so we need to enjoy this ride while we can.

So it is very ironic that my best friend calls to tell she wants to stop talking about doing things and start doing things. So in typical Shelley fashion, she sprung the idea of taking a Carribbean cruise with her down to Cozumel to swim with the dolphins...a major dream of mine! I was literally speechless, which is rare. Just that morning I had mentioned this goal to my husband and within the day my best friend in the world bestows this wonderful gift. I can't wait to go on this amazing adventure with my Shellers!

Hubby Time

So after a very long and tiring day for us both at work, hubby and I went out for a date to celebrate our 9 year dating anniversary. I had packed an overnight bag and sent the kids off with their grandma earlier, so we were all set for some alone time. Since we were both starving, we opted to eat somewhere nearby. So we went to this little sports bar and grill that was connected to a bowling alley. Yes, I'm easy to please and don't need the fancy stuff to have a good time. While we were waiting for our food, we both had some Coronas with a twist of lime to relax a little bit. On an empty stomach, it didn't take much to get a buzz on. I don't enjoy being drunk, so I know my limit pretty well by now. Anyhow, we both ordered a french dip and some potato skins for appetizers. I had two of those things and that coulda been my whole meal right there. They sure tasted good though...thank you Shelley for introducing me to yet another sinful yet delightful treat...:)

After we finished dinner, we walked next door to the adjoining bowling alley. We found out it was league night, so that was out of the question. Next, we drove a block or two (it was freezing outside) to a pool hall. We played about three rounds and I won two of them. That was actually a lotta fun for us both. Kevin indulged me for a bit longer and watched me play a game of Ms. Pac Man in their mini-arcade. It's my favorite video game from the early days of arcades. We were both feeling pretty tired at that point, so we went home. There were two beers left in the fridge (it's rare to have beer in our house) from new years, so we both had one. That last one strengthed my buzz. Hubby's headache had progressed to a migraine and he was battling a sore throat. His voice was scratchy, but oh he was so adorable and sweet right then. He opened the door for me to the car earlier that night. When he's chivalrous like that, I love him even more for the extra effort to court me. So then I got online to surf a bit while he watched the Sci Fi Channel. Both of us were suddenly hit with exhaustion and turned in early to sleep. How sad are we? We both said this morning how old we felt for ending the night so young. I've woken up with a slight headache of my own, but don't think I'll have any Coronas for awhile, they aren't good for a diet. I may've gained a half pound back yesterday, but I wouldn't change a thing 'cause I had a fabulous night out with hubby that was much needed. Nine years and counting!

Cloud Nine

The title sounded cute considering the milestone I'm celebrating today. Hubby and I have been together for nine whole years, married for almost six. My MIL offered to keep the kids overnight tomorrow (Friday) so that we could have a night out alone. It's rare when we get a date night, so we're nabbing it, especially for this occasion. Those near and dear to us, know what an incredibly rocky road it has been, but I am grateful for all of it as it has helped shape me for the better in many ways. I am stronger and more patient then ever. Hubby challenges me and loves me at the same time. In a nutshell, we were together for about a year when I got pregnant with our son. Instead of breaking up or rushing off to elope in Vegas (which we almost did), we opted to let time take its course naturally. We didn't want to live according to anyone else's agenda and decided that if and when we got married, it would be because it was right for us. So about 2 and 1/2 years later, Hubby and tied the knot in a beautiful service at a rustic old church. So today I dedicate this blog to the love of my life and the bane of my existence (our affectionate references), Kevin. After all this time, the spark is still alive and better than ever. Even with the obstacles, love certainly worked its magic for us. As my favorite poet, Robert Frost, wrote..."we took a road less traveled and that has made all the difference."

Concrete Angel

Okay, two blogs in one day...doin pretty good on the writing front I guess. My last entry was pretty lighthearted and fun. This one isn't so much. As is the standard for most blogs, I write whatever is on my mind at the time. So I was watching various videos on youtube and came across an old song by Martina McBride called "Concrete Angel." It had been awhile since I'd last listened to it and I'd forgotten just how sad the content truly was until I saw the video for it. If you've ever had a child or even simply loved a child, you won't be able to watch it without a tear by the end of it. It makes you wanna hug your own children close to your heart and thank your lucky stars for them. There is an old saying that I forget who it's by, but it goes something like this..."So often we worry about who a child will become that we forget that they are already somebody today." Love 'em and treat 'em like gold is what we should do. Here is the link for the video clip if you wanna see the video for yourself.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLwwy-g2wkc

"And her dreams give her wings and she flies to a place where she's loved..."

Boy, is it getting hot in here!

Okay, dare I confess that certain celebrity men get me all hot and bothered? Or is that just too much information? Well, it's my blog so I choose to share...:) I've thought about devoting a blog to the hotties of the entertainment world for some time now, but just never got around to it. Now I'm not talking about every Johnny-come-lately. I'm referring to the ones that just glance and make their fans melt. I do not claim to be writing a Pulitzer Prize-winning entry here. Nope, it's just a little ode to some lovely men of industry. My personal choices are eclectic to be sure, but some dear friends share these same thoughts so peruse the mini-gallery below and enjoy!

Will Smith...OMG! A man just doesn't get any better than the former fresh prince. His charisma, charm, sense of humor, and rock hard body are more than enough to raise the temperature of any room he's in or burn up any silver screen he's on. What really sets him apart is the simple fact of how devoted he is to his wife and family. That alone makes him incredibly sexy!

Tim McGraw...Does Faith have any idea just how lucky she is? I mean does it really seem fair that she literally has it all? Honestly, there is nary a woman alive that doesn't find this man fine. He rocks with his stage presence and melts many a heart with his gifted voice and amazing songs. It doesn't hurt that he has a derriere that just makes a girl go mmmmmm.

Matthew McConaughey...Those abs, that hair, his eyes, and oh hell yeah that voice! Thankfully, there is more to this adonis than just eye candy...the boy can act. That sexy southern twang gets me everytime. Though you just can't get away from that body of his. He knows what he has and works it to the hilt. Whether he is going for the clean-shaven, all-American boy look or the scruffy, scraggly vagabond...either way he wears it well.

Viggo Mortenson...He is an unlikely choice, but he just does something to me everytime he's onscreen. For me, it is the intensity of his voice and that piercing gaze in his eyes. When he played Aragorn in LOTR trilogy, he really sealed his fate as a leading man. Of all the men I've listed here, he perhaps has the most raw dramatic talent. He can morph into characters like a chameleon can change its colors.

Keith Urban...Okay, I will admit right here that I tend to go for the more rugged-looking guys, so a five o'clock shadow is never a problem for me. While this country crooner is very easy on the eyes and is married to a very beautiful woman in her own right (Nicole Kidman), I believe that it's his vocal chops that make him so sexy. He is an awesome songwriter and has such a gentle delivery that is so endearing. I can't get enough of his music and love just about everything he puts out there.

Brad Pitt...What hottie list would be complete without the epitome of male beauty? He is lucky to have the kind of look that just gets better with time. He started out as the ultimate pinup, but in recent years he has broadened his appeal through his humanitarian efforts. His leading lady has had a positive influence on his soul and that has only enhanced his sex appeal. Though he is very talented in the acting department, he is blessed with a voice that undresses a woman simply by speaking. Okay, enough already! We all know he's hot.

Yes, I know I know...there are many more out there. These are just the initial guys that came to mind and I have to get going. If you have suggestions, feel free to leave a comment and scold me for omitting other hotties that may've slipped my mind. Shallow, yes? Waste of time, I don't think so. Oh well...it's just a blog, don't overanalyze it, just enjoy it...:) Hi ho hi ho, it's off to Costco I go!

A New Addition

With all the hills and valleys I've experienced over the last few years and even in the last months, I must say that I received some news this week that threw me for another loop, but it a good way. It has has been a long time coming though. My parents have been locked in a custody dispute over my one of my nephews in recent years. To resolve this issue, all parties agreed to a special arrangement. My parents have officially adopted my nephew, Tyler. I am so glad for him to finally have some stability in his life. It is bittersweet news as it makes me sad to think of the things he has had to endure to find the home all kids are entitled to. He has always been more like a little brother to me anyway, but now I can actually say it and mean it. We always laugh when we get together and I love that about him. Though I must admit that it felt a little odd when my mom mentioned that I was no longer the only girl (the story of my sister is a whole other blog) and now am no longer the baby of the family. Both were a part of my family identity since birth, but both of those things have changed considerably. I couldn't be happier for my nephew/lil brother, but part of me wishes he never had to walk this path. Those of you who know me well, know the story. I don't want to rehash it all here in this blog, but suffice it say that I am thrilled for Tyler and my parents. He is a very special young man and deserves every happiness. He has a huge place in my heart.

Weekly doins

Well, I survived the first week back to school. It felt longer than usual since I had grown accustomed to being at home. In my down time, I had a little too much time to let my mind wander, but it was good to feel very rested. Though being back to work has been good for me and has kept me very busy. I can never complain of being bored, that's for sure since there is always something more to be done. I enjoy teaching very much, but I must say that I am grateful for the weekends. Dealing with 24 eleven-year olds can get to be a bit much after awhile. Though they are fairly independent for the most part. Part of me keeps wondering if I should go back for my middle school endorsement in English and Social Studies so that I can specialize. High school seems like it would be a bit too much to take on, but I will keep at what I'm doing at the elementary level for now and just see what happens in the coming months.

This weekend was interesting. I took the kids over to the home of some good friends, Brian and Rosie, to spend some quality time. I also got to see another dear friend, Mo, for the first time in almost six months! Hubby opted to stay home and hang out with a friend of his. I wished he had come with me, but it was a fun evening nonetheless. Rosie, Mo, and I got to play cards and it felt like old times. Poor Brian was outnumbered by the amount of estrogen in the room, but he eventually joined in for a game of Monopoly. The kids and I look forward to Saturdays as it is the one day of the week where we get to hang out with good friends. Sundays are usually our family days or just a time to catch up on home projects. My daughter and I made a trip to Costco and shared a churro. We don't often get to spend just girl time alone. I better get off the computer now. She's asking me to read a book, so hope all who read this enjoy their week. Take care!

All good things...

...must come to an end, eh? Well, that's what's happening today. My winter break is officially over after today. Maybe it's not the end of good things, but rather just a change in what those good things will be. It's back to school and the daily grind of teaching 6th grade. I woke up this morning and began to immediately worry over how I was going to teach all the geography concepts in the format we currently have. There are a lot of little things that I had planned to do over the vacation, but just couldn't bring myself to even stress over them. My best guess is that I had been needing this time out for so badly due to all long hours leading up to it, that I just collapsed. I know that it didn't help me get ahead, but I'll just have to prioritize really well. At least my heart and mind are feeling less cluttered.

It has been an interesting winter break to say the least. We kept really busy with holiday activities and spending time with family and friends. The highlight of the last two weeks had to be the joint decision hubby and I made to focus on losing weight together. We are both feeling very focused. This is a remarkable thing for my hubby, so I want to support him all the way. I want to lost about 15-20 more pounds, which should take me down to 125-130. Crossing my fingers that we'll both have the will power to maintain this goal, but if we keep our ultimate goal in sight it should happen. I am very proud of my hubby for working so hard. Well, that's it for today. Gotta go to bed at a decent hour for once so I can get the kids off to school and childcare. I'll miss staying up late and sleeping in...:( It's back to going to bed early and up before the sun rises...:)

SVU

I think we all have a show that we get addicted to. Well, my current obsession is Law and Order: SVU. It is a show I relate to in many ways for reasons I don't wish to disclose here. My husband thinks it is too depressing to watch. While I'll concede that the subject matter is often sad, it has so many great things about it. It might be a morbid fascination to a certain extent, but I truly love this show. The cast is pretty awesome too. The lead detectives in particular, Olivia and Elliot are great to watch. There is this chemistry between them that is intense. It goes deeper than just a physcial attraction for them, they seem to really connect on every level. They go through crazy and dangerous stuff day in and day out on the job, so they are bound to be close. I doubt they will ever truly hook up or that could ruin that "what if" scenario that so many shows utilize. Anyhow, it's an addictive hour of television that I look forward to each week. I am thankful to cable so I can catch up on the early episodes that I never saw.

A Passionate Life

This first day of the new year kind of threw me for a loop. It is always a time for renewal as we say goodbye to the old and embrace the new. I got to thinking that there are certain things that we all need in life. I'm not talking about the basic necessities like food, water, and shelter. I am referring to the things inside of us that make us pulse with energy and feel truly alive. And I am not talking about simply breathing. For some, it is the need for an adrenaline rush. Those are the people that take risks or maybe participate in extreme sports. For some, it is intellectual stimulation. Those are the people that might read a lot or seek out higher education. For some, it is spirituality. Those are the people that find comfort in their faith and believe in a higher power. For some it is ambition, that need to succeed. Those are the people that are very career savvy and maybe climb the corporate ladder. For some it is artistic expression, that something that ignites a creative spark within. For some, it is the family stone. Those are the ties that bind them to their loved ones and keep them close to home. For some it is passion, that desire to connect with someone on every level, whether it is with the heart or the body. Whatever it is that you need in your life, it is best to take steps to make sure that you have what you need to thrive. For me, I need a variety of the things mentioned, though I don't want to climb any corporate ladders. However, I do love to read, must have a creative outlet, am finding my faith, couldn't live without my family, and passion is certainly something I crave. Most of all, I just need love in my life...that is what makes it all worth living.

Ringin in the New Year

Happy New Year! Well, here we are in 2008 already. It seems like just yesterday when the millenium crept up on us. We had a fabulous New Year's Eve ourselves. Hubby, the kids, and I spent the evening with some great friends at their home. We enjoyed good music, good finger foods, and great company. The children got to play and watch tons of movies, while the adults played games...though hubby and his buddy Brian played the computer kind while Rosie and I played the card kind...:) For those of you who know me well, you know that I rarely drink. Not so much because I dislike it and such, but simply because I don't really have an opportunity to do so. I'm not big on alchohol in general, but will knock back a Corona or two (with lime). If I'm gonna have hard licquor, the taste must be disguised by a fruity drink of some kind. Yep, I'm a wimp, gotta have my tooty fruity drinks that way. Anyhow, I digress...to sum up...we had a wonderful time hanging out with friends as we watched the ball drop in time square. These same friends will be coming over to our place today to spend more quality time which is nice. The great thing about winter break is that we can do more of what we want when we want.

I did enjoy this past year for the most part. It was crazy busy to say the least. In fact, instead of recapping the high points, I'm gonna borrow an idea from my best friend's blog. She took the first sentence from the first entry of each month to form one paragraph. I doubt it will make much sense taken out of context, but here goes...

Alright, I will finally adhere to common sense and turn in early. I entered the classroom today and got quite the surprise. Last night, as I grew bored with the results show on American Idol, I channel-surfed and landed on PBS. (Blog Title: Blow it out your glass)...Kinda catchy I thought...:) Okay, there have been a slew of frivolous lawsuits filed over the years.
It always feels good to get away, even if only for a little while. Whew! This week was a true whirlwind of events and emotions. I just finished reading my best friend's blog, lawfrogtx.blogspot.com, and came to an intersting realization. Alright, it's not quite Doomsday, but that's how it feels at least. I am starting to feel the drain on my energy. So I got the kids all dressed up for Halloween this year. Well, it's been so long since my last post that I just don't even know where to begin.

So that is the year in a nutshell...not so much, eh? It doesn't exactly put the year in review, but that's okay. I know what happened and if you really care that much about my year, you can always look back over my archives. Anyhow, I want to wish everyone an excellent new year and may all your wishes come true. Happy 2008!!!

It's in Her Nature

Weather is a nutty thing. It can change on a dime when you lease expect it. I remember as a child looking outside in my front yard to see it raining, then going to the backyard window only to see the sun shining. Well, last night when I went to bed it was foggy. I woke up this morning to see it was overcast and freezing outside. Then after doing some cleaning around the house, the sun began to shine. Next, I got online to fiddle around on myspace for a bit. Suddenly I look up to see it hailing like crazy. As I type this blog only minutes later, the sun is shining again. That's your guarantee that Mother Nature is truly female (besides the maternal title of course)...we love to change our minds...:)

Keepin On

Okay, so this is always the strangest time of year to me...the period between Christmas and New Years. It just feels like time is in limbo for whatever reason. I haven't been ultra-productive this week, but I managed to get a few key things done. Ever since I was pregnant with my firstborn, I have adopted the attitude that if you get even one thing on your "to-do" list checked off, then it's been a good day. It took me a long time to truly apply it though. When my list became miles long, I had no choice but to be content with getting little things accomplished here and there or I would drive myself crazy with worry. So that is how I have approached this week. I was battling a bad sinus headache and major fatigue. I chalk it up to everything catching up with me all at once. You know when you are going all the time like the Energizer Bunny, eventually something has to give.

As lethargic as I have felt, the good news is that I have started to lose weight again. My weight had stalled over the last month and a half due to excessive snacking on holiday treats. It also doesn't help that I have a weakness for egg nog, the fattiest drink ever! Anyhow, I woke up this morning to the pleasant surprise of having lost 2 more pounds. I started out this weight-loss journey at...dare I say it...158 lbs. Yikes! That was the most I'd ever weighed in my life, except for when I was pregnant with my son (got up to 188 lbs), but I managed to lose all of it back then. I got up to 158 while I was back in school, working on my masters. Don't know why, but I just packed on the pounds. Anyway, I've been trying to lose the extra weight for a year, but it has been slow-going. It took me 8 months to lose just 5 lbs. However, once I went back to work this fall, the pounds just started coming off. My goal is to get down to somewhere between 130 - 135 lbs. I figure that is a good maintenance weight for me. Right now, I am at 144, so I have at least 10 more to lose, but I have faith that with time and effort it will happen. It feels good to finally be back to my pre-pregnancy weight though...it's been awhile. Now I would love to get down to my pre-marital weight...:) Dare I make it a New Year's resolution? I think I'll just say if at first I don't succeed, I will try, try again.

A Very Merry Christmas

I know, I know, I haven't been very good about updating these past months. So here goes the whole week in one breath. It was nutty at work right up until the last day before vacation. We had a Christmas singalong in the morning at the school, which the students loved. We got to rock out to some classic tunes and everyone threw caution to the wind in favor of having a jolly good time. They weren't too thrilled with me for cutting out early and leaving them with a sub, but I didn't wanna drive over the pass at night. I left them in good hands with some holiday treats to bribe them. So hopefully they enjoyed their afternoon activities and were good for my sub, I haven't been back to work to find out yet since we are on winter break now.

So anyhow, I got the kids rounded up and the car packed for the trip. I made the drive without hubby. He wasn't able to come, so I braved the conditions without him and was very proud of myself. I put chains on the car all by myself for the first time ever! It wasn't nearly as hard as I thought it would be. I went slow so that I could be sure nothing went wrong. The only problem I faced was when I tried to remove one of the chains, it temporarily got caught on something behind the wheel. It took several minutes to remove it. Once the kids and I got back on the road, all went fine...though the drive over took us 5 hours instead of the usual 3 1/2 due to the icy roads.

On Saturday morning, I went with my mom to run errands. It was a lot of fun actually to go just the two of us. She and I have had a rough go of it in recent months, so it felt really nice to check our egos at the door for a change. We truly enjoyed one another and that's what I had been missing. She even honored a strange birthday request I had made weeks earlier of her. She took me to pick out a receipe holder and promised to write down some of my childhood favorites. That really made my day that she had remembered. Later on, we made an interesting stop to pick up the food. My parents had been keeping our dinner a mystery, only mentioning that they were trying something new. We ended up going to Taco Del Mar to pick up the food, which ended up tasting pretty good. It was unusual to have it in place of our usual buffet of finger foods, but it worked out really well because everyone loved it.

My whole family came over to spend time together. I got to see my cousin's new baby, who is adorable in every sense of the word. She definitely got the best of both of her parents and is gonna be a stunner one day. We opened up presents, which is the best part for all of us. We take a slow and patient approach. Some families prefer the free-for-all, but my parents always insisted that we open each gift one at a time. The idea is so that we can enjoy watching each other's reaction and seeing what each person got. It prolongs the fun and teaches us all to practice patience. Anyhow, my mom finally got to the present I had been waiting for months to give her. She saw that I had given her a book called, Chicken Soup for the Working Mom's Soul. Her initial reaction was "oh thank you" and I could tell she wasn't sure why I'd give this particular book to her. She continued to seem confused when I insisted she read the short story that was bookmarked. My dad had accidentally found out about the book earlier in the day, so he was trying to help me to get my mom to read the story amid the many conversations taking place in the room (it was the last gift opened). She began to read the first few lines and a sudden realization set in. She looked up at me with the proudest expression I've ever seen on her face. She asked me in disbelief if this story was by me and I told her yes, while feverishly snapping photos to capture the moment. The whole idea had been my hubby's and he wanted to see her reaction. She got up and gave me a great big hug and told me how proud she was of me. That was the best present right there. Check out the play by play...

The night continued on as I visited with my family. I took my niece and another cousin to see "I Am Legend." It was incredibly scary, but a fantastic movie. The next day, we had planned to go sledding, but the weather turned really yucky. So instead, I packed up the kids and headed home a little early to beat the winter storm that was on its way. It was a a wonderful weekend with my family.

Then on Christmas Eve, hubby surprised me by calling to say he was getting off earlier than expected. I had thought I would spend another family get-together without him, thankfully we didn't have to. We drove down to Salem to spend the evening with the other side of my family. Everyone was eating when we arrived, so we dug right into the food and then opened presents. Another gread gift I was able to give was to my natural father. He had lent me a journal about 10+ years ago, but I had misplaced it. Well, about a week ago, I found it. Let's just say that my dad was VERY happy to get it back FINALLY. I also got to read aloud my short story and my family made me feel so good. They were really proud of me. One of the things I love about this annual family Christmas celebration is that we play a raucious game of Balderdash. Everyone gets really into it and it is an awesome bonding experience. Since we only get to do it once a year, most everyone plays. This year I even won, though my uncle was a very close second. I was sad to call it a night, but we had to get home.


On the way back, we drove around some neighborhoods so that the kids could look at the Christmas lights on all the houses. It's one of our family traditions. Then when we got home, the kids changed into their pajamas. They wrote a note to Santa, left out some cookies and milk, and I read aloud Twas the Night Before Christmas. The next morning, we watched the kids open all of their gifts. They loved all their presents and hubby made us a yummy breakfast. Since we were gonna celebrate this coming weekend with Kevin's family, we just spent a quiet day at home, doing very little while the kids played. All in all, it was a very merry holiday!

O'Tannenbaum

Hubby, the kids, and I went out this past weekend to Loch Lolly's Christmas Tree Farm. They are a tad on the spendy side, but you get a whole experience there. In addition to finding a great tree, we got to sip some hot chocolate, interact with the geese on their scenic pond, browse the gift shop, and take pictures with Santa himself. The kids had an absolute ball. They got to tell 'Ol St. Nick what they wanted in their stockings, so that was fun to watch. Later that night, we went over to our friends' home as usual for us. However, Rosie and I took the boys to see a Christmas concert later that night and had a wonderful time. After a couple of days, we finally got the tree up and decorated it. That finally got the house looking more festive. Even though I'd adorned the house about two weeks before, the tree really completes the look I think. It's just doesn't feel like Christmas until the tree is up and glowing with lights. Now I just have a few more things to get to finish my Christmas shopping. Can't wait to celebrate the holidays!

A Long Walk

So I as I approach another birthday, I am taking a good look at where I've been and how far I've come. I thought that my childhood was nutty and then I reached adolescence. I thought that teendom was a wild ride, that is, until I reached my roaring twenties. Just when I thought I'd grown out of the whole coming-of-age thing, I hit thirtysomething. Suffice it to say, I am finally comfortable in my own skin, but every decade seems to bring it's own set of highs and lows. It's been a long walk, to say the least. I loved the freedom that my twenties brought. It was when I had all the major milestones such as graduating from college, getting married, and having children (and not necessarily in that order).

However, I think that my thirties have been my favorite time overall, and I don't say that just because it is my present-day existence. I've had some intense struggles in the last few years, but have also made incredible strides on a personal level. I feel as though I truly know myself at long last. Also, I possess a confidence that was missing for years. That doesn't mean I can always put myself out there, but the fact that I am a teacher is an amazing feat for me. To be 'on' everyday, all day, is very taxing. The biggest milestones I've hit in my thirties have been graduating with my masters and becoming a teacher. These are goals that were always on the horizon, but never really thought I'd achieve them.

I started out in life with the hope of becoming a Japanese interpreter, an author, or a social worker in either child welfare or adoption. After being an exchange student and studying Japanese, I realized that I loved the culture and the language. Yet I didn't feel confident that I could make a career out of it. It was halfway through school that I suddenly felt that social services was my calling. After ten years in that field, I burned out on every level. That field can take such an emotional toll after awhile. Then I discovered that I was a pretty damn good teacher and thought, why not? So here I am today...teaching. It's not the craziest job I've ever had (that title belongs to my days working in residential treatment). However, teaching is right up there with all the good, the bad, and the ugly. Education has an underbelly, or rather a dark side, but the pure joy of imparting wisdom to children can't be beat.

In my personal life, I have to say that though I've made been on a rollercoaster of a relationships. Some have been heaven-sent, while others have been complete disasters. My hubby and kids make me laugh, smile, and cry like it's nobody's business...which is part of the package we call family. All in all, I think things have turned out alright for the first 34 years of my life. It's a bit crazy sometimes, but I have faith that everything happens for a reason. I know that sounds so cliche, but it's so true. Okay, enough reflection! Mirrors are overrated anyway...:)