I've been meaning to write this blog for awhile now... (That was a joke. You can giggle, roll your eyes, or continue reading now. I won't know which you choose)
Tomorrow I'm going to CC to be at my friend's wedding! I'm so excited! I will be spending time with my grandparents. What they lack in Internet and phone service is made up by the unbelievable amount of love and hilariousness. It's one of my favorite places in the world. I'll also be seeing my parents and two of my sisters and at least two of my nephews on Sunday. Now all I have to do is talk them into Chipotle! After time with friends and family I'm heading back home with a definite stop at Hobby Lobby.
Unfortunately, before my wonderful weekend begins, I have to pack. I hate packing. I'm terrible at it. If I don't start a week in advance, I will inevitably forget major items...like pajamas. (Yep, that happened. Yep, it was embarrassing) So now I lay here on my bed, knowing full well that I will be leaving in 16 hours, and I've barely started doing laundry.
So now the teacher in me is thinking about cause and effect.
Cause Effect
Friend's wedding Pack dressy outfit
Sister's music program Pack nice casual outfit
6-hour drives to & from Pack comfy casual outfit
Delay packing NO CLOTHES!!!!!
I see problems, as I'm sure you do as well, but it doesn't make me want to get up at all.
I'll let you know what happened, but I'm guessing I'll choose packing instead of Pinterest.
Eventually.
1.02.2013
What will you bring?
First things first, I would like to dedicate tonight's blogging to my lovely best friend for unknowingly inspiring this post.
I would also like to preface this post by saying, I'm NOT a "resolution" person. I can join the millions who made them in the past, only to fail (sometimes within hours) so this is NOT a new year resolution post. There are millions out there if that's what you're looking for, just not here.
One of my favorite quotes of the last day of 2012 came from (the above mentioned) Christy.
"2013-No expectations."
Sounds terrible right? No expectations. Zip. Nada. Zilch. My teacher mode kicks in and I immediately see my third graders running around the classroom, sword fighting with their pencils while trying to avoid the paper planes that are zooming around, encouraged by screams and shrieks of laughter. It scares the poo out of me.
Instead I suggested "Twenty-thirteen, What will you bring?" Much less of a downer.
We all have expectations, some high, others low. We hope for the best and prepare for the worst. We make plans, break plans, replan our plans... We have pictures in our minds about how we will spend our next New Year's Eve. And we're always hoping it will be better than this year- optimism at its finest.
I, like everyone else, have an idea of the "perfect" New Year's Eve (not telling, don't want to jinx it) I also have some expectations and some plain old fashioned (fairy tale, wishing well, shooting star, Disney sing-along) wishes. Here they are!
EXPECTATIONS:
Grow in my faith
K-State Fiesta Bowl Winners
Indianapolis Colts Superbowl Champs
Watch a friend get married- that's you, Noni!
Get a tax refund from the Feds, paying Kansas more
Pass my ESL endorsement classes with "A's"
Help Willoughby beat the world record score in "Cat fishing" on my iPad
Paying off a student loan- Goodbye & Good riddance Citibank!
Become a better coach
Discover my inspiring word, and applying it to my life
Hugging my friends next Christmas and NOT letting them move back across the world
Shampoo the carpets
More friends' for dinner and game nights
Mail at least 12 letters to Danu
WISHES:
A boyfriend who will put up with a crazy mess like me
Maid Marrian Hair!
Shooting the moon, and winning!
A mysterious financial donor who will spring for my trip down under
The cedar house renting for $450 a month
No more paperwork at school
There they are folks. I wrote them down for all the world to see. Maybe next year ill remember that I wrote this and I'll give an update. Until then enjoy 2013 and everything it brings!
I would also like to preface this post by saying, I'm NOT a "resolution" person. I can join the millions who made them in the past, only to fail (sometimes within hours) so this is NOT a new year resolution post. There are millions out there if that's what you're looking for, just not here.
One of my favorite quotes of the last day of 2012 came from (the above mentioned) Christy.
"2013-No expectations."
Sounds terrible right? No expectations. Zip. Nada. Zilch. My teacher mode kicks in and I immediately see my third graders running around the classroom, sword fighting with their pencils while trying to avoid the paper planes that are zooming around, encouraged by screams and shrieks of laughter. It scares the poo out of me.
Instead I suggested "Twenty-thirteen, What will you bring?" Much less of a downer.
We all have expectations, some high, others low. We hope for the best and prepare for the worst. We make plans, break plans, replan our plans... We have pictures in our minds about how we will spend our next New Year's Eve. And we're always hoping it will be better than this year- optimism at its finest.
I, like everyone else, have an idea of the "perfect" New Year's Eve (not telling, don't want to jinx it) I also have some expectations and some plain old fashioned (fairy tale, wishing well, shooting star, Disney sing-along) wishes. Here they are!
EXPECTATIONS:
Grow in my faith
K-State Fiesta Bowl Winners
Indianapolis Colts Superbowl Champs
Watch a friend get married- that's you, Noni!
Get a tax refund from the Feds, paying Kansas more
Pass my ESL endorsement classes with "A's"
Help Willoughby beat the world record score in "Cat fishing" on my iPad
Paying off a student loan- Goodbye & Good riddance Citibank!
Become a better coach
Discover my inspiring word, and applying it to my life
Hugging my friends next Christmas and NOT letting them move back across the world
Shampoo the carpets
More friends' for dinner and game nights
Mail at least 12 letters to Danu
WISHES:
A boyfriend who will put up with a crazy mess like me
Maid Marrian Hair!
Shooting the moon, and winning!
A mysterious financial donor who will spring for my trip down under
The cedar house renting for $450 a month
No more paperwork at school
There they are folks. I wrote them down for all the world to see. Maybe next year ill remember that I wrote this and I'll give an update. Until then enjoy 2013 and everything it brings!
12.22.2012
Christmas Vacation
I've already had a very enjoyable Christmas break, and it's only day two! I spent yesterday cleaning and running a few errands. Now, that may not seem like a relaxing day to most people, but I really had an enjoyable and productive day. It's amazing how much work you can get done with business when they're open because its a week day. A savings account was opened, bills were paid, some items were cancelled all because I had a Friday off. Beautiful!
Things did take a turn for the stressful at 7:30 last night. A group of Ulysses High School alums get together with a world famous magician to put on a fund raiser performance of "The Woman in Black." I was terrified. Bonnie and I slept together in the living room with the Christmas Lights still on. Now Bonnie's at work, and I'm still nervous to be home alone. There is a reason I don't watch scary anything...
Today I'm still chilling on the living room floor, but I'm planning Christmas Dinner tomorrow. My sister and I celebrate at our house on the eve of Christmas Eve. Yep. On Christmas Eve eve. I'll be making ham, yams, salad, rolls, green bean casserole, and a (hopefully) delicious cranberry orange sparkling juice. It's the whole sha-bang. Then we'll open our presents from each other. Unless I can convince her that we should open presents tonight!
Things did take a turn for the stressful at 7:30 last night. A group of Ulysses High School alums get together with a world famous magician to put on a fund raiser performance of "The Woman in Black." I was terrified. Bonnie and I slept together in the living room with the Christmas Lights still on. Now Bonnie's at work, and I'm still nervous to be home alone. There is a reason I don't watch scary anything...
Today I'm still chilling on the living room floor, but I'm planning Christmas Dinner tomorrow. My sister and I celebrate at our house on the eve of Christmas Eve. Yep. On Christmas Eve eve. I'll be making ham, yams, salad, rolls, green bean casserole, and a (hopefully) delicious cranberry orange sparkling juice. It's the whole sha-bang. Then we'll open our presents from each other. Unless I can convince her that we should open presents tonight!
12.15.2012
Today Bonnie and I are spending the second Saturday crafting with our friend Victoria. With a little Christmas spirit, some hot glue, lots of glitter, and after a long shopping trip at Hobby Lobby I have created a couple things I would like to share.
These are the wall ornaments I made. I bought some fun Christmas fabric and wooden fabric rings at Hobby Lobby. With just a bit of trimming and hot gluing they are complete! I can't wait to see how cute these will be hanging on the wall in our laundry area.
If you don't know already, I'm a fan of the Indianapolis Colts and my classroom is decorated in white and blue. This crayon wreath will fit in perfectly with my blue football tree and who doesn't love a few Jingle Bells?
I cannot claim these as my own work. Bonnie made thes for my classroom tree as well. Isn't she awesome?
These are not all the crafts tha have kept me busy, but the melted crayon tree looks like it stabbed somebody and my ornaments with the paint inside are definitely leaving a lot to be desired.
I hope you have a merry Christmas and a Wonderfully Happy New Year!!!
12.12.2012
I just started sponsoring a little fellow in Indonesia through Compassion International. I wrote my first letter last night and was able to include our Christmas card for a picture, but I'm looking for ideas of flat paper items to send him in the next letter. Of course stickers, bookmarks, and photos are the listed options but I want to send him some fun items. I tried my hand at origami tonight, so I think that will be fun shipping that to him, but I'm looking for more ideas.
Can you offer any other suggestion for flat paper items I can send to Danu?
Can you offer any other suggestion for flat paper items I can send to Danu?
12.11.2012
I'm back!
Just like the Terminator, the Backstreet Boys, and other horror film characters I know nothing about, I'm back.
The last post on this beauty of a blog was in June... of 2011. Oops.
I seriously contemplated just starting a new blog to see if anyone noticed, but that involves a new name and template and creativity that I don't have lots of now. Instead I'll just pick up where I left off and go from there.
A long time ago I moved to Ulysses. I had a crazy school year-lots of issues, lots of learning opportunities, lots of learning about the issues... Long story short, I survived!
Over a year later, we've created life-long friendships, moved up in our careers, found a church we love and that helps us grow, eaten more Mexican food than I'd ever thought possible, and actually gotten tired of Sonic. I never thought that last thing would happen.
Basically, we're happy! As I read my posts from during the moving process I see how much I was freakng out over nothing. But that's how it goes, right? We're worried about the next step, what's over the next hill or waiting for us around the corner. This is my inspiration verse for the week:
“Look, I am about to do something new. Now it begins to happen! Do you not recognize it? Yes, I will make a road in the desert and paths in the wilderness. (Isaiah 43:19 NET)
Now, I'm pretty much living in a desert, and its dry and flat out her. We have more cows than people, and without irrigation, we wouldn't even be able to feed them!
But, I'm not going to be worried about the valleys of life, or where this path leads. If He is creating it for me, then I'm taking it. Do we know what awaits us? Nope. Who knows what will happen at the end of the school year, or if Bonnie & I decide to "divorce?" He's got the path laid out and if there's anything Kansas can teach you, it's to follow the (yellow brick) road no matter what.
P.S. Thanks to my neighbor for allowing the use of her wi-fi and to my school district for the use of the iPad. Without both, this blog would still be waiting for me.
The last post on this beauty of a blog was in June... of 2011. Oops.
I seriously contemplated just starting a new blog to see if anyone noticed, but that involves a new name and template and creativity that I don't have lots of now. Instead I'll just pick up where I left off and go from there.
A long time ago I moved to Ulysses. I had a crazy school year-lots of issues, lots of learning opportunities, lots of learning about the issues... Long story short, I survived!
Over a year later, we've created life-long friendships, moved up in our careers, found a church we love and that helps us grow, eaten more Mexican food than I'd ever thought possible, and actually gotten tired of Sonic. I never thought that last thing would happen.
Basically, we're happy! As I read my posts from during the moving process I see how much I was freakng out over nothing. But that's how it goes, right? We're worried about the next step, what's over the next hill or waiting for us around the corner. This is my inspiration verse for the week:
“Look, I am about to do something new. Now it begins to happen! Do you not recognize it? Yes, I will make a road in the desert and paths in the wilderness. (Isaiah 43:19 NET)
Now, I'm pretty much living in a desert, and its dry and flat out her. We have more cows than people, and without irrigation, we wouldn't even be able to feed them!
But, I'm not going to be worried about the valleys of life, or where this path leads. If He is creating it for me, then I'm taking it. Do we know what awaits us? Nope. Who knows what will happen at the end of the school year, or if Bonnie & I decide to "divorce?" He's got the path laid out and if there's anything Kansas can teach you, it's to follow the (yellow brick) road no matter what.
P.S. Thanks to my neighbor for allowing the use of her wi-fi and to my school district for the use of the iPad. Without both, this blog would still be waiting for me.
6.03.2011
The Light At The End Of A Very Long Tunnel
It's probably a good thing only one person saw me last night. Bonnie is used to my break-downs and my constant tears don't really bother her too much anymore. And for that I love you Poopy-Head McGee!
I've had some stresses these past few months mostly involving my new job in Ulysses but it all came tumbling down (like Jack and Jill on that stinkin hill) last night. Fortunately I have loving family and friends who helped me see the positives. So instead of focusing on the bad, I'm looking for the bright sides of life and I'm going to share them with you.
1. I have a job. It's a good paying position doing something I enjoy. Teaching in a larger community with many teachers is going to help me grow and learn so much. As I'm typing this, the news station just said 15% of the US are unemployed. There are so many people out there who don't have any means to support themselves and their families. I'm blessed to be employed.
2. I have a home. Actually I'll have two different homes for the next month while I'm moving and Bonnie is working. There are millions of people living in dangerous low-income project housing, in their cars or on the streets. I'm blessed to have a roof over my head.
3. I have a family. There is love and care in my family. I know my parents have my back and my extended family are beyond supportive. Even though we don't always get along, I love them all more than I can say or show. And my sister is moving with me. It's nice to have a familiar face when stepping out of one's comfort zone. Thousands of orphans are lonely and unloved. They don't know what family means, much less looks like. I'm blessed to have a loving family.
4. I have friends. One of the the brightest rays of happiness that shown down on me last night was the fact I get to see my friends, even though it didn't look like it would be possible. I get to enjoy their company in Kansas City and have one last great weekend before going back west. Many people are struggling to survive without any support. I'm blessed to have such wonderful friends.
Thank you to everyone who showed me the light at the end of the tunnel, and helped me to see that I'm blessed because I'm not traveling through the tunnel alone.
I've had some stresses these past few months mostly involving my new job in Ulysses but it all came tumbling down (like Jack and Jill on that stinkin hill) last night. Fortunately I have loving family and friends who helped me see the positives. So instead of focusing on the bad, I'm looking for the bright sides of life and I'm going to share them with you.
1. I have a job. It's a good paying position doing something I enjoy. Teaching in a larger community with many teachers is going to help me grow and learn so much. As I'm typing this, the news station just said 15% of the US are unemployed. There are so many people out there who don't have any means to support themselves and their families. I'm blessed to be employed.
2. I have a home. Actually I'll have two different homes for the next month while I'm moving and Bonnie is working. There are millions of people living in dangerous low-income project housing, in their cars or on the streets. I'm blessed to have a roof over my head.
3. I have a family. There is love and care in my family. I know my parents have my back and my extended family are beyond supportive. Even though we don't always get along, I love them all more than I can say or show. And my sister is moving with me. It's nice to have a familiar face when stepping out of one's comfort zone. Thousands of orphans are lonely and unloved. They don't know what family means, much less looks like. I'm blessed to have a loving family.
4. I have friends. One of the the brightest rays of happiness that shown down on me last night was the fact I get to see my friends, even though it didn't look like it would be possible. I get to enjoy their company in Kansas City and have one last great weekend before going back west. Many people are struggling to survive without any support. I'm blessed to have such wonderful friends.
Thank you to everyone who showed me the light at the end of the tunnel, and helped me to see that I'm blessed because I'm not traveling through the tunnel alone.
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