Seven Things Sunday

1.  On Friday we gave out uniforms for 325 girls and 60+ coaches.  We also sorted and bagged 200+ shirts for a give away that we did.  Needless to say, it was crazy.  This was all done in my living room.  At 10:00 P.M. because the uniform company got behind and weren't able to have the uniforms ready in the afternoon like they planned. 

2.  On Friday the kids and I crash cleaned the living room and kitchen.  (See #1) I wonder how long it will stay clean.  Related: do not look in my room or the laundry room because they are a mess.

3.  Opening Ceremonies was yesterday.  Most of our girls showed up and we are excited to get the season started tomorrow.

4.  I have no idea what we are going to do for Easter.  It is the last holiday that I have left in my year of firsts without my mom.  It is also hard because I have fond Easter memories from when I was a kid.  The Easter bunny always hid my eggs while I was asleep and then my dad would BBQ and we would spend the day outside. 

5.  I took two Benadryl last night for allergies and now I feel like I am in a fog.  Ugg.

6.  Meagan has the next competition in her Bible Drill today.  This drill, called the Association Drill, will determine if she goes on to the next level.  She did great two weeks ago so I have no doubt that she will do well today.

7.  We went to a housewarming party last night where they served the most wonderful brisket.  I need to get their recipe.  Yum!

Bonus! 8.  We are planning our next vacation and have lots of various ideas but I am so unsure of myself when planning.  What to do, what to do.  I hate the thought of spending so much money and then it flops.  I also need to realize that it needs to be fun for all of us, not just for one or two people.  Double ugg.

Random photo time: 

This is a bulletin board that I created at work this week.  It outlines the TLI grant that our district received.

Sunrise in Pensacola, FL in November

Mmm. . . no explanation needed right??

30 Things I Love

I borrowed this idea from D who I've recently met on Twitter.  Her blog, Still Playing School is full of fun ideas to do at home with little ones.  She is a fellow teacher too.  You can also read about how they are honoring their beautiful daughter Violet, who passed away due to a heart condition.

As D said, I'm posting this for fun mostly, and also to share information about me for the current CDP exchange going on.

So here goes - 30 Things I Love:

1.  Twitter and the community I'm slowly building.  When I first started Twitter it was a way to hear more from Bloggers that I love - Swistle, Linda at All & Sundry, Alexa at Flotsam, etc.  I'm nosy by nature (in a good way, I promise!) and it was a good way to hear about people's life stories.  However, as I've spent more time on Twitter I have met some really great people.  I now Tweet back and forth with people and have participated in some fun surprises for people.  If you are new to Twitter and it seems like no one talks to you, hang in there.  You will find your people.

2.  Cr*ppy D*y Gift Exchanges  (replace * with an a) 
I met Doing My Best through Swistle on Twitter.  (And I met E @ Still Playing School from her.  See, that's how you build your community right there.)  If you are not reading this blog already you need to do so right now!  Doing My Best is the most thoughtful, kind, caring person you will EVER meet on the internet.  She spreads joy and happiness on a daily basis. 

3.  Collecting refrigerator magnets from places I visit
4.  The freedom I have now that my kids are older.  I can walk out of the door by myself! to run errands. 
5.  Nike running shoes - even though I hate to run.  I love to wear them to work.
6.  My iPhone.  I am a sucker for accessing my email, Twitter, Facebook, games, music, etc. all the time.  (Too much perhaps.) 
7.  The great group of women that I work with.  I just started a new job this year and thank goodness for these women.
8.  My DVR - I don't think I know how to watch a TV show at its regular time anymore.  Also, I hate commercials. 
9.  Looking at pictures.  Once upon a time, I used to scrapbook.  I really need to get organized and get back to it.
10.  Reading.  I love Half Price Books.  I also go to the library in the summer.
11.  Fountain sodas from McDonalds with lots of ice.
12.  Salads with all kinds of veggies, cheese, croutons, and ranch dressing.  (I never said they were healthy salads!)
13.  Paying bills online
14.  Bright colors- especially in spring and summer.
15.  Beach towels to use as bath towels.  Or, really large bath sheets. 
16.  Dried fruit/trail mix/nuts/granola
17.  Good scissors and scotch tape
18.  Printing things in color
19.  Clean sheets on the bed
20.  The beach, the sound of the waves is so peaceful to me.
21.  The feeling of accomplishment after I exercise.  (I just don't ever do
it. :(
22.  The sense of accomplishment after I clean up/organize.  (I just don't do this enough either. : (
23.  Cooking, especially for others.
24.  Chocolate covered almonds
25.  Manicures and pedicures
26.  Making labels for things, either on the computer or with a label maker.
27.  My new job as a literacy coach
28.  Watching an exciting kickball game (Especially when we win!)
29.  Post-it notes
30.  Sending mail to people

**I have to add one more thing - 31.  Autosave on Blogger.  I just finished this post and went to look for one more link I wanted to create.  While doing that, I accidentally closed this window.  Thankfully, my WHOLE post was saved.  YAY!!

Seven Things Sunday

**Yay!! I'm actually posting for the second week in a row!  Let's see how long I can keep this up. 

1.  Today is the last day of Spring Break.  I accomplished nothing on my mental to-do list.  Ugh.

2.  I can't believe I'm actually saying this but while it was nice to sleep
late(r) every day, I'm ready for a routine again.

3.  I hate the last day of a break.  Ask any teacher and they will tell you about the Sunday blues.

4.  I know it is irrational but this day last year I got food poisoning.  I am afraid that I am going to get it again.  Needless to say, I am going NO WHERE near the place I ate at last year.

5.  I have all of the ideas for blog posts tumbling around in my brain.  Yay!

6.  I can't believe Easter is two weeks away.

7. Meagan competed in her Bible Drill competition last Sunday at the Church Level Drill and received a Superior Rating. She will compete at the next level in a couple of weeks. We are so proud of her.

And now, random pictures:

 Texas Public Schools Week was last week and one day was dress up as your future career.  I'm here with my future police officer/CSI.

This was taken on the beach in Pensacola, FL right after sunrise.  We were only there briefly and it was really cold but it was BEAUTIFUL.  I want to go back there someday and spend some time there.

Meagan at Garrett's 10th birthday party.  This is a local party place that you rent.  It is full of those huge inflatables that the kids jump on/run through obstacle courses, etc. 

Seven Things Sunday

**Disclaimer - I just made that title up.  I'm sorry if someone already uses it and I didn't link to you. : )

I've been trying to get back into regular posting on this blog and just keep forgetting.  I think I'm going to try this Seven Things Sunday and see if that helps!

So here goes:
1.  We are coaching 3!! kickball teams this year.  Why? Because we are insane.  Once games start we will have a game every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evening for one team or another from March 25 - June 7.  Insane I said.

2.  It is SPRING BREAK!!! Woo hoo!!  We might take a little trip to do some touristy stuff but I am just looking forward to sleeping late and getting my house cleaned up.  (After typing out #1 I realized that this may be the last time the house is cleaned until June.)

3.  I went to a work conference a few weeks ago and I came back SO MOTIVATED!  (This doesn't always happen so it is really exciting when it does!) I have really changed my outlook and schedule and I am so much happier for it. 

4.  My daughter had to get glasses recently.  Actually, she begged me to call and make an appointment for her to get her eyes checked.  Needless to say, she needs glasses and is wearing them nonstop.  This makes me feel like a terrible mother.  I should have had her eyes checked much sooner. 

5.  My mom's birthday was a couple of weeks ago and I didn't fall apart.  It helped that we had kickball stuff to do all day.  I was sad but it was nothing like how horrible my birthday was.

6.  Laundry sucks.  (Maybe it would suck less if I would actually try to keep up with it but that never happens in my house.)

7.  After trying to clean this weekend I have a question:  Where in the heck does all of the paper come from????  I swear that there are several trees worth of paper in my house right now.  Ugh!

And now some random pictures of us:

Jimmy and I at the kickball fields early one Saturday morning for registration.

Meagan, who is 14 and growing up more and more every day.

Garrett, with a stick on moustache courtesy of his sister who weirdly has a thing for moustches. (Terrible puntuation I know, and I don't even think moustaches is a word!)

Getting to Know Me Post 2

Have you ever had something happen to you that you thought was bad but it turned out to be for the best? 

I am a teacher and I had worked at the same school for 12 years when it was decided that I would split my time between two schools each day/week.  Working at a different size school and for different leaders has really been eye opening for me - even if I always feel torn between the two campuses.

What was one of the best parties you’ve ever been to?

I am not a big party person.  I would rather have a few friends over for dinner and just hang out and talk and play games.  We like board games, card games, dice, etc.

What was the last movie, TV show or book that made you cry or tear up?

I am not a big movie person and even though I love to read I haven't read many books lately.  However, I cry very, very easily so even a sappy commercial can make me tear up.  Blog posts, books, etc. I'm always crying!

What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done?

I lost both of my parents in a two year span.  My dad passed away on June 3, 2010 and my mom passed away May 31, 2012.  Dealing with everything that comes with that has been very difficult.  I was their only child so all arrangements fell to me.  I am so grateful for my husband and his family.  They were there for me during it all.

What was the last experience that made you a stronger person?

See above.  Also, getting married young, having a baby and putting myself through college all at the same time.

What did you do growing up that got you into trouble?

I was really a good kid.  I made decent grades, I never snuck out, I had a part time job.  I like to think that I didn't stress my parents out too much!

What do you miss most about being a kid?

Freedom from being in charge.  As much as my Type A personality dictates that I be in charge, I am tired of always being the one to make the decisions and worry if things are going to work out.

What is your first memory of being really excited?

What was the first thing you bought with your own money?

I remember paying half for lots of things when I was a kid.  My dad didn't believe in over spending on things so I would pay for half of the expensive Nikes I wanted or for half of a new pair of Guess! jeans.  (Now, I've totally dated myself! LOL)

As an adult, I remember being so proud when we paid off our first car and we received the title in the mail.

When was the last time you were nervous?

Last week I was driving home late and it was very foggy.  I don't mind driving at night but I HATE fog!

What is something you learned in the last week?

I went to a training about analyzing data and learned how to use our data collection system and how to put that data into Excel. 

What story does your family always tell about you?

My dad always told this story about taking me to Red Lobster when I was 5.  The waitress asked my dad what I wanted to eat and he told her to ask me,  I ordered broiled lobster with drawn butter.  The waitress turned to my dad and said something like, "What do you really want me to order for her?"  His response was, "You heard her, lobster with drawn butter."

At what age did you become an adult?

I don't think that I truly felt like an adult until I had to make decisions about my parents' health care and then later making funeral arrangements for them.

Getting to Know Me Post 1

What was your favorite food when you were a child?

Hands down, I would have to say seafood.  I love fish, shrimp, lobster, crab legs, almost everything really except oysters.

What’s the #1 most played song on your iPod?

I don't know.  I tend to listen to songs over and over when I like them. 

What is one of your favorite quotes?

When one must, one can.  This was my fortune one day after eating Chinese food.  It is so fitting for my life right now.

What’s your favorite indoor/outdoor activity?

When indoors I like to read, surf the internet/Pinterest/blogs/Twitter/Facebook, play games on the iPad/computer, craft, bake, cook, and watch TV.  (Not movies though.)  We also used to play a lot of games as a family but fell out of the habit.  We are trying to get back into the habit, especially now that both kids are older and we can play more games as a family.

When outdoors I like to swim (but don't get to very often), relax on the patio, play and coach kickball.  We have had teams of various ages over the last five years but our favorite age is 9-11 year olds. 

What chore do you absolutely hate doing?

Can I answer all of them?? They all drive me nuts because they are never ending.  I think I am done and I turn around and whatever I just cleaned is dirty again.  I think I hate laundry the most.  (Because my daughter has been given dish duty.)

What is your favorite form of exercise?

None??  I actually like to vary it when I do exercise.  I like going to a step areobics class because it is so fast paced that it is over before you know it.

What is your favorite time of day/day of the week/month of the year?

My favorite day of the week is Saturday because I still have one more day off.  During the week I currently like Wednesdays and Fridays.  Wednesdays because we can wear jeans and Fridays because everyone is usually in a good mood.  As for months of the year I like cooler months.  The heat here in South Texas is CRAZY! during the summer.

What’s your least favorite mode of transportation?

Flying. 

What is your favorite body part?

Of my body? I guess my brain. 

What sound do you love?

The waves on the ocean.  So peaceful.

My Dad's Eulogy

I wrote this and then read it at my Dad's funeral.  I felt that someone from our family should speak and I knew that my mom was going to be unable to do so.  My dad passed away on June 3, 2010.

First of all, my mom and I would like to offer our sincerest Thank you to all of you here today. We would also like to say thank you to all of the people who have helped make this last two weeks just a little easier.

I’ve been trying to figure out what I was going to say today and it’s really tough. How do you wrap up everything you want to say about your dad into one talk?

I know this - We are here to celebrate my father’s life. And my father’s life was about taking care of his family.

I know that, without a doubt, I am who I am today because of my father.

Those of you who knew my father well, knew he was a man of few words, unless he was in an entertaining mood. He always said that he didn’t talk much because he couldn’t get a word in edgewise between my mom and I. I have to admit that he’s probably right about that.

So when my dad talked, you listened. Here are a few things that I learned from listening to my dad:

The joy of reading - my mom used to say that a bomb could go off in our house and my dad and I would say, “ let me finish this chapter first”

How to order lobster - steamed with drawn butter

The value of money - My dad always believed in saving your money. One day, tired of my mom and I arguing about the cleanliness of my bedroom, he offered me $400 to clean my room. I agree of course and began cleaning my room. As I cleaned I envisioned all the ways I would spend that $400. Little did I realize that Dad had already deposited the money in my college savings account and it would be years before I was able to spend it.

That anything could be accomplished with hard work and dedication

That the sales were going to kill him - he always said this when we came back from shopping and told him “But Dad, everything was on sale”

That a college education was the key to success - when I was little his words were always “When you go to college” never “if you go to college”

That he loved his grandchildren with all of his heart

Meagan - you made him so proud with all of your accomplishments and

Garrett - he thought you were so smart and he couldn’t wait to hear the next funny thing that you were going to come up with.

I could go on forever up here but dad wouldn’t have wanted me to so I’ll end with this:

Dad,

Mom doesn’t want me to say goodbye so all I’m going to say is

See you later alligator.

And I know that up in heaven you are saying

After while crocodile

2012: The Year in Review

 

I've done this survey before in 2010 and 2008.  (I guess I only remember to do it in the even numbered years.) 

 

1. What did you do in 2012 that you’d never done before?

We took a road trip as a family to Florida.  We are also remodeling part of our house.  I also became a Literacy Coach for my district. 

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

My resolutions for 2010:

This year I am resolving to not procrastinate about specific things: classwork for my graduate classes, doing laundry, and cleaning the house.

I also want to get all of my pictures backed up into an organized system and finally print some of them!

 

Sadly, two years later none of those things happened.

 

I don't know about resolutions for this year - obviously I don't put a lot of stock in them.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

My niece and two of my friends.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Yes. My mother passed away in May very suddenly. 

5. What countries did you visit?

None.  But we did road trip across Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida.

6. What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012?

A clean, organized house. 

7. What dates from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

May 28th - June 4th all pertaining to my mom, December 25th

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

We celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary.  I passed the Texas exam to become a certified administrator.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Not having enough patience as a parent.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Again, just a broken heart.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

We bought a new Ford Expedition and it is fabulous! 

12. Where did most of your money go?

We paid off a lot of debt and are remodeling our master bedroom and creating a master bathroom.  We also took that road trip to Florida.

13. What did you get really excited about?

Going on our road trip (are you sensing a theme here? : )

14. What song will always remind you of 2012?

Home by Phil Phillips

15. Compared to this time last year, are you:
– happier or sadder? Ehh, it depends on the day
– thinner or fatter? fatter
– richer or poorer? richer

16. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Same as 2010 - taken care of myself - exercised, cooked instead of eating out

17. What do you wish you’d done less of?


eating out

18. How did you spend Christmas?

We went to church Christmas eve and then went out to eat at Chili's.  We then drove around a little bit and looked at Christmas lights.  Once we got home we opened presents.  Christmas day we went to my mother-in-law's house for lunch and spent the rest of the day with family there.

19. What was your favorite TV program?

Again, so many TV shows!! Bones, House, Grey’s Anatomy, The Big Bang Theory, 2 Broke Girls, Elementary.  Needless to say, we get our money's worth out of our DVR.

20. What were your favorite books of the year?

Did I read any this year?  Yes, I did but sadly I can't think of any.  Oh! I did start the 50 Shade of Grey trilogy at the insistence of my best friend and I am surprised to say that it actually has a story/plot! ; ) 

21. What was your favorite music from this year?

Live Forever by Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors; It's Time by Imagine Dragons 

I also really like The Lumineers and Mumford and Sons.

22. What were your favorite films of the year?

I'm not a big movie watcher but Jimmy gave me Pitch Perfect for Christmas and I LOVED it!!  My friend (the same one mentioned above) dragged me to The Lucky One and Magic Mike.  I liked The Lucky One and thought  Magic Mike was depressing.

23. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I turned 35. I had friends over for a craft day and I made recipes I found on Pinterest.  My mom brought me a cake and candles.  The funny part is that she bought a 3 and a 4.  She was convinced that I was turning 34!

24. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Umm . . . I don't know.

25. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2012?

I am into dresses all of a sudden.  I think this is because it is really hard to find pants that fit me because of my apple shape.  I am also trying to dress nicer because of my new position at work.  Some days I actually succeed.

26. What kept you sane?

My husband and my friends at work.  I can be having a REALLY horrible day and time with any of them usually turns it right around.

27. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012.

You never know when your time is up so live life to the fullest.  (Not original by any means but it certainly fits my year.)