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.)

 

What I did on my Thanksgiving Vacation

Jimmy, my mom, and I went to Dallas to see the Cowboys play against the Miami Dolphins.

Other than it being really cold, we had a GREAT time!

The stadium is beautiful and the Jumbotron screen is ENORMOUS!!

Sadly, the Dolphins lost in the last minute of the game.

The drive to and from Dallas wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be and we even did some Christmas shopping on the way home.

A Christmas Survey

I found this Chrismas survey on one of my new favorite blogs A Teeny Tiny Teacher.  I love to read about her adventures with her class.  I admire her enthusiasm!


1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?

Wrapping paper for most things - isn't that kids enjoy the most - ripping the paper off??

I do use some bags - but mostly ones I am recycling!

2. Real tree or artificial?

We have had an artificial tree for the last nine or ten years.  However, two strands of lights are refusing to work so I have no idea what we will do next year.  A new artificial tree seems so expensive until you compare it to what a real tree costs each year.

3. When do you put up the tree?

We usually put it up sometime during Thanksgiving weekend.  My husband assembles the tree and I fluff the branches and then the kids do all of the ornaments (except for a few old, breakable ones).

I am really excited to say that Jules, our 1 year old lab, has done REALLY well with leaving the tree alone.  (But now I have totally jinxed myself I know it!)

4. When do you take the tree down?

I don't have a set date but usually not too long after Christmas.  I like to have all the Christmas decorations down and put away before going back to school but we go back really early this year so I don't know!  

One year I actually took it down Christmas night after everyone else was asleep! 

5. Do you like eggnog?

NO! I am not an egg person at all!
6. Favorite gift received as a child?
Hmmm . . . I am not sure.  Cabbage patch dolls, a bike, and a walkman are all in the running.

7. Do you have a nativity scene?

Yes, my mom bought me one last year.

8. Hardest person to buy for?
My husband! 

9. Easiest person to buy for?

My kids.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?

Mail, even though I usually don't send them.  I would NEVER send them via e-mail!

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?

Probably clothes that don't fit.  Please don't try to flatter my by buying something smaller than my actual size.  Actually, please just don't buy me clothes at all!

12. Favorite Christmas movie?

I am not much of a movie watcher and I probably haven't seen most of the "classics."  I do love the Charlie Brown Christmas special and the old Rudolph, where the elf wants to be a dentist.  I also really like Prep and Landing which came out a few years ago.  And yes, I realize those are cartoons and not movies.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?

It just depends but usually in October/November.  I don't buy all year because people's wants/likes change.  I do try to tuck away money starting in September though that way I am ready to buy gifts when the time comes.

14. Ever recycled a present?

I'll never tell.  (But I'm nodding my head yes ok??)

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?

Of course I love Christmas dinner and all that comes with it but my absolute FAVORITE food at Christmas are gingerbread men made with my friend's recipie - to die for!  (Oh, and they are NOT iced.  They have red hot decorations!) 

16. Clear lights or colored lights on a tree?

Colored!  I hate the hospital/security look of clear lights. 

17. Favorite Christmas song?

Silent Night
There's A New Kid in Town - George Strait

18. Travel at Christmas or stay at home?

We stay home.  We are lucky to live in the same town as both my parents and my in-laws.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?
Yes, but I have to sing the song to remember them all!
20. Angel or star on top of the tree?

We have a star that I don't love but I'm not looking very hard for a replacement either! LOL


21. Open the presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?

As a kid, we always opened gifts from my parents on Christmas Eve and then Santa came over night and left his gifts under the tree unwrapped.  None of my friends did it this way so I knew my husband and I were meant for each other when I learned that his family did it the same way!

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year?

Ummm . . .  I hate that it isn't always cold for Christmas where I live in South Texas.

I also hate how I always felt that everyone else did Christmas better/had more fun/etc. but I have decided to let go of that and just do it the way *I* want to do it. 

23. Favorite ornament, theme, or color?

I love a tree with all types of ornaments on it.  I love the ornaments that my husband and I made as kids and the ones my kids bring home each year from school.  My tree is a real mix of everything. 

When I was growing up my friend had a cowboy tree that was adorable but it was like out of a showroom.  I like the more homey feel of our tree.
24. What do you want for Christmas?

An iPhone - but I will be waiting until February to get it.

Corpus Christi Science and History Museum

Yesterday I had to drop some work off at the college and buy my book for Summer Session II so the kids went with me.  I think it is important for them to see where I spend so much extra time right now.  They know I am going to college but I don't think either one of them realized what the college looked like or exactly how big it was. 

After we ran my errands I took the kids to the museum.  I think they really enjoyed it.  They especially liked looking at all of the rocks from around Texas.  They were creeped out by the boa constrictor skin and unimpressed by the replica ships of Christopher Columbus.  (So was I for the record.)

I hope that we can do a few more day trips to Corpus this summer to explore some more of what it has to offer!