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!!

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.

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.)