I'm Gonna Be An Aunt!

Okay, so that's old news, but Jacob and Phila found out today what they are having. It's a girl! Thanks, y'all, for giving me a sweet niece to love and spoil! And, sorry Phila, she is definately getting the Wonder Woman onesie! If she's anything like Jacob, she'll be a chunky monkey. In a Wonder Woman onesie. Can we say Adorable?

Lessons Learned

I once thought that everything I need to know I learned in kindergarten. I learned to share, I learned to read, and I learned to CYA if you think you're about to get in trouble. Recently I've decided that I've learned some pretty valuable life lessons as an adult. Here's a brief run down on what they Don't teach you in kindergarten -
* Sometimes bad things happen to good people. Even if you CYA, you may still get it. The thing to remember is God won't put you through something He doesn't think you can handle.
* The Beatles were wrong - Love is not all you need. There are many more crucial aspects to a relationship. If even one is not there, no matter how much love you have for each other, it's not where you need to be. True story.
* You don't always have to share. Sure, it's good to share, but I do not share my food (unless I'm full), and you better not even think of touching my quacamole.
* When one door closes another one really does open.
* Friends matter. A lot. Don't take them for granted, and don't let them slip away when you start a new relationship.
* Pedicures are a gift from God.
* You get what you pay for/put in to it. Both sayings are amazingly true.

These lessons didn't come easy, but I love my life today, and it's because I learned them. If I forgot any, let me know!

House Update

Okay, just for those of you who are wondering how it's going... The house is about half painted! Yay! And you know me, every room is a different color. I've ordered the french doors that will go from the living room into my bedroom. Jacob and Dad get big points for ripping out a couple of awkward closets. Next projects are the two bedrooms, then I'll move onto the biggest one - the kitchen. I hate my kitchen, so that one should be a lot of fun. I'm sore from reaching high to paint, and I never knew I'd have so much fun ripping wallpaper border off the walls. It's a lot of work, but I'm loving it!

Isn't It Funny?

Isn't it funny how your life can become completely derailed? I've been thinking tonight about how my life has completely changed paths several times. It seems like everytime I seem to think I know where I'm headed, I get lost and walk through the wrong door. Maybe not the "wrong" door, but a door that leads to a room I certainly didn't expect to be in. And so I settle in the new room, get comfy in that room, get up for a drink of water and go through another door. I don't know if that happens to everyone, or if it's just me. I don't know if that will ever stop, or if it's just life. I do know some rooms I've been in were really cozy. I also know I'm ready to truly settle in a room for awhile. It feels like whatever path I'm on has a few loose pavers!

Prayers, Please!

Hey everyone. One of the sweetest and craziest ladies I know just found out she has cancer. She's going to need a lot of prayer and support right now. If you have a quick second, please use it wisely and ask God for a little blessing on her behalf. I know she appreciates it. And if anyone would like to join my Team Steph team for the Race For The Cure, just let me know! Thanks!

So Much For Holding Out

I give. I joined Facebook. I'm already a little aggrivated, though. I can't figure out how to see pictures on my computer before I download them. Ugh! Oh well. :P

My New Home

I finally did it. I bought a house here in Lockhart. It's great, and perfect for me. It has two bedrooms, one bath, and only some remodeling to do. I think the best part is that I know I can do this by myself. It really is great, did I say that already? If anyone wants to paint, let me know! ;) As soon as I get all moved in I'll post some pictures.

Whoo-hooligans!

Wow, what a day! After yet another l-o-o-o-n-g inservice meeting, followed by a quick lunch at my desk and a short couple of hours scrambling to get things finished, the year has finally begun! Carver had it's Meet the Teacher "night" this afternoon. I LOVE this day! It's so much fun seeing my students come back. Their little faces are always excited, and it's fun for us and the parents to watch them run and explore. This year I have some repeating students, some new students, and some that have moved on and into general ed. That is always especially exciting. They always come visit us, after they've visited their new classroom. I love to hear them talk about how now they're big kids! We also have a motor lab this year, that is conjoined with my room. We will have way to much fun in there! I like Meet the Teacher night so much that I joined Maddy, Beck, and Eric for theirs at Blanco Vista as well. Beck and Eric are in the same class, and our old friend Jude is across the hall. I wish all 4 of them the best year ever!

OMG!

My mom is on Facebook. No worries, I'm still holding out. She is on it all the time. It's crazy. She has become like all my crazy friends, and has a one track, facebook mind. :P

Goodbye, Summer.....

I woke up this morning singing. It wasn't joyous singing, but the opening song to Grease 2. "I gotta go back, back, back to school again..." (Be glad this is the internet, and you can't actually hear me!) For me, summer is officially over. Teachers started back today, while the lucky kiddos have 2 more weeks. I always look forward to the start of a new school year (such promise!), but always mourn the loss of long, bright, empty days. I try to pretend like it's not really over, filling any spare time with trips to water parks and theme parks. So, if anyone is up to a trip to Fiesta Texas or Schlitterbahn, give me a call! To my fellow teachers (congrats, Erin!) welcome back! This year will be the best one yet!

It's Not Easy Tryin' To Be Green, Either

I have a complaint against our wonderful baggers at the local HEB. Before anyone strikes me dead, I realize this is not against ALL baggers, and that most are quite brilliant at the job. Unfortunately, those are not the ones who bag my groceries most of the time.
I have been using reuseable bags since the first edition ones came out several years ago. I give them as gifts even. My question is why do we use them, if the bagger puts almost every single item in it's own plastic sack before placing it in the reusable bag? I understand meat, no complaints there. I can vauguely understand cleaners (although I believe the odds of them exploding in the four block drive back to the house pretty small). But a pie crust? How will the thin plastic sack protect it from the evils of the world? Vegetables, that are already in their own veggie plastic sack (which I reuse as trash sacks as I cook)? Cereal, for heavens sake? Seriously?

Prayers and Praises!

God is so great! A good friend of mine has a mother in law who is dire need of your prayers. She is first on the list for a new liver, and needs it yesterday. On Sunday I recieved an update that she was not doing well, and things were very worrisome. I prayed, my friends prayed, my family prayed. Multiply that times all their friends and family - it's safe to say there was a lot of prayer involved! Well, if you ever wonder if prayer works, think of her! I just got an update that she has taken a turn for the better, and the doctors still believe she has a very good chance. Yay! Please continue to pray for her, that a liver comes in quickly. Also, please pray for their family, they could use the support right now.

It's Not Easy Bein' Green

All I can say is, for shame, Lady Gaga, for shame. Mrs. Piggy's gonna kick your Kermie covered bootie.

Things That Make Me Happy

The ocean
Fresh cut grass
The big blue sky and fluffy white clouds
Those pictures of service men and women being reunited with their families
Zilker Park
Kids selling lemonade
And this picture...

:-P

This may surprise some of you, those who know my true pencil pushing personality, but I hate paperwork. My true joy of summer is that I get about one blissful month off from doing piles and piles of paperwork. Ha! So I thought! James, my wonderful lender, told me on the phone yesterday that he would send me "just a few" pages I needed to sign. It wouldn't be much, because I'd already done all this back in May for another house, but there are a couple of minor changes. Okay, no problem. 50 pages later, and three pens, since they all seem to go dry at the same time, I remember, I hate paperwork. I'm beginning to think I hate house buying. What am I getting myself into?

Sweet Nuggets!

I got the counter offer on the house today. It is now at the top of my budget, but I'm still well within the "I can afford this" range. So, I guess I'm buying a house! The closing date is August 21st, so hopefully I can be in the house by the first week of school!

Keep Your Fingers Crossed!

I just put in an offer on a great little house! Hopefully this one works out. The third time's the charm, right? I'll keep you posted.

Surprise!

My sometimes sweet little brother, along with his always darling wife, just announced a sweet surprise. It was the one we've all been waiting for - they're preggers! Congrats to Jacob and Phila! Nine months is a very long time for me to wait, but rest assured that will be one spoiled baby!

Why not a blog?

I've decided, as all of my other friends already have, to give this blogging thing a try. As things tend to go, by the ripe old age of 31, most of my friends are no longer in one concise and neat group. There are the high school friends, my lovely ladies from my previously led life, and a pretty nifty set of gals from work. There are also the few who have scattered to the winds, making getting together on a regular basis a bit difficult. So I shall blog as my new way of keeping up. Oh, and the next time anyone is in Lockhart, give me a call!