Another Favorite...

(sorry Steven...this one isn't going to be about you, either...)

One of my favorite things to do at Christmas time is to look at all the lights.  Steven's family has a neat tradition of all going in cars on Christmas Eve, going around town to various places of wonder to stare at the many streams of lights, and singing Carols in the car in perfect harmony (and let me tell you...they are wonderful singers, too).

Anyway, for those of you who are not from Columbia, here is a local favorite...and a true wonder.  It is done by a local man, around a normal crab apple tree in this front yard.  He even has a website that tells all about it.  But, if you don't have time to read about the endless hours it takes (150), the reason he even does this (3-fold), or the different color schemes he does every year, you can view the tree right here:

Isn't it amazing?

Christmas Tags

Well, I originally started this a few days after Mena posted it on her blog, BUT I totally forgot all about it until yesterday, while I was driving to St. Louis.  Better late than never...(at least it's BEFORE Christmas Day!)

My Christmas life...

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping...with cute bows and curly ribbon!  Love it!

2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial...allergic to real ones.

3. When do you put up the tree? Day after Thanksgiving (but this year...it went up early...YEAH!)

4. When do you take the tree down? Sometime before school starts back in January 

5. Do you like eggnog? Nasty

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Don't remember...but definitely NOT a new bed ensemble.  I remember in my class, we went around telling everyone our favorite gift, and I made something "cool" up (really embarassin)

7. Hardest person to buy for? Dad...very picky man

8. Easiest person to buy for?  mom...she loves everything

9. Do you have a nativity scene? No, but I'd like to have one, but I'm picky about them.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail to family and close friends, and everyone  else gets emails if they're lucky.  Stamps are too expensive these days!  yikes...

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? anything that I can't use (aka...dust collectors)

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Christmas Vacation...haven't watched it this year yet, but I make the fam sit down every year and watch it.  Last year, it was just Steven who joined me...sad!

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Early, but not in June!  Sale racks are wonderful, and I HATE long lines and crazy drivers all dualing for a front row parking spot!  

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No, never regifted but I have been known to trash a couple

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Thanksgiving all over again!

16. Lights on the tree? LED lights this year...definitely NOT multicolored!

17. Favorite Christmas song? O Holy Night

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay home (of course...nothing is better than sleeping in your OWN bed waiting for Santa) 

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Of course...do I really have to, though?

20. Angel on the treetop or a star? Star, but currently I don't have one b/c I have yet to find the perfect one, and I can't settle for anything less than perfect! 

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Christmas morning? Christmas morning--if I start early, I can't stop.  It's better to just wait one more day...C'mon...we've waited a whole year, so why not wait just one more day? 

22. Favorite ornament theme or color? blue/silver--that is the current theme.  After I have kids, and a larger living space, I wanna family tree w/ all the trinkets and treasures kids love.

23. Favorite thing to eat for Christmas dinner? pumpkin roll, Sweet potatoes, dressing

24. What do you want for Christmas this year? Something I'm sure to get: filing cabinet & electronic toothbrush. Prolly won't get: to see the nieces, nephews, and their folks this season (ugh!)

25. Who do you want to do this tag?Anyone left who hasn't done this one???

THERE'S NO DAY LIKE A...

*SNOW DAY*

(or should I say ice day)

I just love having an extra day off.  However, I usually don't know school is cancelled until after I get out of the shower.  (ugh!)  So, here I sit at the computer...in my bathrobe, drinking some Dr. Pepper and eating M&M's.  I know, not a very healthy breakfast, but I am enjoying my morning off, nonetheless.  My hair is almost dry, and I'm sure it'll look terrible later on when I actually care about fixing it or making it look descent.

But for now, I'm just enjoying listening to Christmas music, playing a game of Spider Solitare, and not having to be rushed going to school.  The tedious scraping of the car windlshields, warming up my car 5 or 10 minutes early, and trying to avoid all the crazy drivers...they'll just have to wait until tomorrow (or, can I get another snow day?).

What about you...if you had a snow day & didn't have to go to work, what would you be doing instead?

My best friend forever

Meet Braun-y...my electric toothbrush!

He is about 13 years old (I think, if I remember correctly, my brother gave him to me when I was 16 years old).  He was so bright and new when I first got him, and now...so tattered and worn.  If you look closely, you can even see a large CRACK on the side.  I'm surprised he's lasted this long, actually!

But he's been ever so faithful in keeping my *pearly* whites so fresh 'n so clean!  Thank you, Bruan-y for your many years of service!!

What about you...have you ever tried an electric toothbrush?  I swear..if you ever try it, you'll LOVE it.  Your teeth are so nice...squeaky clean, really!  You'll never go back to the 'ol manual kind EVER!

This year, all I want for Christmas (no...not my two front teeth...already got 'em, thank you) is a new one.  Out with the old, and in with the....new?  Could it be in any of these beautifully wrapped presents underneath my Christmas tree this year?

Word!

I've been tagged...only one word is allowed in my answers.

Here goes nuttin'...

ONE THING...

1. Where is your cell phone?charging

2. Your significant other?asleep

3. Your hair? messy

4. Your mother? prostitute

5. Your father? studying

6. Your favorite thing? shoes

7. Your dream last night? odd

8. Your favorite drink? Pepper

9. Your dream/goal? house

10. The room you're in? guestroom

11. Your fear? poverty

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? mother

13. Where were you last night? shopping

14. What you're not? patient

15. Muffins/donuts? donuts

16. One of your wish list items? toothbrush

17. Where you grew up? KY

18. The last thing you did? Hardee's

19. What are you wearing? bathrobe

20. Your TV?small

21. Your pet? imaginary

22. Your computer? healthy

23. Your life? stressful

24. Your mood? wonderful

25. Missing someone? Marlena

26. Favorite pastime? sewing

27. Something you're not wearing? socks

28. Favorite Store? Wal-Mart

29. Your summer? humind

30. Your favorite color? sage

31. When is the last time you laughed? yesterday

32. Last time you cried? month :)

33. Who will re-post this? friends

FOUR THINGS

34. Four places I go over and over?home, school, restaraunt, crazy

35. Four people who e-mail me? Rachel (grad. instructor), Sherry (principal's secretary), Harold (obsessive parent), Sheila (forwards)

36. Four of my favorite foods? Mexican, salads, garlic bread, Hamburger

37. Four places I would like to be right now? in bed, Chile, Europe, hot tub

38. Four people I tag? Emily, Amber, Shelly (update, please!),Mary

Giving Thanks

I am thankful for time this season.

I have a few days of rest (ya right...reading, writing, lesson planning, test making, cooking, cleaning, etc).  But I am thankful for a few days off to spend with Steven at this time of year.  He's picked up a little bit of a cold the past few days, and he's been sleeping in the other room so I don't get sick.  He's a sweetie.  I catch sickness all too often, and it seems that everytime I have some down time to relax, I always get sick.  Ugh!  Hopefully this time will be different...so far, so good!

I am going to work really hard today to get caught up with school and work.  Then, tomorrow I am going to take the day off and go to my mom's house to enjoy the family and food.  Friday through Sunday, we are heading out to an undisclosed place.  I made reservations for us (and I'm not telling where....he he he) for a few nights "away from home" for us to be able to really relax and spend time together.  It seems that life is all work, and we haven't had real time for us lately.  Plus, we plan on making a trip to the temple to start it all off.  Man, I miss that place!  It will be nice to enjoy that, too.

Anyway, I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving this year...with lots of friends, family, and food to satisfy you!  Here's a pic of us to enjoy...with the Christmas Tree already up and decorated!  Yipee!!

My story

Once upon a time, there was a girl named Tamara.  Life lately had been really rough for her.  Too many things to get done, and not nearly enough time to do the things she wanted to do.  Sadly enough, these kinds of things always happen to her...poor Tamara!

One Friday, one very COLD Friday, was a day she'd never forget.  Work was especially fun (the students at school were a delight to teach...rare occasion).  Only one thing could have made the day better...coming home to her husband.  However, he chose to go on a campout with young men in our church.  Nevermind that it was supposed to be 15 degrees or maybe below that night...he anxiously went.

So, knowing that she would go home to a cold and empty house, Tamara called up a friend and went to dinner at a local restaraunt.  The time eventually came to go home, and she dreaded going home to an empty house...so cold, and so quiet.  It was Friday, and she had such a great day...what a way to end it all...all alone, she thought.

She went inside her apartment, turned on the light, and in the corner there stood a beautiful Christmas Tree!  The one she had picked out the year before, the one she drove all the way to St. Louis to pick up...the one her family would share many traditions for many years to come.  It was standing 7.5 feet tall, and put together so very nicely.

How did someone know that THIS was just what she needed?

Thanks, Steven.  It is beautiful, and I love you!

What a week!

On Monday of this week, I got a case of the sicky. I mean, I was sitting in school, daring my 7th hour class to even whisper...that's how bad it was! My head was about to explode (for real), I could barely walk I was so dizzy, and man did I just want to be at home. The first thought that came to mind (as I'm sure you are thinking right now)..."I'm pregnant"..."OH MY!"

So, I continued to lay my head on my desk the last 20 minutes of school, and the kids were great (for the first time ever). I managed to make it through to the bell, and then came 3 or 4 students to my class to get some extra help after school. Most of them left, after seeing me so sick, and came back another day. One, however, was a brave soul and decided to study and make up his quiz he'd missed the week before. I warned him of the consequences, but he said it didn't bother him.

All came crashing down about 5 minutes after that. My entire lunch came back to surprise me, and I had to go get the janitor to come and clean up the mess (he'd already been in to at least empty the trash). Still feeling not-so-great, I waiting until feeling a bit better to go home, afraid I would wreck or run off the road. As soon as I got home, I hopped in the bed, and curled up beside Steven. Little to our surprise, he woke up about 30 minutes later complaining of a terrible migrain and ended up vomiting as well within the hour. What a case of the sickies! And I know you're wondering (just as I was), "How did Steven get pregnant?" ha ha ha

Needless to say, we are better now (thank goodness), but our Monday got even worse. I managed to completely erase every important file I had on my computer that evening. It's quite a long story, but I did a system recovery (trying to fix a minor problem we had) and I've it maybe 10 times before, and nothing has ever gone wrong. This time, however, EVERYTHING went wrong! My files were completely erased (all except a few strange pictures of my lil sister Rebecca, and a few downloads that Steven had put on the computer within the past week...odd, huh?). But seriously...I was so pissed off at myself! I was sicker than sick, and now I was even SICKER! I went to bed feeling so stupid and so upset...all of my teaching files, student teaching files, college student files, and my Master's level files were G-O-N-E!

Moral of the story--back up your files! I always heard of people losing their info, but I consider myself pretty technology-saavy. I can fix most things, install/uninstall, and have managed to stay problem-free until recently. It's a scary thing to think that one touch of a button can erase MILLIONS of hours of hard work!

So you wanna know why I haven't blogged recently...there ya go! Did I ever get my files back? Yes, 3 people and $300 later...yes. Don't ask me about it, ok? But if you are every told that you completely erased everything and there is nothing you can do about it, I know a guy who might could help you. He's getting a good gift this Christmas!

...and just in case you're wondering, I'M NOT PREGGO!

American Views (very interesting)

This was a forward I got from a friend of mine. Although kinda lengthy, it is so true and well worth a few minutes of your time. Whether Letterman actually said this, I don't have a clue. But it still hits home w/ me. I think we could all use a bit of fresh air once in a while, and a few moments daily to think about all the freedoms we DO have and enjoy on a daily basis.

David Letterman, on President Bush.

(Surprising) It's the David we don't often see....

As most of you know I am not a President Bush fan, nor have I ever been, but this is not about Bush, it is about us, as Americans, and it seems to hit the mark. The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some Poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the source, right? The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the President. In essence 2/3 of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change. So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, 'What are we so unhappy about?'

A. Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 Days a week?

B. Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter?

C. Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job?

D. Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?

E. Maybe it is the ability to drive our cars and trucks from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state.

F. Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter?

G. I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough either.

H. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.

I. Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home.

J. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames thus saving you, your family, and your belongings.

K. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes, an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss.

L. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90% of teenagers own cell phones and computers.

M. How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world?

Maybe that is what has 67% of you folks unhappy.

Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S. , yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have, and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.

I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe from terror ist attacks? The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me?

Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show? Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn't take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad? Think about it......are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it because the 'Media' told you he was failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful behind every day.

Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go. They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ''general'' discharge, an "other than honorable'' discharge or, worst case scenario, a ''dishonorable" discharge after a few days in the brig.

So why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans?

Say what you want, but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds it leads and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells, and when c riticized, try to defend their actions by 'justifying' them in one way or another. Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book about how he didn't kill his wife, but if he did he would have done it this way......Insane!

Turn off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as a country. There is exponentially more good than bad. We are among the most blessed people on Earth and should thank God several times a day, or at least be thankful and appreciative.' 'With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, 'Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?'

-David Letterman

My Celebrity Matches...

Amber did this one, and I thought it was cute...here goes nuttin'...

http://www.myheritage.com/collage

Quirky me!

Here's the tag that I am FINALLY getting around to doing!

Thanks, Makamae, for sending this one my way!

Here are the rules of the game:

1. Link the Person who Tagged you

2. Mention rules on your blog

3. Tell about 6 quirks of yours

4. Tag 6 fellow bloggers to do the same

5. Leave a comment to let them know

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

1. My kitchen. Just ask Steven....! Everything from the food being cut a certain way, to the rolls in the oven being of a certain firmness when they are out of the oven, to the burgers being patted out & seasoned correctly...all the way to the condition of the tablecloth (must be even all around), & the way my fridge is arranged. Whenever Steven does the grocery shopping, I almost always have to rearrange everything. Quite time consuming, but it keeps me sleeping at night knowing that everything is just right!

2. Laundry. The detergent must be Era. The fabric softerner is either Snuggle or Downey (depending on whichever I used last time...I change it up every now & then). And the dryer sheets have to be bounty and either scented w/ fabreeze or something similar. I love the way fresh laundry smells, and enjoy smelling my clothes as I am putting them on in the morning. If it doesn't smell good when I put it on...I'll have to wear it later and put it in the laundry to be rewashed.

3. Shoes. Every shoe has a certain spot in my closet. If someone borrowed shoes when I was younger, I always knew (especially when Andrea borrowed them). They are all perfectly arranged. Steven just the other day was being nice and put away a pair of shoes I had sit beside the bed the day before...but he put them in the wrong place! ha ha ha. I just smiled and re-did it. At least I didn't yell!!!!

4. My closet. All my clothes hanging in my closet have to be a certain way. My clothes all face the left hand side of the closet. They are all color coordinated as well as sleeve-length coordinated. Steven is just getting the hang of it, but is finally getting better. My pants hang in the middle. To the left are the short sleeves and 3/4 length sleeves, and light sweaters to the back. To the right of my pants are short skirts, long skirts, and finally full dresses. If it has a button, I button the very top button only. Above the hanging items are my jeans, folded a certain way. I worked at Old Navy for a summer and had to fold a bizzillion jeans probably. It had to be done a certain way, and I liked the way they looked, so now my entire collection of jeans at the top of my closet (and Steven's, too)...has to be in a straight stack!

5. Smells. I HATE it when something doesn't have the right smell. Just the other day, at school, a kid came up to me and asked me to see his grade. Of course, I said...just a second, and I'll show you. In the meantime, two others came up, and among the 3 of them...someone did NOT put on their deoderant that morning. I couldn't take it anymore, and told them all 3 to go sit down. I asked first..."Did one of ya'll forget to put your D.O. on today, cuz I'm smellin' some horrific B.O." They all laughed, but I was being so serious! I love the way freshly cut grass smells. I love burning candles. I love candle warmers! I love Fabreeze. I adore Victoria's Secret lotions and spritzes! And I'm a stickler for cars...they have GOT to be up to par, or else I can't ride in them. I know, it's funny. But I'm really serious...if it smells bad, no thanks!

Yes, that is my FULL bag of Bath-n-Body Works scented oil thingys. I LOVE them, and couldn't live without them. But as you notice on the bag, I only buy them when they are $5 a piece (who in their right mind would pay $15 for ONE?) Sometimes I even get them for free...

6. Feet. I judge people. THERE, I said it! I look at feet first. For those of you that have seen Steven's toes, you are probably cracking up. He has a toenail that is dead, and another one growing underneath it. Ya...¡Qué asco! (that is short for disgusting)...I mean, that is just plain nasty! I always joke around w/ him and say that if he's not nice to me, I'm gonna yank it off. But for real...I sometimes get embarassed if we go out in public and he chooses to wear flip flops. What if someone sees his toes? Will they think we don't believe in good toe hygene? I have to say...my family has pretty feet. Except my mother (who has a few toenails missing, short n stubby 3rd toes, and extra large 4th toes) and Andrea (who inherited mom's toes, and we've nicknamed her 4th toes..."E.T. toes"). Mine always have to be painted and trimmed. I can't help it, ok?!?!?!?!

Best Man or Worst Man?

This is totally worth a good laugh...

Happy Hump Day! (don't you just LOVE Wednesdays?)

Death by Remote Control....huh?

Yep, that's correct...these things are some REAL killers, ya know?

A woman, just this week, died in Missouri from a remote control. For real...not kidding, either! You can read the article yourself right here (ARTICLE).

So, next time you are in front of the television, and you go to turn up the volume, or change the channel....you'd better think twice!

Food for thought...

We are in trouble...
The population of this country is 300 million.
160 million are retired.
That leaves 140 million to do the work.
There are 85 million in school.
Which leaves 55 million to do the work.
Of this there are 35 million employed by the federal government.
Leaving 15 million to do the work.
2.8 million are in the armed forces preoccupied

with killing Osama Bin-Laden.
Which leaves 12.2 million to do the work.
Take from that total the 10.8 million people

who work for state and city Governments.

That leaves 1.4 million to do the work.
At any given time there are 188,000 people in hospitals.
Leaving 1,212,000 to do the work.
Now, there are 1,211,998 people in prisons.
That leaves just two people to do the work.
You and me.
And there you are,
sitting on your butt,
at your computer,

reading blogs.
Nice.

Real nice.

DONE!

Just wanted to say that I am DONE with one of my classes...whew! So, for all of ya who I haven't had time to leave a witty comment on your blog, return your phone call, call just to catch up on good 'ol times other than when I'm in the car driving home from school, take you up on your blog-tag (I'll get to it one day, Makamae), or stop by for a visit.....

Don't expect it to happen anytime soon! There are NO BREAKS here, folks. Today was our final presentations, and next week starts a new class, and we have to keep on trucking. This week I have to read 3 articles and send her my notes, and write a 5-page cultural autobiography on a person or an event that has changed me or defined my life.

Any suggestions on topics would be welcomed and appreciated.

My ABCs

A. Attached or Single? Attached for eternity!
B. Best Friend? Steven (I woulda put Mena down, too...but considering I'm not her BFF, I don't wanna make her feel bad or anything)
C. Cake or Pie? Cake (Carrot)
D. Day of choice? any day that I can relax (these days....ain't got a favorite day...ok, so there are "work days" where my kiddos work on a project...those are my FAV)
E. Essential Item? radio. I love singing along to all types of music.
F. Favorite Color? Sage Green (and yellow)
G. Gummy Bears or Worms? Worms (the sour two-toned ones)
H. Hometown? Clarksville, TN
I. Indulgence? Olive Garden or Crab Legs from Red Lobster (and all-you-can-eat garlic rolls)
J. January or July? Neither...cool fall weather for me, babe
K. Kids? Notta Yetta...so stop askin! (and when exactly do I have time to bathe, clothe, feed, or change diapers?
L. Life is not complete without? Dr. Pepper, Gardetto's, & back/feet rubs
M. Marriage Date? August 3, 2007
N. Number of brothers & sisters? 1 brother, 3 sisters...I'm the oldest girl :)
O. Oranges or Apples? Fiji Apples
P. Phobias? Cats and nasty feet (esp. those with toenails who are falling off...Steven)
Q. Quotes? "Oooooh, Uhhhh, Who am I a talkin to....Donna, Libby, Sheila, Greg, Tamber?....Well, ooooh uhhhhh....I can't hear ye, but I know you're there....but I can't HEAR ye, so I'm a gonna hang up now." OR... "Sheila....I'll walk ye to the door!" OR... "I'm goin to work now" ....famous quotes from my favorite grandparents...gotta love 'em. What will I laugh about when Sheila or Carroll get that old? ha ha ha...
R. Reasons to Smile? surprises when I come home from work, a good massage, my students doing better than they thought imaginable on a project, my nephew telling me I'm STILL his favorite Aunt, but as soon as I say hello, he asks "Where's Uncle Steve"...cracks me up EVERY TIME!
S. Season of Choice? Fall
T. Tag some Peeps! Shelly (to make you smile), Jess (to update your bloggy), Bev-erly (just for fun)
U. Unknown Fact about Me? I cry about once a week, and even MORE when it's "the time" of the month
V. Vegetable? Cucumber (esp in salads, like Outback does)
W. Worst Habits? Looking for hairs in the bathroom, having to fold my clothes ONE WAY, biting my nails, and needing for my desk to be tidy (stapler always on the right, tape on the left, drawers organized)...or else!
X. X-Ray or Ultrasound? Hmmmmmm....pass
Y. Your Favorite Food? pickles and crab legs (but never together
Z. Zodiac Sign? Pisces

Our lil Family

Create your own family sticker graphic at pYzam.com

When Dioramas were cool...

You never know just how good life is until it gets pretty bad.

Lately, I have been losing sleep due to the many demands of living such a busy life. Teaching this year is better than I ever could have imagined. My students are great, and I love seeing them smile and believe in themselves. However, there is a new teacher that moved in next door...and let's just say it's like she came from the 60's and is still there! For crying out loud...she doesn't own a computer, she's just now figuring out how to email, she is scared of Jr. High kids (why she accepted the job, I'll never understand), she cried on my shoulder for at least 30 minutes a day, her students are running around buck wild most days, and you ought to SEE the stretchy pants that this woman tries to pull off!

And I think that I have it bad? Oh no...I have only just begun.

Anyway, to try to be more positive...I'll save the rest of the details for a later post. To be honest, she has 12 years teaching experience. I really don't see how she would've survived student teaching, but whatever. It is my job to help her. OH MY GOSH! What an overwhelming job it has been, to say the least. For three hours I sat in her room today, and all I can say that we got accomplished was next week's lesson plans! And to think that these kids are coming to MY classroom next year...YIKES! What a challenge it will be.

Challenge? You think that I'm kidding here? Let me tell you one that I am currently working on, and feel free to give me suggestions here. Ok, really...I'm begging! So, I get to talking about projects the other day with her, and she says she wants my input on a "fabulous" project that she wants to do: a diorama (did I spell that correctly?). She wants the kids to come in with old magazines, glue, and an old shoebox and they are gonna make dioramas. FOR REAL!!! It was all I could do not to crack up laughing and just walk out the door. Are you kidding me? I can't even remember the last time I made one of those. Kids these days know more about technology than I do, and she wants them to make dioramas to put around the room? Pu-leez!

So what did I do...I just smiled and quickly changed the subject. And you wonder why I'm worried...is it me, or is she really oblivious to our changes in society!

¡New Shoes!

I finally feel Like a Natural Woman again!

(don't look at my white cankles in the above pic, please)

I broke down (at last...) and bought me some brand new Nike's. I can't remember the last time I purchased new tennis shoes. I usually go w/ New Balance, but this time I just couldn't do it...Nike just felt right. It's like I had a SWOOSH in my head or something...

"JUST DO IT"

JUST DO IT

So, I DID! And I haven't regretted it since. My feet are feelin good, and I'm a happy woman. When you are as stressed as I've been lately...something NEW needs to be worn. And I'm a feet woman...gotta have me some comfy and cool shoes.

What do ya think?

School Pictures

Don't you just ADORE these? And now that we get them free of charge, I find myself STILL not liking these things. Ugh....

This is as much of an update as I can give you this week.

Pray for me....school, school, and MORE SCHOOL.

I'm very overwhelmed, but hanging in there.

My Mosaic

Here was a post that a few of my friends did. It looked like fun, so I gave it a try. It is sort of like a previous post I did, only I love the mosaic approach even more! So here goes nothing....again, I had to pick my answers from one page of findings, so some of them are pretty strange.

Enjoy! Thanks Lauren & Beverly for the idea!

Questions:

1. What is your first name? Tamara
2. What is your favorite food? Pickles
3. What school did you go to? Bowling Green High School
4. What is your favorite color? sage green
5. Who is your celebrity crush? Michael Phelps (ha ha ha)
6. Favorite drink? Dr. Pepper
7. Dream vacation? Europe
8. Favorite dessert? Milk Shake (DQ, banana cream pie)
9. What you want to be when you grow up? mom
10. What do you love most in life? Steven (Conan O'Brain & ET?????? Don't know how they are related to "steven"...but I swear I didn't cheat!
11. One word to describe you. Picky (gotta read this)
12. Your nickname. T-girl (pandas are my favorite...how appropriate!)

If you are interested in creating your own....click HERE.

Our Christmas Stockings

Ok, so I totally forgot to post the results of our lil country-ish stockings I made. And thanks to Ollie for pointing out my lack of promtness and memory, here we go:

1. Steve's Stocking:

I really like Steven's choice b/c it has both traditional Christmas colors, and is a nice plaid. Red and Green...I'm sure he couldn't decide. He originally liked the large blue plaid, but when he stumbled upon this one...it was a no-brainer! It was a really good choice. The fold-over part at the top turned out great and for some reason the fuzzy inside is EXTRA fuzzy, and it adds a nice lil touch!

2. Tamara's Stocking:

I orinally bought the sage green plaid for myself. Many of you know that is my favorite color (thanks to the Google picture post), but it really turned out terrible!!! (See below....) This print is different from the rest, but there is a story behind it. Every year, Steven's family goes to St. Charles (near St. Louis) sometime near Christmas. His parents give us $5 to spend and about an hour 1/2 to spend it. We all meet up in the end and share our purchases. This past year was my first year to participate, and I found this GREAT lil antique store and purchased several items (I had a brought a bit of extra cash as well). One thing I picked up was this fabric along w/ the blue polka dotted one (the one many of you all guessed was for the L.F. child). Anyway, I didn't know what I'd do with it, but a part of my sentimental side popped out that day and thought I would be able to sew a quilt or something and have a piece of our first Christmas together included. Well, it may not have been sew into a quilt, but it will hang every year on my mantle (or bookcase) and I'll remember our first Chritmas (don't cry on me).

3. The least favorite child's Stocking:

Ok, so this is the one. I know many of you can't tell, but I made several boo-boos on this one. Every time I looked at it, I thought....uuughhhhh!!!!! There was no way in heck I could keep this one forever. Plus, it wasn't very fuzzy and cozy like the others. It was strange. AND...the green wasn't the same green as the others. It was the BLACK sheep. Normally, I'd embrace the uniqueness, but this time it was different and I just couldn't handle it. So, Steven & I decided to wait and we'd use it if we HAD to. However, my little sister Becka was over one day and fell in love with it and begged to keep it. SO, it will now adorn her shelf somewhere at BYU-Idaho. I'm glad I gave it away, cuz I was starting to wonder if I had jynxed myself into having SIX children! Ain't no way I need that many...Becka, enjoy!!!!!

So, there you go....I can't believe that several of you ended up guessing Steven's stocking correctly after several hints. However, nobody guessed either mine or the LF Child's Stocking. You are all losers and came in dead last. Consolation prize? We'll see about that!

CPR or UPS?

Has anyone else heard that CPR has officially changed their acronym? I have.

That time of year...Again.

School has begun!

Monday was my first day back as a teacher (going to meetings) and kids showed up on Thursday. Tomorrow will be my first day as a graduate student.

How am I feeling about all of this?

- Nervous that I won't get good grades

- Anxiety b/c I am teaching higher level of Spanish students this year

- Motivated to be the best I can be

- Stressed and fatigued b/c of the shoes I am trying to fill this year

- Upset b/c I am gaining weight and don't have enough energy in me, nor the time in the day to do much about it

- Sad b/c I am not getting to post blogs as often as I did, and b/c I am not able to check everyone else's as often as I used to

- Worried that my home will become a disaster b/c I can't be the perfect cleaner every Saturday morning that I am used to doing

- Frustrated b/c I am relying on Steven to do lots more than what he really would like, and it makes me cranky when he can't read my mind

- Starved for attention for ME b/c I feel like I lost my best friend at work, and I'm too shy to raise my hand and say anything in class when I'm the student or to make new friends

- Guilty b/c I can't pay a lot of attention to Steven in the evenings when he deserves it after coming home from a long day of work himself

- Craving for support, hugs, kisses, high-fives, or whatever I can get...Daily

- Thank goodness I'm not preggo, too!

Phelps - Fevers & Fantasies

Has anyone else found themselves completely wrapped up in Michael Phelps? It's really ridiculous how often his name is mentioned. But rarely do I hear his name anymore. The topic is his "size 14 feet", his short legs, broad shoulders, fish-like hands, long torso, perfect form, and his amazing flip turns off the wall. He is now being compared to fish, dolphins, and some one even say a race horse.

He truly is a fabulous swimmer and someone to keep your eye on (even at 10/11pm). Tonite, he is going for another gold (number 7 at the Beijing Olympics) and to tie Mark Spitz as the only man in history to take home 7 gold medals in one single Olympic Games. Tomorrow, he will go for his final Gold; to make history. WOW! He is something else all right!

So, just how does that Phelps hottie (awkward) young 'un diet so well? Here's an interesting clip of what his daily routine is like...it just might surprise you. It was shown during the Olympic Games two nights ago (Wed), and for those of us who can't get enough (and may even dream of Phelps)...watch & enjoy:

Summer Olympics 2008

How many of ya'll tuned in to the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics this year? If you missed it, you missed something very extraordinary! I always love watching the opening ceremonies....not quite so much the "lighting of the torch" but all the performances and the opportunities countries have to show the entire world something about their culture.

Beijing really did a top-notch performance! From watching the Today Show early in the mornings, to hearing bits and pieces all over the news, I really have learned some interesting things about China. For starters, never give anyone a present wrapped in white paper--it has an evil/bad connotation to it. Also, it is proper etiquette to leave small portions on your food after being served in someones home. If you clean your plate (as we think is best), the host/hostess will think they did not serve you enough food, and you might leave their home still hungry.

Here are a few pictures from the Opening Ceremonies. (All were borrowed from the Boston Globe's homepage)

1. Thousands of martial arts instructors got together and did a fabulous routine. I don't think they had much time to practice, but they mimicked the pattern of flowing water. It was amazing to see them in such elaborate formations!

2. Several times, they had women hanging from the ceiling (kind of trapeze-artist like) and they did various Chinese-art things. It was so pretty and very graceful.

3. This was by far my favorite...people walking around this globe...and the globe would change. Sometimes it seemed like a ball of fire, other times it resembled the Earth. People would walk/run across the globe (made possible after 8 months of training), and it was a great symbol of unity...just what the Olympic Games try to portray.

4. The oh-so-recognizable Olympic rings. They looked as good as ever.5. Don't ask me how they did this act, but these were dancers (kinda like the martial arts guys) who had on white clothing that were sometimes glow-in-the darkish, yet other times, they were plain colors. They stood in the ring formation, then quickly would switch and get in one huge circle then fan out toward the audience...some of them glowing and others not. Strange, but oh so cool!6. The fireworks. I watched a clip about the painter of the Olympic sky on the Today Show, before the Ceremonies were broadcast on television Friday evening. This guy was amazing...he starting blowing things up and making/setting off fireworks since he was seven. It is an art form, and his canvas was seen by the entire world. One word: spectacular! Fireworks were coming out of the dome, going off in the sky, going off in corners at a timed speed....I mean....W-O-W!This last picture shows the Athletic Dome really well. Whoever designed it was very modern in taste, but it is something to WOW about, again. Above it, you can see the side of the Indoor Water Arena as well. It is really cool looking, too.

The Olympics just keep getting better and better. I hear the Chinese only spent $400 million dollars on this program...was it worth it? Hmmmmm. I DID enjoy it.