A few things make me sad.
One thing is the amount of reading I do.
Now, I'm a reading teacher, so I read ALL the time. But, several of the books I read are read each and every year. That's fine. But, I miss reading for me...for enjoyment. This really hit me, just now, when I was updating my reading list.
Before I went back to teaching, I read 30-50 books each year. Do you know how many I have on my list now?
Go ahead.
Count them.
That's right.
Ten.
That's it. TEN! So sad. I will easily add another 4 novels, but let's face it. They are novels for 10 year olds. I will read: "A Tiger Rising," "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," "The Little House on the Prairie," and "The Tale of Despereaux."
Those are all GREAT BOOKS...for 10 year olds.
Another thing that makes me sad is knowing that, as much as I love to write (blog) and work on my live cooking, the time is limited. I won't get to do either of these things as much as I want.
Maybe....I have another senior this year. My house is getting *bigger* as years go by. I have other drivers. I have kids who don't need ME...they just need my funding.
That's good AND bad.
Monday, July 09, 2018
Monday, July 02, 2018
SUMMER
I love summer.
I love spending time with my kids and my hubby. And, in my old age, I am even OK with the hot temps. (Of course, we have only hit 100* less than a handful of times this year. Talk to me in August when we're almost 75 days in triple digits and I'm having to stand outside for 2 hours on the blacktop in the middle of hundreds of cars teaching AND reteaching parents how to pick up their kids from school all the time assuring them that "YES, MA'AM, I know how hot it it outside, but I don't think you do as you are scolding me from your air-conditioned vehicle that you've been in the whole time" while the heat index outside is 113*, but on the blacktop, it's probably more like 135* and I've had 7 bottles of water and still don't have to pee...)
BUT, I digress.....
No, my thoughts today go toward the compliance bundle. Anyone in education knows what I'm talking about. It's a series of videos, reading packets, power points AND YES.....QUIZZES that train me (us) EVERY. SINGLE. YEAR. how to identify bullying, suicide red flags, sexual harassment, issues with blood borne pathogens, how to not say the wrong thing to the wrong person during a conference, how to teach to 57 different learning styles (all at once), how to recognize autism, SPED, speech, dyslexia, dysgraphia, child abuse, (but God-forbid I find out if they are on free or reduced lunch) and do I know what each and every one of the 52,875 acronyms in education means? (I mean...really....you can't tell me if a kid doesn't eat at home? BUT, I have every possible address, sibling info, and even grandma's phone number....
Again...I digress.
Normally, we get bundle info at the end of school and it opens June 1. (Just know...this takes us HOURS.) This year, my powers that be (actually THEIR powers that be) have decided to change how we do things. SO...the window opened yesterday. A friend of mine is already having issues. Instead of being done and able to go into the summer knowing this looms BEHIND me...it is now looming BEFORE me.
SO, it begins. The middle of the summer, I have to carve out about 20 hours to get this done. I do it every year. I am not complaining about the doing...but WHY in the name of MIKE do we have to change?! Holy COW! Education does not have a chance to perfect jack-squat because by the time we see results, there has already been a change.
I know it seems like belly-aching. *You have all summer off! What else are you going to do with that time?* Yeah....about that Ms. I-know-NOTHING-about-what-teachers-do...This is the one AND ONLY time in a calendar year that my house will be somewhat presentable, I get a full 8 hours sleep most nights, my kids DON'T eat out 4-6 times a week, AND we all wear clean undies without having to dig around for that holey pair that we save *for such a time as this.*
I am not asking for kudos or props. Y'all, I generally dislike the mushy-gushy *TEACHER! We love you! You are valued. You are loved.* Blah blah blah. I KNOW that! You need me in the classroom because 1.) it's a God-call...He's working on your angel and I get to help 2.) You're not willing to do it so...there's that and 3.) You GOTTA understand we do it for the love of kids...nothing else because really? Dirty undies? Fast-food all the time? Lack of sleep? Lack of funds? Working 50-80 hours a week for what WE make? BAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
***DISCLAIMER*** Just so you know, I'm not bashing my school in any way. This whole series of events is typical in education. The intensity varies from district to district, as well as type of school. I'm not mad at anyone. It is what it is, and I do my job and I LOVE my job...but I don't think *normal* mankind gets it.
Then there's the compliance bundle....*sigh*.
I love spending time with my kids and my hubby. And, in my old age, I am even OK with the hot temps. (Of course, we have only hit 100* less than a handful of times this year. Talk to me in August when we're almost 75 days in triple digits and I'm having to stand outside for 2 hours on the blacktop in the middle of hundreds of cars teaching AND reteaching parents how to pick up their kids from school all the time assuring them that "YES, MA'AM, I know how hot it it outside, but I don't think you do as you are scolding me from your air-conditioned vehicle that you've been in the whole time" while the heat index outside is 113*, but on the blacktop, it's probably more like 135* and I've had 7 bottles of water and still don't have to pee...)
BUT, I digress.....
No, my thoughts today go toward the compliance bundle. Anyone in education knows what I'm talking about. It's a series of videos, reading packets, power points AND YES.....QUIZZES that train me (us) EVERY. SINGLE. YEAR. how to identify bullying, suicide red flags, sexual harassment, issues with blood borne pathogens, how to not say the wrong thing to the wrong person during a conference, how to teach to 57 different learning styles (all at once), how to recognize autism, SPED, speech, dyslexia, dysgraphia, child abuse, (but God-forbid I find out if they are on free or reduced lunch) and do I know what each and every one of the 52,875 acronyms in education means? (I mean...really....you can't tell me if a kid doesn't eat at home? BUT, I have every possible address, sibling info, and even grandma's phone number....
Again...I digress.
Normally, we get bundle info at the end of school and it opens June 1. (Just know...this takes us HOURS.) This year, my powers that be (actually THEIR powers that be) have decided to change how we do things. SO...the window opened yesterday. A friend of mine is already having issues. Instead of being done and able to go into the summer knowing this looms BEHIND me...it is now looming BEFORE me.
SO, it begins. The middle of the summer, I have to carve out about 20 hours to get this done. I do it every year. I am not complaining about the doing...but WHY in the name of MIKE do we have to change?! Holy COW! Education does not have a chance to perfect jack-squat because by the time we see results, there has already been a change.
I know it seems like belly-aching. *You have all summer off! What else are you going to do with that time?* Yeah....about that Ms. I-know-NOTHING-about-what-teachers-do...This is the one AND ONLY time in a calendar year that my house will be somewhat presentable, I get a full 8 hours sleep most nights, my kids DON'T eat out 4-6 times a week, AND we all wear clean undies without having to dig around for that holey pair that we save *for such a time as this.*
I am not asking for kudos or props. Y'all, I generally dislike the mushy-gushy *TEACHER! We love you! You are valued. You are loved.* Blah blah blah. I KNOW that! You need me in the classroom because 1.) it's a God-call...He's working on your angel and I get to help 2.) You're not willing to do it so...there's that and 3.) You GOTTA understand we do it for the love of kids...nothing else because really? Dirty undies? Fast-food all the time? Lack of sleep? Lack of funds? Working 50-80 hours a week for what WE make? BAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
***DISCLAIMER*** Just so you know, I'm not bashing my school in any way. This whole series of events is typical in education. The intensity varies from district to district, as well as type of school. I'm not mad at anyone. It is what it is, and I do my job and I LOVE my job...but I don't think *normal* mankind gets it.
Then there's the compliance bundle....*sigh*.
Sunday, July 01, 2018
WRITING
All of the sudden, I'm in a writing mood!
AND, a recording mood. REALLY? What's up with that?
I've been doing my own little crazy version of a cooking show. LOL!!! I've been on *Live Video* via Facebook. It's quite fun. I hope I can stick with it.
I seem to think that I have the time, as Hogg 1 is in college, Hogg 2 is a senior, Hogg 3 is learning to drive, Hogg 4 will need quite a bit of attention to get through Algebra, Pa Hogg is gone 18 days a month, I still teach 4th grade AND I'm area coordinator for JBQ.
I GOT THIS!
If you would like to see my videos, please go to Feedin' the Hoggs!
Saturday, April 01, 2017
*TAP*TAP*TAP*
- Is anyone out there?
- I'm in the mood to write.
- I miss my blog.
- I miss my readers.
- Has anyone missed me?
- It has been over a year since I blogged. It makes me sad. Truly.
- I enjoyed it. I.....just got busy.
- I have friends who still blog. I don't keep up.
- I enjoyed it. I.....just got busy.
- I have a lot I need to say....want to say.
- I still teach 4th grade.
- I'm still married.
- ....to the same dude.
- We renewed our vows this past summer. (More on that, later.)
- I have a kid graduating. (More on that, later.)
- I want to write a book.
- I've been encouraged to write a book.
- I don't know how to start.
- I don't know what to say.
- I don't know if anyone would read it.
- It's 268 days until Christmas.
Sunday, October 11, 2015
Five Minutes
I did this a coon's age ago.....kind of interesting.
I'm going to type out everything that comes into my mind in the next 5 minutes. I will only elaborate if my thought process goes further.
Ready?
Get set.
GO!
Right now I am listening to Shane and Shane "I Need You."
Such an appropriate song for me right now.
I have had a cruddy last couple of weeks.
JBQ.
UGH! Still upset about all that mess.
I just need adults to play by the rules and act nicely.
It is still stinkin' hot outside.
It's the middle of October.
It won't be long before I need to....
First I need to clear the coat rack.
I just donated a lot of coats, but I need to sort through them.
I need to move the *overflow* to my son's closet.
I share a closet with my hubby.
It's tiny.
Who does that? I need more space.
It wouldn't be nice to just move him to my son's closet.
Pretty soon, space won't be so tight.
I'm sad.
My oldest is getting college letters daily.
He just ordered his class ring.
He still asks some crazy questions.
I'm glad he is still home.
Still so much to do with him.
I love the fall flowers on my table.
And the sparkly corns.
I cut up a watermelon for small group.
It's GROSS!
Its all mealy.
We only have 5 extra kiddos tonight.
Again.
Phone call, people.
My youngest is feeling the sadness of not being included.
I love the wind.
A hot wind is better than nothing.
Laundry needs to be done.
Always.
Tomorrow is our day off for The Great State Fair of Texas.
Thank goodness!
I need the day.
I have a lot of clutter to go through.
I am always distracted from things that I need to do.
My dog is wet.
And under the table.
*sigh*
He is always wet.
He is always under the table.
I need to replace the sliders on the chair legs.
They are hairy.
From the wet dog under the table.
I need to do it before Thanksgiving.
I need to take my personal day for my Thanksgiving shopping.
And my Christmas candy making.
I should put that into the computer this weekend.
Get it marked off my
THAT'S ALL! Peace out!
Friday, July 31, 2015
Time change
No, I'm not talking about Daylight Saving Time. I'm talking about starting school.
It's nice to be back into my routine, but HOLY SMOKES! I get busy right around NOW. It will be increasingly difficult to get on here and post. I certainly will have tons of stuff to say, but not a lot of time to say it.
Time....well, time causes me problems. There's just not enough of it. Well....that's not entirely true. I'm simply a poor manager of time.
BUT, that is not why I'm on here today.
You know, my last post was celebratory. I was excited because that wasn't the full 3 weeks. We went camping. Not "tent and pee behind a bush" camping, but stay in a cabin, kind of like church camp, camping.
Meals were provided. Thankfully, we weren't served SOS, but we had things like: spaghetti and meat sauce, ham, brisket, beans, and potatoes, breakfast tacos, biscuits and gravy.
I will tell you....I ate. I didn't go crazy eating all this stuff that is *unclean.* But, I didn't go hungry, either. I will say that I was a bit nervous, because I wasn't drinking my water, eating clean, doing my exercises....(well, I have trouble doing my exercises, anyway.) I worried that my 8.5 pounds would be undone by 4 days.
I am happy to say that I only gained 2 back. Further, after 1 day of getting back on track, one of those pounds was gone.
It's going to be hard to do this during school. I'm not saying it will be impossible. We just wolf down food SO quickly, and often get stress munchies and tired munchies.
BUT, I WILL TRY!
It's nice to be back into my routine, but HOLY SMOKES! I get busy right around NOW. It will be increasingly difficult to get on here and post. I certainly will have tons of stuff to say, but not a lot of time to say it.
Time....well, time causes me problems. There's just not enough of it. Well....that's not entirely true. I'm simply a poor manager of time.
BUT, that is not why I'm on here today.
You know, my last post was celebratory. I was excited because that wasn't the full 3 weeks. We went camping. Not "tent and pee behind a bush" camping, but stay in a cabin, kind of like church camp, camping.
Meals were provided. Thankfully, we weren't served SOS, but we had things like: spaghetti and meat sauce, ham, brisket, beans, and potatoes, breakfast tacos, biscuits and gravy.
I will tell you....I ate. I didn't go crazy eating all this stuff that is *unclean.* But, I didn't go hungry, either. I will say that I was a bit nervous, because I wasn't drinking my water, eating clean, doing my exercises....(well, I have trouble doing my exercises, anyway.) I worried that my 8.5 pounds would be undone by 4 days.
I am happy to say that I only gained 2 back. Further, after 1 day of getting back on track, one of those pounds was gone.
It's going to be hard to do this during school. I'm not saying it will be impossible. We just wolf down food SO quickly, and often get stress munchies and tired munchies.
BUT, I WILL TRY!
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
DRUMROLL PLEASE!
OK.....after... 2 weeks (well....2 weeks yesterday) and questionable straying, I went ahead and weighed and measured.
So, the good news is that my efforts were not completely sabotaged. I am learning what my friend, Catey says.....follow the 80/20 rule. So, I CAN have my treats. I just can't make a glutton of myself. (Being a glutton is within my skill set, not gonna lie.)
Anyway, these numbers are TOTAL....including my 3 day fix. If I figure that into the date, then I started this July 4....so three weeks from this coming Saturday.
Before I go on, I am now, officially excited about this clean eating thing. I can DO this.....I will continue to learn what is good, bad, and too much. Will I drink sodas again? I don't know. I had some horchata last night....I LOVE horchata.....I often CRAVE horchata.....and it was too sweet. YEA!!! If it's too sweet, I don't want it. I had pizza last night. I felt bloated. It tasted good, but the feeling afterward....well, maybe it was just enough to make me rethink stuff like that. I don't think the pizza, in and of itself, was too terribly bad, but the crust? I need a whole wheat, or something besides white flour dough.
OK....you've been patient enough. Besides, I need to roll. I am having a dinner party tonight. I need to start cooking. It will be with great happiness, too!
Since July 4, I have lost 6.5 inches and 8.5 pounds.
What the WHAT?????
YEP!!!!
SO, this morning, my steel cut oats with half a banana and 2 teaspoons almond butter taste a LOT better.
Clean eating, y'all. It's where it's at!
So, the good news is that my efforts were not completely sabotaged. I am learning what my friend, Catey says.....follow the 80/20 rule. So, I CAN have my treats. I just can't make a glutton of myself. (Being a glutton is within my skill set, not gonna lie.)
Anyway, these numbers are TOTAL....including my 3 day fix. If I figure that into the date, then I started this July 4....so three weeks from this coming Saturday.
Before I go on, I am now, officially excited about this clean eating thing. I can DO this.....I will continue to learn what is good, bad, and too much. Will I drink sodas again? I don't know. I had some horchata last night....I LOVE horchata.....I often CRAVE horchata.....and it was too sweet. YEA!!! If it's too sweet, I don't want it. I had pizza last night. I felt bloated. It tasted good, but the feeling afterward....well, maybe it was just enough to make me rethink stuff like that. I don't think the pizza, in and of itself, was too terribly bad, but the crust? I need a whole wheat, or something besides white flour dough.
OK....you've been patient enough. Besides, I need to roll. I am having a dinner party tonight. I need to start cooking. It will be with great happiness, too!
Since July 4, I have lost 6.5 inches and 8.5 pounds.
What the WHAT?????
YEP!!!!
SO, this morning, my steel cut oats with half a banana and 2 teaspoons almond butter taste a LOT better.
Clean eating, y'all. It's where it's at!
Sunday, July 19, 2015
DIFFICULTIES
It has been a difficult week for me on the whole eating front.
I have been strong for a long time, but the last few days, I've been cooking for my boys.
Remember last time? All that food I have to get rid of? Yeah....that.
I have been allowing myself small portions of stuff. And, have been feeling guilty.
I've gotta get over that.
I have until Wednesday. Wednesday evening we are having a dinner party. I'm cooking Mexican food. I LOVE me some Mexican food. I will try to do my best.....choose corn tortillas, or lettuce to wrap. The beef will be lean. I will also have a chicken option.
But, y'all. I'm making my queso, salsa, and guacamole. Y'ALL!!!! It's the perfect trio in any house. I'm not gonna lie. I make some pretty delish salsa.
I know.....I should have a salad.
But, then.......
THEN, I'm making strawberry shortcake, peach shortcake, and an Oreo ice cream cake.
I think I'll weigh Wednesday morning. :-)
I have been strong for a long time, but the last few days, I've been cooking for my boys.
Remember last time? All that food I have to get rid of? Yeah....that.
I have been allowing myself small portions of stuff. And, have been feeling guilty.
I've gotta get over that.
I have until Wednesday. Wednesday evening we are having a dinner party. I'm cooking Mexican food. I LOVE me some Mexican food. I will try to do my best.....choose corn tortillas, or lettuce to wrap. The beef will be lean. I will also have a chicken option.
But, y'all. I'm making my queso, salsa, and guacamole. Y'ALL!!!! It's the perfect trio in any house. I'm not gonna lie. I make some pretty delish salsa.
I know.....I should have a salad.
But, then.......
THEN, I'm making strawberry shortcake, peach shortcake, and an Oreo ice cream cake.
I think I'll weigh Wednesday morning. :-)
Friday, July 17, 2015
CHEATER CHEATER PUMPKIN EATER
So.....I cheated last night.
NO......IT WASN'T A CHEAT!!
This is a lifestyle change. There are going to be days that I don't eat perfectly. That is OK.
DO YOU HEAR ME, SELF? THAT IS OK!!!!
I have done so much better in these last 2 weeks. I haven't had a soda, nor a CFAST this entire time. I HAVE had tea, but it is green tea with stevia. THAT, in and of itself, is a huge difference.
I also don't snack on crap all day. I've had 1 chip. ONE. I instinctually ate it when I fixed the boys' lunches.
Yep....I still love chips. But, my point is....I didn't eat a quarter of a bag, or 3 handfuls, or even 2.
I'm learning.
One of the treats I'm allowed is 6 chocolate covered almonds. Well, I've had 6.....only once. Six is good. (Any Jerry Seinfeld fans out there?)
I have had none of the treats, save the aforementioned almonds and 1 chip.
Until.....last night.
Now, last night was a conscious decision. There were a few reasons (read "excuses") that allowed me to justify this. Please...no judgment. This is difficult enough. I'm still trying to learn the whole *within reason*. I have understood the logistics of it forever. I am just now getting into the practice of it.
So, why did I do it? Well, I started this and just bought food for myself. We still have a lot of *unclean* foods. Clean eating is not necessarily more expensive. However, when you have to replace a lot of your pantry, it could be. I am not going to waste food.
I also chose to do it, because my kids are suffering. YES, I KNOW they need to be eating like I now am. However, I'm still getting rid of food, remember? This whole *get dinner on the table* then eat my rabbit food with my little yellow cup of starch is for the birds. I'm tired of doing all this. And, when I just worry about myself, my kids eat even worse! How do I know? The 4 empty cereal boxes in the trash testify to that.......I just bought the cereal Monday.
Finally, it was a treat to myself. I have been working my tushie off in the boys' rooms. We have 2 boys who have outgrown (in weight and length) their loft beds. So, we've been tearing down and building beds. Do you know how NASTY floors and baseboards get, especially behind furniture, ESPECIALLY when dogs like to stay there?
PLENTY.
NASTY!
SO......I've been working on the rooms. I spent about 5 hours in said hairy bedroom, yesterday.
I wanted bacon.
THERE!!! I SAID IT!!!!
I WANTED THE BACON!!!!
......and the biscuit......but who's keeping score?
NO......IT WASN'T A CHEAT!!
This is a lifestyle change. There are going to be days that I don't eat perfectly. That is OK.
DO YOU HEAR ME, SELF? THAT IS OK!!!!
I have done so much better in these last 2 weeks. I haven't had a soda, nor a CFAST this entire time. I HAVE had tea, but it is green tea with stevia. THAT, in and of itself, is a huge difference.
I also don't snack on crap all day. I've had 1 chip. ONE. I instinctually ate it when I fixed the boys' lunches.
Yep....I still love chips. But, my point is....I didn't eat a quarter of a bag, or 3 handfuls, or even 2.
I'm learning.
One of the treats I'm allowed is 6 chocolate covered almonds. Well, I've had 6.....only once. Six is good. (Any Jerry Seinfeld fans out there?)
I have had none of the treats, save the aforementioned almonds and 1 chip.
Until.....last night.
Now, last night was a conscious decision. There were a few reasons (read "excuses") that allowed me to justify this. Please...no judgment. This is difficult enough. I'm still trying to learn the whole *within reason*. I have understood the logistics of it forever. I am just now getting into the practice of it.
So, why did I do it? Well, I started this and just bought food for myself. We still have a lot of *unclean* foods. Clean eating is not necessarily more expensive. However, when you have to replace a lot of your pantry, it could be. I am not going to waste food.
I also chose to do it, because my kids are suffering. YES, I KNOW they need to be eating like I now am. However, I'm still getting rid of food, remember? This whole *get dinner on the table* then eat my rabbit food with my little yellow cup of starch is for the birds. I'm tired of doing all this. And, when I just worry about myself, my kids eat even worse! How do I know? The 4 empty cereal boxes in the trash testify to that.......I just bought the cereal Monday.
Finally, it was a treat to myself. I have been working my tushie off in the boys' rooms. We have 2 boys who have outgrown (in weight and length) their loft beds. So, we've been tearing down and building beds. Do you know how NASTY floors and baseboards get, especially behind furniture, ESPECIALLY when dogs like to stay there?
PLENTY.
NASTY!
SO......I've been working on the rooms. I spent about 5 hours in said hairy bedroom, yesterday.
I wanted bacon.
THERE!!! I SAID IT!!!!
I WANTED THE BACON!!!!
......and the biscuit......but who's keeping score?
Monday, July 13, 2015
WHATABURGER
So, yeah....they won't allow guns (open carry, anyway.)
I'm OK with it, honestly.
First, you can still conceal and carry. I have my CHL, so I'm good.
Second, Whataburger has a LOT of kids that go....like after school. In fact, we have one right across the street from a high school. There are always a LOT of teens who go there. Teens make stupid choices. They try to show off. Honestly, I don't know that I would like a gun showing when there are 2 teen boys squaring off over a girl.
Extreme? Yes....I know, but dude, really? I'm a mom. That's my job.
It's not like on January 1st everyone is going to be able to take their gun out everywhere. You have to have a conceal and carry license in order to open carry. Me personally, I'd rather conceal.
"Ooooo.....look at me.....I have a gun."
"Yeah.....just let me eat my burger, OK?"
Finally, Whataburger management has brought down that statement. Some of us are defending businesses for their rights to NOT do things that are against their beliefs: i.e. bake a cake for a gay couple's wedding. We can't scream that business owners have the right (when we believe in it) but then bash another business for doing the same thing if it's agains what we believe.
I do not, though, have a problem with people taking their business elsewhere when they don't agree. THAT IS WHAT THE FREE MARKET IS ALL ABOUT, PEOPLE.
I am Christian. I have never denied the fact. I will never deny the fact. However, we have to remember that when we pray for rain, there will be mud.
I am sad that we cannot pray to MY God, in public schools. But, right now anyway, some others can't pray to Allah, Buddha, or the Flying Spaghetti Monster. For that, I am glad. I don't want my kids around it. They will be exposed soon enough to things which do not adhere to my personal beliefs.
Oh, yeah....I did have a burger yesterday. Not a WB burger, but a burger. It was a bit of a cheat. I had the patty, mustard, lettuce, tomato, a dollop of guacamole and the bun. The bun was the really bad part. Then there was the cookie. It was luscious.
I have no regrets as my 21 day challenge has treats built in, like chocolate covered almonds, potato chips, milk.....I haven't done ANY of that. It's all good.
Y'all have a great day.
I'm OK with it, honestly.
First, you can still conceal and carry. I have my CHL, so I'm good.
Second, Whataburger has a LOT of kids that go....like after school. In fact, we have one right across the street from a high school. There are always a LOT of teens who go there. Teens make stupid choices. They try to show off. Honestly, I don't know that I would like a gun showing when there are 2 teen boys squaring off over a girl.
Extreme? Yes....I know, but dude, really? I'm a mom. That's my job.
It's not like on January 1st everyone is going to be able to take their gun out everywhere. You have to have a conceal and carry license in order to open carry. Me personally, I'd rather conceal.
"Ooooo.....look at me.....I have a gun."
"Yeah.....just let me eat my burger, OK?"
Finally, Whataburger management has brought down that statement. Some of us are defending businesses for their rights to NOT do things that are against their beliefs: i.e. bake a cake for a gay couple's wedding. We can't scream that business owners have the right (when we believe in it) but then bash another business for doing the same thing if it's agains what we believe.
I do not, though, have a problem with people taking their business elsewhere when they don't agree. THAT IS WHAT THE FREE MARKET IS ALL ABOUT, PEOPLE.
I am Christian. I have never denied the fact. I will never deny the fact. However, we have to remember that when we pray for rain, there will be mud.
I am sad that we cannot pray to MY God, in public schools. But, right now anyway, some others can't pray to Allah, Buddha, or the Flying Spaghetti Monster. For that, I am glad. I don't want my kids around it. They will be exposed soon enough to things which do not adhere to my personal beliefs.
Oh, yeah....I did have a burger yesterday. Not a WB burger, but a burger. It was a bit of a cheat. I had the patty, mustard, lettuce, tomato, a dollop of guacamole and the bun. The bun was the really bad part. Then there was the cookie. It was luscious.
I have no regrets as my 21 day challenge has treats built in, like chocolate covered almonds, potato chips, milk.....I haven't done ANY of that. It's all good.
Y'all have a great day.
Friday, July 10, 2015
No clever title
Still hanging. It's easier, now that I can eat meat and a bit more fat. My new favorite is sun butter.
But, let me tell you....the Shakeology shakes are SO good. I have them after my workout. My favorite way is with frozen banana and almond butter. YUMM-O-LISCIOUS!
OK....so I still haven't weighed in. Remember? I told you I wouldn't. I'll weigh the morning of the 23rd. It'll be a few days early, but my family and I are going on a vacation. That MAY hurt me. I won't have my cups, nor my DVD. I will be doing things like horseback riding and hiking. I will also practice what I have learned and control my portions. However, I will not promise to not have a CFAST or DP.
I'm hoping for another 5 pounds with a total of 10 total. Not too bad for 3 weeks. I hope that I will be in enough habit to make some good choices with both eating and working out. I will say that a good diet is a teacher's downfall. I mean, we get a 30 minute lunch. That doesn't mean we have 30 minutes.
Anyway, there's snacking first think in the morning, snacking during conference....the occasional chocolate emergency.....I just have to make smarter choices during it.
Alright, that's all today. I have so much to do. I'm trying not to feel like my summer is over. It's hard when I'm to this point. It's sad, but happy, too. I love teaching. I love my students. I love my team. I also love being home. Not, the laundry so much, but the kitchen stuff, and just puttering around the house. And, this time of year? Well, we are very close to Christmas. The Lobby has stuff out. I've been burning my Fall Harvest candles. Yeah....new school supplies and Christmas stuff at The Lobby....2 of my favorite things EVER!
So...I'll be back in a day, or 2.
But, let me tell you....the Shakeology shakes are SO good. I have them after my workout. My favorite way is with frozen banana and almond butter. YUMM-O-LISCIOUS!
OK....so I still haven't weighed in. Remember? I told you I wouldn't. I'll weigh the morning of the 23rd. It'll be a few days early, but my family and I are going on a vacation. That MAY hurt me. I won't have my cups, nor my DVD. I will be doing things like horseback riding and hiking. I will also practice what I have learned and control my portions. However, I will not promise to not have a CFAST or DP.
I'm hoping for another 5 pounds with a total of 10 total. Not too bad for 3 weeks. I hope that I will be in enough habit to make some good choices with both eating and working out. I will say that a good diet is a teacher's downfall. I mean, we get a 30 minute lunch. That doesn't mean we have 30 minutes.
Anyway, there's snacking first think in the morning, snacking during conference....the occasional chocolate emergency.....I just have to make smarter choices during it.
Alright, that's all today. I have so much to do. I'm trying not to feel like my summer is over. It's hard when I'm to this point. It's sad, but happy, too. I love teaching. I love my students. I love my team. I also love being home. Not, the laundry so much, but the kitchen stuff, and just puttering around the house. And, this time of year? Well, we are very close to Christmas. The Lobby has stuff out. I've been burning my Fall Harvest candles. Yeah....new school supplies and Christmas stuff at The Lobby....2 of my favorite things EVER!
So...I'll be back in a day, or 2.
Wednesday, July 08, 2015
TICK TOCK
Just quickly touching base.
I had another successful day. I did not, and I will not, weigh daily. I'm not sure when I will weigh. I don't like getting hung up on the numbers. I go by how I feel and how my clothes fit. The only new clothes I want to buy are smaller. :-)
Speaking of.....I THINK clothes have been resized. In the past few months, I have actually gone down a size in a certain brand of shorts. However, my size is the biggest I've ever been. Is society making it OK to be big? Even so, I don't like how I look and feel....that is my goal....to change all that.
I got to eat a LOT of food yesterday, compared to the 3 days prior. My favorite? MEAT!!!! OMG! I missed meat. And, bread. It was great to be able to eat a small sprinkling of cheese with my eggs yesterday. This morning, my first meal was 4 slices of turkey bacon on whole wheat toast with 2 sliced tomatoes (that I grew myself). PRETTY DARN TASTY!
I did the exercise video. Yep....old, and out of shape, I am. But, I hope to change that. Two of my boys were quite helpful. One, exercised beside me. The other was pointing out improvements I needed to make. "Mom, you need to go up on your toes more." Truly, it was helpful. The one, before exercising with me, made sure that I wouldn't feel bad or be intimidated. LOL! Sweet boy. Those who know my kids probably know who that was.
So....just wanted to check in and say that I'm still ticking.
I am down to my last 4 weeks before in-service. So sad.....not gonna lie. There is still so much that needs to be done around the house in order to feel good about leaving my house for the next 10 months. I'm working on that.
In other news, because it has been a coon's age since I've been on here:
We did not take a month long vacation this summer. Why? We put in a pool and a pavilion. It is SO nice. We love it! I may post pics later, but......ugh....the computer situation has been crazy.
We currently have 4 laptops. Two of the computers have crashed a few times and we have had them repaired. So, a lot of my pics are on different devices. I simply cannot wrap my head around all that.
We are still big in JBQ, only I have 2, instead of 4, in it. My 3rd son, this will be his last year. We just got back from Nationals in Chicago. He was a BEAST! He quizzed out (forward) 16 out of 25 rounds. That is crazy good. I am kind of a behind the scenes coordinator at our church. (I haven't been officially named coordinator, but things I do need to be done and I'm the only one who does them.) I am also co-coordinator for our Area, which means I help with the meets and have some 30-ish teams. It's fun. It's work. It's stressful....especially with DH still flying and teaching.
My oldest son will be getting his license in a few weeks. We've been teaching him. I'm ready for another driver in the family. He will be a junior. His brothers? Freshman, 6th grade, 5th grade.
My hubby is still flying. He's still my hunka-hunka!
We now host a middle school youth group for our church. We sure enjoy those kids. This year, a lot of them will be students I actually taught.
Alright. Until....tomorrow? Maybe
Peace out!
I had another successful day. I did not, and I will not, weigh daily. I'm not sure when I will weigh. I don't like getting hung up on the numbers. I go by how I feel and how my clothes fit. The only new clothes I want to buy are smaller. :-)
Speaking of.....I THINK clothes have been resized. In the past few months, I have actually gone down a size in a certain brand of shorts. However, my size is the biggest I've ever been. Is society making it OK to be big? Even so, I don't like how I look and feel....that is my goal....to change all that.
I got to eat a LOT of food yesterday, compared to the 3 days prior. My favorite? MEAT!!!! OMG! I missed meat. And, bread. It was great to be able to eat a small sprinkling of cheese with my eggs yesterday. This morning, my first meal was 4 slices of turkey bacon on whole wheat toast with 2 sliced tomatoes (that I grew myself). PRETTY DARN TASTY!
I did the exercise video. Yep....old, and out of shape, I am. But, I hope to change that. Two of my boys were quite helpful. One, exercised beside me. The other was pointing out improvements I needed to make. "Mom, you need to go up on your toes more." Truly, it was helpful. The one, before exercising with me, made sure that I wouldn't feel bad or be intimidated. LOL! Sweet boy. Those who know my kids probably know who that was.
So....just wanted to check in and say that I'm still ticking.
I am down to my last 4 weeks before in-service. So sad.....not gonna lie. There is still so much that needs to be done around the house in order to feel good about leaving my house for the next 10 months. I'm working on that.
In other news, because it has been a coon's age since I've been on here:
We did not take a month long vacation this summer. Why? We put in a pool and a pavilion. It is SO nice. We love it! I may post pics later, but......ugh....the computer situation has been crazy.
We currently have 4 laptops. Two of the computers have crashed a few times and we have had them repaired. So, a lot of my pics are on different devices. I simply cannot wrap my head around all that.
We are still big in JBQ, only I have 2, instead of 4, in it. My 3rd son, this will be his last year. We just got back from Nationals in Chicago. He was a BEAST! He quizzed out (forward) 16 out of 25 rounds. That is crazy good. I am kind of a behind the scenes coordinator at our church. (I haven't been officially named coordinator, but things I do need to be done and I'm the only one who does them.) I am also co-coordinator for our Area, which means I help with the meets and have some 30-ish teams. It's fun. It's work. It's stressful....especially with DH still flying and teaching.
My oldest son will be getting his license in a few weeks. We've been teaching him. I'm ready for another driver in the family. He will be a junior. His brothers? Freshman, 6th grade, 5th grade.
My hubby is still flying. He's still my hunka-hunka!
We now host a middle school youth group for our church. We sure enjoy those kids. This year, a lot of them will be students I actually taught.
Alright. Until....tomorrow? Maybe
Peace out!
Tuesday, July 07, 2015
ACCOUNTABILITY
I have a lot of curse words right now. I had a post, last night.....a LONG post.....but, due to some technical difficulties (namely a problem with Blogger) it did not post.
*GRRRR!!!!*
This won't be near as long, because now? I'm just ticked!
Basically, here's what we have going on. I am on a newweight-loss journey life-style change.
Why? and Why now? Well....I'm getting older. I don't want to be old and fat, simply put. I'm not doing a great job setting examples for my kids. It makes me very.....sad.....to feel so hypocritical. So, here I go.
The reason I am letting you in on it is because I have a pride issue. If you know I'm doing this, then I'M GOING TO DO IT! The whole family will be involved, somehow.
"So, what are you doing?"
I'm glad you asked!
I'm doing the 21 day Fix with 3 day kickstart by Beachbody. I have a friend who recently did this challenge. I have another friend from high school, who is a coach. I listed her as my coach, spent my cash, and now? I'm working toward a better and happier me. It really does not have to do with vanity and my looks. I've popped out 4 babies. There are going to be some things on me that are....um.....shall we say....in a different place than they were originally.
My issue is I love food. I love to cook. I'm kind of a foodie. These are all OK....depending on the choices made. Sadly, I have made some unwise choices in the past.
"But, ~LL~! Why not do one of the other programs out there? The ones your friends do?"
Well, let me tell ya. I've tried a lot of them....with varying degrees of success. Let's do a run-down, shall we?
Good ol' calorie and fat counting: I was good at this. It was successful. It was....*whispers* 60 pounds ago. I loved the numbers. I weighed everything. I read labels. I learned what foods held what nutrients. I could look at a plate, and tell you how many calories (and fat calories) were on that plate. If you wanted to lose weight, I could tell you how many calories and fat calories you needed. Why did I stop? Lazy? Immature? Bored? Busy? Maybe a bit of all
Medifast: Successful. Food? Gross. I was ok for about 10 pounds. But, honestly? The food got to me. After awhile, I could no longer handle the cup ofdoped up fortified soups and powdered eggs.
HCG: Successful. But, BORING! I did get tired of eating 1 melba toast with a bunch of lettuce and some tomatoes. Having a semi-regular dinner was just not enough. The big reason, though, was that I was putting hormones into my body. I don't like that.
Plexus: Yep.....successful....somewhat. It got to where it wasn't working for me. The BioCleanse? Yea....it's cleans like I do. Have you seen my house? I did like the pink drink. It helped me sleep. Honestly, exhaustion will take care of things and I will eventually sleep.
ItWorks: Kind of successful. I didn't lose weight, but I LOVE the Greens. First, I KNOW what's in there. Second, the wraps. I do like them. But, the pills? I'm not keen on taking pills, I'm not gonna lie. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm NOT granola. I would rather chop down a tree to read a book, than to hug it. But, when it comes to fake junk getting pumped into my body....I'm not a fan. (Please, spare me to sermon on *You drink sodas! That's crap!* Yes....I KNOW!!! I'M WORKING ON IT!!!)
Thrive: this is a touchy subject as I have a lot of friends doing it. I have even lost a friend because of it. But, let's not open up THAT wound. It was not successful, but it was not a failure. I mean, I lost nothing. Did I feel energy? Yep....the first day. And I gotta say, it was concerning. I mean, I would start my day with tea and have a soda mid-day. On the first day, I didn't have either, but with 2 little pills and the patch......HOLY SMOKES! I couldn't run fast enough. Talk fast enough. I was wound tighter than an 8-day clock. Yes...I DID give it my time. A full month and $150. It is not worth it for me. Besides, I do not know (to this day) what all is in the patch or the pills. That's an issue. Yes....I'm.....chunky, but I do try to eat REAL foods. I just eat too much of it, and it's not all considered *clean*.
Which brings me to the 21 day fix. They send these boxes (fancy, colored, square measuring cups) to *retrain* you in portion control. From what I'm seeing, there will be a LOT of food I can eat. It's all whole foods. Clean foods. I can, if I choose, have a Shakeology shake once a day, but I don't have to. I'm not popping pills. I'm not wearing a patch. It's just.....real. And life. Once I'm done, I can maintain without spending money (or selling it in order to have my products for free.)
The horrible thing about this? The 3 day kickstart. HO!LY!SMOKES! It was awful. Very low cal, 3 shakes a day, very little food, and a fiber sweep. Yep, it was as bad as it sounds. No....I didn't live in the bathroom. But, the drink? Well...you know how okra gets slimy? Imagine a drink of gritty, lightly citrus-y, okra juice. I did cheat on day one. My headache (remember the tea and soda?) was SO bad, and I was SO hungry, that I ate 1/2 banana, took 4 Tylenol, and drank 1/2 cup milk....then went to bed with an ice pack. My poor kids. But, they have been troopers.
I am happy to say, that this morning, I am down 4.4 pounds.
Now, I will not be posting before/after pics. I'm not looking for kudos. I will not be telling you how much I weigh. I will say that I would like to lose 35-50 pounds.
That being said: I've got lunch to prepare. Any encouragement and prayers are welcome. Please, if you do know me, and care to comment, I ask you to NOT put identifying information in your comments.
*GRRRR!!!!*
This won't be near as long, because now? I'm just ticked!
Basically, here's what we have going on. I am on a new
Why? and Why now? Well....I'm getting older. I don't want to be old and fat, simply put. I'm not doing a great job setting examples for my kids. It makes me very.....sad.....to feel so hypocritical. So, here I go.
The reason I am letting you in on it is because I have a pride issue. If you know I'm doing this, then I'M GOING TO DO IT! The whole family will be involved, somehow.
"So, what are you doing?"
I'm glad you asked!
I'm doing the 21 day Fix with 3 day kickstart by Beachbody. I have a friend who recently did this challenge. I have another friend from high school, who is a coach. I listed her as my coach, spent my cash, and now? I'm working toward a better and happier me. It really does not have to do with vanity and my looks. I've popped out 4 babies. There are going to be some things on me that are....um.....shall we say....in a different place than they were originally.
My issue is I love food. I love to cook. I'm kind of a foodie. These are all OK....depending on the choices made. Sadly, I have made some unwise choices in the past.
"But, ~LL~! Why not do one of the other programs out there? The ones your friends do?"
Well, let me tell ya. I've tried a lot of them....with varying degrees of success. Let's do a run-down, shall we?
Good ol' calorie and fat counting: I was good at this. It was successful. It was....*whispers* 60 pounds ago. I loved the numbers. I weighed everything. I read labels. I learned what foods held what nutrients. I could look at a plate, and tell you how many calories (and fat calories) were on that plate. If you wanted to lose weight, I could tell you how many calories and fat calories you needed. Why did I stop? Lazy? Immature? Bored? Busy? Maybe a bit of all
Medifast: Successful. Food? Gross. I was ok for about 10 pounds. But, honestly? The food got to me. After awhile, I could no longer handle the cup of
HCG: Successful. But, BORING! I did get tired of eating 1 melba toast with a bunch of lettuce and some tomatoes. Having a semi-regular dinner was just not enough. The big reason, though, was that I was putting hormones into my body. I don't like that.
Plexus: Yep.....successful....somewhat. It got to where it wasn't working for me. The BioCleanse? Yea....it's cleans like I do. Have you seen my house? I did like the pink drink. It helped me sleep. Honestly, exhaustion will take care of things and I will eventually sleep.
ItWorks: Kind of successful. I didn't lose weight, but I LOVE the Greens. First, I KNOW what's in there. Second, the wraps. I do like them. But, the pills? I'm not keen on taking pills, I'm not gonna lie. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm NOT granola. I would rather chop down a tree to read a book, than to hug it. But, when it comes to fake junk getting pumped into my body....I'm not a fan. (Please, spare me to sermon on *You drink sodas! That's crap!* Yes....I KNOW!!! I'M WORKING ON IT!!!)
Thrive: this is a touchy subject as I have a lot of friends doing it. I have even lost a friend because of it. But, let's not open up THAT wound. It was not successful, but it was not a failure. I mean, I lost nothing. Did I feel energy? Yep....the first day. And I gotta say, it was concerning. I mean, I would start my day with tea and have a soda mid-day. On the first day, I didn't have either, but with 2 little pills and the patch......HOLY SMOKES! I couldn't run fast enough. Talk fast enough. I was wound tighter than an 8-day clock. Yes...I DID give it my time. A full month and $150. It is not worth it for me. Besides, I do not know (to this day) what all is in the patch or the pills. That's an issue. Yes....I'm.....chunky, but I do try to eat REAL foods. I just eat too much of it, and it's not all considered *clean*.
Which brings me to the 21 day fix. They send these boxes (fancy, colored, square measuring cups) to *retrain* you in portion control. From what I'm seeing, there will be a LOT of food I can eat. It's all whole foods. Clean foods. I can, if I choose, have a Shakeology shake once a day, but I don't have to. I'm not popping pills. I'm not wearing a patch. It's just.....real. And life. Once I'm done, I can maintain without spending money (or selling it in order to have my products for free.)
The horrible thing about this? The 3 day kickstart. HO!LY!SMOKES! It was awful. Very low cal, 3 shakes a day, very little food, and a fiber sweep. Yep, it was as bad as it sounds. No....I didn't live in the bathroom. But, the drink? Well...you know how okra gets slimy? Imagine a drink of gritty, lightly citrus-y, okra juice. I did cheat on day one. My headache (remember the tea and soda?) was SO bad, and I was SO hungry, that I ate 1/2 banana, took 4 Tylenol, and drank 1/2 cup milk....then went to bed with an ice pack. My poor kids. But, they have been troopers.
I am happy to say, that this morning, I am down 4.4 pounds.
Now, I will not be posting before/after pics. I'm not looking for kudos. I will not be telling you how much I weigh. I will say that I would like to lose 35-50 pounds.
That being said: I've got lunch to prepare. Any encouragement and prayers are welcome. Please, if you do know me, and care to comment, I ask you to NOT put identifying information in your comments.
Wednesday, January 01, 2014
2014 PART 2
OK.....so the blog I just finished talked about my difficulties in successfully completing my projects. I don't feel badly.....necessarily. Perhaps if I did a "20/20 Blog" where I looked at all I DID do....
Maybe next year.
SO, this year, I wanted to get the family involved in the projects we intend to take on. I told them all to consider physical, spiritual, family, and individual. I also just asked for 3 goals from each of my boys.
I will let you know what they are.
First, I will say that all the boys said they want to read through the New Testament this year. So, I printed up a reading schedule. I also will get you-version app on their iPods so they can listen to it. As reading through the Bible is one of my goals, I will read the NT portion of my reading, with my youngest. I know that it could be a bit overwhelming for an 8 year old.
OK....here we go. (For the record, the littles followed the bigs in their goals...which is OK.)
DS 1: Save up more money, be nicer to the brothers, read through the NT.
DS 2: Save up more money, act nicer toward the family, read through the NT.
DS 3: Save $120, act nicer to his brothers, read through the NT, get his 20, 30 and Master Seals in JBQ, and something that is written in code :-)
DS 4: Be nicer to family, save some money, read through the NT, get a JBQ seal, and focus on what he is doing
Let me break here for just a second. First off....those who know my #4, know the value of this statement: "focus on what he is doing." I did not give him this idea. At first, I thought it was just a cute little 8 year old thing. But, then...it kind of hit me how astounding that statement is. How many times do you just get through stuff? I, myself, have often said (especially in the last 4 months) that I am *just surviving.*
GOD, FORGIVE ME!!!!
That is not my job! I am to focus on what I am doing, and more importantly, who I am with at the time.
So, now? That is one of my goals, too!
Some of my goals are: Read through the Bible, exercise regularly, limit sodas to only when eating out, schedule my housekeeping duties, read more.....those were the ones I wrote down. But, let me take a few moments to add more.
Maybe next year.
SO, this year, I wanted to get the family involved in the projects we intend to take on. I told them all to consider physical, spiritual, family, and individual. I also just asked for 3 goals from each of my boys.
I will let you know what they are.
First, I will say that all the boys said they want to read through the New Testament this year. So, I printed up a reading schedule. I also will get you-version app on their iPods so they can listen to it. As reading through the Bible is one of my goals, I will read the NT portion of my reading, with my youngest. I know that it could be a bit overwhelming for an 8 year old.
OK....here we go. (For the record, the littles followed the bigs in their goals...which is OK.)
DS 1: Save up more money, be nicer to the brothers, read through the NT.
DS 2: Save up more money, act nicer toward the family, read through the NT.
DS 3: Save $120, act nicer to his brothers, read through the NT, get his 20, 30 and Master Seals in JBQ, and something that is written in code :-)
DS 4: Be nicer to family, save some money, read through the NT, get a JBQ seal, and focus on what he is doing
Let me break here for just a second. First off....those who know my #4, know the value of this statement: "focus on what he is doing." I did not give him this idea. At first, I thought it was just a cute little 8 year old thing. But, then...it kind of hit me how astounding that statement is. How many times do you just get through stuff? I, myself, have often said (especially in the last 4 months) that I am *just surviving.*
GOD, FORGIVE ME!!!!
That is not my job! I am to focus on what I am doing, and more importantly, who I am with at the time.
So, now? That is one of my goals, too!
Some of my goals are: Read through the Bible, exercise regularly, limit sodas to only when eating out, schedule my housekeeping duties, read more.....those were the ones I wrote down. But, let me take a few moments to add more.
- call my grandmother regularly
- more walks with my kids
- 1-on-1 dates with my boys (even the hubby) quarterly
- make *some* Christmas cards
- clean out my corner of the garage and donate, toss, or use my teaching stuff
- start riding my bike with my boys
- wake up to a clean kitchen.....daily
- limit eating out to 14% of the time.....that's 3 out of 21 meals (yes....I did the calculation, LOL!)
- schedule my boys to be more active in helping around the house....not just their rooms
- blog more.....maybe once a month? Surely, once a month!
- earn my 101 Club in JBQ
- reprint the boys' chore/responsibility charts
- RELAX!!!
When I say "relax," I don't mean to rest and not do anything. I mean, to just chill.....not be so uptight. If I learn to relax, it will help me to meet another goal to focus on what I am doing. I am usually wound tighter than an 8-day clock. Because of that, I might be on step 5, but focused on 9 and 10. Not. Good.
That seems like a lot now...especially with teaching.
Speaking of teaching....I am finally at a peaceful place. So much has to do with getting my body clock adjusted to falling asleep earlier and waking earlier than normal. And, of course, it depends on hubby's schedule and my cycle. (TMI, I know....but it is life changing to know that how you handle things depends on the time of month. LOL)
Well....thanks for reading. I hope I see you again soon....at least by February. :-)
EPIC......FAIL?
If you have read here at all, you have probably noted my feelings on resolutions.....I don't like them. They have negative connotations. However, considering this season of life, I do need to make new goals. I did talk to my kids about it, too. We have made goals for various facets of our lives: spiritual, physical, personal, and goals in dealing with our relationships. Some of the goals, I have FOR my kids.
The reason this is going to be so hard is because of my 2nd job. Holding down 2 full-time jobs is very hard. Holding down 2 full-time jobs while your hubs is out 18 day a month is pert-near impossible....but ONLY *pert-near.* It is NOT impossible. :-)
That being said, let us review last year's list. The copied and pasted list is in yellow. My notes on how I did is in another color. :-) If I remember, I will highlight what I actually accomplished.
PROJECT WISH LIST
(THESE ARE LISTED IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER)
I will send a gift (of my choosing) to a friend, once a month. (Not the same friend....different friends.)
*I started this. But, sadly stopped. The reason is stupid, really. But out of the 4 or 5 that I sent, only 2....TWO let me know they received it or said, "Thank you." I wasn't looking for kudos. However, I would like to know that it made it to its destination.
*I started this. But, sadly stopped. The reason is stupid, really. But out of the 4 or 5 that I sent, only 2....TWO let me know they received it or said, "Thank you." I wasn't looking for kudos. However, I would like to know that it made it to its destination.
I will call my grandmother once a month. (Don't judge.)
*Not quite :-(
*Not quite :-(
I will clean out my FTU at least every other week. (We're talking vacuuming, wiping down, emptying the buffet line in the back.....again....don't judge.)
*I actually did pretty well at this. And, then? I GOT A TRUCK! Thanks, Honey!
*I actually did pretty well at this. And, then? I GOT A TRUCK! Thanks, Honey!
WE (dragging in DH) will get the garage cleaned out. (That, right there, could be my entire list....and I would feel accomplished by doing it.)
*My hubby did a great job!
I will donate my teacher stuff to some teacher friends. (I can't begin to tell you the number of brand new wooden pencils I just came across.....not to mention, the books! And colored paper. And chalk....well....who uses chalk anymore, but still...you get the idea.)
*OK....this is a tough one. I did donate.... A LOT! There was a student-teacher who needed some stuff for her first classroom. So, she got about 2-3 boxes of books. THEN, I went back to the classroom. Thinking I could use a lot of my things. Well, when my youngest child saw the chalk, he asked if I let my former students go draw on the sidewalk.....(insert eye roll here)...."No, son. We actually used chalkboards, back in the day."
I still have a lot to go through. There is a lot to throw away, whether it be completely out-dated, or nasty (from sitting out in the garage for eight....YES EIGHT....years!
*OK....this is a tough one. I did donate.... A LOT! There was a student-teacher who needed some stuff for her first classroom. So, she got about 2-3 boxes of books. THEN, I went back to the classroom. Thinking I could use a lot of my things. Well, when my youngest child saw the chalk, he asked if I let my former students go draw on the sidewalk.....(insert eye roll here)...."No, son. We actually used chalkboards, back in the day."
I still have a lot to go through. There is a lot to throw away, whether it be completely out-dated, or nasty (from sitting out in the garage for eight....YES EIGHT....years!
I will start going on weekl.....no.....month.....no.....I will take the kids on a walk a few times, over the next year.
I will take each son on a 1-on-1 date, quarterly.
*Sadly, no.
*Sadly, no.
I will go to the dentist.....well...I will at least take my kids.
*um....nope.....and I don't feel guilty
*um....nope.....and I don't feel guilty
I will have my family on a gluten-free lifestyle
*I do not know about this enough to support, OR to call BS. So, I just leave it to whomever feels the need. I am reading in support of wheat and in support of no wheat. I know some people can't handle it....I also know that my family has no issues with it. That being said, I trust that God will let me know if, and when, I need to make this change.
*I do not know about this enough to support, OR to call BS. So, I just leave it to whomever feels the need. I am reading in support of wheat and in support of no wheat. I know some people can't handle it....I also know that my family has no issues with it. That being said, I trust that God will let me know if, and when, I need to make this change.
I will have my family mostly organic.
*um....no. No excuses. I do what I can, when I can. I am not 100% organic, but I do try to get a few key things organic.
*um....no. No excuses. I do what I can, when I can. I am not 100% organic, but I do try to get a few key things organic.
I will paint my hall.....as soon as DH has recovered from his surgery....because....I. Don't paint.
*maybe this year
*maybe this year
I will make my Christmas cards....much to my DH's chagrin.
*This is a point of sadness for me. I did NOT get my cards going. I took on another full-time job. Alas, I have not had opportunity to make my cards. :-( I HOPE to next year....perhaps if I start....um....next week?
*This is a point of sadness for me. I did NOT get my cards going. I took on another full-time job. Alas, I have not had opportunity to make my cards. :-( I HOPE to next year....perhaps if I start....um....next week?
I will complete the Christmas crafts that I bought stuff for....last year.....no, wait.....in 2011.
*I'm putting this as a success! I did make a craft! It might be the last one. It was cute. I enjoyed it. But, being that I didn't get so many other things done....well, I would rather work on my cards, than crafts.
*I'm putting this as a success! I did make a craft! It might be the last one. It was cute. I enjoyed it. But, being that I didn't get so many other things done....well, I would rather work on my cards, than crafts.
I will host a full luncheon, at the school, for 2nd grade teachers, 3rd grade teachers, and 6th grade teachers.
I will help my hubby take the boys camping.....(I will make sure the first aid kit is well-stocked and that they have a new can of mosquito repellant.)
*hahahahahahahaha!
*hahahahahahahaha!
I will conquer the closet(s).
All of them.
*OK....so part is highlighted because I only got part done. Hubby and I are working on our closet, AGAIN. I have worked on the other closets, but they are always in a state of process.
*OK....so part is highlighted because I only got part done. Hubby and I are working on our closet, AGAIN. I have worked on the other closets, but they are always in a state of process.
*sigh*
I will re-task the night stand (that is ugly), and relocate it (to the garage, or fireplace) and move the other, PRETTY night stand out from under the printer and put it by me....in it's proper station.
*nope
*nope
I will learn to crochet.
*um.....LOL
I will do, at least 3 loads of laundry, every 2 days.....perpetually. *sigh*
*tricky....because I am always doing laundry....I don't know how many or how often....but it, too, is always in process. Some days, just see piles sitting around. Some days see a marathon folding/hanging/putting away session.
I will blog at least once, hopefully twice, a week.
*obviously
I will read with my children, The Chronicles of Narnia. (I just love that series.)
*Well, we made it through the first book. I read it to my kids. My older 2, decided I read too slowly, so they finished the series. Then, my 3rd decided to read through the series on his own. THEN, I went to work.....SO....it IS being read, just not by me.
I will earn my Master Seal in JBQ.
*wootWOOT!!!
I will earn my 101 Award in JBQ.
*hopefully this year
I will try at least 1 new recipe a week.
*I didn't do this once a week. I HAVE tried several new recipes. I love to read cookbooks and magazines. I read them and get ideas of what to throw together...so...um...kind of.
I (we) will eat out less.
*Here is a problem. I think we started eating out less. THEN, I went back into the classroom. Anyone who teaches, or who is married to a teacher, knows that it is more than 40 hours per week. SO....I have a *beyond full-time job* with a *gone a whole lot* hubby and 4 kids who all have home homework, and lessons, and stuff, and I have lessons, and plans, and grading, and stuff.....yeah.....we eat out 3-5 times per week. :-(
I will *sniff* try to cut back on CFAST.
*see above*
maybe
I will reprint the boys' chore charts.
*I did, but I need to do it again to adjust for their ages that they NEED to be treated, and my work.
I will sort through ALL the boys' clothes, and get some things sorted, tossed, or donated.
I will have a garden.
*We went to Montana for a month. So, didn't happen. It won't happen this year, either, as we are going to Florida for a month.
I will certify my 2 oldest boys in first aid and CPR.
*nuh-uh
(Maybe there is more....)
OK.....my reading list (I hope)
*I don't even want to get into the embarrassment I feel on this. I usually read about 30-40 books a year. This past year....MAYBE five. I really don't know. I know that the books I read were not on this list. I will * the ones I either started, and or finished (in 2013).
The Bible (always) **
Wheat Belly **
The Chronicles of Narnia (again) **
The Other Queen
The Red Queen
The White Queen
The Constant Princess
The Queen's Fool
The Other Queen
Heroes, Gods and Monsters of the Greek Myths
The Hobbit (again) **
The Annals of the World **
Wicked
To Kill a Mockingbird (again) **
Dracula
Little Women (again) **
Pride and Prejudice (again)
Decision Points **
Nicholas Nickleby
Bleak House
Anna Karenina
and, that is all.....for now.
SO.....Here's the deal. I will post another blog to talk about my goals for this year. I will probably do it list style and just talk about things I want to accomplish. It might be a one-time thing. It might be ongoing. We shall see....
Please come back.
*um.....LOL
I will do, at least 3 loads of laundry, every 2 days.....perpetually. *sigh*
*tricky....because I am always doing laundry....I don't know how many or how often....but it, too, is always in process. Some days, just see piles sitting around. Some days see a marathon folding/hanging/putting away session.
I will blog at least once, hopefully twice, a week.
*obviously
I will read with my children, The Chronicles of Narnia. (I just love that series.)
*Well, we made it through the first book. I read it to my kids. My older 2, decided I read too slowly, so they finished the series. Then, my 3rd decided to read through the series on his own. THEN, I went to work.....SO....it IS being read, just not by me.
I will earn my Master Seal in JBQ.
*wootWOOT!!!
I will earn my 101 Award in JBQ.
*hopefully this year
I will try at least 1 new recipe a week.
*I didn't do this once a week. I HAVE tried several new recipes. I love to read cookbooks and magazines. I read them and get ideas of what to throw together...so...um...kind of.
I (we) will eat out less.
*Here is a problem. I think we started eating out less. THEN, I went back into the classroom. Anyone who teaches, or who is married to a teacher, knows that it is more than 40 hours per week. SO....I have a *beyond full-time job* with a *gone a whole lot* hubby and 4 kids who all have home homework, and lessons, and stuff, and I have lessons, and plans, and grading, and stuff.....yeah.....we eat out 3-5 times per week. :-(
I will *sniff* try to cut back on CFAST.
*see above*
maybe
I will reprint the boys' chore charts.
*I did, but I need to do it again to adjust for their ages that they NEED to be treated, and my work.
I will sort through ALL the boys' clothes, and get some things sorted, tossed, or donated.
I will have a garden.
*We went to Montana for a month. So, didn't happen. It won't happen this year, either, as we are going to Florida for a month.
I will certify my 2 oldest boys in first aid and CPR.
*nuh-uh
(Maybe there is more....)
OK.....my reading list (I hope)
*I don't even want to get into the embarrassment I feel on this. I usually read about 30-40 books a year. This past year....MAYBE five. I really don't know. I know that the books I read were not on this list. I will * the ones I either started, and or finished (in 2013).
The Bible (always) **
Wheat Belly **
The Chronicles of Narnia (again) **
The Other Queen
The Red Queen
The White Queen
The Constant Princess
The Queen's Fool
The Other Queen
Heroes, Gods and Monsters of the Greek Myths
The Hobbit (again) **
The Annals of the World **
Wicked
To Kill a Mockingbird (again) **
Dracula
Little Women (again) **
Pride and Prejudice (again)
Decision Points **
Nicholas Nickleby
Bleak House
Anna Karenina
and, that is all.....for now.
SO.....Here's the deal. I will post another blog to talk about my goals for this year. I will probably do it list style and just talk about things I want to accomplish. It might be a one-time thing. It might be ongoing. We shall see....
Please come back.
Saturday, October 19, 2013
IN FULL SWING
Yeah....I'm in full swing of several things. But, the things that are the bigger things are: Christmas (as usual), school, and JBQ.
I do not know how I am managing. I just.....manage.
A lot of things are going undone. A lot of Christmas things are going undone....
......disappointing, to say the least.
I *was* going to make cards....I will be lucky to buy and address them all.
I have several craft projects to do. I will be working on those soon. I will also take a day, or 2, to do my baking. I will be absolutely disappointed if I do not get my baking and candy making done. Happily, hubby has already secured tickets for "The Nutcracker" and TSO.
I bought a new Christmas tree. Last year, I had a few sections of lights go completely out. I restrung, I think, 4 sections. Aggravating, to say the least. Well, we pulled it out, plugged it in, and there were at least 4 other sections not lit. GRRRR! SO, my hubby went on his yearly trek to the Lobby, and helped me choose....well, helped me carry....ok....he did all the lifting of....my new tree. :-)
I have one of my fall boxes out. I need to find the other boxes (up in the attic).....so I will wait until hubs can climb up and get them.
I know....I know....I am late getting my fall tree up, but it will be completely up and decorated by Wednesday. *sigh* I wish I could say "by tomorrow," but I'm SO SO tired....and behind. It is in the *fluff* stage, right now.
School....
well...it's going...I love it....the teaching, anyway. It's just the schedule that is a problem. So, we won't get into it right now. I just have to trust that, for this year anyway, I am doing what I'm supposed to do. Should that change, I trust that God will inform me AND my husband.
JBQ....again. It's going. I am not QUITE as busy with it....for a few reasons. One is that school is keeping me so stinking busy. The other reason is that I only have 2 in JBQ. But, DS#3 wants to achieve the same thing his older brothers achieved....a year earlier. Which means that (if we make this happen) I have a year to get several hundred hours of studying done.
Yeah....that's no problem, because.....yeah.
I have my formal evaluation coming up. I'm a bit nervous. It has been YEARS since I have been through it. *sigh* This, too, shall pass.
Well, I need to watch "Elf!" WOOT!
I do not know how I am managing. I just.....manage.
A lot of things are going undone. A lot of Christmas things are going undone....
......disappointing, to say the least.
I *was* going to make cards....I will be lucky to buy and address them all.
I have several craft projects to do. I will be working on those soon. I will also take a day, or 2, to do my baking. I will be absolutely disappointed if I do not get my baking and candy making done. Happily, hubby has already secured tickets for "The Nutcracker" and TSO.
I bought a new Christmas tree. Last year, I had a few sections of lights go completely out. I restrung, I think, 4 sections. Aggravating, to say the least. Well, we pulled it out, plugged it in, and there were at least 4 other sections not lit. GRRRR! SO, my hubby went on his yearly trek to the Lobby, and helped me choose....well, helped me carry....ok....he did all the lifting of....my new tree. :-)
I have one of my fall boxes out. I need to find the other boxes (up in the attic).....so I will wait until hubs can climb up and get them.
I know....I know....I am late getting my fall tree up, but it will be completely up and decorated by Wednesday. *sigh* I wish I could say "by tomorrow," but I'm SO SO tired....and behind. It is in the *fluff* stage, right now.
School....
well...it's going...I love it....the teaching, anyway. It's just the schedule that is a problem. So, we won't get into it right now. I just have to trust that, for this year anyway, I am doing what I'm supposed to do. Should that change, I trust that God will inform me AND my husband.
JBQ....again. It's going. I am not QUITE as busy with it....for a few reasons. One is that school is keeping me so stinking busy. The other reason is that I only have 2 in JBQ. But, DS#3 wants to achieve the same thing his older brothers achieved....a year earlier. Which means that (if we make this happen) I have a year to get several hundred hours of studying done.
Yeah....that's no problem, because.....yeah.
I have my formal evaluation coming up. I'm a bit nervous. It has been YEARS since I have been through it. *sigh* This, too, shall pass.
Well, I need to watch "Elf!" WOOT!
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
KEEPING UP
OK....forget keeping up with the Joneses. I just have to keep up.....
It has been awhile....a LONG while since I have blogged. And, as my FB is about to be deactivated (another story for another day), I have promised that I would keep up, or at least TRY to keep up with this.
I have nothing great to say tonight. I just want to give the 4-1-1 on what is going on in my house.
I went back to teaching.
Many prayers. A few interviews. Lots of frustrations and *not* understanding. Finally resignation that I was NOT going to get a job.....and I got one.
I am teaching 4th grade reading and social studies, and am about to pick up a science period.
It's all good.
They are old enough to not snot you. They USUALLY make it out of the room before they throw up. AND, I don't have to tie their shoes. On the other hand....they still cry, in some cases.
So THAT takes all my time.
ALL. MY. TIME.
Oh, did I tell you I got hired the Thursday BEFORE the Monday school started?
Yeeeeeah.
And, did you further know that schools no longer use chalk?
Or that 7th grade math materials are useless....USELESS in a 4th grade reading classroom?
OR that there are nifty projectors connected to the laptop, so you don't have to use overheads and vis-a-vis?
Nope......
Did you know that to replace all that, it costs approximately $600? JUST for the minimum. That was just the first week. I have probably spent another $200-$400.
Oh....I have a Christmas tree in my classroom. Truth, folks! It is a pre-lit gold Christmas tree right next to my bookshelves and 3 bean bags....it is my reading corner, and it is FABULOUS!!!
I am a bit dismayed because we are 98 days (and a few hours) from Christmas and I have not started any crafts, no cards....NADA!
I HAVE, however, picked a day for my pumpkin carving party and field day.
SO....in a nutshell.....that is it. I will not bore you with my schedule. Nor will I beat myself up over the fact that report cards are due Thursday at 4, I am not done, yet I sit and type.
I know......
I'm sad.
Please leave me a comment. I miss knowing that people read.
It has been awhile....a LONG while since I have blogged. And, as my FB is about to be deactivated (another story for another day), I have promised that I would keep up, or at least TRY to keep up with this.
I have nothing great to say tonight. I just want to give the 4-1-1 on what is going on in my house.
I went back to teaching.
Many prayers. A few interviews. Lots of frustrations and *not* understanding. Finally resignation that I was NOT going to get a job.....and I got one.
I am teaching 4th grade reading and social studies, and am about to pick up a science period.
It's all good.
They are old enough to not snot you. They USUALLY make it out of the room before they throw up. AND, I don't have to tie their shoes. On the other hand....they still cry, in some cases.
So THAT takes all my time.
ALL. MY. TIME.
Oh, did I tell you I got hired the Thursday BEFORE the Monday school started?
Yeeeeeah.
And, did you further know that schools no longer use chalk?
Or that 7th grade math materials are useless....USELESS in a 4th grade reading classroom?
OR that there are nifty projectors connected to the laptop, so you don't have to use overheads and vis-a-vis?
Nope......
Did you know that to replace all that, it costs approximately $600? JUST for the minimum. That was just the first week. I have probably spent another $200-$400.
Oh....I have a Christmas tree in my classroom. Truth, folks! It is a pre-lit gold Christmas tree right next to my bookshelves and 3 bean bags....it is my reading corner, and it is FABULOUS!!!
I am a bit dismayed because we are 98 days (and a few hours) from Christmas and I have not started any crafts, no cards....NADA!
I HAVE, however, picked a day for my pumpkin carving party and field day.
SO....in a nutshell.....that is it. I will not bore you with my schedule. Nor will I beat myself up over the fact that report cards are due Thursday at 4, I am not done, yet I sit and type.
I know......
I'm sad.
Please leave me a comment. I miss knowing that people read.
Saturday, July 13, 2013
THIS-N-THAT
Somehow, my views bumped over 100,000. I missed it....but am stoked. I mean SOMEbody is still looking. I don't know if they are looking for me, per se. Or, even reading, but they end up on my page somehow, and for a few moments, anyway. Cool, huh?
So, I'm a bit calmer than I was during the last post, for a couple of reasons.
I am doing better, because I am home. It may seem odd, considering what I am about to say, but still....it is good to be home. Not necessarily in Texas. (Though Texas is STILL awesome!) My kids were growing more and more out of sorts, as they were having to deal with high heat (high for Montana) without air conditioning. And, some of the promised activities didn't pan out, due to various circumstances.
Then, there was the whole cooking issue. I mean...I LOVE to cook and bake. I really do. However, the conditions I found myself in were less than ideal. It was......functional......for someone with lacking skills and desire to put out anything more than a Stouffer Lasagna or a few cans of chicken noodle soup.
I was missing SO MUCH. The biggest pot I had access to was a 6 quart....and only 1 of those. There were no baking pans. Only 1 rubber spatula....a cheap one that doesn't really scrape. And, the seasonings....well, there was salt and pepper and a few seasonings (garlic powder and Italian seasoning) with a date stamped before Gabriel was born. Yeah....I had to make a few of my own purchases, and make smaller batches of my homemade soups. And the oven....holy smokes! There was a hot spot.....a HOT hot spot in the back left corner....a few sacrificed biscuits taught me to keep everything crammed to the right.
Oh well, it made me appreciate my ability, as I was able to adapt and still turn out some good grub.
(On a side note, and speaking of grub, I made my own sushi today. Pretty cool, if you ask me. I have wanted to do it for awhile, and considering our Alaska fishing trip that is coming up, well.....now I can make sushi using FRESH salmon. It's gonna be awesome.)
OK....so, the fall apart of a few weeks ago. It's because we looked at a house. As in.....*if we like it, we will put in an offer.
DID YOU HEAR ME?
I go to Montana on vacation, and look at a house......TO BUY!
*just. breathe.
So, yeah....I OK'd the whole "we should look at it, because it sounds perfect," then subsequently had a meltdown; complete with snot, tears, and blubbering idiocy. The talk was that if we liked the place, and made an offer, we would come back to Texas, pack up, and be back in Montana by the time school started.
Yeah......about 7 weeks.
Unfortunately, or fortunately.....not sure which.....the house was NOT what we wanted/needed.
Now, let me throw this out. Talk of moving to Montana is not new....nor is it undesired. We (my hubby and I) have talked bout it for almost 20 years. We have always stated a desire to move to Montana, but in my mind, it wasn't really feasible. Kind of like, "Oh, yeah. Someday, I would like to win the Mrs. America pageant."
*stop laughing*
My point is, it was a desire, but as I didn't really think it was possible - it hasn't been actively pursued or thought about.
Until about a year ago. Without going into detail, it has since come up that maybe....just maybe, we could make it work. Then, we went for vacation. We LOVE it. Seriously. The kids love it. It has things that Texas could use....cooler summers and support of guns. (I know Texas supports conceal and carry, but in Montana, you only need a license to conceal.....but you can openly carry without a license. Awesome....but I digress.)
So, being up there, and loving the area, made us really sit and look at things. And, it seems likely that we will be moving to Montana. We reached this realization about 2 days before we looked at the house. And, while I am excited about it, I need more than 7 weeks to transition. Of course, we have to pray about it. We won't move for the sake of moving. We need to make sure that it is of God. Fortunately, my husband is in a career that allows us to live almost anywhere (in the country) we want. And, right now, it seems we *want* to live in Montana.
When will we go?
Who knows?
Next summer?
Three years?
When 1, 2, 3, or all 4 kids have graduated?
We won't know until we know.
Then you will know.
Meanwhile, I am enjoying my trips to The Lobby and Chipotle whilst sipping my CFAST. Gotta enjoy those things, 'cause once we move.....they are gone.
I wonder if Chipotle will overnight me a barbacoa burrito bowl?
So, I'm a bit calmer than I was during the last post, for a couple of reasons.
I am doing better, because I am home. It may seem odd, considering what I am about to say, but still....it is good to be home. Not necessarily in Texas. (Though Texas is STILL awesome!) My kids were growing more and more out of sorts, as they were having to deal with high heat (high for Montana) without air conditioning. And, some of the promised activities didn't pan out, due to various circumstances.
Then, there was the whole cooking issue. I mean...I LOVE to cook and bake. I really do. However, the conditions I found myself in were less than ideal. It was......functional......for someone with lacking skills and desire to put out anything more than a Stouffer Lasagna or a few cans of chicken noodle soup.
I was missing SO MUCH. The biggest pot I had access to was a 6 quart....and only 1 of those. There were no baking pans. Only 1 rubber spatula....a cheap one that doesn't really scrape. And, the seasonings....well, there was salt and pepper and a few seasonings (garlic powder and Italian seasoning) with a date stamped before Gabriel was born. Yeah....I had to make a few of my own purchases, and make smaller batches of my homemade soups. And the oven....holy smokes! There was a hot spot.....a HOT hot spot in the back left corner....a few sacrificed biscuits taught me to keep everything crammed to the right.
Oh well, it made me appreciate my ability, as I was able to adapt and still turn out some good grub.
(On a side note, and speaking of grub, I made my own sushi today. Pretty cool, if you ask me. I have wanted to do it for awhile, and considering our Alaska fishing trip that is coming up, well.....now I can make sushi using FRESH salmon. It's gonna be awesome.)
OK....so, the fall apart of a few weeks ago. It's because we looked at a house. As in.....*if we like it, we will put in an offer.
DID YOU HEAR ME?
I go to Montana on vacation, and look at a house......TO BUY!
*just. breathe.
So, yeah....I OK'd the whole "we should look at it, because it sounds perfect," then subsequently had a meltdown; complete with snot, tears, and blubbering idiocy. The talk was that if we liked the place, and made an offer, we would come back to Texas, pack up, and be back in Montana by the time school started.
Yeah......about 7 weeks.
Unfortunately, or fortunately.....not sure which.....the house was NOT what we wanted/needed.
Now, let me throw this out. Talk of moving to Montana is not new....nor is it undesired. We (my hubby and I) have talked bout it for almost 20 years. We have always stated a desire to move to Montana, but in my mind, it wasn't really feasible. Kind of like, "Oh, yeah. Someday, I would like to win the Mrs. America pageant."
*stop laughing*
My point is, it was a desire, but as I didn't really think it was possible - it hasn't been actively pursued or thought about.
Until about a year ago. Without going into detail, it has since come up that maybe....just maybe, we could make it work. Then, we went for vacation. We LOVE it. Seriously. The kids love it. It has things that Texas could use....cooler summers and support of guns. (I know Texas supports conceal and carry, but in Montana, you only need a license to conceal.....but you can openly carry without a license. Awesome....but I digress.)
So, being up there, and loving the area, made us really sit and look at things. And, it seems likely that we will be moving to Montana. We reached this realization about 2 days before we looked at the house. And, while I am excited about it, I need more than 7 weeks to transition. Of course, we have to pray about it. We won't move for the sake of moving. We need to make sure that it is of God. Fortunately, my husband is in a career that allows us to live almost anywhere (in the country) we want. And, right now, it seems we *want* to live in Montana.
When will we go?
Who knows?
Next summer?
Three years?
When 1, 2, 3, or all 4 kids have graduated?
We won't know until we know.
Then you will know.
Meanwhile, I am enjoying my trips to The Lobby and Chipotle whilst sipping my CFAST. Gotta enjoy those things, 'cause once we move.....they are gone.
I wonder if Chipotle will overnight me a barbacoa burrito bowl?
Friday, June 28, 2013
RAMBLINGS
This will not be pretty.
Nope, not a bit.
I am a *Debbie Downer* right now. If you don't want to read it, turn back now. I welcome your comments, but please know, I am not fishing for kudos, in any way. I just need to download a bunch of stuff.
I have had a few disappointments in the last few months. In JBQ, our kids (my son's team) SHOULD have been invited to Nationals....but didn't get the bid. Without getting into anything snide (and trust me.....it is there) it appeared *political*....which is sad, as this is a church organization.
I know there are things that I am not privy to. However, on the surface, it basically looks like our team got shafted. I liken it to OU football not being ranked in the top 10 "just because they have been there so many times."
Yeah.....doesn't make sense.
BUT, being the good little girl I am, I slapped on a smile (though I would have rather slapped others) and helped to work the festival, just because I love the program (itself) so stinkin' much. It really had nothing to do with the *higher ups.* And, it is a good thing that I, personally, am not a heavy hitter in the program, 'cause like I said earlier....I've got things to say.
Another disappointment is in the job situation. Yes...I *was* going to go back to my children's school to teach...except they won't have me. Oh, I'm a GREAT sub at a whopping $70 a day.....
I know! I KNOW! It is all part of God's plan...whether someone else is supposed to have the job, or I am in line for something better (which I DO believe.) However, in the "something better," my hubby and I really thought that going back to teaching was a necessary step.
Well, it is not to be....there, at least. One of my besties sent me some much needed words of comfort and has promised more info to help me feel better....not to mention a MUCH NEEDED play-date to The Lobby and Chipotle.
Why do I need to play-date? BECAUSE....I am in Montana. Have been for 20 days....will be for another 12. AND, Montana has NO Chick-fil-A....NO Chipotle....and ONLY ONE Lobby IN THE ENTIRE STATE!!! That is serious.....
SERIOUS!!!
On the 8th of June, the day we left for our vacay, I decided to do a *Chipotle Load* and last opportunity Lobby run. I ate my normal
barbacoa burrito bowl with white rice, black beans, pico, hot, and medium salsas, and cheese with a side of chips and guacamole and an extra side of medium salsa and a sweet tea. (Man....my mouth is simply watering right now....the closest thing I've got, right now, is a can of frijoles refritos.
ANYWAY....I was hoping....praying, really, that I would have one tiny glimpse of my beloved holidays that are quickly approaching. There are only 179 days. But, I digress....SO, I go into The Lobby. I scan the Independence Day decor on the first aisle of their *seasonal* stuff....round the end-cap and about peed my pants, and started crying at the same time......FALL CANDLES!!!
I have a few favorite scents in candles. I detest vanilla and anything *baked.* I make wonderful scents of my own, in the kitchen....infused in wax is just gross. I also don't like floral. However, I adore cinnamon, pumpkin spice, The Lobby's Fall Harvest, cranberry, and mulberry. In fact, the only pumpkin candles I like are at The Lobby. And, THAT is what I saw. So, of course, I got one.
Yep....there were fall wreaths and garland; turkeys and pilgrims, owls? Yeah....all that stuff. Well, anytime I go to The Lobby, I have to do a walk-about. So....off I go, trotting through the store. (Remember, we are leaving for Montana in a matter of hours.) I get to the craft-kits section and low-and-behold! CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT KITS!!!
HOLY SMOKERONIES!!! The Christmas songs are full-voice in my head, by now.
Now, keep in mind, I go to The Lobby (when I'm not in Montana) every 2 weeks. There has been nothing...until June 8. And, seeing as how the last 2-year first-sightings have been as early as June 15th...I wasn't too surprised....just incredibly happy.
SO, of course, I got one of those, too.
I go up to the check-out, with my coupon in hand. (If you don't know, you can get a Hobby Lobby app....for free....click on *coupon* and it will give a code for 40% off the highest ticket item that is not already on sale.) I told the sweet gal that I wanted to knock 40% off the $10 ornament kit. What follows is the conversation.
Me: I would like to use the coupon code on this.
Gal: Was this on the clearance wall?
Me: No
Gal: But....it's Christmas.
Me: I KNOW! It is also June 8th. You are right on time.
Gal: But....we don't DO Christmas this early.
Me: Oh....but you do. See, I keep apprised of important events such as when the Christmas decorations make their first appearance here in The Lobby.
Gal: (to another gal) Do you know how much these are?
Other gal: They are on clearance.
Me: No. They are not.
Other gal: 90% off.
Me: Oh....THAT clearance wall!
*snort* I got a $10 ornament pack for $1.
No....I did not go buy more.....I only need 24 beaded candy canes. :-)
So....that is a bright spot.
We did have some events take place, while in Montana, that caused a full-blown fall-apart, complete with tears and ramblings, which lasted about 48 hours. (Mine....not hubby's nor the kids.) I can't get into it now, but it will be discussed in a few months.
Other than that, it is all good. We are in a 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo in a ski village. Small? Yes....but we are having a blast! Alpine sliding. Mountain biking. Trip to Canada (just for pizza). Obstacle course (which took place no less than 10-20 feet ABOVE ground). DS #1's birthday. Horseback riding. Ski-lifting. Inner tubing. Ziplining. Boating. Hanging out with friends. Making new friends. I could be a mountain girl....I just need my sweet tea. LOL!
I will be back.
There is more.
SO. MUCH. MORE!
BUT, I....well, it is 1:40 a.m. in Texas. My inner-clock is JACKED UP! It is still light at 10:00 pm. We stay up late. Sleep late. Eat late. Play late. It's gonna be a tough thing to get over.
When we get home, I have about 10 days before I go on vacation, with hubby, to the TRUE Land of the Midnight Sun.
Later, y'all!
Leave some love....let me know you are out there.
Nope, not a bit.
I am a *Debbie Downer* right now. If you don't want to read it, turn back now. I welcome your comments, but please know, I am not fishing for kudos, in any way. I just need to download a bunch of stuff.
I have had a few disappointments in the last few months. In JBQ, our kids (my son's team) SHOULD have been invited to Nationals....but didn't get the bid. Without getting into anything snide (and trust me.....it is there) it appeared *political*....which is sad, as this is a church organization.
I know there are things that I am not privy to. However, on the surface, it basically looks like our team got shafted. I liken it to OU football not being ranked in the top 10 "just because they have been there so many times."
Yeah.....doesn't make sense.
BUT, being the good little girl I am, I slapped on a smile (though I would have rather slapped others) and helped to work the festival, just because I love the program (itself) so stinkin' much. It really had nothing to do with the *higher ups.* And, it is a good thing that I, personally, am not a heavy hitter in the program, 'cause like I said earlier....I've got things to say.
Another disappointment is in the job situation. Yes...I *was* going to go back to my children's school to teach...except they won't have me. Oh, I'm a GREAT sub at a whopping $70 a day.....
I know! I KNOW! It is all part of God's plan...whether someone else is supposed to have the job, or I am in line for something better (which I DO believe.) However, in the "something better," my hubby and I really thought that going back to teaching was a necessary step.
Well, it is not to be....there, at least. One of my besties sent me some much needed words of comfort and has promised more info to help me feel better....not to mention a MUCH NEEDED play-date to The Lobby and Chipotle.
Why do I need to play-date? BECAUSE....I am in Montana. Have been for 20 days....will be for another 12. AND, Montana has NO Chick-fil-A....NO Chipotle....and ONLY ONE Lobby IN THE ENTIRE STATE!!! That is serious.....
SERIOUS!!!
On the 8th of June, the day we left for our vacay, I decided to do a *Chipotle Load* and last opportunity Lobby run. I ate my normal
barbacoa burrito bowl with white rice, black beans, pico, hot, and medium salsas, and cheese with a side of chips and guacamole and an extra side of medium salsa and a sweet tea. (Man....my mouth is simply watering right now....the closest thing I've got, right now, is a can of frijoles refritos.
ANYWAY....I was hoping....praying, really, that I would have one tiny glimpse of my beloved holidays that are quickly approaching. There are only 179 days. But, I digress....SO, I go into The Lobby. I scan the Independence Day decor on the first aisle of their *seasonal* stuff....round the end-cap and about peed my pants, and started crying at the same time......FALL CANDLES!!!
I have a few favorite scents in candles. I detest vanilla and anything *baked.* I make wonderful scents of my own, in the kitchen....infused in wax is just gross. I also don't like floral. However, I adore cinnamon, pumpkin spice, The Lobby's Fall Harvest, cranberry, and mulberry. In fact, the only pumpkin candles I like are at The Lobby. And, THAT is what I saw. So, of course, I got one.
Yep....there were fall wreaths and garland; turkeys and pilgrims, owls? Yeah....all that stuff. Well, anytime I go to The Lobby, I have to do a walk-about. So....off I go, trotting through the store. (Remember, we are leaving for Montana in a matter of hours.) I get to the craft-kits section and low-and-behold! CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT KITS!!!
HOLY SMOKERONIES!!! The Christmas songs are full-voice in my head, by now.
Now, keep in mind, I go to The Lobby (when I'm not in Montana) every 2 weeks. There has been nothing...until June 8. And, seeing as how the last 2-year first-sightings have been as early as June 15th...I wasn't too surprised....just incredibly happy.
SO, of course, I got one of those, too.
I go up to the check-out, with my coupon in hand. (If you don't know, you can get a Hobby Lobby app....for free....click on *coupon* and it will give a code for 40% off the highest ticket item that is not already on sale.) I told the sweet gal that I wanted to knock 40% off the $10 ornament kit. What follows is the conversation.
Me: I would like to use the coupon code on this.
Gal: Was this on the clearance wall?
Me: No
Gal: But....it's Christmas.
Me: I KNOW! It is also June 8th. You are right on time.
Gal: But....we don't DO Christmas this early.
Me: Oh....but you do. See, I keep apprised of important events such as when the Christmas decorations make their first appearance here in The Lobby.
Gal: (to another gal) Do you know how much these are?
Other gal: They are on clearance.
Me: No. They are not.
Other gal: 90% off.
Me: Oh....THAT clearance wall!
*snort* I got a $10 ornament pack for $1.
No....I did not go buy more.....I only need 24 beaded candy canes. :-)
So....that is a bright spot.
We did have some events take place, while in Montana, that caused a full-blown fall-apart, complete with tears and ramblings, which lasted about 48 hours. (Mine....not hubby's nor the kids.) I can't get into it now, but it will be discussed in a few months.
Other than that, it is all good. We are in a 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo in a ski village. Small? Yes....but we are having a blast! Alpine sliding. Mountain biking. Trip to Canada (just for pizza). Obstacle course (which took place no less than 10-20 feet ABOVE ground). DS #1's birthday. Horseback riding. Ski-lifting. Inner tubing. Ziplining. Boating. Hanging out with friends. Making new friends. I could be a mountain girl....I just need my sweet tea. LOL!
I will be back.
There is more.
SO. MUCH. MORE!
BUT, I....well, it is 1:40 a.m. in Texas. My inner-clock is JACKED UP! It is still light at 10:00 pm. We stay up late. Sleep late. Eat late. Play late. It's gonna be a tough thing to get over.
When we get home, I have about 10 days before I go on vacation, with hubby, to the TRUE Land of the Midnight Sun.
Later, y'all!
Leave some love....let me know you are out there.
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