Molly and Me

When ever I come home from work, no matter what, Molly is there to greet me. She will follow me around all night until we go to bed. Yes, I'm the one that feeds her and gives her special treats. But I like to think it's just because she likes me best. I can count on her to be there when I take a nap and still be there when I get up. She won't let me out of her sight, unless she is sure she isn't going to miss something important. We got Molly aftey our yellow lab, Macy died. Parker and I went to the animal shelter for a puppy,but they had very few to choose from and we didn't want a HUGE dog which is all they had for puppies, so we checked out the older dogs. We found one we liked, but he wasn't good with kids, another one had to be outside all the time, and another one didn't like to be around other dogs. So as were were getting discouraged and leaving, we went down one more area we had missed. We rounded the corner and there she was with her feet up on the cage, saying, "Here I am. Pick me!" and so we did. She is part border collie and part we don't know. She was 1.5 years old when we got her so now she is 9 years old and has the herding instinct and a mind of her own. Molly is passionate about "cookies," walks, and squirrels. She is my girl and I love snapping pictures of her :)

Dinner Tonight

Tonight's dinner is one of my favorites. There is something for everyone. Living with picky eaters is not easy! This combination has something for everyone. Carne guisada, flour tortillas, tortilla chips, Mexican cheese, and guacamole. MM...DH will eat the meat /tortilla, Parker will eat cheese, chips/tortilla and I eat it all. :) What did you have for dinner?

My Job

This is where I spend much of my day. It's my second home. As a teacher I don't spend a whole lot time actually sitting, but I do have to use the computer a lot. It wasn't long ago there wasn't a computer in the classroom. I remember talking to other teachers saying they should make a program where you can take attendance on the computer. That would save so much time. Now it's  the norm. Parents can see grades, discipline, and absences online and in real time. There is no such thing as a grade book, although dinosaurs like me still improvise and use one- even though it's not official. I can't just input grades with writing them down first. What if I forget to save?  Some people are like me; they can't let go of the old way. The new teachers can though. They trust the computer. Who knew I'd ever consider myself "old school." 

Old Faithful

I wanted a new purse for Christmas. I looked online. I settled for  Dooney & Bourke. 

Christmas came and I got it. I admired it for a few days, then I used it for one day. But I couldn't get the old guy out of my mind. I really liked it. Why did I think I needed a new one? Who knew I'd miss the one I spent days trying to replace. I came home from a day out and promptly put everything back into Old Faithful. The new guy can wait...I'm not through with the old one. 

I Got Sucked In

to the Twilight frenzy. I only did it because several of my female students were appalled that I hadn't read it yet. For the last two years every student I've seen reading it couldn't put it down. I'd see them with Twilight, then New Moon and so on. So I just had to see what all the fuss was about. I promised them I'd read it over Winter Break, and it was "ok." I can see why young girls like it. I admit when I was younger I'd have loved it. You know...good girl falls for the "bad" guy. Sigh..makes for a great love story. The only problem is now I HAVE to read the rest of the series now to find out what happens to Bella and Edward. But what I SHOULD read is something from my "To Read" stack that is just waiting for me at my bedside.

  But then again, who knew I'd get hooked on a book my students are hooked on! 

Here Piggy Piggy ...

Well these cute pigs aren't the kind we get in our front yard. These are much cuter. They are a gift from my sister and mom to remind me of the pigs we get in the front yard. That is before we put up an electric fence.  That is one of the perks ( cough cough) of living outside the city. The feral hogs visit your lawn and rip up that grass. At first it was interesting...then it became upsetting. 

In response to this my husband put up an electric fence that is supposed to keep them out. Some say it's too low...some say it's ok. The neighborhood association hired some trappers and one guy even asked if he could shoot one on our lawn if he saw it!!!! I just know they haven't been around in a while and I'm ok with that!!!  Who knew that living in the out here would be so interesting. 

Happiness is. . .

a day off. I'm thinking to myself as I sit and here and chat online with my sister,  I could really do this all day. I love when I'm in the mood to play the computer and I have time to do it!! I don't love when I'm in the mood to play on the computer and I have to leave to go to work. I say this because Monday is back to school for me. I like my job. In fact when I'm there I like and want to be there. It's usually the thought of having to get ready and GO that I hate. So I'm very aware today is the last Saturday of my vacation. The last of my relaxed state. The last bit of peace before teaching my students how to write an analysis essay over To Kill a Mockingbird (sounds exciting doesn't it?) and yes, trying to make it a pleasant and meaningful experience for them and then begin the dreaded semester test. Therefore,  I have to balance everything: teaching, my own son(also a 9th grader), and my personal life and its obligations. SO, one way to do it is to try and relax on the weekends...and this new machine will help me do just that....

I got this for Christmas from my husband. It was totally unexpected. I love making margaritas when I entertain and this will make it much easier and quicker. It's a Margaritaville Frozen Concoction Maker.  My son also likes me to make pina coladas for him and his friends....sans alcohol of course.  So I'm sure it will be used often. I'm thinking tonight I'll use it maybe to celebrate the end of the last late night of Christmas Break. Who knew relaxing could taste so good!! 

New Year Resolutions 101

It's been a long time since I've even wanted to make New Year's resolutions. I typically don't like to make them because I know that I'll soon forget them and then realized I've failed again. hahah So I'm going to approach it differently today. I'm going to focus on the inside of me, not the outside and maybe that is something I can work and not fail with. Here we go~~~~I resolve to:

~Renew my passion for things I love: family, friends, creativity, teaching and nature.

~ Believe in myself and my capabilities.

~ Reduce the excuses that I use to get out of exercise J

~ Concentrate on making my body healthy with good food and plenty of exercise.

~ Remember to be thankful each and every minute for each and every day and appreciate all the good and bad that comes my way.    

~ Focus on the positive and look for the positive in every situation. WILL positive things in my life and reduce negative thoughts and people.

~ Try to capitalize on my good days...days with out a migraine. Days with the headaches I will try and minimize the damage and work through them as much as possible.        

~I'm going to focus on my beautiful home and family here and all over. 

Who knew I'd be this blessed at this point in my life? 

Happy 2009!!!!!

Here is to a new YEAR and NEW challenges and joys.....I'm hoping that this year will be a better one for many people :) One of the things I'd like to do is participate in  NaBloPoMo. The idea here is to post every day during the month of January! I'd like to extend that and post every day this year and include a picture a day with it. This is obviously a goal. :) All goals are not always met. I do think however it will be fun challenge :) So in keeping with that I'll add a picture and be on my way. Who knew this would be so inspiring? 

This is the beast I wish to tame and become good friends with. I am hoping to use it often. I prefer walking outside, but in the winter months it's much harder. I get home and it's dark...I leave and it's dark! Living out in the country you don't want to walk in the dark at night...ha 

So 2009, here is to a healthier me :)  

Back Again

 My Car Buddy Parker 

Well, it's almost a new year and that brings out the desire to start fresh, renew, and review. 2008 was an interesting year for so many reasons. For me it was a year of learning patience. I thought I had patience until I moved 15 miles outside the city.  At first it was hard because I was so impatient. I wanted to be home NOW. Thoughts of "At the other house I'd be home" "Why did we move?" "What was I thinking?" swirled in my head as I  stubbornly drove the long country road home. But after weeks of fighting it  I realized I can't change it or fix it- so I embraced it. I have my son with me and it dawned on me how much I looked forward to the drive to and from school with him. It's become a mini blessing. I hear so much about him, his day, his basketball practice, his teachers, his life. Things that otherwise might have been lost to me,  I get to hear about and comment on. WHO KNEW such a hard adjustment would turn into such an unexpected treat.