it's the little things...

I love this SO much...

2011-04-05T11:20:00.000-07:00

http://www.ustream.tv/decoraheagles How amazing is technology? I got to watch the babies this morning when they were being fed by the parent. SO cool.

Winter Formal

2010-12-01T18:51:00.000-08:00

This year's winter formal dance was themed, "Under the Bigtop," so our costumes were circus themed. I'm a fancy clown (as opposed to a scary one!) and we also had a strongman, a lion tamer and a lion, and a fortune teller. We went to dinner in costume, too, but we were on 4th Avenue, so noone even looked twice.

I am a little surprised by how much I love costumes and dressing up for spirit week and such. Growing up, I was never really into Halloween or anything like that. I was too shy, I guess, to really go all out. Maybe I'm making up for lost time...

Rikki

2010-11-18T18:30:00.000-08:00

This is Rikki. When she first moved in with us, I sort of hated her a little bit. She was an added responsibility that showed up at a difficult time. Now, well, now she's kind of my bestie. Not an evening goes by that I don't have her company on the couch, whether I'm grading, reading, or watching tv. She is always, always, always happy to see me.

I kind of love her now.

Halloween, 2010

2010-11-10T08:22:00.000-08:00

Dr. Godlewski and Bonar as bikers...aka "southern-fried ROCKERS."

oops.

2010-09-24T07:27:00.000-07:00

Remember when you were a little kid, and you cut your own hair? And it looked all crazy, and your mom got mad? And you had to promise to NEVER do that again? Remember?

Ya. I remember that, too.

And I did it anyway.

Except I'm not so little anymore...so I don't have an excuse.

You're still the one...

2010-09-22T12:24:00.000-07:00

OMG. Back and just as good as last year. Glee makes me SERIOUSLY happy. Can't wait for the Brittney episode next week.

I love you, T.V.! LOTS.

Berlin Segway Tour

2010-09-22T07:04:00.001-07:00

So, I was TERRIFIED of getting on the segway, but it ended up being so easy and SUPER fun. I want one to drive to work! Wouldn't I be the coolest teacher with one of these things?! :)

Berlin was beautiful. It appealed to the art monger in me and the WWII enthusiast in my husband. We toured the city on the segways which provided an excellent overview of the city and highlighted places to which we wanted to return to explore further.

More pictures coming soon...

Seriously...

2010-08-29T20:15:00.000-07:00

Q: Where have I been?!
A: In the land of ennui.

Every single time I pulled up my blog, I'd sit. And sit. And sit. Couldn't think of anything to say. SOooooo, I am telling myself what I tell my students: "Just start writing. Write anything you can think of. I'll form into something." Not sure how much longer I'll be using that phrase.

1. Teaching 9th grade is hard but hilarious. I love those guys!!!
2. Started running. Don't love it so much quite yet.
3. Took off the "nursing Scott back to normalcy" pounds.
4. Heading to Prague, Dresden, and Berlin in September.
5. Still doing Stampin' Up! and pretty much loving it.
6. Read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and The Girl Who Played with Fire. LOVED!
7. Started The Girl who Kicked the Hornet's Nest.
8. Planning to see The Other Guys this week because my boyfriend, Will, is in it.
9. Conflicted over decision to buy a new camera for Czech Republic trip. Lots of $$$!
10. Excited for crafting day at my house on 9/4.

Where does the time go?!

2010-07-15T20:10:00.001-07:00

Detail image of part of my craft room. Can't get the whole thing in very well. We converted the laundry room after we moved the washer and dryer into the garage.

Hidden Canyon at Zion National Park. Scott hooked in to the chains here, so it was safe for him.

Angel's Landing at Zion National Park. LOVE this hike, but went without Scott.

Erupting geyser at Yellowstone. Can't believe how tall Sophia is getting!!!

Bison Jam near West Yellowstone. This became such a common event that we eventually became quite jaded and quit taking pictures of them.
******************************************************************************************

I haven't blogged since May? Good gravy. Here are some updates...

1. I got my job back. Whew! Every RIF'D employee had to interview for her position. Weird.

2. Traveled to Yellowstone with Grandma, Grandpa, and the kids.

3. Traveled to Zion with friends.

4. Finished up my craft room. It's so pretty I really don't want to mess it up!!!

Hiking

2010-05-31T08:31:00.001-07:00

We spent our anniversary in Greer this year, and it was great! We got in some great hiking, eating, and relaxing--probably should have done more hiking than eating, but we WERE celebrating. It goes without saying that we were celebrating our union, but we were also feeling so thankful that we have made it through the crazy events of the last year.

Aunt Ann is very proud!

2010-05-19T09:44:00.000-07:00

OMG. PJ is graduating from 8th grade today. Crazy, huh?

It seems like just minutes ago I was grossed out by his drool bib, kept him busy with Paradise Bakery chippers at the mall, held him on my lap during "scawwwwee" movies, played I Spy, and read the nursery rhyme book over and over and over and over.

Now he's got a cute girlfriend, plays quarterback on the football team, got his braces off.... He's so excited to attend Centennial, too. I'm super proud. And kinda sad, too.

Gonna be some tears tonight, my friends.

Got one of these today...

2010-04-14T19:11:00.000-07:00

Except the one I got is not cute.

43 teachers (many of whom are my dear friends) at CDO were pink slipped today. We will not be issued contracts until May 19th IF we are being hired back. Voting on May 18th is imperative for your kids' teachers AND for your kids. Without money, we cannot support the programs that keep so many young people coming to school.

Please vote.

Thankful

2010-04-01T19:54:00.000-07:00

This is Scott. You guys know him. He's, like, the best guy ever. I love him SO much. He was involved in a serious accident while working out last Friday. He suffered a subdural hematoma and a maxillary sinus fracture, and we spent the weekend in ICU at University Medical Center.

I am thankful for his imminent recovery, his slowly restored memory, the amazingly wonderful nurses who cared for him. I am grateful for the friends who've prayed for him, who have brought us meals and taken care of my sub plans so that I can focus on him.

He's going to be fine, and I am one lucky girl because of that.

Spirit Week at CDO (aka--the reason I RETURNED from Spring Break) :)

2010-03-26T07:10:00.000-07:00

Villians Day - Cruella DeVille and Ursula
Pirate Day

Zombie Day

The other days (pajama day and U of A day) were really just not photo worthy.

Hey, there, Sunshine...

2010-03-09T15:45:00.000-08:00

Do you think you might be fixin' to hit Tucson soon? I miss you.

Greer, New Year's--2010

2010-02-03T18:09:00.000-08:00

Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in Greer. SO fun and SUPER cold!

Dear Facebook...

2010-01-29T06:06:00.001-08:00

I think we need to part ways.

I'm sorry, but you stress me out. Yes, I have enjoyed finding old friends. Yes, it was exciting to see the friend requests. Bottom line, and you can call me an old lady...I just don't really get it. Farmville? Mafia Wars? Wha?

It's become rather unweildy to keep up with you. I DO update my status once-in-awhile, and believe me when I say the anxiety I feel is not because I have SO MANY friend requests that I can't keep up! There's just too much going on there! How do you hit someone back with a pillow? Or send a heart? Or find out what your Jersey Shore name is?

Plus, and this is hard to say, I feel as though you are drawing my BFFs away from their blogs. I know! You may say I'm jealous. So be it. I miss them.

It was fun while it lasted, Facebook. I will miss you. Sort of...

Finding a groove...

2010-01-25T12:08:00.000-08:00

Heels have always been my footwear of choice. The higher the better. I feel dressed up and girly and professional, and my posture is WAY better when I'm wearing these. I might sometimes feel sexy, too. I wear them to work, out on dates with Scott, lunch with girlfriends. Just L.O.V.E. them. In these shoes, I feel powerful and in control...like the manager I used to be, the independent, can-scrapbook-anytime-I-like-and-eat-popcorn-or-greenbeans-for-dinner-girl who had a clean (nay, spotless) apartment (which was decorated very decidedly "girly"). I also feel a teeny, tiny bit uptight in them, a little rigid...ok...maybe a lot rigid.

You know what? You can't catch a curve ball wearing those bad boys...and I've had a few pitched my way lately. Since tendonitis moved in (and HOLY SCHNIKEES it hurts) I've been sportin' these guys instead:

Cute? Yeah. Girly? OK. Powerful and sexy? Not so much. I like 'em, though. I realize I'm more relaxed, like I can catch up with my life. You know what else? Everything is kind of settling into a groove, too. Life is not perfectly clean, tidy, wrapped up in a bow, or shiny and sexy with a flexed calf all the time. Just ain't happening. Sometimes I have my act together enough that we sit down to dinner together. Sometimes we have cereal. The house is "mostly" clean. The world will NOT end if kid #1 doesn't want to wash her hair for a week. Eventually, she'll do it. Or if kid #2 wears 5 outfits in one day? Fine, too.

I know. You might be thinking, "Ann is overmedicated." Nah. It's just the shoes...

Mentor of the Year

2010-01-24T19:30:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday we attended a banquet in Phoenix at which Scott was awarded Mentor of the Year for his work with graduate students and AZ Game and Fish. I was so proud of him as he accepted his award; he gave a great speech and was so at ease in front of all those people.

That done, I need to figure out why we look like the Bonar family of Amazons. What is up with our giant-ness?!

Hooray!!!!

2010-01-21T08:45:00.001-08:00

I LOVE Laurie Notaro. She is hilarious, insightful, wise...and says all the things that we only WISH we could say. This one, her second book of fiction, ships April 13th, and I could not be happier about it.

You can pre-order from Amazon right now. New release...in paperback...for only 11 bucks and change. Awesome, huh? Check out her website at http://www.laurienotaro.com/ . Funny stuff, my friends. Please note, in particular, "Death of a Catchphrase," in the archives.

Edited: I just tried to access the archives on Laurie's website at work and it is blocked here because it comes up as porn. It is NOT porn. I promise... :)

My dear friends...

2010-01-18T19:21:00.001-08:00

...usually don't look quite this crazy. :) The group shot from the Winter Formal includes Sara (a math teacher and fellow scrapbooker) as Alice, Michelle (a PE teacher) as the White Rabbit, Nina (a math teacher) as Queen of Hearts (in a slick Fancy Nancy crown), and yours truly as The Mad Hatter.

Yes...we did go to dinner that night in costume. Really.

Happy New Year Randomness

2010-01-05T19:07:00.000-08:00

1. Contemplating whether I will say two thousand ten...or twenty-ten. Twenty-ten sounds weird, but I didn't say nineteen-thousand-ninety-nine. Nor did I say twenty-oh-nine.

2. Deciding on new hair style. Things are working out better since I bought a flat-iron that cost more than 4.99.

3. Recovering from cross-country skiing. Tendonitis has officially moved in to join chin hair, bifocals, and droopy bra straps in permanent residence.

4. Snuggling with Rikki, the previously NOT so loveable pomeranian who moved in when the kids did.

5. Recommiting to WW (put 8 lbs back on--dammit). Don't remember the fiber increase having this same impact last year. whoa. (One might think that I'm only dining at Cafe Rio, Lori!)

6. Enjoying the "fresh start" feeling of January.

7. Thinking, praying, hoping for two different friends whose husbands have lost jobs.

8. Feeling joyous, thankful, ecstatic for another friend who is finally pregnant. :)

9. Loving my husband for trying SO hard to be tidy and organized. (You have NO idea!)

10. Anxiously awaiting new books from my fave authors: Laurie Notaro (June), Charlaine Harris (May), Jodi Picoult (March).

My sissy...

2009-12-16T05:56:00.000-08:00

Why would she not want me to kiss her in the middle of Disneyland? I don't get it. :)

Susan is one of the most awesome people I know. She is a fantastic mom, great teacher, excellent cook/baker, and, luckily for me, a really, really, really super great friend and sister.

I'm really glad we didn't kill each other when we were younger and didn't really feel the love like we do now.

Uh oh.

2009-12-02T06:05:00.000-08:00

2009, where did you go? I cannot believe it is December 2nd, y'all. That whole thing about how time passes more quickly the older you get is true, I guess, huh? Remember when you were a kid, and "older" people couldn't remember how old they were? I thought that was RIDICULOUS. Now, I am that lady. Bra straps that slide off my shoulders, bifocals, chin hair, the whole shebang.

Sheesh.

In other news, I have made approximately 60 Christmas cards to send to my amazingly lovely friends and family. I make them every, single year, you know...and I never send them. This year, I'm going to actually buy stamps...and probably get them in the mail BEFORE Christmas.

Happy December!

Winter Formal

2009-11-21T16:06:00.000-08:00

CDO's Winter Formal is themed Alice in Wonderland, so I'm going as the Mad Hatter. SO fun! Not all the chaperones are dressing in costume, but we'll have Alice, The Queen of Hearts, White Rabbit, and Mad Hatter. I'll post a pic of the whole crew later.

Thankful: Issue No. 2 - A photo story

2009-11-08T18:22:00.001-08:00

5. The Hadleys are a pretty cool set of folks. Things are good there...

6. The Coven. Disneyland, 2007. Teaching with these gals at Indy was awesome. Going to D-land with them is even better. 7. Watched this guy play football on Saturday, the day after he turned 14. The kid can catch...as long as the ball is not being thrown directly TO him.

8. Bedroom doors that close. Yes, someone DOES live in there. She's 10, and, apparently, wants to live in the human approximation of a hamster cage.

Thankful: Issue No. 1 (long...gotta catch up!)

2009-11-04T17:40:00.000-08:00

I KNOW I need to be conscious of the truly wonderful aspects of my life. I tend to look at what is wrong...what I do wrong far too often. Focusing on the positives and recording the thoughts attached to those events, people, things adds energy to our lives and serves as a reminder of what's really important--the big and little things. So, to that end, here begins my daily record of gratitude (in no particular order):
1. Scrapbooking - The "Soul Sisters" I have met through this hobby are the most amazing women. I admire their talent (OBVIOUSLY), but more than that, I really, really love being with them; I admire their devotion to their husbands and children, their wisdom about life, their ability to see the silver lining. Lori, Vickie, Jackie, Zefa, Janice, Sara, Angie, Em, Heidi...I'm thrilled that our crafty hearts found one another.

2. Diet Coke.

3. Close hiking trails - I'm so glad I can exercise close to home and get some outdoor time to clear my head...and my arteries! :) The cooler weather is setting in, and it feels so great to get out in the brisk morning air on the weekends.

4. Sushi - Splurge-worthy in the world of WW.

Caramel Pumpkin Pudding Cupcakes

2009-11-03T18:33:00.000-08:00

These cupcake-y/muffin-y bits of love are d.lish. Seriously. They are only 2 WW points each if you're counting. Recipe is from The Hungry Girl cookbook.

***Edited to add the following: OMG! After being in the fridge all night, they taste like pumpkin pie.

2 cups moist--style yellow cake mix (1/2 a box)
1 c. canned pure pumpkin
1/3 c. fat-free liquid egg substitute
2 tbls. sugar-free maple syrup
2 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. Splenda
1/8 tsp. salt
Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl with 1/3 cup water. Whip with whisk or fork for 2 minutes until blended. Line 12-cup muffin pan with paper baking cups. Evenly spoon batter into muffin cups. Cook for 14-15 minutes at 350 degrees until puffy and slightly gooey on top. Cool enough to handle and place close together on a plate. Melt 3 caramels and 2 tsp light vanilla soy milk in microwave for 70 seconds at 50% power. Stir mixture vigorously until smooth. Drizzle over cupcakes.

SO good. Even the kids liked them. I had to cut them off at 2.

Truer words have never been said, my friend...

2009-11-02T21:15:00.000-08:00

This poster was hanging up at the Peace Conference at Harrelson Elementary School last week. Clearly, the 5th graders know where it's at...

Gettin' in the CDO Spirit!

2009-11-02T20:58:00.000-08:00

My students said, "So, who are you supposed to be, anyway?" SERIOUSLY? Then I realized that THIS Madonna was popular before they were born. Damn.

Decades Day during Spirit Week. Just look at those saddle shoes! I want to wear them every day. Every day that I'm not dressing like Madonna, circa 1983, that is.

Costume Day during spirit week: Nina as court jester, Sara as witch, Ann as Lady Macbeth. Note the blood drops on LB's hand. "Out damned spot! Out, I say!"

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-30T13:47:00.001-07:00

My teenage dream of being Madonna has been fulfilled. I'll have a full-length picture soon. The outfit is truly glorious...includes lace skirt and legwarmers.

It's like...totally awesome.

Boots

2009-10-29T06:28:00.000-07:00

The following conversation took place in Practical Ann's head when Free-Spirited Ann was trying desperately escape the confines of pragmatism. You see, F.S.A. promised to give her not-really-that-cute boots to Sophia to wear with her Halloween costume (a gypsy, fortune-teller, vampire combination). P.A. was not feeling good about the decision.

Practical Ann: "Hmm. Maybe you should hold on to those. You remember how hard it was for you to find boots to fit over your cows...er...calves?"

Free-Spirited Ann: "Are you kidding? I've lost nearly 40 pounds. If Kim Kardashian can get boots to fit her calves, so can I."

P. A. : "You DO realize that HER boots were custom made and cost as much as your car, right?"

F. A. : "Whatever."

So, Free-Spirited Ann embarked on a quest for cute boots after ridding herself of the oldandnotverycute ones from her past life. Much to her dismay, like Cinderella's evil step-sisters, not a fit could be found. NOT ONE BOOT WOULD ZIP PAST THE ANKLE. Upon closer examination and zipping the boot up to examine the size of the opening that would not contain the power of her calves, she was shocked and, yes, dismayed by the size of the boot top. As if the demoralization of the non-zipping boot were not enough, the size of the hole was amazingly large.

"How can that NOT fit?!"

Seriously, every single boot failed me. Every one. And there were witnesses.

P.A. has banished F.S.A to the basement for awhile to tend the cinders of her ego. Now the only boots she has are the ones from her Mrs. Incredibles costume, and those are definitely notverycuteboots.

Seeeeeeriously...

2009-10-20T20:12:00.000-07:00

Look at him. When did he become man-sized? My nephew is THE greatest kid ever. E-VER. I miss him a real lot. On November 6th, he will reach the ripe old age of 14. What?! Yeah. 14.

P.S. Please ignore the somewhat regrettable selection of the Jack Daniel's stocking cap. I blame his mother.

Halloween

2009-10-06T20:26:00.000-07:00

We dashed through Target tonight to get "necessities" (does anyone EVER just get necessities at Target?!) and the kids needed to stop at the Halloween costumes. Good gracious, the selection is interesting. Now, my friends, I have never in my entire life purchased a costume for Halloween. When little Susie and Annie were growing up, we begged for store-bought costumes; however, we were, according to mom, "far too creative and smart" for that, so we had the "opportunity" to make them.

The lead-in here might make you think that you were getting a story about an awesome costume I made and the realization that I had created something totally cool and was the envy of every kid in Glendale.

Nope. My costumes were LAME-O. Seriously.

And as I heard my mother's words about creativity and intelligence escape my lips as I said "no" to a rather slutty cat costume, I bit my tongue...and told the youngsters that Dad would LOVE to take them costume shopping.

T.V., I love you...

2009-10-02T07:54:00.001-07:00

As we've already discussed, my heart belongs to Glee, but I'm beginning a not-so-illicit affair with Community. The characters are goofy and sweet and SO funny...just like my long, lost love Freaks and Geeks. If Freaks is unfamiliar to you, rent it, Netflix it, buy it. You won't be sorry.

All are great shows that make you laugh and get all misty-eyed at the same time.

Ow. Pusch Peak and Motherhood

2009-10-01T07:15:00.000-07:00

I'm a hiker, and I really love it. It is an enjoyable type of physical activity--you're outdoors, you can set your own pace, get some nice vitamin D from the sun. Lots of positives. I and my darling, precious husband "hiked" (really "climbed") Pusch Peak on Sunday. The reason it's taken me so long to post is that today is the first day I can actually lift my arms high enough to reach the keyboard. :)

Did I love THIS particular hike? Not really, but I did it, and IT WAS HARD. The thing that strikes me about it is that there was no doubt in Scott's mind that I COULD do it. He was completely confident in my ability to make it to the top...despite my obvious struggle to get there. The summit was an accomplishment, though the journey was filled with cacti, skree, huge boulders to climb--lots of challenges. We made it because we worked together. He was patient, and I asked for help.

I have to look at my stepmom/mom situation in the same way. Scott is completely confident that I can do this...despite my obvious struggles. No question about it. I, on the other hand, second-guess myself at every turn. He is patient, yet I allow the "cacti, skree, and boulders" of everyday life get in the way of my confidence. Asking for help is not in my nature; I always feel like I'm admitting defeat or highlighting a flaw in my character if I can't do something I've set out to do. My life at home feels foreign. It shouldn't feel that way, right? I'm a teacher. I am, after all, with kids day in and day out. My job is comprised of building relationships and communicating, so what's with the EVERY DAY struggle in my own family?

I know we'll get there together. Scott is my other half--a slightly messier other half, but still! :) Just like our hike, the journey may not be the funnest, but the peak will certainly be an accomplishment.

Highlights of House Bill 2011

2009-09-23T06:49:00.000-07:00

"Debbie Downer" will not return after this post. It is Glee night, after all. :)

So, I don't want to go all political on you, but this scares the crap out of me. The following items have passed and WILL BE LAW within 90 days. Looks like the push to privatize education is well on its way. Essentially, teachers with experience can be let go at any time in order to hire new, inexperienced (read cheaper) educators, right out of college. I remember my first years as a teacher; I was terrible. It was overwhelming, and I often drove home (well after 8:00 at night) in tears. If you can't/don't/won't coach, you could be gone...even if you are a FAR better teacher than the guy they are hiring who can/does/will coach.

I'm not saying that a new teacher is bad; I'm saying that you spend so much of your day in management mode that you can't even get to teacher mode. Experience is valuable in every profession, is it not? Do I think there are some bad teachers out there? Absolutely; I think we all had one who was just punching the time-clock until retirement, but they are, by far, the exception.

***********************************************************************************
No contract dates
A school district will no longer have to issue contracts by May 15 to teachers.

Salary reductions
The May 15 statutory deadline for notice of salary reduction has been removed and school districts will now set their own salary reduction deadline.

Teachers with continuing status (those with 3+ years of experience)
A school district is prohibited from adopting policies that provide employment retention priority for teachers based on tenure or seniority.

A school district is able to reduce the salary of a teacher with continuing status in any manner. The prior statutory protection said that a salary reduction of a continuing status teacher can only occur under a general salary reduction.

The improvement time that a school district must allow a teacher to correct inadequate classroom performance is reduced from 85 instructional days to 60 instructional days after receiving notice.

Probationary teachers (those with fewer than 3 years of experience)
Probationary teachers will no longer need to be notified of nonrenewal by April 15.

Reduction-In-Force ( RIF )
A school district no longer has to give a preferred right of reappointment to a job for a teacher who has lost his/her job through the reduction-in-force ( RIF ) process.

When is "good enough," good enough?

2009-09-22T06:22:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking about this a lot, wondering if my "if you're not early, you're late" mentality has become crippling.

Have our expectations changed so much that doing what you're supposed to do most of the time, just passing your classes, sometimes being on time is the new standard? What do we do when our children go into the workforce and cannot hold a position because they think that work is supposed to be fun all the time? That they should be rewarded for just showing up?

I've been holding off on posting for a while because I've been contemplating this idea, speculating that, perhaps, as I've heard a number of times in my life, that I need to "let things go," "look at what they DID do." Being a Negative Nancy is not who I am. I know that for a fact, so I kept assuming that this would pass.

It hasn't.

My teachers and parents had pretty high expectations, and achievement 50% of the time was not good enough. Not for them and not for me. So, what has changed? Can we explain it away by saying that it is a Millenial thing? Deterioration of the family? Pulling away from church?

I'm stumped.

Question: What's better than Glee?

2009-09-10T06:23:00.000-07:00

Answer: Nothing.

From Jane Lynch to "Push It" to the hysterical pregnancy to the teen angst ending...seriously, I'm SO in love.

WW violation

2009-09-09T15:07:00.001-07:00

Now, you might think that Fried Dill Pickles sound disgusting. I don't understand that view, really. Pickles? mmmmmm. Fried stuff? mmmmmm. Dipping sauce? mmmmm. What's not to love? My friend, this dish is sweet magic.

We were recently in Indiana for Scott's class reunion and had lots of bar-b-que and these yummy morsels. I will soon embark on a non-stop hiking regimen in order to clear my arteries.

Can't imagine anything finer...

2009-09-09T15:00:00.000-07:00

Don't mention this to my dear husband, but tonight is the night I've been dreaming about for three months--So You Think You Can Dance AND Glee...on the same night...and I don't have any practice to drive to or a game or anything that has to be done.

Seriously, I can hardly stand it.

Love, love, love this.

2009-08-24T06:34:00.000-07:00

I love to hike, and now I love it even more. I can have cold water (3 liters, my friend!) the entire time because I bought one of these guys--the Camelback hydration pack. Yes, it cost as much as an awesome pair of shoes, but I feel in the long run this will make me happier than Steve Madden or Jessica Simpson.

Open House

2009-08-19T06:56:00.000-07:00

So, I've never been on the receiving end of Open House...having to follow my kid's schedule, sit in a little kid desk (btw, still little in middle school), hearing the expectations of 6 different teachers, AND listening to the principal's speech for 25 minutes in a room that is, KID YOU NOT, 8000 degrees.

God love you, parents, for attending Open House.

You know, the funny thing is that we teachers, parents, all of us, really have the same expectations for our kids...your kids. We want them to be respectful, responsible, caring people. Learning the reading, writing, math stuff is good, too, you know, but that's WAY easier to teach than the other, as I see it, more important things.

In the end, we just want to grow good people. The kind of people we can be proud to say, "yup, that's a good one."

So, thanks for supporting your kids, for sitting through Open House, concerts, plays, art shows, games. You guys are the good ones.

Just a few things...

2009-08-16T10:32:00.000-07:00

1. Sophia has started Fall Ball (that would be softball). I am glad to assist in cultivating this interest, yet the time commitment is rather daunting: two (probably 3!) practices per week and double header games every Saturday...and sometimes Fridays. I'm sorry; I didn't realize we had "hit the majors."

2. Sonja is enrolling in dance classes. This girl is gonna require a close watch! She very much enjoys the "hootchie" look (how do you even spell that?!), though she doesn't REALLY know that's what she's sporting. The outifts that strut, and I do mean S-T-R-U-T, out of that bedroom are a sight to behold.

3. I finally broke the 150 lb. plateau AND I purchased a size 10 pair of pants. Yes, they do fit. Those numbers have not been in my life for quite some time. I even weigh less now than the number on my driver's license.

4. Yoga might be making a difference. I don't FEEL as knotted up/tense/anxious/andlet'sjustfaceitpissedoff as I used to.

5. Scott's newest book is out and is apparently selling well. If you want to read about standardization in fisheries, this is the book for you.

First Day

2009-08-07T06:58:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the first day of school, and, OMG, it kicked my butt!! How do...ahem...more experienced (read older) teachers do this?

I only saw 1/2 of my kids yesterday, and if today is similar, I will be certain that I have the Stepford Students enrolled in my sections! I know. I know. The first few days are the honeymoon period, but after 16 years of this, I can tell when someone's behavior will manifest in turdy ways.

Don't see that...yet. :)

Just look at him...

2009-07-27T20:47:00.000-07:00

It should be good, right? One would think that any movie with handsome Mr. Depp and dear Christian Bale would be downright delicious, yes?

eh...

A different kinda vampire...

2009-07-27T20:38:00.000-07:00

The ones in this book are SCARY. Seriously scary. No romantic, slightly dangerous ones like those belonging to Sookie or Bella. These guys are bad. If you liked Pan's Labyrinth and/or The Orphanage (both good Guillermo Del Toro films), I think you'd like this one. Sadly it is the first in a trilogy, and the next book isn't due until 2010. Sookie doesn't show up again for a few months. I need a new obsession. Any suggestions?

Cedar Breaks National Monument

2009-07-23T08:00:00.000-07:00

Our last stop was Cedar Breaks. We wrongfully assumed that we could do both hikes that day, but I think we (read "I") were just hiked out. The canyon was beautiful--hoodoo formations on the floor and lots of wildflowers. The National Park Service is testing a new GPS video tour, so we tried that out, too, and that was pretty cool. There was one section with a choir from the 60's singing "inspirational" songs. We played that as we hiked...perhaps we didn't get very far because we were laughing too hard!?

Great trip. I'll post/write about our accommodations tomorrow.

Angel's Landing hike

2009-07-13T10:15:00.000-07:00

Angel's Landing is the hike to brag about at Zion, and we made it! The photo without us in it, is the peak from the trailhead. The pic with both of us is at the very tip-top of the landing. At some points, the trail is only 3 feet wide though in most places there are chains drilled into the rockface to hold on to. The individual shots are at random points along the trail, but you can see how high up we were. Today is a lazy day. We're headed to Cedar City for the Shakespearean Festival and a good steak dinner. Tomorrow is Cedar Breaks.

Zion National Park

2009-07-11T19:19:00.001-07:00

We hiked the Hidden Canyon trail (super high-up with chains to hold) yesterday and did The Narrows (80% in water) today. I am glad that I experienced both hikes, but I enjoyed the canyon hike much more. We waded through some pretty rough waters in the Narrows. It was certainly a workout!

I cannot believe the majesty of Zion. What a beautiful place to spend time outdoors.

Television

2009-07-02T07:56:00.000-07:00

I LOVE watching tv. I relish the time when nobody is home, and I can watch a Lifetime movie, or a Clean House marathon, or, don't even get me started, What Not to Wear. Scott and I would usually agree on an episode of Ghost Hunters in the evening by way of compromise. He would not have to watch anything on the Style channel, if I didn't have to watch anything on the Hitler (er...History) channel.

Well, my friends, we have been without a direct tv connection since June 8, and, you know what? It hasn't been THAT bad. You see, we had new shingles put on the roof in preparation for the solar panels, which are now up. The dish will go back up eventually, but I must say that escaping from SpongeBob Squarepants, Drake and Josh, et. al. has been quite a relief.

Please help me to understand...

2009-06-29T10:29:00.000-07:00

I had seven girls here last night for a birthday sleepover. I cleaned the house, purchased copious amounts of food, baked a cake, prepared the food, set a special table for the girls in the living room, served the food, cleaned up, laid out pastries and donuts, etc. for breakfast.

Not one, single, solitary "thank you" crossed the lips of any of the seven girls. I heard demands like, "I need a fork," and three of the girls actually ignored a question of mine; they simply turned and walked away.

Now, thankfully, they are being picked up by their parents. Yet again, no word of thanks nor any sign of gratitude.

Is this what they do now? 'Cause I don't like it. Not one bit.

Ch...ch...ch...ch...Changes...

2009-06-22T17:23:00.000-07:00

Whoa.

I used to be a part-time stepmom/parent-type person. Now, that job is full-time. Am I ready? Nope. Scared? Uhhhhh...ya.

I know, in my head, that there is a reason I'm here. A purpose for which my entire life up to now has been preparing me. Really...I do know. The rest of me just hasn't caught up yet.

Gotta have an easy year coming up here soon.

Seriously.

A few quick pics from the Big Island...

2009-06-10T19:11:00.000-07:00

Picacho Peak

2009-05-31T18:36:00.000-07:00

We climbed Picacho Peak a few weeks ago, and WHEW! that's a tough one--had to use cables and stuff. This is the only picture in which I am not flipping off my husband for dragging me up there. :)

School's out, the last two DVDs of True Blood have arrived, and we're headed to HI on Tuesday night. Should have some snorkeling and volcano pictures soon...maybe even a few where I'm NOT "saluting" my dear husband.

I hope my scrapbooking bffs are ready to get together soon. I'm having withdrawls!!!!!

Oh my...

2009-05-21T07:03:00.000-07:00

THIS is good. You might be asking yourself, "Ann, how in heaven's name did you manage to watch tv two nights in a row, and NOT have to watch the Hitler channel or SpongeBob?" It's a mystery, my friends. I got the first DVD from Netflix, and I'm thinkin' I might have to just buy it. Not sure I can wait for the USPS.

Now, this series is WAY racier than the books. Lori, you cannot under any circumstances watch this show! It would freak me out to no end...like when you're a kid and you realize how exactly you got here. ew.

Glee

2009-05-20T07:16:00.000-07:00

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this show. It's funny and touching...great television.

XOXOXOXO

2009-05-10T17:28:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day to all my mama friends. I love you, guys!

I'm embarrassed...

2009-05-05T15:10:00.000-07:00

that I am SO excited about this book. It should be waiting for me when I get home from school today. Um...yes, I do have TONS of papers to grade. They'll still be there tomorrow, right? I need me some smutty-vampire-love.

I bet my friend, Vickie, could use this book right about now! ;) hehe

Pusch Ridge

2009-05-03T21:46:00.000-07:00

This was a tough hike. In fact, Scott told me that it's the hardest one we've done. You know what? It didn't feel THAT hard to me now. I'm in better shape that I've been in a long time: 26 pounds gone, cholesterol down to 196 from 245, LDL down to 119 from 164. With diabetes and heart disease in my family history, it came down to more than skinny jeans and cute tops. I want to be around for a long time.

Scott looks great, huh? He did the whole WW thing with me, and I love him SO much for that. It's so hard to get healthy if you don't have support, and he was behind me all the way. Even when HE cooked, he made low point meals. He's a great, great fella, huh...

Check out my mad skilz...

2009-04-30T20:02:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUDFgjCF8n4

just an update...

2009-04-28T17:40:00.000-07:00

Busy and 23 pounds gone. Except for the being busy part, I'm pretty jazzed.

I like this a lot...

2009-04-09T07:13:00.000-07:00

“Live life fully while you're here. Experience everything. Take care of yourself and your friends. Have fun, be crazy, be weird. Go out and screw up! You're going to anyway, so you might as well enjoy the process. Take the opportunity to learn from your mistakes: find the cause of your problem and eliminate it. Don't try to be perfect; just be an excellent example of being human.”

—Anthony Robbins (b. 1960); self-help writer, speaker

Crank That...

2009-04-05T18:49:00.000-07:00

I, and a group of very brave peers, learned "Crank That" by Soulja Boy and danced at the spirit assembly on Friday. We were a hit. I cannot tell the adoring students, however, that we practiced our a**es off for 1 minute and 15 seconds of dancing.

Word.

Wonderments...

2009-04-05T07:46:00.000-07:00

1. Is it typical male behavior to simply shake dry rather than using the strategically placed towel?
2. Why is "mom" the only one who can determine whether the dishes in the dishwasher are clean or dirty?
3. Why does Kelsi keep challenging me to an IQ test on Facebook? I don't know Kelsi, and her repeated insinuations that I'm stupid (which are, infact, pop-ups that declare, "Kelsi thinks you're stupid") are getting old.

Watching weight...

2009-04-02T09:44:00.000-07:00

So, I'm down 20 pounds now, and down ONE jeans size. One? Really? That's it? Just how tight WAS I sportin' those bad boys pre-WW?!

I love scrapbooking.

2009-03-22T17:26:00.000-07:00

Like, I seriously love it. I need to do it, kinda like exercise, I guess. My dear, fabulous, wonderful friends, Lori, Sara, and Jackie scrapbooked with me last night at SE. We had the best time--ate dinner at Cafe Rio...for which Lori and I suffered tremendously...and therefore so did everyone else. :) We talked and laughed, and I hated, hated, hated saying good bye.

Now, did I get a lot done? Naw. Only made three cards and kitted a one, but that's not really what it's all about anyway, right? Just setting aside the time to hang out with these girls, talk, drink Diet Coke, (maybe toot a little), and push around some patterned paper is worth the price of admission.

Have a great "last day of Spring Break!"

Ahhhh...Spring Break.

2009-03-21T12:37:00.000-07:00

Spring Break is almost over, and I am reminded of the insightful, meaningful words expressed years ago by my friend, Donna. She, a full-time teacher, took a semester off to be with her new baby and 6 year old. She was SO looking forward to this time with her girls, and I know treasures those months; however...

When Donna arrived for a "girls only" dinner at my house, I opened the door to see a different woman standing before me. A dazed expression on her face, she quietly said, "now I know why mothers in the wild eat their young."

Never understood the words until last night at 11:57 pm.

Hello WORK. I've missed you...

My sissy...

2009-03-19T14:49:00.000-07:00

This is me and my cute sista, Susan. If a glance into the future long ago would have revealed that my bestest friend in the whole world would be this girl, I would have laughed OUT LOUD. We were very different kids. She, the popular cheerleader; I, the violin playing nerd.

I hold Susie-Q in high esteem. She's an awesome cook, a fantastic mother, a great math teacher. She puts on the best parties, and, seriously, she's totally cute.

Rodeo Break

2009-03-04T18:19:00.000-08:00

Scott and I spent Rodeo Break in Sedona and Canyon de Chelly. We got in some great hiking and hunted for dinosaur bones. Scott DID find some bones, and we were told that the test "in the field" is simply to lick the bone/rock. If it sticks to your tongue, it is bone. Gross.

42 years old, and 16 pounds lighter than the last birthday. Working out sure has made hiking easier. This trip into Canyon de Chelly would have kicked my butt a few months ago; instead it simply pinched me a little bit. :)

CUTE necklace

2009-02-23T05:47:00.001-08:00

My friend, Dawn, made this awesome necklace for me. I LOVE it! The Dorado is our school mascot, but she can put any team in there. She's selling them for $12 with bling and $10 without. Her business is Sassy Talk. Let me know if you'd like more info on these. How cute for a high schooler or sports fan, huh?

Seriously, no WAY to break this Jackie! :)

A little wonderment...

2009-02-23T05:35:00.000-08:00

Question: How long does it take one's loving and wonderful mate to get rid of all the little, tiny, disgusting bits of soap left in the soap dish after one's loving and wonderful mate has opened a new bar of soap?

Answer: 17 days...so far

We're at a stand-off, my friends. Of course, the stand-off is only in my head because my loving and wonderful mate doesn't really care that the little bits are festering in the soap dish. I look at them every morning and think, "You, little bits, deserve a final resting place, a place where you no longer have to serve the bits and pieces of others."

Didn't there used to be some kind of miracle item from Ronco (is that the right name?) that you put all the bits in and they somehow melded into a big bar again? I need me one of them.

No paper...no patience...

2009-02-18T04:32:00.001-08:00

I HATE grading papers. Kind of a bad thing to hate when you're a teacher, right? I've graded for hours at a time over the last week in order to provide feedback to my little scholars prior to the AIMS test next week. That, in conjunction with the issues of funding--"I'm sorry. What? I can't make copies anymore? OK. And there's no money for books. I see. What about paper? Ah. None of that either"--makes doing this job a tad difficult. Truth be told, it has not made for a happy Mrs. B of late.

One might think that it's all worth it when a young mind finally "gets it," that moment when the light clicks on, and you can see that all of your preparation, every lecture, every gentle little mark made by your red pen has made a difference.

Yeah. I'm still waiting for that moment. Been waitin' for 15 years.

Woo! Hoo!

2009-02-13T06:27:00.000-08:00

Two more pounds gone. Down by a total of 12!

"Cauliflower" Mashed Potatos

2009-02-12T12:19:00.000-08:00

This sounds so crazy, but it is delicious--good for WW gals and for getting some more veggies into your kids.

Steam or boil a head of cauliflower (cut up) until it is really soft (softer than you'd normally eat it). Strain off the water and beat with your hand-mixer. Put in a little fat free sour cream and/or margarine. We ate ours with a bit more sour cream on top and green onions for garnish.

The best part, you guys, is that it is virtually point free. I counted a point for sour cream, AND I got to eat a ton. Scott and the kids loved it; I should have made double.

Weigh-in tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed!

WW Update

2009-02-02T19:31:00.000-08:00

After 4 delightful weeks on Weight Watchers, ten pounds have escaped my...ahem...generous frame. They have left for good. I understand they will be moving in with Gisele Budgen.

I hope they enjoy living in a thong, rather than a granny-panty.

This is really good...

2009-02-02T09:22:00.000-08:00

“Your life is an occasion; rise to it.”
—Mr. Magorium, as played by Dustin Hoffman in Mr. Magorium

I get a nice little email on a (nearly) daily basis from The Foundation for a Better Life. I've been writing these quotes on the board in my classroom as they show up...more for my own benefit than anything. It's nice to keep something positive in my line of sight some days, you know? :) Well, it looks like the kids pay attention to them, too. We had a really good talk in 1st period today about making this a priority. We all (even 15 year olds) get bogged down in our obligations and responsibilities and forget how truly lucky we are. We think that we are defeated far too often. The kids realized that we can make our lives what we want them to be, what we dream them to be...what we deserve. I didn't hear about this boyfriend, or her iPod, or that one's car, or getting wasted. They know that they are capable of more and worthy of more.

It was a good day in English 10.

Guinea Pig

2009-01-22T06:51:00.000-08:00

All right. I'm not so much a big fan of the guinea pig. We have one in our our home now, and Scott keeps saying, "Come on...you gotta admit it's kinda cute."

Uh, no. That I cannot do. It looks neither cuddly nor cute. Did you know they make little, tiny harnesses and leashes for them? Ya. Do you think the guinea pig enjoys walking on a leash? I'll provide the answer: NO SIR. The other night I saw said guinea pig (Charlie) being dragged through the kitchen while his little guinea pig toenails scratched away at the tile. I sent him a telepathic message: "give up, little man. Just let it happen."

I think I heard him screaming...

Seven lbs gone! :)

2009-01-21T06:29:00.000-08:00

I started running with my new friend, Yuri. He doesn't yell at me like Jillian, and I'm getting a good workout. Plus, he's got a great accent; he says "ootside" and "aboot" instead of "outside" and "about." It's cool because the intervals are timed for me, and he tells me when to run and when to walk.

I must say that the positive affirmations sometimes make me laugh a little tiny bit.

Alas, I don't have a gas-inducing recipe for your enjoyment. I'm still recovering from the cheesygassygoodness of the soup.

Delicious soup recipe

2009-01-14T17:55:00.000-08:00

2 lbs fresh veggies (broccoli, califlower, carrots)
3 cans chicken stock
1 can Rotel tomatoes (with diced green chilis)
10 oz. Velveeta Light

Bring first 3 ingredients to a boil. Simmer for 45 minutes. Stir in cheese until melted. One cup serving is ONE WW point.

Tastes too good to be true...seriously.

Edited: You might want to have some of this stuff as an appetizer prior to enjoying the cheesy goodness of the soup.

Losin' it...

2009-01-12T13:23:00.000-08:00

After one week on WW, I'm down 4 lbs. I am happy. After my visit to the chiropractor today, perhaps I'll be running...and losing even more.

Truth be told, I'm kindasorta a little bit glad that Doc told me to hold off on the exercising last week. Shhhhhh... :)

Something I found out AFTER I dined yesterday: Olive Garden's wonderful, plentiful, allyoucaneat salad contains 27 grams of fat PER SERVING. No wonder it's so damn good. I consumed more points in salad than I did in my entire flippin' entree!

Happy Monday, friends! XOXO

Gran Torino

2009-01-10T20:43:00.000-08:00

I LOVED this movie.

Next to In the Line of Fire, this is far and away my favorite Clint Eastwood flick. Whoa on the F-words (!) and racial slurs, but it didn't bother me too much. Maybe the end justifies the means here?

I like this...a lot.

2009-01-09T09:58:00.000-08:00

“You are here for a purpose. There is no duplicate of you in the whole wide world. There never has been, there never will be. You were brought here now to fill a certain need. Take time to think that over.”

—Lou Austin; author

Not a good week...

2009-01-08T11:17:00.000-08:00

1. Started Weight Watchers. Nuff said...
2. Found a new chiropractor. Eventually, I will feel better, but right now I feel worse.
3. Dental work yesterday has now rendered me unable to eat raw veggies...hence my SERIOUS Weight Watchers induced hunger pangs.
4. Back to work after two weeks off. :(
5. A canker sore the size of a Lego has sprouted on my tongue.

All of these events equal a pretty grumpy Mrs. B. It is time to regroup and count my blessings, of which there are many.

1. I'm feeling nearly waiflike after 4 days on WW. I mean it.

2. My posture brace, soon to arrive in the mail, will help me "reposition my stress" and stand up straighter...so they say. :)

3. Scott is making YUMMY catfish and sour cream sauce for dinner tonight--8 points for a TON of food.

4. Scott says WW is making a difference. I don't care if he's lying; it's nice to say.

5. Back to work after two weeks off. :)

6. Lots of fun pictures to scrapbook (maybe SE on MLK day, gals?) from our trip to Flag.

7. Over 1/2 way done with my work day.

8. Reading A Tale of Two Cities with my students now.

9. Fully into the Sookie Stackhouse vampire novels.

10. Seeing my folks on Sunday.

In other news...

2009-01-01T18:20:00.000-08:00

Then (2006)- I even wore a bikini on this trip, AND I FELT GOOD ABOUT IT! I maintained this weight until mid 2007.

Now (2008) - No, I have not trapped a small child in my pants. This is me...now. I know the coat's a little puffy, but most of that puff is me. The only item still fitting? The boots.

Things is gonna change, my friends.

I keep talking about how I look, which, truth be told, is very important to me. I want to like the way I look again, but even more important is my health. What the H am I thinking when diabetes and heart disease are in my family history? I cannot eat like my husband (who, incidently has lost 20 lbs since we married...bastard), and I have to make my exercise time a priority.

Sooooo...looks like Weight Watchers has busted out a new plan. I'll combine that with Jillian kicking my ass 20 minutes every day and hiking. I'm gonna feel great in my 42nd year of life, y'all. That's a fact.

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T18:13:00.000-08:00

What a lovely quiet day I had here in slowly-warming-up Flagstaff. Scott took the kids for a hike in Sedona, so I had several hours of crafting time. I brought supplies to only make cards, so thank you cards are on the way (as soon as I buy stamps!) and I even addressed by Christmas cards. Yes, I am late this year. SCOTT EVEN HAD HIS DONE ON TIME! What the H is going on?! I attempted to watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Season 1, but couldn't figure out the DVD player in this condo for the life of me. Instead tuned in to a Bones marathon. I'm now hooked.

Anyway, a nice day was had by all. Well...at least by me. :)

Monument Valley

2008-12-30T19:30:00.001-08:00

We left at 7 am for Monument Valley today. What a seriously COOL place. On the way we stopped at a place to check out dinosaur tracks--also way cool. The photo of me with the Left and Right Mittens, and Scott and the girls are with the dinosaur tracks.

It actually felt good to be just cold today instead of cold and wet. Tomorrow we (maybe not I in that we) are headed back to the snow.

Flagstaff - Day 1

2008-12-28T17:50:00.000-08:00

17 degrees - that's the temp when we began our FUN day of sledding. Scott pulled up and said, "jump out here, and I'll meet you guys on the hill." To my delight the "hill" was only reachable via knee deep snow. I declared my undying love for my dear husband (under my breath) every step of the way. We got only 2 sled runs in before we had to trudge back through the lovely wilderness because the sherriff's office was beginning to tow cars away.

Ah...good times.

In the spirit...

2008-12-24T06:26:00.000-08:00

I LOVE this movie. More than any other holiday fix, this gets me in the spirit even more than Christmas music. I laugh every single time I watch it. When the dad receives his "major award," and accuses mom of being jealous when it breaks? Seriously.

Y'all, I hope your day is filled with the closeness of family, the wonderful predictability of tradition, the reassurance of your faith, the joy of sharing...and (to quote the movie) the"gleaming glow of electric sex."

No more whining...

2008-12-23T13:51:00.000-08:00

I bought this DVD. I did it. It was hard. Really hard.

But in only 20 minutes (and for only $14.00), I got cardio, strength, abs...and humiliation.

Sabino Canyon - Seven Falls hike

2008-12-23T04:06:00.000-08:00

Scott and I hiked Seven Falls on Saturday--just a "little" eight miler. It was fun, but this post isn't about the hike.

It's about the ohmyhellwhathappenedtomybody panic that has set in. How did I let this happen AGAIN? I gotta get some cushion off that frame, girls. Remember back when I was hiking Thunderbird Mountain? Remember? I looked great, but more importantly I felt great. My self-confidence was high, and I felt I could accomplish anything. I think that is how I was able to meet Scott. I was "open" to everything, and I felt I was worthy of attention.

It is embarrassing that so much of my value is tied up in my weight. Why do we do that? Why did I chow on a Cafe Rio salad like someone was going to take it away? I don't know, but DAMN it was so good! :)

The key is exercising. I know that. I've got to find my motivation again. Maybe a poster size copy of this photo will do it!?

The Scientist

2008-12-23T03:55:00.000-08:00

I love this guy. A real lot.

Whoda thunk that eHarmony would find me such a cute, hunky, smart fella...

Dear Cellphone

2008-12-10T06:08:00.000-08:00

I'm sorry it had to happen so suddenly. Well...it probably seems sudden to you, but I've known for quite some time that this moment would arrive.

No...no. It isn't YOU. It's me. I just, well, I need more from you now, and I just don't think you have it in you, you know? You won't hold a charge, you won't text; don't even get me started on the ringtones. You have served me well, dear phone. On all those long drives between Phoenix and Tucson, you were there. (I told myself I wouldn't mention the roaming charges and dropped calls.)

So...I went to Verizon last night. I KNOW. I KNOW. Verizon? How obvious. How typical. I might as well have picked one up at the mall, right? But I did it. I did it, and it's over. I bid you farewell, little Samsung. You will not be forgotten.

HELLO, SEXY LITTLE LG WITH TEXTING. :)

Australia

2008-12-09T15:54:00.000-08:00

We saw Australia this weekend. SO romantic...like old fashioned romantic. I was teasing Scott that, perhaps, there wouldn't be enough killing in this movie, so I bet him dinner that I'd ask the ticket seller if Australia or The Punisher had more killing. I did, in fact, inquire about that very thing. The young lady at the counter said, "Hmmmm. Prolly Punisher 'cuz I saw this one guy's head get totally chopped off." She didn't blink an eye.

Ok...so I lied about the picture being on the way. Not only am I fat...I'm a lazy liar. Just picture me a little tiny bit bigger than Nicole Kidman, and you'll have a mental picture. It'll be an inaccurate picture...but you'll have one. :)

Can you Zonies believe how cold it is right now? I can't remember the last time it was actually chilly ALL DAY. I am using that for an excuse not to hike. Just today.

That's ok, right?

Hello, skinny jeans...

2008-12-03T06:29:00.000-08:00

Or perhaps, more appropriately, goodbye bigfatlardassjeans. It's time my friends, and the hiking has recommenced. Since embarking on my life of wedded bliss, I have put on a few pounds. Dr. Fit and Sexy (aka the scientist) is a wonderful cook, and I have been enjoying the fruits of his labor without much labor on my part for quite some time now. Very soon, I will need to slice up the size 8 dresses in my closet to make one big dress that accommodates my girth.

I do not know why I am beginning this journey now--the time of year when the lefse and cookie press cookies roam freely in my fridge, the time of year when home-baked goodness abounds.

It may seem a puzzlement, but the next post will contain a picture that is worth 1,000 words...or 30ish pounds.

Happy Thanksgiving...

2008-11-30T06:32:00.000-08:00

Look at my cute parents and my sister. Not to mention that kid! We met in Casa Grande for breakfast on Thanksgiving Day. With Dad's schedule a trip either way for dinner was impossible this year, so we hit Mimi's. I missed Susan's Baked Corn and Mom's Green Bean Bundles, though!

This kid...

2008-11-30T06:15:00.000-08:00

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE him. He turned 13 on November 6th, and I can't think where the time has gone. I am SO thankful that this kid, my nephew, is in my life. So, in his honor, some random memories of the coolest 13 year old I know.

*The night he was born, I and my friend, Amy, went to the hospital to meet him. We took turns holding him and watched the episode of 90210 when Dylan's wife was accidentally shot by HER OWN DAD! PJ and Dylan McCay (two very cool guys) are forever linked in my mind.

*Shopping the day after Thanksgiving--I'd be the "kid watcher" while Susan and Mom shopped. PJ and I would park ourselves with a bag of chippers from Paradise Bakery and play "I Spy." He never quite got it that he was supposed to spy things that I could actually see...not some guy who went into a store, "way ova dare! "

*Asking Nana how her diarrhea is doing, when he meant to say diabetes.

*When Susan brought Lulu, their old dog, home, she said, "isn't she just the cutest thing in the whole world?" Later that night PJ cried, saying (with out "Rs" of course), "I thought I was the cutest thing in the whole world." It was that kind of crying where the kid could hardly talk.

Hope

2008-11-05T14:25:00.000-08:00

I truly cannot believe I am seeing an event such as this in my lifetime.

Before I started teaching, before I realized what a hot mess some parents make of their kids, before I saw in my classroom the result of need, of want, of neglect, before I realized what we are doing to our environment and the simple things we can do to combat the destruction...I was a Republican.

I am ready for CHANGE, and I am feeling the elusive emotion of HOPE.

Tagged by Kaycee

2008-10-22T15:09:00.000-07:00

Tagged...
1.How many songs are on your iPod?
578, but I want a Shuffle to just put playlists for running.
2. What music would you want played at your funeral?
This one it tough--probably the songs that remind me of great times: Anything Abba (reminds me of my friend, Lori, and my sister, Susan; "The Night Chicago Died" (my first 45 when I was a kid); the "Lacrimosa" movement from Mozart's Requiem Mass
3.What magazines do you have subscriptions to?
I have NO subscriptions! Sadly, I do buy mags, though. I love the surprise of seeing a new one at the store.
4. What is your favorite scent?
Orange trees, apple pie baking, fabric softener
5. If you had a million dollars that you could only spend on yourself, what would you do with it?Take my husband on a trip, pay off debt, buy a Prius, install solar on the house. AND buy lots of scrapbook paper. :)
6. What is your theme song?
"I'm too Sexy..." hehe. Don't really have one.
7. Do you trust easily?
No, I hang back in a new situation. Weird. I trust my students a LOT, but in my personal life I'm a little more circumspect.
8. Do you generally think before you act, or act before you think?
Sadly, I often act before I think. Which means I usually say something really inappropriate or just plain stupid.
9.Is there anything that has made you unhappy these days?
I'm worried about the upcoming election. The ugliness of the campains makes me sick.
10. Do you have a good body-image?
Absolutely not.
11. Is being tagged fun?
Of course!
12. How do you spend your social networking (Facebook, etc.) time?
I don’t. I don't even understand Facebook and MySpace.
13. What have you been seriously addicted to lately?
Hiking--wouldn't know it by lookin' at me, though! Reading - Pillars of the Earth and The Shack.
14. What’s the last song that got stuck in your head?
Bawitaba by Kid Rock. Yes, in fact, I am embarrassed about that.
16.What’s your favorite item of clothing?
My Sweetheart jeans from Old Navy and my leopard print heels.
17. Do you think Rice Crispies are yummy?
In treat form? Yum. In breakfast form? Not really.
18. What would you do if you see saw $100 lying on the ground?
Hide it away for mad money or go out to a great sushi dinner.
19. What items could you not go without during the day?
My computer, underwear, Diet Coke.
20. What should you be doing right now?
Going home and exercising.

Annieology

2008-10-03T13:36:00.000-07:00

* * FOODOLOGY * *
What is your salad dressing of choice? Creamy Tomatillo House Dressing from Cafe Rio
What is your favorite sit-down restaurant? Burrito Patio (family joint in Tucson)
What food could you eat every day for two weeks and not get sick of? Mexican
What are your pizza toppings of choice? light sauce, anchovies, capers, mozarella
What do you like to put on your toast ? butter and peanut butter (toast must be hot, so the peanut butter and butter get all melty)
* * TECHNOLOGY * *
What is your wallpaper on your computer? A flower
How many televisions are in your house ? 1
What color cell phone do you have? Silver
* * BIOLOGY * *
Are you right - handed or left- handed? Right
Have you ever had anything removed from your body? LOTS of blood
What is the last heavy item you lifted? My friend, Nina, who fell down today. :(
Have you ever been knocked unconscious? Nope
* * BULLCRAPOLOGY * *
If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die? No. I would worry too much, then.
Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $ 1000? No WAY
* * DUMBOLOGY * *
How many pairs of flip flops do you own? 4
Last time you had a run- in with the cops? Never
What did you want to be when you grew up? Teacher
Last person you hugged? Scott
* * FAVORITOLOGY * *
Season? Fall
Holiday? Thanksgiving
Day of the week? Friday
* * CURRENTOLOGY * *
Missing someone? Yes, lots of people
Mood? content
Listening to? class next door, being loud
Watching? Nothing
Worrying about? Too many things.