Yep. Still here.

Summer almost killed me. Whoever says teachers don't work in the summer is on crack. I spent a week at NFL nationals, 4 weeks teaching summer school, 1 week at a leadership conference and 1 week at Nikki's softball nationals which may have been on the beach but was really more work than play.

School may kill me. It's September and it feels like November. My team rocks this year. I smell more than one going to nationals this year! Yep, I'm calling it in September.

Now the big news. 4 weeks ago we put our house on the market as we decided to build a house in Wylie. In fact, it's in the process of being built...well, when it's not raining. So, we busted our buns doing a few last-minute tweaks around here and now we have to keep it clean "just in case" it is being shown...which lately is at an increasing rate, thank God! The new house is the perfect floorplan for us and Stephen and I would love to retire there closer to the lakes. Wish us luck.

Homecoming next week. I'll post pics of Nikki and her date. They're just friends so she should actually have a drama-free night this year. Now that will be a switch!

Catch me on Facebook. I find I check it often because I can on my iPhone...my pity gift to myself back in June!

Later Friends!

I am a star

Well, that's what I was told. You see, the "Stars Fell on Alabama" NFL national competition is in Birmingham and so am I. I can't begin to tell you what my rear felt like after 9...yes, NINE...straight hours of driving after a day of 6 straight hours of driving.

I have a TON of pics to post, but you'll have to wait until I get home. Trust me, they'll be worth the wait. Some are on my camera and some on others so it may take some time. Have no fear...they will be posted.

I taught my kids to spit watermelon seeds, bait a hook and eat at Fausto's.

They may never stop thanking me!

I Will Still Wear Purple and Gold!

Well, my dream job is just that...a dream evaporating into nothingness. So sad. I think I'll go shopping!

Still waiting...

and waiting and waiting and ....well, you get the picture.

I did find out that I was tops in the first interview. No one has a clue what they are waiting for to pull the trigger on this. So, do I pack up my room for storage...or to move out? Make plans for the time off in the summer...or will I be working? Summer school or not? Pumpkin's nationals...again, or not?

God is trying patiently to teach me patience...and I am a slow learner. Can I get an IEP for that?

She's Number 1! She's Number 1!

That's my Pumpkin!

Who's daughter is the Distrist 9 5A First Team All-District Centerfielder?

That would be me! Yep, she did it in spite of my genes. Pumpkin was so proud of herself she spent an hour on the phone calling all the grandparents and uncles and anyone else who would listen.

If only getting an A would mean that much to her...

P.S. Still waiting on the results of my second interview.

Sorry for the delay...

The interview on Tuesday went really well so I stressed the whole rest of the week worrying about whether or not I'd get called back. Thursday evening they called and I go Monday at 9:30 for the second interview.

I want this so badly! I've let myself get excited so a letdown could get ugly.

What should my six words for today be????

I had better get that job!

It's On....High Noon Tuesday

The challenge has been set. At noon on Tuesday I interview for my dream job. Will they like me? Should I buy a new suit? Will I trip if I wear heels? What if I don't get it?

And I have a cold and lost my voice. Um, that could present a problem, you know?

3-day weekend...I love you!

Where does the time go?

Two weeks since my last post? Really?

Blame it on TAKS. Blame it on progress reports being due. Blame it on the rain that was falling, falling. Whoops. I slipped a little.

I'm still waiting on an interview. Ah, the wheels of public education do not turn at a rate I can relate to!

Pumpkin didn't go to prom. Returned the dress. Yep, he wouldn't let her pay her way and he had to pay for a soccer trip to Colorado. Hello? Plan ahead? She wasn't that upset. Now, she's just trying to decide between R and freedom. Hmmmm.

Pumpkin got a job for the summer. She will babysit Monday through Thursday from 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM for pay. And she got her permit on the first try. Go Pumpkin. She drives me to school every day and on most errands. I've weaned myself off the valium for those trips. ; )

Honey has drained the pool to do maintenance and repairs. I'll put pics of the progress up later. He's actually documenting this venture. The persistent rain has not helped at all.

I got my 10-year service award last night...after 20 years of teaching. I've really got to stay in one place!

I got a new do...to ease the pain of turning &*%$ this year! Flag Day, for those of you who might care. Yep, I'm a Gemini...not exactly a shocker! MOODY!

Now, you're up to date! My goals are not being met, but I still feel good about having them.

A Brilliant Bust, I Must Say

Well, it's not off to Austin for us, but our trip to Waco for UIL Regionals was a huge success. Let me explain.

Our two debaters each went 2-1. The only reason they didn't break was due to speaker points. Now, let me tell you how I feel about that. If all contestants have the same cycle of judges, it's completely fair; however, in this case, they did not. So, my debaters were lucky enough to have a judge that likes to low-ball speaker points which prevented them from breaking.

And to add insult to injury....my boys beat finalists! Geez.

P.S. Turned in my app today!

We're off to see the wizard,

The wonderful wizard of debate.

Yep, it's Baylor, here we come at high noon today. My assistant coach and I will haul 4 loquacious and argumentative boys along with suits, extemp tubs and enough bottled water to save Ethiopia to Waco for 2 days. Good times.

How will I survive? As luck would have it, rather nicely. We're staying at a place with a wonderful breakfast, but no waffle maker, my fave. And, no one competes tomorrow until 11 so it's a morning to sleep in. Yee Haw!

Jumping off ledges...

I haven't really had time to post because I'm spending all my time prepping for the job that hasn't been posted yet but that I desperately want. That means a new CV, new letter of interest AND finishing the projects for that department that I've already been charged with. It makes me think back to when Colleen blogged about her change in career and how exciting and nerve-wracking it was. Wish me luck!
I'm afraid I don't have much else to blog about. Am I jinxing it by even mentioning it here? Should I knock on wood? Cross my fingers? Throw some salt over my shoulder? Or do those only prevent bad luck and there's no way to undo a jinx?
Oh, my. What have I done?

Where does the time go?

Here are the pics...only took me a week. Now, let's see if I can learn to catch up.

I can't believe I've been such a slacker. How did so much time go by and I didn't post? So much for my promises for the year of self-improvement.
Anyway, let me get everyone up to speed since spring break:

1. UIL District was April 4 and we qualified 3 students and 6 alternates. One alternate is already going. Oh, yeah. That's where some of my time went...getting the contest done, arranging hotel rooms for Waco, getting a rental, etc...
2. I burned myself. Yep, I should never cook. I splattered hot water on my left arm and it's pretty freaky looking. It's healing nicely and so now I just use it for sympathy. That was April 5.
3. April 6 was opening day at the Ballpark in Arlington and WE HAD TICKETS! Keep in mind that I slept with an ice pack on my arm the night before. And it was cold. And windy. And I had on four layers of clothes and I was still cold. Until we got in the park and watched our beloved Rangers dominate the Indians. Good times!
4. Pumpkin was asked to PROM! No, she's not allowed to date seniors, but she was asked by a junior usher and so far, he's a doll. We bought the dress this weekend. It is amazing on her and no alterations needed.
5. And a job that could be my dream job is open. Dare I? Could I? Will I?

Stay tuned! >>>Pictures will be added tomorrow!<<<

Day SEVEN, EIGHT and NINE!

We did it. We bought the car. It's a 1999 BMW 528i...which probably doesn't mean much to most of you. Here's what I know...it's SAFE! It has so many airbags and these steel beams in the doors so Pumpkin is safer than in a smaller or older car without those features. It even has a CD changer in the trunk...remember when they put them there? There's a cassette player. Yep, that should get a lot of use. We tinted the windows. We DO live in Dallas. How the previous owners did without, I'll never know.

We surprised Pumpkin as her dad brought her home. She was afraid to ask who this new car belonged to since it was parked in front of our house. She said she didn't want to seem too forward. ; )
Yea, now she just needs a license...and a job! That insurance isn't going to pay itself!!! So, until then, it's the passenger side for her.

Day Five AND Six!

Not too eventful on Day Five. I went SHOPPING, of course. Scored a couple of cute blouses and a skirt from JCPenney and then some cute shoes from Payless. Then I went to Hobby Lobby and tried to be creative like my friend Just Say Julie. Well, it's a start.

Then it was a day to be spent with a dear friend and her daughter, M. We went to the Galleria and she played on this amazing playground of soft climbables. She LOVES this place.
And then it was "Facebook Picture" time. I've really got to figure out how to get on my Facebook and do something with it. There are a lot of people out there who think I don't want to be their friend when really I just don't know how to accept.


When I got home, Honey had found some cars on Craigslist for the Pumpkin. Here is the delimma we've been facing. Get a new car. Hmmm. Car note AND expensive insurance BUT it's safer than an old car. Get her an old car. Hmmm. Can afford insurance BUT it's not as safe. Something in between? Doesn't exist. So, here we are at a used car place trying to determine if this car he's found is "the one" to "let her drive" which basically means so she won't use our cars!
Yep, I'm pretty happy right now.

Day FOUR!

The honeymoon is over. No more fun for me. It's time for Honey the Slavedriver to get that yard in order. We did get the front and side mostly done before I quit. I could hardly move by dark. Things don't look any better for tomorrow.

Day THREE!

Time to tour the great metroplex of DeQuincy. Here's where I spent years and years of Friday nights enjoying football.

Here's where the Pumpkin played her first softball game...and look at her now.

And no trip could happen without my trip to Fausto's Fried Chicken for a chicken leg and onion rings. Honey is not so into it, but it's a must for me.

And then it was time to say goodbye to Spears Hill. I have to say it was one of the best trips I've had there. I really miss my family and all the benefits of living in a small town, but I have to say I wouldn't trade my life now. God has truly blessed me!

Day TWO!

DAY TWO began with church so we all got on our pretty clothes and, of course, took more pictures. Aren't they adorable?

We're adorable, too!

After church, we went for a dinner at my aunt's house to meet and greet the preacher trying out. They surprised Dad with a birthday cake and a rendition of Happy Birthday. It was pretty cool.

The day concluded with another trip to church and the leftover crawfish made into amazing etouffee...yee haw. Note to self: plan a starvation diet upon arriving back at home!

Spring Break Almost Broke Me!

I truly intended to blog all during spring break but I had problems getting my trusty laptop online at home and that's where the pictures were, so I think today I'll do a marathon of posts to catch everyone up.

Spring break was a BLAST! It started with a trip to Louisiana to visit "Pops" and "Nana" and the Pumpkin enjoyed giving "Pops" his birthday present (not the t-shirt in the picture...that was from the softball team for cutting out the softball circles).

Daddy got me boiled crawfish! A visit would not have been complete without it! I can't even wait to get to the table before I'm munching down.

Followed by a little goofing off for the camera by us all!
And then taking the nieces and nephew out for ice cream at the local Dairy Queen. They've all decided a trip to Aunt Monica's house is a must for this summer. Who knew kids could like me?

And that concluded DAY ONE! Tune in for DAY TWO!

Yes, Wii Can!

Ah, a weekend almost off, losing an hour of sleep, and a surly teenager. What to do? What to do?

Ah, I know. Wii can have a party!

Just look at my form! Yep, we're bowling and I'm determined to win.

And I do! Wii had so much fun with our friends and before Wii knew it Wii had stayed up until after 2 AM. Um, that's 3 AM with the lost hour.

I need a nap...still!

My Version of Arts and Crafts

I saw these at some of the "wealthier" schools last year and decided we HAD to have them this year. So, in the true spirit of being an adult, I called my daddy and asked him to cut them out. Then another set of parents did the painting and hanging.

Not bad for me, though, don't you think?

My Home Run Honey!

The Pumpkin did it. She hit her first home run. Well, sort of.

The high school team she plays for was in a tournament this past weekend and I made it back just in time from NFL to see the last game and get frost bite and wind burns. But I digress.

Anyway, she hit a ripper right up the middle and center field missed the ball. This is one quick runner so she made it all the way around.

So, technically, it was a home run.

I think I owe her ice cream!

I Survived!

After a 10-day bout with the non-flu (which is still causing me problems), I spent 3 days with my team at NFL district. For those of you who don't know, it's an intense competition to determine who qualifies for nationals in different speaking events.

AND WE DID IT! We qualified a student in US Extemp and had alternates in Student Congress (2) and LD Debate (2) and Original Oratory (1).

Birmingham, AL, here we come.

Here is a picture of me and my assistant coach along with a dear friend who came along to drive the third van! We're pretty happy it's almost over.

V-Day...and then it's just downhill

Well, who was my valentine? Try 16 teenagers at a debate tournament ALL weekend. Darn those kids. They kept winning. And they didn't have enough judges so I had to judge EVERY round...including one round of CX. I hate CX! I'd rather poke pens in my eyes. I thought about doing that because then I couldn't write out the ballot so I wouldn't have to judge, but they said they were so short of judges I'd have to judge anyway.

I took Pumpkin with me as punishment for being on her phone too late one night. That'll teach her...NOT! But she got to throw her softball around with the driver who is an ump. She spent the whole day texting a SENIOR...and I don't mean citizen. Those are NOT allowed in my house. I mean, she's not even 16!

And then by the time I got home my dear Honey had planned a nice steak dinner...at a restaurant with a 2.5 hour wait. Um, no thank you.

We finally end up at our fave burger joint where the food is AMAZING and the fries really are made from fresh-cut potatoes. I was in heaven.

My gift? A Starbuck giftcard so I could treat myself tucked neatly into a great card. OK, things look pretty good.

And then I wake up Monday and my head feels like a bowling ball the day after a pro tournament. Every joint in my body hurts. My HAIR hurts. But I must educate!

To top it off, I have duty this week and as I'm sitting in the cold hall shivering from what must have been a fever, one of the district people for whom I was going to do my dream job next year walks up and tells me to take a breath. Uh oh. This can't be good. So, she's resigning. Now, I won't get into the why or how, but I'll tell you that now my dream is on hold until "they" decide what "they" want to do.

And Nikki still likes that senior boy.

Anyone have any suggestions on how to run him off? I'm all ears!

I Failed a Test?????

For those of you who know me, this must come as a shock. Not because I'm some super brain, but because I'm a perfectionistic nerd.

But let me explain. Our school had a blood drive. For the first time in my life, I am healthy enough, I weigh enough (that's also another blog) and I am brave enough. Brave means I had students come in and guilt me into it.

You see, I have very small veins and when I have my blood drawn every year, the poor little girl has to find some children's needle before I become a human pin cushion. It always happens. I try to warn them, but they always give me that "I am the medical professional and you are just the hysterical patient" look. You know the one.

Anyway, I fill out the paperwork, read the brochure, and head for the guy who screens you. I see these little needle-like things and think he's going to "get it started" before I get to lounge in the chair and get my free cookies and Gatorade. Nope. He's going to check my iron. No biggie. Except he pricked my finger and squeezed and squeezed and squeezed. Done? Nope, again. He wipes it off!!!!!! Couldn't he have used it? No again! He repeats this THREE times. Puts it in a machine and then tells me I've failed.

I'm sorry. What? How do you FAIL a test like that? Evidently I was 11.7 and you have to be 12.5 to donate blood. Again, WHAT? I slink over to the snack center just to be seen by the kids so they know I didn't chicken out and SCORE! They offer me double cookies!

I didn't get a shirt. It would have been my first.

I'm a charitable failure.

Don't Break My Pumpkin's Heart

What have those boys done to my Pumpkin?

After that last breakup, she is so sad. Not so much about thte boy specifically, but more of the hurt in general.

So, what does this have to do with me? Have you ever heard the phrase, "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned?" I propose that even if that is the case, "hell" would have nothing on that woman's mother.

I would do anything to protect Pumpkin from hurt of any kind, but is that what is best for her? How will she ever learn to problem solve or what she really wants in life if she doesn't experience any pain?

That's a tough one for me.

So, here's to Pumpkin. Good luck to all you guys out there trying your best to woo her. First you have to put up with her and then you have to put up with me.

That'll teach you.

Who Taught These Kids to Debate, Anyway?

Yes, I coach debaters and as a judge once told one of my teams, "Debate IS a full contact sport."
I was bombarded today with their debate skills, just without their brains, hearts or forethought.
Here goes. I am particularly close to one of the board members (our system of captains) as she is friends with my daughter, she has been with me for three years and we are a lot alike. She tells me everything and helps me know how to relate to my teen daughter. It's like having a double agent...except she's not enemies with either side.
Evidently, some students have perceived this as favoritism and have developed jealousy. I can respect that. It's not intended and her grade is earned just like everyone else's, but I can see their perspective.
That's not the problem. The problem is one (or two) students took it upon themselves to start a petition to "reform" her or "remove" her from office for lack of leadership ability. Hello. This is NOT a democracy. We do not allow for impeachment. And have any of them heard the phrase, "Those who live in glass houses?"
See, they could all use their leadership skills more and I am there to help them LEARN...how to argue and how to be good citizens. It's all the same with me. What they did was petty and personal and that student was extremely hurt. They named no one else who could use a little "reforming" and even diminished her particular events.
Now the kicker. They actually offered an ultimatum that I do as they say or they will quit.
EXCUSE ME? Who has no leadership now?
I am so mad I could have a coronary on the spot. After two hours of conflict resolution, it turned out to not be as they had described. They claimed "everyone" agreed so imagine my surprise when student after student walked into class saying, "Um, Mrs. S, I have nothing to do with that. Why is my name on it?"
We've really got to work on our people skills, no?

Things You Should NEVER Say to Your Teen Daughter

Now you'll see why I'm surprised "they" let me have a kid.



10. (Driving in car to school) Is that a zit on your chin? Here's some cream for it.

9. (In reference to a smart boy) But he's so...sweet and he has such a bright future.

8. (Noticing newly tight jeans) Have you not been doing workouts in softball lately? Or are you sure you want to supersize that meal?

7. (In front of her friends) Did you brush your teeth this morning? Or did you take your meds last night?

6. (Across a crowded Target) Honey, what size cup are you now?

5. Who needs a boyfriend? They just suck up all your studying time.

4. Why do I have to wear a bra just to drop you off at the movies?

3. Just think, 50% did WORSE than you!

2. (In front of daughter to one of her friends...preferably a boy) Hey, are you the one I read about on Facebook last night?

And the #1 thing you should NEVER say to your Teen Daughter is...

1. Wow. You look so much like I did at your age. I bet you're going to look just like me when you're older!

It's a Miracle I Have a Kid!

This is how I spend many of my weekends...at endless debate tournaments...with caffeinated kids whose vocabularies are bigger than mine...and that's saying something.

Here's what a typical conversation might go.

Student: Hey, Mrs. S. What's the veil of ignorance.
Me: blank expression, wracking brain for some answer that has a semblance of truth, coming up empty
Student 2: It's impossible to achieve in that it assumes all bias is removed which cannot be done.
Me: Yeah, that's what I meant.
Student: Skeptical look
Student 2: Furthermore, most countries who belong to the ICC cannot claim to have a veil of ignorance.
Me: The what CC?

Yep. Not pretty. So my dear asst. coach and I look like this by the end of the first night. Yep, she's a lot younger. Me? I barely made it home by midnight that night and returned at the crack of dawn.

After spending all those hours with kids, it's a miracle I ever had one of my own...or that I was allowed to. But that's another post.

Living for Summer

The Honey and I are trying to decide what we're going to do this summer. We can't really decide until the Pumpkin's select softball schedule is set and my team finishes national qualifiers at the end of this month. That being said, here are our two options.

Plan #1: We travel again to Mexico with our friends who got married/attended said wedding last year. Hmmmmmm. An all-inclusive tropical resort with waitstaff at my beck and call. Food prepared just for me 24-7. Sandy beaches, amazing excursions full of repelling, hiking, zip-lining and history.

Plan #2: We take a roadtrip passing through Arkansas to visit the Honey's brother, Springfield, MO, where he went to college and Columbia, MO, where he grew up, and then heading to Chicago. I'm not sure what there is to do there, but it has to be awesome. We'll possibly tool over to Detroit and maybe hit Indianapolis on the way back through St. Louis, Eureka Springs and Hot Springs. Hours and hours in the car with a stack of books and decadent magazines that I refuse to read unless we are traveling.

For those of you who know me, you know I've already begun both itineraries.

Yep, I'm living for summer in February.

My Own Version of Freecycle

I love clothes...and shoes. But not just any clothes...really nice clothes ON SALE! You see, it's all a game with me. (Yes, I'm a little competitive.) Here's how it works. If I pay full price, "they" win. For every portion of a discount I get, I "get" more "points" and no they aren't real and you can't redeem them at any store that I know of. It's just a great feeling of satisfaction. I love that tickly feeling in my stomach as I realize there's an extra 10% off the redlines...or today is half off of half day...or coupon weekend at New York and Company.

I also have clothes I can't seem to part with. Now, let me say that I am not the same size I was just a few years ago. So, I have a collection of suits from Dillard's that I bought for at least 75% off...because I could...and they are mostly 1's and 3's. I am NOT a 1 nor a 3!

What to do. What to do.

So, I take 8 of them up to the school and the girls on my team played dress up and went home with new clothes for the upcoming national qualifier. I loved the look on their faces. They didn't even think it was geeky to like my old suit which are all in perfect condition, by the way.

Now that there's a little space in my closet...

Great News...I have a job next year.

Yeah, anyone reading that title will wonder what I've been up to. A job next year? Of course. Have I been shopping around for a new one? Nope. Oh, but read on.

So, I got one of those email messages that requested my presence at a meeting with a counselor and an AP to discuss a class I teach. Now, it's not a total surprise that it's up for discussion due to the 4X4 requirements for kids to graduate, but I'd been told recently that we weren't changing anything for next year.

Long story short (who me?), I was told the class was out to be replaced with another one. Wait. My baby? I birthed that class. I wrote all the curriculum FROM SCRATCH with no TEKS and no guidelines. But it's my baby. I've coddled it through collicky six weeks and countless bouts with vocabularyitis and freshmenitis. No, not my baby!!!!!!! Call CPS...this has to be abuse.

But that wasn't really the issue, was it? No, and if you know me, you know that it's not that I won't be teaching this FAB class next year. It's not even that my baby is being kidnapped and put out to pasture. Nope, it's that NO ONE TOLD ME!

Maintaining as much control as I could, I questioned #1 the length of time this had been in the works (a while) and #2 why I hadn't been told (we didn't want to upset you in case it didn't happen) while they professed their appreciation for me and that it hadn't been "hidden" from me (see answer to question #2).

I barely made it back to my room before bursting into tears. I sobbed to the Honey. I sobbed to the friends. I sobbed to my laptop. And then I dried my tears, put on fresh makeup and got ready to spend the evening recruiting 8th graders for next year.

Hey, I'll just focus on my team next year and kick everyone's tail...and teach that other class with my eyes closed. At the recruitment for the FIRST time ever, kids were looking FOR US!!

The upside? They did say I had a job next year.

Duh!

Got Coffee? Maybe now you will!

Here's a link to try to win a fab Keurig coffee brewer. I hope you don't win....I want to win REALLY, REALLY badly.

Warning...Open Heart Below!

So, I don't blog nearly enough. Oh, I have lots to say, but I feel inadequate when I don't have pictures like everybody else. Like in junior high...when I didn't have the coolest jeans because I was so skinny my mom had to put darts in my pants and they were still highwaters. Or in high school when I didn't have, well, boobs. (Note: that problem is solved).


I also have a really hard time but Just Say Julie says I make Lemonade out of Lemons so I must have something going for me. Because Just Say Jule says so. I'd do what she said to do with it but I can't figure out how.

So, anyway, this speaks to one of my biggest struggles...believing I'm "good enough" for... whatever. I suppose many people who know me are surprised to find that out, but it's ever so true. Part of it is perfectionism and part of it are esteem issues that most people deal with.

How do I battle it? My friends are my support system. My Honey is priceless. My Pumpkin is living proof that I did something right. And my God...he sent his Son to save me because I at once was good enough for him to want me and not good enough to do it on my own.

Looking Fine in 09

I have decided that this year will be about feeling and looking fine (last year was Feeling/Looking Great in 08) so I am going to focus on the inside and outside and it begins with

MY Wii and Wii Fit!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's MINE! All MINE!!!! My Honey searched high and low and bought one of the first ones that hit the city after Christmas. I heart my Wii and Wii Fit! By the time we go on vacation this summer, I should be looking great! Hey, I can dream! And who knew I'd love yoga? I sleep better and feel better. Wow!

I have once again cut out as must sugar as possible. Splenda is my best friend. I have also found ONE diet soda that I can tolerate...even like if I forget it's diet...Diet Barq's Root Beer. Yum!

I did a two-week detox that pretty much worked like a brillo pad on my insides. I must have had a ton of junk plastering my insides because I KNOW I wasn't eating THAT much.

• I need a creative outlet so I'm pledging to blog three times a week. I will warn you that one blog will be about something on my heart as my faith is an incredibly huge part of who I am and I've neglected that part of me having an outlet for far too long.
• I am going to devote one night a week to have a devotional time with the Pumpkin. I've only got two plus years left with her before college and I'm storing up the memories now.
• I will do something with "my girls" once a month. February will be Ladies Night at Quiggly's Clay House. There is a softball game, but my friends have convinced me I won't die if I miss one.
• I will do something spoiling for my Honey once a week...foot rub, special dessert, whatever. He is amazing and supportive of me and my career (yes, teachers can have "careers") which is changing and challenging all the time...just one reason I don't get to blog enough.
• I will finish one chapter a month on the book I've been writing for longer than I'm willing to admit.

Hold me to it guys. I'm counting on you.

And for those of you keeping up with the Pumpkin's love life...the four-month "relationship" came to an end when she chose her integrity...not easy for someone her age. I am so proud of her. She so seldom bends to peer pressure and she is so comfortable in her skin most of the time. I wish I'd been like that.

Til next time!

I'm BAAAAACK!

Lookie here. I am still around. Barely. But I'm back with a vegeance! New year, new motivation, new me.

I have decided this post is going to be one heck of a post and I'm resolved to be a better blogger! Please hold me accountable.

So here goes.

First, let's catch up. My last post was in November. Isn't that a shame? Well, since then, I've had quite a life. In November, Nikki went to visit her dad and Stephen and I had Keri and Jason over for lunch. Food for TWELVE and FOUR of us dining. More on that later. We stuffed ourselves with stuffing and had turkey and ham. That's a must with me.
December flew by with taking my kids to the International Student Congress competition. We took home some bling...top Presiding Officer, Best Costume country AND individual. Ah, I love to get bling.

Nikki went to her dad's for the whole holiday (am I not the most generous ex?) and Stephen and I headed out to Ruidoso, New Mexico, via Lubbock. We stayed in a beautiful B&B lodge that is now a must visit again.

Here we are heading out on day one...first stop, Braum's for breakfast!

And, of course, I let Honey drive while I enjoy a great book. This is one of the Private series Pumpkin is reading.

The Black Bear Lodge is a great place to go. It's exclusively for couples...NO KIDS! The living area is great for sitting in front of the fire sipping freshly brewed coffee and nibbling on freshly-baked cookies.

There are four rooms and each is absolutely huge and cozy
at the same time with a jacuzzi tub and gas heater that makes a relaxing hissing sound making the room toasty.

It was COLD! It didn't snow while we were there, but we went up the mountain to Ski Apache and there was some snow there. We didn't ski, but we did drink hot cocoa on the terrace of the lodge...close enough!

On the way back, we stopped in Roswell, NM, and I found someone to make Honey jealous! Hee Hee

Next Post...not New Year's Resolutions...just what I'm going to do differently this year. Last year was "Feeling Great in 08" and this year is "Looking Fine in 09" so stay tuned!