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.