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?