Monday, November 30, 2009
Hurk
I'd rather play tennis than go to the dentist.
I'd rather play soccer than go to the doctor.
I'd rather play Hurk than go to work.
Hurk? Hurk? What's Hurk?
I don't know, but it MUST be better than work.
Poem by Shel Silverstein
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Alamo
Today the Alamo. Tomorrow back to school. I sure could use another week off. Now I'll just start counting down the days until Christmas break. I can even call it Christmas break here, not winter vacation. Hopefully the family enjoys this historic Texas landmark. Hopefully it doesn't start pouring on us until we're done.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Shopping
My brother likes to call black Friday, buy nothing day. I did exactly that yesterday. I haven't really been in the mood for shopping. I'm going to be purchasing many of my gifts online this year because I have to ship most of my gifts across the country (mostly to the inland Northwest). This is helping me be decisive and frugal. I'm just enjoying spending time with my family.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Up
Yesterday we watched the movie Up. I highly recommend this movie. I am planning on buying it for Christmas. It was a great story that was especially well told. I appreciated that my whole family enjoyed it, I cried a little, my husband had some belly laughs. It was great.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Thanks
I have a wonderful husband (who is cooking an amazing feast), an entertaining dog, friends who are genuine, generous and thoughtful, and am surrounded by family today. I'm thankful.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Vegetables
Nothing like starting a full day of cooking and baking with some vegetables. Right? I'm all about spicy vegetables with an ease of liquid consumption. Don't get me wrong, I'm very excited for green bean casserole tomorrow.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Canary
I would volunteer to pack my postage around in a lovely purse like this. Think of all of the holiday cards I could tote to the post office... yeah. I'm totally not working today, can you tell?
Pie
I was thinking about make a pie today, but will probably stick with pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. If I bake a pie there is no way it will last until Thursday (or be any good by then, if there was actually any pie left). Cookies it is. Pies will have to wait. I do love pie.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Chauffeur
My mom is here drinking tea with me and my brother and dad will be here later tonight. I am the official chauffeur for the week and I don't have the fancy GPS. Hopefully I know my way around town well enough to make it happen. I'm so glad I have a whole week to spend with my family and not with students.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Life
For me, signs of life make a real home. Having plants around somehow change how I feel about a place. When I first got to Texas our apartment was set up nicely and Trevor added a few nice touches to make it feel like home to me. His decorating was great, but once we added plants to the mix it started to feel like home. Leaving all of my plants behind was pretty hard for me. I gifted many to friends and family and now am acquiring a few more bits of green to make my apartment more like my home.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Visit
Cleaning. Like a mad woman. So much to do. Family is in town tomorrow. Ugg. I want to impress them. It's all about elbow grease, and a little motivational music.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Printing
I've dreamed of investing in my own cool little letterpress printer. Of course, I'd take some classes first to find out if I love printing paper as much as I love buying it and writing on it. Now Paper Source has made this little dream more affordable, and possibly more attainable. I'd love to see how this works in person.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Robot
What could make a Wednesday better? Robots? Free Robots? Yeah, I thought so too. Well, I thought robots would be good, but the assembly of a sweet paper robot might just make this Wednesday less dull.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Tired
I was up past my bed time making a book trailer for my students. I love knowing technology, I do not love learning it at night when I am tired. Hopefully they like my little video. Today might be a coffee day.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Red
It is still in the 70s outside. Theoretically, I could wear a smart dress like this to school. Unfortunately, this week is college week. That means a week full of jeans & t-shirts. First on my list is to teach my kids the difference between collage and college. It's a doozy.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Clean
If I don't start cleaning now next Sunday I'll be in a panicked frenzy before I drive to the airport to pick up my mother. Our house isn't a disaster, but it is in need of some TLC. It's so much bigger than our last place that sometimes I feel overwhelmed. Dusting, vacuuming, laundry, floors. There is so much to do. I wish there was some magical cleaning fairy who could help out, or at least get my husband to pick his laundry up off of the floor...
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Oh Mary!
Happy 30th birthday. I hope that you have a wonderful day and that this new decade of your life brings you happiness, peace and fulfillment. I will raise my glass to you from afar.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Sorrow
*Image by Gabriella Camerotti
My heart is aching for my friends. I wish I could be there for you in this difficult time. If you need me I will do everything I can to help, love, support and be physically present. There are not words to express my sorrow. Saying I'm sorry does no justice. I love you.
Charlie
I'm not the superstitious type - a black cat crosses my path multiple time daily. Today is Friday the 13th, but other than a post featuring our awesome cat there is nothing too eventful happening. I'm just glad I get to come home and see my husband! Happy Friday.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Grades
*Image by erskingardner
My brain hurts. I wish the essays I was grading were predominately good. I feel like an awful teacher when my students don't make any sense or entirely leave out verbs. Hopefully they get better as the year moves on. If they do, then I will heave a sigh of relief. Now, if I could only get them to read more...
My brain hurts. I wish the essays I was grading were predominately good. I feel like an awful teacher when my students don't make any sense or entirely leave out verbs. Hopefully they get better as the year moves on. If they do, then I will heave a sigh of relief. Now, if I could only get them to read more...
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Hump Day
Wine Wednesday is about to make a reappearance. I have a stack of papers to grade and there has to be a light at the end of the tunnel. Either that or maybe it will get easier to read poorly written essays. (Yes, gentle readers, I will wait until I'm done grading to drink wine). I don't have anything picked out yet, but I do have a great wine for my Thanksgiving dinner that I can't wait to crack open. That is what I'm really looking forward to.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Surf
There is something zen about surfing that inspires me. I need to embrace zen this week and grade a few stacks of essays. I've been avoiding taking work home, now it is unavoidable. Maybe I'll take my turn in the cozy 'man chair' with my glowing orange light and get down to business. I'll be sure to take a few breaks to imagine the ocean.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Sent
I finally did it - made it to the post office to send Johnny a package. I can't wait to hear his reaction. I wrapped it especially for him. I have more mail to send, but letters are easy.
Squid
I'm pretty picky so when I got my partner for the calendar swap I wanted to find something that would be a good fit and fun. This is much harder than it sounds, especially if you have no idea where to find good paper in your new city. Luckily I'm great at internet shopping. I also got a few ideas for making my very own calendar design because I couldn't find anything like what I had envisioned online. I'm excited to put together a care package.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Lit
The glow emanating from the orange lamp in our living room is warm and inviting. The first time I saw the lamp base I appreciated the shape and the soft glow of the milk glass. I wasn't sure that my husband would go for it, but he is a sucker for orange. Upon seeing this lamp for a second time, it was he who pointed it out. Now the glowing light illuminates whatever Trevor is currently reading in his comfortable 'man chair.' I love the pops of color we're adding to our home.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Yawn!
Everyone in my house is sleepy today. Trevor worked all night and is crashed out now that he's finally home. Odin is dreaming and his tail is wagging. Charlie is curled up on a pillow somewhere. I'm ready to curl up myself. I'm glad to have everyone home, even if they are all asleep.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Relaxing
Today, the week finally ends. I can't wait to curl up with a good book and a nice cup of tea. Friday night is usually an early night for me but I don't mind. It's nice to have Saturday to look forward to. I have a few letters to address and send, and am planning on spending my lunch break browsing for a new book to read. This is the life.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Neck
I was thisclose to wearing a scarf today, but decided that due to the weather creeping toward the 80s yesterday I might have to hold off a while longer. Texas, it is November already! Is this normal? I'm just the unusual outsider who is adjusting to the heat. Heat in November sounds oxymoronic to me! I'm still eyeing some nice scarves.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Tights
I've been wearing pants to battle the air conditioning, but I think I will be swayed to tights this fall. I have one magenta pair that I have to outfit and would love some of these great patterned show-stoppers. Now that the weather is reaching normal levels outside I won't regret wearing tights to school (only to be blasted by heat once I leave the building).
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Apples
Today was game day in my class. Last night I was so excited about it that I completely forgot to post anything today. I also came up with a great way to kick start some short stories. We played Apples to Apples and I can see this as a great way to brainstorm story ideas with kids. I'm stealing ideas from a fantastic game called Nanofictionary. The story-telling game is great and especially entertaining. I love game day.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Leaves
Will the warm weather upset my enjoyment of fall? Will the leaves on the trees change colors? I haven't seen many reds and oranges on my daily drives and am missing fall foliage. I have no idea how it works here in Texas, I guess I'll have to ask. I'm still keeping my eyes peeled. November usually yields brilliant colors.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Bull-dog
This is what I was doing yesterday. I measured my dog and created a custom saddle. I even decorated it with contrasting stitching and glittery designs to make it more authentic looking. Trevor engineered the horns, which we found from a viking helmet. The cowbell collar was the final touch and the reason Odin stood still for the photos. He was scared of the bell and therefore wouldn't move to keep it from ringing. We took out the ball so that it wouldn't be a traumatic Halloween. I'll post family pictures later, we had a blast.
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