Hoping...

that everyone had a wonderful Christmas with your families! I know I have certainly been enjoying my time here. I came in on Sunday evening, and am planning to be here until this Saturday night or Sunday morning...still undecided. But it has been nice to actually have time while I am here. My trips are usually so rushed...only two or three days long. So this has been so much nicer...sleeping in...hanging around the house...watching television...making cards...playing on the computer...just having a nice time with my nieces and nephew. Only one bad thing...I left my charger for my camera battery at home. Really frustrated about this...not only can I not load pics on my computer, but I can't take any pics either. So I think I may have to add a charger to my list for tomorrow. My mom and I are shopping tomorrow, and I think I am going to have to give in and buy it. Well...guess that's it around here...by the way it snowed all morning, and we had a white day after Christmas. It really was beautiful!

Wishing you....

a VERY Merry Christmas!!!

It's icing outside...

and i'm just chilling with the doggies:) Supposed to be heading to Oklahoma in the morning. But this weather is making me nervous. Part of me would love to wake up to snow at the lake...just because I've never seen it here before and I know it is probably beautiful. However, I need to get home tomorrow. My plan is to head out in the morning, and return next Sunday morning. I guess it really isn't in my control at this point. But I must say that I am soooooooooo enjoying my time off right now, and I love having cute little Barkley curled up in my lap. He has turned into a complete lap dog, and it is so cute. Harley is all curled up between two pillows. I have also enjoyed just being at the lake for a few days of down time...........MUCH needed. If it weren't so cold and icy outside, I would run out to my car and grab the cord so that I could post some pictures. I took pictures of the dogs earlier with the flash off and them just totally curled up and relaxing. Definitely a snapshot of the moment...hopefully i'll get pics posted this week when i'm in Oklahoma. I still can't believe it's Christmas..............

Is it really...

Christmas? Already? I guess it just doesn't seem possible to me. I had not even bought one, yes, I said one Christmas present until today! I shopped in Branson...couldn't believe how NOT crowded it was here! Everyone in Springfield was saying it was horrible there. I had no traffic, no lines, no crowds. At the outlet mall, I was actually able to just pull up to each store I wanted to go inside and park right in front! I have never had an easier day in Branson. I got all but two gifts finished. All but three are wrapped! Successful day!!! I hope everyone out there is getting everything they need to get done, done! Enjoy your family and friends! I'm getting back to my dogs. We're chilling at the lake!

Ahhhhhh...

I am breathing a sigh of relief! The Christmas program is over:) Today is the best Friday ever!!! I haven't had my breaks this week b/c we have had practice every morning during my break times. Two of my special class teachers wanted to make up their time with my kids. So today, I have FOUR breaks!!! My kids had pe at 9:30, music at 12:05, counselor at 12:35, and they are going to art at 1:40-for an hour:) This is a good day!!! I just wish it would warm up a little bit. However, I did get some UGG boots last night, and I am super excited about that. Of course I had to wear them today, and they are soooooooooooo warm and fuzzy!!! Hope everyone stays warm and has a good weekend!

Christmas Program...

week drives me NUTS!!! We have our second grade program tonight at 7:00. We have had the second graders practicing at the high school from 8:30-11:00 for the past few days, and the kids are stressed, teachers are stressed, and it's just no fun! I can't wait for it to be over with tonight. I have missed my breaks for three days in a row, so that is probably why I feel like I might strangle these kids!!! I need a break away from them........in a HUGE way! Besides that, they are crazy with Christmas right around the corner. Anyways...other than that I guess things are good. I am ready for break! I don't know my Christmas plans for sure...but I do know that I'm ready for a break from work, life, etc....hope everyone else is doing well, and that those of you who were in the terrible ice storm have power again! I promise one of these days I will post new pics...just been busy! Happy Thursday!

BRRRRRR......

it is cold outside today! I am not a fan of the cold-at all! So this is not the bestday for me. It is just too cold:)

A Sooner Christmas Carol

So, I already posted about our big win, but a friend emailed me this and I couldn't resist. It is long, but it's pretty funny:) (at least it's funny to a Sooner)

'Twas the night before the Big XII and all through the land,
not a Tiger was stirring, not even the band.

Their Jockeys were hung by the locker with care,
in hopes that the Sooners soon would be there.

Truman was nestled all snug in his bed,
while visions of the BCS danced in his head.

And Pinkel in his kerchief full of Tiger pride,
and Bob and the Sooners ready to ride.

When down in San Antone there arose such a clatter,
Chase sprang from his bed to see what was the matter.

He realized the Option was gone in a flash,
and Maclin's dreams of running had just been dashed.

The Tiger tight ends trembled as they watched the show,
A Crimson and Cream luster set the horizon aglow.

When what to their wondering eyes should they find,
but a miniature Schooner, seven National Titles behind.

With a wizened old driver, skilled in leading his troops,
they knew in a moment it must be Bob Stoops.

More rapid than Temple his players they came,
and he whistled and shouted and called them by name.

"On Bradford, on Joe John, now Patrick and Murray!
On Chris Brown! On Iglesias! On Hartley and Kelly!

To the top of the conference! To the top of it all!
Now dash their hopes! Dash their dreams! Dash away all!"

And then in a twinkling, the Tigers fought back a scream,
and Chase saw the last of his Heisman trophy dream.

defense drew in their breath and looked all around,
and realized that their "Pig" was nowhere to be found.

Bob's eyes how they twinkled, his coaches how merry!
As they carried on the legacy left them by Barry.

Gary's sad little face and a fear in his belly,
he shook on the field as his knees turned to jelly.

Pinkel spoke not a word, and the ball they couldn't carry,
Stoops filled up the scoreboard and then turned to Gary.

And laying his hand on the shoulder of his friend,
he gave Pinkel a nod and said, "Like Norman again."

Bob sprang to the Schooner, to his team gave a shout,
to the BCS they flew and left Mizzou down and out.

And we heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight,
"Boomer Sooner to All and to All a Good Night!"

Boomer Sooner!!!!

I am soooo excited about our big win...especially because I live in Missouri:) Most everyone around was cheering for the Tigers, so that made it a lot more fun! I knew we would win, and thank goodness we did, otherwise, I might not be able to survive all the comments people would be making. I am always saying stuff to co-workers and friends about my team. They would never let me live it down if they had won that game....so to everyone out there...BOOMER SOONER:):):):):):)

Happy Thanksgiving...

to all of my wonderful friends and family! I love you all dearly. Hope you have a great day filled with yummy food and good company! Happy Thanksgiving! ((((((HUGS))))))

Again...I'm still alive:)

I have just had lots going on, and no time to be on the computer. I still have pics to post, but I just haven't gotten around to it. I hope everybody out there is doing good and looking forward to a wonderful Thanksgiving. I thought I'd make a short list of some of the things I have to be thankful for right now.

Family-I have the best family-both on my side, and on Ryan's side
A place to call home
A good job that is very rewarding
The best little doggies in the whole world
The best friends in the whole world-you guys have been nothing but good for me-especially lately:)

Hope everyone is well, and has a good week and lots to be thankful for!!!

yes...I'm alive...

and here are a few of my favorite pics from the past few weekends...I still haven't uploaded the ones from my camera when my mom and I were in osage beach. These are from the past two weekends. The first weekend was in Springfield, and last weekend, I was in Pennsylvania with Rachel. Good Times!!! I hope everyone is doing well, enjoying life, and blogging........

Sorry...

for being the WORST blogger lately! I had two girlfriends come in town over the weekend, then I got sick on Monday, finally a little better today, and flying out to visit my friend Rachel tomorrow....so that's where I've been. I promise I will do better. I have so many pics and stuff to post, just no time to fit it all in...so hopefully next week will slow down...in the mean time, I hope all is well with everyone! Have a great weekend!

Just...

having a low-key night...finally:) Ryan has a program tonight, so I'm home alone...I decided to come downstairs and work...on anything...and I am really glad I did...I have finished a layout that has been sitting on my table for weeks, and now I am almost finished with my November class layout at Scrapbook Generation. This one is just coming together. I love it when that happens. I'm also listening to new music I downloaded a while back, but haven't had time to slow down and actually LISTEN to it...It feels good...I hope you are having a good week...I'm going to go back to work! Maybe I'll get some pics posted tonight...if not, then maybe tomorrow:)

More pics from the OU/Mizzou Game...

Check out the football about to come through the field goal:) Love that!!! I just returned from Lake of the Ozarks today. My mom and I spent a day at the spa on Friday, then we shopped yesterday, returned today:) Gotta love a day at the spa! How I wish I were still there! I will have some pics to post from there too...but right now, I am going to try to catch up on some stuff. Parent/Teacher conferences are this week...lots to do...hope you guys have a great week!!!

Some Game Pics...

Lots more to come...I just uploaded these, and I've got some photo editing to do. I had fun just looking at the pictures and reliving the excitement of the game:) Hope everyone has a great day, and Boomer Sooner!!!

Good Monday Morning...

to everyone! We had a blast at the OU/Mizzou game on Saturday! It was a fast trip. We stopped by my brother's house after the game. My nephew was asleep, so I just got to look at him...no holding:( But at least I got to say hello. It was so good to see him and my brother and Ashley. I have lots of game pictures to post. We had so much fun...and fortunately, we won:) It was one of the best games I have ever been to. It was very exciting, and our seats were fantastic! My cousin played for OU, and we bought his tickets this week. We were in the end zone...just a few feet off the field. I am a little hoarse today from all my cheering. I'll post pics later. Have a great day! Amy

Happy Weekend...

to all my friends out there:) I was so glad to get out of school early today. We got out at 12:30, but I didn't get out of there until 1:30. I ran seven miles at Sequiota today. That is the first time I have gone for a run there in a long time...I forgot how nice it is to run there. It is truly a great place to run. It was so nice because the weather is PERFECT!!! Not too hot, but not too cool either...can't beat that:)

I am sooooooo excited to head to Norman tomorrow for the big game:) Hopefully I will get some great pics to post next week...Until then...Boomer!!!

Tomorrow..

is a half day at school...and it's actually a half day that we get to go home early on:) We normally have professional development on early dismissal days, but this time, we are free at 12:30. Yippee!!! We are headed to Norman Saturday morning for the OU/MU game. And let me tell you....I am super excited!!! ESPN GameDay is there this weekend...so that makes it even better. Boomer Sooner!!! I've been looking for some funniness like I found last week, but have failed to find anything. We just aren't rivals with MU like we are with Texas. And by the way, for those of you who don't know...WE WON THE GAME!!! (This is our arch rival if you didn't know...and they have beat us for the past two years...so now we have the title back again:)I can't wait for some Sooner time this weekend! I just love the loud cheers, tailgating, and excitement that you find in that town.

Let's go Sooners:)

Just a funny in honor of the Red River Rivalry tomorrow:) Boomer Sooner!!!

Sometimes...

life moves too fast, and I feel like I don't soak it all in. I feel like I just go through the motions, and wish for the weekend. Anyone else ever feel like this??? I must say running is helping with that though, especially as I am becoming more in shape-finally. I'm finally to the point that I can run a few miles, and not feel like I am about to die. I did four miles today with my new playlist. Gotta love a new playlist, especially one that works. I didn't skip any songs. I even kept walking through the parking lot where my car was so that I didn't have to turn one off. So maybe my runs will become as long as my playlist is:)

On another note, you guys have read my blogs occasionally when I have mentioned my grandparents. They are just good people who have shaped my life as much as my parents have. There are so many things that I idolize about them. I love that they take care of themselves by eating healthy and exercising. I love that they have always encouraged us to try anything, and to set goals for ourselves. I love that they always encouraged us to compete at something, and supported us in whatever that something was. I wish I could see them more often, and spend time with them. But living away makes that difficult. Some of my best memories of visiting Oklahoma since we moved here were during the time that my parents had a full house, and Ryan and I would stay with my Grandma and Grandpa when we would go home. I hadn't spent the night with them since I was much younger, and it's amazing that warm and cozy feeling that comes from being with them at their house. Okay, I'll get to the point. My Grandpa is very politically active, as I have mentioned in the past. He sent me an email with a link to the Democrats club they belong to so that we could see their float that won first place. As I was looking at the website, I saw this video of my Grandpa doing his rope tricks with some children. Growing up, this was part of every get together, parade, or anything that we were participating in. I used to know how to spin one too, but I can't say that I would be able to do it now if I tried. Anyways, I just wanted to share this video of my Grandpa Jim. It brought back so many warm memories of family and of childhood memories. Click on the link below to see Grandpa in action! And please, no political comments, that is not what this blog is all about. http://pottcountydemocrats.org/Documents/MOV01287.MPG

I'm So Excited....

Right now!!! It is only ten minutes until Grey's Anatomy!!! I have sooooo been waiting for this! Can't wait to see McDreamy and Meredith and McSteamy and Izzie and George and well, the whole cast! I feel like it's been so long since the season ended. I have a casserole in the oven. YUM!!! This feels like fall. Fall is certainly not my favorite season. Afterall, that means I'm back to work, and home from the lake much sooner than I want to be, or not there at all. But there are a few perks about it. These are some of my favorite things about fall:

10) A Routine
9) School-yes-I did say that. (ask me again in April/May)
8) Feeling at home in this house again. (We don't really inhabit it much during the summer)
7) Going to the lake for a nice, calm, relaxing weekend. (The pace down there really changes)
6) Days when you can wear jeans or shorts, long sleeves or tank tops, flip-flops or boots-just whatever you want because the temperature becomes so comfortable.
5) Cooler weather for nice runs and good tv shows after I get home.
4) The changing of the leaves
3) Thinking about all I have to be thankful for right now, and focusing on it.
2) Casseroles and chips and queso and frito chili pies and queso......and
1) COLLEGE FOOTBALL-BOOMER SOONER!!!

Have you ever....

looked at people, and thought, "What are you thinking?" That's what I thought today when I went inside Cheddar's to place a to-go order. I looked over at a table, and here's what I saw:
A table with a single male, and a couple,
The single male was sitting across the table from the couple,
The couple was totally mugging down!!!
I mean they were MAKING OUT!!!
I felt so bad for the man across the table from them.
I would have been so uncomfortable if I were him.

Is there anyone else who totally HATES public displays of affection like this???

Here's me...

doing my thing??? http://www.kspr.com/news/local/9906502.html Click on the link, then hit play, and you'll see me in action. Too funny. I wish I had known I would be on television tonight. I certainly would have dressed nicer, worn more makeup, and had better hair:)

Crazy Day

But it was a good day. The crazy thing is that I am on the news tonight on KSPR 33. My principal asked me if I would like to be on TV. I said sure, then said, hang on, what for??? She laughed, and said an interview about safety in schools-mainly if I think teachers should carry guns in school. So, that's what I'm on the news today about. It is on at 4:30, 5:30, 10:00, and in the morning. Pretty wild!!! I didn't know they would be coming into my room, but they asked if they could, so I let them. My kids were CRAZY!!! You would think they had never seen a camera before. I hope I don't look like an idiot.....Guess we'll see in about ten minutes.

Onto other things. The picture at the top is the card class I did Monday night at Scrapbook Generation. The page below is the page about my ring. I will copy/paste the journaling so you can read it. I really like how all these stamps look. I absolutely loved this paper when I saw it, but had no idea that this is what I would use it for. I feel kind of weird posting this journaling because it's pretty personal, but that's alright. I guess life happens to all of us! So here goes:

Regroup...that’s what I keep having to do here lately. It all started with the loss of my wedding ring. I had no idea how much that symbol meant to me. I mean, I always knew how much I loved my ring. I was never the type of girl to think I would want a new one-ever. That was it. It was the one Ryan had designed-just for me. It disappeared. I sort of started to deal with it, then I realized I don’t have one picture of it. I started to convince myself it was a sign. Maybe Ryan and I weren’t meant to be. It sounds ridiculous, but this has been really hard on me. Then, I had a glimpse of hope for finding a picture. I would find the guy who designed it. I called the place where Ryan got it, and tried to get in touch with the designer, No luck. Ryan found him. However, the building where he had his portfolios stored burned down. Imagine the doubt I started to feel at this point. I had to do some serious self-talk, and I had quite a few cries too.I started having dreams about it, imagining it being hidden in a really strange place at my parent’s house, blaming myself for not keeping up with it, when in fact, I know that isn’t what happened to it. I was miserable, and I really thought my marriage was doomed. I kept thinking if I could just find my ring, everything would be fine. Then, one day, it just occured to me. That ring is not my marriage, it is a symbol of love. I am still in hopes that I will come across a picture of my wedding ring someday, but I am becoming more and more aware that a symbol is a symbol. It is sad to not have it anymore, but I still have the real thing that matters. I have Ryan, and I have our dogs, and I have our life. And that, to me is worth more than any material thing I will ever own. So, I am looking ahead, looking forward to more of our life together. I have the things that matter the most to me. It would be much worse to lose one of those. So, right now, I am still really sad and crushed about my loss, but I have found a way to regroup, change my pattern of thought, and look at all the symbols of love I have in my life.

Happy Wednesday...

to all my friends out there!!! I love Wednesdays. In fact, I think Wednesday might be my favorite day of the week. It means that the weekend is just around the corner, and that makes me smile:) I am so happy today because I have gone for good runs every day this week. I am planning another tomorrow, then rest Friday and Saturday, I think. We'll see how it goes. This is the first week that I have actually felt like I WANT to run. It's been more like a HAVE to for the past few weeks. So that's a good feeling. I also finally feel like we are into our groove at school. It's really the first week that I feel like everything is running smoothly. I taught a class at Scrapbook Generation last night. It was good. I'll have to post pics of the cards we made. They turned out so cute. Ryan and I went for a run this afternoon, yes I said both of us! I think he's gonna run with me on Mondays and Wednesdays. We came home, showered, and now we are off to Chili's to meet his dad and step-mom for Ryan's b-day. We couldn't seem to get together last week, so we are doing it tonight. I am starving after my run, and it feels good to know that I don't really have to worry about what I eat because of all the calories I am burning during those runs. I think that may be my very favorite part of running. I'll try to post pics tomorrow. Hope everyone has a great evening!!!

Another Monday down:)

I hate Mondays, as if anyone who reads this or knows me was wondering:) However, this Monday wasn't too bad. After school, Ryan and I went for a run. he wants to start tagging along. I'm still trying to build up good endurance, and since I haven't been on much of a training schedule, that seems to be harder than usual. So tonight I've been looking at running websites, trying to find a schedule that is not only good, but one that is "doable" for me. Some of them are too much. I think I have committed to a half marathon Dec. 9. I'm nervous, but I know I can do it. I actually trained for one the year before last, but my partner and I missed our run. We thought it was one day, then I got online to register us, and realized we had the date for the previous year. So, needless to say, our training came to a halt. I am looking forward to good long runs, but kind of dreading them at the same time. I guess I look forward to feeling you get after you finish. It's been so long since I've been really running that that feeling seems far away right now. I think I found an eight week schedule I can follow. I will be ready to start it by Oct. 9. That is exactly eight weeks before the run. Here we go!!!

Missing this...

right now:) Our neighbor just emailed us this picture. He was coming in on his boat, and here we all were, just hanging out, enjoying a nice, hot summer day! Ryan and I are in the back on the right side, over by the red ladder. This is our dock, and our awesome lake neighbors/friends:)

TGIF...

almost:)

Happy Birthday....

to Ryan!!! Today is his big day. I know he doesn't like me to make a big deal out of it, but I just can't help it. He doesn't usually read this, so I can talk about it on here. We are going to eat at Nakato (his choice), then I have gotten ahold of his brothers and some buddies to come and meet us at Indigo Joe's to wish him a happy b-day. It will be fun!!!

Monday...

has never been my favorite day of the week. Today is the first day of school when I have been really irritated with my class. I don't know that it's all their fault, but I swear when they returned from lunch, they were crazy!!! I am sure the fact that I don't have a break until 2:10 on Mondays doesn't help matters. But it seemed as though during lunchtime, aliens came and kidnapped my sweet class, and turned them into strange little creatures:) Today was the first time I have really had to get onto them as a group. They just wouldn't stop talking. So, hopefully, tomorrow will be better. It's gotta be, right??? Please say yes. When I taught special education, we had names for each of the days of the week. They were:

Mild Monday
Terrible Tuesday
Wacky Wednesday
Trying Thursday
Finally Friday

The strangest thing is that the name actually rarely differed from the way the day went. I guess they don't really apply these days, because today was certainly no Mild Monday. Maybe tomorrow will be better:) I hope everyone has a good week. I am bummed b/c today, I have looked forward to a good hard run all day long. Ryan was even going to join me. But, it won't stop raining! It hasn't rained all day. Not until I started to drive home anyways. I keep hoping it will stop. I won't last long on the treadmill....

A weekend at home???

What will we do with ourselves? I don't think that Ryan and I have spent a weekend at our house since May. So being at home on a Friday feels unusual....but good. I have just been chillin' in my scrap room since I got home from school. I don't think I've accomplished a thing. I've had this same layout going for about two weeks. It just feels kind of good to be in my room with no place to go, nothing that I have to do, and simply sit, relax, breathe, and BE...The page I have been working on is about my wedding ring that I no longer have. I haven't said much about it on my blog, but this has been a really difficult time. I don't even have a picture of my ring. That's right, me, no picture. It is actually unbelievable. I have a picture of everything you can imagine, but no picture of that??? Not even a wedding photo, and we purchased all the proofs when we bought our wedding pics. Unbelievable. However, a couple of weeks ago, I just decided I had to stop obsessing about it, it was time to regroup. That is the title of my page. Hopefully I will finish it tonight so I can post it. I think it is one of the first times I have scrapped something that I am terribly sad about. Maybe that's why it's taking me so long. I hope everyone's weekend is off to a great start!!! TGIF

Tagged...Again...

and it's taken me forever to get this done. Sorry Allison, but I just haven't had much extra time lately. Anyway, here goes...

Here are the rules:1. You have to post these rules before you give the facts.

2. Players, you must list one fact that is somehow relevant to your life for each letter of their middle name. If you don’t have a middle name, use the middle name you would have liked to have had. ***IF you have already done your middle name than do the State that you live in with new adjectives!*****

3. When you are tagged you need to write your own blog-post containing your own middle name game facts. ***Or state if you have already been tagged before!***

4. At the end of your blog-post, you need to choose one person for each letter of your middle name to tag.

5. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.Here is mine:

N-Nice...I think anyone who knows me would vouch for the fact that I am a nice person. (I hope they would anyway:)

I-Intense...Anyone who has ever watched an OU football game with me has seen my intense side. It doesn't come out too often, but when it does, look out! I get this way about a few things, but not everyone has seen that side of me.

C-Creative...I have a pretty creative side to me. It comes in lots of forms, ranging from scrapbooking to teaching, to decorating, and lots of other things. I don't function well when I don't have time to be creative. In fact, I tend to become pretty grumpy.

O-Outlook...I try to keep a positive one. Even when life is bad, I tend to find a way to find the good things and to go from there. Sometimes I need a little help from my friends, but I always find a way to get back to the positive, and think about all the good things life has brought to me. I just don't believe in negativity. It is a dangerous state of mind.

L-Lake...I don't think I have to explain this one. I simply love the lake:) It makes me smile just thinking about it.

E-Enthusiastic...I don't think anyone would say I lack in the area of enthusiasm. I love to get excited about stuff, and I always try to make even the most terrible tasks at least a little fun!!!

So there you have it, a few facts about me. I can't follow all the directions above b/c lots of my blogging buddies have already been tagged. So I am tagging Tiffany, Ashlee, Heather, Allissa, and Ronnie and Becky! Oh wait, I did come up with six people:)

I love short weeks!!!

I don't know what it is, but I just love having four day weeks. It feels like I just blinked and tomorrow is already Wednesday. For some reason, when Wednesday arrives, I feel like the weekend is just around the corner:)

I can't post without saying BOOMER SOONER!!! That really made my weekend, and it made my night when I went to the sight and saw that we have jumped ahead of Texas in the polls. Don't know why that makes me so happy, but it always does.

We had a great time at the lake this weekend. We really enjoyed the extra day. The weather was absolutely gorgeous the whole time we were there!!! I got home last night around 7:30 or so, put things away, ate some food, and then I think I was in bed before 10. That is amazing for me. Today after school, I had to go buy some new running shoes and headphones for my ipod. Barkley chewed Ryan's headphones earlier this summer and I gave him mine. I haven't had the heart to ask him for them back, so today, I went and got a new pair. They are really nice too. I love them!!! I had to buy new shoes because last week, I came home from work, changed clothes, went to get my shoes on, and guess what??? Yeah, Barkley has hidden one somewhere and we are yet to find it. We have no clue what he has done with it. So needless to say, Barks has had a pretty expensive day. I know my shoe will turn up somewhere at a random time. I figure I'll just have another pair when it appears. Today after I went and got all this stuff, I came home and went for a run WITH my ipod. I forgot how much that little thing helps me out. I mean, the run was so different. It has been a struggle every time, but today, I just loved hearing my tunes. I guess it takes your mind off of how tired you feel. After I ran, I came home and walked the dogs, then I started cleaning. I got a lot done. I dusted, swept, mopped, and vaccumed most of our upstairs. Our house was in serious need. I still have more to do, but I feel better having a good start on it. Tomorrow night I am hoping to scrap a little. I need to make some cards ASAP!!! Hope everyone is having a good week!!!

Sorry...

I've been a terribly bad blogger. Since school started, it seems like I have had a hundred things to do at night. I guess I've gotta adjust:) This is the hardest time of the year. Just trying to get the kids into a good routine, learn all the rules, know what I expect of them, etc.... It is rather exhausting. But it will make the rest of the year run smoothly, and allow me to have an easier time in the long run. I have a student teacher too. So that is another thing to do on top of everything else. I am sooooooooooo happy for the long weekend:) Who doesn't love Labor Day??? I can't wait to go to the lake and just CHILL!!! That extra day there will be awesome, and to make it better......It's football season!!! My Sooners play Saturday evening at six o'clock. I already have the stuff for queso and all my football snacks. I can't wait! I LOVE football season! So, if I don't post, everyone have a great long weekend, and BOOMER SOONER:)

Well...

it's official! I'm back to work. The kids came today, and it was a pretty good day overall. But let me tell you, I am one exhausted girl! My feet are hurting so bad, my back is sore, my eyes are tired, and well, I guess I'm just worn out! It is funny how that happens every year. I think it has to do with those concrete floors we walk on all day. I don't think I sat down for more than a total of 50 minutes today. I tried to keep track. The longest I sat at a time was 19 minutes. Maybe that's why I am tired. I think I have a really good group of kids this year. There are always a couple that test the waters, but my group overall seems awesome! Let me tell you, that makes teaching a lot more fun. I must say that I am really glad we only have kids two days this week. That will make next week a little easier to adjust to. It kind of feels good to be back. I may change my mind about that in a few months, but for now, it's a good thing. I do wish I could sleep in every now and then though:) That's about all I have to talk about right now seeing as school has consumed my time, thoughts, and energy during this entire week. I hope all my teacher buddies are off to a good start! If I don't blog before the weekend, everyone have a good one. Betcha can't guess where I'm off to tomorrow afternoon...........

Fly Fishing...

was a really neat experience. My dad and I had a great time. We had an awesome fishing guide/teacher. Neither of us had ever done this before, so this poor guy had his hands full! He was tons of fun though, and extremely good at his job. It was so pretty when we went out there. The fog was coming off the water, and it was just beautiful!

On another note, today was my first day back at work. It wasn't too bad. But I must say, it is always sad when summer ends. However, at the same time, I always look forward to getting to know the kids in my class, and looking forward to a great year with them. I must say it feels good to be sitting in my chair at home though. The first couple of weeks are always the most tiring. Tomorrow night is open house. We have another workday on Wednesday, and my student teacher will be coming that day too. I look forward to meeting her, and you can always use an extra set of hands at the beginning of the year:)

Last weekend of the summer...

is here. I just can't believe it! I had a great time with my dad this week! I have some cool pics to post, but I seem to have misplaced my cord that transfers pics from my camera to my computer. I am hoping I left it at the lake yesterday. We went on a fly fishing trip on Wednesday. Neither of us knew how to do it, so it was fun to learn. We were wading in 42 degree water on Lake Taneycomo from about 8 until about 3. Long day, but lots of fun! It was just nice to be with my dad because we never get to do that. He is always with my hubby and brothers, and I am always with my mom. So needless to say, we had a good time together. I'll post pics as soon as I find that cord. Right now, I am back to the rent house to finish painting the bathroom, and polish the wood floors. I pooped out around 1:00 this morning and called it quits. I know you all are jealous of that:) If I don't get back on here today, everyone have a good weekend! We have a surprise b-day party for a great friend this weekend! So we are looking forward to that. I posted a picture just b/c I don't like posting without one:) This is a cactus we have at the lake that blooms during the summer.

Just checking in for a moment....

I just got back home from the lake. My dad decided to come see me. So I drove to Springfield to meet him at our house. Now we are getting ready to go run a couple of errands, then head back to the lake for a few days. I am going to enjoy my final week off work. Last night, I took off in a kayak and watched the sun set. It was beautiful. I hope everyone has a good week. To all my teacher buddies...enjoy your last week of freedom. It's coming to an end pretty quick.

New Layouts

Last night I stayed up until 2am scrapbooking downstairs, enjoying some good tunes on my ipod. I don't know what I'd do without that little device:) Anyways...the first three are things I did last night. The others are recent, I just haven't posted them.



The first layout is of the flowers Ryan sent me on my b-day. He always sends me unique flowers, and I love taking pictures of them. This layout is kind of unlike me. I'm not sure how much I like it, but it's done, so that's alright.







This second one is of pictures from last year at the lake that I have had sitting out since then. I can never find anything to compliment the pics because they are so nice to look at, and I don't want to take away from them. So, I kept it really basic, and again, this is one I'm just glad to have completed:)











This one is of another old picture. I sometimes look through albums, and if I see a picture that I really love, even if I have scrapped it before, I just pull it out and add it to my pile. This picture has been sitting in the pile for about six months, and it is a picture that I scrapped originally after our trip. I need to pull that album out and look at it. That is always funny to do. We were in the Dominican Republic with two of our very best friends, Justin and Jessie. Remember this, guys??? It was a pretty unique trip, to say the least. I just can't believe it's been so long ago.
This layout is from Father's Day weekend in Oklahoma. I started it at my mom and dad's house when I was there for her surgery, and just finally adhered the last pieces the other day. Each picture and green paper has good and a word that describes the day. I think it turned out kind of cool. These pictures were taken while I was with my mom too. I did this last Monday after I came home from the lake. If you notice I used white on white. I had seen that somewhere, and the results are more striking in real life.

This layout is pretty old. I think I made it during the winter sometime. It has been hanging in my page protectors in my scrap room, so it hasn't been photographed. I'm switching them out, so I decided to post it.

Well, Ryan is trying to finish work early so we can get an early start to our lake weekend:) So I need to run, shower, go to the grocery store, and head out. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

I can't believe...

that summer is winding down so quickly. This week has been busy for me. On Tuesday, I went out to my school to work in my room. I stayed until after midnight. But....I don't have to go back until the 20th when we start having meetings and all the beginning of the year stuff. So I am glad of that. I was starting to stress about it, and decided to just put in one long day so that I don't have to worry about it anymore. Yesterday I had to go paint one of our rent houses. YUCK!!! Can I just say that I don't understand how some people can be so gross!!! This place was nasty. We bought this house two years ago, and it was in great condition. But these people ruined the carpet, the walls are just nasty, and the sinks and bathtub, I won't go there. It is always so alarming when you go in after someone moves out and see how nasty some people can be! Now, not all renters are like that. Some of them leave the houses in perfect condition. Thank goodness for them. But those people are few and far between. Anyways...I wish I had taken my camera over there with me just so you could see this mess, but I didn't. So now we are ripping out the carpet, and getting ready to refinish the old wood floors that are underneath. I still have to go do trimwork, but I am saving that for next week. I am going to get my hair done today:) Hope everyone is having a terrific Thursday, and to all my teacher friends, savor each moment, because we don't have much time left until we are at our district breakfast bright and early!!! I have some new pages to post, but I will have to do it later. I am hoping to scrap some tonight too:)

Pictures from the Lake:)

We had a great time at the lake this weekend! Both of Ryan's brothers came down on Saturday, then his mom and stepdad came down for dinner. My friend Angie came down yesterday too. We really had a good time, and just enjoyed the beautiful lake, and all my wonderful neighbors down there. I wish I had more to say, but it's just the lake, not a lot of action, but for some reason, it's just perfect. At least it's perfect for us anyways....hope everyone had a great weekend! I

am going to school tomorrow, I think, to try and get some stuff done. I am hoping to knock most of it out so that I don't have to worry about it anymore until I go back to work again, which by the way, is totally sneaking up on me.

Have a great weekend!!!

I just finished all of my errands. The car is packed, and now I just have to grab the dogs, and we are off to the lake for another fun weekend. It's gonna be a hot one though! That's okay, I guess that is what water is for:) I hope everyone has a great weekend. I have quite a few new pages to post next week when I get back home.

Fresh Veggies, YUM!!!

Ryan's Granny and Grandpa always have an amazing garden! They let me know they had lots of yummies for me, so I went out in the John Deere Gator with Ryan's Grandpa, and picked me some of the best tomatoes I have ever had off the vine! Ryan's Granny keeps the seeds of these tomatoes to replant each year. You can't get tomatoes like this anywhere!!! They are heirloom tomatoes. She also has German tomatoes. Oh my, I can't even tell you how good they are! I came home with garlic, which is also yummy, cucumbers, zucchini, and tons of tomatoes. I usually make a ton of homemade salsa with all this stuff. However, I have a couple of cuts on my fingers, and I don't think I can handle chopping everything up. I have actually ended up burning my fingers with jalapenos before. I know, it sounds weird, but the juices can go through your skin, and itburns from the inside. The burning lasted almost a week last time, so I don't think I can handle that. I am looking for recipes of things you can do with tomatoes. If anyone has any ideas, I would be so very grateful! I don't want all these tomatoes to go to waste! I can't eat them all, that's for sure. I would have a stomach ache forever!

Just returned home...

from, guess where??? Yep, you know me well, the lake is correct! Ryan is the best hubby. On Sunday morning, he said honey, my regional and district managers are with me this week. You should just stay here if you want to because I am going to have lots of work to do when I get home to get ready for them. He also has to entertain them in the evenings. Tonight they are going to a Cardinals game. So, he twisted my arm, we stayed at the lake for a couple of extra nights. Yesterday we hung out on the dock for most of the day. Harley was swimming like a mad dog. She likes to run up and down the dock barking at fish, and occasionally, she jumps in after one. The water hasn't quite been warm enough for her up until now. Apparently, the temperature is perfect. Of course after I went up and got my camera, her swimming time was over. Maybe next time. Isn't this the cutest picture of little Barkley????

If you look to the left of this picture, you can see our new hammock! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it! I had a couple of relaxing moments on it at night after the weather cooled down.

We returned to the dock last night to watch the sun set. Just beautiful and so peaceful! And, that is why I love being at the lake.

After the sunset last night, I watched some reruns of one of my favorite shows of all time. Anyone recognize these girls???

Well, hope everyone is having a terrific Tuesday! I am going to work on some little projects tonight while Ryan is at the game with his bosses. I am behind on everything because of all the time I have been spending at the lake. So I have to get to it!!!