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!!!

Some pics from Oklahoma

I ended up getting so many good pictures when I was at home. I love the ones of Shelton. He is so cute, and it is so easy to get him to smile. Gotta love that!

Kylan and I were worn out! My brother picked up my camera and snapped pics of us sleeping in the recliner.
Kylan is always making funny faces. She is very spirited!

Just look at how determined she is for Shelton to take the pacifier in the bottom picture. Too funny! Hope everyone is having a good week.

Home Again!

Yes, I am actually at my own house!!! This has been a crazy month. I don't think I have slept here more than 5-7 times in the past month. I came back to Springfield on Friday evening, met my friend Jessie for dinner, came home, slept, woke up and headed to the lake. I came back here yesterday afternoon (Monday). It feels good to be here. I didn't ever find my ring. Very sad deal! But I am hopeful that at some point, the ring will just fall out of a cabinet or a drawer, or something like that. I must say that everyone's nice comments are encouraging. I had decided I was the only girl in the world who takes off her wedding ring that often. Apparently, it's not just me!!! Ryan has been really good about it too. I think we both know that there isn't a thing we can do about it. It is out of our control. I have got to go find a picture of it to email the police department. We had to file it missing in order for any insurance to kick in. What an ordeal! I mean, it's not even about the money, it's my wedding ring. Ryan had it designed for me based on all the things I had pointed out on rings as we had looked at them. It was really special, and I'm obviously still pretty sad about it because I am almost in tears as I type this.

However, I must say I am happy to be home. I have lots of pics to post later when I get them uploaded. The ones on here are just random, but they make me smile. When Rach was here, she walked in her room, and found Barkley, just laying in her suitcase!!! Hope you all have a happy day!!!

Just a note...

to say hello:) Mom is doing a little better, becoming more independent. I am going home on Friday. I miss my puppies and my hubby right now. Since I have been here, I have lost my wedding ring. That has really had me down a little because I have absolutely no idea where it could be. I had it on Saturday, but Saturday night, I started to realize it was missing. I am really weird about my ring. I take it off every time I put on lotion, clean the kitchen, shower, go to bed, swim, etc. It is kind of like closing the garage door when I leave my house. It happens subconsciously. Since I have been here, I have been so busy taking care of mom, cooking for everyone, cleaning, etc. It has been a wild week. Saturday night, I made queso and tacos for everyone. I remember taking my ring off when I was making the queso. I was afraid I was going to get cheese in it. But it's nowhere to be found. I have had to make myself come to grips with the fact that this SUCKS!!! But, I still have a lot of things to be thankful for. It's taken a few really hot baths and lots of self-talk, but I know that worse things could happen. I will keep you filled in on this saga.

I have gotten to spend a lot of time with my niece and nephew since arriving. I have seen them most of the days I have been here. I have gotten some super cute pictures that I can't wait to post and play with after I have some time. Tomorrow my sister-in-law is bringing Shelton over for me to watch while she and my brother go fishing for the day. I'm gonna try to get some more pics of him. He is so adorable! Anyways... I've gotta run! I need to get some zzzzzzzzzz's.

Consider Yourself Challenged blog....

is up and running!!! All of us design team girls from Scrapbook Generation are putting together a bi-weekly challenge blog. (hence the name:) Our first challenge will be posted tomorrow, along with our versions of the challenge. We will pick a winner each month. That person will receive a nice little goodie bag. You should go check it out, and play along with us!!!

For everyone who has emailed or posted, my mom is making it okay since her surgery. She is in lots of pain though, and she is not able to do anything on her own. Thanks to all of you who have asked about her and said a prayer. I really appreciate it. I will try to post some pics later. I am doing this in quite a rush!!! Hope you all are having a happy day!

10 Random things about me

I had to post some pics along with my "tag". The neighboring subdivision at the lake puts on a Fourth of July Golf Cart Parade each year. They go all out. I thought I'd share some of the fun with everyone. They throw candy and all!!!

So, I've been tagged by a couple of people to compile a list of ten random things you may not know about me. Then I have to tag ten people to do the same things. Here goes:

1. My favorite junk food snack is Lay's wavy mesquite bbq chips with french onion dip-YUM!!!

2. My Grandma June is a retired Special Education teacher, and she still teaches adults how to read through a local literacy program. I think that is really neat. I think that is where I found my love of helping people who need a little extra boost.

3. My Grandpa Jim served on the Oklahoma House of Representatives for seventeen years, ran the department of transportation for the state, and was the Corporation Commissioner in Oklahoma for years. I remember making family commercials at their house each election year. These commercials are hilarious for us to watch!!! We get to see the whole film instead of the edited versions.

4. I love to watch The Young and the Restless.

5. The part I hate the most about getting ready is blow drying my hair. I have to though, or it just isn't pretty.

6. Jack Johnson, John Mayer, and Kenny Chesney are my favorite music artists.

7. I am extremely stubborn and very hard-headed-just ask my husband:)

8. I have a strange fetish for designer jeans. I LOVE them!!! Seven For All Mankind, Citizens of Humanity, and Grass are some of my favorites.

9. I don't like sweets very much.

10. Last, but not least, I'm Sooner born, and Sooner bred, and when I die, I'll be a Sooner dead:)

Boomer Sooner!!!

Okay, number ten probably isn't that surprising, but I had to throw in something about my Sooners!!!

Here is who I am tagging. I'm only tagging six though, because most of the other people I would have tagged have already done this. What can I say? I don't mind bending the rules a little here and there:) If you don't have a blog or a myspace page, email me your list.

Tiffany Cooper

Rachel Dorsey

Kindra Eddings

Bethany Arie

Allison Davis

Jessica Springfield

Hello!!!

Hi there old friends! I have been gone for quite some time. I must say that it does feel nice to know that I have been missed:) We have been at the lake for the past 10 days, then came home, and couldn't get access to the Internet...YUCK!!! Can I even begin to tell you how annoying that has been for me??? That is the only thing I miss when I am at the lake, besides my scrapbook room, of course. So I got to be home for two whole days, then tomorrow I am heading to Oklahoma because my mom is having surgery. This has been some summer, I must say, and the worst part is that it is halfway overwith. I can't tell you how sad that makes me. I am taking my scrapping supplies to OK with me though. My poor parents have to deal with me overtaking the dining room. Anyways, in other news, I thought I would show you guys pics of my new table, chairs, and bench that we got for the lake. I LOVE them!!! Now I can scrap at the lake:) I usually take stuff to make cards, and use our trays to work off of. Now I will have a whole table. I took some other pics too, so you can see why we like being there so much. Our view is INCREDIBLE!!! I will tell you though, I cleaned up to take the pictures. It usually looks more like a lake house than this. During the fall and winter, the lake is unbelievable from our house because the trees are bare. Anyways, I am so thrilled with our new table, chairs, and bench. They go perfectly with my "tropical paradise" in the middle of the woods. I will post some more pictures later. Right now, I am off to check some blogs...

It's Just a Lazy Day Afternoon:)

Rachel and I have been having a great time since she got here on Monday. Today it is all rainy outside, so we're just at home having a lazy day afternoon!!!

You can kind of see Barkley's haircut here, but it looks much different in real life. He's still a cutie!

Hi!!!

So, I still haven't posted pics of Barkley with his new haircut. I just can't seem to get a good shot. But, Ryan and I both agree that he looks kind of funny. We liked him and his furry little body. He definitely feels better though. I have been at the lake since Thursday with my mom. We got to spend a nice relaxing day at the dock on Friday, then we shopped Saturday and Today. We got some REALLY good shopping in!!! She left tonight, and I just got my house (in Springfield) kind of straightened up for Rachel, who arrives tomorrow at 12:30:) I just can't wait!!! Tomorrow, our new chair and table also arrives:) So I guess this Monday will be a very happy one for me! I hope everyone else has a happy Monday as well:) I will post pics next time, I promise!!!

Barkley Is Getting a Haircut Today

So say goodbye to all this cute fur. He is just so hot. I'll post pics after we get back.

I hope he still looks this cute:)