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