Welcome...

Miss Ellie:)

Ashley and Reese brought Ellie over yesterday afternoon. I am so happy to have her here. I think she and Harley are going to have lots of fun together and be great company for each other. She seems pretty happy so far....she's so tiny and cute:)

For those of you who aren't familiar with Ellie...here's the background. She belonged to my ex-sister-in-law. She and Harley are almost the same age, and have been together since they were puppies. They got Ellie about a year after we got Harley. Anytime either of us needed a dogsitter, we took on that job. Ellie and Harley were together for almost an entire summer two years ago. So lots of my friends and family know her. Ashley has remarried and had a baby, and two more dogs. She didn't feel like Ellie was happy or getting enough love. With three dogs, and the new baby, the dogs were just left in the basement most of the time. So a few weeks ago, she texted and asked if I would be interested in giving Ellie a home if they were to need it. Of course I said yes...and most of my friends/family have said, "if you don't take her, I will". The thought of two dogs did freak me out a little. One is a lot to take care of when you are by yourself. It's hard to find care for them when you leave, travel is tough, etc. But the more I thought about it, the more I knew I would take Ellie. Now Harley will have company during the day when I am at work. Last night one dog snuggled on side of me, and one on the other, and they kept me so warm:) She is just a really cute, tiny, and sweet personality. So welcome home Ellie!

Some Pictures...

from the past two weekends. This is Kindra and I at the OU/Texas Tech Game. We had a great time.

Shelton with the Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving.

Cute little Kinzley....the bow is nearly bigger than her head:)

Kylan and I....this is her cheese face. She does everytime you tell her to smile for the camera...

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I, unfortunately, was somewhat sick for mine. I enjoyed it, but just didn't feel good. However, I got to see my wonderful family, my friend Kindra, and get lots of rest. I drove in Saturday night so that I could have a day at home to get some stuff done. Last weekend, I drove in for the OU/Texas Tech game, then left again on Wednesday. So I've been on the road quite a bit. I leave again on Friday to drive to Texas for Bethany's baby shower:) I am so happy for her and Jeff, and can't wait to see them. I am just hoping I get over this bug I have. I went to Urgent Care today. They said I had a severe sinus infection/borderline pneumonia. YIKES!!! I asked about work, and the doc said as long as I don't have a fever, I'm clear. So, I guess I'm gonna give it a go tomorrow. We will see. I get observed on Wednesday, so this really isn't the week to be absent for any reason at all. However, I do have to take care of myself, so I'm just going to take it as it comes. I can't believe it's really the holidays...where has the time gone?

Beauty...

is everywhere...especially right now. I must say I am overwhelmed with my surroundings these days. In the mornings, I am driving, and the sun peeks through the trees, and the fog is rising off the lake. It is at times breathtaking. This weekend the weather has been unbelievable. We spent the day yesterday at Big Cedar. For some strange reason, I left my camera on the boat. I missed lots of moments, but I enjoyed them all the same. On the way back, the sky was unbelievable. The trees are so colorful, and I just can't say how pretty and wonderful this weekend has been.

On a different note, I spent much of the morning at school working. I tore off the October page on my desktop calendar, and I was suddenly struck with the fact that holidays are soooooo close! I went to mark Thanksgiving vacation, then I turned to December and marked Christmas vacation. I suddenly realized that IT is here. Even though everything in my life is not where I had hoped it would be at this point, I am looking forward to time with people I love. I just can't believe it's actually so close. Does anyone else feel that way?

Beautiful...

Day! Today was gorgeous outside. It has been so cold the last couple of days, so today when I left work, I couldn't believe how nice it was. My car said it was sixty-eight degrees:) I wish we could pause the weather for a bit...the trees are so pretty and colorful, and I just don't know if I'm ready for the cold of weather. Oh well, I guess it comes and goes, so I should enjoy days like this when they happen, and remember them when it's freezing outside! I need to upload some pictures, but I keep finding other things to do. I did take some fall shots today because the leaves are falling so rapidly that I'm afraid there aren't many days left when the colors will show. Hope everyone else was able to enjoy a bit of the great outdoors this afternoon!!!

Busy, Busy, Busy..

is all I can say. This time of year is soooo hectic, especially this year for some reason. I have parent/teacher conferences this week....every afternoon until five, then Thursday until 6:00. Kids are there until noon on Friday, so I am certainly looking forward to that. It seems like I have so much to post, but life keeps getting in the way!

I have been finding myself being very negative lately, so I think it's time for a thankful post. So here goes:

Top Ten Things I'm Thankful For TODAY!
Harley
Family
Friends
Job
Laughter
Cell Phone...it means I can communicate with everyone who is far away.
Barkley...I saw him today and it made me smile...a lot:)
Forgiveness
Water...it brings peace to me for some reason.
A parent who told me how much she appreciated me and how much her daugher loves school...

It's always nice to remember the things that make you smile. In this season of change in my life, I find myself having to constantly remember how blessed I am and how very much I have to be thankful for:)

Remember The Little Things:)

I am posting this picture mostly because I needed to see it. It helps me breathe easier...and remember times of relaxation, enjoyment, and peace:) I hope everyone else experiences that when they see it too...Mostly, I hope you are having a good week. This is my Wednesday "pick-me-up". It reminds me to S-T-O-P!!! Life isn't about running, it's about stopping and enjoying the little things that make you feel good. For me, a sunset on the water is one of those little things.

Sorry...

for being such a bad blogger lately. I have been soooo incredibly busy. I wish I had some great stories about what I've been up to, but it's mostly just work. I'm still adjusting to my new job. As soon as I think I've got it together, something else comes up. My uncle passed away last week, so I went to Oklahoma on Thursday, and got back kind of late last night. Needless to say, that makes for a long Monday of playing catch up. I was already planning to go home for the OU game this past weekend, but then that happened, so I took off on Thursday and Friday.

On a lighter note, I had a great time at the game with my friend Carrol. I will post pics one of these days. My camera is still in my car. But we are now ranked #1:) Boomer Sooner!!!

I should have more to write, but I don't. I hope all is well with everyone. I need to check your blogs, and keep up with mine! Have a great week!

It's...

a new week. My Monday got off to a good start. Let's hope the rest of the week goes the same way. I've been feeling overwhelmed with a new job, and sometimes missing my "family" of people who I am used to working with. I guess that's something you take for granted. I miss you guys. I am doing good, but it's no fun being the new kid on the block, if you know what I mean. I am ready for things to regulate...both for me and for the kids. Hopefully, the rest of the week will go as well as today did:) Hope everyone has a great week!(((HUGS)))

No More Kitty...

thank goodness! The kitten was gone the next morning. Hopefully the mommy found it. What would I have done if it had hung around?

Today was the first day I have had at work when I left and felt okay. I usually leave...very late...and feel like I should still be there. It's like I can't keep my head above the water. Maybe I am starting to catch up, adjust, figure out first grade, etc. With that said, I am still very excited that tomorrow is Friday:) I even scrapbooked tonight. I have had pics of Kinzley sitting out for at least a month, even laid out to glue on the page. But every night I am so tired that I look at it and walk away. I don't know what happened today, but I finally did it! I even looked through more pics to scrap. Who knows how long that will take...but as long as it happens, I guess it's okay. I will post a pic of the page this weekend...I must say that it's one of my favorites. Who can resist a baby girl wearing zebra print with matching toes???

Did...

anyone else not want to go back to work today? Or was it just me??? No, really, I did not want to go. I wanted it to be summer again. Just keepin' it real. Now it is raining so hard. I have a kitten meowing outside, and I don't know what to do. I don't even have milk here...I don't like milk AT ALL!!! I only have it if it is necessary for a recipe. So I gave the poor thing some rice krispies. Don't ask why I have cereal with no milk, but Rach said of all the cereals I had, Rice Krispies would be the best bet...Thanks Rach! It won't stop meowing It is obviously hungry because it ate the cereal. I don't know what to do. I am terribly allergic to cats, so I can't have one. However, I couldn't handle having an animal outside whom I thought was starving, lost from its mommy...which I think is the case. Any advice out there???

Gotta love...

a long weekend. I just wish they didn't go so fast! I hope everyone had a safe holiday weekend and got to enjoy themselves a little bit. But mostly, that everyone got to have a little down time. I know that is what I needed more than anything. I have just been here at the lake. I haven't moved my car since Friday when I returned home from work. All my neighbors were down. We hung out and had a really nice time. I don't know what I would do without them. I also got to enjoy the first weekend of college football. That is something I always look forward to when the season starts to change. My Sooners won 50-2:) Boomer Sooner! Have a great week!

TIRED...

doesn't even begin to explain the way I am feeling right now. The beginning of the school year is always exhausting, but this is different. I guess it is a new school, not knowing all the in's and out's of the school, having first graders for the first time, etc...Plus, I hit my tailbone really hard on Monday. It is soooo sore. I have been taking Ibuprofen like it's going out of style. It hurts to sit down. It hurts to stand, because my feet and legs are exhausted.

But other than all that, I find myself smiling all the time while I am at work. Today was by far, the best day I have had. The kids were calmer, I was calmer, everything was just overall more smooth. I miss my friends in Rogersville, but not the drive I was making. That part is certainly a plus. Not to mention, the resources, which, as I have stated before, are unbelievable. I have a SmartBoard in my room, with subscriptions to anything and everything you could imagine. So, all in all, I think my new job will be good. I just have to toughen up. The kids do too:) They are still crying for their moms at times, falling asleep in the afternoons, don't know what to do with supplies, etc. I guess they are just really little. There is a huge difference between second graders at the end of the year, and first graders at the beginning. It has been quite a shock, but I am adjusting. And like I said, I find myself smiling all the time. That's when you know it is okay. I was walking to my car today, exhausted, but I realized I was smiling for no apparent reason. I hope other people are doing the same thing:):):):):):):):):):)

Wow...

tomorrow is the first day of school with the little ones, and I mean really little ones:) I am used to second graders, and now I am teaching first grade. These little guys are still officially Kindergarteners...Last night I had open house, and believe it or not, every single kid in my class came for open house. I am actually really looking forward to being with kids and not being in meetings:) I think I am going to like teaching in Branson. It is sooooooooooooo different than what I am used to. But sometimes, stepping outside of your comfort zone is all you need, right? Everything is so much more technological, and it is so much bigger. I am overwhelmed with resources, and with everything else that comes with the beginning of the year. Hope all is well with everyone else. I am especially needing to YAWN...right now.

Kinzley..

is just the cutest thing ever! Look at her toenails that Jess painted to match her zebra print top.

Lots of Pictures...

Well, some pictures, I should say. There are lots more to come. I am just ready to get down to the water for a bit, so I am taking a break from my post. The first picture is of Kylan when I was in Oklahoma. I have lots more to post from that trip.

This next picture is of Bethany and I. Believe it or not, we went the entire time without taking any photos. I hate it when we do that! So, this is the only one I have from my time in Texas. I have pictures of her new sister, Hope, but I will post those later as well.

This picture is of Rich, Rachel's hubby, and someone I am glad to call my friend. I had such fun with them when they drove here all the way from Pennsylvania.

This is my good friend Heather. We spend lots of lake time together:)

Here is Rachel, me, and Heather, chilling on the boat. We had such a good time that weekend.

Like I said, there are many more pics to post. These are just the first of the batch. I'm going to go try to get some time in the sun. I am quickly realizing I haven't taken advantage of the lake like I should have this summer. I can't believe I am about to be back at work. I still have so many projects I had hoped to complete. I spent a few hours this morning power washing the patio. It got too hot, so I jumped in the water. I am going to finish it and move on to the deck this evening. I must say I felt pretty empowered using that huge power tool. Who knew I could be so handy??? Anyways, in between projects, I am going to plan on having plenty of lake time in the days to come:) Happy Tuesday to everyone!!!

Summer...

is simply flying. That is the only way to say it. I know people who aren't teachers don't care about our summer, but I am becoming overwhelmed with the thought of a new school year. I have begun taking all my school stuff out of the attic. I have to get it all moved in. I think I had four or five carloads when I moved from my old building. I tried to pack seasonally so that I wouldn't have to take everything at once, but still, it's a task! I figure I will work on getting everything down and prioritize what I am going to take with me when I go to my room. Does anyone know a good website for ideas on setting up your classroom. My room is a blank slate right now. So I am looking for ideas. It is always shocking to me how overwhelming the beginning of the year is. We will make it though...we always do!

Anyway, I saw on Heather's blog that she added a bookshelf. I love this idea!!! So I added some of the books I have read this summer. Right now I am reading The Last Summer by Ann Brashares. I am really enjoying it.

A New Layout...

from when my family was here. The large words that I have on the page come from the sticker. I was pretty happy with how it turned out. I had out all kinds of patterned paper, and didn't use one piece of it. I thought that was kind of unusual. I finished it last week, but I am just now getting it posted. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Hello Again...

this time from the Sooner State:) One thing I love about being in Oklahoma is driving around and seeing all the Sooner signs, license plates, shirts, etc. It makes me excited for football season to come.

I am here with my family now. I arrived on Sunday evening, and will be here until Wednesday afternoon, then heading back to Missouri. It's been a really nice trip so far. My niece, Kylan, spent the night with me last night. We had a lot of fun. She loves all my makeup and clothes right now. She keeps going in my room and looking through all my stuff, wearing my heels around, putting on makeup, asking me to paint her toes and fingers, etc. She is at a really fun age. I have lots of pictures, from when Rach and Rich were here, Texas, and now, Oklahoma. Hope everyone is well and having a good week!

HOWDY...

from Texas! I am here with Bethany and Jeff, and enjoying my time with them sooooooo much! I have pics to post, but I will do that later. Just wanted to say hello! Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend:)

Just a Quote...

that I ran across. I can't stop reading it. Anyone who knows my situation will understand why this one stuck.

"If your situation is such that you can cultivate kinder feelings, forgiveness is the most freeing option. Hatred binds us to its object as mercilessly as does love. Forgive, and move one, or stay angry and remain stuck."

Hope everyone has a good week!I just had to post this beautiful picture!