Stuff!

These are a few of my favorite things!

- Post-its (in many different colors)
- Crayons (the fresher the better)
- Markers
- Febreeze
- Swiffer
- Clorox Wipes
- Shoes
- Bags
- Getting rid of stuff through donations or just throwing it away
- Cooking
- Games
- Blankets
- Goldfish
- Cereal
- Milk
- Paint
- Nail Polish
- Pajamas
- Dishes (not cleaning them)
- Reality TV
- Nintendo Wii
- Rainy Afternoons (good for taking naps)
- Art
- History, Government, Economics, and Geography (ESL is great but I do miss teaching Social Studies sometimes)
- Kleenex
- Frogs (and other animals)
- Presents (who doesn't?)
- Coffee
- Ice Tea
- Flowers

I guess that is enough for now...

Summer!

Even with TAKS testing next week and all sorts of ESL paperwork due soon I am very excited about summer coming! I know my summer doesn't start until June 3rd but I am still counting down the days. It can be difficult to be positive with so many negative people around you. Apparently some teachers think I am "too happy" but I guess I would rather be known as happy than something else. Sometimes I do have to take a few minutes to refresh my brain when I am having a tough day. If that doesn't work, having a cup of coffee usually soothes me. We do have a few things planned for summer already! The less exciting things are dentist appointments for both of us, curriculum planning, cleaning, and band hall projects. We are going to take a little road trip in late June and early July. I have always wanted to see Niagara Falls so Mike decided that would be a great road trip. Since he is very into art and music he decided to find out what kind of events might be in the area. I was very excited when he said we were going to see Wicked! I've had the music on my IPod for more than a year. I tried to see it in Dallas and Houston and things just didn't work out.
I really like the contrasting colors in the artwork for the show. It reminds me of how different my twin sister and I are. We are different in physical build, politics, religion, food, hobbies, strengths, weaknesses, personality, and just about anything you can think of. As far as comparing the two of us to the Wizard of Oz I think we both have our Wicked Witch of the West kind of moments. My third period could probably give you some examples! I have always thought we fit more into the roles of Katherine and Bianca from Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew. Unfortunately, I am the stubborn shrew.

Grumpy!!!

I don't know what was wrong with me this week! I was so grumpy all week and I really didn't have a reason. Mike was very sweet though. He brought home flowers one day and dinner another day. I even woke up to him doing dishes and laundry on Saturday morning. Hopefully, I can start this week with a much better attitude and not let things get to me. I know that I am in control and I can be positive.

I am amazed sometimes when I realize how much I am responsible for at school. Maybe I'll plan a day or two of irresponsibility soon! :)

Spring Break!!!

Spring Break was great! Mike and I stayed in town but had plenty to do! Here is the break down for the week!

Saturday/Sunday- We got up early to help cook breakfast at the Ronald McDonald house. We had a great time with everyone and loved every minute! We did miss church though because apparently I was impossible to wake up...shame on me.

Monday- We ran all of our necessary errands that we have put off for a couple of weeks. We also met with all of the band directors in the Klein Forest cluster for planning. I totally forgot to wear green and one of the guys pinched me really hard...but I defended myself! :)

Tuesday- We took both vehicles in for oil changes and such. My car was very affordable while Mike's truck reminded us why we didn't really have the money to go anywhere for Spring Break.

Wednesday- We went to see the Pompeii exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts that we have wanted to see for months! Unfortunately, it fell short of our expectations. We did receive the new cell phones we ordered and that kept us busy for a while.

Thursday- Jury Duty! This is the first time I actually had to go since I am no longer a student. I am still too chicken to drive around downtown so Mike agreed to take me. I was so nervous that I thought I was going to cry or throw up. I don't know what made me feel so anxious...I guess I am always kind of scared when I don't know what to expect. It was great though because I was only there for about two hours! None of the courts needed jurors because they were going to be closed for Good Friday the next day! Since I was done early, we went to Katy for lunch and shopping! :)

Friday- We met one of my friends from High School for lunch and did a little shopping. Then, we dusted, swiffered, Clorox wiped, vacuumed, washed, and febreezed the entire apartment...including the dog! My parents arrived and loved what I made for dinner! :)

Saturday/Sunday- My parents came to visit over Easter weekend! I was so excited because I haven't seen them since Christmas and they both needed some stress relief. We spent most of Saturday doing some shopping for my mom. I was very surprised when my parents asked to go to church with us because they usually have no interest. The message was perfect for some of the things my parents are currently struggling with! It really was a blessing!

Monday morning came too soon for me...and Mike had the day off. Since he had the day off, he drove me to school and brought me lunch. I did feel relaxed and ready to take on the last eleven weeks of school. My day was a blur but I definitely got myself organized and prepared for all of the state testing that is coming up. I was also able to take care of some ESL paperwork and tasks I had been putting off.

Sadie!

This is our new dog Sadie! We adopted her today after church from the people at Houston Beagle and Hound Rescue. She is very sweet and very quiet. She weighs about 23 lbs and is just under 13 inches. She already loves her bed and likes to be petted constantly. We have been wanting a dog for a while and so far she is a perfect fit for us. Mike is amazed at how calm and well behaved she is. I'm not sure when, but I think I'll definitely bring her to at least one softball game.

Mike Is 25!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIKE! :)

He is 25 years old today!

(Last year when he was turning 24, I actually had him convinced for a while that he was turning 25. This year I tried to convince him he was turning 30 but he didn't fall for it.)

I'm Afraid Of Ice Skating!

My family has never understood why I don't like ice skating! It all started way back when I was little and someone told me if you fall on the ice a person could skate over your fingers and cut them off. You wouldn't think it would be such a big deal since I live in Texas but my entire family is from Wisconsin and they love hockey. Eventually, I did realize that it is highly unlikely for me to have my fingers cut off by an ice skater...but I still prefer to operate on the theory that it was even more unlikely if I don't ever ice skate.

While I was watching ESPN after school today I saw a story that has given me a new reason to never ice skate! A hockey player for the Florida Panthers underwent surgery because his teamate's skate cut his carotid artery and just missed his jugular vein during a game. It was a crazy accident! His teammate was knocked over by the other team and went head first into the ice which meant skate first into his own teammate's neck.

Check out the story: http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=3240651

I realize that the chances of me getting cut in the neck by an ice skate is about as likely as my fingers getting cut off...but I'm not even that good at ice skating anyway... :)