Intestinal Upset

Warning...read the title again and proceed with caution. It's a kind of read at your own risk type thing!

Okay, I don't know what the deal is but this better not be setting the tone for how my year is going to go. We've been in school four days and there have already been three (that's one less than four) bouts of "getting sick" in my classroom. I'll spare you the details, but today's was pretty bad. Two words...both ends.

With a new group of kids it's hard to know right away who your fakers (the ones who mysteriously get a tummy ache during work time but are fine to play at recess) are and who seriously need the trashcan. Unfortunately, today's victim came from first grade with a warning from the teacher that she was a faker. So, I didn't believe her but still gave her the trashcan in an effort to keep her on task. All I can say is thank God!

Anyway, just say a little prayer that the teacher doesn't catch any sort of intestinal upset herself!

Oh, and since we're already in the middle of such a nasty topic let me leave you with a little funny...

Little Girl: "Ms. Stewart can I go to the bathroom? My stomach hurts."

Ms. Stewart: (coming off of the aforementioned incident) "Yes, go right now!"

Ms. Stewart: (upon her return) "Does your stomach feel better?"

Little Girl: "Yes! I just had gas and my mom says that I'm supposed to have gas in the bathroom. Actually, Ms. Stewart I've had gas all morning."

Ms. Stewart: "Well, I'm glad you feel better, but let's not share that with anyone else okay?"

Spam Spread

To begin with, the first days of school have been great...just busy! Monday night I went to bed about 9pm completely wiped out. I have a great class but full of talkers. I guess it really is true what my mom said - I'd be teaching kids who were just like me! And because what is a good teacher post without an "out of the mouths of babes" moment here is something overheard today during our restroom break.

Little Boy: "This is how you hold your bubble." (He was showing this little girl how to close your mouth and not speak in the hallway...doing a great job...lol!)

Little Girl: Looking at him with her face scrunched up.

Little Boy: "Whoosh (all the air from the bubble coming out). Did you see?"

Little Girl: "You're annoying."

I had to hide my grin behind my hand. It was priceless and I can't wait to see what little daily funnies this year brings!

Okay...on to the topic of this grossly titled post. Sunday I made the grocery run. I was out of everything. Don't you just hate when everything seems to empty at the same time? Anyway, I was walking up and down each aisle when something struck me on the canned meat section. Canned meat section...you know this can't be good.

Maybe I should put in a disclaimer like if you've just eaten or if you ever want to eat again stop reading here. Keep reading and then let me know what you think?!

Stuck on the end of a shelf next to the little weenies in the can is a tiny tin of Spam Spread. Picture Spam (hopefully without the jelly that comes out of the can with it) blended up and put back in a tin. Everyone swallowed that bit of bile that just came up? I picked up a tin and then quickly put it back. I didn't want anyone thinking I was actually considering buying it!

Now, let me stop right here in this tale of perversion and say that I don't have what anyone would call a sophisticated pallet. I mean I think $0.33 no name weenies are just fine for my bun. I even like...prepare yourself...Spam. I have some great memories of my mom being gone on business and my dad making us fried Spam and bologna sandwiches. Spam isn't too bad in mac and cheese either. No one is ever inviting me over to dinner huh? Or maybe I should say no one is coming over to my house for dinner huh?

Well, I like Spam but I draw the line at Spam Spread. I can't even fathom what you put Spam Spread on. And frankly, it turns my stomach to think too hard about it. So, when you're on the canned meat aisle, make sure you grab the tuna or the chicken and not Spam Spread!

Okay...I feel like I've officially done my good deed for the day.

The Sorta Virtual Tour

This has been one busy week. I thought I was ready for school to start, but little extra to dos kept popping up. For example, I thought I was only going to be at the school yesterday (yes it was open on a Saturday) for a team meeting. I was there from 10am to 8pm. I was pretty worn out when I got home last night, but I've got a lot to show for my many hours spent up in my classroom this past week!


This is what my classroom looks like when you're standing by the door and taking it all in. I don't know if this comes across in the picture but there is so much space in there...I love it!


I guess you could say this is my pride and joy. Our school theme this year is Positively Wild so we have a jungle motif all over the place. I think this reading corner is so inviting...not to mention all those books!


Along this wall are my center activities. If you can't tell I like things to be organized so everything is in a basket or box! Also, along this wall is our publishing station and our math warm ups.


Here is my desk...messy. So like me! This year I have more little knick knack things to put up around the walls and decorate with. And unfortunately, my desk is always this messy. Even when I'm trying to be neat!


Here is the reading table where I do guided reading with the kids. I'll spend many hours back here at this table. All that blank wall space will be for class writing examples.


And here is the door. I had such a hard time deciding what I wanted to do with it. I'm not sure that the blue background and the orange boarder match the green and brown in the monkey but hey...it's growing on me! And believe it or not, I traced that monkey and cut him out. I wouldn't consider myself artsy but I think he came out really good!

So, there you go. Now you know where I'll be every day! Also, I have more pictures that I took for my family to see so if you want to see the whole tour around the room just drop me an e-mail or leave your address in the comments.

It's All About The Blog Roll

My brain is still a little fried today (another 6 hours of boring...) so I'm doing a meme but maybe I should call it a youyou! I can't mention everyone (and if you're not linked please don't feel bad!) but anyone who needs something interesting to read can always find good stuff over there on my sidebar!

Answer the following, and be sure to link to their blogs. This is an efficient, cheap, and shameless way to increase traffic.

1. Blogger who is most like me:
I think this is an easy one...Lori! When I first started reading Lori I'd think "oh yeah...me too!" and we'd comment and discover more and more that we had in common. For instance we're both teachers. We're both into scrapbooking. And there are a ton of other similarities. Oh yeah...we're both totally cool!

2. Blogger I read who is LEAST like me.It's hands down Wordbearer. To start with he's a guy and I'm a girl. He's a law student who is very "in the know" when it comes to current events. As you know I'm not very into news. He's also very opinionated and outspoken. Now, some of you that know me personally are going to think that's not very unlike me, but he does it in a style uniquely WB. Even though we're different, I enjoy reading his blog because I get to find out a little bit about the world around me. We don't always agree but I like that!

3. Name 3 bloggers of the same sex you’d like to have drinks with.
Okay this is one of those times where I'd pick you all but it says only three.
1. Nikky because she seems like she would be the life of a party! I love to hang out with "my" crowd, but in some sets I'm shy until I get to know people. I think Nikky would just jump right in there and liven things up! Plus, any chick that makes me jelly has got to be on this list!
2. Valerie because any girl that would post a picture of herself with milk dribbles on her chin has got to be fun! Plus, I think she'd pass along some great scrapbooking tips and tricks to me.
3. Becky because she's a dear friend that I haven't seen in so long! Becky and I were college roomies who had some rough patches but are back on the road of friendship. I miss all the good times we had and I sure do wish we were close enough to hang out and do fruity pink drinks together!

4. Name 3 bloggers of the opposite sex you’d like to share a hot tub with.This one is equally hard if not harder (and please don't read too much into that!) because I don't draw a lot of male readers. And if you are a male reader and you've been lurking then say something and let these guys know they have some company! Oh and also let me add that hot tub could easily be replaced with a game of bowling and such!
1. Fin because he's so knowledgeable about so many things! Plus he tells the most amazing travel stories (the guy has been everywhere it seems) and the travel bug in me loves to hear about those adventures. He also usually has some pictures to share too. Fin is also my friend Bethany's husband-to-be so I hope he'd bring her along too. It'd be nice to catch up with her!
2. Ed because he's fun! I found Ed blog hopping one day and I discovered that he's a pretty talented writer. I've mentioned before that I enjoy reading romances and he writes about that at it's most elemental level. He also does it in a way that isn't trashy but instead insightful and sensual.
3. This blogger doesn't blog anymore, but I really liked it when he did. I understand the need to take a break from blogging, but I really enjoyed when he was sharing the day to day aspects of his life. Mike is another one of those travel guys. He recently came back from Europe and I'm so jealous!

5. Which blogger would you vote for in a political campaign?Hmm, you know why this one is tough right?! I don't really follow politics that much, but I'd pick Melissa because she's a newspaper editor so she's got to know what is going on! Plus, Melissa seems very down to earth. I'd like that in a candidate...someone I can relate too. If you ever run Melissa...I've got your chad covered!

6. You are thrown into a dimension where you can read one, and only one, blog. Which one is it?Ick...I'd hate to not be able to read all of my blogger friends! But, I'd have to say that I'd really miss reading Trina. She has such a sweet spirit and her love for the Lord shines through every word. I truly admire the love she has for God, her husband and family, and friends! She writes from the heart and touches on the good and sometimes the hard stuff that comes with living a life in God's will. I strive to be that humble and open!

7. Which blogger is living a life you think YOU might like to be living.I've discovered that the grass may be greener on the other side of the fence but they probably have a high water bill and have to mow more! I love my life (even the hard parts) but if I had to pick I think I'd go with Allison. She's a young lady with life spread open before her. That's not exactly that different from me, but she's younger and enjoying college life. I made a lot of choices and decisions in my college years that are far reaching. I think if I were in college again I might do a few things differently. Plus, I really miss 10:00 am classes and sleeping late!

There you go...just a few thoughts about the people that I enjoy reading! It wasn't everyone but just know that if you're on that roll over there I really enjoy reading what you have to say! And if you found yourself linked here...get busy and spread the blog roll love around!

"Mama, My Nails Are Wet..."

Before I start, let me just say that my brain is fried. Yesterday started the pre-school starting meetings and frankly a lot of it is boring. Not your average boring but let-me-bang-my-head-on-the-table boring. Today was just such a day. It was day two of a professional development that we did in the spring. Today was basically a repeat of that...which was the latter kind of boring then!

Anyway, I was very happy about the fact that I had a nail appointment this afternoon. A great hand massage always makes the stresses of the day fade quickly. I used to get gel tips (the few guys that read...feel free to fall out right here!) but I didn't like the way my nails looked when I took them off. So, I'm going back to just a normal manicure with a shape and polish. The only down side...when I leave her shop I leave with wet nails. I usually take forever getting my self buckled in (I don't think the cop would fall for "...but my nails are wet!" excuse) and adjusting the radio.

That always reminds me of that line from Steel Magnolias where Shelby says "Mama, my nails are wet!" when she's asked to do something. I love that movie...could probably quote every line. Anyway, since our meetings (you know those boring ones) are in a lodge that is right across from my house I told a few people that if they wanted to brown bag it to my house tomorrow for lunch they were more than welcome. I should probably finish up those last loads of laundry, give the toilet a quick scrub, and run the vacuum, but I feel like just sitting back with the Everybody Loves Raymond reruns, Big Brother, and my book and just say..."Mama, my nails are wet!"

R.E.A.D.Y. Spells Relief

This week has been so productive at school! Last year I was in the precess of moving and setting up my home so sadly my classroom was regulated to the back burner. And it showed...all year long. I had things up on the walls and name tags on desks and stuff but I felt so disorganized. I had basically cleaned out one cabinet (and when I say cleaned I mean I threw it all in another cabinet so I could have a space for my stuff) and just started the year. It was crazy! I didn't know where anything was when I needed it. Is anyone else like that...if you're not organized everything just seems to go to pot?

Well, not this year baby! At the end of July, I went up to the school for several days and I cleaned out those cabinets. I found things I thought I didn't have and discovered several things that would have made teaching so much easier. Currently, it's all organized and labeled (you'll see...I plan to take pictures!). It looks wonderful! I had to show another teacher (one that I drove crazy with my lack of organization last year) and she was so impressed and proud of me! And I'm pretty proud of myself...those cabinets look great!

Another ready thing is that I've got the room in order too. My desk is where I want it (I moved it three times last year!), the student desks are where I want them and bungee corded together so they don't walk (I spent about two hours last year trying to decide where I wanted them to go), and my centers aren't just put together but they are out and ready to be introduced! Everything is coming together so nicely.

I was up there all day yesterday, and by the time I was ready to come home I was feeling very good about the room. I still have a few things that I need to get accomplished next week. I still have to put up the class schedule and tape down the name tags and decorate the door. We're going to have one more work day plus the time in the afternoons after meetings. But I don't feel overwhelmed...I feel ready! It's a complete change from last year.

I know that some of my regular readers might not understand what the big deal is about being ready but I promise you that any teacher can appreciate the fact. And I'll also be posting a few pictures of my room next week too!

All Checked Out

Amid all my travels this summer I also had to make time for all those routine annual exams. Those were by far not as fun as the vacations. Wait...let me rephrase that. They were not fun at all. But, in this day and age it pays to stay on top of your health so I scheduled myself to be checked out head to toe and that place in between.

Today was the last appointment. I had my teeth cleaned. I had actually gone yesterday for the initial visit with this doctor and he took eighteen x-rays of my mouth. Yes...I said eighteen! Some were really unpleasant because I have these bone bumps under my tongue. Anyway, he said what a lot of other dentists have said...I have great teeth! But, he did say that I'd have to have my wisdom teeth out within the year or I could be looking at some teeth pushing. I'm not looking forward to that at all. Goodness, I get side tracked so easily. Today was the teeth cleaning. It doesn't hurt at all, but that scratching they do nearly drove me insane! It sounds like nails on a chalkboard but you can't get away from it.

Well, as I'm laying there practically flat on my back I kept feeling like it reminded me of something. Oh yes...my annual "woman" exam. You know, I bet someone could make a killing by coming up with some unique art that hangs on the ceiling! Anyway, thankfully everything is in complete healthy working order and no one should need to probe or scrape anything for another year!

Lynn

I've got to steal a quote from my friend Becky...gotta love me some questionnaire thingies! I was tagged by Melissa and I haven't seen one like this before. It's centered around your middle name. And mine is Lynn. Here is a little background...Steffany Lynn...my grandfather and uncle are named Steven and my name is the feminine version of Steven. Lynn is a family name on my grandmother's side of the family. I guess all of that was a little bit of trivial information huh?!

Okay, on with the show!

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.

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


L is for laughter. I love to laugh! You wouldn't have guessed that would you?! My mom says that when I was little she'd hear me in the other room just giggling away. Even then I could entertain myself - which I think is a good thing. I like to find the humor in all situations. Sometimes it is pretty hard, but I think laughter really is the best medicine!

Y is for all the times I ask why (oh come on...give me a break! Y is a hard one!) I am the type of person that needs all the details and such up front before I begin doing something. Sometimes that drives other people batty...especially those fly by the seat types. And honestly it sometimes drives me crazy! I don't really like surprises (except when presents and/or cake is involved) so I want to know all the hows and whys.

N is for new possibilities. I have accomplished a lot in my 25 years but a lot of it was pre-planned. I mean I got through high school, I went to college, I graduated, I got a job that isn't just a job but the start of a career so what comes next? I don't know exactly. And that's where the whole new possibilities comes in. The world is open to me and frankly that is kind of daunting.

N is for news. Now some of you are going to want to tar and feather me for what I'm about to say, but I don't watch the news. I don't read the newspaper. I'm one of those uninformed kind of people. Well, let me rephrase that...I do watch the morning news while I'm getting ready for work. But that's just for about 30 minutes a day. I rely on the little snippets I get off Yahoo news when I check my email or what people tell me. So, now my secret is out...I don't stay up to date on what's going on around me.

Now, I'm supposed to tag four people because that's how many letters are in my name. Okay, normally I don't do this but I'm going to this time. So, if you find your name on here you'd better get busy and do this!

Becky
Ed
Trina
Lori

Could It Get Any Worse?!

Ever had one of those days where you want to ask "Can this day suck anymore?" but you don't dare let that pass your lips because you can think of a thousand ways it can get worse? That was my day yesterday.

I had gone to Houston on Sunday to help my cousin move in to her new apartment. I'm thrilled that she's going to be so close to me now! Anyway, I was pretty much all thumbs the whole time I was there. I don't recall ever being that clumsy in such a short amount of time!

It started when we went to visit her school (she's a teacher too!) and I was helping her haul things inside. She had one of those square crates with wheels and a handle. Well, I loaded that down and then pulled too hard on the handle...which promptly broke. To her credit, she didn't yell or get mad at me (which I certainly would have understood) but it was just another thing in a line of things that was making her day suck. I wonder if sucky days come in pairs?!

Anyway, once we were in her classroom I noticed she had a map on one side of the room. You remember those maps. The ones that rolled up into that think in the ceiling and the teacher had to yank a few times before it'd roll back up. Well, I pulled it down a little to see what map it was (seriously it was the teacher in me...) and well it wouldn't go back up. So I kept pulling it down a little thinking that would make it go back up. It didn't. By the time I was done I'd pull it several inches past the stop point. At this point I was thinking it would be best if I just sat down and kept my hands to myself! Thankfully, another teacher was able to give it the magic touch and it rolled up perfectly.

That afternoon we went shopping to pick up a few needed items for her classroom. Thankfully, I was fine at the first couple of stores. I touched but nothing disastrous happened as a result! Then we got to Target. I love getting Icees at Target. Well, they were out of my favorite flavor (cherry) and that should have been my first clue that I needed to just get a soda. Anyway, I got a Coke Icee. I stopped filling it way before it hit the top, but it still grew. And by grew I mean that it started rising above the hole in the top of the cup. I was sucking as fast as I could without getting a brain freeze. It dripped over the side a little bit, but not too bad. At least I didn't get it on my shirt! I sat it in the basket, admittedly a little hastily, and it promptly fell over to the side sending brown icee onto the basket and floor. Thank goodness my aunt wasn't right in front of the basket or she'd have gotten it all over. I cleaned up that mess and propped my cup up with my purse. Thankfully, I managed to make it out of Target without any further incidents.

But that wasn't the case with the car! Again the icee...I was in the backseat and balanced the cup on my leg so I could get something out of my purse. Well, I moved a fraction of an inch and over the cup went again. Though this time it was more liquid than icee. I managed to drench my foot and flip flop and a pretty good size part of the floorboard. I asked my aunt for some napkins to clean it up. She said not to worry as many things had been spilled in that car from kid gunk to man gunk. We weren't quite sure what man gunk was but we didn't really want to ask either! While I had enough napkins to clean up the carpet I had to leave my foot alone. So, here I am thinking this day couldn't get worse, the icee is now drying and beginning to stick to my foot and my white flip flop, and then we hit traffic. I mean creep along kind of traffic. Oh well!

When we got back to my cousin's apartment I felt it was time to get the heck out of dodge and head home! And pray that my klutzy streak was over. Now I'm not too familiar with Houston, but I am pretty good with maps. Apparently verbal directions aren't the same as maps. My cousin told me to go to the left but when I got there the options were right or straight. So I went straight even though my gut was saying right. I am NOT blaming her...we're both pretty new to navigating Houston. I just got to take a little trip around Houston on the loop. The very long loop. I was pretty sure that the loop would get me to the interstate I needed...eventually. Did I mention how long that loop was?! I was beginning to think I'd never get off it. I'd forever be going in circles around Houston. After about three hours (which it should only take one!) I was finally pulling into my driveway.

That relief to be home lasted about two seconds. I noticed that my house was unusually dark compared to the neighbors. The hot silence that greeted me when I opened the door wasn't that much of a surprise. The power was out...again. This has happened three times in the last three weeks. I've had just about enough of it! I called and the company said that it wasn't out anywhere else so I must have just blown a breaker. The one in the house was fine so it must have been the one out by the meter. That one is surrounded by a huge bush and possibly snakes and spiders. No way! I'm not sure I'd do it in the day light let alone at 10:00 pm at night. I called back to say just that when my neighbor came over. He checked it out for me but nothing appeared to be wrong. I called the power company back and we discovered that a transformer had blown at the pole. It was a long and hot hour and half while they fixed it. Thankfully, the power was back on before I went to bed. And by the time I went to bed I was so ready for this day to be over!

Thankfully, as I'm typing this and reliving yesterday I can find a lot to laugh about...now. And I guess that's a good thing. Like they say, things do look better tomorrow!

How Is This For A Change?

Now, here is something that is a little bit different. It's called a moaning meme. It's different in the fact that it's about things that drive you crazy rather than all the warm fuzzies kind of questionnaires. I'm not in a downer mood or anything, but I just saw this and liked it. If you feel so inclined to steal it go ahead!

4 Things That Should be Removed from the Earth
~ Bugs (just the scary ones...lightening bugs and butterflies can stay)
~ People who steal trash cans or even parts of trash cans (I'm on my third trash can in a year due to these type of people)
~ Celebrities that feel entitled to special treatment when they screw up royally (the Paris, Lindsay, Nicki types)
~ Guys that find you okay for one thing only but wouldn't give you the time of day in the light of day

3 Things People Do to Make You Want to Shake Them
~ When they can't make up their minds. If you say you're going to do something stick with it. I hate that "uhmm...well I don't know" kind of attitude. Especially when that is how they approach every decision.
~ Aren't where they say they'll be when they should be. As a friend recently put it I guess I'm just a timie person and people that couldn't care less about being on time make me nutty!
~ Get self-righteous.

2 Things You Find Yourself Moaning About
~ Laundry...sadly every single time (Though any chore could be put in here...what can I say? I hate housework and do it only because I have to do it.)
~ Cramps...no explanation needed

1 Thing The Above Answers Tell You About Yourself
~The beach came just in time!

I'm On Vaca...

Do you think there is such a thing as too much of a good thing? I'm beginning to wonder if perhaps I've hit my vacation quota! Don't misunderstand, I've thoroughly enjoyed all my trips and adventures this summer, but I'm glad to be home. And I think I'll stay put for awhile!

This trip to the beach was great on so many levels. First, I loved getting to head out to the beach again! I've really enjoyed all the sand and surf time this summer. I guess there is just something refreshing and humbling about being next to something so vast. I even enjoyed the sand between my toes (though not so much all the other places sand tends to get...ick) and just laying out and being a beach babe. Second, it was great to connect with people you work with on a level that isn't just a professional one. In case I didn't mention this before, I went on this trip with six other teachers from school. I'll admit to being a little nervous about how we'd all interact, but it was great. We're teachers so we did talk a little bit about school stuff, but mostly we got to know each other on personal levels. That was amazing! Thirdly, I knew that this was my last hurrah before school started so I wanted to make the most of the days. And I did! I felt like I was able to relax and soak up the last bit of summer.

Before long it'll be time to get back into the groove of all things school, so right now it feels great to justify everything because "I'm on vaca!" (I think this is a line from Legally Blonde where the lead character's ditzy friends want to go on vaca (vay-kay) to Harvard to visit her.) Anyway, all week long we explained away everything with "I'm on vaca!".

For example:

"You slept until 10:00am!"
"So, I'm on vaca!"

"I don't usually go without make-up or doing my hair."
"Oh who cares...you're on vaca!"

"I shouldn't be eating this yummy chocolate cake at 2am in the morning."
"But what the hell! I'm on vaca!"

Every time we turned around someone was saying "I'm on vaca!" in that house! We were and we enjoyed every minute of it too. Like I said, it was great, but I am ready for some normalcy too. Starting next week, it's back to being in my classroom all day (organizing and decorating) and then comes the welcome back in-service things. And I'm okay with that because believe it or not I crave a routine.

But, I know that the memories and relaxed feel of summer are going to stick around for a while! And I'm happy about that!

Vacation...One More Time

Well, I'm off...again. Several teachers from school are heading to the beach to enjoy the last few days of summer. I'm excited and I know I'll have time, but I kind of think I'm crazy for going off again so soon after having been gone.

We all agreed to pack light as we weren't planning on making this an activity jam packed vacation. Swimsuits, shorts, tanks, and toiletries should be all we'd need right? Well, this morning as I looked at my suitcase and all the stuff I needed to put in it I was getting nervous. There wasn't anyway way I could take two suitcases! So, after some slight readjusting I got it all in there. What is it with me...I can't pack light!?

Anyway, I've got it packed and it's time to head off. Y'all take care! I'll be back soon and I promise my life won't always be this exciting...lol. Oh, and my cousin, Amanda has volunteered to be a guest blogger and add her two cents to the cruise vacation!

Something For The Classroom

In between laundry and packing (yep...again), I got a little creative and crafty this afternoon. I made an altered clipboard for the classroom! Well, actually for right outside the door. Currently, each classroom has this plastic thing with pictures from clip art on it to tell where we are exactly when we leave the classroom. And last year, it didn't even have my name on it. I had to put a little post-it note with my name on it because it still had the last teacher's name at the top. Anyway, I thought this was a much better alternative. Plus, it's a whole lot cuter too!

Twiced Tagged

I was tagged by both Mary and Lindsey to do this little questionnaire thing. And you know how much I love those! Lindsey sent me an email apologizing for tagging me right after Mary, but I was quick to assure her that I found it extremely flattering that two people in the same day decided they'd like to know more about me. So, ladies thank you and here goes!

I am supposed to give 8 random facts about me and then send this little game on to eight willing, hehe, participants. We'll see about the participants part.


Feel free to skip this part! Rules: 1. We have to post these rules before we give you the facts. 2. Players start with eight random facts/habits about themselves. 3. People who are tagged write their own blog post about their eight things and include these rules. 4. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged and that they should read your blog. (I'm not so great with rules so we'll see how many of these I actually follow to a T.)

You know it's pretty hard thinking up new stuff to tell you readers. I mean I'm pretty open and I do a lot of these questionnaire type things. Hmm...

Fact 1: I like wearing hipster undies. I buy them at Lane Bryant because the fit wonderfully and they are so cute! Plus they are low enough to ride below the jeans and they cover...everything. And even though I do laundry on a regular basis, I usually buy a new pair or two every month. What can I say...I like panties!

Fact 2: I have good handwriting. I'm not bragging, but just stating a fact. I don't know how it happened, but I'm glad it did. I spend a lot of time writing on here (well I should say typing on here) but I also spend time writing actual letters and cards. Use it or loose it I guess!

Fact 3: I eat mac and cheese like most normal people, but I put A-1 steak sauce on top of it. Don't ask me why. I don't know why, but I started when I was a little kid and now it's my favorite way to eat it. That one was pretty weird huh?

Fact 4: My pinkies (both of them) are crooked. They both curve in at the first knuckle. It's not overly noticable or anything, but I am gentically mutated!

Fact 5: I think I believe in deja vu. I say think because sometimes I get these strong feelings that I knew how a situation would happen or turn out. I always think I'm going to start writing things down when I have a vivid dream but I don't. It's kind of crazy.

Fact 6: You know those dumb reality shows on MTV or VH1? Well, one Sunday I was working on grading papers and got sucked into watching some brain cell killing show called Flavor Flave. I think I was so engrossed trying to figure out if people like that really exsist! Before I knew it, I'd watched the entire marathon. There were six hours or so I'll never get back.

Fact 7: I have a crush on someone completely inappropriate.

Fact 8: I have a thing for felt tip pens. I especially like the bright colored pens. I buy a new set every year so I can write on my calendar and make it all pretty! I bet you could guess that I like color, right?

Goodness, that was rough. I think it's a combo of I'm a little tired and finding new and interesting things to share. I don't think I'm tagging anyone. If you feel so lead to do this drop me a line in the comments and I'll come read all about you!

I'm Still Waiting...

There is a saying in Texas that goes something like this, "If you don't like the weather wait five minutes and it'll change." Well, I'm still waiting and it's still raining! I love the smell of rain (before and after it comes), I don't have to water and I have a lush (and by that I mean practically taking over the house!) green lawn, and it's helping out with the water shortage. But seriously...doesn't it ever stop?

For readers not from Texas, let me just say that this is not normal August weather in Texas. Normally it's a scorching triple digit number and H.O.T (my friend Gela says it has more power if you spell it out). Currently it's pouring and around 76 outside. I shouldn't be complaining but I have selfish reasons for wanting it to let up. I'm going to the beach next week and I'd like the sunny days over these wet ones. Perhaps Mother Nature is getting it out of her system now instead of next week!

In other news....y'all stay tuned...I'm getting a new blog! Okay, it's not really new but the look of it is about to change. Lindsay over at Splatdesigns (an incredibly patient woman...and those of you who know me know what she was dealing with!) has put the final touches on the new template. The last step is to get it uploaded on here. I'm excited!

Also, if you haven't already skip down to the previous post and check out the pictures from Mexico! I'm sorry that the caption goes by so quickly. I'll fiddle with photobucket and see if I can slow it down a little.

Stay dry out there!