Playing Catch Up

You guys really are the best. I've become this horrible blogger recluse, yet I still check my comments daily hoping that you guys haven't followed my terrible lead. And I'm always surprised! Thank you all for the wonderful comments and emails. Even when I'm being unusually quiet, I appreciate the thoughts and support. I'd promise to return the favor, but with my current blogging habits I might just end up being a terrible liar. So, I'm going to take it one day at a time and make time to visit at least one friend every day. Baby steps and all....

Anyway, the vacation time share...excuse me vacation home purchase...turned out to be a lot of hype. But you never know until you go right? I conned my cousin into going with me (promising her the "free" seat next to me on the plane to Vegas and all) and also so she could remind me to be strong and remember my favorite phrase, "No, thank you!" The guy who showed us around was really nice (and cute...but I wasn't swayed) and even took my "No, thank you!" very well. He just asked a manager to come over and talk to me about financing. I couldn't afford this place with the cute guy and even though I was curious about the "deal" this other guy could make me I still couldn't afford it. For those people that could it seemed like a good deal. Well, once I told him "No, thank you!" he became a little rude. Okay, more than a little rude. I believe his exact words were, "Fine, keep throwing away your money." (See they try to sell you on the idea that the money you'd spend on their vacation getaway is less than you'd spend on a year's worth of vacations.) I replied that I didn't think I was throwing away money at which point he stomped away from the table leaving me completely clueless as to what to do next.

When I finally did make it to the prize hut it wasn't all it was cracked up to be. I "won" a trip to Aruba that I have to pay to get to, pay to eat and drink at, and pay to get around on. Not so great of a deal. Of course there is the Vegas trip...the one that leaves on Tuesday only between 3pm-10pm and lets us stay at the luxurious Days Inn. The best thing I got was a $40 gas card!

I was finally able to sleep again, but I'm not sure how long it is going to last. It is 9:45 and I'm wide awake. Hopefully a little blogging and then a little in bed reading will help me drift off at a reasonable hour. It is probably because I got the most unprofessional e-mail about my contract today and I'm all up in a stir again. As my mom has told me...let it go and don't pick it back up. Leave it alone! Keep sending me sleepy time thoughts okay...

I've applied at two more school districts. Just a little nibble in Spring but I'm still keeping my fingers crossed that somewhere out there someone wants me. And no, Lori...not in Arkansas! It is a waiting game but I've waited before so I'll make it. Patience just isn't my long suit...not by a long shot!

Yes, there is a guy. But that is all I'm willing to share. Right now it is just a friendship (which is how they should all start out right) but I'm open to whatever comes next. We'll see.

There are only 29 days of school left. How does that happen? How can it already be the end of April? Time sure goes fast these days. I've got a great crop of kids this year and it is hard to believe that my time with them is already drawing to a close. They have made great gains this year and I'm so proud of them! And of course they keep me laughing (which I've needed a little bit lately)! The other day we were discussing diagrams and how some diagrams point out the names of parts. This particular diagram was a plane...parts of a plane. We got a little stuck on the word cabin (most thought that was a house) but after some explaining I thought we had it.

Ms. S: "Where does the pilot sit?"
S: "In his seat Ms. Stewart!"

Well, apparently not. But I had to laugh...

Thanks again for hanging in there with me. You bloggers are the best!

12:41

It is after midnight. Where should I be...bed. Where am I...in front of the computer. My body is tired and begging for bed, but I can not shut my mind off. There are so many things rattling around up there.

I'm worried that I won't find another job and I'll be stuck in the hell that is where I work.

I'm frustrated because I'm not in control right now. I hate having any of my ducks out of a row and right now the job duckie (a huge duckie) is missing altogether.

I'm disappointed in myself that I hate where I am and while I'm making efforts to change where I am and daily trying to find the positive I still hate where I am. I hate that I hate it.

I'm excited about an upcoming vacation (to Amman, Jordan this Christmas!)

I'm trying to stay in perspective when it comes to this guy. My emotions are trying to run wild, but my head (and mother) are shouting back perspective perspective perspective.

My bed is calling and I really should return. I still feel like sleep is a long way off, but perhaps I'll rest more if I'm under the covers with the lights out.

Mind...go to sleep!

The Bluebonnet Festival

I've been hearing about the funky weather across the country, but today was a beautiful day in Texas! It was perfect for heading out to a Bluebonnet Festival. Bluebonnets the flowers...not the butter. (Somebody will understand that!) My friend Tracy and I headed out around noon for a lazy jaunt through the country. We were on the hunt for these...bluebonnets.


Unfortunately, while we saw patches of flowers, they seemed to be past their peak. Some spots were vibrant blues and purples and in huge chunks. For the most part though, it was small patches of not so vivid flowers. I was fully expecting to find a beautiful patch where I could sit in them and have a picture taken. Turns out there wasn't a spot that would have been worth the memory card space.

Anyway, we did make it to the festival and the arts and crafts fair. It was set up along the main street. There were so many booths! I saw many things I could have carried home with me, but my wallet kept a tight leash on me...fortunately. I did come across this little treasure in The Brazos Star. I'm partial to Americana stuff and I just couldn't resist. Isn't it sweet!

The flag is stitched out of material and is surprisingly soft. I'm not sure how I will incorporate it into my living room decor, but I'll find a way!

Also, what is a festival if you don't indulge in festival food?! The smells were all mixing together, and the smokey smell of brisket and sausage was almost more than I could take. I did settle for a delicious funnel cake and fresh squeezed lemonade!

I opted for the small version (it was still a lot of funnel cake...probably the 1,000 calorie version!) but I can't imagine what a Texas size would have been like! Either way it was very good...crispy on the outside, soft in the middle, and very powdery!

Also, speaking of things that are crispy, I got that way a little bit myself. I wore an off the shoulder shirt and didn't give sunscreen a thought when I left. Apparently, I should have!

Thankfully, I Solarcaine-ed up as soon as I got home. It isn't stinging too much. You're probably noticing the little circular moon in the middle. My hair is getting much too long (normally I keep it shoulder length) so where it was I'm still creamy skinned. Unfortunately, everything else got burned. I guess it'll just match the other tan lines...soon I hope!

I had a great Saturday. I hope all you lovely people did too!

Vegas Baby...Maybe

I have a story to tell about a "free vacation" and maybe the gullible girl that is falling for it. Great hook right?!

Several weeks ago, I got this letter from a prize verification center that was addressed to my dad but with my address. The letter said that I'd (well he'd) been chosen to win a fabulous free vacation plus another of four great prizes. The letter didn't say what I had to do to claim these wonderful prizes. So, I read it and then promptly tore it up. I tossed it away, chalking it up to one of those hoaxy things.

Well, maybe two weeks later I received another letter. Again it was addressed to my dad (a big red flag...he wouldn't have signed up for something using my address) and I read it again. This time I thought a few minutes before tearing it up and promptly forgetting about it. Just days ago guess what came...yes...another letter. Now, I have to say that my curiosity was well and fully peaked. I laid it to the side with all the intentions of calling and finding out what exactly I'd won. Then I got busy.

When the postcard came yesterday, I made it a point to call. Heaven bless the guy that answered my call! I had many questions and was loaded with skepticism. Supposedly, all I have to do is give two hours of my time and listen to some spiel to buy into this vacation resort timeshare and an all-expense paid trip to Las Vegas is mine. For those of you out there afraid that I'm walking into some trap where I'm going to lose all my money...fear not! I'm very good at saying NO!

I did put two and two together and realized that I'd have to probably pay taxes on the trip, but still that might be cheaper than if I'd actually planned the trip to Vegas. Also, I specifically asked for the website address and the name of the company (I Better Business Bureau-ed them!) so I could investigate on my own. Well, I can't access the website. That was sort of a red flag so I searched for this company and scams. Several things came up, but mostly the disgruntled were people who'd actually bought into the timeshare program. There were a few people that said they just went for the free trips and were satisfied.

I want to be in that group...the free (well...relatively free) trip winners who are satisfied group. We shall see. I'm supposed to go and tour this resort next weekend. I'm also taking my cousin with me...she can say NO! too! I'll keep everyone updated on whether I'm actually going to Vegas or not. I know you're waiting with bated breath...

Blackberry Blunder

It should come as a shock to no one, but I am not good with technological gadgets. Seriously, it is a miracle that I can work things like the remote or the computer. Even then, sometimes I get frustrated and want to whack the heck out of it! When I got my new cell phone (I finally upgraded to something not from the 1990s) I had to scour the manual to find out how to do the basics. Yes, I live in a sad little low-tech world!

Well, yesterday my cousin and I were out and about. We'd gone out to lunch and were on the hunt for a movie theater that was showing The Other Boleyn Girl. She has a gerbil or German or something...anyway, it's one of those things that tells you where you are and where you need to go. It sits on the dashboard. It was turning out to be of no help, so she dug out her blackberry for us to use the Internet to find movie listings.

I should mention that we were driving along in Houston area traffic so she said, "You do know how to use the Internet right?" Well, of course I know how to use the Internet...when it is on a computer screen. She handed over the phone thing and I looked at it thinking, "Where is the A key?" Yeah, I was pushing all sorts of buttons. I must have had a seriously perplexed look on my face, because she started cracking up. It wasn't just any normal cracking up, but that kind where you hear no sound coming out. Babies do that...when they make that face, but no sound comes out. You know it is going to be one loud fit when the voice catches up with the face. I quickly handed the thing back like it was a hot potato! And then I caught the giggles.

You know, maybe you just had to be there, but I have serious issues with blackberries! Maybe I just have serious issues with technology! I swear...

Can Never Have Too Many

Today was a mental health day for me. I did have a doctor's appointment this morning, but after that was over I decided to drive to the "big city" of Conroe (you'd understand that if you understood how small the town where I live really is...) and do a little shopping. You know shopping really is the best kind of therapy!

At Target I found the cutest shoes! They are like fake Crocs...same material but a much cheaper price. Well, I found a pair of light pink and dark pink striped ones. I loved them! They are so comfortable. Plus, they match the blue pair I have and always get so many compliments on them. See...



In the midst of admiring these, I stumbled across another Croc-like pair of shoes. They are like Mary Janes and again so darn comfortable! The only thing about these is that they sometimes make a little squish sound when I walk. That might be embarrassing...if you know what I mean... But, I'll over come it because they are just so cute! See...



Nothing like adding a new pair of shoes to the collection. Well, except adding two!