sleeps

I feel like I should write something about the first few days of school for all of my blog fans. j/k. It has been a good first couple of days, but I am beat!!! I had class tonight at TCU and think I could fall asleep right now...without washing my face or brushing my teeth...yes, it's true. I'm that tired.

My kids-all 22 of them (had to ship my 23rd to another school)-are pretty swell. Of course there are a few that are taking longer to train, but they'll get there. They're like puppies who talk. We had the first "card" change today, which equals getting in trouble. She jumped/leaped gracefully from the top of her desk to the floor, what else was I supposed to do? Nevermind that I think I've said her name more than any other students' thus far...and ironic that she has the same name as a miss clarkyclark....Anyway, when I told her to change her card the entire class went "ohhhhhhhhh"simultaneously. This was the first card change of the year. Sure not to be the last. And I'd love to show you some pics of my new little friends, but as Deneise/Charlene pointed out, I could probably get in trouble for that.

My fellow 2nd grade teachers rock! You wish you worked in our hallway. We've already played a couple of pranks and we've planned a very important planning meeting after school with margaritas tomorrow. I'm so thankful to work with such fun, smart, and kind women...I'm even more thankful that two of them are my bff's.

So now I'm off to wash my face, brush teeth, and crash. I don't think Mazie is ready for bed, but she will have to entertain herself. I've even got my pb&j, fruit, and string cheese packed and ready for tomorrow. :)

'twas the night before school started

And here I am, my last true night of summer....sigh. :( I went and did a little back-to-school shopping this afternoon because I looked in my closet and didn't like any of my clothes. Apparently all of Fort Worth had the same idea, so I had lots of company while I shopped. Anyway, after fighting traffic-both on foot and in my car-and getting back, I tried on several first day outfits and made my selection...comfy shoes and all! I wish I were tired because I know I'm gonna curse that alarm in the morning, but I'm not sleepy yet. I do have my lunch all packed and ready in the fridge. Boy, did I NOT miss packing those every night this summer.

I am so very excited to be teaching with two of my best friends this year. Meredeth's next door and Emily is right across the hall. It's kind of like living in the dorms in college because we play pranks and run next door to ask questions, but instead of dorm furniture taking up space in the room we have 22 small children and their desks. I also adore the other three gals I'll be working with! They're the moms; we're the youngins. :) I have a good feeling about this year and all that it holds in store. Hopefully I'll still have this upbeat attitude tomorrow at 5:30 a.m...

excitement city!

My yittel sister, Claire, called me today (luckily I was on my lunch break and could answer my phone) to tell me that she got a job in Fort Worth today!!!! Yay!! She will be working for MHMR of Tarrant County...good luck with the crazies, you'll fit right in! :) This means, of course, that she'll be flashing a peace sign to Denton very shortly and moving here next month. She's heading over this Saturday so we can go find her a place to live-woowoo!! I will get to actually put my awesome real estate skills into practice. It is going to be so fun having her nearby and showing her all of the fun things Fort Worth has to offer...Yogi's, Joe T's, sneaking into Cats games at the very end to watch fireworks for free, Chimy's, SUPER Target. Yes, this will be fun. We haven't lived in the same city since I left SAtown for TCU. :)

On a different, yet very exciting note, we had open house tonight and school and I'm pretty sure that I have the cutest and sweetest class in the 2nd grade hallway. I have never had so many kids come in and hug a complete stranger who will be their teacher in 3 short days. I even got hugs from little siblings-booya! I met so many nice parents who seemed genuinely invested and interested in their child's education...what a breath of fresh air! And hello, I already have my two favorites. How does that happen so quickly, you ask? Well they brought me stuff, of course! And this "stuff" rocks-a precious little boy brought me a shell....from the beach...that he found this summer...and brought just for me. Love. A little girl made me a little key chain with yellow and clear beads. Wow, is it easy to buy my love! I left that school in such a good mood that I wanted to break out in song and dance. I didn't, don't worry. I know this is going to be a wonderful year and will hopefully cover up some of the not so fun memories of last year.

What a GREAT day!!!!!

zzzz's

So today was my first day back at work since I missed last Friday. Because of that, I just got to see my class list and begin labeling the 8000 things I need finished by the end of the week.

What's my least favorite letter to write, you ask?? Well, Z, of course. And I'd say that a good 1/3 to 1/2 of my 23 students have a Z in either their first or last name!!! What are the odds?!? Lucky me, I got to write my least favorite letter lots and lots of times today. Definitely the opposite of a snap.

I'm also exhausted from getting up before the sun this morning...I need to catch up on my zzzz's...just as soon as The Hills is over tonight! :)

a sweet coupon...and some fish oil

I printed off an email coupon from Central Market and took it with me this morning as I headed there a little before 10:00. You have to get there that early or it's not worth it to go. For me, anyway. You can't turn a corner or get down an aisle without wanting to pull your hair out and/or scream at someone. Early morning is much more relaxing. I can wander more around the store. Anyway, my coupon was for a FREE gallon of organic milk as well as saving $10 off a $50 purchase, $15 off a $75 purchase, or $20 off a $100 purchase. And while I could easily spend over $100 there, I try to practice self-control. I planned to spend just over $50 so that I would get the free milk, plus $50 worth of groceries for only $40! What a deal!! Well....I managed to qualify for the second level of the coupon...but I stocked up on some things I like to have around all the time such as diced tomatoes and got some new things to try, like quinoa.

I also decided that I would buy some fish oil supplements to contribute to my $50. I found some that were on sale, no less! I have been debating for a while about taking them. One of my professors swears by them. I know they help provide some good vitamins and whatnot and help coat your joints. Most importantly, though, taking fish oil has been linked to helping prevent Alzheimer's. Score! Both of my grandmothers suffered from the disease, so I figure I'm more or less doomed. To combat the chances, I eat as many blueberries as possible when they are in season (more research stats), do my People crosswords religiously, and use a deodorant without aluminum. Some days with that deodorant are better than others. I'm sort of nervous about taking these soft gels. What if they are disgusting?? The bottle recommends taking two a day. They're huge! And supposedly have no taste, but we'll see...I'm gonna try my first one tomorrow morning.

I also bought some ground flax seed. I am a big fan of Dr. Oz (you may have seen him on Oprah), and he swears by the stuff. Since he sold me on steel cut oats, which I consume about three times a week, I am expecting similar results. He recommends grinding your flax seeds so it's easier to digest, but since I found it already ground, I picked that up. You can eat it plain (um, probably not), or sprinkle it on cereal or yogurt or whatever really. If I baked, I could toss some into whatever I were baking. What does flax seed do, you ask? Well, lots! It is really good for your heart and has a significant amount of fiber per serving. It has omega-3 acids and some decent protein. All in 2 tablespoons! Again, I'll try this out tomorrow morning.

More on Dr. Oz. He is a surgeon, but is also super knowledgeable about whole-body/mind wellness. He has really great ideas about food consumption and how to get your meals to all be more or less "of the earth." Since I'm very interested in this, I enjoy listening to him and reading about him. Here's a link to his book I think I'll be getting soon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0061473677/ref=s9subs_c2_14_img1-rfc_g1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0KGYREDXQQPWRSX841BT&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=278240301&pf_rd_i=507846.
Anyway, he's not about cutting things out all the time or counting or eating low/no fat junk. He's more about knowing how different food affects your body, what different foods provide as far as vitamins/minerals, energy, and how your body digests it all. He's into yoga and acupuncture, but I'm not really there. Yet. While I enjoy yoga when I get around to doing it, I lack major flexibility which can get frustrating (and yes, I know that if I actually did the yoga regularly, it would help) and dedication to doing it everyday. I think acupuncture is interesting and would definitely try it if I had a need. But right now my only ailments are a still swollen and itchy right hand and finger and some bruises on my knees and elbows thanks to climbing a rock.

it's the bee's knees

Let me begin by saying BlackBerry Farm=A.W.E.S.O.M.E. I can think of no other word to describe it. When we pulled up to the property, all you could see were trees, rolling green hills, and white picket fences. Then you pull into the front desk area and the magic really begins. Everyone that works there is so excited to see you, they have Hershey kisses with almonds in a bowl on the counter, and you get actual keys for your room, not plastic cards to swipe. And the rooms are not numbered like 245, 510...oh, no no. They are named. Mine was Lady Slipper. Most of the rest of Andrew's family's rooms were named after birds. And Andrew's, of course, was slightly creepy...Doll's Eye. We proceeded to laugh, chant that name, and make up stories about what would happen in the middle of the night to him the entire time. I also had chocolates with a little note on my pillow each night...I managed to find room in my stomach for those, too.

A gourmet chef selects the menus (yes, all 3 meals) for each day and then you get to pick whatever you want to eat. There were usually 3 courses plus dessert at lunch and dinner. What did Andrew do the last night? Well order two dinners, of course. Good thing he's so cute. It's like a cruise ship-all the food is included in the room occupancy. All the food is fresh from the farm and delicious. I tried all kinds of veggies I'd never had/heard of before: lemon cucumbers, tiny tomatoes that were smaller than grapes-and also the best tomatoes I've ever had, wreckfish and sturgeon (which, obviously, weren't quite from the farm). I always finished a meal thinking there was no way I'd be hungry for the next one, but surprise-I always was! I even had peanut butter cookies with chocolate milk-in a mason jar, no less, with lunch one day. We ate lunches on the picnic tables in the above picture. Dinner on two nights was in the "barn"...which, yes, was a red wooden structure but looked like a magazine inside-gorgeous. One night we had dinner in the garden which was complete with a fiddle player, a garden kitty, and all sorts of crops growing about 10 feet away.

I did attempt rock climbing, but in the end did not complete it because I'm too dang short and was a little scared. We drove up the mountain with our guide and repelled, which I enjoyed. I have only climbed fake rocks before, however, so climbing a rock that is leaning at less than a 90 degree angle was a bit intimidating. I couldn't hoist myself up for the last part to ring the imaginary bell, but I still had fun. We also rode bikes all around the property, played with the puppies in the barn and the barn kitty, got a little spa treatment (played with that kitty too), talked to some horses, roasted smores at the bonfire, put our life in Andrew's hands as he pretended he was actually part of MarioKart while driving the golf cart through the woods, and laughed and relaxed A LOT. I even fell asleep while at the pool and woke up to my own drool...that, my friends, is true relaxation.

The employees are awesome and are like genies in the sense that they grant whatever wish you have. You want dark chocolate Dove bars in your freezer instead of milk chocolate? Done. Bagel with breakfast? Done. Soymilk? Done. Firmer pillow? Ditto. Now, you're probably thinking those are fairly simple requests. The unusual part is that those above mentioned items were not available on the property so some minion had to go out and fetch them. Yes, it's true. None of those were my requests, mind you. My only request, which really just started out as a simple question, was when a helpful employee picked April and me up from the spa. I asked him where the dairy barn was and instead of telling me how to get there, he just took us. He pointed out the sweet herding dogs and told us their background story. Then he showed me the sheep and took me into the area where they are milked at 7:00 every morning. He explained the process to me and reminded me that I could come watch the next morning. Thanks, but no thanks. He then explained how after I saw the milking I could go see where they make the cheese with the milk. I would enjoy that, but never made it. Which means I must visit again. He even pointed out the little baby chicks and how cute they were when they jumped up on the bush branch to escape from me trying to pet them. Then he took us on a little path so we could see where the horse riding trails were through the hills/mountain. All we'd done was ask for a ride back to our rooms from the spa. It was probably the closest I'll ever feel to being a celebrity. None were there; I asked. But I did find out that Brad Paisley had been there recently. I can't leave my celebrity passion behind, even on vacation.

Minor anecdote I'll share only because of my love of physical humor: Andrew was pushing me on the swing (in the pic above) when we got there. It's on a pretty significant hill. I first had to ask him how to swing...it'd been so long since I had and I honestly forgot how to. My legs were going in the wrong direction at the wrong time. He is so patient. Then I thought I was close enough to the ground to jump off. Wrong. My legs buckled under me and I went rolling down the hill. Apparently I resembled Gumby.

Also, on the last night there I got a major bumble bee (we think) sting on one of my knuckles while walking into the barn. Definitely shed tears because I have never had that type of pain feeling before. My hand is still swollen from it...The sweet waitress brought me some ice and a sting relief packet. Someone else brought me a cocktail.

leaving on a jet plane

And arriving at a farm tomorrow afternoon. Well, not literally...we'll first arrive at the airport and then head to the farm. I'm SO excited for a vacation!! My summer flew by way too fast with taking 9 hours at TCU. We're headed to a farm/resort in Walland,Tennessee where the high is..........82 degrees!!!!!!! As you know, I'm not much of a wilderness girl. At all. But maybe that will change after this trip. There's a pool of course, but also rock climbing, hiking trails, cycling, lawn games, and all sorts of other outdoorsy-athletic-like things to do. Yes-I'm trying to imagine myself doing those things, too as I'm sure you are. We shall see! We get back Friday evening...if I decide not to accidentally stay. Oh, and also, I plan on looking just like that girl in the hammock. Bliss.

two of my favorites

Since I'm on summer vacay for just a few more days, I actually got to go meet friends for lunch-like a grown up! I went and met Margaret at her place and then we went to pick up Emily (Suz and her bling couldn't join us :( .) Of course there was the usual banter and laughing and it made me begin making a mental review of all the funny stuff that happened when we lived together. Oh, and Emily's blog about lunch helped, too.

~"sword" (or balloon figures) fighting/pictures on the couch when we were delirious from rush
~sledding down the riverbank when it was snowing

~our GENIUS decision to tie a rope to end of Nick's truck and have him pull on a box top up and down River Park Dr. because the road was icy. Oh, and we did this at night. We were fearless.

~"is the kitty in there?"

~Elvis

~my plotting to scare Emily in her room...worked EVERY time without fail

~Mr. __________ who lived below us...I can't remember his name to save my life

~the screaming match on the phone that Emily and I just sat and listened to

~Ruth

~when the family next door put a chain lock at the top of their door and their fat, obnoxious little girl asked Emily to help her get out

~my bike disappearing

~the Library

~Friends watching nights

~blowing up Peeps in the microwave

And after all that, we've each managed to become responsible, productive members of society!

old school

But not really. It's more like new school...better yet, new school year. Here are some pictures of what I've been working on the past couple of days. I think I'm becoming depressed that my summer is over in a matter of days...I refuse to accept it (isn't the first stage to recovery denial?). So, instead, I'm going to meet one of my dear classroom neighbors for a happy hour beverage in a little while. My room and hallway are pretty much as ready as they can be until I get a finalized list of new angels I'll be spending my days with. I'm sure I'll be in better spirits once I meet the new kiddos and their excitement rubs off on me. Not literally, though...I'm not Mary Kay Letourneau.

daddy's back in town

...Sarge's daddy, that is. The title line is so ridiculous and funny and I try to use it whenever I can...thanks, Belew! So, yes, Andrew is back from his trip to NY and Miami and we're going to dinner shortly. I spent four nights at his place with Mazie in tow...and we're both spent! It is tough to come back to my grand converted garage apartment after being in a house. Although I won't miss Sarge being in my way EVERY time I try to walk somewhere. I very much like my two pets to be a small and quiet kitty and the red beta she is obsessed with...not that I don't love Sarge. But I don't love his loudness when licking, his snorting, his ceaseless panting, or his slobbers. This is how Mazie has looked for the past 3 hours since we came back home. (I have no idea how to post a picture anywhere but at the top...any suggestions???)

Also, for those of you interested, I still have a wee bit of proactive-ness going on around my eyebrows. It's much better, but still slightly bumpy and a little red...the price one pays in order to not look like Frida Kahlo.