SO PROUD

As of Friday, May 11 at 3:30pm, Todd OFFICIALLY has his Master's Degree!  After everything we have been through this past few years, he still did it.  I am a very, very proud wife.

Kristin Go BOOM

Had myself a lil' car accident.  Wellllll, "lil" is putting it very lightly.  Almost totaled my car.  It involved a red light that looked green (to me), some speed (by another), and a few automobiles.  Luckily, my car can be repaired . . . to the tune of over $14,000.  Thank God for good auto insurance and accident forgiveness coverage.

OUCH.

Actually looks a lot better than it really is.

Both my airbag and the entire right-side curtain airbags deployed.  Scary & stinky.

To add insult to injury, when the ambulance arrived on scene it ran into the REAR-end of my car.  Seriously???  We were sitting in a heap in the middle of the intersection, so it's not like they didn't see my huge Honda Pilot!  Glad I wasn't in the car or in between the crunch of cars.  Add another repair and another claim and another report and another contact.  FML.

Rear-end damage courtesy of Dallas Fire and Rescue.

I am so thankful that nobody was seriously injured.  As soon as I started to get out of my car, I was barely able to remove my wedding ring because my hand was swelling very quickly.  While the airbag luckily saved my face and head, it did hurt my hand and forearm upon deployment.  I refused treatment on the scene but wound up at an urgent care clinic the next day since I couldn't use my hand at all.  A week later (after being unable to use my hand for days), the swelling and bruising was slowly subsiding.

My big, fat hand - finally can see some knuckles.

Lots of finger bruising a week later.

Two weeks later, I am able to wear my wedding ring again although my hand looks a little green-tinted.  Just glad that was the worst of my injuries and my car can be repaired ---- eventually.  God was watching over me that day, and while I hope He continues to do so, I am tired of all the ridiculous stuff going on in my life this year!

Did you say KLAW???

Can you spell backwards?  I hope so!  Let's just say that the dogs like to go on a KLAW.  Step 1 should be 'Get on your leash.'  Instead, it's this:

Every time Steve barks, Pippin's citronella collar sprays . . . leaving the entry a fresh scent for our departure.  Geez.  Our dogs are nuts.  We are simply their humans.

Still Here

Long time, no blog.  Todd and I have been so busy since the holiday season began.  We hosted Thanksgiving at our house - a sort of an open house style Thanksgiving - and had about twenty (20) people in and out through the day.  Then my great Aunt Rita passed away.  Then it was time for Christmas.  Between Christmas at my Dad's, starting our own, new Christmas Eve tradition, Christmas at my Mom's and trying to relax before New Year's Eve . . . it was 2012!

Starting January 2, we went back to school for what is always a crazy, stressful second semester.  Todd started his last semester of graduate school, I had a hysterectomy, the dogs destroyed all but one of our last living throw pillows, I hosted a gold & silver party (friends & I made great $$$), we saw my Dad & Marilynn perform in a local play, and best of all . . . my brother was FINALLY discharged from the hospital just three (3) days shy of six months there.

And WOW ---- it's February.  Todd is already in the throes of grad school, I'm taking a long time healing, the dogs are awesome as always, and we are patiently waiting to hear from our agency that a birthmother would like to meet us and allow us to adopt  her baby.

Nope . . . . . . not much going on around here!  Let us know how you all are doing (if you're still here!).  I'll try to get some pics uploaded of our latest life happenings.

Outed

Todd and I have been keeping this secret for years, and we finally let it out at our friends' Halloween party last night.

We are mobsters.  The whole teaching thing is a ruse.

Of course!

OF COURSE he loves me.  Why do you ask?

And Happy Belated Blogaversary to us.  Have some ice cream, pie or a cookie.  I'm not big on cake.

Busy Summer!

We are a few weeks into our summer vacation, and it has already been so busy!  Todd is beating his head against his desk taking two grad school classes during the first five weeks of summer.  He is in class three afternoons a week in addition to an online class.  Working to maintain his stellar 4.0, Todd is working hard to get it all done.  I'm trying to entertain myself without making a bunch of noise in the house.

What's happened so far?  LOTS!  Our a/c motor was replaced ($$) after over two days without a/c, Whitney graduated from high school, my Dad's brother and his much of his family came in for a visit, happy hour with friends, a focus group to score some cash, and a "beginning of summer" party with school friends got our summer started.  Aeva turned 8, Will turned 4, and Todd had another birthday, too.  The pups are enjoying having us home and are (of course) still cute as ever!  I spent a handful of days in the Denver CO area visiting one of my sorority sisters, and we are now headed towards July.

Next on the blog: Posts with pics!

Still Around

We are still alive!  The pups are doing great.  They are so funny and so sweet.  A day doesn't go by that they don't entertain us in some form or fashion.  We are still working on Steve's licking and Pippin's barking, but that is simply par for the course!

School is almost out for the summer and we are both BEYOND exhausted.  I seriously can't remember the last time I was this incredibly exhausted.  Both of us found success in our students' testing results.  We are both very proud of ourselves and our kids!  There is a ton of work to be done before our break begins.  I've been moved to 5th grade Math, so a lot of boxes and moving needs to take place.

One more week, and we begin our summer vacation.  Todd will be taking more graduate classes and trying to relax in between.  I will be completely redecorating our guest room (pics will come!), reorganizing the house, going to Colorado to visit a friend, and relaxing as well.  Todd will add another candle to his birthday cake in June, so we will find some way to celebrate.  In late July, we plan to take a vacation to the beach - most likely Sandestin.

Until then . . . we hope for some sleep.

We Remember

As the United States celebrates that truth and justice prevail, my heart and  stomach have gone back in time with my memories of that tragic day ten years ago and the days that followed.

I posted this on Facebook just a few moments ago, "Bottom line is that we are AMERICANS. Let's put the political opinions aside, and be assured that the mastermind behind our worst day in history has been given what he was due. Remember the lives lost on 9/11 and our many troops since then, and pray that this is one small way justice can be made."


"This momentous achievement marks a victory for America, for people who seek peace around the world, and for all those who lost loved ones on September 11, 2001. The fight against terror goes on, but tonight America has sent an unmistakable message: No matter how long it takes, justice will be done." - George W. Bush, 5.1.11

The mastermind of evil is gone, but evil will continue to plague our Earth.  Let us celebrate that this chapter has closed while being vigilant enough to stay safe.

Homebound

We have been snowed in (well, iced in) since Monday night.  No school Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday this week and more bad weather is expected.  No telling when we'll return.  The weather hasn't been above freezing for almost 48 hours, so roads are still a mess.  We've been lucky to not be chosen as a part of rolling blackouts and hope it stays that way.

While the respite has been nice, we're all a bit stir crazy and COLD.  The pets wanted to say hi, though.  No pics of Todd and Kristin since we're having yet another pajama day.

Click for Full View

To make you laugh (or cry if you're Steve), here is a photo of Big Boy's rope frozen in the ice.

You can tell Steve has TRIED to dig up his rope.  Poor guy.

Seven Years

Seven years ago today, a man and a woman went on a blind date.  That wonderful date turned into a lifetime.  The man and the woman have been through many ups and downs in the past seven years, but they wouldn't have it any other way - as long as they are together.

Our first photo together with our first snowman, on our first Valentine's Day together.

101 in 1001

I have been so busy not working on my 101 in 1001 that I didn't even know it had ended. Well, I didn't too hot on ticking things off my list, but I always have good intentions!  Here is my final list:

From January 1, 2008, I had 1001 days to complete 101 things. Items in italics were activities in progress and those that are crossed out were completed!

1. Think of 101 things to do before 1001 days ends!

2. Get pregnant AND have a baby

3. Read more often - at least 4 books/year

4. Consistently walk the dogs 2-3x/week

5. Have a girls’ weekend with college friends

6. Clean out and organize the house

7. Paint & organize laundry room

8. Find a new teaching position or new job (well, I got sent back to 4th)

9. Set up a 403b

10. Clean out my closet - at least 1/2 must be donated

11. Get a new computer

12. Finish our wedding scrapbook

13. Send all of our photos for scanning at scanmyphotos.com

14. Share scanned photos with friends & family

15. Visit family & friends in Georgia

16. Vacation out of the country

17. Have an official date night with Todd at least 2x/month

18. Recarpet the bedrooms

19. Wood flooring in the formal living/dining

20. Buy new bedroom furniture

21. Lose weight

22. Try yoga

23. Build up savings

24. Switch AMEX to my married name

25. Watch "Gone With the Wind"

26. Sell items on "stuff to sell" list

27. Have wing back chairs reupholstered

28. Buy new dining room set

29. Learn Photoshop

30. Get a sewing machine (Mary gave me hers.)

31. Learn to sew (with my new machine)

32. Sew cases for throw pillows & make dog beds (bought some)

33. Finish cross-stitch quilt Never mind - the damn dogs ate it. :(

34. Make or buy curtains for den & living room

35. Keep my car clean (Car Spa!) at least 2x/yr

36. Work on my fear of heights Screw that. I'm going to die someday falling off the curb anyway.

37. Get a pedicure

38. Go on a scrapbook retreat This could become a habit!

39. Start a small garden on the west side of the house.

40. Finish painting the house (interior)

41. Have family/friends over for a nice dinner (w/ china, flatware & Waterford!)

42. Eat the food in the freezer or dump it

43. Buy entertainment center for the den

44. Landscape the front yard

45. Keep blog updated

46. Enter debits in checkbook and keep balanced on a regular basis (Forget it - learned I REALLY suck BAD at this)

47. See more movies - theater & home Thank you, Netflix!

48. Figure out what to put above the mantel

49. Work together to find "a place for everything" so everything will be in its place

50. Buy a new, tall plant for the den

51. Donate extra blankets & sheets to local animal shelter

52. Create a will & file with attorney

53. Mail in my organ donor registration card

54. Update my passport

55. Meet with a financial planner

56. Wash, dry, fold & put away laundry every 1-2 weeks

57. Get home computers networked

58. Setup a shared calendar on said network Bought a magnetic white board calendar for fridge.

59. Clean the weeks in between the maid's visits

60. Make our bed at least 3x/week (w/ Todd's help . . . or not)

61. Learn to like the Sonicare toothbrush (never will - makes my nose itch)

62. Complete one set of the Crest whitening strips in my cabinet

63. Take a few clothing items to consignment

64. Clean out & organize all linens

65. Re-register to vote

66. Learn more about the election process

67. See a dermatologist

68. Reorganize kitchen tools

69. Strip cabinet and use for storing serving pieces

70. Sell stuff on Craig's List

71. Put black shutters on front of house (paint existing or buy new)

72. Clean out under bathroom cabinets

73. Recycle magazines

74. Learn the dance to "Thriller" (Note: This was on my list before Michael Jackson's death.)

75. Convince Todd that he would enjoy learning the two-step (and take me dancing!)

76. Go boot scooting with friends (even if Todd won't go)

77. Paint & glaze kitchen cabinets

78. Replace lovely golden, laminate countertops in kitchen

79. Try one new recipe each month

80. Get finances merged

81. Encourage/bribe/force Todd to clean out his office

82. Assist Todd in cleaning out the garage

83. Plant flowers & keep them alive

84. Clean up & reupholster rocking chair for my classroom

85. Laminate & cut out all the Math crap I need for school

86. Get my laptop connected to network & printer

87. Use my mom's pool at least 2x/month each summer

88. Clean out entry closet

89. Socialize Stevie more so he won't be a jerk dog around other puppies

90. Schedule Steve's surgery :(

91. Paint/tile/replace countertop in middle bathroom

92. Clean all of the baseboards & chair railings in the house

93. Quilt my old sorority & fraternity t-shirts

94. Repair/replace windows, doors, and exterior siding/trim

95. Go to the eye doctor and get glasses and/or contacts since Lasik didn't work too well. I'm now a four-eyes!

96. Redecorate the guest room

97. Clean out guest room closet

98. Organize gift wrap, ribbons, etc.

99. Sell or get rid of king-size bed in guest room.

100. Figure out the date when all of this should be complete. I think my finish date is September 29, 2010.

Wow . . . time flies when you aren't accomplishing much!  Guess I got some of my goals accomplished, but not as many as I had planned to do.

A Long Two Months

It has been a long two months since I've updated our blog.   So much has happened that I don't quite know where to start.  I'll try to give it to you in a nutshell, but it is still going to be long.

APRIL

*Workworkworkwork - and more work.

That's all April is about for me. My fourth graders take the Reading & Math TAKS tests at the end of every April, and it was quite a task to fully prepare them this year.  Between teaching, planning, evaluating, communicating, reports, conferencing and meetings almost every day, April is tough.  April is also a lot of work for Todd, too, although he doesn't administer the actual TAKS test.

Good news though!  Todd's students did *awesome* on their EOC (end of course) exams.  His passing average was over 90% which is amazing!  I was so proud of him!  I learned at the end of May that my students did well on TAKS.  I was especially thrilled that 100% of my students passed the TAKS Writing test in April!  Over 1/3 of my class received perfect scores which thrilled me as well.

As far as next year, Todd will be teaching 8th grade Science.  This will be a positive move for him because the 7th graders he has this year will basically loop up to 8th grade with him.  I will continue teaching 4th grade, but I will only be teaching Math, Science & Social Studies.  This will be good for my workload, or at least I hope it will be!


MAY

May was tough - and that's putting it lightly.

* We lost my Grandma on May 6.  She had been on hospice since Christmas, and her health declined quickly.  She was a strong woman both emotionally and physically, and she could cook anything well.  Thankfully she shared her chicken salad recipe with me (from memory of course) several years ago, and I can now do one thing well that she could.  The matriarch of my Dad's side of the family is now gone, as is that entire generation.

A photo of us from ten years ago:

Grandma left behind four children, one preceded her in death just a month before, eighteen grandchildren, and even more great-grandchildren.  My Dad, Step-Mom, sister, and I traveled to Oklahoma for her funeral.  Here is a photo of a few of the grandchildren that were there:

* On May 8th, only two days after Grandma passed, our hearts were shattered.  I don't even know how to write this (and the tears begin), but we lost Mackey.  Our precious, cute, strange, goofy, sweet, boy had to be put to sleep.  It will be four weeks tomorrow, and Todd and I are still reeling from Mackey being gone.  Todd's best friend of 14.5 years is gone.  His ashes are home with us, where we wish he still was.  For being the calmest of our three dogs, it sure has been a quiet house without him.  The big dogs have felt the absence of his presence as well.  We are all still devastated and many tears have been, and surely will continue to be, shed.  It still doesn't seem real, and it seems like forever since he's been gone.

...............................................................................................................................................................

Now that I've dried my eyes (some), I'll continue.  May also brought us some proud moments and smiles.

* My sister, Cindy, was inducted into the Hall of Honor of the school district where she ran track and cross country in high school.  She was the first track star to be inducted.  Her beautiful and heartfelt speech had us all in tears.  A photo of her with a former teacher & coach:

Cindy, while giving her speech:

 

* I, along with my work team, took a bajillion (okay . . . maybe only 65) fourth graders to Austin for the day.  We met at te school at 6:00am, took chartered buses to Austin, toured the Capitol building, explored the Bob Bullock State Museum, and returned to the school about 8:30 that same night.  Talk about tired!

* Our niece, Whitney (a junior), went to prom. Luckily I was invited to take photos.  She was amazingly gorgeous, and I was so proud!  I can't believe how grown up she is now.  Man, I feel old.

With her date ("friend"), Alex:

A full-length view of her dress:

And with her double-chinned aunt:

* Todd finished his first semester of graduated school and did really well.  He is taking two other classes this summer, and has about a year until he graduated with his Master's Degree in Educational Administration.  I'm so proud of him!

* Our annual Memorial Weekend in Tyler with Todd's cousins was a wonderful time as always.  Although not everyone was able to join us, we still had family there from Boston to Colorado and all over Texas.  There were 24 of us, I believe; eight of whom were aged 10 and under!  Lots of fun, water, eating, drinking, and relaxing - just what we needed.





* And now, here we still are, in June of 2010.  Best of all, it is now SUMMER!  Ahead of us is work around the house (decorating, more landscaping, cleaning & organizing), relaxing, Todd's birthday, traveling to both coasts, and recuperating from a looonnnnggg school year.  For today, Steve sums it up for both of us :
 

 

Record Snow!

Snow is rare in Texas, but over eight inches in one day is a record! Today was a work day, but I have a feeling tomorrow things will change. Temps are dropping below freezing, which will make the slushy roads ice over & shut down the city. No complaints here! I took many photos today, but I'll only share a few of my faves.

Small tree in our backyard:

Steve likes to eat snow. Stay away from the yellow snow, Buddy!

Todd rolling a huge snowball in the backyard.

Cool shot of the 40 year old maple tree in our backyard.
Our sad, disabled snowman.
The big dogs wanted out in the front yard so bad! Instead, they had to watch us have fun without them.

The snow has been absolutely beautiful today. I'm hoping school is canceled tomorrow, so I can hang out and take more photos.