Pure Barre randoms

My brother, his wife, and their twins visited last week. Pics to come.

While they were here, I went to Pure Barre with my sister-in-law.

Oh. My. Word.

It was hard! And confusing.   I did everything wrong and had no clue what was going on for the entire hour.

I mean, it's stuff like putting a small kick ball in between your thighs while standing on your tip toes with your heels glued together, your hips tucked under, your abs sucked in, and doing squats.

What???

So naturally I signed up for one month of unlimited work outs. :) I don't want to quit something when I stink at it. I'm determined to get good at it... then I'll quit.  ;)

I have done 7 days in a row now.  I'm getting better, and any day I'm sure I'll appear more toned... surely.  Right?


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My instructor for my first class was named Jennifer.  She recognized me when I walked in. She was Sarah's dance instructor when she was in Kindergarten!

I couldn't believe she remembered me.

She's now a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader. So I kinda feel like I'm friends with a celebrity.

"Friends" and "celebrity" being relative terms.

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I enjoy group exercise.   There's something fun about doing something other than a Beachbody DVD in my living room.

So when I'm done with my month membership,  I need to join a gym and then do Barre classes here and there.

.........

Today I've spent 3 hours in my bathing suit in the backyard.

Three things I've noticed:

  *I'm getting sunburned.

  * I need to shave my legs above my knees. "Calves only" won't cut it if it's gonna be warm like this all week.

  * I need to spend more time at Pure Barre.


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"24% of this cup has already served a purpose as something else."

I hope the part I put my mouth on is new.

Berry naughty

Got this Essie color from kohl's.

If it's not "berry naughty", then it's something similar.   Check it out.  Much better in person. :)

My foot looks tiny.  

Taken 3

Every time I see the trailer for the movie "Taken 3", I think, "Some movies should not be trilogies."

I admit I've never seen any of the "Taken" movies.  But how does this girl keep getting taken? Or is it a different daughter?

This has gotta be the same plot line over and over.

And is "Taken 3" the best they could come up with?

I'd call it "Taken... Yep, Again"

on my mind this Thursday night

I don't have to work tomorrow!! WOO HOO! :)

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I'm irrationally jealous of the people in North Texas who experienced the earthquakes.

I don't want damage to my house. I don't want to be in my car.  But I want the walls to shake and feel the ground shake.  I think it'd be crazy and weird.... and fun... as long as it's small and no one gets hurt.

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I understand Jennifer Lawrence sang in "Mockingjay", but why is her song on the radio??  I can't stand it.


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Speaking of music, I have both "Uptown Funk" by Bruno Mars and "Change the World" by Eric Clapton stuck in my head.

I think my subconscious may be schizophrenic.


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I have a major crush on Harry Connick, Jr.


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I feel like the rooms in my house are either freezing or burning up.  I think the only area of middle ground is in the den on the couch under a blanket.


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I'm glad to have the first week after the holidays behind me! It took me all week to get my head back in the game, but I think that next week will be even better. :)

fingerless mittens

I bought these fingerless mittens...

I love the concept, but the problem is when I turn them into mittens...

There's no coverage for the thumb... ?

How did I not notice this before I bought them?

My thumbs have been freezing all day!!

Monday, Monday... Won't go away

Every other day (every other day) Every other day (every other day) of the week is fi- (fiiine, yeah) (yeah)
But whenever Monday comes (but whenever Monday comes) you can find me cryin' all of the time..

Monday, Monday....

Ah, The Mamas and The Papas.  That's some good music. ;)

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Monday Randoms--

We're getting a new couch so I sold our old one on Craigslist last week.  It turns out our new couch has to be special ordered and may take up to 12 weeks to arrive.

Oops.  Looks like the kids will be sharing a pillow and a bean bag chair for up to 3 months.

 

 

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Today we have Doug from the DFW Lab Rescue coming to our home to do a home study. 

We want to adopt a dog and you wouldn't believe (or maybe you would, depending on how experienced you are with dog adoptions) the process that they put you through to prove that you'd be good dog owners.

I understand the reasoning since so many dogs end up being mistreated....  but I kinda want to say, "Look, I'm raising 3 kids.  I'm pretty sure I can handle a dog." 

Anyhow... today is going to be spent picking up all Rainbow Loom bands and what-not (AKA "potential dog choking hazards") so that Doug will like us and approve us to go on the waiting list to get a Lab.

Again-- quite the ridiculous process.

I want this place spic and span.  Don't want to be seen as unfit dog parents.

I may need references, I'm not sure.  So be checking your inboxes in case I call on one of you to be a character witness for me.  Who knows how intense this screening process might become. :)

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I read this explanation of the star marshmallow on the back of the Lucky Charms box this morning.

"THE STAR CHARM GIVES ONLY LUCKY THE POWER TO FLY."

In other words...

Disclaimer: We can not be held responsible if your idiot kid eats a star marshmallow and jumps out of a tree.  Our box clearly states that ONLY Lucky has the power to fly.

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Alright, I'm procrastinating.  It's the Monday after Spring Break, and my motivation to be productive is at an all time low.

But I'm going to try to get something done. 

Every day we get through is one day closer to summer! Hooray!!

Spring break day 7...coming soon

I have so much to update you on.

(I know that's bad grammar.  But "I have so much about which to update you" sounds too formal. Yuck.)

The blogger in me is dying to ramble and fill you in on stuff. I have a post to do about open house. I've got lots swarming around in the ol' noggin.

But first we're heading to the farm to visit Gran and Ken.  Today marks one year since Jim passed.  That's not why we're heading down, but it is on our hearts and minds.

The kids are beyond ready to get down there and play and fish. The weather is awesome!

Next post: from the farm!

Happy Friday,  y'all!

Our dirty little secret

When we got back to the house after our Disney World trip, it smelled kinda funny inside.

We teetered back and forth between: Is it a small gas leak?  Is this the smell of a house that hasn't been lived in for 10 days?  Is there some type of sewer issue?

I realize that none of those smells are similar, but we couldn't pinpoint exactly what it was.  It was faint, not overwhelming, so it took a few days to identify. 

We had a plumber come out, and it turns out there's something dead in our wall.  We guess it's likely a mouse.  It's in the wall between our bedroom and Jack's bathroom. 

We were informed that we had a couple options.  Cut it out or wait it out. 

Cutting it out would involve cutting dry wall and that sounded like a hassle and a project and a bunch of junk I didn't want to deal with right after Disney with Christmas closing in.

So we chose to wait it out.  I mean, eventually whatever it is will dry up and stop smelling.

**Again, let me reiterate that the smell is not overwhelming.  Many people have been over here and likely had no idea that we have a decaying carcass in our wall.**

What we did NOT consider is that at some point maggots will likely form and then will turn into some of the biggest flies this girl has ever seen.  Oh and did I mention that any fly that could make it's way out of the wall and into our attic can come through our vents?

Let the fun begin!!

The kids have been flipping out over these suckers. 

As far as quantity, it's not plague-like masses, but we've definitely killed at least 15.  Jason killed 4 at once.

The good news is that these things are SO big that they fly really slowly and are easy to kill. 

But there you have it, friends.  We've got disgustingly huge flies coming out of our vents.  And those flies incubated in the dead rodent in our wall. 

And the part of me that wants you to like me is embarrassed.  But the part of me that can't keep a secret is relieved to finally blab about this.

The third child

Teaching my kids to read.  (I want my kids to start Kindergarten as readers.)--

Child #1:  Worked with her.  Took her to the library.  Sat and read.  Had flashcards and practiced before she started Kindergarten. 

(I may or may not have also had a DVD called "Your Baby Can Read".)

Child #2:  Worked with him too.  But really-- he taught himself to read when he was 3.  He watched his sister and picked it up.  Surprised us all by reading her Kindergarten assignments when he was in preschool.

(I was definitely lazier than with Child #1.)

Child #3:  Just bought a subscription to abcmouse.com.  Hoping that the website will teach her.  Feeling too tired to care if she's reading before Kindergarten.


One of the MANY reasons we didn't have Child #4.  It's all downhill from here, baby.

A few things...

1.  We got these (along with some Kona coffee and Macadamia nuts) from a family friend who lives in Hawaii.

"Maui Onion and Garlick"

It looks like garlic cloves and small boiler onions. 

Am I supposed to cook with them or eat them raw?  They're coated with salt and sugar.  Is it candied?  Can I eat candied cloves of garlic? 

I can answer all of these questions by looking at the website, but it's more fun to wonder. ;)


2.  I have SEVEN packages in transit for Christmas. S-E-V-E-N.  I'm a little nervous,  I'm not going to lie.  They may be December 28th Christmas presents. :/

**Please get here on time. Please get here on time. Please get here on time.**


3. Have y'all heard  A Great Big World's "Say Something"?  (The version with Christina Aguilera is pretty too.)  If you have, are you as in love with it as I am?  It makes me tear up a little.  Is that weird?
If you haven't heard it, put that on your "to do" list today.


4.  Caroline's Christmas program is tomorrow.  Be looking for picture overload on the blog soon. :)


5. I've had a fun week at work this week.  There truly is something magical about Christmas.  Everyone's more light hearted and relaxed.  Tomorrow we're bringing in breakfast tacos, OJ, and coffee for the teachers.  Should be another great day!

What?! pictures

I saw this in Walmart yesterday.

My Little Pony horse-girls.  Creepy. 

Make the horses.  Make girls who ride them.  I can do without horse-girls.


Then yesterday I got a package in the mail with this stamped on the bottom.

 

When have I ever been a smoker?  Why am I getting this?

So I opened it and these were in a sack.

These are balls made of recycled material and wildflower seeds. Ummmm... ooookkkk.

These were the instructions on the sack.

So I'm supposed to throw them somewhere and they'll just grow. ??  And I have no idea what that has to do with smoking.  But with the wildflower seeds I also got a coupon for $2 off a double pack of cigarettes. 

Score.


Then I came home from work today and saw this.

This is from the inside of our driveway gate.  From the alley this looks like a hole.

The recycling garbage men hit our gate.  They took responsibility and will replace that plank.  But still.



And those are my puzzling photos of the past 36 hours.

Hi!!!!

Hey!!!! Long time, no talk. :(  Let's catch up...


AGGIE FOOTBALL....

Not our classiest win. 

I think the best thing that ever happened to A&M football is Kevin Sumlin.  He is a leader.  I think he emphasizes character over national championships.  THANK YOU, MR. SUMLIN.

Now I am the first to admit that Aggies can be obnoxious... (then I'm quick to add that there are obnoxious fans from every school!!!) .... but the  Aggies  who are proud of our school but are balanced in our view of the world :)  are embarrassed by Johnny Manziel's antics.  Settle down.  Show some self control.

He upset me with his shenanigans this summer.  He's immature.  There is a whole team that is counting on him to not screw things up for them.

He's also incredibly talented.  And I love that Coach Sumlin seems to want to mold a leader and help a boy become a respectable man rather than to indulge a punk celebrity sophomore. 

The ball is in Johnny's court.  I hope he calms down and grows up.

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I presented to the parents of our Weekday Preschool program Thursday night.

I didn't turn bright red. :) Praise God!!! I tend to blush.  That was what I was most concerned about.

Ok. So my mouth was dry and I had to take a drink from my water bottle.  But once I hit my stride I was fine.

I need a power point next year so I don't lose my place. 

I also would encourage any of you who is sitting through a boring presentation on handbook policies to cut the presenter some slack and smile and nod. Or listen with your eyebrows raised as though you're interested and attentive. :)  It's so encouraging to the person who has to talk about boring junk.

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My kids have had a great first week of school.  I still need to post pics. 

And Sarah is student of the week next week. 

That's  not an honor.  That means we get to do the dang "All About Me" poster over the holiday weekend.

Shoot me, please. 

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School starts for my staff on Tuesday, and we have our first State inspection on Friday.  Busy week ahead.

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Caroline is heading to my parents' house tonight for a Hello Kitty luau.  My niece (who is 3) and Caroline are the only party-goers.  Dad found Hello Kitty popsicles.  Mom found grass skirts and leis.  Caroline is decked out in Hello Kitty gear.  It should be a great night! 

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My phone keeps dying.  For no reason.  I need a new one. I'm debating between getting another Android or an iPhone.

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I am going to the Gap tonight to hit up their Labor Day sales. :)

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I wish I had more interesting things to talk about.  I'm sorry!! 

To use an SAT analogy format...

The last few weeks of August : teacher ::  The first two weeks in April : accountant

Meaning--- IT'S CRAZY AROUND HERE!!!

:)

Hope y'all are well!!! :)

Brain dump

I hate being so busy.... I miss blogging.


Here are a few things rolling around in my brain--

The kids found out their teachers' names today.  Sarah didn't get whom she wanted.  She's also been split up from her best friend, Valerie. 

She's shed more than a few tears.  But I told her that I pray every year for her teacher and that God will put her in the class she needs.  I refuse to request teachers because I don't want to interfere with the plan God has for her.

I think it's good for her to learn to deal with disappointment and learn to make new friends.  Even if this teacher is hard to get along with, it's important to learn how to deal with people like that.

The bottom line is ---- she'll thrive wherever she's planted.  She doesn't have special learning or behavioral needs, and --to me-- those are the students for whom teacher requests should be made. Sarah will be fine. I gotta let her hurt a little and pick herself up.  

But it's still hard to watch.

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Jack is thrilled with his teacher! And he's relieved that "one of the biggest trouble makers" from last year isn't in his class. ;)  His teacher will be gone for the first four days of school.  She's NEVER gone, but she had this opportunity to go on a special trip with her husband, and she took it.

I don't blame her in the least.  She's probably stressed out missing the first few days of school, but this is a great opportunity for her. 

It's an unusual situation, but we can roll with it.

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I got this gem today, and my heart skipped a beat...

I saw my career flash before my eyes.  What did I do???

As I was opening the letter, I thought, "Wait, they would make a visit if I was in trouble.... right??"

Anyway... it turned out to be the official letter naming me as the "controlling person" for the Weekday Preschool at ParkwayHills. 

Ya know, I've always said that functionally I'm over the Younger Weekday Preschool, but on paper, I'm over the whole operation.  Nothing makes it more clear that I'm over the whole operation than a letter from the Department of Protective Services letting me know I'm responsible for everything that happens there.

No pressure.

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Jack and Sarah are going to a "Hsab Sdrawkcab" at my parents' house tonight.  That's a Backwards Bash, in case you can't read backwards. ;)

They're wearing their clothes backwards and having dessert before dinner.  It's to celebrate the end of summer/start of school. 

I think the kids will love it... and Mom and Dad will be exhausted.

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We took the kids to Great Wolf Lodge on Sunday night.  It was our first time there.  The kids had a blast, but Jack kept saying, "This is one big money-making scheme."  :) Our wallets are definitely a lot lighter after a night there! That's for sure!!
But I'm glad we went. :)

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I'm watching the news.  Vaccinate your kids, people.  We shouldn't have an outbreak of measles.  There's no need for it!

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Lots going on... will write more later!!

Some randoms

I'm working on school junk, and I haven't uploaded... or is it downloaded?... pics from Rachel's dinner or Caroline's party yet. But I want to blog some random things swarming around in this head.


1. I'm feeling some stress. I overuse the phrase "stressed out", I know. But I'm feeling pressure. I want to do well in school. I want to be a good mom. I want to do well with my new job. I want to make sure that Spirit Nights and School Supplies (my PTA Board positions) run smoothly and are all delivered. I'm at my limit.


2. When I'm at my limit, I find myself really sentimental for the "good ol' days". I find myself wanting to email Shirley Skaggs and Barry Phillips... (adults my parents' age who have known me since I was a toddler or younger)... to ask Shirley if I can come stay with her for a weekend or to ask Mr. Barry if we can play softball in his front yard.

There's something about being afraid to move forward that makes me want to run backwards.

I read something once that said something to the effect of: "I wish we knew these were the 'good old days' when we were in the middle of them." So true.

And I gotta be honest that sometimes I ache for the days of little responsibility and few to disappoint.


3. I'm working on a bucket list. My sister-in-law, Kim, had a great one. I'm thinking about mine. I have a whole post I'm going to do on bucket lists. I'm sure you'll be unable to sleep in anticipation of that one. ;)


4. My dream car is a 2-door Toyota Celica. Preferably the 1996/1997 model.

Do you have a dream car? One that you wish you had in high school or one that the "cool" kid drove? The Celica's mine. I love a VW Beetle too; I'd love to rent a Bug. But I'd love to own a Celica.

One day I will. And that's how I'll know I've made it.

Not because I have a BMW or a Lexus, but because I'm driving the car that I coveted in high school.


5. I like strong drinks. I'd like to submit into evidence, Item #1, the bottle of Tito's vodka that I bought July 4th that is almost half gone.

I'm not saying I drink a lot, but when I do, I want it to count!


6. Speaking of my new job, I'm typing up the new employee handbook. While arduous, I will know every stinkin' word of it by heart by the time I'm done. I challenge someone to tell me that something wasn't in the handbook. I'll be able to look that person straight in the eye and say, "Oh, I assure you, it's in there. I typed it."


7. Also about my job, I have to do the orientation for the parents on August 29th. If you think about it, will you pray for me??? Seriously.

Public speaking has always been my kryptonite. And I worry about it. 100 parents. 10 teachers. Staff from the church. Me at the pulpit. Sweating. And wishing for death.

I can talk. (If you know me AT ALL, you know this.) I can be personable and friendly. But I don't know if I can talk and be friendly to a large group, speaking into a microphone.


8. I had my eyebrows waxed and eyelashes tinted. Please remind me how great that is!! My eyelashes look good without mascara, so now I can basically have no makeup on and be good to go. And waxing is way easier than plucking.


9. Week 3 of swim lessons started today! I think this is going to make ALL the difference. It's week one for Caroline, and I'm not sure how she's going to do at this point. But she's going to go whether she likes it or not!!!


10. I'm getting my hair colored tomorrow. I can't wait!!! But I'm already thinking of things to talk to my hairdresser about.

I am going to be in there for a couple of hours so I'm running through all the things that have happened since I've seen her last. For some reason, both of us seem uncomfortable with silence. But once I leave, I'm exhausted from having to small talk for the last 2 hours!

I can't be the only one that feels that way about their hairdresser. Right?? I love her but she exhausts me. Anyone??? Anyone???


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Alright, that's all for now. I can't tell you how much better I feel. Whether you read this and relate... or roll your eyes.... or silently judge me ;) I really can't fully explain how much it means to me to put all of myself and my randomness out there and know that--- no matter what--- my friends will still be around.

Random things

Sorry about my rant earlier.  It's probably good this class is online; otherwise I'd be the jerk raising my hand in every class, arguing with the professor about the text, and most likely failing the class because of it.


So... random things...

My favorite vacuum in the WHOLE world is this one---

It was my grandmother's and I took it when she moved from her condo to assisted living. 

It's my upstairs vac.

Check out how thin it is....

 

 

And it weighs-- maybe-- 5 lbs. 

 

The cord is ridiculously long too.  I'm not kidding you when I say I can plug into one outlet and vacuum the entire upstairs... bathroom floors and all. 

 

I [heart] the Oreck!

 

 

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My other random...

 

We (and by "we" I mean "I") tie dyed T-shirts on Tuesday.  I hadn't done that since I was a kid.  Sarah documented with pictures.

 

 

 

 I dyed one for each of the kids according to the technique they chose on the instruction sheet.  Apparently Sarah only cared about documenting the making of her shirt. 

I can't blame her really.

 

 

Oh and if you can't tell that it's 98 degrees by looking at this photo, let me assure you-- it was.

 

2 of the finished projects... I won't quit my day job.  Don't worry. 

When I told the kids I wanted to take a pic of their shirts for the blog, they stood on the stairs. LOL
Poor kids... they think that's the only place we take pics in this house...



A few randoms rollin' around in the old noggin

On facebook:

* When someone comments on a pic that they've shared with a caption like, "Wow!!! This is amazing!", sometimes I wanna say, "That's photoshopped.  You know that, right?"



* "Loose" and "Lose" are not synonymous.  Never have been, never will be. 

I'm so glad you made it to your Crossfit session again.  You are not loosing weight though.

And your team didn't loose the game.

And your candidate didn't loose the election.

I am "loosing" my patience with that one.



* I'm afraid that, if I ever posted a question as my status, no one would answer me.  All of my friends who ask questions as a status have great friends who answer them. Some people get 25 or 30 people to chime in with an opinion or a solution to the problem. 

I'm afraid that I'd post something like:

For Caroline's birthday-- Chuck E Cheese or Little Gym?

And I'd get no responses.  **crickets chirping**

Then I'd wonder, "Was that a dumb question?"  "Are my friends just not on fb right now?"  "Hello?  Is this thing on? [tapping an imaginary mic]  When is someone gonna answer me?"

Can we make a pact that, if I ever have a question and post it on facebook, you will answer me or at least comment so it's not like I'm talking to myself??  Thanks!



On Food Network:


* In my humble opinion-- although I know there's much debate over this one-- pecans are not pee-cans; rather they are puh-kahns.

A little math from this weekend

~ A sip = The rest of the drink

When little kids ask, "Mom, can I have sip of your water?" make sure you drink as much as you want before you hand over your bottle.  It'll be filled with so much backwash you'll end up giving them the rest anyway.



~ Huge carts + Huge displays = Frustration

The people at the grocery store who set up the HUGE displays of wine or spaghetti sauce in breakable jars should be forced to try to maneuver one of those carts with the car in front of it around the display without bumping into the display. 

It can be done, but not without cursing under your breath.


~  Looking cute > Playing well

Sarah's playing softball this year.  (More on that later.) Her first practice is tomorrow.  She had to buy cleats, a glove, and clothes to wear to practice (The shorts and shirts she has are more outfit-y, not so much athletic-wear.).  And every girl needs a bag to hold all of her stuff.

The team uniform is blue and black.  But she's making her own statement about her preferred color scheme.

When you look good, you feel good; therefore you don't actually have to be good. ;)

(Although I'm sure she'll do well and catch on quickly.)


~ Warm weather = Me ready for summer

Temps are going to be in the 80s next week.  Then of course there will be a quick cold snap, but I think things will warm right back up again.

Summer's right around the corner!! HOORAY!

This made me laugh today... Happy Wednesday!

Source: dudelol.com via Robyn on Pinterest