Merry Christmas to All

Christmas Eve

I am in denial that it is Christmas Eve already.  I guess I am ready (doesn't really matter if I'm not because it is coming and I can't stop it!). . .the trees are up (no real tree this year  :(! ), presents are bought and wrapped (most of them anyway),  Christmas cards are almost finished (I know, I know) food will be ready after I get off of the computer and get it started, all Christmas parties attended and enjoyed, Christmas on the W side of the family done, and Christmas with Dad, sisters, b-i-l and the kiddos done!  Today will include Christmas on the P side of  the family today and with the in-laws on New Years.  Like I said. . . .it is coming like it or not!
I finished school on Tuesday of this week and I do not have to go back until January 10th.  I am so excited about the long break.  I will be able to get caught up on school work, house work, sleep and I will be able to get ahead with lesson plans (at least that is my plan).
Well, I had better get off this computer and get some work done so we can eat!!

Merry Christmas Eve to you all (I do hope there are at least one or two people who stop by even though I don't blog as often as I would like to!). 

Weather. . . . .or Not!

It finally feels like we are heading toward the holidays weather wise.  We are having a beautifully cloudy, rainy, cold day today.  I hope it is going to help push me into the holiday spirit.  This month is so overwhelming to me.  I have so much I need/want to do and no time to do it.  Add to it the fact that I miss my Mom during this time of the year (she loved this time of the year) and that we are quickly approaching the "birthday" of Baby Giggles who would be 4 years old.  Sometimes I can picture myself with a four year old but most of the times I can't.  I wish it were something that I didn't have to picture but were actually experiencing.

What are you wanting for Christmas this year?  I have no idea what to ask for but I have got to come up with a list for Mr. Giggles and my family.  Any suggestions?

December. . . . . .already?

So much to do. . . . . . . .so little time!  You probably won't hear much from me until after December 20th.  I have way to much to do with grading papers, Christmas shopping, host a Ladies Christmas party at my Dad's house, preparing for a Christmas program at school, shopping, cleaning house, and the list just goes on and on.  I am still not in the holiday spirit but I am enjoying the Christmas music I have been listening to on Pandora.Well, I had better go for now.  Gotta hit the sack so I can get to work on my to do list tomorrow!!

Hope you're having a good week.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all of my friends in blogland.  I hope you are able to enjoy the holiday with the people you love.

Busy

I never in my life thought that it would be over a month between blog posts but I am so busy at school during the day that by the time I get home and I am ready to fall into bed.  I know that isn't a really good excuse but it is all I have. . . .that and the fact that nothing interesting has been going on in my life and the fact that I have been in a funk and haven't really felt like "talking".

School is busy. . . .very busy!  I love going to work everyday and I enjoy being with my students BUT the discipline is something that I can't seem to get a handle on.  My students talk and talk and talk and talk and then talk some more.  My fit throwing student is doing much better with his behavior and fits.  Thank goodness we all seem a little less stressed because we aren't always waiting for the fit to erupt!

The first weekend of November, Mr. Giggles and I went to Canton for the Trade Days.  I only bought one Christmas present but I did enjoy looking at the different things there were to see BUT I can always do without the crowd.  I do not like crowds and when you add the dogs, strollers, wagons, carts and people not paying attention to anything around them, I am a little stressed.  We camped at a nice campground we just happened upon!  We made reservations at another park and Mr. Giggles let them know that we would be late getting in that evening and they said it wasn't a problem.  Well, we got to the park around 11:30 pm and there wasn't anywhere for us to stay.  We were tired and not sure what we were going to do.  We stopped to get gas and I looked through the phonebook to see what other parks I could find and found two on another road we were familiar with.  We drove into the first park and almost didn't make it out because the roads were way too narrow and the turns too tight.  We found the next one and luckily found a place to park.  The park was very nice and we plan on staying there again.  This trip was much easier on the road because of our new truck. 

I don't think I have mentioned our new truck.  At the end of September a friend who has been waiting for us to decide to sell our suburban totaled his van.  His wife is expecting their third child and they were needing a bigger vehicle and now they were needing it NOW instead of later.  Long story short. . . .we traded in my Honda Accord, sold the suburban and bought a 2011 Chevy 2500 HD pick up.  LOVE IT!!  First new vehicle I have ever owned!!  Now that we have finally gotten where I can get into it, I am loving driving it!  We had to get running boards and then had to get them lowered because I am vertically challenged!  You can see how much taller it is than our old truck!  Until we got the running boards put on I had to use a little stool to get in!!

I was going through some files on one of my flashdrives the other day and found some pictures that I had forgotten about.  Since the picture below was taken so much has changed in our lives.  The picture is of Mom, Dad, Tatortot and Madcow and it was at Thanksgiving.  We had such a wonderful time and enjoyed spending time all together as a family.  At this time Mr. Giggles and I were waiting on the arrival of Baby Giggles in April of the next year.  We were all so happy to be expecting another grandchild for my parents.  Little did we know that in less than a month, our dreams would be shattered at the loss of Baby Giggles four days before Christmas.  And that just a few short years later we wouldn't have my Mom around anymore either.  I still miss them both every single day.

I have been in a funk lately because I still do not have babies to call my own.  I feel that my time to become a mother is quickly coming to an end.  I am not sure if  I could another loss if I did become pregnant.  I have such a hard time being genuinly happy for people when they tell me that they are pregnant.  I know that God has a plan and that I don't need to worry about it but I really won't to be a Mommy who gets to hold their baby everyday and not just one day. 

I think the holidays in general have put me in a funk.  I am not in the holiday spirit no matter how hard I try.  I am mainly thinking about the break I get from my students.  Mr. G keeps asking me if we are going to get a tree this year and I guess we will but I am just not excited about it.  Ugh. . . . . .I just don't know anymore.

Well, I need to go so I can get some sleep.  I hope one or two of the five people who read my blog are still stopping by to see if I am still around!  I do miss spending as much time as I used to visiting everyone's blog but I just don't have time or I just can't stay awake!  Have a great weekend.

Happy Birthday

Yesterday my G-mom  P and my brother-in-law celebrated birthdays.  My G-mom turned 88 and today we celebrated with her by eating our favorite food. . . . .mexican food.  We had yummy little bite sized cupcakes with colorful sprinkles.  My in-laws celebrated with us.  My brother-in-law turned 40.  Happy birthday to them both!

Busy, Busy, Busy

I really do miss having time to blog and to read all of my favorite blogs.  School keeps me so busy that most days I don't know if I am coming or going.  And so much of the time it is so overwhelming.  The overwhelming days are when I really, really miss my Mom.  She is always on my mind.  I love teaching but I am really struggling with my class.  I can not get my kiddos to stop talking.  Nothing fazes them.  When I get home in the afternoons I just want to sit in the quiet!  Some days I just want to come home and scream my head off because I am so frustrated.  I continue to hope that I will one day be caught up so that I can post a little more often.  Now, I am going to call it a night. . . .I am tired. . . .for that matter I am always tired!  I hope each of you is having a great fall and enjoying the cooler weather.  We are out of the 100's around here but it is still pretty hot.

Happy Birthday

to me!  Today I got to celebrate my birthday with two of my very favorite people and their parents.  We spent the weekend with my sister and her family and we had a good time.  We enjoyed a weekend of being homebodies most of Saturday and Sunday after church we went to mine and the short people's favorite place to eat. . . . .Don Pablo's.  Yum yum yummy chicken fajitas!!  I hope that 41 is a good year for me.

Oh My!

I just realized that I missed my own blogging anniversary.  September 15th 2008 is when I jumped on the blogging wagon.  Hard to believe I have been doing it this long.  So much has changed in my life some really good and some really bad.    I hope that since I began that I have grown, grown in my relationships with my husband, my sisters and especially my relationship with God.  I still pray that one day Mr. Giggles and I will become parents, that we will move into a newer home, that I make my parents proud, that I am the wife my husband needs me to be.  I hope that in three more years when I celebrate my blogging anniversary that I can say that I have done those things.

Have a great new week.

Really?

Another day of 100+ degree temps???  I am really tired of the heat.  Waiting for winter because I don't think the temps will change too much even though we are now in my favorite season. . . .fall.  Gotta go to bed now.  Good night.  I promise that one day I will have real posts again. . . .maybe. . . .if I ever get my life somewhat organized again.

Two Posts In A Row!!

Weekly Menu:
Monday:  Swiss 'n Chicken Casserole, broccoli
Tuesday: Salad or leftovers
Wednesday:  fend for yourself
Thursday:  fishsticks, tatortots
Friday:  out to eat
Saturday:  fend for yourself


I keep forgetting to update you on my Weight Watchers journey.  It is very slow going.  I have lost 11 pounds which means that I have 9 more to go to lose what I gained while my Mom was in the hospital.  Last week I got off track some but I am back on and hope to make it to my water aerobics three times this week.

Well, I had better go so I can finish grading papers and getting ready for the week.

Have a great week!!

I'm Back. . . . .For Today Anyway!

And another 8 days has passed since I last had the time and the inclination to post something on this here blog!!  By the time I get home in the afternoons I am so pooped that all I want to do is go to bed!!  Things at school are still having some pretty big ups and downs but yesterday I received two compliments that helped some.  One of my parents told another teacher how happy they were about how their child was doing and how much better school was for him.  I was concerned about how this student would do in my class because of my inexperience but so far so good.  Also the lady who is in charge of education at the church where our school meets complimented me on how clean and reorganized our room is every week for their Bible classes.  I received both of those before 8 am which was wonderful because the day headed downhill after that but. . . .we made it through and we all went home once school was out!


This weekend will be filled with more school work and trying to get the house back in order.  I really need a maid!  There will be lots of dish washing (I so need a dishwasher), clothes washing, vacuuming, sweeping, mopping, sheet changing , grading, organizing and oh so much more!  Don't you wish you were here for a visit so you could help????  But with all of the yucky things I have to do at home, I am so thankful that I am not one of the thousands of people in the state who have lost their homes to the horrible wildfires that have hit our state.  The big one about 2 hours away is about  75% (I think) contained.  Over 1500 homes have been lost in that fire.  Also one of our state parks is in that area and of about 6000 acres in the park, only 50 to 100 acres of it have not burned.  Bastrop State park was beautiful with tall pine trees And speaking of wildfires. . . .hopefully we have seen the end of the 100+ degree temps.  It has been an absolutely horrible summer temperature wise.  This week my Dad has had to put up a hotwire fence at our lake because it has gone down so much and the cows were getting out.

Finally got the dishes done.  Now it is time for bed.  Happy Saturday friends.  I hope to be back tomorrow with next weeks menu.  If not, you aren't missing anything!!!  I am so not creative right now.

Checking In

I have to say that I really have been missing my blogger friends.  I haven't forgotten about you all but being a first year teacher is hard!  I am not complaining, just making a statement.  I don't have much time to do anything.  I keep thinking I am almost organized and then the week is over and I am working on lesson plans again and then I am behind and not a thing is organized!!!  I have a Methods student two days a week beginning Monday so maybe I can get a little more organized while she is there.  Monday we have picture day so this will be my first one in. . . .well more than I want to count!!

I hope everyone is doing well.  Texas is still desperately dry and there are still wildfires burning in so many places.  We will be getting important docs and picts and misc. things together just in case we have fires around here.  We just want to be prepared should something happen.

Well, I had better go.  Church tomorrow and then I have to do progress reports for school. . .not looking forward to that.  Hoping to have more time to post some next week.  You really haven't missed much around here.  We lead very boring lives!!  Happy Sunday.

Prayers

To those who happen to stop by here tonight and tomorrow and the next few days.  As you know Texas has been suffering a terrible drought and we are still in the midst of it.  Over the summer there have been some devastating wildfires and today there have been a terrible outbreak of them.  One fire is near Austin which is about two hours from us and it has already burned over 14,000 acres and spans a distance of 16 or so miles and I think it has burned 300 or so homes.  This is a populated area.  This fire is not contained at all.  Another fire is near where my Gmom W lives.  She has not had to evacuate but she has her bags packed and in her car in case she needs to.  I do not know if any of it is contained.  We also had a fire in our town today but it was put out before it did too much damage. 
I ask that you take a minute to pray for the safety of the firefighters, those whose homes are in the path of the fire, those who have already lost their homes, those who are helping the people who have been evacuated and for the rest of us in Texas as we are all afraid that fire will breakout in our part of the state at any time.  Please pray that we get some much needed rain.  We are well over 10 inches behind in rain in our part of the state.  Nothing is green, cattle are being sold off, hay is having to be purchased from out of state (ours came from Arkansas), cities are restricting water usage and people are weary of the heat.  This week is supposed to be cooler but we are having terrible winds.  We had gusts today of up to 40 miles/hour which doesn't seem too bad but when the fire danger is extreme. . . .the winds are extreme.  Your prayers are appreciated by my family and friends because we know that God answers prayers.  Thanks.

One good thing about heading east on the way to work in the morning is that I get to see the sun as it is coming up.  Some days it is really beautiful and other days it just reminds me of how stinking hot it has been here this summer.

This is how it looked the next day after we got 2/10's of an inch of rain.  This is also the day that broke out string of 100+ degree days and caused us to not break the record although we have broken the number of over 100 degree days overall.  This one is a little blurry because that sometimes happens when you are driving and taking pictures!  I love how the clouds look.

This week at school was better but I am still so very tired at night when I get home!  I did make myself go to water aerobics three days last week and I am always glad I am when we are done.  School is still not as smooth going as I would like it to be.  I feel like I am stumbling around and I am still hoping that it gets better.  I am really glad that we have the day off on Monday so I can continue to gather my thoughts!!  Well, I am tired and have several more things to do before I can hit the hay.  I hope you all are having a great weekend!

Weekly Menu

Monday:  chicken quesadilla (me) mushroom pizza (Mr.)
Tuesday:  Salad
Wednesday:  fend for yourself
Thursday:  beef enchiladas
Friday:  out to eat
Saturday:  fend for yourself

Gotta go grade some papers!

Weekend Weather and Such

As Texas continues to suffer through a drought, the east coast is suffering from too much water from Hurricane Irene.  I hope that my blogger friends on the east coast are safe with minimal damage.  Yesterday and today the heat in Texas was unbearable.  Yesterday's high was 109 and I am pretty sure that today's was close to that.

I have to admit that last week was a very hard week.  But on Friday I had an incident that made me smile.  One of my sweet darlings (whose Dad I have been friends with for years) came to school in boxers instead of pants.  Dad brought the student to school and he thought that said boxers were shorts.  We all had a good laugh about it and it is one thing that I will remember forever!  I am anxious about this week because I have so much going on with the differences in my students.  Yes, I know that all teachers have that but a public school has pull out help and I have to be the regular ed teacher, the special ed teacher, the dyslexia teacher, the pe teacher, the elective teacher and the english as a second language teacher.  And since this is my first classroom it is truly overwhelming.  I know that it will all work out but it is still pretty scary.  And with that, I had better close for tonight because I still have some school work to get done.  I hope you all had a great weekend.

This & That Ok, Not Much of Anything!

Three day so of school down (with the kids). . . . .172 or so left!!  I will wait to post about the first week at the end of the week.  It has been a roller coaster ride for sure!
It rained here today. . . . .we got a whole less than 2/10's of an inch.  We are expecting 108 degree temps on Friday and Saturday.  Joy, joy, joy.  I hate to say it but I have begun praying for a hurricane to hit the coast so we can get some rain! 
It is time for bed and a skunk just did a walk by our house and left a lovely (NOT) calling card.  Oh the joys of country life!!  Well, I will leave you with the scent of skunky plums dancing in your head!!

First Day of School

Oh my goodness. . . .the first day has finally gotten here and thank goodness it is OVER!  It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be but well, let's just say it wasn't as bad as I had feared.  I did forget to take a picture of myself on the first day.  Gggrrrrr.  I am irritated about that but life goes on!  Oh, and I still haven't taken any pictures of my classroom.  I guess I need to try to do that tomorrow.  Anyway, I have a class of 13 and the breakdown is 5 girls and 8 boys.  We had one playground melt down, we have to practice walking in line in the hall and learn not to complain about everything and I do mean everything!
I don't have any back to school traditions but when I was a kid we always went to the big town about 90 miles away to go back to school clothes shopping and we always got a pair of suede shoes to keep our feet warm in the winter!  We would go school supply shopping and I loved getting to pick out my school box (and school boxes back then were like cigar boxes) because they always had some really neat ones.  I love school supplies even today!  On the first day of school Mom would have us dress nice, take our picutre and then she would take us school.  Then she would wait for us to come home so she could hear about our day.  My Mom always made the first day of school special.  I miss my Mom so much.

School. . . . . .already?

Tomorrow is the first day of school and I am terrified AND I do not feel like I am ready. . . .at all.  I am really wishing my Mom was here because she would know all the right things to tell me.  I promise to write a longer post and tell you all about school.  That is if I survive.

Open House

Tonight is Open House and I am just a little (ok a lot) nervous.  I am not ready for school to start.  I still have so much to do!!  Will I ever get it done?  Will Monday go away?  Oh goodness, I have a headache!

Tuesday

Really wanted to tell you about teacher in service today but I am so tired I am going to get my stuff together and go to bed.  Goodnight.

And So It Begins. . . . . . .

Tomorrow we begin teacher inservice.  I am not going to lie and say that I am excited. . . .I will say that I am very apprehensive.  I don't feel prepared but I hope that after inservice I will feel better about it all.  I know that one of the problems is that I am really missing my Mom.  She is supposed to be here and she would be helping me get ready and I would feel much better about everything.  I have been cutting out all of my laminated items and I was working on my calendar and the numbers along with some other calendar pieces when I discovered that two of my dates are too close together but I can work those out.  One of my weather pieces and another date over lap so I am going to have to cut one or the other.  This really irritates me because we are not allowed to do our own laminating, we have to get the "laminator lady" to do it.  So now my brand new calendar set will be messed up.  I know that in the overall scheme of things it really isn't that big a deal but it still makes me just a little (ok a lot) upset about it getting messed up.  I hope to have some pictures to post later in the week.

I hope everyone has a good week.  There has been rain in the area the last two nights but we still haven't gotten any.  Praying we get some soon.

Proud, Heat and Weight Watchers

This is going to be one of those random kind of post, oh who and I kidding! All of my posts are pretty random (kind of like me). I guess I will start with the heat (I know, I know if you don't live in this furnace we call the great state of Texas, you probably really don't care). Last week our temps were 105+ every single day. They are talking of putting us on water restrictions and have warned of possible brown outs. There have been 13 heat related deaths. As you drive down the highway in the countryside, you see lots of brown and lots of stock tanks that are drying up (and doing it very quickly). When you pass a truck and trailer with hay you know that they just spent a lot of money and more than likely had to drive a pretty good distance to get some that is good quality. Cattle herds are getting smaller and no one wants to have to do anything outside.

I drove around our place and took some pictures to show you what it looks like around here.



Our big pasture that usually has so much grass in it.

Our smallest pond, this is just part of it.  There is only a little bit of water on the other end.

This is our hay field.  We have two fields and were not able to get hay from either one.

This is my front yard.  Most of the yard is brown with just a little bit of green.

I think they recognize my car.  When I first pulled up they all looked up to see who it was and this one looked like, when are you going to feed me.  We never have to start putting out hay this early and we have fed all summer long.

Hanging out near the mineral tubs and in the shade.  This pasture is pretty much dirt.

And another picture of the tank.  It has been this dry for over a month now.

This past weekend we headed up to the big city to see my sister's family.  My nephew had decided that he wanted to be baptized so we went up to see this big event.  We are so proud of him and his decision to give his life to the Lord.  My Momma would have been busting at the seams.  She loved her grandson so much (and her granddaughter) and would have hardly been able to contain her excitement.

This week for WW was much better.  I lost what I had gained last week and then some.  I am 6.2 pounds so far.  If you have any incredible WW recipes, please share.  Oh, and I need some good lunch recipes.  I found out that my good old standby for lunch won't be allowed in my classroom because I have a student with peanut allergies.  Ugh, I had planned on having a lot of peanut butter sandwiches because they are easy and filling.

If you are ready for fall. . . .raise your hand!!

Have a great week.

Nephew and Niece Love

I had such a good time with my nephew and niece this week.  But all good things must come to an end and today they went to the other g-parents home.  They really enjoyed getting to spend time with my Dad and he enjoyed spending time with them.  He took them to see the Smurf's Wednesday and they all really liked it!  My Dad is willing to go again.  I love when the short people are here!!  BUT their being here + my dad's retirement party = bad weigh in at WW.  Hoping next week is better! 
Well, I have worked on school stuff all day long but I haven't gotten anything accomplished and it has given me a headache so I am going to bed.  Hope you are having a great week!  Tomorrow is Friday!!!
Oh and since starting WW I haven't had one coke but I have found something yummy as a replacement. . . . .diet sprite with cherry. . . .yummo!!

Busy Weekend and Fun Week

This past weekend was a very busy one for us.  My dad retired in May and due to busy summer schedules this was the only weekend we could have it.  It was a surprise and even though it was at the building where our church meets and the entire church was invited. . . .it stayed a surprise!!  My sister and her family surprised him, several former students and his siblings were just a few of those who helped us celebrate.  We did have an almost disaster but it was averted thanks to my hubby.  We had taken the punch fixins and fruit and veggie trays to the community center on Saturday so we wouldn't have to sneak them in.  Well, the refrigerator stopped working so our fruit trays went bad.  Ggggrrrrrrrr.  Thank goodness hubs was able to head over to Sam's for replacement trays and ice.  Everything turned out beautifully and my Dad seemed very pleased.  My brother in law spoke for us kids and of course he made us cry because he talked about my Mom and how there was a big part of our lives missing for the special occasion.  I hope she was pleased with what we did.

This week has been busy so far because my sister and kids are finally able to spend some time with us.  Yesterday was swimming, Dairy Queen and hamburgers while today was swimming for me and Madcow, going to see Captain America and bbq with some of our favorite people from church who just happened to show up at the restaurant and came over to eat with us.  Tomorrow I will be tied up most of the day with a continuing ed course I am taking and then Thursday we will be taking the extra family to the other grandparents house for a visit.

And to end tonight's blog. . . .it is HOT here in Texas.  The temps are supposed to be 102 to 106 all week.  We are burning up around here.  Since it has been so hot here, I thought I would share this picture my sister posted on facebook last week.  I hope you are all having a great week.

Catching Up

Went to weigh in at WW on Monday and was down 1.6 pounds.  I have swam three days this week and I have done water aerobics two days this week.  I am loving all the time in the water. . . .I so wish I had a pool.  I am not sure what I am going to do for exercise once school starts and it starts getting cold (if that ever happens).  I will be able to do water aerobics because it is in the afternoon but I have been swimming in the mornings.

Tuesday morning I took another teaching certification test.  Still waiting on the scores.  Really hope I passed!  It is to teach 5th and 6th grade.  Which according to state rules when I first graduated from college the tests that I took then covered that but the US Dept. of Ed has a different understanding so I had to take another test.

And that is about all that has happened this week. Can't believe that summer's end is quickly coming to an end.  Oh and something to give you a chuckle.  This is a Texas Rain Gage and it has been a long time since it hasn't been full in a looooooooooong time!!  Have a great Friday.

More Marriage Advice

Ok so Friday I linked up with Kelly's Korner and her show us your life best marriage advice.  While browsing pinterest (I am now addicted) I saw this and it is some of the best advice I have heard, well read!! 
If we all applied this to everything in our life just think of how much better off we would all be.




http://dearinspirationblog.blogspot.com/2011/04/its-simple-really.html



A Hill Called Mount Calvary

God's amazing handiwork.

A Hill Called Mount Calvary



There are things as we travel this earth’s drifting sand,

That transcend all the reason of man;

But the things that matter the most in this world,

They can't ever be held in our hands.

I believe in a hill called Mount Calvary,

I'll believe whatever the cost;

And when time has surrendered,

And earth is no more;

I'll still cling to that old rugged cross.

I believe that the Christ who was slain on the cross,

Has the power to change lives today;

For He changed me completely,

A new life is mine;

That is why by the cross I will stay.

I believe in a hill called Mount Calvary,

I'll believe whatever the cost;

And when time has surrendered,

And earth is no more;

I'll still cling to that old rugged cross.

I believe that this life with its great mystery,

Surely someday, yes someday, will come to an end;

But faith will conquer the darkness and death,

And will lead me, yes lead me at last to my friends.

I believe in a hill called Mount Calvary,

I'll believe whatever the cost;

And when time has surrendered,

And earth is no more;

I'll still cling to that old rugged cross.

The first time I remember hearing this song was around the time my Granddad passed away.  When he found out that he had cancer, he told my Grandmom that he wanted his family to sing for his funeral.  We knew that we would be too emotional to sing at the service so we recorded our music the night before (just fyi:  at church we sing acapella (no musical instruments)) and this was one of the songs.  My grandmother has told us that she wants the same tape (yes, we recorded on cassette tape because this was 1994) used when she passes away.  I have loved this song since we sang it for granddad.  We played the tape for my Mom's funeral while people were coming in and when they were leaving.  We had congregational singing (still acapella) and it was beautiful and this was one of the songs we sang.  A friend of our family used it for is wife's funeral back in January also.  When the tape is played you can hear my Mom's voice loud and clear and so beautiful.  Today at church my Dad led this song and I could hear Mom's voice loud and clear as we sang it.  I love when my Dad leads singing and I especially love it when he leads this song (that is if I can make it through without crying).  He and my Mom were always a team, even when he was leading singing.  He knew that she was sitting on the front row (or close to it) and would sing out so he could hear her.  I miss my Mom so very much.  I still have thoughts that I need to call her and tell her something or just to talk and she has been gone for a year and four months.  As a matter of fact, I did that just last week.

Last night I chatted with one of her nurses from MDAnderson and she has such wonderful things to say about my Mom.  She told me how much she thinks of my Mom and how it is still hard for her and one of the other nurses to go into my Mom's old room, even after all this time.  My Mom made such an impression on people because she had such a kind heart and I hope that I am able to do the same.

Well, I guess that is all for today.  I have cried all of my makeup off and I need a nap.  I hope you all have a great week and remember to hug the ones you love because you never know how much time you have to spend with them.

My Best Marriage Advice

Today I am linking up with Kelly's Korner for Show Us Your Life marriage advice.

Mr. Giggles and I have been married for 14 years, 4 months and 2 weeks.  And we have been through a lot of tough situations: the death of both his grandparents, my aunt, his uncle and my Mom, two miscarriages, and the stillbirth of our son but even though it has been hard there was never any doubt that we would be together.  Before we got married, I told Mr. Giggles that he was going to be stuck with me forever and that I was stuck with him!  Although I don't feel the least bit qualified to be giving marriage advice but here are some things that I have learned along the way:

Laugh:  have fun with each other.  Sometimes life gets too serious and a good laugh will help.  I love hearing my husbands deep laugh (and the occasional snort!!) especially when he is laughing with the nephew and niece.
Smile:  I love it when he smiles at me and it makes me feel better when I smile at him.
Put God first and the rest just kind of falls into place.
Don't air your dirty laundry with others, if there is a problem between the two of you, keep it between the two of you. . . . .don't involve friends.
Respect each other.
Spend time together that doesn't involve tv, computers, other distrations.
Hold hands, share kisses and hugs.
Talk. . . about important things, not important things, life, your day. . .just talk.
Love each other unconditionally.

Well, I am sure that there are 100 more things I could put because my parents were wonderful examples of what a marriage should look like but I can't think of anything else right now (and the hubs is telling me to hurry up and get in the shower!!!)

Have a GREAT Friday!!!

Weight Watchers Weigh In

One week of WW down and to with it. . . . .3 pounds down.  I had hoped for a little more but 3 is good.  Actually 3 is really good considering the fact that we were away from home and in a hotel from Thursday until Monday. . . .and we ate out every meal.  Yesterday I swam for an hour and a half in the morning and then did water aerobics for about an hour in the evening and I am glad that I can do that for exercise instead of walking or something else.  I don't mind exercising and not sweating which is a real success in the hot state of Texas!  So, there you have it for week one. 

It's Wednesday. . . .Again. . . .Already!

I guess the week has gone by so quickly since we were gone from Thursday until Monday.  It was just me and Mr. Giggles and we had a good time.  We went shopping for teacher supplies and got some really good deals on books.  I bought probably 10 books with activities for kids and I most of them for 75% off!  I also got some cute decorations for my room. . . .our back to school theme will be owls. . . .Whooo's ready for 2nd grade!  We also went to Galveston and walked around on the strand for several hours but we didn't buy anything, drove around on the seawall and ate dinner at Salsa's where I have grilled shrimp tacos and Mr. G had shrimp chili relleno.  If you are in Galveston you should eat there!  We also went to visit friends in Sugarland and my friend had a bunch of teacher stuff for me.  It was so good to get to catch up with them.  We only get see them every few years or so.

Today I have my weigh in at WW. I hope I did well. According to my food log I did good so I hope it translates into a loss for the week. I went to water aerobics last night with my sister RAW and LEH. It was nice, I am a little sore in places!

Here are a few pictures from our trip.  I am still in a photo taking slump. 

  

Wordless Wednesday

Just a few things I would like to see during this very hot and dry summer.

Has This Ever Happened To You?

Well, it has happened to us twice.  I guess that is what happens when you get old!!  You are probably wondering what in the world I am talking about so let me tell you.  Today I was at Michael's and went to open my car door so I could get out and go into the store and my door handle broke.  You read that right, my inside door handle broke.  Thank goodness I have small fingers and can get the door open.  And yes, this happened to my husband's truck a year or so ago.  And the reason I say it is what happens when you are old is because our newest vehicle (the hubby's truck) is a 1996 model.  Our other two vehicles are both 1995 models.  And that was the excitement of my day!

I didn't realize last night when I posted that it was my 500th post.  I can't believe that I have had that much to write about!!!  My husband would say otherwise.  I would love to have a giveaway but since I have been unemployed since 2007, I better not.  Yes, I have a job but I won't get a paycheck until the end of August or thereabouts.  Maybe after the next 500 ramblings.

I survived my first day of Weight Watchers.  Yeah me! 

Well, that is all for tonight.  I am tired.  Oh, the weatherman just said 14 days of 100 degree heat.  It seems like it has been 1400 days of 100 degree heat.

Summertime

I really like summer because I enjoy the sun, swimming, traveling, and most other fun activities associated with summer but I am going to say that this summer has been too much.  This is our forecast for the week.  Don't let the clouds fool you.  The sun is not hiding behind the clouds here in Texas.  It will melt you whenever you walk outside.  I got up this morning and started mowing around 8:20 or so and it was miserable (and I was on the riding lawnmower).  I will be getting up much earlier in the morning to try to get everything finished up.  I don't like wishing away time but I am now looking forward to fall and winter.

Tonight there was finally something on tv that the Mister and I wanted to watch.  He has got me hooked on Eureka and Warehouse 13.  If you are into science fiction, these are pretty good shows.  Tomorrow night we will watch Gene Simmons Family Jewels. . .that is my guilty pleasure!

Today I signed up for Weight Watchers.  I am excited but a little scared.  I really want to lose weight so I am hoping that I can stick with it and do what needs to be done.  I had planned on having lap band surgery but my insurance company had other plans for me.  After I had done all of the pre-surgery prep, they would not approve for me to have the surgery locally.  I was going to have to go out of town and I didn't want to do that so here is where I am.  If you are on WW, leave me a comment and let me know how it is working for you.

Well, I had better close for the night.  I need to do some dreaded housework!  Have a great evening.

Weekly Menu

Our exciting menu for this week.

Monday:  sloppy joes and potato salad
Tuesday:  fish fillets and velveeta shells and cheese
Wednesday:  fend for yourself
Thursday:  tbd
Friday: tbd

This weekend Mr. Giggles, Dad, RAW and I went to see Cars 2.  Cute movie.  Even Mr. Giggles enjoyed it (he doesn't like animated movies)!  Got a busy week coming up.  There will be mowing for sure!  Yes, even dead brown grass needs to be mowed.

In case you have wondered (and I am sure that you have just been so worried about this) why I haven't posted any pictures lately is because I have been in a picture taking slump.  I didn't even take any pictures on our vacation!  I am hoping to get back in the groove soon.  I know that you are dying to see more pictures of cows standing in the water!!

Have a good week.

Random

I am going to warn you now. . . .this post is going to be random so if that makes your head hurt, you may want to come back later!

• This was my FB status for today: Giggles is thinking about this day two years ago when Mom, Bec, RAW and I were sitting in her hospital room and Dr. Jenkins came in and told us that she had leukemia. And then we had to wait for my Dad to get there so we could tell him. So I will spend today thinking about a wonderful woman who I was lucky enough to call my Mom. This has been on my mind all day. I remember this day like it was yesterday. The four of us were just sitting in her room chatting and wondering when she was going to be released so we could go back home and get back to life as normal. And as of that day our lives would never ever be the same. If you want to read about our journey with leukemia you can go here.


• If you are looking for some good side dish recipes you should stop by Kelly’s Korner. I have some new dishes I can’t wait to try. If you are interested in what I posted, you can go here.


• I have been super duper lazy today. All I have accomplished is watching tv with my hubby (he is off on Friday’s during the school year), reading recipes for new side dishes, visiting some new blogs from Jenna’s Journey’s challenge (and there are so many that I can’t comment on and it is really irritating me. . . .what is up with blogger?), showered and went to dinner at Ozona with my hubby, Dad and sister RAW. Tomorrow I have so much to do.


• I am picking up a few things for my classroom here and there. I am trying not to get too much though. Our school meets in a church and we only have so much that we can do in our rooms. Every Wednesday and Friday our rooms have to be disassembled for Bible classes and then reassembled the next class day so you don’t really want to have too much to move and put away.


• I am excited about finding so many neat blogs from Jennas challenge. I get really excited when I find bloggers from Texas and when I find teachers. What makes it even more exciting is when I find Texas teachers!






Well, I am going to say goodnight so. . . . . .goodnight!

Just thought I would post a picture of snow to help you stay cool! 

Housework

I HATE housework. . . . raise your hand if you do too!!!  I need an organizer and a cleaning crew to come through here and get everything cleaned and in it's proper place and then I will try to take over from there!  Anyway. . . . .Are you having a good day?  My day was pretty good. . . I went to my first teacher workshop and it was awesome!  I have three more to go to and I am really excited about it.

My hubby has a few more days he needs to take off before school starts and I have no idea where I want to go.  Plus we are trying to decide if we should take our trailer or stay in a hotel.  It is summer time. . .I shouldn't have to think so hard!!!

 I have procrastinated long enough so I guess I had better get back to the dreaded housework!!!  Atleast I don't have to cook dinner tonight!

And your laugh for today:

momnamedmindy.com

Do You Ever??

Do you ever have those days when just about everything that is said or done just annoys the snot out of you?  I think that today is going to be one of those days.  I guess what has annoyed me most today is that my nephew and niece are busy until August so we won't get to spend any extra time with them this summer.  I miss getting to see them and spending time with them.

I have just been weepy today. . . .not sure why.  Guess I am just missing my Mom so much.  Somedays the fact that she is gone is just so overwhelming.  I still catch myself thinking that I need to call her about this or that or just because I hadn't talked to her that day.  We would have been working on things for my classroom but now it is just me thinking about things and I am just not interested.

Today I had a meeting with a potential student's parents.  Hoping it went ok.  Hope they choose our school.  I found out that I will have about 11 students.  Several of them I subbed for last year so they know me and I am familiar with them.  I picked up all my teacher edition books so I can get started on lesson plans and figuring out what in the world I will be doing.  I am scared of the unknown and this year is definately an unknown.

Well, I had better go.  I have to get ready for church.  It has gotten really windy and it would be super nice if we could get some rain. . . . .but I am not holding my breath.  Our part of Texas seems to have a big rain shield over it.  The weather just came on and it is showing rain but I am not seeing it yet.  Keeping my fingers crossed.  Before I posted, I heart thunder. . . .come on rain!!!

Hope you had a great day.

I Am

I am



I found this on another friend's blog and thought that it was really neat.
I first did this in September 2008 but thought I would change what needed to be changed for 2011 for me and so that anyone stopping by might get a glimpse of who I am.  2011 Answers will be in purple.


i am...a Christian, a wife, a daughter, a sister, a teacher, a friend.
i dream...of one day having a family of my own.
i think...that my husband and family bring out the best in me.
i know...that I am a terrible housekeeper.
i want...children and to find a job that I will love.
i have...an amazing husband, an awesome family and great friends.  And I finally have a teaching job!!
i wish...this year would have turned out differently.  I wish everyday that I could hold my baby boy and that my Mom was still here.
i hate...feeling bad about the things I sometimes say and do.  That my Dad is alone and that he misses my Mom so much.
i miss...my baby boy.  My Mom.
i fear...never having children.
i feel...like I am alone (sometimes)
i hear...the noise of the tv.
i smell...cinnamon candles!  An old house.
i crave...Mexican food.
i search...for knowledge and a better understanding of my Christian walk.
i wonder...will I ever be a mommy?
i regret...that I am sometimes not the person I should be.  That sometimes I speak without thinking.
i love...my family so much it sometimes hurts.
i ache...when I know someone I care about is hurting.
i care...about my family and friends.
i always...try to be a good person.
i am not...going to let anyone get the best of me.
i believe...in Jesus Christ.
i dance...when no one is watching.
i sing...a lot!
i cry...when my heart is hurting or when I feel overwhelmed.  When I think about the things my Mom will miss.
i don't...want to hurt anymore.
i hope...next year is better than this year.  That my first year of teaching is successful.
i fight...for what I believe in.  And for those I love.
i write...because I can say things better that way.  So that maybe someone else will be inspired in some way.
i lose...my train of thought often.
i listen...when someone needs to be heard.
i can usually be found...at home.
i need...to count my blessings.  Be more understanding and love more freely.
i am happy...when I am with my husband.  When I get to spend time with my nephew and niece (and the rest of my family).
i desire...to always be the best that I can be!

Having a Challenge With the Challenge!!

I have been traveling around blogland through Jenna's challenge but I have been having a challenge with my computer.  This past weekend Mr. Giggles completely reworked my computer to see if it would help with the slowness of my beloved computer.  Well, now I am having to break it back in and put all of my "stuff" back on it.  Unfortunately there are some blogs that I cannot comment on and I really want to comment on them all.  I downloaded Mozilla because in the past it has fixed the problem with commenting but it isn't even working tonight.  So. . . . .I am going to head to bed and hopefully with a good night's sleep (well, hopefully a goodnight's sleep but I watched a show filled with snakes so we shall see) I will be able to get this stupid lovely piece of electronic equipment working again so I can comment.  So that being said.  Good night and I will check back in with some of y'all tomorrow.

Commenting Challenge and Misc.

For the next 7 days, Jenna over at Jenna's Journey is hosting in commenting challenge.  This is a neat way to meet new blog friends.  A quick run down of the rules. . . .link up on her blog, visit and comment on 10 blogs for the next 7 days.  Go visit here to find out more info and join up!  Hope to meet you there!!


It is hard to believe that it has been over a week since I last posted.  We were on vacation last week and we just relaxed.  I didn't even take one picture (that might have to do with the extreme drought conditions in Texas and the fact that everything is the same shade of brown!).  I am working on a run down of what we did on vaction and hope to get it finished today.

What are you doing for the 4th?  Ours will be low key as usual (except no fireworks at all) with lunch and family time at the in-laws house and then over to my sister's for some more family time.  I will also be dreading the fact that the hubster has to go back to work tomorrow.

My plans for the rest of the week are to get things put back in place in the house and in the travel trailer from vacation, mow (if I can get the mower fixed!), start working on things for school because. . . . .I have a job!! and study for a certification test (yes, another one for teaching.  this one is so I can teach 5th & 6th grade) and hopefully lunch with friends!  Oh, and hopefully get back in the blogging groove!! 

Have a great one my friends!

Happy Independence Day!

Happy Birthday America!

http://www.bsatroop780.org/basics/images/PledgeOfAllegiance.jpg

Have a safe and enjoyable 4th!  Ours will be quiet this year because all fireworks have been banned due to extreme drought conditions!