Focus Please!

2002-02-12T18:27:00.000-06:00

Hey all...look for this space to move, and soon! *g*

2002-02-11T18:25:00.000-06:00

I wish my freakin' period would start already! (yes, the most obvious reason has already been ruled out...but dammit, I'm sick as shit of spotting! I've been doing it for almost a week!)

Which John Cusack Are You?

ZK always finds the most interesting quizzes! Of course, this was one of my least favorite movies with John Cusack in it. Notice that I said "with John Cusack in it" rather than "John Cusack movie". There is a difference.

If you happen to pick up this week's issue of People Magazine (it's the one with Greta Van Susteren on the cover), be sure to check out the article that starts on page 72. The kids depicted in the article go to my school, Ridgeview Middle School. Curtis is on our team. It's a really awesome article-here's the tagline: "When his widowed mother died, Corey Bell turned grief into action: He and his wife took in eight of his orphaned brothers and sisters." And I do have to say, Corey and Millicent are the most awesome people you could ever hope to meet...and such an inspiration.

2002-02-10T07:53:00.000-06:00

Good morning all! Well, my butt is up and out of bed...wanted a chance to visit with my friends before I get on the road this morning. I need to leave here by 9 so I can be home by noon 'cause Ron's family is coming down and we are going out to celebrate his birthday (his actual birthday was Friday, and he and I went to Macaroni Grill, but today was the day his mom and his brother could come, so we're going to Alamo Drafthouse to see Black Hawk Down, I think. There was another choice, but I can't remember what it was right now.

And oh yes...the other thing I was going to blog about here rather than on the porch. Let's just say for right now that it has to do with the future generation of Cunninghams and leave it at that. Nothing's happened just yet...at least that I know of, so we'll see. If it happens, then I'll tell the full story. *g* I know that probably won't satisfy some appetites out there, but that's the best I can do for now...

Anyway, have a great Sunday...I have the day off from school tomorrow. Well, actually I have to go, but the kids don't, so it's always pretty pleasant when that happens. LOLOL

2002-02-09T17:27:00.000-06:00

Hey...comin' to you live from my friend's house in Arlington, Texas, where I and another friend have converged for the weekend. We just updated The Back Porch as well as a brand new look here, so check it out! Later-we're off to Red Hot and Blue!

2002-02-05T20:12:00.000-06:00

I've been trying for DAYS to get here. The past couple of days, I couldn't login to blogger. Don't know if it was blogger's problem or my DSL's problem. Oh well, I'm here now!

Not much to report. I have brownies in the freezer 'cause it's my grade level's turn to bring snacks for a meeting tomorrow. We just watched That 70s Show, and I have three more days of school this week. Blecch.

2002-01-28T18:14:00.000-06:00

After a thrilling weekend...

Actually, the weekend was pretty good. Friday night was spent at Happy Hour with Julia, Sue, Patsy, Rob, and Margarita(s)....then on Saturday, I paid bills, hit the grocery store, got my hair done, and we went to Ron's fire department banquet. It was okay this year (I thought last year's was better), and I got mucho compliments on my dress and hair! My hair got cut a little shorter than I had planned, but it's okay, 'cause I think it's really cute. I don't know if Ron likes it or not, but at least he hasn't filed divorce papers like he's threatened to whenever I bring up cutting my hair...LOL After the banquet, we went to Ropers, which is a country dance club not too far from where we live. It was okay...a major meat market. I stood in there remembering my college days, dressing up in Rockies and western shirts and looking for guys. I am soooo glad those days are over with. Never again, I say!

Sunday was spent sleeping in since we were out till almost 1, which is something we never do. Did all my laundry and walked the dog. That was the extent of the excitement....although I did cook a big meal with almost all new recipes. Spinach-Mushroom Salad from Southern Living and two recipes from The Kitchen where Chris is a member. I made Dijon Chicken and Macaroni and Cheese. I'd never made baked macaroni and cheese before, you know, like when it's in a casserole. It was okay. I actually think I prefer my way of doing it, which is just throwing some Velveeta into hot noodles and stirring until it's all melted.

Today...today was a day. Not a bad one, just one of those glad-it's-over-with days. I seem to have more and more of those. Is there something wrong with me? Don't answer that.

2002-01-24T17:42:00.000-06:00

Been trying to get caught up on TOS...there's quite a bit of new stuff there. And as usual, I'm simply trying to stay organized, period. Full stop. I know I owe you and you email, and I'm sorry I'm being such a slug. I was able to check two things off my "to do" list today, and that was a great feeling. I'm hoping this weekend to check off even more! Got our property taxes sent in today...that's always fun to see your savings account dwindle down to practically nothing. I also got bus approval forms for the UIL academic meet, so that's one less thing to worry about on that front.

AND I get to go to TMSA this year! It's a statewide conference for middle school teachers. I've gotten to go the last two years. The first year I went it was here in Austin, and our entire staff just took a staff development day and went to it. Last year, it was in Corpus Christi, and I went with my friend Kelli that I was working with at the time (we're both at different schools now, but she called the other night and we made tentative plans to see each other at this year's conference! Tres cool!). Both of our husbands were able to go too, which made it that much more fun. Unfortunately, Ron won't get to go this time, BUT...I'm staying with two of my very very close friends, and there are a TON of people going from my school that I hang out with on a regular basis. So it's going to be TONS of fun! I'll miss my hubby, though...but since he got to go to San Antonio for his fire conference two weeks ago, I can go to Houston for a teacher conference, right? AND I'll have just gotten paid when the conference starts...heh heh heh

2002-01-21T18:53:00.000-06:00

I've decided what I want my web site to be about. Recipes and home-type stuff. If I could make enough money doing it, I'd be a Pampered Chef consultant full-time. And, as I found out yesterday at Austin's Home and Garden Show, Southern Living magazine has started a company called Southern Living at Home. They sell things featured in their magazine. And they're looking for consultants. I'd love to do it, in a heartbeat, but I just don't think I'd make the kind of money I'd need to. So I can satisfy my creative urges by designing and maintaining a website devoted to that kind of stuff.

Strength training tomorrow morning is abs and shoulders. I think I must have done the ab exercises wrong last time, because nothing hurt afterward. Every other day I have definitely felt the fruits of my labors, but not when I do abs. Weird. Chest and thigh exercises are what I feel the most.

Had a nice, boring day at home. I needed one of those to just recharge, you know? Ron was off too, and we spent the day happily doing nothing together. Well, we did a COUPLE of things together....*veg*

2002-01-19T20:14:00.000-06:00

Can't figure out why the Velma picture isn't coming up...it worked fine the other night...

Just got done watching the newest episode of Trading Spaces. I thought both rooms were VERY well done. Sometimes, that's not the case. But both designers did a beautiful job (IMHO)...but one homeowner was so upset she ran out of the room crying and didn't come back. I felt so sorry for her...but, well, I don't know...just but.

So now I'm sitting here with my Caffeine Free Diet Pepsi happily pecking away at the keyboard while Grease plays in the background. I cannot WAIT for the day they release it on DVD. My guess is, they'll wait until next year, which will be the 25th anniversary. And it'll be some special edition packed with all kinds of extras that I'll just have to have. I can't wait! *g*

I've just stopped myself for the nth time quoting lines along with the movie. LOLOL

2002-01-17T17:21:00.000-06:00

Via ZuKeeper:

Take The Scooby-Doo Test!

Somehow I figured I wouldn't be Daphne. But moving on...

Ron is at class tonight. Arson Investigation. Which means I watch Friends and CSI by myself. He is so bummed that his class is Thursday night this semester and that he won't get to watch those shows with me. It's really kind of cute. But I promised to tape them both so I can always watch them again!

I'm debating on what to have for supper. I've been doing better with my eating habits and I don't want to completely blow anything. I've also been waking up at 5:45 every morning to exercise. Yes, you heard me. E-X-E-R-C-I-S-E. There's a program out called the 8-Minute Workout, and I figure, hell, I can do anything for 8 minutes. Each day, you focus on a different group of muscles. Today it was thighs. It turns out it's better if you exercise in the morning, because it boosts your metabolism so that you burn more calories during the day. Did not know that. I don't have the book yet, but the guy's been featured on Oprah, and I've been using what's in the magazine that I picked up. So far, so good. Sunday is even a day of rest, LOL.

Well, I'm going to go read the paper and find something relatively okay to eat for supper. Have a great evening...and I know I owe you an email. I'm working on it. Promise!

2002-01-16T21:12:00.000-06:00

Via Chris, who got it here:

Wine or beer? I'm not picky. Heh. Depends on what mood I'm in and the kinds available for consumption.
Mustard or Ketchup on Hot Dogs? MUSTARD...preferably of the spicy brown variety, with dill relish
Spring or Winter? Spring...we don't really have winter in Central Texas, unless you count the five or six days the temperature drops below freezing.
Cinemas or theater? Cinemas...it's not as noticeable if you have to walk out because the performance sucks.
Gold or silver? I like both...right now I wear more gold.
Footlose or fancy-free? 'Cause I gotta cut loose...footloose...
Lasagna or spaghetti? Lasagna...I have the BEST recipe, from Taste of Home, if anyone wants it.
Spinach or carrots? Carrots, but I like spinach salad and steamed spinach.
The number 2 or the number 6? 2
Pink or purple? Neither...I'm a primary color kinda gal!

2002-01-15T17:48:00.000-06:00

Good news and bad news on the work front today. I like bad news first, so...

I missed a Very Important Meeting this afternoon. See, instead of principals coming into our classrooms to observe and evaluate us every year, we use a system called ABC, or Appraisal by Collaboration. My particular group is doing a book study, and today was our first meeting. Well, guess who forgot. I'm only in the same group as the principal, for crying out loud! I had kids staying after school with me and I just completely forgot. Rob, the AP, said it's not that big a deal, just to do my questions and talk to the P tomorrow, but I feel so stupid. It was marked on my calendar and everything...just felt like a big doofus.

Good news, though: My team impressed the superintendent today, along with all the other middle school principals in our district. They were having a meeting at our school, and made a tour. My social studies kids were using the laptop computers all on their own (which they like to see, rather than the teacher standing at the front of the room saying 'Click on this. Now click on that.', etc. Our science classes were doing a lab using microscopes, and our language arts classes were doing literature circles, where kids choose the novel they want to read and meet with other students who are reading the same novel. It's just like our little ABC groups where they collaborate and talk about what they have learned. So that was good for all the bigwigs to see as well.

Chicken enchiladas for supper tonight...must go see if the chicken's thawed out yet...

2002-01-13T17:57:00.000-06:00

From the "Karen's Body:Strange but True" files...

I started yesterday. Now, you may ask yourself why this merits mention. Well, I haven't had a period since the last week of October. That one was medically assisted. The last period my body produced on its own was in June. I have no idea why my cycle is so messed up, but I've never been regular in my life except for when I was on the pill. It really sucks never knowing when it's going to come...thank God it was a Saturday, I was at home, yada yada yada.

Am waiting anxiously for Ron to get home. He's been in San Antonio since Friday night, and I miss him! Although I do like sprawling out across the whole bed, I like it even more when I'm woken up in the middle of the night by Ron cuddling close to me and pulling me towards him. We both sleep much better together than apart.

And I'm behind on The Back Porch. What else is new? Maybe this week will slow down a little bit. Just maybe.

2002-01-12T13:28:00.000-06:00

Back home...after a whirlwind week. We were in Fort Worth Thursday and Friday for Margie's funeral. Got back home yesterday around five, then Ron had to pack and leave right away for a fire conference in San Antonio this weekend. He'll be home tomorrow night sometime, probably around 8 or so. I've got a little get-together tonight to go to at my friend Sue's house, so that's cool. And I got a ton done this morning-dusting, cleaning bathrooms, laundry...whew! I'm pooped! Of course, I also managed to squeeze in time to watch Trading Spaces...

I've now got some candles lit around the house...Orange Vanilla and Bird of Paradise from Circle E Candles, which are made not far from me in Mason, Texas; a tri-layer candle of apple pie, blueberry torte, and vanilla something from The American Candle Company (I think), and of course, Cinnamuffin and Toasted Marshmallow from Liz. Those were a gift (aside to gift-giver...BLESS YOU!!!! *G*)

And I much appreciate your offer to let us stay with you while we were close to your 'hood. There was just too much to do and too little time to do it in, ya know? We were there just about 24 hours.

I think I'm just going to relax with a couple of new magazines after I blog hop...then get ready for the party about six or so...have a great day!

2002-01-08T21:00:00.000-06:00

Well, I'd said I wouldn't be here over the weekend, and I wasn't. *g*

The past two days have been a nightmare. See, Ron's favorite aunt, the one who gave us a wedding shower when we got married, passed away very suddenly Friday afternoon. So we went ahead with our weekend, got back late Sunday, and both went to work yesterday. I then went to the mall after school to find funeral clothes, since Ron was asked to be a pallbearer. Today I was out all morning at a district meeting, at school for the afternoon, and left around 5. I'll be at school tomorrow but not Thursday or Friday. So I probably won't be here, either. Not sure yet.

Anyway, I'm pretty tired, and the pounding of the keys is literally making my ears pound as well. Night.

2002-01-03T21:51:00.000-06:00

Eek! And found via Meagan:

Take the 100 Acre Personality Quiz!

I LOVE POOH!!!!! I knew there was a reason!

2002-01-03T21:41:00.000-06:00

Interesting Google searches of late:

"Celebrities Prefer Going Bare" Um yeah, I'm sure they do...most of them have the bodies for it.
"X-rated Karen" WTF?
"X-rated Christmas cards" Just what I want to find in my mailbox...a picture of mistletoe hanging from somewhere it's not supposed to be.

2002-01-03T19:58:00.000-06:00

Saw Garth Brooks on Rosie O'Donnell today (Caroline Rhea was sitting in for Rosie). I can't believe he's really going to retire-I kinda feel it's just a publicity stunt. But is it just me, or was his old stuff far and away better than the stuff he's put out lately? His latest, Scarecrow, isn't bad, but Sevens and Fresh Horses did absolutely nothing for me. The last CD he did that I listen to beginning to end is In Pieces (the one with Callin Baton Rouge and Ain't Goin Down till the Sun Comes Up on it). Speaking of CDs, I was supposed to burn one for you a long time ago, but our CD burner is not cooperating. Sorry about that, sweetie-but we'll keep trying!

My bra gave me a rash today.

We're going to Rosenberg, TX this weekend to visit my aunt and uncle that we didn't get to see at Christmas 'cause I was sick, so I won't be online much, if at all. Maybe Sunday night, but it will just depend on what time we get home. Hope somebody comes up with a good Friday Five tomorrow-hmmm, maybe I will for change! Night all-it's CSI time!

2002-01-01T17:01:00.000-06:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

My latest test results from Emode.com say:

What Flavor Are You?
Mmm ... peppermint! Crisp and refreshing, you're the flavor of candy canes and after-dinner mints — everyone's favorite comfort candies. If you were a season, you'd be winter — bracing and energizing, but cozy, too. Your honesty and forthright personality make people feel like they've known you forever — they can't help but be drawn to your sweet, fresh nature. Perhaps a little old-fashioned, and occasionally shy, you're generally happy and well-liked. Traditional and invigorating, you're a truly tasty treat. Damn…why couldn’t I have been dark chocolate? *g*

What’s Your Celebrity Look?
Sultry Look-Who's that out way past her bedtime? You and your Sultry Look are no strangers to the nightlife. Chances are very good that you'll be caught wearing something that shows off your figure but still keeps 'em guessing. Decked out in dark mascara, deep ruby lipstick, and the most daring of dos, you're cutting loose and capable of causing the best kind of trouble. It's ladies like you who know how to take sexy right to the edge and back again. Like your celebrity soul sisters, Jennifer Lopez, Charlize Theron, and Catherine Zeta-Jones, you've got no problem showing off your assets for the crowd and letting them know just how beautiful you can be. After all, when you know how to work it, why not use it? Um, yeah…me and Jennifer Lopez as soul sistahs? I think not…

What’s Your Perfect Car?
Karen, you're a Convertible!-Ooo wee! You've got the wind in your hair, the sun on your face, and anyone with two eyes wishing they could nestle into your passenger seat. You're all about top-down, Convertible fun. We're thinking '69 Mustang, '64 Corvette, or Mazda Miata, in cherry red, of course. The car for you embodies youth, freedom, and summertime excitement. You've got a wild outlook on life and are always game for a good time. Since you're comfortable being the center of attention, you zip around town looking sleek and fresh, stealing flirty glances from your rearview mirror. Being so sexy and open, you attract friends, love interests, and joy riders wherever you go. It's no surprise if some hot number pulls alongside to challenge you to a little drag down Lovers Lane. You're the classic party mobile so crank up the music and hit the open road. Which is weird...because while I’ve only ever ridden in one convertible my whole life, I didn’t think it was all that. I prefer SUV’s, like my Rodeo. Emode, wake up! You don’t know me at all! LOL

2001-12-30T13:31:00.000-06:00

Okay, yeah, so my blog looks like crap. Sorry about that. If y'all can deal for about a month or so, it will look better eventually, I promise.

I sooo do not want to go back to school this week. At least we only have kids for two days, so that's doable, right? I have very much enjoyed my time off with my hubby, and I'm not quite ready to give it up yet.

The past two days have been pretty uneventful, hence no blogging. We did spend lots of time with our friends Craig and Julia, though, and their boys, Jack (who just turned 3) and Clay (16 months), so that was a lot of fun. Julia and I went looking at model homes yesterday, which is something we both like to do but can't drag our husbands along with us. It was pretty cool-houses in the 300+ price range will make anybody's jaw drop, LOL.

Anyway, getting ready for my brother-in-law to stop by with his girlfriend. They just returned yesterday from a trip with her parents-skiing in Park City, Utah. I'm glad Mike came back fully intact-he is rather accident-prone, and I'm anxious to meet his girlfriend. He broke up with the last one back in June, and started dating Melissa in September. Ron's mom really likes her, so that's a good thing.

TTFN-have a great Sunday!

2001-12-28T16:18:00.000-06:00

Still working on those graphics...

2001-12-26T07:28:00.000-06:00

Okay, somebody tell me how the hell my blogger password got changed?!?! I haven't even been here since Sunday! There's something fishy going on, methinks...

Anyway, check out the Porch for more later on today, but my Christmas was okay. If you count having the stomach virus from hell all day Christmas Eve as being okay, that is. Christmas wasn't much fun for either me or my darling hubby (who took such good care of me)-rather, I would say terrifically brutal.

Did anybody else catch the Trading Spaces marathon yesterday on TLC? Since I really didn't feel like getting out much, that's what went on around here. My parents came to us instead of us going to them, and we did the gift exchange and all that, so it was nice to spend time with them. Don't think I was really good company, though. But I digress...

If you've never watched Trading Spaces, it's a home-improvement show on TLC. Neighbors exchange houses for 48 hours and completely redo a room in the other's house. Some of the ideas they come up with are kind of wacky, but overall, they come out looking great! Now, I don't know that I would ever use some of the designs-I would just love to have the kind of creative mind that can come up with so many different ideas!

Anyway, off to browse for breakfast (most likely oatmeal, toast, and juice) and then time to settle in for A Baby Story. I was really thinking about hitting Foley's today (I got a gift card from my aunt and uncle-thank you! *g*), and then I thought, you IDIOT. It's the day after Christmas. Return city. What the hell you thinkin'?

2001-12-23T17:37:00.000-06:00

Well, I felt like I needed simplicity. So here it is. I *sob* made some really cute graphics with PSP, but I can't get them to show up the way I want to on the blog. Oh well. Such is life. Since I am getting bloody frustrated with it, I'm going to stop for now. I still want to tweak quite a bit, but at least it's navigable now. Ciao!

2001-12-23T15:36:00.000-06:00

Note: I am working on some template changes (obviously). So if you see something gross, hopefully it won't stay there long!

2001-12-19T15:29:00.000-06:00

Yay! I am so glad you are out for the holidays! And yes, it makes Ron jealous too...but then I am forever jealous of his schedule (work one day, two days off), so it evens out, don't ya think?

I was going to talk more about Vanilla Sky, but I don't even want to waste the space. It was horrible. Absolutely terrible. I hope Tom and Penelope last forever, because no other good can possibly come from that movie. Although I wouldn't count on it, 'cause anyone who would throw away Nicole Kidman is an idiot. I used to have a lot of respect for Tom Cruise, and now it's just...void.

And via Chris:

+ Home fries, or crinkle fries? Crinkle fries, like from OreIda.
+ Paper or plastic at the grocery? Plastic
+ Modern or "classic" art? Classic...people smearing themselves with bodily fluids does nothing for me.
+ Dine in or eat out? Both are fun...dining in means you don't have to get dressed up, though!
+ Comedy or drama? You know, my first instinct was comedy, but since my three favorite movies are two dramas and a musical, what does that say?
+ Short fingernails or long? Prefer them short, but they are long right now, at least until they break.
+ Do you own matching bath towels or an assortment of different kinds? They're maroon, hunter green, and navy blue...are those considered matching?
+ Building a snowman or making a snow angel? What the hell is snow again?
+ Corrective lenses or none? I've had contacts since high school. I can't seem to make the jump and have the LASIK surgery.
+ Rock & Roll or Country? Geez, I like both. But I think that rock has sure influenced a lot of country singers out there. I'd say rock and roll...but classic rock.

2001-12-18T17:06:00.000-06:00

Note to all: Do not, I repeat, do NOT waste ANY of your hard-earned money on the towering pile of horseshit called "Vanilla Sky". Film at eleven.

2001-12-17T20:17:00.000-06:00

What a nice day:

Got up at 7:45.
Watched a full hour of A Baby Story (one of the couples could have been me and Ron...our lives are that similar...freaky)
Went to Barnes and Noble. Couldn't find a FrontPage 2002 for Dummies book there.
On to Kohl's. Got a sweater (to wear to our Christmas open house on Friday), a new blouse, plus a Christmas floor mat that was half off and a Christmas tablecloth that was same.
To Sam's Club next. Got refreshments for said open house.
To Hastings. Decided I wasn't willing to shell out 25 bucks for a FrontPage book when I don't have my own domain anyway. Got the latest issues of People and Entertainment Weekly instead and rented America's Sweethearts.
To Target. Didn't have a decent sized ice chest. Strike.
To Wendy's. Felt very plain today, just a single, no cheese.
Came home. Ate lunch.
Watched A Dating Story (where both couples hit it off and continued to date...that almost never happens) and more Baby Story.
Swept and mopped the kitchen floor.
Watched the last 3/4s of Circle of Friends.
Did a load of laundry.
Made pasta salad and watched America's Sweethearts (which was very cute, BTW...why is it I always like what the so called experts think sucks? guess I don't know nothin' 'bout watchin' movies-but I do know that John Cusack and Julia Roberts kick ASS)
Am now blogging.

And we made it through the weekend. No one fought, everything was strained politeness. I kept busy most of the time so I wouldn't have to be in the same room with both my in-laws at the same time. And I'm about to say something that will probably sound very selfish, but my mom agreed with me, so here goes: I honestly don't want to complain about gifts. Hell, nobody has to get us anything, and I realize that, and I am truly grateful for what we do receive. I know that's not what the season's all about. BUT...why the hell did my MIL buy me a Talking and Jumping Elmo and Ron FIRE TRUCK TOYS?? WE ARE NOT FREAKIN' 8-YEAR-OLDS! The woman does not HAVE to buy us anything...we know that she is financially insecure right now. But since she DID choose to buy us something, why the hell couldn't it be something we can use? I love my MIL, I really do...but she is always buying us shitloads of crap we can't use. Even though we have politely asked her to stop. Several times. Every year she buys us a ton of Christmas ornaments. And not cheap ones, either...the Hallmark collectible ones that cost at least 15 bucks apiece. This year she came with a Foley's shopping bag LOADED with them. Which is very nice and thoughtful...but between Ron and me, we already have more ornaments than we can possibly put on the tree. She knows this. And yet she continues to buy us this stuff which will end up sitting in a closet. See, I used to collect Noah's Ark stuff. Until I decided that 1) I wasn't sure I wanted to anymore and 2)We simply ran out of room to put it. And yet she continues to buy Noah's Ark stuff. WHY WON'T SHE LISTEN?????

2001-12-14T20:56:00.000-06:00

Oh good grief. You mean I haven't been here since Tuesday?

I'm trying to get myself primed for the weekend. See, my in-laws, who are STILL in the process of divorcing after 30 years of marriage, will both be here for the weekend to celebrate Christmas. They are both coming tomorrow, will both spend the night, and will both go to church with us on Sunday. I'm really kind of looking for my FIL to bail out on us at the last minute, or say something's come up, or whatever, but PLEASE be praying (or wishing, or thinking, or whatever it is that you do) about us, would ya? Thanks heaps in advance.

I was done with school at 9:45 this morning and have been running like a madwoman ever since. In fact, I have to cut this short to take the banana bread out of the oven. Later.

2001-12-11T18:06:00.000-06:00

This is kinda neat...found through Lala:

1. shoes on or off? Barefoot. Almost always, except when I am out in public. *g*
2. meat or vegetables? Meat, baby! I don't care what anybody says, none of us would be here if our ancestors hadn't hunted animals.
3. desktop or notebook? Have both, but I really prefer my desktop. The screen's a hell of a lot bigger, LOL.
4. red or green? This question is inherently unfair because those are my two favorite colors. :-P
5. coke or pepsi? Coke. Unfortunately, our school district has a ten-year contract with Pepsi.
6. tidy or messy? A little bit of both, but lean towards tidy.
7. reading or writing? Hmmm...considering I don't have time to do either here lately...reading.
8. the letter K or the letter Q? My name is Karen...you figure it out.
9. square or circle? Squares. I like it better when things have edges.
10. rain or snow? Not much experience with snow, so that's why I'm going to choose it. I'd love to see it just come down. Just once. Please?

2001-12-11T17:40:00.000-06:00

Got to play with Paint Shop Pro a lot today while my kids were taking their final exam. It's getting easier...and it's fun! I could probably spend hours creating my own stuff. I think I'm especially fascinated by it because I can't draw a lick myself. I have never been and never will be an artist of any kind. PSP doesn't require that; only that you can maneuver a mouse and "visualize" how you want things to like. Which, I can to an extent. So maybe, if I get the chance to play with it a little more over Christmas break, ya just might see a new look here.

Everybody send good vibes to Ron this week; he's got one final tonight and the other one tomorrow night. I'm sure he's going to ace them both, but a little good karma never hurt anybody, right?

K, I'm going to head on over to the Porch...I think we're talking about Holiday music this week, which I've been listening to almost nonstop whenever I have stereo access. (Mostly in the car.) Then it's off to finish Christmas cards. *deep breath* You can do it!

2001-12-10T18:28:00.000-06:00

Just visited Liz and found a couple of cool things:

(I know this Friday Five is late. C'est la vie. Get over it.)

1. If you were to go to a movie this weekend, which one would you pick? OCEAN'S ELEVEN!!!! Um, yeah. That one.

2. What movie would you like to rent this weekend? America's Sweethearts, since Ron won't get it. He didn't want to go see it in the theater either. Men.

3. What one TV show do you always try to watch? Friends, CSI, and Third Watch. So I can't count.

4. If you (and your S.O.) were cool with it, what five celebrities (at the most) would it be 'ok' for you to have a fling with? Harrison Ford, Scott Glenn (Lord only knows why...I just think he's sexy in a greasy Urban Cowboy kinda way), and Harry Connick Jr.

5. How do you plan to spend your weekend? I SPENT my weekend with a wonderful friend. *g*

And also from Liz, through Deb:

So I'm more interesting than my weblog. I'd HAVE to be. *g*

2001-12-10T18:18:00.000-06:00

Lalalalalalalalalala.....

I had a MOST excellent visit with the hostess with the mostest this weekend. Coffee, margaritas, and fun-lovin' company? How could it get any better, you ask? If I could find a way to move her and her family to Austin...

I've been a busy girl since I got home. I need to be putting the tamales in the oven for when Ron gets home, but instead I've been installing Paint Shop Pro (thanks honey!) and upgrading to AOL 7.0. Not much difference that I can tell, but whatever. Next up is upgrading to Office XP which includes Front Page. I need to do it on the ol' Dell laptop before I do it on our desktop computer, though. When I did it on the laptop before, it did something screwy to my clip art and now I have none on there. So I'm going to uninstall and then reinstall. Wish me luck!

3 more days with children. Tomorrow is their final exam, and the two days after that we're hopefully going to watch Visions of Africa. Kids always like stuff about animals, and this 2-hour video is supposed to take them on a safari. So they should like it, and I can get my grades done. See, I always have a plan...

I am now addicted to Caramel Macchiatos.

AND I received some wonderful candles made by this cool lady...in Cinnamuffin, Spicy Pear Vanilla, Toasted Marshmallow, Banana Nut Bread, and Sugar Cookie. Sounds like a bakery instead! These candles are almost too beautiful to burn, though...

I FINALLY got around to reading Shana's latest. Check it out here if you get the urge. She never ceases to amaze me with all the twists and turns lurking about in her wonderfully creative noggin. In case you can't tell, Shana, I loved it! And I really like Anne in this universe. I haven't liked her so well in others, I admit...but here, it's different. I find myself laughing out loud at her naivete...so unexpected from such a headstrong character, even in the Colonial period!

And finally, I leave you with some quotes from the weekend:

"Moo."

"Cluck."

"That girl is just a big pussy."

"A Jewish cop, a gay guy, and a redneck walk into a Starbucks..." (Don't forget the whips!)

"aod8faenralojp9aufpgoajkerpojapfdjpoamfpaojgajja'k
a[-03ir98q7oijdo;mfz;ljgposzjgposgjposjgpso'gks'pk"

Oh, and you'll need your secret decoder ring to figure out that last bit. Heh.

2001-12-08T07:52:00.000-06:00

Okay, so I've been very bad. Sue me.

Thursday night we went to the movies with some friends of ours that we hadn't been out with in a long time. Because we wanted to go to the Alamo Drafthouse, where your dinner is served AT the movies, our movie choices were somewhat limited. Nobody else wanted to see Harry Potter (besides me, and I'm not that wild about seeing it yet 'cause I haven't read the book), definitely didn't want to see K-Pax (Kevin Spacey does absolutely nothing for me-I'm one of the very few who thought American Beauty was just terrible), so that left us with Shallow Hal. Which, as an overweight person, was not nearly as offensive as some of these squalling women's groups would have you believe. It wasn't a typical Farrelly brothers movie, them being of There's Something About Mary and Dumb and Dumber. I mean, come on people, it's a MOVIE! If you don't want to see it, then don't! What's that quote ZK says? "I may not like what you say, but I will defend to your death the right to say it." Is that Voltaire, ZK? Not sure, but the same applies to everything else too, IMHO.

Yesterday I was running around getting stuff ready for my trip this weekend (and seeing as how I need to leave in about 40 minutes, I'd better get my ass in gear). I hope my hostess likes what I'm bringing her! *g* See you in a little while, sweetie!

Which means I won't blog until tomorrow evening sometime...I know all of you will be breathless with anticipation so I'll try not to wait too long, LOLOL. Have a great Saturday (it's finally in the 50s here-yeah!)!

2001-12-05T17:47:00.000-06:00

Yes, I know I said I would blog every day this week. But it's not my fault. Really.

When I got home, Ron was defragmenting the hard drive. Now since our hard drive hasn't been defragmented since we got the computer (in March 2000), there was a TON of stuff on it! So it took almost 24 hours to defrag the thing. But that's done, and all is well, and I went through a few minutes ago and deleted a lot of stuff from My Documents and the download files, so those are cleaner now too.

A cleaner computer is a happy computer, right?

Anyway, school will be out a week from tomorrow. Thank goodness. The rest of the week is planned, and I'm giving their final on Tuesday, the only question is coming up with something to do for the other three days next week. Any ideas?

I'm so excited about my trip this weekend! What I'm not excited about is how icky I woke up feeling this morning. And I can't call in sick since we're working on the computers this week, and there has to be a certified teacher with them when they're on the computer, blah blah blah...anyway, I'm going to go to bed early tonight with a good dose of NyQuil and see if that helps.

And yes, I saw the blast from the past. Some people just don't know when to quit. God forbid she moves to Texas...then again, we'd kick her hairy ass out as soon as she crossed the Red or Sabine Rivers, by God.

Okay, off to lay down for a just a little bit, then hopefully more work on Christmas cards. They're mostly all addressed, now I just need to start on the cards themselves. AND since Ron and I decided last night that we want to have a Christmas Open House (Friday, December 21st for anyone who's interested), I need to design some little flier or invite for that as well. Tootles!

2001-12-03T18:50:00.000-06:00

Have I mentioned lately how much I love and adore my husband? He called me this afternoon to ask what time I would be home, then said he had a surprise for me. When I got home, I noticed the bedroom door was closed. When I opened it, he'd lit candles, was playing nice romantic music, and was waiting with massage lotion. (insert x-rated parts here *blush*) I kept thinking over and over as he kissed me how incredibly lucky I am...

These fake fingernails I got put on for the wedding are really starting to bug me. I figure I'll keep them for about a week or so, then start taking them off. Although maybe if I'm lucky, they'll last through Christmas. Highly unlikely though.

Well, I'm going to go spend the rest of the evening with said husband. Anybody else dying to see Ocean's Eleven and Vanilla Sky?

2001-12-02T14:52:00.000-06:00

Ahh...I love weddings. My best friend Kristen got married yesterday. It was so absolutely perfect. Greg shocked the heck out of her (and everybody else) at the very end of the ceremony when he sang "When You Love a Woman" (I think it's by Chicago) to her. At that point, everybody lost it. The bride, the groom, the bride's parents, etc.

Just kinda taking it easy today. I've picked up the house (boy, was it heavy *g*) and started addressing envelopes for Christmas cards. I am making a pledge to myself (you are all witnesses): I WILL BLOG EVERY DAY THIS WEEK, EVEN IF IT'S JUST ONE SENTENCE. Now hold me to it!

2001-11-28T17:07:00.000-06:00

FINALLY! A chance to blog. I'm telling you, I haven't even wanted to SEE a computer this week. Although I have been busy putting up Christmas decorations the past two nights (and finally got done last night). This week at school, I've been teaching the kids how create databases using Microsoft Access, which is a program I'm not very familiar with myself. I'm just teaching them the simplest things so they can do it and use simple filters, that sort of thing. But I've had to create everything they're doing myself, which took more time than I had anticipated. (I guess the fact that I waited until the last minute had nothing to do with it being hard, but I digress. *g*) Anyway, it's going very well, and tomorrow is the last day of it. It has convinced me more than ever that I want to be a technology facilitator, or at the very least, a technology applications teacher where the kids can learn to use different programs. I love the fact that they're using something they can apply in real life...which is not always possible with world cultures/history curriculum. I mean, it's neat when you can tie history in to current events, and then you experience the "a-HA!" moments which are cool. But it doesn't happen as often as I'd like.

We're finally getting a bit of a cold snap. Actually, they are now predicting that the SNOW (yes, not just ICE, but SNOW) will move into Austin about 10:00 tonight. I am very skeptical that we'll actually get any. We'll have to see if they cancel school or not...I'd be just as happy if they didn't. I sure wouldn't want to make the day up! Maybe we could start late, though...that would be nice.

Anyway, I'm going to go stay glued to the weather for the evening...Ron's stupid instructor didn't even cancel class tonight, so now I'll be worried till he gets home. Maybe I'll use the time to hunt for some Christmas graphics...

2001-11-25T20:08:00.000-06:00

Ah...back safe and sound from another great visit with the Oklahoma clan. Ron got to go duck hunting for the first time, and got five ducks! The really cool thing is that he got a banded bird. Some guys hunt for years and years and never get a banded bird, and Ron got one on his very first shot! He's got the band on his keychain...the cool thing is that there's a number you call, tell them the number on the band, and they'll tell you how old the duck was, where it was caught and banded, and send you a certificate. We're planning to go back in mid-December if we can...I'm off for three weeks, so no problem there, it will just depend on his work schedule...

We also stopped for a couple of hours in Fort Worth yesterday to see Ron's aunts and uncles. That was fun...we don't get to see them very much either. Had dinner and some good talks.

Anyway, the dryer's buzzing...my last load of the night! Hope to blog more later about our Thanksgiving...oh, and look for some new Christmas graphics later this week. That is, if I have time. Tomorrow night is reserved for ironing and Christmas decorating (Ron put up the outside lights and un-decorated tree today), and Tuesday and Wednesday nights I'm hoping to get my Christmas cards done. I'll pretty much be out of commission on Friday and Saturday. We'll be in San Antonio for Kristen's wedding.

Have a marvelous Monday, all!

2001-11-19T17:37:00.000-06:00

They're a-comin'!

The holidays, I mean. Haven't done a lick of Christmas shopping, although I did make out my Christmas card list last night. And yes, there are a few of you on there...and some I don't have addresses for that I need (don't worry, I have my ways of getting them, heh). Getting ready to pack up and head to Oklahoma for Turkey Day, we'll leave Wednesday morning and return sometime on Saturday...possibly Sunday if we stay a night in Burleson (south of Fort Worth) with Ron's aunt. That's pretty doubtful, though. I'm making cookies to take with us and stuff to make Hot Corn. I feel like I should take some kind of a meat dish, although I don't know what the hell I'd take. Maybe some chili? But my mom is taking deer chili. And tamales. I'm sure we'll have turkey and ham as well, and my uncle will probably bring a turducken. Pies? We'll probably have those out the wazoo as well...I know that my mom is taking a cherry pie and a pecan pie. Any suggestions would be most welcome. And I'm about to go post my Hot Corn recipe on the porch, so feel free to use that if you like.

Thought I'd throw in some things that I got an email today that I found rather humorous...

How To Keep A Healthy Level Of Insanity

1. At lunch time, sit in your parked car with sunglasses on and point a hair dryer at passing cars. See if they slow down.
2. Page yourself over the intercom. Don't disguise your voice.
3. Every time someone asks you to do something, ask if they want fries with that.
4. Put your garbage can on your desk and label it "in"
5. Put decaf in the coffee maker for 3 weeks. Once everyone has gotten over their caffeine addictions, switch to espresso.
6. In the memo field of all your checks, write "for sexual favors".
7. Finish all your sentences with "in accordance with the prophecy."
8. Dont use any punctuation marks
9. As often as possible, skip rather than walk.
10. Ask people what sex they are. Laugh hysterically after they answer.
11. Specify that your drive-through order is "to go".
12. Sing along at the opera.
13. Go to a poetry recital and ask why the poems don't rhyme.
14. Put mosquito netting around your work area. Play a tape of jungle sounds all day.
15. Five days in advance, tell your friends you can't attend their party because you're not in the mood.
16. Have your coworkers address you by your wrestling name, Rock Hard Kim.
17. When the money comes out the ATM, scream "I won!", "I won!" "3rd time this week!!!!!"
18. When leaving the zoo, start running towards the parking lot, yelling "run for your lives, they're loose!!"
19. Tell your children over dinner. "due to the economy, we are going to have to let one of you go."

Catch ya on the flip side.

2001-11-15T20:56:00.000-06:00

It is raining cats and dogs. I think I may have even seen a few monkeys out there.

Ron's gone in to work some overtime...WHY is it that people INSIST on driving through low water crossings? "Oh, I can make it," they tell themselves. Never mind the fact that the vehicle that just went through the crossing was a jacked-up 4x4 with fifty miles of clearance and you're in a Toyota Tercel. We have roads closed and creeks flooding all over the place, and the guys have already had to rescue people who jumped out of their car and were hanging onto trees because their car got swept away. And that was just the FIRST water rescue call.

Woo-hoo! Grissom at a fetish shop. CSI showed a nipple tonight...can they get in trouble for that? Just asking.

With more rain in the forecast, I'm hoping that either 1)School is cancelled tomorrow (fat chance) or 2) Many parents, not able to get to work in Central Austin from Round Rock, will stay home and opt to keep their kids home with them. LOL I am such a dreamer.

2001-11-13T20:32:00.000-06:00

Geez.

First of all, the weekend went really well. I was in San Antonio performing bridesmaid duties (fitting Saturday morning, bachelorette party Saturday night-complete with penis cake and stripper, and the bridal shower on Sunday. The whole weekend was so much fun, getting to see Kristen and having all of the "our baby girl's growing up" kind of feelings. And my ex-roommate and I got along amazingly well. It was kind of nice. I'll be back down there next weekend for my last fitting and to help Kristen with her bridal portrait, which will be taken at Mission San Jose. It's one of the five missions in San Antonio's National Historical Park. She and Greg took their engagement pictures at the McNay Art Museum, which coincidentally enough happens to be the same place that Ron and I took our engagement pictures AND where I had my bridal portrait done. Both places are really beautiful, and the nicest part is that they are free for the public to use. You don't have to make reservations and nobody charges you to have it done. Tres cool.

This is truly the week from hell. The nicest thing that has happened is that I had a meeting on Thursday afternoon that has been cancelled. From now until Thanksgiving, we have parent conferences and/or 504 meetings every day (and today we had two!). I'm also going to be gone half a day tomorrow for a district meeting, and all day Thursday for my last Intel class. And one week for tomorrow we leave for Oklahoma! I'm sure it will all get put together, but I'm having fits just thinking about it all! Tomorrow is really going to bite. I'm out the half day, which means I will miss a parent conference I wish I were going to be there for, then we have our honor roll party during advisory, during which time we will have to listen to kids gripe and moan about the unfairness of it all (and I kind of agree with them-but that's neither here nor there right now), and a social studies department meeting after school, which I'm supposed to provide snacks for. AND I have to provide snacks for the Intel class on Thursday, during which time I will be missing ANOTHER parent conference. Thank God I actually decided to be organized this year and have a calendar in which I write these kinds of things down in, otherwise I'd be up the creek without a paddle.

And to top it off, Ron's been sick. I don't think it's anything serious, but he's being all manly-man-like and won't go to the doctor. He'd better not get me sick, LOL! AND he shaved off his mustache. It's nice, but different. He looks really different without it now. I'll get used to it, though.

Anyway, I'll post tomorrow, even if it's only to let you know that I'm still alive and kicking. I'm so glad you worry about me, darlin'-it makes me feel loved!

Have a good night, all-hasta manana!

2001-11-09T21:23:00.000-06:00

A BIG shout out to ZK and Deb for pointing me in Elizabeth's direction! Love her graphics AND her blog! AND I got this there, too:

My Friday Five:

1. What toothpaste do you use? Colgate Total

2. What color/brand is your toothbrush? I always use the Oral-B ones we get from the dentist. Otherwise, I usually buy Crest Complete.

3. Do you use mouthwash? Fresh Burst Listerine. I never, EVER, thought I'd use Listerine-I can remember my grandmother using the gold kind and being smelly for a long time afterward. But the minty flavors really aren't too bad.

4. What gum/breath mints/breath spray do you use? Either Dentyne Ice Arctic Chill or Wrigley's Eclipse in Polar Ice.

5. How do you plan to spend your weekend? I've got bridesmaid's duties this weekend. Tomorrow morning I need to be in San Antonio at 8:30 to have our fittings done, then shop and make sure all decorations for the shower on Sunday that I bought are okay, pick up the cake for said shower at 3, then spend the night with my parents visiting. Sunday, gotta pick up a gift and then go have the shower. Which will be fun, I'm just glad when it will be over with.

So that's where I'll be. I may not get back till Sunday night, so don't have too much fun without me!

2001-11-08T20:14:00.000-06:00

OH! And before I forget, on Sunday night, there is an I Love Lucy 50th Anniversary Special. Go here to find out more. People voted for their favorite episodes. My personal favorite was the Vitameatavegamin commercial, where she gets progressively drunker with each take!

2001-11-08T20:01:00.000-06:00

Hmmm...somebody's day was boring enough to search for hot to teach kids about Afghanistan. Sicko!

2001-11-08T19:36:00.000-06:00

What a shitty-ass day. You would think that I would have been this pissy last week, when I was OTR. I have no excuse this week, so it must be students, parents, and idiotic co-workers. Right? Geez, tomorrow HAS to be better.

2001-11-07T21:49:00.000-06:00

Watching the country music awards with half an eye. I was happy that Toby Keith just won the male vocalist award-he kicks butt!

From Emode:

Karen, you're like Teresa Cooper!

You're as American as apple pie and southern hospitality. You've got a good old-fashioned work ethic that will instantly endear yourself to the Samburu Tribe. Your aerobics and marathon experience make you one of the fittest contestants, but you might want to pack on the pounds before you leave, since you're sure to drop a few over the next few weeks.

I'm not watching Survivor:Africa, so somebody tell me about this chick, please!

2001-11-06T16:24:00.000-06:00

Alrighty, I think I got BlogBack fixed....let's see...

2001-11-06T07:31:00.000-06:00

K, two quick things before I take off for my computer class today:

1) When the hell did I type something about wallpaper that all of a sudden all these wallpaper searches are finding me? Just since Sunday, people have found me by looking for wallpaper of these things:

Smarties candy
The Band
The Doors
Dave Matthews Band (like THREE times!!)
Jimi Hendrix
Radiohead
Pearl Jam Ten

Get over it, already! LOL

and 2) I've now joined the Austin Webloggers. See if any of your regular reads are listed, or find a brand new one! I'll add a button later today when I've got a bit more time-I still have to go do my hair.

Have a great day, y'all!

2001-11-05T20:26:00.000-06:00

From Kathy J.:

The Four Things List:

Four things you'd eat on the last day of your life:
Krispy Kreme chocolate glazed donuts
Alice Springs Chicken from Outback Steakhouse
Bacon green chili cheeseburger from Chester's in San Antonio
Chicken fajita quesadillas

Four names for an adorable new puppy:
Bear *g*
Sasha *g*
Wags
Liquor (get it?)

Your four least favorite CDs from your collection:
Hasn't everybody bought a CD for one song only to find that the rest of it sucked? I got rid of those so fast I can't list four of them.

Four movies that made you think:
Frequency
Steel Magnolias
Silence of the Lambs
Psycho

Four celebrities you would have sex with:
Harrison Ford
Ben Affleck
Harry Connick Jr.
Steven Tyler

Four shades of blue:
Cerulean
Navy
Royal
Midnight

Four causes to which you'd donate money if you won the lottery:
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
American Heart Association
March of Dimes
Children's Miracle Network

Four vacations you have taken:
Cancun, Mexico
Utah/Wyoming/Montana/Idaho
Rhode Island/Massachusetts/New Hampshire/Maine
New Orleans, Louisiana

Four songs that frequently get stuck in your head:
"Here we are now, going to the southside..." Moby and Gwen Stefani
My Sharona by The Knack
How Do You Like Me Now? by Toby Keith
The Aggie War Hymn

Four things you'd like to learn:
To not let things pile up until the last minute
To be fluent in Spanish (I can get by VERY brokenly)
Where Jimmy Hoffa is buried
Microsoft Front Page

Four beverages you drink frequently:
Water
Caffeine free Diet whatever (Coke or Pepsi, whatever's on sale)
Milk
Does Slim Fast count as a beverage? I have one every morning.

Four TV shows that were on when you were a kid:
The Dukes of Hazzard
Wonder Woman
The Love Boat
The Facts of Life

Four places to go in your city:
Sixth Street
Alamo Drafthouse
State Capitol
Barton Springs Pool (water is 68º year round!)

Four things to do with a rubber band:
Stretch it
Shoot people
Hold newspaper together
Wrap it around your finger until the tip turns purple (for lack of anything better)

2001-11-05T19:22:00.000-06:00

Oh my lordy. We got back last night around 6:30 and all we wanted to do was eat and go to sleep. A hot bath has never felt so good in my LIFE!!! We drove all day Thursday, from Austin to Big Bend (about 10 hours), partied our little tushies off Friday and Saturday (I saw my first wet t-shirt contest...it was definitely different!), and drove back yesterday. I managed to take a couple of pictures before the batteries in the digital camera went out, so I'll try to load those here in a little bit. Big Bend is absolutely beautiful. In addition to driving throughout most of the park, we especially liked the Chisos Basin, which is essentially a forest in the middle of the desert, and Santa Elena Canyon, in which you walk across the riverbed and climb...and climb...and climb...and then you are looking out on such amazing things...the steep canyon walls, the mountains in the distance...wow. I highly recommend it. There's a resort in Lajitas, which is not too far from the park, or you can stay in the Lodge at the Basin.

I've got so much blogging to do and an email to send ZK...catch up later!

2001-10-28T17:49:00.000-06:00

Oh, and I have five emails I need to answer. I'll do my best before I leave Thursday, I promise!

And it just floors me how quickly and completely people can turn their backs on someone. Someone they've purported to be friends with...talk about betrayal! I thought that was a word used only in soap operas. Let me tell you, I've witnessed it in the past couple of days. It ain't pretty. Not one little bit.

2001-10-28T17:46:00.000-06:00

Hmmm....why have I shown up on two searches for "Dave Matthews Band wallpaper"? I'm assuming the person is meaning COMPUTER wallpaper, and not the kitchen/bathroom kind...can you imagine Dave Matthews staring at you while you shower? Well, I'm sure there are some of you out there who would get a big kick out of that, but he doesn't do anything for me. Sorry.

2001-10-27T20:28:00.000-05:00

Today's been a good day. Crazy busy, but good. But let me start with last night.

I knew yesterday morning that Ron and I were going to end up going out last night, we just weren't sure to where. We ended up at El Arroyo with Julia and Craig, Patsy, and Rob. Craig is Julia's husband (they're the ones with the two adorable little boys I've blogged about before), and Julia, Patsy, and I teach together; Rob is our assistant principal. Multiple margaritas and beers and two hours later, we met up with Patsy's husband, Monte, at an Albertson's not far away (unbeknownst to us, he was following us through the store the whole time we were there while Julia and Patsy were playing with the beef summer sausages...the other guys made a beeline for the beer aisle and pretended not to know us) and buy cheese and beverages for a "whine and cheese" party our school social committee put together. We almost didn't find the little park the party was at because you had turn on a private drive that went right in between two houses, but we finally did, and it was so much fun!!! We danced and talked and I laughed like I hadn't laughed in ages. For all the frustrations this school year has brought so far, the best thing to come out of it is the awesome people I work with.

Today I woke up at 9:00 (gotta love the weekends!), paid bills, had a long IM conversation with my friend Kelli who I haven't seen since she and her husband moved to College Station, and went mega-shopping. I got a gift card at Pier One Imports for my cousin Chris and his wife Davina, who had their Halloween housewarming party today. Davina should be an interior decorator...she is so talented! She made a lamp out a Fiestaware teapot, colander, and part of an old lampshade. Their house looks really good, and the outside does too! Trees planted everywhere already, a trellis, an archway...I was floored! My house tends to be furnished in Early American Garage Sale.

AND, they've opened up a Lane Bryant two miles from my house! I'd been having to go to Lakeline Mall, which is about ten miles away, so it wasn't far, but two miles is a LOT closer! I got a cream-colored cable knit sweater that zips down the front and I just love it! I also needed a new bra and decided to try the royal blue satin string bikini panties. *blush*

Then I went to Target for the REAL mega shopping experience. Ron and I will be traveling to Terlingua, Texas, on Thursday for the International Chili-Cook-off and coming back Sunday. We're going with Craig and Julia and camping in Big Bend...in the desert!! Never been to Big Bend before, but I hear it's absolutely incredible at night. So we needed some warm clothes (long sleeve T-shirts, flannel, stuff like that). I also bought glass cleaner, Halloween candy (100 Grand, Butterfinger BBs, Smarties, and Raisinets), and Pepsi.

So now I'm home and kinda bored. Although I must say, I'm looking forward to the extra hour of sleep tonight! Hope everyone else enjoys it! Tomorrow I have to address bridal shower invitations, so my day will be busy!

2001-10-25T18:31:00.000-05:00

Via Melissa:

Bands I "supposedly" like best:

# 1 Paul Simon
# 2 Eric Clapton
# 3 Aerosmith
# 4 Live
# 5 Pink Floyd
# 6 The Doors
# 7 Billy Joel
# 8 Dave Mathews Band
# 9 Metallica
# 10 Jethro Tull
# 11 Ben Folds Five
# 12 Black Sabbath
# 13 Abba
# 14 Radiohead
# 15 Tool
# 16 Alice in Chains
# 17 Nirvana
# 18 Pearl Jam
# 19 Jimi Hendrix
# 20 Led Zeppelin
# 21 The Beatles
# 22 The Who
# 23 Duran Duran
# 24 Nine Inch Nails
# 25 Red Hot Chilli Peppers

Pretty close...I LOVE Aerosmith and LOATHE the Red Hot Chili Peppers, but I am not wild about the Dave Matthews Band or Radiohead at all. At least I've heard of them all *g*.

2001-10-25T17:03:00.000-05:00

Oh. My. God. I've gotta go do some research.

2001-10-24T07:39:00.000-05:00

Heh. I was in an Emode mood this morning:

Your TV family is the Keatons!

What would we do, baby, without us? Cue the oil painting credits sequence — your family is most like The Keatons. Hippie idealists with a healthy dash of conservatism (in the form of Michael J. Fox...), Steven, Elyse, Alex, Mallory, Jennifer, and even little Andrew are your family's TV soulmates.You don't by any chance have a weird next door neighbor named Skippy, do you? Nah... But that doesn't matter. Your family is still a lot like the Keatons in the ways that really matter. Sure, you have your disagreements (remember how much Steven and Elyse hated Mallory's monosyllabic boyfriend Nick at first?), but you get over them and ultimately find your Family Ties closer than ever because of them. You're not exactly traditional, but you've got love and understanding to spare. So whip up something to eat (be sure to throw in some granola), and plan a family dinner already! Sha la la laa...

and...

Your celebrity match is Ben Affleck!

Lucky duck! You get tall, dark, and handsome celebrity stud Ben Affleck as your dream date (too bad you couldn't get lifelong best bud Matt Damon, too, eh?). Talented, clean-cut, ambitious, and as cute as they come, this sweet, slightly goofy preppy is just the Mr. Right you've been looking for. You've always had a weakness for a guy who's a little rougher around the edges, which is why Benny boy is right up your alley. A risk-taker who strikes us as a bit of a devil in disguise, Gwyneth's ex would take you for a walk on the wild side and indulge your inner bad girl. Smile for smile and sarcastic quip for sarcastic quip, we know this Oscar-winning Bostonian would show you a good time.

But somehow I just don't see those two things going together...

2001-10-23T19:43:00.000-05:00

It has been one heck of a couple of days. From chasing down my student with Asperger's Syndrome, to dealing with a parent who insists on sending the entire schools email about teaching creationism along with evolution, and having to do morning duty for someone else who doesn't do it and then lies to the principal about it. (I didn't do that by choice, BTW-I was making my own rounds during morning duty when I found there was no one out by the area where the parents drop their kids off. That is a high danger zone, too.

Today was much better...gave the OLSAT test 1st period (like an IQ test), then read Junior Scholastic with the kids in my other classes. This month's issue is all about Afghanistan and the Taliban...I think it answered a lot of questions for the kids better than I ever could.

I've been so tired lately...and I have a housewarming party to go to Saturday that I haven't bought a present for yet, and I am just wanting to sleep. That's all. Last night I was in bed by 9:30.

And as I told Deb today, I've made the decision to get my own domain. When exactly is up in the air, but it will happen. I'm tired of all the problems with the graphics, plus it would just be nice to have all the control myself.

Anyway, time for pina coladas...I'll head over to the porch in a few (after I've had a few, LOL)! TTFN.

2001-10-23T15:49:00.000-05:00

More to come later...trying one last thing with my graphics, at the suggestion of the wonderful Kathy! :-)

2001-10-21T19:43:00.000-05:00

Okay, NOW what the hell is the matter?

2001-10-21T19:40:00.000-05:00

That was weird...for the last two days, my graphics hadn't been showing up. So I moved them from Chattown to Geocities and now they work just fine!

2001-10-20T21:22:00.000-05:00

It's nine o'clock on a Saturday...
The regular crowd shuffles in...
-Billy Joel, Piano Man

Everyone has those times when they just need to get drunk. And I got about halfway there last night. Yesterday's Happy Hour (oh, SORRY-choir practice, I mean) was at El Chico. I swear I only had three margaritas, but they kicked ass and a half! Actually, I just had a good buzz on...not drunk or impaired or anything by any stretch. And then I got home and was tremendously tired. We'd made plans to go see a band last night, but Ron and I were both freakin' exhausted. But Happy Hour was the most fun yet...we all sat around and shouted out meaningless trivia questions (On Gilligan's Island, what was the Skipper's real name?) and sang 80s songs ("You can dance if you want to..") It was the most fun!

Today was good. A very nice day spent with my hubby...except I was really crabby this morning. I must be PMSing, which is actually a good thing because it's a sign that the pills I'm currently taking are working. See, my body hasn't produced a period on its own since June, and March before that, so since we're hoping to hear nursery rhymes sometime in the future, it'd be a good thing if I had a regular cycle, ya know? But I digress. We went skeet shooting this morning (actually, we shot trap, which I don't like as much...therefore I only shot one round, and Ron did four). We came home and attended to evil but necessary household chores (he vacuumed and patched up the hole in the garage wall, and I did laundry, dusted, and cleaned the kitchen), then he went and got a haircut, I made chocolate chip cookies and fixed supper. Tried some new things: a noodle-rice pilaf recipe from Taste of Home, and a Fried Corn recipe I got from my old roommate a few years ago. Both turned out pretty well.

Speaking of my old roommate...she's recently re-entered my life. She sent me an email saying that she wanted to apologize, she felt terrible, and was afraid I hated her (in case you've missed previous discussions, we were friends for six years and then she bailed on me three weeks before my wedding). I want to talk to her again, and I don't hate her by any means, but I'm not ready for more personal contact yet. I'll get there eventually, but how do you rebuild trust once it's been broken?

And I know there is someone I owe an email to about a similar issue. It's not that I've been ignoring you, I just don't know what to do with that right now. I am thinking, though...know you are not forgotten.

2001-10-18T17:38:00.000-05:00

Also added some new linky love-check out the links page.

2001-10-18T17:04:00.000-05:00

Via Melissa:

My Top Gun Pilot Call Sign is Player. Interesting.

Oh, and since she also mentions makeup, let me put in a plug for Max Factor Lipfinity. Lip paint that, I swear, stays on ALL DAY!!! Even during meals and drinking and everything. It's just as bright at the end of the day as when you first put it on. Comes with its own gloss stick, too. Very cool stuff.

And from Becky: The Top Ten Ugliest Bands of All Time". Have to admit I cringed while reading down the list 'cause I like most of the bands...then erupted into fast, furious laughter at the #1 choice. *g*

2001-10-18T08:18:00.000-05:00

Heh heh heh. I get to play hooky today (kind of). It's my third Intel computer class, so no school for Karen! Boy, when this class is over (November 15th is the last day), it's really going to be weird to think "Gosh, I have to go to school EVERY Thursday now!" LOL

I have been so freakin' tired the last week or so. Actually, I've been tired since August. Everyone at my school is feeling overwhelmed; yesterday alone three people confessed to me that they've thought about quitting teaching after this year. And I confess, too, I've thought about not teaching-but doing something else still at the school, like trying for a tech facilitator position in our district. Of course, if we do end up moving and selling our house, I'll probably be looking for a job another district altogether. Which sucks, because I really like our district, and we do actually have decent pay and benefits (as far as teachers go, anyway). But we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

Anyway, I'd better go blog hop before class starts. I'll check in later-have a great day!

2001-10-15T19:56:00.000-05:00

From the "when it rains it pours" category...

Yesterday, we found what appears to be a wet spot on our wallpaper that is right next to our shower tile. It hasn't gotten any bigger, and we have no idea what it could be from. Called the insurance today, and they're supposed to get back to us within 72 hours...we'll see. So Ron was upset about that, thinking (in his manly-man way) that it was somehow his fault. THEN...

...it started around 5 yesterday. We kept hearing some kind of construction machine in the vacant lot/salvage yard right behind our house. Well, when it was still going after 10, we called the police and asked if there was some kind of noise ordinance. Turns out there is, and the cop (who ended up being a guy that Ron knows) went over to make them stop. (Of course it was, "Gee, officer, I didn't realize it was so late..."yada yada yada.) The officer called us back after he got finished and said, "I just thought you'd like to know...there's going to be a wrecker service going in right behind your house." Well shit. We're definitely ready to move now...but the question is, would we be able to sell our house? There are already three houses for sale on the two streets closest to us, and many more everywhere else. Anyway...

Suffice it to say, I was way too pissed off and not "with it" enough to teach today. The kids worked with partners doing two maps and a chapter review. Cruel and heartless? Maybe. But honestly, we hardly ever work out of the book anyway. The practice was good for 'em.

2001-10-14T17:49:00.000-05:00

Taking my cue from Deb:

Theme song:I Will Survive!

The fiery confidence you normally keep under wraps blazes in your eyes every time your theme song turns on the table. People stand back and wait to be impressed by you—whether leading a project team, or firing up for a girls' night out.

Shoes:Chic Urban Shoes!

That's right, girlie, when the sun goes down and the lights burn bright, you're as hip as they come. Style is important to you because you're always walking in new directions—which is why you're like a Chic Urban Shoe. You've got no worries when new things and people come your way.

The Coffee Test:The Sweetheart

Sweet, smooth, and lighthearted. Is that you or your coffee? To the casual observer, there's really no difference. How you take your coffee provides people with a small window into your personality. Here's what one might see...

Comfort is key. Your coffee says that you don't like anything rough around the edges. If you could coat the world in sugary sweetness, you would. You are kind and have a potentially bubbly personality. Your coffee-style labels you as a fun-loving individual who doesn't get bogged down by overly serious things. You like to make the most of each day, and you take time to enjoy yourself. When it comes to uncomfortable situations, you would rather avoid them than confront them. You most likely surround yourself with friends, and when it comes to life, it's all about having a good time.

And I had to see "What Kind of 'Friend' I Am":

You've got a little bit of Rachel going on!

She's everybody's sweetheart, despite some (mostly) endearing quirks. And it looks like you too, have a little Rachel Green inside you. (If you're lucky, you might share her good looks too).

Anyone else wanna play?

2001-10-13T17:00:00.000-05:00

I honestly had not realized that I hadn't blogged since Tuesday! You know, it's always the short weeks at school that seem the longest.

We had a wicked storm blow through here last night. It was one of those that literally came in roaring. I spent about 30 minutes in the interior bathroom of our house...Ron was at work, and when the storm hit, so did all the calls. They ran their butts off from roughly 11:30 to 2, then were back up around 4 or so...

Today was open house at the fire station 'cause of Fire Prevention Week. Our friends Craig and Julia came up and brought their two little boys (Jack and Clay, who have just stolen my heart-Jack is almost three and Clay turned a year in August). We then went to Target and bought baby gifts for my friend Dana, who is due December 2.

Then we came home, Ron played his new Delta Force:Land Warrior game, and I took a roughly three hour nap. Now he's asleep,and I think I'm going to order pizza. We skipped lunch somewhere in there, and we're pretty damn hungry. At least I am-he's asleep, but he'll eat.

Now, if I can find the number to Pizza Classics, we'll be all set...

2001-10-09T20:01:00.000-05:00

Caffeine free Diet Coke doesn't taste bad, and it's better for me, too.

I'm doing laundry and I only have enough Tide left for one more load.

I'm watching Undeclared.

I have a baby shower to send a gift to, a housewarming to attend, and a bridal shower to plan all in the next month.

My little toe on my right foot hurts.

I'm finally caught up on grading papers.

All the windows in the house, except for one in the kitchen, are open with a nice breeze.

But it's very humid.

Sleep is good.

Bills are not.

LOL

2001-10-07T16:36:00.000-05:00

More later. Friggin' papers still await.

2001-10-06T12:43:00.000-05:00

I really needed this morning. Sleeping until almost ten. Getting up, warming up a English muffin breakfast sandwich and brewing my first pot of coffee of the season. (I only drink coffee in cool/cold weather-and I drown it with so much other stuff, it's barely recognizable as coffee. This morning it was sugar and Southern butter pecan creamer.) Perusing the newspaper until muffin and coffee were finished. Taking a nice hot bath, which including washing my hair and shaving my legs. Putting on my dark blue polar bear pajama pants and my dark blue long sleeve undershirt. Relaxing. Quiet. Just me.

Thanks to my darling hubby vacuuming the house for me yesterday, the only household chore that awaited me was changing the sheets on all the beds. That done, I'm getting in some quality computer time. Catching up. Revisiting. Laughing. Empathizing.

I'm sitting here with more coffee, college football (Tennessee and Georgia) in the background. I'm awaiting the Texas-OU game. Now normally I would rather shove bamboo shoots under my fingernails than root for the Longhorns, but they ARE playing the Sooners. And given that I've got near and dear Okies in my family who love to give us shit for being from Texas, I just HAVE to root for the Horns. It's the only day of the year I'll do so, so mark it on your calendar...

Haven't been here in a while because Thursday night I planted my ass in front of the TV (Friends-OH MY GOD, did anybody see it? I just knew it!-and CSI.) My two fixes of the week. The only other show I really like is That 70s Show. And my other fix is Third Watch-LOVE that show. Thank God the new season starts Monday-I've been going through serious withdrawal. And it will be very interesting to see how they handle the events of September 11th.

Last night, Ron and I rented two movies, opened up all the windows as the cool front blew in, and pulled the mattress off one of the other beds. We put it in the living room floor and a wonderful time. It was just like when we were dating. We watched Along Came a Spider (pretty good, but not as good as the book) and The Mummy Returns (again-so cool).

The only thing that will spoil today is the fact that I brought home ten zillion papers to grade. But I must set my priorities. Gonna run and see what Deb has been up to lately...

2001-10-03T19:07:00.000-05:00

What a fucking day.

It didn't start off too badly. I didn't go to school for the first half of the day because I had a meeting at one of the other middle schools in the district. See I'm the "UIL coordinator" for our school. Which means that I go to a lot of meetings, organize events, and basically endure a lot of headaches for $500 a year. So the coordinators had our first meeting of the school year today. Which was fine. Except, at 11:15, right when everyone is getting ready to leave to go back to their own campus, the person in charge of the DISTRICT meet (which the date of, plus an alternate date, has been planned since APRIL, mind you) says, "Oh, BY THE WAY, neither of the dates we selected for the district meet will work. So I guess we need to talk about that next time." Okay, we had been there for three fucking hours by that point. Like she didn't have the opportunity to say anything before that? That's the most important part of this crap, and now we're supposed to wait until our next meeting in December to talk about it? I don't think so. Why, oh why, do I get stuck with the idiots....

So I make a mad dash back to school and get there just before my next class comes in. Class was fine, I was giving a test on Egypt today so the kids were quiet and good. Which I REALLY needed them to be today. Then, at 2:30, we're supposed to have an honor roll party for the kids who made all A's or A's and B's on their report cards. The teacher who organized it all wasn't at school today (medical emergency-long story), so that was extra stress. Thank God we had wonderful parents who came in to help with that, because I couldn't even go to it! My department had planning during advisory time today, so I missed the party altogether. Oh well. I was just so damn glad for this day to be over with, and doubly glad that I don't have to go tomorrow. It's my next Intel class, so I'll be out all day. Shucky darn.

Well, I've got persuasive essays to grade, so I'd better get to that. Damn, the fun just never stops around here. *g*

2001-10-02T20:40:00.000-05:00

Gosh, it has been forever since I've gotten to blog-hop! Must make time for that tomorrow night. Tonight I had to do my homework for my Intel class, I'm doing laundry, and watching Pretty Woman. My hubby just got home...life is sweet. :-)

2001-10-01T19:41:00.000-05:00

I know it's grey day, but I wanted to share this 'cause it's so damn fitting. That Dr. Seuss was one smart man. God bless him. (Received via email)

The Binch
By: Rob Suggs
Date: September 13, 2001

Every U down in Uville liked U.S. a lot,
But the Binch, who lived Far East of Uville, did not.
The Binch hated U.S! the whole U.S. way!
Now don't ask me why, for nobody can say.
It could be his turban was screwed on too tight.
Or the sun from the desert had beaten too bright
But I think that the most likely reason of all
May have been that his heart was two sizes too small.

But, Whatever the reason, his heart or his turban,
He stood facing Uville, the part that was urban.
"They're doing their business," he snarled from his perch.
"They're raising their families! They're going to
church!
They're leading the world, and their empire is
thriving,
I MUST keep the S's and U's from surviving!"

Tomorrow, he knew, all the U's and the S's,
Would put on their pants and their shirts and their
dresses,
They'd go to their offices, playgrounds and schools,
And abide by their U and S values and rules,

And then they'd do something he liked least of all,
Every U down in U-ville, the tall and the small,
Would stand all united, each U and each S,
And they'd sing Uville's anthem, "God bless us! God bless!"
All around their Twin Towers of Uville, they'd stand, and their voices would
drown every sound in the land.
"I must stop that singing," Binch said with a smirk, And he had an idea-an
idea that might work!
The Binch stole some U airplanes in U morning hours, And crashed them right
into the Uville Twin Towers. "They'll wake to disaster!" he snickered, so
sour, "And how can they sing when they can't find a tower?"
The Binch cocked his ear as they woke from their
sleeping,
All set to enjoy their U-wailing and weeping,
Instead he heard something that started quite low, And it built up quite
slow, but it started to grow-
And the Binch heard the most unpredictable thing...
And he couldn't believe it-they started to sing!
He stared down at U-ville, not trusting his eyes, What he saw was a
shocking, disgusting surprise!
Every U down in U-ville, the tall and the small,
Was singing! Without any towers at all!

He HADN'T stopped U-Ville from singing! It sung!
For down deep in the hearts of the old and the young, Those Twin Towers were
standing, called Hope and called Pride, And you can't smash the towers we
hold deep inside.
So we circle the sites where our heroes did fall, With a hand in each hand
of the tall and the small, And we mourn for our losses while knowing we'll
cope, For we still have inside that U-Pride and U-Hope.
For America means a bit more than tall towers,
It means more than wealth or political powers,
It's more than our enemies ever could guess,
So may God bless America! Bless us! God bless!

2001-09-28T12:35:00.000-05:00

I have some decisions to make this weekend. I think a round tonight will help with that!

2001-09-27T21:34:00.000-05:00

*sigh* For once, I remember to set my VCR, and the damn tape breaks. See, I desperately needed to go to the grocery store. I absolutely couldn't put it off any longer. BUT, it was season premiere night. And I wanted, no NEEDED, to see Friends. So I set the VCR, secure in my knowledge of such things, only to get home and find out the tape broke. So, I guess what I'm asking is, does anybody know what happened? I DID get to see CSI....loved it, loved it, loved it! Damn, Nick Stokes is sexy! And I love Warrick's eyes. *drool* Is it next Thursday yet?

Thanks to all my visitors! And I owe email, yes, I know. It may not be till Sunday, I'm just warning...'cause I'm about wiped. And yes, Paula Vaughan's graphics are just gorgeous...I saw them here and wanted some of my own. Heh.

I need it to be Thanksgiving. Quickly.

2001-09-26T21:03:00.000-05:00

Oh, and I just started an "about me" type page. Bear in mind it IS a work in progress...

2001-09-26T20:19:00.000-05:00

I am so, so happy here at my new place. I stayed with blogspot, which I know a lot of people don't care for, but it suits me. It has its problems, but what free service doesn't? And that's what I need right now: free. I know that there are webhosts that don't cost much, but this is really all I need. I have my blog and my web site for school (which I'm thinking about taking down-but that's neither here nor there right now). I don't know what I'd put on a personal home page, and who would read it besides?

Work is piling up at an alarming rate. I need to do lesson plans for next week and can't get motivated. At least I know what I'm doing Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. I'll be out Wednesday morning (district UIL academic contest coordinators' meeting) and all day Thursday (my next Intel class from which I received yon free laptop for one year, possibly longer), so that's a positive. I'm happy at my new school, overall, but there are some things that MUST change next year. I'm also thinking about trying for a new position, which I'll go into detail about later on. Don't want to jinx anything yet.

I'm still adding people to my links, so if you go to my links page ("Bloggin' Buddies" below) and don't see yours, email me! I'll link you gladly-it's just that all my links were deleted when Second Time Around decided to go AWOL, and I can't remember some of them.

The celery stalks at midnight. Heh heh heh.

2001-09-26T18:30:00.000-05:00

From Deb, via Shana:

How I'd like to be remembered: As a loyal and loving wife and friend

How I'll probably be remembered: As a loyal and loving wife and friend

If I had to Karaoke, I'd sing: I Will Survive-just because

Favorite sandwich: Schlotzsky's original

Last movie seen (theater): Rock Star

Last movie seen (TV): Hope Floats (even though I've seen it a million times-I love that movie! And Harry Connick Jr. ain't too shabby neither. *g*)

Last meal eaten:Mr. Gatti's pizza with canadian bacon and mushroom that I shared with my hubby before he went to class tonight

Anticipated next meal:Chocolate Slim Fast for breakfast tomorrow

Meal I'd order if on death row: Sausage from Kreuz Market in Lockhart, complete with cheese, bread, and pickle; macaroni and cheese, and cinnamon chocolate cake.

Why don't I eat that meal more often:Time constraints, plus I'd be bigger than I already am!

Diet or exercise:I know, I know, Deb...but I gotta say diet. I LOATHE exercising.

*g* Working on my links page...gotta run!

2001-09-25T22:29:00.000-05:00

OK, via Melissa:

Okay, so my rock star boyfriend is this guy...who the hell is he? LOL

2001-09-25T20:52:00.000-05:00

No links yet...I'll save that for tomorrow night (or maybe the weekend). But at least I've got something I like up and running now!

2001-09-25T19:34:00.000-05:00

Welcome to my new home! Starting from scratch isn't as bad as I thought it would be...