Just a hiccup of a post.

Heya. This won't be a very long one. It's like 10:30 and I still have to do my homework for tomorrow. I've found that blogs can become quite addictive. I came across a blog that rates other blogs and reviews them. So, I started checking out some of the other blogs and my blog list has now doubled. I had to make myself stop adding blogs to my fav link list because I kept finding interesting blogs out there and I could clearly see that I would accomplish nothing all day if I kept going. But I will be posting some of those new links soon if I find them to be truly enjoyable. I also received a comment from Skittles and am really glad to have her in my viewing audience. Her blog is very worth a peek for some giggles.

HEROES: I watched Monday's episode yesterday on the 'net. Each episode just furthers my addiction. I have two worries/ideas/predictions. In the earlier episodes, there was a little girl whose parents Sylar killed that was found by Matt Parkman by hearing her thoughts. Sylar also tried to kill the girl later but was stopped by Matt and the FBI. I was wondering if that was the last we were going to see of the little girl. Considering that both her parents were 'heroes', she is probably one too. Also, Micah (Niki's son) has used his power to get free money from ATMs. Don't ATMs all have cameras? I think he will be getting a visit from the PD soon. You should probably expect to see more of these sections on the show considering how addicted I am and how religiously I watch it.

Well, I probably better go and do my homework now that I've stalled for a significant amount of time. Good night, all.

I'm a ramblin' gal...

Ok, it's been too long again. I have a sort of excuse though, since we went out of town for the weekend. H's sister and her new husband were renewing their vows (first time was at the courthouse) and celebrating with a dinner. It was great to pop over for a quick visit with his fam. My other sis-in-law made the wedding cake and it came out really great. It was only her second wedding cake, but she's been making a lot of cakes for many occasions lately. The ceremony was short and sweet. The theme of the wedding was a winter fairy tale wedding. The bride had snagged some great deals after Christmas on all the decorations and it was all light blue, white, and silver. They had a netting canopy over where they stood and it had little fake birds holding it up. It was really pretty. Afterwards, we all had some great pizza and cake. The cake had a thin filling of raspberry on one tier and lemon on the other. I preferred the lemon. It was simple, nice, and festive. If we recieve some pics of the occasion soon, I will post them. On the drive home, I got to test out my new book light. I know, it's the simple things that please me. Need further proof of that? My next indulgence for myself will be a shower radio...can't waste that great shower voice.

I received an email to day from the International Center at my U. They are holding a photo contest of photos taken while the participant was studying abroad. I will have to post the ones I wittle it down to so you might help me decide which is best. The winners get varying amounts of gift cards from the bookstore. Imagine what kind of damage I could do to that card in 10 minutes!!! *The mind reels with excitement* I know, I'm such a nerd. But I might also have to get a cute hoodie that actually affiliates me with my U. Currently, I only have a license plate holder that was a gift from H. It's hard for me to spend money on myself and not feel guilty. Like today, I argued with myself for a full minute just to allow myself to by some Ferrero Rocher. I've been craving them and haven't had one in about 2 years. I think I know why I don't usually give in though, because once I left the store, I found myself in the drugstore next, buying some new makeup...another thing I never do. I may have opened up a floodgate!

So, here I sit with a box of Ferrero Rocher by my side, with three empty spots in the box and I am effectively putting off my homework. I have Spanish tonight that I have not read yet, a quiz tomorrow on Aristotle that I'm not prepared for, and a paper on the same that I have yet to start. Not to mention that I have only done about half my reading for Lang. Arts. I'm pathetic, I know, such a procrastinator.

Good news! I had ordered a book off Barnes & Noble.com last week and then put it out of my mind. I didn't think it would get here until about 2 weeks had passed. Well, the UPS guy knocked on my door today. You can always tell when it's them cause it sounds like the mob is breaking down your door for money overdue. It's annoying. But I was SO happy when I realized what it was, opened it up and found this:

I have been eyeing this book for a while now and when I last went to B&N, they were sold out. I looked it up online and not only did I find it, it was on sale for only $7, down from the original $24.99. How much better can it get? So, I jumped right on that deal. What is so great about this book, you ask? Well, I'm not going to be using it to shop for Pottery Barn furniture, if that's what you're thinking. Though I love their style, it's way out of my $$$ range. What I loved about this book was that it has really great ideas to implement in a child's room that you can do on your own. For example, there is a barrette holder you can make out of a small picture frame with vertical ribbons running from the top to the bottom and you just clip the barrettes right onto the ribbons. My fav though is a small round table that is cut down to child's height. It has mismatched little chairs and the table has one large hole cut out of the middle where you would slide a bucket in, and a few smaller holes around the outsides of the table surface for cups to slide right in. These cups and the bucket hold the art supplies; crayons, chalk, paints, brushes, colored pencils, etc. There is also a dispenser (think 'paper towel holder') that attaches on the wall and you load up drawing paper/butcher paper on it for the kids to pull off, tear, and have new paper to draw on. These are just a few examples and I'm looking forward to doing a lot of them in their rooms. Sorry for the length of this paragraph, I'm just pretty excited.

Major excitement for me and millions of fans out there..."Heroes" returned last week with new episodes. It continues tonight and I may have to miss it and catch it on the 'net later. I love that a lot of shows are posting the episodes on the web now. Not everyone can afford tivo and it's nice to not miss a show. If you have not jumped aboard this scifi phenomenon, you can catch up on all of it by watching every episode on the link above. Last I checked, they still had every episode available for viewing. Bonus, there is a new hero that is invisible and will teach Peter how to control his power. I'm completely hooked on this show and would gladly give up all other tv watching in exchange for this one show. I love it.

Well, I believe that I will cut out for now and close with this thought: "A Wise Man can see more from the bottom of a well than a Fool can see from the top of a mountain."

I've Been Tagged!

I have accepted the tagging by A Dress A Day and will now reveal 5 things about myself that I wouldn't usually post.

1. My ancestry consists of German, Dutch, Spanish, and Native American (Cherokee, Apache). My father is the first two and the mother is the last two. If my mom ever got mad at my dad she would chew him out in Spanish and he would respond in German, with a smile on his face. Unfortunately, neither language was spoken enough for us kids to learn it.

2. My maternal great grandmother was forced into marriage at the age of 14. Her family gave permission for her marriage to her school teacher. Creepy, you say? Though she was never "in love" with him, he proved to be a good man that took care of her and gained her respect. Also, he was also barely in his 20's when they married...not SO bad.

3. My first career choice had been to become a lawyer. My friend Lee and I had it all planned out that we would go into the military after high school and they would pay for our college. Then I would go to law school and become a great lawyer. After law school, I would get married and I would have our children in my 30's. Well, I seem to be working that plan backwards. I had my son when I was really young, got married at 19, had another child, and am finishing my degree in English. If I'm lucky, I'll be a teacher before I turn 30. I didn't follow the plan, but I like how it worked out on its own.

4. I LOVE the "Rocky" movies and wouldn't mind one bit if they did ten more. I'd still watch them. It is the ULTIMATE underdog story and just doesn't get old to me.

5. I wish I could take a sledgehammer to our downstairs bathroom and start it all over. I really want to learn how to do all the DIY stuff but am apprehensive about screwing something up beyond repair. Knowing me, I would probably hook the septic line to the shower head and then be banned from all future renovations.

So, there they are. I am now tagging you to do the same. You can do it on your own blog or you can leave it as a comment on mine if you don't have your own blog. Have a blast!

A Real Post...with words.

I haven't posted a real post (with a lot of words) in a while. I've been a bit busy and also in a bit of a funk. Thankfully, I think I'm past it. I just didn't feel like doing much of anything and subsequently felt crappy for not doing anything. Anyways, I'm feeling a little better about my Spanish class. I had a conversation with some of my fellow classmates about how our prof and the work compares to the profs and work of the other Spanish classes at our university. Apparently, there is more reading in this class than others, but the prof is pretty forgiving if we can't for the life of us think of how to say something in Spanish. Thankfully, she'll let us just say it in English. And what is more encouraging is that when she speaks more slowly, I can understand what she is saying and wants us to do. So far, we are assigned a few sections of reading or questions, we go over the sections in class as groups, and we mainly just read it again and answer the questions. So, I come prepared by reading the sections, looking up the words I don't know, penning them into the book to remember later, and coming to class having looked up half the words and a really good idea about what it's all about.


My theory class is still quite interesting, which is something that I never expected to say. The prof is still doing a great job and I'm really loving sharing a class with Liz. I'm hoping the LonDolls can get together in about a week. We're also thinking about spending some of our Spring Break in Denver with Hobby. Nobby will be getting married soon and I think we will have to throw a hen party for her while in Denver. What is a hen party, you ask? This is the European version of a bachelorette party. The group dresses up with a theme and the bride-to-be has a distinguishing banner/label. You then go out and party. We ran into tons of these in Dublin, including a Pink Ladies theme, and we thought it was the best idea and decided to do that when one of the four other girls got married. I wonder what theme we should go with? The male equivalent to this is called a stag party. We came across one of these where the guys were all dressed as leprechauns. We even got to pinch the groom's bum. Here's a visual aid:

Yes, it was a great night in Dublin. We're thinking that there'll be another LonDoll engagement next year when Nobby returns from Colorado.

In other news, my new sis-in-law posted some new pics on her myspace of my brother and their gorgeous little girl. This one is my fav:

They are doing really well and my brother is advancing in his job and enjoying a new schedule that allows him to spend more time with his baby girl. I miss this little princess a lot already. The conversation has been coming up lately about adding another little one to our happy group. I'm not against it. On the contrary, I'm quite for it, just not sure about the timing. I told him I would be more for it when we have health insurance and I have graduated. Right now, it's a choice between grad school or another kiddo, because one will delay the other. Both are not an option for me at the same time. So, it'll happen how it'll happen, right?

Well, I have a house to clean and myself to get out of pajamas. Have a great day!

Como Se Dice...?

It's only 1:30 and I'm already tired. I just finished my Spanish homework which I started reading last night, picked up again at about 10:30 and just now finished the assigned questions. My brain hurts. In the words of Trippy, I think this class is going to eat my lunch. I went to the first one on Monday night and the teacher started talking in Spanish. I caught what he was asking us to do, but I was seriously overwhelmed by just how little I know. And then at the end of class, he lets us know that he is not our real teacher. The classes got switched around and we were assigned someone else. Most of the class has had this guy previously and was pretty disappointed that he wasn't going to be teaching. I'm understandably worried because I have no idea what to expect from this other prof. I usually either know the profs I sign up with or at least check them out. I do not have the pleasure of either this time. The good news is though that if I know I'm in trouble after I meet her, there is another class at the same time that I could check out. Wish me luck.

I am taking Theory with a prof I've had twice previously. I picked him for this tough course because I know that he has a talent for dummying down difficult material. The first day seemed to go well, not to mention that I had Liz by my side. I know he expects our best, but I'm just happy that I might finally understand what this class is about this time around. Get this, our first reading is three books of Plato. Hee hee, let the fun begin. My last class is Teaching Language Arts. Translation: learning to teach literature to antsy adolescents who couldn't care less. The teacher came highly recommended and the first day was definitely interesting and attention-getting. As a name-remembering activity, we all stood in a circle and took turns introducing ourselves. While doing this, we were handed a baby blanket and we had to figure out something to do with it while the others guessed what it was...ie. bib, cape, tourniquet, etc. This was supposed to help us associate the person with their name and the idea that they came up with. It helped more than I thought it would to remember some names. I am the worst with remembering names. We will be continuing our service learning also, which is volunteering in a classroom or like setting for 20 hours in the semester. I was excited when I saw the list included the junior high that my sis-in-law works at. I may have to consider it deeply...I don't prefer junior high, but I love working with her. I had planned on returning to Horizonte but was somewhat put off by my last experience with a different teacher. I felt like I wasn't going to be used much and that I would ultimately be in the way. I want to be useful and get in there and get some real experience.

Well, it's almost 2 pm now and I still need to do something with the mop on my head and get ready to pick up the kiddos. Have a relaxed day!

A meme I snagged off another blog

1.When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was the first thing you thought?
I gotta get a new alarm. This one is too passive-aggressive.

2.How much cash do you have on you?
Zip, zero, zilch, nada. Why have cash when you can use a debit card?

3.What’s a word that rhymes with DOOR?
Snore...guess what I hear many nights?

4.Do you label yourself?
I used to, now I'm too complex to fit in a box with a label...unless you wanted to change that label often.

5.Bright or Dark Room?
Bright...I love natural sunlight streaming in through the windows.

6.Why is there always a missing question?
To see if you're awake.

7.What does your watch look like?
Don't wear one, bugs the crap out of me to wear one.

8.What were you doing at midnight last night?
Sleeping on the living room chair, Spanish book in my lap, blanket over me, with my head straight back and mouth open I'm sure. At least I turned off the laptop before I fell asleep this time.

9.Where is your nearest 7-11?
About three blocks away.

10.What’s a word that you say a lot?
Sweet, which originated from Napoleon Dynamite and started in London (for me, anyway).

11.Who told you he/she loved you last?
My Hubby.

12.Last furry thing you touched?
Cocoa (not the drink, the dog)

13.How many rolls of film do you need developed?
About 15, embarassingly enough.

14.Favorite age you have been so far?
Don't have a fav. I've enjoyed and hated each age differently.

15.Your worst enemy?
Candy.

16.What is your current desktop picture?
A t-shirt slogan that says 'Sometimes I wonder "Why that frisbee getting bigger?"...and then it hits me!'

17.What was the last thing you said to someone?
See you later.

18.The last song you listened to?
"We Run This" by Missy Elliot (I was working out)

19.What time of day were you born?
At 4 in the morning on my sister's 13th birthday who happened to have been born at 4 pm.

20.What do you do when vending machines steal your money?
Usually sigh in frustration, stare at it, and loiter hoping it will change its mind.

21.Do you consider yourself kind?
I try.

22.What’s your life motto?
If you're not sure what to do in your life, ask The Man with the map.

23.Name three things you have on you at all times.
Wedding rings, contact lenses, and usually my cell phone.

24.Can you change the oil on a car?
Yeah, ask the hubby to take it to be changed.

25.When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper and mailed it?
Christmas cards to friends and family...that's as close as I get lately.

So, Here's the Plan, Stan...

Well, I've thought a lot about what I should do since I got my scores back. I figured that the only reason I didn't nail those tests was because of the very short prep time I had. So, I'm not going to repeat that mistake and retake them again so soon. Not to mention that it costs a fortune every time I retake them. Without those passing grades, I am not eligible for grad school this year. So, I will put off grad school until next year and take the time between now and then to prepare well for the test retakes and to prepare my grad school apps properly. I will graduate in May as planned and until next year, I am going to take the math classes that I had planned on for my math endorsement. This is not what I had planned, but I have to roll with the punches and make the best out of what is before me. I will also try to gain more classroom experience this year. I don't know what is in store, but I'm willing to follow it.

I don't know if this has anything to do with all that, but I've also felt lately that I need to focus more on my writing as well. I have goals with my writing and I should put forth some effort in that area. So, I am going into this new plan a little blind and pretty bruised, but with a lot of faith. We have always made it through trials and been fine. I have faith in God and what He has planned for me. That doesn't mean I'm not nervous and a little frustrated, just that I trust.

Pulling a Hobby

Boy, I feel crappy. I got my second GRE scores in the mail today and I still didn't pass the written test. I was still getting over my Praxis score when this hit me. I pretty much freaked out and pulled a Hobby a la Wimbledon. (You gotta be a LonDoll to understand that one.) I'm feeling pretty sucky right now. My chances of getting into grad school are getting slimmer by the minute. I may have to wait a year to be accepted. I'm not sure what to do just yet, but will figure it out. If I had to wait a year I could still go to school and take the math classes I need for my teaching endorsement. I'm trying to figure things out right now and am not near an answer yet. Will keep you updated.

Happy New Year! The Gift of Pics!

So, we're safely back home and recovering from our trip. We left NM on Saturday and stayed the night in Moab. After breakfast in Moab, we decided to visit Arches National Park on the way home. We were there for about four hours and had a blast. H hadn't been there in about 18 years and me and the kids have never been there. It was really pretty and a good workout after the hikes. H and Mister decided that we should make it a family tradition to visit Arches every New Year's Eve. After we got home, we started a fire and got cozy in the living room. I think I fell asleep at about 11:30 and heard the neighbors set off fireworks at midnight. I opened my eyes, told the kids Happy New Year, and dozed back off. They finished their movie and fell asleep in the spots right away. I remember when I was a kid and wished that I was older so I could go out on New Year's Eve and party all night. Now that I'm old enough, I'm too tired to go out all night. I would rather curl up on the couch with H and the kiddos and watch videos in my warm, quiet living room. I know, kinda boring, huh? It works for me though.

I got back my Praxis scores and guess what?! I missed the passing score by 5 points. 5 POINTS!!! Can you believe it? It's like the GRE scores all over again. Henry pointed out though that I took both the test with almost no prep time, I took them cold. So, now I need to retake it and hope the grad school will believe that I probably passed the second time since my scores won't be back before my application deadline. It's quite depressing, on the spirit and the wallet...these tests aren't cheap. I know the only reason I didn't pass that test is because I ran out of time. That's always the case. And it sucks. I'm still waiting for my second GRE scores.

New Year's Resolutions: I hate that word because it has a stigma and it sets you up to fail a week later. Instead, I have decided to make some "changes". I will wake up earlier, got to bed earlier, do my workout video and do the dishes and breakfast...all before everyone else wakes up (I figured the sound of the dishes should wake them up nicely without all the fuss of dragging them out of bed too), put aside some extra money (for Christmas, trips, emergencies, or just fun stuff), travel more, cook more, clean more, organize the house better, drop at least 20 lbs (what I have gained in the last 3 years) by the end of spring and help the hubby to lose his weight too, and many other things that will be added later. Sound ambitious enough? Well, those are the goals and I will keep you updated on my progress. I plan to start them tomorrow, beginning with the exercising and morning stuff since the kids are starting school again tomorrow and it will give me about 6 days of practice before my classes start. Wish me luck!

The LonDolls plan to get together on Thursday for lunch. Hobby has been in Colorado at a culinary grad school and she's home on vacation. She plans to make us a few dishes to sample that she's been working on. For our part, we will be contributing some of the ingredients. I can't remember the fancy names of the dishes but it will be some sort of spinach/cheese pastry and a carrot soup. Sounded yummy when she was talking about it. The ingredients I'm bringing are spinach, feta, and carrots. Just those alone sound good. I'll let you know how it turns out. I have faith in her cooking. In other LonDoll news, Nobby is officially engaged. She and her boy have been unofficial for a few months now. They made it the real deal over Christmas. I hope she has a ring to show off on Thursday so we can all ogle. They will dream about the day it will happen to them and I will remember the idealistic and hopeful outlook I had before taking the plunge. The catch 22 of being older is that when you've finally grown up enough to learn something that will help those that are still on the path, they don't want to hear your advice or just don't think it applies to them. (I'm referring to my kids and some other young adults I know...not so much about newlyweds, but it's applicable to them too.)

This is the necklace I was talking about that I got for Christmas. My mom saw it and said it had my name all over it. I'm enjoying it.

I also thoroughly enjoyed holding all the new babies, especially my new niece, Patience. Here's a pic of me on the right with her the morning after I had her spend the night with me. Do I look a little tired? She has breakfast at 5am. I better watch out, I look a bit too comfortable with that babe in my arms. On the left, my mom is passing down her tradition of making Christmas sugar cookies to Holly. Later, we decorated them and ate more icing than we used.