My, I mean Kate's, fairy tale

Alright folks.... who L-O-V-E-D the wedding!?! I was what one might call slightly obsessed. I just couldn't get enough of it! I wanted to blog about it yesterday but as I told my sister, I was way too emotional and excited for anything to make sense! It was on when my kids came into school, we watched the 8 minute abc recap a couple times, looked through photos, came up with rhyming words with Kate, Will, and Harry, and talked about it all day.

Shew... I just loved it. I watched events all week leading up to it and just am so incredibly happy for them! They truly are in love and it was so fun to watch history take place with 2 young people to fall madly in love in college and then become a Duke and Duchess....I mean, that's going to happen to me right? I'll become a Duchess when I get married.... it's only fair!

I love their story... how they met, everything they kept a secret, how she easily won over his family and all of England, and how although she is a "commoner" she is so poised and perfect - she looks just like a real life princess... I mean she is but she actually looks the part also! (anyone notice... most people could really care less about poor Wills, it's all Kate!).

I loved her veil... beautiful. I loved the lace and the neckline on the dress, but I wasn't a HUGE fan of the bottom portion of the dress. At the same time I cannot imagine her wearing anything else ... so it was all truly perfect. I loved their smiles, their hand holding, their 109 year old carriage ride, and just how proud and content they were. So relaxed, so comfortable, I can't wait to follow them through the years.

As much as I want to follow them, I also hope they get their much needed privacy. As everyone is saying, Will really wants to protect her since no one protected his mother. They do have a standing agreement that press is allowed at formal events and publicity events, but they are SUPPOSED to leave them alone on a day to day basis. We'll see. At least for now when they return to Wales they will have some peace and newlywed bliss.

Already there is talks that she is pregnant. Who cares?!?! Even if she is ...what will that matter? She is beautiful, graceful, stunning, and I want to be her! I cannot imagine in 2 years I would marry to become next in line as Queen! Holy crap I'd flip! And to know that everyone in the family and around her MUST curtsy to her except for the Queen and King, Camilla and Charles, is just awesome! Bowdown because she is now royalty:)

Now for some pics that I enjoyed:)

I love that even though this was meant to be formal they still look happy, warm, and full of excitement!

via

The children laughing was just adorable!

via

A true fairy tale

Blissfully happy


Gorgeous - I cannot believe she did her own make up

I love how she took one last look at the crowd before going in - to take it all in
all of the above via

Tornado pictures

The tornadoes that are sweeping over the mid west and south are just devastating. My family was actually hit hard last year with a tornado in Ohio (they thankfully were all physically okay, but mentally and emotionally will always remember that. Their house was hit badly and were so lucky to have received a text message to get in their basement moments before it ripped through their house).

We had a tornado watch a couple days ago and could see the clouds forming. All of Derrick's nerdy (just kidding) pilot friends that know a lot of about meteorology and weather patterns were loving the sky. Derrick had me come out to get some pics and it was really cool to see how quickly the clouds were moving and shifting. Here are a few. Don't worry... the tornado ended up moving south of us and we never got wind of it.

Circus time!

As promised.... 2 pictures of me dressed up in my "elephant lady"/princess costume for the circus event last weekend. Enjoy!

Check it out - yes I look lumpy around the middle... I had on a tank top underneath the velour bodysuit... even hotter! Jen is on the left which is who I'm nannying for this summer and Katie is on the right which is who I blog about often (ie: jungle room, co-founder of camp).

Don't be jealous of the dog balloon....

Cheep cheep... bye bye

Poor wittle guy.... he went back to the farm. I guess there aren't any 5-6 year olds that read this so... he died (or she). I guess you shouldn't mess with mother nature too much. But, I will say I feel better knowing that he died able to stretch his little legs and drank some water and also had a nice little bath to get clean before dying.

The other one, whom we named Lucky, lived for 3 more days and died last night. He was able to walk a little (which was amazing considering he stayed in the fetal/egg like position for the first 12 hours), ate and drank on his own, and cheeped like crazy.

So, as I told my kids, they went back to the farm for mother hen to help them out.

Until next year -- good bye chicks! One of my family's took in 4 of the 5 chicks that we had and the other one was adopted by another family in another class. I guess they have big enough yards to put a coop in the back and receive some free eggs as long as they are hens... sorry 'bout 'cha luck if they are roosters!

Lots of updates coming this weekend --- for some reason I have felt busy but really haven't been this week... must be the allergies!

• yes I got cool pics of tornado clouds forming her on Tuesday that I will post about
• yes I cut off 11 inches yesterday and donated to locks of love
• yes I finally received some famous circus pictures showing my attire
• yes our camp is off and running and we have people signing up! fingers crossed for the word to spread:)
• yes I contemplated taking off tomorrow to watch Wills and Kate (yep, we're chummy, I can call him Wills) get married... I'm not taking off and am jealous of all those who are!. Kate is living my dream... I could've/would've been "Waitie Katie".... oh well...
  

updates coming soon:)

Chicken update

Well.... today I opted to go against mother nature and "help" a chick out. We still have our 4 chicks healthy as can be and they are actually beginning to molt already and get their real chicken feathers in on their wings (which is when I'm ready to say "good bye" - they will leave us on Friday).

But... remember the chick I wrote about on Thursday that was almost ready to fully hatch... well... it didn't progress at all in the last 5 days. BUT BUT BUTTTTT - it was still breathing and trying ALLLL day today. So, around 1:15 I bumped into another teacher and mentioned that I might want to help it out. She was alll for it. With some craft sticks (popsicle sticks hahaha) she pried open the egg (remember.. over half of it was already cracked off) and we had a sweet little chick inside that was in need of some help. We are thinking that before it could fully hatch out on Thursday it had pooped in the egg and the poop dried with the chick still in it... hence making the egg itself stick to the poor chick. So, whenever it would try to get out it would get stuck and pulled back together. Poor little thingggg.

We got it fully out, peeled off as much of the egg shell as we could, and put him into a separate box from the rest of my chicks because we felt they might attack it. He was in desperate need of water so with an eye dropper we dropped little bits of water and he guzzled them right up. As of right now he has been out of the egg for 5 hours and is still going strong. My friend had the same problem with one of her chicks so she took them both home for the night to watch them and help them out. Mine has since been able to stand up and take a couple steps, but hers isn't doing as well.

What did/will I tell the kids? Well, discussing the topic of death, whether it be a pet or a human, I feel is something to be discussed at home if possible. I am worried that too many kids would bring up God and that is just not something we can technically discuss and it is always tricky when a teacher has to avoid it in a nice manner without making the kids feel uncomfortable. So, I opted to tell them that IF the chickens ever needed some extra help I would call up the farmer we got them from and she would come after school to get them and take them back to the mother hen because sometimes she can help them out more than people. I thought that was the best way to remove the sick chickens (or dead) from the classroom.

I'll keep you posted on them!!!

April is almost over

I cannot believe April is almost over. Yesterday was Easter. Spring break was a month ago. School is out in 1 month and 1 week (27 more school days). Where has the first 1/4 of the year gone!?!

Nothing major to blog about. My life how slowed down tremendously and 'ba-dump-bump-ba-daaa... I'm lovin' it' (Mickey D's commercial people... read it again this time singing it). No more interviews, no more stress of a job, no more visitors for awhile.... just enjoying the heat and sunshine! How about some updates on... yours truly (moi)

• Our summer camp is under way. We have the blog up and running (how cute is it... click to be taken to the blog). We have it all planned out and passed out the initial flyer on Friday following a Circus camp the Kindergarteners could go to. I stuck them to their goodie bags and told them to be sure their parents saw it:) I already have had 3 parents tell me their kid(s) are very interested and to mark them down. Unfortunately, no one gets marked down till they actually pay. Fingers crossed we can fill it up (we are looking for 10-15 kids total)
• A Circus camp you say? What is that you ask? Was I dressed up in full costume? Oh yes... yes I was. No pictures yet but I'm sure I will see some soon and I'll be sure to post. I'll create a visual for you... a magenta velour leotrard sewed to layers upon layers of pastel pink tulle that came down to right about my calves. The silver barbie-ish shoes and of course a pink organza cape attached to the top of the leotard. Yes... that is what I wore. I was the "elephant lady" but they all thought I was a princess. A dripping wet princess from the 90 degree weather for 3 1/2 hours in blazing sun. It was an amazing shin-dig though, really. 4 K parents at my school offered this as a fund raiser for the PTA. $35 a child direct donation for 3 hours (12-3) of Circus bliss. Tickets, a cut out elephant to get your picture with, circus tent cups with their names labeled on them, dress up, face painting, tight rope walking, a cotton candy machine, a fortune teller, the 'weird people' exhibit (baby dolls with mustaches hahaha), a professional juggler who then taught the kids, circus dogs who could ride bikes, and to top if all off.... a whipped cream pie throwing event in which they all got hosed down in the end. They all left wet, hot, glossy eyed, and in showing signs of going into a complete sugar/heat overload coma. A wonderful afternoon for them:)
• Got my first pedicure yesterday since September. Found a great little place... $25. And got this awesome color "It's a bird, it's a plane, no it's OPI". Very springy. L-O-V-E.

• I am in the process of switching over Mia's food. She has been on Purina since she was a puppy but I opted to start feeding her a little better. I have always wanted to start her on Halo, the food that Ellen Degeneres is owner and promoter for. They do so much with supporting shelters and animals in need and their food is amazing. Looking at the ingredients is shocking to see how much good stuff is in it. For example, real dried up cranberries I can actually see (not all ground up in their little circular balls that claim to have the cranberries but you can't actually see it). I bought her 2 bags because they were on sale at Petco ... the lamb and the salmon. Currently she is testing out the lamb and I have to say... IN LOVE. We are still mixing it with her old food to help the transition but... as you can see she wants nothing to do with the old food...

Yes, that's correct. She slowly picks out the old food v. the new food and eats only the new stuff. Spoiled rotten? Yep.

• I'm attempted to make some pillows yesterday. Not sure if you noticed in the living room we have brown and yellow pillows... those are not staying, I recovered them. Pictures soon!
  

• I got my shoes for my friend's wedding coming up in July. Very Audrey Hepburn themed... black dresses, gray suits (I think), and blush pink as the accent. we got our shoes yesterday which although pricey for me (Payless/Target shopper here) they are UH-MAZE-ING. High heel, love the color, and the crazy flower on the back I just adore.

• I'm not as crazy about the cable as I thought I would be. I only know the shows I currently watch on cable and even then, I don't know what time they are on. I did watch William and Katie on lifetime last night and FELL IN LOVE with their little story. Cannot wait for the wedding on Friday... I wish I knew more people to throw a royalty party (how fun would that be?!?! get all dressed up and drink Long Island Iced teas and have some .. crumpets?)
• Lastly, still keeping up with my running. 5 days a week... 1.6-2.0 miles a day (remember, lots of hills so it is rough). My legs have not been in an ounce of pain since I got my new shoes so I highly recommend getting fitted.
  

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter all! Hope yours was filled with relaxation and enjoying the weather like mine was:) I definitely didn't do what I would normally do on Easter though... here was my Easter Sunday in a nutshell

• Walked Mia
• Grocery store
• Run
• Shower
• Walk Mia
• Lunch
• Ramdomness
• Made 3 new pillows for living room (more on that in another post)
• Performed surgery on my sewing machine (oddly old thread was wrapped around the inside -- eek!)
  
• Went to McDonald's to try out their new Jalapeno Cheddar McChicken (had a free coupon) ... very disappointing don't try it
• Watched Royal Wedding shows -- I cannot wait!!
• Waited on Derrick to get here around 9:30 tonight

Sound like your Easter? Yea probably not. I'm ashamed to say I have yet to find a church and although I find it important to go on the holidays... it's more important to me to go on the non-holidays.... I don't want to be a "twice-a-year".

So --- enjoy your Easter!!!

Cheep Cheep

Cheep and Peep + 2 more have arrived in my Kindergarten classroom. 3 weeks ago a farmer arrived with 12 chicken eggs and 1 duck egg. After 21 days there was the possibility (try explaining that to a group of 5 and 6 year olds... that their chicks may not hatch ... just because??) that some of them would hatch.

Well low and behold ... ours held out for exactly 21 days! While other classes were having chicks hatch on the 20th day and I started getting nervous, we noticed a small crack in our egg on the 21st day. And what to my wondering eyes should appear on the morning of day 22!?!?!

Chicks!!!!!! (well... chick - who we voted and named Cheep)

And then.... ANOTHER ONE! Which was amazing because my class actually got to see it hatch from the egg which was an experience that I think they will always remember. They loved it!

The one we got to see hatch - who we named "Peep"

Peep about 5 minutes old!

The following morning I took Cheep and Peep out of the incubator and into their new home (Cheep is far left with the darker coloring, Peep is the perfectly yellow one, in case you were wondering)

And then... 2 MORE ON DAY 23!

There are 4 of them in there but the Cheep and Peep stole the show (yes, I know the difference of all of them... they each have different colorings)

And... when I left school yesterday there was one that we could see it's beak and probably a 1/4 of its body... but it (we don't know he/she) just couldn't muster up all of the energy to crack open before we left.

There is #5... no names yet for 3, 4, or 5 - we just lost track of time yesterday!

If it manages to fully hatch we will have 5! And who knows, more could be hatching today but being that it's Good Friday we do not have school. Don't worry... I am going up to school tomorrow morning to clean out their little home (aquarium with food, water, and shavings) and I'll check on if there are any more. They have to stay in the incubator for at least 24 hours to fully dry so don't worry, they won't die from being in there.

The duck eggs take 1 week longer so we shall see if we are lucky enough to have it hatch! We will keep them in our room (cheeping and all) for about a week and then the farmer comes back to take them to their farm.

They really are so funny to watch. They love to snuggle on top of one another and sleep and they just peck at everything. What a great springtime surprise for us with only 27 days to go! (WHAT WHATTT).

The apartment - updates

Lots of changes happening up in this hizzle. Curtains going up, pictures being hung, mattresses coming in (not yet... very soon), tv's being bought ... what's that you say. A tv eh? OH YES. A television now resides in this casa. Cable you ask? Sure why not! HD? Yeppers! Wireless? C'mon on... you're talking about Mr. Tech savvy - of course it's wireless (this means we can access the internet on our tv, link up our computers to look at videos pictures and listen to music we have downloaded, AND the coolest part - rather than buying a DV or BlueRay our computers will link up and play the movie on the tv via our laptop!). We got a 40in LED (Derrick says its the best of plasma and LCD put together... whatever - to be honest all pictures look the same to me). I'm pumped to start watching my new favorite show "Pregnant in Heels". Holy crap. If you haven't seen it - you need to ASAP. This woman is a "maternity concierge" to the elite in New York (Blair Waldorf would use her for sure). She pretty much listens to all of their CRAZY ranting and raving and does what they want and what she thinks they need (ie: full hair and make up stylist in the middle of giving birth). HILARIOUS!

Anywho... my apartment.. yes yes. Mostly just pictures so enjoy!

Guest room - not usually this unorganized but Derrick is building his computer

Guest room again - pelmet box I made. I love this fabric because it reminds me of the ocean

Dining room with our new pictures - don't mind the sewing machine, I was working on my bedroom curtains

Living room - see that TV over there??

Another view from the couch - the area above the TV needs to be decorated and reorganized

Don't judge the bedroom. Nothing is up on the walls and it is not looking good but I mostly wanted to show my new curtains which I love!

Last but not least... my most recent purchase! The dresser! Antique and bought on Craiglist - love it:)

Puppy v. dog

Derrick and I have been having "the talk" a lot lately. Should we? Shouldn't we? Age? Color? Size?

Wait... what did you think I was talking about?

Marriage...??

Nope -- another 4 legged friend!!

This comes as a huge shock to me since 2 years ago when I began the process of looking for Mia he wanted nothing to do with it. When I first got her he said he wouldn't take her out to pee... then did and said he'd never clean up her poop... after a couple of time gagging (sp?) and almost throwing up he did... then said he'd never clean up her throw up.... and yet again after swallowing down some puke he did (weak stomach kid). He is so in love with her and she is with him. So, we started talking about getting another one.

I think it will be great to have another one because I am afraid of what Mia will act like when and if a baby ever comes along. I don't ever want to have to get rid of her due to jealousy but currently she is spoiled rotten. She's not treated like a dog, she's treated like a baby! She goes with us everywhere, knows who to run to when she gets in trouble (Derrick), and is just plain ol' spoiled rotten. I feel that another dog will help her get adjusted and provide a playmate.

Now, the biggest issue we are having is IF we get one we plan to adopt from Austin Pets Alive, the first no kill shelter here, but we are torn - puppy or dog? I want a dog... as in 2+ years, Derrick says puppy, which shocks me because they require more work and when I'm at school it would be him and 2 pups. We came to a happy medium for the time being... as long as it's spayed or neutered (we want a boy) then that cuts out a huge chunk of money so that could be swung.

So... that's where we stand. Another dog? Puppy? Age? Sex? Breed (probably a mutt - they usually are and I like that). On a side note... Mia is doing great. The infection is completely gone and she had her last urinalysis last week and has been off the meds for 2 weeks and all signs show she is in the clear. We have opted to go back to bathing her once a week to keep the area clean and also get a "sanitary cut" when she gets groomed - both suggestions of the vet!

Recent purchases

It's funny... as soon as I found out I got a job I felt a huge sense of relief... and all I wanted to do was go shop!! I used to be a crazy shopper but I've REALLY cut back. Like a ton. And really I didn't buy THAT much and everything I got I had been wanting and got for a great deal.

We of course we know about my running shoes. Best buy ever!

Went to Target and I love checking out their clearance section. Sometimes you can get some GREAT finds! I got this fabulous trench coat... originally $40 for $19.99. It sits right at your hips, is double breasted, and has a tie to cinch around the waist. I love it and the color! They had it in black and beige too but I opted for the fun green.

I then went to JCPenney and for those of you that "knock it" haven't been in there in awhile! It has really gotten some cute stuff. I bought a good amount today but my favorite purchases were these below.

3 adorable sundresses which I can ALSO wear to school because they are long enough. TX springtime is no springtime... it's summer... and dresses are WAY cooler than pants and a shirt. I realized while meandering around that I did not own black flip flops... so i got picked up these cute ones with flowers on them for $7. PS the dresses were all $20 each. Plus I got an additional 20%... soo yea $16 each, I like it:) The far left is black on top with black and white striped on the bottom and the bow to tie. The middle one is gray cotton with ruffles on top and a bow to tie in the back and the right one is dark blue cotton with ruffles around the neck and to a V in the front.

And then as I was getting ready to check out I found these. HELLO BLAIR WALDORF! CAN I COME TO YOUR JULY 4TH PARTY!?!?! Seriously, Blair would so approve of these. How perfect are they for my next sailing expedition or nautical themed soiree (whatever... I'll wear them to school and my kids will love them). There are 3 of them: a pearl one, a blue and white striped with the red button, and the white and red one laced through gold. I heart them all <3

And my last purchase I don't have a picture of because we haven't pick it up yet. Craigslist... how I love thee! I have bought and sold a good amount of furniture from there in the past couple of years. I have been on the hunt for a black dresser for the master bedroom. I didn't want to spend a fortune but everything in my budget was made out of that PVC crap from Ikea or Target. And ... those are all still 175-200. So I figured I'd do some hunting and look on craigslist, goodwill, yard sales, etc. Well, I found my piece!! It is a black dresser/buffet table (she uses it as a buffet table currently but it will look great as a dresser too) with 8 bigger drawers and 4 small ones in the center. It is solid cherry wood and is dovetailed (mom says that is good... it means it's quality made and not just thrown together) and she is selling it for 200!! I couldn't pass it up!! Plus it's an antique! So in about 2 hours we will be going to pick up about 20 minutes away and I will finally have my dresser!! The master bedroom should be complete in the next week or so (just awaiting the mattress so we can make the bed frame and then put everything up on the walls!!).

Great week in shopping! I got it out of my system and feel pretty accomplished.

Dude, where's your car?

Have you ever lost your car in a parking lot? Ya know, you run in real quick and think to yourself "I don't need to remember the letter/number code" but you really should have remembered it, or at least glanced at it. I always focus on where I walked in from, like if there is more than 1 door, which one did I go in through. Usually that helps. Usually. Unless..... unless you were me today at the mall, in the blazing heat, walking around searching aimlessly for your car. Yep, I was that girl. But oh wait, the story gets good... real good... so good my mom actually said "you better blog about this".

So I went to the mall because I had a coupon to JCPenney. 20% off anything and everything and they had a ton of really cute simple sundresses. I was so excited about my purchases and was only in there for about 45 minutes. I walked in with an empty parking lot behind me and came out with a filled parking lot. I started walking. And walking. I remembered I came up a row and turned into my parking spot to the left. Okay... hmm.. I'll call my mom - that way I don't have to make eye contact with all of the people I keep passing. I walked and talked. Walked and talked. I kept saying, "mom, for real... it's like not here. I think someone stole it."

she said, "well, keep walking, you don't want to call the police and then when they come you find it, that'd be embarrassing."

Kept walking. Finally I said "mom, for real. I all the way over by Sears, I know I did not park here. Someone stole it!"

"Katie, walk 1 more time up and down each one and then see."

As I'm walking the sweat is dripping from the crease in my arm from me holding the phone. People are staring for sure and I'm regretting saying "put it all in 1 bag" because the bag is beginning to get REAL thin in the handle area. Please don't break on me now.

"Okay mom. Seriously. Stolen!"

"Are you sure came out the right door? That can really mess things up if not."

"Yes mom, there is ONLY 1 DOOR. GOSH! I'M NOT THAT DUMB."

"..... oh.... wait...." I glance to my left and see another entrance. ".... oh... I didn't go in by the baby clothes .... I actually went in by the hair salon.... oops" .... begin laughing "hey! there's my car!"

I get in... still laughing because I'm such a moron. Seriously... 15 minutes of my life wasted that I can never get back all because I did not stop and listen to my mother. Lesson learned. And yes, that was 15 minutes of my mom's life she cannot get back but ... she loves to listen to all of our problems and random stories... right mom?

Remember when...

Today is a tribute to all of those terrible (or not so terrible and I wish were still cool) trends that I have lived through thus far. So, let's go back...

Remember when,

Overalls were the coolest - now I know they seem to be making a come back but back in middle school you were only cool if yours were from Gap

Doubling up, or even tripling up, your socks to match your outfit

Big bangs, that's all I have to say, kind in a triangle shape like skinny at the top and wider as it goes down to your scalp

Rolled over jeans around the ankle, the special fold that only the coolest kids knew how to do, so they would almost create an mc hammer effect in the leg

Old navy fleeces - the only way to go, usually a pull over and mine had the elastic sleeves and pull cord waist

Hiking boots, like on a normal day to day lifestyle, the goldish colored ones - ohh yea

Converse one stars came out or the adidas 3 star... oh how I wanted to date every boy in middle school that owned them

Long hair on boys (parted down the middle, down to their ears or even a little past, yep a sure sign of coolness)

cropped shirts, even better with high waisted jeans

stone wash (never return, ever)

nano-babies or giga pets - I had a nano baby and I remember my mom had to watch it while I marched in a parade.... that is when technology began to take over our lives
those weird clog platform "dress" shoes, I never owned them because they were too wide for my feet

I know there are many more but the best for last, and you better believe I owned these: PLATFORM,METALLIC TENNIS SHOES! Oh yes! Mine were silver with a big black "W" on the side for the brand (mine were "wannabe" from Deb, yes I shopped at Deb) and I went over the black writing with sparkly nail polish to make them look that much better... don't think Blair Waldorf would ever wear those!!

I couldn't find a good picture of them online so imagine these 2 images put together:

**On a side note, we just got a scanner/printer so I am hoping to figure out the scanning portion and find some old pictures of me and friends to prove these trends were truly worn, not just by me!** Hopefully a sequel to come:)

What do you remember??

Run Forest, Run!!!!

And that is just what I am doing!! R-U-N-N-I-N-G!

Derrick and I both decided it was time to drop the l b's. Perfect timing with summer coming up and vacation on the horizon (probably in early August ... I'm pretty much booked all summer and will it be awesome to have something to look forward to!)

We have really enjoyed running the trail behind the apartment. It is about 1.6 miles with all different types of terrain (sidewalk, stone, dirt, mulch) and a lot of up and down hills (some are quite intense!). We have been running 5-6 days a week for the past 2 weeks and I already am feeling so much better and am increasing the distance - up to 1 1/4 time around. Don't get me wrong, I'm still dying when it is 90 degrees outside and I'm dripping sweat with the sun blazing on me... but it sure does feel good at the end of it. I also reminded him that if he stops doing it, I'll stop doing it. We have to motivate each other.

Awhile back when I first moved here I had said that I was getting into running and wanted to run some 5K's... well... that was September and here we are, April, and I have yet to ever run one. To be honest, and not making excuses, after about 3-4 weeks of running I began getting EXCRUCIATING pain in my legs, mainly behind my knees and calves. It wasn't a soreness, more like achey. I couldn't describe it. Talking to some running friends at school they said it really is all about your shoes. You have to get the right shoe if you are going to run often.

Well, then I lost my job so I nixed that idea (okay okay... I didn't lose my job till Feb and that was Sept... I got side tracked). I told Derrick that once I got a job we would go get fitted for some new running shoes. I got my job on Tuesday, and we got fitted on Wednesday! We went to a place here called RunTex, awesome place. They evaluate how you walk and then tell you a couple different shoes to try. He said I walk on the outside of my foot and then delay rolling it back in, which would be why my legs were in so much pain. I was putting extreme tension on my leg and then snapping it back everytime I stepped - OUCH. I decided on a pair of Asics that were really well priced and he gave me 10% off just because he liked us:) Derrick couldn't get his yet because the 2 pairs he tried 1 wasn't comfortable and the other wasn't in his size. We are heading back next week for his.

I have enjoyed wearing these so much!! They are airy, SO light, and although it's only been 2 days I'm not feeling any pain yet.

We also began a huge kick on smoothies and chocolate milk. Milk (I know mom, you are gagging right now) seems to be the only thing to cool me down after a crazy hot run so I make a cup of chocolate milk the second I walk in the door. Also, since my mom was here she introduced me to what to do with over-riped bananas (which to me is once they aren't green anymore... yep I'm love bananas when they are almost crispy) - smoooothie them up! Everyday (usually my afternoon snack) I throw an old banana, 3-4 cut up strawberries, 4 ice cubes, a splash of milk (or cranberry juice today since I'm out of milk), and 4 big spoonfuls of plain non fat yogurt. Throw on the blender and within a minute I have a yummy smoothie. And I feel accomplished and healthy afterwards:) I am loving this and have seriously had 1 everyday for the past 2 weeks!

So, to say we are going all crazy healthy is so not true. We love our deep fryer, I mean love it. We love to eat good food. But do I have chips, cookies, brownies, cakes, or anything else in the pantry? No. Why? Because I destroy them in 1 sitting! So for now we are making small changes, we'll see where we go from here!

Gossip girl

O....M....G.... these next few episodes are going to knock my socks off!!!

I am a current obsessed/wanna-be Blair Waldorf. I have missed my weekly viewings (it airs on Monday but I can't watch it till Friday when it goes online since we do not own a tv). I miss the awesome headbands, fabulous tights, witty comments, and snootiness. I need it in my life!! So when I finally saw a preview for the up and coming rest of season I almost died... BLAIR GETS ENGAGED! But to who!?!? It's a love triangle! Could it be lonely boy (Dan.. .gross I hope not... c'mon Blair get some standards here) the prince from the beginning of the season (eh.. I guess she would become a princess which is ... awesome) or Chuck (YES YES YES PLEASEEE!!).

Click here to be sucked in!!


Chuck and Blair, Blair and Chuck. They are forever my favorite on screen couple. The drama, the hurt, the pain, the love, the passion.... they are by far the best tv couple ever. And they are MEANT to get back together. They are all pining for her love... but who will get it!?!?

And, on the note about us not having a tv... yes it's true. We have not had a tv since we moved out here in August (by choice) and before that didn't have cable. Well, we opted to start looking around and NO JOKE -- after I saw the previews for Gossip Girl I said to Derrick

"if we are going to get a tv... we have to get one NOW. I need it here by Monday to watch GG!!!!"

Well... it is ordered and we are anxiously awaiting it's arrival. It if gets here by Monday we still don't have cable but don't you worry... I have a converter box (yep, I do) and I will hook it up and we actually get the CW via that - PERFECT. Oh my gosh I have ants in my pants just waiting for the season finale!

Locks of love

I have been in mega need of a hair cut - like mega. And although everyone says they love my hair long, it drives me crazy, especially now that it is getting super hot outside and I have been running almost daily (more on that later) - my hair is just everywhere sticking to me.

I used to have short hair, actually short platinum blonde hair. And I MISS IT! Don't worry, I'm not planning on going blonde or super short again.

Today I bought an "eversave" - just like groupon only not as popular so they offer a ton of incentives to buy. I got a $75 haircut and massage for $20, which is pretty much what I'd pay at Great Clips so I'm all in. When I started thinking about it someone suggested going short and donating it. That's when I thought -- I FOUND A WAY TO HELP KIDS WITH CANCER!!

So, I came home and looked it up. I only have to donate 10 inches, which I measured my hair and I think it will take me back up to about this length, possibly an inch or so shorter, but not tooo much shorter.

I loved it this length, especially for summer time. And I just keep thinking, the hair WILL grow (this was exactly 3 years ago) and I don't even make use of the long hair anyways. I rarely blow it dry and toss it into a side pony tail, side braid, or ponytail braid. One of my 3 main hair choices. I miss this. So yep... it will happen soon. Probably within the next week:) And a person in need will be able to have my stick straight, non colored, brunette locks of love:)

Take me off of the unemployment list!!!

BECAUSE THIS GIRL GOT A JOB!!!!!! Yes yes yes yes I did:):) I could not be happier to be done with this process and be able to enjoy the end of the school year and my summer with nothing weighing on my shoulders!! I will be at another school teaching PreK. There is a slight possibility that it could change to Kindergarten over the summer but regardless, it's a job and in a grade level I am so excited about!!! Finally... after almost 2 months exactly, I can smile and know that I have a job:) A well deserved job!! Shew... HAPPY TUESDAY!! Thank you for all of the prayers and good vibes! As for the secret job, it will remain a secret but just know that it will not happen and I am A-Okay with that:)

It's a girl!

Remember this pretty bride?


My beautiful, funny, best friend Shauna. Well, she is pregnant and just found out last Wednesday that she is having a GIRL! I could not have been more excited for her. I kept my fingers tightly crossed for a little girl and we already decided... she will come out with little blonde pigtails:) I couldn't resist buying her very first tutu. How adorable is this in a little 0-3 month infant size!?

via

I actually found this website to be the cheapest and the ribbon waist is included which on many it is an extra $5. Just some food for thought. They have the most adorable girl things!

They have some names picked outbut I won't reveal till she is ready. My next thoughts of purchase are monogrammed bloomers and ruffle bloomers. I also plan to make her a little tutu because I read online how easy and cute they are to make. I plan to make some matching headband bows too:)

Baby fever? Of course... when don't I have baby fever?

Shew! Busy Busy!

Man oh man! Spring time is in full force (or should I say summertime since it has been in the 90s here pretty much all week and the girl who swore she would not turn on her air before June caved... although it is set at 77 during the day it still kicks in almost ever hour! - eeekkk not looking forward to the electric bill!). I feel like I just cannot catch up since I returned from spring break. Between maintaining my class which has pure spring fever, juggling interviews and a positive attitude, having family rolling in and out of my apartment and city, getting my summer jobs/camps put into place, trying to get back into swimsuit shape (the L B's need to say G B (good bye)), I now have some mega studying going on. Gooodness! Let me break it down for you

My class: It's not surprise to any teacher that when we return from spring break the kids are off the chains! I definitely lost my coolness a couple of times but re-centered myself and reminded myself, they are only 5 and 6, they cannot win (as Charlie Sheen would state, I am a winner). SO, with a lot of "I know we can pull ourselves back together" and "remember, we are still in school and you are still here to learn" speeches, we are back to normal:) Well, we were last week. We shall see about this week. Regardless, we all know school is quickly winding down!

Interviews: This week I have 2 second interviews I am preparing for. One on Monday for a PreK position. I already met with the principal and 1 Prek teacher, tomorrow I meet the rest of the team. Fingers crossed:) On Thursday I am heading over to a private school and teaching a 45 minute lesson AT THEIR SCHOOL in Kindergarten. No, I have never met these kids. No, I know NOTHING about them. No, they didn't even tell me a subject to teach. Just... teach:) Okay... very broad for me. I plan to teach a science/literacy/art lesson on what hatches from an egg. Should be cute:) I hope I win them over. I took off the whole day on Thursday because I also have a Dr. appointment so it all worked out. And lastly, I can't say much but say a little prayer for my secret. I can only say it has to do with a job... nothing else... so just pray for "Katie's secret" and I would greatly appreciate! (I think God will know what you're talking about... he knows everything right? maybe throw in my last name if you know it just to make sure he knows who's secret!)

Family: Don't get me wrong... I complained a lot while living in NC that no one ever visited me. I lived there for 3 years and my sister came twice, my mom twice, and my aunt and cousins once. That's it. WELL TX is apparently the place to be! My mom has already been twice (Thanksgiving AND she was just here for a week), my sister came here for the past 4 days (wed-sun) and her husband, and my aunt and 3 cousins were here 2 weeks ago for a whole week. Needless to say, it was fun and nice to have company, but I am happy to be done washing sheets and towels for other people:) Mia will miss everyone greatly... she is currently in depression mode because she isn't getting oodles of attention anymore.

Summer job/camps: I have a summer nannying position set up for the month of June. 4 kids, rising 3rd grader, rising 1st grader, 3 year old, and infant (5 months... maybe). The mom is awesome and her older kids attend my school. She is so laid back and said she just wants to make sure her older kids have a great summer while there is still an infant around. She said I won't ever have all 4 (not that I'd mind... MY DREAM!!) but definitely will be having some fun with them this summer:) I am also in the works of setting up a July summer camp with a friend. It would be advertised as educational, outdoorsy, arts and crafts, cooking, theme based, science inquiry, literature rich, and a certified lifeguard. We feel that this will be a cream of the crop camp if we can get it finalized before it's too late. If not, we may take a year and sprinkle some extra fun-ness and finishing touches on it and advertise it next year.

Swimsuit shape: Derrick and I love to vacation - no news to many of you. Our plan for the summer is a possibly Costa Rica trip (not sure when but that is our plan). We need to get a big group together though in order for it to work out to stay where we want (this cute, big, villa!). Well, TX has added a couple pounds to this here girl and I need to drop them. You know how even though others say "you're so skinny, blah blah blah" you know your body and how your clothes USED to fit and how they NOW fit. Yea, time to get moving on the work-out train.

Mega studying: I have 2 tests coming up to add to my TX teaching license. My ESL certification and GT (English as a Second Language and Gifted Talented). If I pass both of these the district will pay for the tests, if not, I pay. Ugh. ESL is standard and almost everyone has or will take it. I took the crash course to help me pass the test yesterday, all day, on a gorgeous 90 degree day, from 9-3:30 in a small room with no AC and 31 people. Awesome. This week between my interviews and everything else I will also be studying. Then the following week I will begin going every Thursday after school for a GT seminar course and then take the test in May. Ack!

So... my life in a nutshell... when did I get so busy? Gracious!

Pray for Lucy

I am an AVID blog reader. As in my usual day consists of going to school, coming home, snack, walking Mia, and then sitting down for a good hour checking up on my blogs. Some of the people I do know, others... I don't. I some how get sucked into one blog after another and pretty soon it's 10pm and I have done nothing with my night!!

I fell upon this blog through another blog that I read. I do not know the family at all, but their story is a touching one. I have added their "button" along the side of my page, "Pray for Lucy", an adorable Kindergartener (touches my heart right there) that got sick 1 day about a month ago and is now going through EXTREME radiation to fight cancer.

Children's cancer has always been something I have been interested in -- not in a creepy weird way, no, but in a way that makes me want to help. In high school and starting out in college I wanted to go into pediatric oncology and work for St. Jude's. Then, I joined Tri Delta which is a HUGE avid supporter of St Jude's and has raised millions for them. This little girl, Lucy, recently made the switch to St. Jude's and I am so happy for them. Although I have never personally been able to visit there, many of the girls in my sorority have and could not say enough about it. It is definitely on my list of places to go see and visit.

So... what can we do to help her? Pray. Read their story. Pray. I am planning on contacting my old Tri Delta chapter in OH because sometimes we will pick a specific child to raise money for. Although we don't know Lucy, her story has melted my heart. Also, I plan to reach out to the Tri Delta chapter here in Austin and see if they would want to support her. I want to help. I feel as though this is something I can do. I can support this little girl even though I have no idea who she is or who her family is. She is the age of the kids in my class, and that right there makes me want to help. You know when people say sometimes they feel God tugging at them, almost as if he is saying to do something - that is how I feel. This is my time to help make a difference and I feel it.

So tonight, this blog post is dedicated to Lucy. I know I don't have a lot of followers, but if you follow please take a minute or 2 and read a couple of her mom's posts. First, thank God your family is healthy, then add Lucy to your prayer list. This little girl has a lot of fight in her, and she has a long road ahead of her.

I found a new friend

Tonight Derrick took Mia out for a little bathroom break and when he comes back in he non-challantly says: "there's an armadillo out there." W-H-A-TTTTTTT! OMG! Are you for real!?! OMG! Where is my camera! Hurry! Where!?! OMG (yes... that was my conversation)

I have only seen 1 armadillo since moving here and that was on my drive out here from Charlotte, dead, on the side of the road, in Mississippi. Doesn't count.

I go outside - no shoes on - and go outside to look for him. He was hiding from me but I kept snapping away. Then, I got brave, and stepped closer. He moved away. I stepped closer. He moved away. I was kind of that annoying thing that keeps scooting over on the couch when you keep scooting farther away - yep... just trying to make some new friends here ya know!?

Eventually he was out of the bushes and ran down the little path. I ran after him with my camera snapping away. I'm sure he'll be back. We're like bff's now - Amy the Armadillo and I. Here's some pics of my new friend... hopefully she'll become more photogenic soon.

see him hiding in these?
probably running home to tell her Armadillo friends about me:)

Kirklands - I l.o.v.e you

Over spring break when Derrick and I began the decorating process we hit the usual... World Market, Home Goods, Kirklands... anything that we thought might give us something cheap yet looking good:) Kirklands was the winner winner for us. We found a couple paintings and the awesome bench.

Well.... a couple days later I drove by and saw they were GOING OUT OF BUSINESS. First, I was a little disturbed. Did I really just buy a couple hundred dollars worth of things full price!?! Hold up... wasn't there a TON more in there that I wanted!? Oh yes there was :)

Last week we headed out there.... nothing big in mind but boy did we come out with some AWESOME purchases!

We needed BIG paintings/pictures. Lots big, empty, white walls up in this apartment. Check out what we came out with and I just have to share their before and after prices - and yes all frames came with it!

This one went PERFECTLY in our spare room over the futon. It goes along great with the whole vacation theme:) Before: $150 After: $27 - no joke... best deal out of all of them
I have always loved this painting. Although our bedroom is mainly black and white pictures, this one I think will look great over the future dresser I plan to buy! - Before: $40 After: $30
This was just a great find! I plan to take out the random picture in there and put in one of our own black and white ones. Before: $20 After: $7
This one went along great with the other 2 pictures in the dining room. I love the 50's style of it and the frame is fabulous! Before:$80 After: $40
This is my favorite. I'm not sure why - I just love everything about it. It is hanging over our sofa on one of the giant walls in the living room. I love the coloring, the trees, everything. Before: $140 After: $70
And last but not least, Derrick's favorite. It seems to be most liked by anyone who comes here. It is across from my favorite picture in the living room on the OTHER gigant-uous wall. Before: $70 After: $40
I don't think all Kirkland's are going out of business because I am still getting their weekly emails about sales. But it wouldn't hurt to check your area and see!!!