Tag

I was tagged by Krista. The game is: open your 6th photo folder/album, and post the 6th picture in the album.



I don't remember why I took this, but this is the place where I (and Krista and Laurie) lived while going to school. We only had the downstairs, doesn't it just scream lap of luxury!

Not sure who is still reading this, but keep the game going.

Grandma's Recipes

I found some old recipes from my grandma and I've decided to make a cookbook for some of my family for Christmas. I thought it would be fun to include some pictures of the food when the recipes were made. In keeping with tradition, Krista and I did some baking on Columbus day, so in addition to special cupcakes we also tried out a recipe for Grandma's apple slices. By the way, Krista is amazing in the kitchen and nothing would taste or look as good without her.

Random

One time I flew with Al Sharpton to New York. While waiting to board I mentioned to my traveling partner (my mom :)) that I hope we didn't crash, because no one would ever know that we were on the plane too. I feel the same way for the four people who died on the flight with Travis Barker and DJ AM.

For most of the year I can convince myself not to buy Oreos or M & Ms (I just end up eating the whole package too quickly), but I suddenly become weak everytime they change the color. I'll need to avert my eyes at the store for awhile and to stay away from orange filled Oreos.

It's 7:00 am right now and I am watching two precious babies sleep. Mom and I decided that we would offer to watch the twins over night (I suggested one night, but instead we had the pleasure of two), so that their parents could spend sometime together and get a full night's sleep. This is no surprise but two babies are a lot of work. I also have to give a ton of credit to my mom, who volunteered to take the overnight shift, sleep on the couch and meet the needs of hungry babies while most of us were sleeping. In between sleeping and eating, we went for a walk around the neigborhood and played with lots of toys. On a kind of funny note, Michelle came over and babysat her own kids, so that my mom and I could go car shopping. Looks like the twins could have a new car to ride around in very soon.

Some fun at the Zoo

To explain what an amazing women she is and what a tremendous impact she has had on my life would be next to impossible, but she is wonderful in so many ways.

Happy Birthday Mom!

I just got home from tennis lessons, and while I'm still not amazing, I actually played okay today. There are only two lessons left and it makes me realize how quickly my time off seems to be going by. My days have been fairly filled with activities and I'm really looking foward to my upcoming trip with lots of time to laugh and relax with no worries of a schedule.

First fruits from the garden

Saturday Project

I've been itching to do some quilting, well, making the quilt tops anyway. I decided to start small and bought material (and directions) for a baby blanket. I figured since I know lots of people having babies, I could find a use for it. I don't

think it turned out as well as I would like, but I did serve my purpose of getting some practice and realized that cotton is definitly the way to go.

I'm torn now between trying a t-shirt quilt or trying to make a summer quilt for my bed. Any thoughts?

My So Called Reunion

You would think for 15 years we'd get a better turn out than this. Mabye for 25 years we can double the attendance.

Small Town USA

I know that I've written about this before, but it always kind of strikes me...I went down to T-ville to celebrate with a retiring teacher. I don't know if I've ever mentioned how blessed I was to begin my career where I did. Not only was everyone incredibly supportive, but I also made amazing friends. Back to the point, we went out to dinner at a restaurant in a nearby town and I'm not lying when I say someone at our table probably knew 75% of the people in the restaurant. I haven't lived there in 3 years and I even knew people. I know lots of people find it irritating to always know someone where they go, but I still can't help but kind of like it and even miss it a little.

Golf Outing

At the end of each school year, the faculty usually play a softball game. This year people opted for a golf outing. After many e-mails promising that it didn't matter how good you were, a few of us non-golfers decided to sign up. As the day got closer, I grew more nervous about how silly I was going to look and was really not sad at all when the day finally arrived and it looked like rain. On the way there several of us in the car made a pact not to play if it was raining, but when we got there people changed their minds, so I played very poor golf in cold (you could see people's breath) and heavy rain. As at every outing, prizes were given, and I managed to win the one at the right for...Biggest Complainer!!

From the very first summer that I lived here 12 years ago, I've always wanted to go the the Shakespeare Festival, and finally I'm going. I'm very excited and sad that I have to wait 2 months. It's seems like no surprise that we are seeing The Taming of the Shrew, since that is the only Shakespeare that I ever get to see, but nevertheless, still happy to be going.

Welcome Babies

I'm too exhausted to write many details, but the twins have arrived. Mikayla and Dominic arrived 9 weeks early, so they have a long road ahead of them. We were there when they were taking footprints of Dominic, so the nurse made an extra copy to take to Michelle (who was stuck recovering from surgery). She also gave us a premie diaper to show here. Here is a picture of both.

Things that are making me smile

1. flowers sprouting from the ground
2. sunshine
3. open windows
4. the sound of the lawn mower
5. outside toys
6. the crack of a baseball bat
7. sandals


I feel like I needed an even ten, but this is all I'm writing

Some of the Sights from Salt Lake

Here a some of my pics from Salt Lake City. I didn't make it out too much since I actually spent a lot of time at the conference. The first 3 pictures are all at Temple Square (Home of the Mormon Church). I had the great pleasure of watching the Mormon Tabernacle Choir reherse on Thursday evening. The last picture is of the mountains, since it was such a pleasure to have some different scenery. By the way, for those who care, I did manage to master the Salt Lake City public transportation system (at least the part that took me where I wanted to go).

It pays to watch a lot of TV

I'm at the National Teacher of Council of Mathematics conference in Salt Lake City. There is a huge exhibition hall with lots of vendors. They of course, all want you to sit through talks and pitches. Well, I just happened upon this one and they were getting ready to play a game, so I jump in and she says its on "advertising jingles." About 3 questions in, she says that they are playing for a classroom set of these clickers. Now, since I jumped in I missed the whole "presentation" I didn't know we were playing for good stuff, but even so I kept thinking of all those jingles I've heard over and over and turns out I WON. A whole classroom set of these things will be sent to me, and since I won them, I don't have to give them to the school they are totally mine, think of the fun we can have with these around the fire pit!

Could Not Be Any Cuter

Check out this cake that Krista brought to me on my Birthday. IT'S AMAZING!! Thanks Krista.

Good Friday

Have you ever had one of those days when your soul just feels refreshed. I had one of those yesterday, everything about it, just seemed peaceful, relaxing and enjoyable. The day was full of lots of activity, but most of it left me with a smile on my face. Part of the day I spent with Krista making egg cupcakes, so I thought I'd share our masterpieces (try not to notice that there is one missing that I couldn't resist eating).

Here It Is...

The classic Vickie face and pose.

Remember This?

Just a year ago, I was getting ready to embark on an exciting spring break destination. I'm wishing right now that I had plans for a tropical get-a-way for next week. Maybe next year.

They're Back...

Every year since I can remember my grandma has put McDonalds gift certificates in our Christmas stockings. I always try to save mine for this time of year, because that's right folks, rumor has it that tomorrow brings the return of the Shamrock Shake. Get yours while you can, as they are for a limited time only.

This weather has been the craziest I've ever seen. I tried to get a picture of the lightening while it was snowing, but I just wasn't quick enough. I did though get a picture of my flat tire caused by the weather. You might be asking yourself, didn't she just have a flat tire two weeks ago? The answer is yes, here's the story. I'm on my way home from work in some crazy fog (which I actually like), but since the temperature is changeing the roads don't know what to do. So right as I'm about to hit it, I see a MONSTER pothole. If you can imagine my face as I hear this nasty noise and then I see like 5 hub caps on the side of theroad and I think well at least I'm not alone. As I keep moving I realize that something is very wrong, so I find a side street and pull over and sure enough... The worst part of this is that I just replaced this tire, it has like 200 miles on it and just for fun, I haven't replaced my broken spare tire yet (becasue who would of thought I'd need it so quickly).

Anyway, there were some humourous moments, for example when the 2nd car pulled up behind me with a flat tire and when the third car pulled up with a flat tire. The third car had a football player from one of the colleges in town, and he had NO CLUE about changing tires. He wasn't even sure where his spare was located. I helped him and so did my tow truck driver.

Turned out okay, a friend came and picked me up and even let me use her car so I could go to BSF while it was getting fixed. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this one last me a while.

Snow Day

Can I just say that I have the best neighbors ever. Last night during Lost I heard them outside shoveling my steps, and while I knew I should go out and help, I just stayed warm inside watching TV. This morning, he was out there again cleaning off my driveway. I did go help this time and even had some fun while I was there. I am so loving this day, a chance to be somewhat productive while not getting further behind. Hope all of you who are also having snow days are enjoying it.

Some Saturday Observations

I made a quick trip to Chicago this weekend for the funeral of my aunt Roseanne. Her death was not a suprise, but because of slow communication I found out about the 8:15 am visitation while at an away basketball game at 7:15 pm the night before. Really an unimportant detail, just thought I'd mention it. Here's some of my observations from the day.

1. Alter boys are getting older. I'm not in catholic churches very often, but the normal pre-teen alter boys (and girls) were grown men (like in their 60s).

2. I'm on what I like to call the "class reunion diet," but if looking at my family is any indication, I'm in for a rough road. I haven't seen that whole side of the family in a long time and lets just say we are a big group.

3. I'm destined to have flat tires. Good thing I know how to change a tire (even though currently my spare is also flat). Just to top things off the only person who offered to help me change the tire (besides my mom, who offered her help and support the whole time) came as I was lowering the jack.

4. A little (or a lot) of sleep can make a world of difference.

Extra, Extra...

Read all about it!!

I just finished watching "The Holiday" and couldn't help but feel a little like Cameron Diaz's character, Amanda. Instead of seeing my life as a movie trailer as in the movie, I often see my life events as headlines in the Newspaper. Maybe there will be big news soon.

The Vacation List

Today is my last official day of Christmas break. Oh how I loved the full two weeks and three weekends. I'm sad the time is over. After getting back here after Christmas, I made a list of things that I wanted to do with my time. It included a mix of fun and practical items such as finishing my BSF, getting out invites to a class reunion and seeing a movie. As I now come to the end of the available time to complete my list, there is just one main thing left and sad to say it is the thing that is always on my weekend list...school stuff. I had all these great aspirations of really getting ahead, but alas, I'll be lucky to have through Wed planned. On the plus side, at least there are no papers to grade and there are only 10 school days until Martin Luther King Day!!