two posts in one day!

This one is much less exciting, but I digress!

I am in LOVE with the new mascara i've been using and I wanted to share.


Maybelline's Define a Lash Mascara (waterproof in black) is absolutely fabulous. I am one for length vs. volume when it comes to mascara, so I was ecstatic to see that this pretty pink tube and wand took my eyes from blah to:


I like it alot. They also have a regular (non-waterproof) version that I like, but fades and runs really quickly. I bought this at Wal-Mart for $6.49 and it's been worth every penny! Pretty!

Anyway, last night really was fun. I cooked and we ate, and Keith and I had a blast. We watched some tivo afterwards. I think 29 will be a weird age to turn. It's on the cusp! Keith is handling it pretty well, though. Tomorrow night we'll eat with his family and celebrate some more. I am so lucky to have such a funny, smart, caring boyfriend!

Happy Birthday (a few hours early)

just a few pics from the early bday celebration keith and i had last night for his 29th! :) more to come...

Lost

Labradoodle

OR

Miniature Poodle (Apricot)

I'm very serious. I've lived with sweet poodle, Piper for the last 6 months, but really i'm open to all "hypoallergenic" breeds. Help?

Keith really likes Lost. Evidently, there was like a 3 hour bonanza on ABC tonight. I say evidently, because I have been sitting here lost in email, facebook, and my blanket the entire time while he is enthralled. I know my parents like it too, but I just can't get into it. It's just all a little too cinematic for me.

Time for bed, fred.

Miraculous

Often times, all of us are inclined to wonder how our actions, lack of action, "fate" or other similar ideas got us to where we are today. I believe there is a definite reason for things happening to us (and for our actions) and that God is in control of this plan. I would not do one thing differently because I know that every step along the way I have learned, grown and been able to continue ahead with more acute knowledge about myself and others.

If I had not been born to the parents I was born to...

• I would not have come to know Christ the way I have
• I would not know the comfort of having parents who will never divorce
• I would not have experienced growing up in a small town (sorry city folks, I just think there's something different about having small town roots..)
• I would not have had all the happy childhood memories that came from having young, energetic parents who didn't have a lot, but gave me everything I needed and more.

If I had not chosen to go to Auburn (which, i'll admit, was not a choice I gave much thought. I applied, got accepted and went, just like 2 generations of my family before me):

• I would not have learned what it was to study and see the rewards of actually putting effort in to it! (too little, too late, some might say...but all the same..)
• I would not have made several close friends that I still call friends today.
• I would not have made mistakes in relationships, which helped me know what real love looks like. (Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13)
• I would not have gotten to enjoy those orange chairs in Goodwin!! :)
• I would not have experience in how to handle a variety of situations, from finances to dealing with people.

If I had not moved to Birmingham almost 3 years ago:

• I would not be a member of my fabulous church
• I would not have met the love of my life and the man God prepared for me!
• I would not have such a fabulous job (almost through my 2nd year!)
• I would not know how it feels to actually miss my parents!
• I would not know my way around an interstate system at all!
• I would not be able to see my sister regularly (She's at Montevallo)
• I would not have the experience of moving 3 times in 3 years! (okay, I might could have done without that!)

But in all seriousness, I am thankful for how my life has unfolded. I am hopeful for the future and I am in a constant state of praise for all that Christ has done for me and the people I know and love. I hope that peace for all of you, as well. It's nothing short of miraculous.

Laundry

This is the first night that I've had completely to myself in many nights. I like being with people and I like being alone. I don't quite know how to handle silence like I once did. I think back to college, and I feel like I spent too much time alone. I analyze the here and now and think sometimes I keep myself busy so I don't have to slow down and ....think. Late at night, when I'm closing my eyes and can just breathe is the best time of the day. I assume it's because it's quiet and I can think, plan and pray. Those are some of my favorite things to do.

As for right now, I'm doing more laundry than i'd care to admit. One of the down (or up?) sides to being busy is that my laundry just seems to pile up in these mounds that just look at me, like, "HAHAHAH!". Yes, my laundry taunts me. Not anymore, at least after that last load :)

E! really likes to show Napoleon Dynomite. This is the 3rd time in a week it's been on when i've been around a TV (which is less and less these days).

God has really been faithful to me. I am really and truly amazed when I find myself in His presence in small ways throughout my day. He has been a constant support to Keith, as well, and is sustaining the both of us in many ways every single minute. I am really contemplating a mission trip this summer. More to come on that later, but it will come as no suprise to most of you, i'm sure! (the location and etc, I mean).

There's the dryer. Adios.

Funny, haha

I have an abnormal fear of my cell phone.

You see, I normally use it as my alarm...you know, its not electric so it'll still go off when the power isn't on, it's small and compact, etc. I never set it for any specific time, either. If I need to be at school before 7 (like today), I'll set it for like 5:49 and snooze once. Normally, it's set for around 6:14 or so. However, my congenial relationship with my cell phone came to an end right after my christmas concert, during the last week of school before the break. I suppose it was the initial "concert let down", but I slept like a log. Had nice dreams, and just generally was out of it.

About halfway through a delightful dream which, if i remember correctly, involved a tropical locale, I was jostled awake by a strange noise. This was not my alarm tone. This was "Jingle Bell Rock" (i know, i know), which meant it was my you're-not-in-my-top-5-caller ring. Alarmed (PUN!), I fumbled for that little samsung, and happened to open my eyes long enough to see quite a bit of light pouring in through the window. As soon as I said hello, my heart sank. I knew. It was Lynne from the main office, just calling "to see if I was coming in this morning". I pulled my cell phone away from my face and looked at the time display. It was 8:12. It takes me about 15 minutes to get ready in a hurry, 15 to school so I thought, OHMYGOSH how late is this going to make me. Not only was I almost 45 minutes late, but this just HAPPENED to be the morning that my 1st period class of 8th graders was throwing me (with a couple of moms at school waiting with goodies) a birthday party. Yes, Miss Thompson is a royal jerk.

Ever since this tragic event, I have PTSD, or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Everytime my cell phone alarm goes off, i'm UP with a jump, my heart races, I feel guilty all over again for oversleeping. This is not normal. it's gotten to the point of any ring that isn't my top 5 ring pushes me over the edge. I jump 10 feet. My point? I'm super weird.

The school is on a strange schedule today for some seminar, so all my classes are clipped by 20 minutes. I'm cool. In other news, I am very excited for the return of my favorite show, Big Love, this weekend on HBO. Sadly, my roommate doesn't get HBO (horrors!) so Keith and I will watch it at his house (Thank you, direct Tv!) If you've never checked it out, you should. Sunday, HBO 8p.m.

Cassi's wedding festivities have kicked into high gear....2 showers at home this past weekend, 2 more this weekend in Demopolis, and her wedding weekend Jan, 30-31. I have some great pictures from the lingerie shower and church shower (irony?), but since i'm at school without my cord, that'll be a topic for the next post.

Top 6

Happy New Year!

I apologize for the lack of blogging activities, but Blog, I've been busy! With a trip to Disney with my choirs, A Christmas concert, traveling home for Christmas, and anniversary and my birthday it's just been a mess. A big, happy, fun mess-- but a mess all the same. Forgive the clutter! (seems as if I am always saying that!)

So, here are a few top 6 lists for you. Why 6? Well, it has always been my favorite number, and since I can hear someone equating it with Satan already...no. When I was little I had a record player (A WHAT??!!) and a record of Sesame Street songs. One song was about the number 6, and as Bert so eloquently put it:

Now two is your eyes and one's your nose
And five is your fingers or your toes
And four is the legs on an easy chair
Yet there's no number can compare
with Six

.Anyway. enough about that....on to the lists!

Top 6 ways I spent the month of December:
1. Behind the wheel of a car
2. Behind (errr...playing?) the piano
3. Worrying about my Christmas Concert (which ended up fabulously!)
4. Spending money I didn't have on presents for people (no, really, I didn't mind)
5. Singing
6. Laughing (pretty nice way to end the list, dontcha think?)

Top 6 ways I spent the first week of January:
1. Worrying/Fretting/Giving myself shoulder and neck pain over registration for UAB honor choir and Wenger Risers (a long and drawn out story that thankfully ended well.)
2. At the copier in the Briarwood Office
3. Stapling at my desk
4. Behind the piano (see a pattern forming?)
5. On a treadmill @ Planet Fitness
6. At the STOVE! (Yes, dear blog, I am a cooking woman now!)

Top 6 Christmas gifts recieved:
1. My brand new digital camera from Keith! (insert italian accent *that's a lotta megapixels!*)
2. The JLo esque hat my Dad picked out. I have never laughed so hard on Christmas. Sorry, Father.
3. the 3, yes, 3 different monogrammed Coffee/Koozie cups. I will now never be thirsty OR forget my lonely first initial.
4. 2 weeks off from school!
5. Pretty jewelry from Mom and Grammy

Top 6 engagements that-happened-over-christmas-break-that-i-can-name-off-the-top-of-my head:
1. Kelly and Matt (the roommate!)
2. Allison and Allen (the childhood best friend!)
3. Megan and Jason (the aquaintances)
4. Jami and Nick (the OBC friend from long ago)
5. Mary-Elizabeth and Brad (A girl I taught. Yes, that's correct. one of my former students from Tallassee)
6. there's probably another couple I forgot.


Top 6 Christmas suprises!
1. My birthday necklace from Keith
2. Our parents getting to have dinner with each other after my concert
3. Actually going back to the gym
4. the PTO christmas checks (WHOOOOHOOOO)
5. How quickly the candlelight service went Christmas Eve
6. How much time I got to spend with family.


and now, lunch break over- it's back to teaching time. But let this be a warning internet:
I'm back :)

This speaks perfectly

The Christian School Journal: "Daddy, Is That the Bad Man?" Election 2008

This was written by the headmaster of my school. His insights are wonderful and more eloquent than any I could express.

Nutshell

This time of year is always crunch time. Being a teacher, I am perpetually "in school" and have been going by almost the same calendar since I have been 5. My year consists of 2 glorious months off and 9 on, with weeks here and there for holidays and testing. At the end of each semester, though, comes that old familiar feeling...that i'm not going to get it all done in time, that i'm not going to prepare my students like I should, that something is going to go wrong that i'm not worrying about. I handle this in 2 ways- worry and denial. Usually it seems i'm worried about the things that will fix themselves, and i'm in denial about the things I might need to actually examine. Anyone else on board with that? I can't be alone!

I spent last night curled up watching election returns. I really thought we would have a different outcome. However, God is sovreign, and though he protects his children, he also disciplines them, so perhaps the next 4 years our country can grow closer to Him and realize his will for our land and peoples.

Thus ends my 5 minutes of freedom this morning...

Update

I made it!

The surgery was not so bad-- Dr. Sciacca is amazing. Endoscopic surgery is so the way to go. I had little swelling or bruising, but lots of soreness. Actually, I had my stitches in my sinuses out today and that has hurt the most of anything during the whole ordeal! Go figure. My pain meds also kinda counteracted with steroid drip they had me on during my 2 hours of surgery, so I didn't sleep much at first, but I definitely stayed home and healed last week. I already feel like I breathe easier, and though it will be about 3 weeks til i'm 100% normal, I am very thankful to be progressing like I am! My mom was a sweet nurse, and my Keith was amazing as usual. By my side and helpful. I have zero complaints! If only all surgeries could progress like mine with such great helpers...we'd all be peachy!

I am in a wedding Saturday back in my hometown, and Friday my sister drove me to pick up the bridesmaids dress...that i'd never laid eyes on (just called in the measurements!). It fits so nice, and I was nervous about a two piece dress, but it's just wonderful. Here's a skinny person modeling it (and the cute shoes!) below:

I am also singing in this wedding and my mom is the pianist! This is not the first, and probably not the last time that this has happened. That's being from a small town for you!



Speaking of weddings, I attended the ceremony of one of my oldest friends on Saturday (my first post-surgery event). It was bittersweet, as her father is terminally ill. It was a beautiful day, though, and I got to see lots of old friends. Here's a shot of my best friend Cassi and I (with our respective gentlemen friends :)...she and Justin will be married Jan. 31!)



My kids were super excited to see me back at school today...and I was excited to see them. 25 days til Christmas, only one month until our trip to Disney, and 5 weeks til the semester end concert. I just need to make it til then!