Day at the Park

The Friday before Easter, I was able to spend the day with Streett. He is my cousin Krissy's almost 2 year old. S and I had a blast bonding at the park. Here are some of the pictures from the day...

Kids will be kids

I was watching B and O the other day while thier parents were at work.  First I have to say that I can't believe that B is 15, going on 16.  And O just turned 10.  It seems like just the other day they were babies.  Oh how time flies.  

When Hurricane Gustov came through last year (no damage to any of the houses in my family...yay!), this Shrek bouncy ball think came floating into my mom's yard.  Who know where it came from, maybe Florida or one of the islands or a house down the street.   B decided he would take a bounce on it.  I would have thought O would be the one to do this but no it was B....

Catch up

Ok, I know I have been a complete slacker lately with posting.  Please forgive me!  

Here's the skinny on the happenings of my life:

When I got home from Philly, I started substituting for St. Tammany Parish.  Now many have asked why are you driving to Slidell, Mandeville, Abita Springs and Covington to sub?  Well, St. Tammany paid me for my degree/teaching certificate and Mississippi would pay me the same as someone fresh out of high school.  If I wanted to make the same as someone out of high school, I would work at Wendy's or Walmart.  Anyways, it came out to about $35 more a day to cross the state line.  Also the drive time was about the same as having to go to Gulfport or Biloxi for work.  

I have also been a crazy woman filling out job applications for the fall. There are over 50 districts in the Houston area. I have filled out so many applications that I am now a professional job application filler outer.  Maybe I should start a business where I fill out applications for people.  It could be an option.  I am hoping to find a teaching job in the Houston, Texas area.  I am such a city girl.  I love the conviences of the city, and the many different entertainment options (such as theater, museums, etc).  Houston from what I have read and been told, has an amanzing theater circuit.  They have broadway shows year round that come to the area.   It also has NASA, a sweet zoo and aquarium, oh and I can't forget the shopping!!!  I am always up for some good retail therapy.  

Last weekend, I went to a job fair for the Pasadena ISD.  (I was on the road Friday and remembered I forgot to post a fun foto friday...sorry) I received 3 interviews.  The first was at 11:30 and when I went to the classroom it was being held in (the job fair was at a high school in the district), I was told they were no longer doing interviews for the day becasue all postions had been filled.  What?!  You filled all positions with the first 6 people you interviewed.  Ok, there lost for not talking to me.  :)  The second school I interviewed with , well, didn't go so well.  As I was asking questions, one of the ladies would cut me off to ask the next question.  I guess she didn't like my answers.  I was a little frazzled from it.  My last interview, I was kinda beat down from the previous two and my hopes were less than high.  The lady interviewing me made me feel so at ease.  I was in there for almost 30 minutes.  It think it went well.  She said they didn't have any openings at the moment but were expecting some 1st and 2nd grade positions to be available.  They would know more after this week, when school gets out.  She did ask which I would perfer, I said I would love either.  I am keeping my fingers crossed for Fisher ES

Now, I am starting to prepare for the big Houston area job fair on June 15.  My old roomie, Andra, is flying in from Alberqurque for it too!  I am excited to see her!  All the Houston area districts will be there, so if I am hoping to walk away with a job (if I don't hear from Fisher ES soon).   

I have so many pictures to post from over the last month and a half...I am working on them!  

So you will be bombared with post here soon!!!

I am a Cupcake

I was reading my friend Laura's blog and she posted the results she got from a link off her sister's blog.  The link was to a quiz to find out what kind of cup cake you are....FUN!!!   I decide to follow the link and take it.... here are my results...

You Are a Lemon Cupcake

You are spirited and spunky. You embrace life and have a sunny outlook. You're drawn to all sorts of people. You can find something to like about almost anyone. You are like a cupcake because you're cute and happy. You can turn anyone's day around. You love to laugh and have a wickedly funny sense of humor. You enjoy teasing and joking around.

Fun, I know! Ok, so if you want to find out what kind of cupcake you are, follow this link! Cupcake

5th Season starts today

The South's 5th season, Hurricane Season, starts today! So far, so good!

Already? Really?!?!?!

Really? I mean it's not even June 1st yet! For those of you that are not familiar with the South's 5th season, June 1st starts Hurricane Season. On Wednesday, I tuned in to see the last 3 minutes of American Idol, just to see who won. I am not an AI watcher, but I wanted to see who America voted for. After the show the New Orleans news came on and the first thing they talked about was this low pressure system sitting over Florida. Great. It was already taking the shape of a storm. Well, about 20 minutes ago we got the first feeder band (the band of rain that comes off the storm before the eye of the storm hits land). The low is moving fast and is not even strong enough to be called a tropical depression. We will get some well needed rain from it and that is about all. The winds are not any stronger than the breeze we get from the beach daily. So this is just a little teaser, hopefully the rest of the season will be quiet!

Fun Foto Friday

This picture is from my graduation last July. My mom and Nana came up for it. Olivia and Bryce were visiting their Buddy (grandpa - my Uncle Jeff) in Wyoming and I drove over and picked them up for a couple of days. I giggled when I saw this picture because not even a year ago, I could still call B "shortie" - even though we were the same height. I still call him shortie even though he is now 3 or 4 inches taller than me.

Streamlining ... it's a must!!

I read this on Erica's blog and decided to steal it. It is such a great idea! I know I organize and then in a couple of weeks I can't find what I am looking for (but with everything I own in boxes, I have no clue where most things are). I will definitely be streamlining when I unpack my boxes in a couple of weeks in my new apartment or house! (hopefully!!)

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For enrichment last night our stake had an amazing lady come and talk to us about streamlining vs. organizing. Organizing is put your things in order...however in about two weeks the house once again looks cluttered and messy. Streamlining is going through every single item in your house that is yours or you are in charge of and asking your self....do I need, want, use, like, or have room for this? Have bins/bags/boxes with you to help sort through your things. Have a garbage, DI/other charity/yard sale, file later (for all of those important papers you find in odd places), and doesn't belong in this room bins. Work in a clockwise pattern in each room. Go through EVERYTHING, touch EVERYTHING.
Some tips she gave for children are: 7 (+1 extra incase something gets dirty) shirts, pants, socks, underwear (depending on the stage of potty training you may need more); and 2 Sunday outfits. To make the closet practically empty, fold the shirt, socks, underwear inside the pants to make a outfit pack and store in dresser. This way clothes match and you don't have a sock drawer, a underwear drawer, a pants drawer, etc. Her motto last night was LESS IS BEST! You don't want clutter you want empty spaces. Our homes should look and feel like the temple. You should feel at peace! By clearing out the things that we don't need, want, like, use or have room for we give ourselves more time (we aren't spending so much time looking for things we can't find or spending money on something we already have because we are tired for looking for it), energy (not searching for lost items, easy to find an outfit with the outfit pack, etc.) , and a lot more other things that I can't remember. 

A tip from Oprah...if you aren't sure which clothes you wear turn all the hangers backwards on the rod and when you wear something put the hanger the correct way in a few months you can tell which clothes you wear and which ones you don't.
You only need 2 pairs of sheets (get rid of the linen closet: store sheets and extra blankets between mattress and box-frame), one towel (if you want one hand towel and wash cloth as well) per person in your family (we don't really work with the cows everyday an more, so we really are bathing clean bodies).
Going through clothes is the hardest thing; remember you only wear about 25% of your clothes: they are your favorites so you know which ones I am talking about. Get rid of the other 75%.   A lot of room was just made in your closet! Get rid of the clothes that aren't in style, are old and warn out, have holes in the knees, have fred edges, stained (arm pits, oil) etc. Be careful though, if you are like me and on a budget don't get rid of every pair of pants because you have had them since high school and they are fraying...you won't be able to replace them. Perhaps you could set aside a few dollars each month in your clothes budget to buy some more down the road. Store winter/summer clothes under your bed/couch.
When you are getting ready to start your streamlining you may want to let someone babysit your younger children...this can take a long time and it will be hard to give your attention to them. Shut your teenagers door...don't touch their stuff. Don't touch your spouses stuff...let everyone know that you are only going to be streamlining your things and the things you are in charge of (which is basically the whole house). Let the older children help; they are more than willing to help. Children love to be helpful...use them! A smart mom does less chores!!!

Fun Foto Friday

This picture is from when I went to Norway three years ago. It was taken on May 15th, 2006. Syttende Mai (May 17th) is Norway's constitution/independence day and a huge celebration. They have parades, people wear costumes and their national dress and downtown Oslo is packed! It is also a day that kids (and adults) can eat as many hot dogs and ice creams as they want!! and ice cream in Norway is so stinkin good... so are their hot dogs. Hot dogs are not eaten in buns but are rolled up in these flat potato things. mmmmm... now I want one. Since I can not be in Norway with Marte, Lars, Tinde and Torn, I will have hot dogs and ice cream alone here at home. I also need a Norwegian flag. Anyways... Gratulerer Med Dagen!

Fun Foto Friday

Winter 2007...It had been 6 years since I had been in college and 10 years since I had to share a room with anyone. Gulp. I had never lived in the same place with 5 other people either. Was I nuts?!?!? New state, snow, and having to live with 5 people I DIDN'T KNOW!!!

However, I was where I was supposed to be and I was blessed with the BEST roommates EVER! So here we are, clockwise from me... me, Natalie, Brittany, Kim, Erica and Wendy. We had so much fun taking this picture...I think we took at least 300 pictures trying to get everyone in before Scott came over and we had him take it. But those are some fun pictures and great memories!

Fun Foto Friday

Erica, Hannah, Becca and I thought it was funny how we all were wearing pink and white (and I was the only one without a black skirt on) to church this day. We didn't even notice until we were back at home. So we decided to take some fun pictures. That was a fun summer! I miss these girls!

What a cute little guy

I forgot to post this on Jayden's 2nd birthday awhile back, so here it is... My cousin Kelly's little man turned 2 and to celebrate we went to the zoo in New Orleans! Here is Jayden standing by one of the FANTASTIC oak trees ...

I love his red hair and ... which Kelly cut off! Sad day! Now he really looks like a little man!

These are the alligators in the Swamp area of the zoo... I really love the zoo, maybe I will go again soon.

Last one on this subject....

I promise this is the last one on the Philly trip from February...

While Sarah was in school I would drive around to practice becoming a pro at driving a stick shift and because I was bored at the house. One day I decided to find covered bridges in the area... score! This one was built in 1869.

Another day I was out in Kutztown shopping at the Pebbles (where I bought a way cute skirt on sale for $2.39 by the way) and as I was leaving I saw this....


I guess the Mennonites were in the grocery store. I thought it was funny to see the horse and buggy in the parking lot. When my mom was visiting Aunt Cathy a few years ago, she saw a horse and buggy parked at the gas station...I guess they needed a little help to improve their horse power!

New York City?!?!?!

While I was in Philly, Sarah and I took the bus up to New York City one weekend. This was my first time in NYC and had a blast! I wasn't able to fully enjoy every aspect of the city because I was there for such a short time. Also, I had a 12 year old with me that was ready to go home after being there for only 30 minutes...oh yeah... she wasn't happy with me dragging her around for many many many hours...Here are some of the pictures I took while I was there...

When we first got off the bus at the Port Authority, we were a block off Broadway!

We walked around a bit and nature called so we found a place to go to the restroom and warm up (it was in the low 20s when we arrived) ... we found M&M world! It wasn't as good as the one in Vegas but it was fun...Yellow is my favorite just to let you know...

After we left there, we walked down to Times Square... I didn't see the naked cowboy playing his guitar, like my mom did when she was here visiting my sister, I guess it was too cold for him ...

I was enjoying wandering all over the city, my young companion just want to ride the subway so we would stop walking...poor thing, doesn't she know you can see more by just wandering around? We wandered right into Radio City Hall...

which is right by Magnolia Bakery... made famous by Sex and the City...

Speaking of Sex and the City... it just happened to be Fashion Week!

I wanted to see the Empire State Building. I wasn't really sure where I was going but I could see it through the buildings and kept walking in that general direction...

As we were heading towards the Empire State Building, we came upon Macy's (bright lights, choirs singing)...now when I watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade and the acts perform in front of the store, I have always thought the street was pretty wide... nope I was wrong, it was hardly wide enough for two cars to go down...

First, Macy's is one of my favorite department stores, and I was happy to be in the original one that was 9 floors of shopping heaven, and they were having a sale. Sarah found a Marc Jacobs purse and almost fell on the floor when she saw the price, and it was on sale! We decided to start at the top and work our way down. I thought one of the coolest things was the original escalators....the picture doesn't really show how completely cool they were...

We finally left and kept on heading towards the Empire State Building... we finally made it with one detour to shop in the H&M .... I have been to a few here in the states and don't think they are as good as the ones in Europe, which is where they are from. We didn't go up the Empire State Building because the line was ridiculously long and we were going to the wax museum later .... so we just tilted our heads back, looked up and I said wow that is a tall building and we continued on...

now we headed back up town to Grand Central Station...and I heard nothing but complaints about getting on the subway, blah blah blah...

It was here that we finally go on the subway and headed to Little Italy for lunch...here I am on the subway...
When we got to Little Italy all Sarah wanted was pizza..what?!?! Um no! We are going to eat in a real restaurant, with hot Italian waiters...which is what we did, when this hottie coaxed us in....then we walked around Chinatown and I was trying to find a fake/stolen Burkin bag, which noone had. Sarah asked why the guys would ask if I wanted a purse and they didn't have any. I told her we had to go down an ally into a van or something to see them. She didn't think it was safe and I said for a Burkin it would be worth it. Maybe on my next trip they will have some fake/stolen Burkin...
As we were leaving Sarah realized she had lost her Metro pass ... great. Big dent in my plans... maybe she secretly lost it so we would go to the wax museum and then head home and stop walking everywhere. She was not a big fan of walking and exploring without a plan. We paid for another one way ticket so we could get back to Times Square. We went into a few shops around there and then went to the wax museum.... I won't bore you with pictures. They were much like the ones from Vegas, but I had more fun at the one in LV, Sarah wouldn't do any fun poses with wax figures. We finally got on the bus to head back to Pennsylvania. Good day. I will have to go back to finish seeing everything I wanted to see and didn't. Oh here is the New Years ball...they are leaving it up all year. It changes colors ...kinda cool.

This really took a long time...

Hey Yall... so you know I went to Philly about 2 months ago, and I never posted pictures! OOPS! I am a slacker I know, PLEASE forgive me! Here are some from my trip, I hope you enjoy!

As I was driving into Philly, OH and I was driving a stick shift - now let me tell you that this was the first time in 15 years that I had driven a stick shift. I was a bit rusty at first but after a few days of driving EVERYWHERE for practice it was pretty much smooth sailing. However, I was a bit nervous about driving in the BIG city...not the farm land I had been driving in! So, as I started earlier, as I was driving into Philly, I passed the Eagles stadium...

Once in the city I finally found a parking space and to get into it I had to drive UP a STEEP entrance, I am glad there was only one person behind me and he was able to back up ... I was walking past an old church and came upon the grave of Benjamin Franklin...

This is Independence Hall... I didn't go inside because I stood had been standing in line for 30 or so minutes and it was freezing and starting to rain/snow and we were told it would be 2 more hours before we got in... I decided to go through on my next trip, but I took a picture...

This is Betsy Ross house where she sewed the first flag... YAY Betsy!

Here is the Liberty Bell... I wish the blinds were up so you could really see Independence Hall...

I spent about 7 or 8 hours that day just walking all over the city. I ate a philly cheese steak, not from the place I wanted because the line was too long and it was cold outside, but it was still scrumptious! Just thinking about it my mouth is starting to water. I LOVED the history of the city. I found this street that was practically deserted and I stood there and could just see the people coming out of the houses getting into horse drawn buggies...I love history and old cities!

Fun Foto Friday

HAHAHA...this picture is so old! This is from the first day of our senior trip to Disney World Grad Night. We had been on a bus for about 12 hours...no shower and hardly any sleep. Our first stop was Universal Studios. This is Christine, Paula, Leanne, me, Lisa, Jeanne, Steven, Jason and MJ, as soon as we entered the park. Our senior trip was so much fun! That was 12 years ago...wow I feel old putting that in print.

Fun Foto Friday

I love this photo! After Hurricane Katrina, I went to Concord, CA to spend some time with my friend Laura at her parents house. Laura's parents, Mrs. Bonnie and Mr. Jim, were so gracious to let me stay with them for a few weeks! Thanks again! I had the best time while there! This picture is from the day we all went into San Francisco. In this picture is Mrs. Bonnie, me, Ross, Spencer, and Laura with the city in the background. It was a such a fun day...we rode a street car, walked all over the city, had lunch at this great Italian place, saw the Golden Gate bridge, I got to put my feet in the ocean, which was FREEZING by the way! While staying there, I met so many people and made so great friends. I hope to be able to go back soon a visit...it really is a beautiful place!

Fun Foto Friday

I love Amanda in this photo! It was her birthday and we all met up at Wingers for dinner. Amanda thought a quite dinner with friends, not a big fuss, but oh no! We showed up with balloons and gifts! She was a bit surprised and embarrassed by the balloon bouquet we tied to her chair and the glow stick we bought for her to wear. (There weren't any cool birthday necklaces and glow stick are cool) Dinner was great...sticky finger wraps and we shared an asphalt pie (mint chocolate chip icecream in an oreo crust with whip cream, caramel and crumbled oreos on top). Oh and we sang Happy Birthday too! Good times

In this picture are the birthday partiers....Amanda, Hannah, Wendy, Robyn, Emily, Andra and me! Love and miss yall!

Catching up with old friends

A few weekends ago, my roommate from my freshman year of college at Judson in Alabama, came to town.  Her name is Jennifer.  She and her friend Jennifer drove down from Birmingham (aka the Birmingham Jennifers) to see the New Kids on the Block concert at the IP casino in Biloxi.  I was excited that she was coming to town becasue the last time I saw her was probably 5 or more years ago!  I drove over to the IP and we went for lunch.  I was so good to see her and catch up.  We were talking about how our days at Judson seemed so long ago... 12 years to be exact!  Wow that makes me feel old.  I really doesn't feel that long ago.  Here is a picture of me and Jennifer...

Pinch DosTails an Suck Dem Heads...

...that is the best way to eat a crawfish!

Last weekend I went to visit my mom at work.  She told me Diane was boiling some crawfish and asked if I wanted some.  It sounded good (and since I haven't had crawfish in since before Hurricane Katrina, it sounded really good!) so she went and got me some.  They were still hot and the spices were just right!  Now when I mean right, I mean my lips were still tingling for at least 30 minutes after and my nose was running like a faucet!   When my family boils crawfish, we use this stuff called "Dump", it's all the spices you need and you just dump it in the pot.  It consists of LOTS of cayanne pepper and I don't know what else...probably some garlic powder, onion powder and stuff like that.  You will know if your crawfish is spiced right by how your lips tingle and nose runs!  When you boil crawfish you always throw potatoes, corn, garlic (the whole bulb thing), saugage (or hotdogs), lemons, and I really like artichokes, into the pot to soak up the spices!

So yall may be asking... how exactly do you eat a crawfish...well

First you find the biggest one

Then you pinch the tail off... don't throw it away!

Next you suck all the juices out of the head (sounds gross but it is so good!)

Then you peel the tail and pinch it at the end to get the meat out

Now you may need a sip of a cold beverage or you dive in for another!!!!