U Caught Me Thinking...

You can find me on Facebook.

2009-05-28T04:33:00.001-04:00

Seeing that everyone is one Facebook now, I have no need to keep updating my blog. It's been a great 5 years on blogger!

My Cute Nephew!

2009-05-11T18:21:00.002-04:00

My nephew, Lucas, appearing at a Baby store near you!

Blog Neglect

2009-04-25T19:54:00.001-04:00

I have been neglecting my blog because I spend most of my time on Facebook. I am not going to delete my blog but most of my pics will be posted on Facebook...everyone is doing it.

The List

2009-02-08T22:35:00.000-05:00

1. The older I have gotten, the more “type A” I have become. My friends with kids say that will change once I have my own kids.

2. I love scrapbooking, reading, listening to music, playing games….these activities defiantly qualify me as “lame”.

3. Those that have known me for a long time, know that I was once a labeled a “wild child” or “bad girl”. I don’t regret anything in my past. I learn and move on.

4. I always knew I was going to be a teacher. I like being a Special Education teacher….I am always cheering for the underdog.

5. I could never be the Special Education teacher that works with severe mental retardation or behavior disorders…give me your ADHD, ADD, LD mild behavior/emotional disorders and high functioning Autistic kids instead.

6. In college my roommate and I witnessed a stabbing at our apartment complex…we had to testify a year later. During court, the guy tried to escape but was caught and found guilty.

7. Fast-forward to 2008 and I was in court again to put my perverted dentist behind bars for things dentists shouldn’t do to patients…needless to say, he won’t ever practice again.

8. I married a guy who was friends with one of my closest friends. Everyone thought we were complete opposites…actually we are a lot more alike then everyone thinks.

9. I LOVE all dogs….I have a special place in my heart for labs and greyhounds.

10. I loved my college years…some of the best times of my life!

11. July 4, 2005 is by far the saddest day in my life. My 15 year old brother passed away in a 4-wheeler accident. I got the call from the hospital and had to be the one to tell my step-mom and my sisters. It still hurts as bad today as it did 3 years ago.

12. I like my food bland…and most food can’t touch either.

13. I was born in Wisconsin and spent almost every summer there with my grandparents until I was 17. My cousin and I always had so much fun.

14. I grew up in Dunedin/Clearwater, Fl and moved when I was 16 to Sugar Hill Georgia…what a huge difference.

15. I liked Florida but would never want to live there again…okay, maybe Seaside, Florida wouldn’t be so bad.

16. I have many friends and Facebook has reconnected me with many friends that I lost touch with when I moved to GA.

17. My husband and I met at a friend’s birthday party. They thought it would be funny to switch seats so we would have to sit next to each other.

18. One of the first things I noticed about my husband was is great butt! Most guys don’t have a nice booty that fills out a pair of Polo jeans.

19. In high school I was involved in lots of clubs….chorus, theater, editor of the yearbook, service clubs….notice there are no sports listed. I think these clubs also qualify me as “lame”.

20. I did dance for a few years (jazz and tap)….that’s as athletic as I get.

21. In college I was involved in a service sorority (Gamma Sigma Sigma). I was in Phi Mu but de-pledged….it just wasn’t for me….people telling me what I could and could not do….not happening.

22. A big pet peeve of mine – DON’T make me a “friend” on Facebook if you don’t return my comments or emails……it’s so RUDE! Why would you be “friends” with someone if you never respond to them?

23. I have never been to the west coast unless you count Hawaii.

24. I HATE roller coasters and scary movies.

25. Other than being fat, I have never been happier in my entire life J.

It's Fah-reeeezzzzing!

2009-01-16T22:51:00.002-05:00

My morning today 7:45-8:15:

3 layers of clothes +
12 degrees w/ a windchill of -5 +
car rider duty for 30 minutes +
frost-bitten toes =

a cranky teacher

this is when I miss winter in Florida

On a Hiatus

2009-01-04T16:28:00.003-05:00

I am going on a web hiatus. I have lots of other things I need to be doing but the web keeps pulling me away!

So in order to finish the household budget, lesson plans, wedding thank yous (yes, I know they are ridiculously late), laundry and reorganizing the office I am banning my self from the following until Friday night: Facebook, MySpace, blogging, reading other blogs, AJC.com, and other random sites.

I will be allowed to check email (since I only communicate with everyone via social networking sites), budget related sites (bank, credit card, etc...) and sites to book our upcoming weekend getaway.

I wonder how hard this is going to be???

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T22:18:00.002-05:00

It's Sticky Here...Interesting

2008-12-17T22:30:00.001-05:00

In a study on national migration patterns to be released Thursday by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press, Georgia ranks third among “sticky” states — or states that hold onto their native-born population. More than 69 percent of adults born in Georgia still live here, according to the survey, a stickiness ranking behind only North Carolina (71 percent) and Texas (75.8 percent). See more info at the Pew website.

Love Her!

2008-12-16T21:27:00.001-05:00

Cora, my god daughter

Our First Christmas

2008-12-15T12:04:00.001-05:00

9th Annual Turkey Bowl - Thanksgiving Day

2008-12-15T11:53:00.002-05:00

me and my honey

sister-in-law Steph and nephew Lucas

the guys - minus two who were at the ER

Halloween 2008

2008-11-23T21:22:00.001-05:00

2008-11-23T21:15:00.002-05:00

I'm lovin...

2008-11-22T17:28:00.003-05:00

my hubby
a fresh haircut
the change of seasons
holiday sales
pizza and a good movie
college Football
facebook games w/ friends
secret Santa
my nephews
twilight books
that the elections are OVER
fuzzy socks

Christmas

2008-11-11T20:40:00.000-05:00

is around the freakin' corner!

Dear God...

2008-11-03T19:28:00.002-05:00

help us if there are more Americans like this at the polls on Tuesday.

This is a must see...click here.

Yes, I will admit it....I went and I liked it.

2008-10-30T18:52:00.001-04:00

Me & Nikki at NKOTB

I can't wait!

2008-10-22T21:38:00.002-04:00

From the mouth of a 1st grader:

2008-09-24T19:38:00.003-04:00

When asked how the CogAT* was, the student's reply was:

"It was easy. All you had to do was color in the little circles."

*Cognitive Abilities Test - all 1st, 3rd and 5th grade students take it in the fall.

"BOHICA"

2008-09-24T19:32:00.003-04:00

A new term I learned today:

Bend
Over
Here
It
Comes
Again

As heard in a meeting regarding new polices and procedures on student intervention.

Last Week...

2008-09-21T22:13:00.003-04:00

1,810 miles traveled to Wisconsin and back,
1 $75 speeding ticket,
1 funeral,
and I am finally home.

Richard Bienema 1927-2000

2008-09-21T22:09:00.003-04:00

Richard J. Bienema, age 81, a native Monroe businessman and resident of Verona, WI, passed away at the Ellen and Peter Johnson Hospice Care Center in Fitchburg, WI on Sunday September 14, 2008, after a courageous battle with Alzheimer's disease and lung cancer. Dick was born in Monroe on May 15th, 1927, to Arthur and Marguerite (Schneider) Beinema. He graduated from Monroe High School in 1945 and enlisted and served proudly in the United States Coast Guard. He was united in marriage to Patricia Knaack on March 1, 1952 at St. John's Church in Monroe.

Dick was successful in real estate property development with Behring Properties in southern Florida and he was also a Monroe businessman throughout his adult life. He established and co-owned the Suisse Haus in Monroe and was the owner of Bienema Olds-Cadillac in Monroe. Upon retirement, he and Pat lived near two of their daughters in Atlanta, Ga. and recently returned to Verona, WI, where they were active at their retirement community, local senior center and as members of Salem United Church of Christ, Verona.

Dick loved to spend time in Canada and Hayward, WI, "fishing for the big ones" with his fishing buddies. He was an avid fan of the Monroe Cheesemakers, Wisconsin Badgers and Green Bay Packers. Dick cherished the time spent with Pat, his daughters, sons in law and grandchildren and enjoyed extended family gatherings on the holidays.

Dick is survived by his wife, Pat of 56 years; his daughter and son-in-law; Susan and Robert Kuster of Janesville, his daughter and son-in-law; Lisa and David Dempsey, Buford, GA., his daughter, Kristine Bienema, Duluth, Ga.; his granddaughter and husband; Tiffany and Supin Hsu of Norcross, GA, his grandson and wife, Robert and Meredith Kuster, Janesville, his brother; Robert Beinema, Monroe and his sister and brother-in-law; Helen Jean and William Knechtges, Monona.

He is further survived by his sister-in-law, Virginia Kummer, Portage and his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Kristine and James Ronspiez, Oregon, WI, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends including the residents of Sugar Creek Apartments, Verona.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his maternal grandparents; Mary and John Schneider, who lovingly raised him after his mother died shortly after his birth; his brothers-in-law; Charles Kummer and Kenneth Doyle, his sister-in-law; Joan Knaack Doyle, his nieces; Julie Kummer Bartz and Heidi Lemke, and his nephew; Kevin Doyle.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2008, at SALEM UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST, 502 Mark Dr., Verona. The Dr. Rev. Mark Yurs will officiate the service. A visitation will be held at the CHURCH from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Thursday. Inurnment will follow at Verona City Cemetery, Verona, WI. Memorials may be made to: Hospice Care, Inc., 5395 E. Cheryl Pkwy, Fitchburg, WI 53711 or to Salem United Church of Christ, 502 Mark Dr., Verona, WI 53953.

Richard's family extends a special thank you to all the staff at Hospice Care, especially, Russ, Sina and Patty as well as Rev. Mark Yurs for all of their kindness. We love and miss you ... "Death does not extinguish the Light, rather it puts out the lamp because the dawn has come."

My Grampy

2008-09-15T20:33:00.002-04:00

My grampy had been sick every since my wedding last March. His Alzheimer's was getting worse due to the lung cancer the doctors found this summer. I went up two weeks ago to see him one last time. He was more concerned about how the hospital staff was treating me than how he was feeling. He passed away Sunday afternoon surrounded by many of my family members at a Hospice center. Supin and I leave for Wisconsin tomorrow night so we can attend the funeral on Thursday.

My grampy was a great man. He was my father figure before my step-dad came into my life. I am going to miss him so much but I am glad he is no longer suffering.

I have been waiting for this...

2008-09-15T20:28:00.003-04:00

ever since I randomly bought this CD a few years ago

Slowly...Drowning...

2008-09-10T21:06:00.006-04:00

I haven't been blogging because back to school has kept me so busy. I have some extra needy/high maintenance kids this year. They are all sweet but they suck the life out of me. And I am working on some new programs/curriculum which takes lots of time. I usually don't have the energy after work to do anything else. I know if I could get in bed before 11pm every night I wouldn't be so tired at the end of the day. However, I can't get everything done before 11pm!

I spent last weekend in Wisconsin with my grandpa. He is not doing well and has been moved to hospice. When I got back to Atlanta, my parents went up to Wisconsin and now I am house/dog sitting until they get back.

My weekends have been busy with a concert, a weddings, visiting with family in town and the trip to Wisconsin. I am looking forward to things settling down so I can start treading water again!

Our Honeymoon

2008-08-12T21:58:00.001-04:00

We had a great time on our honeymoon. It was my first cruise and I loved it! Here are a few pics...we also swam with the dolphins. I have pictures of that but I have to scan them first. That was probably my favorite part of the whole trip...it was unreal!

click on the pics for larger view

2008-08-12T21:49:00.003-04:00

Clearwater, FL 2008

2008-08-12T21:34:00.004-04:00

Me and my sis Taylor
Makayla (sis #2), me and my step-mommy
High School Friends: Me, Tracy and Steph
Me and Supin

St. Patrick's Day 2008

2008-08-12T21:28:00.003-04:00

Me and Supin
Ashley and Howie
Rob, Me and Susan

Supin's B'day 2008

2008-08-12T21:18:00.005-04:00

Supin and I
Steph (sister-in-law) and I
Cara and Supin playing Beer Pong
Ryan, Supin and Howie

The Rehearsal

2008-08-09T23:22:00.000-04:00

Tyler, in his "Golden Boy" outfit.

Me and my beautiful sisters

A few wedding shots...

2008-08-09T23:16:00.001-04:00

All the lovely ladies...

2008-08-09T23:09:00.001-04:00

The guys showing off their groomsmen gifts.

2008-08-09T22:51:00.001-04:00

2008-08-09T22:44:00.001-04:00

Walking down...

Tyler (Nephew) and Cora (God-daughter)

2008-08-09T22:37:00.000-04:00

Sweet

2008-08-09T22:32:00.000-04:00

Us leaving...we were so tired!

Can't Sleep

2008-08-02T02:39:00.005-04:00

So I am awake because it's soooo hot I can't sleep. Our air conditioning broke tonight. I have someone coming out around 9 tomorrow morning and hopefully it won't cost an arm and a leg to repair the problem....if I don't melt before then.

That's what I thought...

2008-07-31T21:13:00.004-04:00

I often read the blog Mingaling for it's open and honest posts. I have never been able to accurately describe my anxiety-related depression until I read her latest post. It’s word-for-word how I used to feel all the time. The blue text are passages that ring especially true for me.

"I’m not shy when it comes to my personal experiences with anxiety-related depression. However, there are two distinct camps on the topic of depression: those that do something about it, and those that don’t. I find myself in the former, taking my little pill every day (it’s getting smaller, too!), having done my rounds of therapy, and possessing an intense desire not to let this ever come between me and living.

Some say it’s too easy for me to say this without having experienced the depth of darkness that others seem to be in. Others agree with me: suck it up. I can’t really engage in the contest of “who’s more depressed? I deserve more sympathy! me me me!” Instead, I’m going to just focus on me, what I’m doing for me, and mostly, the “doing” part.

No, I’ve never entertained thoughts of suicide - not for one damn second. I couldn’t do that to my family, I’m sacked with too much responsibility, plus I was raised a “pull up your bootstraps” kind of gal. I have had a day or three of staying in bed (thankfully none in a good long while). Those days are hard, especially when you’re facing some unpredictable options. My imagination has a tendency to run wild with terror in the face of certain prospects (what if this? what if that? zomg, it’s too much!). If I don’t have the balls to face the issue, then I’ll slink back to that dark, cool spot on the bed and hide like a coward. Coward is the perfect term for it, as I consciously know what I’m doing and give myself shit for doing so the entire time. Nothing like being depressed AND giving yourself crap for it. I don’t care, though. I’m never going to that dark place again."

-Originally posted by Mingaling

How many "Tiffany Hsu's" are there?

2008-07-29T12:50:00.002-04:00

Here are the stats according to this website:

There are 11 people in the U.S. named Tiffany Hsu.
There are 297,108 people in the U.S. with the first name Tiffany.
Tiffany is the 215th most popular first name.
There are 10,848 people in the U.S. with the last name Hsu.
Hsu is the 3,455th most popular last name.

While on vacation...

2008-07-01T00:14:00.003-04:00

three years ago today I was woken around midnight with a call from the hospital telling me that my little brother was killed in a 4-wheeler accident. I then had to tell my immediate and extended family. The whole night is a blur. I know I didn't sleep for 2 days. By 2am my extended family that lived in town and church members were sitting in my family's living room. My parents were a wreck, my sisters were in disbelief and I was in complete shock. This was one way I didn't expect my vacation to go. The text below was written in the program at my brother's funeral. Even thought the words are so true, it doesn't make the fact that my brother is never coming back any easier.

I'm free.
I'm following the path God laid for me.
I took is hand when I heard him call.
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day.
To laugh, to love, to work or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way.
I found that place at the close of day.
If my parting has left a void, then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss.
Ah yes, these things I too will miss.
Be not burdened with these times of sorrow.
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life's been full. I savored much.
Good friends, good times. A loved ones touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief.
Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me.
God wanted me now.
He set me free.

I leave tomorrow morning to visit my family and friends in Clearwater. It's going to be a hard trip but I am looking forward to seeing everyone.

Pics from Seaside, FL

2008-06-18T20:59:00.002-04:00

So far...

2008-06-02T18:03:00.002-04:00

I have been off work for summer break for a week now. I spent last week having fun at the gyno and dentist offices. I also spent a day at my parent's house going through all the closets and gathering my clothes, etc...

I am still working on all the name changing stuff and merging financial stuff. What a pain....it's enough to keep me from getting divorced.

Nikki and I are going to Seaside this week...we leave tomorrow. I can't wait. I love that beach!

The DVD of the wedding pictures came in the mail today. So I will be posting pics when I get back from the beach trip!

Gotta go and pack:)

Only because I needed a quick break from writing annual reports...

2008-05-04T13:53:00.003-04:00

What were you doing 5 years ago today: I had moved back to my parents house to go to grad school and was working as a special education teacher at Britt Elementary.

5 snacks I love:
- anything that's a carb
- anything that's sweet
- Coke Zero
- Raspberries
- pizza (okay, so it's not really a "snack")

5 things on my to do list today:
- finish organizing the kitchen
- finish the laundry
- finish two annual reports for work
- put together my new scrapdesk from Ikea
- put together my new bookshelf from Ikea

5 things I would do if I were a billionaire:
- pay off my student loans
- buy a new used car
- build a new house
- go on lots of beach trips around the world
- volunteer more...work less

5 bad habits I have:
- checking my email all the time
- being so "Type A" about certain things
- procrastination (sometimes)
- biting my cuticles
- eating too many carbs

5 places I've lived:
- Monroe, WI
- Dunedin/Clearwater, FL
- Sugar Hill/Buford, GA
- Milledgeville, GA (college - fun times)
- Norcross, GA

5 jobs I've had:
- babysitter/summer nanny
- daycare worker
- summer camp director
- Archivers Scrapbook Store (spent way to much $ at that job)
- special education teacher

Gator Attack

2008-04-15T20:52:00.004-04:00

This gator attacked one of my family's German Shepards last week. The gator came from the lake behind the house. Read the story here.

Just a few...

2008-03-13T21:22:00.003-04:00

Me and my sisters at the rehearsal.

My sisters and my goddaughter - too cute!

Mrs. Hsu...That's Me!

2008-03-11T21:51:00.004-04:00

I am back from a wonderful honeymoon. I am so busy catching up on work and moving stuff over to Supin's I am not sure when I will get a chance to post pics. I will probably be MIA for awhile. For those of you that know me, I hate being unsettled and disorganized. And let me tell you, it's going to take a few weeks to get Supin's bachelor pad to feel like "our home".

Final Guest Count

2008-02-18T00:53:00.006-05:00

There are only two names on the guest list that have not responded. So, it looks like the final guest count will be 116....not too far off from my original estimate of 120. It's getting so close and I am so excited. I can't wait to see how all the details fall into place!

Guest Count #4

2008-02-12T21:44:00.001-05:00

107!

Funny Things Kids Say

2008-02-06T23:05:00.000-05:00

One of my 1st graders was coughing countinously. I asked him if he needed to get a drink. He said, "No, if I drink too much then it makes me have to pee......pause.......(as he continues working) "If I eat to much I have to poop." Huh.

During center clean-up time a Kindergarten student asked if he could knock down a castle someone had made. The other student said, "Say the magic word." The other child's response..."Abracadabra!" Well, I guess that is a magic word...

As told by our music teacher: During 3rd grade music class we were singing a song that had the word "barrel" in it. One student asked, "What's a barrel?" Another student replied with, "You don't know what a barrel is?!?! It's what monkeys come i!"

Guest Count #3

2008-02-06T23:04:00.000-05:00

Count #2

2008-02-03T22:16:00.000-05:00

76!

Guest Count

2008-01-31T20:17:00.001-05:00

71 so far!

In Focus

2008-01-30T21:34:00.000-05:00

I booked a new photographer (Bill Anderson Photography) tonight and I got a better price than with my previous photographer!

FREAKING the F*#! OUT!

2008-01-28T21:36:00.000-05:00

My wedding photographer called tonight to tell me that he is not going to be able to shoot my wedding - which, by the way, is in 33 DAYS! He had some major health issue come up and he is really sick. They can't find a medicine that works that doesn't make him sicker. I totally understand BUT I doubt I can find the same type of photographer, for the same price, one month before my wedding.

AHHHHHH - just when I thought everything was going soooo smoothly!!!

Yeah!

2008-01-23T20:37:00.001-05:00

The wedding RSVP's are starting to come in. I am so excited to check the mail every day!

Shower #1

2008-01-20T18:32:00.000-05:00

Natalie hosted my first bridal shower at La Madeleine's. It was wonderful:)

Susan, Julie, Nikki, Me, Sarah and Stephanie

Natalie holding Carrie's baby, Colin. Check out those cheeks!

Opening presents - fun times!

Woo Hoo!

2008-01-19T12:26:00.001-05:00

2nd snowfall of 2008

Signed, sealed and about to be delievered...

2008-01-15T21:09:00.000-05:00

After two nights of working on wedding invitations, they are ready to be mailed tomorrow morning! Of course I made all 100 of them, so there was a lot more work for me to do than if I just bought them. I just couldn't pay the prices for the ones I really liked. So I decided to do them myself....well, with a little printing help from my honey and assembly help from Julie and my mom. I'll post a picture of the invites in about a week. I want everyone to get them in the mail first:)

My Sisters!

2008-01-09T20:57:00.000-05:00

My sisters got their bridesmaids dresses. They took pictures trying them on. Don't they look great?!?! I can't wait to see them all dressed up on my wedding day!

Today I got...

2008-01-04T22:39:00.000-05:00

an unexpected day off work because my school was closed due to this.

One more page...

2008-01-03T22:11:00.001-05:00

Christmas Scrapbook 2007

2008-01-03T21:42:00.000-05:00

I got a really cute pre-made (eeekkk, I know) Christmas scrapbook. My Secret Santa at work bought it at Hallmark and it's super cute. I put all of the photo Christmas cards I received in the scrapbook. I didn't do any journaling, just the first or last name of the families in the photos. I still have 3 pages plus the title page left. I hope to include some fun candid Christmas shots on the remaining pages.

2008-01-03T21:40:00.000-05:00

2008-01-03T21:36:00.000-05:00

2008-01-03T21:34:00.000-05:00

2008-01-03T21:30:00.000-05:00

Flower Girl Dress

2008-01-01T22:20:00.000-05:00

I bought Cora's flower girl dress today. It is beauiful. She is going to look so freakin' cute!

What Santa Brought Me For Christmas...

2007-12-27T13:38:00.001-05:00

He brought me a nice, cruddy cold complete with ear aches and sore throat. I have been so diligent about taking my vitamins this school year I was hoping to make it through the first semester illness free. Technically I did, since I didn't get sick until I was on Winter Break! Other than my lips having a weird reaction to some salsa I ate this fall, I haven't had a full blown cold or stomach thing all semester. I think I just wore myself out the week before Christmas and defiantly did not get enough sleep.

Gotta go blow my nose, again...

Wrap Up: 2007

2007-12-27T13:17:00.000-05:00

Jan. - New Year's party at Susan's, lots of time scrapbooking and grad school.

Feb. - Brandon moves to Omaha to be closer to Pam and Cora. Supin and I plan a weekend trip for March. After a long struggle, Meg and Will lost their baby boy due to heart problems.

March - Supin and I got engaged on the 9th at a cabin in Pigeon Forge, TN! We spent St. Patty's Day drinking green beer with a bunch of friends.

April - I was spending lots of time on grad school stuff and studying for the Praxis. My cousin Rob got married - I couldn't go because I was taking the Praxis. I booked the wedding venue and worked on lots of wedding plans.

May - It was a busy month at work. Grad school was kicking my ass.

June - I went to Clearwater/Orlando and it wasn't a great trip but I was glad to see my family and friends (and Disney).

July - I got pink eye for the first time, finished grad school on the 29th and did lots of scrapping!

Aug. - It was back to school, I turned 30 and got a new laptop.

Sep. - Tim and Misty get married. Supin and I go to Hilton Head for a long weekend. I get to see Mike while I was in HH.

Oct. - Grandpa Dave passes and I go to NY with Dave for the funeral. Then I go to Omaha to be in Pam and Brandon's wedding. Susan and Rob host a great Halloween party.

Nov. - Supin, Susan, Rob and I hike Tallulah Gorge.

Dec. - Christmas parties at work (2), spent lots of time with family and friends, and reconnected with one of my first students via MySpace.

Christmas Goodies

2007-12-27T13:11:00.000-05:00

I had a great Christmas this year. Lots of awesome presents, too many to list but here's some of the highlights:

3 new bags/purses
Massage gift cards
Kohl's gift cards
Archiver's gift cards
Computer accessories
New PINK planner
Slippers and PJ's
Jewelry box
Cash - that's always nice
Jewelry
Massage ball and roller
Scrapbook stuff - woo hoo!
Blockbuster gift card
American Express gift card
Beauty products

Cool Gift

2007-12-21T21:15:00.000-05:00

Check out this cool Christmas gift I got from Julie. It's called "Coolligraphy". Personally, I think the name is kind of cheesy but who am I to criticize! The artist has probably made tons of money making these pieces. Colligraphy was developed by Daniel Nie in 1987. He uses the principals of ancient oriental characters to transform and create names into original hieroglyphic designs. You can find a list of symbolism here.

This would be really neat to incorporate into my wedding too - maybe on the program or invitation. I thought this was such a unique gift. Just knowing that there is not another piece of artwork in the world that looks like this is pretty "cool" to me.

Old School

2007-12-16T21:59:00.001-05:00

A childhood friend posted some old school pictures on her Myspace page. I dug up some of my old school pictures and had a good laugh. Unfortunately, my old pictures were cut up and written on with, eeekkk, a Sharpie! Top to Bottom/Left to Right: Me, Faith, Elaina & Nikki - 10th grade; Me & Faith - 10th grade; Elaina, Erica, Dory, Me, Jessica, Erika & Holly - 8th grade; Choir Trip to UF (loved the uniforms) - 9th grade; Nikki, Me and Elaina - 9th grade; Me and Faith - 9th grade

More Old School

2007-12-16T21:52:00.000-05:00

Clockwise: Faith & I - 10th grade; Elaina, Jeff & I - Summer 92; Faith & I - 11th grade; Elaina & I - Summer 93; Me, Faith & Elaina - 9th grade

In August 2000...

2007-12-11T21:46:00.001-05:00

I taught Shannen reading and writing. She was one of my first students. I worked with Shannen during her 2nd and 3rd grade years. Teachers say they don't have favorites but secretly the do! I mean, how can you not? Shannen was one of my favorites. She was (and still is) one of the reasons that made me glad I chose teaching as my career.

Please ignore the beginner scrapbook page!

And now...

2007-12-11T21:38:00.000-05:00

Shannen is a high school Freshman. She plays on the varsity softball team and is doing well in all of her classes!

Bowling Layout

2007-11-26T20:12:00.001-05:00

New Layouts

2007-11-25T00:31:00.000-05:00

2007-11-25T00:27:00.000-05:00

Tallulah Gorge Hike

2007-11-14T22:07:00.001-05:00

Last Saturday Susan, Rob, Supin and I went up to Tallulag Gorge. It was a hard hike but well worth the scenery.

2007-11-14T22:02:00.000-05:00

Susan and I on the suspension bridge.

A shot from under the bridge.

Halloween with the Brown Family

2007-11-04T20:58:00.000-05:00

The Brown Family

Sarah, Tiffany and Alex

Susan and Alex

Pics from Susan and Rob's Halloween Party

2007-10-28T21:57:00.000-04:00

Stephanie and Tiffany
Tiffany and Paula

2007-10-28T21:45:00.000-04:00

Mark, Susan and Chris
Paula and Supin

2007-10-28T21:41:00.000-04:00

Howie and Ashley or Ashley and Howie???
Super Howie, Rob, Susan and Tiffany

More Wedding Photos

2007-10-22T20:04:00.000-04:00

2007-10-22T20:03:00.000-04:00

2007-10-22T20:02:00.000-04:00

The Best Wedding Present

2007-10-22T19:55:00.001-04:00

Pam had a painting made for Brandon by one of Brandon's favorite artists, Jason Kenning. The painting is freakin' awesome. The main picture is a tree and within the tree are drawings of Pam, Brandon and Cora. The background is made up of lyrics from Pam and Brandon's favorite songs. This has got to be the best wedding gift I have seen yet.

Omaha's not all about corn...

2007-10-21T22:39:00.000-04:00

I got back from Omaha, Nebraska late last night. I was there for Pam and Brandon's wedding. The wedding was beautiful! I have added a few pics below. I didn't get a lot of shots since I was in the wedding. I can't wait to see her professional shots. I just know they are going to be awesome.

The ceremony and the reception was at the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts. This was a super cool venue for a wedding. There were big, white leather couches and ottomans throughout the building. Pam had a face painter and kids area for all of the little ones. They also played some kids songs like the Hokey Pokey. It was a very kid friendly wedding (PB&J sandwiches too).

Stay tuned for more pics.

2007-10-21T22:36:00.000-04:00

Cora and I at the rehearsal dinner.

2007-10-21T22:30:00.000-04:00

Reception

2007-10-21T22:27:00.000-04:00

Pam and Cora

2007-10-21T22:22:00.000-04:00

Pam's Family: Geno, Chris, Mom, Pam, Cora, Brandon, Darlene and Dad

2007-10-09T22:04:00.000-04:00

Views of the Falls

2007-10-09T22:01:00.000-04:00

Niagara Falls and the Maid of the Mist

2007-10-09T21:57:00.000-04:00

Twins: Cousins Tim and Matt

It feels good to be back.

2007-10-09T21:36:00.000-04:00

In a few words the trip to Buffalo was:
1. long - 14 hours in the car on Thursday and Monday
2. sad - what funeral isn't
3. fun - seeing family and going to the Falls

Weddings and a Funeral

2007-10-02T21:54:00.001-04:00

I got my wedding dress tonight. I absolutely LOVE it! Sorry but I can't post a picture;)

I will be MIA for awhile. I am going to Buffalo this Thursday - Monday for my step-dads father's funeral. Then I will be back in town for about a week and then leave again for Omaha for Pam and Brandon's wedding.

I HATE making all of these sub plans and having to take off work. My kids are going to be so whacked out with me coming and going all of October. At least I was able to get the same sub for the 5 days I am taking off in October. She is also going to sub for me when I take off for my wedding and honeymoon. She's good with my problem kids and my kids like her too. So far it looks like I am having to take off of work a total of 11 days this year. None of these are due to me being sick. Let's hope I stay healthy because I can't afford to take anymore days off!

Opps!

2007-09-28T13:16:00.001-04:00

Okay, so I was really tired last night when I made the Nikki and Jeremy page. Yes, I realize there is an "a" missing but after I fixed it I didn't feel like rescanning, stitching, and loading the picture again! Please ignore the spelling error.