How could I forget?

It was brought to my attention that I failed to post pics from my fabulous outing with my teacher friends last Thursday. WHAT WAS I THINKING?!

I have found it very important to spend time with my teacher friends outside of school. We vent and totally understand each other. We went to Tipico last week. Believe it or not, it was NOT my idea to go there. Did I complain? Absolutely not.

Anyway, here are some pics from our time together!

Top: Me and Heather

Middle: Hope, me, and Jessica

Bottom, Catherine (we'll miss her!), Hope, me, Jessica, and Heather

a rough day followed by a BULLDOG WIN!

I am rewinding a few days to fill you in. You may care nothing about what I have to say, but I find this as sort of a stress relief for me. So, if you choose to skip over this, at least it's making me feel better right?

Friday was a BAD DAY. That's all I can say about it. I'm always tired on Fridays (who isn't?), but on top of my tiredness, I was sad and in a bad mood. I hate those kind of days. Have you ever noticed that when you feel all of these emotions at once, it feels like the whole world is against you? Obviously that's dumb for me to think and it's totally untrue, but that's what was going through my mind on Friday. If you're a regular reader, you've followed the journey of my life for almost 2 years, and you've seen that I've had LOTS of highs, but I've also had extreme lows too. It's all part of growing up and learning, I know, but it's still HARD. Everyone faces hard times, and I've had my share of them. Some of them are total learning experiences, and in the end, I'm able to thank God that they happened. Others hurt so badly that I wonder if I'll EVER see the reasoning. Sure, I know God has a plan for me (I've said that about a million times on this blog), but I'm just so impatient. While I've enjoyed my singlehood for these past several years, I'm ready for a change. I'm sad. I'm lonely. I want to know WHEN.

I'm often reminded of a verse that I read daily (I keep it on my bedside table). It's a simple reminder that God knows what He's doing, and His plan for my life is so much better than anything I can imagine. I've posted about this verse before, but it's too good not to mention again.

"But these things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed."
-Habakkuk 2:3

I'm a major blog reader, and I know that so many of you are experiencing difficult times right now. If so, take that verse to heart. It continues to help me get through the hardest of times.

You know the saying "There is a rainbow behind every dark cloud"? I believe it. After the day I had Friday (which by the way, was really after a long, tough, week!), I needed a happy weekend. It couldn't have been better. Kristen, Rob, and Henry were here for the game. Not only was there nice weather, good food, fun times with the fam, but there was also a VICTORY involved! Yep, believe it or not, my dear bulldogs defeated undefeated Vanderbilt! It was fabulous. Here are some pictures.

precious

Kristen and her not-so-little one anymore

Me and Emily before the game. Kristen and Emily's sister, Laura, met up with some of their college friends and tailgated together. Emily and I decided to tag along with them a little before the game. :)

Me and Kris.

Me and Henry (who was not cooperating too well with the picture taking).

Seriously...what would we do without our weekends?

re: "Does this mean I'm old?"

A couple of 2nd graders were wearing slap bracelets at school this morning! THEY'RE MAKING A COME BACK! It made me so happy to see little girls slapping bracelets on their wrists.

It's the little things in life that make me happy really.

I had a great weekend--pictures to come soon!! I PROMISE!!

Does this mean I'm old?

I got this from a friend today. I've seen it before, and it makes me smile everytime. Enjoy!

You Know You Grew Up In the 80's if:

1. You've ever ended a sentence with the word SIKE.

2. You can sing the rap to the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and can do the Carlton

3. You know that "WOAH" comes from Joey on Blossom

4. If you ever watched "Fraggle Rock"

5. It was actually worth getting up early on a Saturday to watch cartoons.

6. You wore a ponytail on the side of your head.

7. You got super-excited when it was Oregon Trail day in computer class at school.

8. You made your mom buy one of those clips that would hold your shirt in a knot on the side.

9. You played the game "MASH"(Mansion, Apartment, Shelter, House)

10. You wore stonewashed Jordache jean jackets and were proud of it.

11. You know the profound meaning of " WAX ON , WAX OFF"

12. You wanted to be a Goonie.

13. You ever wore fluorescent clothing. (some of us...head-to-toe)

14. You can remember what Michael Jackson looked like before his nose fell off and his cheeks shifted.

15. You have ever pondered why Smurfette was the only female smurf.

16. You took lunch boxes to school...and traded Garbage Pailkids in the schoolyard.

17. You remember the CRAZE, then the BANNING of slap bracelets.

18. You still get the urge to say "NOT" after every sentence.

19. You thought your childhood friends would never l eave because you exchanged handmade friendship bracelets.

21. You ever owned a pair of Jelly-Shoes.

22. After you saw Pee-Wee's Big Adventure you kept saying "I know you are, but what am I?" 23. You remember "I've fallen and I can't get up"

24. You remember going to the skating rink before there were inline skates.

25. You have ever played with a Skip-It.

26. You remember boom boxes and walking around with one on your shoulder like you were all that.

27. You remember watching both Gremlins movies.

28. You thought Doogie Howser/Samantha Micelli was hot.

29. You remember Alf, the lil furry brown alien from Melmac.

30. You remember New Kids on the Block when they were cool...and don't even flinch when people refer to them as "NKOTB"

31. You knew all the characters names and their life stories on "Saved By The Bell," The ORIGINAL class.

32. You know all the words to Bon Jovi - SHOT THROUGH THE HEART.

33. You just sang those words to yourself.

34. You s till sing "We are the World"

35. You tight rolled your jeans.

36. You owned a bannana clip.

37. You remember "Where's the Beef?"

38. You used to (and probably still do) say "What you talkin' 'bout Willis?"

39. You're still singing shot through the heart in your head, aren't you!

my favorite fall treat...

It is no secret that I love candy. I try not to eat it often (for obvious reasons), but if it's in front of me, I'm done. Miraculously, I've never had a cavity. In fact, everytime I go to the dentist, I prepare myself to hear him say that I have 48 cavities. Before I allow the dentist to take a look in my mouth, I always just say, "I love candy".

Halloween has always been fun for me. I look at it as an excuse to eat candy. There's a specific candy that I consider to be my favorite (non-chocolate) Halloween candy. Candy Corn. I love it. I know you can buy it year-round, but it's just so fall-ish to me. I always want it most this time of the year. A teacher friend of mine has a container of candy corn in her classroom right now, and I find myself going in there numerous times a day just to "say hello." Ha.

I consider candy corn to be very versatile too. Have you ever had candy corn in some sort of snack mix? Wow. I've been a fan of mixing candy corn and peanuts together. Then I started adding M&M's to the mix (fabulous). Candy corn also goes well with popcorn. Try it if you don't believe me. THEN, a couple of weeks ago, one of my dear students brought me a mix that included candy corn, peanuts, M&M's, and GOLDEN GRAHAMS. Who would have ever thought? Needless to say, I was totally unable to eat lunch that day. Aren't I setting a great example for my students? :)

I tell people that I'm a healthy eater. And I am. But that's only because I don't allow myself to buy junk food or I would be in serious trouble. I'll eat healthily as long as you don't put any sort of candy in front of me....

especially candy corn.

one more thing...

My Bunko group is having a Halloween party Oct. 17. What should I be? Claire suggested Catwoman, which would be fun and easy to make. Mandy has a really good Little Red Riding Hood costume that she wore last year. It, too,would be very fun (and original!) and really cute. What do you think? I want something that I can either make or borrow from somebody, so I'm slightly limited on possibilities! Any suggestions? Vote for your choice and leave a comment if you wish!

weekend in Birmingham!

Mom and I had a blast in the Ham this weekend. We both took off work Friday (I truly believe that EVERYONE needs to take 'mental health' days every once in a while! It was FABULOUS.) and drove to Birmingham where we met my dear friend Shannon, her sister, and their mom. They live in Nashville, so Birmingham is sort of the in-between-meeting place. Anyway, the weekend was way too short, but our time spent together was great. We're always able to pick up where we left off, even if it's been a year since we've seen each other! I got some fun new clothes, had my make up done at Bobbi Brown (I also made a new friend there!), and even got a big chunk of my Christmas shopping done! It was very productive!

I also discovered one of the greatest things ever while shopping at Target. A wine called "Middle Sister" wine! I'm convinced by the picture on the front and the label on the back that this wine was made especially for me. I haven't tasted it yet, but I will no doubt be keeping the bottle. Too perfect! If you're a middle child (even if you're not!) you must look at the website. It's great.

I.C.E.

Heard of this? I was actually told about this several months ago, but it's been a lot more recently that I've read even more about the importance of having an ICE number in your cell phone. What is "ICE" you may ask? Basically all you do is enter your emergency contact as "ICE" (In Case of an Emergency) so that if you're ever in an emergency situation, someone could simply look under "ICE" in your phone and know exactly who to contact. I think it's a very simple and SMART idea. My parents' home number is my emergency contact. I now refer to my mom as "ICE." I guess I think that's funny or something. ANYWAY, just thought I'd pass along the message, so that you can think about putting ICE in YOUR cell phone! Share the idea with friends and family members! You never know when it might come in handy.

Happy Thursday!

a lovely picture and a big THANK YOU! :)

I told you I was going to post a pic of me and Mere if I thought it was cute. While I've seen better pictures of myself before, I still decided to post because looking at it just makes me happy. I love that girl. Thanks for sending it, Em!Also, thanks to all of my loyal readers for helping me PROVE that George Strait really is more talented than Vince. 18-47? Not even close. And I know for a fact that some people voted for V.G. just to spite me. That's so not nice.

George really is the king.

Happy Wednesday to all. Tomorrow is the last working day of the week for me, and I could NOT be more thrilled!