Mini E ventures out

Wish you were here! Even though it probably snowed where ever you are too.

Mini E Snow Angel

Ok time to go back in. Enough playing in the snow for one year.

I've been sick...

and tired... but mostly sick. Which is why I've been lazy and not posted anything in a while. Now mind you I've had a better week than Mom - since I wasn't involved in a horse riding accident last weekend (who was very LUCKY considering what could have happened - but still hurting a lot - trying to recover).

I've also had a better week than one of my kids - who bit through his tongue one day at lunch this week.

I did however survive my first "kid projectile vomits all over herself and desk/floor" this week. That's big. I can't even begin to tell you how GROSS that is. We had to vacate the classroom and move into the hallway for almost 2 hours. (2 hours b/c I didn't trust my stomach to go back into the room and have visions of the mess - and also - the Lysol fog was thick...I don't mess around with germs) Thank Heaven for the wonderful custodians who can stomach the clean up. Otherwise I would still be throwing up (or probably by now dry heaving and retching violently) trying to clean up the mess...good visual I know... moving on...





So any who - I have recovered from my illness (I had a fever and all... - quite uncommon for me) and am ready to begin a new week!





Yesterday we went to the Ripley's Aquarium, Believe it or Not museum and to the beach! A nice reward for surviving the week I think. The best part is that it was ALL FREE!!! And I <3 free! Teacher Appreciation weekend means that I got a free ticket to go to all the Ripley's attractions and I could bring up to 4 family members! Talk about awesome!



Mini E was even excited to go!














The Aquarium was pretty cool - better than the SC Aquarium in Charleston I think (mostly b/c of the fact that you go through a tunnel like area so you can see the fish swim over & around you)...


















Other pics:


Mini E enjoying the view from the "sting ray bay"













eels... *shudder*






Huge Sea Turtle snacking on a fish...(no, not really)

The other side of the 'tunnel'. Can you see the shark creeping up??? Those are some brave fish... all I'm sayin'.

We decided that is the size for the aquarium we're getting for the living room...

The Believe it or not museum was okay - nothing spectacular. Mostly all the same stuff they have in the Canada Museum.

The only cool thing was this mirror...

And this Jelly Bean Art...

We also went to the "mirror maze" which had potential - but in reality was lame b/c first of all the finger prints totally gave away where the mirrors were and anyone with a brain could figure out that if you are walking and can SEE yourself walking toward YOU - you are obviously walking toward a mirror. Duh.

The sad part is that I'd have to say walking over to the beach was the best part. (sad b/c the beach is always free) It was nice out - not too crowded and I managed to get a couple of good pics!

View from the beside the museum:

Once we got back home yesterday afternoon we went to Walmart for blueberries (for blueberry pancakes of course) and Mini E spied the Twilight game. So after a brief consultation with Veronica about splitting the cost so we didn't feel like we were throwing too much money away on something that was very likely to be LAME - we decided to swallow our embarrassment and get it. Nick even agreed to play with us! (I'm serious)

Well - we were definitely right. It. Is. Lame. Perhaps for a casual viewer of the movie it might be decent - but for us (note: I am including Nick in this 'us') - it was retardedly easy and L-A-M-E. I mean srsly - I just had to make up a new word to describe how easy and lame it is. So needless to say after about 15 minutes of game play (Veronica won) we decided to chalk it up to throwing 15 bucks in the toilet and broke out a better game to entertain us. (Note: we couldn't break out HP Scene It b/c the football game was on and we couldn't occupy the TV - cause HP Scene it or heck even regular Scene it would have been my first choice of course).

In other news - LOOK at what we were able to get last night!!!

hehe - look at Step 3. Enjoy the show! .... Like THAT will be a problem!!

Oh yeah - we may or may not be 13 year old girls! And not even ashamed to admit it. (V and I - not Nick - I'm letting him out of his obligation to go to the movie on opening night.)

I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am to actually have the tickets now!!! It makes it more real or something. I think I am partially siked b/c I have SEEN the new trailer. Which is ... WOW. The 2 minute preview looks 100000000 times better than the entire Twilight movie. I'm not kidding.

Clicky the link to be blown away.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Q0wyL6zm9o&feature=related

Edit : Nevermind- Summit pulled it. Oh well try searching Youtube for another one.

Oh Target...How I Love Thee...

I'm just gonna say it... Target rocks my world.






Srsly.






There is no other store I love going to like I love going to Target. I can't explain it but wondrous things happen at Target. [This is a proven fact.]




I mean really - Nick and I will srsly go to Target and simply walk around for much longer than socially acceptable.




Today's excursion was no exception.






I'll explain...






First - I enter the store to find a grown man (who oddly reminded me a lot of you dad) standing at the magazines. Not too interesting... until I notice that he's fully engrossed in a gossip magazine with Twilight stars plastered all over the cover. I can't even begin to explain how freaking AWESOME this is to me. Maybe it was the fact that he looked a lot like Dad (and I could totally picture dad being all into the gossip mag) - or maybe it was that he was so completely into what he was reading... I may never know. I do know that this sight alone was enough to totally make my day/week. I totally would have taken a picture of this - but I didn't want to startle him. {He was really into it.}




Then I found these:


Now I have been looking for a pair of ballet flats for some time now and I could never figure out why I couldn't find any that looked right. I never could pinpoint the problem... until today.








My freakishly L-O-N-G toes show! I mean srsly - who has toes that long?!? However, I was able to get over my oddity since when I walk my toes kind of scrunch up and don't look as long.

Cute huh? Oh yeah - also - they S-P-A-R-K-L-E. (hehe cause everyone loves things that ...ahem... *cough-Sparkle-cough*...even more-so in the sunlight...)


{Yes my toes are totally 'scrunched up' in there to appear normal.}*


*Not scrunched up in an "ow that hurts" kind of way - don't worry mom.


You know you want a pair.



Next - I found this totally cute collar for Thomas:

On S.A.L.E. for 2 bucks ~ Heck Yeah!




Not that you can tell but it is light blue with little reflective paw prints. The tag said it was for "Active cats" psh... Thomas... Active... riiiigggghhhhtttt... Either way - it's cute.




Sorry for the pic quality. Thomas wouldn't cooperate. Mini E even tried to distract him - FAIL. Thomas tried to EAT him... :( Don't worry your pretty little head though - he survived. Mini E is hardcore.




And Finally - What made it the best trip ever to Target... When we were checking out - the dude in front of us (and by dude I mean late 20 something looking around anxiously) was buying one thing... Breaking Dawn (4th Twilight book). I could have died. Something between the combination of it being the ONLY thing he bought, him being alone and him looking the way he did (all lost, confused and slightly embarrassed) - I almost wanted to hug him! And I think Nick would have let me (heck - I think Nick might have hugged him himself). He was almost as astonished as I was! Again, I could have taken a pic but I didn't want to discourage him from these types of acts.



So all in all - I <3 Target.

The End.

Girls Night and Back to School...

Back to School... *sigh*... as excited I am to begin a new year - new students, new activities, a fresh start... (also - lots happens this year... LOST series finale, New Moon AND Eclipse...important stuff, I know), I am still sad to see my lazy days of Summer come to an end. I LOVE LOVE LOVE being able to sleep in and go to bed when I want! If only school started at noon time, I think I could cope better. But alas, it doesn't so I will be beginning my days at 5:45 for the next 9 months. ~OUCH!! Stop throwing stuff at me! I know you think I shouldn't be complaining about having to go BACK to work when I've been off all summer and you haven't. I understand - I'd probably be throwing stuff at me too.




Moving on...





1. So in celebration of the new school year (and mourning for the end of summer) we decided to have a girls night.








Now we have a strict rule for girls night: What happens at girls night...stays at girls night (otherwise known as: The Cone of Safety).







So in protecting the identities of the attendees I can't publish pictures. As you can guess this limits what I can show/talk about. Naturally one person was willing to step up and 'take one for the team'.







..







Mini E was glad to show off for the 'ladies' and loves being on the blog so he happily let me snap some pics to publish (b/c I know how boring it is to read w/o pictures).



He played bartender...










He kept us entertained...




We liked it...







He drank with us... It doesn't take much for Mini E. *cough-lightweight-cough*







*FYI -No I do not sponsor nor do I endorse Bud Light Lime.









All in all - a good night! We got A LOT off of our chests and had A LOT of good, long, deep laughs!


Good times!



2. Classroom Update




Yes! It is finally finished (it is amazing what you can do in a couple days isn't it?!?).





Before















After





What a cozy corner!
Reading center






View from the book center:






Lookey here! No big, annoying round table taking up too much space! I was able to recycle that little bookshelf (you are looking at the back that has a white board attached) to house the projector. It saves soooooo much space!!! I love it! And I love not having that table sticking out like a sore thumb!






Smart board area- notice the recycled blue rug! I had to clean it with lots and lots of cleaner and my carpet cleaner. I don't know if someone peed on it or died. Either way it was a big nasty brownish spot. Punk summer camp kids...

Aren't my ABC window clings cute? Thanks! I thought so too! Gotta love Hobby Lobby!





Naturally - Mini E was there and he helped.




He organized.

And he helped me put stuff away. For some reason he thought the first aid kit might have something good in it. I had to explain that the stuff in that kit is to stop the bleeding... Mini E... So naive.



He was bummed.




** Yes - I know I neglected to post some pictures. Unfortunately my camera needs to be charged so I can't upload anymore right now. So Yes - Mini E did go check out the math board and YES he did take a picture.

Also - I have a good pic of my reading center bookshelves I'll have to post later.

3. Soothing and inspiring thoughts to take with you (whether starting a new school year or starting the week at the same job)- Why am I posting this? Because I like it AND since this is my blog I can post whatever I want. So read, enjoy and let them sink in.






*No I did not write this. I found it online.





*17 most important things to remember in life*


1. Never give up on anybody; miracles happen everyday.



2. Be brave even if your not, pretend to be. No one can tell the difference.



3. Think big thoughts, relish small pleasures.



4. Learn to listen. Opportunity sometimes knocks very softly.



5. Never deprive someone of hope; it might be all they have.



6. Strive for excellence, not perfection.



7. Don't waste time grieving over past mistakes. Learn from them and move on.



8. When someone hugs you let them be the first to let go.


9. Never cut what can be untied.



10. Don't expect life to be fair.



11. Remember: Success comes to the one that acts first.



12. Never waste an opportunity to tell someone you love them.



13. Remember that nobody makes it alone. Have a grateful heart and be quick to acknowledge those who help you.



14. Never underestimate the power of a kind word or deed.



15. Laugh a lot. A good sense of humor cures almost all of life's ills.



16. Don't miss the magic of the moment by focusing on what’s to come.



17. Watch for big problems. They disguise big opportunities.


*One Extra thing - If you are going to walk on thin ice, you might as well dance.

Let's try this again, shall we?

**I'm bummed...b/c I lost my half finished draft of this post. Now I have to start over. :(



*sits and pouts for a while*



...

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...

...

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*remembers what this post is about and isn't quite so bummed*

Alright - starting post over...


Okay so it WAS a great birthday overall. Even if I did have to work and sit through BORING meetings, POINTLESS meetings and stupid meetings. (there I think I covered it all) So anyways... since Facebook 'outed' me and told all my friends that yesterday was my birthday - I heard a lot more "Happy Birthdays" than usual. I had two people 'out' me in the hallways by singing to me and I had one person 'out' me to everyone in one of the meetings. But it was still nice, not overly embarrassing or anything. THEN as I went to meet up with everyone for lunch - I was surprised to find an AWESOME goodie basket and cake!!! My friends are the best!!! (Thanks Veronica, Melissa, Patty :) and Mrs. P!) You guys ROCK!! Just what I needed to start the year!

Then we went to lunch -came back late and in the rain to our LAST B-O-R-I-N-G (as well as pointless) meeting, worked in my room for a little while longer and then finally went home.

Well. Guess WHO was waiting for me when I came up the stairs!







Can you see him?


Here's a close-up:







That's right folks myveryown Pocket Edward made it in time for my birthday! Isn't he something else? So considerate!

I was so excited that Nick agreed to wait to take me out for my b-day dinner so I could get acquainted with Mini E! (well actually I was tired and not hungry and Nick had a headache but the first way sounds soooo much better doesn't it? - yeah thought so -we'll go with that one)


-Sooooo I scooped him up, showed him around and introduced him to his new roomies.

He thought Thomas was okay...

For some reason meeting Murphy made him hungry...

CHOMP!

BAD Mini E!

It's OK, it was only a little nibble. {Murphy was not amused}

We discussed manners and etiquette for living here after that. So I took him into the kitchen for OTHER food options and upon seeing the cake INSISTED on singing to me. Awwww.

After enjoying some delicious cake - Pocket Edward spied the bookshelf and wanted to check out my collection -

he was impressed (blown over by the looks of it -haha). This was his fav shelf ^.

Making some reading selections...

He heard this one had a sexy beast in it (kinda like him...).

His ultimate fav?

Come on do you honestly have to ask?

He reads like he runs [i.e. -FAST] so he read the whole series right then.

He liked Breaking Dawn best. *wink, wink* *nudge, nudge* *bow chicka wow wow*

...

What?!? B/C Edward finally gets the girl and lives happily ever after. What were you thinking? You perv.

...

All that reading made him a little tired so he stalked off to see the bedroom...

...

Oh Crap! Wait Mini E!! Don't go in there!!!

...

...

*crickets*

What the!?!?!

...

sorry - *jen just died from embarrassment*

...

It's okay though - after pondering the picture for a while - Mini E agreed that that is one SEXY poster and decided that he could be okay with sharing the spotlight.

So all is well. *phew*

...

...

Moving on...

Pocket Edward even got to drive me to school this afternoon. He was a little upset when I told him that I wasn't driving to the meeting this morning (the school is like a quarter mile from here so I didn't need to drive).

He even parked me right in front of the door! Always thinking! - Alice must have told him that we were getting a SERIOUS storm later and he didn't want me to have to get soaked. What a perfect gentleman.

So all in all - I had a G-R-E-A-T Birthday!

[now let me hurry up and POST this before I lose it again!! ]

It's been a while ... for that I'm sorry...

I've been busy. I found something new to read (no I will not burden you with the details - I'm way too embarrassed anyway.) But don't worry I already finished it. I've been trying to get back into work mode. It's been difficult. (to say the least)



1. I am terribly sad to see summer end. *pouts* I am just not yet ready to start another school year. I am hoping that by the middle/end of this week I will be ready. I have hope. I am thinking this was a bad time to start a reread of the Twilight books. Oh well. I can multi-task. :) But I am also thinking that seeing everyone back and working at school will jump start my enthusiasm. We'll see.





2. I turn 25 this week. So I have one more year before I consider myself not young. (notice I did not say old) JFTR* Not young does not mean old. Why do I consider 26 to be not young? I dunno, so don't ask. But anyway guess what I'm getting...

What the... a freaking doll/'action figure'? For a 25 yr old? Yes! You are correct. My very own Pocket Edward. I know - you don't understand. From what I hear - Mini E is quite a companion. Wait 'til you meet him. Maybe you'll understand - maybe you won't. Either way - I'm stoked!

*JFTR = just for the record (for those of you who don't speak "Internet")




3. A scandal.**

Last night Nick went out to the store by himself. When he returned he had a surprise for me:


{Yes - that is the actual poster up on my actual bedroom wall. } *covers face to hide embarrassment*

I. am. scandalized. I feel like a 14 yr old girl with this up on my wall. Especially so b/c this is NOT Edward - this is the actor who plays Edward. Nick said that the Edward posters were all sorts of creepy and he thought I'd like this picture better. Which I do. Awwww... isn't that sweet? Even though it scares the CRAP out of me when I walk into the bedroom and see a huge head staring at me! For reference: my entire head goes from approximately the chin to the middle of the nose. Yes, I srsly measured it that way... I would have stood next to it to demonstrate the hugeness of the poster but I was simply too scandalized and embarrassed to be in the picture! HEY! Quit judging me! I love it! I'm totally getting Nick an Alice poster now...

**I will probably never speak of this in person (OR public)... I'd be WAY too embarrassed! Just kidding... maybe... :)

Oh yeah - on a funny/cute note - Nick was google.com-ing (LOL) to see what the heck a "pocket edward" is and Bless him... he searched for Edward Patterson and Edward Pattinson. I was like "Dude what the heck are you doing?!? It's Edward Cullen..." and then I rolled my eyes at him (couldn't help it.) Trying to make an effort... Precious. I LOVE that he's attempting to support my closet obsession. ;)

4. A classroom update is coming sometime this week. I know you can't wait!