So long 2012

So long 2012 - who is ready to tackle a new year?

1)  What did you do in 2012 that you had never done before?  I went to Disney World for my honeymoon!  Oh and was selected for jury duty.

2)  Did you keep your New Year's Resolutions and will you make more for the new year?  I think I did, I don't have a list of them but I think I did what I said I would do as goals.

3)  Did anyone close to you give birth?  Umm who didn't give birth this year?  I had at least 8 friends pop out little bundles of joy.

4)  Did anyone close to you die?  We lost our beloved dog Copper.  I miss him terribly!

5)  What countries did you visit? zero, zip, zilch!

6)  What states did you visit?  Florida, Tennessee, Illinois

7)  What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012?  My own classroom again (I see a trend here, unfortunately)

8)  What date(s) from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory and why?  March 17 we landed at the most magical place on earth for our honeymoon and July 29 I celebrated 1 year of wedded bliss in Chicago.

9)  What was your biggest achievement of the year?  Starting a new career

10)  What was your biggest failure?  Probably my position being cut again but in reality that wasn't my fault so beyond that I don't have one.

11)  Did you suffer illness or injury?  Nope but my husband did, again, with soccer, has a dislocated shoulder injury we are going to be nursing back to health hopefully by the end of Jan 2013

12)  What was the best thing you bought?  Haha how about the best thing(s) I was gifted?  Everything I planned on buying for me this year I was gifted for my birthday.  So my first ever Coach purse and my Kitchenaid mixer.

13)  Who's behavior merited celebration?  My hubby's - he surprised me a lot this year!

14)  Who's behavior made you appalled and depressed?  Two in particular, RS and JS, just because I'm sick of being the wife of their friend and having to listen to the trials of them stringing girls along.  If you don't like someone, cut the darn ties and call it a day.

15)  Where did most of your money go?  I feel the most useless money I pay a month is to the condo association for that darn condo fee.

16)  What did you get really really excited about?  Disney World

17)  What song will always remind you of 2012?

"When you wish upon a Star" and you see Tinkerbell fly from the castle at Magic Kingdom.  Seeing it in person really takes your breath away and it tells your heart that you really are at the happiest place on earth. I borrowed someone's video from YouTube as mine isn't uploaded to a site.

18)  Compared to this time last year, are you:

a)  happier or sadder?  happier

b)  thinner or fatter?  thinner

c)  richer or poorer?  probably in this middle

19)  What do you wish you had done more of?  Standing my ground with a few things but it is what it is.  You live, you learn and you be the better person.

20)  How will you be spending Christmas?  We had 3 celebrations this year.  My inlaws with dinner on Christmas Eve.  Hubby and I have our own little one on Christmas Eve as well then Christmas Day was with my family.

21)  Did you fall in love in 2012?  I continue to fall in love on a daily basis

22)  How many one night stands? 0

23)  What do you wish you had done less of?  Worrying

24)  What was your favorite TV program?  I have to admit, I was sad when NBC took the show Awake away.  I really liked it

25)  Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate last year?  I dislike a few people but it is what it is, time to move along.

26)  What was the best book you read?  Wow that's a hard one.  Find me on Goodreads and find out there.

27)  What was your greatest musical discovery?  That I dislike Justin Bieber and I'm not a Bielieber.

28)  What did you want and get?  Many many things

29)  What did you want and not get?  My own classroom

30)  What was your favorite film this year?  The Words with Bradley Cooper, Silver Linings Playbook with Bradley Cooper and Skyfall with Daniel Craig.

31)  What did you do on your birthday and how old were you?  I turned 31 and Hubby and I escaped to the Lake of the Ozarks to my cousin's condo to celebrate.  I think we started a new tradition.

32)  What was one thing that would have made your year immensely more satisfying?  a classroom and being able to say somethings to someone that really needed to hear them.

33)  How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2012?  I updated the wardrobe more and did my best to look the part.

34)  What kept you sane?  My monthly Girls Night In

35)  Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?  Bradley Cooper

36)  What political issue stirred you the most?  The coverage of the school shootings.  I know the news people are doing their job but they reported it so badly and incorrect that it makes me cringe thinking about it again.

37)  Who did you miss?  My mama

38)  Who was the best new person that you met?  Hmmm many of the people I substitute for who are showing me trust with their classroom and wishing me the best for the future.

39)  Tell a valuable lesson you learned in 2012?  Friendship is a two way street.  Don't expect one person to keep it moving if the other isn't.

40)  Quote a song lyric to sum up your year:  "A dream is a wish your heart makes"

Sunday Social

I hope everyone has had a wonderful holiday week and is ready for the next two days of celebrations.

Here's my Sunday Social to ring in the New Year



1)  Favorite New Year's Eve you've had before?
I've actually had two - one was back in 2003 and the guy I was dating at the time took us down to Nashville for the NCAA Music City Bowl that featured the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Minnesota Golden Gophers.  The Hawgs, who we were there for, didn't win but we went on a cruise on the General Jackson to ring in 2003.  That was pretty memorable.  Then last year, to ring in 2012, hubby and I went to the New Orleans inspired Roadhouse 61 to ring in the celebration with hurricanes and Mardi Gras Fun:

2)  Are you doing anything for NYE this year and if so, what?
There was talk amongst my Girls Night girls to have a couples PJ party to ring in the new year, and if that's not in stone we plan on going somewhere but ultimately depends on my lovely schedule and if I'm off :/

3)  Name a book we all should read come January:
I highly recommend Friends Forever by Danielle Steel - it will show you the true bond of friendship!

4)  What are your New Year's resolutions?

My goals for 2013 are to get my own classroom again and to continue my workout regime, hopefully being able to attend more classes at the gym.

Have a great Sunday!!

Christmas #1

With the amount of family I have, Hubby and I are lucky that they work together so we have no overlapping holiday celebrations, etc.

Christmas Eve is always devoted to my in-laws.  We always meet at my sister in law's house for pictures and to give the little kids gifts.  My in laws made the decision to stop giving adults gifts once grandkids arrived.

After presents and obligatory pictures we headed to dinner at Frankie G's.  Much to our surprise we got a visitor at our table:

We then headed back to sister in law's house to that presents the kids opened could be explained by my mother in law.  My sister in law has this thing for posing for pictures so she had to get a yearly "Charlie's Angels" picture:

We then head home to rest up for 3 more celebrations!

Merry Christmas!

From our family to yours...

Merry Christmas!!

All I want for Christmas

is you!

Merry Christmas Eve to all my readers - hope you stick around for the upcoming year and can't wait to see what the year has in store for us all!

Sunday Social

I cannot believe this is the 2nd to last Sunday of 2012.  Wow has the time flown!

Anyway time to social!

1)  What is your favorite ice cream flavor?

Chocolate Chip!

2)  What is your favorite smell?

3)  What is your favorite TV commerical?

4)  What is your favorite day of the week?

Friday and Saturday because I don't see my husband any other days of the week anymore.

5)  What is your favorite way to waste time?

6)  What is your favorite article of clothing?

Anything warm and cozy - I can't wait to open this at Christmas!

Book Club Friday

This week I'm reviewing:

Goodreads says:

A European vacation. A luggage mix-up. A note from a secret admirer.

Meet two single parents who think they're too busy to date.   And two teenagers who can't stop writing flirty emails.  This is a tale of connections--missed and made--in a universe that seems to have its heart set on reuniting Ms. 6B and Mr. 13C.

Webb: I can't believe I picked up the wrong bag at the airport. My dad is never going to let me hear the end of it.

Coco: I don't understand why Mom told me to pack my worst underwear. And now I've lost my bag? Ack

Andrew: I cannot stop thinking about that woman in seat 6B on the flight to Paris.

Daisy: I don't have time to worry about the creep sitting in 13C who slipped a note in my purse. I have to find my daughter's missing bag before this ruins our vacation.

"In the Bag" is a smart and stylish story that explores the old-fashioned art of romance in a modern world, where falling in love can be as risky as checking a bag on an international flight. Buckle your seat belt--it's going to be a bumpy vacation(

I say:

If you'd like a fast little read, this is the book for you.

It is divided into chapters per say by a little picture and description of what's going on as each day of their vacation commences.

The author does a great job changing from one perspective to another, and really highlighting several things about the towns the people are visiting and are from.

If you want a fluffy, light romantic comedy, this is the book for you.

I gave this book 4 STARS on my Goodreads list.

What are you reading this week?

My thoughts

I told myself I wasn't going to write about anything in regards to the CT shooting.  I didn't want to get all in the mumble jumble of people getting mad at others for their thoughts.  However, being an educator, and listening to many outlets on what's going on, I feel the need to.

I don't expect you to agree with me.  I am pouring my heart out as a teacher.

I am trained to put students first.  I am trained to be there for the students, and family, in any outlet possible.  I am trained that for every negative there needs to be at least 5 positives.  I am trained to do the best that I can, with or without the resources available.

The day the incident happened, what the news thought was true was coming out on the television while I was at the gym.  3 of the regular patrons there were around the juice bar, discussing it (one's wife is a teacher at my hubby's district) and the lady kept repeating, "I wanna know why the hell they let him in?  Why aren't those doors locked?  Why did the teachers let him in?"

I normally keep to myself but I stopped and told her the following:

"I'm an educator who happens to have the day off.  In Missouri, at least in the St. Louis area, you cannot enter a public school site through any of the doors except the main door.  You have to be buzzed in and the office will have to verify everything.  The classrooms have lock down techniques and they are practiced once a month.  We secure the students first then continue with the classroom by locking the door (which requires us to open it to do so and then pull the shade, maybe put something in front of the door if we can) then positioning ourselves with the students out of the way."  She got quiet and I left for the day. The hubby of the teacher didn't say a word.

We found out later that he broke a window to get in, and then ransacked the office before going to the classrooms.  So who knows if their doors were locked, apparently he might have and knew he couldn't get in, hence why he got in through a window.

Guess that means we need to rebuild schools without windows now?  Spend money that districts don't have (since teacher cuts are happening nationwide) to put in shatterproof windows?

Yesterday, school children around the Untied States went back to their classrooms after hearing everything on Friday and over the weekend.  In the St. Louis area alone, 2 districts had several schools on lock down due to threats and suspicions.

Its not going to stop.

One of the biggest issues is how much coverage we give something like this.  Yes, we all need to be aware of what's going on.  Honestly, though, people shouldn't be reporting if they don't know the facts and we know that what we were hearing all day on Friday was not all entirely true.

My facebook was going crazy with people posting how they are now heavily looking into homeschooling.

I am not against homeschooling,  If you are one that can do it, great.  However I am against it if you are simply doing it because you feel your child will be safer.  If that's the case, then I think you better look at your life.  You better start avoiding planes, trains, buses and automobiles; ponds, lakes and rivers; churches, malls and movie theaters; gas stations, grocery stores and restaurants; parks, zoos and other places too.  Something has happened to someone, in many cases a child, in all these places.  You might say I'm not a parent, I have no idea - but I am an aunt and not too long ago my family was a victim of an attempted abduction with my youngest niece at a public restaurant.  Not to mention my brother, who is a Deputy Sheriff was there when it was happening - doesn't mean its not going to happen.

Be thankful for teachers, staff, faculty and administrators all over the United States who go to work every day who act on students best behalf and safety daily.  We aren't doing it for the money, that's for sure!

I caught a story on the news last night about a district (no surprise that this district was the one to bring it up first in my area) entertaining the idea that they are going to look into their teachers being armed.  What they are neglecting to realize is just how much would have to go into that happening.  The teacher will need to be trained, the weapon needs to be purchased, etc.

Then you got the scenario that is bound to be played out somewhere if the above were to happen - a teacher is armed, yet a curious student gets their hands on it and it goes off in the classroom.  I can see the news reports now.  Everyone knows if you tell someone not to do something, someone is going to do it.

It is okay to grieve.  People do it in their own way and everyone needs to respect that.

There is not a solution that is going to come about easily.  It will take time, money and hopefully a lot of people with heart to continue on.

...and that is the pouring of my heart.

Dansko scrubs

Have you guys met Casey?

Back in November she hosted a Dansko scrubs giveaway.  I'm not a nurse but I am always in the mood for something comfy to wear after a long day of work so I decided to enter.

And surprisingly I won!!

Casey hooked me up with her contact at Dansko and after talking with the rep and browsing their selections, I chose the Gilda top and the Gina pants, both in wine.

What do you think?

They are extremely comfortable and cute form fitting to make dressing up in scrubs fun!

Maybe I should become a nurse now ;)

Thank you to Casey for hosting this awesome giveaway...and if you haven't checked her blog out yet, you should!



Sunday Social

So thanks to a family member needing their desktop fixed asap, my life has been turned upside down because I don't have a desktop computer anymore AND my laptop is slow as heck because my computer tech upgraded it to Windows 8 and well it doesn't like that.

I'm doing my best to keep puttering along in blog world so since its social day, here goes!

1)  What is the wallpaper on your cell phone?
Well hubby did something to my cell phone and its a picture of him and every time I move through pages its him being stretched.  Until I figured that out, it'll be that for awhile (he does everything to my stuff in case it doesn't work on his, he doesn't want to ruin it :/)

2)  What do you keep beside your bed?
  

3)  What is your least favorite chore?
Dishes!!  I have to do some at work and I hate having to come home and do them here :/


4) If you could eliminate one thing from your daily routine, what would it be?
Hmmm could we skip the waking up part and just spend the day in bed?? ;)


5)  What do you do to vent anger?
I usually blog because writing calms me big time.


6)  What is your favorite holiday of the year and why?
Christmas - because if the below scene were real, it would be heaven!

Maplewood Christmas Walk

I just love all the activities that the Christmas season has to offer.

One of them this year we went to was the Maplewood Christmas Walk.  We joined a group a few years ago called Yelp and we all decided to meet up for the night.

We started off at Schlafy for some yummy drinks and appetizers.

Then continued up the street to the various shops that rolled out the red carpet for visitors.  We got to taste lots of holiday treats, many various wines and just had a good time with friends.

 

If you are looking for new experiences in your own city, you should really check out Yelp.  You'll make great friends and do lots of fun things in your city.

Disney in Missouri

So how many of you know that Missouri is where Walt Disney grew up?

My brother currently lives in Chillicothe, which is north of KC and we would always pass this town of Marceline, that had a sign stating, "Where Walt Found the Magic".  A few weekends ago we finally got a chance to stop and it was very neat to see where it all started.

And to think, in Missouri!!

Marceline's Main Street is the inspiration behind Main Street USA at the Disney theme parks.  It is a small town with a friendly and casual atmosphere.

Due to the volunteer basis of the museum, it was closed the day we were in the town.  But we will definitely stop by again on our many trips to bring my family back to St. Louis.

Across from the museum is EP Ripley Park.  There is a static display of an original Santa Fe 2546 steam locomotive, which Walt had painted as the Santa Fe & Disneyland RR locomotive on one of his return visits to Marceline.  It was one of the first steam locomotives to operate at Disneyland.

Walt's family house still stands on the grounds of where it originated.  Someone occupies the house but allows visitors on their grounds to visit Walt's Dreaming Tree and Barn.  

The large cottonwood tree still stands where Walt played and waded in the spring that rain at its base.  Daydreaming under the tree, a young Walt observed nature and drew from these moments in his early works.

Following the path from the tree you will find yourself in a gorgeous view of Walt's barn.

He spent many hours playing in the barn, dreaming of shows and putting them on for the town.  He considered it his "happy place."  This barn, rebuilt to protect for the future, is still in its original place on the family grounds.  People are encouraged to visit and leave their mark amongst the thousands of signatures, messages and memories that are already there to share with the rest of the world.  They really encourage cast members (my sister) to come and visit.  There is this special feeling you get inside when you see all the love that people leave for the man who created one of the world's most magical places.

So if you're ever just traveling across Missouri for any reason, you should really stop here.  It will really make you see just how magical everything Walt thought of is.

Holiday parade

A few weekends ago I headed to the Kansas City area to celebrate my niece's 4th birthday.

This weekend always kicks off our holiday celebrations because their town always hosts a holiday parade that Saturday morning and then the town park's Christmas lights are lit up for the first time.

As usual it was a blast.  This year her preschool had a float in the parade that was designed into a train and she loved it when we all yelled out her name as the float passed by.

Unfortunately this might be our last year of the holiday parade due to the fact that they are moving to St. Louis!  That just means we'll have to go to the parades here or take a trip to see it.  Either way, they are coming home and we couldn't be happier!

Tis the season!!

Sunday Social

What a dreary day in St. Louis.  Sitting at my desk, procrastinating on doing the receipts I need to get to when it dawned on me that its SOCIAL TIME!

1)  Favorite holiday movies/tv specials?  I always set my DVR for the holiday classics as well as any of the movies being shown (there's one tonight, I'm excited) but its not the season without watching:


2)  Do you do any volunteering during the holidays?  Before this job, I would help my Dad out at our church's tree lot but unfortunately this year I cannot.

3)  Favorite toy received as a child?  Probably anything


4)  What was your must have item in high school for the holidays?  Hmm, that's hard, I really don't remember!

5)  Item you begged for the most and never got?  Probably this Barbie dream house


6)  What do you do on Christmas Eve?  Now that hubby and I have been together almost 6 years in Januaray, Christmas Eve is for his family.  We'll meet at his sister's house and the kiddos will open presents and we'll take family pictures.  Then we'll go to dinner somewhere.  After that we're free to do whatever.  Hubby and I will return to our house and have our own Christmas as it gets later into the night.  Love it!

Friends Forever

If you want a book that you just can't put down, then you must pick up Danielle Steel's Friends Forever

Goodreads says:

Five children meet on the first day of kindergarten. In the years that follow, they become friends and more than friends. Together, they will find strength, meet challenges, face life’s adventures, endure loss, face stark realities, and open their hearts. In this moving novel, #1 New York Times bestselling author Danielle Steel traces their unforgettable journey—full of tests and trials—as three boys and two girls discover the vital bonds that will last a lifetime.

Gabby, Billy, Izzie, Andy, and Sean—each bursting with their own personality, strikingly different looks and talents, in sports, science, and the arts. Each drawn by the magical spark of connection that happens to the young. At the exclusive Atwood School, on a bright September day, starting in kindergarten they become an inseparable group known to outsiders as the Big Five. In this rarefied world, five families grow closer, and five children bloom beside one another, unaware of the storms gathering around them.

As they turn from grade-schoolers to teenagers, seemingly perfect lives are buffeted by unraveling families, unfortunate missteps, and losses and victories great and small. And, one by one, they turn back to the Big Five to regain their footing and their steady course. But as they emerge from Atwood and enter the college years, the way forward is neither safe nor clear. As their lives separate and diverge, the challenges and risks become greater, the losses sharper, and the right paths harder to choose, in a journey of friendship, survival, and love.

In what may be her most intricate and emotionally powerful novel yet, Danielle Steel tells a heart-wrenching, ultimately triumphant story that spans decades, weaves together a vivid cast of characters, and captures the challenges we face in life—sometimes, if we’re lucky, with a friend forever by our side.

What I say:

I read this book in one day and I loved it!!  I seriously could not put it down and I kicked myself that I didn't take it to work to read on my down time (but that just meant I stayed up later once I got home).

It really shows the bond that friends have through thick and thin.

I can't say much more without giving it away except that you should go read it.

I gave it 5 stars on my Goodreads list.

What are you reading this week?

It's OK Thursday

...to be pissed at my Goodreads app because I scanned a lot of books at Barnes & Noble and they didn't go on my "to-read" list.

...to have linked up a lot lately on this blog but have lots of fun doing it and meeting new bloggers

...to know I have a lot of blogs to post

...to be awake at 630 am on my own this morning for no reason and no back to back jobs - now if only I was this awake on days I have those!

...to be ecstatic that my hubby finally got our DVR working full force again

...to need to knock out the Christmas cards and get them in the mail like today!

...to only have 2 presents left and not to mention its all already wrapped!!

...to wish you could charge people for your services - you know how much money I would make if people would actually listen to my advice because this morning I found out yet again what I told someone that was going to happen, did happen - duh! (kinda like Lucy from the Peanuts)

...to wish I could read minds.  Maybe then I'll figure out why some people are just soooo stupid!

So what are you okay with this week?!?!?

Christmas spirit

I love our Christmas corner.

We don't have a fireplace so I decided the stockings would go perfect on the wall for now.  I got them last year and love them!

The presents are all wrapped and ready to go.  I may add one or two that still need to be bought.

I have a few other decorations around the house that I've added this year.  You'll have to come visit me to see those!

Christmas cards are almost ready to send out - we've gotten 2 already :)

We had our first Christmas party last weekend to kick off the season.  We have a Christmas Walk on Friday night.  Then I am hosting GNI next weekend which will be Christmas themed.  Then the following weekend is Girls Night at the Fox for Wicked then another Christmas party the next night.  Then a few days later the jolly guy will make a visit.

Tis the season!