I didn't realize that we would have to wait an hour to get in! My GAWD! After a nice, quiet, relaxing dinner, we headed to Lake Lanier for the Magical Nights of Lights. As I bragged, it is SIX MILES of holiday cheer. The drive up 85 to 985 was entirely uneventful. Quiet. Peaceful. Then the exit for Lake Lanier. Still quiet and uneventful. As we neared the entrance (or what I could guess was "nearing the entrance") the traffic started. One HOUR and two MILES later, we entered the park. Guess what time it was? Go ahead. Guess. 10:45!! (Here is where I don't mention the fact that Zach has to be at work at 7 the next morning...)
My final opinion: it was well worth it. Every freakin minute. Every freakin penny of the $25 it cost to get in. The lights were AMAZING!!! There were themes and animated lights and twinkling snowflakes... it was beautiful. I'm glad we went... it made up for our outing to Stone Mountain, where the lights have become all but nonexistent.
My poor Zachary ended up falling asleep on the way home. I hope he's doing okay today.
Mom and Andy and Kristina are coming over to make cookies today. I'm really excited! It'll be fun to get to hang out with them and do something creative at the same time.
And then, maybe a movie this PM with Mandy.
Did I mention I have a Master's degree portfolio I need to finish and mail in by January 15th? Yeah... I'll get to that at some point. Right now, I'm happy procrastinating!
The New Look...
I totally freakin’ RULE!
I just spent probably much longer than I should have updating the look of my Blog. Yes, a bit ridiculous, but if I’m going to do this, I want it to look how I want it to look and I want to know how it works. I am not all that great at writing code, but I consider myself a pretty good problem solver, so here it is… the new look for my blog. I ROCK!
Last night was really great. We had dinner with Mandy and Billy, sort of a Christmas dinner for the four of us... before we all go to our respective "hometowns" for the holidays. I made salmon, which seemed to be a big hit... never too sure, salmon can be touchy. But it's Zach's mom's recipe, and I LOVE it, so I was sure I pretty much couldn't go wrong.
After a marathon 2 episodes of OZ, M&B headed home. Zach and I stayed up for another episode so that we could return the DVD to them on Thursday. We absolutely love that show! And I'm so glad we can get it thru NetFlix (ding! endorsement -- send me my check!) or I would never have seen it. Okay, Mandy deserves some thanks, too, because she is the one who put it in their queue.
Today, I've been soooo unproductive. As I said, I worked on the look of this thing. I drank a cup of coffee. Other than that, I've done NOTHING! I'm going to pick up Mom at 11ish for a haircut. I still haven't eaten breakfast or showered... YUCK! Today will be a fun day, though. After her haircut, we're going to weigh in together (I LOVE my new weight loss plan!) and then to lunch (seems a bit defeatist, no?) then for manicures and pedicures! I'm SOOOO looking forward to the relaxation. Hopefully we'll actually make it to Lake Lanier tonight to see the 6 miles (yes, count them... 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6!!! miles) of Christmas lights. See? I am getting into the Christmas Spirit!
Well, I guess I'd better get to it, or I'll never leave this chair.
Merry Solstice Everyone!
I just spent probably much longer than I should have updating the look of my Blog. Yes, a bit ridiculous, but if I’m going to do this, I want it to look how I want it to look and I want to know how it works. I am not all that great at writing code, but I consider myself a pretty good problem solver, so here it is… the new look for my blog. I ROCK!
Last night was really great. We had dinner with Mandy and Billy, sort of a Christmas dinner for the four of us... before we all go to our respective "hometowns" for the holidays. I made salmon, which seemed to be a big hit... never too sure, salmon can be touchy. But it's Zach's mom's recipe, and I LOVE it, so I was sure I pretty much couldn't go wrong.
After a marathon 2 episodes of OZ, M&B headed home. Zach and I stayed up for another episode so that we could return the DVD to them on Thursday. We absolutely love that show! And I'm so glad we can get it thru NetFlix (ding! endorsement -- send me my check!) or I would never have seen it. Okay, Mandy deserves some thanks, too, because she is the one who put it in their queue.
Today, I've been soooo unproductive. As I said, I worked on the look of this thing. I drank a cup of coffee. Other than that, I've done NOTHING! I'm going to pick up Mom at 11ish for a haircut. I still haven't eaten breakfast or showered... YUCK! Today will be a fun day, though. After her haircut, we're going to weigh in together (I LOVE my new weight loss plan!) and then to lunch (seems a bit defeatist, no?) then for manicures and pedicures! I'm SOOOO looking forward to the relaxation. Hopefully we'll actually make it to Lake Lanier tonight to see the 6 miles (yes, count them... 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6!!! miles) of Christmas lights. See? I am getting into the Christmas Spirit!
Well, I guess I'd better get to it, or I'll never leave this chair.
Merry Solstice Everyone!
The Christmas Spirit -- Where is it?
I just can't seem to get into this year... I've done all of my Christmas shopping, wrapped up the ones that have to go out of town and sent them, but I'm just not feeling it. We don't have a tree this year because we're going to Oregon to visit Zach's family. We don't have any decorations up. I've been listening to Christmas music, but I'm just not getting into it. I don't understand.
Perhaps when we get to Oregon (on Christmas Eve no less) I will feel more in the spirit of things.
Found out today that a dear friend of mine is not willing to see me this week because of a letter I wrote to her. In short, I told her my feelings and now she doesn't want to face it. I HATE it! It also sucks because I found all of this out from a mutual friend instead of directly from her. People, please! I feel like I'm back in middle school... "Well, she said that she thinks that you..." Just f*ing tell me yourself!
Mandy and I have this conversation a lot lately. We must give to the givers and stop giving to the takers. I think this other friend of mine might be a taker. Frankly, I'm running on empty. I give to my students everyday -- they are the neediest bunch of people you could ever meet. After spending time giving to the people I want to give to (my husband, my family, Mandy & Billy) I don't have anything left to give to someone who will only take. I need people who are willing to give back, dammit!
I guess I found the answer to my question, huh? Where is the Christmas Spirit? Being sucked in by a black hole of emotional need (not my own, mind you).
My resolve. I'm going to clean the house. I'm going to light holiday scented candles. I'm going to bake and sing at the top of my lungs to the Muppets Christmas album. I'm going to FIND Christmas, even if it kills me!
Perhaps when we get to Oregon (on Christmas Eve no less) I will feel more in the spirit of things.
Found out today that a dear friend of mine is not willing to see me this week because of a letter I wrote to her. In short, I told her my feelings and now she doesn't want to face it. I HATE it! It also sucks because I found all of this out from a mutual friend instead of directly from her. People, please! I feel like I'm back in middle school... "Well, she said that she thinks that you..." Just f*ing tell me yourself!
Mandy and I have this conversation a lot lately. We must give to the givers and stop giving to the takers. I think this other friend of mine might be a taker. Frankly, I'm running on empty. I give to my students everyday -- they are the neediest bunch of people you could ever meet. After spending time giving to the people I want to give to (my husband, my family, Mandy & Billy) I don't have anything left to give to someone who will only take. I need people who are willing to give back, dammit!
I guess I found the answer to my question, huh? Where is the Christmas Spirit? Being sucked in by a black hole of emotional need (not my own, mind you).
My resolve. I'm going to clean the house. I'm going to light holiday scented candles. I'm going to bake and sing at the top of my lungs to the Muppets Christmas album. I'm going to FIND Christmas, even if it kills me!
This is last year's tree... oh how I miss it!
2 Months Later...
Halloween 2005... scary, eh? So, this is ridiculous. I haven't updated since October... life has been insane! I really need to get back into the habit of getting on here and writing it all down. Some highlights from the past months:
- Enjoyed the Teacher of the Year Banquet with Zach and my principal.
- Got connected with a student teacher via the illustrious MG.
- Made an ass of myself at our "first annual" Halloween party -- my apologies to the Mr and Mrs for passing out...
- Got 2 fillings and a crown... I HATE my teeth!
- Made it to "Winter Break" -- don't you DARE say Christmas! -- without seriously injuring any of my students.
So, there it is. Not much. Just TOO much, if you know what I mean.
Right now, I'm just procrastinating about getting into the shower and heading over to work. Yes, it's vacation time, but my principal called a meeting of the Literacy Leadership Team. I am in the running for a new position -- literacy support specialst -- so, I must play the game and attend these meetings... despite the fact that it's my first day of vacation and I have a Master's portfolio to finish and a house to clean and laundry to do and cookies to bake ALL before I go to Oregon on Saturday.
