Happy Hour

I enjoyed meeting with many fellow staff members after open house last night for some adult refreshments, and I just want to say, especially to any fellow Southies who may be reading this, that I am just starting my second year, but I feel so welcome with everyone there.  It may sound corny but I feel like a part of the family now.  Thanks for lots of laughs and good times...my cheeks hurt from laughing so much by the end of the night.

Good enough...

I have decided that Joslynn is part monkey.  She is totally moving into the climbing phase, so naturally I was (and my mom) freaked out about our living room furniture arrangement.  We live in a bi-level and the couch sat in front of the banister railing.  Now that she is climbing all over the place, I am taking precautions to prevent her from tossing herself over the railing and down onto the stairs.  Since our house isn't very big, it is quite difficult to rearrange furniture and make it work.  Then you have to take your furniture into account.  For instance, we have this large TV armoire and it now needs to sit with its back toward the open foyer area.  It doesn't look very good, but its basically the only workable solution to the couch problem.  So I guess it will have to be good enough until we win the lottery and can buy a new house.

No way! I can't believe it!

92%DRUNKARD

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I agree with Andrea, mine came more from vocabulary/trivia knowledge than from anything else. I am the pickiest drinker you will ever meet.

23 pounds! Are you kidding me?

Sadly, I'm not kidding.  And the 23 pounds refers to the 23 pounds of "baby weight" that I have not yet lost.  When I think about how much 23 pounds is, all I have to do is look at my daughter because Joslynn weighs exactly 23 pounds.  That is a whole little person that I have yet to lose!! :( Now, I know that aiming for my pre-pregnancy weight is quite a lofty goal, so I would settle for losing 15-20 of those pounds because I know that I am not Heidi Klum or Dara Torez, who look fabulous 5 minutes after having children.  I, of all people, shouldn't focus on the number itself, because scales are the devil, but rather focus on how I feel and how my clothes fit (that is usually what I do), but NONE of my clothes fit!*  Not even the big ones I wore after Joslynn was born! Yeah, yeah, yeah...I know it has only been six weeks, but that is a whole lot of weight, and if it doesn't start coming off now, its probably not going to at all.  I think I am going to go cry...

*Stretchy yoga pants are the only exception and they don't count due to the fact that they are...stretchy.

I can breathe a bit easier now...

I went into school today, with my trusty sidekick (my sister Laura) to help me out.  It was a bit rocky at first since there was some confusion when we first started and also some disappointing news regarding when deadlines will be actually finished.  All in all, I think it was a pretty productive day; the sad part is that there is still quite a bit to do and not enough time to do it in. Yikes, open house in less than a week!

Poor Lolo...

I was a 100 meter hurdler in high school, so that is certainly one of my favorite events to watch during the Olympics.  Lolo Jones was the huge favorite to win the event and she is also so deserving as a person because she has literally hurdled so many hardships in her life, and she is just a class act.  She got caught on the 9th hurdle...I almost cried...Poor Lolo...I wish I could give her a hug.

How hard is it???

So, about a week ago, I was told that the science rooms (that were completely gutted) would be ready to move in to today.  I was thrilled because I cannot even think about curriculum or lessons until I have my setting in order, so I was super excited to get started on organizing my "new" room.  Then, as I came in to school today, I was frustrated and disappointed to see them still painting, wiring and that no furniture was or could be moved in yet.  My plans were put on hold and I  am slightly in panic mode since my days are numbered before this needs to be done, and I only have daycare on a few occasions between now and then.  I mean, how hard is it for them to have $h!t done on time??? ....(Sorry, needed to vent)

Things that I'll miss...

As of August 25th, it is back to work for me, and I have started to think about all of the things that I will miss.  For the non-teacher type, you are most likely rolling your eyes with a deep sigh, thinking to yourself, 'Oh, poor you...going back to work after having 10, or so, weeks off.' And for those of you who are fellow teachers, you understand the need for that rejuvenation, otherwise our job would be impossible, if we wanted to maintain our sanity, and you also understand that those precious weeks go by, literally, in the blink of an eye.  Here are a few of the things that I will miss as soon as those kids start pouring into the classroom.

1. My kids
2. Josh
3. No alarms
4. No deadlines
5. Impromptu outings
6. Showering at 11am
7. Blogging
8. Flip-flops
9. Comfy clothes (my yoga pants)
10. Not caring what time it is
11. Watching Tori & Dean in the middle of the day
12. Procrastinating
13. Leisurely getting my day started

I'm sure I'll think of many more as soon as that day arrives...

Babysitters & $Money$

How much do babysitters get paid now-a-days to watch two kids?  During the school year, I asked several students how much they make for babysitting. The average I heard was $5.00/hour; how much should that increase for two children?  Should the pay increase when they are both in diapers, and one is a newborn?  I also heard students say that they got paid less if the kids are just sleeping...

We need a babysitter for one of our workshop days and, of course, all of our families are unavailable, daycare can't take them, so we need to get one of our babysitters...which, I am guessing, will have sports practice of some kind and will be unavailable.  On the chance that they are available, I thought I should ask around so that I don't short-change them.

Why does everything have to be so complicated?

Food Rut

I am running out of food ideas to feed Joslynn.  We are in a food idea rut. Now, she's still young and can't chew difficult things like steak, obviously, so we are limited many times in our food choices for her.  What does everyone else feed their young ones?  (Other than chicken nuggets, macaroni and cheese, and hotdogs...)

I am fresh out of ideas and need some variety for the poor kid.  Any new fun, and easy ideas are much appreciated.

Just me...and the grasshoppers

This morning I was able to go for a run all by myself...just me, and the annoying grasshoppers that infest the weeds along the trail.  As much as I love my children, it was really nice to go out and have a little time just for me.  I could enjoy the wind in my hair, instead of worrying about it being in theirs.  I could run without asking myself any of the following questions: 'Are they too hot? Are they too cold?  Is the sun in their eyes?  Are the bugs bothering them?  Did a grasshopper just jump in the stroller? Will I be able to finish my run before someone starts fussing?'

I have to admit that I enjoy the feeling of 'company' when I am running, and I also enjoy the challenge of having to push something along with me.  They do help to motivate me to keep going because its like having a workout partner there; I can't quit early because then I am shortchanging their ride as much as I am cheating myself by stopping early.

I don't know if it was because I was minus a stroller and children that made me faster, or just my sense of rejuvination at the gorgeous day and what a great run I was having, but I ran surprisingly fast (which I don't do...I go for distance, not speed).  I ran 2 miles in 21 minutes, so that is about 10.5 minute miles...not far off from my typical 9.5-10 minute miles.  I was really proud of myself. Yeah me! (I love those little mini-victories.)

**No, Kelli, I'm not afraid of the dentist...its just hard to step out of that comfort zone.

Know a good dentist?

Josh and I are looking for a new dentist.  I have been going to the same dentist my entire life.  I am always too chicken to go to someone new.  You know how traumatic going to the dentist can be, so I am sure that you understand my attachment.  I still love my dentist, although his office is in Rice and getting there is always a challenge (seeing as I have nothing else to do but spend that time driving). Josh has just bounced around from dentist to dentist since he graduated high school, so we would like to find someone much closer to home, especially when our little munchkins will be seeing the dentist before we know it.

If you have any recommendations, good or bad, please let us know!

Chandler wins!

To those of you who voted on my "Choose one 'Friend' to be friends with" poll, I am curious about the results.  You don't necessarily have to say that you did or didn't vote for whoever, but I am curious about why Chandler won.  Don't get me wrong, I like Chandler just as much as the next guy, although I was just surprised that he took the early lead, 3 to 1 against Phoebe, and then ultimately took the gold in the end: Chandler 4, Phoebe 2, and Rachel 1.  

Now, I know what some of you may be thinking...Doesn't she have anything better to do or think about? (except for Andrea, that is, if she is as big a fan as I think she is)  but, I can't help it, "Friends" is one of my addictions and that also goes for anything remotely related to it.

I survived the 1st post-baby run!

This morning was absolutely gorgeous outside, so a perfect day for a jog around the development. Not only did we get a chance to test drive our new double jogger, but I finally got out of the house (without melting in the humidity) and I took my first jog since Jackson was born.  I wanted to go earlier in the week, but I was suffering from a sinus infection and could hardly breathe, so postponing my run was probably smart.  It went pretty well.  Today was also the day that Josh and I decided we are going to try to rebuild some of our good habits.  We no longer have a pregnant belly to blame for DQ, Leeann Chin, or Gary's Pizza binges.  We both have new workout goals, which will be a challenge in and of itself with two little ones in the house.  Wish us luck as we try to rejuvenate our former healthy habits!