Leading the Double K Life

Change is in the air

2011-12-20T09:27:00.002-06:00

.....or should I say in the belly.

I am 23 weeks pregnant! El Hombre and I will be having a little girl in April of 2012. Over the remaining 17 weeks I will try to update this space and then continue once Landry Grace has joined us.

Seattle

2010-06-23T17:03:00.002-05:00

....here we come!

Tomorrow, El Hombre and I leave for Seattle. We will meet up with EK for a long weekend.

I will be running in my first 1/2 marathon while EK will be running in her second. It should be a great and fun weekend and I will post all about it when we get back.

Buford the TV star

2010-06-16T12:37:00.002-05:00

Buford the TV star
Originally uploaded by Double_K

...we had his filming on Monday night. Buford was a very big hit with the cameramen. They took lots of b-roll footage of him. They even put a plate of cookies from the bakery down to get footage of him chowing down. Cookie pieces were flying everywhere as he snuffled his way through the plate.

Since the filming took place in the dog boutique of Foxy Paws, Buford was given a shirt to wear. I really wished the one that read 'Chick Magnet' had fit him, but sadly it did not. Instead, his shirt read 'Little Killer' which is a total oxymoron for Buford since he could only kill you with his cuteness.

They also filmed a little for a commercial for the store. Sadly, I was in some of the footage and I sincerely hope that they can figure out how to cut me out of it. When I get the video I will post it for all to see.

It was a fun time. Maybe he will be invited back for more filming.

Rising Star

2010-06-12T20:57:00.001-05:00

Originally uploaded by Double_K

....possibly.

Tomorrow Buford will be an extra in the shooting of a pilot for a show called Date My Dog. I'm supposed to dress cute and trendy, whatever that means, and then we are to pretend to shop. Excellent. We can do this and we'll be awesome.

Get this dog an agent!

Almost here

2010-06-10T22:34:00.002-05:00

....I'm so excited!

In just 16 days I'm running in my first 1/2 marathon. Yeah, that's right. You read it here. I'm going to get physically active for 13.1 miles. EK and I along with some buddies from the internet are participating in the Seattle Rock and Roll 1/2 Marathon.

This is going to be a great accomplishment because so far the longest distance I've ever run has been a smidge of 6 miles. Though, one day the Therapist and I participated in the Urban Dare and we covered 8 miles, but that was all walking.

If you want to follow me you can. Once I get my bib number, I'll post it and then you'll be in the know!

Where'd the time go?

2010-06-10T22:20:00.004-05:00

.....It has been 4 years.

Well, the actual anniversary of this blog came and went without fanfare. I started this adventure in May of 2006. I was moving back to Dallas to become a teacher and give dating El Hombre, while living in the same city, a chance.

Both those gambles paid off. I'm a teacher with a classroom I love and El Hombre and I are now married, homeowners, and added Buford to the mix. Where to go next? What will happen in the next 4 years?

I've left my 20s and entered my 30s with this blog. I will work on making the 30s better blogging years. I think I finally know what I'm doing with my life. I feel on track. Sure, it doesn't match up with the letter that Mrs. Schultz made us write to ourselves in 9th grade English. I said I wanted to be a lawyer and married with 4 kids by the time I was 30. Yeah, right. Like that would have been possible.

Future plans, either go to law school for SPED law (if I can talk El Hombre into it) or become a Principal. I'm leaning more towards the principal thing. I've already got the teachers picked out for my school and I know a great librarian and music teacher I would happily poach.

Hmmmmm, the next 4 years of this blog look promising. Watch out!

My little baby

2010-06-08T19:19:00.001-05:00

Originally uploaded by Double_K

....is all grown up.

Yesterday, June 7, Buford celebrated his first birthday. Awwwww. He was so cute. He wore a hat and had a Frosty Paw with a candle on top. His present was a rawhide, which Ellie likes to steal and run as fast as she can to hide with it.

To many more years!

Run Kristin, Run!

2010-05-01T20:10:00.001-05:00

........I've been running since January.

As of today, I've run 125.81 miles. Hello! That's amazing. Awesome. Fantastic. Wonderful. I could go on since the word 'great' was killed last year and replaced with bigger and better words, but I know you would probably quit reading. I've logged those 125.81 miles for purely selfish reasons. I want to be more fit, active, in better health, and I want to lose weight.

But now, now I want to do something that is beyond me.

Something that will benefit others.

I've joined Team in Training. I'm TNT! I'm dynamite!

What's a better reason to run than to help raise money that funds the research into leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma. I'm not a nurse and able to give the bedside care that is need. I'm not a doctor and will not be able to diagnose and treat the disease. I'm not a researcher and able to analyze data and create medicines for the doctors to prescribe or to find the cure. Instead, I am but one girl who has chosen to use her new found love for running to help raise money to be put towards the research. Through donations from those generous people I know, I will be able to meet this goal.

I run for those afflicted with these disease, for their families, and for the friends that care about and support them in their time of need.

Please, visit my Team in Training and see what you can do to help. Run Kristin, Run!

I've been bitten

2010-04-26T21:59:00.002-05:00

....by the Bulldog bug!

They are just so darn cute. How have I gone 30 years of my life without a bulldog?

Watch out! Don't look him in the eyes. You'll be entranced. Even the Therapist, who thinks he is smelly and ugly and no where near cute seems to take plenty of pictures when she is around him and her husband, the Engineer, wants one.

Bullies rule!

I am....

2010-03-20T12:19:00.003-05:00

...so excited!

Why? Because El Hombre and I are headed to Oklahoma to see Stone Temple Pilots. They were my favorite band in high school. Loved them! Still love them.

I never thought I would get to see them, but here I go. Off to the reservation casino. A weekend in Oklahoma with a promise of snow and fantastic music!

Impatient

2010-03-17T13:35:00.002-05:00

...that I am!

Sunday, I ran in the Dallas Rock & Roll 1/2 marathon.

Monday, I was emailed a preview of my pictures. I placed my order. Oh yes, I did. I will buy their over priced pictures of me crossing the finish line and standing with my medal because it was one of my small goals I set for my self and I am a sucker.

Here it is, Wednesday, and I do not have my pictures. I chose the option to download them. Can I? No. Why not! They emailed me the day after that they were ready, so why must I wait? Why? I want proof of my accomplishment, besides the aches, and I want that proof now!

NOW!

Awesomeness

2010-03-14T21:48:00.002-05:00

....Today I felt it.

I am awesome. Not much humble attitude here, today. Why? Because I ran 6 miles. 6 miles! I was part of the Inaugural Rock & Roll Half Marathon in Dallas. The Therapist and I decided to run it as a relay team. Our baton was a drumstick and it was excellent. The weather was perfect. The crowd was just the right size. And we rocked it! Therapist did her 7.1 miles in 1 hour and 3 minutes. I did the remaining 6 miles in 1 hour and 35 minutes. Not too shabby I say.

Holofrost 2010

2010-02-20T12:34:00.003-06:00

...I had to steal that name from a Facebook friend. It describes last weekend so well.

It snowed. SNOWED! Do you know I live in Texas and that most often our "snow" is really ice that gets maybe a few centimeters thick? But this year we had real snow. Buford woke me up Thursday morning about 3 am to let him out and I thought I would be kind and wonderful and let him stay out of his crate till I got up at 5:30. But, he must have known the weather was changing. When he went out there was no snowy, no rain, nothing. The ground was crunchy but that was more like dead grass with morning frost under my feet. Long story short, Buford ended back in his crate before I had to get up so he again had to be put outside at 5:30 when my alarm screamed at me.

I threw open the door and just stood there. I was frozen, in a trance. Our backyard was covered in snow and it was still coming down. It hadn't been like that two hours ago. It was already more snow than we had received on Christmas Eve. Of course, I know my district isn't going to close, but a girl can hope and Buford and I watched the news until I had no choice but to shower and get ready for the day.

Snow days at school are crazy. The kids don't want to learn/pay attention/use any form of academic rigor because it is SNOWING and neither did I. I was more into the snow than my students. After breakfast I bundled them all up and we went into the snow.

I have 8 students, but that day I only had 5. My TA had been sick the day before and spread it around the room. As one student was leaving he kept saying "Good-bye. I go to the doctor. I need doctor." Needless to say, he wasn't at school on the snow day. By the end of the day my class had dwindle down to 3 students because of parents picking up early. One mom told me her daughter would not be there the next day because it was unsafe. My reply was that hopefully we would all be at home, but she and I both know the district and gave hearty laughs at that thought.

The drive home with my carpool buddy was surprisingly easy. The traffic was better than some of the other days with perfect condition. I made it home in 45 minutes. Not bad. I had only been home an hour when I got the phone call. The district was closing for Friday! I couldn't believe they had made a decision so early. Poor El Hombre, he still had to go to work.

I spent my snow day lounging on the couch and playing in the backyard with Ellie and Buford.

Our house on Friday morning. Those are El Hombre's tracks out.

Our street.
The night before I heard and saw a transformer blow but didn't worry, we still had electricity. The houses across the street did not.

Buford showing how deep the snow was. We had 6" in both yards.

I made a snow angel and then Buford sat in it.

Buford sniffs a snowball.

I made it snow on Buford's face.

I whacked him in the face with a snowball.

Ellie patrols the yard. You can see she wasted no time in getting her paths back in shape.

My first finish line

2010-01-23T21:38:00.001-06:00

My first finish line
Originally uploaded by Double_K

...OMG!

I'm hot. Out of breath. And look awful.

BUT

Dead last finish is greater than did not finish which greatly trumps did not start.

I finished. I don't look great. I'm fat. But I finished and each finish line picture will look better.

There is something wrong with this calendar.

2010-01-23T21:35:00.001-06:00

There is something wrong with this calendar.
Originally uploaded by Double_K

...I don't have any words.

How did they mess that up? All the other months are ok. So very odd.

Finished

2010-01-17T10:29:00.003-06:00

....my first 5k of the year!

It was fantastic. I went by myself. All alone. No one with me to hold my hand and calm my fears. Sure, both EK and El Hombre were only a call or a text message away and they had both given me my support just before starting the race, but no one was on the road with me and I finished.

This is HUGE for me. I've signed up to do a 5k by myself before and didn't even show up to the race because I let all my fears and anxiety of being too fat to run or laughed at by the real runners. Today, I learned that none of that will happen. I am a real runner. I might be slow and plod along the course, but I'm out there. I'm doing it. The others don't matter because I am not here to prove anything to them. The only person I need to prove something to is me.

I did that today. I proved that I could complete a race. I can do it. So today, I proved to myself that I can run in a 5k and I can do it in 50 minutes and 40 seconds. Next month, I will improve that time.

Mantra

2010-01-14T20:47:00.002-06:00

.....my first week of running is almost over. I've run every day since Sunday. Tomorrow I will rest and on Sunday I have my first 5k.

Sure, I ran 4 miles of the White Rock Lake Marathon in December, but that was as part of a team. Sunday it is all me. The only person I have to let down is myself, which I refuse to do. It's time to make changes in my life and El Hombre did tell me that I needed to find a hobby. I will make running my hobby, even if it kills me.

I have a fear of standing out, of people looking at me, others laughing at me, and failing. These fears are crippling to me. I've signed up for a 5k, by myself, before and didn't go because on or all of those fears held me back. This time that won't be happening. Why? I've realized that I will not stand out. No one is looking at me. No one is laughing at me and I only fail if I don't try. My new motto (which I got from FatChicksRunning.com) is Dead last finish is greater than did not finish which greatly trumps did not start. They might laugh if I'm last, but at least I'll have finished something I had the guts to start.

First night done

2010-01-11T21:19:00.003-06:00

.....or should it really be the second night?

I've signed up for the running classes put on through Run On. We had our first class last Monday where we ran the "Magic Mile." They use this one mile run to put you in groups. I was one of the last to cross the line. Not the last, that would be the guy behind me.

They called out my time: 12:20
Me: Ummmmm, what? No. That's wrong. You read that wrong. I shuffle a 15 minute mile on a good day.
Them: 12:20. You did it in 12:20.
Me:This wasn't a mile.
Them: You just did a 12:20 mile
Me: *absolute silence*
Them: Awesome job!

Heck yeah! Awesome job. Shock and awed my friends. Shock and awe.

We were supposed to run last Thursday, but due to the cold and patchy ice class was canceled. So tonight we met our groups. I looked around at my group and other than the guy that finished behind me they all looked like runners. Our workout was run for 2 minutes, walk one minute. I wasn't always the slowest and never the fastest, but I never stopped running during our two minutes, even if it was really slow running, it was running.

So, I can do this! That is what I'll end it on. I can do this! Ain't nothing going to hold me down, oh no (Sorry, I was channeling a little Mase there).

My goal is to RUN the half-marathon during White Rock Lake Marathon in December. Challenge accepted!

The best dog in the world

2010-01-10T20:52:00.002-06:00

....Augustus McCrae. Better known as Gus in the house.

Gus came into my life when I was a senior in college. I had moved into a house with two girls who both had boyfriends and wouldn't be around much. So of course I needed a dog. The answer to all my fears of staying a lone in the house. One roommate already had a dog that was old and crabby. The rule was my dog had to get along with Dixie.

I searched and searched. Read every ad in the paper for the perfect dog. Then I came across an ad for a red heeler. My aunt and uncle have a red heeler named Nellie who is the best dog ever and I wanted one just like her. My roommate and I went to a house that was billed as a 'rescue.' There were 40+ dogs. The lady brought two dogs out, one was a black mangy dog and the other was not a red heeler, though he was red. The black mangy dog would not leave Dixie alone. I thought Dixie was going to have a heart attack. The not red heeler couldn't have cared less that Dixie was there. He sat in front of me for pets and wouldn't move. I was sold. The lady put a tick collar on him and sent us on our way.

The name debate went on for awhile. The Actor wanted to give him a Russian name. I wanted to call him Hank or Red, but the Therapist prevailed. She knew my love for the movie Lonsome Dove and the character Gus. She knew I had that name in reserve for a future child. She convinced me that no child should ever be saddled with that name, and thus the not red heeler became Gus.

Gus learned his manners in a household of 3 girls, various friends coming in and out, and the Actor. I don't know how that combination made Gus the best dog in the world, but it did. He was my shadow. Where I stood he too tried to occupy the space. Other than the week I went to Florida for Spring Break and the 6 months he had to live with my parents, which gave him horrible separation anxiety, he hasn't been away from my side for longer than a day or two.

We survived 6 moves, the addition of a boyfriend that turned into a husband, two other dogs being added to the household and multiple disagreements on his proper sleeping spot (he thought the bed and I thought the floor. I only won on the nights he decided to give in).

Gus left me a week ago to go to a place where he will always have a bed, not have to deal with being bothered by other dogs, and all the french fries he can eat. I miss Gus every moment I'm awake but find happiness in each memory that surfaces. He is the best dog I've ever had and will ever have. I don't think I will ever have one that is as devoted to me as he was.

Rest in peace my good friend. I miss you and love you.

I did it!

2009-12-15T20:07:00.005-06:00

....What did I do? Only one of the biggest accomplishments in my book.

I ran in the White Rock Lake Marathon. Yup. That's right! I shuffled my big fat but in a marathon. Now before you go getting all excited and thinking I shuffled the entire 26.2 miles, I was part of a team. Team Lace 'em Up. Five girls. Four teachers and a therapist. Sounds like the start of a joke.

The race was broken down into five legs. The first, which was run by the Therapist, was 6 miles. Up hill. Now, Therapist did a fantastic job running it in a little under an hour. She just got out of a cast about 3 weeks ago due to her broken foot! I ran the second leg. It was only 4 miles. The shortest of them all, but seeing as I don't exercise and barely trained (shhh. don't tell my team), I did really well and I'm proud of myself. I got a medal and a finishing shirt.

Recently El Hombre told me I needed a hobby and that Farmville did not count. Hmmmm, have I found a hobby? I have decided that I'm going to sign up for one of the Running 101 classes through Run On.

Could this also be a New Year's Resolution?

Best in Show

2009-09-08T19:43:00.002-05:00

...that would be Buford.

He is adorable and getting so big! Today we went to the vet. He was 13 weeks old on Sunday and today he weighs 19.9 pounds. That is HUGE! We've started going to Puppy Kindergarten class and it takes forever to get to the actual class because we must stop for every man, woman, and child to pet him. Though, he is learning to walk on a leash and he is mastering the 'sit' and 'leave it'. Now, his next big trick is to learn to skateboard. El Hombre has watched many a youTube video of skateboarding bulldogs and now feels Buford should learn to do this. All in good time. All in good time.

He likes to stare at his reflection in the refrigerator.

He wishes Gus would be his best friend, but Gus wants nothing to do with that.

He will actually fetch a ball

And, he makes a pretty good mop

Buford

2009-07-31T13:58:00.001-05:00

Buford
Originally uploaded by Double_K

...He gets more adorable with every week.

Next weekend we are driving up to Missouri to get him. We'll stay with some of El Hombre's family, which I'm excited about because I like them very much. In fact, I feel they should move to Dallas and would love to convince them of that fact.

We are getting ready. I've lined up a dog sitter who will come by every day to let all three out for a potty break at lunch. I know Gus and Ellie will love that fact. It's like daycare. I told El Hombre this is practice, just in case.

Applied Behavior Analysis

2009-07-24T23:14:00.001-05:00

....at work

Inspired

2009-07-24T22:23:00.002-05:00

....to do some cleaning/organizing. Whatever you want to call it.

El Hombre has gone to Austin for the weekend to attend Heatwave, some kind of car show thing. Not up my alley. So, here I sit at home. Just me and the dogs. I should be doing homework, but I just got my Better Homes & Garden magazine which included a quick glimpse of an organized under the kitchen sink.

I want my area under the kitchen sink organized! It's awful. Just awful. Drives me insane.

It isn't that bad, but it could be better. Easier to get to stuff. So, I organize. I went to Target and bought a little drawer.

*Poof*

Now it is not a jumbled mess. All better. I've organized under my sink. What next? Tomorrow, maybe I'll start on my table re-do.

Michael Vick and the NFL

2009-07-24T17:36:00.005-05:00

....Michael Vick's 23 months are up. He has served his time, and now the NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell, must make the decision on whether or not to reinstate him in the league and if so how many games he will sit out.

I believe that Michael Vick should not be allowed back in to the NFL. Playing in the NFL is a privilege, not a right. These men earn millions of dollars. They put their bodies through the ringer, but at the same time they are role models for children, whether they want to be or not. That said, a player who has a record should not play in the NFL. But, what about those players that are currently in the NFL that have records for vehicular manslaughter and gambling and what not. I believe they should all be released. I don't see that happening, but if Commissioner Goodell wants to change the face of the NFL, then he needs to take a stand and start some where. That somewhere is Michael Vick. It should have been Adam Jones, aka Pacman Jones, last year, but he allowed Adam Jones back in and he couldn't even make it the entire season. He wasn't reformed. It isn't the NFL's place to reform. It is their place to provide entertainment.

So, Commissioner Goodell, I plead that you take the first step to change the face of the NFL. Fill that league with stand-up men that any parent would be proud for their son or daughter call a role model. Fill that league with men who are not compulsive gamblers, have records for drug abuse, assaults, or beat their wives/girlfriends/mistress, or run dog-fighting rings, or other felonies. It is not these men's right to play football, it is a privilege that they should earn through being not only athletic and talented but for also being citizens with character above reproach.

Creature of routine

2009-07-23T22:55:00.003-05:00

...no, not me. Though, I do like my routines.

It is Ellie! She gets into a routine and that is the way it will be. Heaven forbid that it be interrupted, disturbed, or changed. I have no clue how she is going to handle the introduction of Buford.

Every night Ellie must go outside, for at least an hour or two. Hell, she would probably sleep out there if I didn't force her into the house. At any time between 10:15-10:30 she gives one short bark at the door to be let in. Just one. Never more. I open the door and she takes off like the missile she is for the back of the house. There is nothing more comical than watching her four stumpy little legs churning on the wood floors. It's rather cartoonish, like the Road Runner.

Our new bedroom furniture is pretty high off the ground and the mattress is extra thick. I can barely climb into this monstrosity. Ellie cannot jump into it, at all. Believe me, she has tried. So, I must follow her to the bedroom in order to pick her up and place her under the blankets or else she barks at the edge of the bed. Unacceptable. There is a bear sleeping in that thing. Don't wake the bear!

Tonight, the door was closed and I was busy watching Top Chef Master. The clickity clack of her nails on the floor and the jingle of her tags head for the back of the house growing faint as she runs down the hall. Soon, I hear the clickity clack of her nails and the jingle of the tags grow louder and she is back. Staring at me. Unblinkingly staring at me. She starts the Marilyn Monroe pucker as if she is going to bark. I don't want to hear it! I'm off the couch and down the hall before she could start.

That dog! Way too much personality and way too bossy, but so cute.

Double K

2009-07-18T22:11:00.001-05:00

....at the double K

I visited EK and she took me to the Krispy Kreme. I don't like donuts, but I tried one of their donuts.

Still not a fan.

Happy 4th of July

2009-07-05T22:19:00.001-05:00

Fireworks
Originally uploaded by Andrew Curtis

....I know it is a day late.

But, I hope your 4th of July was a good one. El Hombre and I had a nice romantic 4th. We went to Wal-Mart to gather supplies for his new art project, ate McDonald's, and then watched fireworks. What a better way to spend the 4th, no?

The summer is flying by very quickly. I'm halfway through the summer semester and I get to go visit EK this weekend. It's been so long since I've seen her. I can't wait.

Today was a hard day

2009-07-04T00:36:00.002-05:00

....a very hard day.

Therapist and Engineer spend 4th of July at the lake. Usually the dogs go with them, but Therapist asked me to dog sit Dixie. Sure, no problem. Dixie is a sweet dog.

Dixie is epileptic and diabetic. Last night she had a very big seizure, but seemed to get better. This morning she had a very large seizure right as I was about to walk out the door to go do my In-home training with my student. I did not feel comfortable leaving her, so made necessary arrangements to reschedule and spend the day with Dixie. I did exactly that. We sat on my living room floor, me holding her tightly as she was hit by several seizures.

I took her to the emergency vet where some very hard decisions had to be made. I think the best choices were made with what we knew. Therapist was unable to be there because there was no way she could make it back from the lake. I was allowed to be in the room with Dixie and I stroked her side and gave her little kisses as the vet did what needed to be done. I wish it didn't have to happen, but she had a good 12 to 14 years (her exact age is unknown).

Dixie was a great dog and she will be greatly missed.

Bunny update

2009-06-29T20:52:00.002-05:00

....Today, I saw Momma Bunny near the hole.

She ran off as I walked towards my front door, so I changed my path and walked to the hole. To my amazement I could see at least one little bunny eye staring at me. It was shoved way back in the hole. I guess it was deeper than I thought. Later, when we took out the trash I could hear Momma Bunny in the bushes. Maybe she is building a new nest and will move her remaining babies to it. I sure hope so.

Baby bunnies

2009-06-28T00:34:00.002-05:00

....This morning El Hombre mowed our lawn. He woke me up, dragged me out of bed to show me a little den of baby bunnies in our neighbors lawn. Three of them to be exact.

Here is their hole. There were three little babies shoved in there. Their noses were twitching. I was able to lay on my stomach with my face just inches away. I sent El Hombre inside for my camera. When I turned it on to take a picture they all turned around to show their little bunny butts.

I wish we had told our neighbor they were there. Later in the afternoon, we saw him in his backyard mowing. El Hombre went outside to find one decapitated bunny body and the other two were missing. We checked the hole. It wasn't that deep at all. It was more like leaves and hair making a tent then an actual hole. I hope the other little baby bunnies are ok and are able to find a new hole.

The neighbors are going to love us

2009-06-14T14:07:00.002-05:00

....or maybe not.

I have been wanting the pink flamingo for ages, but couldn't ever get it since we were in an apartment. My parents are in town this weekend and we headed to the Dallas Farmers' Market. I got my pink flamingo, which has been named Lloyd, and some very lovely flowers. My mom helped me plant the flowers since I have no green thumb and she does. I think they look excellent. Now, to keep them alive.

So busy!

2009-06-12T14:16:00.002-05:00

....This is going to be the busiest, craziest summer ever.

I am taking 4 classes. What was I thinking? One of the classes that I will be taking is In-Home Training. I'll be working with a student with autism and his family in their home. I must do 6 hours a week, so I'll be at their house on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for 2 hours each time this summer. Then on Tuesdays and Thursdays I have class on campus. I don't think I will ever see El Hombre.

I already have a paper due next Friday and am starting to feel slightly overwhelmed! I know I can do it, but it will be lots of work and I will be highly stressed and I'm sure extra yelly this summer. Hope El Hombre can handle it.

Leavin' on a jet plane

2009-06-08T20:15:00.002-05:00

.....in July!

I'm going to visit EK for an extended weekend. I bought my ticket today. This visit has effectively killed my puppy search. Well, that and the fact that Petland wanted $4300 for an English Bulldog.

$4300 American dollars. Seriously. For a dog. Not even lying.

It was cute though.

Rockin' the Suburbs

2009-06-07T21:39:00.004-05:00

....That we are. The Los Hombres have moved to the suburbs.

Now, in my defense, it doesn't seem like the suburbs because downtown is still very close (I could ride the train). There are plenty of dirty hippies around us, the neighbors are young, and I still see bums on the street (ok, this last one is a huge stretch because it is NOTHING like I used to see when we lived practically downtown).

When looking for a house, we were very against a house with a pool. Then the search grew and grew and grew and we thought we would never find a house, so one hot day at the zoo and we decided houses with pools were a-ok in our book.

We did not buy a house with a pool. But, we still live in Texas and it is still hotter than anything here, so today we went to Target and bought an inflatable pool!

Is El Hombre actually reading instructions?

Not done, but still enjoyable

Look at El Hombre's pasty white legs!

I'm already burned, but that is from spending Friday with my feet in a cracked plastic pool held together with duct tape.

So, if you're in the neighborhood, feel free to come on over. I'll be in the backyard lounging in the pool.

New year's resolutions

2009-06-07T21:31:00.002-05:00

...A little late. I know what you are thinking.

The new year does not start in January for me. I'm a teacher. I roll on an August to June calendar. The new year for me is August. New clothes. New supplies. New students.

This year, I wanted to be prepared and have a great year. I want to get rid of my crabby blues and the little storm cloud that hung over my head, for pretty much the entire Spring semester, and instead replace it with a nice little smiling sun. So, that is what I'm planning on doing.

And, this is how I'm going to do it.....

Exercise daily (this starts now since I'm training for a Triathlon)
Manage my time
Know the students IEPs inside and out
Leave work at work.
Read for fun (this will be easier since I will have graduated!)
Learn to delegate (I was told by my Principal I needed to learn this and thus I can't drop the yearbook.)
Blog more

These are my new resolutions. I'm starting now. I'm going to work on the exercise, managing my time, and blogging more this summer. I'm creating a daily schedule to follow to make sure that I don't just lay on the couch all day, watching television and procrastinating on my school work. I am taking 4 classes this summer.

Let's see how it goes.

Fantastic news!

2009-05-26T20:19:00.002-05:00

....No, I am not pregnant, if that is what you were thinking would be my fantastic news. That would be utterly awful at this point in time, but I move on.

I graduate this summer with my M.Ed in Autism Intervention. I am so very excited. I did it in 1 year and a summer. Sure, I took 4 classes last summer and 4 this summer, but I'll be done. With this, I want to move into teaching a self-contained autism classroom for my district. I've wanted to do this the past two years but have always been a bit chicken because I don't like change and I don't want to leave my school where I currently am the Inclusion teacher.

I learned that the district is opening 9 NEW units. I was so excited because one was being put on my current campus. The catch was it wasn't really a new unit. They were moving a PK unit from a nearby school, which meant the current teacher would come with it. I found out this news after I told my Principal I wanted the unit and that I was prepared to move elsewhere. And I am. I've put in my application to teach at 3 of the surrounding districts. One job is in a behavior unit for Kindergartners. Now, I must admit that actually sounds really awesome.

Anyways, today I began contemplating maybe I should stay as inclusion even though I am absolutely miserable and on most days want to gouge out my eyes. I happened upon my Principal this evening as I was waiting for the last parent to pick up their kid from after school program. She had a Cheshire cat grin on her face and told me to check my email. I did!

I am the new Autism PK teacher for my school! I get to stay with my team. My TA. And all my favorite teachers. Sure, it is a drive, but it is worth it to me to not have to change schools. I am so excited! Principal found me after I read my email (which took like 2 seconds) and said, "Maybe we'll get to start seeing your smile again instead of your grumpy face." I must admit, I've had a bit of a grumpy face these past few weeks with all the drama of the unit.

Just call me smiles!

We got keys!

2009-05-07T22:29:00.003-05:00

...Last night we met up with our realtor and his wife for dinner at Gloria's. We had a great time. El Hombre has known our realtor for years as he is the older brother of one of El Hombre's best friends. Anyways, at the end of dinner we got our keys and went directly to the house.

We entered the house and aimlessly wandered through the rooms. When we walked into the kitchen we were greeted by a lovely little present from the seller.

She had left a plethora of keys, the garage clickers, a bottle of champagne, two glasses, and flowers. So very lovely.

Some nights

2009-04-29T06:34:00.002-05:00

....I am just too tired/lazy to make El Hombre his two sandwiches and place a cheese stick with them. So, for those nights I keep a stash of cash tucked away. Early in the morning as he stumbles to put the finishing touches on his lunch, he finds this waiting him....

It's the only way I know he will find it!

Pop, Lock, & Drop it

2009-04-14T20:41:00.002-05:00

....I went through a phase where on the weekends I could be found in the Inferno. A dance club in Denton that was a little rough. My friend and I knew the bouncers, we knew the bartenders, and I once gave Mike Jones (who? Mike Jones!) a cigarette, and we were very often the only two white people there. It was great! I LOVED it. They played my music.

I thought I could dance, but I'm sure mine looks an awful lot like this kid. In fact, this will probably be El Hombre's and my kid in the future.

Not that I'm green

2009-04-13T22:02:00.003-05:00

.....but I've started providing my own bags when I go to Wal-Mart. Oh, I'm not doing it to be environmental friendly at all. I do it because Wal-Mart is sack crazy. They put every single item in it's own plastic sack. I have no use for these sacks. They are taking over our apartment. I've shoved them into every nook & cranny and yet they overflow from where I've hidden them, because I of course can't convince myself to throw them out. I might need them!

Most of my re-usable bags are the wal-mart blue, but I do have one Dallas Cowboys and one Aggie bag. El Hombre got those since I need to "represent" my teams. Whatever. But, I think I need this bag. I've got to have it!

We're the winners!

2009-04-09T21:40:00.002-05:00

....Finally!

After 4 houses the 5th one is ours. We were one of 3 offers and they chose ours. We close May 1st! It can't get here fast enough.

It is in Richardson and is a 3 bedroom, 2 bath house built in 1960. I LOVE the frosted windows in the living room. Once we close, and her stuff is out, I will take pictures. Don't worry, you will get nice play by play pictures of any changes (yes, I'm looking at that hideous hall bathroom) that we make.

Babies!

2009-03-30T19:15:00.003-05:00

.....NO, I am not having one.

My friend is! Today she emailed me to say it is going to be a boy. Yeah! So, now I am finding my self surfing etsy (I love etsy!). I think she needs this.....

Angels sing, Gus listens

2009-03-20T22:41:00.003-05:00

A little editing

2009-03-16T17:14:00.001-05:00

....can change a movie.

Houses 3

2009-03-11T19:39:00.002-05:00

....Los Hombres still 0.

Yup. That's how it goes. Today we were told that the sellers were not motivated enough to take our offer. Now, the house has been on the market for over 200 days and we were the only people that came by for a second look. They said they would contact us if they changed their minds. Whatever. Our offer might not be around next week.

So, off we go, house hunting again. We have 5 houses lined up for Friday.

2009-03-09T21:30:00.001-05:00

The smiles say it all

2009-03-09T21:26:00.001-05:00

Originally uploaded by Double_K

...On Saturday, March 7, 2009, I got to watch the Therapist marry the Engineer. May they have a long and wonderful marriage with many red-headed babies.

Today is possibly

2009-03-09T09:31:00.001-05:00

....the day we hear back on our counter offer. That is what our realtor was told by their realtor. I hope we hear something soon. I am sitting on pins and needles!

Third times the charm

2009-02-28T23:45:00.004-06:00

.....right? We hope! We've put an offer on a third house. Now we are keeping our fingers crossed that they will accept it or at least counter where we would like. It is a 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 3 living area house that has a carport. It has 2,500 sq feet of fantastic-ness in historic Oak Cliff.

It has a 'man room' with a projector and screen. Fantastic for football parties! It is extremely close to our jobs. Only about 3 miles for each of us and if I change schools, which I'm planning on doing, the distance won't change at all. Nice.

Though, we did find a house that we loved tons, but the pros far out weighed the cons. But, if this house doesn't work out, maybe it will be our lucky 4th time putting in an offer. It is in Richardson, which is north of where we work, and is a 2,800 sq foot 4 bedroom 2.5 bath with 2 living areas.

Therapist to be hitched

2009-02-24T22:29:00.002-06:00

...soon. She is marrying The Engineer in a weeks time from this Saturday. So, last Saturday we had the Bachelorette party. We rented a bus to drive us around. We loaded the bus and drove around for awhile and then we showed up at a gas station where they upgraded us! We got moved to the bus with a stripper pole. All that needs to be said is, it was a fun night.

Rejected!

2009-02-24T22:05:00.003-06:00

....that is us. El Hombre and I FINALLY found a house that we could both agree on, sort of. I think El Hombre actually used his "I'm putting my foot down" for the year in order for us to place an offer.

We offered on this house....

Sadly, we were rejected. So, off on the hunt again. For those at home keeping count.....

Houses 2 Los Hombres 0

So, back to my favorite house...

Maybe we'll actually put an offer on it.

Nearing the end

2009-02-16T20:13:00.002-06:00

....I think.

We have now looked at 31 houses. We have 4 more on Friday to look at and then on Saturday we are going to look at the house that is most likely the one. I'm a little sad, because the house I really, REALLY, REALLY want has been vetoed by El Hombre. He loves it too. He just doesn't love the location. Well, he doesn't love the fact that everyone is down on Oak Cliff because they don't understand that it is not the gang ridden, drug infested place it used to be.

This is the house I LOVE

This is the house that we are most likely going to put an offer on

Don't get me wrong. I like this house. It is nice. It is in a GREAT location and near a fantastic school, just in case any Ninos arrive. It is also near all my friends and still close to El Hombre's. There will need to be just a tiny remodeling and I plan to turn that room with the computer into the most wonderful walk-in closet ever!

But watch out! This house could quickly over-take and surpass the house on Malden.

We see it Friday, and then maybe again on Saturday. It all depends on Friday. Saturday, we'll have made our choice and I'll let you know once we get a signed contract.

Help!

2009-02-16T18:42:00.002-06:00

....our borrowed washer is on the fritz. It washes, it rinses, but it does not spin. So, now I have the 3 Stooges trying to fix it.

With, El Hombre as the ring leader

It's comedy hour back there. I don't even know what they did and I don't think they even know what they did. They took it apart, banged on it, and now it spins. I'm sure it is still broken, but at least I can do another load of laundry tonight. Hopefully.

How bored must they have been...

2009-02-11T20:56:00.001-06:00

Could a girl catch a break?

2009-01-27T21:21:00.002-06:00

.....probably not. Not in my district. The district that made me drive through snow. In TEXAS! Actual snow. Every other district closed, but us. So, tonight I sit here listening to the frozen rain pelt my window and I wonder if the district would give us a break.

What is wrong with my husband?

2009-01-24T19:36:00.001-06:00

...as I lay here on the couch, playing with my phone, dozing in and out, trying to push Gus out of the way, El Hombre has decided that we need to watch Turkey Shoot Out. Really? We are going to watch a show about girls from Garland who go to turkey conventions and practice gobbling and then go hunting at the King Ranch? What is wrong with him?

Thankfully he has put it on Cops. That's my show! Along with The First 48. Awesome. Man, I want to be a Homicide Detective for Dallas Police.

New pictures surface

2009-01-18T22:08:00.002-06:00

....We had two photographers at the wedding. The main photographer and her helper, who is also her sister-in-law. Shortly after the wedding, the sister-in-laws child was admitted to the hospital and had to have heart surgery. She has been dealing with all that goes along with making sure her child is well. I don't know why, but today i got it in my head I should look at the photographers website and lo and behold the second photographer's pictures were up! I thought I would share a few of my favorites.

This is my all time favorite. I LOVE it. I don't think his personality could be captured any better.

The smile says it all.

A mom and her daughters.

People always ask what my tattoo says. It says nothing. Those are just swirls inside the stars. But, after seeing this picture I understand why they ask. It does look like it means something. I think I might get them filled in.

I just love it. That is all.

My grandmother, Bebe, and her 6 granddaughters.

I think he told me he was going to drop me right before he dipped me. Luckily, he did not!

I don't get to see the Actor that much since he is trying to make it big in Hollywood, but he was able to make it to Texas for the wedding. So, here I am with two of my best friends.

Awesomeness!!

2009-01-17T21:23:00.001-06:00

dog pillows
Originally uploaded by Double_K

...EK sent me a link to these pillows on Etsy, today. I immediately showed them to El Hombre and said I needed to have them.

El Hombre has two sides. The guy side and the gay side. He uses his second side to decorate our apartment and to find odd, obscure tennis shoes, such as the ones with Lucha Libre masks, to buy and coordinate with outfits. The second side has already decided that these pillows will be the inspiration & focal point for my sitting room.

My husband is special. So very very special.

And so it continues

2009-01-17T21:07:00.002-06:00

....house hunting that is. El Hombre and I have now seen 12 houses. We met our realtor Thursday after work to see a few in the Cliff or Oak Cliff for you non-Dallas people. We finally got to see the two houses that I have been dying over, lusting over, dreaming about since I saw them posted. After seeing them in person, I love them both and wouldn't mind either plus there was a 3rd out of the 6 that I also liked. The other 3 were not so great. One had been recently broken into and had the copper wiring and stove stolen. Uh, no. Another had an extremely heavy smoker living in it and I think I might have caught lung cancer while there. Though, it had wallpaper with felt on it! I want wall paper with felt. And the last one I dearly loved, but was on a busy street, only 1300 sq ft and $215,000. The kitchen was orgasmic, but there was no room for babies if they ever become part of the plan. So, without further introduction, the houses.....

3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 3 living areas, hot tub, and kids' playhouse

4 bedroom, 2 baths, sits on top of a private hill

3 bedrooms, 2 bath. Good space but kitchen needs some work

So it begins

2009-01-11T11:53:00.001-06:00

House #1
Originally uploaded by Double_K

....the house hunting.

El Hombre and I have decided that we will be buying a house in the next few months. Yesterday, we went out with our Realtor. We looked at six houses. Six houses! I love looking at houses. I've searched the internet for years. Fell in love with houses and quickly out of love with that same house. I fixate and then forget it. Nothing has ever stuck. Even the multi-million dollar homes that have floor to ceiling built-in bookshelves and kitchens that would make Emeril Lagasse pass out with excitement usually fall out of favor in a few short weeks because of some fault I find in the pictures. Needless to say, I'm picky and this will be a long search.

We have our 'must haves' and then our 'it would be really nice if it had it, but if it doesn't no big deal.'

Must haves:
1. Garage (I wouldn't mind if it was just a carport but El Hombre wants the garage. He keeps talking about a man-room).
2. 3 bedrooms
3. 2 bathrooms
4. Fenced in backyard (we have 2 dogs!)
5. What I think is a decent kitchen

It would be really nice to have:
1. Gas stove top
2. Wood floors (but no biggie if not because we have a connection)
3. Built-ins
4. Laundry room
5. No wood paneling

House #1 was the favorite of the day. Two living rooms, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and a nice sized kitchen. The closets were small, the master bathroom had no door, and it is right across the street from a high school.

House #2 was very nice and met several of both categories, but El Hombre couldn't get past the pink toilet, the wood paneling, or the kitchen. I liked it, but after careful consideration it doesn't meet our needs.

House #3 had 4 bedrooms with 2 baths. One of the bedrooms opened into the other and would have made a great master suite. Lots of storage space, but an ugly fireplace according to El Hombre, the kitchen was small, and the washer and dryer were in the kitchen and opened directly into the family room. Um, no.

House #4 also had 4 bedrooms and two bathrooms. The living room, kitchen, second living room was nice. The kitchen had recently been re-done with granite counter tops and gas stove, but each of the two bedrooms shared one bath. The tile in the entry hall is mismatched. Um, for the amount of money they want it needs to match plus there were too many bars on the windows of the neighbors. No. I should not see bars.

House #5. We walked in. We walked out. I didn't even finish looking, but I hear it had the same layout as House #4.

House #6. Great. Fantastic. Lots or space. Great kitchen. Great layout. But, it had a pool and it is below I-30. I feel the neighborhood is on the up, but I don't know if that is something we want to deal with it.

So, after day one of the search we walked away with one house that we liked and thought was a possibility and 5 houses that were good to be used for getting our bearings straight.

Ultimate dork

2008-12-28T23:05:00.002-06:00

....because I am one, I create a weekly menu with shopping list. It started innocent enough. Quickly scrawled out on any sheet of paper and then stuffed into the purse for the trip to Wal-mart. Then, it progressed into a nicely written menu with list at the bottom. And now it has come to this....

It is typed in a nice chart with a nice little columned list at the bottom. Each item is carefully crossed off the list as either El Hombre or I put it in the cart. Then, the list is handled with care so it can make it home to be hung with care on the fridge.

Queen of the dorks.

Wooo!

2008-12-28T22:43:00.001-06:00

.....I passed! I am now certified to teach Social Studies 4-8. Oh yeah. Watch out middle schoolers. I might be at your school in the near future.

To do..

2008-12-28T22:24:00.001-06:00

....the chore list has been made. Here it is

I'm in love

2008-12-28T21:05:00.002-06:00

.....with a purse.

This purse....

Now, normally I would rant and rave about Coach purses and how they are not necessary and a waste of money. But, today I want one. I want it so bad. It is so awesome, but I cannot justify spending that amount of money. Ever. I will just lust and hope that one day it will appear in my lap with matching wallet. *HINT HINT HINT*

Christmas Vacation

2008-12-24T12:46:00.001-06:00

Evans Family Christmas Lights - HDR Image
Originally uploaded by Jason Means

....My parents' house does not look like the Griswalds. Sometimes, I wish it did, but oh well.

El Hombre's 11 day vacation begins today. I'm picking him up from work at 1:30 and we are on our way. We'll head to the Hill Country for a few days and then back up here. I plan on reading some more books. I'm taking 4 with me. And he plans on playing video games.

We had our Christmas here on Sunday. He and I unwrapped all our presents. Little does he know that there is one gift sitting under the tree for him to open when we get home. Since I know he doesn't read this, I don't have to worry at all. He is currently under the impression that my mother bought it for him, but he will be disappointed when it isn't under her tree. I can't wait! He is going to be so surprised.

Not Abbey Road

2008-12-23T11:16:00.001-06:00

...Commerce Street in downtown Dallas.

Pretty empty on a Sunday morning. Excellent for us and the photographer.

All finished

2008-12-22T21:09:00.001-06:00

At the courthouse
Originally uploaded by Double_K

....finally. With everything.

We've done the engagement photos, the wedding photos, the after wedding photos. I thought El Hombre was going to kill me on that last set. But, he was a trooper and made it through. They look great and I can't wait to get my favorites framed and hung on the wall.

Seven years ago

2008-12-20T19:09:00.005-06:00

....today.

I started down a path that has led me on a journey. What a journey. I thought I knew myself when I started. I thought I was confident, secure in who I was, and knew where I was going. I didn't. Not at all.

Seven years ago today, I had gastric bypass. Seven years ago today, I was saved. My physical life, that is. I think I was seven when I was Saved.

Those who do not know the strength, will-power, and determination that it takes to make the life-style change call the gastric by-pass the easy way out, a quick fix. The easy way? Quick fix? The American life revolves around food. It is not easy or a quick fix. It is hard. Overwhelmingly hard.

Sure, I never made it down to the 120 lbs I thought I would. The weight didn't fall off like I thought it would, but I learned. I learned about myself. I learned my strengths. My weaknesses. I learned who were supporters and who were stumbling blocks, causing me to falter and occasionally fall.

In the end, I am happy. Healthy. Will always struggle with my weight, but with a tool to help me fight the battle I'm more likely to win. Do I regret it? NEVER! Do I think it was easy? HELL NO! Is it for everyone? Nope, only those that are mentally prepared and realize that it is not a quick fix. If you think it is, you will lose. You will fail. It will pile back on.

So, seven years today, the good doctors at Scott & White hospital gave me a second chance at life and for that I will be ever grateful.

Man's best friend

2008-12-17T20:24:00.000-06:00

Any given school day.

2008-12-16T22:15:00.003-06:00

....I never know what I'm going to do from one day to the next. One of the advantages of not being in a classroom is I assess my mood/temperament for the day and build my schedule accordingly. Killer headache? Do paperwork in my office. Need to be surrounded by adoring fans? Join the classes. After lunch pick me up? Head to the Autism room for some big hugs (and a few screams).

Not only do I have the opportunity to change my schedule at the shortest notice, but so do my principals. Yesterday, I walked into school with every expectation of getting paperwork completed before winter holidays, but that's not what was planned for me. Nope. I was headed on a field trip.

Year 1, I couldn't get myself added to a field trip to safe my life. It was not going to happen. Last year, it was like pulling teeth to go on the few I did. This year, I've already been to the Dallas Museum of Art, the Pumpkin Patch, and now the House of blues. Yeah, that's right. The House of Blues.

It. Was. AWESOME! The house band put on a performance of the blues and how it developed and evolved throughout American history. It started with the slave trade, moved into the 1920s, 30s, 40s, and up until today. Making sure to note its influence on R&B and Hip-hop. I know the kids around me loved it. I sang and danced to RESPECT, Elvis, the Beatles, Marvin Gaye, Sugarhill Gang, and a whole lot more.

I know the real reason I was sent on the trip was because my little deviant went. Though, this year, I should call him my little Angel. He has finally earned his first suspension. This time last year he had already used half his days. And you know, I can say that this suspension might not be unjustly earned. Sure, he told a girl her mom was a whore, but who knows, she very might well be. I ofter wonder how some of these kids' parents drive the vehicles they drive.

Anyways. Any given school day. Never two the same. Like snowflakes.

A shoe?

2008-12-15T20:47:00.001-06:00

Who throws a shoe?

Apparently those in Iraq throw shoes, and President George W. Bush got the heel *ha!* of it.

I've been busy

2008-11-22T23:58:00.001-06:00

Originally uploaded by Double_K

...football/birthday party tomorrow, so I decided to make a surprise. Iced sugar cookies! They are either stars or helmets. I'm awesome. Though, Therapist just sent me a text and and when I said I had a surprise for tomorrow she asked if it was apple. Dangit! I forgot I said I'd make the famous apple pie. I wonder if I have time tomorrow morning.

awwww

2008-11-18T22:28:00.002-06:00

....how sweet. Makes me think of Gus.

I love Etsy

2008-11-18T16:30:00.004-06:00

...it is the best website ever. I bought pretty much everything on there for the wedding.

I got this awesome
necklace.

This cool necklace
for my girls.

These cards to go with
the wedding favors

and of course the best thing ever.....

The most awesome onesie for
the Dental Hygenist's baby.

I love The Gap

2008-11-15T20:23:00.000-06:00

....commercials and very often their clothes

Do the bustle

2008-11-06T17:19:00.001-06:00

Do the bustle
Originally uploaded by Elizabeth_K

.....love this picture.

Know that there will be more to come from the wedding. I just need to process everything and then I will be able to share.

It was a blast and I'm so glad everyone who was able to make it got to share the night with us.

Today I was

2008-11-04T17:48:00.002-06:00

......#90.

That's right. The 90th person to vote this morning. The line was barely anything. I filled in my bubbles and went on my merry way. Though, I would like to take a moment to complain because I did not get my, "I Voted!" sticker. What's the point of voting if I'm not going to get my sticker?

Need I say more?

2008-11-03T23:16:00.000-06:00

....I don't think so.

Is this not the cutest

2008-11-03T20:30:00.003-06:00

...dog?

It is not Ellie, but the picture was taken by the photographer who did El Hombre's and my wedding. The pictures will be up soon and I will share them with all!

Sound bites are the best

2008-10-30T18:31:00.002-05:00

.....Love this quote from a Dallas Police Officer regarding the car chase and eventual arrest of Dallas ISD Molina High School teacher....

"It wasn't really a chase since it was so slow," Cpl. Janse said. "It was more of a follow."

The rest of the story can be read here.

We can talk politics all night

2008-10-29T06:52:00.000-05:00

.....so, vote however you like

Countdown

2008-10-26T21:51:00.002-05:00

.....there are only

6 Days

till the wedding. We must still do music. That was delegated to El Hombre since he LOVES music, yet as usual he has dropped the ball and it is now back in my lap. Sometimes, he totally infuriates me, like when he does things like this, and other times he will do something so awesome that makes me go, "oh yeah. that's why I love him." For example, yesterday he went to Einstein Bros and got us bagels. Mine: Everything, toasted, pumpkin shmear. Him: Everything, toasted, garlic & herb plus an extra everything, toasted, with garlic & herb for us to split. He says, "You can have the top since I know it is your favorite." How loving and sweet and used for the bonus points since he informed me shortly there after about the music.

Member of the team?

2008-10-26T21:49:00.002-05:00

....I thought officials in football games were to fade into the background and not become an active member of the play

The debacle grows

2008-10-25T01:14:00.005-05:00

....it's true. The district is hiring 60 teachers.

I'm astounded. Completely knocked on my ass by the pure incompetence that seems to be going on. Do these people not think their plans through? Did they think that by moving teachers from their positions to new positions in the middle of the year was going to be simple? That teachers wouldn't get pissed and quit? Why would an extension be given for voluntary resignation AFTER teachers were RIF'd?

Currently, the superintendent is still around. Sure, people are calling for his head, but that seems to be the teachers and the unions. It is unfortunate that noise is not being heard from the parents of the children affected.

At dinner tonight I got to speak with the Professor and he commented that he was surprised the Dallas Morning News didn't give more coverage to this mess. I agree, but at the same time all this was happening, banks were closing, there was a bail-out plan, and the stock market was in the middle of daily swings. I guess it just got lost.

How many CEOs are still around after a complete mismanagement and loss of $84 million?

Gus & Ellie

2008-10-24T05:51:00.003-05:00

...and even Lulu are in a slide show.

EK and I entered their pictures into a contest. The person was overwhelmed with responses that she put them into a slide show which can be seen here.

Aren't they cute! Gus is picture 76, Ellie is 77, and Lulu is 19.

Interesting

2008-10-23T23:33:00.002-05:00

....a district who recently just went through a Reduction in Force because they did not budget for teachers, now has positions open and is hiring.

I find this all very well and interesting, seeing as our principal worked very hard to get one of our RIF'd teachers back (her 4th grade writing scores were at 90%. Awesome for a 1st year!) and was told no. But, wait. What is this? Open positions.

It's time for the superintendent to go. He should only get one shot. There should be no 3 strikes and your out deal here. We, as teachers and students, cannot handle another colossal disaster like this one. And, rumor has it, there will be another RIF in January. How so, if there are open positions? I guess we'll see.

Maybe the headaches will end

2008-10-16T23:11:00.002-05:00

....or they could just be the beginning.

I've had a persistent pain behind my left eyeball for the past few weeks. It moved in and took up residence when our fearless leader of the BIG district began to badger the school board for a reduction in force. It was a small pain. I could live with it. I could handle it. I could still conduct ARD meetings, observe children in their classes, run the after school program, run the school newspaper, and yearbook, all the while continuing to teach my students, make sure all late students received their tardy pass, and worked on two graduate level courses while planning a wedding. The pain wasn't bad.

It slowly began to increase last week and got more intense with everyday. Today it came to its climax. I sat in my office after school, missing my weekly graduate class, in the hopes that one of my students and their parent might show up because it is parent/teacher conference night. But, no. That did not happen. No one was interested in seeing me. Why? Why did they not want to see me? Easy, the RIF happened today.

The wonderful BIG district decided it needed to postpone the RIF from yesterday to today. I had seen the RIF list posted last night. It mentioned positions, but not teachers.

The morning started like any other day. I arrived for my morning duty I had this week. I settled in to making sure all 4th-6th grade students in the auditorium were quiet and reading. I sat along side Mrs. TAG (talented & gifted). She was quiet at first and then I hear her say, "Chief called me last night." I gasped. She is TAG. She is part of the group that was told were safe and would not be affected by this mess. I didn't know what to say or ask, luckily she just kept talking. Explaining that our campus is not big enough for a full time TAG teacher and that she has been bumped because of seniority. Though, she will not be leaving us. She is moving into a different position on the campus. A position that is being RIF'd.

Shell shocked, I tumble out of the auditorium to perform my next duty. The daily tardy pass. My regulars roll through the line. They are picking up the new procedure quickly, as they should since I see most of them EVERY day.

The big hand moves over the 3. It is now 8:15 and I finally head upstairs to my office. A day of paperwork looming ahead of me, but first I must give the yearbook cameras to my 4th grade photographers who are on their way out the door for the Dallas Museum of Art. As I stand chit-chatting with the kids and Ms. Goth (4th grade writing teacher), I am some how talked into going on the field trip. And then I hear it, "Seeing as today is my last day."

Umm, what? Did I just hear Ms. Goth correctly? I could feel a phrase on the end of my tongue, but saw the children and reminded myself where I was before I let a stream of sailor talk come out of my mouth.

The throb is starting.

The 4th grade loads the busses. I'm amazed as Ms. Goth tells me how she also got a call last night. She was blindsided. Had no clue. After all is said and done, I learn that we are losing both Ms. Goth and the math teacher from her team. That is 2 of the 3 4th grade teachers gone. The fact that they were both at work after receiving the call last night was a testament to their strength.

On the bus ride back to school I get a text message from the Librarian. We're losing our upper grade counselor.

The throb intensifies.

We've now lost 2 teachers, a counselor, and a teacher moved. I guess that is not all bad compared to other schools, but there is supposedly a second round in late November or December.

The end of the day has arrived. I see 4th grade boys. The 4th grade boys that are too cool for anything with tears in their eyes. Faces red and splotchy. It is obvious that these boys have been crying. Not even trying to hide the tears. They are there, in the open with the tears streaming down their faces, big sobs stuck in their throats as they try and ask Ms. Goth what is going to happen next.

Next? Who knows. But we have to pull it together, because we've broken the news to the kids and now we get to tell the parents. It's conference night.

I want to rip my eyeballs out and massage the inside of my head. The pain is that intense.

I sit in my office. Just waiting and waiting. No parents. I wander around the school. I see the faces of the parents. Filled with confusion, anger, rage. I watch as they file into the office demanding to speak with the principal. Take a number.

As the day winds down and I take two Aleve, the pain subsides. Is it gone? I mean really gone? Or will it be back? I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

They led with the Cowboys

2008-10-14T22:24:00.002-05:00

....the stinking Cowboys!

DISD is supposed to inform teachers tomorrow who is out and who is in. But nope. It is postponed. Again. Today, a list of 463 teachers was given to principals across the district and they've been told to sit on it.

The "news" chose to lead the night with a story about Adam Jones and his complete and utter inability to follow the rules set forth by Commissioner Goodell. This man, or should I say spoiled little boy, has already been suspended from the league once and let back in on specific terms, which he broke on his own accord. And this suspension of at least 4 games, maybe indefinitely. I hope so. He does not deserve to be in a position of a role model if he cannot get his shit together. The important "news" was that he will lose almost $206k, never mind that your audience is made up of teachers trying to get information on their jobs since the district is unable to keep us in the loop.

I am at the end of my rope. I will not lie. I've been checking out other districts. I will gladly drive to Birdville if they have any Title I schools. I would make $48k if I worked there this year compared to the stress inducing $45k in Dallas.

Hmmmmmm. Makes you think. I predict a mass exodus of teachers from DISD at the end of the school year.

All I wanted

2008-10-12T23:04:00.001-05:00

Gus & I nap
Originally uploaded by Double_K

....was to take an hour nap before I had to take an exam online.

Apparently, Gus was having abandonment issues. He felt left behind, due to the fact that he was, well, left behind when we went to the fair. As soon as we got home he was glued to my side.

Now, this couch is not big and I am not tiny, but I made room for him to lay with me. And he did, so very nicely. At first. Then, he decided he wasn't comfortable and began to squirm and roll around. How ever, did I get lucky enough not to get scratched in the face and sleep through this? Because, I have gotten scratched in the face when Gus begins to squirm. He once sliced my eyelid open. It looked like I had been in a barroom brawl.

At least, I was able to get a 30 minute nap. Crazy dog.

Brought to you by the Texas State Fair

2008-10-12T22:58:00.001-05:00

Fried Bacon at the pig cage
Originally uploaded by Double_K

....Fried bacon!

It was yummy and would have been even better with gravy. I thought it was funny to take a picture of me eating the bacon in front of the pig cage.

Though, it is a little morbid that I only had to walk about 10 steps from where I handed over my 10 tickets for the bacon to be standing in the spot of the picture. The bacon stand was directly across from the pigs! Talk about a reminder.

I think this is my last year of the fair. I can't take it anymore. I wanted to throw a wall-eyed screaming fit while there. A good old tantrum. Something akin to what one of our kids in the AU unit throws when the floor polisher goes by her room.

Things I've learned at the Texas State Fair
1. Everyone is FAT. I'm not talking a little fat. I mean grotesquely, needing a motorized vehicle to go 10 steps fat and their children are not far behind.

2. Only white trash and in-breds go to the Fair. (I said that to El Hombre and he asked what that made us....White trash of course. We are going to NASCAR the day after the wedding).

3. The majority of people are dumb. Plain 'ol dumb. (I now have a horrible earworm for the 'Yer dumb' song that El Hombre loves so much).

4. People who shouldn't breed, do breed. Whatever happen to survival of the fittest? Darwinism? Seriously. People should be sterilized.

5. The biggest thing I learned at the state fair.....I HATE people

Just a glimpse

2008-10-11T20:31:00.002-05:00

...we had the engagement shoot last Friday. I had the day off and ran all kinds of errands. I bought our outfits an hour before we had to leave. Our photographer is Sara Dane Scott and is great. She made me very at ease and I think did great with El Hombre. We did the shoot at The Old Cotton Mill in McKinney, TX.

Click on the mosaic and it will take you to my Flickr site and you can see more pictures.

What a handsome man

2008-10-11T19:50:00.001-05:00

....a few weeks ago, El Hombre's best man got married and El Hombre was his best man. It was a wonderful wedding. El Hombre's dad was the photographer and he did a great job with the shots of the wedding party. I love this picture of El Hombre and the maid of honor.

He is actually smiling. Why could he not smile like this for our engagement photos? He better smile at the wedding!

This is how I feel

2008-10-08T23:10:00.001-05:00

JUMP kids
Originally uploaded by laurenlemon

....right now.

Why? Because it is almost Friday. Which brings us closer to Monday. Which gets us closer to payday! And that brings us even closer to the wedding.

Cutie pie

2008-10-08T21:06:00.000-05:00

Where'd the money go?

2008-10-02T22:17:00.002-05:00

.....Let the RIF begin.

No, not Reading is FUNdamental, but Reduction In Force. It's happening. Teachers are going. Cuts are being made starting the 10th. We are losing one teacher at my school, so far. She volunteered. Wants to go back home.

Dallas ISD some how got itself into an $84 million deficit. Hmm. Sounds suspicious to me. I could probably buy that they miscalculated and got us into a deficit, but never one that is $84 million worth. I'm willing to take the bet that some of that money went into someone's personal bank account.

I'm sure the fact that in the past 3 years, we have started 2 of those years at the American Airlines Center, drinking the kool-aide, listening to super-fantastic *gag* speakers. I think they knew this was going to happen, so they didn't spend money on a speaker, but instead got a 5th grader to give the opening address. It's unfortunate that this child and his peers will be affected by Ross Avenues' colassal mistake.

It was inspirational. It set a tone for the year. This was the year we were going to Exlemplery. We were on the "Road to Broad." Thanks to YouTube, we'll at least be able to reminisce about those first 3 weeks when the year was golden.

The Great Escape

2008-10-01T22:06:00.000-05:00

I'm safe

2008-09-23T22:48:00.002-05:00

....for now.

No matter how much my principal assures me that I will not be cut, due the gross negligence of the Superintendent and his cronies inflicting a $64 million deficit and probably $84 million, that I still have a job because I work Special Ed. I'm not stupid. I know cuts will need to be made and I know that it would be possible for my campus to cut one of the 2 SPED teachers and seeing that the other is in a self-contained unit, I know who WOULD be cut if it came down to that, but it hasn't. Others will go long before I do.

Now, how in the world does one not account for the salary of 700 teachers? I think a certain person should get of the 'Road to Broad' train and start paying attention to his district. Teachers are scared. I watch them slowly shuttle their personal belongings to their car on a daily basis. No one knows what is going on and yet you would never know any of this was going on. Other than the notice that the district is currently under a hiring freeze, their website says nothing. NOTHING. You would think it was all sunshine and love over in BIG District. But it is not.

It is very much job hunting, resume sending, jumping ship, kids forgotten about. Let's give a round of applause to our wonderful Superintendent and his team for tarnishing the already tarnished name of the Big District. Who cares that we've increased the number of recognized schools and decreased those the number of those with failing standards. Forget the gains that we have taken to ensure that we are following TEA guidelines to the letter when it comes to testing and reporting those tests. Forget about everything that the teachers do in the classroom on a daily basis for the students of an urban district. Forget the kind hearts of teachers that spend their paychecks making sure there will be food in their desks because they know that there will be more than 2 children in their classroom who most likely hasn't eaten since yesterday's lunch they were served in the school cafeteria or the supplies that they've purchased because they know they will have students who have nothing because they spent the night in a shelter. Forget about all of that.

Instead, lets show them the ineptitude of the man who was believed to save the district. The man who is willing to give up 5% of his 300+k salary while he asks his teachers to take a 10 - 15% pay cut.

Go team.

With the greatest of ease

2008-09-23T22:44:00.003-05:00

Ellie attacks Gus on a daily basis. I happened to catch her in mid-air and then played with the photo editor in my iphoto. I love mac.

Hot beef injection

2008-09-14T21:44:00.001-05:00

Steak with a shot
Originally uploaded by Double_K

....that truly describes it.

A piece of steak on a pipette filled with steak sauce. Warm steak sauce. And this was believed to be classy to serve at a wedding?