Thursday, April 29, 2010

Confession Number 30: I'm A Tease

Looking back through the blog this morning, I noticed that A LOT has happened at the house since my last update.  Unfortunately, the house isn't in the greatest condition for a close up, so here is a little tease on what is to come....

Hopefully it will be all beautiful by the weekend.  Stay tuned!!

Oh!  We make our LAST rental payment on the apartment Friday.  I'm so excited I can't even put it into words.  Now I'm taking applications for friendly movers the weekend of Memorial Day! 

Monday, April 26, 2010

Confession Number 29: I Don't Like Him

We were working at the house yesterday triming trees and picking up trash.  Dustin would cut off a limb and I would haul it over to the burn pile.  Then, it happened.  I ran face to face into a snake. 
I yelped (not quite a scream, more like a verbal shutter). 
He slithered. 
I did the hibbidy jibbidy dance. 
He wiggled. 
I ran.
He did, too.
I turned pale white.
He was black.
I don't like him.  My yard isn't big enough for the both of us.  He needs to go away.

The End.

Friday, April 23, 2010

Confession Number 28: We Got Down and Dirty!

The weather is warm, the trees are green and I've been going crazy wanting to plant something.  We aren't quite ready for me to build a new flowerbed at the house, so I'm left with a few pots outside our apartment door.  I figure they will be easy to move to the house and will quickly add a splash of life when we finally move in.  With yesterday being Earth Day and all I thought we wouldn't have a better day to add a little color to our lives.  What a great way to teach Kennedy about the earth!  How very SAHM of me, huh? 

A quick trip to Lowe's and we were set.  Well, first I had to pull all of the dead flowers from the fall out of the pots.  Okay, maybe this should be the real confession: I've had three pots of dead mums and pansies outside the aparment door for months.  They lost a battle with a freeze and the first snowfall back before Christmas, but I've still left them there.  Too lazy to dump them out.  Too sad to admit that I should have taken care of it long ago.  Well, yesterday, they were replaced with LIVE beautiful fresh flowers.  Kennedy loved digging in the dirt...
Notice the dead plants in the trash bag in the right of the picture.  See?  I wasn't fibbin'.  I'm nothing if I'm not brutally honest with ya'll.  She actually loved moving dirt from one pot to the other...
After we dug around a little and finally got the flowers in the pots, I let Kennedy water them.  She was in heaven!
Isn't that watering can about the most adorable thing you have ever seen?  A big shout out to my friend Shelli who got that for us last year.  The only bad thing is that I have to fill it up 6 or 7 times to water these few pots.  Kennedy loves it, though!
She was so proud of our hard work.  "I can't wait to show Daddy.  I love Bearth Day, Momma!"  Ahh.  Hmmm, I hope she isn't expecting a cake and candles. 

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Confession Number 27: I Felt At Home

I dedicated a good portion of my life to serving an organization called FCCLA.  Those of you my age and older may remember it as FHA.  In high school, I served as a state and national officer and as an adult, I choose being an FCCLA teacher and adviser as my career.  That is even where I met Dustin.  He was also a big dog back in the day.  Here we were when I was National VP of Finance and he was State President....
This was in 1998.  Keep in mind we were not a thing back then.  It wasn't until this same conference in 2001 that he trapped me in his wild web.  I don't think I gave him the time of day the night this picture was taken.  Oh, and leave me alone about that hair.  It was 1998 and it was the one time I had a bad hair cut that I can't totally blame it on Mom.  Maybe he didn't give me the time of day that night.  I'm not sure who would have. 

All of this being said, four years ago I made a move away from my Family and Consumer Science friends and FCCLA and became a counselor.  I still am very happy I made the move.  I didn't know how to do the FCCLA thing without working 60+ hours a week and I wouldn't want to do that with Kennedy.  A few months back I was asked to return to FCCLA state convention and present a workshop to students and advisers on running for office.  I was excited, flattered and nervous.  I hadn't done anything like this in years!  Would I be able to knock off all of the rust? 

Well, convention was last week, and I have to say, I had an absolute blast.  I saw so many people who have known me since I was a freshmen in high school.  So many people who have seen my good, bad and ugly.  So many people who helped shape me into who I am personally and professionally.  Of course, the state officers put on a great show!  These few high school leaders have always amazed me with their poise and professionalism.  There are 100's of adults who wouldn't get in front of 8,000 of their peers to speak and these kids do it like it is nothin'.  I have to say this is one trait I still carry with me.  Speaking in front of a group comes so naturally.  I actually used to make money as a motivational speaker and training facilitator in college.  Maybe that can be a new venture for me....

Many of my good friends were recognized for their gifts of time and support to FCCLA.  Ms. Carolyn, who is so near and dear to my heart....
I'm so glad we got out at the same time.  What would I have done without you? 
And our good friend, Ralph, who has been with Dustin and I through quite a bit.  He was on one of the first state officer teams I worked with. 
Then, it was time for the much anticipated workshop.  They gave me this beautiful young district officer, Cheyenne, to work with.  I planned on getting a pic with her, but it got a little hectic and she got away without getting one.  She did help by taking some pics during the workshop, though. 
I have to admit, it wasn't my best show, but it wasn't my worst, either.  Our time was cut pretty short, so I only spoke once instead of twice, which was quite alright.  I got lots of positive feedback from the students and have a few new Facebook friends to show for it.  I am going to love helping them reach their goals of serving FCCLA as district and state officers!

After being away from everyone for a few years, it was great to see them and get caught up.  A few times my heart was sad and I missed it.  I missed the sisterhood among the teachers.  I missed the special relationship I had with my students while I was in the classroom.  I missed the pride I felt when my students amazed me with their projects, speaking and leadership.  Then I spoke to some friends who were having to raise money to send 8 or 10 or 12 students to National Conference and I didn't miss it so much anymore!  ha!  I think I'm going to love my role as a sideline supporter just as much!!!

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Confession Number 26: We Had An OU Day

I've been trying to write this post for a couple of weeks, but my writer's block kicks in, then something else comes up that is a bit more time sensitive.  So, I'm finally in a writing mood and I'm determined to get this done because this post is important to me.  It shows my other side.  My pretty, happy, loving side.  My Sooner side.  My crimson side of my Bedlam Bipolar Disorder. 

I wrote about an OSU day here, but FINALLY, not too long ago, we had an OU Day.  OU Days, I should say.  Weezie was all excited to go watch the OU women in the regional basketball tourney in Kansas City, but Papa Lynn already had a fishing tournament planned for that weekend.  Oh, darn.  That meant that Weezie needed some one to accompany her to Kansas City and since Grove is on the way to Kansas City, KJ and I were the perfect candidates.  We had a blast!  Here is KJ with her Weezie at the Notre Dame game...
She was so good!  I'm sure it had nothing to do with the fact that she had a....um, I mean, two "slooshies"...

 
We decided Kennedy must be a great good luck charm.  Every OU game she has been to has been a big win!  We had an extra couple of days to visit Kansas City after the win, so we spent one, very windy morning at the KC Zoo.  I wasn't sure what to expect, but it was a huge success!  A very nice zoo with very eager sheep....
After the zoo and a nap it was back to the arena for another big Sooner win.  This time, KJ had to be bribed with a new Belle Barbie doll.  It didn't slow her down from cheering on the Sooners, though.  Look what we taught her....
OOOOOOOOOOOOO...........
U!!!!

Sorry Dustin, it just couldn't be helped.  You knew this day would come. 

Sunday, April 11, 2010

I'm Getting Excited, Part 4

So, Dustin and I haven't done any yard work since we sold the house in Piedmont last July.  I have to say, that is a bonus of apartment living.  Yesterday, however, we broke out a few tools and headed out to the construction site.  We only worked a couple of hours the last few days, but you can notice a big difference.  Mainly the big pile of branches in the front waiting to be burned....
There is a lot more that needs to be added to that pile, not to mention we have one started in the back, too.  Dustin spent most of our time trimming branches off of the trees in the front and I picked up trash (dang construction workers) and limbs.  Kennedy had plenty of sand to keep her occupied while we worked, but then she found a few new friends that live across the street.  I'm not sure, but I think she liked them okay. :-) She had met the girls once before, but this was literally 10 seconds after she met their mom, Carrie...
Having a hard time telling those two blondies on her hip apart?  They are both blonde, wearing green shirts, and, oh, I forgot, they were only born 4 weeks apart.  Ummm, I'm thinking we might be on to something here....
Did I mention that there are 10 little girls on our block?  I'm so excited for Miss Kennedy and her new friends!  I can't wait to get into the house just for that reason.  These relationships for Kennedy are something that are so special to me. 
Speaking of the house, here is a little update.  Our trim carpenter totally rocks my world!  He and the brick layers have been working so hard!  This is our shoe and coat tree they built from scratch...

Isn't that great?!  Our beautiful tray ceiling in the living room....

Some great French pocket doors into Dustin's office...
and the tile work around Kennedy's shower is complete...


The house gets a big transformation this week with cabinetry, paint, and a brick wall in the kitchen.  Can't wait!  We are getting so close to being able to move in.   Stay tuned for more updates!

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Confession Number 25: He Gave Her A Cup

Dustin and Kennedy regularly eat Oreos sometime between dinner and bedtime.  He gives her a sippy cup of milk and a couple of cookies.  Sometimes he even dunks one for her in his cup.  Well, last night, he got the wild and crazy idea to give her a small glass of milk all her own.  She got the whole hand dunk down....

And got a cookie or two in her mouth....

Are there any more in there?

Yep!

Look at those hands.....
Who can resist this face?


Oreos before bed and Cocoa Krispies for breakfast.  Yep, we are doing our dentist proud.  Just turn your head, Audrey, you never saw a thing.

Monday, April 5, 2010

Confession Number 24: Change in Plans

Due to the OU Women making it to the Final Four (post to come), our Easter plans had a sudden change about mid-week.  We were planning on spending a relaxing weekend visiting Weezie and PaPa Lynn on Harmeyer Farm, but after a lot of deliberation, they packed up and headed to San Antonio (too bad their trip wasn't much fun) so we headed a little further south than originally planned to see Mimi and PaPa Jerry and the rest of the Texas clan.  We hadn't been down there since Christmas and saw no way of getting down there in the foreseeable future, so it all actually worked out rather well.

The weekend was busy, but fun.  We had a great Mexican Fiesta once we got there Friday night.  I was so full I couldn't even find my tummy compartment for dessert.  How does that happen???  Dustin's parents really do know how to cook a great meal, and of course, KJ loves her steak, so she was happy! 

Saturday morning KJ got to dye Easter eggs with Aunt Mallory....

And we only heard, "No!  I do it allll by self" a couple hundred times...

She only had a few splatters of blue on her legs.  Not too bad!  Sunday morning she had a basket full of goodies from Mom and Dad....
Don't you just LOVE her hair?!?!  Then we got all dressed up for church to celebrate Resurrection Sunday!!

After a yummy Easter lunch celebration, it was time to hunt Easter eggs.  Aunt Mallory did a great job hiding them.  Sometimes she had to stretch....

And sometimes she needed help....
But, finally.....SUCCESS!!
And we had a successful Easter weekend!  Thank you Jesus for your sacrifice!!