Blue Hair, Rebels Game, and Flagstaff

I will be catching up on my blogging in bits and pieces. A lot has happened in a short space of time... I dyed my hair blue (a stripe), went to a football game for Abby, went to a conference in Logan for GT, and drove to Texas! Since there are lots of photos, I will do a bit at a time.

Blue Hair - The blue hair is one of my weird bucket list items... I have wanted to do a "non-dress code" hair color chunk for years. I finally decided that I should do it before I am COMPLETELY too old for it. I should say that I have gotten a couple of compliments on it, and provided a topic of conversation for a Texas backroads diner...

SRIS crowd at the Dixie Rebels (semi-pro) game


Jackson family (most of it) in Flagstaff


Sarah and Sadie watch me load/unload at Amarillo Motel 6


Mom and Kate at George W. Bush Presidential Library

Hula hooping (best $2.99 Kate ever spent) and bean bag toss - an evening's entertainment!

You can skip this if you aren't like me...

MB (mother-in-love) and I have been hanging out the last 2 days. Andy's up at a high school science camp this week, so we've been "girlie". Exercise, shopping, and chilling out on the couch today. We've walked, aqua-zumba'd, and water aerobicized; shopped for odds and ends, grandkids/nieces, and books; eaten salads at Durango's and yummy Chicken Caprese sandwiches at Red Robin. Our sojourn at Barnes & Noble was a frappuccino-filled, book-juggling hour before we escaped with what was left of our bank accounts...which leads me to my topic today.

I am addicted to 2 things (if you don't count red-heads) - books and music. There are several things which feed these addictions:1) being a teacher, 2) American Idol, 3) my NOOK, and 4) my family (born into, married into, and friends - they count as family...just ones you choose). This year at my school, every teacher had an erasable "What I am reading now..." page. Mine was probably written and erased a LOT. I also have students who regularly ask me what my favorite things are (books, movies, music, sports, foods). So... I buy books from Scholastic book clubs, Walmart, and Barnes & Noble. I borrow books from the Hurricane Library (Washington County) , the school library, and my friends (NOOK and paper). I am usually reading about 2 (one paper, one NOOK) and listening to another (books on CD!!!) as I drive. Wishlists are the bane of my existence... I can't keep up with the library and my B&N account! I have a list of real books and NOOKbooks on my B&N account...someday I'll have to combine in one place. I can't always keep track of the different authors or series that I've read/started/want to start... I love that authors now have web pages where I can go to check in on new books. Here are some of my all-time favorites. They are a mix of kids, young adult, and grown-up books. WARNING: I have a few rules about books...1) NO animal stories- Where the Red Fern Grows ('nuff said) and 2) I do prefer fiction to non-fiction - is not life "real"enough for you people? I also definitely have a lean towards 2 genre/categories: fantasy(some sci-fi) and historical. I will admit that I am SERIOUSLY deficient in the classics, and am making an effort to remedy that situation. These are NOT in any particular order... I cannot do that.
Outlander Series - Diana Gabaldon ...hello, it combines ALL my interests with a hot red-head :)
Twilight Series - Stephanie Meyer ...ever been a teenage girl? gets the emotions(insecurities) right!
Little Women, Little Men, Jo's Boys - Louisa May Alcott ...one of the BEST of all time (and semi-classical)
Mortal Instruments Series - Cassandra Clare ...again, a mix of things (wish I could be the girl)
anything by Phillipa Gregory ... she writes historical novels, primarily Tudor England
Hunger Games series - Suzanne Collins ...good, even if EVERYONE else on the planet thinks so too
As the Crow Flies - Jeffrey Archer ...I haven't read one of his books that I haven't liked, but this one is the best!
Memnoch the Devil - Anne Rice ...this book is probably the one that made me say "My Favorite", but I can't share it with my kids (not appropriate for their age level). I keep meaning to read "Paradise Lost", because I understand that there are a lot of references there. If you haven't read it, or if you haven't read any Anne Rice on principle, fine...but I'm not judging you! I also read all the Lestat(Vampire) novels, and the Mayfair Witches books - couldn't sleep for 2 weeks during/after Witching Hour - good and terrifying!

Sentimental Favorite:
Celeste DeBlasis - everything she wrote... I still have those old paperbacks that I re-read every year in junior & high school.
Westing Game - I still haven't figured out who done it...

New favorite Kid (juvenile) and YA (young adult) books:
2 words: Rick Riordan - the man is a genius...very entertaining!
Fablehaven series - Brandon Mull
39 Clues - various authors ...awesome for mystery lovers and boys, especially
House of Night - PC Cast ...don't ask
The Shamer Chronicles - Lene Kaaberbol

I'm not adding any of the "grown-up" kind of books that might make you think I'm mature... deal with it! I could go on with the listing...but at some point, you just have to stop.

Music: at this point, I can't even think... I fried my brain on the books. Let's just say this: "I am addicted to American Idol. This was the best season (voices) EVER. I find a lot of new (to me) artists when they do songs every week. I have over $500 of wishlisted music on my iTunes." I am still eclectic when it comes to music. The only thing I REALLY struggle with is Rap - not sure it's music...some of it is okay for poetry, but most just bugs me. I HATE elevator music. I have Barbra, Glee, Barry Manilow, reggae, rock, alternative, country, and today's pop on my playlists. I am a HUGE Gaga fan! I also love international music - zumba's great for that! Did you know that you can change your country at the bottom of iTunes and find out what's popular around the world? Can't wishlist from there, though... :( Gotta go...this reminded me that I need to find a song to add to my wishlist.
Whew...

Remembering the little things...

You should see my planner/calendar in my purse...this only helps if I remember to look at it!
I put the things on the whiteboard that anyone coming to my house should know about the next month...ditto to the above ending.
I went to Old Navy and found some cute things on clearance...and forgot to use the coupon in my purse.

I forgot to put Abby's blog address on here... http://www.abbyninja.blogspot.com
I just looked at today's update and while I was reading Michelle's words, Imagination (Glee Cast version) was playing from my blog music in the background...my t shirt is soaked from tears (there are no kleenex in here).

So far, 48 hours off of school...hours of relaxation? the 2 I spent in the bathtub last night reading... how sad is that?

SMILE :)

I am now officially...

A mountain biker! This will shock the Meisel family from the reunion about 8 years ago, but I've come around. Now, there are NO competitions in my future, but last weekend Andy and I got up Saturday morning and rode about 15 miles, up to the Gooseberry trails area, and around the windmill, then out to the overlook (if you've been to visit, we've probably taken you up there). We felt so good that we decided to do it again this week... we took a different trail out to the side of Gooseberry that overlooks the highway - about 18 miles. I'm riding up hills, over slick rock, and through rocky, muddy patches. Andy's a great coach! I'm getting better at downhills, but it's still a scary proposition. Today we saw TONS of other bikers (nice weather for the first time this week) and even got complements on our bikes...I believe the word was "sexy". Funny, huh?

Had a tough week at school, beyond the normal "last full week" nonsense. We had a student who collapsed during PE Wednesday (one of my girls from 6th period) and she's currently in ICU at Primary Children's Hospital (SLC), and on the heart transplant list. Tuesday she was just a normal, happy, bright little girl... very sad. Anyway, the students at our school had a choir concert on Thursday night, and they did a "little" fundraiser for Abby - $2000.00! They have a goal of $3500 by next Wednesday. We are sooooo proud of them! The part that makes it almost as hard is that her mom is a (GREAT, GT interested, fun) teacher at our school. She was actually not at school on Wednesday because her older daughter was scheduled for knee surgery...our hearts hurt for her!

Andy was out camping on the Arizona Strip (aka Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument) with his internship team, collecting seeds! He goes out again this week...

We are going to an open house for David West (photographer extraordinaire!) this evening in Springdale, and then to a concert in the amphitheater there for Lieto! Voices, a choral group I'm considering joining in the fall.

Hope you all are doing well and getting ready for a great (but busy) summer! :)

If life's a beach...where's mine?

We're on the downslope, folks, of another school year. My inner monologue (as all teachers will attest) is now:
I will not hurt the children...
I will not hurt the children...
I will smile, and breathe, and tell myself that it will be okay.

For those of you who are not teachers, don't even act all appalled or innocent! You remember what you were like at the end of the school year...

Lots of changes coming at you:
1) Andy will NOT be in school for the next 2 1/2 months. He will not be available - heck, he won't even be HOME - but he will be getting credits and a change of scenery that hopefully will be good for the mind, body, and spirit. He's got an internship with the Park Service/BLM office.

2) I will finally be teaching a Gifted class next year. (seriously terrified) It is one thing to talk about it, but a whole other to be a ground breaker...keep your fingers crossed.

3) Blogger has made some BIG changes. I was NOT loving the new Design area, but they've added WAY cool fonts! So, I'm feeling better about expressing my creativity (we all know there's not a lot there).

4) I am still working on my weight-loss goal...46 pounds is my target. I'm still stuck at 39-40 for now. ZUMBA and water-aerobics, here I come!

5) I am driving to TX for 2 weeks this summer. So psyched! And already have maps, budget, and hotel stays booked...can't be spontaneous in this economy!

Anyway, I'm doing this on my lunch hour at school, so I'll have to do pictures later...

Mea Culpa

Yes, I let an entire month pass without an update...but to be fair, it was a very busy month! We began slowly, with a good routine. However, things soon caught up with us. Andy had mid-terms right before our joint spring break...and all that studying (and not sleeping) did take it's toll. Everyone in Southern Utah (so it seems) had been sick - seriously, the school district reported massive absences due to illness beginning Feb. 4 - and Andy came down with the "death cold". He tried to rest before Mom and Dad got here, but it just wasn't going to leave him alone. So, he was trying to rest, and study, and help Dad with a "minor" drainage project in the front... Mom and I puttered around the inside, doing some spring cleaning and rearranging. They left (so Mom could make closing time at the quilt supply store in Mckinney) and I went down for the count. Well, it's officially been 3 weeks since then and neither of us feel great... and MB came to visit and drop off Holly for some doggy-sitting. I refuse to take responsibility for her sickness. She MUST have brought it with her. Anyway, no trip to the ranch for her...she's spending her spring break with us, trying to recuperate.
I also refuse to accept that this will be my spring. It was cold and rainy for a long time, now it wants to be practically 90 degrees! What???? Well, I guess I don't get a vote on that one... but we will continue bravely on, hoping for reasonable temperatures and not too much rain. MB and I have been watching DIY's "Crashers" all morning... I may take to cruising local hardware stores in an attempt to get "picked up" for the Yard version. Happy SPRING!

Snowblind in February in Southern UT

Hee-hee... okay, not quite COMPLETELY white, but still pretty hard to look at. Just 48 hours ago, it was clear and cool, with a light breeze. You could really tell spring was coming! Then, it started to rain, and snow, and rain again, and snow again.


Now, it's starting to melt. Good news, ground should be moist, spring should be green. Bad news, mud will be prevalent!



Done a lot in the last 6 weeks since I posted...went out on a scouting trip for natural springs in the AZ strip (go to Mesquite and turn east).

It was fun, with lots of hiking. Had my first taste of fried pickles!
For my birthday, went on another BIG hike over toward Snow Canyon State Park and got to have fried pickles again!







I should explain about the fried pickles. In August 2008, Andy flew out to Houston to get the Toyota from my parents. They took him out for fried pickles. I have been obsessed since then... Andy found out that a new burger joint (Smashburger) had fried pickles. THEY ARE SOOOOO GOOD. Of course, you have to hike at least 5 miles to have a couple fried pickle slices, but seriously, so worth it!

Also, should mention a big thanks for all the birthday wishes. I did not quite make my weight goal of 38 pounds by my 38th birthday, but am still working on it. It's always those last 15 pounds that don't want to fall off, huh? ( I know, fried pickles, but a girl's got to have some rewards occasionally :) )
Andy completely spoiled me...on top of the hike and pickles, he sent flowers to school AND bought me a nook color! I love it, but it offers yet another distraction from housework once the schoolwork is done. Sigh....