It's Snuggie Time

That's right, Gabby got a Snuggie for Christmas! I have a section in my classroom (The Beagle Shrine) where I collect Beagle "stuff". The students know I LOVE my dog and I use her in spelling sentences so they feel like they know her. And one of them, Sarah, got her a Snuggie! I took these pictures for Sarah so she can see how much Gabby appreciates her gift. I honestly didn't think people bought these for real, but here we are with one! It's so funny too because Gabby LOVES it and when she sees it she will whine and paw at it until we put it on her and then she is perfectly fine- stay tuned for more dog fashions (I guess. . .)

The Second Time Around

I don't pretend to be an expert on marriage because I have been married for two years, but today is my anniversary, so I am an expert today! I didn't think it was possible to love someone more than when you married them- but it is! And now I'm one of those people who gives advice to people who get married, and I LOVE that because I feel like I have a lot of advice:) The funny thing is, all the advice people gave you is true; don't go to bed angry, be respectful to get respect, agree to disagree, don't do any chore in the first six months that you don't want to do the rest of your life. I really do love being married and I really do adore the man I am married to, I am so blessed today to have him in my life!

Thanksgiving

Well, I spent my first holiday away from my family this year, technically I still spent it with my family because I was with the Hilton side of the family in Sacramento. I took the day off on Wednesday and we drove the 8 hours to California.

Bill and I have made it a new tradition to listen to a book on CD while we travel in the car, and this time we were hooked on a book by Margaret Haddix Peterson called "Missing". It turned a little sci fi toward the end, but otherwise it was really good.

Thanksgiving consisted of 30 people, a lot of pie, ham, stuffing, and almost no turkey! Bill's parents don't have a working oven, so they bought a roaster to make the turkey in- but the turkey wouldn't cooperate! My new favorite that Bill's mom makes now is Thanksgiving stuffing- yum! But Stove Top still comes in a close second:)

Is Gabby Taking Autographs?

I was reading a magazine and came across an advertisement for a pet contest and decided to enter Gabby! She really is the cutest dog ever, so we might have a chance:) I entered six pictures of her with titles and captions. This is one of the pictures I entered. Check it out: http://www.lhj.com/photos/lhj-photo-contests/

Handwriting Contest?

Handwriting contest? Can you believe there is such a thing? I was chosen to be in a handwriting contest in third grade. You might have just learned something about me! (I’m sure such nonsense doesn’t exist anymore) and I was so advanced (ya right) that I moved onto the district level where we had to perform tasks such as writing on chalk boards, use cursive and printing with markers, pens, etc. Nevertheless, I did not make it to “State”.
PS Sorry there are no pictures of this event, I'm kind of glad:)

Top 5 Reasons For Summer '09

1. Book Reading. After Bill, Amanda, and I went garage sale-ing about a month ago, my book pile for the summer has grown enormously! I, unfortunately, have not even been able to hit the library yet. But awaiting me I have everything from East of Eden to I know Why the Caged Bird Sings- I can't wait to sit out on the hammock!

2. Out to Lunch. Being a teacher, I never get to go out to lunch (it being only 25 minutes) and so it's a special treat during the summer to get to go to lunch with my friends, especially my teacher friends. I already have a list of new places I want to go, and I think Kate and I will be heading to Donny Mac's Trailer this week!

3. Workouts with the Today Show. Today I began my new summer routine of going to the gym and watching my favorite summer tv: Today Show! I figured I might as well work out because I would just be at home sitting on the couch watching it:)

4. Pool Time. With the nasty weather, I am sad to report I have yet to have some quality pool time (at my parents house). There is nothing better than getting a tan, reading a book, and being out by the pool. I still have a couple more days until the weather clears up . . .

5. Naps. Summer naps are the best. I can get up early (which I don't have to set my alarm for, it automatically happens) and get stuff done around the house, errands, etc, and then head back to bed for a little summer nap. Just talking about it is making me sleepy!

Surf City Here We Come. . .

Oh I love the beach. It is one of the things I miss about living in California! Here are some songs I thought of that reminded me of the beach:
*Sumer Lovin'- Grease
*Surfin' USA- Beach Boys
*Kokomo- Beach Boys
* Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini
*Summertime- Fresh Prince
*Summer in the City
*California Dreamin'- Beach Boys

The San Diego Zoo

What a zoo! There is nothing like being able to see Panda bears, koalas, giraffes, and monkeys all in one day! The San Diego zoo is amazing! We took a family vacation down to Southern California and our first outing was to the zoo. We took a tour bus around the zoo grounds and explored, there was also a sea lion show. One of the highlights was when Bill and I had a caricature cartoon made (see facebook page)- there's nothing like sitting in front of an artist and having people walk by, point, and laugh!

TV Shows I Miss. . .

*Perfect Strangers
*Alf
*Small Wonder
*Mork and Mindy
*Wonder Years
*Family Matters
*Saved by the Bell
*Love Boat
*Doogie Howser
*Full House
*Gilligan's Island

Rara Avis

When my grandfather retired, he bought a boat. The way my father tells the story is that grandmommy was doing a crossword puzzle and came across the word “rara avis”. That was it! The boat would be named “rara avis”. I asked my dad if he knew what it meant and he thought they had all looked up at some point that it meant “wild and crazy bird”, when my dad and I checked the dictionary definition it said “something or someone strange or unusual or a unique bird.” The only time I have ever heard it is when we refer to the boat- I should try to use it more often!

What's in a Name?

This weekend I got to chat with my brother and I found out about my name! It's funny how these things happen. . . my mom liked the name Victoria (and wanted to call me 'Tori') my dad liked the name Kelly, but I when I was born they said I didn't look like those names. My brother suggested Kristy. It's funny because that is where I thought the story ended. . . come to find out this weekend my brother told me that he had a crush on TV movie star Kristy McNichol, and that is where he got the name!

I did some research on Ms. McNichol and come to find out she played in the TV series Empty Nest and guest starred in TV shows such as Love Boat, Bionic Woman, Golden Girls, and Starsky and Hutch.

How cool to be named after a TV star!

Fashion Trends

As a middle school teacher, it is always interesting for me to see what is going to be the latest trends of the year. Before school gets out, some of my students have allowed me to take pictures of them wearing "fashionable things of 2009". I will also be scrapbooking this!
* Plaid shorts
* tiny ribbons for hair (see picture)
* Sweatshirts with thumb holes

These are the things I have noticed the most consistently throughout the year. It is funny to think about fashion trends. When these kids grow up will they dress 80's or 70's or will there be a new category including early 2000's?

It also makes me think about the things I wore in 6th grade! Oh goodness! We pegged our pants, had hammer pants, and a bunch of other horrible things I blocked out! There are some things that I hope DON'T come around again!

Through the generations

For Mother's Day we celebrated with a brunch at our house, this was a picture- perfect opportunity. Three generations (my grandma, my aunt, my mom, myself). Cara and Stephanie live out of state. This is a special picture that I will get framed!

A Special Day

For those of you who don't know, Bill asked me to marry him at the Mona Lisa Restaurant (in Nampa) on May 12, 2007. It is a very romantic place- especially to us. Every year we go back to the Mona Lisa in May to celebrate! This year was especially great because we were seated in the same booth that we got engaged in- it must have been meant to be!

My First Sale. . .

Yesterday on craigslist I had my first sale- my couch! I listed it in the morning, went to the grocery story, came home, checked my email and had two inquires! I responded the first lady, she came over in the afternoon and bought it! All in a day's work:)

I'm in a Chaim Potok Phase. . .

I must be speaking a foreign language to some of you, but to those of you who know the author, Chaim Potok, who wrote The Chosen that is who I am talking about. At a library book sale I picked up three of his books (technically five, because I bought two of the same book and one of the books I already owned) I don't know why, but his books mesmerize me and I find the Jewish culture intriguing. Right now I am in the middle of My Name is Asher Lev. Can anyone else relate to this fascination? I hope I'm not alone!

Happy 30th Julie!

Happy Birthday to one of my best friends and one of the people I've known the longest! I can't say that I've known and been friends with very many people since I was three years old!

Julie and I met in preschool in California and probably have our moms to thank for letting us keep in touch until we were actually able to. We then went to the same elementary school (Go Vikings!) and were separated in 2nd grade when a new teacher arrived (it was dramatic!). Before 6th grade started, I left to move to Idaho and Julie moved to Texas in high school. Somehow we managed to visit each other ever year- taking turns between Texas and Idaho through Jr. High and High school.

As we got older the visits got farther between the years, but thank goodness for cell phones and emails! We were both in each others' weddings and I've met her first daughter.

Somehow the Lord has kept us together and I know I can call her for anything. We have been friends for 27 years!

Happy 30th birthday to my very oldest friend! I wish you all the happiness in the world!

It's My Mom's Day!

Happy Mother's Day Mom! You deserve a day that is all about you:) Thanks for always being there for me and teaching me important life lessons and proverbs, many of them I am able to use in my classroom and pass on to future generations. . .

• Because I said so

• Do as I say, not as I do

• If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all

• Don't make that face or it'll freeze in that position.

• When you have your own house then you can dirty as many cups as you want (oh wait, that one was just for me!)

I love you mom and I hope your day is great! I can't imagine not talking to you everyday or seeing you every week- I love living so close to home! Someday, when I'm a mom, I'll hope I'm as good as you!

Happy Birthday Sweetheart!

Today the love of my life turns. . . 39! I can't believe it! We have spent the last two birthdays together and they have been wonderful! Last night we went out to dinner to Red Robin (without the singing) and tonight we celebrate with a pork bbq dinner, corn on the cob, baked potatoes, and Bill's favorite birthday dessert: red devil's food cake with peanut butter frosting (he has had it EVERY year of his life!) He even took some cupcakes in to share with his class (Thankfully, no one was allergic to PB- we checked:)

Happy Birthday babe! I am so lucky that I married you!

Centerpieces Galore

I absolutely love to decorate with centerpieces and I found this great website- it is like funky Martha Stewart meets shabby chic- with the cutest ideas! You must check it out!
www.hostessblog.com

The necklace

Nothing says friends forever like sharing jewelry! We were inspired by the real true story of 13 women who bought a diamond necklace by each pitching in 1,000. Two girlfriends and I bought a necklace (not even near that price, but expensive still to us!) and we each take turns wearing it and passing it around for special occasions- or no occasion at all. I wore it this year to Christmas and my first anniversary dinner. We hope that it will give us many years of friendship, and if nothing else, it gives us a fun story to tell how we are only part owners of this piece of jewelry!

Just snope it

While reading Reader's Digest, I came across an article about a website: snope.com. It is a site whose purpose is to investigate urban legends, myths, rumors, etc. I took a look and it was really interesting! Perhaps the most interesting part was on Disney. You know how you always hear about parts of Disney movies having "innuendos" in them and you wonder if they're true? Well this website has done some research and then some! Check it out!
http://www.snopes.com/disney/films/films.asp

Check Your Batteries Day

Yes Folks, there is such a thing! Today is officially the day set aside for you to check you batteries in your smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector, thermostat, remote controls and other electronic devices. This could save your life! Technically it is the first Sunday in April, but it's always easiest to remember to do it on the FIRST:)

HOT Lava Springs

It was not-so-hot weather for us at Lava Springs when we arrived for our Spring Break Trip. Rain, snow, sleet, wind- lots of wind! It wasn't a place to lay out in the sun, that's for sure. We had a good time being holed up in our bungalow for a few days and the hot springs themselves were nice and warm on the cold, breezy winter days. It was so great to get out of town! Bill even took me to the Chuckwagon for dinner. . . but that is a whole other posting!

The Extraordinary Exclamation Point!

We have already established that I'm a nerd when it comes to learning and information and that is why I the exclamation point is so great!

It was introduced into English printing in the 1400's and it was known as the "point of admiration". It did not make an appearance on the typewriter until after the 1970's. Before that, one would have to type a period, backspace, and then type an apostrophe.

This is one of my favorite signs in town- how lucky am I to have found an exclamation point on it!

Not an Oprah Book Club

In 2006 I actually kept a New Year's Resolution- to start a book club- and we're still going! Once a month a group of my friends meet together for breakfast, coffee, or lunch and talk about a book that (most of us) read! It has been quite the reading journey with a lot of fun memories. Our only rule is that you cannot pick a book that only comes in hardback cover. Also, we try to pick some type of book or genre that we normally would not read otherwise, so that we can branch out of our "reading realm"

Some of my favorites have been:
The Red Tent
Redeeming Love
Blue Like Jazz
The Kite Runner

Oh The Almanac

Ok, so someone told me that I should give reading The Almanac a try. I'm not even kidding. Let me tell you that I am not disappointed! It is full of such great information! And I'm not even a Jeopardy-fan (well, just sometimes). The Almanac has something truly for everyone. I don't suggest reading it cover to cover, but I am going to leave it in my car and when I am stuck somewhere and have some extra time, I am going to catch up, because it really is quite fascinating
(it makes me feel a little smarter too).
http://www.almanac.com/

New Hobby

It's not like I need something new to do, but seriously, Antiques Roadshow, has me hooked! I have now become enamored with antiques and not collecting, but learning. I love looking at vintage jewelry, furniture, plates, tea cups, art, etc. So I went to the library to feed my obsession and checked out many large books on the subject. I soon discovered that there is no possible way to learn about ALL antiques, but that I will have to choose one area that I will focus my interest (and hunt at yard sales for finds so I can go on the show and say, "I only bought this for $10 and it's worth a thousand!" Oh that would be joy!

A Special Honor

It was a very special honor for me to be a "Teacher of the Year" nominee. Each year, every school nominates teachers in their own, special way and at our school our colleges nominate the TOY award. I felt so honored just to be nominated! Each nominee received a decorated cookie and the winner received a cookie basket. Who knows. . . maybe one of these years!

Happy Birthday Lois!

Today is Lois Lowry's birthday. It's not a day I usually celebrate, I happened to just come upon the fact, but I also happen to love Lois Lowry as an author! I have only read The Giver, it is one of my all-time favorite books, and I have a signed copy by her! It is a very precious memento to me and I keep it in my class (mostly to show it off:)

Lois was born in Honolulu, HI on March 20, 1937. She also wrote the book Number the Stars. That is probably a book I will have to give a try! Happy 72nd birthday!
http://www.loislowry.com/

1990 Hits

Since I teach 6th grade (and 6th graders are really into music). It is really fun for me to think about music that was popular when I was in 6th grade, especially music that either:

1. Kids still listen to
2. Kids have never heard of

So I did some research on the top ten most popular hits from the year 1990- when I was a 6th grader (And Bill had already graduated high school:) These definitely bring back some memories. . .
10. Nothing Compares 2 U (Julie and I have a music video to this that I hope nobody gets their hands on)

9. Vogue by Madonna

8. Groove is in the Heart by Deee Lite - Kendall and I would always watch this music video at her house ( mtv was blocked at my house- what does this song title mean anyway?)

7.Vision of Love by Mariah Carey

6. Can't Touch This by M.C. Hammer - I really hope "hammer pants" don't make their way back around

5. Escapade by Janet Jackson- I have this song on single cassette!

4. The Humpty Dance by Digital Underground (I don't know this one, but according to the website about.com, it made the top 10 list)

3. Epic by Faith No More

2. Poison by Bell Biv Devoe

1. All I wanna do by Heart

Music sure has changed a lot since I was a 6th grader!

Explaining Celibacy. . .

That's right folks, there is nothing like the day in the life of a middle school teacher! My students are researching the Middle Ages: castles, knights, Camelot, etc. One student wanted to research marriage and dowries during that time period (gifted- I know!) She came across the word "celibacy" and innocently came to ask me what it meant. I'm not one to say, "go look in the dictionary" so I nervously replied, "It's like marital relations. Monks and Nuns are celibate. They don't have marital relations." She didn't say anything and walked back to her desk.

I haven't had any questions from her since. . .

By the way I looked up celibacy in the dictionary: abstaining from intercourse

Glad I didn't tell her to look it up, now that I think about it. . .

Celebrate Read Day!

So, officially Dr. Seuss Read Day is over, but at our school we had a good time! Our librarian is so creative and had our pets pose reading books. The pictures were posted and students had to match the pet with the teacher. AND there was also a cutest pet contest- Gabby didn't win at school, but she certainly wins in my book( hehe, get it, book!)

Apostrophe Protection Society

Apostrophe Protection Society? Can you believe there is such a thing? Google it! I am an English teacher, I should know. I am no grammarian, but it is my mission to change grammar, punctuation and spelling errors, one rule at a time. . . (By the way, the comma is only optional in that last sentence between the words punctuation and and.)

My class came across an article how in Birmingham, England, the city has decided to do away with apostrophes on their street signs. Apparently they (Birmingham) could not decide if certain streets should be labeled King's Norton or Kings' Norton. Hmm?

My class also found that Jeff Deck, an editor, has made it his mission to travel the U.S. and fix errors on billboards and signs posted in front of businesses. So far he has traveled 5,000 miles! He carries markers, crayons, and even white-out, asking store managers to help them out!

All this research on grammar led me to the actual website of the Apostrophe Protection Society and then to joining "Apostrophe Catastrophe" on FaceBook. I'm helpless! I blame it on Lynne Truss- because now I'm reading her book Eats, Shoots, and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation.

Maybe my calling really IS to be an English teacher!

A Valentine's Day Tradition

As Valentine's tradition goes at the Heffner house, everyone gets to eat their favorite food for dinner on Valentine's Day. When I was growing up, my mom starting this tradition: each year she would ask my dad, my sister, and myself what our favorite food was and then she would secretly prepare it for us. We were not allowed to tell anyone else in the family what we chose, and it was always a surprise if we were having all main courses or all desserts for dinner.

So, last night the tradition continued. Everyone prepared their favorite food and brought it over to my parent's house. We were given instructions NOT to tell anyone what we were making! It was really difficult to keep this kind of secret.

The food was amazing! Our menu was:
Mom- chocolate covered strawberries
Dad- ribs
Bill- lasagne
Cassie- chocolate covered cake with chocolate frosting and chocolate chips
Grandma- potato salad
Auntie Sharon- Chicken and Rice
Auntie Heather- Buffalo Wings
Kristy- Garlic and Cheddar Biscuits

As you can imagine, we ate well! We've already started thinking about what we want to make for next year! Do you have any Valentine's Day traditions in your family?

How Would You Spend an Extra $100?

My Parents bought me a subscription to Real Simple Magazine for Christmas. It is a wonderful gift and a great magazine. Every month it features an article with this title "How would you spend an extra $100"? Someone writes in their reply and the magazine also provides a pie chart with the break down on how they would spend each dollar. I'm not sure if this is to make people feel badly about spending 68% of the money on wine or a purse, or just to show that some people actually would.

So I decided to think about what I would do if I came into an extra $100. . . here are some possibilitles
* Take Bill and I to dinner at Famous Dave's BBQ
* Save it!
* Buy blinds for one room in our house
* Go on a scrapbook shopping spree
* Buy books
* Have the carpets cleaned
* Buy a new pair of jeans
* Save it for a vacation

It seems like $100 is a lot of money, especially now! What would you do with an extra $100?

The Biggest Loser

The only show watched religiously at our house is: The Biggest Loser! I don't know if we're attracted to it because of the inspiration, drama or what. It has become a tradition this season that every Tuesday night Amanda comes over and we have "salad night" and watch it!

It is an especially special season for us because I know Mandi from the yellow team! She and I went to high school together and played volleyball for Meridian High and Club Idaho! A couple of weeks ago she invited a couple of girls we played volleyball with to come over and watch the show with her on Tuesday night. It was really amazing to see how great she looks (and to hear the scoop about being on the Biggest Loser ranch and about all the players!) It is so fun to cheer her on every week!

The Heffner-Hilton households also have their own Biggest Loser competition going on right now! We began on January 1st and will try our best to lose weight until July 4th. Of course there is money involved (and our pride!) I think my dad is in the lead, but I am proud to say that I have been steadily losing every week for 5 weeks! Nothing to brag about weight-wise, but at least I have been losing:)

So, for now we will be sticking to our salad-night-Tuesdays (I'm open to anyone with recipe suggestions!) and we'll be cheering on the yellow team!

Working Together

It is official! Bill and I will be working together at Heritage Middle School starting this week! He will be working as a teacher assistant in the special education room. It's funny how people ask me if I'm excited to be working with him because I'm already married to him and live with him and see him everyday, as if seeing him at work would cause me to love him more/less. . .
Just to set the record straight, I'm actually thrilled for him to be there! I know he'll be great with kids and that he is looking for some more permanent work (as opposed to retiring from a job at Target)
I really don't think I will see him that often. He will be at the school part-time:
* He will be there 10-2 (so we can't even carpool)
* My classroom is downstairs, he will be upstairs
* We have different lunch periods
* The classes he be attending with students are in different hallways
* He has different break times
I am excited though because I think once in awhile I will get lunch or coffee out of it on his way to coming into work:) Wish us luck and I will keep you posted!