a.placebetween.us

You must check out this website: a.placebetween.us- what fun it is! You can search for hotels or coffee shops where you can meet your friends or family members half way! You type in two locations (local or far away!) and it gives you a location to meet! My sister lives in Phoenix, so I typed in Boise and Phoenix and it said we should meet in Baker, Nevada (never heard of Baker, but I'll go with it) and it listed some coffee shops. I also checked out a half way point for Julie (Texas) and I to meet- so I guess I will be seeing her in Dulce, New Mexico at the Best Western for a restful night's sleep- the last time Julie and drove to hotel we had a pepper spray incident, ok, maybe not the last time-but that's another blog!

Reading the Bible in 90 Days

I have been on an amazing journey. My church has challenged us to read through the Bible in 90 days. What has been so eye-opening to me is how much time I have had on my hands to be able to read, or how much time I have made. I want to get up early in the morning and read or read after school, at night before I go to bed, and I have surprisingly (to myself) stayed on target! It has always been a desire of mine to read through the entire Bible, and now I have been given the time, challenge, and motivation to do it. I still have until the end of March to finish, and not every day is easy, but it I am learning things I never knew and most importantly knowing God better.

A Passion for Paris

Ever since I was a little girl I have been fascinated with the city of Paris. My dad went to high school there and I developed a deeper love for the language and the country of France once I was in high school. I traveled to France in 1996 (seems like forever ago) and I remember it was a magical experience for me when I saw the Eiffel Tower. It is just an emblem I have always loved and I will admit I am a sucker for buying anything with the Eiffel Tower imprinted on it. In my first house I had a room dedicated to all my Paris collections (we just called the room Paris) and now in my current home, my small bathroom is inundated with Paris paraphernalia. I don't foresee my love for Paris ever dying out, I guess I will just need to get a bigger room to show it off!

My NOT SO Green Thumb

I have always thought plants were beautiful- other people's plants. Since college, I have tried desperately to keep one living, potted, green in my living space- even -a cactus one year- but to no avail. I just do not have a natural (or unnatural) green thumb. A couple of months ago, my aunt moved to Ohio and I inherited several of her plants and I am proud to say they are still alive! My parents went on a trip and left the pointsettias and yes, they are still red! There is hope for me yet. Don't let the picture deceive you too much, I hide some fake foliage among the real to make it appear more lively- can you spot it?

Most Popular Name

Most Popular DOG name that is- of 2009! Google posted a list today of the most popular AND the most unusual dog names of 2009- and no, Gabby did not make the list! This was according to VPI (Veterinary Pet Insurance). Sources also said that "Bella" was the most popular name due to the book/movie "Twilight" being so popular and it's the main character's name. . . who'd have thought! Just PLEASE don't name your dog Inspector Foo Foo!
Most Popular:
1. Bella
2. Max
3. Bailey
4. Lucy
5. Molly
6. Buddy
7. Maggie
8. Daisy
9. Chloe
10. Sophie

Most Unusual:
1. Doogie Schnauzer Md
2. Sargent Sausage
3. I Am Sparticus
4. Lunchbox
5. Angus Sir Loin
6. Bam-Bam Noodle Butt
7. Mouse Meat
8. Fluffernutter
9. Kanye East
10. Inspector Foo Foo

A Bobblehead Christmas

First of all, ignore my morning hair in this picture (it was Christmas morning)! Bill and I have a running joke that he is NOT, under ANY circumstances allowed to buy any bobbleheads, but, as you can see, he found a loophole! When Bill and I got married, he came with all kinds of collections: college books, scooby doo stuff, eagles, Sacramento Kings paraphenillia, and bobbleheads. I just keep thinking, "Where are we going to put all of this stuff?" So I put my foot down- NO MORE BOBBLEHEADS! Fast forward two years where I LOVE The Office and have watched every episode four times. Bill found this Dwight Bobblehead (that Angela actually gave him in one of the episodes, if you recall) and he thought it would be the "perfect" gift for me since he knows I love The Office so much. So now this bobblehead proudly sits in our front room. To be honest, I'm a little nervous for next Christmas!

Just Dance!

For my birthday this year Bill bought me Dance Dance Revolution! It is a fun, interactive video game, where you step on arrows and dance to the music (and have to keep a rhythm too). My mom, dad, and Cara were really into it, but we only made it through the beginner level. I'm hoping I can practice over the next couple of months and then impress them with my skills when we all meet as a family again- just like when we play Guitar Hero or Rock Band. . . oh wait!

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!