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!