HD Oh MY!

Well, I've had my new tv for around 3 months and have been watching the same Directv...  So yesterday I FINALLY called the competitors to see what deals I could get and then called Directv to see if they would meet them.  Of course, they didn't so I went with DishNetwork.  Before, I had basic satellite service - no HD, no DVR, no movies...  Now I have HD in the living room, DVR in BOTH rooms, movie channels for a limited time and even when the "deal" goes off I'll still be paying less than I'm paying now.  So "no" Directv I don't want to accept your agreement for a free HD DVR receiver.  Because then I'll be paying way more than I could with cable or dish...  So much for being a "loyal customer".  

Today was VERY productive.  

1. DishNetwork installed 

2.  baked Amish Bread

3.  Heath is pre-merging my yard (WooHoo.  Good Heath!)

4.  going to see a movie with Ashley this afternoon

I still have to finish my box but I am waiting to hear from my support person.  When I hear from him, I can move ahead.  

Have a great day!

Quick catch up

So, I have been so busy!  Mostly I've been working and doing national board stuff.  This week is Spring Break.  I'm trying to finish up "the box" while still having fun. Oh, and I'm sick again... So, the following is a recap:

1. NKOTB concert with Christie 

2. movie on Monday night (I am planning to see two more this week with other friends)

3. went out St. Patrick's night

4. rode a motorcycle for the first time today

5. worked on "the box" everyday (organized, copied, edited, etc.....)

6. hung out with Bryan

7. grocery shopping

8. lunch with Christie

9. grilling for Bryan tonight

10. wedding on Saturday afternoon

11. baking "Amish Friendship Bread" tomorrow Anyone want a starter?  I'll have 3 tomorrow morning...

I think those are the highlights.  If I missed anything, I'm sorry.  There will be pix coming of the motorcycle ride hopefully. 

National Boards

I took a professional development day to work on my national board stuff.  My last entry is due to my support person tomorrow.  Now, I finished the papers this weekend but I was 1.5 pages over and needed help deciding what to cut.  He told me that all 6 accomplishments were noteworthy and I had to decide.  So I sent it to three teacher friends who have their National Board certification.  I heard back from one very quickly.  I agreed with her and started working on the suggestions she made.  

This is what I did today:

1.  finished editing Entry 1 (I had already done 2 and 3)

2.  decided (with help) which accomplishments to use for Entry 4

3.  decided (again with help) what documentation to use for each accomplishment

4.  edited each accomplishment

5.  typed evals for students and parents

6.  located documentation for each accomplishment

I'm pretty much to where I can't do anything else until I have feedback from my support person and until my concert, drum circle, and parent visitation in the classroom happen.  All of this is happening in the next two weeks!!!!  After that, I have to bust my behind to get it all together by March 31st so I can mail my box.  I should have Entries 1, 2, and 3 done by Spring Break.  Entry 4 will be mostly complete except for some documentation from parents.  

Not related to N.B.:

7.  picked music for children's choir tonight

8. nothing else

Still to do:

1.  take shower

2. make lunch for tomorrow

3.  gather stuff for meeting with support person for N.B.

4.  children's choir

5.  sanctuary choir

6.  Clean house (I have decided it will still be dirty this summer when N.B. is over.  So this is on my to do list indefinitely)

I am so grateful for my three friends who have edited for me, especially Sara for getting back to me so quickly today even though she was working and busy.  She made today VERY successful.  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KATIE JANE!!

Just a quick update.....

I am working on National Board stuff today, but I just finished one paper and I need a little break before starting the next :)

Today is Katie Jane's bday!  WooHoo!  We are going back to our college alma mater for some men's bball tonight.  Now, I'm not into bball, but it is not my bday.  So, P² and I are meeting KJ, her sis and bro-in-law for the game.  I am going to show everyone my brick that I purchased after I graduated.  It is in front of the student center where the game will be played.

I took Winston to the vet yesterday.  He had "the works".  That includes annual shots, a physical, a bath, toe nail clipping, worm/flea preventative, and of course antibiotics.  What trip to the vet would be complete without them?  I am a horrible mother and forget to go buy the preventative after I've used the first six months, so this year I bought a year's supply!  OMG!  It was $170 - more than the other stuff combined!  Winston is fine, just has a little infection in his paw from a cut which is the main reason we went to the vet yesterday.  He wasn't due for shots until the middle of March, but while he was there anyway I got it done.  So after all that, I walked out with over $300 less than I walked in with :(

Not much has been going on this week... Ash Wednesday church service, National Board writing, P², school, Black History Programs, choir....  Same old stuff.  

Congrats to Sandy's students for winning the People's Choice Award at her school's Chili Cook-Off!  If you click on her name it will take you to her blog and you can read about the cook-off.  Scroll down a little, she had a lengthy blog :)

Happy Mardi Gras

Happy Fat Tuesday!  I am so sad that I was not at home this week for Mardi Gras.  I have been home the past two years for Fat Tuesday, but since I took my personal leave last week to see my brother, I couldn't go this year.  An easy decision to make, but I'm still sad I wasn't there today.  There's always next year :)

One Year Ago

This week has been weepy for me.  One year ago today I went on my first date with Ryan.  We went to a restaurant named "Firebirds" and then to a movie.  This past Friday, I had a dinner meeting with a music organization at "Firebirds" and it was really hard.  I'm glad I was with a lot of great girls who took my mind off the situation.  That was the first time I had been back.  

Today has been a hard day too.  I can't believe it's been a year since I met Ryan.  It really has flown past.  It seems like everything happened so long ago yet like it was only yesterday.    

UPDATE

Well, I had an unfortunate change of plans.  Last week, my cousin passed away and I had to go to my hometown for the funeral.  I went home Wednesday night after choir rehearsal.  I had planned to go home on Sunday after church to see my brother for a few days.  SO, I didn't think it would be smart to drive home on Wed. night and drive back on Thur. for school and then drive back home on Sunday.  So, I stayed the entire weekend and will be here through Tuesday or Wednesday.  

So don't worry, dear readers, you still have time to suggest recipes for me to cook for Valentine's Day.  I'm glad I wasn't depending on your suggestions because NO ONE left a comment.  I would've starved.  Thanks, guys!

Well, I have no internet access while at my mom's so I will update when I get back to my house.