josie's random thoughts

Can we blog a photo??

2011-08-03T06:37:00.001-04:00

Let's see I'd THIS worked!

Come on Jos... You can figure this out!

2011-08-02T22:29:00.001-04:00

Alright, I used to be able to blog through my phone.... But somehow I can't seem to figure it out!! :( let's try THIS!

Josie Nevers
Pampered Chef Consultant
603.524.6296

Sent from my iPhone

Summer - Bummer...

2010-08-02T20:58:00.003-04:00

I can't believe it... but this summer has been pretty uneventful!! I went to Maine this past weekend for the first time... since the wedding!! That is craziness! My skin was so not used to sunshine that I got a nice little sunburn - which I actually was excited about knowing it would eventually turn into a tan!

However, I know that all of my hard work this summer is all leading to the honeymoon that Ayden and I never had... in Mexico!! Yahoo! Very excited about this. This spring I found the place I really wanted to go to - and put it as my computer background. Hey - the whole visualized and it will be worked!

Oh yes, another highlight... I changed my very own tire today. I was grubby from my toes, to my elbows, to under every finger nail! Blegh! While I was busy driving home on my newly installed donut tire, Ayden was busy trying to find me a replacement tire! Wouldn't you know it - the tires we have had on there are no longer being made! So, we went for the gold and are replacing all 4... cha-ching. Again, another good reason to be busting my butt this summer! :)

Something that I can look forward to... (now that I am done sort of bitching....) I get a little girlie time right in the middle of August - I sure do miss my girls!!

Until next time.... :)

Pain, Pain, Go Away...Don't Come Back Another Day!!

2010-02-21T20:01:00.003-05:00

I don't know about you, but I hate it when people have nothing positive to say, complain about every little thing, think that their issues are worse than yours and are basically a total bummer to be around!! THIS is why I have not been posting this past week!!

I HAVE BEEN THAT TOTAL BUMMER PERSON!!

I thought that I had been doing such a good job of keeping up with myself - rethought my approach to my school year, knew I could only do so much for myself and others and was/am ok with that, got back to my daily cards of creativity, decided to change doctors so that I could really start to focus on a healthier Jos, and partake in a little yoga to get rid of really the only thing I didn't seem to think I had control over - my stupid sciatica!! All has been going well... until last weekend.
I am not sure what happened, but the whole pain management and things slowly getting better took a side-trip this past week!! Needless to say, it has not been pleasant one!! Between showering at night knowing it would take most of the morning to get dressed, putting on the cheeriest face I could muster at work so not to seem like I was miserable and crawling up the stairs at the end of my day excited to go to bed so that I could have a little relief from the leg pains - I finally hit a wall Friday night and broke down in tears!! Luckily, I had Ayden and Lorraine (via phone since Ayden didn't know what else to do...) talking me down from my mountain of hysterical crying!!
Last Wednesday I went to see a chiropractor who's office was filled with the nicest of people. She and her staff were so welcoming and understanding of my issues. The x-rays they took confirmed that I really do have some serious back issues that need to be addressed and there was no question that my pain was severe....all of this followed by a

"We are closed all next week for vacation, so we will not be able to begin adjusting you until March 1st" UGGH!!

So, although I thought I could tough my way through it, I am having to give in and go to the hospital tomorrow and see what they can do to help me start getting back to normal!
I am crossing my fingers that my next post will be filled with wonderful news about how much better I feel!! Because I am not sure I like this version of me!! Wish me luck!!

I heart Yoga Night

2010-02-10T22:25:00.001-05:00

52 days of creativity... although my 2nd round of it was a tad interupted, I decided after a crafty night with my girlies that I needed to get back to it! This yoga night card may have been for a couple of weeks ago BUT I feel the same way EVERY Wednesday! So, since I was feelin' the love tonight, I thought I would share it with YOU!

2010-02-10T20:30:00.002-05:00

"Teeker...are we REALLY going to be able to blog from ANYWHERE?" If this is true...oh man! I am crossing my fingers! Good night!

This message was sent using the Picture and Video Messaging service from Verizon Wireless!

**Yeah!! It worked!! Hmmm.. this makes things a whole lot easier!!**

Proof That I am NOT Mrs. Cranky-Pants

2010-02-08T21:24:00.003-05:00

Today I was asked to hand out a simple survey to my students - a survey put together by other teachers working on a presentation for our faculty meeting. We were asked to simply have the students to answer the questions as best they could and HONESTLY, have them turn the survey in without names AND I was not to look at the results. Once they turned them in, I was to have a discussion with the class about their thoughts. Now, when I first looked at the survey questions I thought, "Are you kidding me right now??" Questions regarding their thoughts on their school, who they turned to when they had questions, in a nutshell - 5 perfect opportunities for them say things that any teacher would cringe about! I will be honest, with the way this year has been, I was feeling like the discussion afterward would be very painful!

So, I give them a positive spiel about being honest, not to put their name on it, I won't be looking at their answers, blah-blah-blah, and hand out the survey. They went right to work, some really thinking, some not so much, some writing down comments and some even giggling. Once they were all turned in - I prepared for the worst. I was pleasantly surprised! The kids were willing to share their thoughts, explain their choices, ask each other questions and more. I spent the time really listening to them, agreeing with their thoughts, understanding where they were coming from all the while taking the notes I was supposed to be taking.

Midway through all of their sharing, I all of a sudden realized their perspective of how this year was going, was very different from mine! I see myself as having to constantly correct behaviors, constantly having to remind them to refocus, constantly having to ask them to stop with the chit-chat and listen carefully to the directions - because most of them don't and it means I will have to repeat myself at least once.... They didn't see any of this! They thought I was fair, it was easy to ask me questions, they felt like they knew what I expected of them... the list goes on. Now, I am not going to say that all of their answers were a dream come true, but when I was expecting the worst and received a "not so bad!" it made me smile a little...ok, maybe a lot! All of the hard work and pressure that I tend to put into my job - I am seeing that it really is starting to pay off.
YAHOO!!

a new year... a new blog!

2010-02-07T21:39:00.012-05:00

I am not sure that I can even count how many things have happened since my last post - over a year ago! But how about I fast forward through some of the big stuff!

Last spring, my all time favorite Jenn turned the Big 30! And what did she want for her birthday one might ask... a super fun-filled night in Boston with her girlies! And that is just what we did!

The end of another 4th grade year came and went - and for the first time ever, one of my old classes graduated! They were my very first group of 3rd graders! So watching them graduate and head off to high school was wonderful and crazy all at the same time! (This year's graduating class will be my 2nd group of kids leaving Shaker - and I am already starting to prepare myself for their departure!!)

This summer was filled with summer camp, wedding planning, trips to Maine for some beach days, a girl's night with Tori and the legendary (ok, it's not legendary YET, but it will be!!) Great Granite Race. Two days of driving around New Hampshire following clues and testing friendships! There were some high points and some low points... but when it was all said and done - it was a weekend to never forget!!

Ah, yes... how could I forget!!?? The weekend that the girls and I went to the amazing Tori concert - we found out some REALLY big news! Our Stinka girl was expecting Baby #2!! Yahoo!!

This fall's big to-do was the long awaited Nevers Wedding! Finally! After a 4 year engagement, we finally pulled off the perfect wedding weekend! With the village of cabins at the Belle of Maine filled with family and friends, our wedding day was absolutely picture perfect! From the great company, to the flowers, to the photographer, to the attire, to the tent, to the food... I could go on and on... we loved every part of it!

After the wedding, it seemed like my life was a bit of a whirlwind! With new changes at school, a new class, new schedules, A NEW NAME, putting on a drama production with 3rd & 4th graders... I was ready to take off my teacher hat at the end of each day and head home to my family! After the holidays, I was able to breathe a little bit easier and start focusing on... well ME! I have been trying to eat better, drink my water, enjoy yoga each week, get back into my crafty stuff AND enjoy a little more time with my husband and my sweet, sweet babies.

We have only just begun this crazy little thing called marriage - and are looking forward to all of the great things to come!

So, welcome back to my journey - I refuse to promise a plethora of posts, but I do feel like this is a new start, a new year and lots of possibilities!

A perfect memorial...

2009-01-25T10:15:00.000-05:00

Almost a year ago, my good friend DJ was killed while serving in Iraq. Although I would give anything to have him still here with us today, I have learned so much about the "Powers of Deej." From the moment his death was announced, an outpouring of love, sorrow, honor, respect and stories of his bravery, willingness to help and absolute hysterical personality started to surface. I have always known how great DJ was, but to see how many people he had affected in some way has been remarkable.
Last weekend I had the chance to run up north to take part in a very special dedication. DJ had worked at Cannon Mountain and upon his return was to become a Ski Patrolman/EMT - a very respected and difficult job. In memory and in honor of DJ, his friends/co-workers decided to rename the trail that he had spent so much time helping to clear-cut. The former Tramline Trail is now happily called DJ's Tramline. It is one of the toughest black diamond trails in the East, so it is very fitting that it be his. With the Color Guard, a proclamation from the governor, lots of family and friends, the dedication was so special. I know it doesn't bring him back, but I know he is up there with that crazy smirk of his doing some kind of Jim Carrey dance thinking how spectacular it is to have his very own trail!!

Oh NO you didn't....

2008-11-09T20:23:00.000-05:00

Oh YES they did!! Can you believe those two girls? My two favorite girlies, Jenn and Melyssa, sent me this photo of Jenn in Washington meeting our baby Landon for the first time...without Auntie Jos!!

A bitch and a super cute baby...

Awwww...I am super jealous!!

(psst...Landon, do me a favor - make a super stinky poopy for Auntie Jenny. She will LOVE IT!!)
hehehe xox Auntie Jos

Wicked Bad Blogger!

2008-10-30T17:48:00.000-04:00

It appears to be that I am a wicked bad blogger!! I like to think that the fact that I have not posted anything on here since July is simply a sign of being too busy...but really...it is a sign of being busy and maybe a tad lazy! I am not making any promises, but I would really like to make a better effort to be a better blogger and actually post more often! Not that I have some kind of super exciting life, but who knows, maybe wanting to post more often will make me want to go off and do things worthy of posting! hehehe

I have had so much happen over the past few months - beach trips, a visit to South Carolina, dog days and so much more. I decided I would simply get over the fact that I can't really play catch up...and move onto what is new and upcoming!

This fall has also been super busy. Getting back into school mode has been tricky - although I am having a really great year, I feel like I am having to be in several places at once. I am actually looking forward to the winter since everything seems to slow down a tad. (Now if only I could get do something about the amount of snow and cold air we have her in NH!) There are a couple things that I can't wait to share with all of you...
One thing is the return of my very best friend from elementary school. She and I were two peas in a pod, together whenever we could be. It seemed like one day she was there, and then all of a sudden, she was not there any more. I remember being absolutely crushed when I realized she had moved away without a choice. Now, almost 20 years later...we have reconnected! After her finding my on facebook, we chatted a couple times and knew we JUST HAD TO get together! It was a weekend of total girl talk and hanging out. Poor Ayden I am sure was bored out of his mind listening to us ramble on and laugh about the good old days. She is absolutely beautiful and just as fun as I had remembered. She has faced more obstacles than anyone her age should ever have and still has managed to create a normal life for herself - which I think is what she has always wanted. I am so proud of her! We actually had the chance to spend another weekend together only with the addition of her fantastic husband!! We spent the day in Boston with the them as well as Jenna and Corey tooling around the city and seeing Blue Man Group. It was a lot of fun and just as before, the time together went by WAAAYY too fast!! Oh well...we are in the works of coming up with another reason to get together soon!

Years and years later - and I am still much shorter than she is!! hehehe

Cheers...Where everyone knows your name! (Lorraine & Paul)

Ayden and Jenna ....

Pre-show drinks!!

The next big piece of news is that Ayden and I finally set our wedding date!! Can you believe that?? Almost 3 years later and we finally figured out that we CAN do this and that we actually still WANT to do this!! hehehe So, hopefully this will keep me busy and craft during our nasty upcoming winter season!!

Birthday Girl!

2008-07-11T22:56:00.001-04:00

HAPPY BIRTDAY LILY PUG!

Lily turned one last week and we HAD to celebrate!

More fun party pics to come...Yes!! I did say party pics!!

Life's a Beach...

2008-07-01T20:49:00.000-04:00

Awww, I do love those Coochs! I spent the afternoon at Ellacoya Beach with Kelley, Dylan and Dustin. Between the sand toys, the ducks, the seagull, the slide, the snacks and the many stick "rescue missions", it was a really fun day!

Beginning our Dog Days of Summer

2008-06-15T16:04:00.000-04:00

While doing yard work yesterday - the pugs came out to enjoy thier new pool. Thought I would share some of the pictures I took!

More stuff to show you...

2008-06-14T08:43:00.000-04:00

After I finished my update post, i realized i still had some things to show you!! Like the house!! So, here are a few more pictures!

I might be a tad partial...but I do believe we have the cutest house on the street!! Look at my rows of hostas and the other plants I can't remembe the names of!Thanks Heidi!!

Ayden finally helped me put the flag out front. I decided I was going to make sure it went up this year and do it in memory of DJ. That would be my way of keeping him around a bit.

**SIDE NOTE...**

DJ's birthday was May 29th. His crew arrived home safely from Iraq this past Tuesday. Two big days that I dreaded coming, but now that they have come and gone, I feel like I can now sit back and just remember. No more dates approaching to feel sad about... this is a good thing!

I was busy these past few weeks getting flowers and things in...but I think things will come in nicely!

The New Backyard Set-up...

Yes...an Update!

2008-06-13T22:56:00.000-04:00

I guess if one wants to maintain a blog so that friends and family can keep up with the goings-on of their life...one should actually post stuff for them to read!!

So, I decided instead of telling you all the multiples reasons as to why you have not seen a post in MONTHS, I would simply just post stuff for you to enjoy!

Now - bear with me...I have a lot of ground to cover here!!

St. Patrick's Day in 4th Grade: This year, I wanted to start something new, something we could start a tradition with...I believe I may have done just that! The Friday before St. Patrick's Day, I had the kids spend a good part of the day designing and creating "leprechaun traps." We had read a story that if you catch a leprechaun, they will give you all of their gold to be released. Hey - who can't use a little gold these days!! From a layout of reusable treasures, the kids each came up with some pretty impressive contraptions! We may not have caught anything, but the whole thing was a big success.

Getting a little Buddy Time in... During my April vacation, I was able to catch up with my very pregnant* friend Kelley and my buddy Dylan. I couldn't believe how much both of them had grown over the winter! Dylan is such a BOY... running around playing, pointing out his "crazy hair", keeping Kelley on her toes! I had forgotten how funny he was!! Dylan turned 3 in May... he is somethin' else!!

*more to come on the whole pregnant bit!

Babies, Babies and more Babies! I do love babies...and this year between family and friends, we have seen and will see a handful!

Bailey Nevers was born on May 5th and what a cutie!

Dustin Couture was born on May 22nd! Because he was a tad early, he is just a little peanut and as handsome as can be!

Landon Marland was born on June 1st - the day before his mother's birthday. Melyssa is one of my very best friends who moved out West with her super-cute Coast Guard husband, Luke. Because she is so far away, we are having to see the baby through pictures and web cam moments only...for right now. Ohhhh... of all the babies and families to be so far away from...sniffle, sniffle...

Brayson turned the big 3 on June 2nd. He is really a lot of fun now! He loved opening up his gifts and eating his GIANT piece of cake!

Babies still on the way.... My good friend Amie and her family are expecting their 2nd child in August. Her son Blake is very excited, I am sure, to have a baby brother soon!

A Week at Grammy's Camp... As part of our Science program at school, we take the kids to the Hick's family camp over on Winnisquam. With 4 tents pitched outside of our pop-up camper, we all "roughed" it. By roughing it I simply mean wearing vertually the same clothes for the entire 4 days of being there!! hehehe This school year has been pretty hectic for me, but this trip really allowed me to enjoy the kids... something I have missed out on a bit too much this year!

The Pet Babies... The pugs- George & Lily, and the kitties - Teeker and O'Malley sure are happy to have the nice weather arrive! Old Man Teeker has had a little bit of a rough winter...but I can't blame him at all!! He is used to a pretty mellow household... then O'Malley arrived, then Lily arrived...then came George! He was a bit overwhelmed and basically only came downstairs to "do business." I would say he was down right miserable! So, after some thought, we decided that we needed to give the kitties a little more space without the dogs! With this change and the addition of an upstairs water bowl...Teeker is a much happier boy!

Ayden fenced in our backyard giving the pugs a space to play. They love it! The space outback is really coming along with the flowers we put in last year and the small upgrades we are doing this year.

School is out... This summer I will be working part time at the summer camp doing ART! I am excited about this because it is something different and the program needed a little "pick-me-up." I will only be work 3 days a week - which hopefully will allow me to have some beach days and time to actually read some "big kid" books! I am looking forward to just kind of hanging out...like O'Malley!

So, here's to SUMMER!

it will come...

2008-04-21T07:08:00.000-04:00

Hi Guys... I have been having a difficult time pushing that last post down...but a new post will come - I promise!! Spring has Sprung in my neck of the woods so I do have some new stuff to post. I am on vacation (YEAH!) this week and will make time to update the blog. xoxoxox Josie

2008-03-24T19:17:00.000-04:00

Medic David Stelmat, of the N.H. Army National Guard, comforted an Iraqi baby while in Baghdad last year.

How to do you let someone know that they couldn't be a better friend?

How do you tell someone that what they are doing is truly

making a difference in the world?

Why is it that even when you are a world away from me I could tell that you were having to make decisions that were tormenting?

Why is it that even after years of time between hanging out, when we did it was like we hadn't skipped a beat?

How do you let someone know that you couldn't be more proud of the changes they made in their life?

How do you say goodbye to someone who means the world to you?

DJ, I don't know what it was, but lately I couldn't help but miss you.

Yesterday... I found out that you were killed while doing your 2nd tour in Iraq- and I can't seem to wrap my head around this.

It seems like not too long ago we were talking about you finishing up training camp and heading out again. I told you that I was really proud of you. I told you that I would feel better when I knew you were back home- safe. For some reason, you leaving this time seemed easier for me than last time - like you knew what you needed to do and were ready to do it.

Every so often when you would pop into my head and I couldn't help but miss you and wonder what you were doing over in Baghdad - I would send a text message to your phone. I knew you wouldn't get it until you returned, but for some silly reason, it made me feel better. I now know you will never get my messages. That kills me. I hope you know how much you meant to me, how much you meant to all of us. You, DJ, always wanted to leave your mark on the world... and you have.

I just wish you were here to see it.

You will be missed DJ.

I love you.

Suckaahhhhs!

2008-02-27T13:02:00.000-05:00

Yup, that is us... a couple of suckers! Through friends, we received the news that there was a deperate need for a new home(s) for a couple of pugs. Their owner had passed away, and they needed to be placed somewhere where they would be given a whole lot of attention and love. Well, needless to say we became one of the homes for one of the pugs! Our good friend, Jen the Librarian, became the lucky new owner of a really sweet black 4-year old pug and we are now the proud owners of a very sweet and lively big boy who is almost 3 years old. His name is Cocoa, but we have come to the conclusion that the name Cocoa must be a middle name because George seems to suit him much better!

He is something else! He is a big beefy boy and thinks Lily is quite a cutie-pie...but who doesnt?? He has a big floppy toungue that doesnt seem to fit all the way into his mouth - so it just hangs out all the time. I think it gives him character...it makes pug kisses a bit sloppy, but it gives him character!

So, although we know our home will be a little chaotic for a little while, we were really happy to "rescue" George (cocoa) when he really needed a family. I know adopting Henry when he needed a good home was one of the best things I ever did, and I know taking in George will turn out to be something great too.

So, welcome to our family buddy!

Dear Mimi...

2008-01-30T22:14:00.001-05:00

Dear Mimi,

On behalf of Lily, I would like to thank your for the red winter jacket. It fits perfect and is coming in rather handy with the cold weather we have been having. Lily looks lovely in it and looks forward to going out in the cold so that she can show off her new Garnet Hill Jacket. I, on behalf of myself, would like to thank you for the red winter jacket. It fits me perfectly as well...only I don't ever go out in the cold so I put it on more for show. I know the jacket belongs to Lily, but being her older brother, I feel like what is hers is mine and what is mine...is also mine. While Lily is napping in her crate in the afternoons, I like to hang around the house with the jacket imagining how she might be upset if she sees me doing this...but, I AM the older brother, I do things to annoy her all time! So, in closing, I would just like to say Thank You again...we love the Jacket!

Love,

O'Malley

Josie's New Addition...

2008-01-30T21:49:00.000-05:00

ok, ok, ok...

NO...we did not get another cat!!

NO...we did not get another dog!!

NO...we are not pregnant!!

But, I do now have an addition to my 'being' that I would like to share with all of you! As we all know, last spring my cutie-pie poopsie face Henry kitty went out one early morning and never found his way back home...*sniffle, sniffle*

I knew I wanted to somehow do something that would remind me of Henry and creating a "mini-book" wasn't going to cut it. My roomate from college (and even after college) Jenn also lost her "closest-thing-to-a-child-that-she-will-probably-ever-want" kitty Watcher this fall. The idea for taking a real paw print that she managed to "stamp" with Watcher and turn it into a tattoo that we would both get instantly flew into action! This past weekend we, and a few more girlies, gathered in the Cape for a girls crafty weekend....and on Saturday Jenn and I mustered up our courage and each had the pefect paw print tattooed onto our foot. It was as painful as they all say it will be...but the 10 minutes that it took Tom to do it was well worth it!

Bringing the Craft Corner to Life!

2008-01-12T20:15:00.000-05:00

Some.....said it couldn't be done.

Some.....said it was impossible.

Some.....said it would never work.

Some.....said I had too much crap!

Well my friends... I have brought to life the Craft Corner. (AKA The Crap Corner) We refused to turn our only spare bedroom into a craft room (although I could have easily filled it given a little time) so I was left to utilize an "awkward" space at the top of the stairs. It is a little small and skinny...BUT, yet another reason to slim down!! He he he!

With a little help from Ayden putting up the peg board, I started the several hour process of weeding through years of crafty stuff and carefully started finding an actual usable place for it! I have not finished completely, but I have put a good dent in it for today.

I figured I would share with you all of my hard work from today...

Oh...Happy Holidays!

2007-12-28T21:58:00.000-05:00

The first Christmas in our new house...

The first Christmas for Lily and O'Malley...

The first Christmas with my Mom and Cody in years...

This has been a pretty terrific Christmas I must say! Over the past few years I sure have wanted a lot... I wanted to get rid of my debts, get into a house, and have a kick-ass party (party =wedding in my world...) Well, I can say that I have been able to clear up all of my financial bad spots (and get my school loans back into a "good spot") we are in a great house...now I just need to work on the "party!" :)

I believe I have borrowed some insight from my friend Steph J. before...but I saw this on her blog and I felt like it was so perfect for what I see in my new year. So, I am going to borrow it from her to share with you. (Be sure to click on her link above...she is an amazing person, photographer, mom and so much more!)

I have so many things that I want to work on in 2008...

~ get skinny...or at least skinnier for me!

~ get my 4th graders ready for 5th grade...and still have them like me!

~ teach Lily not to bite at my pajama bottoms

~ spend more time creating artsie things

~ smile and REALLY mean it!

~ welcome in a couple new "family" members this summer...no, not more animals...but the babies our friends are expecting

~ and sooo much more!

To all of my friends and family - here's to a wonderful new year. May it be a terrific one!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

2007-12-16T18:01:00.000-05:00

(Confession: I have not posted in a while because I liked having my Dane Cook post pop-up to greet me... But I am willing to move on now.)

It all hit me yesterday when I went out on an 'errands adventure' to Concord and realized just HOW close we are to Christmas!! All of the cars... All of the people... All of the traffic... The total lack of parking... The disappointing reality of going into a store to get that perfect gift that you finally realized would be perfect just to find out the store is completely out of IT and anything like IT. That pretty much was the theme of my adventure yesterday. Blegh! I cannot remember which store it was I went by, but it had a Christmas Day countdown hanging in the window large enough for even those with serious vision issues to see. It said (in all fancy-pants writing...) "10 Days Until Christmas!" Oh...my....goodness! We knew we would have to approach the holidays differently this year - now that a whole lot of our money goes into the house...but in differently I didn't think we would ignore them all togther!!

So, I am making up for some lost time and finished up my Christmas cards, baked some holiday breads and got my Secret Santa stuff pulled together for next week at school.

Today I watched a good 9 inches of snow fall outside! Luckily we had the snowblower serviced which made me not have to plan to run away from home due to the total lack of wanting to take on the task of shoveling!

So, to all of you... Have a wonderful week! May you drive down a lane of parking JUST as someone is leaving... May everything you were looking for at the mall be there and on sale.... May you grab a quick bite to eat and have your order come up just the way you ordered it...and not an Onion Ring Burger... May you come across a scratch ticket that is a worthwhile winner... Happy Holidays!

Dear Dane...

2007-11-18T08:54:00.000-05:00

I love you more today than yesterday! Yes, I know...I too did not think that was possible, but after last night's show...I do actually want to stalk you like a crazy person.

No....I am just kidding - about the crazy stalking person part!

Last night was the Boston Rough Around the Edges show. Ayden managed to get crazy 2nd row from the stage floor seats. I could see his "word mist" all night we were so close!

It all began however with the meet and greet passes... We, along with a ton of other people waited in a line to get a chance to actally MEET and GREET Dane Cook! When it was our turn to meet Dane, I was kind of nervous that I would say something stupid! I had been playing out in my head what I would say basically everyday on my drive home afterschool this past week. When I got up to him, that all disappeared and was replaced with other statements that I am not at all ashamed of! He signed my first and favorite CD of his, my ticket and a picture of Kaitlyn D. who we now have to encourage her first words to be either SUFI or "and the pickles..." (We will get crackin' on that right away!)

For our Dane-Pic, I pointed out Ayden's "Lazy Man's SUFI" - which required the bending of one finger due to the mini-pinky. He thought that was pretty cool told us that he once met a guy who lost the pinky AND the pointer finger leaving him with "SUFI forever" That is crazy talk!

I was so excited that he was so REAL, not all "yeah, yeah...move along people!" He was very cool.

All in all...it was an awesome show! I will remember this forever!

That was EASY!

2007-11-12T12:09:00.000-05:00

Maybe I should knock on wood or something...but after posting my car on craigslist yesterday, I had three people contact me interested. Who can blame them really? A good little car for a good little price! Anyway, the guy came by this morning we took it for a spin and by the time we returned he was ready to buy it! Yeah!! I was thinking we would have to be doing this for a while, getting tired of it taking up space in the yard, bring down the price to get it taken care of...but NOPE! So, off it goes to a nice family. Three cheers for craigslist!

Spreading the News...

2007-11-11T15:05:00.001-05:00

So, now that I really know that I love my new ride - I can work on selling my tried and true Tracer...

We really wanted to just use it as a trade-in - but when we were told we would get about $200 for it, it was worth it to me to sell it myself!! Seriously, the tires I had put on in September are worth more than $200!! So, I have posted the car on craigslist.com and will be putting up some signs locally. I figured I would spread the news to friends and family since words travels fast! So, if you know of anyone who is looking for a reliable little car, please pass this along!

Click on this link to see the ad:

http://nh.craigslist.org/car/475691299.html

The Birthday MONTH!

2007-11-04T07:30:00.000-05:00

I think when I was a kid, my birthday took what seemed like FOREVER to arrive! This year...not the case! November jumped over half of October I think! :) Anyway, November is a busy month for Birthdays!! We have one of the KSC Galaxy Girls ;) Stacy, my nephew Cody, my Dad and then ME all getting a year older just in the first week of the month! So, to all of us...Happy Birthday!

On another birthday note, I HAVE A NEW CAR! Can you believe it?? A few good things:

1) it is silver

2) it is a Dodge...

3) it has nut going up a hill

4) it has nut even when the heat or AC is on

5) it is is just plain ol' sweet to own something so great!

I went to a crazy Halloween Party this weekend...the house was so totally decked out it was amazing! The costumes were awesome - here is a little sampling...

you can see more on my "myspace" page...photos worthy of an album

All in all, a good time was had by all...we missed Zombie Dan however!!

Bzzzzz....Roaaarrrr!

2007-10-30T20:00:00.000-04:00

Our little Bumble-puggins would like to say

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

For some crazy reason, she can't decide which costume she likes best....

A Little Catching Up to Do...

2007-10-20T17:02:00.000-04:00

Phew - what a crazy couple of months we have had! It seems like I have not had all that much to blog about... yet, I seem to have been really busy! So, here goes - a little catching up:

THE HOUSE...

A few weekends ago, I decided I was tired of not having any counter space. We decided it was time to move the microwave next to the stove which meant Ayden needed to put in an outlet. We bought a nice shelf that would hold the toaster, microwave, cookbooks, the cats' food AND the dog's food! It was perfect! When cutting the hole in the wall to put in the outlet, Ayden found that he had just cut away a piece of pressboard...and a beautiful piece of waynes coating.

WHAT?

Could it be that we had something hiding under the wallpaper in the kitchen? Yes, indeed we did. After carefully considering the project we would be getting into, we decided we would tear down the pressboard around the kitchen to expose the waynes coating and pull down the upper portion of wallpaper as well. Ayden started Friday after work pulling down the press board. After a trip to Lowe's (where we know practically know everyone by name now...) we started in on getting rid of the thick tar adhesive that was all over the wood. After hours of scraping, we finally had something beautiful. We spackled and primed Saturday night and began painting and staining Sunday. We recycled some paint from other rooms we have done around the house...and we are really happy with what we now have!

Before... well - this is before we bought it! We had not changed any of the paint or paper...just the curtains and stuff

What we found...

After...

THE WALK...

Cody and I took part in the Making Strides Cancer Walk on Sunday the 14th. It was really successful - he and I raised nearly $500 (THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH...) and as a team so far it looks like about $7,000!! That is really incredible! Although it seems like such a small thing, walk 5 miles, but for each one of those miles I couldnt help but imagine what it will be like when a cure for cancer is found. How many families will feel like their prayers have been answered. How many people will know they have been given a chance to live a long and healthy life. Having lost my Uncle Ray and Uncle Jim both to cancer, it really brings the disease home...I know Cody and I are both really proud to be walking in their memory.

THE PETS...

Lily is getting bigger everyday! She is something else... Teeker is hanging out with the two "babies" a little more often. I think O'Malley gets tired of Lily's constant play and joins Teeker up on the chairs, the couch and any other spot just a bit out of Lily's reach. We have started to put the storm windows down, which has not made the kitties very happy. But, O'Malley has found a few more spots to lounge around in...

THE FAMILY...
Ayden and I took Lily up to meet Mimi! Mimi has a great biiiiggg yard and Lily loved it! Can you tell that she is a great puppy in the truck?

THE FRIENDS...

On a happy note -

This weekend a good friend of ours came to visit with her boyfriend. It was really nice to meet Paul...and of course it was really nice to catch up with Jody!

This weekend I also found out my favorite "Stinka Girl" and Coast Guard Hottie had some big news to share!! Yeah!! I won't post it here yet...I dont like to spoil secrets!!

On a not-so-happy note -

My Cape Cod Girlie, Miss Jenn, lost her cat Watcher this past week. Watcher had been her best friend for about 20 years now - with her through thick and thin, boys and break-ups, new apartments, colds and flus and so much more. I know that he couldn't have asked for a better Mummy. Miss Jenn, Teeker & O'Malley and I, along with Lily send our thoughts to you. oxoxo

An Adventurous Weekend!

2007-09-10T21:10:00.000-04:00

Well, not for me so much...but for Lily Pug!

On Saturday, bright and early, we walked around the neighborhood checking out everyone's front lawn. She seems to want to go further each time we go outside! When we came home, I tackled my flower boxes which seem to have been neglected the past few weeks...

This job went from emptying out the boxes to emptying, cleaning, replanting, pulling up the garden, raking the yard and planting iris bulbs that were given to me by Dorrie - my former 5th grade teaching partner (who I miss dearly!!!) (With that said, I would like to mention that I now teach 4th grade with Lindsey and Heidi...which makes losing Dorrie not so painful!! These girls are fabulous!!) Anyway, back to the weekend! So, by the time I finished my yard overhaul, it was super hot and I was ready to get into some form of water - pool, lake...tub even!!

We headed over to Kathy's with Lily in tote. Instead of swimming, we added more water to the pool, vacuumed it, skimmed it...AND took lily in for a dip!! It was a hoot! She was really interested in going in,and once in, she plunked away at a serious doggie paddle. After a cooling down a bit, she was ready for her nap... lucky girl!!

On Sunday, it was raining, so we decided to take a trip to Concord to show Lily the world of PetSmart. It was like bringing a kid to their first day of camp or something. I wanted to take a bunch of pictures, but Ayden was totally embarrassed!! hehehehe

She was a big hit with the customers! I was thinking PetSmart should consider paying her to hang out by the door to welcome people. She was so well behaved - walking through the aisles, meeting new people and pets and trying on potential Halloween Outfits. We were very proud. With so much going on, she got a little tuckered out.... and slept alll the way home!

I think O'Malley was happy to have the afternoon off from "babysitting", but was really happy to have the little girl back home to play.

First trip to PetSmart

The dinosaur and caveman outfit

Too much shopping

Snoozing during the road trip

Introducing...Lily Pug!

2007-08-28T21:16:00.000-04:00

I bet you are saying..."Oh no they did NOT!"

Oh, YES we did!
Almost everyone one knows how much both Ayden and I have wanted a Pug Puppy. I figured once we bought the house, got settled, paid off a few purchases... THEN we would get the long awaited puppy. However, while I was away for a week house-sitting (and Ayden didn't have to hear my voice of reason...) he found a local breeder and with his mom in tote (because Ayden knew she too would fall in love) went to check things out. Needless to say, they didn't leave without knowing one of those babies was ours! I have been told that Lily picked out Ayden, it was love at first sight! She was small and spunky and absolutely the cutest thing ever!

After 2 weeks of waiting for her to come home, Lily is finally here! She is as cute as a button and the perfect play pal for O'Malley. You will notice that Teeker is not in any of the pictures below...because he is as happy as a pig in poo now that O'Malley is preoccupied with something else! He is basically on a vacation upstairs and loving it! He comes down to check how things are going every so often, but then heads back up to his O'Malley-Free Oasis!

So, without further adieu.... I would like to introduce Lily Pug!

Bye-Bye Hangy-Ball Thing!

2007-08-22T14:33:00.000-04:00

Ayden is home from his surgery today. He had to have his tonsils removed, his soft pallet scraped and the hangy-ball thing taken out. (Totally weird...I know!) So he is on the popsicle and ice cream diet for a little while. The cats have been taking good care of him today... making sure he gets plenty of sleep! O'Malley has been making sure the balloons that Jen and Darcy brought by are being put to good use by toting them around the house by the strings. I keep finding them in the hall and in the kitchen!
Cross your fingers that I have built up enough patience to help him along with his recovery! :)

The Favorite Hang-Out

2007-07-29T10:49:00.000-04:00

We have known since the day we picked up O'Malley that he was something special. As each day goes by, we find more reasons to support that thought! :) This has been O'Malley's favorite hang-out lately.*

*I would like to mention that we really do wipe down the sink after we find him playing in the sink. You won't have to worry about finding an O'Malley hair on you plates or silverware!*

Wii would like to play...

2007-07-22T09:27:00.000-04:00

Last night we had a Wii party - no it was not a tiny party...but a Wii Party! This spring, Ayden traded in his Playstation 2 and all of the millions of games he had. I was all for it since the whole game system really just gave someone an excuse for sitting on their butt all day or night! Anyway, he traded in all of his stuff to get the new Nintendo Wii game system. To be honest, I was actually kind of excited about it! It is pretty fantastic! It is an interactive game where, for instance, to play golf, you need to swing your "club." Needless to say, we have been enjoying it - I have never played a game where you have the potential of being winded! :) Last week, we played with some friends in the living room, but as much as we love our living room, it is not so big that you can gather up friends and play games like this. We came up with a plan to get our garage involved in the gaming action! We set up the Wii, a projector, a painting tarp and Voila - a much bigger space to play! Last night we gathered up some of the Buddies and held the first ever Wii Party in our garage. We have big plans for this set up and will be having a movie night in there shortly! Here are a few pictures, dark, yet pictures!

K to the izle boxing

The space

Team Golf

Corey

Mike Place AKA Big Black

Whoa- Malley!

2007-07-09T17:44:00.000-04:00

I was just going through some pictures....can you believe this??

At 8 weeks...

At 16 weeks...

Things are a growin'...

2007-06-24T08:56:00.000-04:00

This morning when I got up and started my watering duties, I realized just how much has changed around here! The flower boxes are amazing! When I first started filling them this spring, I had a limited "flower box" budget. I was a little worried when I was done that they would not amount to much...but I have been proven WRONG! They are lookin' great!

The pansies on our table were a gift from Kathy on the day we bought the house. They have had a few rough, dry days...but they are always willing to burst back into bloom when I race water to them.

The ficus...ohhhhh the ficus.

For those of you who do not know the story behind the ficus, let me quickly fill you in! When my Aunt Liz was moving into her new place, it was realized that everything in her house full of treasures was not going to be able to go with her. Ayden and I were THRILLED to adopt some of she and Uncle Ray's things! Being a plant lover, I quickly said yes to Liz's offer of Uncle Ray's ficus tree. It was toted around from house to house by my uncle who loved this monsterously heavy thing. When it came to moving day, Ayden, along with my cousin Fran, tried to talk me out of taking it! WHAT?? So, Liz and I rolled up our sleeves and moved it into the trailer ourselves.

Once it was at the house I began pondering over where exactly I was going to put the tree. Over the next couple of days, I started to notice black stuff all over the leaves. It was sticky and black. I marched down to Lowe's with some questions for the Plant Guy. He knew exactly what was going on...BUGS...and the sticky black stuff...basically bug POOP! Blegh! He gave me some suggestions. And as if Uncle Ray himself was testing my loyalty, I followed the directions and sprayed down the leaves, let it sit for a couple days...then with warm water and a million paper towels, I rubbed down each and every leaf!! Can you believe it? Well, all of my tree massaging paid off! The tree is now loving it's home and is busting out new leaves! PHEW!

My garden...well, although it is tiny, it is just right for our first year! I had been watching the backyard all spring for a good sunny place to dig out. It was perfect. What I failed to remember is the fact that the leaves around our yard would grow leaves...which now limits the amount of sun coming into the yard! Curses! hehehehehe Oh well, we shall see what we get!

Since the only thing in the yard when we bought the house was a single flowering bush, I have been slowing transplanting clippings from friends and the new neighbors. It is coming around. I have a great start on my herb garden...oregano, thyme, chives and garlic...yes, garlic! It is pretty cool!

We are loving having things to do around the house both inside and out. I am sure this fall when I am complaining about raking I will wish I never said that...but for now, we love it!

Speaking of growing...O'Malley is getting sooo big! And Teeker is growing to love him and put up with his constant play!

The Cooch Gets His Saleen...

2007-06-17T11:37:00.000-04:00

Ahhhhh.....

Finally! For those of you who know the Coochs, you know Matt = Mustang.... And to have a dream come true, make that a Saleen Mustang! When Matt traded his silver mustang for the lightning, I was surprised...but not shocked. The truck was loud and beefy - really all that mattered! But something was not quite right. There was not a Mustang in the Cooch's driveway. Hmmmmmm....

Now, things seem to be back to normal - the coolest family I know cruisin' around in a Saleen Mustang Convertable...

Holy Happy Father's Day!

50 Fabulous Years...

2007-06-09T20:55:00.001-04:00

Today, Ayden and I attended Bill & Barbara Cotter's 50th Wedding Anniversary party. Now, ever since I have know the Cotters, I have known about the importance of the 50th Wedding Anniversary Party!

I remember the first time I met Dan's parents. It was my birthday and I was invited over the the Cotter's house for dinner. From there, the story begins! From housesitting Casmo the Poodle, to several St. Patrick's Day dinners, to a cruise to Bermuda, to packing up all of their belongings and shipping them off to South Carolina...I have had many amazing moments with one of my very favorite families. I have grown to not only think Bill and Barbara are amazing, but also see how great their children and grandchildren are! I am very proud to be considered the "4th Sister!"

To Bill and Barbara - here is to MANY more happy, happy years together. I love you guys!

Getting big...

2007-06-09T20:38:00.000-04:00

We can't believe how big O'Malley is getting. It seems like just last week he was just an itty-bitty thing. I talked to Ailene, the lovely lady who gave O'Malley to us, not too long ago to thank her and it really made me realize just how big he really is getting! He may be getting bigger, but he is still a little love! As you can see, he loves to bug Ayden while he is eating...especially ice cream! It is like there is a treasure hiding in Ayden's bowl!

Cutting the first check

2007-05-29T21:22:00.000-04:00

Well, the time has come! We have been in our new place for one month now! Ayden did the honors of writing our very first mortgage check. Watching him write in the amount made my stomach ache...but not totally in a bad way. It was a picture worthy moment!

A couple of reasons why we like our kitten...

2007-05-29T21:14:00.000-04:00

1. He is very portable...

2. He is easily entertained by Ayden's toys...

3. Teeker has someone else to sleep with...

The Buddies

2007-05-21T21:20:00.000-04:00

We knew getting O'Malley was going to not make Teeker very happy. But we also knew he is a nice enough guy to pull him in under his wing and teach him some cat survival tips. We were getting worried, but this weekend proved to be a good weekend for the boys. Teeker has successfully taught O'Malley how to get the best drinks not from the toilet, but from the tub. He has also taught him some important grooming techniques...hehehe

"Get the spot right between the ears....yessss...that's the stuff..."
"Cover my mouth when I yawn..."
Teeker has also shared some secrets with him as to the best places in the house to take a cat nap... The Chubby Buddy has been a great NEW big brother to O'Malley.

Our Guest Room

2007-05-21T21:11:00.000-04:00

A note to....well, whoever I have told has a spare room here! Hehehehe

Dear _________,

I just wanted to let your know your room is looking good! I finished painting it - I know, I know...orange and green - BUT it looks good! With the bed and old dresser, it all pulls together. We still need to put up some art work, but that will come this week. ________, I can't wait for you to come stay over! It will be great to have a guest in our "guest room!" The bed is very comfy - memory foam, mattress pad, Garnet Hill sheets...it is calling your name ___________! Anyway, just wanted to let you know that we can't wait to see you!
Talk to you soon,
Josie

Busy Week...

2007-05-21T20:55:00.000-04:00

I knew getting into this house would be a lot of work with the moving and the painting we wanted to do...but I don't think I ever realized what I was in for!! We have accomplished so much and we have just passed our three week mark!!

Ayden installed the new vanity last week - since the old one was comparable to one that you would find in a camper! He figured out that if we changed the direction in which the door opens to the bathroom, we would gain some extra footage...YES! The bathroom is a bit of a squeeze anyway (thank goodness I am shedding some pounds!) so any extra space is great.

I was going to change the fixtures in the bathroom by spraying them "Brushed Nickel", but when we went to take them off the wall...they didn't cooperate, so now we have two NEW light fixtures that I am sure are far better than the ones we would have created.

ALSO, with the discovery of the Spring Time Dampness in the basement, we knew my crafty stuff (Crap in Ayden terms...) needed a new home. So, Ayden has begun making my space. Here is a sneak peak...

More to come...as soon as we get another weekend to work!

Ready to Start Blogging!

2007-05-10T22:25:00.000-04:00

We are really getting a kick out of O'Malley! He is like a toddler - running around the house getting into everything and then all of a sudden passed out on the couch! Teeker was a little shocked to see a new little (make that TINY) buddy. He acts like he wants nothing to do with him, yet taunts him with his tail. They are coming around and keeping eachother company during the day while we are at work. When I get home in the afternoon, just as I unlock the door, O'Malley comes charging into the kitchen and practically skids across the floor - it sure is nice to have someone so excited about me returning home! :)

Tonight I was burning some CD's and checking in on all my favorite blogs when he climbed his way up to see what was taking up so much of my attention. I think he really liked the post about him...hehehehe

We are finally in the stages of getting the last trips of stuff over to the house. We still have yet to paint the bathroom (Ayden keeps telling me we have 30 years to paint it...oh my goodness...NO WAY!! hehehehe) and we are still thinking about how we will hang our favorite paintings and pictures. It is just very exciting.

I will leave you with a couple shots of the newest blogger...

xoxoxo Josie

A New Addition...

2007-05-06T17:42:00.000-04:00

While doing yard work today, I received an interesting phone call. A woman called wondering if we had found Henry yet. I mentioned that we still were without Henry, but will always have an eye out for him. She said that she has been seeing all of our posters around town and had been thinking of us for a while. Her cat had kittens this spring, and they couldn't help but notice that one of them looked a lot like our Henry. She has given away all of the kittens, except for thelong haired Henry look-a-like, almost like they were holding onto him for us. She was really nice and let me know that she didn't want to force the kitten on us if we were not ready, but she wanted to offer him to us since it reminded her so much of Henry.

She invited us over to her house to meet him, and needless to say, we couldn't walk away. They had a lovely home, with a dog and some birds - true animal lovers! She and her husband were very happy to give him to us since they knew by our efforts to find Henry that we were the kind of house and family that their little guy needed.

With Henry's full name being Henry James O'Malley, we decided to name our new addition O'Malley. It is quite fitting! He reminds us so much of Henry. Everything from the little cat-food face blotch and the white spot on his face to the way he clings to Ayden! We would still like to think that someone will see our signs and call us with info on Henry, but we know that either way, O'Malley needed a great home, and Teeker, Ayden and Iwere thinking we could use another buddy in this quiet new house.

So Many New Things to Show You!!

2007-05-06T17:14:00.000-04:00

It has been one full week of getting into our new home...and boy has it been crazy! We closed on the house on Friday the 27th and have been painting, painting, moving, painting, unpacking, moving, painting...well, you get the idea. Between Ayden and I, we both have our hands in some project from the time we get home at night until way too late at night! We still have things to move over here to the house, but seeing how much space we now have and how much space we would lose by keeping all of the stuff we have at Kathy's house and barn, we think we will just have one big kick-butt yard sale this summer!

So, here is a little peek at what we have been doing this past week:

Jimbo's Couch

2007-04-22T18:53:00.000-04:00

Today I had to say good-bye to my very first piece of hand-me-down furniture.

I remember when I moved into my very first apartment. ("Efficiency unit" I think is what it is called - two rooms with a bathroom off the kitchen) Jenn's dad, Jimbo, gave me a couch he had that would be perfect for my place...small. I loved that thing! It was easy to move from place to place and always looked nice covered with one of my Garnet Hill sheets or quilts.

Knowing we were given a love seat and a couch, Ayden let me know that my Jimbo couch was not coming to he new house. WHAT?? I was sure I was going to need it in my Craft Space in the basement...or, maybe in the spare room..???? I think getting rid of the couch was a dose of reality that we really are growing up and moving out into our own house. You would have thought that the months of working with a real estate agent and mortgage guy would have done that...but NOPE! It took knowing that I was having to give away Jimbo's couch!

That ol' couch still had something to give, and I couldn't imagine just dumpin it! So, I decided to post this well love couch on the Yahoo Group site called Freecycle. It is pretty cool. People basically post stuff they are looking to get rid of, but think maybe someone else would consider it useful, and they give it away. I posted Jimbo's couch yesterday and two really nice girls came to pick it up this evening. Awwww, they reminded me of Jenn and I - all excited about making their place a little more homey.

I am happy to say that Jimbo's couch is off on yet another adventure. I sure will miss it!

Oh my goodness...We're CLOSING!!

2007-04-18T20:27:00.000-04:00

As of the afternoon on April 27th...Ayden and I will be HOMEOWNERS!!

I know...I can't believe the day is finally coming either! We had originally set the closing date as the 30th, but really that date was totally inconvenient - a Monday right after a vacation at school...one never should let someone else have to deal with that kind of chaos in their classroom! AND how and when do we start moving stuff, painting and etc during the week when we both work?? So, when we received the phone call asking us to bring up the date, we instantly saw a weekend of being able to paint and move the FABULOUS hand-me-down furniture that was given to us by my Aunt Liz. (Do you hear that sound...I believe it is the rejoice of Angels...) Aunt Liz...there it is again!! hehehe

Anyway, needless to say, we are VERY excited and nervous at the same time! We don't look forward to seeing all of the pennies we have been pinching the last few months get spent almost in one shot, but hey, look what we get in return!! A kitchen with a tin ceiling!

We were going to bang out all of the painting before moving in...but then reality of the fact that we are buying a house without a money tree in the backyard sunk in. So we will do a few little things, have our electrician bring us up to speed with a circuit breaker, and just enjoy our new digs!

I will keep you all posted. (Once I finish up with Science Fair papers from school, I should be back in business. Anyone want to proof read 28 5th grade research papers?? Let me know!!)

xoxoxo

3rd Annual Walk for Cadence

2007-04-16T20:38:00.000-04:00

Cody and I are gearing up for our 3rd Annual WalkAmerica! As many of you know, three years ago, my niece was born very premature. After 2 weeks of best efforts by great doctors, her little body just couldn't keep up and she passed away. Cody and I have felt that this Walk for Cadence tradition is a great way to celebrate the time we did have with her. She may not be here for me to hear her say her first words, or learn to write her name...but she will always be my niece and have a very special place in my heart.

We will be walking on Saturday May 5th in Concord NH. If you would like to join our team, we would love to have you! If you cannot join us but would like to make a donation in support of our walking team we would be happy to walk on your behalf! Visit my link below.

Thanks in advance to all of you who continue to support Cody and I in this wonderful tradition.

http://www.walkamerica.org/walkforcadence

Just Wanting to Perk Up!!

2007-04-16T20:24:00.000-04:00

Hi Everyone...
Well, gotta say that all I wanted to do all day was just get inspired! I feel like between Henry being missing, the weather, our house closing coming up quickly...I have had too much on my mind!! I decided since I have not felt at all crafty lately, that I would start packing up my crafting supplies and hope that getting into the new place would get me motivated to quickly unpack everything and make something brilliant to announce our move. Well, just packing it up got me totally bummed!! Uggh!!
Most of you all know me as Jos...spunky, full of it and quick to put a smile on someone's face. Well, I need a little of "Jos" for myself I think!! I decided that since I was sent home from school early today due to lack of electricity (first time in 30 years for Shaker just a little FYI!!) I would do a little playing with my blog - give it a little "Jos." After downloading a new program and signing up for photobucket...look what I did!! I have actually done something productive!! I took a slice of a background from my Miss Jenn's Myspace and turned it into a banner! YIPPIE!
Ok, so now that I have some creative juices flowing...I will finish packing up my crafty supplies and start dreaming up something easy and "Jos"-ish for our New Home Announcement!
I am absolutely ready for the upcoming April Vacation...I need to do some major packing and go through all the stuff I moved from my apartment...stuff I moved but 2 years later am realizing that I really DON'T need it anymore!!
I hope everyone is well...I miss catching up but know I am not the only person who has had a rough Spring!
If your ears are burning it is because I am thinking of YOU!! xoxox
Josie

Saddest Post So Far...

2007-04-01T14:12:00.000-04:00

I didn't imagine that my first spring post would be something like this...but Henry seems to be missing and I can't seem to think about anything else. Ayden and I are absolutely broken hearted... cross your fingers that my Henry comes home soon!!

More Big News...

2007-02-20T20:34:00.000-05:00

Some of you may have noticed...

1) I have not called many people lately...

2) I have not e-mailed many people lately...

3) I have not posted anything lately...

4) I have not made cards for anyone lately...

There are reasons for all of the above...I promise! Well, we all went through the rise and fall of the first adventure of house buying. We got really excited, we had high hopes, we realized the house was more of a chore than we originally thought, we had our hopes crushed...and picked up started all over. I am happy to say that we learned a TON from the first heartbreak! It motived us to do bigger and better things. We talked to an amazing loan guy who had great money advice for us and had a big huge new house-buying window opened for us.

With this new window opened, we opened it and jumped on out! We came across this cute little house in Laconia (near the hospital...great for Ayden since he now works there!!) It was a bit out of our original price range...but after relooking at our financial possibilities...the house became a reality! We had missed it once by not being able to put in a descent offer, but we learned that the other offer had fallen through giving us the chance to make a much better offer. Needless to say, our offer was accepted!! Yippy!

We just had the house inspection done tonight and it went very well. We now go off to speak with our Loan Officer to verify info and get some more numbers this weekend...

We are very hopeful! The woman who owns the house is really looking forward to "such a lovely young couple" buying her house. (Gotta say, we are really liking the owner!! She is sweet, honest and just plain ol' nice!)

So, I will leave you all with a couple of pictures...send good and positive thoughts our way. We really want this to be a good thing, and if all goes well, we will look to close the very end of April.

We asked for a sign...

2007-02-03T20:39:00.000-05:00

Sorry to leave everyone hanging!! Here is how the house thing went down:

Saturday Jan. 27th 12:20pm:
I leave to go to our school's concert (in my contract to go...) Ayden and Kathy head down the street to the inspection of our potential house.

12:50pm:
I arrive at the Concord City Audi for the concert and realize I have a voicemail from Ayden...from OUR house. Hmmmm only 30 minutes later, that can't be good! Turns out that whoever did the house winterizing, didn't do it properly. A person went to de-winterized the house on Friday afternoon for the inspection...but pipes were already frozen and ice had already started popping out of pipes! Needless to say, Ayden, with inspection check in hand...cancelled the inspection! The inspector was really nice and gave him a little heads up on what he was able to see without doing an actual inspection: the roof will need to be replaced in 3-4 years, the sill on the addition was rotten since the porch they put on the back was built without using flashing which meant jacking up the back of the house and replacing it. So, with those two things alone, that was more money going into the house than we wanted! We were able to easily walk away from the purchase.
As I mentioned, my mom and I did a little praying for a BIG sign, so that we would know if we should or should not buy the house. And, boy do I wish I had the picture that Ayden took on his digital video camera! Two pipes once connected with a giant ice rocket shooting out of it! I will take that as our sign from God to walk away! :)
We have not given up though! We are motivated to keep looking. We looked at a couple of "NO" houses, we looked at a "YES" house...but it is a bit more expensive than we think we can go. Our next step is to meet with a great NH housing mortgage broker who will give us some direction and goals so that we can get some assistance with closing costs and things.
So keep us in your thoughts! We are really looking forward to becoming home owners... We all know what that means... A WEDDING DATE! hehehehe

Crazy Things are in the Works...

2007-01-20T09:26:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I am amazed by how fast things can happen. I have spent 2 years trying to fix all of the bad financial choices that I have made since college and believe it or not...it has really paid off!

Last Saturday, my Miss Jenn of Hyannis pulled off the nearly impossible task of pulling all of us here in NH who live near each other together for a night of catching up, drinks and good food. It was so great to chat about old stuff, new stuff, stuff to come...you name it, we talked about it! The topic of wedding plans came up...my pals Parda and Erin have all their ducks in a row...and then there is Ayden and I...our ducks are freezing their little fannies off just waiting for us to buy a house!! And until just recently, I was convinced that buying a house was farther away than I wanted. And then something happened...

About 2 weeks ago, a house down the street went up on the market at a crazy low price. We did a little looking into it and just decided to go take a look at it. We were amazed by what we were seeing for the price. On Monday we were making an offer...I basically thought it was for poops and giggles...but when we arrived at the real estate office on Tuesday to talk to the mortgage broker we had the highest offer.

OOOOHHHHH MMMYYYYY GGGOOOOOODDDNEEESSSS!!

It was an amazing day for a couple of reasons:

1) I was shown just how much all of my organizing, bill paying, constant communication with people that I owe has paid off! My credit score has gone way up and I was shocked!

2) Buying a house really is possible

and I think most importantly...

3) I was able to have one of the best conversations with my father that I think I have ever had. I put myself out on the line in hopes that it would be accepted with open arms and it REALLY was. I have always felt that I have let people down with my bad choices, but I was assured that I have brought myself to a different place and have shown what I am really capable of. My father has taken a chance with me and it is the best feeling in the world. **Thanks Dad...**

Needless to say, we are going back and forth with the SELLER, AKA the bank, to get our contract the way we need it. We know the house needs a little love, but thanks to our families, we would be able to get the house and do some needed repairs. We are keeping possitive but realistic at the same time.

So, we will hear on Monday if we can go to the next step which is inspection. I know my mother is on Prayer Patrol and anyone who would like to to join her in sending along good thoughts we would appreciate it! :)

Blue Man Group Adventure

2006-12-31T11:21:00.000-05:00

This year for Christmas, I wanted to get something for Ayden that wouldn't break the bank, but would give me a whole lot of BANG for my buck. I was able to get FANTASTIC seats* to see the Blue Man Group at the Charles Playhouse. It is a small yet amazing venue that is perfect for this performance.

Ayden and I, along with our friends Steph and Corey, ventured out into the streets of Boston for the 10pm show ready for craziness. And, Ladies and Gentlemen, that is exactly what we got! I have always heard great things about the performance...but it truly is a show that you NEED to see for yourself. It was non-stop amazement. We all laughed, cheered and sat there with our jaws dropped for almost 2 hours. Before we left the show, we were able to get a moment with one of the Blue Men...a photo...and a handprint on Ayden's hat! It was a night to remember!

*I would like to take a moment to thank my cousin Fran for the much appreciated professional help in finding, choosing and purchasing the 3rd row, poncho section and almost perfectly centered seats. Although in this theater there may not be a bad seat in the house...it sure was AWESOME to be right up front making eye contact with the performers! So heres to you Fran..Thanks for your help!

Ayden and I in the Charles Playhouse Lounge...waiting to head up the show.

Steph and I being tourists on the T!

Ayden, Blue Man and I...

A Whole Lot o' Christmas...

2006-12-28T17:36:00.000-05:00

I hope that everyone has been having a wonderful holiday so far! I must have been a good girl this year, because I got lots of great stuff! hehehehehe

We celebrated here at the house with Kathy and Ayden's uncle, Clint. Then we drover over to New London to enjoy a DELICIOUS dinner with Ayden's Aunt and Uncle, Bonnie and Bill. They had slow grilled a beef tenderloin which was out of this world!!

On Tuesday morning, we headed off to Keene for Christmas at Grandma's house! We usually head up north to Franconia to spend the holiday with my Mom, but she is now living with my grandmother caring for her. My brother, nephew, dad and step-mother joined us for a great day of laughs, gifts and pictures. The only memories I have of ever doing Christmas at my Grandmother's is because of pictures...so it was fun to be able to have this memory for myself. Every year, my brother and I get something from Grandma that we remember from when we were kids. I received her Cocoa Pot that has been perched up on her hutch since I can remember! **Note a couple of things in the follwing photo 1) my darker hair (which is slowly getting lighter and lighter...) and 2) Cody in the wheelchair - it is his favorite seat in Grandma's house..he is NOT injured!

We look forward to a power packed weekend...Saturday is Blue Man Group Night in Boston, Sunday is New Year's Eve, and Monday is my last day before heading back to school! YIKES

Continue to enjoy this holiday season. We wish you all the happiness in 2007...

Josie, Ayden and the Kitty Crew!

Run Jos...Run!

2006-12-12T19:54:00.000-05:00

Alright, so big news for me!! I ran my first mile today!! "What...?" You may be asking yourself. But for me, the anti-jogger, I seem to have accomplished what seemed to be the impossible. I knew the knee surgery would be helpful, but I never really figured I would see the abilitly to run in my future. With a little under 30 lbs lost, I am ready to hit that next big goal of 50 lbs!! So, let's all just take a moment and imagine what my butt will look like in a few months...pretty sweet huh?? hehehehe :)

**Be on the lookout...I was in the mood for change so I am now sporting some nice dark hair! I have to actually get a good picture, and then I will post one!**

Ho, ho, ho....

2006-12-07T19:08:00.000-05:00

This is cute...
http://home.att.net/~hideaway_today/t041/xmas_santa.swf

Just enjoy!
xoxoxo Josie

What weighs 25 pounds?

2006-11-28T19:37:00.000-05:00

Ok, now that I have your attention...I happily report that have reached my 25-lb weightloss goal this week. (25.6 to be exact!) It has me thinking...what have I really lost? Well, here is what I figure...

A giant fish...

A bowling ball...

This dog...

This uncooked turkey...

5 of these bags of ice...

8 1/2 of these 3-lb Sal's Pizzas

EEEWWWWW!! Now if that isn't eye opening...I don't know what is!! I have a long way to go, but it sure is exciting to have met this goal!

Let's Give Thanks...Shall we!!

2006-11-23T22:11:00.000-05:00

Ahhh, one of my favorite times of the year...Thanksgiving!! This year I have lots of stuff to be thankful for: my crazy (yet wonderful) family and friends, health, a loving fiance who STILL wants to marry me, a job that I love going to everyday, a 91 year old grandmother with a new pacemaker who is working her fanny off to get out of rehab and back to her house where she belongs... and so much more! They say money can't buy you happiness...well, I am happy and don't have any money, so there must be some truth to that! hehehehe

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

My Last year of NOT being 30 yet!

2006-11-05T09:02:00.000-05:00

ooohhhhh geeeezzzz....
Well, today is the day - the start of my last year to be able to tell people that I am not yet 30 years old! I was taken out to dinner, received a great flower arrangement, was given some of the silliest cards that I have seen in a while, a DVD that I have been wanting and a very limited Ayden Nevers original piece of art work. Although I am posting the piece, I beg that you not go around copying it... hehehehehe

What the HECK!!

2006-10-03T20:02:00.000-04:00

Alright, so I am a New Hampshire girl...but this is just plain crazy! What the heck kind of mushrooms are we growing in this state?? These are "popping up" right infront of my school building entrance... Can you believe it??

I can't help but giggle everytime I walk by! I am still waiting to see if my 5th graders see what we adults see!!! hehehehehe

a new school year...

2006-09-10T11:48:00.000-04:00

With the first week back to school under my belt ...or since I dont think I even own a belt, I should say "neatly tucked into my skirt..." I have a feeling that this is going to be a really good year.** Starting over with the kids, new 5th graders, is kind of funny. By the end of last year, our forgetful 5th graders had turned into responsible pre-6th graders. Now, we have a new crew of forgetful 5th graders...which, with a little help and an entire year of constant reminders they too shall be ready for 6th grade!
** Why do I think this is going to be a good year ALREADY?? The night before my first day, I treated myself to an Italian Ice. Since the cover is simply a paper circle that sits on top of the delicious iceey treat, there is usually a "smoosh" of iceey that sticks to it. When I opened up the container...I knew for sure that this year would put a smile on my face!

Can I get some ART around here??

2006-08-26T21:28:00.000-04:00

Saturday's Schedule:

8am: Wake up
8:15am: Have 1 cup of multi-grain cherrios with fat-free milk for breakfast*
* Since joining Weight Watchers in July, I have lost over 15 lbs! I am now a little fanatical about what I am eating knowing that I was only maintaining fatness with my eating habits)
8:30am: Head to Staples where they are celebrating Teacher Appreciation Day. **
**Yippy! Finally a chance to get some goodies and some help in purchasing some new supplies for the new school year!
9:15am: Head to the gym for my daily bike ride...and then stay for a little extra working out since the knee is feeling so much better now!
10:15am: Head home...and decide to dedicate my afternoon to finishing up some unfinished projects and get inspired to make some new things as well! Finally...I am able to get a little art into my days again!
5:30pm: Suddenly realize that I am starving and have only used 3 points today!
6:00pm: Call in a well planned and healthy Chinese food take-out order. (oh man...I love that I skipped lunch...now I can have some good and not TERRIBLY bad for me food and not feel guilty!)

Since dinner, I have pretty much lost track of time....but I did get lots of things done this afternoon! Check out the projects page to see my new stuff!

Awwww, my favorite photo of my brother and I. I have been wanting to do something special (and simple) with it. I think my students will get a kick out of seeing me as a kid!

A week (or so...) in review

2006-08-26T21:08:00.000-04:00

Phew...I can't believe that next week I start heading back to Concord to finish up my classroom, have meetings and have the traditional 2-days of contracted school days filled with meetings with the headmasters, then with my teaching team and etc. The kids start school just after the holiday weekend...and I am sure they are just as excited as I am!! hehehehe

This past week, I have been home getting schedules made, class info organized and being the BEST nurse I can possibly be to the recovering Ayden. He had abdominal surgery just 5 days after my knee surgery... OK, I don't recommend organizing back-to-back procedures!! I totally got the shaft on the whole recovering thing - I had 4 days of recovery...and then I had to be running (ok, more like waddling) around to and from the hospital, getting necessary things for Ayden's return home (groceries, easy-pooper pills...hehehehe Ayden will kill me when he sees this!!) When he returned home 2 days later, I was exhausted and...ok, I admit it, very sensitive!! I broke down in tears several times thinking that I was simply Cinderella now, the one expected to do everything for everyone.

I am over that now. I have been doing my "homework" given by my more than fabulous doctor (I think I may have mentined that she is the world's greatest...but I don't mind saying it again!!) which was to go to the gym and do the bike 5-10 minutes a day. Easy...right?? Well, now it is after 5 days of biking. It is a good thing I didn't have my camera at the gym the first day...I looked like a fool! I couldn't quite make the full rotation at first...so I had to be all leany and cheat a little bit until it became easier. I am happy to say that I can now easily get on the bike and do 2+ miles in 10 minutes. I can also now go up and down the stairs without hanging onto the railings for dear life! Yeah!!

2006-08-14T13:48:00.000-04:00

Peas on the knees...

2006-08-14T13:05:00.000-04:00

WHAT? yes, you read that correctly! On thursday afternoon I had a knee procedure done in hopes that all of the little issues that I have been having for the last 10 years will pack their bags and leave. before we headed down to see the world's greatest doctor, we set up everything i would need...the air bed with my favorite blanket and sheets, the world's best ice-packs (frozen bag o' peas), books, movies, my lap-top and etc. The first night, was actually kind of fun. I was the "fallen princess" - "honey, how are you feeling? did you take your pills? do you need ice? do you need anything? i found more pillows for you..."

According to my discharge sheets, i could take off all of the wrapping, take a shower and slow down with using crutches to start slowly putting weight back on my leg as of Sunday. Well, since Ayden was not feeling well (sudden sinus thing) I was trying not to be a pain in the fanny and ask for tons of help. However, I was sadly mistaken when I took on the whole showering task myself...I couldnt even step over the edge of the tub! So, I called in the now miserable task force (Ayden) for some help. Well, although I was happy to get the bandages off and get showered, my medication, lack of enough food and water took over and cut all that good stuff short. blegh...i didn't last more than a minute...and I needed OUT! (darn meds make me sleepy and not very hungry...) I have also discovered that the reason why my leg is so difficult to walk on is because of an award-winning charlie-horse that I have developed in my left calf. It hurts more than my knee believe it or not!!

I know I won't be able to stand staying downstairs much longer, so I called my doctor early this morning to see where I may have gone wrong...apparently a major cause for a charlie-horse is dehydration, not enough food and maybe some unnecessary swelling.
NEW DIRECIONS: leg up, keep it iced, rub out the cramp, drink more water and eat more than popcorn and a peanut-butter & jelly sandwich!

You can do it!

2006-08-06T16:09:00.000-04:00

So, I came across this video today and it made me really chin up. Sometimes we all have "problems" or issues that sit on the plate infront of us that seem to be too much or too hard to get rid of. Then you see the struggles and accomplishments of those whos struggles are even too large for a plate!! I know that I have lots of hurdles to jump over, but knowing that others work harder than me to get even what I have really makes me count my blessings!

click below:
You Can
A glimpse of the remarkable father-son bond of Dick and Rick Hoyt, and their inspirational journey together in a triathlon and life itself.

freshest water in town...

2006-07-14T09:30:00.000-04:00

When it comes to blogging, I am sooo jealous of my college friend Steph who has 2 of the cutest kids and a silly husband who inspire her to not only write daily blog entries, but scrapbook nearly every moment of their lives! I am going to go ahead and say she has the best blog around!!
I have given in to the fact that the inspiration for "random thoughts" may just be my pets and the occasional "Ayden Moment". So here you are...a cat inspired blog moment:

Saying goodbye to Stinka Girl...

2006-07-10T09:02:00.000-04:00

I remember the first day that my college roommate, Jenn, and I first met our new suite-mate - Melyssa. We looked at each other wondering if we were going to be able to share a bathroom with a princess from Rhode Island! Well, we soon grew to understand that although Melyssa may have been a princess, she was also the sweetest gal and greatest friend we could have had join use in Suite 301!
Over the years, we have all enjoyed so many moments and memories together...
~ two-minute brush
~ early morning tanning sessions
~ sleepovers
~ bounced checks
~ Stories about where her Dad's Visa card has been throughout the weekend
~ Stinka Girl nickname
~ bad boyfriends
~ seltzer with lime in the shower
~ fruitfly watermelon man
~ Athen's Pizza
~ an amazing wedding with really uncomfortable shoes...
the list could go on and on!
This winter we got the news that Melyssa and her husband Luke were going to be moving to Washington for 3-years...thanks to the Coast Guard. (God bless America...but WASHINGTON STATE???) Anyway, I was crushed!
I went down to visit them this past weekend with the underlying thought of the inevitable...they were really leaving! With a few great days of eating, shopping and laughing it was time to say goodbye.
I love ya Stinka and will miss you terribly!

Boys Vs. Girls: Cute Strawberries

2006-07-03T20:52:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, I went strawberry picking with a couple of girlfriends. Ohhhh, how I love fresh picked strawberries! As we were picking, I found a "cute strawberry" that was heart-shaped. "Awwww," I thought. "I will bring this one home for Ayden!" (Imagine that in one of those cutsie "I Love You" voices)
I would like to share the presentation of this loving strawberry that I lovingly picked for Ayden:

Josie: Look Babe, I picked a heart-shaped strawberry for you!
**I hold up the amazing find and show it to him with a smile**

Ayden: That looks like a BUTT! Babe, you picked a hairy-butt strawberry!

Grrrrr...boys will never see things that way girls do!

Teeker's Photo Shoot

2006-07-02T13:19:00.000-04:00

I know I have once said, "I never want to be that person who has nothing interesting to talk about on their blog other than their cats!!" BUT... last night I caught Ayden's cat Teeker posing for an imaginary photo shoot. I figured I would give him his moment in the spot light!
Now, many of you do not know about Teeker, he is a PRINCESS disguised as a MALE cat! He is always crossing his paws and laying around all "dainty" and is known to enjoy prancing around with a purple bandana tied around his neck like a collar! (We actually decided to take it off of him after about a year of wearing it figuring it was time to move on to a "big-boy" collar like Henry's!)
Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you Princess Teeker...

Holy Lobsters!!

2006-07-02T10:47:00.000-04:00

Before I met Ayden, I had never bothered to try eating lobster. (I guess that made me a guaranteed inexpensive date!) Over the past few years, I have grown to enjoy this delicious marine creature.
Last week, Kathy and I were excited to find out that Ayden was bringing home lobsters for dinner. All day long we thought about melting butter, cooking up corn on the cob and knowing it will be worth all of the hard work of pulling apart this creature for a tiny morsel of lobster meat.
HOWEVER, when Ayden arrived home that night...I suddenly thought we may have misunderstood "bringing lobster home for dinner..." These things were so enormous that I thought maybe he simply invited them to join us for a BBQ or something!!
I had to take a moment and conduct a photo shoot before they did actually become dinner!

Bike Week 2006?

2006-06-18T17:35:00.000-04:00

ahhhhh, yes! Another another Bike Week comes to an end here in the Lakes Region. Starting when I was in college, we always spent the weekend walking through the Weirs, strolling past the hundreds of vendors, checking out all of the bikes and enjoying the yearly Italian Sausage Sub.
Well, now that I have been living in the Lakes Region for the past few years, Bike Week's novelty has worn off a bit. Don't get me wrong...I don't HATE it, but I don't get all excited about going down to the Weirs because by the time we would even have a chance to, we have experienced a weeks worth of waiting in traffic and enough bikes to satisfy someone for at least a year! It seems like, for the weekend especially, the locals are in lock-down, unable to leave the area unless they are on a motorcycle! Lucky for us, Ayden does have a bike...but he would rather jump in a pool of rusty tacks than go down to the Weirs Blvd.
I do however miss seeing the crazies who put their best foot (along with other body parts...) forward to make a spectacle of themselves! You know, the guy who's bike looks like a grizzley bear, or the ladies who's outfits look like they have just been pulled out of a lawn mower!! Ahhhhh, the good ol' days!

Update, update, you get an update!

2006-06-14T20:20:00.000-04:00

Oh my! I received this comment today:

jenn said...
WE want an update ;)

Yeah! Well, I have to tell you, I have been trying to figure out how I can come up with charming and funny updates as my other talented friends who host their own sites. One is a busy mother of two gorgeous kids and a hilarious husband. She is always keeping us smiling with thoughts, stories, conversations, photos and of course...amazing scrapbook pages! Then there is Jenn who does in one day what 3 normal everyday people might be able to do if they go to bed early, wake up early and drink some kind of energy drink! I however, have not had a whole lot of cute or amazing things going on in my world! BUT...
Today was my last day of school...yippie! Which means I will have more time on my hands and spend more time roaming around town staring at people and finding something amusing to tell everyone about!
So, put me on your favorites list and check in with me from time to time! I look forward to finding things to write about!

procrastination...

2006-06-05T21:25:00.000-04:00

I cannot tell you how many spelling work packets I just finished correcting! If I wasn't this month's poster child for procrastination, I could easily rattle off a number that would make sense... However, because I kept putting the daunting task off, I ended up with 2-3 times the amount that I would normally complain about! grrrrr...lesson learned! (I say this every time we come down to the last days of school!)

Speaking of the last days of school...it is not only the kids who have the exact number of days memorized until SUMMER VACATION! Starting with tomorrow: about 56 hours of school...or 3,360 minutes...or 201,600 seconds!! I think I will stick with the hours, sounds...well, less overwhelming!

Tomorrow is Moving Up Day. We meet the homeroom that we will have next year. I am really excited just to get a second chance teaching 5th grade. I figure the first year of teaching a grade is almost like a new parent with their first kid: you live and learn! Now I get my second "kid" and can change things that crashed and burned or do something again that went fabulously! I also am excited because I am teaching my class from last year! (I had them in 3rd grade, but I am sure you were all doing the math on that one!) I basically love the kids & the parents, which doesn't happen all the time. Actually I kind of laugh to say this...since last year about this time, I couldn't wait to pass them along to 4th grade!

Oh, tomorrow...another day closer to summer!

beautiful day in the neighborhood

2006-05-27T13:07:00.000-04:00

I walked outside today and realized why it is that we all work so hard on getting our yards looking good once spring arrives. I, as most of you know, share a yard with my fiance' and soon to be (well, if you don't take into consideration that we don't have a set date yet...) mother-in-law! We have all done our chores raking, shoveling mulch, mowing the lawn, planting, more raking, getting the pool vacuumed and skimmed and etc.
Today is the nicest day that we have had in a while. The grass is green (and maybe a tad too long), the flowers are blooming, the pool is clean and ready to go (although, according to the thermometer duck, he and his clorine dispersing friend are freezing their little plastic fannies off!)

memorial day = memories

2006-05-27T09:43:00.000-04:00

I know that everyone is really excited to have a 3-day weekend...I know I am! I know for me, this holiday has always been one to take time and "remember". It was on Memorial Day weekend end, when I was in middle school...which seems like ages ago...when someone very close to me passed away. My grandmother, "Memere" to our whole family, was one of the greatest women in my world. I am not sure many girls get the chance to be really close to their grandmothers...but I on the other hand, was given that fantastic opportunity!

I think back to all of the silly stories that I have from our adventures. From the frog "cookie jar", to her key collection... even to the time that I told her I was allergic to corduroy (she wanted to buy my purple corduroy pants , I didn't like them and I didnt want to hurt her feelings!) and she never let me know that she knew I was full of it!

When I was in college, I wrote probably one of my favorite papers. I wrote about the relationship I felt we had, some of the quirky adventures of the two of us and finally how her funeral broke my heart.

Now that I am a little bit more grown up, I have kind of adopted this holiday as my own Memorial Day, one to remember those I love and have loved. I now have a few more people that I take the time to remember and think about, which although makes me sad, it also makes me realize what kind of impact they had on my life! I am so thankful for such an amazing family. I like that a couple of years and even many years later, I can still think back with the same kind of love and appreciation for those who were so close to me.

So, take the time to remeber those that you love and have loved.

just getting started...

2006-05-26T11:58:00.000-04:00

creativity isn't the only thing I tend to be full of! sometimes you need an outlet for your random thoughts as well as your creativity... so here is where it all begins! almost everyday I have something to ponder over, and what the heck, I may as well share with you! So enjoy...