Joyfully Blessed

Wordless Wednesday

2010-01-20T05:29:00.005-06:00

Tonya Lynn Salinas Martinez

September 14, 1973-Decemeber 9, 2009

Missing Tonya so much...

My favorite picture...totally captures her personality and how happy she was!

Tonya was proud that Morgan was in Stars and in Company A! :)

Tonya's Legacy

Missing you "Speedy Salinas"...praying for Kevin, Morgan, Michael, & Matthew.

Love you always.

Wonderful Weekends

2009-11-02T05:46:00.008-06:00

This is of course if my favorite season...FOOTBALL SEASON! :) Since the last weekend of August my weekends have been full of high school football and fun fellowship. We make a schedule at the beginning of the season on an Excel document that shows us which game we are going to and what color we should wear. We go to a game every Thursday, Friday & Saturday. We LOVE high school football! :) This is such big fun but it is so exhausting to be on the go constantly. :)

This past weekend we took a break from our Saturday night game so I took that opportunity to spend the evening with my SBC(sister by choice), Lisha. Mom & Dad were out of town for a shooting tournament so we took over their house. :D Lisha cooked us a yummy breakfast for dinner--eggs with cheese, bacon and biscuits. We rented movies and just hung out all night being lazy. It was so nice to just lay around and relax with someone you love and with whom it is 100% safe to be yourself. :D We even slept in Mom & Dad's bed which we love to do for some reason when they are gone! Funny how we get excited about the craziest of things! :) The next morning I woke up to the smell of yet another yummy breakfast! Lisha is such a sweetie...always giving, kind-hearted, thoughtful and would do anything for someone she loves (to a fault sometimes) :D Thanks Lish for a great evening of SISTER time! It made my heart (and tummy) happy! :)

And YES! we are dorks...we set the timer on the camera so we could be in the picture together a little trick we learned from Lianna! :) It is a horrible picture but we had so much fun figuring it out and running around the bar to get in it in time...we just had to post it...we laughed so hard! :)

Wordless Wednesday

2009-10-27T23:11:00.006-05:00

A Happy Happy Librarian with her NEW PINK booktruck! :D

Birthday Blessings! :)

2009-10-26T14:07:00.007-05:00

I absolutely LOVE birthdays and usually celebrate for a whole week which translates into LOTS of food dates! :) It's football season so that already means tons of fun each week and built in dates with Mr. Ramirez. But for my birthday week we kicked it up a notch! :)

Wednesday: Jeanette and I went to "Gay Barnaby's" for dinner then left in the middle of our meal to praise the Lord at Lakewood Church then headed back to Barnaby's for the remainder of our meal and a yummy dessert--Fudgey Brownie! :) Thursday: Mr. Ramirez & I went to the Galena Park JV game where we ran into lots of kids that we once taught and even ran into a girl that I went to school with since Kindergarten...Angel and I were on the same softball team in junior high and I recently stalked her out and so now we are close again. :) Ramirez and I ate at Wings N More after the game.

Friday: I love how the kids at school and all my friends make a big O deal out of my birthday. I was greeted by a giant sign that said Happy Birthday Ms. Tubbs that was signed by all of the kids and some of the teachers. I had a pot-luck breakfast in the library with all of my favorite foods...tacos, donuts & Dr. Pepper! HA! My friend, Jeanette made me this GIANT cupcake...

isn't it so huge and cute? :) Of course we watched another football game that evening and went to Outback afterwards for our meal. :)

Saturday: First of all...the LORD gave me the MOST BEAUTIFUL DAY as my birthday gift...it was sunny and cool and PERFECT! :D Mr. Ramirez, Jeanette, Carmen, LeeAndra, & Tiffany all came over bearing a HUGE basket full of my favorite things wrapped up in a pink bow(another favorite). It was full of Dr. Pepper, Junior Mints, Whoppers, Hershey's, Lemon Drops, and the best thing...a James Avery charm for my bracelet...Mariachi players! :)

We left the house all wearing green to support our favorite team...the Stephen F Austin Mustangs. We ate at Spanky's Pizza afterwards where we were joined by Coach Baggett and then ran to Academy to buy matching red shirts so that we could go to the next game. :D YES! This is my idea of a SUPER GREAT BIRTHDAY! :) After the second game..we went to "Gay Barnaby's" for salads and yummy desserts! :)
Sunday: Brunch with great friends at Baba Yega's, a good long nap and then dinner with my family at a restaurant that we have been patronizing for over 25 years...Jade's Palace.

Tuesday: Had dinner with my Daddy, Ann, Sam--my sweet little brother & James Junior at Outback.

Wednesday: Had an hour and half massage...AMAZING! :)

My heart was completely full of love from all the calls, emails, Facebook messages, dinners, well-wishes, gifts, snacks and love from all my friends and family. My birthday week was CERTAINLY full of blessings and love! I'm so grateful! :D

Wordless Wednesday...

2009-10-07T05:25:00.023-05:00

I'm so thankful for the following folks in my life...

Mom & Dad

My #1 VBF, Lianna

My REAL TRUE FRIEND, Laura

Mama

My SBC (sister by choice), Lisha

Daddy

LeeAndra, Elijah & TT

Mr. Ramirez

A TRUE Friend, Cassi

My BABY Brother

Jeanette & Carmen, who keep me in "real life" daily

Wendy, she loves me unconditionally & keeps me accountable

My Prayer Partner & balcony person, Sunshine

The Spiritual Parents, Mr & Mrs. Charles Russell

Everyone needs a core group of TRUE friends and family members to hold them accountable...I'm more than blessed with the folks the Lord has placed in my life! :)

SOOOO GRATEFUL!

Summer Favorites

2009-09-13T20:34:00.022-05:00

Clearly I have the best of intentions each time I say that I'm really going to try harder to be a better blogger but it seems that I can't make it into a habit. Most of the time I can't think of anything to blog about since I'm single and don't have any children so I just end up reading other folks' blogs and never post on my own. My #1 VBF, Lianna, participated in a "blog survey" so I thought I would too. I love, love, love survey type activities and it also gives me something to blog about sooooo...here we go! :)

Favorite Summer Movie: The best movie that I saw this summer was The Proposal. A romantic comedy with one of my favorite actresses, Sandra Bullock and of course a happy ending! :)
Favorite Summer Cocktail: Each and every season my favorite drink is the same...A fountain Dr. Pepper. :D I love it! I even gave them up for 3 weeks this summer because I felt I was becoming too addicted to them!

Favorite Summer Song: I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE music so it was so hard to choose but I would have to say my favorite songs this summer were Pretty Wings by Maxwell and Moving Forward by Free Chapel.

Favorite Summer Meal: Eating is another one of my favorite things...CLEARLY! HA! My favorite meal this summer would have to be my visit to Bonefish when I was in Jacksonville, FL on our Summer Roadtrip '09. I absolutely LOVE going to eat there...scrumptious Bang Bang Shrimp! :)

Favorite Summer Outfit: I know you can't see my outfit that well in the photo...but I called this little comfie black dress my "uniform" for the summer. I loved it...so comfortable and versatile. I even bought a second one at the end of the summer (yes, the exact same one) on sale for $8! :)

Favorite Summer Reading: The book I enjoyed most this summer was Crazy Love by Francis Chan. I just found out one of the "Blog Queens" we look up to the most (she was actually the reason we started reading and writing blogs in the first place), Angie, is doing a "blog book club" with this book. :)

Favorite Summer Moment: Hands down was our Summer Roadtrip '09--Girls Only trip to Jacksonville, FL to see Lianna...stopping in New Orleans, Biloxi & Destin on the way there! :) We had soo soo much fun spending time together and especially spending time with Lianna! :)

Unexpected Sadness

2009-07-26T08:30:00.027-05:00

Although many folks had differences of opinion about Michael Jackson, I venture to say that most folks were saddened by the loss. After all, with today's easy access to media and the minute by minute details of celebrity life, we feel like we know these people "in real life". :) That is why after I heard of the passing of E. Lynn Harris, I have been really truly sad. He was one of my very favorite authors. I feel weird about it since of course he wasn't my personal friend but it was indeed a loss of a human life. He is the only author that I OWN every single one of his books...even after Mom bought us the Kindles last year...I had to continue to buy his books because I had all of his others on my shelf...I couldn't not have the complete set. :) Being a librarian, I read a plethora of books in every genre, and although his books weren't the kind of books that I would normally read...I was drawn to them every single time! I just loved his writing. I also loved his story. :) He paid for his first book to be printed and sold them out of the trunk of his car to beauty shops and malls...places where he could reach a wide audience of women! I guess I'm just mostly sad that after this last book of his that is set to be released in October...there will be no more stories of Basil Henderson...a character that seemed to make an appearance in each of his novels! :)

I love to read all kinds of books...fiction, non-fiction, biography, self-help, trash novels and of course being a middle school librarian...I really enjoy Young Adult Fiction. There are way TOO MANY to list but some of my all time favorite books are:

What are some of your favorite books and authors? I would love to hear about them! :)

Today I'm Thankful for...

A church home that I love, feel comfortable at, and certainly get fed the word and encouragement to do just what it says...friends that hold me accountable...a nice home with air conditioning! :)

Happiest Moment...the compliments and kind words about how loving, kind and accepting my parents are after they served me, Jeanette, LeeAndra, Tiffany & Elijah a yummy meal of ribs, brisket, mac & cheese, baked beans & cole slaw last night. :) I have to agree with Lianna...they are the VERY best parents ever! :)

WOW! Time Flies When You're Having Fun!

2009-07-22T22:23:00.005-05:00

Can it really be 6 months since my last post? :( I apologize for not following through with my statement that I would be a better blogger! I just feel like for the most part...I don't have anything exciting to blog about since I'm single with no kids...and I'm not living a wild and adventurous life! :D My #1 VBF, Lianna, encouraged me to continue to blog about my everyday happenings since she left me and moved ALL the way to Florida and likes to know what is going on over here in Texas. :) I have two other friends...Mike & Ron who have also asked about my next post and have encouraged me to get busy with the blogging...ahhh...ya'll are all so sweet...I'll try my best to be a BIT entertaining and definitely more consistent! HA! :)

This is the first Summer in awhile that I've been off more than a week or two and I'm enjoying it to the FULLEST! :) I taught Summer School for the month of June and the first week of July and since then I've been staying up all night playing SIMS3, Facebooking, reading, catching up on TIVOed shows, catching up with friends and lazing around. I went to Louisiana for a couple of days with Mr. Ramirez and I'm taking a road trip to Florida next week with Carmen & Jeanette to see Lianna. I'm so excited! :)

UPDATE: I'm still loving the Body Bugg...it works great and it is definitely eye-opening to see how many calories are in my favorite foods..YIKES! :D I also started a boot camp in Baytown and I absolutely LOVE it. Our instructor is so motivating and pushes me farther than I would ever push myself. It is also helpful that other members in my class hold me accountable for showing up and turning in my food journal! It is hard but I have achieved such great results from the class that I can't stop now! :D Gotta a long way to go but I'm well on my way!

Today I'm Thankful for...

The unconditional love from the parentals (and the yummy meals they feed me are also great!:D), My friend Mike, who makes me want to be a better person and reminds me that I need to focus each day on how I can walk "more" uprightly before the Lord, and the opportunity God gave me to be a "Jill Ponder" to my wonderful child LeeAndra and her son, Elijah. :)

Happiest Moment...Getting treated to a pedicure with an extra 10 minutes of massage from LeeAndra, Elijah & TT.

The Next Biggest Loser!

2009-01-25T21:34:00.007-06:00

So clearly I've allowed my weight to get away from me for some years now. And honestly it hasn't been that big of a deal to me except the being unhealthy part...the vanity part didn't even occur to me...I felt like I was still a size 10 until someone told me that I was big...ha! But through a series of events...I'm now on the road to recovery...fat recovery that is! :-) My principal at school started running about 8 months ago and I have witnessed huge changes in her...physically, emotionally, and mentally. I love it! I was motivated to run...but let me tell you a little secret...I have absolutely NO self-discipline or strong competitive will-power. So I started going to the gym a little more and trying to run a little bit...but I was big, out of shape, and lacking endurance. Then after my yearly check-up and a ton of tests and doctor visits...I was told I had a thyroid problem which was working against my weight loss. I'm not a big proponent of medicine...so after a lot of praying and research...I started thyroid medication. I could NOT believe how much better I felt and how my energy soared! I hadn't even realized how badly I was feeling because it had happened slowly over time. I was so excited to be back to my old self...happy and full of energy! :-) With this new medication...the weight seemed to start coming off so quickly and effortlessly. WOOHOO! :-) This in turn, motivated me to go to the gym more often and try to eat a little better. I have lots of bad eating habits and love, love, love to eat at great restaurants...so this is still something I struggle with...but I'm trying! :-) My roommate, Kelly got me addicted to yet another show a couple of seasons ago...the Biggest Loser...do you ever watch it? Well, the contestants wear this cool gadget called the BodyBugg and I have been coveting it ever since. :-) With my new focus on trying to become a runner and to do what it takes to get this extra weight off of me...I have talked Shenalt into buying me this VERY cool gadget. I love it! After sitting down with the BodyBugg "coach" and making out a plan...food, goals, exercise...we programmed my "bugg". Now I wear it on my arm each day and it detects how many calories my body is burning and then I sync it to the computer each night and plug in what I have eaten and it lets me know if I have created a big enough deficit to reach my goals are if not...what I need to do the next day to get back on track! It definitely keeps me mindful of the things that I'm putting in my mouth...do you know that MEDIUM french fries at Whataburger are 400 calories? Can you believe that? UGH! Anyway I just love this gadget because it makes me so aware of what I'm putting in my body and it is not like I'm on a strict diet...I just have to burn more calories than I'm eating! :-) So far so good...I think I'm really on the road to success! :-) Another goal of mine is to become a better runner...I've started and have been able to run more than at first...but I want to be a RUNNER RUNNER! :-) Like get out there and be able to run the whole 5k or 10k without stopping. :-) I've been talking to about 5 or 6 folks that are real runners and they are so encouraging...I've been reading running books...and I'm even joining a running club this week! :-) Hopefully this time next year I will have completed my first half marathon! :-)

The BodyBugg

Today I'm Thankful For...

Being a part of the Beth Moore bible study, Inheritance, every Tuesday night (she is more than awesome), having REAL TRUE friends that hold me accountable and keep me uplifted, and a wonderful family that allows me to come over for dinner several times each week...nothing like a yummy home-cooked meal with those you love. :-)

My Happiest Moment...Confirmation after bible study that I'm living in the will of the God and that He is in control...I need to trust Him more...and with Him I DON'T NEED a safety net! :-)

Stalking With Love & Adoration

2009-01-11T22:12:00.003-06:00

I've been on a blogging sabbatical for awhile now and have decided that 2009 would be a year of many changes and one of those changes althought not hugely significant...would be...to be a better blogger! :-) I just enjoy reading everyone else's blogs rather than post on my own...but I'm publically stating it here...I will be a better blogger! :-) One of the blogs I love to read is Chapters because Amy is so real, hilarious and has a sincere heart for the Lord! And many of you know...I have issues...I like to go back and read every single post a person has written which for some bloggers is more than two years worth of posts...now do you see why I don't have time to post on my own blog? HA! :-) Well while reading the archive of Amy's posts...I came across this "mini survey" and thought it would be a great way to "ease" back into blogging!

If I were...
If I were a shoe, I'd be a flipflop with rhinestones.
If I were a city, I'd be New York.
If I were a season, I'd be Football season. :D
If I were a car, I’d be a big Ole Lexus/BMW sedan or a BIG diesel pick-up truck.
If I were a vegetable, I’d be carrot.
If I were a fruit, I’d be a banana.
If I were a color, I’d be hot pink.
If I were furniture, I’d be an antique book shelf.
If I were a country, I’d be Mexico...not the touristy part.
If I were a beverage, I'd be a Dr. Pepper from Sonic.
If I were clothing, I'd be workout clothes.
If I were weather, I'd be sunny and cool.
If I were a dessert, I’d be fudge with NO nuts.
If I were a plant, I’d be a bougainvillea.

Feel free to consider yourself tagged. :-)

I'm so blessed & grateful for a brand new year to make some needed changes and to grow as a person and most importantly as a Christian! :-) AND...to continue to STALK all of you! :-) HA!

Happy Ending!

2008-10-11T19:07:00.010-05:00

Last Saturday I went out of town to Shreveport, LA and had a super great time! When I returned home on Sunday evening I was talking on the phone to my RTF (real true friend), Laura, and all of the sudden it occurred to me that I left my charm bracelet and my diamond earrings sitting on the dresser in the hotel! :-( My stomach hurt just thinking about it so of course I had to let her go and call the hotel all the while praying that someone honest found my jewelry! The very pleasant lady at the front desk sent a maintenance man over to room 241 to check it out...NO BRACELET! :-( Housekeeping had already cleaned the room and they had already left for the evening so she told me to call back in the morning at 8:00. I was so upset with myself for taking it off and leaving it there and was just sick to my stomach about it. I was gifted the bracelet at my college graduation and have enjoyed collecting different charms from loved ones for 12 years! The bracelet is worth a ton of money but most importantly the sentimental value is PRICELESS! Every charm has a story and was bought with love just for me! I couldn't wait to call the next morning. As soon I arrived at school, I started calling them...finally after being passed around, being put on hold and being told, "we haven't seen it" by three different employees...I sadly hung up the phone! :-( I was heartbroken...I tried to remind myself that it was a material item and could "basically" be replaced...but I loved that bracelet and valued all the love and years that went into making it so special! I emailed Laura and told her the bad news....she was like..."O000h no sister, we are not giving up that easily...give me the number...I'll call." Within ten minutes Laura called me back and had spoken with the supervisor in housekeeping...offered a reward...let them know we weren't just going to let this go and lo & behold...they "found" my bracelet! She told Laura that she had found my bracelet, earrings and some (insert country twang & soulful accent here) chaaaaaaaaange right where I had left it on the dresser! :-) THANK YOU LAURA for knowing the right words to say and the right approach to take! Laura had the housekeeping supervisor take the bracelet and earrings and chaaaaaange to the manager to put it in the safe. We thought it was best that I travel back to Shreveport that very day to get my jewelry before it was passed through too many hands and of course it was way too expensive and risky to have it mailed to me. I asked my principal if I could leave early...got my oil changed...filled up with gas and took off to Shreveport (a 10 hour round trip) to get my belongings! It was certainly a LONG ride but it was so worth it...I was able to have a LONG conversation with my #1 VBF, Lianna, since we never get much of a chance to talk on the phone and sing REALLY loudly all the way there and back...I was able to spend a lot of time with the Lord...chatting it up with Him and in praise & worship. I really had such a great time and of course the best part was getting my bracelet back on my arm...all safe & sound! :-) I know that was a LONG story but I'm so thankful for the happy ending that I just had to share it with ya'll! :-) Thank you Laura Ann from the bottom of my heart for making this so important to you because it was important to me! I can not express to you in words how grateful I am that you spoke up on my behalf!

Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow...

2008-09-24T23:43:00.016-05:00

Well I'm sure you have noticed that I haven't posted in a REALLY long time...things have been a bit chaotic and of course we had our little visit from Ike. :-) I could post a ton of pictures full of destruction and craziness but I'm sure you have had enough! Instead I will tell you about the positive things that I have witnessed...What the enemy intends for evil...God turns to good!
:-)

Neighbors helping neighbors clean up their yards, sharing food, sharing houses and electrical cords for power.
Friends and family members checking on one another that were too busy to call or visit "pre-Ike".
Folks volunteering to help pass out food, water and ice.
Folks thankful for jobs they complained about "pre-Ike" because they are getting a full paycheck even though they haven't worked in nearly two weeks.
Folks acquired a forgiving heart and were able to let go of offenses of the past realizing they were trivial compared to what they've been through or what could have happened.
Folks remembered how to actively communicate with one another with the absence of cable, internet and cell phone reception.
Folks became more grateful and appreciative.
Everyone learned to work together and genuinely cared for one another regardless of race, age, socio-economic, and religious differences...it truly revealed our common humanity and common vulnerability.

Don't get me wrong...I'm not living in a fantasy world...I witnessed a TON of craziness and heard cuss words that I wouldn't ever repeat...but overall I think that this storm brought out amazing qualities in folks...old natures were forced to die and new personalities emerged...Praise God! :-) Now if only we can remember all of this during less catastrophic times!

Today I'm Thankful for...

Finally being able to go back to work on Monday...I miss my sweet babies, and Kelly who took her precious time to get me all organized and "in order."

My Happiest Moment...Spending the day with Laura, Little Ms. Emma and Frazier #4 shopping at baby boutiques, finding all the "dog-dogs", eating at the Cheesecake Factory and stalking the Osteens! :-)

Fun Football Friday!

2008-08-31T16:54:00.016-05:00

My Favorite season EVER has officially kicked-off...FOOTBALL SEASON! :-) I love, love, love football especially high school football! I get butterflies just thinking about it! Mr. Ramirez and I eagerly anticipate the big football edition of the Houston Chronicle that comes out each year which includes this huge layout of the schedules for every single high school in the Houston Metropolitan area...including Galveston, Sugarland and The Woodlands. It is the greatest thing! Even my assistant and friend, Carmen, knows how important this is...she carefully laminated 6 of them for me, Ramirez and several of our coaching friends! Ramirez and I meticulously study it for several hours and come up with our perfect football schedule! We attend different games every Thursday, Friday and Saturday (sometimes two games on Saturdays) of football season and then of course we attend several games a weekend during play-offs! :-) We have the absolute best time checking out the players, the game, school spirit, traditions, dance team, band, cheerleaders, parents, concessions, the stadium, ok....EVERYTHING! I just love the excitement you feel when you enter the stadium...I'm even more enthusiastic when it cools down a bit! :-) So this Friday we went to watch Dickinson High School which is in the district where Ramirez works. His favorite tradition so far is G.F.N.D! It is is written on everything...t-shirts, programs, advertisements...GATOR FIGHT NEVER DIES! He thinks this is so great and says it every chance he gets! The Gators won easily against Angleton so the game wasn't that exciting but it was fun checking out all of the traditions. A perfect Sunday would be to come home from the church house and lay around all day reading the paper and watching football on TV with the one you love! :-) I mean...what more could one want? :-)

This was a super, great weekend...in addition to my #1VBF coming into town, the commencement of football season, and my whole family going to church with me...Vince Young was honored at the University of Texas game on Saturday! :-) UT retired his jersey because he is more than awesome and he and Mack Brown made UT history! :-) WOOOHOOO! I love Vince...I have been following him since his early days at Madison High School and I'm looking forward to great things from him this year...forget the naysayers...I feel like he is going to SHINE in his third year as at Titan! :-)

Today I'm thankful for...
A family who loves me and has a plan if we need to leave for Hurricane Gustav, a great first week of school with all of the kids that I love so much, and a God that I trust completely with His PERFECT plan for my life! :-)

Happiest Moment...going to the church house with Jill, Lianna & Lisha and eating together at Ouisie's Table afterwards. It has been a great day! :-)

A Fresh New Look...

2008-08-29T17:00:00.000-05:00

What do you think about my blog make-over? :-) My #1 VBF, Lianna, came all the way from Florida and spent her precious time giving my blog a make-over! She called me Friday morning and asked me if I trusted her...well of course I do...so I gave her my password and she proceeded to turn my blog into something so very cute! I love it! My favorite colors are pink, brown and green and she incorporated all three! :-) I especially love the bows! Thank you so much Lianna for spending your time and energy to make my blog special. However, I must state that I think she had an ulterior motive for doing this make-over for me...she really really wants me to post more consistently...I'm definitely going to try a little harder to do that...I just enjoy being a blog-stalker much more than I like to post on my own! :-)

Got Jello?

2008-08-09T10:00:00.008-05:00

So...It's been a week since my last post...let me fill in some blanks! :-) Here is the recap of my last week of leisure before I have to go back to work...or I should say I GET to go back to work...I'm truly blessed to have a job I really really love...teenagers are BIG fun! :-)

Saturday...We had game night at the Bollichs...FINALLY! We had BIG BIG fun! :-) We had some great snacks and our traditional meal of hot dogs {Kelly who is not a fan of meat brings "smart" dogs and wheat bread (what the heck?)...just let me give you some advice...NEVER grill a "smart" dog...they go up in flames! HA! } We had one small glitch but our favorite former Hornet...Yappy Yapperson...saved the night! :-) We had a great time and of course the team of Ramirez, Tubbs, Carmen & Casey BEAT Bollichx2, Kelly & Jeanette! Not that it is about winning of course...all for the fun of games! ;-)

Monday...I set off to work in the library and get it all cleaned up for the "new teacher" meeting next week and I met Carmen, my friend and library assistant for lunch. She informed me of this big storm brewing and that the school was going to be closing at 2 and would be closed the following day. What? Wow...I MUST get on the ball when it comes to current events...this summer I haven't kept up with much...but the new school year is about to begin and I'll be back on track! Then my mom calls and says that I should get over there and spend the night...that a storm is coming. This is a welcome call because I'm deathly afraid of thunder & lightning! :-) So we had a fun night of pizza and TIVOed shows waiting on Edouard!

Tuesday...Well Edouard wasn't all that...but it was a great day of being lazy! The great thing about staying the night at home...you wake up to the smell of breakfast cooking downstairs! I love, love, love breakfast! :-) The rain went away so I was off to Bacliff! :-)

Tuesday thru Friday...BACLIFF! I just can't explain Bacliff...it is such a fabulous place . :-) I had a super great time relaxing, lazing around, blog-stalking, reading, staying up all night, sleeping late and eating lunch each day with Ramirez and Goodwin. Of course the best part about Bacliff is spending so much time with Ramirez...he is amazingly funny! I wish I could record all of the things he says and does...I'm rolling on the floor laughing (ROTFL...Thanks Ash for teaching me the "cool teen" lingo..I passed it on to Laura) the whole entire time he is awake! :-) I guess the best story from the week has to be the "Jello incident". Sooo...Ramirez dictates a grocery list while I type it into my phone because I will make the trek to the local Wal-mart for groceries. He says to get "sugar-free" Jello....EVERY flavor they have. What is the difficulty in that? I mean I am not a "domestic queen" but I can certainly handle this simple task! Uhhhh...so fast forward to the next day...He walks in the door from work...I'm sitting in front of the ice box (refrigerator for all of you not from the country) feeling so proud because it looks like something off of Cribs! :-) All of the sodas are lined up perfectly and the top shelf is COMPLETELY full of "EVERY" flavor of sugar-free Jello...all perfectly aligned of course! He is like what the......? (We are working and praying about his use of words that I can't even type on here and get all nerved up when folks say them! :-)) I'm like what? (I'm still thinking he is soooo proud about all of the Jello so neatly aligned) Uhhhh....We may or may not have had a bit of a misunderstanding....he wanted every flavor of BOXED Jello...you know the kind that costs .89! :-) Heeeheeee...ROTFL!

Friday night I came back home to an empty house after a fun wedding with the Ramirez family...Kelly is in LA and took Brooklyn to her parents while she is gone...it is so lonely without Brooklyn here to greet me when I walk in the door and to look at me with those sad eyes while I'm eating....oh yeah...I really missed Kelly too! :-)

Today I'm Thankful for...

A friend as sweet as Laura who called to make sure I had a plan to "hunker down" for the storm...a small gesture that meant so very much, Edouard wasn't as awful as expected...very minimal damage, and my connections that allow me to know where the Channel 11 news crew is throughout the day so I can get a "sneak peak" at the breaking news! :-)

Happiest Moment...Lounging around Bacliff...laughing and resting my nerves!

Girl Time and Blog-stalking Put to Good Use!

2008-08-02T14:05:00.010-05:00

Yesterday when I returned from Bacliff I went straight to my friend Laura's house for some girl time with Laura, Emma, Cassi & Brook. :-) We had a super great day catching up and watching the little ones play together. We had lunch at Chick-fil-A and then came back to Laura's to hang out. Emma has a TON of toys and she and Brook made sure they pulled out every single one. :-) I found out that Cassi has been doing some blog-stalking for herself and I think Laura & I have convinced her to finally post on the very cute blog she has created....Cassi, we are STILL waiting...we are so excited...post already! :-) Both girls LOVE Beamer (Laura's dachshund) and he loves them even when they are not so gentle with him! I just think they are so adorable...beautiful girls with wonderful personalities. We had a super great day!

Everyone seems to give us a hard time about the amount of time we spend reading other folk's blogs but...our blog-stalking skills have finally paid off. :-) Our friend Kelly from Arkansas posted a recipe for lasagna pizza cups. You need to check out Kelly's blog when you get a chance...she is cuter than ever and is always posting recipes and telling about the great things she and her husband eat. You have to love someone that enjoys food as much as we do! :-) Well, we made the lasagna pizza cups last night for dinner! They were so delicious and easy! I'm going to make them for Mr. Ramirez at Bacliff this week! :-) Laura also made some chocolate chip cookies that were mighty tasty! Thanks Laura & Curtis for letting me stay for dinner. It was so good and I love sitting at the table with your family! :-) Well I'm off...the Bollichs are finally hosting game night again and we are going to have big fun! I'll tell you all about it tomorrow! :-)

Gator Fight Never Dies (nor do the ants) in Bloggerville

2008-08-01T23:52:00.016-05:00

This has been such a super great week! :-) Mr. Ramirez has a house in Bacliff and it is our little getaway...well I guess since scoring his new job...it is his home and my getaway! :-) After teaching summer school for 5 1/2 weeks I was more than happy to spend the week there...sleeping in and hanging out! We had such a great time...

I had lunch with Mr. Ramirez, Mrs. Goodwin, and Kenna at Chili's and I got to check out his new school, and his new office and of course I marked my territory...no, I didn't pee in all the corners of his office...I put up pictures of us! HA! He is now a Gator...every school in Dickinson has the same mascot and the same colors. So the whole town is all about the Gators! Well if you know Mr. Ramirez...you know he is FULL of spirit! :-) He already has some blue Gator shirts and the big thing is GATOR FIGHT NEVER DIES! They have it on everything and he loves it of course...much to Mrs. Goodwin's vexation! :-) He says it all of the time and we are definitely going to have to get us some shirts that say it on them so we can wear them to the football games! :-) I want to mention something here...just so that it is out in the open...I'm REAL REAL jealous that Mrs. Goodwin & Mr. Ramirez are working together and get to see each other every day! I wish we all worked together! Ok...there I said it! :-)
We had one minor problem this week...invasion of the ANTS! :-( Ants had found their way in and I was determined to get them out...I mean I AM from Highlands...shouldn't be that hard...right? Wrong! Ants are very determined so I had to work hard but finally got rid of them! :-)
One evening we got invited by one of the APs from his school to go out to one of the local "joints" for some giant chicken fried steaks and a little karaoke. We had such a great time and everyone was so nice...one of the perks of a small town! :-) Thanks Kenna for thinking of us! :-)
I cleaned and cleaned...and cleaned some more...I guess you can't blame him...he is a man...and cleaning is not one of his strengths...he even kept saying that I made him sick because it was so clean in there...he likes to blame me for things that are clearly not my fault! :-)
Well in between our Friends marathon...he took naps and I blog-stalked! :-) He doesn't quite understand my obsession with blogs...he thinks I'm "coooo-coooo"...he doesn't get it...it is so fun! I learn new stuff, and "meet" new people. Many of of them even help me grow in my faith. Laura's husband says...when we blog-stalk...we go into a zone...an imaginary town known as...Bloggerville! HA! Well I guess I visited that town more than a few times this week! :-)
Ashley, Alysia and Lianna talked me into doing something I NEVER thought I would do...I am reading Harry Potter! It is actually really good...I'm not a big fan of fantasy but I do love the intelligence and creativity of the writing! I think I will read all of them! I read it every night this week before I went to bed...not very long though because bedtime in Bacliff is always really late already! :-)

Those were just a few happenings from the week...I could tell a million other stories...we had such a super great time!

Today I'm Thankful for...

A place to get away from everything and spend time with my best best friend, a house to come home to...great roomie...and a sweet puppy that welcome me home and two really wonderful church homes that help me grow as a christian!

Happiest Moment...I can't pick just one...I just had the absolute best time being with Ram all week! :-)

Be Careful What You Pray For! :-)

2008-07-28T12:36:00.016-05:00

Many of you already know by now that my best best friend has gotten himself a big fancy promotion. :-) Mr. Ramirez started out teaching at "The Wood" and we became fast friends after thinking I was the strangest person he had ever met...I think he still thinks that! :-) After 6 years at WAMS he moved to the "other" school to be an assistant principal. I was so very sad that he left me and thought it was the worst thing ever but I soon realized I should be happy for him...this was going to be a learning experience for him. Well as you know he is real, real smart and extremely funny so he was well liked at his new school. But most importantly, he is real organized and has a higher than average work ethic and that makes him more than awesome! When someone is that great...you begin to wonder what all God has in store for them and you can't wait to find out! :-) Of course I pray for him each and every day and as his second year was coming to an end...I went into overdrive on the prayers! :-) I prayed and prayed that he be in God's will and that God would open the doors wide that he needed to go through and close the others. I mean I wasn't praying for anything specific but I guess in my mind God's plan would be for him to be at a school with me! :-) Well as we all know...God's plan always supersedes what we could ever ask or think...Mr. Ramirez is now the Associate Principal at a middle school in Dickinson. This is really exciting because he love, love, loves the academic part of his job and now he is in charge of curriculum. :-) At first I was selfishly so very sad that he was going "way out there" but then I realized that this was completely God's plan and you certainly can't challenge that! :-) The best part is that his new boss is Mrs. Traci Goodwin who is AMAZING! :-) We both worked under her at "The Wood" years ago and he will be able to learn so much from her....AND she is a believer...I think that is so important since she is the person leading the whole school and the person he has to work most closely with! I think they will be a great team...they are both pretty high up there in my book! :-) So as you can see I'm really excited about his new job and oh so proud of him! :-) Go Gators! He has assured me that we will still get to see each other often and of course we are about to start our football season marathon! WOOOOHOOOO! I get butterflies in my stomach thinking about it! :-) Now I'm off to Bacliff to bug him and rest my nerves!

Today I'm Thankful for...

A God that knows the real plan for each of our lives even when we think we have it all figured out, summer school being over so I get to hang out for two weeks, and a healthy body that continues to work perfectly even when I'm not very good to it.

Happiest Moment...Getting to spend so much time with Mr. Ramirez this weekend. We went to Denise's wedding(absolutely beautiful)...Yury's 15(we were treated like celebrities)...IHOP with Jeanette, Carmen, and little sweet Andy(Ram was on a roll---so funny!)...and going to bingo with Ash & Alys(great time but we didn't win). :-)

THE NEW BOSS LADY! :-)

More Randomness

2008-07-23T22:39:00.013-05:00

Wooohoooo! Two more days and summer school is over! :-) This summer has been quite a challenge...This will be my 13th year teaching middle school yet this summer I taught 1st-8th grade...those little ones are something else. :-) Needless to say, I'm ready for this week to be over and have a little time to recover in Bacliff before this next school year begins! :-) My random thoughts and happenings of the week so far...

My roomie had a luau for her birthday on Saturday night at the house. We had a great time visiting and snacking. Funny thing is...being the true "party animals" we are...Ramirez, Jeanette, Carmen and I went downstairs to watch 6 episodes of Jon & Kate +8...are we wild or what? :-)
Sunday I "made my rounds"...usually after church on Sundays I drive to Baytown and visit my daddy, my parents (Jim & Jill), and Mama Tubbs. Oh...I almost forgot...I go around all day long most days singing out loud "Oh Lord, My God"...mind you I'm a horrible singer and most of the time it is totally inappropriate for me to be singing out loud (restaurants, classrooms, while shopping)...I do it mindlessly and sometimes forget where I am when I bust out in song. :-) Well, Sunday we sang How Great Thou Art (that is the song) at church and nobody was with me...:-( They are always wanting to hear the song all the way through and how it is "really" supposed to sound and that was the perfect opportunity! I was SOOO excited that they sang that song! :-) It made my day! :-)
Darn the luck that Laura goes back to work Monday and my last day of school is Friday...we've been wanting to get together to go to "gay" Barnaby's. It is the only one of the Barnaby's that you can get this great pasta that is not even on the menu...it is scrumptious! It makes me sicker than sick though because it has so much cheese and cream sauce...sometimes its worth it to be sick for great food! :-) She and Emma have been having playdates with Cassi & Brook...honestly I'm pretty jealous. I wish I was with them. :-) We talked so much today about how much Emma has grown...she took her first step today! :-) It seems like yesterday that Curtis wheeled her out of the elevator for us all to see! Time flies!

Today I'm Thankful for...

Legs that fully function so when I can't find a close parking spot I'm at least able to walk the distance, friends that you don't have to talk to everyday but can pick up where we left off when we speak again, tomorrow is pay day and the unconditional love the kids extend to me.

Happiest Moment...The conversation I had with my mom after my doctor's appointment on Tuesday...she listened so intently and gave me her honest thoughts about the matter. :-) Just so we are clear...when I say Mom...you do understand I mean Jill Ponder...correct? :-) Just checking!

Randomness From Days Past

2008-07-19T17:12:00.006-05:00

My plan was to blog each day but this week I have been so super lazy. We are in our 4th week of summer school and I'm exhausted! :-) My week consisted of...

Tuesday I had dinner with Carmen (my friend and library assistant) at Spanish Flower and we got 2 hour massages! It was her first time and now she is real thankful I talked her into it! :-) I love, love, love massages...one of my favorite things in life! :-)
Wednesday I had a date with Ashley & Alysia. I absolutely love these girls. They are so smart and mature and are a ton of fun to be with. :-) Ashley will be a 9th grader at Dobie next year and Alysia will be a freshman at SFA! We had a great time at Baybrook Mall, Chick-fil-A, Barnes & Nobles and finally BINGO! We didn't win at bingo because we were missing a very important member of our group but we had super great time! :-)

Wednesday was also my #1 VBFs Birthday! Happy Happy Birthday Lianna Michele Ponder Knight! She lives in Florida now with her husband and I miss her every single day...especially on special occasions! She is believing, praying and trusting God for a pregnancy by years end. Please unite in prayer with us on this!
Thursday I was exhausted from all of the outdoor field trips all week...it is super hot outside! I went to Carmen's to lay on her couch....she has the comfiest couch and a window unit! Now that is some great sleeping! I love going over there to rest my nerves. After taking a nap we decided to go to 59 Diner (she calls it 51 Diner...we have lots of Carmenisms...I'll share more later!) We then made our way to the casinito! HA! Lots of fun! My "Suegra" was there and she won! :-)
Friday I spent the evening being REAL REAL lazy. I just watched tv and read and hung out. It was so wonderful! :-)

Today I'm Thankful for...

Jeanette who always sends a text or says a kind word right when I need it, Kelly for being a super great roomie and putting up with my craziness, a day of rest and relaxation, and Carmen who always thinks about the things I need before I realize I need them.

Happiest Moment...Alysia dobbing her own nose on accident with purple ink...I laughed so hard my stomach hurt. :-)

Funk to Fantastic

2008-07-14T22:38:00.012-05:00

I woke up this morning in a huge funk because I did not want to get out of bed. :-( I reluctantly showed up at the school house with a pretty bad attitude...unfortunately. I was reminded by my friend Jeanette not to let anything steal my joy...so as I was greeted by all the little sweet babies...I decided to make a conscious effort to find the positive and be thankful that I had job and had a car to drive me to the job...and then the gratitude began to snowball. :-) Needless to say the funk fell off and I ended up enjoying my day. :-) Thank you Lord for reminding me that just because I had a wildly busy weekend and was exhausted didn't mean that I could allow it to take over this brand new day You have given me! :-)

Random Thoughts...

I'm so very proud of my friend (&free therapist) Betty Jo Kee...today was her first day of school! She has decided to go back to school and get her teaching degree. Please pray that she has the endurance to complete this new journey and to be diligent in her studies! :-)
We had such a super great time at PawPaw's 100th birthday party Saturday and it was even on the front page of the Baytown Sun today. 100 years old and still walking around, has great vision, a great attitude and danced his little booty off at his party! Now that is amazing! P.S. He makes mouth-watering homemade pickles...Yum! :-)
I'm hoping the Bollichs really have a game night soon...I really miss Julie so much.
I'm sad because I have to work summer school and Mr. Ramirez is going to Bacliff without me.
I really wish Sunshine & Julie would blog...they would both be so great and funny! :-) HINT HINT! :-)
I get so much pleasure out of mowing the grass...it feels so good to complete that chore and sit and look out your window at how great the grass looks! :-) I know, I know...I'm a dorkita! :-)
I need a new picture of Bailey...hopefully I will get to see her and score a new picture when I have lunch with Wendy.
Wednesday night is BINGO night! :-)

Today I'm Thankful for...

Friends who hold me accountable, never having to struggle with a drug addiction (some friends of my parents lost their 35 your old daughter to a drug over-dose), my 19 year old brother Sam who loves me no matter what, and having a strong healthy body.

Happiest Moment...Receiving the text message "Team Players Later on?" ...it's an inside joke but it really made me happy! :-)

Preface

2008-07-13T20:49:00.007-05:00

Months ago my good friend Laura introduced me to the world of "blog stalking" and I've been addicted ever since. I love, love, love reading the happenings of others especially those who write really well and/or are funny. I've been procrastinating much to the chagrin of my best friend, Lianna, about writing my own. I'm an excellent proof reader and have been blessed with many great qualities but being creative and funny are not among them. :-) Laura told me I should preface my blog by saying just that...so I just did! I will be writing in bullets for the most part so I don't have to stress about being creative, funny or worrying about grammatical mistakes! I ask you in advance not to judge me for lousy writing or grammatical mistakes and most importantly for the content...most of you know...You CAN NOT put me in a box...I break all stereotypes and I'm what some may call COOOOOO-COOOOO! :-) Let's get started...

Today I...

Woke up thanking God for another day
Sent Ashley & Mr. Ramirez my traditional text message telling them "This is the day that the Lord has made" and how much I love them.
Went to brunch at Baba Yegas with Lianna, Lisha, Cathy, & Jill Ponder AKA Mom (more on that later) Thanks Cathy for brunch...that was so kind of you! :-) Lianna is my #1 VBF who now lives in Florida...she was here for the weekend and I will elaborate more on her later. :-)
Went to visit the Fraziers...Curtis, Laura (+ the healthy baby growing inside of her) and little Emma. We had such a great time and Curtis grilled some steaks for us on the grill in his really cute chef apron. He also made virgin strawberry daiquiris for us in his new handy dandy margarita/smoothie machine that Laura got him for his birthday. We had a great time catching up and letting Emma entertain us...she is definitely a mix of Laura & Curtis' personalities...hilarious! :-)
Watched Big Brother 10 with my roommate Kelly and Brooklyn (our gay toy poodle). I will tell you more about them later as well. I love, love, love reality TV and BB has to be the absolute best show in this genre! :-)

Whew...now I'm about to go night night because tomorrow is a brand new day and I'm off to teach two more weeks of summer school...please pray for me---PATIENCE more specifically! :-)

I always like to end the day with a list of a few things I'm thankful for and my happiest moment...of course this list could be VERY lengthy because God is good...but I just try to write a few things each night and so tonight I will start writing them online instead of my journal! :-)

Today I'm thankful for...

True friendship, Jill Ponder who loves me unconditionally, the Knights returning safely back to Florida, The Fraziers who make me want to be a better person, and that I have a sound mind.

Happiest Moment...The sweet way Emma laughs when Beamer licks her fingers.

Thanks Laura & Lianna for "peer pressuring" me into doing this...so much fun! :-)