Winter Wonderland

I live in Texas where is a like a desert, we ride horses, and wear boots. Kinda. I live in the panhandle so we do have a lot of people that wear boots... and people do ride horses (in parades).

Moving on... we usually get snow maybe once a year. It never fails that we get it during spring break in March. HOWEVER 2009 is knocking us for a loop down here. Today it is SNOWING! This is the second time in a week! This year we had our first white Christmas since 2002. I love snow... epecially since I get to be at home today.

I hope everyone has a wonderful new year! Happy 2010!

Fears

As student teaching is fast approaching, I have been thinking a LOT. When I am in the classroom for short periods of time, I think, "I can do this!" I feel pumped about it for a few days and then I worry.

What am I doing? Am I going to fail? How many kids lives will I ruin? Am I patient enough? Those are the questions I ask myself daily.

I want to teach because I want to inspire. Kids are our future and I'm sorry... I don't want a crappy future. I want to motivate children to push themselves to do their best, to want to learn, and to enjoy learning. I'm worried I won't be able to do that.

I won't want to be a deer in the head lights when I start my career. I know my stuff... I've made A's in all my classes... passed one of my certification tests (the second comes in May)... but am I ready? I mean, anyone can study and pass a test... am I really ready for the classroom?

Redo

I have trouble posting... mainly because nothing interesting happpens.

Well... someone recently told me I should start blogging because my life was about to change. How? I start student teaching next semester... on my birthday. So I am starting over.

As I start a new chapter in my education, I will blog about it.

Wish me luck!

1 Month 3 Days

1 month 3 days.

That is how long it took for me to post another blog. With summer classes, a new job, and a lovely vacation to Ruidoso.... I had to put the blog on the back burner for a while.

But... I am finally introducing my Oliver...

4th of July

1st Bath!

Is it obvious I'm proud?

Letters To: Tuesday

I am starting Letters To: Tuesday

I always have something on my mind... things I want to tell people that I normally wouldn't say out loud. So here is how it is going to work... I am going to write short letters to people that are on my mind every Tuesday.

Dear Mr. D,
I love you sooo sooo much!

Dear Man at Sonic,
Why do you always wear those yellow socks? Please don't stop. They are unique. I like them.

Dear Oliver,
Please don't pee in my bed tonight. I would greatly appreciate it!

Dear Neighbor,
You talk on the phone the entire time you are doing your laundry. That sure is a long time. Do you have a lot of friends? Or just a lot to say? Are you trying to look busy so its not weird to just stand outside?

Dearest Sprint,
Thank you so much for notifying me that I was overcharged. You saved me from a heart attack.

Dear Stray Cat,
Everyone always comments on how you look pregnant. I know you're not! You're a boy... please don't be offended that I noticed.

Dear Tuesday,
Why do you have to be so far from Friday?

Evening

Last night was interesting.


There have been thunderstorms here the past few days. I love the rain (we need it too!) and I love thunder. Lightning... not so much. Two of my greatest fears: Lighting and falling down stairs... at least stairs weren't involved.




Mr. D and I went to see a late viewing of the movie Up. It was the cutest movie! I recommend it... although I almost cried about 6 times... but the elderly, children, and dogs do that to me sometimes.

We got home about midnight and after Mr. D went home... I realized it was already June. Meaning my rent was due. There was no way I was going to get out of bed and drive (by myself) in the lighting to pay my rent. You see, I worry. A lot. About everything. So I at least wrote out the check but I still feel like a failure. I was a day late. I am NEVER late. I don't like for people to be mad at me... and I'm worried my landlord will be disappointed in me. Maybe I should bake him cookies...

I had a dream about my blog. 3 people left comments. One was sweet but then turned not so nice. Criticizing my life. Oh well... I woke up. Drama over.

Oliver. He decided to play all night. He finally turned in about 6 this morning.

I am totally taking a nap when I get home...

Purchase

My Mr. D graduted (3 weeks ago) from college! I'm so proud of him. He worked really hard to graduate high school in 3 years... and now he has graduated college in 3 years with a double major! I could brag about him all day...

But I'm not going to.

Instead, I bought him a graduation gift. It is difficult for me to buy people gifts because I'm afraid they won't like it. I don't like to be judged. We happened to be walking through Bed, Bath, and Beyond, simply because I had to drag him in kicking and screaming... something about him being a man... and he is allergic? Then I heard it... "I want that!" But... BB&B didn't have "that" and he had to walk away from the display.

I ordered it online and it came in yesterday. I kept the secret for an entire week! Well... sorta. He knew he was getting something... but he didn't know what it was! I'm terrible at keeping secrets and I usually show him his Christmas gifts before I wrap them... but not this time!

There it was... A soft serve ice cream maker.

Now I have mentioned before that I'm an ice cream addict and that's not the reason I bought it, or the only reason I bought it... He wanted it. I admit I kind of wanted it too. I was so proud as he opened it. Proud of myself. I kept a secret. I bought him something he wanted. Maybe I will have to put a hold on those skinny jeans... maybe next year.

We have yet to try it out but I will most definitely share the results. Until then, have a wonderful weekend!

Bittersweet

My mom has always told me to be professional at work. To walk in the doors and to treat everyone with respect and kindness. By doing this, no one should know if you don’t like them. If you ever get to a point where you can’t do it, it’s time to bow out.


I have reached that point… and I’m bowing out. Gracefully. Sorta.

I love my job but, Monday I gave my two weeks notice. It is bittersweet. I will no longer be in my very own office with my personal bathroom. Soon the walls will be bare, the chair will be empty, and my office will no longer be all mine. No more view from the top floor. No more quiet. No more important meetings and lunch dates. I will be moving on to share an office with 5 other people, working long hours, and receiving a quite noticeable pay cut. Not to mention, I have no idea what I will be doing. That is the bitter part of it.

The sweet part? I will be happier (I think). I will make more money because of the hours. The best part… I won’t be treated like I’m stupid. I won’t be made to look like an idiot in front of my coworkers. I won’t feel like everything little thing I do is wrong. I will not work sooo hard for someone else to get the credit. I won’t be constantly watching the clock, counting down the minutes until I get to go home (because I will be too busy!).

I believe that things happen for a reason. God has a plan for me. He has been pushing me out of this job for a while (which is another blog for another time). But I LOVE my job so I ignored the signs. And on Monday, He finally gave me one big push! I did it. I listened to Him.

I’m nervous. Sometimes I wonder if I’m doing the right thing. Then I think of God’s plan. I know I am. And after all, I am enjoying clearing my office out.

“Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising which tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to the end, requires some of the same courage which a soldier needs.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Bad Morning

I cried this morning. A lot.

Oliver is a small super cute puppy... with jet black fur. I decided to wear my black pants to work today. Well... Oliver is a puppy that loves to get tangled in your feet as you walk. Such a smart dog. I stepped on him. My foot landed on his little tummy. He wimpered quite a bit. Oh!! Dagger to the heart! Then he proceeded to throw up at least 6 times. Crap. I cried.

I sped him to my mom's house for her to inspect him. She has worked in the medical field for a long time... she would know what to do for an uber cute pup.

Mr. D was not convinced and called the vet.

I am happy to say Oliver is going to live. I think I will be carrying him every where for now on...

Adoption

I did the unthinkable yesterday.

I adopted a dog. Well... technically, not adopted. I bought him from a man on the side of the road.

Now... I already have 3 dogs living with my parents. I have a bird living with me. And although I'm not allowed the luxury of animals in my apartment... I couldn't resist.

His name is Oliver. I will post pictures soon. He is completely spoiled and very attached to yours truly. Best part? No accidents to clean up! Yet.

It was sooo difficult leaving for work this morning. I could hear him crying and Toby screaming. My poor poor neighbors.

Today's task: Finding an animal friendly place to live.

Love Story

This is Mr. D. He is the love of my life, my best friend... he is just mine. He is going to be a lawyer. But first, he must go to law school... 22 hours away. I can't discuss it though, or I will cry.

He is brilliant. Always coming up with brilliant ideas. For example, he decided to start working out. Wait... he decided WE should start working out. Oh boy!

After many excuses why we can't... we decided to start riding our bikes that haven't been ridden in a year. They have only been used... twice. I go to one of our world's largest shopping centers and buy $100 worth of accessories. A new seat so my butt won't be hurting more than the rest of my body... a cute little bag to put on the front to hold my keys and phone... and two water bottle holders. One for him of course! We get everything ready except for the water bottle holders. Ugh! I can't ride without water (I'm a complete water addict by the way). Here we are at 10:30pm and we ditch the idea of this whole riding bikes thing. *Yes!* "Let's go walking." Wait... what did he say? It is 10:30... Yep... we go walking.

By all means, Mr. D is not heavy. He eats and eats but stays so thin... WHY can't I have his metabolism? Frustrating. He decided he should start eating healthy. I agree on that, fast food has totally taken over. So after we walk, we go to McDonalds. After sitting at the drive thru, he decides on a Big Mac meal. But only one, as opposed to two! Not super sized.

Skinniy jeans here I come.

Work Fun

Please try not to be jealous... This is what I had to look forward to at work last week. If you are wondering and/or slightly disgusted, it is ice cream. Chocolate and strawberry ice cream to be exact. With butterfinger topping. The volunteers hold an annual ice cream social in honor of Nurse's Week. I am no nurse... but I work at a hospital so I figure it is close enough. I, of course, had to participate. For support, you know... in case none of the other 300 employees didn't like ice cream. Just in case you want to know... it was wonderful!

Ice cream is my weakness. Unfortunately. Chocolate, strawberry, rocky road... Love them all. I simply must tell you of my newest tasting. Blue Bell has a flavor called "Chocolate Covered Strawberries." Amazing.

Celebrate

Happy Cino de Mayo!

This is Barley. He is about as Cinco de Mayo-ish that I get.

Days like today I really wish I could fluently speak Spanish. Unfortunately I can't. All I know is foods in Spanish and it hasn't gotten me far. I'm working on Sign Language and there is progress! I wish I could show you... but... that proves difficult.

In order to festively celebrate today, I took a final exam. It was exciting answering question after question. 100 was not enough... I think 225 would have been just right. For breakfast I had the coice of donuts or breakfast burritos. I chose the burrito to show my support. For dinner I had a chef salad but I didn't think that was festive enough... so I ordered my favorite spicy fries. I believe I just might have a margarita tonight... you know... to keep up with the festivities.

Introducing

Meet Toby.



This is Toby. Some call him Toby Tyler or Tobius. You know Toby, the Human Resources guy from The Office? Yep. Just Toby.

Toby is one of the men in my life. His hobbies include eating sunflower seeds, screaming, and saying his name. There is nothing I enjoy more than waking up to his high pitched sceam.

Toby's current project is learning to say "That's what she said." So far... it's just "That's what... Toby." Almost.

He is my parents only grandson... therefore making him the favorite grandson. They spoil him, get him hyped up on sugar, and then send him home.

Oh the joys of having children....

First Time for Everything

I'm writing a blog. Not only a blog... a public blog. Something I said I would never do... But what's done is done. Here we go...

I really don't like to talk about myself... but then again I do. I wondered if I wanted to remain mysterious on this blog... but I'm terrible at secrets. So, I'm Katherine. I'm 21 and a college student eagerly waiting for graduation. I like to make lists. I like to do a lot of things actually... I'm getting married too. I like getting married. I've never done it before, but I like it so far. I have several ideas where I want this blog to go... but we shall see. Did I mention I like to make lists? Yes, I have these odd obsessive compulsive behaviors. I won't mention them here but I'm sure they will come up sooner or later.

This post is rather short and sweet but more is to come. Promise.