Thankful Thursday #11

Have I ever mentioned how extremely grateful I am for this stuff:

Yes, I am a peanut butter lover. Jif is my preferred brand, ALWAYS creamy, never chunky. The funny thing is that I am not a huge fan of plain peanuts, but it is a rare day when I don't eat any peanut butter. I survive on it during my busy weeks. I try to limit myself to eating it once daily, but that doesn't always work. I am very thankful for peanut butter!

Happenings

Life has been hectic, as of late, which explains the lack of blog posts. And yet, as I sit here I wonder what exactly has been filling my life so completely (beyond Moose!) Here are some of them:

I went down to Salt Lake to interview with a Summer Camp for kids with cancer. It would only be a week, but I think it sounds like an awesome opportunity. I won't hear back for a few weeks, keep your fingers crossed!

After my interview I went with some friends to a Thai restaurant. It was my first real Thai experience, and it was awesome! The spring rolls & peanut butter chicken were my favorite (I know it has a much cooler name than that, but it tasted like peanut butter, so that is what I call it!)

I have been trying to get more involved with my ward and getting to know more people. Last weekend we went skiing. I forget how much I really like it. Next time I should remember to take a picture BEFORE I spend hours on the slopes.

In an effort to get more organized I now carry around a "to do" list. I have become much more productive. My current goal is to be on top of things enough that I can do NOTHING over spring break.

I have also decided that I had been lazy long enough and should start getting in shape again. Waking up early is becoming (slightly) easier. And I enjoy the feeling of getting to school and having already exercised for the day!

I only have a week and a half left of my class. I have loved it, and learned SO much! I plan to do lots of things this summer to improve my classroom management for next year. However, teaching & studying at the same time are not for me! If I decide to go back for a masters, I am going to need to take a year off!

And finally, just because it always makes me laugh, this is what our mat next to the front door looks like after a long week:

It's a good thing we don't have visitors all that often, they wouldn't have anywhere to put their shoes!

HE'S HERE!!!!

You may be wondering who "he" is. "He" would be my wonderful new couch. It has been quite the process getting him here, but finally, HE HAS ARRIVED! (Hahaha, one day I plan to say that about a wonderful MAN!)

When I moved into my house I had NO furniture. Trying to fill it with useful and affordable things was a priority. Hence, when the $25 couches were found, I bought them without thinking twice. They were not beautiful. They were not extremely comfortable (though not terribly UNcomfortable either). One may have been broken when a home teacher sat down, leaving a nice hole. But they were somewhere to sit. They worked. And they served their purpose.

Today we said goodbye to Squeaky (who was very appropriately named) and made room for our new roommate:

"No, thank you, but we WOULDN'T like you to leave our brand new furniture out on the porch when it's getting ready to rain. Yes, I know there is no room in here at the moment. We'll make it work"

After lots of pushing, and pulling, and snipping, and and twisting, Moose came into view (Yes, his name is Moose. Don't ask)

Isn't he lovely? He fits so nicely into the room and looks awesome! He is super comfy, and really changes the look of the whole room.

The only problem is that now I really don't want to do anything except sit and enjoy the comfort that is Moose. YAY for a new couch! (and one without holes at that!) Welcome, Moose!

*Just so you know, I am not wearing silver pants. They are gray with stripes and catch the light really cool sometimes, but these pictures kind of startled me. I may need to rethink them!

Thankful Thursday #10

I may be alone in this, but I am SOOOO thankful that daylight saving starts this week. If it were up to me it would never change. I rather enjoy the sun still being up when I leave school at night. I like being able to go for a run when I get home (I can't go running in the dark because my ridiculously overactive imagination). I don't enjoy the initial one-hour-loss, but it is so worth it!

I am also thankful that Karl was able to find a good job! Congrats, Karl & Liz! I am super happy you are staying close!

I think I preferred the mermaid . . .

A cowboy came to our school last week for an assembly. He was an older gentleman, and so good with the kids. He sang with them, he played his banjo. The students were enthralled. Then, he pulled out his lasso and started doing lasso tricks. At this point he decided to pull a teacher out of the audience to help him. . . .

I need to mention at this point that I get pulled out the audience far more than most people. Remember this experience? I have no idea why, I think they like the fact that I turn so red!

It was no huge shock when I got pulled up by the cowboy to become his helper. These things happen to me, go figure. The cowboy told me that I got to be a cow (I know, how exciting!) I put on a cow hat (very attractive!) to the delight of my students. At that point he looked at me and said "Okay, Miss N, Moo like a cow (I guess he was afraid I would moo like a chicken), and run like the wind!"

Off I took across the gym until I was successfully lassoed by the talented cowboy. I was awarded with an Idaho potato pin for my bravery, and I was told by a student (not one of mine) later that I was the coolest teacher ever. I'll act like a cow any day if it can get me that award!

Though having my students holler "Miss N. is a cow!" for the rest of the day may have done some psychological damage! ;-)

Thankful Thursday #9

Today I am thankful for laughter. Laughter is one of the things that I am most grateful with in life. I love to laugh. I love to hear other people laugh. I love to hear my students laugh. I love to hear my nieces laugh. I love how a good laugh can brighten the grayest day. It can make a great day even better. I love how laughing at the stupid things I do helps me to feel less embarassed.

Ashley and I are starting to collect pictures to put on our fridge. We are not going to put normal pictures up, just ones that make us smile and laugh, so that we see them each day. These pictures will be going on the fridge for sure:

"What soap is to the body, laughter is to the soul"

~Yiddish Proverb

"Laughter and tears are both responses to frustration and exhaustion. I myself prefer to laugh, since there is less cleaning up to do afterwards."

~Kurt Vonnegut

I have been very blessed to be surrounded by people who make me laugh and laugh with me. I have a job that gives me opportunities every day to smile and giggle. It is a rare day when I don't laugh until my sides hurt. Laughter is a glorious thing!

"Laughter is an instant vacation"

~Milton Berle

Didn't you know that I am a mystical sea creature?

I was walking into stake conference last week when I had this conversation with the lady behind me:

Lady: I've always wanted to go to church with a mermaid!
Me: (Huh? That's not something you hear every day!) What?
Lady: You look just like Ariel! Do you sing?
Me: (silently cracking up, and very tempted to start singing "Part of Your World") Not very well.
Lady: Oh, that's too bad!

This conversation has led to much laughter and many jokes! The funny part is that my hair was curly and pulled back in a bun, not at all what I would pick for Ariel. What do you think, do I look "Just like Ariel"? ;-)