Be Prepared to Laugh!

Ahhh this is great! How can you not smile when you watch this?
We played this for our sixth graders at the "Tackle the TAKS" pep rally on Monday.

Warning: This song will get stuck in your head. Randy has even been singing the lyrics.






Praise God TAKS is over!

Joni's Chicken

I got this recipe from one of my lovely teaching partners. It's super easy and fabulous.


Ingredients:

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or tenders (approx. 4 breasts)
1/2 of carton (8oz.) sour cream
1-2 Tbsp Dijon Mustard
1 sleeve of crushed Ritz Crackers


Mix sour cream and mustard together in bowl.
Season chicken with s/p.
Dip chicken in sour cream mixture and then bread with the Ritz cracker crumbs.
Place chicken in a greased (Pam) baking dish.
Bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

Tah-dah!
Thanks Joni Joni!

Dishwasher Success

We are alive and well over here. We also have a beautifully installed dishwasher.

It wasn't pretty though.

Conversation after the installation was complete.

R: "I'm not going to lie, I had no idea what I was doing."
P: "Fabulous. Which part was the hardest?"
R: "The electrical part." (Yep nothing like trial and error with electrical currents involved.)

P: "Did you just reread the manual until you got it?"
R: "No I watched 2 Youtube video clips that explained the installation."

Youtube has nothing on those Sear's installation men.

Rebate? Yes please!

Randy loves to save money. He just does. It's like his middle name.

Randy hates wasting money and waking up early. But he'll set his alarm for 6:55am to try for the new appliance rebate. Oh yes! We were one of the few to get the rebate that was going on a couple of weeks ago. He tried until noon that day. Persistence saved us around 150 bucks. So thanks Rands for being such a penny-pincher. Not literally....I hate being pinched.


Well I had so much fun picking out the new dishwasher at Sear's. Granted, I didn't get the two drawer system because this was around $1500 bucks. Yikes!!! But the one I did pick is super nice. I can't wait to retire the old spaceship we currently have with our new sleek, quiet, 4 hour delay start kitchen gem. How do people survive without dishwashers? Spoiled, with a capital S.


When we were at Sear's it took forever to check out because Randy had to deny all of the extra warranties/products/options. Did you not catch his middle name? We save money in this place, not spend it. Well Randy lives by this motto. I try!

The one option I disagreed with was the "No installation" option.

P: "Randy it's not that expensive. Let's just have them do it."
R: "Penny that's where they get you."
P: "I'll pay for the installation fee."
R: "Or you can pay me the $165."
P: "But they'll do it professionally." (hence: right)
R: "Penny I can read directions. I'll figure it out. It's not that hard."

I reluctantly agreed.

Today the dishwasher was delivered. It was delivered around 2pm. Just note the time. Well the reason I'm typing on my blog now at 6:15 instead of making dinner is because my entire kitchen is torn apart. This must be routine procedure. I'm sure the Sear's man would have done this as well.

I went to go check on Randy a few minutes ago just to see how easily he is following those directions, and I hear him say, "Where is this water coming from?"

Hmmm...I'm sure this is routine as well.

Maybe I'll start looking for pizza delivery coupons. My kitchen looks off limits for awhile.

separate= great; combined=?

Two of my favorite foods are bacon and chocolate.....doesn't this make me sound like quite the porker?

But I would never eat these two together, or would you?

Check out the description of this "Mini Bacon Candy Bar Library"

"For those who have succumbed to the fact that bacon + chocolate is a daily habit, we have included one for each day of the week and a few extra for good measure. Nine mini bars combine applewood smoked bacon with Alder wood smoked salt and alternate between milk and dark chocolate. Tucked neatly in our signature purple box, this library is just the way to treat friends to the gift of a bacon + chocolate education."


Ummmm....no thanks.


If you would like to try this though, here's the website....

http://www.vosgeschocolate.com/product/Mini_Bacon_Exotic_Candy_Bar_Library/new_chocolate_bars

Personally I wouldn't waste 25 bucks. If you want to try it put a Hershey bar on your BLT next time and call it good! (or wait, maybe that wouldn't be so good)

we must have different versions.....

Randy cracks me up on a daily basis. He's so stinkin' serious about things, but the more you are around him you realize that 3/4 of the things he says is sarcastic. Sometimes he even fools me, and I can't tell if he's serious or joking.

Here's last night conversation that made me smile.




(In regards to Randy's Bible> Every time Jesus speaks in the New Testament the color of the font changes from black to red.)


Side note: Randy was reading his Bible last night before bed. I was so distracted because he kept flipping page after page.

P: "What are you looking for? Just use the index."
R: "I highlighted a really good verse last night, and I'm looking for it because I marked it in the margin."
P: "Well what was it about? Care to share?"
R: "Here it is. It says, 'Penny should give all of her money to Randy."
P: "Really, that's what your Bible says?"
R: "Yep it's even in red."


I'm pretty sure that Jesus is not commanding me to give over all my money to my too funny husband. Sorry love! Nice try though!

List Mania!

I love lists!

Amazon reading list mania, grocery lists, things to do lists.....You name it, I'll list it!


Here's an excerpt of my top faves from 101 ways to annoy people....

-Specify that your drive-through order is "to go."

-Start each meal by conspicuously licking all your food, and announce that this is so no one will "swipe your grub". (really? who will do this? if you decide, invite me over! you'll need a witness!)

-Leave your turn signal on for fifty miles.

-Forget the punchline to a long joke, but assure the listener it was a "real hoot."

-Invent nonsense computer jargon in conversations, and see if people play along to avoid the appearance of ignorance. (randy can show you how to do this)

-Staple papers in the middle of the page.

-Chew on pens that you've borrowed. (sixth graders do not know this little rule)

-End your research papers with "THE END" with Space size capital letters. (oops how did that get in there....I know, I was on the topic of sixth graders and this is one thing that drives me crazy!!!) Maybe I should consider them as being considerate. You know, if I ever leave my "to be graded" stack on my desk and I travel to outer space, I could still read their magnificent conclusions from Mars.

-Sit in your front yard pointing a hair dryer at passing cars to see if they slow down.


Here's the full link if you're not completely annoyed or haven't heard these yet.
http://www.coolfunnyjokes.com/Funny-Jokes/Misc-Jokes/101-Ways-To-Annoy-People.html

Happy reading! Remember don't annoy anyone!

Want to Get Away?

Heck yes I do!!!!


What do the pictures below have in common?

































No the answer is not "Jana and Penny ate chocolate to survive college."




Here's one more hint.....





















FYI for all the non-History buffs: The above picture is the Liberty Bell.


You know like on the movie "National Treasure." Why is that movie so great?




Give up?


Okay, okay time's up....remember I don't have patience....

Jana and I are going to Philadelphia this summer!!!!!!! Yeppers, we booked our flights this week. You're probably wondering, "Why would you want to go there?"
The question should be, "Why not?"

Do you think they'll let us ring the Liberty Bell? I doubt it too, but I'll be praying they'll make an exception for two fine Texas gals!

We are so pumped for our girls' trip. I love Jana with all my heart. She is truly one of my best friends. She is a laugh and a half. There is never a dull moment with her, and I'm usually holding my sides in pain from cracking up at her. She also keeps everything in perspective. She is my voice of reason.

I met Jana in Texas Lonestars, the service organization I was apart of at UT. She was a bridesmaid in our wedding, and we've tackled so many things together....Lonestars, UT, graduate school, job searches. Ahhh how I miss those days of graduate school. Jana and I would go to class, and then meet for lunch at Olive Garden and then grab a pedi.... My mom happened to call during one of our outings, and she said, "Man you girls live like millionaires." That we did. Thank you loan money. Notice I didn't say grants/scholarship. Yep, we're paying back our debt and complaining about it together as well.


Funny thing is that most of my traveling isn't done with Randy. I think it's because we have so many different interests. Randy would say, "Hey look, McDonald's. That'll be a cheap place for dinner." and I'm already googling "Top restaurants in Philly." I also am intrigued with art and museums. Randy, not so much!

Randy and his friends from LG are going to New York to watch the Astros suck it up, I mean play baseball. Well the next week, Jana and I are tackling the city of brotherly love. Yah so we've heard there's some crime there. But hello, Austin has crime too. We're not stupid travelers. We won't be walking in the ghetto. We won't be out at night. And Jana's most important tip, "Penny we can't wear anything nice. That way people will think we are poor and will leave us alone."

Brilliant! See she's practical too!

The most exciting thing I'm looking forward to is visiting Hershey, Pennsylvania. We're going to the Hershey factory! Oh my goodness! Hold the chocolate, not really, let it flow! Jana and I are going to tour the factory, create our own chocolate bar, and walk through the streets smelling sweet goodness. Oh we're also going to probably gain 10 pounds. Can you visit Hershey heaven without gaining some weight? I doubt that also!

oh SNAP!

Someone please buy this for me.....




















I think I'll be hosting a cheese party soon. Or I will be when someone buys this for me;) How much fun is this cheese cutting board/serving tray? And how many times would I be walking around the party going, "OH SNAP!!!?"

day off= fabulous

Hooray for a day off! Leander ISD had a holiday since we didn't have to use any bad weather days.

My day in pictures....



I graded papers ALL MORNING LONG!







No joke....about 4 hours. But I'm done until the next assessment. Wednesday, I'm going to hate you.






Mopac got a haircut today. She loves Ms. Kelly at Petsmart. Look at how beautiful she looks! I had to remind her in the car though that she shouldn't be boasting about her good looks. We are trying modesty out. When I got there to pick her up, there were lots of sweet kisses, jumping around, dancing in circles, and yelping. Mopac was pretty dang excited as well:)






I also whipped this floral creation up for our porch. I know....it's a gift!
(Oh yah, we are trying that modesty thing out. Here's a good dose of modesty regarding my plant. I'll kill it in a couple of days. I can plant/design it, but I can't keep it alive to save my life (hehehe--I love puns!) Lucky for me, my husband has a green thumb.)









I finally put up my spring wreath. I made my garden hose wreath over spring break. After looking at the picture, I thought it was off-balance. No worries (if you were thinking my same thought) I added a purple gerber on top to offset the bottom heaviness. Bottom-heaviness has always been a problem....grrr









Didn't quite mark this off my things-to-do list. Although this was my second attempt to rent it from Red Box. Is the dollar deal really working for me? I should have just got it at Blockbuster and kept it longer than for a day. You know I can't sit still for an entire movie. I was close today. I watched the first 20 minutes, but then I got distracted with something else. Now I must return it to the dollar goodness box. And I really want to know what's going to happen. Cute so far! Third times a charm! Maybe I'll re-rent it again this weekend.

words to live by....

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Philippians 4:6-7

Clear your brain

Warning: This blog will not make much sense because this is how my brain works. You're welcome to feel sorry for my sixth graders because my teaching is probably all over the place as well. We switch topics in under 10 seconds. Transitions are the name of the game. Keep up people. I like to go fast.

1) What happens to kids after spring break? The whole "Wait until after spring break" quote definitely applies. My sixth graders have morphed into 7th graders. Maybe it's because they are no longer at that sweet age of 11 but moody and hormonal 12.

My usual mantra....

"Please come to my class with a positive attitude. I want you rockin' and a rollin' all day in my room today. It also helps to be prepared. No you can't write with a map color. Oh by the way leave that cell phone in your locker because I am a "pro secret texter myself" and while you're in the hallway leave that 12th year of your life in your locker as well. It's a moody year anyways."

2) Modern Family= Tomorrow night

3) Randy starts basketball tomorrow night at 10pm. I'm such a night owl (whoo whoo) Chatting with the wives in the stands is my weekly highlight.

4) My mom's new puppy has huge ears. She's a walking satellite.














Poor little thing. Don't worry Molly. Mopac has them too. You'll grow into them. You keep embracing that ugly duckling look for now. Not too much longer you'll be that swan like my baby girl Mopac.


5) 41 school days until summer

6) Our flowers are NOT growing. I'm so tired of hearing this whole "be patient thing." Let's just rip them out and start again. They are dead and ugly (and cheap too, gosh).

7) Blog statistics: This is my 37th post, and I have 13 followers. Go me! Love it!

8)I love all the bluebonnets, and all the crazy families that risk their child's life to get that infamous Texas bluebonnet photo for G-ma. Please be aware that your flashers are not enough. Pull off into the ditch (not the shoulder) or find a park. Even though it's dangerous, it's a must. Randy gets mildly irritated about the bluebonnet photo tradition. "It's so stupid. Why do you have to have that picture? It's not like you're going to put it in a frame and display it all year. We're not doing that when we have kids."

FYI: We will be displaying that photo year-round, and yes our kids and Mopac will give us their cheesiest grins while wearing blue outfits. Oh ya blue outfits and blue flowers. He'll get over it. But can we get a "toot toot" for him mentioning the "k" word?

9) Bedtime....only 4 hours of sleep thanks to america's past time.

10) P.S. It kills me to end a list on number 9....so goodnight:)

Baseball Season

Hold on to your caps people the time has arrived. It's officially baseball season......
For those of you who don't speak baseball, the above statement translates to "Say goodbye to your husband Penny."


Grr......I think baseball is a total snore. In fact baseball is one reason why I am still awake at 11pm. Randy is driving home from Houston as we speak.

Tonight the Astros' opened their season in Houston. My husband and the crew from LaGrange have been going to opening day since high school. Pretty cool, huh? Ever since the boys had their driver licenses they've been in attendance for opening day. I love that Randy has so many close friends from home, and they still do this traditional event each year.

Plus I don't have to go.

I mean I do enjoy some aspects of baseball.... like leaving. Okay that's a little unfair because every summer Rands asks, "Want to go to Houston to watch the Astros?" I don't even hesitate before I say YES!!! It's the NACHOS! I love the Minute Maid nachos. Best nachos ever!

I usually try to hold out as long as possible before trekking it to the concession stand. It usually goes down like this....

P: "I'm going to get some nachos. I'm starving. Plus I can smell them. They are calling my name."
R: "You better wait. You know how bored you get. Why don't you wait until the 4th inning?"
P: "Good idea. I can wait until then. Then it'll be half over. I can do it; it's something to look forward to----4th inning--- Play Ball!"

ten minutes which is 2 hours later in Penny time

P: "I'm STARVING! I have to go now."
R: "Okay but it's still the first inning."

No worries faithful readers, I'm independent and can be an extremely slow walker. I'll be saying "extra jalapenos please" while they'll be wrapping up at least the third inning.

But it never fails. I return and it's still the first inning. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
What in the heck happened while I was gone?

R: "Penny you missed it. It was so exciting. This guy fouled the ball off 20 times before he got a hit."

Where is this goober? How dare him prolong the game by 19 more pitches?

P: "ughh awesome....I guess." (All the while thinking what am I going to do for the next 22 hours until this game is over?)


Please, oh please do the kiss-cam. Nachos and the kiss-cam make the game a little more bearable.
"Oh, kiss me beneath the milky twilight
Lead me out on the moonlit floor
Lift your open hand
Strike up the band and make the fireflies dance
Silver moon's sparkling
So kiss me"


I love it when the camera man puts the camera on two strangers. Hahahaha!

I'm sure we'll be attending at least one baseball game this year at the "juicebox." Isn't that such a cute nickname for the stadium? I'm sure the boys are talking about this now on their drive home. I can't wait to see Randy which is why I'm still up typing (that and I'm a complete scaredy cat who can't fall asleep if I'm here alone.) I'm sure he'll say what he always says when he comes home from an Astros game....

R: "Man if we lived in Houston, we'd have season tickets."

Yet another reason to be thankful that we live in Austin!

The Ultimate Sacrifice

Good Friday is always a "heavy-hearted" day. Today Jesus died for me. He died for my selfishness, rudeness, bitterness, anger, impatience, dishonesty, and all my other sins.

I am not worthy to receive the gift from this ultimate sacrifice. I am in utter amazement and full of thanksgiving knowing that I have a place saved for me in heaven. I only have this eternal reward because Jesus' blood washes away every sin I have. It doesn't matter how many good deeds I do. It only matters that one deed occurred and that is Jesus dying on the cross and then rising again.


I am ready for the joyful celebration of Easter! I hope you and your family have a blessed Easter weekend. WORTHY IS THE LAMB!

"There's a day that's drawing near
When this darkness breaks to light
And the shadows disappear
And my faith shall be my eyes

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagle's wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise, I will rise

And I hear the voice of many angels sing
Worthy is the Lamb
And I hear the cry of every longing heart
Worthy is the Lamb"

-Chris Tomlin