Randy is currently in New York City! Lucky duck! He is there with several of his close high school friends. Cute, huh? I love that every summer Randy gets to travel to a new city and experience a new baseball stadium with the guys (and not me)!
Don't get me wrong, I love, LOVE, LOVE to travel, but Randy and I need to do separate things. If you disagree, then I can give you the 411 from what I learned in my relationship and family/marriage counseling courses. Trust me, this is a good thing. If we spent every waking moment of every day all year long, we would kill each other. Then Mopac would be an orphan (sad)! So when he returns on Monday, I leave on Tuesday for Philly with Jana!!!! Later in the summer, Randy and I will take our own trip together for those of you who are worried.
For all the worry warts:
First and foremost, this is a guy's trip. It's baseball, sleeping on roll away carts, stuffing your face at the hotel's continental breakfast so you're not hungry later, and more baseball. Hello, they are in fabulous NYC and sitting at Yankee Stadium all WEEKEND LONG! I'd like to take a tour of the stadium and maybe watch 3 or 4 innings, and I'd be good to go with my check-off list. There are tons of fabulous museums and Broadways to be seen and not never-ending baseball to watch and cheap hotdogs to consume. But this is why I am not there and am packing to go home to see the parentals.
Last night the guys and me all went to dinner since they spent the night at the Lueders' hotel. I told the guys that I hope they get to experience some culture while they are there.
Dave's response: "I get enough culture in Texas."
Me: "You do?"
Dave: "Well yah, the Ammansville picnic is coming up in a couple of weeks. How much more culture could you need than that?"
sigh
Well Randy must be stressed out by the big city because he is very text friendly today.
Let me interpret what each message means.
1st text: "Bout to leave Hotlanta!"
interpretation: I'm carefree and lovin' the taking off and landing part of flying!
2nd text: "Landed in NYC"
interpreation: "Oh boy, here we go!"
3rd text: "Made it to hotel without being stabbed."
interpretation: There was an awful lot of pushing and shoving on the subway. Maybe throw in a rude taxi driver as well.
4th text: "Sensory overload."
interpretation: blood pressure rising!
Have a great weekend!
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Summer Reading
I cannot wait to plop myself down on the couch and curl up with a blanket while enjoying a good book. I love to read! It's one of my favorite things to do. Last year, I read 50 books. How do I know this? Shelfari keeps track for me. And this year I've read 18 books. It tells me this on my Shelfari homepage as well as "Penny, you're behind on your pace from last year." Ahhhh why does this stress me out? Why does it have to be an internal competition? Because now, I'm already mentally tracking how I'm going to make up some ground. Reading is supposed to be one of those stress- free activities I enjoy. Not now, I must get going. I want to beat my personal record.
Shelfari is an online book tracking website. It's linked on my blog....Scroll down and look to the right. See it? Well you should join too if you like to read, and then we could be book buds. It keeps track of what you read, are reading, and plan to read as well as your friend's reading lists. I love seeing what other people are reading, and I often find what I'm going to read next through Shelfari. I know you're dying to join. Book lovers unite!!!
Well here are the books that I've decided to tackle this summer....They have been on my "plan to read" list for awhile. I'm not going to lie, some are slightly embarrassing.
Young Adult
"Harry Potter and the Sorcer's Stone"
(Gasp! I know! I'm the only person in the world who hasn't read it. I hope I like it. Wizards, swords, and potions aren't really my thing. But maybe it has drama. Because I'm all over the drama!)
"The 39 Clues: Book 1"
I need to be up on the young adult books, so I can connect to some of my kiddos and maybe discuss with them some themes or just make a connection. The Twilight series was accomplished last year! I'm on Team Edward, just so you know. Maybe I'll even venture into the "Diary of the Wimpy Kid."
New York Bestsellers
"Eat Pray Love"
"Water for Elephants"
"The Art of Racing in the Rain"
Completely Mindless Chick-Lit (Heavy on drama + light on plot = a smile to my face)
"Mike, Mike, and Me"
"Heart of the Matter"
"Babyville" (I love Jane Green)
"The One You Really Want" (also by a British author, Jill Mansell)
Side Note: I love British authors. Sophie Kinsella, Jill Mansell, and Jane Green have me laughing out loud. Maybe because they're so brash, or they use words like "queue" and "I must go to the loo." My favorite is "arse." It's a swear word, but it totally doesn't sound that way. "He's a pain in the arse." They make it sound endearing. I'm pretty sure that it's still cussing, but I'm typing it and not saying it.
Shelfari is an online book tracking website. It's linked on my blog....Scroll down and look to the right. See it? Well you should join too if you like to read, and then we could be book buds. It keeps track of what you read, are reading, and plan to read as well as your friend's reading lists. I love seeing what other people are reading, and I often find what I'm going to read next through Shelfari. I know you're dying to join. Book lovers unite!!!
Well here are the books that I've decided to tackle this summer....They have been on my "plan to read" list for awhile. I'm not going to lie, some are slightly embarrassing.
Young Adult
"Harry Potter and the Sorcer's Stone"
(Gasp! I know! I'm the only person in the world who hasn't read it. I hope I like it. Wizards, swords, and potions aren't really my thing. But maybe it has drama. Because I'm all over the drama!)
"The 39 Clues: Book 1"
I need to be up on the young adult books, so I can connect to some of my kiddos and maybe discuss with them some themes or just make a connection. The Twilight series was accomplished last year! I'm on Team Edward, just so you know. Maybe I'll even venture into the "Diary of the Wimpy Kid."
New York Bestsellers
"Eat Pray Love"
"Water for Elephants"
"The Art of Racing in the Rain"
Completely Mindless Chick-Lit (Heavy on drama + light on plot = a smile to my face)
"Mike, Mike, and Me"
"Heart of the Matter"
"Babyville" (I love Jane Green)
"The One You Really Want" (also by a British author, Jill Mansell)
Side Note: I love British authors. Sophie Kinsella, Jill Mansell, and Jane Green have me laughing out loud. Maybe because they're so brash, or they use words like "queue" and "I must go to the loo." My favorite is "arse." It's a swear word, but it totally doesn't sound that way. "He's a pain in the arse." They make it sound endearing. I'm pretty sure that it's still cussing, but I'm typing it and not saying it.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Winner, winner, chicken dinner!
Quick, go to Amazon and buy this cookbook!
It is a must own. Especially in our house where we eat so much chicken. My dad never quite gets this. "Penny, you know I raise cattle, right?" Yah, I like red meat, but I love chicken. My parents don't raise chickens so unfortunately I have to buy this product at HEB. Funny side story, I never buy beef at the store. I just go home and raid 1 of the 3 deep freezers at home. Yes, that's right, 3! I once asked my dad, "Daddy is this organic beef?" His reply had me cracking up. He pauses and scratches his head, "Penny I don't even know what the heck that means." LOL He kinda looked disgusted that I would question his beef.
Back to the story, chicken is one of those things that must be changed up. You can only eat it grilled with Italian dressing like once a month because you get so tired of it. If the above statement sounds like you, then buy this cookbook.
I made this the other night with herbs from my garden, and it was a hit! Well it's not really a garden, it's more of a pot. And actually I needed a recipe that involved thyme. The reason, I planted the stuff and have no idea how to use it. My mom rattled off like 20 things. All things Randy wouldn't like. If you don't have a herb pot like me, I guess you'll have to splurge for those herbs in the store or buy them dried. Don't let that discourage you! This dish is worth it!
Oven-Herb Chicken
2 cups crushed corn flakes
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 Tbsp rosemary
1 Tbsp thyme leaves
1 teaspoon oregano (I used dried)
1 Tbsp parsley flakes
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
5-6 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves or 1 chicken, quartered
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Combine corn flakes, parmesan cheese, rosemary, thyme, oregano, parsley, garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper in medium bowl.
In separate bowl, melt butter in microwave. Dip chicken breasts in butter and then corn flake mixture. Coat well.
Place chicken in sprayed 9 x 13 baking dish. (Do not crowd pieces). Bake for 1 hour. Serves 8.
(Side note: this cookbook does like to COOK their food. They definitely have the "raw chicken sickies" phobia down. I cooked mine for 45 minutes. Maybe because I have a hot oven, or I didn't want jerky. Your call. Enjoy!
Sunday, June 6, 2010
burnt orange weekend
This weekend we woke up early to head to the new University Federal Credit Union on 1431. Why? Good interest rates? A loan for Penny's new car? Nope, Mack Brown was there signing autographs. Pretty cool, huh? Stop rolling your eyes! I met Mack Brown, got a free burger, and enjoyed a grand opening. I'm pretty sure everyone there was using UFCU for the Mack autographs. But hey, it got people, right?
And he told me he liked my earrings! Randy gave me a pair of longhorn earrings for my birthday back in college. Mack casually shook my hand and said, "Hey I love those earrings." Well thank you!
Saturday night we went to the NCAA regional baseball game between my Longhorns and the rajun cajuns from Louisiana. We smoked them! I actually enjoyed this one. Probably because I was sitting in the shade and the lady next to me worked in the Psychology building. She was updating me on events and happenings as well as the scoop on all of my old professors. Oh yah, and I was also sporting my Mack Brown earrings. That's what they are now called, not my "James Avery" earrings but the "Mack Brown" earrings.
One of the lesser enjoyable moments was attributed to the obnoxious lady sitting behind me. Why, oh why wherever I go, this obnoxious person flops down right behind me? Whether we're at the movies or a booth at a restaurant, I get stuck hearing this person cackle and "scream talk" 3 inches from my ear. She was yelling the entire game, mostly incorrect things. For instance, one side yells, "TEXAS." The other side yells, "FIGHT." Not this "super fan." She yelled, "HORNS" each time.
Oh my goodness, I was so annoyed. I asked a really loud rhetorical question, "Isn't it suppose to be "FIGHT?" Randy sarcastically said, "I think you might be right." Well duh, I'm right. I only yelled that cheer a gazillion times. It was rhetorical. Geez, the loud lady behind me needed to get a clue. However, I did get quite a chuckle when she yelled "Suck air baby" to the obnoxious Rajun Cajun fan. I'm not sure why or how that's insulting. But hey, "suck air baby!" I should have used that line on another fan as well, probably the one behind me yelling "horns."
Oh and today I went to go get a pedicure. It was a reward for the end of the school year. And just so you know, I was wearing a burnt orange t-shirt. I don't know how that's relevant, but if I didn't add this "Sunday" activity the blog post title wouldn't be accurate. It would need to say "Burnt Orange Saturday." So I added my activity from today to prove it truly was a weekend experience. So there!
And he told me he liked my earrings! Randy gave me a pair of longhorn earrings for my birthday back in college. Mack casually shook my hand and said, "Hey I love those earrings." Well thank you!
Saturday night we went to the NCAA regional baseball game between my Longhorns and the rajun cajuns from Louisiana. We smoked them! I actually enjoyed this one. Probably because I was sitting in the shade and the lady next to me worked in the Psychology building. She was updating me on events and happenings as well as the scoop on all of my old professors. Oh yah, and I was also sporting my Mack Brown earrings. That's what they are now called, not my "James Avery" earrings but the "Mack Brown" earrings.
One of the lesser enjoyable moments was attributed to the obnoxious lady sitting behind me. Why, oh why wherever I go, this obnoxious person flops down right behind me? Whether we're at the movies or a booth at a restaurant, I get stuck hearing this person cackle and "scream talk" 3 inches from my ear. She was yelling the entire game, mostly incorrect things. For instance, one side yells, "TEXAS." The other side yells, "FIGHT." Not this "super fan." She yelled, "HORNS" each time.
Oh my goodness, I was so annoyed. I asked a really loud rhetorical question, "Isn't it suppose to be "FIGHT?" Randy sarcastically said, "I think you might be right." Well duh, I'm right. I only yelled that cheer a gazillion times. It was rhetorical. Geez, the loud lady behind me needed to get a clue. However, I did get quite a chuckle when she yelled "Suck air baby" to the obnoxious Rajun Cajun fan. I'm not sure why or how that's insulting. But hey, "suck air baby!" I should have used that line on another fan as well, probably the one behind me yelling "horns."
Oh and today I went to go get a pedicure. It was a reward for the end of the school year. And just so you know, I was wearing a burnt orange t-shirt. I don't know how that's relevant, but if I didn't add this "Sunday" activity the blog post title wouldn't be accurate. It would need to say "Burnt Orange Saturday." So I added my activity from today to prove it truly was a weekend experience. So there!
Friday, June 4, 2010
Finito!
Does that mean "finally?" Well if it doesn't, it needs to be....
Because I am FINISHED WITH MY TEACHING CAREER!
sigh......it is slightly bittersweet. More sweet than bitter, but in ways I will miss teaching.
Today was the last day of school! I had several of my sweethearts come up to me and give me big hugs. Some even got on their hands and knees crying and pleading, no begging, me to stay.....
Okay, okay not exactly, but I did get hugs.
Teaching Highlights
1)Yesterday I asked all of my classes to be honest with themselves and to raise their hands if for the first time in their lives they finished a chapter book from cover to cover. I was shocked and so proud that I inspired so many readers. More than half of my students raised their hands!!!! I was touched that I encouraged their reading, well that and the fact I assigned book projects. This was a highlight in my teaching career.
2) okay so here comes a toot toot....I had a 96% passing rate for the TAKS test. When I was individually conferencing with students, I told one girl she had passed. She looked at me with this incredible awe-struck face and said, "Mrs. Lueders, I've never passed the reading TAKS my whole life." I wanted to burst out in tears.
3) We were creating superheroes in class shortly after I told the kids I wouldn't be coming back next year. I told them I would be leaving to take a school counseling position. One of the wittiest kids I know created his superhero. Guess what the superhero's special power was?
"Eats homework and teachers who want to be counselors"
LOL I was rolling on the floor laughing. So funny!
So I'm drawing a blank on number 4.....I'm sure more positive highlights will come to me. I'm sure when I'm not on my "I can't wait to be a counselor" high.
Things I learned as a teacher
1) They are underpaid.
2) They work anywhere from 45-60 hour weeks.
3) Grading SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!
4) Teachers can hold their bladder longer than most people can.
5) You start talking like sixth graders "Ahhh man! That was like so cool!"
6) Too much emphasis is placed on the TAKS test (did I mention I got a 96% pass rate?:)
7) Not all sixth graders catch my sarcasm.
8) Students can love you and hate you in a matter of 5 seconds (because they don't catch my sarcasm, duh!)
9) There is always drama!
10) I love the drama! I was made for middle school! I love how the students are little adults trying to figure out life/the opposite sex/their changing bodies/pushing limits to find who they really are. I'm excited to keep encouraging students to find their own voice.
Red pens....I hate you!
I'm ready for the next journey! Bring it! (I tried to talk sixth grader-ish right here.)
Because I am FINISHED WITH MY TEACHING CAREER!
sigh......it is slightly bittersweet. More sweet than bitter, but in ways I will miss teaching.
Today was the last day of school! I had several of my sweethearts come up to me and give me big hugs. Some even got on their hands and knees crying and pleading, no begging, me to stay.....
Okay, okay not exactly, but I did get hugs.
Teaching Highlights
1)Yesterday I asked all of my classes to be honest with themselves and to raise their hands if for the first time in their lives they finished a chapter book from cover to cover. I was shocked and so proud that I inspired so many readers. More than half of my students raised their hands!!!! I was touched that I encouraged their reading, well that and the fact I assigned book projects. This was a highlight in my teaching career.
2) okay so here comes a toot toot....I had a 96% passing rate for the TAKS test. When I was individually conferencing with students, I told one girl she had passed. She looked at me with this incredible awe-struck face and said, "Mrs. Lueders, I've never passed the reading TAKS my whole life." I wanted to burst out in tears.
3) We were creating superheroes in class shortly after I told the kids I wouldn't be coming back next year. I told them I would be leaving to take a school counseling position. One of the wittiest kids I know created his superhero. Guess what the superhero's special power was?
"Eats homework and teachers who want to be counselors"
LOL I was rolling on the floor laughing. So funny!
So I'm drawing a blank on number 4.....I'm sure more positive highlights will come to me. I'm sure when I'm not on my "I can't wait to be a counselor" high.
Things I learned as a teacher
1) They are underpaid.
2) They work anywhere from 45-60 hour weeks.
3) Grading SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!
4) Teachers can hold their bladder longer than most people can.
5) You start talking like sixth graders "Ahhh man! That was like so cool!"
6) Too much emphasis is placed on the TAKS test (did I mention I got a 96% pass rate?:)
7) Not all sixth graders catch my sarcasm.
8) Students can love you and hate you in a matter of 5 seconds (because they don't catch my sarcasm, duh!)
9) There is always drama!
10) I love the drama! I was made for middle school! I love how the students are little adults trying to figure out life/the opposite sex/their changing bodies/pushing limits to find who they really are. I'm excited to keep encouraging students to find their own voice.
Red pens....I hate you!
I'm ready for the next journey! Bring it! (I tried to talk sixth grader-ish right here.)
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
what? school? what's that?
student who irritates Mrs. Lueders: "Wait I don't have a pencil. I can't do the work."
Me: "Oh you'll still do the work. Borrow from a friend."
student who irritates Mrs. Lueders: "It's the last week of school. Who would have thought I needed a pencil? I didn't think we'd do anything the last three days."
clever student in the back (who I'm adoring right now): "Why does it matter what week it is. You never have a pencil."
Two points clever student in the back. I knew I always liked you!
Me: "Oh you'll still do the work. Borrow from a friend."
student who irritates Mrs. Lueders: "It's the last week of school. Who would have thought I needed a pencil? I didn't think we'd do anything the last three days."
clever student in the back (who I'm adoring right now): "Why does it matter what week it is. You never have a pencil."
Two points clever student in the back. I knew I always liked you!
June 2nd
Tomorrow is the anniversary of the best day of my life......
My wedding day!!!!
On June 2, 2007, I married the love of my life! Randy is my best friend. I know God had him picked out for me before I was even born. He gets me! I get him! We make each other laugh. People always say, "Man when I met you both, I couldn't believe ya'll were married because you both are so different." I had no idea we were so different. I guess the biggest difference is the whole extrovert/introvert thing! (oh and me being cool and randy well, you know..... :) Like they say, "opposites attract."
It's been a whirlwind of three years, but I think God has given us just the right amount of challenges and obstacles for our love to keep growing. Thank you Randy for being there for me, listening to me, and loving me unconditionally. You are the best!
Tomorrow we will celebrate with dinner out and watching our wedding DVD. No worries, I'm sure Randy will complain and ask if we have to watch the whole thing. Yes, we will watch the WHOLE thing, and probably the highlight clip twice:)
Here are some of my favorite wedding day pictures that friends and family took. The black and white photograph is from our photographer, Photos by Lydia. I could post these for hours; I love wedding pictures:) Enjoy!
My wedding day!!!!
On June 2, 2007, I married the love of my life! Randy is my best friend. I know God had him picked out for me before I was even born. He gets me! I get him! We make each other laugh. People always say, "Man when I met you both, I couldn't believe ya'll were married because you both are so different." I had no idea we were so different. I guess the biggest difference is the whole extrovert/introvert thing! (oh and me being cool and randy well, you know..... :) Like they say, "opposites attract."
It's been a whirlwind of three years, but I think God has given us just the right amount of challenges and obstacles for our love to keep growing. Thank you Randy for being there for me, listening to me, and loving me unconditionally. You are the best!
Tomorrow we will celebrate with dinner out and watching our wedding DVD. No worries, I'm sure Randy will complain and ask if we have to watch the whole thing. Yes, we will watch the WHOLE thing, and probably the highlight clip twice:)
Here are some of my favorite wedding day pictures that friends and family took. The black and white photograph is from our photographer, Photos by Lydia. I could post these for hours; I love wedding pictures:) Enjoy!
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