Our Crib

So finally here's a tour of the house through pictures for those who want to see but can't come in person. I put forth my best effort of taking pictures that would get the best view of the room, which was a difficult task! Hope everyone DOES come to visit though because there's a spare bed thanks to Nat and Jeff! (See room with brown bedding.) =)

A couple notes... the previous owners left the curtains and rug in the dining room, and they were meticulously clean so we didn't mind keeping them, there's also one completely empty room upstairs by the guest room, we actually enjoy the plaid and log patterns of wallpaper =), and yes, we want to paint the green bathroom a different color.

Punkins!

There's a small place to get pumpkins by our house, so my brother's family joined us for some punkin pickin'! We saved the carving for another day since it was getting late, and carving is a long process. I can't wait to see what the kids come up with.

Cute little punkins

2 big punkins

Cute family

HAPPY OCTOBER!

Texas Fried Fair

I remember going to the fair in Beaumont when I was growing up, and it was pretty fun. I didn't pay much attention to the food surprisingly, but I rode some of the rides... although I was terrified. Who even knows how well those rides are put together? They're portable! Anyway, this year we went to the State Fair of Texas, and this time, it was ALL about the food. I don't think it's wise to ride rides after that food anyway. Here's all the stuff we tasted..... fried.

1) corn dogs (Fletcher's)
2) peaches and cream -- just the peaches were fried
3) butter -- yes, fried butter. I bet Paula Deen came up with that one. It was really like a fried biscuit.
4) cookie dough
5) coke -- pretty much a biscuit soaked in coke and fried
6) bacon
7) funnel cake

Pretty disgusting that we put those things in our bodies, yes. I felt awful after only taking one bite of everything. It was a wise idea to share everything between 5 people. After we could take no more, we came home, and went directly to bed. I can't promise I'll eat any of those things in years to come (except the corn dogs and funnel cake), but we had to have the experience! There's nothin' like it. Here we are with Big Tex!

Loyal Fans of HP

James and I are proud to announce that we've both finished the Harry Potter series, and we loved every page of it! What a brilliant author. What a fantastic series. I do think it's a bit strong for younger audiences and while reading, I kept thinking how crazy it was that 3rd graders read it! It's intense but just SO good. The best part was reading it with James at practically the same time. We staggered a little, and he took the last book to training, so he finished first. He almost read it again on that trip... that's how much he liked it. And when he got back and I was reading it, he kept asking, "What's Harry doing now?" After each book, we rented the movie, and it was great to not wait for them.... until now. =( We decided this is the best way to read a series -- when all the books are already out!
So, I can officially call myself a teacher now (right, Mrs. Andersen?) and the only challenge is, we have to find another series that can match it. Thank you, Ashna, for sharing your precious books.

Our Anniversary

October 12, 2007

It's been a wonderful 2 years!

Mrs. Palmer is Back

So it's official... I really am a substitute teacher. Up until last week, I told people I was a substitute, but I hadn't actually been to any schools yet, so it felt like a fake job. Well, Monday morning I was called at 6:45 to substitute for an art teacher. I don't know how people with "on call" jobs do it. It's so stressful waking up in a panic! I had never been to the school and didn't know what I was in for, so I was a little thrown off and stressed while getting ready in 15 min. James got me directions and I sped over. When I got there, I found out there was a student teacher who was responsible for all the lessons... awesome! So I just got to help the kids and get to know them a little. Then I thought there's no way they'd call AGAIN the next morning. And they didn't........ until 7:45. Another panic wake up! School starts at 8 and the subs are supposed to really be there by 7:30. It takes at least 15 min. to drive there - 20 because there are at least 4 school zones - and I knew there was no way I would be there in time for school to start. Well, I called the school and let them know, and off I went partly dressed and done up (I finished at stop lights of course) to arrive only to find out the teacher was still there! Well, she lost her voice so she was leaving. It was a 4th grade class of 18 students and I was able to calm down as she finished her plans for me. I introduced myself, and off we went, just like it was my old classroom again. My past supervisors would be so pleased to see I was sneaking in explicit lessons. ha It actually went pretty darn well! I know they all won't be so pleasant, but I think I was blessed with 2 good experiences to start out. Now I'm sick at home, and the nice thing is, I can schedule a "non-work day" online so they don't call me. We'll see what next week holds...