Status Updates that Didn't Make the Cut

Since starting Facebook last summer, I've gone from posting a status update once a day to maybe once a week because I'm pretty sure noone is really that interested. However, I do find myself thinking a lot about things I do, see, or hear and how it would read as a status posting. Here are a few that didn't make it to print:
-Why doesn't Target stock the regular Northern toilet paper anymore???
-Good news: Troy got a free hair cute! Bad news: It's because the stylist cut his ear.
-I've managed to train my body to need an earlier bedtime, so why can't I ever get up on time?
-Attempting to de-clutter the house--again!!
-Oprah is wearing my mittens. (The ones from the Olympics, that I did post about.)
-I'm really, really tired of winter.
-All of those vegetables I ate a few hours ago aren't doing me any favors now.
-Troy and I both bought each other Valentine gifts online this year and both of us returned them. Note to self: save the shipping next year and just go out to eat.
-I'm sitting at the West Acres food court and there is a man here with two kids who is cross-stitching. True story.
-Eating leftovers for the fourth day in a row. Sometimes I am just really lazy.
-Me before bedtime: Mateo, is your Pull-up going to be dry in the morning? Mateo: We'll have to wait and see.
-I love my new Keurig coffee maker that I got for my birthday! (got a whale of a deal too)
-Not the best day, I cried in front of my students.
-Who knew new tires had so much tread?
-Real Housewives of New York is starting in two weeks!
-I wonder how much deer poop will be in the backyard when the snow melts?
-Read a really good book this weekend called Trouble.
-Does anyone else like ordering off the dollar menus at Burger King and McDonalds? I recommend the BK spicy chicken.
-Help! My skin is so flaky. Make it stop!
-Mateo: Mom, how can asparagus make your pee smell funny?

So there you have it. The good, the bad, and the ugly. As a favor to my friends (and other FB acquaintances I have known or met at one point in my life), I will continue my attempt to filter my FB posts because honestly, did you really want to know all of that?

A New Pampered Chef

I'm proud of my little guy. He made muffins all by himself the other day. Granted it was the "just add milk" to the mix kind of recipe. I'm doing my best to make sure he knows his way around a kitchen, unlike another male in the house who shall remain nameless.

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas

Being from Minnesota, and not a lover of cold and winter and snow, I think the idea of a "white" Christmas is over-rated. Now, if I had moved away to a warmer region, maybe I would appreciate the sentiment more. Or at least fantacize about the romantic notion of it all. But, I'm sorry to say, I don't dream of having a white Christmas. I actually thought about making up lyrics to "I'm Dreaming of a Brown Christmas." Something to the effect of not having to worry about bad roads when traveling, not having plans ruined or derailed because of the weather, and not being chilled to the bone every time I go outside.

This Christmas, we had the epitome of a white Christmas complete with plenty of inches of the fluffy stuff that later became heavy and dense which was perfect snowman weather. It also meant cancelling plans and worrying about the roads. On the bright side, we got some good outdoorsy pictures.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Well, it finally happened. We put up an actual normal-sized Christmas tree this year for the first time year. We eased into it slowly. I've always done some sort of Christmas decorating but didn't put up a tree because Troy and I didn't see the need (or have the ambition) when we are always traveling over Christmas. Then Mateo came and when he was really little, we felt it would be more of a nuisance (and another excuse). Last year I put up a four foot tree so Mateo could put up some ornaments. So now this year, I felt that it was time to stop the procrastination and get a tree for Mateo's sake. He really enjoyed putting on all of the ornaments, and I feel proud of myself for finally getting with the program. I must say, I like the coziness the tree provides to the house.

Sweet Celebrations

Yesterday we celebrated Mateo's 4th birthday and then had Halloween festivities in the evening. It was one of those non-stop days filled with activity. It was so much fun to have my whole family at the party. Even Eno was there all the way from Seattle! Troy's sister from Rochester came with his mom and step-dad. We don't have a ton of friends in Bagley, but the few we have are awesome friends, and they were also able to make it. I thought about how blessed we are to have the opportunity to share this special occasion with our family and friends. It was the kind of day where you don't have to worry about anything else but enjoying time together and experiencing the day through the eyes of a little guy who is loving every minute of the presents, birthday wishes, costumes, and candy! These are the sweet moments to cherish. Life is good.

The Tide is Rising

Transitions -- I'm not a big fan. I try to be a go-with-the-flow kind of girl, but those of you who know me, might be laughing a little at that statement. I'm too Type A. Either I've always been Type A and not realized it or else have become a more rigid Type A as I got older. If that is the case, I blame it on being a teacher. There are so many details to tend to on a daily basis that I trained myself to be uber organized so I could function and survive. During my first few years of teaching, I spent a lot of time trying to keep my head above water. That wasn't much fun.

Lately, I've been having that feeling again. It's not school this time, it's the juggling act at home. Even though I knew it was coming and tried to prepare myself for it, it hasn't been easy. I'm not going to whine about the specifics. Let's just say I really appreciate the down time with my family that doesn't happen as often as it did before. I hope things get better as we work out the kinks. Last time I checked, life preservers aren't handed out until the beginning of June.

All Summer in a Day

I have about an hour before I need to get Mateo to his daycare and get us both dressed and ready for the day. Today is the second day of teacher workshop with open house tonight. I better make this blog quick. For some reason, I have not found the time to blog since early June. Maybe Facebook got in the way....hmmm.

Since my last post, we have enjoyed our summer that went as fast as I knew it would. In June Troy started teaching drivers' training and has since spent almost 200 hours in the car with students. Thankfully, he doesn't have too many eventful stories to share.

The big news is that my husband is now a "real" teacher! He got hired to work in Waubun which is an hour away. He will teach rotation classes for fifth and sixth grade. The two of us also enjoyed a couple getaway to Hawaii in August. It was so relaxing and quiet. I did miss Mateo a lot but not as much when we were sitting in restaurants enjoying an uninterrupted meal. Mateo was having more fun with Grandma Linda anyway! I could write more about what we did this summer, but I don't want this to turn into a Christmas card.

Now it's time to say goodbye to popsicles, freezies, hotdogs, visits with friends and family, summer strolls, relaxed schedules and all of the other things we love about June, July, and August. This time of year is always a little tough for me. I sometimes wonder what it would feel like not to have to go to school in the fall. I've been doing it for 29 years now. It's hard to transition from vacation mode to full-on work mode. I know, I know, you're shedding tears for me. While you get the Kleenex, I better log out and get ready.