Weekend Wrap-Up & A-Z Reveal

Before I get started:  Do you notice my new background?  My blog will remain this way through the month of April to recognize Autism Awareness Month.  I will also have 1 fact/week on my sidebar.

Now for the Wrap-up:

CH was off on a motorcycle/camping weekend, so I thought I was going to have the whole entire weekend all to myself.  Except that YS came down with Pink Eye Thursday night, so he was home with me on Friday night.  We ended up ordering Take-out from Olive Garden for dinner, then I caught up on some tv shows.  Here is Laika looking for him:

Saturday, I let the dogs out, then went back to bed and slept until 9.  Then, I got up and did some stuff on my laptop.  After that, a nap was in order, followed by a shower and Mass.  I was treated to Cracker Barrel by my parents for dinner.  MS left a note on my Facebook that said to call him.  He said that he had made reservations for us at a nearby restaurant for dinner, but, since I had my phone off, he had to cancel.  I'm still not sure why he didn't leave a message on my voice mail.
Saturday ended up with a surprise from YS & his g'friend:

My first birthday cake in a loooong time!

My FIL sent me this over the weekend:

And now for the "Great A-Z Reveal".  Last year, my theme was the Small Town.  This year, I've decided to go with the "Great Smoky Mountains".  They are right in my backyard, and, hopefully you'll learn something new about them.  I have a feeling I probably will, too.

Friday Fragments

~  I think Spring is finally here...at least for the next week.  We had some crazy snow on Tuesday.

~  I missed the last 2 practices for Community Band, and we were off last week because of Spring Break.  There are a couple of pieces that we're playing that I just LOVE:  "Oklahoma" and "Variations of a Korean Folk Song".  Here's the crazy thing:  I must have played "Variations" at some point because I had no problem with some of the tricky fingerings.  There is something to be said for muscle memory, even after all those years!

~  I texted OS and told him I needed a picture for my "OS' picture of the week". This is what he posted:

Not exactly the beautiful pictures he had been posting, but at least it's something.

~  Seen on a wall in the church where the flute choir practices:

"You can't walk on water if you don't get out of the boat."

Words to live by; for sure!

Seeing Green Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. March is known as the windy month. Which of the following phrases best fits your March so far...'throw caution to the wind', 'three sheets to the wind', 'run like the wind', or 'see which way the wind blows'?
See which way the wind blows.  I can't believe March is already almost over!

2. Your favorite green food? Your favorite dish made with your favorite green food?
I like a good salad, for sure.  I also like Watergate Salad!

3. Ever been locked out of your home-car-office-anywhere? Do tell!
When I was in high school, I got home from a tennis match and my parents & younger brothers weren't home.  That was really odd, because someone was always home.  I ended up going to our next door neighbor's house and sitting with them for  little bit until someone got home.  That was waaaay before cell phones, so I had no way of getting in touch with them to find out where they were.

4. Yoda, Kermit, Shrek, The Wicked Witch of the West, Oscar the Grouch, The Grinch, or Mike Wasowski (Monsters Inc.)...of the green characters listed, which one's your favorite and why?
Shrek.  What a lovable big ol' lunk.

5. "The first task of a leader is to keep hope alive."~Joe Batten Do you agree? Why or why not? 
Yep.  Without hope, who's going to follow???

6. Share a favorite song with an emotion in it's title.

This is a favorite right now.  I can't hear it without moving!

7. What's a road trip you'd like to take?
Out west to Colorado.  Or Utah.  The fact that this one is out there makes it more appealing!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I need everyone's opinion:

When you go to a blog where the whole post isn't on 1 page, to you click "Read more", or do you just go on to the next blog?

I've changed my Speech Blog so that the whole post isn't on 1 page, but I wasn't sure how other bloggers felt about it.

Have y'all seen this video?

Jammin' Weekend Wrap-up

Well, another Spring Break is over.  

I spent waaay too much time on school stuff, but I think I've got the rest of the year's materials made.  And, I've planned up until TCAPs, which are the last week of April.  After that week, only 3 weeks until the end of the year.  I think I can, I think I can!
I spent the weekend trying to organize all of the stuff that I laminated, as well as finishing up catching up on The Following.  Have I mentioned how freaky that show is?

Saturday, CH & I went to Garden Ridge.  Oh, how I love that store!  When we lived in SC, I used to go a lot, but we didn't have one here until a few months ago (or maybe a year).  We found some cushions for our patio table chairs.  After that, we went to the pizza joint where YS works for dinner.  Best pizza place around!

On Friday, I mentioned that I'm having a Jamberry Nails online party.  I put on a new set Saturday:

To put them on, all you do is heat it with the hairdryer for about 5 seconds, then put it on your nail.  I used a nail scissor to cut it as close to my nail as I could, then I used a file in a downward motion to get the excess off.  You get enough wraps for 2 applications plus a few extra for your toes!  The wraps on the sheet come in different sizes so you can match the size to the size of your fingernail.
If you're interested, click here.  There are a lot of different designs, or, if you want a solid color, they have those, too.

How about those Tennessee Volunteers?  They didn't even know if they were going to get into the tournament, and now they're in the Sweet 16!  Some people were calling for the coach to lose his job; bet they're singing a different tune now.  It's certainly the craziest NCAA tournament I ever remember with all of those underdogs winning.

Are you keeping up with the Tournament?  If so who are you rooting for?

Spring Break Friday Frags

~NOOOO!  It CAN.NOT be Friday already!  I knew this week would go by way too fast!

~  YS had his first performance for his solo class on Wednesday.  Since I'm on break, I was able to go and watch him.  There were 4 individual students and 1 group that performed in front of the rest of the class and some instructors.  Following each performance, the student had to stand on the stage and listen to comments and suggestions from the instructors.  YS had some positive comments, and he said that the written comments were also very constructive.  

~  I spent most of Thursday printing and laminating material for the rest of the year (9 weeks, but who's counting?).  This is what my pile looked like:

Now I get to do a lot of cutting and organizing.

~  While I was doing that, I watched Season 1 of this per MS' and his g'friend's recommendation:

FREAKY.   But good.

~  Yesterday's pictures from a walk in the park:

~  Have you heard of Jamberry Nails?  I'm not a "girly girl", but I tried a sample, and it stayed on my nail for 3 weeks.  I finally took it off, and it did no damage to may fingernail!  AND, it just so happens that I'm having an "internet party", so if you're interested, let me know and I'll send you the information!    Here's my sample after 2 weeks.  You can tell that my fingernail polish on my index finger is coming off.

~  I've been posting a picture of the week from OS, but this week he had 2 that were amazing:

 My "grand-dog", Sultie:

Hope everybody had a good week!

Springy Wednesday Hodgepodge

1.  Thursday marks the first day of spring...to celebrate would you rather plant a garden or go for a walk in the woods? Would either of those activities be possible on Thursday where you live?

I'd much rather for a walk in the woods.  If you know anything about me, you know I can't grow anything!  It's supposed to be sunny & 62 on Thursday, so it's definitely doable!

2. When did someone last spring something on you? (or when did you last spring something on someone?)
Late January when OS sprung his move to Utah on us.

3.  We often think of spring as a time for new beginnings. What's something you'd like to start doing this spring?
I'd like to start walking more, or maybe even riding my bike.

4. Where do you like to sit in a movie theatre? When did you last sit there, and what were you watching?
We like to sit right in the middle of the screen, the first row on the risers.  CH & I went to see "Ride Along" a couple of weeks ago.  HILARIOUS.

5. When you meet someone for the very first time, what do you want them to think about you?
That I'm kind.

6. March is frozen food month (yes, really!). Besides ice cream (gotta make you think a little) what's your most often purchased frozen food item?

Frozen pizza.  Or chicken.  I buy the frozen chicken breasts on a regular basis.

7. What's something you avoid?
Housework, laundry, going to the grocery store, etc.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
On Sunday, CH took Laika & Pepper to the park.  We had a bit of a miscommunication:  I thought he said he was going to take them, but he thought he asked if we wanted to take them.  Anyway, when we take them to the park, CH lets Laika off of the leash and lets her run.  She has her training collar on, so she won't go far.  And, Pepper follows commands really well, so there's no danger of her just running off.  At least when I'm with her.  
Not long after they had gone, I looked out of the sliding glass door and saw Pepper just sitting there.  Apparently she ran back home when CH let her off of the least because I wasn't there.  She's my little shadow; she follows me wherever I go.  I thought it was pretty funny, until CH said that she walked on the busy road that we live on.  It wasn't so funny then, but it kind of was!

Weekend Wrap-up: Beginning of Spring Break

I just finished eating my "Yucky Charms" (because what else would you eat for breakfast on St. Paddy's Day?), so I'm ready to review my weekend!
We really didn't do anything exciting over the weekend.  A little bit of cleaning, a little bit of grocery shopping, and that was about it.  We went out of our usual routine last night, and had dinner where YS works.  It's a fairly new pizza joint, and it's more of a "put on what you want" kind of place.  Kind of like a Moe's or Chipotle's, but for pizza.  We splurged and got cannolis.
I played around with my speech blog a bit, and made a header, plus figured out how to make my writing space wider.  As long as I don't have to touch the html in the template, I'm good.  It makes me really nervous to have to go in and change something in the html.  I just won't do it, especially after messing something up with my speech blog a few weeks ago!
My plans this week:  Finish cleaning the house (LONG overdue!), attempt daily mass (notice I said "attempt"!), get about a gazillion things ready for the rest of the school year, and hopefully, hopefully get some reading in.  On Tuesday, I'm meeting a couple of other SLPs from our system to write a proposal for a poster session for our National Convention.  Fingers crossed it's accepted.  I've never been to a national convention, and would LOVE to go.  This would be our ticket!  Wednesday, I have a hair appointment followed by YS' first college recital, then meeting friends from school for burger night & trivia.  Sometime this week, I've got to get Pepper to the vet for her shots, and getting a pedi is a MUST.  And, I think I need to do a little retail therapy, too.  So, I have a full week!
Hope the luck of the Irish is with you today!

Friday Frags

~  Wow!  Looks like Mrs. 4444 got the linky up early!  If I hurry with this post, I could be #1!  :)

~  I got to go to some 2-day training this week, and it was a couple of hours away.  We ate lunch at this little place:

They had a sandwich called a "Rainbow Sandwich":  chicken salad, cucumber salad, and pimento.  It was delish!

Who knew you could make window treatments out of handkerchiefs?

We ate outside, and it was great until a big burst of wind came and knocked down part of a tree...onto the roof.  We all scurried inside pretty quickly!
Here's a hint where we were:

Who can name where we were???

~  Nothing much going on here except for work.  I missed community band last week because of a very bad cold, and this week because of the training. 

~  OS' picture of the week:

~  Today is the last day before Spring Break!  Bring. It. On!

Tuesday Post-Its

Friday Fragments

~  One week until Spring Break.  (How's that for an opener?)  It's going to be a short week for me since I have training 2 days.  It's almost like a vacation!

~  It was nice to go to Ash Wednesday Mass at the University.  MS' girlfriend met me there, and then MS came when he got off of work.  I still can't get over how crowded with students the church was.  Warms my heart!

~  CH & I saw "Ride Along" at the theater last Sunday.  We had been wanting to see it since we saw the previews a few months back.  (or was it a year ago?)  We were afraid that all of the funny parts were shown in the previews, but they weren't.  We both thought it was a pretty funny movie.  I don't remember there being a lot of strong language; I'm sure there was some, it just wasn't significant enough for me to remember it.

~  I got an email yesterday from someone at the Advance Magazine.  Advance puts out magazines for the different health fields.  I submitted a blog post about tough meetings, and it was accepted!  You can read it here.  Sidenote:  the "about me" was not punctuated as I had written it. I just didn't want anyone to think that I don't know when to capitalize!

~  Have you read the children's book "Love You Forever"?  Here's the story behind it:  Love You Forever

~  A friend's daughter has just started a new crafty blog:  Cut Now, Measure Later.  Show her some bloggy love!  Click here to go visit.

~  Picture of the week from OS:

We were texting one day, and I told him I was loving the pictures.  His response:  "I know.  That's why I post them."  Love that boy!  He is my "sunshine"!

Have a wonderful weekend!

The Beginning of Lent

I just looked at my blogging list, and saw about 5 blog posts on Lent, so I thought I'd jump on the bandwagon!  Let me begin by saying that my spiritual life has been somewhat lacking of late.  Lent is the "spring" of the liturgical calendar; a time to start anew.  
I went to Mass at the University's Catholic Center last night.  I was amazed at how the University students piled in to participate.  It was packed!
One advantage about going to Mass at the University is "The Little Black Book".  I've mentioned this in posts a few years ago.  Here is what today's page looks like:

The left side of the page has  "what happened in history on this day" as it relates to Christians...not just Catholics.  The right side has a passage from the Bible, as well as a narrative. 6 minutes...that's all it takes.
I learned something at Mass last night:  since Ash Wednesday isn't a Holy Day of Obligation, we did not recite the Nicene Creed, which is recited every Sunday.  I didn't realize that it wasn't said when it's not a Holy Day.  There are so many things to learn.
After Mass, I stopped by Subway to pick up a tuna sandwich to take home.  For those that don't know, all Catholics 14 and older are required to observe "fast and abstinence":  Fasting on Ash Wednesday & Good Friday, and Abstaining from meat on Ash Wed. and all Fridays during Lent.  Fasting isn't as "hard core" as it used to be:  3 small meals that don't equal 1 total meal is all that's required.  Oh, and no meat.  Fish, yes...meat, no.
Anyway (I got off track!), when I was at Subway, the "sandwich artist" kept looking at me, and finally he said, "You've got something on your forehead".  I leaned forward and said, "It's a cross.  It's Ash Wednesday."  That was all I said, but then I thought that was a perfect time to expand on that.  So, when he was ringing me up, I said that I had just come from Mass, and it was Ash Wednesday.  I have to admit, I was a little disappointed he didn't ask anything else about it, but maybe it was just enough to get him wondering.  It's been so long since someone has questioned the ashes, it took me a little off-guard.  I guess you never know what one little seed will turn into!

Elusive Wednesday Hodgepodge

It's that time of the week again!  It seems like the Hodgepodge is the only time I'm managing to write a post lately.  The A-Z Challenge in April is looming, and I'm no where ready for it.

 1. The expression 'mad as a March hare' originated with a fictional character who is distracted and frantic. When were you last 'mad as a March hare' and what was it that made you that way?
Since it has to do with a situation at school, I can't get into it.  Let me just say that I was not happy that someone wasn't doing their job, and a child was affected.

 
2. Mardi Gras this year falls on Tuesday, March 4th. Have you ever been to Mardi Gras, and if so what did you think? If not, do you have any interest in going?  Purple, green, and gold are the colors of Mardi Gras. Which one is most prevalent in your wardrobe? How about in your home?
I've never been.  There was a time when I would've LOVED to go to New Orleans for it, but not now.  It's too crowded, and drunk people are stupid. 

 
3. Are you old fashioned?
In a lot of things, I am.  There are some current social issues that make me think that I"m not, but for the most part, I am.  

 
4. Do you carefully plan your vacations, or do you prefer the days to be more spontaneous?
I usually carefully plan them, but when we went to The Keys over Christmas Break, I didn't plan anything.  It was heaven!  If I'm going someplace new and don't think I'll ever be going back, I plan to make sure I see everything I want to see.  Case in point:  When we went to DisneyWorld in 2000, I planned everything.  At night, we would look at a map, and figure out what we wanted to do/see, then map it out.  7:00 a.m. we hit the ground running, went back to the room around 12:00 to nap and swim, then went back out to the park at night.  We saw/did everything we wanted to, and then had time at the end of the day to go back and either do things again, or do new things.

 
5.  March is National Sauce Month...what's your favorite sauce, and what do you most often top with this sauce?
I'm not a big "sauce" person, but I guess I would have to say BBQ sauce.  Specifically Sweet Baby Ray's.

 
6.  What's something that easily brings a tear to your eye?
Monday, as I was on my home from school, I saw a dead goose on the side of the road.  The sad thing was that it's mate was standing near it, just looking around like it was lost.  It was so incredibly sad.

 
7. If you could own any sports team, which one would it be and why?
It would definitely be a football team.  Not sure which one, though.

 
8.  Insert your own random thought here. 

I had a "graduation party" for a couple of my kids on Monday.  This is the first time I've EVER done that for a student, but these 2 boys were in the same group, and had been in speech since they were 3 (they're in 2nd grade).  I bought cupcakes and juice boxes for them, and we played an "Angry Birds" game that CH  bought for my kids.  One of the kids who wasn't graduating said, "I wish we could do this every time we come to Speech".  After I opened up the cupcakes and got a whiff of the goodness, I had each of the boys smell them.  That same little boy said, "How about we stop smelling them and start eating them?"  
Hope y'all have a good rest of the week!