New Bloggy Goodness

This blog is not really happening anymore.  Or probably ever. I needed something new. More...me. But for those of you who follow me, don't worry! I have a NEW blog!  Better! No, really!  Go. Follow it.  :)


 If you don't, I will miss you all. So do it!


www.laurenslll.blogspot.com

Rain Drops = Mud

When it rains in our lovely desert we dance in the rain.

It doesn't happen too often. 

Also, when the rain comes down, our lovely desert (a.k.a. dirt) turns to MUD.

 

When your dog stays outside in your backyard while you're away, this is what you're left with...

But really, who could be mad at this face!?





Until things dry up I'm going to get very good at giving her baths.

Ooooh, by the way...

Stay tuned for a giveaway right here on this very blog!

Details coming soon.  So exciting!!

It Just Plain Sucks...

I had a teacher once who never let his students say "sucks" in phrases such as "this sucks", "you suck" and "aww man, that really sucks".  When a student would say it, he would reply with something witty such as "No, it doesn't suck. Vacuums suck, but this doesn't."

As I have gotten older, I rarely say "sucks".  I still stay in contact with that teacher from when I was in the 9th grade and it makes me proud to say that as a teacher now myself, I do not let my students say "sucks" either. They can opt for acceptable alternatives such as "that stinks", etc.

So, with that said...

There is no other way to put this

(without using swear words).

I think it really sucks that the people who have not been directly affected by cancer have become the minority.

I can't even count on one hand the people I know who have had to go through the ordeal of having a family member or friend with cancer.

All fight the battle in one way or another.

Many are still fighting the battle and too many have lost the battle.

We've lost mothers, fathers, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

We support those who are fighting.

We love you.

And cancer just plain sucks.

Lost: One Immune System

Being sick is never any fun. I had to leave work early on Friday and go to urgent care. 

 I felt so horrible and everytime I coughed it felt like my lungs were on fire. 

Apparently, I have a sinus infection and they also checked for the flu.

 The amazing doctor gave me three prescriptions and I've been taking them as often as I'm allowed.

So, I have been bed ridden since Friday and I stilll don't feel in tip top shape.

Keep your fingers crossed I only get better and can make it through the week.

And if you see my immune system walking around, please tell her to come home!

I'm Not Ashamed

I can honestly say I'm not ashamed to admit that I talk to myself at the grocery store.

It's just too hard not to...

You see a good deal and you say (out loud) "Ooh, ten for ten!"

or

You see what you think you need for a recipe so you say (out loud) "I guess that would work."

but then you think more about it

so you say (out loud, of course) "Well...I don't know."

I understand this may be more of  just a "thinking out loud" kind of thing

and not really a "I'm a crazy person talking to myself" kind of thing.

Either way, I don't judge people who talk to themselves at the grocery store and you shouldn't either!

And the reason I know I'm not alone...

As I was going to check out I walked past a woman (who was alone) and heard her say

"Ooh, buy one get one free!"

Not crazy. Case closed!

Sunday: A Day of Relaxation...Ya, Right!

I love a day where I don't leave the house and I can just get things done...

This day happens ONCE every OTHER month...give or take a week or two.

It is always on a Sunday because Josh works on Sundays.  I usually have a standing date with my mom on Sundays because mother-daughter time is so very important.  But today, my parents are in Las Vegas (hopefully, winning lots of money and having way too much fun!) so I stayed home to relax get things done.

Here's what I have accomplished today:

3 loads of laundry- done, folded and put away

clean sheets/comforter on the bed...mmmm, heavenly

new blog design and header (small details still in the works)

finished reading "Catching Fire"

dinner cookin'

P.S.   Josh and I took a day trip to Sedona yesterday.  We spent way too much money in the chocolate shop there, ate way too many french fries at the brewery and had good quality time together (except for the small amount of time I spent yelling at traffic...who closes the 101 over a weekend!?)  On our way home it was just sunset and as we were passing Carefree Highway, all the hot air balloons were around us. It was such an awesome sight to see.

Hunger

I did it!
I finally read The Hunger Games and I LOVED it!
Sometimes people talk about how great a book is and then some more people talk about how great a book is and then later on some more people talk about how great a book is...
THEN I decide I will read it.

Also, if anyone knows anything about me, I only finish reading about half of the books I begin.
The two reasons for this are:
1. I either don't have enough time to sit and read a book and too much time passes between readings and then I forget what was happening and I would have to start all over again and really, who has time for that!?
OR
2. I start reading a book and it just doesn't keep me super interested or guessing or on the edge of my seat and then I don't feel motivated to pick it up anymore.

Few books have truly kept me interested.

Here are just a few incase you were wondering...yes, most of them are children's chapter books or young adult...so sue me, I'm a teacher!

*The Twilight Series
*All of the books by Dave Pelzer (A Child Called It, The Lost Boy, The Priveledge of Youth, etc.)  You will cry your eyes out, but SOOOOO good.
*The Giver by Lois Lowry
*Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
*The City of Ember (Not even the whole series...just the first two...then I lost interest.
*Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt (One of my favs.)
*Stone Fox (Short, you can sit and read it in an hour or less, but AMAZING...again, have some tissues ready.)
*P.S. I Love You (From before it was a movie...WAY better.)
*The Davinci Code
*Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series (Don't judge me...they are HILARIOUS!)
*Mick Harte was Here by Barbara Park

Those are the ones I can think of right now.

The books I started and REALLY need to find the motivation to finish (or re-read and THEN finish since it has been so long since I read them.)

*Wicked   -I'm so close...yet so far away.
*The Host   -I was so excited...met Stephenie Meyer...got my copy signed...never finished it.
Lame, I know.
* The Prophet of Yonwood   -Third book in the Ember series...I think I'm on page 10 or something.
*Angels and Demons   -Don't know if this one's gonna happen...

But at least I read AND finished The Hunger Games!
You know what this means now, right?...

Time for book #2!

I'd like to give a special thanks to my NOOK Color for being so awesome.

I'm crediting the finishing of The Hunger Games to my Nook,

because without it, it may not have been done.

What are you reading?

Is it any good?

Let me know.

I just may eventually pick it up!

It's a Good Thing

It's a good thing I left my house late the other morning.
It's a good thing I was only stuck in all that traffic and not in the accident that caused it.
It's a good thing even though it might seem like a bad thing at first.

It's a good thing I like to drive.
I sure spend enough time doing it.

Good things = Good life.

All the Pretty Colors

Isn't it crazy how a perfect, beautiful, bright and shining sunset can hold so much power within it?

Seeing an amazing sunset can change your whole mood.*

Next time you see one that catches your eye, just stare at it.
Put down your phone.
Turn down the radio.
Pull over if you have to.
Take some time.

All your cares melt away.
It's really a very warm and fuzzy feeling.

*I would have taken a picture of the one I saw today, but I was driving.  Like always.

I'm definitely having major camera withdrawals though.

This year...

Aren't you all itching for a grand 2010 recap?
No need to sit there biting your nails on the edge of your seat!

Here we go...

In 2010...
1. I got rid of my first car (who also doubled as my first love).
2. I got a brand new car and quickly realized it is the very best car in the world.
3. I lost a friend.
4. We got an adorable new nephew.
5. I began my fourth year of teaching, 
6. I got the best, sweetest, most funny class.
7. I realized I don't miss New York.  Only my family there.
8. I became a vegetarian.
9. We celebrated our 5 year anniversary.
10. I got much better abut blogging  :)
11. We finally joined a bowling team (and placed second!)
12. I achieved one of my dreams of photographing a bolt of lightning.
13. I started a 365 project...and made it to day 26.  ha!
14. I saw my best friend graduate as an RN.
15. I achieved another dream of finally seeing Something Corporate in concert...TWICE.
16. I decided I really don't care for New Year's Eve as a holiday. meh.
17. I fell in love with Josh all over again...every day.

I'm a lucky girl.  I know this. 
Maybe I'm a little spoiled.  Maybe I'm a little high maintenance sometimes.
Maybe I'm not nice to everyone I meet and everyone I know, every single day.

But I know for a fact I live my life the best way I can.
I love.
I laugh.
I give.
I teach.
I learn.
I feel.
I cry.
I comfort.
I work.
I play.
I LIVE.

I'm not making some crazy New Year's Resolution. 
These are the things I'm going to strive to do in 2011.
They're simple.
They're complex.
They're me.

Happy 2011 Everyone!
Let's make it great.

It's the Strangest Thing...

As soon as I begin a vacation from work for more than one week my intellectual level immediately drops.
It really is the strangest thing. 

It's as though my brain says "You're not going to really need me for a little while anyway, so I'm gonna hop on the next flight to the Bahamas!"
And I'm left here to fend for myself.

You think I'm exaggerating...
I have been on vacation now since Friday at 12:30pm.
In the last three days I have:

*Said the sentence, "I bet we maked someone's day."
*Taken three times to successfully start my car. (Which only involves pushing a button. Seriously, I don't even use a key!)
*Then said, "Third charm's a try!" 
*Spilled a glass of iced tea on my mom at Jason's Deli while telling a story and gesturing in a fashion that was, apparently, a bit too grand.

And my personal favorite...

*Walked into the women's restroom at Wal-Mart and thought "Why are there urinals in here?!"
.
.
.
Yeah...not the women's restroom.

This isn't even the first time this sort of pattern has occured.  Every summer I experience this as well.
It's immediate too, so I can't even prepare myself for all of the stupidity.
I'm sure worried about how I'm going to make it through the next two weeks.
Maybe my brain will decide to come back home because it doesn't want to be away from me for the holidays.
I hope so.

5 days and counting!!!

(P.S. Sorry if there are typos in this. You know why.)

I Literally Died

Really?
You literally died?  How is that exactly?

The word "literally" is just completely unnecessary. 

If you say, "There were literally a hundred bees on me!"  Trust me. We believe you.

100 bees, got it. No need for the literally.

If someone says, "I literally died from embarrassment!"  You wouldn't be here to tell us. 

You're dead.  From the embarrassment, so it seems.

It's like...if I were given the choice to either:

a.) Spend one day with someone who says "literally" in their casual conversations or

b.) Tear off one of my fingernails.

I'm picking option B without hesitation.

So please, dear readers, let's stop all this "literally" nonsense. If you are guilty of using this word, now's the time to stop.  Don't kid yourself by saying you'll only use it every now and again. 

You need to give it up. Cold turkey.

Everyone you say it to either understands you are serious or they think you are ridiculous for saying things like, "The line at the post office was so long, I literally waited for like five hours."

If we work together, we can make the world a place where our children can play outside without being confused by idiots using this horrible word incorrectly.

I hope you have enjoyed my Public Service Announcement. 

Tell your friends. Let's make it happen.

P.S. I'm still working hard to get "Thursday" changed to "Prefriday."

~Lauren: Making the world a better place, one ridiculous thing at a time.~



Just Around the Corner

Christmas is in 1 week.
1 week!
Seven days!

We're pretty excited around here.  Even though we're not done shopping or wrapping yet.
It's only hard to do Christmas shopping when you don't know what to get someone.
Then it only kind of makes you want to yell at everyone.

I'm Afraid of my Mailbox

Seriously.
I'm pretty sure I'm not going to go near it anymore.
Why, you ask?

It gives me the biggest (and quite strong) shock everytime I touch the key to the lock!

At first it was just a tiny spark with a little "oh, that shocked me" kind of feeling.

But today...I get out of my car, I walk up the box and I wasn't even thinking about the shocks.
It could have been like an old western movie where the mailbox was at one end of the dirt street and I was at the other and I was saying things like "Alright, box. It's just you and me" with squinted eyes and a scowl on my face...

But it wasn't.

I was just going about my business and BAM.  The spark was a tiny line of electricity and my arm got a nice little tingle.

So...I'm officially afraid of my mailbox.  Lame, I know.  But no one likes to get shocked.

Lost

Lost is defined as the following:

No longer possessed or retained.

I disagree.  

 What about the people we've lost over the years?

They are in our hearts.

I possess the spirit of my loved ones who have gone to another place.

I retain their qualities through laughing and reminiscing.

They are far from lost.

Maybe just stored away somewhere.

Tis the Season

Christmas is practically here.

There's only 12 days left.

Lights on our home are glowing.

Tree is up...and beautiful!

Cards were mailed.

Gifts have been purchased (well..not all of them, but most!)

The good times are upon us!

Time to laugh with family and friends.

Time to drive around with a (oh my gosh, best thing I've ever tasted) Carmel Apple Spice from Starbucks, listen to festive music and look at lights.

Did I mention time to laugh?

Speaking of laughing...

Did you notice my reflection in the ball ornament to the right of the "joy?"

Need a closer look?

.

.

.

Ya...

Josh likes to jump up and down like a yetti while I'm taking a picture

just to see if he can make into the reflection.

He's like that adorable spirit of light you find in a photo after you develop it.

...Well kinda :)

Hope you're all ready for the season!

Like a Retirement Community

Josh: "Honey, would you start eating meat again if we bought a bunch of cows and let them die of natural causes?"

Me:  "And we'd just have chickens and pigs too?"

Josh:  "It'd be like a retirement community!"

(*Insert my hysterical laughter.)

 

 

What a lovely new slogan...

Our home...where livestock comes to die!

.

.

.

It's ok to laugh, that's pretty hilarious...and never going to happen!

Well...probably not.

Thank You Notes No.2

Dear Spoof Movies,
Thank you for allowing me to save my money be creating yet another horrible looking film. Vampires Suck...thanks, but no thanks. I'll keep my blood and my money!

Dear Animal Planet,
Thank you for airing "America's Cutest Cat 2010."  It is nice to have things to laugh at while browing through my cable guide.

Dear Electronic Christmas Cards,
Thank you for allowing people to put even less effort into sending holiday wishes. Your upside...saving the Earth. I guess it evens out.

Dear Big Name Companies,
Thank you for drilling your slogans into children. You would not believe how much my students, at 10 years old, know about advertising. They'll never be dooped because they didn't read the fine print! 

Dear The Holiday Season,
Thank you for being so fun, even though you are so much work.

Christmas time is in full swing!

Let's do this!

Love,                                      

Lauren                                    

Just a-tappin my feet...

We all know music is fantastic. Concerts are my utopia.

I haven't been to one in such a long time. Months...

This will just NOT do.

I'm on a mission...time to change this. ASAP.

All The Little Things

Sometimes it's so strange to think about all the little things that have happened to make us who we are today.

For example, 25 years ago, a woman gave birth to a baby boy on April 18 in Hobbs, New Mexico.

Two weeks later on May 3, across the country in Huntington, New York, a woman gave birth to baby girl.

Now that boy and girl have been married for 5 years.

I don't think we really take the time to single out specific events in our lives. We remember the big events like birthdays, holidays, special occasions. Do we ever think of all the little things we are grateful for?

When we were 16, one of my BFFs and I both applied to Michaels.

I think about the fact that I got the last open position.

If I hadn't been hired, I could have never met my husband.

If my parents hadn't moved our family from New York to Arizona when I was 8, I know I would have turned out a lot different.

I'd be a completely different person today.

I like who I am.

I love the people I know.

Even with the ups and downs in my life...

I wouldn't trade how things have turned out for anything.

Our lives are made up of a lot of small moments, but we only seem to celebrate the big ones.

I think we should start having parties for all the small ones!