Year 1 Down, A Lifetime to Go!

John and I celebrated our first anniversary this weekend with progressive hotel stays. Since we had our reception at The Holiday Inn, we started there on Saturday night. Although we weren't in the EXACT same room, we were in the same type of room which made for fun dejavu! We ate dinner at the Green Mill, the restaurant at the hotel. It is also the same food that we had for our reception. It was fun to eat some of the same foods that we did a year ago. I can definitely say I ate more that night than I did a year ago!! We felt like newlyweds again cause we wanted to tell everyone we were celebrating our anniversary and we got several congratulations!

Sunday morning we ventured out into more snow (yippee!) to breakfast. I kept asking John, what time is it? What time is it? so I could think back to a year ago and what I was doing. We then went to the mall to get some things for John but were unsuccessful. We ventured downtown to the Marriott for our night stay on Sunday. One of our wedding gifts was a night stay at the Marriott including breakfast and a gift card to The Bristol. So we checked into The Bristol then headed to the Plaza. It's been years since I've just walked around down there. We felt pretty ritzy (especially me in my new coat!) and stopped for a snack at Panera. (AWESOME Mac and Cheese!)

Here is a view from our room at the Marriott, 19th floor!

After a nap in the HUGE bed at Marriott, we got ready for our anniversary dinner. We had the BEST waiter, Chico (he was from Africa!) who treated us like royalty. Apparently on Sunday's you can get a whole bottle of wine for 1/2 off, so of course we got one! We also ordered awesome crab cakes for an appetizer and ordered our meals. Before they came out, Chico brought us a sample of the Lobster Bisque which was delicious. Then he brought us both a salad, also delicious! By the time our dinner came out we were both almost full. But not full enough to not eat steak or lobster! Again, delicious!! John talked me into getting the Lobster Mac and Cheese as one of my sides which was pretty good too. But the mashed potatoes John got and my green beans where amazing! I think we have more leftovers in our refrigerator then I've ever seen! Chico then brought us 2 glasses of Champagne for us to celebrate (after drinking almost a whole bottle of wine..hehe!) I think we haven't eaten that well since our honeymoon a year ago!

Us at the hotel after we got home from dinner.

After dinner we ventured back to the hotel and ate a slice of our wedding cake. I am SO glad that we waited to eat it on our anniversary because it was just as good as it was a year ago. It took me back to not only our wedding, but the few weeks after we got back from the honeymoon when we had extra cake that I ate for breakfast, lunch, and dinner! Here a picture from cutting the cake, John's a little blurry, but still cute!

We had a great weekend and cannot believe that we have been married for a whole year! It has been one of the best years of my life and I cannot wait to spend the rest of my years with the one that I love.

Christmas Break

It's finally here! Christmas break!! 2 weeks of NO school, waking up early, grading papers, or cold recess duty! WAHOO!! Although it is not as long of a break as I've been used to the last 3 years, it will do for sure!

We continued our Christmas celebrations this weekend. After a sucessful gift exchange at John's families Christmas (I was told my steal was the highlight of the night!), we had my extended family Christmas gift exchange this weekend in Lindsborg. Santa came down the chimney, of course he lost his pants again (you'd think he'd learn, they come off EVERY year!) and we had to turn the lights off so we didn't see Santa's underwear--could you imagine??!! But he brought us all gifts and the exchange went well too.

Before we went to Lindsborg, I flew to Dallas to visit my sister. I was able to take Thursday and Friday off school (one good thing about being a sub!) and so I flew out Wednesday night. We had a VERY busy few days. We spent Thursday doing some shopping at Ikea (way cool store!) and at some outlet malls.

Then Thursday night we got dressed up and went to downtown Dallas for dinner at the Reunion Tower. It's this tower with a Wolfgang Puck resturant at the top that spins around giving you a 360 degree view of downtown. We got there right as the sun was disappearing below the horizon and about 5 minutes later, the resteraunt began to spin. It was AMAZING to see the city from that angel, and at Christmas time! After dinner we drove down to Victory Plaza where ABC films their news. We took some pictures, danced with Chick-Fil-A Cows, and then headed across the street for drinks at Craft. We felt like we were the Sex and The City for Dallas!

Friday we went to the Gaylord Texan to fivist the ICE exhibit. Another AMAZING thing! It was a tent set up outside the humungous hotel that had several different rooms. Each room had a scene from The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. And it was ALL ICE! It was amazing. They give you long parkas to wear inside becuase it is 9 degrees and they recommend you wear hats and gloves. We spent about 30 minutes walking through it and I could totally do it again! They even had an ice slide! (I went twice Ü) Here are some pictures from the exhibit:

Megan and I in front of one of the ice sculptures. The Grinch coming down the fireplace.

The final feast for Christmas!

After ICE and walking through the HUGE hotel taking pictures, we did a little bit more shopping (SamMoon, my favorite!), got some ice cream, then packed up to head to Lindsborg. It was a great trip, but especially after having to drive home from Lindsborg the next day, I felt like I had been in the car for days and days! I was glad to get home and just hang out. I'm looking forward to going back to Dallas for Megan's graduation and bringing John. I'm pretty sure we're going to eat EVERY meal at Chicken Express because it was just that good!

Otherwise, it's been a pretty uneventful week. We are SO excited to celebrate our first Christmas together, the tree already has a ton of gifts under it! We are lucky to be able to have my family over for Christmas day, nothing special, just a relaxing brunch/lunch and hanging out.

Christmas Eve will be at John's parents. I think we might be spending a lot of the day helping them figure out how to work their new Blackberries! John was trying to help his dad last night and I told my dad is was like the visually imparied leading the blind. I kept having to chime in from the backround and say, "No, do this" or "go here". I'm sure they'll figure it out eventually!! :)

Enough for now, I think I might go do something somewhat productive...or not...

Christmas Time Is Here!

I can't figure out how to move the pictures to the bottom of the post, so here they are!

After putting the tree up on Thanksgiving night. No ornaments yet though!

Our fireplace/mantle with John's, Aggie's, and then my stocking!


The pup's beautiful Christmas sweater!!

Ugh, it's been a week. I feel like we've stayed SO late at school every night this week! Monday I was at school from 7:45am to 7:00pm. That's not normal! So to anyone who ever even THINKS that teachers have it easy becuase we don't work summers, I want to know if you work 11 1/2 hour days and STILL bring work home?! I don't think so! :) So my new resolution is to turn my computer off at 5:00, even if I have 10 more minutes of work, I'm leaving. Is it really going to make a difference in the morning? I don't think so. Is it going to make a difference in my sanity? YES! At least I only have 8 more days tell winter break. That's the nice thing about being a sub, no black-out days! I'm missing the last 2 days of school to go to Dallas. Drats, that means the "Holiday" party. SO disappointed...NOT!

In other news, we've gotten our Christmas decorations out and in place. Even the pup is decorated! We are starting out celebrations this weekend with the in-laws. First we have an afternoon get-together with John's extended family. After that, we'll go 2 hours to his extended-extnded family (great aunts/uncles). Then it's off to the Coffey's Christmas party! (Hopefully) I'm excited to get the festivities under way! It's go, go, go from here!

This week I have had to jump back into the "real person" world face first. I had planned on subbing for a teacher next semester while she was on maternity leave. She wasn't due until January 13th, so I wasn't expecting to start until the first of the year. After a doctor's appointment on Monday, she found out she would be needing me 2 1/2 months early--she's on bed-rest!!

It has been an adjustment to go back into every-day teaching, but it's been fantastic so far! I love being in the same classroom everyday and actually getting to know the kiddos. They have such cute little personalities! They have been so helpful in this transition; all I have to do is ask them how they normally do something and I get 15 kids telling me. Which has come in handy since I didn't get a chance to observe the teacher.

The only bad thing is that since John and I are at the same school and riding together, we have stayed at school late every night this week. We don't feel so bad staying late because we're just down the hall from each other. The pup on the other hand I don't think likes it so much...although she's been able to sleep in the bed for the last few nights because we've felt so bad!!

We're going to the "big game" tomorrow. Actually, the hubby is going to the actual game and I'm going to the mall for some shopping! Apparently, they play he game over the mall PA-who knew? Then it's a busy Sunday with church, cleaning, grocery shopping, back to school (go figure!), dinner at the in-laws. And I thought weekends were for relaxing! :)

One of the very first purchases we made as new home-owners was to buy a lawn mower. My hubby, being the mainly work man was very excited about having to do lawn work, spent many hours thinking and researching what he wanted. Of course we had to have several conversations about it, the same one over and over and over...
FINALLY, we went to Home Depot and actually looked at lawn mowers. After looking for 5 minutes I got bored and wandered around to look at paint and flowers. I come back and John's found some old man to ask questions and 20 minutes later we bought one.
So we've been in the house for 2 1/2 months and we went to mow last weekend and the engine locked up after 2 swipes of cutting. We called Home Depot and they said warranty should cover it but it would take several weeks. So we gave up on that and called the local mower service. We rushed the mower there like it was a sick child and left it in their caring hands. A few days later we got a phone call that said the engine is shot. On our BRAND NEW MOWER! According to the owner's manual (which we didn't read tell after the fact) we were supposed to check the oil every 5 hours. I don't even think we've ran the mower for 5 hours, and if so, is it THAT big of a deal to check the oil?
Apparently so...now we have to decide what is better, buy a new engine, or just buy another brand new mower. Oh the joys of being a home owner!!

Another One Bits the Dust

So just got word today that interview #bazillion (ok, more like 6?) has been no good as well. Someone else has been recommended for the position, although I've recently heard that it's probably not a position I would like to be in. So I continue to sub, and have officially been placed in a long term position for a maternity leave (twins, so could be quite long!) starting, hopefully, first of next semester. Apparently her fellow teachers don't think she'll make it much past Thanksgiving. Luckily I've been in that classroom quite bit and the kiddos like me (or so I think...she told me today they wanted me as their long term so that's a good sign right?) so it should go smoothly. It's just frustrating to know that 6 times someone has been better than me. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong that I can fix; it's not like I can get the experience everyone seems to want if no one hires me! It's like a vicious circle! Anyway, that's enough of that!

Hubby and I are getting pretty excited about our Halloween party! We decorated a little more this weekend, bought our pumpkins and some hey, made the pup's costume. My mom and I worked on her costume together and she has the possibility to win the costume contest!! And the best part is she doesn't seem to mind it too much. Conferences are this week so no school on Friday, so we're going to hit up Cosco for some party supplies before heading for the Homecoming game with some friends. We're pretty excited to get out and act like college kids again. Hopefully we're not driving that far for a crappy game though...

I think my hubby's taking his frustrated wife out for dinner so better run.

So I just finished a 5 day stint in a 6th grade class. Let me say, these past few days have been VERY tiring. There is definitely a reason why they should be in a middle school! These kids are just too old to be lining up to go to specials, recess, etc. They are social and need their 5 minutes to stand in the hall talking to each other, because believe me, when they don't get that time they'll just do it while you're teaching, giving test, when it's DEAR time; basically ALL THE TIME! But it was a great experience and SO nice to be in a school that I know and to know what I was going to do the next day before I went to bed.

I'm kind of wondering where fall went. It seems like all of the sudden we woke and to a 50 degree house--not fun. And because we're such cheapskates, we've barely turned the heat on! The minute I come home I take my coat off and put on about 3 more layers, then cuddle up in my fleece blanket next to the space heater! Then I don't move until bedtime...this has become a problem with things like dinner, going to the bathroom, playing with the dog, etc. But, it's the best way to stay warm!

The pup cracked me up last night. The hubby and I were watching Knocked Up (which was interesting to watch on TV with the language...) and a car commercial came on. I'm not sure what the point of the commercial was, but for some reason they were squeaking a dog toy. Of course the commercial's were twice as loud as the show so the pup heard the toys and went NUTS! She started standing on her hind legs in front of the TV and walking all around it trying find where the toy was. I thought she would give up after the squeaking stopped, but she kept going and even didn't want to go to bed because she wanted to find the toy!! I thought her barking at doorbells on commercials was bad enough but this was hysterical! I wish we had TIVO so I could replay it over and over and over and over.

In other news, the pup ran over my computer the other day and now my "period" key is popping off, making writing sentences very difficult. And I'm watching Grey's Anatomy where Izzy works on a deer and it's very depressing.

And now I'm heading to the hubby's school for Fun Fair! Should be a good time!!

A lot has been going on lately! Luckily, I've been VERY busy with subbing, which has been fantastic. It seems that ever since Labor Day, things have REALLY picked up. Last week I worked everyday (and I knew that on Saturday=no 5 am calls). The hubby and I have also been really busy working around the house and "socializing".

Last weekend we spent all of Saturday buying new things for the house--pictures, fall decorations, trash can for garage, paint sample for basement. It was a very hectic day driving all around town. Sunday wasn't so bad, but after church, naps, and cooking to the Coffey's, it was a busy day.

Then this weekend, we went to the KSU vs. ISU game at Arrowhead. We were tailgating by 11:00 and the game started at 2:00. Needless to say by the time we got home we both passed out on the couch (and not all because of the tailgating Ü).

Sunday we celebrated my FIL's birthday. The boys went Trapp shooting while us girls went to Babys 'r Us. Let me tell you, if you're thinking about having babies, take a walk around that store and look at ALL the things you're going to need, then look at the prices of all those things, then go to your local drugstore and refill your BC perscription! Who knew babies came with so much crap!!! (And expensive crap at that!)

I'm hoping that this week will not be quite so busy, so far I have 3 1/2 days, including Friday which starts a 5 day job for a 6th grade teacher (which will be interesting...). I'm looking forward to a semi-relaxing weekend making the pup's Halloween costume.

Well, so much for that positive outlook. That lasted a whole day and a half. I had a nice discussion with my hubby today about my disappointment in not having a job and how I feel like I'm not doing a good job pulling my weight in the money department--especially since I do my part in the spending area! But we looked at our budget and decided that once I finally get my sub paychecks we'll be doing fine. It's just hard because I stopped my summer job at the end of July, meaning I haven't been paid in 2 1/2 months! After buying a house and living off 1 income, my meager paychecks will be nice!

At least I actually worked last week. Tuesday was the only day I didn't have a job, and although Wednesday was only in the afternoon, it kept me busy! I have 1 full day and 1 1/2 day lined up for this week for far, and with the possibility of going to St. Louis this weekend, the hubby and I might not work Friday, so it's looking pretty good!

Since I worked all week (mostly) I spent the entire day yesterday cleaning the house while my hubby and FIL worked in the yard. It was nice to have such a clean house last night and this morning! I need to start being a little more consistent with my cleaning...oops!

I had an interview for a long term sub job this week, but it looks like I'll be getting one at hubby's school for 2nd grade! It would be from the beginning of next semester tell Spring Break. It would be so nice to have a consistent job where I can get to know the kids, team, and school. Plus it would be fun to get to know the 2nd grade curriculum a little better--might make me more marketable come interview time next year!

Oh gosh, just realized it's 6:00--got to go start my potatoes for Twice Baked Potatoes tonight! That and steak...it's going to be delicious!!

Bree

I've decided to do my best at channeling my inner housewife who I believe best resembles Bree Vanderkamp from Desperate Housewives (like my favorite show which happens to be on Lifetime at 1:00 & 2:00 daily). So this morning I actually took a shower, did my hair, and put make-up on--HUGE steps for me!--then donned my favorite cardigan and jeans. I am saving my khaki skirt, heels and pearls for later. Ü

Unfortunately, it has not helped me be very productive today, as I've spent the day making the bed, cleaning the kitchen, and making a quick trip to the local Dollar General for a new fall candle. None of which are on my list of things to do today! I'm just not feeling cleaning the bathrooms, which is actually on the list, in my housewife clothes. They may have to wait tell tomorrow and be done pre-shower.

I do get to be social tomorrow which is exciting. I'm having lunch with a sorority sister who is currently also a housewife. Luckily for her though she has a job lined up that she'll start in the next month or so. We're also going to the lake for the weekend with the in-law family. I'm pretty sure it is the first time the 6 of us have been done in about 3 years! I think it is going to be a cold one, but with the 6 1/2 of us, including baby (plus 2 dogs), it should be a good time.

I have decided that my glass for jobs is half full. It took my wedding photographer to put it into perspective for me. When my FIL told her that I was still jobless, she replied with "that's great! You have your whole life to work! Now she can use this time to hang out with her hubby and have fun!" What great advice! So, I've decided that so what I don't have a job! I get to sleep in, watch GMA and Rachel Ray, and occasionally, Wife Swap and Desperate Housewives! I can get the household chores done at a leisurely rate (I'm real good at that) and have the whole weekend to spend with my hubby NOT cleaning, grocery shopping, and laundry. We can go to the WWI museum that as a KC native I've never seen, go to the Nelson, take the dog to the park, basically whatever we want! It's been nice to be able to move past the frustration at not having a job and look at the bright side.

Speaking of taking the dog for a walk, I promised her we'd go somewhere fun today. So even though I have not cleaned the bathroom, picked up the office, or organized my craft room, I think I'm going to take the camera and the dog and go exploring!

Being a "housewife" has lead to a few long an boring days with the dog. There are a few new elementary positions out there that I'm pursuing. Shawnee Mission has a 3rd grade and 5th grade open. Spring Hill has a 4th grade opening. All three are ideal grades for me and although SM would probably pay more, it would be hard to beat the 5 minute drive to Spring Hill Intermediate. I have a few connections with each districts so we'll see.

On another note, the house is coming along. In between naps on Saturday, John and I hung some of our pictures. It's helped make the house feel more like home which is good. We also hung our Swedish "Dala Horse" and flag outside so the outside is coming along too. The next step is to put together my craft room and work on my scrapbooks! Also need to call the city and start our trash pick-up. We haven't done that yet so I had to take 2 weeks worth of trash to our old condo and it was quite disgusting.

I have my first sub job tomorrow. I hope that means that the jobs will start flowing a little bit more. I'm excited to finally get back into the classroom! I feel like it's been ages since I've been able to teach. And helping John get his new classroom together a few weeks ago really made it hit home. I have 2 jobs this week so I'm hoping that means a quick week. I'm excited for Megan and Chris to come down on Friday and having another relaxing weekend with not much planned.