Probably the most beautiful arrangement I've ever received.

Marc

So I've been neglectful in my duties to update you all on my life. It's been rather busy the past month and a half, and amongst all the concerts and performances and schoolwork I began dating a boy. His name is Marc. I have had to been reminded that while I think the world revolves around me and all my friends and family know what is going on in my life because they should without me telling them (I'm a soprano, remember?), that's not quite how it works. LOL So here it is until I can call several of you on my drive down to Austin in a few days...

Marc and I met online. I know. Great opener that widens eyes and makes those who have been there go 'Good for you' and those who have not go 'Are you sure he's not a stalker'. He and I are both in similar places in our lives having both gone through a divorce and wanted to date around for awhile. Hence the online site. We had both come to the conclusion that to best get an idea for what we liked and didn't like we would have to actually go on multiple dates. And we were really tired of being alone doing nothing on Saturday nights. HAHA Neither of us thought we would be finding someone on a website who would be an amazing match for us.

So our first date lasted 8 hours. Blue Mesa for cocktails and dinner, then Dave & Busters for billiards. I think we tied, Marc says I won the most games. Seeing as how he can be pretty competitive, I'll believe him. So after winning at billiards, we decided we were both pretty tired and it was time to go home. We'd started the date rather early to avoid traffic, and in case it was horrible we wouldn't have to waste the entire night with one another. So we left D&B and checked a clock. 9:50pm. We looked at each other in disgust and disappointment, figuring that we're now old people if we can't even stay out past 10!

Since then, it's been getting better and better. Basically, he's the male version of me. I didn't realize how much fun I am to be around! LOL We are both goofballs and have loud laughs. He's a twin, and although identical, I can spot the differences. Thank goodness! We consider ourselves to be nerds/dorks in our own ways, and love to be silly. And he's willing to get out on a dance floor with me! So we'll keep having fun, and I'll try to be a much better communicator with my friends and family about this aspect of my life. I think Heidi said it best when she wrote me, "But I just want you to know that all you can do is be yourself, do what makes you truly happy and screw what anyone else thinks." So for all of you out there, I am happy. I'm having a great time, lots of fun, and I'm not getting married anytime soon. HAHAHA!

Belly Monster

The Belly Monster is almost here! I was so excited to be in Minnesota this past weekend to celebrate my sister Stacy and her soon-to-be baby! The shower was wonderful, and seeing my sisters and parents was so much fun! I miss being around them, so seeing them and being able to visit is so special. And that there is a new baby on the way, it makes it even more exciting! Below are a few pictures...


The Gehrman/Gabriel Girls












Stacy's Belly Monster














Taylor's Belly Monster

Christmas Questionnaire

So here you go. Feel free to comment back with your own Christmas faves!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Ooo... tough one. I love picking out gift bags but I love to tear off wrapping paper!!!

2. Real tree or Artificial? Real has a wonderful smell. Artificial is easy to clean up after. I have a real 2.5 foot tree on my patio that will be kept year-round until I get a yard, then it will be planted.

3. When do you put up the tree? Mine's already on the patio with a few ornaments (it's small!). Usually the weekend after Thanksgiving.

4. When do you take the tree down? Sometime after the 1st.

5. Do you like eggnog? Yep!

6. Favorite gift received as a child? I really don't know. OK. I don't remember. I'm turning into my mother.

7. Hardest person to buy for? My mom. There are so many things she loves, it's hard to choose!

8. Easiest person to buy for? My mom. There are so many things she loves, all I have to do is choose!

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Not yet.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail. I'm having a friend of mine who is a budding photographer take pics of Coda and me for this year's cards. Keep an eye out in a few weeks for our awesome mugs in your mailbox! I've never done picture cards before!

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I don't know. We always laugh at our stocking stuffers because they're always 'everyday' items, but that's why they're great at the same time!

12. (Not sure what happened to #12 - maybe writer of #12 too busy Christmas shopping to write silly question.)

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? When I remember I have to shop for Christmas. I've already started this year, so I'm doing good.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Maybe. If I did it was one of those gift-exchange things from work or school that would have ended up lost or in the trash otherwise.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? 7 layer bars and buckeyes.

16. Lights on the tree? Yep! I prefer multi-colored.

17. Favorite Christmas song? The Christmas Song, Sleigh Bells, Carol of the Bells

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Both. Family is everywhere... Minnesota, New Mexico, and Texas. Working out the rotation can be confusing.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Hello?! Can I sing that song that tells you their names? Yes.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Currently neither. Though it had been a star for awhile, and an angel while I was growing up.

21. Do you open presents on Christmas Eve or Morning? Traditionally in the morning unless we're "sharing" Christmas with multiple family members.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Besides everything I have to get done for the season on a personal level, it's also one of the busiest times at school with all our performances and upcoming events. So I feel like I have very little time to enjoy the season.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? I love them all. Though lately the brightest and jolliest have been standing out to me.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? I love my mom's chili this time of year. LOVE IT.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? An armband for my iPod to exercise with, a cordless drill, unique jewelry, pj's, a new robe, a massage, tickets, Minnesota Wild gear, picture frames, books... anything people give is wonderful.

26. Who is most likely to respond to this? Heidi was right that I'd respond to hers... hmmm... JENNY!

27. Favorite Christmas Movie? A Christmas Story, The Grinch

Merry Christmas!

Thanksgiving, 2008

Thanksgiving was so much fun! I spent it with Alyse at her husband's brother's girlfriend's parent's house in Austin and the Paull's. I really appreciated the warm welcome from everyone, as I seemed to be the odd-ball out. Below are some pics from the dinner... Mmmmm... the dinner. SO GOOD.


At the Stephens' home.


Agh! No, Molly! Stop licking my nostril!


That's right. Get Alyse and Jeff instead!

Halloween is the New Thanksgiving

Remember how we were never allowed to put up Christmas decorations until after Thanksgiving? And we all made a big to-do is you saw someone else had put up their lights on their house BEFORE that last week in November? Last year I 'tsked' every time I'd enter a store and see their Christmas items on the shelves even before November had begun.

I didn't notice it this year. Not until I walked into Pier 1 and thought, 'Oh good! Christmas items! I can't wait to decorate!' And then I went home, looked up at my holiday storage bin on my closet shelf, and just before I decided to pull it down and unload the holiday spirit my brain did a double-take.

Wait. We haven't had Thanksgiving yet!

People, there is still an entire MONTH before December hits. There are even another 26 days until Thanksgiving! My BIRTHDAY hasn't hit yet, so WHAT am I thinking about Christmas for???

Because retail has drawn the conclusion that you go from Hallow's Eve to Christ's birth. And I bought into it this year without thinking about it. What about turkey? Ham? MASHED POTATOES?? Stacy, that was for you. What about my 28th birthday????? I want an arm band for my classic iPod so I can run with it.

Seriously. WHAT was I thinking? I wasn't. I apologize, Fall. I am sorry. I will no longer ignore your worthy season. Seeing as how I claim you to be my favorite. I will leave my cornucopia of squash and such items out until they rot, solely because I have slighted your existence. And because it's pretty. Like Fall.

More to come...

I will definitely post more pics when I receive them, but just to give you a taste of my AWESOME team at East, here is myself, the drama teacher, and the asst. band director in our Star Wars themed costumes. I'm an Ewok.

Gotta Keep Up!

Wow, there has been a lot going on lately!

Fall Concert was great. I mean, REALLY great. I can't tell you how good my choirs are this year. I expected a good concert (better than normal for fall), and got an amazing one. I keep wanting to explain how each choir sounded amazing, but I don't want to bore my readers (because there are so many) with the same adjectives of wonderful, blended, mature, strong, etc. The choirs really have hit the ground running this year. I just have to keep them going!

I'm getting a student teacher this year. Crazy, eh? But I'm the veteran (and one of the senior) choir director in CISD. So I get the student teacher! The stipend is terrible, and I hope and pray he's good, because we have a LOT to do. If he's good (PLEEEEEEASE be good), he's going to help out a bunch. It'll be worth whatever little pay I get for the extra hours of work if he can handle the classes.

Coda is wonderful. I have a friend who just got a puppy (adorable labradoodle!) and emailed me asking for suggestions, etc. Unfortunately I can't help much as I got Coda when she was 6 mos. old and didn't have to house train her or anything. But I could guarantee her that whatever she goes through with her pup will be worth is for all the love, affection, and loyalty that will be given to her. Dogs are absolutely wonderful companions, and Coda has improved my standard of living ten-fold. I don't want to think about life without her. She cracked me up again today, being all dominant and confident at the dog park, then shying away from the cart AND the puppies up for adoption in PetSmart. She's a keeper!

Here she's attempting to sit with 4 of us on the couch trying to watch The Office. She did get up on the back of the couch as if she were a cat. LOVE HER.


I ran a 5K! Wait. Let me rephrase that. I TRIED to run a 5K. I know that's nothing compared to my cousin Jessie who just ran a marathon, however, for me, this is big. I hate to run. That's right, I used the word 'hate'. I registered for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 5K in Dallas, and after an eventful hour and a half getting there (being witnesses to a crash behind us and watching the drunk drivers flee the scene bleeding from the head), I could only run 100 feet at a time. Why? Because there were approx. 30,000 people there. Many of whom were blocking my way. It was insane! So I'm going to do another one. Who-hoo! First weekend in November I'm going to be running to dig wells in Sudan. How cool is that?

30,000 people. CRAZY.


Well this is getting to be a long post. I'm going to finish up my glass of wine, watch the new "Stormchasers" on Discovery because I'm a geek, and get my sleep on.

Sweet dreams.

Update on the Sickie

So I find myself home on a Saturday night rather than celebrating a coworker's bday in Grapevine because I'm sick. Again. UGH. But we apparently caught this one early, and the antibiotics are starting to kick in. Yay!

So what's been going on with me? School has been great so far this year! Lots going on, and we've got gigs lined up for the fall semester left and right! Fall concert is Oct. 14th, so if you're in the area, stop in for a "Short & Sweet" concert! 30 mins. of music, and then desserts! Yummy.

Coda's cracking me up. My friends comment on the scratches on my arms (which is hilarious because she really doesn't jump on many people anymore, just me), and I tell them that she hits me because she loves me. Which is true. LOL

And you're not going to believe me, but too bad! I'm running in a 5K in about 3 weeks. I know. I said "running". Crazy, no? But some friends talked me into it, so I'm in! The exercise wouldn't hurt, either.

So there's my latest update. Hope those of you reading this at work were able to waste at least a good minute or two reading.

Not-so-ordinary Sunday

What a gorgeous day. I mean really. While DFW missed the hurricane winds and storms, it was dreary and gray all day yesterday. Today? Sunny, cool breeze, windows open, I can sit on the porch and read... Ahhhh... I love days like today. AND it motivated me to get some things done around the apartment! And there was a good sermon today on forgiveness. Seems like a lot of those sermons (because there ARE a lot of them) can just drag on and not relate. Today's hit home. It was good.

I feel good about the day. :)

Heidi Made Me Do It

I got this from Heidi's blog. Though I am curious... why 58 questions? Why not make it 55 or an even 60? Just a thought to ponder. :)

1. What time did you get up this morning? 7:15, then 9:00. The bunkhouse is freaking dark all hours of the day/night.

2. Diamonds or Pearls? Diamonds

3. What two things do you always have with you? Some sort of lip balm and my sunglasses.

4. What is your favorite TV show? The Office

5. What do you usually have for breakfast? Granola bar or cereal.

6. What is your middle name? Elizabeth

7. What food do you dislike? Octopus

8. What is your favorite CD? Anything Michael Buble. Or Vampire Weekend. I like their sound. Ooo! And Inga Swearingen. I was introduced to her on Prairie Home Companion.

9 . What type of car do you drive? My 2008 Scion tC. I LOVE IT.

10. Favorite sandwich? Salami and swiss

11. What characteristic do you despise? People who believe they are entitled to everything and anything. And close-mindedness.

12. Favorite item of clothing? My zebra heels.

13. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go? Spain

14. What color is your bathroom? Umm... apt. white paint, and I've got bright dots in there.

15. Favorite brand of clothing? Basically anything that fits right and is affordable.

16. Where would you retire to? I honestly have no idea.

17. What was your most recent memorable birthday? 26 years old. I can't believe I remember it.

18. Furthest place you are sending this? I don't know who reads my blog.

19. Who do you least expect to send this back to you? n/a

20. Person you expect to send it back first? n/a

21. Favorite saying? "Git money, foo!" Andrew Orender

22. When is your birthday? November 26, 1980

23. Are you a morning person or a night person? Late morning.

24. What is your shoe size? 7.5 or 8

25. Pets? CODA! My amazingly sweet and lovable 70 lbs. lap dog! PS: I think she has a breed - Catahoula Cur

26. What did you want to be when you were little? A Care Bear. Then an architect. Never a teacher.

27. How are you today? I am doing wonderfully. Just got back from Possum Kingdom, still have 1 day before heading back to school, and I realize that I am in a really great place in my life.

28. What is your favorite candy? M&Ms or Milky Way Midnight

29. What is your favorite flower? Pretty ones.

30. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? Sept. 25th. Next payday.

31. What is the last thing you ate? Leftover Chipotle for dinner.

32. What are you listening to right now? The a/c pumping out cool air.

33. If you were a crayon what color would you be? Purple

34. How is the weather right now? Nice. Warm, but nice breeze.

35. Last person you spoke to on the phone? That was a couple of days ago... um, my aunt Carol.

36. Do you like the person who sent this to you? Yep! Heidi's awesome!

37. Favorite soft drink? Coke with grenadine.

38. Favorite restaurant? iFratelli or Joe T. Garcias

39. Hair color? Auburn

40. Siblings? 1 brother, 3 sisters, 2 brothers-in-law

41. Favorite day of the year? I agree with Heids about the days surrounding Christmas. I also really enjoy the last Spring Concert, as it's the last hurrah for my 8th graders. I feel a huge sense of pride in them and get so excited for them to take on high school.

42. What was your favorite toy as a child? Ice skates? My Little Pony? A sled?

43. Summer or winter? Fall

44. Hug or kisses? Hugs

45. Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate

46. Do you want your friends to email you back? Yes

47. When was the last time you cried? Mom made me do it.

48. What is under your bed? Wrapping supplies, horse pictures, and Coda-hair.

49. Who is the friend you have had the longest? Oh goodness. Renee. But we haven't talked in a loooooong time. So then Matt.

50. Favorite smell? Pine forests.

51. What are you afraid of? Stupid things my students will do. And loss of family.

52. Plain, butter or salted popcorn? Salt and sugar. Kettle corn, baby!

53. How many keys on your key ring? Umm... 3 on my home set, and somewhere around 7 or 8 on my school set.

54. How many years at your current job? Just started my 3rd year!

55. Favorite day of the week? Thursday or Saturday

56. How many towns have you lived in? Springfield and Glen Ellyn, IL; Eagan, MN; Indianapolis, IN; Arlington, Euless, Fort Worth, Frisco, and Irving, TX. So 9. Ouch.

57. Do you make friends easily? Yes

58. How many people will you be sending this to? Whoever reads my blog.

Dancing Queen

A couple weeks ago I went to a friends wedding as a)her friend and b)1 of 3 people representing our school at her event. To make a not-so-long story short, we got ourselves invited to one of her hubby's friends weddings in December (whom we had never met before, by the way) because we were so much fun on the dance floor.

You heard me right. As a student once quoted to me "You rock the socks off my pet llama, Margo. Don't judge her." Apparently the 3 of us brought down the house. Which wasn't too hard to do! I'm used to the wedding receptions/dances where you get out there and only leave to get a drink of water, then you get your butt back out on the dance floor! Their family's were more, 'let's talk and sit here and leave by 9:00.'

So I'll leave you with a couple of photos from the evening, and spare you the one's that show me drenched with sweat after dancing all night on a floor with very little A/C.


We are no longer welcome at the Wal Mart in Tahlequah, OK.


Me, Danae, and Alicia


Danae, Me, and Alicia - a little less formal. ;)

The only thing I've ever really liked her in. I love it!

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

Leaves... Temps... Nudity

Random note for you all from D/FW. I took Coda out behind my building yesterday and couldn't figure out where I was hearing a scratching noise from. It sounded like a squirrel running around in the tree nearby, but I couldn't see him! These trees are not grand old trees. They're newbies. It's not difficult to see ANY movement from animals in them. I finally realized it wasn't an animal making the noise. Dried leaves from the Living Oaks were falling to the ground, falling past other dried leaves, making the scratching sounds. People, it's August 4th. While I understand that the northern states may be seeing some beautiful foliage or be preparing for that, you can't tell the leaves have turned here. Because most haven't. So the trees I see from my living room window have become a little premature in their quest to get naked. I think this is because it's so freaking hot here.

This past week, and this upcoming week, temperatures are supposed to be 100+. And then you see the little note below the highs listed for the day that says "feels like..." And some of them are over 110 degrees.

I guess the trees are just following my general rule for summers in Texas: Only wear enough so as not to get arrested.

Red Ribbon Ride

My sister Heidi just completed the Red Ribbon Ride in MN. It's a bike ride supporting the cause to fight HIV/Aids. Take a moment to check out her blog. I'm so proud of my sister!

Update?

So it's been awhile since I last posted. I don't really know what to tell you though! Not much is going on here. Coda's crazy. I'm sleeping in when she lets me, and I'm thinking about getting ready for school that starts up in a few weeks. I'm heading out to Albuquerque one more time (next weekend!) to visit the 'rents and am thankful I know people who work for Southwest Airlines. If you're single and work for an airline, please contact me. That alone guarantees you at least 3 dates with me. Yes, I'm single again. And really, that's good! I'm raring to go now for school! Who-hoo! I plan to paint my office a purple-ish grey. Why? Because I can. And because it's time to make it mine. This will be my 3rd year there and I don't plan on leaving anytime in the near future. MY OFFICE SHOULD BE MY OWN! Questions? Didn't think so. =) Alrighty! Until something exciting comes up, or until I feel guilty for not blogging... ciao.

Out and About!

Two nights ago I was out with the girls, celebrating my friend's last few weeks as an unmarried woman. We had a GREAT time pre-dinner opening gifts at Hotel ZaZa in Uptown, and then went out to Cuba Libre for some amazing Cuban fare. Unfortunately for me, I had to depart after dinner as I'd made the mistake of booking a bachelorette party that night, and singing a solo for the 2 services at church the next day. 1st service was at 8:30 AM. But I hear they had a great time dancing, and those of us from East can hardly wait for the wedding! Below is a pic of the East girls, and then a link to my solo. Can you tell I had alcohol the night before???



And the solo, "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing"... just not another margarita!
It's a little hard to hear. No mike in front of me.

*Had to delete the link as it was going to the newest anthem - some guy singing.*

Proud Mother

I had a 'proud mother' moment for Coda today. We went out behind my building and I let her run around in the electrical field (normal activity for her). The risk here is that a)she feels the need to explore and ignores my commands or b)she spots another dog in the field and runs to them, again, ignoring my commands. Usually we don't have these problems. Today, however, there was a beautiful black lab mix up on the other end of the field and they saw one another. Not wanting to chase her down or go into the overgrown field myself (in flip flops), I called to Coda to come back out of the field. She hesitated... then came running back through the fence to me!!! I didn't even have to pull the 'treat' card! Needless to say we ran back to the apartment where she promptly received 2 treats and LOTS of tug-o-war time! After being rather annoyed with her this morning for not allowing me to sleep, my sour mood has been turned around as my dog LISTENED TO ME and OBEYED! I am so proud of her!!!

Wow. What sort of mother will I be if I have, you know, HUMAN KIDS? Holy cow.

By the way, this picture cracks me up. It's from Albuquerque. The altitude had gotten to her, and her tail's wrapped. LOL.

Happy Tail Syndrome

Yes, it exists. Even the vet said it did. I'd noticed Coda had been losing hair on the tip of her tail, and was worried it was mange... again. But she hadn't been scratching or chewing on it, so all was well! Until New Mexico. We got there, and Coda got so into the local art scene she decided to join in the fun! We were finding blood spatter as high up as some of the picture frames. When we finally identified the problem, Bob was a great sport and (multiple times) bandaged Coda's tail. She looked hilarious, as you can see below. Apparently, Happy Tail Syndrome is when a dog wags their tail SO MUCH and hits it on things SO OFTEN that it damages the hair follicles. This in turns creates very dry skin in that location. So dry, it ends up cracking and bleeding! And because Coda can't stop wagging her tail (she is a VERY happy dog!), she contributed to Mom and Bob's home with her own modern artwork. Don't worry, we cleaned it all up. But still. HAPPY TAIL SYNDROME?!?!?! Thankfully she's no longer a "mangy mutt".

Albuquerque, New Mexico

The trip to Albuquerque was filled with awesome views, food, and conversation! Thanks to Mom and Bob for hosting and joining us on adventures galore! I had a great time, and the pics below to prove it!



Red Rock in New Mexico!


Me and Chad at the Soda Dam.


Mom and Bob at the Soda Dam.


Jemez Falls. Gorgeous!


Almost to the top of the climb at Tent Rocks! Do you see why they're called Tent Rocks?


Bob, Me, Chad, and Mom at the top of the tram on Sandia Peak.


Sunset from Sandia Peak, on La Luz Trail.