Animal Deaths

Coda likes to kill bugs. And not just the annoyingly huge mayflies or mosquitoes that populate the area around my apartment since I'm in what I like to refer to as "the swamp". No, her favorite victim is the butterfly. I feel so saddened by this! It's colorful and flits about without any real speed, so it's perfect for Coda to leap about and snap at. Sometimes the butterfly is lucky (or smart - go fly on the other side of the fence) and sometimes they're not. Like just now. Don't be stupid enough to fly right in front of my dog's nose - she'll leap up and snatch you out of the air.

Second Death. I heard this hilarious story (you'll see why it's hilarious to me in a minute) from another teacher. Apparently here's what happened... A kindergarten teacher with about 20 students keeps a bunny rabbit in her room that they occasionally let run around. Said rabbit was out and about during storytime when the teacher was in the middle of a climactic moment and was perched on top of a chair while acting out the story. The story called for the main character to fall, so the teacher jumped and landed on the floor in front of her. She did not, however, look before she leapt and landed square on the bunny. Blood, guts, instant death. And the class of 20 5 year-olds saw it all. I'm guessing therapy sessions for the next week.

As a teacher, I feel HORRIBLE for the Kindergarten teacher. I'm also amused - what else could I be? As teachers we end up in situations that call for reactions and emotions of disgust or humor. It's easier to see it in the light of the latter emotion since if we saw everything bad that happened with disgust, I'd quit teaching.

So there you have it. My blog on the death of bugs and bunnies. No pun intended.

PS: Coda just got another mosquito.

H.M.S. Pinafore

What I had to go through to have great hair for H.M.S. PInafore. Yes, I look like a mutated dog.









But then I looked GREAT! Along with the other Chorus Girls. I'm in the teal.









Obviously I'm on the left. Next is Melissa (Josephine - the lead female) who talked me into auditioning. She teaches the private voice lessons at East. Hannah (Hebe - Jeebie) is a new-found friend thanks to Melissa! I can't wait for the 3 of us to hang out more!




Hooray for fun shows with fun people! Can't wait to work with them again!

Talent

So we opened H.M.S. Pinafore last night with much success! The cast had a blast, and the audience seemed to enjoy the hilarity of it all. I must point out a small talent though that my family has discovered runs in their blood. Falling. Check out Alyse's Blog, and Katy's to see the extent to which we will draw attention to ourselves by NOT being able to stay balanced. My special moment came last night during the finale of Act 1...

So Wednesday evening while running through our final dress rehearsal my partner turns around, puts his hands on my waist, and tries to life me up without any warning given to me. I asked him what the heck he was doing, then agreed to aide in the stunt by JUMPING the next time he tried to lift someone only slightly smaller than himself. Which leads me to last night... Opening Night. The finale of Act one came, my partner turned around, I jumped. And boy! Did I get some height! It was amazing to feel taller then everyone! Then, very quickly, I was FAR shorter than them. My character shoes have NO tread on them and I landed, then continued to go down until I was flat on my back onstage. The curtain closed a little fast that evening - wisely. I was in hysterics (laughing) just trying to stay standing after 1/4 of the cast tried to help me and my partner up (I'd tripped him on my way down). Moments like this make me laugh. What else could I do??? PS: Was anyone in the fam at the opening night of The Mouse that Roared that remembers my fall there? I'm thinking of making it a tradition.

I love being a Lindsay. Have I ever mentioned that? =)

Random

Don't worry, I haven't given up on posting pictures yet. Just haven't gotten a new camera... yet. Plans are in the works for that one. Anybody REALLY like the camera they own? Suggestions? Great.

Speaking of pictures, I would have had another great shot of my butt again if I posted pics of my butt on the web. While in Colorado (which was AWESOME, by the way) I happened to have what they call a "Yard Sale". As my cousin Erin describes it (quite accurately, too) it was pole, ski, ski, pole, then Kate at Erin's feet going "MY BUTT!!!" I had fallen, but before I hit the snow my rear hit the ski bindings first. I have a bruise that could win ugly competitions! Oh, and I ended up in the ER because I thought I'd broken my hand in the same fall (just a contusion aka "big bad bruise" according to my doc). However, I did not have my cousin Katy's doctor. Check out who got to check HER out.

So my apartment is beginning to look like home rather than some random place were I sleep and eat. Yeah! Alyse and mom came over (mostly Alyse) and helped me go through some boxes and just get things put up! Hooray! If Alyse doesn't make it in nursing (which I do not forsee) she can be paid to go into people's homes and organize for them. Like the people at The Container Store.

We're going to the amateur rodeo in Ft. Worth this evening with the Barretts! How fun will that be??? And I've lived here for about 4 years and haven't been. I'm excited!

Alright. Is that enough randomness for one post? I thought so. Enjoy, and remember to send me your camera recommendations so the next time my butt is the topic of conversation and post I can show it to you all. Riiiiight.

Cousins and Colorado

Tomorrow is going to be an exciting day. The Lindsay Clan will again be welcoming another cousin into the world. Liam should be joining us sometime after 7:30 AM, CST, and Patrick and Alicia will have their 1st child! And then FRIDAY I'm booking it outta here for Colorado with Patrick's siblings to let Gran and Dollar Bill have time with their new grandson! And for Spring Break. Don't know why exactly the trip was planned, but whatever, I'm going! And I'm PUMPED UP. New cousin, new ski slopes - how lucky can one Lindsay Cousin get?

Squeaky Toys

Squeak, Squeak, Squeak. First Emma, now Coda. They love it. If it makes a sound, they want it in between their teeth squeaking about two times per second. I love making these dogs happy, but I think I'm going to go insane. Coda's new favorite trick is to get the thing squeaking (this did take her awhile - Emma showed her how to master the trick of applying just enough pressure) and then find me and squeak it in front of me. She's behind me right now, squeaking the squeaker out of the stuffed toy mailman I bought her. Anyone remember that I WAS a mailman once-upon-a-summer? =)

And yes, I will bump up a camera on the priority list of purchases. It seems there is a running theme to the comments I'm receiving. =)

Sidenote: Emma's getting annoyed with the squeaking now too - HA! Now she knows what it feels like!!!

I can SIT DOWN

I'm getting furniture! There WILL be a couch now if you want to visit. And if YOU don't fit on it, I do. So HA! Come see me in Texas! Coda is so excited. =)

I've Moved! Again...?

Yet again, I have moved out of my parents house. Yee-haw! My apartment is fabulous, and I am 10 minutes from work! How excited am I??? However, I'm back at my parents this weekend... dogsitting. I love Emma and Coda. I love Emma and Coda. I'll just keep saying that. It's true, it's just the 2 of them together can be rather taxing. ANYHOW. I will post pictures soon, but seeing as how I don't have a camera OR the internet at my place it might take awhile. Sorry folks. But you can come and see it in person now! Help me get rid of my boxes!

Bright Eyes

Does THIS look like the face of a criminal?

How about this? Coda & Emma enjoying pig ears - butt to butt.

According to the man of the house, we need to keep a "Property Destruction Count" for my puppy. As seen above, a golf hat has been made holy. Other items? An antique pipe holder, children's book, and various shoes have been found with teeth marks. Interesting. I move out of my parents house on Tuesday. With Coda. =)

Peyton Manning = MVP

COLTS WIN!!!! YEAH INDY!

Dakota - no, not the state

I GOT A PUPPY! She's 7 mos. old and I've named her Dakota, after the county in MN where I grew up. We call her Coda for short (musical term for those who didn't know that), and she is ADORABLE! Very friendly - I like to call her my cuddlebug. She's all about snuggling up and giving kisses. And chewing her rawhide to smitherings. WOW that dog can chew!

Dakota Gabriel! I like it.

One VERY excited new mom! That sounds weird, doesn't it?

Which end is which? She's good at camouflage.


Check out those cute ears! I'm in love.


Alright! There's Coda! I'm sure I'll have more pics later. She does some interesting things... like picking up leaves then spitting them out. Or sticking half her back leg in her mouth. I was amazed at her talent! She gets it from her mom. =)

Police Are Friendly

So I've discovered the local police are very helpful and friendly people. I was house-sitting for my parents and their alarm went off this morning. Did I have the code? Nope. Bob told me what to do if the pool went crazy, but not the alarm! And there's the issue of WHY the alarm was going off - what was happening? Was someone trying to break in? Was there a power failure? Was the alarm screwed up? Emma wasn't acting all nervous or excited - just intrigued by the alarm. So off I set in my robe and just-styled hair and called 9-1-1. The police officer was very friendly and helped me to locate the alarm booklet after explaining the power had gone out in the neighborhood and I'd woken my aunt and parents up in Mexico for the code - which they didn't know. Amazingly through it all the officer didn't think I was too crazy (I hope) and I made it to school 2 minutes before the bell. I think that's too much excitement for the start of the semester, don't you?

Excitement I Have Never Known

It's amazing. For the first time in my life, I have found it. I thought that coming to Dallas - a very cosmopolitan city, might I add - I would have found her sooner, but it's taken me 4 years. I must admit though, it was worth the wait to find the one I will trust over and over again. I have... a HAIR STYLIST! And I will continue to seek out their skillful help EVERY time I need a trim, cut, style - WHATEVER. Don't you love what she's done for me? Do you see how my hair is not flat against my head??? That's called BODY. I am so very excited!

Future Home...

I've found an apartment to live in! It's within 10 minutes of my school and 30 from Mom and Bobbert. Awesome amenities and the complex is next door to one of my best friends here, Amanda! Well, OK, the next apartment compound over. But STILL a lot closer than I've lived to friends in a long time. =) I am so excited, and when I move in the 2nd week of February, you're all invited to stay at my place - so long as you appreciate a spot on a couch or floor, or you don't mind sharing a bed with someone who kicks.

Hooray for NEW BEGINNINGS!!!

Minnesota Surprise!

It was Friday, December 22nd, and my mom, Bob, Alyse, and Jeff were anxiously awaiting the arrival or our sisters Heidi and Stacy at Christos in St. Paul. The latter had no clue we were there... until we sang "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" from the balcony to their table below. THAT's a good feeling.

Needless to say we had a blast on our holiday trip to the Land of 10,000 Lakes. It was fantastic to see everyone again and I had a great time! The 15 and a half hour car ride there with 5 grown adults wasn't so bad either (thank you, Lunesta). On the way back? Little more rough, but there were only 3 of us in the car so I couldn't just close my eyes and disappear. Best quote of the trip? Stacy, after playing her first game of Risk... "War - I'm into it now".

We also got to see cousins Steve and Mary Ann on the way home in Iowa. THAT was interesting. Just a warning to you all, but Steve has decided that when he's 89 and senile he's going to be as stubborn as a mule and do whatever the hell he wants. Josh, you may want to live far, far away.

We arrived back in TX to find warmer weather and our beds, which we promptly fell asleep in around 8:30 Wednesday morning. Hooray for roadtrips! I hope you all had as enjoyable a holiday as I had, and enough rest as well! Merry Christmas!

Steroid Shots

With my lovely self being prone to sinus infections (I know that's not too much personal information for you all now, is it? Did you READ "Bright Blue Panties Girl"???) I've had a couple of steroid shots in my rear. Today's hurt. Does anybody else's nurse rub it in? HOLY MOLY that hurts worse than the shot! And you feel so... exposed.

Two rear end stories in one week folks... aren't you lucky? =)

Bright Blue Panties Girl

I've decided I've met my quota on "interesting" things happening to me at school this year. A kid getting a small concussion in my class was #1 and I thought enough for the year. Alas, I was wrong.

I split my jeans Friday while on a field trip with the choir and band. And not just any small tear. We're talking top o' the bottom to top o' the thigh. Did I notice? Nope. Did anyone else? Thank goodness NO (I am truly thankful for my long black coat right now). So when did I realize my left cheek was exposed? When I sat down on the bus and felt cold plastic on my thigh. Of COURSE I still had 1 class to teach upon returning to school and of COURSE I HAD to tell and show my friends at school - it's just one of those things you don't believe until you see. I'm not sure I like my new nickname though... "Bright Blue Panty Girl." Katy O., while they may not have seen the cuteness of the panties, I am happy I was wearing panties and I'm not known as the bare-butt girl. I guess that saves my reputation? Maybe? We'll find out at the "unofficial" faculty party tonight.

SNOW! Kind of...

Growing in up IL/MN snow was a yearly thing - happy at first, then annoying as I had to scrape my car everyday. Here in TX it's a rarity, but I got to use my scraper today! My kids were thrilled over the flurries we had (not really anything I would consider full-blown snow, it was more like sleet that couldn't decide WHAT precipitation to be) and their eyes lit up. They lit up so much they were almost unable to concentrate on the songs we were singing! And I do not have a window in my room. I do not envy those with a window - nothing got done today in the classrooms. Though the teachers figured it out... "If you're good and we work hard for the remainder of the period we can go out side for the last 2 minutes of class". I couldn't bear the thought of herding children when the bell rang (not unlike herding cats), especially when they would have been enjoying this rare phenomemnon - I would feel guilty. So instead I made them stay in. I know, I'm the kind-hearted teacher you've always wanted. =)

Holiday Happenings

The holiday is over and I'm back at it with my lovely little Middle Schoolers. Crazy kids. =) I have to say the break was nice though! And I'll summarize my birthday... EARLY Sunday morning (12-2 AM) FANTASTIC thanks to Stacy, Taylor, Jeff, and of course... Alyse (quick quote "KATE!!! Can you walk forwards? I can only walk backwards!!!" and who could forget "Hook 'em Horns!"). Go ahead, ask. Later Sunday morning (8-11 AM) sucked. And I don't like to publish that word. Later that evening (5:30 PM - Bedtime) was WONDERFUL. Notice how I emphasize the good points. So turning 26 went rather well! New experiences for all that Saturday night/Sunday morning.

And then Heidi sent me this great book (yes Heids, you can read it after me) "I Know You're Out There - Private Longings, Public Humiliations and Other Tales from the Personals". I'm highly amused and enjoying each chapter.

I hope you all enjoyed your holiday's as much as I did mine! To keep you up on other aspects of my life money is missing, I'm ticked, and my lawyer is handling it. HOWEVER, amidst it all I am still happy that I am moving forward.

To NEW BEGINNINGS!!!

News

So technically everything should have been filed yesterday. I talked to him today, and things are now in motion. Hooray?? It's difficult to celebrate something so depressing. So happy news?

I get to see my wonderful sister and brother-in-law in 2 more days! I wish the entire family was going to be here for the Thanksgiving feast, but alas, it is not to be. No worries though! Hopefully we will soon find ourselves surrounded by the energetic and warm soul that is Heidi - MN this spring, anyone? TX, Heidi??? Travelling is not unknown to the Gabriel/Gehrman clan. Also, it is my golden birthday this year!!! Turning 26 on the 26th. Crazy. Is there anything special for golden b-days? I didn't think so.

I hope you all have a wonderful and safe holiday (that's the good teacher in me coming out)! If I don't burn down my parents house or ruin the fudge we're making a month in advance of Christmastime, all will be well.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!