Toy? What Toy?

You see it. The one draped across your face! But maybe you don't notice it because you're still out of breath and paying WAY too much attention to mom as you've been playing with the laser pointer. That thing turns you into a one-minded-dog. I love it. And this picture.

Coda Update

She loves the summertime - and she gets tired out easily. How can I tell when she's tired? When she pants with her toungue hanging out the side of her mouth rather than the front. She's too cute.

Here she is taking advantage of the Texas sun...



And she graduated Beginner Training!!! What a gal.



And I can't leave this one out just because it's hilarious to me. Besides the turquoise eyes, she's rather adorable!

Yippee!!!

Congratulations to my little sister, Alyse! She and her boyfriend Jeff are now engaged to be married! I am so excited - Jeff is an awesome guy and couldn't have a better gal than lil' Peasers. You can read about there engagement at http://alyseinaustin.blogspot.com. They are way too cute.

PS: I got a MacBook this weekend! Anyone know why Blogger's entire editing bar (the one that allows you to create links, etc.) doesn't appear? I love the computer, and it'll help the new business (www.marykay.com/kgabriel), but why the disappearing bar???

I detest mosquitoes. IMMENSLEY. Why, you might ask? Mostly because Coda likes to run where they like to exist. And guess who they like to bite?! ME!!! I have lost count as to how many bites I have on my body. I just keep itching. And trying not to scratch.

I just wanted to fill you in.

Mary Kay

I've done it. I've signed myself over to Mary Kay Cosmetics. And you know what? I'm really excited about i! I was looking for a part-time job this summer but was dreading the thought of another retail position that worked me on their part-time hours (usually about 30-35/week - NOT what I want) and that I wouldn't be able to work a Musical Theatre camp with my friend! So now I've found the gig that will work on my time and allow me to work as much or as little as I want. Though I'll admit I'm thinking I will work some more on it - I'm liking what I see so far!

So yeah. Now that I've gone and become a Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant (HAHAHA - ME a beauty consultant!!!) I'm going to ask a favor. If you want to try something, let me know. If you want to have a party (in TX, thank you) I would be really happy to do that for you because I have NO experience. You'd be training me in. Otherwise, I don't know which of you use this product or not, but if you do, my website is www.marykay.com/kgabriel. Thanks for being the patient and supportive people you are and reading my shpeel. Stacy, tell me how to spell that. =)

Oh yeah. I get to go by GABRIEL!!! Not official yet - don't get too excited. I'm already chomping at the bit.

Joke

So through the email chain of the Gehrman/Gabriel Girls there was a list of items posted that could make for good blog posts. One such suggestion was jokes! I was reminded of a time when I taught Music History...

"What's Beethoven's favorite fruit?"

"BA-NA-NA-NAAAAA!" sung to the tune of his 5th Symphony opening.

Maybe I shouldn't post jokes on my blog.

School's Out!!!

I can't believe it. I've completed my first year at East. Yeeeeee-haw! Though it hasn't really sunk in yet. I still feel like I'll be going back next week. Instead I'll be having an appraisal done on my house and trying to get my life (and apartment) back in order! Coda also gets to try out a dog park this weekend. Time to pray she comes when called. =)

So yeah. Going to enjoy the break, and if you are in my area or I am in yours, we need to get together. Hooray for Summer Vacation!!!

Update

Stacy, I get the picture. I apologize for slacking in my duties to my blog. It's only been INSANE here trying to handle 6th graders at the end of the school year. By the way... 3 MORE DAYS!!! And that includes today, which I probably shouldn't count because we teachers like to look on the bright side of life (LOL) so we figure today's over anyhow... 2 MORE DAYS!!! Then I intend to go to weddings, work a musical theatre camp in Denton, possibly sell Mary Kay (anyone want to host?), and relax by the pool. Oh yeah, and exercise my butt off. Literally. OK. Only to a point. It's a hot butt! Remember?

Coda... Ah my little 50 lbs. mutt who likes to kiss me and then bite my boob while soaring through the air... AhhhhOW. She graduates from her Beginner Training Class this weekend! I'll be sure to take pictures. Again, waiting to actually be able to post them as my computer ISN'T COMPATIBLE. I may go use someone else's.

Gabriel name change. Still hasn't happened folks. Working on it though and there is a pinpoint of light at the end of the tunnel! Another month? I'm hoping to be back to Gabriel sooner than later. Speaking of which, I love my Uncle Bill O. He has offered to go with me to Fort Worth to take care of some things. Talk about taking me under their wing! With the 'rents gone (Albuquerque) Carol and Bill have definitely extended their parenting duties to include their neice, aka ME. LOVE THEM and APPRECIATE THEM and all they've done and continue to do. We have some fabulous family, folks. "Alliteration aside" (name that movie!) I'm definitely blessed to have so many people looking out for me. I'll have to thank you all one day. Oooo... that could take more than a day.

Alrighty! Enough of an update for now Stacy? I'll be sure to get this updated more as school lets out. We're being locked out this summer for renovations. Darnit! Being forced NOT to work! Have I mentioned I love my job?

Have a great end of the school year for those of you who that affects, and it's time to hit get cleaned up. Coda woke me up early so I'm posting at 6:05 AM. Enjoy the day!

WANT vs. NEED

Buying what you WANT vs. buying what you NEED.

I NEED a pair of black flats that can be worn casually or dressed up for work and play. I kind of NEED a pair of brownish cute tennies that are casual and can be worked in. I WANTED and BOUGHT a pair of summertime sandals with 2-inch heels that are cuter than all get-out and make my feet look fabulous.

I love shoes.

Oh yeah. And I did buy the washer and dryer that I NEEDED. Don't worry, that came first.

2002 Toyota Solara Convertable

Oh how I wish I had the money to buy the car I test-drove yesterday. That's OK. I'll find the perfect car for the perfect price at the perfect time!!! So long as that time is before my car goes ka-blooey. =)

1999 is Too Old

Apparently, a 1999 computer is not the ideal machine to have working for you. Or Windows 98 being the Operating System. Guess what? It's time for a new computer. I can't even put the CD of pictures from Walgreens in and SEE THEM, let alone put them on my computer to then upload to here to you all could enjoy the fun I've had with Coda and my friends lately!

Good thing my car is still running (knock on wood).

Fun things to come? We're having a faculty-student basketball game next week and I'm the MASCOT!!! Envision me running around and dancing like a fool in a bronco outfit. I'm PUMPED. Really, I am. I'm serious.

Other exciting news? Bob has finished his stint at Deadman Hospital! He moves next weekend. I'm going to miss him! I really like having my parents close. It's convenient, but very homey. And being 30 mins. from them is fantastic. The perfect distance. Now I'll be 10 + hours from them... again. That's OK! I have a ton of family in the area and we'll have a blast! I'll just run to Bill and Carol more. They can't wait. =)

Going to get ready to take Coda out - it's an ordeal, but the training has already paid off. Walking her is much better than her walking me. =) Now if I could get all the scratches to heal...

CIAO!

Random Notes

Wheeeeeeee! It's Friday and I'm NOT AT WORK! I am working hard though - making sure my animal doesn't destroy anything at my parents just in case I'm given a 30 minute warning to book it out of here with the house looking spectacular so it'll sell. Arg. Cleaning has never been my favorite thing to do. Alyse is the only one I know who seems to enjoy it.

So here I am, reading other people's blogs and checking out used car prices. Mine is making a weird noise lately. Not a good one, either. Mom's guessing the transmission. I'm not paying for a new transmission. It's not worth it. 177,000 miles on a 13 year old car. I may be wrong (PLEASE let me be wrong), but it's time to start looking at cars more seriously.

EASTER'S HERE!!! Meaning... Katy's coming into town, Alyse and Jeff are coming into town, and I get to hang out with a bunch of family! YEAH! How excited am I? I love holidays in Texas - I don't have to travel much anymore to be around people. They come to ME! Well, to other family members and I drive 30 minutes.

Alrighty. Have a great time, and I'll get some more pics up soon!

Ciao.

Irrational Behavior

Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary describes "irrational" as such: 'lacking usual or normal mental clarity or coherence'.

Let's talk about rational behavior and thinking for a moment, shall we? I got off the phone with someone this evening who has decided they will NEVER get a divorce in their lifetime. Even if the other person wants one. Hmmm... So they want to be with someone who obviously doesn't want to be with them. Rational, or Irrational? Nevertheless I am slightly bemused at all of this considering the divorce is GOING TO HAPPEN one way or the other.

I just had to vent for a moment. Thanks for taking the time to read it.

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. =)