Christmas Time

I just wanted to take this time to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! I hope that everyone takes this holiday season to realize how lucky we are and to cherish every moment that you have with family! Enjoy the time off and get ready to root on those Red Raiders on January 2nd! GO TECH!

The end of the season

Well, the regular season has come to an end. But, I have to tell you that I am so glad that I got to be on the roller coaster ride that was this football season. It has been such a pleasure to watch these guys do such great things and although it did not go completely as planned, I could not be more proud to be a Red Raider football fan!

Now, we get to sit back and watch this whole BCS mess unfold. What kind of stinks is that we will be the team that everyone talks about because we will just miss out! I remember, over the years, watching the BCS selection show and thinking, "Man, I would hate to be that team!" Ironic, huh? None the less, until the rules change, we have to be okay with being the 3rd best team - which is certainly nothing shabby!

There is nothing wrong with the Cotton Bowl and I will be more than happy to cheer the boys on to a victory there! Let's just keep our fingers crossed for whoever plays Missouri because if Missouri wins who knows where we will be? So, I suppose, it is Go Texas or Go Oklahoma.....ouch, painful!

Best wishes for a good, warm week for everyone ;-)

Happy Thanksgiving!

I just wanted to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving! I am very thankful for everything that I have in this life although I don't always take the time to celebrate it! I hope that everyone has a great day of family, turkey and football! Cheer on those Aggies.....One can always hope!!!

Come on Red Raiders....

So you essentially have to live under a rock not to know that the Red Raiders suffered a pretty devastating loss on Saturday to OU.  As I sat there and watched the scene unfold, I was reminded of the days when I was at Tech and the defense was, well, less than par.  However, somehow the sadness was worse this time around.  I can only imagine it was because this year had taught me a new level of excitement for a team that seemed like they could have it all.  HOWEVER, I will not be one of those people who gives up on my team.  Yes, the road took a turn, but welcome to life!  I would really love to meet the person whose life stayed on the path intended?!?!  

Anyway, I will continue to cheer on and support my team this upcoming weekend.  I am proudly wearing my red and black (even with some office ridicule...) and will continue throughout the week.  Now, I must be honest, I am wearing an OSU-orange tank top underneath my Tech stuff because we, obviously, need a little Cowboy help with our situation.  And, much to my father-in-law's dismay, I will be cheering on those Aggies because a Texas loss certainly can't hurt!

Come on guys, please continue to be proud of these Red Raiders and the work that they have done.  Yes, Saturday did not go as planned, but there is still a chance that a BCS bowl could happen for us!  GO TECH!

Still in a fog

So, that is me right now.  For those of you who don't know, I had a very good friend of mine in this past weekend to teach my winterguard their 2009 contest show.  He did a great job and so did the kids!  But, after a 4-9 rehearsal on Friday, 9-9 on Saturday and 1-6 Sunday, we were all pretty spent.  I guess, at the time, I did not realize it because of the adrenaline, but yesterday and today have been really easy for me to feel it - I am kinda worthless today ;-)

Then, there is work.  I love what I do.  But, I have to be honest and say that I very much overwhelmed right now.  Since the team that I work on is now down to 2, there is much more on my plate and I kinda feel like I am drowning.  Oh well, guess I better learn how to be a better swimmer....

I guess it is just sort of a weird time for me.  I am very excited about this winterguard season, but the work load scares me.  I do love what I do, but when you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel it is not always so fun, and I just want to not be stressed all the time.  I miss the way life in the LBK was just a few mere weeks ago....

Anyway, enough of that!  I am so excited for the Tech-OU game this weekend!  I have put off asking off from work for the National Championship and the Big 12 Championship because I am afraid that I will jinx my team.  However, after this weekend, and hopefully a big win, you bet your socks that I am going to request those days off because I will be yelling my heart out for my Red Raiders.  Everyone wear your red and black this week because it is time to Beat the Sooners!

I hope everyone has a great week ;-)

Weird

Somehow the title of my last post ended up being qq and I don't know how that happened nor do I know how to fix it! Just wanted to make sure everyone knew that I was aware. The real name of the post was supposed to be "Could it be happening", just FYI!

qq

Okay, so I have to be honest here! When my husband made the prediction that we could be in the Big 12 Championship/National Championship, I thought he was crazy! However, I find myself wondering could this really be happening? Now I know that the OU team is really good and that we will be at a disadvantage because it is on their home turf, however, this is a fantastic Tech team. As I watched the offense score time after time last night I realized just how hard it is for a team to stop the Tech team. Between an offense that can't really be stopped and a defense that is playing better than ever (minus the first defensive set last night...) I really feel like this could be it! Come on Red Raiders....get it done! So proud to be a Red Raider!

Now, for a soapbox moment. I was so embarrased by our student section last night. During the OSU school song, they thought it would be appropriate to bust out in RAIDER/POWER. Now, I am all for school spirit but, come on guys! There is a time and place and during the opposing team's song is not the time. I don't understand why it is so hard to just get your guns up and shut your mouth for 2 minutes! I just feel embarassment, that is about all I can say. I do have to give them credit for actually staying in the stands and showing class at the end of the game but it is too bad that they looked like idiots earlier on! I just hope that if the winning streak continues and we are able to stay at the top that our students will figure it out! Grow up guys!

I am looking forward to a fun, but very stressful, week. I have two rifle clinics on Monday and Tuesday and then my winterguard clinic with Mr. Marquez over the weekend. It will be a fun and exciting week and I can't wait for my FHS kids to get to experience a learning environment like him. They will know their entire WG show before the weekend is over - crazy!

I hope that everyone has a good week!

So Excited!

So, if you are anywhere on the planet you know that Tech knocked off the #1 team in the country last night - the University of Texas! Needless to say, my heart is still recovering from it but, man, what a win! This could go down as one of, if not the best, game in TTU football history!

Our whole day yesterday was just incredible! We started off the day by hanging with the Goin Band at College Gameday. Steve and I even managed to be on TV for a few short seconds ;-) Then, it was on to the game. Our team played really well, with a few small issues, but overall really well! The halftime show was absolutely amazing - Congrats to the Goin Band and their staff for an amazing Pirates of the Caribbean show! The crowd was all over it and seeing Anderson dressed up as a pirate was freaking cool!

However, I was a little distressed right at the end. No matter how much fun I have at games, our student section never ceases to amaze me (and it is not a good thing!) I actually got into a small screaming match with one of the many students who apparently could not read and decided that storming the field many times before the game truly ended would be a good idea! I just don't understand why they cannot be more aware of what is going on. Two penalties later, they finally figured it out! I just hate it for our University because the team worked so hard as well as the spirit organizations and then the students manage to throw it all away. Oh, and not to mention that we were on NATIONAL TV.

Anyway, I am done with the rant! I am so proud to be a Red Raider right now and I am so looking forward to the weeks to come! GO TECH!

Tomorrow

I do not think that I have been this excited in a long time!  If any of you saw my Facebook page today you know that I had to go ahead and put on my Blackout Texas shirt because I just could not wait until tomorrow!  

The next big question is whether or not I want to brave the craziness in the morning and go see GameDay.  Originally, I had thought that I would just stay in my pajamas and watch, but now that it is close I am having second thoughts......I would just hate to miss the opportunity.  Although, I guess that I would have to go up there now since people are already lining up ;-)  Maybe, I can convince Steve to let me be a Goin Band groupie and I can see it on the way to the stadium rehearsal!

I can't wait for tomorrow to get here!  What an exciting atmosphere there is going to be at Jones Stadium.  Of course, a win would certainly help things, but I just can't wait to see what it is going to be like!  Everyone think good thoughts for those Red Raiders and GO TECH!

Marching contest is done.....hooray!

Okay, so I realize that marching contest was a week ago and I am a wee bit late with this post, but it has been a mega-hectic week at work.  My partner-in-crime at the office has been on a well deserved vacation, but I have just been swamped the past few days.  PLUS, I just started winterguard rehearsals which has taken up any hope of free time!

I was very proud of my 3 groups at UIL.  Frenship and Seagraves, whom I work with, both made Division Ones - woo hoo!  I don't actually work with Sudan anymore, but the director is a  great friend of ours and so I was there to support him and his band as well, and they made a Division One.  To top it off, the Red Raiders managed to find their way to College Station for the second half and take care of those Aggies ;-)

Steve is currently in Vegas and NOT losing our money!  When I talked to him this morning he was up a lot and that is awesome.  I am looking forward to talking with him later to find out what he has been up to because I tried to ask questions this morning and he was in the "Vegas Haze" and was just not up for talking!  While he is gone I will be chilling and watching College football and then I get to go to a Halloween Carnival with one of the cutest kids I know tomorrow afternoon.  

Big wishes for a great weekend to all ;-)

Weather change

Greetings everyone!  

Okay, so anyone who was here for the Tech game against Nebraska knows that the weather was finally starting to cool off in the LBK.  Well, now it is officially COLD.  I realize that in some places 50 degrees is not cold, but I am spoiled to the warm weather so 50 degrees is COLD!  I was so proud of the FHS kids who managed to work so hard on our final Monday night rehearsal before contest!  I do not know how they did it because I was up in the stands shivering the whole time.....must be their youthful age! 

Anyway, between the weather cooling off and the fact that I have Christmas music on my ITunes....I am ready for Christmas.  Many of you know that if I could put up my Christmas stuff now, I would, but Steve says no!  Such a party pooper that guy is....

I will be a single gal this weekend as Steve is traveling with the Goin' Band to Aggieland to hopefully beat some Aggies!  I am trying to stay positive about the Tech season, but a good defeat of A&M would certainly help my outlook....and maybe those who vote on the polls!  

Here is hoping that everyone stays dry and warm and GO TECH! 

Grateful for Rain

So, living in West Texas you are always grateful when rain comes your way. Today, however, I was very grateful for rain because it put an early end to what had already been a very long day. We went to the Denver City marching contest today and I was with both the Frenship band and the Seagraves band. Both groups gave a great performance and Frenship made it to the finals. Rain, however, put a drastic change to our plans. Needless to say, finals were canceled and we were sent packing back to Lubbock.

Now that I am back I am sort of grateful for that rain. As much as I would have liked to have another chance to march our show, I am very tired and happy to be hanging out with friends and watching college football. AJ and Julie, I am sorry that my children suck and that you had to take TC home! Hopefully, one of these days Joey will stop being a butthole and they can be friends.

On another note, how bout those Red Raiders?!?! I am so excited and really looking forward to the rest of the season. Maybe this will be the big season after said (said with just a little skepticism....) Hope everyone has a great rest of the weekend!

Me Lately

Hi everyone!  I feel like it has been forever since I have been on here but it seems like my life is moving at the speed of light and all I have time for is work, guard, sleep and occasionally food and beverages with friends!  When I first started this blog I loved it because it was a way for me to both vent frustrations and keep people posted on my life and now it just makes me sad because I can't ever do it :-(  So, I am making time at work to catch up!

I have had a great few last weekends.  Two weekends ago was Alumni Day and it was so good to get to see old friends and cuddle cute babies.  Thank you to Susie and April for letting me cuddle and kiss on your precious little ones!  I know that you know that it was hard for me, but I believe in time God will give us our little one, too!  However, nothing was better for Aunt Amanda then to get to love on little Michael and Amelia - you guys did good ;-)

Last Saturday was WTAC at Coronado.  For those of you who don't know, that is a huge auxillary competition that Frenship goes to each year.  The colorguard came in 1st place and I was SOOO proud of them!  They really pulled together and worked as a team even after it had been a long day already (9 am to 8:30 pm)....I was very impressed.  

However, being around such good kids made me think about something.  Those of us who workwith kids, regardless of their age, are in such a position to make a difference.  I sometimes get so frustrated with these kids for one thing or another, but then I never stop to think about what the real reason behind the action is and what it might really mean.  I think, instinctively, we feel like we have to get mad and discipline, when what they might actually need is just the opposite.  I know it may sound sort of deep for me, but I have been thinking about it a lot lately.  I have seen over the past few months how my reactions can change and better the lives of my students and it is sometimes a scary power.  Just think about it the next time that you talk to a child....it could mean more than you think!  Hope everyone has a great first day of October :-)

So Here I am

Okay, so I am finally back from San Antonio and finally beginning to feel like I might get my life back!  Not a whole lot going on at this point, but I felt like it was wrong to not blog since I was back in the LBK!  

I do have to say, though, how proud I am of Steve!  He did such a great job conducting the Goin' Band last week!  I know that he was probably scared out of his wits, but it was so nice for him to get that experience so early on in the season.  Hopefully, more opportunities will be coming soon for him to get to conduct.  

I am excited about Alumni band coming up this weekend!  I will hopefully get to spend some time with out of town friends which will be nice.  Also, thanks to Tames, I got out of having to march because she needs me to take pictures of the halftime show since she did the drill!  I have to tell you, though,  I will not miss the performance (okay maybe a little....)

Anyway, that is about it from here.  I keep pretty busy these days with work, guard, guard, guard, and guard that I don't have much time for anything else.  If you see my husband...remind him of what I look like and tell him that I miss him ;-)

SYTA

I have been in San Antonio since Saturday attending the Student and Youth Travel Association convention.  I have gotten to make new friends and spend some good time with old friends.  This is such a good chance for me to get to hang out with people whom I spend MANY hours on the phone during season.  

I think that the local establishments make a killing off of this convention.  I have never met people that can drink like these guys!  I consider myself fairly young and able to drink, but these guys kick my tush at every turn!  Lucky for me, after the first night I decided to quit fighting the inevitable and I now go to bed and let them battle it out.  

I am actually sad that tonight is the last night.  Granted, I will be so happy to be back at home with Steve, my boys and my BFF, but I will miss these guys.  Especially my Orlando bunch.  Johnny Ace, Denise and Kerry are some of the coolest people I know and I love that they have taken me in as one of their own.  

Anyway, Johanna and I are about to head back over for another huge meal - another benefit of this convention is that they feed you like royalty!  Hope everyone is having a good week ;-)

Labor Day Weekend

So, I feel like everyone else in the world has a Labor Day blog so I should have one too.  It was a pretty eventful weekend for us as well.  We started off on Thursday evening with the FHS/LHS game.  Needless to say, I did not pay much attention to the game....I never do until halftime.  I was very proud of both mine and Jess's girls - thought they did well for a first game.  But then, the best part was after halftime when I got to go snuggle with Baby Lani...SUPER ADORABLE!

Friday night was a party with my office to say goodbye to three of our employees who have recently moved on to bigger and better things.  I loved seeing Marcie and Sarah again because they have been out of the office for a while.  It will be certainly hard without Jill O around because she has been here forever!  I wish all three of them much luck in their endeavors!  After that we met up with Tames, who was single for the night due to a Sudan football game, for a little beverage at C-town (thanks Sarah!)

Saturday was Red Raider game day!  It was so weird sitting with the band again.  Don't get me wrong, it was nice to have a free ticket, but definitely weird to be down there again.  I was very proud of Steve and the way that his drill came out!  I know that he is relieved that it is over, but what an exciting opportunity for him in his first year as a TA.  I do have to agree with April about the lack of smart football playing for Tech.  I am a little nervous about the rest of the season if we do not get those penalties in check....

Sunday and Monday were pretty much spent around the house taking care of business.  I wrote a little flag work yesterday and also played my regular game of poker at Fox on Sunday.  It was an interesting night of poker, but congratulations go out to Jess on an awesome finish!  Sometimes I wonder why I still play that game....but then I remember that no matter how bad I play I still get to spend time with the best poker friends a person could ask for ;-)

So, there is my Labor Day weekend in a nutshell.  I enjoyed the weekend and I could always go for another 3-day weekend!  Hope everyone has a good Tuesday! 

It's almost time....

Okay, so here's the deal.  I have to admit that I have been a little bitter over the past few weeks because my husband has been completely engrossed with Goin' Band business.  True, it is a GREAT opportunity for him, but I have been sad not to have him around.  I would swear at one point that I forgot what he looked like (he he).  But, it has been a really great opportunity for him because he has already gotten to write two drills and two stand tunes for the Goin' Band which is freakin' amazing - I can't wait to hear and see his work next weekend.  Which brings me to the point of this post.......IT'S TIME FOR RED RAIDER FOOTBALL!  Hallelujah!

I am so excited that a week from tomorrow is the first game.  It will be a different experience for me this year because I will be sitting with the Goin' Band.  I think in a sick sort of way it makes me feel important, which I dig!  I am trying not to let the pre-season football hype get to me because as soon as I buy into it we will do something so typically Texas Tech that I will be depressed as fast as I got excited.  But, all skepticism aside, I truly believe that the Red Raiders will do amazing things and I am pumped to be able to be a part of the Goin' Band as we experience this football season.  Plus, it has been very sweet already because I have been able to attend a couple of functions and the staff has been so welcoming to me as a part of the family and that means a lot too ;-)  Hope everyone has a super duper weekend!

My Poor Dogs

So, Steve and I manage to keep ourselves pretty busy between my work, my guard rehearsals and. now, his Goin' Band rehearsals starting up. Most of you know, we are going 90 to nothing most days which is why we end up needing a beverage at the end of the day. We are okay with it because we choose to be. However, there are two little guys that I feel more and more sorry for as the days go on - Joey and Max.

I keep remembering the vet telling us when we first got Joey not to worry because when we leave, he sleeps. He does not cry because he is sad or lonely. And, knowing Joey, chances are pretty likely he is asleep before the garage door shuts completely ;-) And Max, who knows what he does - but I am pretty sure that Joey keeps him in check!

The boys did have a great time last night, though. We opted to stay in due to lack of funds, so our friends Jeff and Tamey brought over their two female dogs - Lily and Lola! The 4 of them had so much fun - once Max figured out that we were not going to let him do un-nice things to Lola (poor guy!) Joey actually gave himself a time-out and went to bed, leaving Max severely outnumbered by the girls! But, they had a good time playing together and we will have to do it more often now that we know they can get along!

I am that person

So, as I was looking through the many blogs I like to read, including mine because sometimes I forget what I have said, I realized that I had become the person that I swore I would not be - that person who creates a blog and then forgets to blog!  So, here is my life over the past few days...

On Sunday, I traveled with the coolest girls ever to San Antonio for TBA convention.  We only stayed for the band portion, which was until Tuesday.  I had a blast!  Personally, I love being on the convention floor but I think it is because I know so many people and I like to talk - ALOT!  There was a little bit of drama while I was there, but in this industry I have come to expect it!  

I did realize while I was there, though, that I love what I do.  I like working for kids and helping their Spring trips be awesome.  I love all of my vendors and it is so nice to be able to sit down and talk without the busy-ness of the season.  I just love what I do!  It is so weird for me because I don't think that I have felt this way in a while.  I feel productive and important and I love it!  

We returned back to the LBK on Tuesday evening and I have just been working since.  It is awfully quiet around here, which has been hard to get used to.  The gang will all be back on Monday and the quiet will be gone ;-)  We are leaving in just a few minutes to go to Dallas for the weekend to visit Steve's parents one last time before Tech football season starts.  We get to go to Hurricane Harbor and a Rangers game, so I am super excited!  

Yeah for the weekend....Hope everyone has a great one!

Baby Michael Pier

So, at this very moment our friends Aaron and April are anxiously awaiting the birth of their precious Baby Boy Michael.  Actually, I have not heard from Aaron since last night so it is possible that he has already arrived.  I know that they have not had an easy pregnancy with him, but I know that it will all be worth it once he arrives.  

My most special thoughts and wishes go out to this precious new family as they continue on what will be the journey of a lifetime!  Love you all ;-)

When it rains, it pours....

So, let me first start by saying that I love my job. I truly love what I do and I have fun doing it! But, I was reminded this past week of what I don't like about my job.

Our office is sort of out of the way so we attract people who want to just drop off dogs that are unwanted. Those of you that know me know how hard and miserable that is for me. I love dogs and I think that people who do that should have really mean things done to them. This past week was extremely hard because we had two precious girl dogs that arrived at our office a day apart. They were both as precious as they could be! They were so skiddish but eventually warmed up to the staff at DC. Fortunately, we were able find them good homes with college kids who needed companionship, but it could have been worse. I just don't understand what prompts people to just drop off these helpless little animals and leave them alone. But, I have to say that I was impressed with the staff at DC. All of us managed to be unable to hide our soft and sweet side and I know that 2 dogs are better off because of us!

Moving on to last night and today. For those of you that know my angel Joey, he has a temper to say the least. I was looking at a scab that we found last night on his leg which prompted him to go NINJA on me. Steve and I both have had cuts/wounds from him, but my right arm was torn up. Once he figured out that he knew that I would not throw him out the window, he became my best friend and has still YET to leave my side.....crazy dog ;-)

To finish it up, I got into a fight with a knife today and I lost badly. Now I know that I don't cook alot (or at all) but you would think that I would know how to use a knife but apparently not. I was slicing an avocado and thought that it would be fun to slice my thumb instead. So, I have a swollen bandaged left thumb and a nice battle wound on my right - man, what a weekend!

Seriously, really?

I have never been able to deal with rude and mean people.  I think they stink and should have objects thrown at them!  I have a pretty interesting story about these types of characters.  I have omitted the specifics to protect the innocent ;-)

Last night I was  hanging out with good friends at a local karaoke establishment.  There were a few not-so-nice-people who felt it appropriate to do a few jerk things:

*Boo a perfectly good singer twice EVEN after being asked not to do so by the DJ or they could get up and sing themselves.

*Proceeded to inappropriately touch one of the members at our table on the way out - YUCK!

*Used a very inappropriate name in reference to another singer at our table

See, what I don't get is why these people have to be like that?  It stinks that people can't enjoy a fun night out with friends without these punks getting in the way.  If you don't like the singer - leave - but don't attempt to make them feel bad.  And don't even get me started on the butthead who felt like he had a right to put his hands on anything in the bar!  I sincerely hope that I never see him again or a very hard shin kick is in his near future ;-)

Anyway, just a little rant.  But it does bother me that common courtesy seems to be a thing of the past in our society.  I remember being raised to always treat people with respect even if you did not want to or did not like them.  Now, do I always do that, no, but I honestly try to.  I feel very strongly about this which I guess is why it hit a super sore spot with me last night.  

Sorry.....I will step down from the soap box now ;-)

Ever have one of those days??

Okay, so here is my thought for today.  Have you ever had one of those days where you are just irritated?  Well, I am having one today...

And what is funny is that I am not mad at anyone or anything - actually my irritability is not directed at anyone at all.  I am just irritated.  Little things that would tend to not even phase me have me all up in a tizzy today.  It is weird, really weird.  

I came to work this morning and spent most of the morning with my door shut.  Around here, that is HUGE!  There just has to be a scandal if the door is shut.  A co-worker sent the "Are you okay" message and I explained my situation.  I have since opened my door so that it is clear to everyone in the office that there is no scandal!  

I hope that I get over this funk soon because it sort of sucks and I don't like to be this way.  I sort of think that life might be easier if I knew what put me here, but until then....

Anyway, I hope everyone is having a great Monday ;-)

Checking In

Okay, so since my last post was back in San Diego it means that I have LOTS of new information to talk about.  Since then, we went to Vegas and lost money.  We did not lose LOTS of money - we actually lost what we could stand to lose, which is good.  It is never a happy time when you lose, but as long as you can stay within budget you can't be too bad off!

We returned back to the LBK with just enough time to wash and repack and head back to Dallas.  Steve's grandma was there and we really wanted to spend some time with her since we don't know when we will be back that way.  I really enjoy spending time with the "outlaw" family (he he).  They are actually a lot of fun, even more when drinking ;-)

After that, we headed back home and hopefully we will be here for a while.  Steve is teaching band camp this week and I am working at DC.  I am very sad because this is the first time since 1997 that I have not worked BOC.  They did away with a lot of positions and, unfortunately, one of them was mine.  But, I am going to Steak Fry tonight and will see lots of people so it makes up a little bit...

In other exciting news, I have two sets of friends whose lives have changed dramatically.  

Israel and Crystal got engaged which is freakin' awesome!  They are precious and it has been such an adventure to watch their life together unfold.  They got engaged in Shreveport and I really think I screamed very loudly when I received the text - Congrats guys!

Larry and Janae Allen got to welcome in their precious daughter Monday evening.  She was quite a few days late and I think Mommie was more than ready!  Her name is Lani Joy and I got to go see her yesterday.  She is super-duper precious and they both looked so happy.  As many of you know, Steve and I have been on a long journey to have a baby, so moments like those are sometimes bittersweet.  I know that ours will come in time, but emotions are what they are.  That is the one of the many beautiful things about my new mommy friends - they understand my struggles and their love and support means more than they know!  I love Larry and Janae and am super excited for them!  

So, I think that is it for now.  I still feel weird writing this blog because I am never sure who really reads it, but it is a nice outlet for me!  Happy Wednesday ;-)

End of the week

So, I have come to the end of San Diego vacation week. I must admit that at times I thought it could not come fast enough, but I must also admit that I am now sad. It has been a good week with family - some that I don't see near enough!

My niece is the sweetest, cutest and most precious little girl in the world. She is almost always happy and makes your heart melt every time you look at her. It has been very cool to see San Diego through a 1-year old's eyes.

In addition to lots of much needed R&R, I got to go to Disneyland, Seaworld, and the San Diego Zoo. All of these are places that I have never been to before, which made them super cool. Our condo was superb, except for that tonight we HAVE to eat tons of food that we bought when we first arrived and have yet to eat ;-(

Needless to say, vacation was much needed and I will be grateful to my in-laws for this experience!

Boys and their toys

So, I have to give Steve credit - when he wants something he does not give up until he gets it! Yesterday, we went to the San Diego Zoo and Steve and I were the only members of our "party" without the newest , latest and greatest camera. Steve's father and brother both have fancy Canon's and we have our camera from a few years ago. Well, long story short, Steve kept dropping hints and now we are the proud parents of a Nikon D40 which I am told is WAY better and cooler then the other one!

So, right now, Steve and his brother are in the middle of an already 2-hour long instructional session on the many ins and outs of our new child. It is oddly reminscent of a new toy at Christmas that EVERYONE wants to play with! Maybe, if I am good, I can play with it soon......probably not ;-)

San Diego Zoo

So, today I am going to go to a place I have wanted to go for a long time - the San Diego Zoo. I get to go with the absolute cutest 1 year old (assuming she gets a good nap) and the tickets are paid for!

So far, the trip is going great. We have a beautiful condo on the beach and I got to meet some more of my mother-in-laws family yesterday. I do worry about getting back into the swing of things at work because I have been gone for so long, but I do admit that I need a break to just sit back and enjoy some time with Steve!

I need to go and take a shower now because there are 4 of us sharing one shower! Will check in later.

A Great Man

After what had proven to be a very exhausting, but exciting, weekend of watching Braedon play baseball, we got some very tragic news.  Steve's grand-dad (otherwise known as CT) had passed away Sunday morning.

For those of you who never knew this man, you missed out.  He was a father to 5, father-in law to many, and grand-dad/great-grand-dad to the luckiest bunch of kids ever!  He had a stroke around 9 AM on Sunday and passed on shortly after it.  

You know, I have experienced so many deaths in my life that sometimes you feel like you are numb, like you can't hurt anymore.  But, that is so not true.  This week will be very difficult to say goodbye to this man.  He took me into the Knight family with a heart full of love and no questions asked.  

We travel back East today for the viewing and the funeral which will all happen on Tuesday/Wednesday.  Please say a special prayer for the entire Knight family, as this will be a terribly hard time for everyone.

Today

Ever just have one of those days where motivation is at an all time low?  I am smack in the middle of one.  It is not that I have nothing to do, because that is SOOO not the case.  Since changing our work week from 5 days to 4, Thursdays are the new Fridays!  I really try to be motivated and get work done, but it is has yet to work.

Steve and I leave tomorrow morning for a trip East to visit my In-Laws and my stepson.  He just turned 9, which I totally cannot believe.  I met him when he was three, which officially makes me old.  He is such a neat kid to be around, although he seriously makes me tired to keep pace with him!  We are going to get to see him play a lot of baseball this weekend, which is cool because we have not in a while.   We will be back on Sunday night in time for the big poker tourney which I am so excited about because all of the "gang" gets to play - hooray!  

Sometimes I wish that I had blogs more insightful, however, this is all I can offer at this point.  Hope everyone has a great weekend!

New Obsession

Okay, so I totally have a new obsession and that is Sex and the City.  I know, I know.....I am about ten years behind, but I am totally loving it!  I have a friend that got me interested in them right before the movie came out, but we did not get to see them all before the release date so now I spend my evenings on SATC marathons!  The movie was awesome, although my husband begrudges Hollywood for all it's romantic shenanigans ;-)

I am trying to get through another day in the office and looking forward to, hopefully, seeing a good friend of mine from Colorado who is back in the LBK today!  I have a feeling that tonight's SATC marathon will be shared with some laundry/packing as we leave again on Thursday.  We are becoming quite the world travelers in the month of June ;-)

First Entry

Okay, so I am going to try this whole blog thing because it appears to be the "In" thing to do.  I have to admit, I feel a little old for this, but I am always up for trying new things!

We have started a new work schedule and I am seriously struggling.  Instead of five 8-hour days we are now working four 10-hour days and we get Friday off.  Cool, huh?  Not really, because a 10-hour day drags on forever.  

Well, I guess that is all for now.  I apologize for not saying more, but I must get back to work ;-)