Night of the Stars

It's over but it was fun!!! Sycamore Elementary School's "Night of the Stars" Variety Show proves that a talent show can be fun even when the airconditioning isn't working. I helped organize it, GP and his friends were the comic relief, Rebekah and her friends were the "Happy Hands Club" (Napoleon Dynamite) and Molly did a stirring rendition of "YMCA"!!!! Of course, Preston was there to support us all the way! Fun, Fun, Fun!!!!!

Fat Friday (Click Here)

Chef Preston Strikes Again!

Every month on payday our school (Sycamore Elementary) has "Fat Friday" (hope nobody from the "Fat Club" reads this). Each grade level or department hosts a luncheon for the staff . It's great fun! We either put money in and they order food, or we have a theme and it's potluck suprise!

This month was my department's turn (Special Ed)....It was very "Special"!

Chef Preston prepared a Hawaiian Luau...we called it "Eat Aloha" The menu consisted of Barbecued pulled pork with pineapple chutney, stir fried rice, tropical salad, fresh fruit and dreamcicle cake. It was wonderful! My husband is the bestest!!!

My Journey (click here)

I had an assignment this week that I thought I would share with you:

My Journey

Fall 2005 - I decide to go back to school. I have been working as a paraprofessional at an elementary school and feel that I could be a really good teacher. I never finished my degree and I know that I have a lot of work ahead of me, but I go ahead and get the ball rolling. I look into financial aid, request my transcripts and meet with a counselor at UTA. She advises me to go to TCC and get as much done there as I can. I have no idea where to start so I make an appointment with a counselor at TCC. While in the waiting room, I notice the brochure for "Women in New Roles". I ask the woman at the desk about the program and she suggests that I meet with Trish Light. She makes a call and it just so happens that Trish is in her office. I walk over to Trish's office and she welcomes me warmly, sits me down and proceeds to register me in the class! One of the things she said was "I don't believe in accidents". Apparently, I was supposed to be in this class! So there I was...ready to go...back in school!!!!

January 2006 - I'm nervous. I'm excited. I'm worried that I'll be the oldest in my class. I'm afraid I won't remember how to study.

Classes begin. I'm no longer nervous - I'm comfortable. I'm still excited. I'm not the oldest in my class. The studying will be easy - what about this Occupational Research Portfolio?!?!?!
From the first day I feel energized every time I leave class. I learn something new each time! The studying is hard to get in because of my family's busy schedule, but my husband supports me and helps out a lot!

February 2006 - Trish asks for volunteers to do a skit at the next Network meeting. I know I have missed my calling as a bad actress somewhere, so I volunteer. I meet with Trish and Laveria to discuss the skit. We brainstorm and come up with a good idea. I plan my costume and get prepared.

In the meantime, the studying is coming along fine. All of the assignments that seemed overwhelming at first are getting done. I am enjoying this class! My personal life is thriving as well. My husband and I celebrate our 20th anniversary. We have never felt so connected. He is the love of my life.

March 2005 - The midterm is lurking ahead. Have I studied enough? Will it be easy? Will it be hard? I study some more. I take the test (first one in 15+ years). I feel pretty good. It was harder that I had expected. I get a B. I'm disappointed but I am looking forward to earning extra credit by doing the skit at the WINR Network this weekend!

My first WINR Network - The skit is "Wrong Way Job Interview". I decide to go "Goth". I go all out with the costume...tattoos, fishnet hose, wig, leather boots - the works! I walk in to Billy Miner's dressed like that with my sweet little family by my side. We get a lot of stares. We go back to the WINR meeting room. I get a lot of stares. People avoid eye contact. It's weird but exciting. I'm someone else...but not really. The skit is a success. The speaker is wonderful. I am glad I went.

Spring Break - I have great intentions of working on my personal project, my resume' and working ahead on the studying. Instead, I paint my daughter's room, clean the garage and have a yard sale. It was a relaxing and productive week. I feel just a little guilty that I didn't do any schoolwork.

Mid-term slump - I need to get back into the groove. I am feeling overwhelmed. Too much is going on at school, work and home. PRIORITIZE!!! That seems to work. I say "no" a few times and "yes" more than I should have.

My Personal project is coming up. I want it to be more that just my hobby or a skill. I want it to be about my personal journey over the past few years. I want to let everyone know where I have been, where I am now and where I want to go. My husband helps me put together a really neat movie showing my work on VBS at our church. The presentation goes pretty well. I get nervous because I was afraid I would run out of time. I still get embarrassed every time the part with me singing comes up.

April 2006 - I turn 42. I love being in my 40's - I would never go back to my 30's. I am thankful that I got to be home for 10 years with my babies. I am also thankful that they are no longer babies and I have emerged from stay-at-home-mommy hood ready to live the rest of my life!

School is going well. I am starting to worry about the finals. I haven't been able to study as much this half of the semester. The kids have so much going on. I have involved myself in several big projects at work and it seems every weekend is crammed full STUFF (The FlyLady says STUFF is "Something That Undermines Family Fun - I agree).

I am very proud of my Occupational Research Portfolio. I have worked hard and learned a lot about myself. I thought I wanted to be a teacher, but wasn't sure if it was because I liked the idea of the hours and summers off. I work in a school, so I am well-aware of what I am getting into. The personality and interest inventories helped confirm that teaching is something that would suit me and I will be successful at it!

I am looking forward to tackling the rest of my classes. I feel equipped and empowered! I am also a little sad. I know that the rest of my classes won't be as fulfilling. I will miss the support of Trish and the class. I plan to continue with the skits and go to WINR Network whenever possible.

I know that I would recommend this class to anyone who wants to learn a little more about themselves, find a career or change their direction in life. This has been an awesome, life-changing experience for me!

The journey has just begun!

The Culinary Ministry (click here)

I am so proud of my husband. Visit this link and see how God has inspired him.

Bunko night!

I'm on my way to pick up Karen B and spend another fun-filled evening with the gals playing a mindless dice game. If all goes as planned, we will eat well (Alice never disappoints), have good conversation, a few lucky players will win fabulous prizes and then we will leave with our faces hurting from smiling and laughing too much!

I really should feel guilty because we just got back from a fabulous retreat, but because I have a wonderful husband and children, there is no guilt - just appreciation.

Gotta go!

Soak up the Son

I can't wait to go to the Ladies' Retreat!!!! I didn't get to go last year, so I am looking forward to being with my friends, staying up late and getting spiritually renewed!!! Will be back Sunday to let you know how it went!!!!

Operation Garbage Sale: Now Complete

Whew!!!! Glad that's over!!!! We did great on Friday, but Saturday was just too rainy and we didn't have any good stuff left anyway. We packed it up and donated it to a good cause!!!! We can walk in our garage again (the pictures are "before")!!! Yeah!!!!!

Hope everyone has a good week!!!! Back to work and school!!!!!

Peace Out!

Operation Garbage Sale is now underway...

I'm pumped and ready to haggle! Bring it on! Hopefully the rain won't be too much of a problem!

Clean Sweep comes to Prairie Rose Lane

Most of my Spring Break has been spent in Molly's room (except for when I watched A Chorus Line and today when Preston I went on a date in the middle of the afternoon!)

I am in year #2 of being a working Mom. I was blessed to be able to spend 10 years at home with my kids. When Molly started school last year, I went to work! For a while, I was able to maintain the housework, but after a while, I just gave up....Molly's room was a disaster!!!!

Soooo...Monday morning we got in there and four trash bags later it was empty enough to start painting. We used a pretty shade of pink - we even gave the baseboards a fresh coat of white...Next came putting everything back. Actually not everything...about half of it came back. My dad made a great shelf with pegs which helped get stuff up and out of the way!

Molly loves her new room...Hopefully it will be easier for her to keep tidy now...

Tomorrow, I will tackle the playroom and start getting ready for a GInormous "garbage" sale this weekend....Come see us! We're raising money for the trip to New York in May!








Happy girl in her new room!

ONE.....

SINGULAR SENSATION......ok, ok...I finally got to see it...!!!!Preston found a connection...made the transaction....my spring break life is complete...Marvin Hamlisch...I love you!!!

Where In the World is A Chorus Line?

So, I casually mentioned to my dear, sweet, thoughtful husband today that I was in the mood to watch A Chorus Line The Movie and to pick it up at Blockbuster when he took Rebekah...2 hours later, they are still not home...Rebekah finally calls and says that they have been to 2 Blockbuster's, Hollywood, Kroger, Alberston's and Walmart...no luck! I probably would have given up after Bockbuster - not Preston...he aims to please!!!!

Those songs have been running through my head for the past few days and I thought it would be a good spring break movie...Does anybody have it??? Would you lend it to me if you did??? By the time I order it online and get it, spring break will be over!!!

Mama's Gone Goth!

Ok, I have decided that I really like dressing up... It all started a few years ago when our entire family went Amish at Halloween....Then, I had a costume Bunko party where I dressed in my robe, water balloons, knee-hi's and mud pack on my face (see my very first blog in archives)...Last year I was an Egyptian for VBS and then again for Halloween. It's fun to be somebody different for a while.

Today I dressed "Goth" for a meeting at Billy Miner's downtown. My Women In New Roles (www.tccd.edu/win-r) class has a network meeting there every second Saturday. Today's speaker was excellent. She talked about building bridges (relationships) through networking and how you should nurture and care for the "bridges" and not burn them!

Anyway, my instructor asked for volunteers to do a skit about what not to wear and how not to act on a job interview...I volunteered. My "act" was very monotone and morose. My previous job experience included night shift manager at "Tatoo You" tatoo shop and night cashier at "Goth 'R' uS". My reason for leaving these jobs was due to "a series of unfortunate events"....One of my favorite jobs was costume designer and prop mistress at the Goth Summer Stock Theatre. Our productions included Gothlahoma, The Sound of Goth, and everybody's favorite Gothspell. Unfortunately this job ended because the theatre mysteriously burned down. I have included a picture of some of the other participants...The pictures do not show the fishnet hose and platform boots. It was a lot of fun, but kind of wierd walking around downtown dressed like that. Preston and the kids went also, so it must have looked really weird with my 6'7" husband (dressed normally)holding my hand and my 3 sweet children following behind.

I don't know if I would have done this a few years ago....I've said it before...turning 40 does something to a gal!

I have the greatest kids!!!!

I never thought they would get out of the "baby" stage....but all of a sudden...here they are....walking, talking, beautiful human beings.....

Our school is doing a whole "Live Aloha" thing this year. Teachers can nominate kids who are "Living Aloha" and kids can nominate the teachers and staff who are "Living Aloha"... I happened to catch a glimpse of a nomination form Molly (7) was working on...she was nominating me because..."she is nice and she embarrasses me when she sings"...

Today, after giving my kids a "come to mother" speech in the car on our way to school, I found a "thank you card" and candy on my desk from Rebekah(12), thanking me for all I do and wishing me a great day!

G.P.(10), the boy who would barely look at me at the first of the year, now goes out of his way to give me hugs and high fives in the hall....I guess I'm not so bad after all!

Kids are great and they get even greater as they get older and become "real" people.....

I LOVE THEM!!!

Chef Preston Does is Again!

Circa 1940's Roper Range.

Magic with a piping bag
He's awesome!Last night Preston prepared a classical French meal for a wine tasting group. This group has been together for over 20 years. They wanted something very special for their quarterly meal together and Chef Preston delivered the goods! He was able to adapt beautifully to the 1920's kitchen...the result was memorable meal of delicious and beautiful cuisine!


1st course: poached salmon on puff pastry w/ red pepper dill cream sauce
2nd course: mango sorbet w/edible flower (to cleanse the pallet)


3rd course: Beef tenderloin on a toasted bread medallion w/goose liver pate' and mushroom sauce. Served with sauted squash/zucchini & roasted potatoes.

4th course: (no photo) mixed green salad w/tomato viniagrette dressing

Dessert: Dark chocolate raspberry pate' served with a raspberry cream sauce, fresh raspberries, white & dark chocolate shavings.

Honor Choir....Carnegie Hall or Bust!!!!

The Crowley HonorChoir recently performed in San Antonio at the Texas Music Educator's Asssociation Convention. They were one out of 2 elementary schools in the state that were invited!

They are working hard to raise money for their upcomig trip to Carnegie Hall in May.

What an awesome opportunity for these kids! Sure, alot of them WILL get to go to New York someday, but there are many others in this group who will not be as fortunate. I look forward to being a chaperone on this trip. These kids are our future. In 30 short years one of these boys or girls could be our next, mayor, govenor, senator, state representative, or president!!!!!

Let's work hard to nurture our children. Inspire them to care. Help give them the drive to make a difference!

So just what HAVE I been doing?

What I have been doing is livin', ya'll! What a great start to 2006! Everyday I am reminded what a blessing it is to be alive!

First - I started working out last November....I actually made it through the holidays and Preston's 500 truffles without putting on any pounds! I have been consistent and motivated for 4 months now! I feel great! I can walk up a flight of stairs without feeling like I'm about to die. Best of all....Preston started working out about a month ago - he's doing great! Of course, it took me 4 months to see results...After a month, he's already looking awesome! I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with him.

On that note...We celebrated out 20th wedding anniversary on Feb 21st. We did so by cooking a fancy meal, clearing off the dining room table, lighting candles (so we couldn't see all of the junk from the table on the floor) and sat down to a memorable family dinner. We told the kids how we met, how he proposed and how we planned our wedding. We dusted off the wedding album and looked at the pics...gosh we were young!

I also went back to school after 15 years. I'm taking 6 hours at TCC. It's called Women in New Roles. It's actually 2 psych classes that are blended and integrated. The program is designed for women returning to school after a long absence. I was convinced that I would be the oldest in the class...I'm not. There are all ages in the class - I'm in the middle. We're taking all kinds of profiles and inventories to determine what kind of personality we have, what kinds of jobs we are suited to etc....It's alot of fun and I have been enjoying the back-to-school experience. My current plan is to continue working toward my Bachelor's so that I can earn my teaching certificate.

The kids continue to keep us on our toes. Bekah is fund-raising and working hard at Honor Choir preparing for their trip to Carnegie Hall (NEW YORK CITY!!!) in May. I will be going with her. It's going to be fun, but we decided it would be best NOT to take GP and Molly this time. We all went on the trip to San Antonio and it got a little hectic with 100 choir kids, chaperones and and all of the extended family. I think we'll plan a family trip to New York at a later date.

G.P. is in boy scouts and generally keeps us amused with his sense of humor and off-beat interests.

Molly is in ballet and jazz. She will have a recital in June. She is what you call a "piece of woik".

Well, I've done it - I've used too many words. Sometimes I don't read blogs if there are too many words...I just can't make the commitment!!!!

Sooo.....if you have made it this far I hope I haven't bored you with my little life. To me it's the best thing that could have ever happened to me...to others it may seem ho-hum. But, as I said earlier, I am blessed. God has given me a life I could never have imagined...A fabulous husband ("Electric Chef"...did you see the purple chef coat?), beautiful and above average children, "real" friends, and opportunities....opportunities that I will not throw away and take for granted.

I'll try to be better about keeping in touch. I'll try not to be so "wordy" next time.

Peace out!

SOMETHING

OK ALAN, THIS IS FOR YOU!!!! I AM PUTTING SOMETHING ON MY BLOG!

Chef Preston

Preston catered a wedding last weekend. He made 500 truffles - Peppermint, Butter, Raspberry and a 3 layered one (using alot of liqueur)...It was fabulous - he is so talented and artistic.

Halloween (a little late!)

Molly is "Mrs Dracula"...If you can't read G.P.'s shirt, it says "BOB" and those are sponges pinned all over it...get it?

Sweet Rebekah came up with the "Smartie Pants" idea - easy, fun and comfortable...

It was a great Halloween!

All is quiet in bloggerville - not too many updates - not to many comments....Perhaps everyone has been throwing up and they just don't feel like blogging...

That's been our problem....

It is Tuesday night. Since Friday morning (3:15 am to be precise), Someone has been either nauseous, vomiting, having diarreah or in recovery-mode from all of these maladies. By Monday I thought we had all seen our share of the plague, but Tuesday morning took it's last victim and once again the Scrubbing Bubbles and Lysol were positioned by the toilet for yet another round....

I will return when the air is clear of the dark, germ-filled cloud that hovers within our home.