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I’ve only got about one and a half weeks left of summer vacation. That’s okay, though. I’m kind of ready to go back. Not that I want summer to end, but I have to earn a paycheck sometime. But I’m kind of excited about the new school year. I should have some pretty small classes, and I’ve got some new ideas that I want to try out.

About a week or so ago I headed back to Benbrook to see everyone. Jon and Penny were out there, so that was nice finally being able to see them. We sort of did a birthday thing for everyone, which was kind of cool. I only got to see them over the weekend, since they had to head out on Sunday to go see Penny’s family, but I stayed a bit longer helping my sister get some of her school stuff together. I also helped them finally unpack the last of the boxes in the house. So now they are completely and officially moved in to the house.

Speaking of unpacking houses, I have decided to buy a house. I sort of made the decision the other night, and I’m pretty serious about it. I like living here with Rob, April, and Colin, but I’m tired of having the sum of my life squeezed into a tiny bedroom. And lately most of the stuff that I would like access to is in storage. So I’m just going to bite the bullet and do it. I’ve got a little saved up, and I plan on pumping all that I can from my paycheck into savings. And I’ve also done some research on mortgages, what I can afford, etc. I think I can do it. It might take a while to get where I want to be, but I can do it! Donations are gladly welcome.

This past weekend I went out to Benbrook to go see my sister and dad. April and Colin came out with me. The real purpose was to help my sister clean out her closet so that she could make room for the teacher clothes she’s going to have to buy. She also took us out to see the school she’s going to be working at. On the way to find a restaurant after looking at her school we got lost in Ft. Worth. At first we were a little worried, but then, and unexpectedly, we found ourselves right in the middle of the stockyards! So we thought that this would be an excellent place to find some lunch. So we ate at Risky’s barbque. We also happened to make it to the stockyards just in time to see the cattle drive, so that was pretty neat, too. We had planned on going straight home after seeing the high school, but we scrapped that plan to spend time in the stockyards. It was pretty fun.

Then on Sunday we went to Caleb’s birthday party. On the say Staples was having their penny sales on certain items, so we thought we’d take a gander at that and buy some stuff. It was crazy crowded. We probably spent close to an hour in line. But I think it was worth it. Got tons of stuff for just about $5. Then it was off to Caleb’s party. Caleb turns 3 this Friday, but Lori went ahead and had the party this past Sunday. Not sure why, but I’m sure there was some reason. Amy was there, so it was nice to see her, too. Colin was really shy at first, but as soon as he got a toy he got over that. Then he and Caleb were playing like best buddies. From what I understand, Caleb really likes playing with Colin since all of Caleb’s cousins his ages are girls. So that made me happy that they got to play together.

Colin was SO good all weekend! makes me want to take him out to Weatherford again!

Happy Father’s day, everyone. For my dad I gave him his father’s day gift this past Tuesday. I bought some tickets to the Roughriders baseball game. My dad is a big baseball person, so that was right up his alley. I didn’t realize it at the time, but he had never actually been to a pro baseball game, even minor league. So then I was really happy that I got tickets for the game. My sister came out too, and Rob, April and Colin also went to the game, so that was alot of fun. Got crazy sunburned, but that’s all better now.

Tonight we had a small barbque here at the house with Rob’s family. Was worried that with all the rain it wouldn’t happen, but the clouds cleared off and now it is actually really nice outside. And I am sufficiently stuffed. Plus I got two belated birthday gifts from MItzie and Matt. Gift cards to Old Navy. Woot!

I know it has been a while since I’ve posted anything. I haven’t been really all that busy, just very lazy. School is finally out. And this is our long summer. Woot! Not sure what I plan on doing with the extra time. I’d like to go camping a few times this summer, especially since I didn’t get to go at all last summer. I’m also going to be working on some decorations for my friend Steph. She and Matt are getting married this January, and she’s letting me do some of the decorations for the wedding and reception. Very excited about that!

Got to go out once already to visit my dad and sister. It was also nice going out there because my cousin Amy was in town, so I got to see baby Brodie again! Brodie is a very cute little thing. So is Colton, Lori’s new baby. A large baby, to say the least, but very cute. Caleb is still Caleb.

In other news, my sister is going to start a teaching job this fall. Woot! She got a job teaching chemistry in one of the Ft. Worth High Schools. She is very, very excited about it, and I’m very happy for her!

There were some other things I was going to mention, but now I don’t remember them. Oh well, I’m sure they’ll come to me eventually. And I’ll try to do a better job of posting.

May is finally here, thank goodness. I love spring time. I’m glad to be into a settled habit again. And school is almost out, which is even better.

This past weekend was really good. It was probably one of the nicest weekends we’ve had in a while. Saturday we went out to the pool and did a little swimming, and that night we went to the Frisco Roughriders game. Rob’s mom got some tickets in the Founders section, so everything was free. Food, beer, everthing! It was so sweet. And the seats were 4th row right between 3rd and home base. We were right next to the Roughrider dugout. It was alot of fun, and should the opportunity rise again (i.e., free tickets again) I’d go in a heart beat.

My grandma passed away today at about 6 this evening.

I found out today that my grandmother in Weatherford has cancer. They discovered it in her liver, but apparently that is not where it originated. But it is also so far along that they are not going to bother finding out where it originated, and they are not going to bother treating her. They didn’t give much of a timeline on how much time she has left. It could be a matter of days, weeks, or even a month. They’ve got her on an incredible amount of morphine, so she isn’t in any pain, but she isn’t really coherent enough to communicate. And she’ll more than likely stay this way. So I’ll more than likely never be able to talk to her again. I’m thinking of going out there to see her this Saturday.

The cat threw up in my bed, in a sort of hair-ballish kind of way. This was bound to happen sooner or later, since that is where he spends most (if not all) of his time, getting my pillows all cat-haired up. In fact, it happened in the past as well. This is the second time Salem has left a digestive present in my bed. I’m not sure if that is a sign of things to come or not. I’m sure I could assign some sort of meaning to it.

Yesterday was unusually hellish. I’ve been stressing out where I’m going to be working next year. I’ve put in an interview for one school, I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to stay at my current school (which I found out today, I do have a spot at my current school should I choose to stay there). And on top of all that someone swiped/expunged my lunch from the teacher workroom, so I had nothing to eat all day but wheat saltines and applesauce. Needless to say, I was rather snarky. At least today I had lunch.

I exaggerate on how bad today was. All things considered it was not so bad at all. My kids are totally digging the mock trial. When they have fun, I have fun (Except for the Greek feast, which almost killed me). And I had a really good debate in my other class. Good times. TAKS test is coming up (boo), so there’s that to look foward to.

I’ve also taken up the habit of reading while I work out on the treadmill. I can’t run on the treadmill like I do the elliptical, so I have to jack the incline up to super heights to get the same workout. Turns out that’s more fun anyway. And reading makes it go by so much faster. I was reading some of Mitzie’s old Glamor and Self magazines, but there’s really only so much of that a person can take. Now I’ve taken to catching up on some of my personal reading. In the course of a couple of weeks I’ve finished to novels and started a third, all three of which are great…

The first is called Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ’s Childhood Pal. FANTASTIC book. Very funny. If you are a holier-than-thou Bible thumper, you won’t like this book. In fact, you’ll only have to read the title to decide you don’t like it. Everyone else: you will think it is funny. Read it.

The second is The Joy Luck Club. You might have seen the movie to this. Very good. Girls will probably like it better than guys, since it has that mother/daughter motif. It did make me tear up at the end, he first book to ever do so.

The last book, and the one I am currently reading is Wicked. I forgot that I even had this book. I’m about 1/4 of the way in, but so far very, very enjoyable. I’m to the part in the book where Elphaba (the Wicked Witch of West) and Galinda are college roommates. Very clever. I like it so far.

Yesterday it snowed. I don’t think I’ve ever seen snow in April. Just a few days ago we were enjoying 70-80 degree weather, and then it goes and snows Saturday. Texas reallydoes have the craziest weather. And it was reaching as far south as San Antonio, I think.

I can’t believe I forgot to post about this. We took Colin to his first Mavs game. It was Friday the 16th against the Celtics. We thought we’d try that game first since the Celtics are such a chump team this year that if we left early no biggie (boy were we wrong for that game). But Colin did GREAT! He stayed in his seat the whole time, he cheered. The only thing he was rather persnickity about was food and drink, which he did whine somewhat about. But, despite the fact that he stayed up WAAAAY past his bed time, he did really, really good. Now I’m excited to take him to another one!