Salute your doppelgänger!

Say hi to mine!

Nerd alert, nerd alert!

Well, I've already turned teacher-nerd. I see (or read) something neat on tv, or in a store, or on the Internet, and immediately think of how I can utilize it in one of my lessons.

I actually enjoy unit planning. Someone needs to slap me ...

(Today, Confucius say, "Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change." Hrmmmm.)

So true.

The quote of the day will change tomorrow, so I just wanted to re-iterate ...

"When I give, I give myself." - Walt Whitman

Speechless.

This is absolutely beautiful. This song has been one of my favorites for a very long time now - Jeff Buckley's always having been my #1 version. This one, however, is trying to claim that spot more and more each time I listen to it.



I encourage everyone to do a iTunes search for "Hope for Haiti Now" and buy as much as you desire. All proceeds go to the cause.

Quick update.

The first couple of days meeting the students have gone very well. I am excited about the entire experience ... and I'm also much more tired than I ever imagined I would be ... already! Who knew?!

Monday's aren't so bad when they are holidays.

My puppy is currently sleeping with her head on my foot like a pillow, snoring ever so lightly. She just likes to be close - such a sweet little baby! (Who is not so little anymore, I might add. Over 40 pounds, not even 6 months!)

Speaking of, as soon as I can figure out how to transfer videos onto my computer, I will post a video on here that I took using my new Blackberry over the Christmas break. It is of her in the snow for the first time. Too cute!

So, we went and saw Avatar again yesterday afternoon. My mom needed a movie companion, so Alex and I used her as an excuse to see it again in 3D. It was better the second time around, if that is even possible. And seeing it in 3D is A MUST! It's amazing how far they have come with that kind of thing.

Oh, and I'm almost finished with Book 1 of the Sookie Stackhouse series. I watch the show, True Blood, like it is some kind of crack, yet have discovered that the books are much better. (Isn't that usually the case?) Kudos to Alex on that box-set Christmas gift!

Still watching Ally, still cracking up the entire time. I had forgotten about little treasures like The Knee Pit, "Snapish", and "Uh ... Pough ... Pough ... Poughk ... Poughkee ... Muggers." (Maybe you have to be a little crazy to thoroughly enjoy and "get" that show as much as I do. I'm okay with that.)

Today was all running errands to prepare for tomorrow, when I start my first official day at the high school. I'm a little nervous, but more of that particular excited -- you know, the "Let's do this!" kind of excitement. Stick me up there and let me sail or sink all on my own. I feel I'm ready.

Saturday night's a night I like.

I love nights in. The fam has forgone our Saturday Night tonight due to prior engagements, so Alex and I are staying in and making pork chop casserole, mashed potatoes, and green beans.

My oh my, it's going to be deeee-lish!

We are also watching New Orleans & Arizona. Of course, NO is going to beat the pants off of the Cards. No contest, friends!

Speaking of New Orleans, my dad is actually moving there ... and getting married! I couldn't be happier for him as far as the marrying is concerned. I sincerely adore Karen - she is very kind, very genuine little soul. As for the moving, I am going to miss him more just knowing that he is not in Texas, but again, if it is best for him, I say - do it!

Plus, there is always the whole visitation thing. I've never had crawfish, and I hear there are some mean broilin' parties over in Louisiana! I'll be visiting very shortly after he has settled.

And on the subject of getting settled, I finally OFFICIALLY start at Monterey next Tuesday!! I'm super excited about getting to teach ... I think it will be very challenging, but also very fun. I already have so many ideas.

So, yeah, I'll keep the updates uh-comin' with all of that ...

Hasta La Vista, Al Pacino.

Kimber DOES NOT LIKE Alex's Scarface poster! She growled and barked, and barked and growled.

And she doesn't even bark, mostly ... she's more of a mix between a Howler Monkey and a Wookiee than actual dog.

Avatar

Just got back from seeing Avatar in 3D. It was FABULOUS!!!!!!

If you have not seen it, go now ... I insist.

Yum-my!!

The Norbs made one of my all-time favorite meals last night during our ritual Saturday Night Dinner ... pork tenderloin with red wine mushroom sauce, spinach with a little onion and bacon, baked potatoes, and salad with a hint of raspberry dressing.

Holy moly, it was gooooooood!

(Between Norbert's gourmet meals, Kay's home cooking, and Alex's homemade "special-secret" Italian sauce, I am so food-spoiled ...)

Holmes!

Sherlock Holmes was good ... then again, I don't think I have ever seen anything with Robert Downey, Jr. that I didn't like. He has this very assured air about him ... I enjoy it quite a lot.

Speaking of, my mom gave me the entire Ally McBeal series on DVD for Christmas, and I am looking forward to the season(s) in which he played Larry. Of all the men on that show, he was the one Ally should have ended up with. And, come to think of it, I think David E. Kelly once said that was the initial plan ... then he got arrested, or went back into rehab or something. Alas, no Larry and Ally. In which case, it should have been The Biscuit.

Now I'm just rambling ...

Holiday Highlights

I was feeling very crafty one day and decided I should make our stockings this year by hand. Mine is just like Alex's, only with an "SK" where his "AJ" are.



My niece, Corinne, is the cutest little girl I have ever seen. Seriously!



It was her first year to actually "open" presents, as last Christmas she was only one month old.



We had a White Christmas!



It was Kimber's first time to be in snow ... she obviously loved it.



And so did I ... because ...



It was the perfect opportunity to wear my pink fuzzy boots!!!



And to build friendly little snowmen.



Courtni stopped by with her new baby, Lilli ... who is sooo precious! Look at those blue eyes.



In general, it was just a really nice and relaxing holiday.

Whew

I built a fence!

I feel like I've been hit by a truck, but the darn thing is up.

1st day o' the year

I know I left you all with a cliffhanger yesterday that probably kept you up all night.

And the answer is (drum roll, please) - Golden Twilight! Yesss ....

Happy New Year! Hope you didn't forget to eat your black-eyed peas! :)

(And, tomorrow, I am putting up a fence. Lord, help me!)