the perfect combo

Robert Pattinson, a tuxedo, and total, unpretentious charm.

Quite the package.

Rob was a hit at the Oscars last night. Our friendly Forks vampire cleans up pretty good, doesn't he?

gratitude list

My happy list, du jour.

1. rainy days

2. 4-day work weeks

3. continued Twilight craziness (Rob Pattinson presenting at the Oscars?! The ONLY reason I'll be tuning in); I don't want it to end. Sick, I know.

4. continued Twilight discussions with B and D

5. job security

6. hot coffee

7. a once again, healthy Aidan

8. friends & family (ALWAYS)

9. Glen Beck

10. paying off my car ... step one of 1,000 towards financial freedom

The Great Houston Blizzard of 2008

There are few surprises left in life. Technology has advanced so much that very little is left unknown or to our imaginations. We usually know about major events before they happen ... and in 20 different languages, thoroughly analyzed by news pundits and internet gurus.

So imagine the surprise and thrill that millions of Texans got to experience yesterday afternoon when SNOW magically and unexpectedly began to fall. We knew it would be cold, and some weather guys and gals actually predicted a little bit of sleet.

But it was so much better.

Yesterday I was reminded that life can still be unpredictable, in a good way. I also learned that dogs and two-year-old kids sure love snow. And even adults giggle like children when it falls in December in Texas.

I'm so glad we didn't know it was coming -- it would've spoiled the surprise.

My heart was jump-started again

I finally saw Twilight.

I never thought I'd have that heart-racing feeling during the movie like I had when reading the series for the first time. But I did. It might not have been a technical or special effects master piece (to put it kindly), but what it was was exactly what made me fall in love with the book to begin with -- a perfectly intense love story about two imperfect beings.

I loved that it was cheesy. I loved that I already knew what would happen in the end. The fun of it all was feeling it again, and seeing my favorite characters play it all out on screen. The sexual tension between Edward (Robert Pattinson) and Bella (Kristen Stewart) was hot! Totally hot. I joked with a friend of mine that I needed a cigarette after sitting through it!

And speaking of Robert Pattinson, can I just say, damn! He's absolutely the perfect Edward. Out of respect for my husband and for my marriage vows, I'll refrain from saying anything more than that. :)

So it's time to read the whole series again. My heart needs it. In the words of Edward Cullen, it's my own heroin. And maybe I can look at it through fresh eyes again, now that I have some faces in my mind.

God, I can't wait for Stephenie to release Midnight Sun. And I'm anxiously anticipating my next Cullen fix on the big screen when New Moon comes out next year.

turkey, pumpkin pie, and football

Ahhh, Thanksgiving time in Texas. For literally generations of families, that's meant the annual showdown between the Texas A&M Aggies and University of Texas Longhorns (or t.u., as we Aggies prefer to call that school in Austin). For the past several years, due to extraneous and bulshitty reasons, the game was moved to the day after Turkey Day, and consequently has became known as T+1. This year, however, the game has rightly been moved back to where it truly belongs -- Thanksgiving Day. Glorious.

Plain and simply, my beloved Aggies are going to get stomped on the gridiron. t.u. is tougher, faster, and very obviously, more talented. Texas A&M has a new coach, old players with bad attitudes, and some new players with not enough experience to keep their heads cool. It hasn't made for a pretty picture this season.

But during the Lone Star Showdown, none of that matters. As cliche as it sounds, you can throw the recordbooks out the window when you're playing this rivalry game. The Aggies have sucked the last two seasons as well, yet managed to pull out a victory against the 'Horns. I don't think that will be the case this year, and again, I think it's going to be a long day for the good guys in maroon and white.

But hey, it's Thanksgiving, and the Aggies and Longhorns are playing football. So it's all good.

My cup runneth over

"Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over." -- Psalms 23:5

I am so very blessed. Sometimes, my heart is so full of gratitude at all I've been given, that it almost takes my breath away. And during this time of Thanksgiving, I'm especially grateful for all the gifts in my life.

Perfection, in any way, shape or form, isn't a part of the picture, but I don't think it's meant to be. When I was feeling particularly low a few weeks ago about an event that really sucker punched me in the gut, a good friend gave me some excellent advice -- think of something you can silently say to yourself each and every time you start to feel overwhelmed. The quote I've found myself now repeating over and over is, "The secret to having it all is believing that you do."

And I do. Truly.

TWILIGHT ... it's almost here

... the movie, that is.

Nothing could ever even come close to replacing the greatness of the book, and so far, the movie reviews I've read aren't that glowing. But who cares?! A full 90+ minutes of Edward and Bella on the big screen can't be all that shabby!

And there are some seriously yummy boys in this flick. Cam Gigandet ... WOW.

So fun.

It's been a while

... about a month and a half, in fact, since I last blogged.

Hurricane Ike was my last subject. The killer storm had a huge impact on our city, and personally, was a very exhausting time for me and my family. I kind of lost some of my desire to sit and write for a while afterwards. That happens from time to time, I know. But there's no point in writing if you just don't feel like it.

But here I am. Back in the saddle again. Today is the day after Barack Obama's historic win for POTUS. It is my hope and prayer that he truly will be a uniter and not a divider. Although I have immense fears regarding his extremist liberal record, his policies and his overt socialist beliefs, I was raised to respect the office of the Presidency, and I will continue to do so, despite the fact that he did not receive my support.

I was proud at the grace and humility displayed by John McCain in his acceptance of defeat last night. And rather than riot or claim unfairness or hidden agendas, Republican voters appear to also be handling last night's results as an opportunity to regroup, rethink, and move forward -- the very best mentality of what makes our country great.

So, I guess it's the dawning of a new day. To all the democrats who have been crying, complaining and bitching for the past eight years, here's your opportunity to step up. At a dangerous time in world history when firm and consistent leadership is a must, let's hope our new President has what it takes.

Mr. Obama, let's see what you can do.

God bless America.

2 weeks ago

14 days ao, Hurricane Ike made landfall.

14 days ago, we lost power at 11:45 p.m.

Maybe this weekend will bring some relief? Please, oh, PLEASE, CenterPoint Energy, come to our rescue.

still no power

Things I'll never take for granted again ...

• going to the bathroom with the lights on
• the garbage disposal
• the ceiling fan in my bedroom
• the quiet hum of the air conditioner
• the dish washer
• the front porch light welcoming me home in the dark
• my TV and DVR (I've missed recording so many of my favorite shows!)
• cold milk from the refrigerator
• quickly throwing something in the washer and dryer

Tomorrow marks the 2-week point without electricity. Hopefully I'll be able to celebrate the "anniversary" with an announcement that the lights have come back on.

Keep on keepin' on, CenterPoint folks! We're still sweatin' in the dark in my neck of the woods.

still waiting for the lights to come back on ...

... or more importantly, the air conditioner.

Hurricane Ike very rudely shut off my power 11 days ago. Center Point Energy released an outage update map a few days ago stating that electricity would be restored to my zip code by yesterday (Monday). According to their website, crews are working "24/7" to get the power back. For all of their hard work during an unprecidentedly difficult time, I'm eternally grateful. BUT ...

... we're still waiting for electricity.

And Houston in September, without power, is not a comfortable place to live.

my city

I love the weather. I've even written about my love of thunderstorms in this blog. When I was in high school, I wanted to be a meteorologist. And until I saw how much math and science it would require in college, my post-college plans were to go work for the National Hurricane Center. I've experienced a hurricane before, as well as a few tropical depressions and storms, so I'm really no stranger to the whole thing.

But this was different. Very different.

I'll never forget the noise that the house made when we finally lost power. It was right before midnight. There was a surge of energy, and then a strange screaming sound. I even asked my mom who was yelling outside. No joke. I thought that was probably the worst of it. But I was wrong.

Around 4:00 a.m., I was really afraid. It was a kind of fear I've never really felt before, where you have no control of mother nature. I started to question everything -- all the decisions I had made as far as riding out the storm, where the safest place to be in the house was, whether or not I should wake up Aidan and move him, whether or not the house would continue to hold up (which it did, thank God), and just about every other thought that came in my mind. And just about when I thought I couldn't take anymore, Ty called and informed me that the hurricane-force winds hadn't even hit us yet. I felt sick.

Finally things did start to die down, and the winds began to fade. And in place of Hurricane Ike, the first cool front of the year blew into the Houston area. Not to sound sacreligious or anything, but it was almost as though God felt like he must owe us a break. Thank goodness, because the temperatures were stifling in the house without air conditioning.

We're cleaning up now, but my city is wounded. We're still without electricity, but we're so blessed. So many people lost everything, including their lives. It's going to be a long time before things are "normal" again. Ty is here, and it made all the difference in the world -- Aidan has his daddy for a while, and I have my best friend. It makes things a whole lot easier to take.

hurricane ike

Here we go, Houston. It's time to hunker down.

It doesn't look like we're going to be able to dodge this one. The Houston/Galveston area is currently in the direct path for a very BIG hurricane, with landfall expected early Saturday morning. And I'll be honest ... it's pretty scary. The forecasts have become bleaker and bleaker for our area. Every time I turn the TV on, the news gets worse and storm seems to have taken even closer aim at us.

I've decided not to evacuate. I'm on the west side of Houston, and hoping that we'll be able to ride things out. I just don't want to brave the mass exodus out of the city, although we're still considering heading out to College Station at a moment's notice, if things change any more. Trying to move the dogs, Aidan, my mom, and all of our important possessions in a Honda Accord just isn't something I think we can do without Ty here (and where oh where is his big ol' truck when we need it?).

We've been compiling supplies all hurricane season this year, but it still puts a pit in my stomach as I second-guess myself and our readiness? Do we have enough water? Do we have enough batteries? Do we have enough lighting? How about communication with the outside world? I have Ty's crazy-fancy radio, but I've never used it. I've got my laptop and plan to take home my work laptop as well, for a back-up.

So here I sit in my classroom at 7:10 a.m. Thursday, watching the news and listening to the stern tones and warnings of city officials and the Mayor of Houston discussing a possible 18-foot storm surge.

God bless Texas and the city of Houston, and God keep us safe.

unsung heroes

As Hurricane Gustav currently pounds away at New Orleans, I, along with the rest of the country, am following the coverage closely on the news.

Once again, as was the case three years ago during Hurricane Katrina, the men and women of the United States Coast Guard have stepped up and are admirably serving without hesitation. A runaway barge was just secured, in chaotic conditions, by the swift and heroic actions of the USCG. FOXNews' Shepherd Smith went as far as saying that it could've been a definitive move in saving the city.

I've expressed my frustration time and again over some of the sometimes random and seemingly unnecessary operations and trips that Ty has been forced to endure, at the expense of distance away from our family -- and Lord knows I've been vocal about the shortcomings and "wrongs" that we've felt from this branch of the military.

But when push comes to shove, it's times like the current state of things that remind me why he's doing what he does what he does, and why it's very much needed. Even though most folks don't even realize the Coast Guard does anything but board boats checking for life jackets and alcohol, I'm glad they're out there doing what they do, day in and day out.

brilliant

John McCain just elevated himself about a gajillion spots in my book.

What a gutsy, unpredictable, bold and fantastic move he made by choosing Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate.

God, I'm so thrilled. As a woman, a conservative, and yes, a feminist, I'm feeling hope for the first time during this campaign season. She's a hunter, a fisher, a member of the NRA, a mother, a sports fan, and someone who has spent her political energy and influence taking on corruption. It doesn't get much better for me!

Radio talk show host Tammy Bruce had a great take on things ...

I have to confess, I didn’t give him enough credit. I have come to support McCain grudgingly, only after Giuliani and then Romney. And when the VP stakes began both on my Web site and radio show Palin had been a consistent favorite of readers and listeners. As disappointment and even hostility with Washington has grown, McCain has done something so many of us were hoping for–he made a daring, maverick and ultimately the right choice for his running mate.

A choice reflective of real change, but change based in principle and true progress....

There were many other predictable, perhaps safer, choices McCain could have made which would have satiated the conservative based. Yet, he chose someone who has the qualifications and has a history of also walking the maverick walk, but does not necessarily have the traditional resume, and that’s exactly what we want in a day when trust in government has never been lower.

Sarah Palin is a perfect choice and moves me from grudging support to full, invigorated advocacy for his campaign.

You go, girl!

first week

Back to school -- three simple words that inspire so much pain in the lives of kids all over the world, yet so much happiness in the lives of their parents.

Teachers are stuck somewhere in between. :)

This was our first week back to school with our new students. So far, it appears that I lucked out -- I have a great class, and that's a huge chunk of what can make or break your year. Hopefully I'm not jinxing myself by saying (or typing) it "out loud."

Anyway, I thought I'd throw out some of the best things about the year so far, even though I'm only 3 days into it ...

• I have a student in my class named Johnny Walker. Seriously. And he's adorable.
• The new "coffee bar" in the lounge that the parents are putting together for us every day. Yeah the coffee is weak, and it's not that great, but still. It's the thought that counts.
• My snazzy new ACTIVboard set up in my classroom, along with the document cam. I can't for the life of me figure out how to set it up, and there appears to be no one else around me who does either ... but we'll get there. And the potential is totally amazing.
• The fact that I don't have to commute 2 hours every day (even though I'd do it again in a heartbeat if it meant having Ty home!). It's changed my life and is keeping sane, despite the fact that I actually seem to be going insane.
• My girlfriends
• The fact that I'm now productively "on the clock" / calendar

a really bad day

It's far too late for me to be up, yet here I sit. Mainly because I need to purge the nastiness of my day.

A dear (and very smart) friend told me today that "being happy is about finding peace in your every day, no matter what that every day is."

So true.

I think I may print that out and tape it up behind my desk at work ... along with my satellite picture of the Christmas Eve snow we received in Houston a few years back, and Ty and Aidan strolling together at the Astros game (right after Aidan learned to walk). Those are my "happy place" things.

Today SUCKED. No two ways about it. Some of it was petty and insignificant. Some of it a little bit heavier. But regardless, I felt like the world was out to get me. Which is a pretty pathetic outlook, and one I don't usually have.

To make it short and sour (it wasn't sweet):

• The school district I know and love -- the one I grew up in (K-12), did my student teaching with, and have spent the past 12 years teaching in is really starting to piss me off. I don't know if it's public education as a whole, or what. But I'm so f'ing sick of the standardization of everything. Whether it be state tests, lesson plans, gradebooks, teachers, or whatever. It just goes against everything I stand for. Part of the greatness of education is experiencing differences in personalities and the way things are done from year to year, depending on which teacher you have. We're slowly but surely losing that ... purposefully and deliberately weeding the individualism out of our teachers. And it's a crime.
• In the only spare 20 or so minutes I had available, I went to pick up my contact lenses today (had the Dr.'s appt. last week). I rushed over to Eye Masters to grab them, only to be told by a bitchy emo girl with attitude that I had to see the doctor again to get them "fitted." HUH? Isn't that what you originally measured my eyes for last week at my appointment? So even though I'd already paid for my contacts, they wouldn't give them to me. On top of that, they had no appointment times today or tomorrow (just for me to stick the freakin' contacts in my eyes and the doctor to confirm that they're "ok" ??), so I now have to wait 'til Thursday to go back. It was horrible, and it got ugly. I asked to see this policy in writing, and they couldn't show it to me. I asked for a refund, and they wouldn't give it to me. If I had more time and energy, I'd make it my mission to bring them some major trouble. And the emo bitch didn't help. I could go on and on ... but I'm getting sick just thinking about it. And an entire waiting room full of eye patients got to witness this altercation. Ugh. I'm going to go pop a few TUMS.
  
• I had to go to the Hallmark store to grab a Baptism card for my nephew (the occasion is this Saturday). I'd just picked up Aidan, so he was with me. Like all Hallmark stores, this particular establishment had racks upon racks of Ty Beanie Baby-type animals. Aidan found a Blue (a la Blue's Clues), and began to make small, 2-year-old barking noises. The woman at the cash register looked at him and said, "Oh, please don't touch that, honey," (in a really abrasive tone). So I took the toy from Aidan. She then looked at me and said, "You really need to control your child." No joke. Yep. That's what she said. I walked out without my card. It was horrible. I was pissed off, humiliated, and exhausted.

Now for my pity party ... it's really hard being a "single" mom (which I currently am since hubby is deployed for the next 20 months). And it's equally hard being a single mom with a full-time job. Plus, I just miss Ty. Very, very much. I fear that my emotions are starting to get the best of me, and that's unacceptable.

Thank goodness for cold glasses of gin and tonic ... and good friends with equally good listening ears and strong shoulders.

Tomorrow WILL be a better day.

Twilight coming earlier

November, not December!

The object of my obsession will be arriving in theaters a few weeks earlier than previously expected. Twilight, the movie based on one of the greatest series of books EVER (written by Stephenie Meyer) will be released on November 21 rather than December 12. Yippee! Thanksgiving will be that much more festive!

Here's the explanation from Stephenie's website:

So, many of you have heard that the release of the sixth Harry Potter
movie, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, has been moved from this
Thanksgiving to next summer. First and foremost, please know that this schedule
change has absolutely nothing to do with Twilight, me, or Summit Films (so
enough with the imdb death wishes, okay?). This is Warner Bros. decision, and it
was not motivated by anything Twilight-related.

Now for the good news! Though we're all sad
to have to wait for Harry Potter, this open spot at the theater creates a cool
opportunity. The good people at Summit were thrilled to let me know that now
Twilight fans are going to get their movie three weeks earlier than scheduled.
That's right—Twilight will be released in theaters November 21st! Let the
merry-making commence!

--Stephenie

WORKS FOR ME! Crazy and coincidentally enough, I may actually be arriving in Forks, WA that night to stay with Ty for Thanksgiving (haven't decided yet). How wild and crazy would that be to get to see the movie in the actual location of the book? My heart is pitter-pattering just thinking about it.

an Olympic "Why?"

File this under totally inconsequential and petty ...

... but why do some of the female gymnasts (thank goodness, not the Americans, it appears) plaster their head with those [white] bendy metal hair clips? I understand wanting to keep the little wisps of stray hairs out of their faces. But why not use the more inconspicuous bobby pins?

So annoying.

Go, USA!

music suggestion, du jour

First off, I can't believe I haven't blogged since TS Edouard! Yikes!

I've actually thoroughly been attempting to soak up my last few days of summer before returning back to work, which I officially did today ... so painful. I'm trying to be positive and energetic about the upcoming school year, but my heart just isn't into it right now. To be fair, I'm not much into anything at the moment, other than good wine (or cold beer), sitting out by the pool, and hanging out with Aidan. But I've got a classroom full of young minds that need me, regardless of my emotional state, so I need to step up.

I'm digressing ... supposed to be talking about music. Focus.

I was listening to my usual "in the car" music the other day (XM Flight 26) and the DJ was introducing a song. She described seeing the artist at a live performance in NYC and said he was remarkably talented, so I was really anxious to hear the song. I immediately loved it -- Come On Get Higher by Matt Nathanson. It's awesome. The crazy thing is, he's just released his sixth (yes, SIXTH!) album. Where the hell has this guy been? Or where the hell have I been??!! Apparently he's got a pretty big following. I need to get out more, I guess. He's incredible -- his acoustic sounds go straight to the soul.

I love what he has to say at the end of the bio on his website ...

"In some ways, I think this is a really mature record, but I don't think it's necessarily one that says 'okay, I'm an adult now," he says. "A lot of times when artists 'mature' in a certain way, they lose the stuff that drew you in and actually blew your mind in the first place. I don't think you need to stay stuck in perpetual adolescence, but you do need to keep part of you frozen -- so you don't lose touch with the wonderment of seeing the world the way you did at 17. I want to hang onto that."

Word, Matt. You've got a new fan down in Texas.