Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head...

Well I am off school for the 2nd day in a row... No, not for the usual January snow reason, but for rain. That's right, RAIN! This may sound crazy to some people-- but check this out:

My friend Lacy took these-- she has a big honkin' truck, thus she was not in danger of washing away... This is the back road into school....

This is Perry's Mill-- right down the hill from where I teach...

See that bridge? I drive over that every day... the water is usually nowhere near that high... Nor does it usually spill out over the bank...

For the moment the rain has stopped, but they have forecasted more for the day... and now they are saying it might snow tomorrow morning. Geesh! "When it rains, it pours" I guess...  I vote we just take the rest of the week off and try again next week!  :)

TOOT! TOOT!

I'm going to do something I rarely, RARELY do-- toot my own horn for a moment.

As an educator, we are constantly being told how bad the school systems are in this country-- this state-- this county. It's like nothing we do is ever good enough. This, ironically, is opposite of how we are taught to teach children. "Focus on positives! Find each student's strengths and expound on those!"

So often I feel that even though my scores are good year after year, and students seem to genuinely enjoy my classes, I am not an effective teacher. Or that no one really notices all the things I am trying to do to improve the system for students and our school.

Friday however I had a feel-good day. For the 2nd year in a row I am one of the teachers nominated (by my peers) for teacher of the year. I always laugh at celebrities that say, "It's an honor just to be nominated." But truly, it is! It's nice to feel like someone, somewhere has taken note of all the butt-busting I feel I do.

My second compliment came from the Director of Schools himself. He was at school Friday for a visit, and before leaving my classroom said to the principal (who is retiring after this year) that he thinks I would be a perfect person to be on the committee to help interview applicants for the position. I find this completely flattering! Not to mention I am eager to see who wants to come to our wonderful little school, what plans they have for it, and I want to make sure that we get the best fit possible.

In other news, I had another wonderful GIRLS DAY with Miss Priss yesterday. We took advantage of the 75 degree weather (yes, it's STILL January!) and went to the zoo. I LOVE having season passes and being able to go whenever we want, and only stay an hour if we so please.

"A BIG Carl cat!"

If I'm ever reincarnated I want to come back as one of these guys

LOVE this face!

She LOVES these bird carvings. We ALWAYS have to come see them.

Zebra time!

Week 1 (of 2013) is DONE!

Pre-Party Bevy

Back to school tomorrow-- but that's ok. I have had another great weekend to help ease me back into reality.

My good buddy JustyMac came to town, which always leads to loads of laughs, champagne, and this time, a  trip to the woods. Specifically, we went to Miche's 12th Night Party. As this takes place in a cabin on top of a mountain, we decided to spend the night. It was a LOT of fun-- tons of good food, interesting people, and bubbly.

Curling Wand + INSANE amount of hair= LARGE MARGE

Too many peanut butter balls!

Popping more CHAM-PAAAAAGNA!

"Do you two need help?" Ah-- how many times have we been asked this?

2013: The Year I Get my S*** Together!

Every new year I try to come up with a goal-- not really a resolution. One year my goal was to be fearless... that landed me engaged, married, and pregnant- in that order. (I've tried to slow down since that year!)

This year my goal is to ORGANIZE! Having a two year old has added severely to my already cluttered abode. And I tolerate it-- but it is really starting to get overwhelming. I like for a home to look lived in, not like something ready for a magazine photo shoot-- but mine is starting to look more like an episode of Hoarders.

Miss Priss' New Years goal is to be potty trained by 3 yrs old. We will see how this goes... (said after mopping up a puddle last night...)

While I ponder my best route to being organized, here are some pics from New Year's Eve--

Hubby and I were joined by some good friends (one fresh home from Navy boot camp). We had a nice meal at Downtown Grill & Brewery-- Hubby even avoided his stalker!

Then we headed to Suttree's-- Saccy and his people were there! Saccy did some Shadow Dancing to really get this party going!

Being at a fine beer establishment I was a bit concerned that I would not be able to enjoy one of my MOST favorite tasty beverages~~ 

Luckily this Champagne SuperHero appeared at the table and shared his bubbly!

I even got a smooch from Saccy!

All I am going to say about this is ROBIN VAN PERSIE!

Clearly one of us has perhaps celebrated a bit **too** much...

So here we are-- a new year! 2013 I'm ready! Let's see what you got!!