Snowy Weekend

Thanks to a little snow storm that made its way through the mid-Atlantic, we had another snowy weekend.  We got right around seven inches of snow, so it was an easy storm compared to the two feet we had the week before Christmas. 

Yesterday, we only left the house to play out in the snow and shovel the sidewalks and driveway.  I took Macey on a walk early in the evening and couldn't believe what a mess the roads were.  Even the main roads were still covered.  Today, it was really sunny, so a lot of melting took place. 

Here are some pictures of our snowy weekend...

The snow was so light and fluffy that Kurt was able to use the leaf blower to clear the sidewalks and cars.  Here he is with his equipment!

A snow loving pup!

This afternoon, we took Macey for a walk to a huge field nearby. She found this extremely large stick and was running around with it hanging out of her mouth.  What a freak!  She loves running in the snow!  I think she was a husky in a former life!

Last night, we made delicious crock-pot BBQ chicken.  For dessert, we decided to give our fondue pot a whirl.  It was a wedding gift and last night was the first time we've used it...2 1/2 years later!  It was fantastic!

Dark Chocolate Fondue!

Our dippers: bananas, poundcake, pineapple, strawberries

Macey wanted in on some of the fondue action, but she had to settle for a plain piece of poundcake.  (Please excuse my no makeup look...it was a snow day, so that meant my hair was left to go crazy and no makeup was put on!!)

Now, we are watching the Grammys and waiting to hear if we will have a 2-hour delay tomorrow!  Fingers crossed!

Show Us Your Life: Fashion Tips

Being the fashion diva novice that I am, I find it completely appropriate that I am participating in this "Show Us Your Life" today!  At any rate, here are some things that I am into right now...

Fashion scarves (as my friend refers to them):

I was recently given a fashion scarf very similar to this one from J. Crew for Christmas and am a fan. The difference between fashion scarves and regular scarves is that fashion scarves are worn as an accessory.  My school is often really cold, so fashion scarves make excellent warm-me-up-ASAP accessories.

Embellished Tees:

It's clearly too cold to wear embellished tees right now, but I have a couple of them, including this one, from Ann Taylor Loft.  I was told by a friend that embellished tees are on the "Hot List" for the spring.  Great...I'll be on the "hot list."

Cowl Neck sweater:

I have a couple of cowl neck sweaters that I really like  They are definitely warm, and I'm not a fan of regular turtlenecks (too constricting, ugh!), so these types of collars don't make my neck feel so ridiculous.

My newest accessory is my Pandora bracelet:

Another Christmas gift that I love!  I only have four charms at this point, but I love that each charm/bead has a story.  I'm able to share who got me each charm and for what reason or occasion.  For example, Kurt got me a purse charm with a small blue stone in it that represents my love for shopping and my birthstone.  So cute, right?!

So, in conclusion, really, I have no style!  I like what I like and I like to be comfy!

Show Us Where You Live- Where do you shop?

Kelly at Kelly's Korner hosted her weekly "Show Us Where You Live" yesterday and the theme was shopping!

I can shop with the best of them!  For clothes, Ann Taylor Loft is my favorite.  Most of my clothes for work, as well as many of my casual clothes come from ATL.  For Christmas, my parents gave a gift card there, and with the great after-Christmas sales, I was able to use it to buy 2 pairs of pants and 4 shirts.  Awesome!

I also am a fan of Gap.  I usually only buy things at Gap, though, when they are on sale.  Gap almost always has a sale going, so it works out perfectly!

The majority of my money goes to my beloved, Tar-jay!  I go to Target at least once a week and can't get out of there for under $50, no matter what.  I'm so glad Target is so close to my house.  My poor cousins in Ohio have to travel half an hour to get to the nearest Target.  I can't imagine!

My newest favorite grocery store is the beloved Harris Teeter.  They are much more pricey than Giant and Safeway, but it's a nice place to shop. 

Not Me! Monday!

While at the grocery store on Saturday, I did not intentially avoid an aisle as to not run into a former student and his family, only to meet them in the next aisle.  Not me, I'd never try to avoid one of my former precious angels. 

Yesterday afternoon, I did not take a three hour nap after spending a busy morning eating breakfast out with the in-laws and spending a load at Sam's Club (What?!  That place takes a lot out of you!).   Not me, I wouldn't waste a Sunday like that. 

This afternoon, while seeing Avatar in 3D, I did not fall asleep for the first 30 minutes.  Not me, I'd never sleep through the beginning of a movie that just won the Golden Globe for best picture. 

This evening, after Kurt's grandmother dropped off some dinner for us (she did not make it...her neighbor did!), we did not proceed to try it and immediately pass it up, after finding out it was a potpie made with tofu, and instead go to Panera.  Not us, we'd never pass up a delicious meal.

This logo...

Yes, this one right here...

This logo is going to be my life for the next two months. 

That's not to say that I haven't already been working on my National Board entries up to this point, but now is crunch time. 

My National Board portfolio is due in just over two months

(the day after my 30th birthday, in fact!). 

Like the Little Engine that Could, I have to keep saying to myself,

"I think I can, I think I can!"

(Logo borrowed from www.nbpts.org)

Purple Pride!

Around our house, purple is worn with pride and Ray Rice is king!


We're rooting for a big Ravens win over the Pats!

Let's go, Joe!  Show us what you can do!

GO RAVENS!

Just my luck!

My Grandma Dot always had the best luck.  Whether she was playing bingo, scratch-off lottery, or slots at a casino, she was always winning.  I took her to Atlantic City one year when I was on break from college.  That trip, which actually ended up being one of her last before she passed away, was a great bonding experience for us.  She complained about my driving.  I nearly sweat to death as I slept in an 85 degree hotel room (she was always cold!).  I almost killed us both by driving down a one-way street...I was just following her directions!  I will always remember, though, when Grandma Dot hit a big jackpot on that trip.  Now, ten years later, I don't remember how much she won, but I remember how excited I was for her and how excited she was for herself!

I take after Grandma Dot in many ways.  My mom and dad always say, though, that I have her luck.  I've won my share of things- baskets in Basket Bingo, small jackpots on casinos, concert tickets on the radio.  That trend continued today when I called into the morning show on my local radio station.  Caller 99 would win a Wii and Wii Fit!  Now, I already have a Wii and Wii Fit, but I had to try!  First try...busy.  Second try...busy.  Third try...it's ringing, it's ringing, someone picked up!  The producer talked to me for a little bit.  He was worried I wasn't old enough to win the contest!  Ha!  Then, before I knew it, I was on the radio with the morning show!  I invited the girl on the show to come over to my house to play Wii and quite honestly, I have no idea what else I said...I was too nervous!

At any rate, my good luck continues...and I will soon be picking up this...

And this...

What luck I have!

How Cute?!

I mean, seriously, how cute are these kids? 

I hope one day when I have my own kids, they are this cute!

Here are a couple pics from our weekend visiting our nephews!

Love them!

J-Man

Will

Aunt Kate and Wilbur

Not Me! Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.


For the last year or so, I've loved reading MckMama's Not Me! Monday blog carnival.  So, today, I'm excited to participate in my first Not Me! Monday post! Here goes nothing...


I did not cry like a little baby at the thought of going to back to school after our two week winter break.  I'm a brave, strong teacher, who absolutely loves going to school every day. I would never get so upset about going back to work...no, not me!


I did not try to give my dog exercise by throwing her a ball and running back inside while she ran to get it, to have her bring the ball back to the door for me.  Not me...I'd never avoid giving her exercise, especially in 20 degree weather with gusts of 20 miles per hour. 


Wow, that was fun!  I feel like a load was just lifted off my back!  More things I'd not do next week!

Winter Break Wrap-Up

Thanks to the "Blizzard of '09" that made it's way up the east coast way back on December 19th and 20th, my winter break from school turned into a long two-week break.  We were supposed to have just over one week off, but Mother Nature had something else in mind.  Schools were closed Monday-Wednesday of that week and it was completely fabulous! 

Tonight, the night before the first day back, (and every night before going back after a break, really!) I'm sitting here dreading going back to school.  It's not that I dread going back to work and being with my students, it's that I dread not being able to get up when I want to, run errands whenever I want, do whatever I want with my time.  I could go on, but I know, I need to get over it.  Many people had to go back to work the Monday after Christmas, or even the day after Christmas. 

I truly had a great Winter Break!  Kurt and I got to see many family members and friends.  We spent quality family time with Macey.  Over the past two weeks, we've:

- Hosted close to 50 teachers and their spouses/significant others for our school holiday party

- Shoveled 22 inches of snow from our sidewalk and driveway (and Kurt also did our neighbor's!)

- Played in the snow with the snow-loving Macey pup

- Braved the snow-covered roads and the mall to finish our Christmas shopping

- Had dinner at Outback with Jenni and Blake (where I utterly embarassed Kurt by having them sing Happy Birthday to him)

- Had our 2nd annual Christmas Eve breakfast at the Original Pancake House (blooming B-shaw family tradition!)

- Celebrated Christmas Eve with my family

- Celebrated Christmas and Kurt's b-day with his family

- Hosted some of our college friends for a holiday party

- Watched the Ravens game with an old friend and had dinner with my mom

- Tried on bridesmaid dresses

- Went to dinner and visited with my high school friends

- Had a massage and facial

- Had lunch with my mother-in-law, grandmother-in-law, and aunt-in-law

- Tried on different bridesmaid dresses...and found the ones we are getting!

- Had dinner and played games with some of my high school friends again

- Visited Kurt's brother's family in C-ville

- Spent NYE in C-ville with some college friends

- Went tubing with Kurt's brother's family (nephews Jack and Will)

- Attended a holiday dinner with my high school friends

- Attended a going-away party for my college roomate who is moving to NYC

Phew!  No wonder I don't want to go back to school!  I need a break from the break!

At any rate, all good things must come to an end and I most definitely spend my time more wisely when I am working and in a routine.  So, back to school I go!