Where I've Been and What I've Done

Well, hello!  It's been a while.  I have lots to write about, but  nothing is big enough for a whole blog post.  So, I'm going to make a big post of little things that have been happening over the past couple weeks.

We'll start with the excruciating stomach pain on Thursday.  We're talking someone must have a voodoo doll and be setting my stomach on fire and then pounding it.  I went to work and sat in my chair in a ball all day.  I spent lunch curled up in my classroom library.  After lunch, ironically, my doctors office called.  What I thought was a stomach bug last week turned out to be the bacteria that causes 80% of ulcers.  I have an ulcer.  Hopefully after all my medicine for 14 days I will feel better.  I hope.  And pray. 

Now, on to the weather... Thursday it snowed.  The DFW area recieved 12 inches of snow.  We got 3.  It's okay though.  If I wanted to live where it snowed, I'd be in North Dakota.  We had a late start on Friday.  The funny part of that is that teachers still have to report at normal time.  I'm not sure why it's okay for teachers to drive on ice but not the parents.  Today it was beautiful.  A nice 55 degrees and sunny.  This is why I live in Texas.  We get all seasons within a 2 week period.

Next, my weekend...This weekend we got to travel home to see my family.  I loved being around my family and being at their house where I had nothing to do.  I didn't have to cook.  I didn't have to clean.  I didn't even have to feed the dogs.  It was wonderful!  This summer is going to be great!

Valentine's Day...it's just another day in our book.  I know some people do wonderful things, and that's great.  But we've never been big on it.  We do use it as a day to be romantic, but nothing over the top.  I also use it as an excuse to bake fun things!  This year, I made heart shaped brownies for my parents.  Since we were at their house, Dad took us to Red Lobster for a family Valentine's date.  When we got home, I baked Anthony some chocolate heart shaped cookie sandwiches with dulce de leche in the center.  They are from my wonderful Martha Stewart Cookie Cookbook that Kimmie gave me for Christmas.  And then when I got home from work on Tuesday he had a dozen roses waiting for me.  It was wonderful.  Since I was feeling bad last week, I didn't get a chance to make red velvet cupcake minis so I think I'm going to make those tomorrow night. 

And finally...Work this week has really been great.  I really feel like my kids are making progress and I'm finally becoming good at what I do.  I got some affirmation today that really made me feel great.  Remember the little boy that said my clouds were stupid and gave me a tough time at first,but then I grew to love and then he moved.  Well, my principal was on the phone with his principal when he walked in the office.  She got a chance to talk to him and the last thing he said was "I miss Mrs. J."  My principal was really kind and came down to tell me right away.  I only knew this child for maybe 8-10 weeks and I made that kind of difference in his life where he still remembers and misses me 4 months later. 

I'm looking forward to my husband being home for 3 days next week, cooking some new recipes, and catching up on some "me" time this weekend.  I'm going to reread Dear John before I go see it in theaters.  If I go see it.  I'm not sure if I want to before the upcoming deployment.

Look for new fun foods and pictures of Anthony's Valentine cookies!