Happy Halloween

I survived our Halloween parade this morning. Other then having The Monster Mash song stuck in my head forever and a day. They played that song over and over and over during the entire parade. Crazy! My class is now having their party. At Parent Conferences last Thursday I had a parent volunteer to be my Room Mom. Woo hoo! I have parents in charge of different centers, whether it's art projects or games, so I don't have to do anything, they rotate every 15 minutes. So I get 1 hour of freedom, somewhat. I love it. I'm already exhausted and it seems the day has just begun. I really don't like Halloween at school. I think they should make it a short day. It's just a crazy day anyway. Wish me luck for surviving the rest.

When school is over and I'm heading over to my sister's to see my cutie pies in their costumes, then I'll start to enjoy my day. We're going to my parents tonight to have our tradition of Chili, hot chocolate, and donuts. Mmmm. I love that part of Halloween. And it just wouldn't be complete without Garfield's Halloween. Great movie.

Meet the Robinsons

We rented Meet the Robinsons over the weekend. Cute movie. Thanks Jori for the suggestion. I would recommend it if you haven't seen it yet. I love kid's movies, they're always the best. I'm now waiting for Ratatouille to come out next week, haven't seen that one either. Gotta get some ideas for Christmas suggestions.

UEA

If I can make it through today and conferences after school I'll be quite excited for my weekend. You see, this weekend is UEA. That means 2 days of freedom for me. No school Monday or Tuesday. It'll be so nice to catch up on sleep and relax after conferences. The crappy part is the day we come back is Halloween. EW! I'll be loving those 2 days off until Wednesday, and then I'll be wishing that it was Thursday, Friday, AFTER Halloween. Come on people, having days off after Halloween should be a must. Who came up with these days anyway?

The Office- The Bat/Vampire

I've been watching Season 3 of The Office, which my sister lent to me. I so am in love with this show now! I watched this episode just the other day and it's one of my favorites. I had to share it with all of you so I could laugh yet again.

Breathe.....Just Breathe

I've been running around all morning. Whew! I'm quite exhausted. Of course traffic was terrible this morning and I got to school a lot later than I had planned. I barely had time to put my purse and such away before my first new student showed up with his dad. I got him situated and the next new student shows up. I get her all ready, and I'm still running around getting supplies for them, getting my morning ready when the first bell rings. AHH!! I'm then told that one of my other grade teachers is in a meeting so if I can watch her class until she returns. Sure, why not?

I still feel like I'm going to die at any moment today. I can't even talk this morning, so I'm struggling trying to be heard by my kiddies. Poor things. They look at me like I'm some sort of alien. Hehe I'm finally sitting at my desk working on grades that need to be done as soon as possible. I'm starting to get stressed just thinking about everything I need to do before Parent Conferences this week. Plus I have our field trip this coming Wednesday, which is an exhaustion all to itself. Goodness, wish me luck!

Sick of Being Sick

I've got The Bug. I came down with yuckiness Wednesday night and missed out on my much awaited card club dinner, sad face for me. I missed school Thursday, spending the majority of my day in bed wishing I could die. I made it through Friday, even the boring meeting for 2 hours after school and came home and crashed. I've now spent my weekend praying I won't cough up my lung and maybe be able to pass out so I can get some must needed rest.

I'm feeling picked on after missing my card club, then having to say no to an invitation to dinner with some fun neighbors of ours. Now I doubt I'll be going to my mom's tomorrow night for dinner. Sheesh! Could I be more of a whiner?

Christmas Shopping in October?

I love love love Christmas! As soon as fall hits, okay, more like after my birthday, I start thinking about what I want to get everyone for Christmas. Now I'm not obnoxious like those stupid stores that start decorating before we've even finished Halloween, (we need to take the holidays in order people, not pass them over) I just like to start thinking and getting things done before the frightening nightmare after Thanksgiving.

I already have a lot of my shopping done, what kind of a freak am I? But seriously, I've got my mom's and sister's, and the majority of my friend's. I like to think it'll be less stress when we get to December and I'm down to only a few more to shop for.

Pumpkin Vermont Spice Cake

This is the recipe of the cake I made for my card club for tomorrow night. I love this stuff! We're having a dinner tomorrow, and everyone gets to bring a part of the meal whether it's appetizer, main course, dessert, it has to be something fallish. And of course we also make a recipe card that's all cutesy for everyone to put in their fun 6 by 6 album. I'm excited, we always get some yummy food!


Pumpkin Vermont Spice Cake

Cake:
3 cups flour
3 ½ teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon baking soda
¾ teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ teaspoon salt
1 ½ cups sugar
¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) butter, softened
3 large eggs
1 ½ cups Libby’s 100% Pure Pumpkin (15 oz. can)
½ cup Nestle’s Carnation Evaporated Milk
¼ cup water
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract

Maple Frosting:
11 ounces cream cheese, softened
½ cup butter, softened
3 ½ cups powdered sugar
2 to 3 teaspoons maple flavoring

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease and flour cake pan. Combine flour, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, nutmeg and salt in a small bowl. Beat sugar and butter in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, beat for 2 minutes. Beat in pumpkin, evaporated milk, water and vanilla extract. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Spread evenly into cake pan. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes. Cool.

For Frosting: Beat cream cheese, butter and powdered sugar in a large mixer bowl until fluffy. Add maple flavoring; mix well.

What Day is it?

Oh my goodness! For some reason today has been the longest day EVER! I think it's been Monday, Tuesday AND Wednesday all in one. I'm kind of weird apparently (okay, so I know that I'm weird), but I keep thinking that it's Wednesday. It's driving me crazy!! I almost took my kids to library, since we go on Wednesday and all. Lucky for me my kids know what day it is. Haha! You think I'd get a clue after the thousandth time commenting about something we always do on Wednesday. Crazy teacher.

Old Navy

My little niece, Ashlie, got the cutest pants a while ago from Old Navy. She's 2 years old by the way. It had adorable pockets in the front with a cute little belt. My sister and I commented how cute they were and how they really needed some in adult sizes.

Well, 'lo and behold, last weekend Laura told me she went to Old Navy and guess what? Yup, they have the pants now for adults, minus the belt, but still with the cute pockets. And to make them even better, they're on sale for $20, who could beat that? Of course after school I had to run over there and get one. Sadly, they didn't have my size. I was almost set on ordering some online, but found out Laura's didn't fit her, so I could possibly have hers. Nope, they don't fit me either, blast! Now I'll have to be making a trip to Old Navy once again to try on yet a bigger size, because I really do need these pants ya know.

I've Been Tagged

What is his name? Matthew Brent Jensen
How long have you been married? 2 years
How long did you date? 1 year. We were engaged for 5 months after that.
How old is he? 33
Who eats more? Usually him. But I can hold my own baby!
Who said I love you first? Him
Who is taller? Bare feet we're pretty darn close (I like to think anyway). Usually with most shoes I'm taller, hate it!
Who sings better? Me. He doesn't like to sing.
Who is smarter? Me. I'm a teacher. He went to police academy, so he's smarter about that type of stuff. I'm more book smart.
Whose temper is worse? His
Who does the laundry? Me
Who does the dishes? ME ME ME ME ME
Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Me
Who pays the bills? Mostly me, but he does some of it.
Who mows the lawn? The apartment people since we don't own a house.
Who cooks dinner? Me
Who drives when you are together? Me
Who is more stubborn? Me. He is somewhat too, but I think I'm the worst.
Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? Me most of the time.
Whose parents do you see the most? Ugh! His!! But we're working on fixing that problem.
Who kissed who first? He kissed me.
Who asked who out? We met on LDS Singles Online. So we sorta agreed to meet somewhere after talking for a while. Then from there he usually asked me out to begin with.
Who proposed? Him
Who is more sensitive? Me
Who has more friends? Me
Who has more siblings? Him 3, Me 2
Who wears the pants in the family? Depends on the moment.

More Presents for Me

Last night we celebrated my birthday with Matt's family. This is the very first time since we've been married that I have received gifts and even been recognized for having a birthday. I gave Matt a list of things I wanted, which he passed on to his family (Yay!) so I got some pretty great stuff. Thanks to Jori for the suggestion about the Back to Basics toaster/egg cooker. Matt's parents gave me one (on my list of course), and I'm excited to try it out. I also got the Uno Attack game from Matt's brother Jake and his wife Amber (once again, on my list). Those of you that have not played Uno Attack, I would highly recommend it.

Love the Books!

Is anyone else a Skippyjon Jones addict like me? I seriously love these books. I only own the original Skippyjon Jones and In the Dog House, but I definitely have Mummy Trouble on my list of needs, and now this one!

Costa Vida

We noticed the other day they're building a Costa Vida right around the corner from us. Woo Hoo!! The first time I went to Costa Vida was last year I think it was, with my brother Mike's wife Natalee. I love that it's the same food as Cafe Rio (called different things of course), but cheaper. It might turn out to be a bad thing since it will be so close we'll be even more tempted to go there.

We do have a Cafe Rio only 10 minutes away, which we go to often enough. But how exciting to have it even closer. I'm such a lover of food!

I'm Loved Today

I feel so loved today! Thank you to those of you blogging friends that have wished me Happy Birthday. It's so wonderful that I feel like we're such great friends, yet many of us have never met. This morning on my way to work my Stake President called to wish me happy birthday. How cute is he? My brother sent me a text message last night around midnight wanting to be the first one to wish me a great day. I laughed.

I told all my kids at school they have to be extra nice to me today. Hehe Many of them made me sweet cards (I always love cards written by kids), and I even got a nice present from one of them. She gave me a gift set of lotion, shower gel, and slippers. What a sweetheart. I definitely am feeling the love!

Birthday Dinner

Tomorrow is my birthday. Matt and I usually go to dinner and celebrate when either of us has a birthday. Does anyone have any good ideas? I was thinking of something with either seafood or steak. Yummy! In the past we've done places such as Red Lobster, McGraths Fish House, Chili's, Olive Garden. We might just go to one of those places if we can't think of anything. Any suggestions besides the ones I mentioned?

My Party

Yesterday we celebrated my birthday with my family. Woo Hoo! My read birthday is Wednesday, the 10th so we had to celebrate it early. Gotta love birthdays. My mom and dad gave me the rest of my silverware that goes with my fine china, and a silverware chest to keep it all in. I was happy, since I'd never be able to afford it all by myself. I've been getting a little here and there for birthdays and such until I completed my set. My brother and sister in law gave me a gift card to Deseret Book, I'm always a sucker for new books. My sister and her family gave me a bunch of fun things; adorable clear stamps, the blocks to put them on of course, saying stamps, ribbons, and a cute wooden block that says "Boo". I was very excited!! My cute little Ashlie (my sister's daughter), read me what the card said. "E...I...O......from Ashlie". I'm not too thrilled about turning 30, I would much rather be celebrating 20. Maybe I could pretend.

Next Sunday we're going to have a party with Matt's family. The somewhat funny thing is I told Matt he's throwing me a party, because if not, his family would pretend my birthday didn't even exist, like they have for the past 2 years. Strange people. This year I got smart and figured if I wanted some sort of recognition I better plan something myself. That'll be an interesting experience since they're not my favorite people to spend time with. I figure if it's a way to get presents I just might have to deal with it. Hehe.

Spider!

I am terrified of spiders. I act like quite the child if I ever see one. If I must kill one, which only happens under dire circumstances (usually I'll scream until someone comes to my rescue), it will take me a good 15 minutes to get up the courage to smash it with a shoe (not mine of course, I wouldn't ever wear a shoe with spider guts on it), and leave it until someone else can clean it up. If the spider is on the floor however, I'll usually try to put a cup over it and once again let some other fool deal with it.

When I was living in my old house with my parents, I slept downstairs. Of course there are a bazillion more spiders that live downstairs than upstairs. Many times before going to sleep I would find a few spiders lurking around, waiting for me to be all alone before emerging. Blasted spiders know I don't like them. My dad and I would go on a "spider hunt" before I would let him go to sleep. I would search in all the creepy sneaky places hoping to let him kill them rather than being stuck on my own and terrified. Yes, I know I'm a freak, but I seriously have a phobia of them.

Living in my apartment now, since moving in, I have come across 2 hobo spiders. Not only are they just a typical house spider, but now I have to be around poisonous ones. Oh joy!! I still get creeped out having to clean in creepy corners.

This morning after waking up at 6am, I go and take my stomach medicine, and on my wake back to the bedroom to grab my bathroom stuff, I notice a black spidery form on the rug in the bathroom. Let me add, I can't see so well since I don't have my contacts in and I'm not wearing glasses. But I just know it's a spider, and my first thought is....AHHHH!!!! Hobo spider!!!! Help! Help! I quite calmly (a little more panicky actually) go into the bedroom and wake up Matt (he doesn't have to wake up for 40 more minutes). "Matt! Matt!!!!!!! Are you awake?" He is now..hehe. "There's a really scary spider in the bathroom. You need to come kill it now. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!" "No" "What?! No?! Yes!!! You will be killing it! PLEASE!!!!" "Melanie, it's not real. I found a spider ring outside yesterday and put it in the bathroom for you." Oh you evil man you. And here I almost had a heart attack.

Upon picking up the spider ring, yes, it really didn't look like a real spider upon closer inspection, I put it in the other room, somewhere where I wouldn't have to run into it again and think it MIGHT be a real one. Sheesh!

Laura's Christmas Present

I told Laura, my sister, that I ordered her Christmas present and it arrived today. Conversation between Laura and me.

"What'd you get me?"
"Something cool. I got the same thing for mom too."
"Oh.....so, what'd you get mom?"
"The same thing as you."
"Where did you get it from?"
"The internet."
"Which website?"
"www dot somethin'."
"I have a wonderful idea. You should blog about my present, post a picture and I promise I won't go and look."

So, here's you're present Laura. I hope you like it. It was pretty expensive, and they have a no return policy.

Love It!

My mom and dad went to New York last week on vacation. I was jealous. I love New York. They came back with presents. They bought my sister and I a purse, the one pictured above of course, from Ann Taylor. And it's not even one of the fake ones off the streets. Real leather baby! Isn't it cute? I was very excited. Who doesn't love a new purse?

My Halloween Costume

I'm not a big fan of celebrating Halloween at school. Eek! I'm sorry. I loved it growing up, and I know kids have a ball. However, being a teacher, it's definitely my least favorite day of the year. I think every Halloween should be a short day at school. The kids are too hyper to concentrate, they don't want to do work. I love that I usually have my parent volunteers be in charge of the party, I really think I would have a nervous break down if I had to do it. Sad story, this year none of my parents want to be my room mom. :( Blast! I don't want to have to do everything on my own. Life sucks.

Every year I have the hardest time trying to decide what to dress up as for at school. I think I'd be enjoying it a little more if it was just a fun ADULT party I was going to. I greatly dislike, okay, I hate, the Halloween Parade. I feel like an idiot having to walk through the lunch room/Gym and being stared at by parents with their video cameras. I'm such a party pooper, I know. In past years I've been Cinderella, Malibu Barbie, Pebbles from the Flintstones, a biker babe and I don't remember what else at the moment. So here's my idea. I'll be a military gal. Is that too boring? Matt was in the army, air force, etc. etc. before we met, so he has the whole army get up. I could just wear that. I included I really cute picture of a little boy in his costume. I thought he was adorable, and so much cuter than showing an adult.

I Love New Clothes

I curled my hair today and made it all flippy. Note, I do not do this everyday, since I seem to struggle greatly in making it out of bed on time in the mornings. It takes me 35 to 40 minutes to drive to work, so in order to curl my hair I have to wake up at the crack of dawn. Not usually a pleasurable experience.

I wanted to wear my new pants and shirt that I bought from Victoria's Secret. Yay! The pants look like the same color that I got. My shirt is a hot pink though, not that purple. So much fun to get new clothes, I love it. The only thing I hate, is the pants don't seem to be long enough, which I definitely require, so they seem a little short, but they're still cute I think. The other pants I bought are a nice long length so at least I've got one pair so far that work that way. Hehe. I'm still waiting for one more pair of pants to get here that weren't shipped at the same time for some reason. I'll have to post that one too once I get it.

Back to my hair story. On the right side I have this stupid hair that didn't want to curl this morning. For some reason I've had problems with this a few times recently. Very frustrating. My hair gets stubborn at times, but no matter how long and how many times I curled the darn thing it still is falling in my face and not curled. Blasted hair!!

My Mountain Dew

My new goal was to cut down on soda. Yeah, I'm thinking it's not going to happen anytime soon. At least for the next few weeks until I get back into the routine of things. Mountain Dew definitely puts me in a better mood. I had a crazy morning today. I got my new student, so far he's not a behavior problem. That's all I'm really caring about for the moment. I haven't tested him yet to find out if he's on grade level or not. Hoping to do that tomorrow, or at least some of it.

I was told he's a youth in custody. Wasn't quite sure what that meant so I asked the secretary. Apparently he was abandoned. How sad is that!? How could you abandon a child? I feel so sad for him. There are so many couples in the world that would love to have children of their own, but are unable to do so, and others that don't seem to take it too seriously. Makes me sad.