Sunday, January 24, 2010

We survived the crazy weather last week in Arizona. I couldn't believe that we were actually under a tornado watch. Let's just say I think the local weatherman was really out of his element. They really didn't know what to do or how to report the storms. I'm sure they were probably just as shocked as we were that it was even raining. We did have some rain come through the front window, but we were able to handle it pretty quickly. On a positive note all the reservoirs are full.

We had a pretty low keyed weekend. I was able to get my haircut yesterday. My hair stylist is expecting a baby any day so, I really didn't think she would make this appointment. I guess Baby Landon knew some hair needed attention before he made his grand entrance into the world.

I'm still trying to figure out what to write my linguistics working paper on. I'm hoping that once I decide on the topic everything else will fall into place. I know this maybe wishful thinking. On another note, I have late night conferences on Wednesday so, I will have two late nights this week. I don't particularly enjoy these, but I guess it has to be done. I'm just glad I have a great driver who picks me up!

I guess it is time to do some reading. I hope everyone has a great Monday.
C.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Tornadoes in the Desert?!?!

I can't believe this. We are under a tornado watch until 10 tonight!! This is Phoenix!!! I didn't think you were suppose to have tornadoes here. I was at my writing class tonight (it is located at the district offices). We were there about 15 mins. and then word came from the superintendent that everyone had to leave. They were expecting hurricane type winds and they were closing all the school buildings. I also heard that there were 5 overturn semis on Interstate 8. Most of the trees planted in Phoenix are not rooted very deeply, so the the cacti is really blowing. I think this could be a very interesting evening. I was scheduled to go to Tucson with the sixth grade tomorrow, but that was cancelled. I just heard on the news that Phoenix is suppose to get a year's worth of rain in a day and a half. Wow!! I wonder if I might just get a "rain day" tomorrow??

I think we will enjoy a nice evening at home tonight. I wish I had a book to read (Yes, I could be reading my linguistics's book, but that's not fun). Hopefully there will be something interesting on t.v.

C.

Sunday, January 17, 2010

We are just about to settle down and watch a movie, so I thought I would update my blog. I'm really excited that I have tomorrow off for MLK. You can't beat three day weekends.

Yesterday, I had my Alpha Delta Kappa meeting. We met for breakfast at a unique restaurant near South Mountain. I had some delicious french toast that melted in your mouth. Afterwards we went to our mystery tour location. The Mystery Castle has long been part of Phoenix history dating back to the early 1930's. It is something you should see at least once. The builder's daughter even still lives there. She is now 85 years old! ADK does one mystery tour a year.

I got home just in time to watch the Cardinals play football. Needless to say, it was very disappointing. I guess football season is over for me, so now it's time to move on to basketball. I decide to make some sausage balls and put in the freezer. I found a great recipe that is so easy. We all love them!

This morning I got up and decided to be very energetic. I did some cleaning and even managed to do some cooking all before noon. I have gotten the idea from several blogs to do all your cooking for the week on one day. I think it's a great idea and would probably be very helpful, but I have not gotten organized yet to pull off this feat. I will definitely try it sometime.

After church tonight, we stopped by Barnes and Noble to browse through the books. I found several items from bookmarks to bags that had the saying, "Keep Calm and Carry on." It is a saying from WWII that I really like. They even did a different take on it. "Keep Calm and Have a Cupcake." Love it!!

C.




Wednesday, January 13, 2010

I thought I would write a quick note tonight. I just made a new recipe. This Friday is my day to help bring breakfast for the teachers. After hearing a lot of people talk about sausage balls, I decided to try to make some. I think they turned out pretty good. To top it off they were easy too! You can't beat that combination. I will definitely be making them again.

I had my first graduate class last night. It was ok. I'm thinking linguistics might be a little difficult. It is interesting, so I hope to learn a lot. I only have eight classes, but each class is five hours long. Fortunately, last night we were done a hour earlier.

February is starting to look very busy at school. I was able to finalize plans this week for ASU's college of engineering to work with the sixth graders to make solar ovens out of pizza. ASU also has another program called, "College is For You." Our fifth graders will be taking part in this on Feb. 22nd and 23rd. I had only two sixth graders students sign up to be AVID tutors. I was a little disappointed with the lack of students applying, but I also knew I made the application process challenging. I met with the girls at lunch yesterday about the expectations. They will be helping me on Friday to check AVID binders. I hope they will encourage other students to get involved. Whew! I think I'm looking forward to March!

I guess this pretty much sums up my mid-week review. Please remember to keep Haiti in your prayers.

C.

Sunday, January 10, 2010

The Cardinals Win!!! It was so exciting that one of my teams won this weekend. We went to one of the Sun's games Friday night. While it was exciting, they lost in the last 10 minutes. And of course, the Jayhawks fell to Tennessee this afternoon. Oh well, the season is early.

We had a beautiful weekend in Arizona. We did some hiking and some cleaning/organizing. I was an awesome wife and watched a guy movie Saturday night. I feel a chick flick coming on soon. hehehe After church tonight, we got a bite to eat and walked around Walmart. We are so exciting.

I will be starting my graduate classes this week. Tuesdays will not become my longest day. My classes will be from 4-9. At least I will be only 5 mins. from home, so that is a positive. I started my writing class last Thursday. I think I will enjoy it. We will be receiving one children's book each class, so I'm really excited about that. Hey it's free books!

C.









Wednesday, January 6, 2010

It is going to be crazy cold back in Kansas and the mid-west tomorrow. I thought I would try to explain to a group of 10 year olds today, who have never experience a winter where the temperature went below 50 degrees for longer than a few hours, how much of a difference 8 degrees feels to 70 degrees. Believe me when I say they were just as shocked and aghast as I was that the thermometer could go that low. Any hoot, I will be enjoying the warm temperatures in the desert tomorrow and sending warm wishes to family and friends. Hey, on a bright side they might be lucky enough and get a "the wind chill is too low to go to school" day off tomorrow :) !


Time to run to Walmart.
C.

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Wow!! What a beautiful day it was here in Phoenix. I think our high was 68. You can't beat that! Especially since Kansas saw highs only in the teens!! Now it's time to get ready to go back to school tomorrow. I'm looking forward to getting this semester started. Maybe not the getting up early part. Breaks always go so fast.

I went to Family Christian book store this afternoon to spend the rest of my gift card. I was looking at ESV Bibles when the of the employees offered me an ESV Bible that had been damaged. He was going to buy it himself, but said I could have it if I wanted it. I was very excited to get a $30.00 Bible for only $7.50. It was actually in pretty good condition and just the right size. I love finding great deals!

We had lunch today at Chipotle. This is one of our favorite places to eat. They also had awesome Dr. Pepper. Recently they have changed out the Dr. Pepper for Mr. Pibb. I found a way around the problem. I stop at the Mc Donald's in Walmart and get me a Dr. Pepper and take it with me to Chipotle. I know I'm a Dr. Pepper addict.

We stopped at Target on our way home, so I could get one more storage box for decorations. I finally have everything put away. It definitely looks bare, but I'm glad to have things back to normal. I always say in January, I need to get Christmas decorations out earlier so we can enjoy them longer, but I never do it.

Not a good sports day for the Cardinals. Hopefully they will get things figured out before the playoffs start. I think I'm going to do some fun reading before it's time for bed.

Hope you have a great Monday!
C.