Memory Keeper

So I am finding that as time goes by that I am becoming more & more forgetful. The thing about teaching is that it keeps you on your toes. However, I find that there is an unending supply of need to have a good memory.

I watched a report on TV the other day where they said that TV is actually not good for your memory. It said that activities that help your memory to work better are reading & writing. Therefore, I am hoping to devote more time to these activities. In fact, I even bought a book the other day called "The Memory Keeper's Daughter"
(not about helping my memory at all, just a conincidence)

I find that on a daily basis that I am having to charge things. For instance, on a daily basis, I charge my camera, ipod, & phone. I am relentless about making sure that I am always ready & "fully charged." In fact, the first thing that I grab in the morning is a cup of coffee, Chai, or any other means of caffeine to start out the day. Instead, I think I should just focus on improving my memory. By increasing my memory power, I will ultimately have to force myself to slow down & process information instead of just having my life on DVR. I find that I watch my saved TV shows & then have no idea 20 minutes later what a certain show/news report I was watching was about. Increasing my memory powewr is the ticket to force myself to process information, but not neccesarily slow down.

Sometimes I wish my mind would just stop multi-tasking but it's sooooooo addictive. Therefore, here goes another New Year Resolution in the making.....hee khee

Step Away from the Dessert Table

I always have a hard time remembering the difference between how to spell desert & dessert. A friend of mine told me an easy way to remember. In exchange, I explained my gimmick of remembering how to spell tomorrow. (I always remember that it has the word morrow in it) At any rate, she explained to me that the way that she remembered how to spell it was the fact that it has 2 S's in it. (always remmeber that you want more & more dessert so it's the one with 2 S's.)

This holiday was certainly a dessert bender to it's fullest. Today I have taken the initiative to step away from the dessert table & not condone anymore holiday grazing. While I know that this is a futile attempt at dieting before the 1st of the year, at least it's a start. I am even going to try to go to aerobics this afternoon after blogging.

I was watching the Today show the other day where they were giving tips on how to avoid holiday grazing. On eof the tips was to always ahve a drink in 1 hand; that it keeps from you being double-fisted with holiday treats. The fact of the matter is that a lot of the items are just a one-time deal. I feel that it's my responsibilty to be double-fisted with Mexican Wedding Cakes, for my mom only makes them this time of year. Additionally, I believe that by not double-fisting, that I am denying myself something that I know is unnacceptable behavior for any other time of the year. I do not condone this behavior in myself any other time. Why must I allow myself those extra pieces of toffee when I know that it will just make me spend extra, extra time at the gym? It is a dilemma I tell you.........

House Hunter

So I have decided to try to bite the bulet this year & look for alternative housing. Perhaps it is my obsession with the show House Humnters that has inspired this recent nuerosis that has seems to generate this past month. Perhaps it is the advent of a new 2007, I dunno. However, the idea of having walls that are not white is very appealing to me. Additionally, I would love to be a foster parent for the Golden Retriever Rescue but you have to have a fenced in yard.

While I know that becoming a homeowner will be a sacrifice, I belive that this is the year that I am going to take some of my dad's suggestions into consideration. He is such a good dad, taking every opportunity to explain to me how I am throwing out money out the window by renting. However, I have just seemed to ignore this converstion topic at all costs within the past couple of years by using my job/life's adventures as a single girl as an excuse. However, all of the people on House Hunters seemed to be transformed by their new identities as homeowners by the ending of each 30 minute show. For instance, there was a guy on their the other day that seemed as dumb as a doornail but secured a home of his own. This show is reality TV at it's best. If he can do it, so can I.

More Christmas Pics

Just a couple more of Derby

What's the difference between He Man & Colin on Derby Day? We could quit He Man---but we "couldn't quit" Colin.

2006 in Review

I wasn't able to put all of 2006 highlights on 1 posting & am too lazy to figure it out today. Therefore, I have split up the photos in an effort to show off Derby rowdiness that was captured by Ed.

2006 Year in Review

January-
This month was filled with internet access, 1st grade transitions, & only 1 snow day.
I have spent way too much time on the ipod.......

February-
This month meant some bad news about Casey. I spent a lot of the time on the internet finding ways to make her last month's comfortable & put myself into the throws of learning about alternative healing methods for dogs. The month was spent making a lot of concoctions woth porganic remedies & internet. Spent the last month o 2 trying to date a bit, but am back to the drawing board it seems. Oh well, at least Casey was still around in the mix..............hee hee

March-
Spent the better half of the month organizing a creative learning troup as an extracirricular activity that I got signed up for at school. I successfully learned a great lesson this month-- & that is how to say no more. I need balance, & overextending myself is not the way to get it. When you don't give Starr time for balance & yoga, Starr turns in to a crabby person.

April-
A lot of this month was spent tying up loose ends in 1st grade & a bit of soul-searching. While I enjoyed the last of the school year with my 1st year with my own 1st grade class, many decisions needed to be made this month. I decided that my strengths were with an older grade level (in the long run) & took the opprtunity to move within my job to a place they has suited me just fine. While it is hard work to be in a new grade level this year, I think the move will serve me best for the long haul.

Also, I got involved in the Drama club annual school play. Had a blast & hope to do it again next year. I swear that I was a Broadway director in my previous life!

Finally, Jen & Shannon came down, treated me to birthday pampering with a new hairdo, & enjoyed Thunder over Louisville tyoegther. It was a great way to spend my 32nd!

May-
Had a great time with friends this month. Already gearing up for an eventful summer. Kicked the hot weather off my hosting friends for the Derby. We had some newbies with us this year, so we had to do it up right. Friends from Indy were impressed with Lousville's annual event & hope to come back again. I was a little nervous being the host, as these friends always show me the best of times. However, it seemed to go off without a hitch, as some of the pictures are proof that fun was had by all. Yep, we're getting older---but we're getting better at making meaningful memories!! Cheers!

June-
New found freedom allowed me to start a summer regimen of excersising & spending time with Heather & kids. Nice to reconnect with Heather a bit & just relax for a month.We managed to get into quite a bit of trouble during her birthday month. Additionally, I spent a week in Indy & managed to coerce friends to become partners in crime to a summer kickoff.

July-
Went on vacation with family. Wrapped up my vacation by trying to engage myself in activities that had NOTHING TO DO WITH TEACHING. I would have plenty of time for that come August 7th.......

August-
Kicked of the school year in a new room & amongst co-workers that are fun. Don't have much to say because I was soooo overwhelmed........but in a good way!

Finished up my 50 classes or more contest for the "Summer Shape Up" at my gym. 50 classes do not sound like a lot---but 2 free month were a good motivation. I worked all summer on the goal. Cannot say that I lost a lot of weight. However, I think I combatted most of the summer's beer calories.

Finally got an opportunity to go see Chrystie. She lives outside of Louisville, but not veryclose to me at all. It was nice to see her!

September-
Joined a new gym (in addition to the other place where I take aerobics) on the way to school. I will try hard this year to do the Derby Marathon, but am keeping it quiet until getting closer to the time. Until then, I have got up early this school year & plan on keeping up eith the habit to get ready for the marathon. It seems to be lifting my spirits & keeping my addictive personality with something healthy to focus on.......hee hee

October-Joined the world of DVR & it seemed to be my addiction of choice this month. It's nice to come home after a hard day at work & have shows already lined up without the commercials.

November-
Yep, I was one of the crazy ones out the day after Thanksgiving. Finally got a digital camera. I got on the net trying to finally get a computer as well. Seems as if my new tech addictions are holding up moms computer for long enough. Have to bite the bullet in an effort to keep up this blog with pics & the ipod with music.

December-
This month was a blur. My co worker was out of comission with a bad hip. Therefore, there was a lot of holding down the fort a bit. It was a good thing though, as it really put me into the throws of 5th grade. The 5th grade show took up a lot of the month, but was a fun experinece. The whole school seemed to enjoy it on the day that we let out for break.

Christmas Break, plus one

So some of you may wonder why I haven't had the time to send out holiday cards. The reason for this is quite simple: Charlie. As soon as my break began last Thursday, I have inherited a friend to stay at my houise until a certain man in red came to visit my sister's.

I must say that the whole thing was a learning experience for me, as I am 100% sure that I do not need a puppy at this time in my life. Charlie is 13 weeks old & pure puppy. My sister decided on a Labradoodle for its hypoallergenic reasons. However, after meeting her furry friend briefly from the breeder on Thanksgiving vacation, Charlie has gotten quite a bit bigger. His paws are huge & he is already bigger than Casey ever was. He has to be at least 30-35 pounds already.

At any rate, the last couple of days have had me trying to teach him to walk down stairs (he goes up, but refuses to go down), trying to get him to lead on the leash & daily walks, & trying to keep him away from my Christmas tree. Finally, after he had eaten most of the ornaments off of the bottom of my tree in my bedroom, I succumbed to his desires & just accepted the unevitable.

I miss Casey especially this time of year, when I am home a bit more over the quick break. However, after 4 days with a puppy, I believe that a young, housebroken, trained, nuetered, shelter dog is the way to go for me.

Christmas 2006

This is a weird pic to me because it is minus the other 2 members of the family, who had to stay home because Jack got chicken pox. I was under the assumption that if you couldn't get the pox if you got the vaccine, but it just prevents kids nowadays from having them as bad as when I was a kid. He only has a few spots & is already looking & feeling better today. Damn the luck.....

Christmas

Hope that everyone had a good holiday yesterday. Gonna spend some time posting up some pics. Haven't spent a huge amount updating this thing all year except for this time last year & then on Spring Break. Will try to recap the year a bit & try to keep more in touch on this thing this year. I have forgone the Christmas cards this year, as the deadline has already approached & went---but recieved many Christmas cards from friends & greatly appreciated them!

Yesterday's festivities went off without a hitch, & enjoyed the rainy, gloomy day--- mostly in my pajamas. I took a shower & then put them back on! I just wanted to be comfortable for the Christmas ride.............

I am spoiled, really. Mom has a way of making this somewhat vulnerable time of year as extravagant & made me feel really special. I feel as if this year our gifts to one another were particularly meaningful. It's nice for soemone to buy you things that you wouldn't ordinarily buy for yourself. She is so good about making her gifts as appealing outside as on the inside. She goes to way too much trouble for me, but I don't take it for granted as I grow older each year. She really does outdo herself at Christmas.

Good to see memebers of my family that I tend to only see this time of year. Good to actually have some conversations with them, versus just going through the motions of a holiday activity. Finished the evening at Heather's to spend some quality time with Jack, who got chicken pox as his Christamas present. Poor thing. Instead, mom & I were reminded of the growing pains associated with having a new member or your family eneter your house. The kids are still weary of the new puppy, as it nips quite a bit at their little bodies still, but it will take patience & perserverance. I hope my sister is up to the challenge of a new baby! hee hee

Overall, had a good holiday. I am constantly reminded of how grateful I am for my family.

Fall

I have been very negelctful of the blog. I have neglectful a lot lately of keeping in touch. Therefore, I decided to forego the Christmas cards today & try to at least update this thing.

This fall has gone quickly. Not neccessarily eventful, but quick & busy. I am now starting to feel very comfprtable in 5th grade, & not near as stressed out as in past. It's amazing how much laid parents are (knock on wood) when they already know Johnny is disorganized or Sue has problems focusing. Therefore, I not have nothing to complain about.

Another thing this fall that is an added treat is joining a new gyn & getting cable/DVR. I don't know how I did not do this before! I have actually tried to join another place (added to the other place that I go to for aerobics) & I try to go in the morning. I have slipped since Thanksgiving Break & am now averaging only going twice a week but I am going to get back on the saddle like I did at the beginning when I hwas going in the morning duringthe work week at least 4 mornings of the week.

The next thing I finally got was DVR. (like TIVO) I do not know how I mnanaged to live without it. I now feel well-informed on the world. I trape the Today Show, Oprah, the news & lots of stuff on the Discovery Channel. It is so muych better than getting movies & spending that money at the movie store. Additionally, I do not have to run home for Grey;s Anatomy every Thursday if I don't want to. It's already taekn care of. Such great technological advancements!!!