I'm a BLTer....

That means I'm a biter, licker, and taster...

I made a really big decision and finally committed myself to it yesterday. Yesterday, I officially joined Weight Watchers. I've tried changing my diet as a new year's resolution. I've tried working out regularly, but something always gets in the way (or at least I convince myself it does). I just can't make it work, so I figured joining something so structured would not just change me "for now," but it just might help me change the big picture. I know it is going to be hard, but if I fully commit myself to it now, I just might be able to show myself off this coming holiday season. It's not like I cry when I look in the mirror or anything. Overall, I am pretty happy with myself, but there are certain areas my eyes go to every time. It's those areas I want to fix. No, it's those areas I WILL fix :)

One Particular Harbour

So, we are still at that awkward place where we have two "homes." We are working hard to make our new home, currently called our One Particular Harbour, ours. The name came from a Jimmy Buffett song which talks about a very special and sacred place. We have talked for a couple years now about finding our "one particular harbour," our own home where we don't have to feel like we are living under someone else's rules (aka our landlord, neighbor, etc). Last weekend was dedicated to removing some very ugly bushes and relandscaping the front. Pat, Keith, and Pat's dad worked on making some shelving for the garage too. This past week, Pat and I started painting what was a hot pink kids play room a very dark color (kettle black) for his digital and eventually natual darkroom. Tiff came in and did her magic as well; she is one damn good painter! Yesterday we painted the accent wall in the kitchen as well to break up the monotony of "Irish sand" as we have come to call it. Check out the facebook pics to see more. Now it is on to packing, packing, and more packing. Next Sunday will be the big move!!!!

Some thoughts....

* I am really enjoying teaching in Kasson. I think I've finally found "my home" as a teacher. What a relief!!!
* I love fall. I can't wait to indulge myself with pumpkin flavored treats. I love the looks, smells, and sounds of fall.
* Pat and I recently celebrated two important anniversaries. We celebrated 3 years of marriage on Wednesdays. We've been encountered quite a few troubled relationships lately which really makes me even more thankful for what we have together. We also celebrated 10 years of togetherness yesterday. It's really amazing to me hour 3 years of being married feels like only weeks, yet 10 years of being together feels like forever. I mean that in a good way. Sometimes I find it hard to remember a time with Pat wasn't such a big part of my life. It's like there is a clear line between the time I was lost and didn't know who I was to the time I found both myself and happiness, which just happened to be at the same time I met Pat :)
* We became house owners this past week, too. We closed on our house yesterday. It's such an overwhelming feeling. We went in there after closing and just stood around marveling at the fact that the house was ours. This weekend will be filled with "projects." We won't be totally moved in until the middle of October, so we are both going to be in this awkward place. When we say home, where will we really mean?
* I got to see O.A.R. in concert last Friday. I had a 100 degree fever and felt terrible, but I wasn't going to let that opportunity pass me by. What an awesome early anniversary surprise.
* I am now about to leave Kasson and head to my new home/house and wait for Pat. We will be each drinking our first beers at our new house on our new deck. It's going to be perfect. It's 85 degrees and the end of September. I love fall.

Good-bye Summer

So, it's official. I'm back to school. I've been doing workshops and "getting ready" for a few weeks now, but today was the first day with students. All-in-all, I think I will enjoy the 85 minute block scheduling. I think I have some pretty decent students (minus a few couldn't-care-less seniors). And the staff continues to be extra supportive and helpful. It's just the idea of getting back to the schedule of getting up at 5:50 on the morning... I love teaching, don't get me wrong, it's just how early the day starts. Well, that, and the fact I, like many teachers, often feel underappreciated. But I love what I am doing, so it's all alright with me.

At least I have something to show for my summer. Although we didn't go on any big, adventurous vacations, it was the little things that really counted this summer. That, and one really big thing! Summer kicked off with a nontraditional Memorial Weekend of camping; you can never go wrong with some camping. There was some quality family time on Sunday's for dinner, Mom's birthday, and Grandpa's birthday. Of course I have to include my newest tattoo. Pat and I spent many weekends trying to fine the most enjoyable and free events, like free ice cream day. Oh! I saw Jeff Dunham, which was hilarious! I'd love to see him again. I spent some time on the water on the 4th of July and watched the fireworks that night. We wooped it up in Waseca one night, entered photos in the fair and got ribbons, and attended quite a few weddings and receptions. I was able to go fishing a couple times with my dad and even learn to clean a fish. There was all kinds of crazy at the Jimmy Buffett concert at Alpine Valley with friends we just don't see enough of! I went to the zoo and the State Fair with my mom and Tiff. And there was Western Days, which always signals the end of summer. There were a few lazy days of scrapbooking. And then this past weekend Pat and I went tubing just us. Yup, I'd say I had an eventful summer. Somewhere in all that Pat and found time to check out some houses and buy one! Well, close enough. We close on the 25th, and then it is moving time. I sooooo can't wait to have a house. Here's the link if you want to look at it:

http://www.flexmls.com/cgi-bin/mainmenu.cgi?cmd=url+other/run_public_link.html&public_link_tech_id=20080827210942373248000000&s=4&id=1

The fire dancer isn't dancing......

So, I had every intention of making my next post a post all about summer's closing. I was going to talk about all the adventures I had, cool things I accomplished, the craziness that is house hunting, and the stresses of starting all over in a new district (that is fully under construction), but something I heard on the radio this morning has inspired me to change that plan (although I should still be making that post in the next 7 days). After getting out of the shower this morning, the radio announcer introduced "Too Much" by Dave Matthews Band and stressed to listen closely to LeRoi Moore on the sax. I thought it was odd for two reason. First, this particular station rarely plays any Dave. Second, it was the album cut, so I didn't hear anything particularly special about the song. Then, after the song had ended, the DJ shared that LeRoi died yesterday. The press release on the official Dave Matthews Band website says:

We are deeply saddened that LeRoi Moore, saxophonist and founding member of Dave Matthews Band, died unexpectedly Tuesday afternoon, August 19, 2008, at Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center in Los Angeles from sudden complications stemming from his June ATV accident on his farm near Charlottesville, Virginia. LeRoi had recently returned to his Los Angeles home to begin an intensive physical rehabilitation program.

My first response was simply WOW. If you know me, you know that I am a HUGE DMB fan. Just look around my blog and you will see multiple references to the band. A few seconds after I heard about LeRoi's death, it hit me that I would NEVER see the band perform as a whole unit ever again. If I wasn't bitter ENOUGH over the unfortunately events of missing the last two tours... Let me refresh your memory. Two summers ago Keith, Carlie, Pat, and I attempted to drive to Alpine Valley for the yearly show. In Janesville (less than 40 miles from East Troy) the tranny went out in my car. We never made it. I was VERY upset, needless to say. And what made it so much worse was that the band played "Loving Wings" that night; that is a very rare concert song. It is only two cds, both part of the Gorge 6 cd pack; the song played during our wedding ceremony. That tour, two summers ago, would have been my last chance to see the band play all together. This past Aug (the 9th) DMB played at Alpine Valley again. It was also the same weekend of Western Days, so obviously we didn't' go to the concert.

Anyway, rants beside, I just had to share my discontentment related to the passing of LeRoi Moore. He was one of the founders of one of the greatest bands of all time. His talent was not overlooked and will be greatly missed by fans all over the world.

At Summer's beginning...

So, last week was my first week of summer vacation. This vacation is unlike others because I don't have to worry about applications, interviews, and the stress that goes along with that. You may be asking, "Heather, whatever did you do with your time off?"

Monday I spent the whole day scrapbooking the trip to Vegas we took last June with Carlie and Keith. It made me even more excited for next summer's trip to celebrate Tiff's 21st birthday.

Tuesday was a girls day with Carlie. I drove to Waseca to pick her up; then we headed to Albert Lea to get some MN Wild autographs! It was worth the wait in line. After that we headed to the Sugar Room in Mankato for lunch, but its kitchen was closed :( We wandered around the streets and found McGoff's (an Irish pub) and ate there. I was really impressed with the place and hope to end up there again someday soon. THEN we went to Cactus Tattoo. I had a 3:30 appointment. If you haven't heard yet I got a tattoo of Bacon's paw print on top of my right foot. I chose my right foot since Bacon used to always sleep on my foot and would often set his paw on my right foot if I was feeling down. I realized camping Memorial Weekend that I've had Bacon over half of my life. After his stroke in January I am constantly worried about saying good-bye to him, but this way I will always have him with me in a way. It turned out pretty sweet :)

Wednesday I FINISHED the Vegas scrapbook. It took over 15 hours, but I did it!

Thursday I was suppose to go fishing with my Dad, but the water was much too high. Instead we went out for breakfast to Daniels in Kasson, I showed him where my future school is, then we wandered around checking out water levels and just talked. It was very relaxing.

Friday I spent the day at my sister-in-laws helping her make food and decorate for her daughters graduation open house. I thought it would be stressful having 7 women working together in the kitchen, but it was actually really fun!

Saturday I spent the day at Kayla's open house drinking free beer, playing bags, and eating. Does it get any better than that?

YEAH FOR SUMMER!!!

It's Official!!!

This is a bittersweet week for me, although I suppose the end of the school year always leads to those feelings. This year it is different, though. I am saying good-bye to the Rochester district....and hello to being a Kasson-Mantorville Komet. It's tough saying good-bye to the awesome people I have worked with in the Rochester district. Many of them have really helped to shape me as an educator. It's also difficult to say say good-bye to middle schoolers; they accept me for who I am and aren't afraid to get goofy with me. Heading to high school teaching, though, means more maturity and teaching that is based on the students' future as adults, not their future as future students. Teaching high school means, though, the excitement of milestones (being able to drive, homecoming, prom, and graduation).

Last week I interviewed at two schools, and both offered me positions. I had to weigh the pros and cons of remaining in Rochester, heading to Triton High School, or teaching in Kasson-Mantorville High School. When it came down to it, the decision was pretty easy. As a district, they impressed me the most. They also had excellent technology available (hello SmartBoard!). I wasn't overwhelmed with obligations, like I was in Alden. They run on a block schedule, which will be a change for me. Over the course of the year I will be teaching Reading for Today, Language and Composition, Contemporary Lit, and American Lit. I will also be the senior advisor, which means I will help set up for graduation and go on the senior class trip (or darn!).

So, what does this mean? Well, it means I will no longer be traveling between schools each day. It means I will have my own classroom. It means I will be an active part of a school again. It means I will have a continual job from year to year (as long as they renew me). It means....we can finally think about getting a house!!! Over all, it mean peace of mind to both Pat and I....and possibly anyone else who interacts with me frequently.