11 February 2010 - 42/365: "The Aftermath"

I honestly am getting tired of photographing the snow! But here is a little bit of beauty and color I found that doesn't show my frustration in having to shovel my way out!

10 February 2010 - 41/365: "Snowed In"

This is what I did on my snowed-in day off - a little bit of productive packing, getting ready for my half of the move.

9 February 2010 - 40/365: "Blog Giveaway Prizes"

These two prizes came in the mail today - two items I had won on blog giveaways. One is a crocheted beret and the other is custom-made guest book for our wedding, with pictures of us inside of it. Hey, you never know!

8 February 2010 - 39/365: "Glasses"

A surprise gift from my cousin, Krista: our glasses!

7 February 2010: 38/365: "Our Super Bowl Party"

Yup, just me and James. Go, Saints!

6 February 2010 - 37/365: "The Storm that Canceled My Bridal Shower"

What I woke up to this morning...we got nothing. :(

But it's OK...James took me out to lunch and we spent the day together - to cheer me up. And Lord willing, the shower will still happen.

5 February 2010 - 36/365: "Bad News"

This is the text I sent, letting people know my bridal shower was being canceled. A big storm was hitting the east coast. We were right in that variant zone, where we could get a lot or we could get nothing...

4 February 2010 - 35/365: "Through the Windshield"

This was about 5:15 pm or so, on my way to my haircut. Clearly, I was not completely focused on driving.

3 February 2010 - 34/365: "Table 1

Eileen and I stopped by the reception hall to get a look of the layout to figure out centerpieces and other things like that. She works for another venue and is in charge of weddings there. This is what our tables will look like on our wedding day (plus centerpieces).

2 February 2010 - 33/365: "Memories"

This is a picture of my sister and my dad taking bike ride. It was at least 7 years ago, maybe more. Those were good times...before she got married, when she still lived at home... I miss her.

1 February 2010 - 32/365: "A Little Bling"

Running a little low on inspiration today...but just looking at my ring makes me happy. I know it was given to me with a lot of thought and love.

31 January 2010 - 31/365: "Hannah's New Spot"

Yup, that is Hannah on the chair from my favorite corner (my cheating picture on day 29). Looks like it is her favorite now, too.

30 January 2010 - 30/365: " Uncle Lou to the Rescue"

On Saturday, we needed some help picking up a washer/dryer we found on Craig's List. Well, we stopped at Costco on the way, found a couch for a great price, compared very quickly at another store - and realized very quickly it was a great deal...so we asked if my dad and Uncle Lou wouldn't mind adding another stop on the way to the washer. They graciously agreed. We realized that the washer/dryer wouldn't fit in the truck w/ the sectional, so we had to stop home so my dad could pick up his truck as well. So, the caravan with the couch headed to pick up the washer/dryer, and then on to the house.

My dad and Uncle Lou were the heroes of the day. We couldn't have done it without them. [My uncle is not as scary as he looks, lol]



This picture is thrown in for good measure....my boys :)

29 January 2010 - 29/365: "My Favorite Corner"

I am going to admit that I am totally cheating by posting this picture under today. I was grading regents and helping James move, so I just did not have the energy to take a picture today. I took this picture a few weeks ago...but since it is the last time my corner will look like that (we moved that chair to the new house), I felt like it would be OK to use it! And this is my favorite corner in my apartment.

28 January 2010 - 28/365: "A View from the Classroom"

This crazy snowstorm blew through this morning as I was sitting at my desk grading English essays. And as fast as it came, it went....by the afternoon, all the snow was gone.

27 January 2010 - 27/365: "Gramma's Pumpkin Pie"

I got this in the mail from James' Aunt Cathy yesterday. It is a recipe for pumpkin pie that was hand-written by his great grandmother Mary. It was so amazing to have it written in her original hand, with her picture. I will love making it, knowing that it has been in his family for a long time. She wrote it in 1949.

26 January 2010 - 26/365: "Mom's Skates"

I pass this sled-&-skates every morning as I'm leaving to work, and I think to myself, "That would be a great shot! I have to remember to take a picture of this." Today I remembered. Those are actually my mom's old ice skates. My dad likes to arrange everything like we are just stepping back in time. He is cute like that. :)

25 January 2010 - 25/365: "A Gift from the Owners"

This is what we found in the fridge of our new home after we just came from closing! They are wonderful people!

24 January 2010 - 24/365: "Water with Lemon"

Sometimes I get tired of just plain water.
It refreshingly washed down our Chinese food
as we watched the Jets make a great final showing.

23 January 2010 - 23/365: "Serenity"

22 January 2010 - 22/365: "The First Gift"

Our first gift came in the mail this week - our comforter set! Given to us by James' Aunt Cathy.

21 January 2010 - 21/365: "Baby Praising Jesus"

My new 5-week-old niece Alexa.

20 January 2010 - 20/365: "No Escape"

Today we took the seniors on a field trip to a correctional facility. It was a sad, difficult day. But we got to pray with several of the inmates and there were quite a few tears. We prayed that we were messengers of hope and God's love to them.

19 January 2010 - 19/365: "Tuxedo Shopping"

Father of the Bride, Groom and Groomsman - picking out the tuxedos. They did a great job! Can't wait to see them! I love how the tables are turned here - look at their intense shopping faces!

18 January 2010 - 18/365: "Curtains"

17 January 2010 - 17/365: "Sammy After a Bath"

This is the quietest you will ever hear this dog, for sure.

16 January 2010 - 16/365: "The Three Sleepies"

I realized very late that I did not have a picture for today. The cats were a little bit of unwilling subjects.

15 January 2010 - 15/365: "I Will Stand"

I work in a private school, and today we had a dress-down day as a fundraiser for Haiti. The students were to give whatever was on their heart, and they were to dress in hand-me-down type clothes to empathize with those who have lost everything and might have to rely on others for the basic necessities, such as clothing. Those who participated were given a sticker to wear that says, 'I will stand and pray for Haiti.' Today, we raised $5,535. 65. I am so proud of our school family. (The picture below is not of the best quality - I was in a rush taking it before class started! - but I wanted everyone to see some of the faces of these great kids.).

14 January 2010 - 14/365: "The First Response"

This is our first response to our wedding! It is from Mr. Contes. He is one of my most favorite people in the world. He was my teacher in 8th grade, all the way until I graduated. He has mentored and counseled me and been an amazing influence in my life. I now work with him at the school I teach at - and he is in administration now.

His wife told me he was so excited when he got our invitation - even more than she was. He filled it out and drove it straight to the post office (even though I see him every day). He wanted to be the first one to respond. Mission accomplished. :)

13 January 2010 - 13/365: "Haiti"

It's all I could think about today.

12 January 2010 - 12/365 : "After a Hard Day's Work"

I stopped at my aunt's after work to drop off the wedding invitation and talk wedding details. And this is where my uncle was - resting in his chair after work. It seems that he is a lot like his brother, my dad - both like to spend the night relaxing in their chairs. [His arms are randomly pulled inside his sweatshirt. He says he just likes it that way.]

11 January 2010 - 11/365: "The Bottom Side of Laundry"

Can you guess what it is???

This picture shows it a little better: the view looking up at freshly-ironed shirts and pants.

10 January 2010 - 10/365: "With Amos"

The J-man with Amos, while watching football on Sunday afternoon.

9 January 2010- 9/365: "The Invites"

Spent most of today getting these little babies out in the mail! Finally done!

8 January 2010 - 8/365 "Go Jets!"

A good friend and teacher at my school gearing up for play-off weekend. The J-man would be so pleased!

7 January 2010 - 7/365: 'Texas V. Alabama'

Some quality time for me and the J-man at Chili's after our pre-marital meeting with our pastor.
The 'Two for $20" deal is stellar!

6 January 2010 - 6/365: "Man and His Friends"

On any given night, this is where you will find my dad: sitting in his chair, dogs on his lap, watching Fox news - or the Antique Road Show.

5 January 2010 - 5/365: "Pray Without Ceasing"

4 January 2010: 4/365 'Main Street at Twilight'

So I brought my camera to school today, hoping to get a good shot. Well, I left to go to my 2nd job at the doctor's office and realized I left my camera in my classroom closet! Crap! Thankfully, my nephew (who works at the doctor's office also) had his I-phone with him and we were able to get this shot. You can see a little bit of the screen through the picture.

I don't think I have EVER seen Main Street in S-town that empty before!

3 January 2010: 3/365 'Turkey Crossing'

I saw these turkeys crossing the road, and I quickly pulled over and tried to get my camera. By that time, they were on the other side...but I thought it was kind of funny how they were underneath the speed limit sign!

Project 365 - Day 1 (and 2!): Princess for a Day/Grading and Other Distractions

I came across this great idea on Nicolasa's blog and I knew I had to jump in. It's one picture for every day of the year. What a cool way to chronicle a year!

I am already a day behind :(

But, thankfully, yesterday was New Year's Day and I took some pictures! :)

So, just for today, I will cheat and post two.

And although the last thing I need right now - between teaching, prepping for the Regents, getting married in less than three months and buying a house - is another diversion and another excuse to procrastinate, I am so on board with this!

So here we go....

January 1, 2010
We had New Year's Day at my parent's house. It is sort of a big day for us - my birthday is December 31 and my grandmother's was January 1, so we always celebrated both of them on New Year's Day. Even though my grandma is no longer with us :( we still had the family there. This is a picture of my uncle with my sister's youngest daughter, his great niece. His family got Gracie all the princess jewelry, which he dressed her up in. This is Gracie looking all beautiful and sparkly with Uncle Lou. I especially love how she is holding his hand!

January 2, 2010


This is what I spent my day doing. You can see my gradebook with all the papers I should be grading...with everything else besides. Yes, this sums up my life just about now. The computer is a CONSTANT distraction, but I can't help it. OK, after this post, I am back to the papers.