The time has come for me to update!

Talk about a relaxing day for me!
First of all I'm off today. Actually I have been off since last Friday! I love being a teacher!

So this past weekend Travis and I went up to the farm for some alone time. It was a great weekend for us! Travis worked on tearing down a wall and putting up new paneling and I worked on my scrapbook. His mom sent us up there with a project to complete: paint the coffee table red! So we did and it turned out really cute! We headed back to Conroe on Sunday for Easter lunch with his parents and his brother Scott. His mom is the best cook! The rest of the day we spent unpacking his room and getting him organized. I think we have a little more work to do but it's almost done! Yesterday I spent the day at home and rented some movies. Travis has been wanting me to see All the Pretty Horses and I have been wanting to see Something's Gotta Give. I watched the second one with my mom last night when I went over there. I decided I'd go ahead and spend the night there since I had to take Lucy to the vet this morning for her third round of shots and for her watery eyes and itchy ears. So this morning I woke up and took her in and she cried and cried after being poked 3 times and having drops put down her ears but luckily the vet had doggy treats readily available to calm her down!

After that mess I went back to my apartment and dropped her off. Then I went to Houston Plant and Garden Center and bought 6 potted plants, a new pair of gardening gloves and a bag of potting soil. I found that HPGC has the lowest prices on plants, flowers and gardening essentials. From there I went to HEB to stock up on fresh vegetables and other healthy foods. If you have access to an HEB in your neck of the woods you have to try the Hill Country Fair Lime Water! It's the best flavored water out there and its' sugar free!

NICE.

From there I went back home and unloaded my groceries and transplanted my flowers into new pots. Now I have the prettiest balcony in the complex!
See for yourself:
an assortment of flowers


some more flowers


and a few more.

. . . And just for kicks, here is an updated picture of Lucy!

Well this was quite the week at school. We had our annual fieldtrip to the Oil Ranch out in Hockley, Texas.
It was the perfect weather for a field trip- extreme clear and breezy! The kids had a great time running around all day! I had 7 parents who chaperoned and because of them I was able to float around and do my own thing, like go on a hay-ride! Yee-Haw!







It's true kids do say the darndest things. For example we traveled over 50 miles and one child shouted "Hey! Miss Johnson, we're not in Townewest any more!" Then upon arrival back at school (keep in mind that it's 2:20) I heard, "so now do we eat lunch?" and "We aren't doing any work today?"

Silly kids but you gotta love 'em!

The day after the fieldtrips are the longest because you're still tired from the day before and the kids are still talking about the trip and excited that it's the last day of the week, etc. I didn't think the day would ever end but it did and now I'm home! I'm thinking about heading to my favorite store to get Julie a shower gift! Please tell me you know what my favorite store is? If you guessed Target you advance to go and collect $200!
Her baby could be coming any day within the next 2 weeks! How exciting!

Tomorrow is the shower and afterwards I'm heading to Conroe to meet Travis' dad to drive up to the farm with him. Travis is already up there with his mom but Mr. Miller said he'd wait on me and take me up there! Should be a fun weekend! Oh and I'm getting Lucy's picture taken with the Easter Bunny at Petco!
So that'll be fun! I'll post pictures soon! Have a wonderful weekend!

So I've been hinted at to update my blog. So without hesitation here is the scoop.
Travis and I have been working at packing up his apartment. Finally on Saturday we were able to get everything out of the apartment and either to storage or to his parent's place. You never realize how much stuff you have until it comes time to move.

That afternoon we drove down to Austin for Maxie's birthday party on Sunday.

Here are a few pics of the Big Barbie Bash!


A pre-party shot



Before we cut the cake- not just any cake- a Barbie cake



Macey, Maxie and Bubba wearing Barbie hats in the latest spring colors!



Maxie was so lucky! She got a Barbie moonwalk

I just finished my six hour defensive driving course that took me 3 days to complete. I passed with a 95, cutting it close indeed.

I am so glad it's done! Now I can enjoy the last few days of my spring break!

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.

Well the week is almost to an end. I'm finishing up my defensive driving course online today. I recommend doing it online because it allows you to go at your own pace instead of being trapped at one of those sit down courses. I have done that before and if you know me I hate being inside for too long. Defensive Driving lets you log on and off as many times as you want. It's a lot of reading and watching videos but definitely worth it. Hopefully I'll finish that today and then spend the rest of the day at Barnes and Noble or something relaxing like that. Sometimes it feels great just to do nothing so that's always an option.

Well today was day number 2 of my spring break. This morning I went to Petsmart to purchase a leash for Lucy. I never realized how expensive leashes were until today. I spent $19 on a retractable leash as opposed to the $12 for a standard leash. The good thing about this leash (besides the fact that it's retractable and that it matches her collar) is that it is suitable for dogs up to 26lbs. We are anticipating Lucy weighing 10-15lbs so this leash should work out for us. I took Lucy to the Vet this afternoon and found out that she weighs 5.8lbs. That would be 2.4lbs more than last time- chubby little puppy.
I also got my haircut since it was driving me crazy. I thinned out my layers and trimmed my bangs and now my hair feels a lot better. I spent the remainder of my day at my parents house. Now I'm home, listening to Jim Brickman and just about ready for bed. But first, as promised here are some photos taken over the past weekend.


Painting the crown molding




One more wall to go

Just when I thought that the BRAVO network couldn't get any better they came up with a show called Significant Others It's a comedy with no scripts...so the actors say whatever the #&!@* they want! How cool does that sound? Pretty darn cool if you ask me.

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Have you ever noticed how on Trading Spaces they can paint a 12x12 room in no time at all? Maybe it's the catchy jingle they play while they speed everything up or maybe it's the just the design team themselves busting their ass to get the job done. I haven't quite figured it out but I wish I would have known their technique this past weekend. Travis is moving back to Conroe later this month and on Saturday the two of us painted his bedroom in his parents house. We decided on a mossy shade of green. We used a dry brush technique that makes the dried paint look like linen. The room turned out awesome. I took some before and after pictures so you can see the effect for yourself.
(will post later)
Many of you know that I can't stand to go to stores that are "super sized" like Wal-Mart, Sam's or Costco. I don't buy anything in bulk and therefore don't go there. I thought the same of Home Depot and Lowes until Saturday when we went to get the paint. I never realized all the things Lowes has. It has EVERYTHING you could ever think of for home improvement and it's affordable. If you or someone you know is into design or home improvement you should definitely scan the aisles at Lowes! I will definetly be a repeat costumer. . .Wal-Mart is still out of the question.
Just when you thought this entry couldn't get anymore interesting I found this awesome duvet cover that would go great with the room and Travis' furniture. I hope he can eventually get the cover and the other linens that go along with it.
Anyway the big move takes place at the end of the month so let the joy of packing begin!

The Personality Test

1) Who is the first person you think of.
2) You are walking along and meet an animal in the forest. What kind of
animal is it?
2.5) How do you react to the animal?
3) You continue in the forest and you come across a house. What type of
house is it.
4) Is there a fence around the house?
5) You go in to the house and there is a glass or cup on the table. What is
it made of?
6) There is some thing on the table next to it. What is it?
7) You walk out of the house and there is a body of water. How big is it?
8) You want to get across the body of water how do you get across it.

- 1-This is the most important person in your life.
- 2-This is the size of your problems with that person.
- 2.5-This is how you deal with problems with that person.
- 3-The size of the house shows your ambition to solve problems with the person.
- 4-If there is a fence you are closed and less trusting
- 5-This is the strength of your relationship with that person.
- 6-If food or flowers you are happy.
-7-The size of the romantic interest in that person.
-8-How wet you get shows how involved you want to be with the person.

Here are some pictures as promised of the wedding this past weekend in Nacodoches or Naconowhere as Travis and Donny like to call it.



A kiss is just a kiss, unless it's from these guys. From left to right: Charlie, Jeff, Donny, and Travis. I tried 3 times to get this shot and everytime I was ready to take it someone would walk right in front of me. The nerve of some people. ;) But luckily these are some of the nicest boys around and they were willing to try one more time.



This is one of my favorite pictures of Travis and I. I love the hats that Charlie and Jeff made. I know. I know. You're probably thinking I'm on drugs but really they are pretty cool. Each groomsmen wore a traditional straw hat that was hand painted electric blue with canary yellow flames on the brim.



Here are Donny, Travis and Jeff. Donny and Travis have been friends for 22 years. They happen to be two of the nicest men I have ever met- and they are funny as hell. So, did you hear the one about. . . .Jeff was the best man in the wedding. He had the important roll of handling the ring and making a toast. Both of which he exceeded expectations~ snaps to Jeff!



Well excuse me, but I think you've got my chair. No that ones not taken, that'd be fine if you sit here. I'll be glad to share..... In this picture Robert, Chad, Travis, Charlie, and Donny are singing George Strait's, The Chair to Samantha. There is nothing I like more than someone singing to me. . . even if they intentionally sound like a dying cow- it's still going to melt my heart. =)

Hello all.

I just got in from one of the longest days ever. I left work at 4 which is 30 minutes later than normal. I'm usually out the door right at 3:30 and usually at 3:31 I make a call to Travis but not today. He ended up calling me at 4 wondering where I was.
I had to get some things taken care of at work, input some test scores into the computer and conference with a parent. As soon as that was done I decided to take the short cut home which ended up being the long way due to a stalled bus. Grrr.

Things got better once I met up with Kristine. I was on a big mission tonight to find an outfit for the wedding I am going to on Saturday. I thought I had found the perfect dress in Spring but I wanted to check out what Houston had to offer. So I met up with Krissy and we headed to Foley's. I found the cutest skirt- it's pink and black, A-line cut and really flattering! Then after trying on 10 different pairs of shoes I finally decided on some black strapy, high heeled shoes- very sexy. I sent Kristine on a personal mission while I made my decisions- her mission to find the perfect purse to go with the perfect skirt and the perfect shoes!
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED in under 5 minutes- in fact she made it to the cashier before I even handed the man my card. SNAPS for KRISSY all around.

So, now I'm going to pack my bag and shower and the head to my Travis' house. Today he had puppy duty- Lucy left him a big (actually small but just as smelly) surprise! How lucky!

While surfing the net I found an IQ test. I hate taking tests but since I metTravis he has opened my eyes to the wonderful world of riddles and thinking out of the box. I'm by no means the best at figuring out his brain-busters but I can usually figure out the easy ones.

Here is a sample question:

Walter is taller than Scott,
and Scott's little brother is taller than Roger.
Since Walter is not the tallest one of the four,
then Scott's little brother must be tallest.
True False

Post your answers on my TAG board located to the left of this blog!


My IQ score was 136. A person whose IQ score falls in the range of 129-143 is considered to be "highly intelligent".

My IQ score was based on my scores across 12 distinct aspects of intelligence. Like everyone, I have a unique intellectual makeup, with strengths and weaknesses that affect my methods of understanding, communication and relating to others. According to my results, my greatest intellectual strength is Processing Speed- is that a good thing?

Check out my new cell phone!

Not only is it a phone but it's also a camera. So now I can take pics whenever I want and that is just the coolest. What makes even cooler is that it's a flip-top phone and I have always wanted a flip-top phone. I always thought it would be so cool to flip it open with just your thumb- it's more fun than you think~

Travis and I took Lucy to the vet this afternoon. The vet was really nice and answered all of our questions about having a new puppy. Lucy has to go back in 3 weeks for a check up and to get her second round of shots.

The vet went ahead and put her on an antibiotic for her kennel cough. It is the worst sound in the world- especially when you are trying to sleep! Hopefully that will be gone in the next few days.

On our way out the vet gave us a puppy kit with all kinds of coupons and free samples of preventive medicine. It also had a free id tag for your pet. On the tag it has an id number and the address to www.getmehome.com. If Lucy is ever found missing her id number can be looked up and the pet and the owner's information pops up. I thought it was a great idea and signed her up right away!

Anyway, herrre are some pictures taken over the weekend at my parents house. Maxie loved playing ball with Lucy and Lucy loved the fresh air!

I almost forgot to tell everyone my EXCITING news!!!
I got a CHI hair straightner~ now my hair is straight- not frizzy! Shiny not dull! It even looks longer! You can purchase them at beauty salon's everywhere or you can order them off E-Bay. I got mine through Michelle, my new hair stylist. I'm not sure if it was the best deal but it who the heck cares when you've got hair like mine. LOL.
;)

Thanks be to Becky for introducing me to it over the summer and to Travis for convincing me to go get it!

This weekend Travis and I went on the search for the cutest puppy in the Houston area. We successfully completed the mission on Saturday afternoon. We came home with an 8 week old Chihuahua/Shar Pei puppy. She comes from the Chinese/Mexican border where the breed is often referred to as Chihua Pei or Sharhuahua.



Lucy all settled in her box.



Lucy dressed in one of Travis' socks. Lucy is very fashionable for a such a young pup.


So far things are going great for all of us. We have an appointment with the vet on Monday for a check up and to get her set-up for her next round of shots. I decided to sign her up on pet insurance- which to my surprise is really affordable.

Well it should be a fun weekend. I'm planning on bring Lucy to my parent's house this weekend because Stephanie and Maxie are coming in town on Friday. Saturday is Julie's baby shower and then Kristine and I are getting together on Sunday for a day of shopping. Travis gets back in town on Sunday night from the bachelor party in Tampa. He should have a great weekend there too- I think he said it was in the 80's there.

Happy Friday.

My dad's birthday celebration turned out great! Here are the pictures from the party.



Here's the birthday boy! Doesn't he look happy about turning sixty?!



My dad models his new stylish black embroidered hat. I'm not sure if it will ever sit on top of his head again.



The cake, the wish, the moment. Priceless.



Maxie poo getting all decked out for Grandad's happy day!



The girls before showtime!



My handsome date was Mr. Travis Slay Miller aka Mr. Wonderful!

Only one more day to go until FRIDAY.
I decided to take Friday off and spend it with my family.

My whole family is coming down for the big birthday bash on Saturday. My dad is turning 60!! Supposedly 30 people will be attending. It should be a lot of fun and the weather is supposed to be great! So most of my weekend will be spent with the gang in Spring- which is perfectly fine with me because I love my family!

Tomorrow Travis gets back in town from his field work out in Austin. Lucky guy. I can't wait to see him!
So right after school tomororw I'm packing my bags and heading to his place for the weekend- we are going to get him organized! I love organizing and cleaning! BONUS!

Finally I have a few minutes to journal about the events happening in my life.

I've been pretty busy with work. I'm trying to figure out what I'm doing wrong with my kids and why they are not listening to me. Travis and I have been thinking up new things everyone's but so far nothing has really worked. I just don't know what to do. Any ideas??

I did tell them about the Valentine party that is coming up and how if they didn't behave there would be no Valentine's party in Miss Johnson's class. How sad would that be?? Maybe I'll just let the ones who behave attend the super fabulous party.
Maybe then it'll sink in that good behavior equals special treats? Imagine that- good behavior = special treats.

This weekend I want to hang low. Travis mentioned something about going to the ranch in Buffalo tomorrow morning for some rest and relaxation. That's just what I need.

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You're a Practical Wizard
You understand what people need to do to be more practical in their lives. By keeping your distance, you are able to identify the best available resources. You're constantly conducting an investigation of how to better use money and cultivate talent.


The passionate you thrives on orchestrated plans. Figuring out how to make your ideas a reality and seeing things through to completion is the ultimate high. These pursuits empower your self-confidence.

The centered you knows who is capable of giving you unselfish devotion. You see where you belong. When all is quiet within, you celebrate each person for what they have done, not said or thought.

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