MarchAprilMay

I love it when the third nine weeks ends and we are in the last stretch of school! We have three weeks of testing this nine weeks - so that only means 6 weeks of therapy. Just about all of my students are where I want them to be so progress has been good. We also have an Americal Idol contest going on - each week we predict who is being voted off and we keep track of who predicts correctly. Right now we all have 0 points!

Last week I went with my GRITS friends to paint a picture at a local framing store. We painted Fleur de lies! It was fun - although it was more like coloring with oil paints that true painting. Mine is decent although I wish I had some more paint to work on it. My Mom always used to say her painting wasn't finished - now I know what she means - although my ability is no where near hers! I wouldn't mind trying another one!

Gee and I spent last weekend cleaning the garage and planting flowers/veggies. It was a beautiful weekend and we really enjoyed being outside. Daddy and Gee ran the crawfish pond on Sunday - they caught a few and boiled them at Mom and Dad's. Gee also ran it this week but we think someone ran it before us so we didn't get very many. So Gee cooked steaks instead - yum!!!

Sangria's is the best ever!!!

Well I must say I that the food I ate at Sangria's Restaurant is the best food I've had in a long time! We were treated to a palatal feast - san pedrito, brisket burritos, sangria special salad,
camerones de diablo, lime pie - we had so many delicious samples. Mmmmmmmmmm. Another successful gourmet with good friends, good food, good drinks!!! If you haven't been there - go now!!! I wish I could!!! Check out website

http://sangriagrillandbar.com/index.html

Friday night was a good time also - Brittany, Jimmy, Zac, Jenna, Gee and I saw Cirque du Soleil - Saltimbanco - in Baton Rouge. This was my second Cirque performance and I was not disappointed - it was outstanding. We went to Sangria's before and after - love the white Sangria. We spent the night at Zac's and played with Brie - she is precious and a bundle of energy. It was nice to spend time with the kids.

Pumped!!!

Body pump classes are finally getting easier - and I increased my weights! I'm still a light weight compared to some of the others in the class but it does feel good to be past the beginning - constantly sore - wondering if I should be doing this - stage. My only problem are lunges. Do to old age (yes I am briefly admitting it) I have a wierd foot problem and can't do lunges (woohoo). But - all other exercises are good to go!!!

Last Sunday we went to John's viewing stands on the parade route on Veterans. I'm impressed! The stands are huge and a large part of it is covered. There was lots of room to stand, sit, or whatever. We stayed for two parades and in between I went with Britt and Jimmy to meet Jack and Sam - their new kittens. They were so cute - and of course loved their Mimi. We had lots of fun being with the family and enjoying the parade - even saw Dave and Lige on the float!!!

I am so ready for a few days off next week - and so are the kids. Mardi Gras has them hyped up and the atmosphere at school is a little crazy. We all need a break - two more days!

Time to watch the end of American Idol so I can see who they kept...

Weekend Fun

Gee and I had such a fun and relaxing weekend. Friday night was my dad's birthday and we had a party for him with family and friends. Gail's gumbo was awesome and I think he really enjoyed his presents. It was nice to see my family - we just don't do that often enough.

Saturday morning we left for Lafayette. It was Kayla's 21st birthday so Janice and Lige had a crawfish boil in her honor. It was a beautiful day with high's in the 70's (my favorite temperature!) and we had a great time visiting and meeting Kayla's friends. Most of us ended up at the Tap Room later that night - including Zac and several of his friends. It's really nice- has a very upscale feeling and tons of people were there. It's located in River Ranch - a beautiful community - sort of a town within a town.

Some of you may know that Gee and I have terrible luck in hotels - we ALWAYS end up by the noisy people and we never get much sleep. Well Gee and I are telling Zac about some of our experiences as we are walking to our room and what do we hear but a room full of people laughing and talking really loud. And the closer we get to our room the louder it gets. They were right next door - unbelieveable! - not again! So we decided that if they didn't settle down that night we were going to complain. Well it ended up being fine and we were able to sleep - but really - of all the luck!

Sunday we went to Bass Pro Shop in Denhim Springs. I've been to several of these stores but never one like this one. It's huge - way bigger that any I've ever seen and absolutely beautiful inside. It was like being outdoors! I didn't look at much of the merchandise - I couldn't get over the building! We didn't buy anything but we did have fun. We also went through a few antique shops - I bought a pretty blue glass bowl for $6.50 and we bought a bay leaf tree at a nursery - Gee has been wanting one - now all we need is the crawfish!

So our weekend was the greatest - my husband is the greatest - and now - time to read my book! Bye!

I Love Ribs!!!!

Angelle was right - ribs in the crock pot are awesome! Here's what Gee did:

For two racks of ribs - serves 4:

Mix together 1 small bottle paprika, 2 TBS white sugar, 1 tsp onion powder, salt and pepper. Rub on raw ribs and place in a ziploc bag to marinate 4-6 hours or overnight. This is a receipe from the Neely's I believe - and actually we only marinated ours for about and hour and an half. Gee also added a little BBQ sauce to the bag - just use your favorite.

Place in a crock pot on high for 5 hours. Slice, resauce, and put back in crock pot for another hour to hour and a half or until tender. YUM!!! Enjoy!

Miscellaneous stuff

I just brought a book that Gee and I are talking about right now - it's called "Eat This, Not That". There are several versions - one for eating out - one for kids - but I bought the one for the supermarket. It compares lots of stuff like different cheeses and makes recommendations for what is healthier. Angelle - your white/wheat bread is on the Eat This! side. Anyway - the book is faily inexpensive and I think we will use it to identify healthier choices at the grocery store.

Gee and I have lots of upcoming plans - I'm so excited because we have been staying home a lot. But we have a trip to Lafayette to go the the TAP Room and a trip to Baton Rouge to go to Sangria's and a trip to LaPlace for a superbowl party! We were hoping for an overnight trip to New Orleans and basketball game but that was canceled for a fishing trip for Gee - oh well - it's a really neat fishing opportunity. I also have a wedding shower that I am helping to give, a Mardi Gras tea, and a spring wedding in Alabama. So - yeah - things to look forward to!

I went to an art festival in Houma today and although there were very few booths (it's a new festival) I bought two beautiful, inexpensive necklaces. The artist is making earing to match both necklaces - can't wait. I have a beach glass bracelet that I'm not happy with - maybe I'll get her to redo it into a necklace. Hmmmm.

Well after my first week back at work - of which I missed about half since I was at home/doctor's office sick! - another Friday night is here. And although all I'm doing is surfing the internet, reading, and watching a little tv - I love it!!! Wierd - how we are supposed to try to enjoy each moment of our lives - not always looking back or forward - but still there is the lure of a Friday night for working people - the beginning of the weekend.

I am a little tired - today all of the students who had an A or B in conduct for the 2nd nine weeks - got to attend a "dance". We had a DJ in the backyard along with other fun things for the kids to do. This went on all day because the kids attended one grade level at a time. I think those of us who "worked" the event enjoyed it as much as the kids! How many jobs allows you to spend the day dancing with a bunch of little kids with a DJ all day? They were precious and we had a great time. Once again - I love my job!!! It's so cool that I could retire in April and I'm not ready. I am NOT one of those burned out teachers counting the days - I am so blessed!

So I just finished the book Angelle gave me for Christmas - "The Hour I First Believed" by Wally Lamb. He is such a great writer - but his characters suffer so much. I'm never sure after finishing one of his books if I liked it or not - but I am always glad I read it. So do I recommend that you read it - hmmmmmmmmmmm - I just don't know!

Tomorrow Britt and I are going wedding dress shopping- woohoo!!! How will it be to see my precious daughter in a wedding dress? I can't imagine really. Another moment in time to be treasured always! I can't wait - B. Love you!