I took my new camera out to take some shots of local scenery just to play around with the settings and the editing software. I can't wait to take the classes Doug got me for Christmas to really learn to dig into all the camera capabilities.
Monday, January 19, 2015
Winter Shots
January 19, 2015
I took my new camera out to take some shots of local scenery just to play around with the settings and the editing software. I can't wait to take the classes Doug got me for Christmas to really learn to dig into all the camera capabilities.
I took my new camera out to take some shots of local scenery just to play around with the settings and the editing software. I can't wait to take the classes Doug got me for Christmas to really learn to dig into all the camera capabilities.
Sunday, January 11, 2015
Awards Season Kick-Off
January 11, 2015
It's that time of year again--Awards Season! This is the time of year Doug and I love, being pop culture junkies that we are. Tonight the Golden Globes were on, hosted by Tina Fey and Amy Poehler (who did a fabulous job, as they have done in previous years). You know what my biggest take-away on the night was? There were an awful lot of movies up for awards this year that we definitely haven't seen, which means we've got some movies to watch before our upcoming Oscar Party!
It's that time of year again--Awards Season! This is the time of year Doug and I love, being pop culture junkies that we are. Tonight the Golden Globes were on, hosted by Tina Fey and Amy Poehler (who did a fabulous job, as they have done in previous years). You know what my biggest take-away on the night was? There were an awful lot of movies up for awards this year that we definitely haven't seen, which means we've got some movies to watch before our upcoming Oscar Party!
Saturday, January 10, 2015
Hume Lake
January 10, 2015
Danielle went up to church camp this weekend with her youth group, which includes two of her besties, Megan and Maddie. They got to hear a speaker, study the Bible, hike, build a bobsled, and of course, play broom hockey (the highlight for Danielle). I can't wait to hear all about it when she comes home!
Here are some pictures that one of the youth pastors posted:
Danielle went up to church camp this weekend with her youth group, which includes two of her besties, Megan and Maddie. They got to hear a speaker, study the Bible, hike, build a bobsled, and of course, play broom hockey (the highlight for Danielle). I can't wait to hear all about it when she comes home!
Here are some pictures that one of the youth pastors posted:
Friday, January 9, 2015
Yellow is Not My Color
January 9, 2015
Finally finishing up another week of before and after school duty. Something about that highlighter-yellow safety vest makes the task even less appealing. Honestly, I don't mind standing out in the yard so much, because I like seeing the kids who stop by and say hello--it's just that it makes the whole day hectic. You've got to run to class before the bell rings with no time to compose yourself before class, and then you've got to rush the kids out the door at the end of the day to get back out to the yard--no answering last minute questions or chit-chatting with the kids as they head out the door. But the yellow vest? Yeah, that makes it even worse.
Finally finishing up another week of before and after school duty. Something about that highlighter-yellow safety vest makes the task even less appealing. Honestly, I don't mind standing out in the yard so much, because I like seeing the kids who stop by and say hello--it's just that it makes the whole day hectic. You've got to run to class before the bell rings with no time to compose yourself before class, and then you've got to rush the kids out the door at the end of the day to get back out to the yard--no answering last minute questions or chit-chatting with the kids as they head out the door. But the yellow vest? Yeah, that makes it even worse.
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Almost Winter Formal Time...
January 8, 2015
We took Nicholas to pick out his tux for the upcoming Winter Formal. I think he and his girlfriend are going to look fabulous in green!
We took Nicholas to pick out his tux for the upcoming Winter Formal. I think he and his girlfriend are going to look fabulous in green!
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Oooommm
January 7, 2015
You know how some people are sheepish to try new things because they feel they'll stand out for not knowing the protocol? For being unfamiliar with how things work? Well, that's one of the main reasons I've never tried yoga--that and the fact that my sis and partner-in-crime lives too far away to make it practical for her to come join me for a yoga class. (We don't mind being novices together--we have a lot of fun adventures that way.) However, recently some of the gals from my book club decided it would be fun for us to take yoga together. Some of them are yoga regulars, or at least were at some time in their lives, and some of us have never done it before. But the 'we're all in it together' aspect really appeals to me, so I was all in.
I went to my first class tonight with the handful of women who were able to make it work, schedule-wise. It was the 'Chill' yoga class, which was a lot of stretching and breathing--just what this formerly flexible body needed. I understand that some of the other classes are a bit harder, so I'm glad I started with this one, but I don't think I'm averse to trying out those other ones either. I have a pass for ten sessions/classes, and I'm already thinking I'll probably add more classes when I've used all of mine. These friends of mine were just the impetus I needed to try out something new!
You know how some people are sheepish to try new things because they feel they'll stand out for not knowing the protocol? For being unfamiliar with how things work? Well, that's one of the main reasons I've never tried yoga--that and the fact that my sis and partner-in-crime lives too far away to make it practical for her to come join me for a yoga class. (We don't mind being novices together--we have a lot of fun adventures that way.) However, recently some of the gals from my book club decided it would be fun for us to take yoga together. Some of them are yoga regulars, or at least were at some time in their lives, and some of us have never done it before. But the 'we're all in it together' aspect really appeals to me, so I was all in.
I went to my first class tonight with the handful of women who were able to make it work, schedule-wise. It was the 'Chill' yoga class, which was a lot of stretching and breathing--just what this formerly flexible body needed. I understand that some of the other classes are a bit harder, so I'm glad I started with this one, but I don't think I'm averse to trying out those other ones either. I have a pass for ten sessions/classes, and I'm already thinking I'll probably add more classes when I've used all of mine. These friends of mine were just the impetus I needed to try out something new!
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Nicholas and Treasa
January 6, 2015
Nicholas and his girlfriend Treasa celebrated their 8 month anniversary today, which is quite a feat in high school. He took her out to dinner at Red Robin. I think they are so sweet together--they really seem to 'get' each other, and they both know how to make the other smile and laugh. I'm looking forward to seeing them get all dressed up for the Winter Formal in a few weeks!
Nicholas and his girlfriend Treasa celebrated their 8 month anniversary today, which is quite a feat in high school. He took her out to dinner at Red Robin. I think they are so sweet together--they really seem to 'get' each other, and they both know how to make the other smile and laugh. I'm looking forward to seeing them get all dressed up for the Winter Formal in a few weeks!
Monday, January 5, 2015
Getting the Lame Days Out of the Way Early in 2015, Apparently
January 5, 2015
I went back to work today, after a lovely Christmas and New Year's break. The kids didn't have school, but I had an inservice to attend at the district office right up the road from my house. I walked out of the house with my computer bag slung over my shoulder. Somewhere in my brain I was thinking it was my purse--you know, the place where I keep my car keys and house keys--which I realized when I got to my locked car and couldn't get in. And then couldn't get back into my house to get the keys, because I had locked the front door. Grrr!
Doug also went back to work today. He was already at his site about an hour away. And wouldn't you know it, Nicholas and Danielle (who were both at their dad's house this morning) have both misplaced their house keys. As I said, the district office is only a couple of blocks away, so I decided my best bet was to hoof it there and rely on one of my friends to get me to lunch and back home at the end of the day, where I figured I'd just wait it out til Doug got home.
I called my good friend Mo, who was also on her way to the inservice, and she was able to swing by and pick me up so I didn't have to walk all the way. Later when I texted Doug to let him know how my day had started, he was able to go on a work errand that brought him back to Clovis and he was able to stop by the house and bring me my purse and keys. He's awesome!
Even though it all worked out and it wasn't a huge inconvenience, it was a harbinger of the lameness that followed me through the rest of the day: I knocked things over, I tripped, I dropped things--all day long. I have no explanation for this. I mean, I'm no paragon of grace, but I'm not generally this ridiculously klutzy. I'm hoping I just sort of concentrated all that nonsense into one day so that the next several will be awesome.
I went back to work today, after a lovely Christmas and New Year's break. The kids didn't have school, but I had an inservice to attend at the district office right up the road from my house. I walked out of the house with my computer bag slung over my shoulder. Somewhere in my brain I was thinking it was my purse--you know, the place where I keep my car keys and house keys--which I realized when I got to my locked car and couldn't get in. And then couldn't get back into my house to get the keys, because I had locked the front door. Grrr!
Doug also went back to work today. He was already at his site about an hour away. And wouldn't you know it, Nicholas and Danielle (who were both at their dad's house this morning) have both misplaced their house keys. As I said, the district office is only a couple of blocks away, so I decided my best bet was to hoof it there and rely on one of my friends to get me to lunch and back home at the end of the day, where I figured I'd just wait it out til Doug got home.
I called my good friend Mo, who was also on her way to the inservice, and she was able to swing by and pick me up so I didn't have to walk all the way. Later when I texted Doug to let him know how my day had started, he was able to go on a work errand that brought him back to Clovis and he was able to stop by the house and bring me my purse and keys. He's awesome!
Even though it all worked out and it wasn't a huge inconvenience, it was a harbinger of the lameness that followed me through the rest of the day: I knocked things over, I tripped, I dropped things--all day long. I have no explanation for this. I mean, I'm no paragon of grace, but I'm not generally this ridiculously klutzy. I'm hoping I just sort of concentrated all that nonsense into one day so that the next several will be awesome.
Sunday, January 4, 2015
Fun With Backdrops
January 4, 2015
Last November Doug and I went to our friend Rick's wedding. One of Rick's good friends is a photographer, and she did not only his pictures, but offered fun sittings for the guests as well. Last night we finally got to see the end result:
Last November Doug and I went to our friend Rick's wedding. One of Rick's good friends is a photographer, and she did not only his pictures, but offered fun sittings for the guests as well. Last night we finally got to see the end result:
Saturday, January 3, 2015
Robotics Kickoff
January 3, 2015
Today was kickoff day for the 2015 Robotics season. This will be Nicholas' fourth and final year working with the Buchanan High Bird Brains, and once again he'll be working with the fabrication team to build the actual robotic that the team will take into competition. We're looking forward to an exciting season for Nicholas' senior year!
One of the things I think is pretty cool about the robotics team is that former members are life-long supporters of the organization. As a matter of fact, both Buchanan's head coach and the head of the Central Valley First Lego League (the Lego robotics teams that are the precursor to high school robotics) are former Buchanan Robotics Team members, or Bird Brains, as they are affectionately known. At today's kickoff, several former team members were in attendance to show their support and mentorship. Many of them I was privileged to have in my A.P. Literature course over the years. I got to snap a quick photo of some of my former (and current) kiddos: Ned Ta, Emma Hansen-Smith, Carter Dana, and of course, Nicholas. (Three years ago, two years ago, last year, and current, respectively.)
Today was kickoff day for the 2015 Robotics season. This will be Nicholas' fourth and final year working with the Buchanan High Bird Brains, and once again he'll be working with the fabrication team to build the actual robotic that the team will take into competition. We're looking forward to an exciting season for Nicholas' senior year!
One of the things I think is pretty cool about the robotics team is that former members are life-long supporters of the organization. As a matter of fact, both Buchanan's head coach and the head of the Central Valley First Lego League (the Lego robotics teams that are the precursor to high school robotics) are former Buchanan Robotics Team members, or Bird Brains, as they are affectionately known. At today's kickoff, several former team members were in attendance to show their support and mentorship. Many of them I was privileged to have in my A.P. Literature course over the years. I got to snap a quick photo of some of my former (and current) kiddos: Ned Ta, Emma Hansen-Smith, Carter Dana, and of course, Nicholas. (Three years ago, two years ago, last year, and current, respectively.)
Friday, January 2, 2015
Book Scavenger Hunt
January 2, 2015
Yesterday Lisa and I took the kids to Barnes and Noble. In addition to letting Nicholas and Danielle each get a book of their choice, I also decided I wanted to play a little game, just to do something different and fun. We all had to look around and find three or four book titles that described something about who we are--titles that resonated with us in some way. (These were not necessarily books we wanted to read; just apt titles.) I think we came up with some creative ones!
Yesterday Lisa and I took the kids to Barnes and Noble. In addition to letting Nicholas and Danielle each get a book of their choice, I also decided I wanted to play a little game, just to do something different and fun. We all had to look around and find three or four book titles that described something about who we are--titles that resonated with us in some way. (These were not necessarily books we wanted to read; just apt titles.) I think we came up with some creative ones!
Nicholas' choices:
Danielle's choices:
My choices:
Lisa's choices:
Thursday, January 1, 2015
Welcome to 2015!
January 1, 2015
2014 was a pretty good year for me personally and professionally, and it's been a great year for Doug and all the kids, too. This coming year, with a couple of graduations on the horizon, we are looking forward to even more celebrations. Doug and I spent our New Year's Eve at Capo's with friends, having great conversation over dinner and then listening to Max Headroom play 80's music until midnight ushered in 2015. It was a beautiful night!
2014 was a pretty good year for me personally and professionally, and it's been a great year for Doug and all the kids, too. This coming year, with a couple of graduations on the horizon, we are looking forward to even more celebrations. Doug and I spent our New Year's Eve at Capo's with friends, having great conversation over dinner and then listening to Max Headroom play 80's music until midnight ushered in 2015. It was a beautiful night!
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