Karma....it always comes around

What comes around goes around...

In Texas, the very first workshop we went to started out fine. Then the presenter got up. The man talked SO FAST. I mean, I know I'm a fast talker, but this man was on dynamite speed. And you know those nervous habits we all have....Um, huh?, what?, well.....etc. This man said, "If you will..." OVER and OVER. It got so bad that my friend Denise turned to me and said, "I don't think I will...." ha!

Then I started keeping track....20 minutes and 28 tally marks later....We left. I thought, really, who should clue this man in? You'd think the company making the presentation with him would mention it, or even the poor man's wife. If my husband repeated one phrase more than once a minute for goodness sake, I think I'd be so annoyed I'd HAVE to clue him in.

The whole rest of the trip we successfully concluded most sentences to each other with, "If you will..." It was the joke of the trip for sure.

So..yesterday I'm sitting in reading groups at school. We're talking about decoding multisyllabic words and a student asks a question. I explain....blah, blah, blah....and finish with, "Does that make sense?" The student nods as another student chimes in, "Teacher, you say that a lot...." "I say what a lot?" "You say, 'Does that make sense?' a lot." "I do?!" I was completely shocked...I have NO idea I EVER say that phrase, let alone A LOT! The whole 6 student group nods simultaneously, assuring me, "Yes, teacher, you say it to the class all the time." I say, "Like when?" Still not quite believing this.... "Like all the time when you're teaching us during the day. You explain things, then you ask, 'Does that make sense?'" Wow.

So, I, trying to be funny and thinking of the famous "If you will..." man, say, "Ha...you guys should start keeping track of how many times I say it!" Little sweet student says, "I already am!!!" And points to the corner of her paper where there are 6 tally marks.

What comes around goes around...

Fashion

I wore a big, cowl neck sweater today.

Student: "Teacher, is your sweater on backwards? That looks like the hood."

Ellis Rocks!

This year, Ellis Elementary won the "Title 1 Distinguished School" award for closing the achievement gap! This means that despite rising lower-income and second language learner populations, our scores are still rising. Tomorrow I get to head to San Antonio with a really fun group of teachers and our principal to attend a Title 1 conference! It should be filled with great info and insight....plus warm weather!

P.S. I saw this cool poster outside our school on the fence and told RJ about it....little did I know he was the one who designed it!

YES!

Can't wait for next week...for the tell-all show! And I can't wait for the finale....I LOVE Molly and Melissa so far, so I am totally fine with whoever wins. Usually I totally want one and totally don't like the other.....this time, so far so good.


And I love that in the preview, Melissa busts out the knock knock jokes for Ty...smart girl. The key to any child's heart...a bad knock knock joke.

I don't buy the Deanna stuff. I think it's staged. But I do appreciate Chris's warning for "what you are about to experience" and how "dramatic and emotional" it is....

And what WAS that noise in the bathtub? The jets? The drain?

My prediction: Melissa. He just lights up around her...but I realize ABC is stellar at editing....

How is it even possible...

That my husband is THAT creative and cool?! Let me just tell you about my fabulous Valentine's Day....We take turns planning each year, and this year was his.

I woke up this morning to a dozen red roses, a very sweet card (I'd rather have a genuine handwritten card over any gift, any day), and a bowl of one of my favorite candies....cinnamon hearts.
This afternoon we went out to lunch with Sara and Bevin to Coppermill. It was yummy and fun....and Sara is way better at bringing her camera, so I'll post a pic from her later!

Then this afternoon I did some shopping while RJ had "some things to do..." Any Saturday spent shopping is just fine with me!
We went with RJ's family to see Slumdog Millionaire....I liked it, thought it was a great story...but may have snuck in a text to ChaCha midmovie to check on the running time because I felt like I had been watching the movie for six hours....Liked Gran Tarino better, but overall liked them both.

Then....the best part of the night. Rj said I needed to be gone for an hour. More shopping....Soon I got this text: "Dear Mrs. Cox, you have been selected to receive a nights stay at The Comfort House. We hope you enjoy your stay!" That was my cue to come home.I pulled up there was a welcome brochure on the door with the night's agenda. I was then whisked up the stairs for a hot bubble bath. He even had candles lit, music playing, and magazines to read for me! While I relaxed, he cooked a fabulous dinner! He had set out cozy pajamas for me....my Star Wars tshirt (thanks Amy!), and sweatpants....he knows me so well. I was then led down the stairs to "The Dining Room" (yes, there was even a sign) for a great dinner. There was a menu and all! The menu was....a fresh fruit cup, an italian salad, filet mignon, beans, and a baked potato, and fresh chocolate covered strawberries for dessert!
Sorry for the pic of half eaten food... but seriously friends, this meal was well-deserving of a picture...
Then....I was led upstairs to "The Massage Room" for a fabulous back massage, with music and a "fire" on the laptop! Overall, it was such a great day! I'll admit...I cried! I'm a wimp and was in my bubble bath reading a sad story in Glamour magazine....Has anyone read that?! It's about a guy who had a stroke and his wife taking care of him...whew, a real tear-jerker. Anyway, so I was reading it and thinking of how thoughtful RJ is. It was just one of those overcome with emotion moments. Cheesy, I know. But here's why....I got reminiscing and thinking of how I never would have guessed that I'd have a husband so giving, generous, and creative...ever. I got thinking about our last two Valentine's Day celebrations and how great each one was. But three years ago...I was in Texas, still semi-with my boyfriend at the time. If anyone has read He's Just Not That Into You....I was possibly the poster child for that. I had sent a super cool VDay package to my boyfriend and pathetically waited for some kind of recognition that it was even successfully delivered...let alone well-received (there was a $50 Best Buy card for goodness sake....who isn't grateful for that?!) Days later I finally called him...he mentioned nothing until I asked if he received the package.... "Oh, yeah, thanks." Hello....red flag....He's just not that into you....move on...and find the super cool guy that you actually mesh well with.

Anyway...long rant short....I had a moment of incredible thankfulness for my life as it is now from where it was, hope for everything that is ahead, and complete awe for the gratitude I am in for my husband. He planned the most perfect and fun day and I'm grateful that he's here with me everyday, staying at The Comfort House or not! Not only is he continually great to me...but it's the little things....like that he took the bacon off my filet mignon for me because he knows I hate it...and that he had a BIG diet coke in a wine glass for me, because he knows I'd rather sip a sophisticated glass of diet coke than sparking cider....So again...glad I found him, convinced him he liked me, and that we are stuck together forever!

???

I really want to post something new....but I can't think of anything....

My Life According to My iPod...

Music...

Rules:
1. Put your iPod on shuffle
2. Fill in each number with the NEXT SONG...
3. DON'T CHEAT!!


1. How am I feeling today?
Otis Redding- I've Got Dreams to Remember (ha, kinda funny considering my previous post about my crazy cold-meds-induced dream)

2. How far will I get in life?
Might As Well Get Juiced by The Rolling Stones

3. What is my best friend’s theme song?
Come Together by The Beatles

4. What was high school like?
Sympathy for the Devil by The Rolling Stones

6. What is in store for me this weekend?
As Is by Ani Defranco

7. What is the best thing about me?
Trouble by Coldplay (yikes!)

8. What song is about my parents?
Didn't Leave Nobody But the Baby- O Brother Where Art Thou Soundtrack (OK...I laughed out loud when this came up because when I was little my fam went grocery shopping...and my parents LEFT me in my stroller in the dairy section (on accident...I think...)! No one noticed until they were putting their groceries in the car, and my brother said, "Mama, where's Sissy?" ha!

9. How is my life going?
Square One by Coldplay

10. What song will they play at my funeral?
Shake it Off by Mariah Carey (really heartfelt...)

11. How does the world see me?
Good People by Jack Johnson

12. What do my friends think of me?
This is the Life by ???

13. Do people secretly think I’m good looking?
Hard Times- Elizabethtown Soundtrack (harsh!)

14. How can I make myself happy?
With A Shout by U2

15. What should I do with my life?
Cry Me a River by Justin Timberlake

16. What is some good advice?
Bust A Move by Young M.C. (seriously?! Has anyone seen me dance?! NOT a good idea...)

17. Will I get married?
Heart of Stone by The Rolling Stones

18. Where will I go in life?
Under My Thumb by The Rolling Stones (I must have a LOT of their songs...keep coming up...)

19. Will I have kids?
Fear of Bliss by Alanis

20. What is my current theme song?
When the World Ends by DMB

Monday Nights....

LOVE....
Melissa is just cute and fun...seemingly normal, so far....
Molly seems so like girl-next-door...loved the camping date. And I think someone else did her makeup in this picture, because...bleh. Too much.

Stephanie...means well...but OH SO cheesy! Can not handle her cooing and sing songing....
Shannon... I realize being a dental hygienist probably has its perks but less bleaching of the teeth...and for goodness sake, less CRYING...maybe less alcohol could be a factor as well?
Nikki...hasn't she ever been to camp, doing the cheesy get-to-know you, team-building games?! She needs to take a deep breath and just chill out....just go with it....
Natalie....so pretty...yet....SO high school cheerleaderish....and humble too, bonus. Direct quote, "I mean, I'm hot, so...."
Megan = Mean
Lauren...needs to keep the book He's Just Not That Into You on her bedside table at all times. Begging is not attractive.

And me? Yes....I may need more to do rather than overanalyzing reality tv.....

I'm crazy....

OK wow...I just woke up and had the weirdest dream that I had to blog about it so I could remember, and also to apparently make people think I'm crazy. But really, what does this mean?!

**Disclaimer: I did take heavy duty cold medicine before bed....

I'm asleep on my parents' couch in Salt Lake. My mom comes and wakes me up frantically saying that someone stole our bird, Ernie. (Ernie was our real bird...like 15 or 20 years ago). She points to the piano (that's not there anymore in real life), where is cage is supposed to be on top.

I look out the window and see my brother Nick's girlfriend-in-my-dream (GIMD....as opposed to his real-life girlfriend who is fabulous and would never steal a bird) with her weird short pixie cut that is orangy-blondeish on top and dark brown on bottom...backing out of our driveway in her BMW. I go outside and see the birdcage, with Ernie, in her backseat. I start yelling for her to stop, but she keeps backing out. I finally grasp the car door handle and open it. I grab her arm and scream, "Why are you stealing our bird?!" She says, "Because I want one." She won't give it back, but finally does.

Then I get all kinds of mean and protective sister like and say, "LISTEN. DO NOT EVER GET NEAR OUR HOUSE AGAIN. DO NOT EVEN SPEAK TO NICK OR LOOK AT HIM." Yikes. I don't think I can yell that loud or that firm in real life. We yell back and forth (no, no catfights here, just yelling).

Finally I'm about to go inside and GIMD says, "Wait. I just have one more question for you..." **Warning, if this wasn't weird enough for you, it gets weirder. She hands me her business card and says, "I usually have 4 cups of coffee in my car. I give one to the guy in my passenger seat and the other 3 to the guys in my backseat. Do you think that's ok?" And I reply, "Lady, if you have 4 guys in your car at once you have bigger problems that just who to give the coffee to..." and storm off in the house to wake Nick up. End of dream.

What the heck?! Dreams are so weird....why would I dream this?! I remembered soon after I woke up that I had taken cold medicine before bed, so that could have plenty to do with it....