Monday, September 26, 2011

conversations with seven year olds

While substitute teaching last Friday....


Me: Who is going to the ice cream social tonight (at school)?


Children: Me! Me! Me! Me!


1 Child in particular: Oh, gee, I can't Mrs. H, the American Legion has an 80's cover band tonight and I'm gettin' a free t-shirt.


: )


7 years old...

Friday, September 16, 2011

100 days till Christmas


just sayin'

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Pillow Talk

Tonight we are trying out new pillows in casa de H/D.


Fluffing and squishing until we find the just right, not too firm, not too fluffy, perfect pillow.


.....D is going to need therapy....


Three years ago I discovered my new husband's dirty little secret.


He had been using the same pillow for 10 years.


I kid you not.


HOLY DUST MITES!


Discovering this tragedy, I did what any self respecting, newly married housewife would do..


...I threw away his beloved pillow while he was at work : )


....that did not go so well.


D and I shopped and shopped to find a new pillow for him to rest his sweet head before finally settling on a hypoallergetic, synthetic down, lightly stuffed pillow from Kohls.


Well it's been 3 years and it's high time for that newer, beloved, pillow to hit the trash.


I purchased a variety of new pillows today for D to test out (don't worry, I'll keep and use the rejects for decorative pillows on guest beds) and tonight is night one of "The D and the Pea" aka "Project Goldilocks"


Wish D, I mean me, luck!

-h

Monday, September 12, 2011

Welcome Miss C!

Look who I got to love on this past Sunday!Last Wednesday I was thinking of my girlfriend D...well those thoughts must have put her into labor because that night, a mere 24 minutes after arriving at the hospital!!, she gave birth to this sweet, sweet girl. Not pleased at all about holding her!








Gradient, proud Mom







.....and curious big brother






Congratulations P family!






-h










Sunday, September 11, 2011

10 years

I was a Sophomore in high school in second period Spanish. The class period had just begun when an announcement came over the loud speaker. Immediately the tone in our Principal's voice made me fear the worst. I remember thinking "Has the president been assassinated?" ...that kind of a pause before speaking and then tone of voice.

Miss Voghn turned on the tv and we watched the first tower smolder. I remember being confused and not fully comprehending the severity and gravity of the situation. We watched tv during each of the 9 class periods of the school day.

I rode the bus home with a childhood friend that day. We stood in her driveway with our mother's talking about the day's events. My mom commented that she didn't know what would happen the next day, would we have school? work? would there be more planes? should we get bottled water? were we safe?

The next few days held prayer services and shock. As an (admittedly) self-centered 15 year old I knew this was a big deal but I had no way of knowing how big of a deal it truly was.

In August 2001 I had been in New York City on the 114th floor of Tower One eating lunch. My grandmother had taken me as a "grown" up girls weekend. I begrudgingly took pictures in front of the World Trade Center and rolled my eyes when she suggested we take matchboxes from the bathroom of Windows on the World. Now I treasure those pictures, the memories they hold, and their place in history.

As an adult my comprehension of 9/11 is painful. It hurts my heart to understand the horrifically devastating events of that day. The anguish of families. The terror. The tragic loss of life.

Our country is forever changed.

I am changed.

I am so proud to be an American and I will never forget.

God Bless,
H

Thursday, September 8, 2011

my poor neighbors..

Remember when D and I decided to replace our french patio doors with a sliding door?

yeah...

I love the new sliding door, but it's all glass and glass is see through and sometimes I forget that there are no longer shades in our kitchen.

For instance: an impromptu dance party while swiffering in your pj's creates an embarrassing situation when your sweet neighbor comes by to check on you because your husband is out of town and there you are shaking your behind with lady gaga and mopping the floor in a tank top...

yeah...

: )


Halley's Dance Party Playlist


Tonight Tonight- Hot Chelle Rae

Animal- Glee Cast

Moves Like Jagger- Maroon 5

Edge of Glory- Lady Gaga

Last Friday Night- Katy Perry


Sheesh, now I am embarrassed by my teenager music...


-h

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

whispers of fall

The weather 'round these parts has been crazy, abnormally hot and less than one week later cool and rainy. I so prefer the cooler weather...jeans, a long sleeve t-shirt, and a scarf? Yes, please!

School is back in session. I've been substitute teaching for 2.5 years now and this is the busiest Aug/Sept I've ever had. As in, school started on a Wednesday and I was subbing on Friday. Truthfully I am in a really good place with my "job" right now. Not being able to find a teaching position after college hurt my pride a.l.o.t. I was an overachieving, freshly graduated, newlywed, in a new city, without any connections in the district. 2.5 years later I have built relationships with teachers and principals and a reputation for myself based on my work ethic, not who I know, and I'm proud. : ) There have only been 10 days of school in the 2011-2012 school year and I've worked 4 of them with another 10 on the books. I've never felt so rallied by a staff and appreciated and I'm thankful.

Bragfest over.

Pumpkin spice lattes are beginning to make their way back to coffee shops. I really only like coffee/latte type things in the fall and winter and really only the seasonal flavors.

I am so ready for the ho hum normalcy of fall and winter. D and I have been on the go all summer. The prospect of lazy evenings by the fire, movies, and soup (because really I only make that in the fall and winter too) make me happy. really happy.

I ordered my invitations for the pumpkin carving party (our 4th annual) earlier this week. I stinking loove the tradition of this party. I am thinking of ways to reduce even more stress in planning and hosting the party this year....like having a keg instead of agonizing over pumpkin beers and ordering a party tray for Costco. PLUS I am not allowed to buy any decorations so I don't need to worry about that!

I am thinking about people with D names tonight...my D in Alaska and my girlfriend D who is going to have another sweet baby (girl?) any day now.

-h

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Monday, September 5, 2011

a christmas bonus

The great thing about blogs is finding inexpensive, do it yourself, decorating projects. For the past few years I have lived for finding unique, easy, and impressive ways to adorne the walls of my home.

Well, a five dollar project here, a perfect twenty dollar wreath there, and a too good sale to pass up...just about everywhere and before you know it those inexpensive projects become expensive.

Last year I went hog wild purchasing clearance seasonal decor. Now my basement looks like Hobby Lobby. No joke.

So I'm pledging not to purchase ANY seasonal decor this fall or Christmas season (other than D and I's yearly ornament).

zero. zilch. nada.

I anticipate withdrawal symptoms starting tomorrow. ha!

Seriously though, I spent so much money (in super small, but frequent, quantities) last year, that not buying any decor this year will be like a Christmas bonus. All the more money to spend on present right? : )

I'll be blogging about my adventures in free decor, reusing what I've got, and repurposing old decorations in new and innovative ways.

Wish me luck!
-h