I am so not a photographer, but I think this might be my all time favorite picture. |
That's right... I know you all are anxiously awaiting to read the latest installment in my ABCs of Happiness post, so here goes:
Oreos: Milk's favorite cookie. And my favorite cookie.
Orange Juice: Sometimes it just hits the spot! If you haven't tried Simply Orange, try it. It will be the only orange juice you will ever drink again!
I love the first snow fall of the season. It's just perfect. The snow is still pretty, and it's usually not interfering with traffic yet (although I do love a good snow day or two). I really love when it happens at night and I can just go outside and listen to the silence of the snow falling from the sky (snow lovers will understand that sentence, even if the rest of you don't). Yeah, I'm sad to drag out the jackets, and even sadder to officially retire the flip flops for the year, but somehow the first snowfall makes that all a little easier to stomach.
Author's Note: Apparently it snowed in Lexington in the wee hours of Black Friday morning. As I did not get back into town until that afternoon, I didn't actually get to see the snow falling, so, to me, that doesn't count. That means this morning, when I opened the door to leave the house and saw the big, fluffy flakes dropping gently from the grey sky, it was the first snowfall of the season.
I had issues with this place when I lived here, but somehow I forget all of that when I come to visit...

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I love lazy Saturdays!
(And here's the list in case you aren't Facebook friends with me)
2. I was always better friends with the guys growing up. Now I am friends with my friends' husbands. I like hanging with the guys.
3. I am an expert Google-r. If it's online, I will find it.
4. I have a near photographic memory. I remember what I had packed for lunch when my elementary school burned down, and the combination from my high school locker.
5. I rub my index finger and thumb together when I am nervous or uncomfortable.
6. I send/receive between 200-250 text messages a day. In contrast, I will go several days without actually talking on my phone.
7. I love doing things that I know I am good at. However, there's a chance I will become irrationally angry if I have to do something I know I am not good at (see: archery videos)
8. I love to make people laugh. Even better if it's an inside joke and no one else in the room gets it.
9. I love sports more than you do.
10. I am a night owl. If I could, I'd stay up all night, and sleep all day.
11. I don't understand the point of using one writing format (ie. APA vs MLA) on a paper. Just read the content. Why does it matter the fonts and margins and nonsense?
12. I am going back to graduate school (AGAIN) to get an administration certificate. I am not even sure that I want to be a principal anymore, but I think maybe it's just this class I am in now (see above APA rant).
13. I've been to 52 consecutive UK Football home games. I missed the Florida game in 03 and haven't missed one since.
14. Sometimes I really miss teaching. Especially when a friend who really loves teaching is telling a story about his or her classroom.
15. I can't imagine actually ever leaving Kentucky, but I'd really love to live near the ocean.
16. The first of my year is August, and the end is July. Too many years of functioning on a school year calendar will do that to you I guess. Maybe that's one of the reasons...
17. I HATE NEW YEAR'S EVE. It is by far, my least favorite holiday. (No offense Jerad!)
18. Every year in early April and early June, I stand and cry in the middle of Hallmark and cry as I read through birthday cards and father's day cards for my dad.
19. Every time I fly, I go back and forth from thinking that it's the coolest thing ever, to being sure I won't make it back to the ground in one piece.
20. I still love snow days.
21. Cream cheese should be its own food group. It's just so darn versatile!
22. Since I paid off all my debt several weeks ago, the only thing I've bought for myself are some cardigans and long sleeved t-shirts from Target. And they were on sale.
23. I love my friends.
24. I love my family.
25. I need to take more pictures. But as Megan McCarty says, "Our life is too fun to always stop and take pictures!"
26. I was so scared that when I left RDES, I wouldn't have any friends. I couldn't have been more wrong. They can't get rid of me that easily, and now I have new friends too!
27. Most used iPhone apps: texting (see #6), mail, Twitter, Facebook, imdb.
28. Starbucks Christmas flavors are one of my favorite things about the season
29. Very often when a situation presents itself in life, I'll say, "You know it's like that one Friends episode when..." You'd be amazed at how many things you can reference this way. (Unless you are Trish, and you won't be amazed, because you already know it!)
30. I could eat breakfast for every meal.
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On this 100th blog post, and the first in a week of thankful posts, I am thankful for my friends. I have long said that if you think you have the best friends, you are wrong, because I do. I know it sounds corny, Hallmark-y, and as my high school teacher friends would tell me, "SO elementary!" but I honestly don't know what I would do without my friends. I'm thankful for the friends that make me laugh (see: Beers, Melissa; also Cornelius, Lindsay), the ones that listen to all of my stories, put up with all of my issues, and love me just the same (see: McMillen, Autumn), the ones that love hearing the newest ridiculous thing I've done (see: McCarty, Megan), and the ones keep me sane through work stress and grad school (see: Holland, Heather). I'm thankful for new friends for letting me infiltrate their group (see: O'Bryan, Andi; also West High Math Department). I am thankful for the friends who do all of the above (see Wainman, Jennifer), and for all of those not listed who make me smile a little everyday!
I'm a very lucky girl.
If you know me at all, you know I am not a girly girl. Never have been. I have the most precious picture of me when I was about two in a red and white gingham dress and little blond pigtails...and skinned knees. I am that girl. The tree climber. The sports fan. The "I can get ready in 20 minutes including a shower" girl.
That being said, I do have a confession to make: I. Love. Sephora. I could spend hours testing out all of the fabulous colors of eyeshadow and lip gloss. I usually end up leaving with something ridiculous like gold eyeshadow (I mean, really, where do I go that I am ever going to wear this?) or yet another kind of shampoo and conditioner (another confession: I have four different kinds of shampoo and conditioner in my shower right now). When I walk in there, it makes me happy. Plus, you've got to love a store that sells a make up line with this name. (Thanks Christy for letting me borrow the Brian Fuller Thumbs Up for this picture!)
Author's Note: If I ever get to the letter S on my ABC's of Happiness post, I will for sure mention Sephora, but I just thought it needed its own post today.

Do you see it?
The little patch of blue sky behind the clouds? It's there.
I might've missed it. You might've missed it in the first picture. But look at the second one. Do you see how brilliant the blue is? It's barely there, but if the whole sky was lit up with that color, it might hurt your eyes to look at it.
I guess it just goes to show you that when all you see are shades of grey, and you've just about given up, there might be some color out there after all. Maybe every cloud does have a silver lining. Or maybe it has a brilliant blue sky behind it, just waiting to peek out and make you smile.
In Junior High, my BFF Becky and I made mixed tapes like they were going out of style. And they took time. There was no "all of this won't fit" iTunes message. You had to do the math. You'd look at the reel to see how much tape was left, and try to figure out the shortest song you had to fill the space. (We always squeezed in Janet Jackson's "Again" when nothing else would fit.) You also had to consider the recipient. Were you keeping it or giving it away? What kind of message
do you want to convey? Sometimes we'd make one side depressing songs and the other upbeat songs so the tape was versatile enough to fit any occasion. How would you make sure the songs flowed? You couldn't put two Aerosmith songs back to back regardless of how much they made you think of that certain boy. There had to be a buffer song or two in-between.
I listened to some of those tapes until I literally wore them out. Even now, there are old love songs I hear on the radio, and I know what should come next. (I guess music really does improve memory!)
Making a mixed tape was an art... An art lost on this generation. Just like kids today will never really understand what "Party like it's 1999!" means. Nor will they know why when you crank your arm while standing outside a car, the driver knows this means roll down your window.

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$0.00
Maybe when I get paid Friday, I'll take it all out in cash and roll around in it..

Actually, come to think of it, I used to work at a bank and saw people pull money from weird places. So nix that.
Maybe I'll just do a little shopping... :D

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I've endured 15 overtime periods (which STRESS ME OUT!)
I've seen 2777 points scored. 1537 by the Cats, 1240 by their opponents.
If you're a LSUKFF (Long Suffering UK Football Fan) like me, this one might surprise you. 27 wins-22 losses. I knew it was close, but I thought it would tilt the other way. I guess I have Woodson, Tamme and Co to thank for that.
Of the 27 wins, the average margin of victory was 18, with 10 of them (37%) being decided by one possession or less.
Of the 22 losses, the average margin of defeat was about 14 points, with 12 (55%) being decided by one possession or less.
Why all the stat work? you ask...
Well, today is a milestone. When I enter Commonwealth Stadium today, it will mark my 50th consecutive home game. I missed the Florida game in 2003 and I haven't missed one since. I didn't set out to reach this goal. In fact, I was a few seasons in before I realized I'd not missed a game in a while. But now that I am this far, I am all in. Watch out "Superfan" Jim Brown (and all of the other people with streaks longer than mine). I am younger than you. And I will outlast you. I sat through three losing seasons with this streak. I saw Florida beat us by 45 points. Hell, I saw Ohio University beat us by a couple of touchdowns. I can take it. I have staying power.
Hopefully I will be able to write a glorious post in the morning about knocking off the Dawgs. But either way, here's to the next 50 games.
Magical Saturdays at Commonwealth Stadium- Okay, I know that's a stretch, but c'mon, I have to mention last night's win against South Carolina!!!!
Mashed Potatoes-Carbs. Butter. Milk. Can't go wrong. It's my dish at all family gatherings, so I must've learned something from the great cooks in my family along the years!
Macaroni & Cheese-Carbs. Cheese. Butter. Milk. Can't go wrong!
Milkshakes-I know I talked about Ice Cream with I, but I'd really rather have a milkshake anyday. (Mmmm.... Crisps Peanut Butter Milkshake)
Memory-I have a ridiculous memory. I remember what I had packed for lunch the day my elementary school and what I was wearing the day my nephew was born. I love when a friend calls and wants me to settle a bet between two people because I was present when whatever it was was discussed, and they know that I will remember what happened!
M Friends-Turns out I have lots of friends who fall under this letter. MBeers, McGuire (who I guess could've been under J, but sometimes I forget he has a first name), Megan, Melanie, ML, even my UofL good luck charm Micah. Looks like people with M names are good at putting up with me. And each of these people know too much about me to ever NOT be my friends anymore! =)
Mint Kit Kats-Anyone ever have these? They were out around Christmas several years ago. I think Alisha and I bought every bag we could find. And then, they were gone. So really, thinking of them makes me sad and not happy. But remembering how fantastic they were? That does make me happy...
- You may think you have the best friends in the world, but you're wrong. I do.
- I love that it's just cool enough outside to elicit a breeze through my (of course) open windows, but not cold enough that the birds aren't outside chirping.
- This week was basically the longest week of my life
- ESPN College Game Day=Love
- Made $110 selling two textbooks on eBay the other day
- Pumpkin Spice creamer for my coffee makes me a happy girl
- I wish I would've gotten those Oreos at Target yesterday
- No tailgating again this week. Bummer.
- I hate Steve Spurrier
- Go Cats!
The One
The ABCs of Happiness: L

Laughter- There are few things in this world that I love more than laughter. Medicine, mood changer, calorie burner--however you look at it, it's a great thing to do. Sure, sometimes I need to have a good cry (And if that's the case, luckily, I know just how to make that happen!) but there's just about nothing that feels better than a good laugh.
Lexington-(See also: Kentucky) When I was a little girl and Dad would bring me to Midnight Madness, as I sat in line at Memorial Coliseum, I'd see the college girls crossing the street and think "That's going to be me one day..." And it was. And I'm still here!



Labrynth- As far as 80's movies goes, this one has all the elements: Jim Henson puppet characters, bad green screen effects, baby-sitting, apathetic parents, amazing soundtrack, and as an added bonus: David Bowie. It's pretty phenomenal.

Lindsay- After my second year of teaching, I was interviewing candidates for a 4th grade vacancy in the classroom that adjoined to mine. This cute blond came in and answered her questions like she'd just read the SAT Vocabulary book. I didn't even know what some of the crap she was saying meant! When she left, I told the committee, "I can't work with her, she uses too many big words!" But those big words landed her a job, and this cute blond and I quickly became friends (because she's friends with all kinds of people!) =) I love Lindsay for lots of reasons, but at the top of the list has to be that she's so upbeat that I never feel bad about myself when she's around. And at times, that was saying alot! I love my job now. If you know me, you know that. However, I can say with near certainty that I don't think I will ever be as happy at work as I was the two years I teamed with her.
And I'll try to get back in the habit of writing more often!
On my way back from New Jersey last week, my plane hit a touch of turbulence itself. Not as much as Emma's and not nearly enough to spill my guts to the old man next to me (he probably couldn't have handled my secrets anyway), but enough to make you wonder. What if something happens? What are my regrets? What do I wish I would've tried? What would I do different? What would I change about myself?
But of course, my plane did land safely. And there was no hot stranger in charge of my company when I got to work the next day. And I completely forgot all those things I was going to change...
A few weeks ago, my friend Andi asked me to come to her classes to let her students interview me to practice on their questioning skills. Most were simple: "What's your job title?" " Where'd you go to college?" "How long have you worked here?" But then they asked me one that stumped me: What would you change about your life if you could? I wasn't prepared to have to think during this interview! So I hemmed and hawed around, and then decided on the fact that I think I would've been just as happy being a high school teacher as I would being an elementary school teacher. Then later that evening, it hit me. I would've taken more chances. Not been so careful. Not been so guarded.
You know, you do only live once. You've got to make it count.
A little bit of rain, but not enough to damper my spirits
Tailgating and The Cat Walk
The promise and hope of a new season, a clean slate
This could be the year we beat Florida
Or South Carolina
Or Tennessee
In September, anything is possible
Being a resident of the third largest "city" in the state
Seeing my football family for the first time since November
My Old Kentucky Home, the new video intros, and the team taking the field
The coin toss and the UPS Game Ball Delivery
"It's Football Time in the Bluuuuuuuuuuegrass!!"
Then the opening kick
"First Down, Kentucky!!!! Wooooo!" (even if other people do think it's stupid)
The hits
The runs
The touchdowns
The sounds.
The smells.
The sights.
Praise the Lord, it's Football Season



- Kitchen: I love cookbooks. I love to cook. I love to bake. My kitchen is the main reason I chose this house. It's big and open, and blue and white to boot. Perfect for me!
- Kool-Aid: Even though some people think it tastes like Jello (only two people in the world will get that joke), I love my Kool-Aid. I have some purple in the fridge right now. And according to Alisha, purple is a flavor.
- Karaoke: My favorite way to spend time. And not just out at a bar somewhere (although I have rocked some karaoke at JD Legends). Anytime I can sing at the top of my lungs, I consider it Karaoke. I have a "Road Trip" playlist on my iPod that is basically Karaoke in the Car. I think I need to start keeping a hairbrush in my glove box.
- Kentucky: Bourbon. Basketball. Bluegrass. Backroads. Football, farms and all four seasons. The Derby. Corvettes. Hot browns. The real Land of Lincoln. (No matter what Illinois tries to tell you!) The landscape, the parks, and the people. I do love this place. A lot.

Dear MS. ERIN WAGGONER,
We wanted to let you know that your 2010 Football season tickets were sent to you on Tuesday, August 17, 2010 via 1st Class Mail.

Wonder if I'll run into Danielle Staub... :)

In a weird timing thing that I couldn’t have planned better, summer is ending, the new school year is beginning, and I am writing about the letter J. So here are the J things that make me happy:
June and July—I know I said that I was bored early into the summer, but I do love being off of work. Mostly because I am totally a night person, and I like staying up crazy late and then sleeping in until noon. However, it's not that hard to go back when I also love my...
Job—I have loved every job I have had in my teaching career (I am a firm believer that you can’t be a teacher if you don’t love it), but I really love my job now. I love being in all of the schools and meeting new people. I love being able to leave for lunch. I love not having to deal with irate parents. And I love…
JCTC—Basically lack of space has placed my office with the Administrative offices of our Career & Technical School in Jessamine County. There is no room at Central Office or DTO for me, but you know what? I wouldn’t have it any other way. The staff has accepted me as one of their own, I have made new friends, and I swear they have more potlucks than a country church.
And last, but certainly not least (in fact, most):
Jenny—I know that she goes by Jen now, but she will always be Jenny to me. I love this girl. There is something deeply comforting about having a friend that knows all of your secrets (and was present for some of them) but loves you anyway. We’ve known each other since we were eight, so we have been through some pretty rough stuff together: poor fashion choices (shoestring hairbows—who thought these were a good idea?), poor love choices, and heartbreaking loss, but through it all, I have always known she was there for me. We have so many inside jokes that sometimes we can just say one word (i.e. “Paintsville” or “Daffy's”) to each other and we will start cracking up. Some days we will talk on the phone for hours, and sometimes we will just send a few text messages, but we are always in touch. She makes me smile, she makes me laugh, she makes me feel good about myself, she makes me happy. It's cheesy and I may sound like a Hallmark card, but I can't imagine my life without her.
These pictures make me laugh so hard. This one was taken too soon (or maybe too late) by my self timer in a movie theatre in Philadelphia. We are were having one of those moments when we could not stop laughing.
And here's how excited we were about her marriage license. We are weirdos.
Okay, so some of you think that I have lost my mind, or perhaps that this blog post has been lost for eight months. But that's because you are all using the wrong calendar. The one that starts in January may make sense to you, but to me, today is New Year's Eve. I guess it's 8 years in the school system (not counting the years I was there on the other side of the big desk), but I consider August 1st New Year's Day. That's just the way my brain works. As such, here are my New Year's Resolutions:
- I will not stress about my job. The job I currently have is funded through a two year grant, this year being the second. However, with my tenure, I will have a job in 2011. It may be teaching Kindergarten (Lord help us all), but I will be employed. So there is no need to worry about what the job will be, because that's not going to help anything.
- I will not quit grad school. As some of you may know, I am working towards my second Master's Degree/Principal Certification. I have learned in these first two classes that I am not as motivated as I used to be. But I am not going to quit. (Besides, Heather would kill me)
- I will continue to make a conscious effort to stay positive even when the environment around me isn't.
Southern Belle
- SEC Football, SEC Basketball. Enough said.
- People in the south smile and say "Hello" when you pass them on the street. We aren't weird, that's just the way we were raised. You may walk past 100,000 people a day in NYC, but not a single one of them even looks at you.
- I can get sweet tea at restaurants. (Quick Side Note: I will never understand why some of my friends order unsweet tea and then add artificial sweeteners to it. There is no way that tastes better than sweet tea. And yes, they are saving calories, but is it worth it? Not to me, that's why I drink my tea with sugar. The way God intended.)
- We have great restaurants like Cracker Barrel, and more importantly, we know how to make the food on their menu at home.
- I like having four distinct seasons. Not too far north for a long winter, not too far south for sweltering heat all summer long. Like Goldilocks would say, Just Right!
- And my favorite: I can basically say anything I want about someone, and not be considered the least bit mean as long as I end it "Bless his/her heart."