August Happiness Challenge Day 1
I am happy today because of all my friends I have made through my blog. I love you guys!!!!!
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August 2006
August 01, 2006
August 02, 2006
Happiness Challenge Day 2
I am not sure how it got started but when I put my youngest to bed we have a new kissing sequence. I kiss each cheek then her lips. Then she kisses each of my cheeks and then my lips. Then we kiss each others cheeks at the same time (each side) and then on the lips. Oldest had heard us, so now she gets the same sequence. Try it one time and see if you can do it without giggling or smiling. I haven't yet. And that makes me happy.
August 03, 2006
We are on the cover of the Texas Media Guide
The Univeristy of Texas media guide came in the mail today. It is much smaller due to new NCAA limitations.
This year it has cool halograms on both the front and the back cover. On the front there is a picture of the stadium and you can see out seats. And if it was taken in the last 6 years, then we are in the picture. Maybe a spec, but still!
I took this picture at an angle to get the halogram. The rest of the cover is in the extended entry.
This also counts for my August Happiness Challenge entry, since getting the media guide is cool.
August 04, 2006
Happiness Challenge Day 4
It pays off to take interest in people. About a month ago I was talking with a chic from another department. I discovered that she lives about a mile from me. Knowing my husband would be starting a new job in Fort Worth in a few weeks, I asked if she wanted to carpool. (No more carpooling with him.) Of course she said yes. We would both love so save money since it is about an hour drive and approximately 40 miles one way. I am so happy to have a new carpool buddy. And someone to talk to. Wooo hoooo!
August 05, 2006
Happiness Challenge Day 5
I am happy that I don't have same drama in my life as certain TV shows.
August 06, 2006
Happiness Challenge Day 6
Today I am happy since my anti-MIL is helping me towards the path of domestication. She bought me a sewing machine for Christmas. Today she showed me how to hem some jeans that were to long. Next I will make pillows for the girls room and then whatever else comes to mind.
August 07, 2006
Happiness Challenge Day 7
Not only do I look very cool - my feet are VERY comfortable in these.
August 08, 2006
Happy Bloggers
Below is a link to everyone I could find that is participating in the August Happiness Challenge. Please let me know if I missed anyone.
Pretty Purple Princess (the originator of the challenge)
Big Orange Michael (found out about the challenge from him)
Kristina
Southern Girl
Sarah
Blue Grass Mama
Empress
Primo Donna - My Mom!!!
Call Me Grandma
Buzz Stuff
Cathy
Happiness Challenge Day 8
A nice glass of sweet iced tea makes me happy!
Quick Blog Redo
Don't have time to squeeze in a design before football season. And I am itching for burnt orange. So we will go with this until I have time to come up with something better. I have a few sites I am helping with and I really need to get those done.
Are you ready for some football posts?
August 10, 2006
Happiness Challenge Day 9
My brother came over for dinner last night. It made me very happy.
Happiness Challenge Day 10
Knowing that tomorrow is Friday.
How do you know you are having a crazy day?
...when you realize that you have a pen stuck above each ear and one in your hand. And then you don't remember how the pens got there....
August 11, 2006
Happiness Challenge Day 11
Today my post is not about something that makes me happy, but something that makes my Oldest happy. Today they spent the day with their Granny and Papa (my anti-InLaws). The painted, crafted, and painted some more. During the day Oldest told Granny, "Not everyone in my class has a Granny that is an artist and has all these art supplies!"
Other happy bloggers can be found here.
August 12, 2006
It's getting closer
Media Guide? Check!
New category for my blog? Season 2006, check!
Tickets? Check! Click the image below for a better view of the tickets....
This year they make a neat image when they are all together. Notice how they have the TEXAS flags across the back? Very neat!
(oh ya, I am happy to get the tickets! So this post meets the requirements of the August Happiness Challenge.)
August 13, 2006
Happiness Challenge Day 13
My two beatiful girls make me very happy. Along with my anti-MIL's photography skills.
Can You Help Remember?
August 14, 2006
Happiness Challenge Day 14
Happiness is having a job flexible enough to allow me to take my girls to school on the first day. Oldest will be starting 1st grade and Youngest will be in Kindergarten. And I get to sleep in!
Happy Birthday Dad!!!
Here is an entry from last year on my old blog. Everything still applies but the age. I think it is worth repeating.
Dad,
Today you turn 60. But you don't seem 60 years old. You seem so young to me. Not that 60 is old, or anything. Today I would like to tell you why I am glad you are my Dad. You gave me a great sense of humor. You taught me to accept others. I don't remember you ever saying a mean thing about anyone. Your teasing gave me thicker skin. (Not literally!) When I asked you not to tease me, you wouldn't. You let me skip on Senior Skip Day. You tried to teach me to drive a stick, but realized when to give up. You came to all of my extra-curricular activities. Sometimes you and Mom were the only parents there. You supported me in things I wanted to do, even if you did not totally agree. You still buy me dinner, even if I can pay. If you could help me, you would.
I remember one time when I was around 8 or so, we were at a late party. You let me sit in your lap and lay my head on your chest. I remember listening to your voice, but not what you were saying, while falling half asleep. It was such a nice feeling.
I remember you coming home from work and calling my friends and I "boys". It still makes me laugh.
I remember in Hawaii driving places with just me and you. I loved our converstations with just us. I still enjoy "car talking."
I remember asking you why you let me date G.I.'s in High School. You told me "I used to be one, so how could I say you can't date them?"
I remember you in at the hospital when both the girls were born. It was nice that you were there as long as they let you stay.
You have always treated me with respect, love, and care.
You are a great Grandpa.
I love you, Dad. Happy Birthday!
It's all about comfort
The first game of the season falls on our anniversary weekend, so we usually stay in Austin. Last year we met some friends at a hotel bar. It is a four star hotel and had a very nice interior. I asked our friends if they liked staying there and they enjoyed it. This year when it came time to make reservations, I compared the rates with our regular three star hotel. It was the same if you added in the fee for internet. I wanted to stay at the nicer hotel but as I researched it and looked at reviews, I noticed I was seeking out the bad reviews and taking them into full consideration. When I looked at the reviews for our regular hotel, I peshaw'ed the negative ones. And when it came time to make the reservations, I got a little nervous. Why, you ask?
When it came down to it, I knew I would not be comfortable in the 4 star hotel. It was nicer, the people who stay dress nicer, and I imagined the staff looking down on our simple attire. What would I gain by staying there? It would be just a show. To impress who? No one. My husband certainly didn't care. I know the 3 star hotel is very nice, the staff is good, and we would fit in with our shorts and tshirts.
We earn points through the 4 star chain at their 2 star hotels, so once we get enough to stay at the nicer one, I will try it. Then I won't feel guilty if we don't enjoy our stay. It would be "free" after all.
August 15, 2006
First Day of School
Oldest's favorite of the day: The math worksheet
Youngest's favorite of the day: Recess. They went outside.
August 16, 2006
I really won!
An Independent Beauty consultant was setup at the Day Care giving out samples and taking names for a drawing for a $25 gift certificate. My husband was picking up the girls, so he signed me up for the drawing and brought home a sample of mascara. Guess who won? ME!!!! But knowing the prices for Mary Kay products, I am not sure how far the $25 will go. I do love their eye liner, so I will have to get some of that.
(this post counts toward the August Happiness Challenge. Wouldn't you be happy too?)
August 18, 2006
Her...
...happiness makes me happy!
I could not post this yesterday since mu.nu was having problems.
Project Milestone
Today we made it past a critical milestone on our latest project. But we still have more chuggin' to do! Woooo hooooo!
August 21, 2006
Must. Get. Sleep.
This weekend we had some downtime at work to replace some hardware, move things around, and re-wire our server room. We started on Saturday at 6am, left at 12:30am on Sunday. Back at 10am on Sunday. I left at 4:30pm, but the rest of the gang left at 8pm.
I am worn out and was dragging today at work.
I wish the girls would tuck me into bed.
Scamming from other blogs
My fellow bloggers have been posting some great videos. Check them out below:
Magic at Xavier Thoughts
Military version of Office Space at RofaSix
Treadmill Dancing from Beth.
August 23, 2006
Happiness Challenge Catchup
19th - I am happy the girls were good this week so that we could go out to eat.
20th - I am happy because I still love my bed.
21st - My 3 year blog anniversary was August 17th. I started out just blogging about Texas Football, but ended up blogging about much more. Initially my blog was totally my space and I mentioned family very little. Over time, I think I have turned into a "Mommy Blogger". But I love this hobby and what I have learned helping others design their blogs.
22nd - I am happy because I have a good life.
23rd - I am happy because peanut butter tastes very good.
24th - I am happy because Texas's first game is only 9 days away.
August 24, 2006
Maximum Participation?
Last week we received our first letter about the schools Parent Teacher Foundation aka PTF. Below is a excerpt:
"To bring the maximum amount of participation into the PTF, we would like to try a new concept this year. I am a working parent, just as many of us are these days, and we seem to have verylittletime for meetings in the evenings due to family needs and after schoolactivities. What we would like to propose, is to schedule PTF Meetings once a month on Fridays after school starting at 3:15 pm and promise to keep them as short as possible. ...."
My husband sent her feedback via email. My removal of personal details are in italics.
Hi:
My name is Amy's hubby and I have two daughters, Oldest and Youngest, at XXXXX school. Yesterday Oldest brought home your message regarding the PTF for the 2006-2007 school year. After reading it, I am extremely disappointed in the "proposal" to hold PTF meetings at 3:15 in the afternoon.
You mention in your message that you are a working parent and that the time of 3:15 was "proposed" in consideration of working parents' being busy in the evenings. I wonder how many working parents have the ability to be in far south Fort Worth at 3:15 on a work day. I know I don't. I know my wife doesn't. I doubt many working parents who are self-employed or in outside sales of some kind have the flexibility to attend PTF meetings scheduled during a work day.
I think that almost any parent who can attend a PTF meeting at 3:15 on a work day could also attend one at 5:15 or 6:15 or 7:15. The converse is most certainly not true. There are many, many parents who could attend a PTF meeting at 5:15 or 6:15 or 7:15 who simply cannot attend one at 3:15. Now, it may be that the parents who can attend at 3:15 have other activities which they *choose* to give priority over a later PTF meeting, but that is a choice they have to make for themselves and their children. Most working parents do not have a meaningful choice as to whether they can attend a PTF meeting at 3:15 on a work day; it is simply out of the question.
The "proposed" start time affects more than working parents. What will a stay-at-home parent do with their school-aged children during the 3:15 PTF meeting? Will the children be expected or required to attend the meeting as well? Will there be a room with supervision for these children while the PTF meeting is held? Will the parent be expected to hire a babysitter, or have a spouse come home early, to take care of the children during the meeting?
I think that the "proposal" to hold PTF meetings at 3:15 on a work day is so exclusionary of so many people that it needs to be re-examined and subject to the input of more people. I can't speak for others in this regard, but one of the reasons we chose to send out daughters to a private school was to be able to be more involved in their education. The "proposal" to hold the PTF meetings at 3:15 on a work day completely removes PTF involvement as an option for our family and I am hopeful that it will be changed so that we, and other families with parents who don't get off work by 3:00, can be involved.
Thanks for your time,
Amy's hubby
My name is Amy's hubby and I have two daughters, Oldest and Youngest, at XXXXX school. Yesterday Oldest brought home your message regarding the PTF for the 2006-2007 school year. After reading it, I am extremely disappointed in the "proposal" to hold PTF meetings at 3:15 in the afternoon.
You mention in your message that you are a working parent and that the time of 3:15 was "proposed" in consideration of working parents' being busy in the evenings. I wonder how many working parents have the ability to be in far south Fort Worth at 3:15 on a work day. I know I don't. I know my wife doesn't. I doubt many working parents who are self-employed or in outside sales of some kind have the flexibility to attend PTF meetings scheduled during a work day.
I think that almost any parent who can attend a PTF meeting at 3:15 on a work day could also attend one at 5:15 or 6:15 or 7:15. The converse is most certainly not true. There are many, many parents who could attend a PTF meeting at 5:15 or 6:15 or 7:15 who simply cannot attend one at 3:15. Now, it may be that the parents who can attend at 3:15 have other activities which they *choose* to give priority over a later PTF meeting, but that is a choice they have to make for themselves and their children. Most working parents do not have a meaningful choice as to whether they can attend a PTF meeting at 3:15 on a work day; it is simply out of the question.
The "proposed" start time affects more than working parents. What will a stay-at-home parent do with their school-aged children during the 3:15 PTF meeting? Will the children be expected or required to attend the meeting as well? Will there be a room with supervision for these children while the PTF meeting is held? Will the parent be expected to hire a babysitter, or have a spouse come home early, to take care of the children during the meeting?
I think that the "proposal" to hold PTF meetings at 3:15 on a work day is so exclusionary of so many people that it needs to be re-examined and subject to the input of more people. I can't speak for others in this regard, but one of the reasons we chose to send out daughters to a private school was to be able to be more involved in their education. The "proposal" to hold the PTF meetings at 3:15 on a work day completely removes PTF involvement as an option for our family and I am hopeful that it will be changed so that we, and other families with parents who don't get off work by 3:00, can be involved.
Thanks for your time,
Amy's hubby
We checked with some other parents to make sure we were not out of line in our thoughts about the 3:15 meeting time as crazy. If I had to pick a time to have the least amount of people there, while still seeming like I am being helpful, I would pick this time. Friday? Puuuulease. Working parents can be there at 3:15? Good grief!
The plot thickens from here but I will let it play out before I share the details, if I do.
August 26, 2006
August 27, 2006
Happiness Challenge Day 25, 26, & 27
Day 25: I was happy because it was Friday.
Day 26: I was happy because I did not have to work.
Day 27: I am happy since I spent almost the whole day lazily on my anti-MIL's couch.
August 28, 2006
Happiness Challenge Day 28
I am happy since I make some really good chicken strips. My Oldest says we could start a restaurant. Dad would take the orders, I would cook, and they would deliver the food.
August 29, 2006
Way Cool!
I have put several of my designs on CafePress.com and slowly my items have sold. Not enough to get rich, but enough to give some to charity and splurge on myself.
Periodically Cafepress will send an email out highlighting themed items. This week they sent out an email for top selling football related items. One of my designs (which I admit I scammed somewhat) did not make it on the main email, but on the main page you go to from the link. It is the last one on the right. Way cool, huh?
