Tonight's the Night

Yeah, you know you are as excited as I am!!!!

Answers

A little while back I posted that we had some great news but that it was still 'unofficial', so I couldn't explain any further. Well, the time has come...

Ben has been recommended for the 3rd grade teaching position at Scales Elementary in Murfreesboro!
Good news for several reasons:
1) a paycheck
2) the grade Ben wanted
3) more income
4) the school Ben wanted
5) I wonder if we could get that new dining room table now....
6) it is an absolutely amazing school.
7) ...or that new comforter...
8) its 7 minutes from our house
9) ... and I think we really need that new computer armoire.
10) and Ben is on cloud nine.

So, I am the official wife of a 3rd grade teacher. I have to admit I am really excited to make cookies and cupcakes and all sorts of fun things for his class. I'm a nerd like that. And Ben is already plugging in, and headed to the school talent show tomorrow to see some of his old students from when he interned there. I am not kidding when I say he loves this school.
The biggest part of this is that this school really is a true God-send. The teachers, faculty, and staff are wonderful, and Ben could not be at a better place. For a new teacher, this is the jackpot.

So there you have it. Once again, that halo effect has occurred. I told you so.

Globe Trotters

Hey folks,

Well, we are back for a short stay at home before we jet off again to our big vay-cay in Orlando!

Last week I left for my annual trip to Washington D.C. for work and then took a puddle jumper over to Birmingham for a wedding. I typically don't mind flying, but lemme tell ya, those planes last week about made me have a nervous breakdown. And I was in a seat all by myself each time (it was one of those one seat on one side of the isle, two on the other type of planes) so I had no one's hand to grab through turbulence. My nerves were left 30,000 feet up.

Anyway, Ben's best friend growing up, Justin, got married on Saturday, so I flew from DC to the 'ham and met Ben and his brother Chris. The wedding was absolutely beautiful, and you know I always enjoy seeing this boy in a tux-

While in DC it was mostly legislative meetings and business dinners for us, but I did get to have a little fun in between. DC is one of my favorite cities, ever. I think I tell Ben at least once a week that we need to go there for a vacation. This trip I took a tour of Library of Congress. I'm so aggravated I didn't have my camera, but pictures would not have done it justice anyway. If you want you can take a virtual tour by clicking here . It was one of the most interesting, beautiful, and amazing things I have ever seen. If you are ever in DC, the Library is a must. And our tour guide was this brilliantly sweet grandpa who I couldv'e listened to for hours, he was such a good story teller. Here are the two pics I could store from my camera phone as we were walking around the city:

Supreme Court-

Inside Union Station-

In other news, my mom is on this side of the Pacific! I cannot begin to explain how nice it is to be able to just pick up the phone and call her without dialing the country code for Japan, and hearing her voice instead of chatting over Gmail messenger. Mom will be hanging out in Texas with my grandparents (and helping Granny put up with Gramps after his double knee replacement surgery last week) til the end of June, and we are going to go see them next month. Can't wait! I get to show Ben where I was born and raised, and what good Mexican food really tastes like! Here are my awesome grandparents- my Gramps is a spitfire, and Granny is true Southern lady, so it doesn't get any better than them:

See ya after we visit Shamu and Cinderella!

D

See Spot Run and stuff

This weekend Stormy and I ran in the See Spot Run 5K to benefit our local Habitat for Humanity project- it was awesome. (Well, for Stormy it was awesome. She has a much faster running pace than I do so lets just say she improved my pace my a minute and a half per mile. I almost died, and she is my new running coach).

The race was held on the MTSU campus, which is about 2 minutes from our house, so we got there early and Ben met us before the race began, while Stormy was making lots of new, diverse friends.

She didn't quite know what to think of Mr. Great Dane, but his owner and I were talking about the Great Dane Rescue in Knoxville, where I am very tempted to take a trip to save one myself. I grew up with 2 Great Danes and am madly in love with the idea of having one of my own one day... all 175 lbs of one.

It was such a great time, and the atmosphere was so fun, we will definitely be annual participants! And Stormy scored a goody bag with a new frisbee, tennis ball, and Milkbones. Dog Heaven.

Here we are after the race, at which point I wanted to go eat pancakes and take a nap, and Stormy was thinking that was just the warm-up run:

Later that evening our great friends the Tildens came over for a long over-due hang out session, and we threw some burgers on the grill and hung out in the back yard. It was the perfect Spring evening, and Amelia and Stormy had a great time chasing eachother with the new frisbee. It was so funny, I wish I would have taken some video. It got even better when she found some bubbles and we had some fun with those too:

Burgers, Bubbles, and Beautiful weekends,

Love,

D

This Is Not Acceptable

Two things: I haven't blogged about Top Chef in a while, and I will explain why shortly; and, apparently I haven't cooked in a while either. I'll try to explain that too.


But first let me say, as much as I hate (and by hate I mean abhor) to dust, I hate even more to notice dust in places that are typically used frequently enough that they should not collect it. The TV for instance. We watch enough TV that we notice when it accumulates just a little bit, and it is removed. The computer is another example. Same reason. The toaster, the table, the washer and dryer....


My stove, ladies and gentleman, should not be an example.


When I was in the kitchen last night and turned on the overhead stove light to start a little baking, I think I went into shock for just a second.


No. It wasn't possible. How did this happen??


It wasn't piled up or layered on or anything, but there was unmistakably a few too many dust particles on my stove top. This can only mean one thing.


My stove has gone unused.

This is not acceptable.

Yes, I had noticed that we had been rather busy and eaten out a few times. Yes, I had noticed that I have been eating one too many M&M Twisted Frosties. But had I really not cooked in that long? I stared for a second, then broke out the Clorox Green-wise.
So in my typical anal tendency-ness, I had to disinfect and wipe down everything in the kitchen, and then I began my baking.


Ahhhhhhhhhh, bliss. This is better than a bubble bath for me. It is that soothing, that relaxing. Yes, it had been a while.


I made some 7-layer cookie bars, and all was right with the world. (Recipe to follow). This was one of the first desserts I remember learning how to make, I know it by heart, and will probably be one of the first I teach my children. Its easy, its delicious, its variable, and its basically foolproof. Thanks, Ma :)


We enjoyed the peanut butter and chocolates of my labor while we watched Jim play an excrucuating round of golf and Pam drag herself through a painfully funny job fair on The Office.



About Top Chef. If you watch, you probably know what's coming.
I have been very upset. Very disappointed. Almost quit watching except for the fact that I can't wait to see what Richard is going to wow us with next (banana scallops and guacamole with chocolate icecream, anyone?). This problem has even been one of the morning news shows' gossip topics.
These people are adults. They are professionals. Yes, I believe in personal expression, but they are abusing that privilege just a little, don't cha think?? When I feel like I want to reach through the TV screen and shove soap in their mouth at least 25 times during a 1 hour show, I get very annoyed. For the love of word usage, use something to express your feelings or finish a sentence that does not make my grandmother's eyes bug out and cover her mouth with her hand!
Speaking of soap, I'll get off my box.
But the last two shows have revamped my interest, so all is well. The language was still not PG-rated, but when they were cooking with the kids, and then when Richard and Stephanie (two top chefs in my book) were gracious enough to split the $2,000 Crate & Barrell prize and give each other credit, my faith was restored for the show.
So we'll see how the rest of the season pans out. I would like to say I want to see a female win for the first time, but I really don't think anyone stands a chance against Richard. Plus I like his hair.





Here's the recipe- now go dust off that oven!

7-Layer Cookie Bars

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine, melted
1 (14-ounce) can EAGLE BRAND® Sweetened Condensed Milk (NOT evaporated milk)
1 cup (6 ounces) butterscotch-flavored, peanut butter-flavored, or white chocolate chips
1 cup (6 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 1/3 cups flaked coconut
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)


Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F (325°F for glass baking pan). In small bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs and butter; mix well. Press crumb mixture firmly on bottom of 13x9-inch baking pan.
Pour EAGLE BRAND® evenly over crumb mixture. Layer evenly with remaining ingredients; press down firmly with fork.
Bake 25 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool completely. Chill if desired. Cut into bars or diamonds. Store leftovers covered at room temperature.

The Halo Effect

I have this theory. See, if you are around Ben for any length of time you will notice that good things are just drawn to him. It's a magnetic energy of luck like I have never seen. (Those of you that have lived with him or went to college with him, you know what I'm talking about! =)

I typically give him a really hard time about having some invisible golden halo over his head that explains why he always gets the best parking spots, the nicest teachers, the cheapest deals, and why everyone always falls in love with him. (Okay, that last part may just have to do with the fact that he's just that lovable, but you get my point). Really, I wish I kept a list of the things that have happened to him. He can procrastinate and forget until you think surely he isn't going to get that paperwork turned in, or there is no way insert-situation-here is going to work out, and then like some other-worldly force is involved, it all works out, and even better than you could have imagined at that.
So this has been the last 2 1/2 years of my life. Not that I am complaining, it just takes a little getting use to. The ease of things. The blind faith. And the speed at which it all happens. Engagement in 6 weeks? Check. Decision to apply for grad school? Done. All the papers, tests, observations, and lesson plans done the night before? Flying Colors. Graduation (oh, and that little decision to walk the stage 2 days before graduation) - Effortless.

I say all of this to prepare you for something that I am not yet allowed to 'officially' post, but if you guess then it isn't my fault.

Let's just say that halo effect hasn't worn off any.

Happy guessing!

(Here are a few more pics of the party that were sent to me. We actually got a shot of him when he walked in; I love that face!)

The Graduate

So, Ben had no idea about the party. All the stress was worth it! For a guy who usually figures out everything, he was blindsided. *(Fist- pumping here. )

I will consider pulling off this surprise party as one of my greatest accomplishments of the year...
I had no idea planning a surprise party would be so devious and tricky. Thanks to my many cohorts in crime that helped weave the tangled web of lies to pull it off =)

Here's the handsome graduate-

Chris (brother) and Lu (Mom) came down on Friday night, Ben walked the stage on Saturday morning, and then they whisked him off to play 9 holes of golf while Emily T. and I scrambled around to get to the grocery store, the party store, and back home to decorate in the span of 3 hours.

When Ben got home, we were all waiting for him in the living room behind 40 helium balloons and a silver sparkley banner - I wish you could have seen his face. Then went out on the deck to grill some hamburgers before we dove in to the most sinful cake I have ever eaten in my life. Ever. (see above) Emily D. convinced me we needed a cake from this lady in Mt. Juliet, and I was a skeptic. When I saw the cake, I was excited. When I ate the cake, I was floored.

Emily D and Marky Mark:

Here's Em and Meg (and Molly) hangin' out:

OK, so we did have one little moment where we ran out of propane while the food was cooking-thank goodness for our corner Mapco!

Ben and Corey-

Molly helping Ben celebrate:

The girls who can do it all in 3 hours or less:

We made the house into a semi-oversized classroom with posters and banners, pencils, apples, and cutouts everywhere. We put people-cutouts on the door and had everyone sign them with a little bit of advice for the new teacher:

Good times.

Love, fun, and surprises-

D