4 years...

Monday was Big Daddy & I's 4 year anniversary. I can't believe it's been 4 years first of all -- somedays it feels shorter, others it feels longer. I have to think back & reflect on all that has happened in the last 4 years.

July 2003 -- Move to G-vegas from VT thinking it's temporary while I'm looking for grad schools or culinary programs
August 2003 -- Realize I'm liking G-vegas, get a serving job at the worst restaurant ever
September 2003 -- Start hanging out with Big Daddy considering we work together; realize I like having him around
September 17, 2003 -- Big Daddy & I start the "romance"
October 2003 -- get a place to settle into while I figure out what I'm doing & practically do nothing for about a year except wait tables & chill
October 2004 -- Interview & get accepted into graduate school at Clemson for teaching
January 2005 -- start grad school; Big Daddy supports me immensely during the whole thing
March 2005 -- start working at MUCH better restaurant to support my grad school ass
August 2005 -- start the student teaching experience while still working
March 2006 -- GET A JOB!!! 8th grade science, here I come!!
May 2006 -- GRADUATION!! Holy shit, I got my Master's; a personal goal I can check of the list
August 2006 -- start my career as a teacher; very scary!!!
June 2007 -- survive my first year teaching & I'm pretty damn good at this stuff
June 18, 2007 -- Big Daddy proposes!!!!
August 8, 2007 -- turn 28, close on the Old Mill
August 14, 2007 -- start my 2nd year teaching; not as scary the 2nd time around
September 17, 2007 -- 4 years down, a lifetime to go!!

So yeah, that's a sum-up for ya. Big Daddy & I went out to eat at our favorite Thai place in G-vegas, Sweet Basil, on Monday. I always get the same thing but this time I strayed from the norm & got some Thai curry -- Mossaman curry based with coconut cream. It was amazing. It makes me remember why I should change up what I order -- sometimes, I just get stuck in the rut of "I'm going to get what I like!!"

4 years have truly flown by -- I love my man, I'm a lucky woman.

So I've slacked off these last couple weeks & haven't actually written a post.

So here's the Mouse Rouse update.

School started back & so far, so good. There's a different dynamic to this set of kids compared to last year. These kids are very academic & bright yet very social as well. I have tons more kids this year too. I have 135 kids this year over 5 class periods -- that's CRAZY, especially in a science class. My smallest class is 26 kids (last year my biggest was 26) so I'm constantly "on".

I met my "teacher leader" yesterday. She's the woman who heads all those wonderful observations/evaluations this year. I'm not too stressed about the evaluations & such -- I know I'm a good teacher. I'm involved with my students & I love teaching them -- I just have to get through this "i approve of you" nonsense & then I'm home free!!!

Big Daddy started school back & things are going well so far. He does have one professor who hates tests so she requires a paper a week; he's on week 3 & already tired of it. Work for him is going well too; his manager is leaving & heading to another restuarant so there is some re-arranging going on within the ranks --- this could be a good think for Big Daddy. I'll keep you updated as more info comes in.

The Old Mill is rocking -- we got a new fridge so now we have 2 fridges & 3 freezers. Now we just need food to fill them. We're about to start the crazy work of tilling the whole yard, mulching, laying seed -- I'm ecstatic...it's going to be a shitload of work for our huge yard that got neglected over the past 5 years. But hey, I like a challenge!!!

So yeah, that's about it I think -- got to get back to my teacher schtuff.
Later.

Reese Loves "Her" New Bed

'Big Drive'

I love Tiger Woods!!

Inspiration from Loud

So Loud has been shopping for new dresses for her dancing tourny & she inspired me to start buckling down & looking for bridesmaid & flower girl dresses. I ran through about 25 websites looking at bridesmaids gowns & believe me, it was interesting to see what was out there.

Anything & everything -- Hawaiian, African, pageant-esque, matronly; it was an enlightening experience for me. Thank God, I knew what I was looking for.

So, this one is the forerunner for me. The wedding is mid-summer during mid-day so I wanted tea-length. The top is a tank-style so it helps in the bust area. Plus, the dress is empire waisted into an A-line which is very forgiving. Not to mention, the awesome skirt for dancing (ie. twirl-approved).

For the color, I'm thinking rose with a dark brown sash.

Most likely, the accompanying flowers will be white calla lilies.

What do you think??

For Maddie, I'm LOVING this one!!! The spaghetti straps, the assymetrical crystal work on the bodice which compliments the crystals on my dress and the skirt is BEAUTIFUL!!!

I'm having fun starting to think about all this -- it's so exciting!!!