Monday, November 14, 2011
I learn something new every day.
One of my students wrote her essay on the tragedy that is pit bull prejudice. A whole page, single spaced. It was captivating.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Almost married!
Right? So here are the details on the big date. Because let's face it, any date these days is big.
So Caitie and I talked about doing this double date thing back in the springtime and it never happened. We had been talking about it again lately and decided to just do it. I had wanted to set her up with Tom for a long time, he is a science teacher at my school. He's a super nice guy. Dan is in Caitie's ward and has been to our house a few times. It was nice to have the advantage, already knowing both guys.
I bought a crockpot. I also bought a giant slab of meat. Who knew that a pot roast was so expensive? Not this girl. Totally worth it though, because the french dip sandwiches were so amazing. I also made steak fries with homemade fry sauce. It was delicious. I had put the roast in the crockpot in the morning and the house smelled super aromatic when I got home. I cleaned up, played on the computer, forgot that I didn't get the bread yet, went to Jimmy John's for the best bread ever, made the fries and watched America's Next Top Model while I waited for everyone to get there. Caitie had parent teacher conferences so they all got home around 7:30.
Is it weird that I put the salad on the plates? Or even more weird that I took a picture of it? I especially like the detail of the folded paper napkins. It was truly a class act.
There were never any awkward moments while we ate, it was all very fun and natural. After we ate dinner (did I tell you I bought ramekins for the au jus?) which, have I mentioned how yummy it was? We broke out the scrabble board. It was a pretty slow-moving game and Caitie was pretty restless because she'd been with kindergartners and their parents all day. . .and it was only the second time she'd played because she has lived such a sad life. We finished our game and then sat in the living room and talked for a while. PS during the game we ate key lime pie-lets (they were itty bitty) that C-dawg had made. Yum.
I told them that I needed to be at Grandma's to watch Perry Mason so we broke up the fun around 10:45. Caitie and I had a de-brief and I headed over to stay with my Grandma (I'm there for the week.) Side note: Grandma was already in bed when I got there so I went in and snuggled with her for a minute and it might be one of my new favorite memories with her. We watched a few minutes of Perry and then I went down to bed. I love my Grandma.
So, peeps, it was a fun date. It was enjoyable. I might have made a few flirty comments to Dan about our wedding and how many sisters he had relating to how many bridesmaids I would have. . .and then when Tom mentioned he had some Danish in him, I asked if Dan did and when he replied in the negative, I told him I might have to switch sides. You can get away with ridiculous jokes like this when you're 31.
Just so you don't have to ask:
Yes, I'll probably go on a date again. I don't know if it will be with one of those boys. Maybe it will be with Caitie because we have a lot of fun together.
Yes, I'll post the recipes.
And yes, here is a picture of the boys:
Me, Tommy, Dan. I am holding the beautiful ear of Indian corn that Caitie had provided to enrich the ambiance of the evening.
French Dip Sandwiches:
1 Lean beef roast
1/2 cup soy sauce
1 beef boullion cube
1 bay leaf
1 tsp crushed dried rosemary
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp garlic powder
3 whole peppercorns
Place beef in slow cooker. Combine soy sauce, boullion, and spices. Pour over the roast and add enough water to almost cover the meat [I put extra water in to make it not so salty]. Cook over low heat 10-12 hours or until the meat is really tender. Remove meat and reserve broth. Shred meat and serve with hard rolls. (from Emily)
(From "Our Best Bites" Click on titles for the websites)
Cut potatoes into 8 wedges each.
Add potato wedges to seasonings and toss to coat.
Lightly crumple some aluminum foil and place on a baking sheet. Spray with cooking spray and then arrange potato wedges on foil. This makes cleanup easy because your potatoes won’t stick and it will also ensures they’re cooked evenly. Bake at 400 for about 40 minutes.
Fry Sauce:
So Caitie and I talked about doing this double date thing back in the springtime and it never happened. We had been talking about it again lately and decided to just do it. I had wanted to set her up with Tom for a long time, he is a science teacher at my school. He's a super nice guy. Dan is in Caitie's ward and has been to our house a few times. It was nice to have the advantage, already knowing both guys.
I bought a crockpot. I also bought a giant slab of meat. Who knew that a pot roast was so expensive? Not this girl. Totally worth it though, because the french dip sandwiches were so amazing. I also made steak fries with homemade fry sauce. It was delicious. I had put the roast in the crockpot in the morning and the house smelled super aromatic when I got home. I cleaned up, played on the computer, forgot that I didn't get the bread yet, went to Jimmy John's for the best bread ever, made the fries and watched America's Next Top Model while I waited for everyone to get there. Caitie had parent teacher conferences so they all got home around 7:30.
Is it weird that I put the salad on the plates? Or even more weird that I took a picture of it? I especially like the detail of the folded paper napkins. It was truly a class act.There were never any awkward moments while we ate, it was all very fun and natural. After we ate dinner (did I tell you I bought ramekins for the au jus?) which, have I mentioned how yummy it was? We broke out the scrabble board. It was a pretty slow-moving game and Caitie was pretty restless because she'd been with kindergartners and their parents all day. . .and it was only the second time she'd played because she has lived such a sad life. We finished our game and then sat in the living room and talked for a while. PS during the game we ate key lime pie-lets (they were itty bitty) that C-dawg had made. Yum.
I told them that I needed to be at Grandma's to watch Perry Mason so we broke up the fun around 10:45. Caitie and I had a de-brief and I headed over to stay with my Grandma (I'm there for the week.) Side note: Grandma was already in bed when I got there so I went in and snuggled with her for a minute and it might be one of my new favorite memories with her. We watched a few minutes of Perry and then I went down to bed. I love my Grandma.
So, peeps, it was a fun date. It was enjoyable. I might have made a few flirty comments to Dan about our wedding and how many sisters he had relating to how many bridesmaids I would have. . .and then when Tom mentioned he had some Danish in him, I asked if Dan did and when he replied in the negative, I told him I might have to switch sides. You can get away with ridiculous jokes like this when you're 31.
Just so you don't have to ask:
Yes, I'll probably go on a date again. I don't know if it will be with one of those boys. Maybe it will be with Caitie because we have a lot of fun together.
Yes, I'll post the recipes.
And yes, here is a picture of the boys:
Me, Tommy, Dan. I am holding the beautiful ear of Indian corn that Caitie had provided to enrich the ambiance of the evening.French Dip Sandwiches:
1 Lean beef roast
1/2 cup soy sauce
1 beef boullion cube
1 bay leaf
1 tsp crushed dried rosemary
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp garlic powder
3 whole peppercorns
Place beef in slow cooker. Combine soy sauce, boullion, and spices. Pour over the roast and add enough water to almost cover the meat [I put extra water in to make it not so salty]. Cook over low heat 10-12 hours or until the meat is really tender. Remove meat and reserve broth. Shred meat and serve with hard rolls. (from Emily)
(From "Our Best Bites" Click on titles for the websites)
4 medium Russet potatoes, washed
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1/2 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. Kosher salt
1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
Preheat oven to 400. Mix desired spices in a medium bowl. Add olive oil and combine well.Cut potatoes into 8 wedges each.
Add potato wedges to seasonings and toss to coat.
Lightly crumple some aluminum foil and place on a baking sheet. Spray with cooking spray and then arrange potato wedges on foil. This makes cleanup easy because your potatoes won’t stick and it will also ensures they’re cooked evenly. Bake at 400 for about 40 minutes.
Fry Sauce:
1/4 c. ketchup
1/4 c. mayonnaise (NOT Miracle Whip! Tried it once in a pinch and it was beyond horrible!)
2-3 tsp. chopped dill pickle
Combine and serve with homemade fries or onion rings.
PS
My mom asked for a picture of the flower I made on Breast Cancer Awareness day. Here it is.
My mom asked for a picture of the flower I made on Breast Cancer Awareness day. Here it is.
My mom asked for a picture of the flower I made on Breast Cancer Awareness day. Here it is.
Monday, October 31, 2011
I'm supposed to be at the gym.
But I thought I'd share this story really fast. It happened a few days ago, but I'm pretty sure it was worth the wait.
The other day in my 4A class, which is a 9th grade Language Arts class, I had my students get in their literature circle groups to get to know each other better. They will be discussing their books as they read so I wanted to break the ice for some of them, even though it was almost the end of the first quarter.
One group was struggling and just sitting there with two friends talking to each other. I told Fred* that he should share his hunting story because he had been gone recently and gotten a deer. Hunters always like to tell their stories. Sometimes for hours. And over and over and over. . .I don't know any hunters. Anyway. Fred said, "I went hunting. I shot a deer. It was cool." Thanks, Fred.
I thought I'd help some more. I'm really good at that. So I start asking about the gun (it was a muzzle loader) and just using random terms I have heard my brother and Dad use. One of the kids was just dying because he thought I was being serious about what I was saying. "No, Miss Paul, a muzzle loader and a rifle are not the same thing." "No, you cannot shoot a deer with a .22." "No, that would be illegal." At that point, it was a pretty loud discussion and other groups were listening in and one student called out, "What's illegal?" and I quickly said, "You are." It got a big laugh. And then I realized what I said. And turned around, "Wait, who said that?" I have several Hispanic students in my class. Glad it was one of the white boys.
Oh, and hey, Happy Halloween!
PS I will change all of my students names because I like my job and don't want to get fired.
The other day in my 4A class, which is a 9th grade Language Arts class, I had my students get in their literature circle groups to get to know each other better. They will be discussing their books as they read so I wanted to break the ice for some of them, even though it was almost the end of the first quarter.
One group was struggling and just sitting there with two friends talking to each other. I told Fred* that he should share his hunting story because he had been gone recently and gotten a deer. Hunters always like to tell their stories. Sometimes for hours. And over and over and over. . .I don't know any hunters. Anyway. Fred said, "I went hunting. I shot a deer. It was cool." Thanks, Fred.
I thought I'd help some more. I'm really good at that. So I start asking about the gun (it was a muzzle loader) and just using random terms I have heard my brother and Dad use. One of the kids was just dying because he thought I was being serious about what I was saying. "No, Miss Paul, a muzzle loader and a rifle are not the same thing." "No, you cannot shoot a deer with a .22." "No, that would be illegal." At that point, it was a pretty loud discussion and other groups were listening in and one student called out, "What's illegal?" and I quickly said, "You are." It got a big laugh. And then I realized what I said. And turned around, "Wait, who said that?" I have several Hispanic students in my class. Glad it was one of the white boys.
Oh, and hey, Happy Halloween!
PS I will change all of my students names because I like my job and don't want to get fired.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
What blog?
Oh, hey y'all. It's been a while, I suppose. I have probably noted this before, but I think it's funny that I post more about the babies than I do about my own life. What does that mean? I guess I just love my babies.
But, guys, but.
I need to write more about my life. I have funny things that happen in my day. I should probably share them. I have funny thoughts sometimes that I wish I could share on Twitter but I would be the only person to follow me and I don't know how to, so maybe I'll put them in a draft on my phone and share them here. Because other people need the laughter, too.
So I'm vowing to be better. And not just for the five of you that read my blog, but for me, too, because it's a good time.
Like that one time that I pimped "wear pink on Thursday" all week and then I forgot to wear pink. I wore red, which is sort of in the family, but not close enough. After too many comments between the warning and the final bells before Advisory, I decided to make a "flower" for my hair out of paper. It was a success. I was glad I had some random bobby pins. And a hot glue gun. And flower making skills.
Or how I love running into my students out in the real world, like The Rio. I have really great students.
One of my students stopped me on the way up to my classroom and asked if he could get some singing tips from me. He came in and sang a piece of "Someone Like You" during Advisory, accompanying himself on the Ukelele. It was amazing. He is singing a song at a fireside and didn't want to sing a church song at school, but he still wanted some feedback. I'm glad that my students trust me enough to do that.
And I went to the gym today, I didn't just dress for it. Winning!
But, guys, but.
I need to write more about my life. I have funny things that happen in my day. I should probably share them. I have funny thoughts sometimes that I wish I could share on Twitter but I would be the only person to follow me and I don't know how to, so maybe I'll put them in a draft on my phone and share them here. Because other people need the laughter, too.
So I'm vowing to be better. And not just for the five of you that read my blog, but for me, too, because it's a good time.
Like that one time that I pimped "wear pink on Thursday" all week and then I forgot to wear pink. I wore red, which is sort of in the family, but not close enough. After too many comments between the warning and the final bells before Advisory, I decided to make a "flower" for my hair out of paper. It was a success. I was glad I had some random bobby pins. And a hot glue gun. And flower making skills.
Or how I love running into my students out in the real world, like The Rio. I have really great students.
One of my students stopped me on the way up to my classroom and asked if he could get some singing tips from me. He came in and sang a piece of "Someone Like You" during Advisory, accompanying himself on the Ukelele. It was amazing. He is singing a song at a fireside and didn't want to sing a church song at school, but he still wanted some feedback. I'm glad that my students trust me enough to do that.
And I went to the gym today, I didn't just dress for it. Winning!
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Laura will love this, but I bet YOU will too!
I know you'll like this because I like this and I have really great taste. So does this girl who just launched this website. I'm pretty sure Laura will start stalking her. Don't worry, I already did. I'm totally excited to check this blog all the time. And I really love the Anthro vase in her giveaway. Really. Check it out. You're welcome.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Future Kathrin
So remember this?
I got a letter in the mail today from the department of educational equity. my name was written all cute-like and someone had drawn a cute star on the back! Then I remembered. And I opened the letter:
6/16/11
Dear Miss Paul-
You are pretty. And so nice. The things you would like to remember from ESL are as follows:
1. Remember your ESL students. Do they understand the assignment?
2. Reading is awesome!
3. Take a binder to later ESL classes.
4. Transcribing is fun.
5. Never take a class the first 2 weeks of summer again.
6. Did your orange poppies ever grow?
Well. That's all. Hope you have a kick-A year!
Love, Me
Sadly, my poppies are just now getting big. Don't know why it took them so long.
I might be the only one that thought it was funny (I did when we were asked to write it at the end of my class by my hippie teacher) but there you go.
I got a letter in the mail today from the department of educational equity. my name was written all cute-like and someone had drawn a cute star on the back! Then I remembered. And I opened the letter:
6/16/11
Dear Miss Paul-
You are pretty. And so nice. The things you would like to remember from ESL are as follows:
1. Remember your ESL students. Do they understand the assignment?
2. Reading is awesome!
3. Take a binder to later ESL classes.
4. Transcribing is fun.
5. Never take a class the first 2 weeks of summer again.
6. Did your orange poppies ever grow?
Well. That's all. Hope you have a kick-A year!
Love, Me
Sadly, my poppies are just now getting big. Don't know why it took them so long.
I might be the only one that thought it was funny (I did when we were asked to write it at the end of my class by my hippie teacher) but there you go.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
The Week of Adventure!
Well, April got to go to NYC for ten days for a Ballet training, so I got to hang out in Orem with my babies! Best ever. We did a lot of fun things and had some really good times. First up? Thanksgiving Point's Ancient History Museum on a two dollar Tuesday. Free tip from me to you? Don't. Ever. Do. That.
It was also shark week.
We had a picnic at the park.
We came home from Grandma and Grandpa's one day and Grandma had let Brayden take home that hook. Twenty minutes later Brayden came upstairs in full pirate regalia.
We blew bubbles.
We went bowling with Aunt Laura.
This is a pretty standard picture of A and E. Audrey is usually oblivious of the irritation she causes Ellie.
We made cookies.
And we ate those cookies.
We relaxed.
And ate popsicles.
We sunscreened,
So we could go swimming.
We hiked Ensign Peak with Daddy and Aunt Tracie.
Then we went to the Drive in and saw "The Smurph's."
We read a lot of stories. (I was walking by Audrey's dark room and heard talking so I looked in and she was reading to her babies so I took a picture. Then she asked me to read to the babies and after I would finish a sentence, she would whisper what I had just said, "did you hear that babies? The princess had a new friend!")
We played dress ups.
This is Audrey's "long booiful hair"
We took a few pictures.
We went to Jump On It with Aunt Tracie.
Ellie didn't like the jumping but she loved this little ride.
And the toddler play area.
Tracie and the kids washed the cars.
And our big project? We painted Brayden's room. Now, you need some information. Alan and April had been renting out their basement until earlier this year. When the kids moved downstairs, Brayden's room had these super awesome (read: ugly and tacky) life-size stickers on the wall. The door was covered with stickers. And Brayden had drawn all over his walls, with this gem found in the closet.
These decals were such a nightmare. We spent half a day just getting rid of those and then ended up painting over most. . .which is why I moved the shelves.
I asked Brady what color he wanted to paint his room and he said, "Can we do two walls red and two walls green?" I said no. So we chose to do all four walls green. Instead of the dark green that he wanted, I found this cool "Carolina Parakeet" that turned out to be a lot of fun.
Totally worth it.
Best week ever!!!
It was also shark week.
We had a picnic at the park.
We came home from Grandma and Grandpa's one day and Grandma had let Brayden take home that hook. Twenty minutes later Brayden came upstairs in full pirate regalia.
We blew bubbles.
We went bowling with Aunt Laura.
This is a pretty standard picture of A and E. Audrey is usually oblivious of the irritation she causes Ellie.
We made cookies.
And we ate those cookies.
We relaxed.
And ate popsicles.
We sunscreened,
So we could go swimming.
We hiked Ensign Peak with Daddy and Aunt Tracie.
Then we went to the Drive in and saw "The Smurph's."
We read a lot of stories. (I was walking by Audrey's dark room and heard talking so I looked in and she was reading to her babies so I took a picture. Then she asked me to read to the babies and after I would finish a sentence, she would whisper what I had just said, "did you hear that babies? The princess had a new friend!")
We played dress ups.
This is Audrey's "long booiful hair"
We took a few pictures.
We went to Jump On It with Aunt Tracie.
Ellie didn't like the jumping but she loved this little ride.
And the toddler play area.
Tracie and the kids washed the cars.
And our big project? We painted Brayden's room. Now, you need some information. Alan and April had been renting out their basement until earlier this year. When the kids moved downstairs, Brayden's room had these super awesome (read: ugly and tacky) life-size stickers on the wall. The door was covered with stickers. And Brayden had drawn all over his walls, with this gem found in the closet.
These decals were such a nightmare. We spent half a day just getting rid of those and then ended up painting over most. . .which is why I moved the shelves.
I asked Brady what color he wanted to paint his room and he said, "Can we do two walls red and two walls green?" I said no. So we chose to do all four walls green. Instead of the dark green that he wanted, I found this cool "Carolina Parakeet" that turned out to be a lot of fun.
Totally worth it.
Best week ever!!!
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