True/False

I am totally stealing this idea from Jenni. (thanks Jenni) I've listed 5 true/false things about myself. The answers might surprise you so go ahead and guess. I also want to tag Sarah, Laura and Ali in hopes that they too will play along! The answers are at the bottom...so guess away!

1. I have bungee jumped.
2. I've been a lucky Oprah audience member.
3. My hair is all mine-never colored or highlighted.
4. I sang Frank Sinatra LOVE on stage.
5. I've taken ballroom dance lesson.

*ha, okay I am so bad at this game. All of these are TRUE. I couldn't think of a good lie.
I bungee jumped in 2008
Won tickets to Oprah's movie showing INTO THE WILD in her private theater along with a the book in 2007
Sang on stage with my ZTA sisters in a competition where I had to play a freakin' man -Frank Sinatra!
My black hair is au natural, although people ask me what color I use.
I took ballroom dance lessons in 2004 with a guy friend. Random, I know.

My sucky list!

I've been seeing a trend lately. Yep, everyone in blogfantasyland writes about things they are good at or good things that happen. You know you follow certain people because they are witty, crafty, and appear to have it all together. I know, I do it too. My friend LOMA says "if you have to SHOUT it, it probably isn't true." Where's the BIG, bad and ugly that make us human and bring us back to reality? So my friends...I bring you my sucky list. Because we all have one!

My sucky list:

* I can't peel oranges. It grosses me out and makes me feel dirty.
* I can't flip a pancake and keep it pretty!
* I'm a horrible paper gift wrapper. It frustrates me so I stick my stuff in bags.
disclaimer-sometimes I just call my mom because she is so awesome at it and I whine DO IT FOR ME....and she does it so nicely.
* I live for a junk drawer because I can't throw things away so I "hide" them.
* I'm the worlds worst paper filer both in my personal life and my classroom. I even tried cute file folders but I still suck.
* I suck at cleaning the shower. So, I try not to think about it often.
* I really, really, really, like to plan ahead so if I get off schedule due to other people, not myself, I have a hard time not feeling like i failed myself or let myself down. Like really, I think about it for long periods of time.
* I can't take naps or sleep in the day.
* I don't try things unless I know I will be successful at it.
* I have zero sports knowledge and I prefer to keep it that way.
* I don't have patience when people drive slow!
* I get mad when people do stupid things. I like to tell people too.
* I bite my nails.
* My skin is always dry and that sucks for me!
* I have black hair....which means lots of plucking, shaving, waxing, etc. (TMI? my bad)
* I'm bad at relaxing or sitting around. It bores me.
* I hoard cute stationery and note cards because I don't want to waste them.
* I hate talking on the phone but love, love, love talking in person. oxymoron, right?
So, what are your weird quirks? What should I add to my sucky list for those of you that know me so well?

Flash back Friday!

A face you make a lot.... apparently, I "kiss" when I am with my sister!Shopping...

posing as orange-faced guidettes--woo woo!

smushed in the back seat of the car in route to Six Flags, Georgia!
How about you?

Quote

Silent Sunday-For my sister!

XOXO

Sweet Dreams!

What do you get when you cross a painted yellow door and soft, gray quatrefoil bedding? My new guest bedroom! Details coming soon...

Ouch, Mama!!

Our dog has voices. There's just no doubt about it. I love to talk for him. I totally understand those big brown eyes and we love to watch him bob his head left/right/left/right over and over when we talk in voices! Ha! Anyways, he has been saying "ouch Mama it really really hurts" after his little surgery. He didn't eat, drink or get up from his pallet of blankets the next day. I'm not trying to be one of those weird dog parents, but have you ever lifted 76lbs. by yourself? It's hard and I worried for him! Surprisingly, he left his mini splint on for 2 whole days. It was hard like a cast on the outside but soft wrapped band aids on the inside. But, he is back in full force today!

ABC's of Hair!

How many can you name? Did you rock any of these hairstyles? I totally had the Rachel when I was younger!! Happy Friday!

Weekend Recap!

We spent our Sunday/Valentine's Day at Radnor Lake...just the 3 of us! It was a great afternoon!

Happy Birthday!

Happy happy happy happy Birthday Steven!



We love you LOMLove!

Silent Sundays

Puerto Rico-storm at sea
{FTLOB}

Blog challenge 12!

Blog about your favorite memory! Geeze, who can pick just one? I will narrow mine down to water experiences. I'm a great swimmer and love the water. My nose-plugging husband... not so much. Oh he loves it, he is just not good at things like swimming or even floating-he sinks. One of my favorite memories is when he broke his finger racing me in the pool. That was almost 6 years ago! Ultimately, my best memories are when we travel someplace new and I get to see it through his eyes. I'm lucky enough to have traveled each summer while growing up and while in college. I love, love, love culture and geography so it's always fun to view it through Steven's eyes for the first time.

Like watching him snorkel in St. Thomas in 2007

Or random photo's in the Caribbean-- I always wonder what he is thinking and really enjoy going places with him!

Snow Day 9

We're having another one of these:
So I'm shopping and spending the afternoon with some of the VM's!

TGIF!

Blog Challenge- favorite sweet recipe!

It's Peanut Butter Jelly Time! woo-woo!

Today's blog challenge- your favorite sweet recipe!While I prefer cooking, it's obvious I love to eat. (oink, oink) Luckily, I have some friends (Mary) who can really bake! Here's an awesome recipe for Peanut butter & Jelly Bars. It got a thumbs up from my bff co-workers and our kids at school. In fact, the recipe came from a classroom parent. Enjoy!

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for pan
• 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for pan
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 1/2 cups smooth peanut butter
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups strawberry jam, or other flavor
• 2/3 cup salted peanuts, roughly chopped

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-by-13-inch pan with butter, and line the bottom with parchment paper. Grease the parchment, and coat inside of pan with flour; set aside. Place butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer. Beat on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 2 minutes. On medium speed, add eggs and peanut butter; beat until combined, about 2 minutes.
2. Whisk together salt, baking powder, and flour. Add to bowl of mixer on low speed; combine. Add vanilla. Transfer two-thirds of mixture to prepared pan; spread evenly with spatula. Spread jam on top of peanut-butter mixture. Dollop remaining third of peanut-butter mixture on top of jam. Sprinkle with peanuts.
3. Bake until golden, about 45 minutes.

Find your State Fun Fact!!

Have you seen this? I found it here. It has all the legal stats if you click the source link. Very interesting!
Nebraska- highest rate of women murdered annually!
Maryland- highest rate of AIDS!
Tennessee- most corrupt.
Colorado- highest rate of Cocaine use.
South Carolina- most mobile homes.
Utah- highest rate of porn (hello sister wives)

Blog Challenge 8- Celebrity Crush!

I'm not a player I just crush a lot blog post! Marky Mark- oh how I love thee! I love his defined features and voice! I love that he quoted "he'd have as many kids as his beautiful wife wanted" and so far they have 4. I have loved him since I was 13.
This picture is for you Ootie....look what I painted on his chest. :o) The movie FEAR made me love Mark!
I also love this guy-Channing Tatum. There is nothing better than a guy in a simple T shirt and a Yankee cap on. His wife is cute too!
I feel like he is a younger, fresh Mark. Maybe that's why I like him. I can't wait to watch him in the movie EAGLE coming out this month.
And then I still love Vince Vaughn. I love that he is tall, dark and totally goofy. He seems normal, down to earth, and who doesn't like to laugh? I will also see any movie he is in and Wedding Crashers hands down is still one of my favorite!
These are 3 of my favorite celebs, how about you?

Changes

This time last year my life was changing! We were growing a family, debating on putting our little starter home on the market, building a prosperous business, and over all planning for the future. If I had only known then what I know now... my how things would have been different! But, sometimes life changes and has a mind of its own.

Right now, I'm here...

I'm trying not to do this...

and I'm working towards this...

Blog challenge 6- favorite flowers!

Olive You blog challenge 6--blog about your favorite flowers!

I'm pretty simple and not too girly when it comes to flowers. I LOVE a simple bouquet or jar of hydrangeas from my mom's garden! They are a fabulous variety of blue with just the right amount of purple. I love how they are top heavy and you only need a few stems to make a big bouquet. I also like any bright color combo like hot pink/yellow Gerber daisies.

How about you?
Click here for the rest of the blog challenges...only a few more!

Blog Challenge-Amazing Product!

Today's blog challenge -an AMAZING product and here are my two favorites!
1. Bath and Body Works Warm Vanilla Sugar Scrub
It literally melts like butter and the little scrub beads really do work! Plus, I love the smell and my skin feels so soft and smooth after!

2. This is an awesome product for your wood floors. You can find it at Bed Bath and Beyond. Once you have the magic swiffer-like mop you can get these big refills. It truly makes my hardwood floors sparkle and it glides across the wood easily. It doesn't stay wet for long so you don't have to avoid walking on it. Trust me, I have a huge dog and I LOVE IT!

EEeekkkKK -love me some housewives!

I'm so excited for HOUSEWIVES OF MIAMI, starting on February 22! (which happens to be my lucky number) I never watched the NY series and am so glad it got the boot, or at least postponed. Very excited to meet these crazy South Beach chicks! Wanna see a sneak peek? Go to People(dot)com and meet the ladies.

Meet the Teacher- link ups!

Today I'm linking up with Cara over at The First Grade Parade! If you're not familiar, check her out. JUST DO IT ALREADY! She is constantly sharing wonderful ideas. I'm Kristy, wife, sister, daughter, Guido lover, Coke Icee drinker, Mexican eating fiend! Oh...and 1st grade teacher!
Married almost 5 years to Steven. We were engaged in the mountains, had a destination wedding on the beach and spent 16 amazing days on our European honeymoon. I like to go, go, go!!
This is our 76 pound fur baby-Zane Americus Hicks. (you thought he didn't have a middle name, eh?) He is a hot mess, but we love him!
This is my school BFF Laura a.k.a. LOMA and you can find her blog here! She completes me. You see, I love to rap and she loves to ghetto dance and together we have pretty awesome planning periods!
These are my college besties! We've been friends for a long time =10 years! You can find my sister here. She is also a teacher! (are you noticing a trend?)

This is my classroom! We're Monsters this year! I've taught for 7 years and I am constantly changing my theme. If you need some creative monster ideas-let me know! (I've done camp, Hollywood Stars and jungle themes too)

Now for the Q & A

Q: What would you be doing if you were not a teacher?
A: If I could do whatever I wanted I would flip houses if someone else could foot the bill. If I had to go back to college right now and change my major I would do architectural design!

Q: What are your hobbies?
A: Photography, flea markets, restoring antiques, girls' night out dinner, lots of movies, walking the dog/dog parks and swiffering my floors. :o)

Q: When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A: I wanted to be the girl who ONLY FED the dolphins. Dad popped that bubble when he announced what else that would involve. I literally wanted to go throw the fish and be done for the day-ha!

Q: What are your guilty pleasures?
A: Coke Icees from Sam's Club or Target, Jersey Shore, Housewives of whatever the season, getting snail mail, blog stalking, refurbishing trash to treasures

Q: What is your biggest fear?!
A: Someone I love passing away too soon. I also don't like spiders!

Q: When you’re on vacation, where do you like to go?
A: Anywhere beachy!

Q: What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
A: The totally cliche' be yourself. I've learned that now that I am 29.

Q: What do you value most in others?
A: Honesty

Q: If you could choose one of your personality traits to pass down to your kids, what would it be?
A: My sense of self. I tell it like it is. I have a hard time sugarcoating it. I won't apologize for having an opinion!

Q: If you could have lunch with anyone in the world….living or dead…who would it be?
A: I'd like to ask my grandma, Agnes, what my mom was like as a child. You know, the good, funny stuff that my mom doesn't remember.

Now tell us one random thing about yourself:

I love, love, love the movie Dances with Wolves. I wanted to go to Amish camp as a kid. I name everything-my laptop, the TV, vehicles, objects, etc. You can't leave anything on my kitchen counter tops including appliances-YUCK! I HATE talking on the phone. Just don't call me. Email me. Gosh, the list goes on....