#31/365--R.I.P.

Some days, it seems like nothing turns out right. Today, I just wanted to give up on everything. My list of "to-do's" got overwhelming. Dealing with impatient drivers and shoppers today tried my patience.


Today, Snowflake, the blue parakeet, passed away. But he was not the only object of Mikey's affections that met it's demise.

This poor Lego G.I. Joe was ground up in the line of duty, fighting battles deep within the confines of my garbage disposal. How, you might ask....and I might answer...one may never know...but one can wonder...

#30/365--Dallas Stars

The Dallas Stars were practicing in Euless at the Dr. Pepper Star Center this morning. This seemed like an out-of-the-ordinary activity and so I took the kids. It was sorta fun to watch. I can see myself being a hockey fan...maybe.



After that, I took Lauren to get a haircut and ended up getting my hair cut, as well.



Then, we drove to Frisco for dinner.



Don't know how I expect to get anything on my "to-do" list done when all I ever seem "to do" is run around "doing" other stuff...but...like I always say--my "to-do" list isn't going anywhere. I'll get to it sooner or later.

#29/365--Interesting Phenomenon

Isn't it strange that when it rains a lot, earthworms decide to come to the surface...
And aren't these strange little creatures?
No eyes, no ears, no nose...no brain. Feeding off of the soil. Apparently, they breathe through their skin and so when it rains, somehow they don't get enough oxygen, so they come to the surface. (I read this on a couple of websites, but in much more scientific terms that I'm not allowed to say). And did you know earthworms carry both male and female sex organs? That's all I have to say about that.


This was the scene when we got home this afternoon, under our garage door. It was...well...hmm...interesting. Maybe if it had not been 34 degrees outside, we coulda gone fishing! ((P.S. If you click on the picture, it will enlarge and you can see the worms up close. There were many more than these...I just couldn't fit them into the picture.))

#28/365--Accidents

Yes. There were minor "storms" in our area today. Yes. There was a bit of thunder. Yes. My dog freaked out. Ah Sandy. Should you be taking prozac?

#27/365--Washing Wednesdays

Well, Wednesdays are busy days for me. I don't know how it happened that I began doing laundry on Wednesdays, but...that's how it is these days! A mid-week cleansing, I guess.

#26/365--Nemesis #2

Scale, your "time" is coming too. I'm working out and soon, your little "dial" will move!!

#25/365--My Nemesis

Yes, time is my ultimate adversary. I can only wish for more hours in a day--it never happens. I never say "I wish today had gone by faster." I want more time so I can workout, cook dinner, clean house, return phone calls, and spend quality time with my kids all in one night. I want more time so I can read and study the Bible. I want more time to pray. I want more time to sleep!

I will master you, Time. You're time is coming. There will be a day when I'm just killing time. Time is of the essence. Time, your time is limited! And...I've worn this theme out. Time for me to go to sleep!

#24/365--Soupy Day

Today has been another Lazy Sunday. My tummy has been upset since yesterday, so I spent the day napping. Wasn't really hungry for dinner so mom, who's visiting this weekend, and I shared a can of tomato soup. Is tomorrow really Monday?

#23/365--Ensemble

Tonight, CJH choir put on a dinner theater of sorts. The kiddos served the parents dinner while the kids sang their solos and ensembles. Lauren's group did pretty good; unfortunately it was so loud in there that we couldn't hear that great.

#22/365--Commute

Last night, I drove up to my sweetheart's house to celebrate (for the 2nd night) our 2 year anniversary. I actually took about 40 pictures yesterday, so choosing which one to use was a little difficult. Mike lives about 45 miles from where I live and it can take anywhere from 35 minutes to a little over an hour to get there, depending on traffic. Yesterday, I left right at the heart of the evening rush hour, and so it took a little longer to get there.



As I was stuck in traffic at the 114/121 interchange (which is usually the bottleneck spot), I took a few pics. It's a great spot for pics, since you can see the airplanes coming in to DFW. Some of them get really low. Also, there are some really beautiful trees standing out in the middle of the highways. I did take some pictures of those types of things, along with some interstate signs, signs on the backs of trucks...toll plazas...but this picture sort of stood out to me. I just like the way it came out. Maybe someday, there will be no more "commute..."

#21/365--Date Night

Tonight we celebrated 2 years of dating! Hopefully very soon, we can make it more than every Thursday...

#20/365--Another Day in the Life

End of the 3rd 6 weeks of school. A busy time in any grade...but I have to say, have you visited Kindergarten lately?

Someone, somewhere has decided that little 5 year olds are much like 12 year olds in that they should be tested on things like "simple machines," "soil composition," and midterm math skills. Someone, somewhere decided that not only should we teach these 5 year olds social skills like how to share and take turns, how to sit quietly for 15 minutes to listen to a story, how to "do school"...but, they should also know how to take a test, be tested--and held accountable for how they do on these tests. Someone, somewhere forgot what it's like to be 5. Someone, somewhere forgot that a child's play IS their work. Someone, somewhere forgot that to a 5 year old, imagination is their world. Someone, somewhere forgot what it's like to be a teacher. Someone, somewhere forgot what it's like to look into the eyes of a child who has discovered something new.


I'm so thankful I haven't forgotten.

#19/365--Small Group

Tuesdays I have small group (sometimes hosted at my house, sometimes others). This is a picture of some of my favorite women on the planet! I will have to retake this picture when everyone is present--we missed you Allie!!

#18/365--Journey

The days of my youth are long gone! Once upon a time, I was flexible, active, and loved exercise. Once upon a time, those extra pounds could be shed by skipping a few meals here and there. But, with time and age, no longer is it that easy (believe me, I've tried!).



A few days ago, I started working out again after reaching my highest weight (including pregnancies) ever. None of my clothes fit anymore and I can't afford new ones, so...I began a new journey. This is my 3rd day of working out (picture included, much to my chagrin, in order to hopefully show my progress). I'm not generally good at sticking with what I start but if I document my "work" then maybe I'll be more apt to hang with the program. Wish me luck! :)

#17/365--Lazy Sunday

We went to watch the Cowboy game at Mike's today. I slept through the entire second half--after we ate hamburgers, of course. Later, we hung out while the kids played Wii and worked on crafts.

#16/365--Dog Park

We took our dog, Sandy, to the Dog Park today at the Villages of Bear Creek Park, here in Euless. She had a blast, but the water wasn't working so we only stayed about 30 minutes because she got tired and thirsty fast!!

#15/365--Stomach Bug

Continuous Improvement training all day--not fun when you're on the bandwagon and others aren't and you have to be the promoter of something no one else really likes. Oh well. It is what it is.

It's a lazy Friday night for us...actually I'm being hit by some kind of stomach bug. Lauren is off listening to her iPod and talking on the phone and Mikey is in his own world playing cars--as you can see by the picture. I love my kids...they're giving me my "sick space!"

#14/365--Want To

Why can't I feel like this about working out? Do people really feel like this about working out? Will I feel like this if I start doing this workout video? My friend, Allie, let me borrow some of her workout videos because I really want to start working out...I have to have the "want to" to want to first. It would help if I didn't do this during teacher trainings...

#13/365--Sunrise

The sunrise was beautiful this morning. This picture does not do it justice...but that's usually the case when you are taking pictures of nature!

#12/365--Remembering

Ok, so it's not a picture I took today. I have to admit I'm having a hard time being "original" and finding new things to take pictures of. So It's 10:23p.m. and I wanted to take a picture of some of my favorite women on the planet tonight---my girls, whom I spend most every Tuesday with...and I realized that I forgot.

I began searching through my pictures to see if I had any to use and decided upon this one. Two of the best parents on the planet. I could not have been blessed with better! This time of year, I'm missing my dad. It's almost been 3 years since he passed away. I thought I'd share his picture with my "readers." I could go on and on about him...He was my dad.

A psychologist, an instructor of Psychology, an ace bowler, a softball ump who called my strikes, a lover of fried bologna, a lover of circus peanuts (the orange marshmellowy ones), a thinker, a learner who encouraged learning, a reader of behavioral psychology books, a wise miser, a counselor, someone I could talk to--or not talk to, someone who made me think I had super powers when I was a kid...He believed in me and made me believe in myself. He thought I was beautiful. He was so proud of me and let me know that in no uncertain terms. He encouraged me, he admonished me and loved me through my mistakes. He gave me unlimited amounts of grace and mercy when I screwed up (and man, did I ever screw up...)My dad gave me a beautiful picture of what my Father in heaven is like....I have been blessed.

#11/365--Monday Meatball Subs

Today was Monday. I don't know why, but I've always had a thing with alliteration. So, on Mondays, I like to cook things that begin with M. Sometimes it's Mexican Monday, other times it's Macaroni Monday....today was Meatball subs Monday. Mike came over for dinner after work--so I made Lauren take this picture of us.

#10/365

The kids and I had ice cream tonight from Braum's. This is a picture of them acting goofy. We began a new family Bible study tonight on Biblical Holidays. It sounds very interesting. I'll let you know...

#9/365--Playoffs? Cowboys who?

Just kidding. Yes, I know the COWBOYS just won their first playoff game in 13 years. I guess I have to become one of those bandwagon fans now. Just kidding again!! I'm one of those closet Cowboy fans--I guess. I did watch the game tonight, and I did "get into" it. Bah. Humbug. (go cowboys.)

#8/365--a Night to Myself

It's Friday night, the kids are with their dad for the weekend, Mike is busy, and that leaves me...with myself and I. We "three" decided to stay in tonight and make it a girl's night. Hot Campbell's soup for dinner, then retreat to the bedroom for a glass of Cabernet and the Kindle. Later, it's early bedtime for "us!" It'll be good to snuggle under the covers while it's cold outside, sleep late tomorrow, then have lunch with Allie!

#7/365--Inclement What?

This morning, we woke up to an "Arctic Blast," which means our windchills and temps were in the teens and twenties. During the early morning hours, some light precipitation came through and left a sheet of "black ice" on the roads and as a result, our school district decided to take the day off.

I had already gotten the kids up and they had eaten their breakfast when I decided to go for that second cup of coffee. This picture shows the mess I made when not once, but twice, I dropped my reusable Keurig filter, full of coffee grounds, on the counter. Notice that I had to make myself that second cup before I actually cleaned up the mess. Mikey thought it was hilarious. I, however, wonder if there's not something seriously wrong with my eye-hand coordination.

#6/365--Arctic Blast Headed to Texas

Today was a long day! Getting back into "the swing" of things really hits you about mid-week. Today, upon suggestion from my kids, we bought blankets from Wal-Mart (and gathered blankets, coats, etc. that we don't use, and rounded up a few from friends), and are donating them to the Union Gospel Mission in Fort Worth ((I'm planning another run to donate more stuff so if anyone else wants to donate--just let me know)) .

Tonight, Mikey requested family "drawing" time. We sit together on my bed and shout out topics or ideas, then we draw and compare our pictures. This is a picture of Lauren and Mikey drawing.

#5/365--Blogger vs. Wordpress

Last night, I posted the question on Facebook as to whether or not I should switch to Blogger. Frankly, I haven't been really impressed by the backgrounds on Wordpress. None of them really scream, "Janelle!" When I was on myspace, I loved that I could "express" who I was, in part, by the background I used on my page. I loved changing it up every now and then with the seasons, making it all cute--it just sort of showed a little piece of my personality. I can't do that on Wordpress. At first, I was satisfied that I at least figured out how to post on that site, then finally found a "theme" I could live with. Then, my friends linked me to their blogs on Blogger. I was so jealous of how extremely cute their backgrounds were and it was exactly like what I used to "design" on myspace. So--after doing a little experiment with Blogger vs. Wordpress, I have decided to move over to Blogger. It's really a lot easier to use than Wordpress. And I can add my own background and music. LOVE IT! Thanks for your patience my loyal followers--heehee!

#4/365--Back to School

I couldn't decide which picture would be more representative of my day. Of course, today was our first day back after the Christmas Break (YES, I said Christmas--not Winter), so I have been pretty busy today. I had my camera out this afternoon as I was leaving, ready to take a picture. I was going to take a picture of my wonderful friend and co-teacher, Jennifer, but she refused (imagine that!! After a whole day of teaching 22 little 5-year-olds and she didn't want me to take her picture??!!) Then she offered for me to take a picture of her lesson plan book--I thought, "What a great idea!" So I ran in my classroom and took a quick picture of my plans for the week. After that, I took this pic of my calendar (a HUGE part of the day in Kindergarten). I took a few more on the way home (one of the front of the school, two at QT, our local gas station that usually has the best prices). After I loaded them onto the computer, I thought to myself, "No one really wants to see my lesson plans." And, so, you see here, my decision was a pic of my classroom--where I spend a majorityof my day...no, my life. We had a wonderful day back at school. It was busy, and the kiddos were really tired. Who can blame them after two weeks of not having to get up!? I'll be the first to tell you it's early bedtime for me tonight!

#3/365--Sunday Brunch

Last Sunday, my friend, Lesley took me to Bayley's Cafe--a small, local restaurant that I had been to before, but didn't find to be outstanding. But after a second taste last week--it has become one of my new favorites! The kids and I had brunch there today after church. The Breakfast Quesadillas are awesome! After brunch~we had several errands to run--time to get back into the usual routine of things since school starts back tomorrow. I'm hoping I can keep up with this "picture-a-day" project.

#2/365--A Day in the Life

Actually, Mikey took this picture this morning. It was really a lazy day for all of us. We got up late, no running around to do, no presents to buy, no people to visit, no places to go, no presents to return…so we spent the day just vegging out. At one point, all three of us were under a blanket reading: Lauren, in her room, reading Found by Margaret Peterson Haddix on her Kindle; Mikey, on the couch, reading The Gollywhopper Games by Jody Feldman(a Christmas present); and me, in my room, reading a new addition to my Kindle–Sitting at the Feet of the Rabbi Jesus: How the Jewishness of Jesus can Transform your Faith by Ann Spangler and Lois Tverberg. We played a little xbox (Madden 10, Band Hero, and Lego Rock Band). I even finished knitting a scarf that I started about 4 months ago (and started a new one to be finished by next Christmas)! Dishes got washed, but that’s about the only chore we accomplished today. It was nice to just hang out with the kids. It was sort of like a vacation from our “Winter Break,” preparing ourselves mentally for going back to school on Monday!

#1/365--Happy New Year!

Day 1: The result of our New Year’s Day meal: Fried chicken, blackeyed peas (for luck), spinach salad (for luck with money), mashed potatoes, and dessert of chocolate chip cookies. Happy New Year!

Moving to Blogger

Ok so I thought I'd try this and see if it works--experiment with which blog site I like better. Currently, I'm at wordpress, but don't like the style and don't necessarily want to pay to find a background that screams, "JANELLE!" So here I am. Some of you know I attempted blogging about 3 or 4 years ago but didn't keep up with it very well. I came upon a cool project that my pastor (and friend) is also doing and decided I want to try it out. The idea is to take a picture a day for an entire year to sort of "photo journal" your life. Since I got a new camera for Christmas, I thought I'd try it out. You guys can keep up with me here. But my idea is to attempt to blog about my pictures to sort of talk about why I took the picture, etc. Welcome!