Random Thoughts

I appreciate those of you that were so sweet and made me feel better about not posting on a daily basis. Thank you!! My life has been rather busy with so much going on!!!

I thought I would share some RANDOM THOUGHTS going thru my mind right now.

~~ I just finished baking cookies for our Market Day at church. I didn't get fancy. I just used the cookie dough that you buy from the grocery store. I thought "briefly" about making some from scratch.... but... that would require more of my time and right now... time is not something that I have a lot of!

~~ Market Day is on Saturday. I am a bit sad because I won't be able to participate in it -- other than baking cookies for it! (Check below for the "Random Thought" on why I will not be able to participate.) Market Day is a fundraiser for our Missions Team. I am sad that I can't be there because last year I fell IN LOVE with the jewelry that my pastor's sister sells!!! (Check out her website at... http://www.mysouthernfunk.com/ The website only has a small assortment of her items, unfortunately. There are SO MANY MORE that she actually as with her at her sales booth!) I bought quite a few items and I wear them ALL THE TIME! There were many other booths at Market Day last year, but I kept finding myself back at the jewelry one!

~~ I won't be able to shop participate in Market Day because David and I are leaving on Friday to drive to my friend's house in Atlanta. We will be on his MOTORCYCLE! We will spend the night at my friends house, and then on Saturday.... we are trailering our motorcycle and my friend's husband's motorcycle up to the mountains of North Georgia so that we can ride thru the mountains. We are staying at my friend's husband's boss's cabin overnight on Saturday. We'll come home on Sunday. I am VERY thankful that I have the day off on Monday!! **Smile**

~~ I am trying hard to get my business started with Initials, Inc. - Here's my website: www.myinitials-inc.com/beckybauers/ - I haven't had anyone purchase anything yet, but I have two parties booked for this month, and I have two people that are trying to get enough orders for a Catalog Party. I also decided to have an "Open House" at my house on Saturday, October 15th so that people can stop by and take a look at the products that I have and learn a little bit about the company. We'll see how that goes. The products are super cute!! And ALL personalization is FREE!!! A lot of other campanies charge extra for personalization.

~~ I've been trying to hit the gym 3x a week. I didn't make it there last week. It was a ROUGH WEEK! I have not seen a lot of difference in the number on the scale, but my clothes are fitting a little better, so "something" is working!! YAY!! One thing that I know is different is that I don't really have time to eat lunch. I have been eating things like... yogurt, an apple, or a protein bar. I'm just glad that I am seeing something positive happening!!

~~ Work is going "ok". The young mom that I work with and I are FINALLY starting to communicate better, which is making working with her a whole lot easier! The first two months were quite the challenge, but this week is going much better and I'm so thankful.

~~ David bought me a hitch and bike rack for my car so that I can be more "mobile" with my bike. I took it to the bike trail, in town, last Saturday and rode 8 miles all by myself! I LOVED IT! I can't wait until I can go again!

~~ Miranda started "clinicals" last week for her nursing school. She had her first experience working with REAL people!! She was so scared and nervous, but came home loving it and couldn't wait to go back again! YAY!! She goes back tomorrow. She is on the cardiac floor of the hospital. I am so proud of her!!

~~ Ashley's friend, Kyle, that she has become very good friends with, went on a bicycle trip this past weekend. It was to raise money for needy children. He had to ride (with a group) from Columbus to Savannah, GA which is about 300 miles!! This was his first long-distance bike trip and he was very excited about it!! Unfortunately, on the last leg of the trip, he had to drop out. He thinks he tore something in his knee. I haven't talked to her since he has been home. I pray that it isn't serious.

~~ My young friend, Chris, who's picture is posted to the right, here on my blog... will be coming home in December! YAY!! The sad part is... his one and only brother is overseas now, as well. His name is Ryan. I need to find a picture of him and post it so that you all can say a prayer for him every time you see his picture. I will work on that! Hopefully, Ryan (the older brother) will only be over there until March. Needless to say.... my friends (their parents) are having a tough time since BOTH of their children are overseas, in harms way. Please keep them in your prayers, as well.

~~ I started attending a Bible Study at my Pastor's house on Sunday Evenings. I am enjoying it very much! The Bible Study that we are doing will take us thru the entire Bible. I am enjoying the discussions that we are having as we go along.

I know that there is a lot more on my mind right now, but I will stop here for now.

Hope you all are having a wonderful week!!!

I'm Still Here!

No. I haven't been a very good blogger lately. I apologize for that. I need to find a way to get blogging back into my routine!

I work 5 days a week now... 8:30 to 1:30. But, I leave my house at 8:00 and don't get home until nearly 4:00 most days.... so.... really.... I am gone pretty much ALL DAY!

I have been going to the gym on Mon, Wed, & Friday's after work. I go to see my mom on Tuesday's after work. On Thursdays, I go to see my Care Receiver. So, you can see that my week is FULL!

I am now attending a Bible Study on Sunday evenings, and of course.... I have church on Sunday mornings.

Twice a month, on Thursday evenings.... I have my Stephen Ministry meetings.

On top of all of this.... I am trying to keep on top of my household chores, spend time with David and my girls, and also make time for what few friends that I have.

You can see why Blogging has kinda' been put on the back burner right now!

On the list of things to do today --------

At work: I am teaching today while the teacher that I assist, does "assessments" with the children.

After work: I will call my CR and see if she is feeling well enough for me to visit her. (She was in the hospital earlier this week.) If she is... then, I will go to see her.

After seeing her: I have to go to the grocery store and buy the ingredients for a pasta salad that I am bringing to work tomorrow for "Fun Friday". -- Once a month, all of the teachers take turns providing a meal for the rest of the teachers. I am on the list for tomorrow, along with several others. The theme is "Italian".

Then... I get to come home!

Oh ya!! Today is PAY DAY, too!!! So, I will need to go to the bank. **Smile**

My Head is Spinning!

SO MUCH is going on right now! I feel like my head is spinning as I try to keep track of all that is in my brain!

---- At work, I am still trying to get myself organized while I help the young teacher that I am the assistant to, get organized as well! Today, "should" be an easier day. We'll see!

---- At the gym, I went for my "Physical Assesment". I wasn't impressed with the trainer that did my assesment, so I feel like I wasted my time on that. Oh well. I did get signed up for a program called "Fitlinxx", tho. It is a program that keeps track of your workouts as you work out on each "Fitlinxx" machine. I am hoping that it will help me to "accountable"! I need that! My plan is to go to the gym on M-W-F, after work.

---- At church, there is this HUGE event happening on Sunday, after church, and I am part of the team that is organizing it! And... on top of that.... I am in charge of helping my College Age Sunday School Class prepare a "booth" for it! I am feeling frustrated because it doesn't look like some of the kids are going to come thru with the things that they promised that they would "do" or "get". (This is including MY own girls!!) I have to be at the church pretty much all day on Saturday to prepare and set up for Sunday. I was hoping that I would have plenty of help from my students, but several of them have had to back out because of work or school commitments! (Including my girls!) So.... I have no idea what our booth will look like on Sunday! I don't like that it is being left up to ME to get it ready!! I am trying REALLY hard not to stress about it, but it's hard.

---- At home, I feel lost. Now, that I'm working 5 days a week... I am having to do more things "after" work and therefore I am not getting home in the afternoons until like 3 or 4pm. I am not keeping up with my household chores as well, and it is frustrating me. David is having to help out more and I know that he doesn't like it. Hopefully, once I get this weekend behind me... things will get better.

Gotta run and get to work! Hope you all have a blessed day!

Taking a break

Hi friends ~

I am taking a break today from... "My Vacation A to Z". I have a horrible sinus headache and can not think straight... but, I thought that I owed you a different post to let you know how things are going with my new job.

My new job as a  4 yr old, Pre-K Assistant Teacher is a lot harder than I thought it would be!!

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the preschool itself!!! It is wonderful!! But, the teacher that I am working with is a new teacher and she was TOTALLY unprepared when school started, just over a week ago.

She told me in the beginning that because she WAS new and I was a veteran... she wanted us to work TOGETHER to teach the kids. I was fine with that, but it has turned out to be very difficult because every time I offered her help or suggested different (and better) ways of doing things (because of my experience)... she thinks that I am criticizing her!! I don't mean to come across that way... but, that is how she is seeing it! So... I have backed off of trying to offer my "suggestions" and have just let her handle things.

Last week, the kids were in control of the classroom!! SHE was not, which was not a good thing! Yesterday, she seemed to have a little bit better control over them, which I was glad to see. Hopefully, this will continue.

She has a VERY "high strung" personality and seems to have a hard time focusing on one thing at a time. This is another thing that is making things difficult. Last week, she was SO overwhelmed and she was a nervous wreck! This week, she seems to be a little more calm and in control. I can't help but wonder if the kids were "feeding" off of her nervousness last week, and that is why they were so "out of control".

Please pray for this young teacher as she struggles to learn the ropes... and for me!!.... as I try to keep up and stay calm myself!

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As far as other things in my life ---

I quit Curves last week and joined the YMCA. I knew that I was not going to continue going to Curves because it was nowhere near where I am working now. (It's not convienent for me... I won't go!) The Y is just two blocks over from my new school!! A PERFECT location! I plan to go every M/W/F afternoons, after work. Tuesdays, I will go and see my mom. Then, on Thursdays, I will go and see my C.R. -- I hate not getting home early in the afternoons anymore, but that's ok. I'm getting used to it.

Miranda started Nursing School last week. It is SO COOL to hear about what she is learning each day! Soon, she will begin going to the hospital to learn. I CAN'T WAIT to hear about her experiences there!!!

Ashley is back in school. She is an Art Education student. She is not too happy right now because she is in a sculpture class. This is NOT something that she enjoys!! She would rather be painting.

She also has a new guy in her life. We met him this past weekend. He is very sweet. She says that they are just in the "talking" stage right now, which is fine. She has been hurt so many times by guys that I would rather her NOT jump into a relationship too quickly. 

I am enjoying getting to know the ladies that I work with. One of them, in particular, I can see as a potential furture "good friend". She and I are very close in age and we have a LOT in common! She has three boys that are in the same age range as my girls. In fact.... my girls know who her sons are!! LOL!  I am hoping that she and I can go to lunch one day soon and get to know each other a little better.

This weekend, I will be at my church pretty much the whole weekend!! Saturday, I will be getting ready for an event on Sunday. And then, Sunday... I will be AT the event all day! I'll be one tired puppy by Sunday night!!

We have no plans for Labor Day weekend, as a family. My very BEST friend that lives in Atlanta is (hopefully) coming down on that Saturday to go "thrifting" with me!! I can NOT wait!! I have been anxious for her to come down all summer! I can't wait to take her to all of our new Thrift Stores!

The only other thing that we might do on Labor Day weekend... is go up to the campground and visit our camping friends. Some of them will be camping. We are not ready to go camping yet. It's still WAY too hot!! I am anxious for Fall to come so that we can really camp!

Ok... I better run. Time to go get ready for work!

Hope you all have a blessed day!

My Busy Month of May

Hello. Remember me??

I am the blogger that promised to write every day and has not. I hope you can forgive me! My only excuse is that the month of May has been a busy one and blogging got rotated to the bottom of the priority list! I am a "routine" kind of person and my routine is TOTALLY OFF right now!! And has been for weeks!!

At the beginning of May I was in search of a new job. I was busy working on my resume', making phone calls, visiting other preschools, and going on interviews. Thankfully, I found a new job rather quickly and will begin it in August.

During the middle of May, I was busy winding down the school year at my previous job. I was in charge of making the "Memory Books" for each student, so I was busy trying to finish those so that they would be ready to go home on the last day. There was also the task of packing up the classroom and cleaning everything.

Miranda's birthday was on May 21st. She and I had a wonderful day in Atlanta!

On May 24th, I traveled back to Atlanta with David and a group of friends to attend the Jimmy Buffet concert there! What a BLAST that was!! --- I owe you all a post about that and pictures!

David has had a lot of vacation time left over to take before the end of May, so he has been home a LOT! He has been working in our yard quite a bit and I can now say that I ENJOY HANGING OUT IN MY BACK YARD! Wahooo!!!! --- I owe ya'll pictures of it, as well! I am quite proud of how it looks!

We have also been busy sprucing up the inside of our house a bit! I was on the hunt for a new duvet cover for my bed and a new "look". I finally settled on a white duvet cover so that I can easily change the "look" by swapping out the sheets, bed skirt, shams and throw pillows. Now, if I can just keep my silly dogs OFF my bed!!

I also have a new tablescape to share with you!! I went "thrifting", as I call it and found LOTS of goodies!! Part of what I found was for my June tablescape!! I love it and can't wait to share it with you!!

While I have been absent from my blog..... I discovered that I have been given a few AWARDS!! My friends, you are too kind! I don't know that I deserve them after being "absent" so much lately! I will post about them soon. I PROMISE!! 

We will be leaving for the beach in a few days, so I will be "absent" again! But.... hopefully, I can get into a routine after that because we have NOTHING planned for the rest of the summer!

As I said before... I owe you several blog posts! That is something that I will begin working on as soon as I can. Right now... it is 7:00am and I already hear David out in the back yard watering the plants and cleaning up after our fun pool-side day, yesterday! I guess I better go and help him!!

Toodles for now ~

Quick Note

Hello, my friends ~

I apologize for being so "absent" over the past few days. I have been incredibly busy and have a lot on my mind, as well!

I hope all of you Mommies out there, had a wonderfully blessed Mother's Day! I know that I did! I hope to share my day with you, soon.

Saturday, I also had a wonderful day! I spent the day with my best friend who lives in Atlanta. We had a blast while shopping and having lunch together! She was on the hunt for a dress to wear to a wedding, and I was on the hunt for a new duvet cover for my bed. She lucked out and found a dress, but I wasn't so lucky! My hunt continues! Then, Saturday evening... David and I attended a concert at our church that I CAN'T WAIT to tell you about!!!

I made one phone call on Friday to another preschool to inquire about a teaching position. I had to leave a message, and after waiting ALL DAY for her to return my call.... I never heard from her. So, I am about to get back on the phone now and start the process again!

I hope to get back online later and write more. Hope you are having a blessed Monday!

I'm still here!!

Ya. I got "lost" for a little while. Adjusting to a new schedule and routine threw me for a LOOP, but I think I have finally fallen into a "rhythm". June has been a busy month!

June 4-6th.... Hubby & I went to Panama City Beach for a short weekend. We were invited to stay with friends at their condo that they have there. What a beautiful place it is! And the view was incredible! It is located very close to Pier Park, which was fun. It was wonderful to get to go to the beautiful Gulf Coast before the yucky oil made it not-so-pretty.

The week of June 14-18th... was VBS at our church. My daughters and I were "Crew Leaders" for the week. This meant that we guided (and were in charge of!) a group of 6-8 kids to the various "stations" set up in various rooms. VBS was from 8:45-12:00 each day. By Wednesday, I felt like it had been TEN days instead of only three!! I am still not sure what made it so tiring, but it was! It was also a lot of fun, tho.

Of course, we have still been training our new puppy (Chester) all this time, too! I do believe that he is FINALLY house-trained, tho!! YIPPEEE!!!! He is still not sleeping thru the night, but he is getting better. Instead of waking up between 3 & 4:00am... he is now waking up closer to 5:00am. I can handle that!

On June 15th, we had him neutered. So, not only was I dealing with VBS that week.... I was also dealing with a puppy that had just had surgery! The instructions say... "Do not let him jump, run, or get excited for 7 to 10 days." --- Do you know how HARD it is to keep a puppy from doing those things????? It was pretty near impossible! It's been over a week now, and he seems to be doing fine. I check his "private spot" every day.... (just to make sure nothing's come "undone"!)... and he looks fine.

This week, has been WAY more relaxing! Plus... I have been preparing for VACATION!!!

If you look back to my post on 4/9/10... you will see that Dtr. #2 had come up with a plan for our family to go Universal Studios this summer. Well........ her technique WORKED!! We are leaving tomorrow morning!!! Can I hear another... YIPPEEEEE!!!!! Hubby is not going. He chose not to, but said that we (my girls and I), could go. So, that is what we are doing. Dtr. #2's b/f is going with us, too. It should be a fun trip! I am beyond excited!!!

So..... once again.... you will not hear from me for a few days. But, this time.... I have a good reason!