We found this on our house the other day. Pretty awesome, eh?
About Me
- Doug and Amanda
- It's been 10 amazing years together! We now have a beautiful baby girl. Doug works as an "immunochemistry staff scientist" at a biotech company. Amanda is enjoying her job as a third grade teacher. Our pup, Charlie keeps us busy and entertained!
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Saturday, August 23, 2008
It's Easy Being Green
Being the homeowner's association law abiding citizens we are, we went the extra mile and mowed our lawn. With this:
Look how happy it makes Doug!
So easy, anyone can do it!
Can't you just hear the Andy Griffith music in the background?
Look how happy it makes Doug!
So easy, anyone can do it!
Can't you just hear the Andy Griffith music in the background?
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Out of Control Weeds
So here they are. The weeds that were so worthy of a letter from the homeowner's association. Seriously.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Homeowner's Association
Doug to Amanda, on a walk to the mailbox: "Let's pull weeds tomorrow." "Ok," replies Amanda.
(Doug opens mailbox.) "What's this? It's from the Homeowners Association. (Opens letter.)
Letter reads something like as follows:
During a recent inspection of your property, we noticed weeds growing on your landscaped gravel.
Then, it goes on to outline the ABQ city ordinance on weeds.
Anyways, they acted like we were nasty neighbors with out of control weeds. In truth, we had some weeds, but they were few and far between. Furthermore, we have only been here a little less than two weeks. Pictures to follow of our disgusting yard.
(Doug opens mailbox.) "What's this? It's from the Homeowners Association. (Opens letter.)
Letter reads something like as follows:
During a recent inspection of your property, we noticed weeds growing on your landscaped gravel.
Then, it goes on to outline the ABQ city ordinance on weeds.
Anyways, they acted like we were nasty neighbors with out of control weeds. In truth, we had some weeds, but they were few and far between. Furthermore, we have only been here a little less than two weeks. Pictures to follow of our disgusting yard.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Let the Corruption Begin
I made it. Barely. Ha ha, today was my first day of teaching. It went pretty well. It wasn't as scary as I thought it would be. It's really weird that I am finally a teacher. I have only wanted to be two things in my life: Celine Dion or a teacher. I went with the more secure choice. I think it was the right one.
Even though I feel that I made the right choice career-wise, I think I made a couple of mistakes today:
1. I let the students choose their own seats, which ended up being a bad choice because all the boys sat together and all the girls sat together. I had to adjust accordingly.
2. COMMUNITY SUPPLIES! Stupid. I thought they could share some supplies, like pencils, folders, erasers, etc. But I also collected their folders and notebooks, thinking I could re-distribute the folders so that each student would have a yellow folder for one subject, a red for another, etc. I didn't take into consideration all of the Hannah Montana, Spiderman, and Chuck Norris (yes, Chuck Norris) folders I would get. A bunch of wasted time for a dumb plan. Oh well. You teach, you learn.
3. Poor time management. I thought things would take a little less time, but I suppose that it's good because I can use leftover activities for tomorrow.
Other problems I encountered were out of my hands. They changed my recess schedule after I had already sent my kids out. Then, there was no bell or whistle or other indication that recess was over, so when I went to pick up my kids most of them were still playing. Finally, at the end of the day I had duty at the parking lot. They did not give me a vest, a clipboard, or instructions, so I just walked around and waved my arms and acted like I knew what I was doing. I think I looked important. Or something.
Anyways, thanks for listening to my ramblings. Now I must go to bed.
Even though I feel that I made the right choice career-wise, I think I made a couple of mistakes today:
1. I let the students choose their own seats, which ended up being a bad choice because all the boys sat together and all the girls sat together. I had to adjust accordingly.
2. COMMUNITY SUPPLIES! Stupid. I thought they could share some supplies, like pencils, folders, erasers, etc. But I also collected their folders and notebooks, thinking I could re-distribute the folders so that each student would have a yellow folder for one subject, a red for another, etc. I didn't take into consideration all of the Hannah Montana, Spiderman, and Chuck Norris (yes, Chuck Norris) folders I would get. A bunch of wasted time for a dumb plan. Oh well. You teach, you learn.
3. Poor time management. I thought things would take a little less time, but I suppose that it's good because I can use leftover activities for tomorrow.
Other problems I encountered were out of my hands. They changed my recess schedule after I had already sent my kids out. Then, there was no bell or whistle or other indication that recess was over, so when I went to pick up my kids most of them were still playing. Finally, at the end of the day I had duty at the parking lot. They did not give me a vest, a clipboard, or instructions, so I just walked around and waved my arms and acted like I knew what I was doing. I think I looked important. Or something.
Anyways, thanks for listening to my ramblings. Now I must go to bed.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
We're In!
Forgive the extended blogging hiatus, but we have been moving into our new house for the last week as well as fixing up my classroom. We also haven't had internet for the past week (which is probably a good thing).
Even though our house is fairly new, it has become increasingly apparent that the previous owners were not as meticulous as we are about cleaning. Or painting. We have incurred many unexpected costs as we discover more and more areas that need attention. For example, they apparently installed tile, but failed to seal the grout or ever mop the tile, for that matter. So we called Stanley Steemer...cha-ching! One room had a Spongebob wallpaper border around it, so we bought some wallpaper remover...cha-ching! It was also painted a bright green (appropriate for their three-year-old son, but not for us)...cha-ching! Flat paint in the master bedroom and bathroom intermittently spattered with what appeared to be chocolate or poo (fyi we did not do the "Baby Mama Chocolate or Poo Test")...cha-ching! Moldy caulking in the bathroom window...cha-ching! And the kicker--our washing machine stored for two years broke...cha-ching! Well, you get the point.
While we enjoy do-it-yourselfers just as much as anyone else, all of these little projects and hidden costs were simply unexpected. But we love our house and can't believe all of the space we have! It's incredible that I actually have drawers and cabinets in the kitchen that have nothing in them! One setback I discovered about having a large kitchen is that I cannot use the "one butt kitchen" excuse, and I actually have to help Doug with dinner ;)
I know I keep saying it, but pictures are to follow! Soon, I promise! Oh, and if I know you and you are in the area, come by and see our new house! We can't wait to have guests!
Even though our house is fairly new, it has become increasingly apparent that the previous owners were not as meticulous as we are about cleaning. Or painting. We have incurred many unexpected costs as we discover more and more areas that need attention. For example, they apparently installed tile, but failed to seal the grout or ever mop the tile, for that matter. So we called Stanley Steemer...cha-ching! One room had a Spongebob wallpaper border around it, so we bought some wallpaper remover...cha-ching! It was also painted a bright green (appropriate for their three-year-old son, but not for us)...cha-ching! Flat paint in the master bedroom and bathroom intermittently spattered with what appeared to be chocolate or poo (fyi we did not do the "Baby Mama Chocolate or Poo Test")...cha-ching! Moldy caulking in the bathroom window...cha-ching! And the kicker--our washing machine stored for two years broke...cha-ching! Well, you get the point.
While we enjoy do-it-yourselfers just as much as anyone else, all of these little projects and hidden costs were simply unexpected. But we love our house and can't believe all of the space we have! It's incredible that I actually have drawers and cabinets in the kitchen that have nothing in them! One setback I discovered about having a large kitchen is that I cannot use the "one butt kitchen" excuse, and I actually have to help Doug with dinner ;)
I know I keep saying it, but pictures are to follow! Soon, I promise! Oh, and if I know you and you are in the area, come by and see our new house! We can't wait to have guests!
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