Hell-O, I'm a Glee-k

Okay, so Wasington, D.C. was a great trip. It was full of exciting sites & tons of inside jokes about: mapples that are high in fiber, over zealous flight attendents, a crazy lady across the aisle who wouldn't shut up (especially since our wireless computer "would crash the plane"), & very rowdy middle schoolers sharing our bus - don't even get me started on middle school :[.

After 4 days of NON-STOP touring, we got to enjoy a long charter bus ride from D.C. to Williamsburg, VA. It ended up being about 4 hrs. - I don't know if it's supposed to take this much time - but it did (our bus driver wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed...but we went with it because what other choice did we have, right?). Being the fabulous 4th grade teachers they are...Leah & Christine were prepared! They had Season 1 of Glee & we agreed to watch.

Many of the jokes were inappropriate for our young audience, so we fast forwarded those sections - or skipped the episode entirely. Even with our abbreviated, kid-friendly viewing I fell in love with Glee. It took me back to high school & that whole cool vs. not cool status stuff. I loved choir in high school, hence I love Glee. For all of you out there who may relate to the "not so cool status" I'm sure you'll LOVE Glee. For those "popular kids" board the Sue Express, you might find yourself a Glee-k too!!

Home Owner!

Just a small post - yes, I am officially a home owner today. They rejected my first offer & approved my second. It's a townhome just off of Powers ~ really close to my school. 2 bedrooms, 2 1/2 bathrooms, 2 car garage, & now it's mine.

I am equally scared & excited. Now I have to furnish it...we'll see. Growing up is scary!

Good Golly, Miss Molly

So coming back from Art today, my class was rambunctious as well....ALWAYS!! As we're walking in the hallway by Kindergarten one of my kids asks me about when CSAP testing begins (as if we haven't been taking them for the past 5 days, every morning from 10:30-12:00!!). I just ignore the question because quite frankly, I didn't want to answer it.

However, in true kid form, another student proceeds to ask me the same question?? Hmm...I just give "the look" and say, "Good Golly Miss Molly!" To which the student replies, "Miss King, I was asking about time? Who's Molly anyway?"

Oh dear! Giggle...I had to bust out in song. I think he was afraid or too horrified to ask the CSAP question again...for fear of death by my eyeballs emitting laser beams, well that or death by SINGING embarrassment, LOL!

Only 29

So, I've just learned that a 29 (would be 30 in March) 2nd grade MRES teacher-friend of mine passed away from cancer late Monday night, February 22, 2010. She was a wonderful person, wife, mother, and teacher. I'm am beyond sad & really just shocked at this tragedy. Never did I think I'd go to a funeral for a 29 year old!

As I reflect upon my memories of her, I am reminded of her humor & smile. She was such a hoot to do interviewing with--she would put the emph-A-sis on the wrong syll-A-ble & use her inflection to make us crack up as she was reading the questions. It created a very "light-hearted" environment & really threw the interviewees for a loop.

I also remember being in the office when she shared the news of her pregnancy - she was so excited. I remember praying for her son when he was born prematurely.

I recall all the parents & staff members really LOVING that their children had been placed in her class. She was an EXCELLENT teacher - kids loved her.

We'll miss you Michelle & I'll continue praying for your family.

Single on Valentine's Day

You know, this could be a sad post about being single on Valentine's Day, but it's not. I must confess that I do feel the tingles of the green "jealousy" monster on this holiday, mostly because it's EVERYWHERE! This year, maybe because it fell on a Sunday (?) it wasn't like that. I enjoyed a rather "comfy" day at home despite my nose bleeds & congestion UGH...I hate the arrival, disappearance, arrival, disappearance, (okay you get it) of Spring in Colorado.

I had lunch with a friend on Monday and decided to post, not because of the conversation (it was good to just talk & catch up), but because I'm truly just aiming for contentment with my life as it is RIGHT NOW. I just hear everyone so bogged down with laundry, cleaning house, having babies, not having a wedding ring (ooh, that's personal hee hee), etc. When I was 12, I wanted to be 13 so I officially entered my "teens." When I was 15, I wanted to be 16 so I could start driving. When I was 17 I wanted to be 18 - legal adulthood was just soooo exciting, well that & graduating High School to start college. At 20, couldn't wait to be 21 & drink (not that I do so much of that now).

ARE WE SEEING A PATTERN?? In every moment I wasn't there, I was anticipating the "next BIG thing!"

It's amazing how I teach things that are applicable to myself--an amazing God-thing! I was just telling my 5th graders, lecturing really, about how I didn't think it was responsible/appropriate for them to be texting during school hours. Yes, our district's middle school had 6th graders sexting--already, I MEAN, WHAT?!! One part of my lecture I got so stinking upset over their disregard for cell phone rules that I said, "I didn't sign up to teach 6th - 12th grade. My teaching degree is K-5, ELEMENTARY school. So start acting like kids, be kids, because you're not in MIDDLE school yet & that's not what I signed up for!"Actually, it's sort of a gigantic GOD-sized kick in the shorts..."Ummm, hey there teach! How about you DO what you SAY, not merely speak words."

Nice! So I'm finding all the good things about being single. Learning/exploring what I can do for myself, cooking the things I like, spending my money on Coach purses that yes, quite frankly cost too much but hey, I only have to explain it to me :0), going on lunch dates with friends and not having to worry about a sick spouse or kiddo, having the ability to start a new career after 5 years and not have to fret about how my family will be affected, traveling...and these are just the few I've come up with so far.

It's nice to count your blessings...not to say that this list wouldn't be just as filled if my life were on the wife/mommy track - this is just a reminder to myself that I need to be grateful for the place I'm at RIGHT NOW.

Here's To You ~ Grandpa Anderson

Well, there are many, many stories & memories to share in such a little space. Also, to try would minimize you! You still are larger than life to me Grandpa, so sit back in your lounge chair, & let's take a trip down Kristan's memory lane...hope it makes you smile!

First, I think I've put this off because I wanted to pick the "just right" thing to say...and I've come to realize that you never said the "just right things" you just said what needed saying & were done with it - how I can see that in me at times as both a blessing and a curse! You said things both good and bad that I recall, but they were honest. You were practical so I think you didn't ever feel the need to lie. As I get older, I realize that sometimes we make choices that we aren't proud of...the only thing we can do is learn from them & do better next time. Grandpa, I think you instilled in me honesty--you admitted there were things you did that you weren't proud of, but you also shared your wisdom. Thanks for being honest.

I'll always remember your pop-in visits. I remember coming home from school in El Paso & seeing you and Mac sitting at the kitchen table with a cooler full of shrimp. Mom wasn't home yet & there you were, waiting for us...you even brought dinner (you didn't know that "us King kids" didn't really eat seafood)! Another time, you were notorious for this Grandpa, was my 8th grade Honor Roll banquet. I remember my mom being frenzied when I came home from school about making the banquet on time & me being dressed neatly. I wasn't concerned...little did I know what was cookin'. When we got to the O Club, there you and Grandma were...mom was stalling for the confirmation phone call from the school's secretary promising enough seats for mom, dad, Grandma, Grandpa, & me. That one was REALLY a shocker!

Grandpa, you taught me to work hard & play hard. You were always going somewhere or doing something - camping in Alpine, boating at Lake Plesant, going for a ride, tinkering in your garage, building something in the backyard. You were in a constant state of motion. I always loved going on little drives with you to who knows where? Mostly Dairy Queen after washing cars, painting, or yard work! If you couldn't come, you'd always point us to the group that was going. I remember you telling me to call Aunt Ninn about attending the New Year's Day Fiesta Bowl Parade or getting into Ben & Stewart's old truck to go clay pigeon shooting out in the desert, "Just go, Krissy. You'll have fun!" you'd say. From you I learned to look for the goin' place & hop on ~ you'll miss the adventure if you don't join the group who's movin'!

You also just did a good job of noticing. When I mentioned to my mom one Thanksgiving that I wanted to make some wooden wall things, you told me I needed a jig saw...then proceeded to tell my mom where to find one in the garage. She looked & couldn't find one though. Later, I saw you on 'ol blue looking through Home Depot ads from the Sunday paper, "Hey Krissy, here's a $75 jig saw, on sale for $35. Wanna go get it?" Or when you really wanted me to make salsa...it was all my mom & Aunt Dee Dee would talk about (yes, we are all prone to your "midnight cravings" it would seem). I told my mom we needed a food processor & in you come with a $100 bill, "Jode', just go get it. Salsa sounds good to me too - not too spicy though Krissy." You always took an interest in our interests - I see it in my mom's, aunt's, uncle's, & cousins lives too. It made me feel special & loved...so Grandpa thanks for noticing me!

I don't know where the nickname Krissy came from, and honestly I never had the guts to tell you how much I HATED it. I even recall you getting pretty upset when I ignored you calling me it, because I really & truly didn't know you were talking to me. But, what I wouldn't give for you to tell me some story or give me some advice by starting, "Well, Krissy...". I'll always redirect others: that's a family nickname for me (used especially by my special Grandpa), my name is Kristan. Please call me Kristan. So, Here's to You...miss you & I'll ALWAYS love you & share your stories.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

I truly believe that. I set up Christmas at the King house today. A little bit of help from Grandma & Dad, but I did most of the unpacking.

It looks good. I'm officially domesticated, first a pie! Now I'm packing & decorating like a home-owner. Too bad it's not my home.

Enjoy every minute of it...I am!!