And all around you snow will fall. Like confetti stars and paper dolls.

The last little while in pictures:

Jen dressed up as Coral Reef, I was a fried egg (my boyfriend was bacon), and Erin was Punky Brewster.

Team Selleck - they won our Cornstock tournament (corn hole).

Throwoing corn during the big tournament. It snowed all day. There were two kegs, a huge tent, it was a double elimination tournament, 3 games played a time, DJ spinning tunes, and lots of good food! Friends too.

Taking an eveing walk during the first snowstorm of the year.

Banks Van Fleuf Miester, looking absolutely adorable.

Smokewagon playing at Coal Street Pub. Brian on the drums.

Skiing last weekend. We had fun, not sure if you can tell or not.

I decorated Brian's window. It is a snow blizzard.

Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking successive autumns. - George Eliot

Fall, fall, fall, fabulous fall! All I wanna do is go camping, wear big sweaters, smell wood burning in the wood stove, and eat soups and breads. Yum.
Besides the anticipation of fall, I am feeling pretty meh today. My students, sensing my mood, have been on their best behavior. Excellent.
Sex and the City has been on my TV a lot lately. Last night, after quite a bit of sangria, I was almost brought to tears when Big shows up in Paris to see Carrie. There she is in that fantastic dress squatting on the floor. Ahhh.
Talked to Gwen last night! She is prego. Talked to Kurtz last night. He is funny.
I presently have 7 cats. Two are already gone and another is claimed. Leaving me with 3 babies, mama, and my two. I am on the fast track to being the crazy cat lady.
I have seen some pretty good movies lately with some great company. Its been a pretty long time since I have watched a movie. Everything is Illuminated was pretty good. Fighting is alright too. Anyone have any good suggestions for others?

Konnichiwa!

I. am. going. to. JAPAN!
32 sleeps!
No worries, I am not moving there, just a nice 10 day jaunt.

Random updates:
- my class loves techno
- one of my students - "Miss Van Dorp, do you allow dancing in your classroom?"
- RIP Kissy Fish, Sucker Fish, and Black Fish (Kissy Fish, I am sorry I dropped you on the floor)
- I now have 9 cats living in my apartment - Stella and Banks, Mama + 5 babies (I rescued them), and random black cat who came in the window and won't leave
- fall is here and I love it
- soccer starts on Sunday and I can hardly wait

Sayonara. Ittekimasu.

Wylie Van Armani Esquire

My dog is getting strong. Very strong. He used to be all ribs and was this little homely looking thing, but now there is no messing with him. He also is starting to get protective of me. He growls and barks at men, men with beards. He does not like men with beards. I on the other hand tend to lean towards facial hair, but that’s another topic. On a number of occasions he has lunged towards said men, almost ripping my arms off (see my last post on the puniness of my arms).
A few nights ago I was taking Wylie for a walk. Well it was more like he was taking me for a walk, dragging my up and down the streets. We came around a corner and there was a sweet little Siamese cat sitting there. Wylie lunged, I braced myself, but I was no match for him. The leash broke. He darted after the cat – who hopped a fence, and went flying into the backyard of a house. My dog, yes, he followed. Cleared the fence and went tearing through the yard and into the back of this house. I stood aghast. A lady came out of the house, talking in accent about how naughty my dog was.
I called, he came. Then he turned and went back into the backyard. I called again and he came. Then he turned and went back into the backyard. I called again and he came, the lady allowed me into her yard to come and get him. The cat made another appeared before I could grab him and he was off again through another gate after the cat. I corned my crazed dog and got him tied to the leash. Then a nice gentleman appeared. He thanked me for visiting and welcomed me back anytime.

aqua, mizu, agua

Those flippin water coolers. I try. But really, these puny arms cannot wrestle the sheer size and weight of the jug. I need a man. Or maybe the ability to bench more than 5 lbs. Today I was at the water store. The guy working there asked if I needed help getting it into my car. Nope, I said, as I heaved it onto my hip. But, I offered, you could come to my house and put it on the cooler for me. He laughed at me. Needless to say, my full jug, not so full after I wrestle it up on the stand. My floor is a sopping mess, as usual.

Random Recents

1. I saw a wicked neck beard today. Awesome.
2. Cats shed. Alot. Especially when you leave em in the house for days.
3. I witnessed a kid pass his drivers test today. Joy.
4. Backstreet Boys. Why did I ever stop listening to them? They are rocking my life.
5. Blowing a tire on the interstate = not fun.
6. My dog rocks.
7. I have been to the MVD (motor vehicle department - also my initals) 300,000,000 times in the last month. I don't lie. And I might kill someone soon.
8. Stella now only drinks from the bathtub. I come home, she runs there, I turn on the tap, she drinks a bit. Its a ritual.
9. I purchased a book entitled How to Conquer the World. I can't wait to start.
10. Where did the Kings of Leon come from? Love Use Somebody.
11. My favorite number.
12. Mix tapes were special. Way cooler than a CD. I found mine from back in the day. I listened to them all and then threw them in the garbage.
13. homestarrunner.com rules. Possums.
14. The end.

hose me down

I have a problem
I cannot control myself
v-neck t's are hot

Hey you!

Well it's been awhile. I am sitting in my new appartment, sunshine flowing in from the three 5 ft windows that grace my living room walls. This place is absolutely amazing. Claw foot bathtub, original hardwood floors, freshly painted (adobe) walls. I am eating Special K with a handful of raspberries, ahhhhhhh, summer is here. One window shoots a view off to the north east of the mesas and red rocks, the other to a huge Catholic Church bell tower. I'll have to get some pictures posted soon! I only have a few boxes left to unpack...
This has serously been a great year for me so far, and we are only halfway done. Travel has been a common theme. I was in Winnipeg for the new year, Cancun with my bff Kristen in February, Florida in March with Tara, Rachel, Shawna, Cassie, Chelsea, and Heather, Phoenix in March, Vancouver in April with Katy (nevermind Cali, Oregon, Washington State, Idaho, Colorado and New Mexico for the drive there), I hit up Mesa Verde and Telluride, Colorado, last month, and this summer proves to hold more adventures for me!
Yesterday I did a triathalon. 375 yard swim, 12.4 mile bike, and 3 mile run. I can still move today, and it was actually pretty fun. I killed the swim, my bike was decent, but the run... I am not a runner. I ended up doing it in an hour and 36 minutes. Not too shabby for my first go of things.
Well I best be off walking to church. Big soccer game this afternoon, and great book to read!
Happy Sunday! and cheers to summer!

I (heart) February

I can't believe its taken me this long to post my annual I Love February and Everything Pink post. Probably because I have just been having so much fun this month, barely a moment to sit down.

I wore - pink, purple, or red every day up until February 14th - it was great fun.

The first weekend I went on an awesome off-roading/caving/wolf adventure, that left my car covered in lumps of mud.

I was training for a quadrathalon that I competed in on Feb. 14. It is basically a 42 mile race up a mountain to the summit at 11,301 ft. I have never been so cold in my entire life. Check out The Outdoor Journey for a sweet explanation of the race. Basically that mountain kicked my ass.

Now I am working towards the Dawn til Dusk mountain bike race, and the Shiprock Marathon. We'll see if I can keep up with the training.

My 26th birthday was awesome. Katy and I went for drinks after my class, and I also had a White Trash Bash the weekend before.

Saturday I am heading to Cancun for a week with my bff Kristen. I can hardly contain myself.

Then on March 4-8th I fly to Florida for a get together with my roommates from college.

No February blues going on here. Bring on the sun and the beach.

The worst part is that I have a list a mile long of all these crafts and DIY ideas, and no time to sit down and do them. Hopefully by the end of March things will start to settle down.

Happy February!

Latest and Greatest Quotes of the Week

Seriously, one of the best things about teaching first grade is just talking and listening to the students. Getting into their little heads. Listening to their ideas. They are very impressionable, and also they believe anything, I mean ANYTHING, you say. Gotta love it.

This convo came right after Christmas vacation, after I had been back in Canada. I had nothing to do with where he got his ideas. He came up with this all on his own...
Student: I think that in Canada, dogs are so hungry that they eat little kids.
Teacher: Why would they be so hungry?
Student: Because no one feeds them.
Teacher: Why wouldn't they feed them?
Student: I think they don't like them.


During a spelling test...
Teacher: Number three. How do you spell boots. B-oo-ts. Miss Van Dorp is wearing boots.
Student: and fancy boots too.
Student 2: I like your boots.


I always have pencil sharpener problems in my classroom. This child is picking up on that.

Student: Are you gonna keep that new pencil sharpener?
Teacher: Nope, I was just borrowing it.
Student: Well I wish, I wish the whole school was full of pencil sharpeners swimming all over.
Teacher: I would love that.
Student: Then we could do whatever we wanted.
Teacher: What would you do?
Student: Chopper blades. Engines that blades. Bladle. Do you know what a bladle is? Its spins. Pshhhhhhhsshshhs. It has really. It has blades.

10 minutes later...

Student: That penicl sharpener there doesn't work?
Teacher: Nope
Student: Well how can you make it work.
Teacher: I can't, its broken.
Student: Well why don't you just buy a new one.
Teacher: Because I don't have any money.
Student: Well why don't you get a job that earns you some money.
Teacher: Yah? Like what kinds of job?
Student: I dunno, a Walmart job, all kinds of jobs. Buidling fences. Like being a cop. Being the job of a police man won't earn you money. But you can protect yourself.

McDonalds Addiction

I have come to the realization as of late, that I have a problem. Well I have lots of problems, but more specifically I LOVE McDonald's. I could (and often do) eat there every day. Nothing will compare to the height of my addiction in high school. Since then I have cut down and I think I have done pretty well. I usually try to eat at McDonald's as often as possible. The desire does not always occur when I drive by (well sometimes those golden arches just call my name), but more of "I am so hungry nothing will tantalize my taste buds as much as a ____________. That blank can be filled in by pretty much everything on the menu except the Big Nasty (Extra) and the McNasty (McRib) sandwiches. My favorites include the fries - not to be beaten by anybody, cheese burgers, double cheeseburgers, McNuggets, Big Mac, McChicken (NOT the spicy one) and of course the Fillet 0'Fish. My mouth is watering just thinking about all this deliciousness.

In high school my bff and I ate at McDonald every single day. I am not exaggerating or trying to over-dramatize the situation. We literally ate there every day. Two cheeseburger meal super-sized with coke. My daily ritual. I still think I am going wake up one day and be 300 lbs.

Most recently I indulged myself in the McDonald's twice in one day. A feat that does not occur that much, but often enough to think of how disgusting I am. I was in the Denver airport, landed at gate 91 in the United terminal. Usually I then have to hike to like gate 2 to catch my next flight (right by McDonald's mmmmmmmmm). Not this time. My next flight was to leave from gate 87. This was definitely a first. I checked my watch and decided I had enough time to hike my ass over to the food court (a mere 80 or so gates) to indulge myself in an Egg McMuffin and hash brown (I leave this unplural because it is literally one big hash brown). Sorry I can barely control myself right now. Then when I landed in Albuquerque I had to do another McDonald's stop to fill my dinner hunger. A great day. And no, when I go to bed my sheets don't reek of french fries.

The only thing worse that eating McDonald's twice in one day would then be when I can't decide what to order. This is when I order a McChicken, Cheeseburger, and a Filet o'Fish, and then proceed to order two drinks so the drive-through attendant won't think all the food is for me. Sad days.

I have few friends in my life that share my same love - and moments with those friends at McDonald's are true treasured experiences. My bff Kristen of course shares my love, as does my aunt, and my college roommate Margriet. There is nothing better than sharing McDonald's with those you love.

I apologize to anyone who vomited during the reading of this post. I do not apologize for those who instantly drove to McDonald's to order something McDelicious.

I read that in Malaysia McDonald's have McDelieveries. Sounds amazing. Looking into moving to Malaysia. http://www.mcdonalds.com.my/mcdelivery/how2order.asp



All I can say is two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun (try saying that as fast as you can - fun times).

My handmade Christmas

I had decided to give all handmade gifts this year for Christmas and it ended up turning out great. My only exception were books. But come on, books are a great gift, and I purchased them at a small local bookstore.

So here is the breakdown:

For my dad - a handmade belt from a local saddle/shoe shop City Electric, as well as the book Uncle Ernies Guide to Old Time Rodeo. The book is written by a local guy who has done a lot of work with Tony Hillerman. My friend Chuck also did the layout of the book. The pictures in the book are these awesome watercolours also done by a local Navajo man.

For my brother and sister-in-law I got this print from local photographer and friend Chuck. Its a picture taken up in the Cibola national forest of some aspens in the snow. Totally awesome and it looks amazing in there purple and grey living room! (sorry for the glare of the flash in the photo)

My mom got books, books, books, and more books. Her favorite thing. Oh and whoops - pajamas. I didn't get those handmade :(

I also got my sister-in-law and her mom these awesome magnets from my friend Marcy @ Signs of My Life. She has her stuff up on ETSY - definitely worth checking out.

My aunt and my sister-in-law also got a set of these 4 handmade reusable grocery bags made by yours truly. They took forever but it was so rewarding when they were done. I was thinking about selling them... but then I'll have to find cheaper fabrics, cause after the time I spent and these fabrics there is no way I could make any money on them.

My niece got this 'bunting,' also made by moi. Its about three meters long and is hanging up in her playroom right now. She loved her 'flags.' My nephew got one of those towels with a hood. Made by one of my neighbours.

My principal and his wife got flatwear carriers made by a friend from college - Brielle of Pony Up Design (also on ETSY).

Overall it was so much fun making and looking for homemade gifts. I also had fun wrapping them in brown paper and all sorts of fun ribbons. I love Christmas and I love gift giving.

Frosty the DEAD snowman

I have one of those stereotypical boys in my class. He drive me crazy. We are making Frosty the snowman crafts. They are to cut them out and color them etc. He colors it in 3.5 seconds, cuts it out in just under a minute, and then glues it together in the most haphazard way. I look at the thing and just shake my head. I get two other students to show him the nice job they are doing... he doesn't care. His snowman is basically decapitated he did such a ridiculous job. I try to encourage him, don't scribble, take your time, all this to no avail. He likes his snowman in disarray. He tells me "he is Frosty the DEAD snowman, kinda like a zombie." Well at least hes sorta creative.

Welcome to First Grade

Thought I would do a little update of my classroom.
Here are some pictures and a video.

Here we are on a hike up in McGaffey forest. I taught them how use sticks as weapons.

The whole class on the hike.

We went up the fire tower. Awesome views.

They read 300 books, so we had a party at the park.

Halloween

Red Ribbon week - Drug Awareness - we went around the neighbourhood doing a parade.
We chanted "Booooo to drugs!" the entire way.

This video shows some of the ridiculousness that goes on in our room.

Today we were doing place value - so I gave each student 10 popsicle sticks and 100 beans. We glued 10 beans to each stick for counters. Now they can count by 10's. Anyways - none of them new the bean song. "Beans, beans, the magical fruit, the more you eat, the more you toot!" So I taught it to them.

This is my winter song to you. The storm is coming soon. It rolls in from the sea.

I was all pumped to pull out my Christmas music this week. Especially because I picked up the Amy Grant Home For Christmas CD (taking me back to 1992) at Goodwill for super cheap a couple of weeks ago. But the weather here is too nice to be in the Chistmassy mood. It was +20 C today. I am NOT complaining, but I do miss the snow. Just slightly though.
I was in another craft sale this past weekend. I did very very well. It was so awesome. I have one more this Saturday. Craft sales get me in the mood for Christmas. I decided all the gifts I buy this year will be handmade. I picked up a sweet present for my nephew this weekend. That's as far as I have gotten, but I do a have a list and ideas for everyone. Woop woop. Wait, I take that back, no ideas for the father yet. Dads are hard to buy for.
Well happy Monday! I had a great day. Despite my horrible dreams last night and the three papers I wrote yesterday that ruined my weekend. Anyhoo have a great week! Only four more days of work till Thanksgiving break.

Ooooooooooooooohh I almost forgot. You need to download the song Winter Song by Sara Bareilles & Ingrid Michaelson. It is great.

MadHatter:Do you care for tea? Alice:Why, yes. I'm very fond of tea. MarchHare:If you don't care for tea, you could at least make polite conversation.

I hosted a Tea Part today. It was pretty much great.

Maggi, Naomi, and Audria with their nails painted,

and their toes!

Sitting down to Tea. We had mini Nutella sandwiches, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, sliced apples, mandarin oranges, celery with Cheese Wiz, raisins, homemade bread with butter, chocolate milk, and fizzy orange juice.

The food is slowly disappearing, and the stains on the table cloth are growing.


I had the most gorgeous bouquet of gladiolas from Trader Joes. They lasted a week, and then I chopped em down to the few that remained alive.

After lunch a Feist dance party erupted.

Veterans Day Tea Part = a great success.

Check out these videos from the day:

I love that you can see the girls dancing in front of the TV cause they are trying to see themselves in the reflection.

The lamp is burnin' low upon my table top The snow is softly falling The air is still within the silence of my room I hear your voice softly calling

Music that has got me through the day. Alison Krauss.

I have written three papers already this weekend. One more to go, and it is just gonna have to be handed in late.

It is snowing right now. I have been charting the action on weather.com as well as the tele. It doesn't look great for a snow day. But perhaps just a late start... fingers crossed. It was so sunny and gorgeous here yesterday. I like snow though, so let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! The rest of the week will have nice weather.

I decided at the end of the week I am pulling out all my Christmas music! Whoo hoooOOO! I did a little sampling tonight though. Song for a Winters Night - Sarah McLachlan. Although I like the Gordon Lightfoot version as well. But I am partial to Gordon Lightfoot.

I found a cat. Well it sat in my windowsill meowing for two days, and then I just let it inside. I can't keep it. I want to. I already have two cats, and a dog. That is enough pets. It is lovely tough. And orange. Very orange.

I was so pumped yesterday because I finally found a great purple nail polish. I have been on the hunt. Seriously, it is a lot harder that you think. I tried all of my Gallup resources - being Walgreens and Walmart. Then I checked out Target last weekend. Nada. Well I stumbled upon one of those beauty supply places yesterday and wamo - purple nail polish galore. In the picture below you can see my nails all painted different shades of purple. I needed to find the right shade. Which until yesterday seemed impossible. I went with Tempest and VIII. I got greedy and picked out two. THEN, guess what, they just happened to be buy two get one free, so I picked up an amazing fuchsia pink called Sexy Silhouette. You can never have too many nail polishes. I also forgot to take them out of my purse, so this morning at church my little bff Maggi saw them and was enthralled with my new colors (I often paint her nails). So that led me to hosting a Tea/Nail painting Party on Tuesday. That's right a Veterans Day Tea Party. I am inviting Maggi, Audria, and Naomi (whom are all somewhere between 4 and 5). It will be grand and I will post pictures.

Oh and the whole purple thing has to do with my new glasses and it is also Maggi's favorite color. She is a big influence in my life.

p.s. Isn't that mug great? I purchased it a few years ago in some little shop in San Diego. The udder even has teats.

when I am old I will have a goat and I will feed him roses

I have the sniffles and the sneezes.
I partied too hard this weekend.
Mid-twenties - you start to realize you can't handle the partying like back in the day.
I heart tea.
I am going into shock from honey overdose.
One paper down, two to go.
I have a new phone, it is sweet.
I love the sound of fallen leaves in the wind.
My dog has an owie and has to go to the vet, poop balls.
Mostly I just feel lonely today.
I am sick of teaching, but that could just be November talking.
I wanna bake pies and yummies, and sell them. In a store. That I own. With books, lots of books. And I will wear a different apron everyday for a year.
Ooooo and I bought a blue tooth to go with my new phone, hurray for new multitasking opportunities.
I could dance to Twilight Serenade all day.

You know you have a problem when

you go through the McDonalds drive-through and you order two drinks so the attendant doesn't think all the food is for you.

Stop it, or I'll rip the quacker outta that duck!

I love the things my little critters say. Maybe you need to know the kids, but these make me laugh!

They were supposed to use the word "as" in a sentance - everyone bombed except for this one:
I em a littel girl as you can see

Journal entry:
my dad trols flams he is osum

Student comes up to me and shows me his journal and his new shoes:
I hav new shoes and et is as fast as a speden bulet

I am listening to Jason Mraz, and two of my boys are walking around with their collars popped. I said, "guys what are you doing?"
"Walking around."
"Walking around and rock'n out."
Another one says "they were being too cool."

Another journal entry:
I wot to be a pirate for hola weg

Little boy singing to himself during math:
"Don't you wish your girlfriend was a freak like me."

A little boy telling me what he did last night: "My grandpa drew witches and I drew ghosts. Crazy ones. Killers."

They were supposed to use the word "is" in sentance (chrro = true): "is it chrro is bad is it choo that my dog is chasen my cat."

Little boy telling me about the debates on TV:
“Last night I saw the Hope of the Obamanation.”

Me - “Does anyone know what drug free is?”
Student – “it means you get drugs for free!”
Me – “No. Drugs are bad for you.”
Other student – “Is beer drugs? Everyone in my family drinks drugs.”

I was standing on a table hanging some paintings.
Student - “Are you allowed to do what you are doing?”
Me – “What do you mean?”
Student – “Standing like that on the table.”
Me – “Whose table is it?”
Student “Yours.”
Me – “Well?”
Other student “She's the teacher. She's gotta do what shes gotta do.”