Life Updates

Wow, has it been forever since I have posted; in fact since August 23. Since then, we have been so busy and out of town a lot.

We spent the weekend of August 28 in Northern Michigan to celebrate Mrs. Mangotreepaper's wedding. It was such a gorgeous wedding. She was married on beach of Lake Michigan with a Lighthouse in the background. It was unseasonably chilly, but people brought blankets for the ceremony and were just fine. The reception was awesome and she did a great job decorating. She married an Australian and Mr. Hoosier and I had a wonderful time chatting and making new friends with the Aussies. Thank you for a wonderful time Mrs. Mangotreepaper! We wish you and Mr. Aussie years of happiness.

While we were up there Mr. Hoosier and I were able to stay at the cutest Scottish Bed & Breakfast. He studied abroad in Scotland, so this was very cool for him. It was very quaint, and provided us for such a wonderful stay.

Last weekend, Labor Day weekend, we made the hike south to Louisville to hit up 4th Street Live with some friends. We celebrated a good friends birthday with a weekend of great festivities. Friday night we arrived, ordered pizza and then headed out to some galleries for a wine tasting event. Saturday morning we woke up, played golf, and then hit up BW's for some wings and college football. Then, Saturday night we had a nice dinner and went to 4th Street Live, which was so fun! That was my first time there; Mr. Hoosier had his bachelor party there. It was so much fun! However, once we got home Sunday I was ready to relax.
I have enjoyed all the small road trips Mr. Hoosier and I have made lately. We have many memories with such great friends. We are so blessed to be able to spend so much time with such wonderful friends. Though, it will surely be nice to stay home the next couple of weekends, enjoy some time together, and the beginning of our favorite season: football season!

Which brings me to a few things...

Go Notre Dame- They looked good Saturday. I hope Jimmie and Charlie can get it together for a good season.

Believe in Blue- I am nervous about a Colts Season without Dungy, but I am still confident in my team, and know they will be just fine.

Fantasy Football- Yes, I am doing it; first time ever. I think I drafted a decent team. Preppy Hoosier might dominate and show-up all of the guys. I will keep you updated.

As for the job world... second interview for the Youth Programs Director position at a local Health Club. I am nervous and excited, but I know what is meant to be will happen.

I am supposed to be training for my next mini marathon in November, but it hasn't been going so hot. I manage to get all my short runs in and my intervals, but never my long runs. I really need to work on that. Hopefully being home on the weekends will help me get better at that.

Well, that's the gist of life for now...

Until next time....

H :)

Spoke Too Soon

So, my last post I talked about how surprising it was for me to enjoy my job, well, I spoke too soon.  It was about a week and a half of enjoyment, and then it all changed.  It is now back to the same old crap that makes me dread getting up and going to work.  I am not going to use this time to complain....

Instead, I have a job interview tomorrow!  :) I have an interview at a Fitness Club here in Indy for the Youth Programs Director.  It is not the job that I applied for at the YMCA, but a different club.  I am excited, but nervous at the same time.  I only know teaching, so we'll see how this goes.  

Not too much to say tonight....

Will post soon,

H :)

Life's Surprises

I have been SO busy lately that I haven't had a chance to write.  Although, I want to share some of the surprises life has given me lately...

Surprise #1 = My JOB

As many of you, that either know me or read my blog, know I haven't been looking forward to the school year.  In fact, I had been dreading it so much.  Prior to the school year, I was crying every night and begging my husband to let me resign.  Well, the resigning didn't happen, but something did.  I don't know what it is, BUT as of RIGHT NOW, I am enjoying teaching immensely.  The first couple of teacher work days, I would drive into school, no radio, just praying to God that He would show me what I need to do and be with me through the difficult time.  Well, He did, I now feel like I have the zest for teaching that I  used to have.  My students are wonderful, and it helps that my 5th graders I have been working with since they were in third grade.  I have already done some really neat activities, and am looking forward to what else this year has in store for me and my teaching career.  I know that when I get down and frustrated (bound to happen) I can look back on this blog and remember how I felt at the beginning of the year; maybe it will help with my frustrations.  The other thing that might be helping is that this year I FINALLY feel like I know what I am doing ALL the time as a Resource Teacher and always am prepared.  I never before felt ahead; instead I was always playing catch-up.  I hope this feeling continues; it feels good to look forward to going to work everyday!  I love watching my kiddos learn :)

Who knows if teaching if this is what I will do forever- I still am so interested in the health and wellness field.  I just know it was I AM supposed to be doing right now.  I will continue to pray that He will give me direction.

Surprise #2 = Go Cubs, Go, Go Cubs, Go

That's right, WRIGLEY FIELD.  This past weekend Mr. Hoosier and I headed to Chicago with my mom, brother, and sister.  It was a "Back to School Surprise" from my Mom, and what a great surprise it was!  We had a wonderful family weekend.  My family came down to stay with us Friday night and we had a wonderful dinner and enjoyed each other's company.  They hadn't been here since the wedding, so I was so excited to show them the house too!  Then, we woke Saturday morning and made the 3 hour drive to Chi-town.  Well, on the way up there Mr. Hoosier received a Speeding Ticket :( , but that wouldn't ruin our fun.  We finally made it to Chicago, checked into our hotel, and immediately took the train to Wrigley Field.  What a fabulous day!  It was Mr. Hoosier's first time at Wrigley and he enjoyed it, even though he is a Boston fan.  The Cubs won!!!!  We then headed to some shops and I bought a new Cubs shirt.  After that, we went to this place called "The Diner", which was a BLAST!  My brother and sister were able to get in and we had lunch, and sang karaoke.  Yes, there was karaoke at this place!  My sister sang, Mr. Hoosier sang, and later (after a few beers, of course) I sang as well!  We stayed there all night!  Finally, at about 3am Mr. Hoosier, my brother, and myself took the train back to the hotel.  My mom and sister had gone back at about 12:30.  Sunday was rough, but we walked around downtown and went up to the Sears Tower.  We got back home Sunday night at 10pm; it made for a rough and sleepy Monday morning, BUT well worth it!  Thank you, Mom for a wonderful weekend in Chicago.  I love my family and the time we spend together.  That was one of those weekends I will never forget.  And thank-you Mr. Hoosier for agreeing to making the trip!

Until next time....

H:)

Unexcused Absence

I have been gone for quite some time, two weeks almost, but with absolutely no excuse other than LIFE!

Last week was crazy busy with Group Exercise Training and birthdays.  Monday and Tuesday I trained all day long, and then went home on Wednesday to celebrate my cousin's 21st birthday.  I then came home Thursday, we celebrate my SIL's birthday on Friday, went to the DMB concert Saturday, and went back home Sunday for a family reunion and to celebrate my mom's birthday.

Now, we are in my last days before going back to work.  I go back to work on Thursday, as in two days from now, and the kids come on Monday.  I am dreading it, absolutely dreading it!  I had a scheduled interview for a different school district that was supposed to be yesterday, but they decided not to fill the position.  I received that phone call 15 minutes after hitting up Express and purchasing a new interview suit; oh well, I hope to wear it soon!  Now, I am just waiting on hearing from the YMCA for Youth and Family Life position and keeping my eyes and ears open for other jobs as well.  

With all that being said, I feel horrible and embarrassed.  I never thought I would be that teacher that dreaded going back to work.  I really thought I would be the "lifer" that would always love being in the classroom.  I loved, loved, loved my student teaching.  In fact, I was looking at pictures from that time and was trying to remember what it felt like to be that happy in the classroom.  I was able to be so creative and my kids learned so much.  I can't believe after only two years it has come to this.  I feel sorry for my students.  Let me also reiterate that it is not my students I am dreading; in fact, I am excited to see them.  It is everything else that comes along with it and all the new mandates I am certain we will have, and all the things I am unable to do.   AHHH!  Okay, I am done being negative, and will just continue to pray that something will come my way and God will lead me in the right direction.

My training for both another half marathon and my group exercise position is going great.  I have been quite tired from it because between the two I am working out for about 4 hours or more each day.  You would think with that I would have lost weight, but no.  I just eat more now because it makes me so hungry.  I have been running with a friend and it has made things SO much better!  I actually enjoy my long runs outside, AND I feel they are productive.  Friday, we ran 7 miles in 63:27; I am definitely pleased with that time.

It is a rainy, stormy, yucky day here in Indy today... blah!  In fact, Mr. Hoosier is supposed to have a presentation tonight, but they lost power at his branch.  Poor guy!  I am just going to curl up on the couch and finish Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult; great read and highly recommended.  

Today is also the 2 year wedding anniversary for our good friends, A and J, so Happy Anniversary to them.  They are such wonderful people, great friends, and Mr. Hoosier and I feel SO very blessed to have them in our lives.  We wish you many more years of love, laughs, happiness, and memories!!!

Until next time, which I hope is sooner than a week and a half....

:) H

Camping I Go???

Well, its off to the woods I go for the weekend.  I am having a difficulty time packing; I want look cute even in the woods.  I am glad this place has showers and our campsite is on a nice lake.  Not to mention it's only until Sunday... I will be able to live.

 Wish me luck...  

:) H

The Waiting Game Begins

As some of you may know, I applied for new job last week.  The title of the job is Youth and Family Director for the YMCA.  The job description and qualifications indicated they were looking for the following:

1. Bachelor's degree in education or recreation- CHECK

2. Ability to work with children of all ages- CHECK

3. Experience in Non for Profit Management- CHECK

4. Managing a non for profit budget- CHECK

5. Experience fundraising and grant writing- CHECK

So, as you can see, I feel as if I am qualified for this job.  I can't stop thinking about it.  I think it would be absolutely perfect for me.  I would be in charge of implementing programs and activities for kids, teenagers, and families; right up my alley, plus it is contains the health wellness aspect that I love.  Plus, I would love to bring the Girls on the Run program to this YMCA.  

I catch myself daydreaming several times a day about this job; what programs I will implement, what the people will be like, what my office might look like, etc.  I am crazy, I know.  I don't even have an interview yet.  The job posting closed last night at midnight, so I should hear from them in the next couple weeks.

I am trying not to get my hopes up too high.  I know that I am young and that may be a downfall.  I will also be in charge of managing staff and being 25 years old may be a disadvantage for me.  But I am keeping my fingers crossed and saying my prayers.  I know God has great things in store for me and my career; I just need to have patience and wait for Him.

It's almost the weekend....

:) H

Our Dog, Bailey

This is the story of Bailey....

I have wanted either a Labradoodle or Goldendoodle for as long as I can remember. I love that fact that they don't shed and they are hyperallergenic. I also did a lot of research on them and learned that they are good with kids (for the future, of course) and very smart dogs.

Well, I had been begging Mr. Hoosier for a dog since we were engaged (June 2008), and he always told me that I needed to wait until after the wedding. So, I agreed. Although, he had told me several times that I would not be getting a labradoodle or a goldendoodle because he could not fathom paying that much money for a dog when we could get one from the humane shelter. He has such a good heart! I figured then, that I would just get a lab and be perfectly content, and just have to get over the shedding. I didn't bring up the dog want for awhile until...

It was the Saturday after Thanksgiving (November 2008) and Mr. Hoosier and I had his parents and sister over for dinner. His mom had brought over the county paper in which she had written some articles. After they left I decided to look through the classifieds at the dogs for sale. I had no intentions; I was just looking. I saw a few adds for Labradoodles and called on them because I just wanted to look; I thought it would be fun. All of the places had already sold their dogs... besides one place. I called there and asked if we could come out after church on Sunday.

It was a rainy, cold, Sunday. We got out of church, called the Breeder and got directions to drive to look at the puppies. It was about an hour drive from our house. It was this small town in the middle of no where. The breeder's facility was off from the road, and we took this windy dirt road back to the house. When we pulled up we heard 8 little labradoodles barking. They litter was black and brown. All of the brown puppies were spoken for, but that didn't matter because we weren't getting one. Out of the litter, there were three black labradoodles that were not spoken for. There was the runt, one that had really curly hair, and one that looked just like a black lab and not much resemblance of a labradoodle. Mr. Hoosier and I talked to the breeder for awhile and then left. We got his card and told him when we were ready to buy a dog we would be calling him. After all, Mr. Hoosier thought they were adorable, and he liked the idea of no shedding despite the price.

We then left the breeder's and drove home. We were about one mile down the road and he looked at me and said, "What if this is our Christmas gift to each other?" I remember being so excited, and then asking if he was serious. I looked up and realized he had purposely missed our turn. He was for real! We turned around and drove back to get our puppy. We called the breeder to tell him we were coming back. But then, we didn't know which one we wanted. We drove past the breeder's so we could discuss which one to get. After about 5 minutes of contemplation, we decided on the runt; she was so precious!

We picked her up and I held her half of the way home while Mr. Hoosier drove. Then, we switched because I was afraid of doo doo on my Anne Klein coat. Afterall, I was still in my nice church clothes. The whole way home we discussed what we were going to name her and the fact that we couldn't believe we just brought a dog! We tossed around many different names: we thought about INDY for the Colts, Nikkie because our first date was at the Nickel Plate, and many other names that dealt with the Colts or the Hoosiers. We then decided on BAILEY; named after Damon Bailey #22 who was a great IU Basketball player in the 90's. Mr. Hoosier and I both remember watching him when we were kids. It was the perfect name for our little puppy!

We then drove home and realized we didn't have a cage, no food, etc. We gave her a quick bath (she smelled like the puppy kennel), and then went to the pet store. We purchased all the necessities to take care of her. We played with her all night! We even purchased bells that day to put on our back sliding door to help potty train her. She still to this day rings the doors when she has to go potty. That day, she also watched her first Colts game!!!

Bailey is now 35 pounds and is doing great. We love her! We enjoy taking her on walks to the ice cream shop. She loves to play fetch with Mr. Hoosier and take my dirty socks out of my laundry basket. She does a wonderful job with her dog friends. This weekend she is going to the in-laws while we are camping.

Meet Bailey....



December 2008- This is me and Bailey at my Aunt's house on Christmas Day! She was so little then!