tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16795840835623411972024-03-05T14:51:08.476-08:00Countdown to My New NameMy random thoughts as I move through the wedding process...and other fun things!Keaganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756586080914890222noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1679584083562341197.post-46618152084620826402010-09-13T13:42:00.000-07:002010-09-13T13:42:35.391-07:00Back to the Beginning....<em>This week on SITS they’re hosting a </em><a href="http://www.thesitsgirls.com/2010/09/back-to-blogging-blog-post/"><em>Back2Blogging challenge/giveaway</em></a><em> to encourage people to get back into the swing of blogging. Today’s task is to re-publish my very first post and share my thoughts on it. I’m linking up my post on SITS and entering to win a brand new washer and dryer. The giveaway is sponsored by Standards of Excellence, Westar Kitchen and Bath, and Florida Builder Appliances.</em><br />
<br />
Since I have been seriously lacking in the blogging department lately, I figured that this couldn't hurt. Plus I have a few new followers (amazingly enough...hi!) that might find this insight into why I started my blog helpful. The link to my first post is <a href="http://mylifeaskradz.blogspot.com/2008/04/first-post.html">here</a>.<br />
<br />
Re-reading that post I can't help but laugh. First off...it's horribly cliche. I felt like I was reading my middle school journal. Secondly, the facts from that first post were almost all changed so I feel like reading that didn't get you much more information about me except that I'm getting married...the date changed, the venue changed, my job changed, my STATE changed....you get the idea.<br />
<br />
What was fun for me in reading that though was to re-read my engagement story. Day to day, it's easy to forget how lucky I am to have hubby in my life and despite that fact that there are days that I want to murder him, I really love him. It's also amazing to me how much my life has changed since I wrote that first post a few years ago. I have had 2 new addresses, 2 new jobs, and 2 new pets. I got married, bought a house, and got pregnant. And it's all recorded here for posterity. If that thought doesn't get me back into bloggy mode, I don't know what will.Keaganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756586080914890222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1679584083562341197.post-57622852875016497812009-10-20T14:54:00.001-07:002009-10-20T14:54:22.407-07:00Just a reminder......to any of my followers here. I moved my blog to <a href="http://www.mylifeaskradz.blogspot.com/">http://www.mylifeaskradz.blogspot.com/</a>. Come follow me there...Keaganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756586080914890222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1679584083562341197.post-56426155308006083432009-09-23T10:51:00.001-07:002009-09-23T10:51:26.201-07:00I moved!I have officially moved my blog to a new place because I am no longer counting down to my new name. It's <a href="http://www.mylifeaskradz.blogspot.com/">http://www.mylifeaskradz.blogspot.com/</a> . Come follow me there for more frequently update (as my job now allows me a few moments a day to actually think). Full catch up post to be expected on the new blog (complete with wedding pictures) soon.Keaganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756586080914890222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1679584083562341197.post-70053467191768722992009-06-16T16:08:00.000-07:002009-06-16T16:16:38.075-07:00A big 'ol sigh of relief...I was laid off from work about 3 weeks ago. It sucked. Royally. I have tried to keep this fact quiet because I was petrified that I'd be out of work for a while and the last thing that I wanted was everyone talking about how I was unemployed at the wedding and hearing how sorry people are over and over again. No offense or anything, but <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">sorry's</span> aren't going to get me a job or earn me money. <br /> The reason that I can finally say that I got <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">laid</span> off is because i got a new job! I'm super excited about it too. First, in case you don't know, I was a teacher and I have been saying that I wanted to be a teacher for as long as I can remember. Sure, I went through various dream careers including archeology, pharmacology (those were my dream jobs anwyays...what...they weren't yours too?), but for a large chunk of that time I have wanted to be a teacher. And for the past 5 years I have loved being a teacher. My career aspirations, though, have always been to be a "teacher's teacher". In fact, according to my mom, I decided at the age of 6 that "someone had to teach teachers so that's what I wanted to do). Up until a few weeks ago I figured that someday I'd end up teaching at a college in the education department.<br /> When I started looking for jobs I decided to peek on monster. com just to see what was out there and ran across an "education specialist" position at the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technologies. I applied on a whim....come to discover it's a pretty cool job. I went on 3 interviews an (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">wooh</span>) got a job! I'll basically be designing teacher workshops/student programs that encourage students to enter into science/engineering/technology jobs. I get to get kids excited about science! How cool! So I'm jumping right into this...I start next Thursday. Can't wait!Keaganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756586080914890222noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1679584083562341197.post-20747263301500385912009-06-01T16:17:00.000-07:002009-06-01T16:19:36.580-07:00Amazing blog!So 2 posts in one day...clearly I am procrastinating on writing all those thank you notes from the shower. I just came across the most amazing blog ever if you grew up the 90s. <a href="http://childrenofthenineties.blogspot.com/">http://childrenofthenineties.blogspot.com/</a> enjoy a good laugh!Keaganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756586080914890222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1679584083562341197.post-73838761414097509612009-06-01T12:25:00.000-07:002009-06-01T12:31:44.105-07:00I was showered!My shower was this past Sunday. How amazing! I have to admit, I was completely nervous and a bit guilty about the fact that people had bought me so many gifts (the table was covered...and so was the floor beneath it!). Luckily, once I got over that initial nervousness it was wonderful. Good job mom and Mrs. R.! It was help at a golf course in town and we had a lunch-time banquet complete with salads, finger sandwiches, sweet tea, and spiked punch. With the sweet tea I felt like we were down south. After that we did gifts and I was completely blown away with how generous everyone is. I got everything that I could have asked for and more and some people were so clever. Keith's aunt and I are both avid readers and talk books a lot. She found this website <a href="http://www.booksbyyou.com/">www.booksbyyou.com</a> where you choose a book, enter in information about people and then you get back a book that is personalized. She got Keith and I a book about race car owner (me) and her new driver (Keith) and their romance....ooooh! I doubt Keith will ever read it but it's so cute. I am also completely stocked to have the biggest party ever....so details on that will be forthcoming I guess. :) The shower was also good practice for the wedding day. I got kind of used to being the center of attention and learned that I need to not make so many faces. My poor cousin was trying to take pictures and managed to get a stupid picture of me practically every time! Might be tough to get good wedding pictures if I keep that up. Next wedding related thing is my final dress fitting next weekend. I can't wait!Keaganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756586080914890222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1679584083562341197.post-61516013476046756642009-04-29T16:31:00.000-07:002009-04-29T16:31:00.221-07:00The troops are getting restlessMay is on the horizon. That combined with the warm weather mean that my students are going nuts! The end of the year is always rough. I usually am ready for summer as much as my students are, but I have to somehow make them think that I want to be in school doing school work and that what we are doing is vitally important (when I know in my mind that whether they remember the name of Darwin's ship is not going to make or break their future). Always fun...<br /><br />Now sometimes the kiddos are clever. Yesterday one of the kids left school during 8<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span> period (which is wrong, but he did have a study so at least he didn't skip class) and put a tarp in the back of his pickup truck, filled it with water, and drove back to school. This must have been planned in advance because half of the senior class had on their bathing suits and they had a "redneck hot tub party" after school. Innocent fun. It got me thinking about the silly things that we used to do back in high school that adults probably shook their heads at, but that made us laugh. Like the time in Chem class (not sure if you've heard this story Allison) where we were <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">tye</span>-dying clothes and our teacher told us we could <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">tye</span>-dye anything we wanted. Me and a buddy bought in underwear and sports bras. Or the times we used to go sneak into the local YMCA camp after dark to slide down the super long slide (in defense of my coolness it was a long slide that went down the side of a huge hill....and we had Wendy's trays).<br /><br />Those innocent fun things are the reason that I love teaching high school kids. So much better than the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">doofus</span> that thinks its fun to come to school drunk or high. Kiddos like that really grind my gears (family guy anyone?) In other news....actually can't think of any other news. So until I can think of something witty....byeKeaganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756586080914890222noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1679584083562341197.post-5882873891771802422009-04-20T17:07:00.000-07:002009-04-20T17:07:00.658-07:00Starting to Feel ItWelp, we're 3 months it and the stress is finally kicking in. I'm doing a pretty good job keeping a cool exterior, but really I'm becoming a bit undone. That doesn't mean that I'm having second thoughts or cold feet or anything. I'm very sure of my decision to marry Keith. It's all the other stuff. Financially I'm not really sure how this is going to fall into place (I'm sure it will and I'm trying not to drive myself crazy, but it's a bit scary). And all those little details that I keep saying I can't do until later are finally here. Everyone keeps telling me to enjoy the process and all the highs and lows that go with it and i'm really trying to keep that in mind. <br /> I'm having fun with some parts of it...I have my final fitting next month and these little meeting with our minister are actually pretty enjoyable. The parts that are getting to me are who to invite, who to have bring guests, and where to seat everyone. I'm also getting VERY anxious about my shower. I hate being the center of attention (I know, I teach...should be used to it, but this is different). My mother wanted to keep the date a surprise, but she ended up telling me which is for the better as now I don't have to worry about that. Now that I know when it is I just have to gear myself up for it. I know that it'll be fun, but I have a tendency to act strange when I know people are watching and to get a bit short tempered. I'm realizing that that sounds kind of selfish. After all, all those people are coming out for me and Keith and that's special....and I am appreciative...just a bit anxious. Bottom line is that I understand when people say that they just can't wait for it to get here. I'm tired of thinking about it already....Keaganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756586080914890222noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1679584083562341197.post-13344323380582308862009-04-07T19:03:00.000-07:002009-04-07T19:03:00.710-07:00Ho hum...Not sure what to post about as I've been feeling a bit ho hum lately. This time of year always seems to drage for. March always seems interminable and then the weeks in April before break seem like they'll never end! Luckily for me, March is over and vaca starts Friday...wooh. Keith actually has Friday off too, which is practically the first day that he's had off (with the exception of Xmas and New Years) since he started. That's a looooong time to work without even a day off and I know he's not entirely happy where he is. He's such a trooper though....keeps his complaining to a minimum. Otherwise, school has been going well with the exception of a few things. One of them is this incredibly unruly class that I have. It's really only a few kids, but they can get everyone off task so quickly. I'm not really a yeller and have used every trick in my arsenal and I still can't get to them. To make it worse, they're 4th quarter seniors...impossible to make them care. If any of you teacher folks out there have any suggestions, I'd love to hear them! Help!Keaganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756586080914890222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1679584083562341197.post-89934189652237790992009-03-22T15:39:00.000-07:002009-03-22T15:44:23.232-07:00Our marathon weekend...So it's Sunday night and I think that I feel more tired than I did on Friday (not good). But we did have a fantastic weekend so I can't complain too much. Keith and I got back up to NH for practically the first time since we moved away this past summer. Friday we got to spend the night with the Krones family and catch up. It has been entirely too long! From there we headed up to Manch-vegas and visted with another old friend and then headed up to Conway for a night with some more friends. I had forgotten how beautiful northern NH is. We drove up 93 to 302 on the way up. If you're unfamiliar with the roads, the ride takes you through both notches, through the national forest, and right past Mt. Washington. It was a crystal clear day so you could see all the way up to the observatory on the top. Absolutly breathtaking! On the way home we too the Kancamagus Hwy, which also takes you through the national forest, but a different way. It's a scenic little road that follows the Saco River and takes you past all sorts of HUGE mountains and sheer cliffs. Add to it that it snowed a bit and it was picturesque. If you ever have a day where you're not sure what to do I totally recommend just taking a ride! And pack a picnic lunch if its nice out because there are lots of little scenic picnic spots along the way. Totally worth the gas money...Keaganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756586080914890222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1679584083562341197.post-15575271040087781382009-03-11T16:57:00.000-07:002009-03-11T17:02:36.630-07:00A New Addition...It's been a while since I last posted so I figured it was time for a catchup. Truthfully, up until a few days ago, not much has been going on. I've been going to work, coming home, and not much else so there hasn't been too much to say. I did get Wii Fit the other day. Awesome little contraption. I've been using it pretty frequently and I don't know if it's doing me any good, but it's a lot of fun. It's a snippy little thing though! I missed a few days of weighing in and it got a bit pissy to me when I finally did go back. The jerk!<br /><br />The new addition part of this is my new cousin (well second cousin I guess). My cousin Kim welcomed her son into the world last week. His name is Kaeden Cashman and he is absolutly precious. Mom and baby are both doing well. I'll get some pictures up here soon, but I figured I'd give them a little while before I attack them with a camera.<br /><br />We have another new addition, too, to my family....my mother decided to get a dog. She picked up her little Yorkshire Terrier today and though I think that she's a bit crazy to get a dog, I'm sure he's precious. Again, pics will be coming soon as I'm going to see him on Friday! Yeah for new babies (human and animal)!Keaganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756586080914890222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1679584083562341197.post-78094791605371913732009-02-12T13:50:00.000-08:002009-02-12T13:57:55.402-08:005 months to go...Since I started this out to be a wedding blog so I'll give the wedding update. I opened my email this morning to an email reminding me that we are officially 5 months away...and I think we're doing pretty good. We have decided to print our own invitations and started printing those out the other night. Keith is pretty graphically inclined, so he even offered his opinion. The invites also involve thredding these shiny broach like things through some ribbon. Keith offered to help and it was probably the most priceless moment to see my future husband hunched over some silver ribbon with a shiny rhinestone thing in complete concentration mode. I complain sometimes that I feel like he hasn't really been involved in this whole wedding planning thing, but lately (as we've gotten down to the important details) he has kicked in big time. We registered at Bed Bath and Beyond the other day. Keith came and once again was completely into it. He's even going to the florist with me in a few weekends. I love it! It's so nice to know that he's here to help and that he's excited for the wedding too. I've read so many blogs and talked to so many people who had fiances that were totally hands off...and I think that if he did that I'd question whether he really wanted to be getting married. I have the most amazing man ever...<br /><br />Oh...and Happy 200th B'day to Darwin!Keaganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756586080914890222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1679584083562341197.post-40136144611052743402009-02-03T16:04:00.000-08:002009-02-03T16:04:00.815-08:00And here we are again...Well, here I am again anyways. So for those of you who don't know, when I was teaching in New Hampshire we went through a very messy contract dispute. In fact, we came about 7 hours away from going on strike. Scary. Throughout that entire time, threat of pink slips and job loss was tossed around like crazy (especially for those of us who weren't tenured. if you're not in the teaching world that pretty much means that your sh** doesn't stink anymore and you have to do something horrendous to lose your job). Anyways, that went on for about two of my four years in Nashua and was finally settled mid last year. It wasn't fun, but I survived.<br /><br />Fast forward to today and once again I am faced with being pink slipped and/or losing my job. It's a pretty scary thing and one that I am taking pretty seriously, but at the same time am trying not to lose sleep over it. Branford is a pretty well off district usually, but the economy's touch, so we're feeling it now. Because of the relative comfort that most Branford teachers are used to, this is causing a good chunk of them to seriously lose it! There are people freaking out everywhere! I'm not...<br /><br />I think I've gotten to a point with this whole debaucle that I realize that there is nothing that I can do about it. I can only go into work each day, do the best job that I can do, and go home. The decisions that are being made are above my head and at this point I'm just along for the ride. I could freak out...realistically, I probably should be freaking out...but that's only going to hurt my students and drive poor Keith crazy. So I'm along for the ride again...hope everything works out. I really like Branford.<br /><br />In other news SparkPeople is working! I have been to the gym consistenly for two weeks! Not a big deal for most, but huge for me. And when I say "been to the gym" I mean that I've had a good workout. I am a master of going to the gym, farting around on the treadmill for a bit, doing a few crunches and saying that I worked out. Not anymore! I haven't lost any real poundage yet, but I feel great. And because I'm not really overweight I don't expect to see the pounds go flying away. I'll be content if my arms and back look hot in my wedding dress :) Which should be in within the next few weeks! can't wait!Keaganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756586080914890222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1679584083562341197.post-51506598600168373682009-01-26T20:00:00.000-08:002009-01-26T20:00:00.701-08:00Changes...I got to thinking today about change (I have no idea why). I was realizing that 2009 is a big change year for me. To start with, in the past 5 months I have changed states, changed jobs, changed apartments (more than once!), made new friends, etc. In 2009 I will be changing my tax return status and my name as well as many other changes that go along with marriage. Now for me, all of these are planned changes. They are things that I knew were coming up in my life and have prepared for, even been excited for. Not all changes, however, are planned for. I think it's those changes that are trickier. This is all inspired by a friend/family member of mine who has become pregnant (who might be reading this...hi!). Obviously a major life change, maybe not so planned for, but change none the less. I think that how a person deals with unexpected change says a lot about their character. Some people pretend like it isn't happening, some get all sad and mopey and "woe is me", some pretend like its no big deal and inside are crumbling...and then there's those that embrace any changes that come at them and make the best out of that situation. I'd like to lump myself into that last category, but I think that I tend to fall into the 3rd category (the act like it's no biggie, but freak out on the inside). Totally unhealthy, I know. Actually, in writing this I'm thinking that I may be in for some unexpected changes throughout my 2009 as well and I'm going to make an honest effort to shift myself over to the 4th category. Because as much as change can be unwanted, unexpected, sometimes even needed or hoped for...it is inevitable. Guess we should all make sure that we handle change in a positive and healthy way. Wow...enough deep-ness.<br /> Speaking of healthy, I was reading Carrie's blog about how she joined SparkPeople, so considering that I usually lack serious motivation I would join the website. It is a website that is kind of like WeightWatchers, but online and totally free. It has lots of great recipes and little groups to join and nutrition/exercise trackers. More importantly, it keeps that kind of thing on my mind. When I got engaged (over a year ago) I said that I was going to get back into shape. Plenty of time to get a wedding body that I want. Now that I'm less than 6 months out and have yet to loose a pound, I think it's time to get serious. So far so good. Now maybe i can get motivated to keep up with this blog thingy more often :)Keaganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756586080914890222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1679584083562341197.post-37545447916783443192009-01-06T15:38:00.000-08:002009-01-06T15:38:01.036-08:00Struck by RealityThis will be a short post because I have a million and a half things to do, but I just needed to post this. I have been planning this wedding for the past year. I have been checking things dutifully off of my list of things to do and booking places and paying deposits and all of that fun stuff for over 365 days. Then, all of a sudden, I realized today that I'm getting married. I know that that sounds kind of strange, but I've been planning things from a distance and not really thinking about details, but now that this is officially about 6 months away details are big on my mind. Not to mention that all of my girls have ordered their dresses and one of them came in already! My dress is due next month...can't wait! Reality has officially hit! Anyways, just thought it strange that it just hit me now that I'm really getting married and thought I'd share. Am I the only one who's done this???Keaganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756586080914890222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1679584083562341197.post-65896077636974442252008-12-21T12:58:00.000-08:002008-12-21T12:58:00.991-08:00I LOVE Christmas Time!The past few days have been amazing! We've had snow the past 2 out of 3 days and there's nothing like snow to put me in the Christmas mood. I've been baking up a storm and rocking out to christmas music. Poor Keith even got stuck listening to me singing at the top of my lungs in the show...and if you know how terribly I sing then you'll realize how bad that is! I was singing "holly jolly christmas" if anyone cares. Not to mention that Christmas Eve keeps creeping closer and closer. Xmas Eve is possibly my favorite holiday moment ever. My whole family gets together at my mom's house and I know this sounds cheesy, but it's magical. I always feel so full...of food yeah, but of love too. And we've always seemed to have youngsters around to help us feel that xmas eve excitement. Can't wait! This year will be a special christmas for Keith and I, too, as it is kind of our first christmas together. We've never lived close enough to sleep in our own bed on xmas, but we do this year. In the past I've slept at my parents house and he's slept at his parent's house and we've done xmas morning with our own families. This year will be our first xmas morning together. My mom's a bit sad about that, but we plan to head out of here pretty early to open presents with them anyways. But my cookies are beeping that they're done....Merry Christmas everyone!Keaganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756586080914890222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1679584083562341197.post-7245029345662762752008-12-17T18:03:00.000-08:002008-12-17T18:03:00.707-08:00silly gym observationsGym people always make me laugh. I was in the locker room after my workout and there was a younger-ish girl (probably college age) getting ready to work out. Everything that she did she had to look in the mirror...and that includes putting on deodorant. I dont' know about you, but I can find my armpits without looking at myself. And then before she leaves, she douses herself in perfum (like legit perfume, not like body splash). Strange. It seems to me that if you're just going to get all sweaty and gross its not worth making yourself smell good. Kind of a waste of money.<br />In other news, all of my NH friends are in my thoughts as they're working through this latest ice storm. I was feeling kind of sad that CT winters are kind of uneventful on the shore, but I don't feel so bad after this. some of them have been without power since Thursday! At least everyone is safe, but if there's anything that I can do for any of you, please let me know. We have plenty of warm beds and we love visitors!<br />In wedding news, we officially have a church! The Congregational Church in North Haven! The minister is this sweet, goofy kind of guy and the church is a quintessential New England protestant church. It's kind of small, but it'll be so nice to see it full of familiar faces! Can't wait. And...I'm becoming an eBay bride. I ordered some jewelry off of ebay the other day for very cheap. They should come in this week and if they look nice I may have to go crazy with other stuff! And it cost me about a fraction of the price it would have cost me to get them at a store. Can't wait to see them...Keaganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756586080914890222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1679584083562341197.post-66497402619693182472008-12-10T13:01:00.000-08:002008-12-10T13:11:29.450-08:00Fate is Funny...So I haven't written in a while because this time of year tends to be crazy and with wedding crap on top of everything I've barely had time to make dinner most nights. Since I made this blog to talk about wedding stuff I'll do that first. I feel like this is the twentieth time I've said this, but....I think we finally have a church. The date is open, but because we're not members we have to be approved by the deacons...shouldn't be a problem though.<br /> Now for the whole fate is funny thing. For those of you who don't know, my sister Kiersten is my maid of honor. Another FYI...we've had to change the date of the wedding from June to July. Kiersten is in the process of wrapping up her master's program in OT, a pretty awesome accomplishment. Because this is such an intensive program, leading up to their graduation they have a ton of fun events that they do to relax. She found out the other day that her graduation is on the Sat. that the wedding was supposed to be on! If that isn't someone up there watching out for us then I don't know what is. I've always been a firm believer that everything works out for a reason. When I blew my knee out in high school and had to back off of my gymnastics season, I started to coach a bit...sucked then, but what do I do now?? I teach and coach. Fate? Now there's this. As an older sister I've always felt a bit guilty that I overshadowed Kiersten's accomplishments....not on purpose of course, but when you do them first it always seems like a bigger deal. I would have felt awful if my wedding had conflicted with Kiersten's big day. Now we can celebrate all of her wonderfulness and then look forward to a celebration next weekend, too. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Wooh</span>!<br /> In other news, school is pretty awesome. I feel so at home in this place already it's crazy! And we just found out that one of my co-workers is pregnant! This makes me happy because it means I'll have a little one to play with, but when he/she is screaming or smelly I can simply hand them back to mom or dad :) Also, we just put up our tree at home! I love Xmas and part of the reason is for all of the decorating and music that go along with it (yeah, the family thing is fun too). I have also recently discovered that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">TransSiberian</span> Orchestra turns me into a grading machine! I sat down with a stack of papers that was practically to the moon, turned on my Xmas tree lights, put on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">TSO</span>....and transformed! I got through my correcting faster than I ever have before. It was great. I recommend trying it if you're stuck for motivation. Alright, I've killed enough time here. Hope that everyone has a merry <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">xmas</span>!Keaganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756586080914890222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1679584083562341197.post-52961327853546950962008-11-26T16:30:00.000-08:002008-11-26T13:31:12.332-08:001.89 ?!?So let me start out by saying that I am loving gas prices. I don't remember them being this low since college! I filled my tank today from "Holy <a href="mailto:s@$t">s@$t</a> I'm not going to make it to the gas station" low to fuller than full and it cost me under $25! With gas a 1.89/gallon I can't go wrong. Not to mention that a tank of gas can last me for about ten years now because I have about a 2 mile commute to work, I'm golden...<br /><br />And in other (less exaggerated) news, I am currently defrosting after a pretty intense faculty football game. At our high school today we had a bunch of homecoming activities. The kiddos sold some food in the commons as a fundraiser for various clubs and sports and then that's followed by the faculty football game and the powder puff game. The faculty game is against our neighbor town rival, East Haven. When I agreed to play I knew that it could get rough, but I'm a toughie. I had so much fun! I got hit a few times and got in some cheap hits on the other team too! What I wasn't expected was the amount of kids that stayed to watch their teachers attempt to be athletic! The bleachers were about half full, but when I say half full I mean very half full. The kids were all close together and sardined in there. So cool! It was a lot of fun and a great way for the newbie teacher to get to know some people and to have some fun. Now I'm just eagerly awaiting turkey day and getting to see the whole family. Wooh!Keaganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756586080914890222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1679584083562341197.post-56640185564111027492008-11-14T17:21:00.000-08:002008-11-14T14:22:00.920-08:00PhewFinally a bright spot in this whole wedding planning debacle! I booked my photographer the other day. She's this crazy lady that I absolutely love. Turns out that she changed her packages too (but don't worry, they'll still honor the old packages unlike some other stupid place..::cough::hawthorne::cough). They are now offering an unlimited package where they'd be with us alllll day for only $200 more. That package originally eliminated the photo album, but when I sent an email to ask about it they agreed to toss it in free of charge if I upgraded to the unlimited package. Kind of cool! LaViera Photography has saved me from going crazy. We also booked the florist...awesome little place called the garden path in southington. The lady was so sweet and good at what she does, so that's officially all squared away. Now the only thing I'm lacking is someone to marry me. I emailed another minister to see if she was available and she wasn't but in her email she said, "don't worry, god will provide." So simple, yet such a profound thought. I always struggle for control. I like to know what's going to happen and to plan for anything in the future. If there's anything that I'm learning from this its that you can't plan for everything and that sometimes you need to just have faith that things will work out and go from there. That's not to say that I'm going to sit back and hope something falls in my lap, but it's at least comforting to know that what's meant to be will be. And if we made it through 8 (almost 9) years of dating, four of which were long distance, I'd say this is meant to be...Keaganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756586080914890222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1679584083562341197.post-81151936042722386932008-11-04T13:01:00.000-08:002008-11-04T13:09:23.163-08:00Ever feel like screaming?I do! I jumped onto my email today after work to check some emails and lo and behold there's an email from the church in which I am supposed to be getting married saying that they can't marry me anymore. What the hell (or heaven)! If I wasn't so sure of the fact that I'm supposed to be marrying Keith I would think that someone up there was conspiring against us. I'm not sure where to turn from now. There's a possibility that an outside minister could possibly marry us at the church, but that will cost a lot of money...more money than I'd like to spend. Our other option is to get married outside by a JP at La Mirage. According to Farmer's Almanac the weather looks good (I know, superstitious, silly). Here's my thoughts...getting married in the church started out being very important to me. At this point, its looking less and less important. I've always been a firm believer that you can communicate with God anywhere and that you can be spiritual without being in church. If I were to get married outside of the church it isn't like I wouldn't be making a commitment in front of my family, friends, and God. He's gotta be able to see me no matter where I am, right? We'll see where this path takes us and hopefully I can get this squared away soon considering that I need to order invitations soon!Keaganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756586080914890222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1679584083562341197.post-22469002679087585182008-10-22T19:27:00.000-07:002008-10-22T19:27:00.242-07:00A quick observationSo I went to the gym today and it was very crowded. There were virtually no parking spaces left in the parking lot except ones that were far away. Not a big deal for me...after all I am going to the gym to get some exercise...walking a bit can't hurt, right? I'm walking in and I notice that there were at least 5 cars that were illegally parked either on the grass near the door or had made their own parking spaces to be closer to the door. Now, I know it was a bit chilly today, but really? Is it that necessary to save yourself a few steps when you're going to go plunk yourself on the treadmill anyways? Silly people.<br /><br />On the wedding front I have officially picked out bridesmaids dresses....and changed my colors (again!). We're now going with a deep purple color....and the dresses are stunning. We all went to Davids Bridal the other day (minus A because she's in NH and I didn't want to inconvenience her too much) and picked out the dresses and everyone like the same one. So things are turning out a bit different than I imagined, but still working out awesome. An I'm officially the queen of indecision...no doubt about that.<br /><br />And a catch-up on the housing situation. It's the end of October and I'm STILL AT THE CAMPGROUND!!! We had found that place in Cheshire only to move in and find it to be incredibly loud. I could hear the guy next door go to the bathroom! Gross! Needless to say, we moved out (and sacrificed our security deposit...crapola!) and found a new place in North Branford. We move in there at the end of the month and whether that's good or bad, we'll be there...because we have no where else to be :) No really, it'll be awesome and I know that Keith's happy because there's a man room downstairs that's already wired for surround sound. Anyhoo, I'll post some pics next time when I finally have a real roof that is non-mobile over my head...bye!Keaganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756586080914890222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1679584083562341197.post-88119055942580887112008-09-23T12:58:00.000-07:002008-09-23T13:03:17.064-07:00Home is Where the Heart Is.......or at least I sure hope so! Considering that my physical home will be changing yet again this coming weekend, I'm realizing that home really is wherever Keith and I are. We made a wondeful home for ourselves in NH, and although our family wasn't there we have a wonderful "family" of friends that made NH feel like home. This summer, the campground has been home. The people here have been wonderful and it has been one of the best summers that I can remember having. This weekend Keith and I will move to Cheshire into a little townhouse (which is really cute) and that's more convenient to work for both Keith and I. Not to mention, it isn't a camper and has more than one floor...wooh! As soon as we're all set up I'll post some pictures here and of course visitors are always welcome!!!! We'll have plenty of floor space in which to throw some air mattresses and a spare bedroom, too! (Do you get the hint?). In other news, we officially sent out our save the dates to most of our guests for the wedding. Pretty exciting...hopefully people will find this blog through those (Hi!) and I'm sure I'll have more interesting things to post about soon...promise.Keaganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756586080914890222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1679584083562341197.post-58760955895020866802008-09-15T17:05:00.000-07:002008-09-15T14:06:26.815-07:00A quick catch upSo last time I spoke with you all I was just starting at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Branford</span>. Things have gotten into full swing and there <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">definately</span> have been some adjustments, but it's going well. A few thoughts:<br /><ul><li>8 period days are <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">strange</span>! I have been used to block scheduling (3 90-min. classes that meet for half a year). Now I teach 5 50-min classes a day plus have a duty. I have been exhausted! But I'm getting used to it and am starting to feel like I can actually teach something in 50 minutes.</li><li>CT pays their teachers really well...enough said!</li><li>The kids do really well with free time. When they have open periods they can pretty much go where they'd like. You would think this would lead to chaos, but no one really misbehaves terribly. </li><li>I work with some really amazing, younger-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ish</span> teachers. Not that I haven't before, but <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Branford</span> is strange. I think that 75% of the staff is under the age of 35. Seriously. And we are all in one staff room and they all actually collaborate and work together. Really neat atmosphere.</li><li>These same colleagues LOVE HAPPY HOUR! I think someone goes every day of the week and if you don't go on Fridays then you're a loser.</li><li>But despite all of this, I miss Nashua! I miss having people know who I am and having kids come by and poke their heads in. I miss my friends from Nashua and hearing their stories and having them know things about me and having adjacent classroom buddies (my rooms don't connect to anyone).</li></ul><p>In other news, Keith officially started his new job today. He's working at a company in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Chesire</span> as a software support technician. We'll see how he likes it, but for now I think he's just depressed that he's back at work. I plan to make him a yummy dinner to celebrate/cheer him up. Speaking of which...gotta get to that....</p>Keaganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756586080914890222noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1679584083562341197.post-62879462594115424522008-08-13T06:30:00.001-07:002008-08-13T06:39:40.448-07:00Coming togetherI feel like things with the wedding are finally starting to come together. After a lovely little church debacle (which I won't even start to get into because its long and boring) it looks like we'll be able to be married in the other congregational church in town. It isn't the church that I was confirmed at, but it is a church that I have been to considerably (my brother was confirmed there). And to be honest, I've always liked their services a wee bit better (that may be sacrilegious or something but oh well). We got our save the dates in the mail yesterday! So exciting.....no going back now. We also found a friend's dad from NH to be our DJ. He's a great guy and acquainted with both Keith and I. In fact, we've watched quite a few soccer games together as his son and keith have played together all the way through college. So that'll be nice. We found a photographer we like...now the only major things that are left are bridesmaids dresses and a florist. Nice!<br /><br />In other news, I officially have to start school next week! I have orientation and then the week after next I'll be really really starting. Kind of overwhelmed about that, but I'll post more when I have more to talk about. About the only new development on that front is that I met the new chemistry teacher. She's nice, but she's no Allison....<br /><br />Campground living is still going wonderfully. We had a nice weekend here this weekend with all of the old campground folks around. We did some campfire drinking, played some cards, and just relaxed. We floated in the river for a good chunk of time on Sunday which is the ultimate lazy sunday activity. It pretty much involves tossing a tube in the river, tying yourself to an anchor so you don't get swept away, and closing your eyes. Heavenly! We're looking forward to a trip to NH this weekend for a wedding and possibly a brief trip to winnipesauke...more later.Keaganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00756586080914890222noreply@blogger.com0