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Thursday, July 31, 2008

Way too much to do...

Well I am super stressed right now trying to get a million things done at once! I have been printing and addressing over 100 invitations for Lacy's wedding shower and trying to get ready for my garage sale at the same time. At this point...neither is finished! The invitations turned out looking really cute but I still have a lot of addressing to do. I'm also trying to get everything ready for our trip to Shreveport next week. I've been obsessing over getting Lacy a shirt, sash, and veil for the trip but I think we've decided to attempt to make them ourselves since none of the store bought ones were perfect. I am going to make the shirts for Lacy and Dusty and Marlayna is doing the sash. I forgot who is supposed to do the veil so I guess we need to figure that out. We've also been planning Lacy's Lingerie shower and that has added to the mess. I'm enjoying it but time seems to be closing in on me. I've been dreaming about wedding stuff. Like nightmares...Lacy is making us do a wedding party dance at the reception. I CAN'T DANCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I cannot emphasize this enough. Having to dance with Kevin was going to be bad but someone I don't know! The poor guy is going to have to lug my fat butt around the dance floor and will want to die!

I went to a Photoshop workshop on monday that I really enjoyed. I talked to Traci (Region Technology Coordinator) about giving my notice at Eden and she was really helpful! She is going to talk to the head of the business department at SAISD so they will put me at the top of the list for substitutes. That will help me get more of those classes than others.

Blood test results came back this week. No celiac (I didn't think it was) but they actually have no answers for me right now. They just recommended having a high fiber diet (25-30 grams a day) and metamucil. So for the time being I still can't really eat vegetables or salads...it was really disappointing...

I didn't hear back from the private school that I interviewed at so I guess I didn't get the job. I think the thing that hurt me the most is that I was really interested in full time employment. I don't think he thought I would stick around for more than a year. I am disappointed but I guess it wasn't in God's plan. I mean I kept feeling like I needed to focus on my weight loss this year and maybe this is his way of telling me that is what I need to do.

Weighed in today at WW...I lost 1.8 pounds. I was hoping to completely recoupe my gain but I guess it is at least something. I did get to eat Taco Bell with Kevin, Lacy, Dusty, Marlayna, and Maddie last night. My total loss now is 23.2. Kevin lost 3.6 pounds this week bringing his total loss to 32.6 pounds. He got his 6th gold star this week! I'm very proud of him but still disappointed in myself. I really don't know how I gained that much last week. I tracked my points and looked back on what I ate. I really can't spot a problem area. I was just really hoping to beat the 25 pound mark this week. Oh well I've got to get back to addressing invititations. I probably shouldn't have stopped for this long to give a WW update!
Until I'm back to ramble again...
Love,
Katy

PS: My brother in law was supposed to be here in April to lay tile in my house. As of today...July 31st, 2008...I still have concrete floors and no baseboards. I'm getting really upset. I wanted to be able to host Lacy's lingerie shower at my house. I've been wanting to host something here since we finally have a house big enough and now mine is destroyed when I finally get the chance. I feel really crappy yesterday because I had to ask Lacy if we could have her lingerie shower at her own house. AHHHHH!!!! Sorry...I just needed to get that out... :)

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Lazy Sunday...

Well as busy as this weeks seems to have been...I'm having trouble remembering what went on! Lets see if I can start from where I left off...Tuesday and Wednesday are kinda a blur...nothing really big happened except Kevin and I have been going through everything in our house! I mean everything! Emptying closets, drawers, boxes, shelves...everything! We are moving more and more of our house out to the garage in anticipation that Dustin will get here to lay our tile...(which still might be months for all I know). I am getting better and better at putting stuff in the garage sale pile. I'm hoping to use whatever money we make as our money for the Shreveport trip.

Thursday is when I guess everything got more exciting. Kevin's parents came into town on their way to Junction to float the river. They took a little trip for their 34th anniversary. They dropped by and saw our torn up house and then we went into town and ate lunch at Subway. It was nice visiting and then they headed on to Junction. When we got home Kays had called and said that my rings were back from being repaired and ready to pick up. So we headed to the mall and picked them up (they looked gorgeous of course!) before heading to our weight watchers meeting. Just before we walked in the meeting my mom called and said that my Aunt Jo was in the ER and being admitted to the hospital for breathing problems and she wanted me to head up there. So we went and weighed in...(which you can probably tell didn't go great for me or else I'd be more excited)...I GAINED 2.6 pounds. UGH! I can't say I wasn't expecting it though. We weighed in the morning last time and the evening this time and I wasn't completely perfect this week. Not 2.6 pounds worth but not completely perfect. I figured after the 4 pounds from my colonoscopy that something would have to even out a little. Kevin lost 2.6 pounds this week so I'm really proud of him. After weighing in we headed straight over to the hospital to check on my Aunt. When we got there my Aunt Sheila needed to leave so I had to stay to listen to the doctor and get Jo situated. It was a very interesting afternoon to say the least! My Aunt Jo is very funny and even more funny after she has had a couple breathing treatments with a nebulizer. (The stuff kinda makes you jittery, talkative, and anxious.) The doctor decided that it was just some kind of late onset asthmatic flair up and gave her LOTS of medicine. It was kinda funny because I had heard of all of them before when I had bronchitis. I'm really glad they admitted her overnight so that she would relax and they could make her take her medicine. She is just like my mom and if she was at home she wouldn't have relaxed. So several hours later we were finally able to get home and feed the puppies.

On Friday morning I had my appointment to try MysticTan finally. I've been wanting to test it for Lacy's wedding but have been scared it would make me turn orange. The hardest part was holding your breath while the machine sprayed! It turned out okay I guess. I mean I'm not orange but I think I rubbed off my legs too much right away. That is where they said streaking would occur and I was overzealous! (Yeah big word!) I think I'll know how to apply the barrier creams better and how much to pat dry. I'm going to try the extended next time to see if make me too orange. I got a terrible sinus headache that day and ended up sleeping with a heating pad for HOURS! It finally went away after I took advil and tylenol! About 10:00 friday night Kevin and Justin got a water damage in Bronte. My mom had crashed their computer and asked if I would ride over with the guys to work on their computer. So Justin, Kevin, the dogs, and I all headed to Bronte. I wasn't about to leave the dogs at home because everytime we come home late at night one of them is sick and has to go to the emergency room! While they worked on the water damage I managed to save my mom's music on itunes which really was the thing she was worried about most. It took me a while though because to download the program on their ancient internet took FOREVER! Kevin and Justin got back and ate dinner while I finished. We finally left a little after 1 am to head home. Just about 10 minutes outside of Bronte my dad called and they had gotten ANOTHER water damage. This one was in Angelo. Thank goodness they had to go pick up equipment from our house because otherwise they were going to leave me and the dogs stuck in the truck for hours. I took a shower when they dropped me off around 2 am and then couldn't fall asleep. Finally I think I went to sleep around 3:30 and Kevin got home sometime around 5 am. We were both exhausted and I wasn't even up for nearly as long as him.

Saturday we managed to sleep in a little but Kevin's parents were headed back from Junction and we had planned on eating lunch together. They got here about 10 am and we visited before going to lunch at Cheddars. We visited some more at our house after lunch. We really enjoyed getting to see them. Since they moved to Haskell we don't get to see them as much as we used to. Kevin and I were so tired still after they left we watched some DVRd Army Wives and then went to bed!

That brings us to today which was really enjoyable. We slept late and then Justin came over to hang out with us! We had a lot of fun! We tried to use my new camera skills to take some pictures of Justin but I didn't do that well. I took the classes with the schools camera because mine was in the shop and now I'm having trouble changing the settings on ours. I've got to get the book out and read about it. We made fajitas for lunch and I was pleasantly suprised to learn that an entire can of fat free refried beans is on 3 1/2 points! I never eat that much so that makes bean burritos not too bad on points! After lunch we fell asleep on the couches while watching TV. Kevin worked the day away removing baseboards all over the house. He RARELY takes naps. When Justin decided to go home I came in here. I figured it had been way too long and I needed to update this thing. Tomorrow I'm going to finished Lacy's wedding shower invites and some stuff for the Eden yearbook. Until I'm back to ramble again...
Love,
Katy

Monday, July 21, 2008

And the results are in...

Well sorta anyway...lol! Dr. Stokes office called today with the results of the biopsies they took during the colonoscopy. They said there was not any cancer (which actually suprised me cause I didn't know they were looking for it) which was good but that there was definately inflammation so I had to have more tests. I had to go in to the office today and get blood drawn so they could do a celiac sprue panel. Of course I had no idea what this was so I turned to my trusty internet to figure it out. Apparently it is testing for celiac disease which from what I gather is the inability to digest gluten. I don't think I have it from reading the description but it sounds like they have to rule it out. So some good news...no cancer! lol but bad news...they still don't really know why I'm sick all the time.

I've spent this afternoon and evening folding clothes and picking up stuff around the house. I've been trying to gather up things to sell in a garage sale. I want to get rid of some stuff and have some money to take to Shreveport. Well that is all for today. Have a goodnight everyone!
Love,
Katy

Sold!

Well Sunday was pretty lazy but nice...Kevin met the man that was buying Eric's truck at noon today. He got the cash and handed over the truck!

I got an email from Cassandra today. She lost the baby while she was visiting her dad in Lubbock. It is so sad. She says she is doing ok but I really worry about her. It breaks my heart...

I talked to Lacy while she was at work today. She said that her wedding shower in Sterling City is going to be on August 18th (Justin's 21st Birthday!) and it would be a boy/girl shower. Kevin is going to be really excited that he gets to go! He's wanted to go on everything we've done so far but I wouldn't let him. She decided for sure on Diamond Jacks for our Shreveport trip so I've got to make a reservation now! I'm so excited!

Daisypath Vacation Ticker

He spent the rest of the afternoon breaking up the ugly tile in our front entry. Everytime he hit it, tile went flying EVERYWHERE! I covered the furniture and worried that a stray piece was going to hit the television. The dogs were terrified by the noise! At one point I had all three in my lap! They were shaking! I kinda swept up behind him but it still went everywhere.

I finished my butterfly paint by number last night. It looks ok. Later on Justin came over! We made a jello pie and just hung out in the living room. I really enjoyed it! He brought half of a wrap he bought at Albertsons from the deli. I didn't know they made those there. It was really good!

We didn't get to bed until like 1:00 but that is ok because I was really having fun! I'll leave you for now...until I'm back to ramble again...
Love,
Katy

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Weigh Ins, Diamonds, Popsicles

Well since I had the procedure on Thursday we didn't get to attend our WW meeting. We decided that we would weigh in and attend a saturday morning meeting. We got there just before 10:30 and the weigh in line was HUGE! There was only one receptionist that day so it was taking longer and we were a little late getting into the meeting. I lost 4 pounds this week! I was happy but kinda expected it because of the colonsocopy prep and procedure. The pain so wasn't worth the 4 pounds though. I lost 3.6 the week before with not nearly as much pain. I hope it wasn't a false weigh in though. It was a morning weigh in when we usually weigh in the evening. That brings my total weight loss to 24 pounds! This was our 12th week of dieting so my average is now 2 pounds per week. Poor Kevin gained 1 pound this week. I know its really my fault because he ate the same as I did but I had a colonoscopy. His total weight loss is now 26.4. I've almost caught up to him! He is really determined this week though so he'll probably lose like 5 pounds in one week now! It is Sunday and he is going to the gym today...(yeah I'm not!) We saw some of our friends at the meeting Saturday. We saw Angie our neighbor and Stormy and Stephanie White. It was nice to see them!

After the meeting Kevin and I went to the mall to see about sending in Kevin's sunglasses for the chip in the lens. He dropped them on our kaliche truck driveway. When you buy Oakleys they have a one year warranty if they get broken. We had to walk by Kay Jewelers to get to the Sunglass Hut. We decided to stop in and asked about my ring since the tiny diamond inside my band fell out while the Kay's in Abilene was cleaning it. I had them check all my diamonds and they found that one of my side stones on the other band was also loose! So now both of my rings have been sent off to be fixed! UGH! I feel so naked without my rings! They have a warranty so it doesn't cost anything but still its annoying. They won't be back until like the 30th!

After we left the mall we did some more running around town. We got the car washed, ate subway, and went to WalMart to buy Kevin a new belt. His old belt is way to big now. He is still losing so we didn't want to get him an expensive belt. And he HAS to have one at all times or he just cannot deal. We found a nice one that will work for the time being. I also wanted to get some more popsicles because we have run out of my weight watchers treats. When we were leaving WalMart a lady called about my brother-in-law Eric's truck. Her father (who did not speak english) was at Discount Tire looking at the truck and wanted to know if Kevin would go show it to him. So we drove over there and Kevin got a guy from Discount Tire to translate. The guy decided to test drive the truck and I sat in the car forever with my popsicles melting! I guess it was worth it though because the guy decided to buy the truck! They didn't get as much as they wanted for it but it was a fair deal. It was been for sale for a while so now Eric can put the money in savings to build toward another truck.

We finally got home (after I ate three zero point popsicles in the truck!) and spent the evening being lazy. Kevin worked on the bill of sale on the truck for HOURS and I worked on the paint by number I bought. My painting isn't looking terrible but it doesn't look good. It doesn't really matter though...I'm just doing it for fun.

Before I forget...again...My brother was asked to be in the new commercial for Concho Bike Shop. It shows on KLST and looks really awesome! Here is the commercial...



I am finally going to post a blog I started the other day with some new puppy pictures in about 5 minutes. Whew! I can't believe I'm finally caught up. I'll be back TONIGHT! I swear I won't get behind again. Until I'm back to ramble again... Love, Katy

Finishing Friday's News...

So...I was going to finish up on Friday night since I had so much news for the week and hadn't posted...BUT...we ended up getting invited to go see "Grease" at the Angelo Civic Theater at the last minute. It was so much fun!

Lets see...where was I...Ok so on Friday I had an interview with Trinity Luther School! They have had my resume for weeks so I had finally assume they didn't want me and suprise they call on Wednesday and want me to come for an interview on Thursday. Well obviously because of my procedure I couldn't come on Thursday. So we schedule the interview for 1:30 Friday afternoon. I'm still a little sore and worried I might get sick on Friday but I felt fine through the interview. Friday morning Mr. Fritsche (the principal) calls to see if I can come in earlier. I get there about 11:30 and we start the interview. It was actually one of the strangest interviews I've ever had. It was more of an informational setting. He only asked me like 3 questions. He mostly told me all about the school and position and showed me the classroom. It was kinda like the first visit back after you accept a position and the principal shows you around. I would be teaching computers to ages 3 and 4 through grade 8. Elementary will be different but I kinda like the idea. I did find out that the job would definately only be part time (8-3:30 Monday and Wednesday, 11-3:30 Fridays). That is okay because I could substitute on the other days of the week to test out the big schools in town. The curriculum and grading is completely automated so that would be a piece of cake. He said I would mainly be there to add in assignments for students that need more stimulation and finish quickly. The pay is hourly and was a little disappointing but I just keep reminding myself that it is only part time. I like the small school atmosphere and I would be getting to do computer at least three days a week. He said that he had one other applicant and a current teacher who had asked to be considered for the position. He did say that I had the best qualifications and he liked the additional resources I already had for the kids. He said I would find out if I got it on the 28th when they have their board meeting. God does seem to provide opportunities when we need them. I left Eden because I was spending too much time and money at the job. I was afraid that between driving back and forth and the extra time on yearbook I would fall off my diet and exercise routine. I wanted the extra time to spend on myself. This job would definately give me the time for that. I hope this is what God has planned for me and I get the job.

After the interview I went and turned in my substitute application for SAISD. I was talking on the phone in the parking lot when Josh and Marlayna pulled up! She was dropping off her ESL certification for her application so we went upstairs together. We decided to go to the substitute orientation together on Aug. 6th but then I remember the trip to Shreveport so I will have to tell her the 13th.

After I left SAISD I called Lacy to see about getting the cards to print wedding shower invitations. She and Sue were about to go eat so I went to Henry's with them. We had the craziest waiter who kept saying all these weird things and like sitting down at our table with us! It was definately weird! I enjoyed lunch and getting to talk to them.

After lunch I decided to go get my nails done. I have not done that in FOREVER! One of my students told me about just getting an overlay done instead of adding tips so I decided to try it out. My nails flake and break whenever they start to get long so this will make them stronger to grow out. I love them! I feel so pretty! I chose a pink color but now I wish I had gotten a french mani finish. I will have them put that on there next time. By the time I finished my stomach was finally getting to be a little more than I could bear so I came home, chilled out, took some medicine, and started this ridiculously long blog!

Right before 7 pm my Aunt Sheila and Aunt Jonelle invited Kevin and I to watch "Grease" the play. They had called my parent to see if they wanted to go but they had up and decided to go to San Antonio on friday to sleep at a hotel with Temperpedic beds. lol (My mom couldn't sleep the night before because of their bed so she got this idea in the middle of the night!) Sheila's nursing home were the executive sponsor of the play so they had an awesome reception with food, drinks, decorations, Elvis, and even an ice sculpture! The play was fantastic! It is amazing how well those kids can sing. My aunts are hilarious! We got back pretty late and went to bed because we were exhausted.

I'm going to end Friday here and start a new blog for Saturday...ahh! I've got to get better at doing this everyday or stop being so long winded!
Love,
Katy

Friday, July 18, 2008

Puppy Pictures

I took some new pictures of my puppies the other day! I tried to use some of the tips from my photography class but I think I ended up just using the automatic settings. Look at my beautiful girls!

 

Reese Lynn Johnson-2 years 11 months

 

Tootsie Roll Johnson-5 years 8 months

 
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Gracie Carol Johnson-7 years

Sore but perfectly safe...

Well I'm alive! My fears were unfounded! I did actually wake up during the procedure but I couldn't feel anything and then they put me right back to sleep. I think the prep was worse than the actual procedure...well wait...lets back up a few days so I don't lose my train of thought.

Sorry it has been so long since I posted. I've been obsessing over this stupid colonoscopy and it has dictated everything I've done. Last Friday was a pretty lazy day. The only thing I did that was productive was go into town with Marlayna to pick up stuff for Lacy's Lingerie Shower/Bachelorette party. It was a lot of fun and we found a few cute things. We finally settled on a date for the shower, September 4th. I also talked to Doris about Lacy's wedding shower and we got a few things worked out.

On Saturday I went to my final photography and we got to test out our new skills. I didn't really take anything inspiring but now I have a few skills to perfect. I will try to post some pictures of my dogs that I took after this. When I got home my dad and Kevin were pouring concrete in our dining room to prep out floors for tile. It turned out really good and we were so glad my dad showed up to help! Kevin said he was way in over his head and it would've been terrible if my Dad hadn't shown up. We have concrete dust ALL OVER OUR HOUSE. I'm not kidding. I spilled the dogs water bowl and a small concrete spot showed up on the floor. I keep dusting and sweeping and it still keeps showing up! I guess we will be cleaning it up forever.

Sunday was my favorite and least favorite day this week!!! Let me explain...My brother competed in a Triathlon at Lake Nasworthy that morning! They swam, biked, and ran for what seemed like forever! Justin did so good! I can't believe he can do that so well! I'm soooooo not athletic. I got a ton of good pictures and will post those also. We got up really early to go watch the triathlon. It was over by 9:00 am so we decided to find something fun to do. We ate lunch at Cheddar's and went back to Justin's house. Our friends Brigitte and Dusty wanted to cook out so we went swimming and had awesome barbeque. That is where the fun day ended though. We got home just before 10:00 pm that night. I walked into kitchen where the dogs stay and there was a large dark red pile of blood in the middle of the floor. We didn't know whose blood it was so we let the dogs outside and found that it was Gracie's. She was trying to use the bathroom and blood was just going everywhere. Kevin calls the vet emergency room and they tell us to bring her right in. The next afternoon and about $460 later Gracie is stable and being sent home. She lost a lot of blood but is doing better. She now has special dog food called Science Diet I/D for intestinal disorders. Of our three little dogs each now has a different kind of dog food. Reese has special L/D for liver function and Tootsie is on adult science diet light. We CANNOT afford for these dogs to keep getting sick. The last three months we have had HUGE bills from the vets office. Between Reese's seizure, Tootsie's growth on her leg, and now this...we're going under! Our vet needs to dedicate a new wing called the Johnson Wing of Critical Care. She's doing much better now.

Monday was a very emotional day for me. I dealt with Gracie and her doctors visits and I worked out in the morning but the even was the big deal. Monday evening Kevin and I went to Eden to clean out my classrooms. It took us several hours. I'm so thankful Kevin went to help me because it would have taken days for me to get it out by myself. It is amazing how much stuff I have managed to acquire in my first year of teaching. I would buy supplies when I saw them on sale and other teachers would give me items that they did not want anymore. It packed my Tahoe from the back window up to the front seats. I still have a few items I have to take back and I need to get some check stubs and lesson plan files off my computer so I will have to go back for those.

Tuesday was really a blur because I was so worried about my colonoscopy. I know I worked out and went to Wal-Mart for some last minute colonoscopy supplies. I was on the phone for a long time that day with the nurse from Shannon and working on Lacy's showers stuff. I did make an awesome chicken spaghetti recipe that I found on the internet. My last meal I guess you can say. I will type and post the recipe tomorrow. Then came the worst day...

Wednesday was the prep day for my colonoscopy. The doctor requires a complete colon cleansing the day before. I had a liquid diet (broth, popsicles, and jello) all day long and at noon I had to take these two pills. A little while after you take the pills you are supposed to start drinking this two liter jug of supposedly lemon lime flavored liquid. IT WAS HORRIBLE! I was literally drinking it as fast as physically possible and it took HOURS. I was gagging so much that it was hurting. After drinking the 2 liter jug then you have to drink two 10 oz bottles of lemon lime flavored magnesium citrate. It was even worse than the first stuff! I got to my second bottle and couldn't even get it down. I would take a sip and throw up twice as much liquid. I got about half the bottle down and finally quit because I was throwing it all up.

I was starving and sore when I woke up on Thursday morning. We had to be at the surgery center at 8 am. My mom and dad met us at the center. I was so glad they all were there with me. I had 4 people in front of me so I had to lay around hooked up to all these IVs and monitors for a while but eventually I got in and was in my Tahoe being driven home by 11:30. I think I woke up during the procedure but it didn't hurt. My parents and Kevin said I was talking crazy when I was waking up in recovery but I don't think I was. The thing I remember the clearest though was about 4 minutes after I got in the car we were stopped at a the light behind best buy on sherwood way when I started getting nauseous. I couldn't find anything in the car to use so I just check to make sure no one was coming...opened the door...stuck my head out and vomited Sprite all over Sherwood Way. I'm sure the people behind us got an extremely funny show. Story of my life I guess. I napped and sat around doing paint by number for most of the afternoon. If I got moving too fast I got sick again. My parents came over and hung out with us which made me really happy and best of all my brother came over to see me that night! He even brought me a sonic blast! I'm going to tell ya'll about his Concho Bike Shop News later. Well I leave yall here for now and when I get home tonight finish with today's news. TTFN!
Love,
Katy

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Scared

I'm about to leave for my colonoscopy. Kevin is taking me. The prep yesterday was absolutely horrible. Please pray for me. I'm terrified I won't wake up.
Love,
Katy

Thursday, July 10, 2008

A Milestone

Well this has been a busy week! I'm exhausted and there is still one day left! I'll start with the most important news...
I have a happy milestone today! I just got home from the Weight Watchers meeting this week and I lost 3.6 pounds this week! That is absolutely amazing! I hit exactly 20 pounds of weight loss this week! I'm very excited! I've been craving Ichibans for days and wanted to go celebrate since I have 27 points left for dinner but no one could go with me tonight. My mom said that we will go celebrate tomorrow! I don't really feel any different yet with the exception that exercise is getting easier I guess but I haven't really noticed a difference in clothes or how I feel yet. My clothes were pretty tight before so maybe they are just actually fitting now! ha

The last time I blogged was Monday so lets start with Tuesday! On Tuesday morning I got up bright and early to pick up Lacy and Marlayna. We drove out to Bronte and picked up Cassandra and Tasha then headed out for Abilene! We were going shopping for bridesmaids dresses...dum dum duuuummmm...overall I'd say it was a good day. After trying on pretty much every dress in the store leaving and then coming back we finally all agreed on a dress! It is a plain black strapless dress with a pink ribbon. Lacy tried on a couple of dresses and found two she liked. She hadn't planned on looking at dresses but they said we would get a discount if she bought hers first so she decided to look. She got kinda frustrated because half of the people there liked one dress and the other half liked another. Finally she just decided against both and we ordered our dresses anyway. She looked beautiful in both of them. We had a good time talking and comparing dresses. I looked like crap in pretty much everything but at least we found something. I was worried I wouldn't fit into anything at all. When I got home I had a message from Stormy on myspace. She and Henry had gone up to the school and their principal told them that their BCIS teacher had resigned. They didn't know if they were going to replace her yet but he said if they knew anybody good to get their resume so they called me! Isn't that nice?! I'm not going to get my hopes up since they haven't actually posted the job but it does kinda seem like a blesssing! Christoval is only 20 miles from my house when Eden was 48 miles. It is still a drive but it takes me the same amount of time to drive to Christoval as it does across town. I'm also still worried if driving will cause my weight loss to slow down but I'm not going to freak out about it until the job is actually open. I emailed the principal my resume and he was really nice and said that he would certainly let me know if the job opened up and would keep in touch with me. So I'm just going to have this attitude that if it happens...it happens...if it doesn't...it doesn't...no big deal. If God means for it to be it will happen.

Yesterday I did a couple of things around the house and then ate lunch with Rebecca, Delese, and Brittany (one of my previous students). We ate at Double Dave's pizza so I was really concerned but I limited how many pieces I allowed myself and waited a long time before eating each piece. After lunch I worked out for a long time. I did 2 1/2 miles on the bicycle and 2 miles on the eliptical. When I got home Marlayna called and we were talking about substituting for next year and wedding stuff. She made me feel a lot less nervous about substitute teaching. It was really nice that she answered all my questions! We decided to go swimming later at my brother's house. It was so much fun! We got to talk with Maddie slept and then Marlayna, Kevin, and I played with Maddie in the pool. We made ourselves so hungry swimming that we went to Taco Bell afterward...I hadn't been there in forever since I'm dieting but had been craving it for weeks. We didn't go over board and it tasted soooo good. I got sick later that evening but I've come to expect that. That is why I have to have the colonoscopy...ugh!

That brings us back to today...I've been on the phone ALL DAY LONG! We've been trying to figure out when to have Lacy's wedding shower and lingerie shower. Since Lacy works weekends it has made it a little hard but we were finally able to agree on a day and get some stuff accomplished. Now we just have to find a day for the lingerie shower. I'm going to handle invitations so I can make sure they get out. My colonoscopy was also causing scheduling problems because it was right in the middle of August so I decided to take a chance and just call the doc to see if they could get me in earlier. This was also a little motivated from getting sick last night. I called and the nurse said they could get me in next Thursday the 17th! I'm not excited but I'm kinda glad to be getting it over with and now we don't have to worry about scheduling around it. I also filled out my application to substitute teach today. I just have to get a copy of my transcript from ASU and then I can turn it in. I know I haven't covered everything in the past few days but my hands are getting tired...he he...I'm sure I'll be back sometime soon...
Until I'm back to ramble again...
Love,
Katy

Monday, July 7, 2008

Life is too short...

Kevin and I just got back from a funeral this morning. Our friend Billy Arthur passed away on Monday June 30th. He had been battling Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma since sometime last year. It was very suprising for us. In April we had heard that he was doing much better and would be released from the Navy and moving back home. He was only 28 years old. He had a beautiful wife named Sarah and three little girls ages 10, 4, and 2. He was always one of the healthiest people I knew! He was always in shape and took care of himself! It is scary how someone in good health can go down so fast. What if it was someone like me who is in such bad health? He had a beautiful funeral with military honors. There was a 21 gun salute and a bugle player. I held up okay until it was time to exit the church. I brokedown passing the casket. He was so young. It makes me realize that my decision to get healthy is that much more important. Life is so short...I've got to be healthy and enjoy it. I've got to be the best wife, daughter, sister, and friend that I can be.

Kevin and I have been discussing my plans for next year for months now. I know that several of you have had to listen to me obsess about it for a while. We had finally decided last Tuesday that I would resign from Eden and apply to substitute teach full time next year. I had a workshop on Wednesday so I decided I would tell Mr. Siler afterward. He knew I had been thinking about it since I talked to him a while back. Mr. Siler was absolutely wonderful. He was very understanding and said if I needed any references to have them call him. When I spoke to him he said that they hated to lose me but that he understood. He also said that he appreciated the time I was there and that I had been a wonderful teacher. It was so nice but kind of made it that much harder to leave. That morning before I left we got the news that Billy had died. It didn't make my decision for me but it definately reinforced it. I was blessed enough to have my husband return from war in one piece. I think that God's wants me to be the best wife I can be and focus on my relationship with God and my husband.

One of the saddest parts of the funeral for me came after we were driving away from the cemetary. I'm not good at showing emotion in front of other people. About a minute away from the cemetary Kevin finally turned on the radio to fill the silence in the car. A song was just starting on the radio. It was called "If You're Reading This" by Tim McGraw. I had never heard the song before but just the first few words caught my heart and I was at complete attention.
Sometimes I think God places events or people in our lives to let us know that he realizes how bad things are but that everything will be okay. Billy didn't die in a war zone but served faithfully in the navy for 9 years and he fought a battle against a cancer that weakened his body.

I'm going to miss my students and coworkers terribly but this is something I have to do. I will substitute in San Angelo and hope that I can learn enough about big schools that I will feel completely confident if a position in town ever opens up.

Here is a link to a video of the song I talked about earlier.

"If You're Reading This" By Tim McGraw

It's beautiful...I hope you enjoy it...
Love,
Katy

Friday, July 4, 2008

Happy 4th of July!

Glitter Graphics

Well today is a very special day for Kevin and I! We celebrate America's Indepence day like everyone else but we also have several other reasons to celebrate! Six years ago today Kevin asked me to be his wife at a gazebo here in San Angelo and I said YES! It was the best decision of both of our lives! It was the day he made me the happiest woman on earth! It is also very special because 5 years ago today I had just picked Kevin up in Hawaii when he was returning from the war in Iraq. I arrived in Hawaii on July 2nd and met my friend Sarah Elenes. Sarah's husband is Juan Elenes. One of Kevin's best friends from the Marine Corps. We stayed the night and the next day picked our husband's up on the dock in Pearl Harbor. We waited for HOURS for the ship to dock! We were both sunburned by the time they got there but it was well worth it! On the 4th we drove around the island looking at beaches and visiting parks. Our last stop was at Hanauma Bay where we played on the beach and in the water a little. That night there was a big 4th celebration on base at Pearl Harbor that we got to go to. There was a carnival and a huge fireworks show over the harbor. It was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen! The next day we visited the Arizona Memorial before flying back to Texas. It was a short trip but nothing could have made it better!

This 4th of July really pales in comparison. Kevin had to work most of the day and all of our friends have other plans so we're just sitting at home with the puppies. Not the most exciting day but I'm still happy. I have a wonderful husband, awesome friends, and a loving family that are all healthy and happy. I'm proud of my husband and the sacrifices he and his friends made for our country. So while we might not be having a huge party...we will count our blessings and thank God for Robert Zurheide, Aaron Austin, Brad Shuder, Jose Gutierrez and the many others who paid the ultimate price for our country. I am a very lucky woman because my husband did return safely when many other's husbands did not. So tonight while we sat on the back porch watching people in our neighborhood shoot fireworks I thanked God for my husband and asked God to remind me of the really important things in life so I won't worry so much. I will stop rambling for tonight and leave you with one of my favorite quotes...

"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem."
-President Ronald Reagan, 1985

Happy Fourth of July Everyone!
Love,
Katy

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Good News and Bad News

Well today was a good and a bad day...Good news! Today I went to lunch with Lacy, Tasha, Cassandra, and Marlayna to talk about wedding stuff! It was so fun! We got several things decided and got to visit for a while. It was kinda funny because Cassandra brought Brayden, Marlayna brought Maddie, Lacy had Jensen....I was like..."When did we get old?!" People with kids were the majority and the ones without were the minority! We've become the grownups and that is soooo weird! I'm excited for next Tuesday. We are all going to go to David's Bridal in Abilene to look at bridesmaids dresses. I'm going to drive my Tahoe since everyone will fit the best. It is exciting but I'm also kinda dreading it in a way. I'm the hugest bridesmaid on earth and it really limits what we can get because I don't fit into everything. I know they don't mean to make me feel bad about it but I do it to myself I guess. It is Lacy's wedding and she is kinda stuck to see if I can even fit into what she wants. The girls kept saying that I will probably have lost a lot more weight by the time the wedding comes but I kept telling them not to count on it. I don't want them to buy dresses counting on me to squeeze into and then what if the weight comes off but I'm still not small enough or if I hit a plateau. She probably would've been better off to pick a different bridesmaid so she could have what she wanted. If I was a good friend I would've told her to do that.

The diet did okay this week. I only lost .8 pounds but I guess I should say...at least I didn't gain! Kevin had to work this evening so he did not get to go to the meeting this week to weigh in. He probably lost like 5 pounds this week. I ate worse the week that we went to Albuquerque and lost more! I don't get it! I guess I was walking around more do stuff in NM so that probably help. Being sick on Monday I only worked out on Tuesday and Wednesday this week so that probably didn't help. I guess I can only hope for better next week.
Love,
Katy

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Once again a liar

Well in my last post I said I would be back the next day...it didn't happen and made a liar out of me again. I guess I just need to stop saying when I'll be back. We had a pretty nice weekend. Slightly lazy with a little work sporadically throughout.

On Friday I worked out with Lacy and then headed back to the house. My mom and dad came over to my house for a while. I've been meaning to clean out my pantry in forever because it is so deep and I am sooooo short that things get lost in there. So my dad got comfortable watching television and using the internet while me and my mom got to work. Since we are about to begin laying tile in a few weeks we had a few things we needed to do. We took down most of the decorations in my living and dining room and packed them away until after the tile is finished. Kevin helped us and did a good job of following orders! ha ha He was a big help. He and my dad even started pulling up the wood floor in our dining room. Then we cleaned out my fridge and pantry of stuff that we didn't need anymore. Since we have been on our diet we have been switching to reduced calorie or light versions of almost anything in our house. It is amazing how many points can be saved and most of the stuff tastes just as good! We packed up all of the really good tasting fattening foods and took it to my cousin Kendra. Her kids will be able to eat it and with their metabolism it won't affect them at all! We got to see her and the kiddos which was a lot of fun. She has asked us to be godparents to her fourth month old Callen and we said yes. He sure is a cutie!

On Saturday we were pretty lazy until the afternoon. We did some more picking up and what not but it wasn't a real concentrated effort. That evening my mom called and said they were going to go eat at Applebees and to a movie and wanted us to go. So I looked up the times for the shows and then we went to eat. I love the grilled shrimp from Applebees! You can eat so many for not nearly as many points as chicken or beef. After Applebees we went to the movie theater and saw "Get Smart"! I had been waiting for it to open! I was a huge fan of the show when it used to come on Nick at Night when I was a kid. It was VERY funny! I laughed the entire time! And it wasn't completely perverted like most movies have to be nowadays to get laughs. It also leaves then ending open like their might be another one. I hope so!

Sunday we decided to head to Bronte for the day. My mom had called and said that my brother was headed over there and she was making lunch. It had been a while since we just went out their to visit so we decided to go. Lunch was good and then we watched s0me rented movies called "Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins" and "10000 B.C." I like the first one but the second one stressed me out. I have to admit that it was pretty good but I don't like movies that stress me out. We enjoyed our time there and then headed home just after 10.

Yesterday I strayed off of my usual weekday routine. I've been doing pretty good at getting up in the morning and going to the gym first thing except for the times I've been sick. With my stomach right now that isn't that rare. I got on the phone and started calling private schools to see if they had any openings. There still hasn't been any at SAISD so my mom had said it could hurt. I called Cornerstone Christian but they did not have any openings and then I called Trinity Lutheran School. I asked if they had any openings and she said yes for a COMPUTER teacher! I was thrilled! I don't know anything about working at a private school and what the requirements are but heck it is better than having to drive so far everyday! They said I needed to come in and fill out an application. I decided I need to update my resume before I went so that I would have the information handy and it is always nice to be able to leave one with the application. It took me most of the morning but I got it updated. Not my best work under pressure but it will do. I got dressed and drove to the school. When I got inside I met the princial, Mr. Fritsche? I believe. He was pretty nice. He said that the resume would give him all of the information he needed and thank you for bringing it by! He said he would look it over and give me a call to set up an interview...well...that was yesterday...and I still haven't heard anything! I was hoping he would call today to setup an interview but nothing. Maybe it was already filled and the secretary didn't know. I'm not going to get my hopes up. It just seemed like God was finally giving me a push in one direction because a position opened up. If I don't get it I will just substitute next year and focus on getting healthy. I have a service learning workshop in Eden tomorrow so I plan on speaking with Mr. Siler again before that. I am completely torn but it justs feels like the right thing to do. I need the experience in San Angelo or I will never feel ready to take a job here. Today I have been sick to my stomach again. The story of my life. I'm really dreading this colonoscopy but I'm ready to not be sick anymore. I mean this is ridiculous. I spend the majority of my life feeling terrible! No I'm not pregnant for those of you who automatically assume that. That will not be possible until I've lost a lot of weight and probably begin infertility treatments. I'm finally feeling better so I'm going to attempt to workout. I won't eat anything until afterward just to make sure. Until I'm back again...
Love,
Katy