I've been doing very bad keeping up with the updates anyway here is a new one....
....The most important bit of news is Justin is moving home tomorrow (Friday). I so happy and can't believe its been 5 months. We have come out of this separation better than we started. He should be home tomorrow afternoon and then we get a wonderful 3 day weekend together. We are planning a wonderful meal with friends to celebrate. I could write tons more about this but I will move on to other topics.
....School has been OK. There has been lots of drama and I'm over it all. I don't wanna get into what happened but I've lost trust and respect for a lot of people at school. I will not allow myself to get hurt again, so things will be changing for next year. I will stick to those that have had my back and look out to me.....and stay far away from others. So I'm very glad school is ending soon.
....We are still unsure what is happening with our move to Kingsville. We are in line to get a house but the current tenant has to move out first and it keeps getting pushed back for various reasons. We are trying to be very understanding and patient.....but we are ready to move. It is now costing us extra money to stay in this apartment and not to mention Justin will have to start driving down there a lot when he gets home. So we may have to start looking at other options.
....Justin and I are still making wonderful progress paying off our debt. We are 6 months in and about $10,000 richer (I guess that would be right???)....we still have a long (LONG) way to go. But we have really changed our habits and trying to make this a priority.
Ok That is all for now.....Happy Summer to me in 3 days!!!
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Friday, April 16, 2010
Happiness
When we moved to Texas, Justin and I both knew things would be different and hard at times. We both have gone through some deep, dark moments in the past year. Our marriage too saw some dark days. I know at times I focus on the negative and seem very unhappy. MOst of this is just venting. My mom always tells me "Happiness is a choice" which I totally agree with but my mom normally tells me this when I just want to vent and be mad for awhile. So when I need a pick me up, I keep telling myself the following:
My Happiness does not depend on...
...what state I live in
...the size of my clothes
...the condition of my apartment
...the food I consume
...how much money I make
...how many friends I have
...how much debt I'm in
...the behavior of my students that day
...what clothes I wear
...ANYONE BUT ME.
My Happiness does not depend on...
...what state I live in
...the size of my clothes
...the condition of my apartment
...the food I consume
...how much money I make
...how many friends I have
...how much debt I'm in
...the behavior of my students that day
...what clothes I wear
...ANYONE BUT ME.
Monday, April 5, 2010
It's a Love Story
Spring always brings up memories for me (and hopefully Justin too). We met in 2004 at the end of March and during April and May our relationship developed into a love affair. Just so I can walk down memory lane again...this is the story of how we met and fell in love....
....Justin and I both attended Bridgewater College, we were freshman at the time...and both had string of bad luck in love. We had many mutual friends but it still took us until March to officially meet. I remember seeing Justin at different times during that year....
The first time I ever saw him, my friend Ashton was looking him up on our school's directory (StalkerNet) and there he was picture and all (a very bad picture BTW). See Ashton had gone to school with Justin's cousin Matt and Matt had told her to look Justin up. I believe this was in November. Flash forward a couple months to one meal I had in the KCC. My group of friends always sat at the same table for every meal. At one of these meals right on the end was a very attractive person I had never met. I asked my cousin Brent who that guy was at the end of the table. I don't remember exactly what was said, but I do know later on Brent told me he knew exactly why I had asked.....
...At the end of March, my roommate Amber was invited to hang out in the boy's dorm while the guys played a poker game....I did something that was very out of character for me and asked to tag along....We went over to the dorm and found our friends Brent and Billy playing poker and Justin too. I was immediately trying to figure out how to get to know this guy. I found out he played baseball and knew I had an "IN." Nothing happened that night, no sparks flew but something was set in motion.
I was always trying to figure out how to be around this guy, I would always tell Amber that we should go hang out in the guy's dorms or spend time with Billy (who lived next to Justin). Well, Justin hasn't always been the most upfront with his emotions, meaning I had no idea what this guy thought about me....I never got any sign that he liked me at all .....so I tried to move on...and I did, kinda and I regret it tremendously.....I could have ruined everything with Justin....But enough about that. I wouldn't even say we had a relationship at this point, we were just talking and flirting. I do remember one time we were in Billy's room and everyone left us alone (Not sure if it was planned or not) but I think this was the first time I thought that he may like me too. But I still wasn't sure.
Justin played baseball in college and was right in the middle of the season, he had a lot of games during this time on Saturdays and many days during the week. One Friday right before a Saturday double-header, the college hosted a Relay for Life event. Justin was on a team with some other guys in his hall, so I went down to his team's tent thinking maybe I could see him ....which was very out of character for me...but that night was a big night in our relationship....Justin did show up and we spent time together just hanging out with some of our other friends. It was a very cold night and I joked with Justin that I could keep him warm...and I did....it was the first night we spent together....and nothing happened, not even a kiss. I told Justin I would come watch him play before I had to go home for the weekend. He told me later he was looking for me in the stands the entire game.
We had many more days back and forth...and we never talked about what was going on or what we were....we were just enjoying what was. We both knew the end of the school year was coming and starting a relationship then would kinda be silly. Amber and I had a meeting one night in a building near Justin's dorm and we headed over there as soon as the meeting ended. Amber was hanging out with Billy and Chance, and I went over and hung out with Justin. As we were getting ready to leave, Justin told me that I couldn't and I had to stay with him. At first I didn't know what to do....but I felt comfortable with this guy and knew he wouldn't hurt me. And so Justin and I spent another night together....and nothing happened, not even a kiss.
I was getting many mixed messages about how this guy felt about me....but I knew I liked him. As I was leaving his room to head to class....I turned around and kissed him for the first time.
The next few weeks went by very fast, we had a very innocent relationship and it was great. I stayed some more nights with him and we ate some meals together in the dining hall. Like I said earlier Justin and I never talk about the future...just kinda lived for the day. I was very loyal to Justin...and had some situations come up that could have changed things. Justin was also getting information about me that could have changed things....my other cousin had told Justin that I was "clingy" and basically I wasn't what he needed...another friend knew what Justin and I had both been through with relationships in the past was afraid we'd both get hurt and wasn't exactly pushing us together.
The day we were leaving for home Justin and I both knew the future of our relationship was in question. We again never talked about seeing each other again....all I knew was that I was going to call him to let him know I got home. I believe this was a Tuesday (5/11).....I pretty much cried the entire trip home because I couldn't bare the thought of not seeing this guy for 3 months. That night we both independently knew we wanted to make this a real relationship. I made plans to go see him in Staunton that next weekend. We had an amazing weekend together and that was the first time he told me he loved me....and I loved him too. By the end of the month we knew this was it...we had found the "One." We spent that whole summer traveling back and forth to see each other.
We dated for three years before we got married on June 23, 2007.
I love Justin more than anything in the world.....when I think about everything that had to happen in order for us to meet and fall in love, I know there is a higher power that has a master plan.... Justin is perfect for me in so many ways and I really do fall in love with him more everyday.
....Justin and I both attended Bridgewater College, we were freshman at the time...and both had string of bad luck in love. We had many mutual friends but it still took us until March to officially meet. I remember seeing Justin at different times during that year....
The first time I ever saw him, my friend Ashton was looking him up on our school's directory (StalkerNet) and there he was picture and all (a very bad picture BTW). See Ashton had gone to school with Justin's cousin Matt and Matt had told her to look Justin up. I believe this was in November. Flash forward a couple months to one meal I had in the KCC. My group of friends always sat at the same table for every meal. At one of these meals right on the end was a very attractive person I had never met. I asked my cousin Brent who that guy was at the end of the table. I don't remember exactly what was said, but I do know later on Brent told me he knew exactly why I had asked.....
...At the end of March, my roommate Amber was invited to hang out in the boy's dorm while the guys played a poker game....I did something that was very out of character for me and asked to tag along....We went over to the dorm and found our friends Brent and Billy playing poker and Justin too. I was immediately trying to figure out how to get to know this guy. I found out he played baseball and knew I had an "IN." Nothing happened that night, no sparks flew but something was set in motion.
I was always trying to figure out how to be around this guy, I would always tell Amber that we should go hang out in the guy's dorms or spend time with Billy (who lived next to Justin). Well, Justin hasn't always been the most upfront with his emotions, meaning I had no idea what this guy thought about me....I never got any sign that he liked me at all .....so I tried to move on...and I did, kinda and I regret it tremendously.....I could have ruined everything with Justin....But enough about that. I wouldn't even say we had a relationship at this point, we were just talking and flirting. I do remember one time we were in Billy's room and everyone left us alone (Not sure if it was planned or not) but I think this was the first time I thought that he may like me too. But I still wasn't sure.
Justin played baseball in college and was right in the middle of the season, he had a lot of games during this time on Saturdays and many days during the week. One Friday right before a Saturday double-header, the college hosted a Relay for Life event. Justin was on a team with some other guys in his hall, so I went down to his team's tent thinking maybe I could see him ....which was very out of character for me...but that night was a big night in our relationship....Justin did show up and we spent time together just hanging out with some of our other friends. It was a very cold night and I joked with Justin that I could keep him warm...and I did....it was the first night we spent together....and nothing happened, not even a kiss. I told Justin I would come watch him play before I had to go home for the weekend. He told me later he was looking for me in the stands the entire game.
We had many more days back and forth...and we never talked about what was going on or what we were....we were just enjoying what was. We both knew the end of the school year was coming and starting a relationship then would kinda be silly. Amber and I had a meeting one night in a building near Justin's dorm and we headed over there as soon as the meeting ended. Amber was hanging out with Billy and Chance, and I went over and hung out with Justin. As we were getting ready to leave, Justin told me that I couldn't and I had to stay with him. At first I didn't know what to do....but I felt comfortable with this guy and knew he wouldn't hurt me. And so Justin and I spent another night together....and nothing happened, not even a kiss.
I was getting many mixed messages about how this guy felt about me....but I knew I liked him. As I was leaving his room to head to class....I turned around and kissed him for the first time.
The next few weeks went by very fast, we had a very innocent relationship and it was great. I stayed some more nights with him and we ate some meals together in the dining hall. Like I said earlier Justin and I never talk about the future...just kinda lived for the day. I was very loyal to Justin...and had some situations come up that could have changed things. Justin was also getting information about me that could have changed things....my other cousin had told Justin that I was "clingy" and basically I wasn't what he needed...another friend knew what Justin and I had both been through with relationships in the past was afraid we'd both get hurt and wasn't exactly pushing us together.
The day we were leaving for home Justin and I both knew the future of our relationship was in question. We again never talked about seeing each other again....all I knew was that I was going to call him to let him know I got home. I believe this was a Tuesday (5/11).....I pretty much cried the entire trip home because I couldn't bare the thought of not seeing this guy for 3 months. That night we both independently knew we wanted to make this a real relationship. I made plans to go see him in Staunton that next weekend. We had an amazing weekend together and that was the first time he told me he loved me....and I loved him too. By the end of the month we knew this was it...we had found the "One." We spent that whole summer traveling back and forth to see each other.
We dated for three years before we got married on June 23, 2007.
I love Justin more than anything in the world.....when I think about everything that had to happen in order for us to meet and fall in love, I know there is a higher power that has a master plan.... Justin is perfect for me in so many ways and I really do fall in love with him more everyday.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Hello March!!!!
It's a new month and new events are happening!!!
March brings:
~My Birthday...YAY!!!
~Spring Break
~Week Home in VA
~Spring
~NO MORE DI!!!
~More Weight Loss
~More Debt Reduction
~Less Stress (Hopefully)!!
~More Self-Growth....is that even a word
~And Lots more I'm sure!!!
March brings:
~My Birthday...YAY!!!
~Spring Break
~Week Home in VA
~Spring
~NO MORE DI!!!
~More Weight Loss
~More Debt Reduction
~Less Stress (Hopefully)!!
~More Self-Growth....is that even a word
~And Lots more I'm sure!!!
Friday, February 19, 2010
So how are we doing on our new year's resolution....
...GREAT!!!! Justin and I have made huge changes in our spending habits. We both have a monthly "allowance" and have a very tight budget to allow for as much money as possible to go to debt repayment. This has really opened our eyes about how we spend our money....and I don't think we can ever go back to spending money like before.
....We are also communicating so much better because of all this and laying out plans for an amazing future. I never understood what people meant about money being the biggest issues in marriages.....but now I totally get it.....and money WILL NOT destroy this marriage...
...on another note....I am trying to eat healthier.....I know most women say this at least 4 times a year....but I'm trying to form good habits and track what I eat.
I was doing an internet search the other day and ran across http://www.livestrong.com/. This is an amazing website for tracking what you eat and knowing info about the food you are eating. My goal is to only eat 1521 calories a day........and so far I have been doing awesome. Every day when I get home I enter what I eat and make sure I'm staying below my target. I hope to lose about a pound a week. We will see.
....We are also communicating so much better because of all this and laying out plans for an amazing future. I never understood what people meant about money being the biggest issues in marriages.....but now I totally get it.....and money WILL NOT destroy this marriage...
...on another note....I am trying to eat healthier.....I know most women say this at least 4 times a year....but I'm trying to form good habits and track what I eat.
I was doing an internet search the other day and ran across http://www.livestrong.com/. This is an amazing website for tracking what you eat and knowing info about the food you are eating. My goal is to only eat 1521 calories a day........and so far I have been doing awesome. Every day when I get home I enter what I eat and make sure I'm staying below my target. I hope to lose about a pound a week. We will see.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Debt
..So Justin and I are in debt....a lot of debt...
We both graduated from Bridgewater College which left us majorly in debt. I knew I would have to pay back this money and I have. I always pay my bills and thought I was doing the right thing and I was ok. Justin and I bought 2 vehicles in our first year of marriage (which were kinda needed, but still more debt), we also have some credit card debt. I never thought a lot about the debt except for the credit card debt, because I knew that wasn't GOOD debt. But I've come to realize debt is debt....I don't like it and want it gone ASAP.
Justin and I have never been ones to put tons and tons of stuff on our credit cards, our move to Texas was almost $2000 all of which went on Justin's credit card. To get my Texas teaching license ended up costing around $500....and little things in between. So at least we don't have to change our lifestyle, we just have to be aware of where our money is going.
I consider myself a good money manager and never thought I needed to get books about getting out of debt. I actually love teaching this unit to my students and may even get to teach a whole class on it next year. I've also dreamed about working for a bank in the role of a financial educator.....you get the point I love this subject.
My mom always talked about Dave Ramsey and his ideas on the matter and I agreed with most of his ideas. So, the other day I went to Target and picked up a copy of his book. I haven't read all of it but it got me thinking. So I went and got all of our statements out and added everything up. I had NO IDEA how much debt we were really in. I then went a little over the top and made spreadsheets for everything and keep track of our debt repayment. I even went back to 2007 and tracked our debt over the 2 and 1/2 years.......CRAZY!!!
So Justin and I made a budget and are keeping a very accurate record of our money. I feel like we are finally attacking our debt and setting ourselves up for a debt free future. We are going to get rid of this debt sooner rather than later. I would love to offer my assistances to anyone who needs help getting your finances figured out and help you make a plan to repay your debt. I have not said how much Justin and I are in debt because it is a very personal issue, if you want help please know I will not judge.
...thanks for listening...
We both graduated from Bridgewater College which left us majorly in debt. I knew I would have to pay back this money and I have. I always pay my bills and thought I was doing the right thing and I was ok. Justin and I bought 2 vehicles in our first year of marriage (which were kinda needed, but still more debt), we also have some credit card debt. I never thought a lot about the debt except for the credit card debt, because I knew that wasn't GOOD debt. But I've come to realize debt is debt....I don't like it and want it gone ASAP.
Justin and I have never been ones to put tons and tons of stuff on our credit cards, our move to Texas was almost $2000 all of which went on Justin's credit card. To get my Texas teaching license ended up costing around $500....and little things in between. So at least we don't have to change our lifestyle, we just have to be aware of where our money is going.
I consider myself a good money manager and never thought I needed to get books about getting out of debt. I actually love teaching this unit to my students and may even get to teach a whole class on it next year. I've also dreamed about working for a bank in the role of a financial educator.....you get the point I love this subject.
My mom always talked about Dave Ramsey and his ideas on the matter and I agreed with most of his ideas. So, the other day I went to Target and picked up a copy of his book. I haven't read all of it but it got me thinking. So I went and got all of our statements out and added everything up. I had NO IDEA how much debt we were really in. I then went a little over the top and made spreadsheets for everything and keep track of our debt repayment. I even went back to 2007 and tracked our debt over the 2 and 1/2 years.......CRAZY!!!
So Justin and I made a budget and are keeping a very accurate record of our money. I feel like we are finally attacking our debt and setting ourselves up for a debt free future. We are going to get rid of this debt sooner rather than later. I would love to offer my assistances to anyone who needs help getting your finances figured out and help you make a plan to repay your debt. I have not said how much Justin and I are in debt because it is a very personal issue, if you want help please know I will not judge.
...thanks for listening...
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Goodbye January, Hello February
When I was little I would always say goodbye to the past month and welcome the new month in. I have no idea where is came from or why I did it.....but February brings many exciting things
~Seeing my husband (Hopefully)
~DI Regional Tournament
~Starting the process of really tackling our debt
~One month closer to My birthday and Spring Break
~One month closer to the end of the school year
~The Super Bowl (Go Colts)
~Daytona 500 (Go Tony!!)
~and many more things will make this month a great one!!!
~Seeing my husband (Hopefully)
~DI Regional Tournament
~Starting the process of really tackling our debt
~One month closer to My birthday and Spring Break
~One month closer to the end of the school year
~The Super Bowl (Go Colts)
~Daytona 500 (Go Tony!!)
~and many more things will make this month a great one!!!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Things I've had enough of....
...OK I normally try to stay positive in these blogs but it's been a bad day
So the things I'm sick and tired of are.....
.....Not seeing my husband everyday
.....Students that do not care (and I have plenty of them here in Texas)
.....Traffic...I hate living in the city
.....People who do not understand how hard my husband is working
.....People who don't talk to me for no reason
.....Bad Friends
.....Debt
.....Bills
.....Living so far away from my family
.....Drama (my job is full of it)
.....Texas School Systems
.....IEPs
.....ARDs
.....BIPs
.....People who think it is easy being a teacher
.....My crazy momma from DI
.....Interpreters in my class that think they know everything
.....Students that think they know everything
.....Attitudes
.....Mondays
.....Not having washer and dryer hook-ups in my apartment when I own a washer and dryer
.....Lesson Planning
.....Grocery Shopping (School and Home)
OK I think that is all for now....I feel a lot better...thanks for listening.
I know I have a blessed life, some times I just need to vent.
So the things I'm sick and tired of are.....
.....Not seeing my husband everyday
.....Students that do not care (and I have plenty of them here in Texas)
.....Traffic...I hate living in the city
.....People who do not understand how hard my husband is working
.....People who don't talk to me for no reason
.....Bad Friends
.....Debt
.....Bills
.....Living so far away from my family
.....Drama (my job is full of it)
.....Texas School Systems
.....IEPs
.....ARDs
.....BIPs
.....People who think it is easy being a teacher
.....My crazy momma from DI
.....Interpreters in my class that think they know everything
.....Students that think they know everything
.....Attitudes
.....Mondays
.....Not having washer and dryer hook-ups in my apartment when I own a washer and dryer
.....Lesson Planning
.....Grocery Shopping (School and Home)
OK I think that is all for now....I feel a lot better...thanks for listening.
I know I have a blessed life, some times I just need to vent.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
10 Years Ago...
The Year was 2000......
....I was a freshman in high school....now I teach freshman
....I was ready for the real world to start....now I want to go back to high school/college
....I was worried about finding "The One"....now I am happy as can be married to the love of my life.
....I was living in Botetourt County, Virginia....Now I'm in Corpus Christi, Texas and can't wait to get back to VA.
....I had a great group of friends....now I'm jealous of those who go out all the time with their friends
....I was thinking about when I would start a family.....now I'm still thinking about when I will start a family (not anytime soon)
....I was happy.....and now I'm still very happy.
A lot has changed along the way but I wouldn't change a thing. I'm blessed for all the people in my life and miss all of you.
....I was a freshman in high school....now I teach freshman
....I was ready for the real world to start....now I want to go back to high school/college
....I was worried about finding "The One"....now I am happy as can be married to the love of my life.
....I was living in Botetourt County, Virginia....Now I'm in Corpus Christi, Texas and can't wait to get back to VA.
....I had a great group of friends....now I'm jealous of those who go out all the time with their friends
....I was thinking about when I would start a family.....now I'm still thinking about when I will start a family (not anytime soon)
....I was happy.....and now I'm still very happy.
A lot has changed along the way but I wouldn't change a thing. I'm blessed for all the people in my life and miss all of you.
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