Anniversary Extravaganza!

This weekend was a lot of fun celebrating our first anniversary! On Friday, we met up with teacher friends and Mary and John for drinks and appetizers. Saturday, we went to dinner at the Chart House in Genesee. Sunday we went to see the new James Bond movie and then Wade made chicken parmigiana for dinner. Deeeeeelish!

We have a short week at school (Monday and Tuesday) and then we're off for Thanksgiving break. Looking forward to a little quiet before the insanity of finals begins!

Election Results

I can't really explain how I am feeling today. I'm elated, satisfied to finally be on the winning team, reflective that I was a part of such an historic moment in our country during this presidential election. And yet....

TOTALLY DISAPPOINTED that the bond/mil levy for our public schools and library did not pass! What? We live in one of the top 10 richest counties in the nation, where the average home price is over $300,000, and people were so concerned about higher taxes that they voted no? The land for the new library in Parker was donated, so most of the money would have gone to materials and buildings. Wade hates going to the library because the parking lot is the size of a postage stamp and all those Douglas County mommies drive HUGE SUVs that barely fit.

It makes me sick to my stomach to think of the school budget cuts that will come and the "raises" that will not. You see, in education, we don't get 'end of the year bonuses' or trips or dinners or cruises or much of anything when we meet our goals of having students succeed. It's what is expected. I got an e-mail from a mom last week that ended by thanking me for taking the extra time with her son so he passes Spanish. She said she "really appreciated it." Seriously? Because almost 60,000 people voted against the measures. Maybe I am taking this too personally, and it is about a systems change etc. But, I feel deep down in my gut, very let down by the parents we "serve." It is fair to say I feel very low on the job satisfaction scale today. Making it harder to do my job with budget constraints isn't much of a motivator for me to do better.

Did you make history today?

I am looking forward to going home, eating delicious green chile, and watching the results come in!

Trip to Portland

We went to Portland to visit our cousins last weekend, and had an awesome time. Friday we walked around Ikea and then went to Edgefield for some adult time. Saturday, we hit the soaking pool then rode a train to a pumpkin patch. The kids had adorable costumes. Brooke was a dragon and Hadley was a Penguin! Sunday we watched football and then came home. The weather was amazing!

Thanks for a great time, Blake and Morgan. You spoiled us rotten! Hope to return the favor in Colorado sometime.

Here's a link to all the pictures!












Mommy with the CUTEST pumpkin EVER!
(pre-costume)


















Wade with the Penguinita in costume.













A big girl ready to do some pumpkin picking! She got off the train and headed for the biggest ones she could find.








All weekend, Brooke would approach Hadley and say "Hello, cutie!" Ahhhh, sisterly love!



















Wade and a tired dragon.












The Swansons. What an awesome family!

Letter from Hunter S. Thompson's wife to McCain

This is even better than the previous post.  (And, if you click on October, you'll find ton of fun Sarah Palin cartoons!)  It worth the time to peruse!

When you will wish you had voted....

Politics is the Art of Controlling Your Environment

That is one of the key things I learned in these years, and I learned it the hard way. Anybody who thinks that 'it doesn't matter who's president' has never been Drafted and sent off to fight and die in a vicious, stupid War on the other side of the World-- or been beaten and gassed by Police for trespassing on public property-- or been hounded by the IRS for purely political reasons-- or locked up in the Cook County Jail with a broken nose and no phone access and twelve perverts wanting to stomp your ass in the shower. That is when it matters who is President or Governor or Police Chief. That is when you will wish you had voted.

-By Hunter S. Thompson (Rest In Peace)

NAU beats UNC!

It wasn't glamorous for either team, but the Jacks squeeked by and beat the Bears 25-22. Read the details of the last exciting moments of the game here.

It was a beautiful fall day in Greeley! I think Bryan (who is from Greeley and forced to accompany me) enjoyed most of the day too.

We ended the drive back home sipping on treats from Sonic, which is a nice way to end any day.