This and That and Such and Such

Hello again! I know I have been neglecting my blog a little bit but to be honest, not much has been going on.  I've started a new post several times now and just realized I didn't have anything to say.  But today I'm actually gonna do it, I'm gonna blog and I'm gonna blog my little heart out.

Two weekends ago, Geoff and I went to the Lincoln Air Show.  It was really neat and I had kinda been looking forward to it for a while.  The school I work at is located in "Air Park" where the airport is.  So for the few days leading up to the show we got to see all of the planes practicing while I was outside with kids at recess.  Which of course made them WILD, but it was still fun.  I was excited to see the Blue Angels in person, very cool!  I don't know how they do it, I would be freaking out and definitely puking out my guts!  But never the less, we had fun and even could see some of the performances from our apartment!

 

After this weekend of really nice late summer temps, it got cold.  And when I was cold I mean low 50s high and almost in the 30s at night.  And to add to the enjoyment it was windy and rainy.  I know this doesn't sound like a huge deal but when I was sweating my you know what off on Monday at recess then nearly freezing on Wednesday, it was a bit redic.  I mean, its still technically summer!!! This cold spell lasted almost a full week.  It was nice to get to wear jeans and hoodies for a few days, but luckily we are back in "normal" late summer/September weather.  If this is a glimpse at what winter will hold for us, I'm scared.  Its not like Joplin, where if the temps are below freezing you have indoor recess.  I'm hearing we pretty much go outside no matter what.  And lucky me, I have 3 different recess duties!!! Looks like I'm investing in warm clothes and a good coat! 

Geoff and I are also really excited about the church we have been attending.  Northpoint Community Church has been a Godsend! We truly feel welcomed there and really enjoy the fellowship and worship.  We have recently joined a small group and know it just must be a God thing because I truly feel its a group of just the kind of people we need.  It sounds terrible to say, but its nice to have other people to talk to besides Geoff and Roscoe!!

Lets see, I've started to coupon... Its going ok I would say.  Still trying to figure it out.  I can't wait until I get a good "haul" that I can share with you.  I'm going to start going to a new grocery store per suggestions by some small group members and that they double their coupons!  So, snif snif, I'll have to lay off of HyVee goodness for a while.  This week will be our first Super Save trip so we will see how it goes.

Geoff has another project he is dreaming up.  After the success of our chair and bench, he is ready to tackle something else.  Our bathroom is just not very well thought out.  The plug is right by all of the drawers so my Chi cord gets in the way all the time.  Plus the way the door opens, you can't open any drawers unless the door is closed.  Very frustrating.  So Geoff is using his carpentry skills and new found electrical knowledge and supplies (thank you CED!!!) to create a cabinet/shelf/plug in base for extra storage and a different place to plug in.  So we will see how it goes.....

My job at school is going really well.  Other than the kids have been living in Crazy Town for about two weeks (Thanks to the air show, weather, full moon, and now we're thinking they are just crazy) so I come home pretty tired.  Although, who wouldn't want to start their morning being greeted by 100 plus kids at breakfast saying "Good Morning Miss Holly!!"  Makes my day and my heart happy.  I did find out that a new elementary school is being built and will open next fall.  So fingers crossed, this could be my chance to get in as a elementary music teacher!  The only con is that the school is on the complete southeast side of town, making my possible drive nearly 30 minutes one way (compared to 8 minutes currently).  So lots of prayers would be appreciated for guidance and seeking His will. 

Well, I won't bore you any longer.  I promise that my next blog will be a little bit more exciting....hopefully!  Until then!!

Pallet Chairs Extravaganza!!!

So Geoff and I have been on the lookout for lawn furniture for our little patio.  Well I was on Pinterest a few weeks ago and saw this really cute pallet table and commented to Geoff that someday that would be really fun to have on our deck or something.  This was a Thursday.  On Friday, Geoff didn't get home until almost 6 when he normally is home between 5:15 and 5:30.  As normal, I was freaking out thinking he was in some awful car wreck on the highway, but just when I was about to send out the search hounds, here he comes, with pallets and supplies in hand.  He immediately began to get to work on constructing the most epic, beautifully crafted pallet furniture you will ever see.  He was a man with a plan!  The rest of the weekend was spent making a pallet chair and pallet bench.  Here are some pictures!!

Geoff's workshop.  He constructed.  I sanded and sealed. 

The chair!  Very comfy!!

The bench!  We added the cushion that we found for cheap at Gordman's

Side view just so you get how massively, solid and sturdy it is! 

 So the pallets were found for free at Geoff's work.  We did replace the boards with smoother boards for the bottom seat of the bench and the whole chair.  We had fun working on our project and we are excited to get to enjoy some cool evenings out on our porch! 

Labor Day Weekend!

This weekend Geoff and I were blessed to have wonderful company!  His parent's, Kirk and Peggy,, came up from CJ and Doug and his family came from Colorado to spend the holiday with us!  I was so excited to see them, considering we hadn't seen his parents since we moved and hadn't seen Dough and Family since our wedding.  We had been planning this visit since the wedding so we were both really excited.  Kirk and Peggy came late Friday night and the fun began Saturday morning.  Of course we took them to the farmer's market downtown where we roamed for a long while amongst all the Cornhusker fans.


Side note: This was our first experience with a home football game.  The fans are a bit redic.  EVERYONE was wearing red and EVERYONE was packed into downtown for the game or just tailgating.  I can only imagine what its going to be like when they play Big 10 games.  Kinda a bummer that we aren't Cornhusker fans, cause its exciting being amongst it.  Oh well,  GO BLUE and GO 'RILLAS!!!!! 

Then we spent the rest of the afternoon on the South side of town away from all the football craziness shopping and hitting up the Labor Day sales.  We also ate a Red Robin yum!  Doug arrived late that evening and we stayed up till 1:30am talking and playing with Raegen and Karsen who is almost ready to walk!!  He is such a happy baby and so smart.  He is soo ready to walk he doesn't even crawl.  He does this weird Lt. Dann type crawl/walk to get where he needs to be.  And Aunt Holly was soo happy that he enjoyed spending time with me and didn't cry when I held him!! Love that kid!  

Saturday we woke up and fixed breakfast and then the boys played golf while the girls chatted and the baby napped.  After a lunch at 5 Guys Burger and Fries (which is fabulous) we headed to the zoo!!!  I think everyone enjoyed the zoo and we even rode the train!  That night we fixed Rigatoni and Raegen and I baked cookie bars for everyone to enjoy for desert.  Rae is sooo smart for a first grader!  Geoff and I are so proud at how mature and bright she is, we are definitely going to watch her go far in life!  

Sunday we tried to eat Breakfast at Ihop, but it was just a big, hot mess so we ate a Cracker Barrel instead, then it was time for everyone to hit the road back home.  I have to admit, I was a little nervous for this weekend since it was the first time I was "hostess" to company and that I procrastinated to clean until Friday night!  haha.  That was a bad idea since we had a major thunder storm roll through and the power flashed on and off during it!! Needless to say, I vacuumed really fast!  Besides being exhausted, the weekend went off without a hitch and was really fun and enjoyable.  We love having our family visit us and miss them so much.  Its hard being this far away from everyone, but I know that this is God's plan and this is where we should be.  I'm just excited to see what the future holds for us!  (Hopefully more company!! Who's next to visit??)

All the Karhoff "kids" after visiting the Zoo

Uncle Geoff and Karsen chillin after eating at 5 Guys Burger and Fries

Watching Raegen ride the horses at the Zoo

Too cuties!

Para-Tizing

Well, I think its about time for a School update!!! If you remember, I am working as a Para at Arnold Elementary with the Lincoln Public School System.  And my last update I was a little on the Debbi Downer side of things, but that was then, this is now!

I finally  got my schedule and I am settling into the swing of things.  Here is what a typical day looks like for Ms. Holly (I HATE that Para's aren't called Mrs. Last Name at the school.  We deserve the same amount of respect, but this is a whole different subject)

• Breakfast Duty- I basically make sure the Kindergartener's sit where they are supposed to, keep other kids from creating WW3 in the cafateria and bring kids spoons and things they forgot.  Fun stuff. 
• Kindergarten Class #1- Work with kids one on one.  Right now we are working on writing our names!
• First Grade Class #1-Work with kids who need extra help during math, standard beginning of the year testing, etc.
• Second Grade Class #1-I work with one student mostly who I have several stories about.  He is a sweet kid, on the younger end of second grade, extremely wiggly and cannot focus. :)
• Second Grade Class #2- Do whatever is needed.  This teacher is really close to my age and recently married.  I feel like yelling "Be my friend!!"  every time I see her! haha
• First Grade Class #2- Work one on one, do stuff.  
• Herd Walk Kindergarten Class #1 from lunch to recess-hardest part of my day.  
• My lunch!! Usually PBJ ;)
• Lunch Duty - I'm in here fooor-eeevver, foooorrr-eeevvver.
• 4th Grade Recess - They are sooo whiny when its hot.  And I tried to teach the girls to double dutch but bless their little hearts, they just aren't coordinated.  
• BREAK!!! 
• Herd Walk Kindergarten Class #1 from specials to recess - again hardest part of the day
• Help my friend Cathy the production para with work.  Cut laminate, fold papers, make booklets, and get to chat with her!  
• Kindergarten Class #2- help kids who don't even know their name recognize and and spell it!  Fun, FUN stuff.
• First Grade Class #3 - help kids one on one, cut things out, etc
• Go Home!!!!

Being a Para has its advantages, I go to school at 8:30, do my thing and come home at 3:30 and don't have to bring home papers to grade, make lesson plans or do anything school related!  Its fantastic!! BUT, I miss teaching, I miss music, I miss being "in charge" so to speak.  Don't get me wrong, I am learning sooo much being in different classrooms and watching different teachers teach different subjects other than music.  In the long run, I think it is really going to make me a better teacher (hopefully someday).  And I really like the school and staff.  Its on the larger side; they are eventually working up to having six classes of Kindergarten through Fifth grade.  And they way the school is built, I probably walk, eh, 4 miles a day.  Yay exercise!!  I'm am just so thankful every day to have something to get up and go do!!! And to have people besides Roscoe and Geoff to talk to!! haha.  So thats kind of what my every day lives are like!  I hope I didn't bore you to tears!

This is the school, which is only 3 years old.  So nice.

Official!!

Oh I did find out that LPS is building a new school for the 2012-2013 school year, which means they will need a whole new staff!! Fingers crossed this could lead to some major possibilities!!!