Day 136

Rain, Rain, Go Away...Come Back On a FALL Day!

I am not asking for much, I am not asking for it to feel like summer, but can it at least feel like spring?!  This picture is to show the yucky, awful weather on this last day of May!  I love how our window looks like there are bars which is so symbolic of being barred indoors because of the rain.

Day 135

B-24 from WWII

What a way to spend Memorial Day!  Chris, my parents, and I went to the Livermore Airport to see the many war airplanes displayed.  The "Witchcraft" was the B-24 that we walked through and is shown above.  

Touring these planes and seeing what these men endured for our freedom, only makes me more appreciative for our service men and women.  Happy Memorial Day!

Day 134

Entrance to Our Walk

Escape to Relaxation

We got the dogs into the back of the truck, picked up Mr. Pickle's sandwiches, packed a bag of waters and headed on out for a walk.  On our walk we saw many ground squirrels, wild turkeys, horses, cows, and heard about a rattlesnake sighting.  

Kona was WILD on the walk and wanted to chase each and every ground squirrel whereas Dixie was a trooper.  Dixie was so tired because of her short, little legs.  We stopped in the middle of the walk to eat our lunch on a bench under a big tree.  The spot overlooked some oddly placed palm trees.  The other views were of an old, abandoned winery, rolling hills, and trees.  The sun was shining (finally).  All in all, a good day.

Day 133

"Give Me MY Hot Dogs!!!"

Chris created a MONSTER!  The first time Dixie visited us for a trial weekend, he served up some leftover hot dogs after grilling them.  Now, Dixie DEMANDS her hot dogs every time the grill is used.  She cannot stand waiting for them to cool and will "yell" at Chris to serve them to her.  Here you see the hot dogs cooling in the doggie's dishes.  Chris does cover the hot dog pieces with dog food to make it a well-rounded meal.  Oh, and how could I forget...see those beers in the background?  Moments before this picture was taken, Dixie demanded some beer too!  She LOVES beer, preferable a light beer.

Day 132

Where Our Paychecks Go!

Good thing we love Dixie!  Her glaucoma is sending us to the poor house.  Today, I picked up one of the four drops and it cost $64.  That is the cheapest one of the four drops she gets!!!

Day 131

My Comfort

I sent myself home since I had a migraine...the worst ever.  Harley was a good companion, snuggling up to me while I napped.

Day 130

Hacker Trail:  A Westward Movement Simulation

In fifth grade I have been teaching about Westward Movement through the Hacker Trail simulation.  The kids were put into wagon trains and assigned identities.  They go through different obstacles and encounter fates that may have occurred on trail.  And, of course, there has been drama!

Day 129

Chris and His Little Helper

In order to snuggle, Dixie had to get a bath the other day and she is taking full advantage of her cleanliness. 

Day 128

12 Days of School Left Until Summer!!!

And you thought only kids were excited for summer?! 

Day 127

Our Helper

This picture was from last night when Dixie helped clean the BBQ.  But, the work continued this morning when we put the dogs outside and we went back to bed.  We heard a noise and saw Dixie licking away, again.

Day 126

Spoiled!

I am SO very thankful!!!  My wonderful, generous mom took me shopping today for some needed spring/summer clothing!  It was lots of fun to start the day with lunch at California Pizza Kitchen and then off to shop til we dropped!  Thanks again, Mom...you are the BEST!

Day 125

Walk and Dinner

We suited up the doggies and walked to one of our favorite spots for a meal...Chicago's.  I had a gyro and Chris had a TBA sandwich (turkey, bacon, avocado) and we shared some fries.  The doggies got a few fries and they made a new best friend, a 2 year old little girl named Summer.  She LOVED the doggies and would only leave their side when her parents bribed her with ice cream :)  

On the walk home, Chris was kind and helped push a car that had broken down in the middle of Hopyard.  Hopefully good karma is on its way!

Day 124

Fresh and Easy Shopping Trip

First of all, you may have noticed that I haven't posted in a few days BUT I have taken a photo each day!

On Thursday, I picked up Togo's sandwiches for dinner and then popped into Fresh and Easy to check out the new store in town.  There I found some great salads for an even better price!

Day 123

One of the Best Inventions!

Today when I thought, "Hmm, what are we going to make for dinner?" and the next thought popped into my mind, "It is already cooking in the crock pot!"

Here is a picture of the chicken that has been slow cooking all day.  I put in three chicken breasts, a jar of salsa (I prefer the green one, but I used what we had today), and I added three green chiles.  Now I will put the shredded chicken in some corn tortillas, add some sauce and make some chicken enchiladas.  YUM!

Day 122

Rode the Yellow School Bus

This isn't the actual yellow school bus we rode but I had to add a photo for the memory.  We took our fifth graders to visit their middle school.  Unfortunately, half our fifth graders go to one middle school while the others go to the other in-town middle school.  I went with the group that takes a bus over to the school.  While it was only a 5 minute drive, they loved riding on the bus.  These kids are not used to riding a yellow school bus since the only bus they have taken has been a big charter bus with TVs! 

Day 121

Running in the Rain

It may be hard to tell but Chris and Kona are sopping wet after their run in the rain.  Do you see a glimpse of Dixie???  Don't be fooled, she did not go for a run (she probably wouldn't have even walked down the driveway).  

This weather is awful...yesterday it was hailing and today it was raining.  Really?  I thought I lived in California!  Ugh, bring on the SUN!!!

Day 120

The Look on the Bear's Face Says it All!

Chris would not STOP LAUGHING at this photo!  It was taken at Bay to Breakers and is a great summary of this year's change...no alcohol allowed.  While we were not at this event, Chris found it online and had one good laugh.

Day 119

Great Movie

Today, I spent the day with my mom to celebrate a belated Mother's Day.  We went to lunch at Mimi's Cafe and then saw Water for Elephants.  I thought, at one point, my mom would have to walk out (it got too sad) but she made it through.  I would definitely recommend this movie!

Day 118

Diaper Motorcyle

This is not the exact picture (since I forgot my camera) but I was at a shower for a co-worker today and there was a diaper motorcycle!  I had seen the diaper cakes but nothing like this before.  SO cute!

Day 117

Trap Shooting League

Chris and three other guys have joined a trap shooting league that meets each Thursday.  Here they are during their second round of shooting. 

Day 116

Windsock Creation

Today was "Celebrate the Arts" at school.  This is a yearly event where the students embrace the arts and go to four different stations throughout the day.  Our stations were:  tie dye, Lawrence Hall of Sciences' math stations, windsocks, and martial arts.  I was in charge of leading the martial arts for the fifth graders since my student teacher was able to lead my class for the day.  When I looked into the example for me to show it was a Giants themed windsock...perfect for me!!!  The picture also shows some other examples of windsocks.  Fun day!

Day 115

My Big Headache!

Well, my original due date for this Walker Creek book was back in February.  But, I kept extending the due date and now it is due tomorrow.  Thank goodness my student teacher has started her two week take over and I haven't had to teach but just pop in now and then while working on other stuff at school.  I think it will be finished and ready to go tomorrow.  Whew!

Day 114

More Blooming

Chris claims this is a lily and I think it is a bird of paradise.  Then, Chris said it maybe is a lily/bird of paradise...hmmm???  Anyway, it is pretty!

Day 113

Happy Mother's Day

As a dog mommy, I got a card from my furry friends today!  Too cute!

Day 112

One Wet, Annoyed Kitty

Have you ever tried to bathe a cat?  Not a fun or easy event.  I threw Harley into the shower with me to give him a long awaited bathing.  He tried to claw his way to freedom and tried to push open the doors.  I won and he got clean.

Funny thing is...Harley is quick to forgive.  I received cheeky rubs shortly after and he snuggled with me all evening.

Day 111

I Feel Appreciated!

Today ended "Teacher Appreciation Week".  All week I was spoiled with sweet cards, flowers, treats, and gifts.  Here I have shown one student's take on giving a teacher an apple...a caramel, chocolate dipped apple, YUM!  Also, many students contributed for a big gift and purchased a Flip camera for me to use in the classroom, a pedicure certificate, and a $100 Visa gift card.  They are SO good to me!!!

Day 110

Local Celebrities

Yesterday (I know a day late) Chris woke up early to run downtown to meet up with the NBC Bay Area News crew.  They were traveling to a different Bay Area city each day and this was the day in Pleasanton.  I...stayed in bed.  

As I watched the TV with one eye opened (it was only 6:05 a.m.), I heard the weather girl talk about a muscle man and his furry friend.  Long behold...it was Chris and Kona on TV!!!

Day 109

Grumpy Chris

Here is Chris doing his new chore...cleaning the kitty's litter box!

Day 108

Our Funny Looking But Happy Tree

This is our tree in the backyard.  I found this face addition to make it smile.  Over the summer we had someone come out to give it a haircut since it was causing damage during storms.  And, I love how it was still kind of light out when I took this photo at 8:15 p.m.

Day 107

Massive Headache!

Day 106

Proud to Be An American

The following is a quote I took from someone's Facebook post:

Now I lay me down to sleep...one less terrorist the world to keep...with all my heart I give my thanks...to those in uniform regardless of ranks...you serve our country and serve it well...with humble hearts your stories tell...so as I rest my weary eyes...while freedom rings our flag still flies...you give your all, do what you must...with God we live and God we trust....Amen.