Seventeen Years Ago Today

Seventeen years ago today, I went out on a date with that cute guy I had met playing intramural volleyball my senior year of college. He was tall, dark-haired, kind of quiet, but very sweet. A friend of a friend of my roommates, we had seen each other several times at group functions and I thought he seemed like such a nice guy. After one such function, he offered to walk me back to my house and he asked me out on a date. Our first date was November 3, 1992, and it was election day so classes were canceled. He went home the night before, voted early, then drove back to Bowling Green to pick me up. We drove to Nashville so that I could vote, then we spent the rest of the day hanging out in Nashville. And the rest is history...

The picture above was taken a few weeks after we started dating, at the Opryland Hotel during Christmastime. To this day, it's one of my favorite pictures of us. The picture below was taken a couple of weeks ago at the annual hayride at his parents house.

I cannot imagine what my life would be like without him. He is such a good person and he is a wonderful husband.

I hope that everyone is having a wonderful fall. The leaves have been absolutely beautiful here, and we have had some gorgeous fall days too. I can't believe that it is almost Thanksgiving!

Ahhhhh...

I'm here.

Happy Birthday to Me!

It's my birthday today! I am 39 years old today, which means this is my last year in my thirties. It's kind of weird to think about that, because I honestly don't feel like I am almost 40. But you're only as old as you feel, right? And I certainly don't feel 39! I don't think that I look my age either, because most people are surprised when they find out how old I am. I just hope that it stays that way!

No big plans for today. I usually take my birthday off because it is during Fall Break, but I'm working today so that I can take off later in the week to go to the b-e-a-c-h! Mr. P and I will go out tonight to celebrate, and then we'll have a big celebration with my family this weekend.

Oh, and the gorgeous cake is from Retro Bakery in Las Vegas-http://www.retrobakerylv.com/ . I only wish it was really my cake!

Fall Break!

It's Fall Break Week! I can't believe that a quarter of the school year is already gone. The days are speeding by! I'm working three days this week, but it is much more low-key than usual and much less hours. I have a long to-do list waiting for me on my desk when I arrive this morning, and I'm hoping to get through everything on the list this week. I also have a list of things to do at home this week, and here it is:

1. Decorate the house for fall. I love fall, and I love decorating the house for autumn almost as much as decorating the house for Christmas. My fall box is out and waiting for me in the basement, so I'm hoping to bring it upstairs tonight and spruce this house up!


2. Write a long, newsy post complete with pictures. Yeah, I know I've been promising that for a while, but it's now on The List, so maybe it will get done.


3. Cook dinner at least once this week. Poor Mr. P...lately he either cooks or we starve! That's actually a bit of an exaggeration, but we have been eating too much take out and quick dinners lately. I love to cook, and I need to get back in the habit of cooking. I received this cookbook last year, and it has some great recipes in it.



I love Gooseberry Patch books, don't you?


I also recently bought this book from a book vendor at school. I thought it was the cutest cookbook, and it has old-fashioned recipes that have been updated. I especially love the appetizer section of it.






Okay, I got a little sidetracked by my recipes...back to The List.


4. Clean out the garage. Okay, that is actually on the list I have for Mr. P, but I intend to nag him about it this week because it is driving me crazy : )
5. Celebrate my birthday tomorrow!
6. Go to the beach with Mr. P and my family for some much needed R & R. It will be a quick trip (Thursday to Sunday), but I am so excited about it. My mom, dad, brother, and I all have birthdays in September and October, so we are having one great big birthday bash at the beach.

I'll let you know the status of The List as my week progresses.

Have a great day!

Please keep my family in your prayers

Please keep my family in your prayers, as my aunt passed away unexpectedly this morning. It has been a shock to all of us, and I am still trying to comprehend it. She was young, only in her mid-fifties, and she was a sweet, dear person who made my uncle so happy. I am absolutely heartbroken for my uncle and my family.

To make matters worse, it is our fall festival week at school, so now I am torn between school and family. My staff has been phenomenal, and they have urged me to go be with my family and assured me that they will take care of everything. I have no doubt that they will, but it's hard to be away, especially when it's my first year. I am truly blessed to have such a great staff.

I'm so sorry for the depressing post...I'll be in Nashville for a few days, but hopefully I'll have better post soon.

Such a neglected blog I have...

Oh my, I have sooo neglected my blog this summer! School is going well, but I am unbelievably busy. There is so much to learn as a new principal, but I am muddling through it all. I have a fantastic staff, which has made it so much easier.

I need to write a long, newsy post because I have a lot to share including a new ride (woo-hoo!) and some great shopping finds. A new principal has to dress sharp, right??

I'm off to get ready for school-principals' meeting at the board this morning, then a dash back to school for the remainder of the day. Long, newsy post coming soon!

Have a great day, everyone!

Big News!!

I have some exciting news, dear blogging friends! I am now a principal of an elementary school! I am so excited about this new venture in my career. I would love to tell you all about the school, but in the spirit of anonymity and confidentiality, I'll have to keep quiet about it. But let me assure you that it is a great school in a great community, and I am honored to be chosen as their leader. So please keep me in your prayers as I go forth on this new path.

I will share with you this...

We went out to dinner with our friends D and R to celebrate, and when we got back to their house, they surprised me with this cake. I was so touched. It was such a sweet gesture!

And with that, I am off to bed. I didn't sleep well the last couple of nights due to a combination of nerves and excitement. It is starting to catch up with me, and I have a busy day ahead of me tomorrow.

Goodnight all,

MB