tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75075525187867981052024-03-21T08:14:30.664-07:00Life, Love, and AdventuresJust living life in love with adventures in between.Strosiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10286904486379386391noreply@blogger.comBlogger95125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507552518786798105.post-33632278262238885702011-07-22T05:11:00.000-07:002011-07-22T05:11:31.117-07:00PinterestNew obsession. Some of you may have heard some of your friends talk about it, heard it mentioned on tv, or have read about it on other discussion boards (i.e. ProTeacher Community...those women are obsessive!). A couple months back, my friend Catelyn sent me an invite to Pinterest. At the time, I was busy with wrapping up school and moving to NC for the summer so I didn't have a chance to dive into it at the time. However, the other day I saw all these teachers on ProTeacher Community writing about it and wanting "an invite." So I figured now is the time to really see what this website is about--there's no way it can be better than Google Image Search.<br />
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Oh my macrole, it is. I am addicted. Well, I wouldn't say addicted but this is WAY better than Google Image Search. On Pinterest you can set up different board interest (like collages) and search through other people's boards to pin their image to your inspiration board. For example, one of my boards is Home Collections (or something of that nature) and I have started collecting images of things I would like for our home. I find this way intriguing and a better use of my time. I have stumbled across some neat ideas and designs for not only the home but for the classroom. There are other areas I want to explore on Pinterest, such as the food section and fashion but that will come later. I just love that it organizes my images on boards instead of me having to create a file folder on my computer and filing them that way. Maybe I'm just lazy. But I am definitely hooked on Pinterest. Dern you, ProTeacher Community members and Catelyn.Strosiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10286904486379386391noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507552518786798105.post-11931575332625048432011-07-20T09:37:00.000-07:002011-07-20T09:37:56.202-07:00You Are What You Read<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-hOvdf5DrsbdOe42NYn6vuttsD0h6MXUN16nobv0VaaOpj74qGjHXaSEm0UW_rIWFaBOXN9szvbsKVYfh3zfaQGcNO52HuXjkUr_cfMdty7cvp3bE7sFObs3Hj4Kr3gh1lSsO7_GzSdg/s1600/child-reading.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-hOvdf5DrsbdOe42NYn6vuttsD0h6MXUN16nobv0VaaOpj74qGjHXaSEm0UW_rIWFaBOXN9szvbsKVYfh3zfaQGcNO52HuXjkUr_cfMdty7cvp3bE7sFObs3Hj4Kr3gh1lSsO7_GzSdg/s320/child-reading.jpg" width="312" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So this morning I was watching "Nemo." I love the quote Dori says towards the end when she is begging Nemo's dad to not leave her because she remembers things better when he is with her. That made me think about some my favorite quotes from children books I have read in the past. Often times I will be reading aloud to my class and find a good quote in a book. So, here are a list of my favorite quotes in children books. What are some of yours?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><em>Every action, reader, no matter how small, has a consequence. </em></strong>-A Tale of Despereaux, Kate DiCamillo</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><em>I assure you that you can pick up more information when you are listening than when you are talking. </em></strong>-Trumpet of the Swan, E.B. White</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><em>Honey is sweet, and so is knowledge, but knowledge is like the bee that made that sweet honey, you have to chase it through the pages of a book. </em></strong>-Thank You, Mr. Falker; Patricia Polacco</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><em>Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh the things you can think up if you only try! </em></strong>-Dr. Seuss</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><em><strong>Tbere are no small parts-only small actors. </strong>-</em>The Best/Worst Christmas Pageant Ever; Barbara Robinson</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="linksoda"><strong><em>It is not often that someone comes along who is a true friend and a good writer. </em></strong>-Charlotte's Web, E.B. White</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="linksoda">I am sure there are so many more quotes that I treasure but these are the ones that I thought of off the top of my head. What are yours? I would love to know!</span></div>Strosiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10286904486379386391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507552518786798105.post-4816291886118149472011-07-19T17:45:00.000-07:002011-07-19T17:45:28.954-07:00School CountdownIt's that time where my teacher friends and myself have started the (DA DA DUMMMM) "How many more days do I have to sleep in and stay in my pajamas" countdown.<br />
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Lately, the title of my countdown has been "Crapola-I-have-too-much-to-do-for-school-before-I-go-back-to-school" countdown.<br />
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I hung out with my sweet friend Lindsey last night and we started making my "list." At first my list consisted of basic school stuff I want to accomplish for my classroom. Then, the more we researched stuff online I was adding new ideas and concepts and drawing pictures all over my list.<br />
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Lindsey then made me review my list, throw it away, and start over. I had too much going on on my paper that I knew I would never get to. She is forcing me, thank goodness, to be realistic about what I want to really accomplish or need in my classroom. I found some new reading strategies I want to implement; a new math game for my center I need to prepare; some seats I want to construct; rearrange my classroom and my enormous retro plaid couch...Will I get these things done? Probably. Will it be before the first day of school? Um, probably not. <br />
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As teachers, we learn to simplify and come to terms with what we really can accomplishn for the school year, especially elementary school teachers. As for myself, the last few days I have been reflecting on last year (what worked and didn't work) and if I am going to do it again. I find great ideas and classroom management strategies that I want to create, use, and decorate immediately. But it's not always that easy or simple minded. I do overwhelemed and sometimes have to close my pretty notebook, shut down the computer, and just forget about school, which is pretty darn hard when I am this close to starting back to work.<br />
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But like an excited school kid that is getting the new bookbag, tennis shoes, and freshly waxed crayons, I do get excited when I see a penny ad in the newspaper and can smell freshly laminated paper. Even as I look down at my list and make mental notes of what I should do first to get ready for school, I am brought back to the current date and realize that I still have a little bit of summer vacay to enjoy.Strosiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10286904486379386391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507552518786798105.post-23476644287998080012011-06-30T12:10:00.000-07:002011-06-30T12:10:19.170-07:00"I Wish I Were a House Wife"I know I may come off sounding ungrateful at the start of this post but just stay with me.<br />
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I love having my summer free. My schedule is as follows.<br />
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Wake at 6:30, roll back over til 10 AM. Fix coffee, eat a huge bowl of cereal on the couch, lay around til 12 on the couch watching Dr. Phil (for therapy) and a random movie (today it was The Freedrom Writers). Run the dishwasher, start some laundry, munch, munch, munch. Debate on running errands. Do some more laundry. Take a nap. Josh comes home, then do whatever our energy provides us to do (typically Lowe's). <br />
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With that being said, I like being lazy. But I do get lonely. :::sigh::: The life of the lonely "I wish I were a house wife." I use that term loosely. I have tried to throw myself into projects, such as decorating around the house but I only have so much money. I did clean Josh's office--that took all day and I felt reproductive. My future projects include finishing painting the kitchen, paint master bedroom, paint master bath... But who wants to paint by themselves? Not mention the task of Josh and I agreeing on paint colors. (Fingers crossed paint will be bought this weekend). <br />
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But anyway, am I considered a house wife? As mom would say, "I'm playing house." Which, I guess I am in a way. And I enjoy being up here with Josh during the summer because during the school year our schedules do not lend us too much time. I guess I need to stop complaining be more productive around the house. I mean it's not like I don't have anything to do. I have plenty to do. It's just getting my motivation in check. <br />
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What do you do that motivates you to get stuff done during the summer around the house? What makes you a house wife? Or a house husband? Or a house man/woman?Strosiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10286904486379386391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507552518786798105.post-31832839614276005022011-06-27T15:09:00.000-07:002011-06-27T15:09:59.269-07:00Summer Reading List...Thus FarOne thing that I look forward to do in the summer is to dive into my summer reading. Usually a couple weeks up to the start of summer break I make a list of books I want to read. This summer, I decided to wing it based off the website <a href="http://www.chicklitclub.com/">http://www.chicklitclub.com/</a>. Amazing book finds and authors that I never heard of. I previewed their website several times. What I like about this website is that they have several editors/readers that read "chick lit" books and give their own personal reviews. I was able to compare my taste of my favorite previous reads to their previous favorite reads. They are continuously adding books to their list and updating their website. So, with that being said, I will start with my summer reads thus far<br />
<div><strong>Book Number 1: Certain Girls by Jennifer Weiner</strong><br />
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623012488498401954" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzF1VM51hX63DpTNt9khL7qb1bPeG0R0XKUqRcwbSo2PrX-omxYWFXnmfwF39ntxrHYgYd_swutMG4OSAAdTBbidwprnpdBxVc8V_41GRhXRQpCO0u8dBo_RLzMTeJbuvro3QxCQIHvHs/s320/certain-girls.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 256px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 164px;" />This is the sequel to "Good in Bed" which was hilarious but also heart-wrenching. "Certain Girls" focuses on Cannie and her daughter turning 13. Cannie must find the balance between her writing career, marriage to her doctor, and her daughter's biological father. Joy, the daughter, tries to reconnect with her biological father and grandfather to find out more from her past parent's relationship. The plot stays busy and is a constant story line. In the previous book, Cannie's voice was strong and the main narrator/point of view. In "Certain Girls," Joy expresses her feelings and takes the weight off of Cannie. You feel torn between Joy and Cannie and often times I found myself wanting to shake Cannie and talk to her myself, even though I am not a mother. Jennifer Weiner did a great job at this read--still funny, and sharp wit but focuses on some serious topics.<br />
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<strong>Book Number 2</strong>: <strong>Accidental It Girl by Libby Street. </strong><br />
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623014394436973090" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEE7Q5QsZnFPdrFUGx3lnq2VWfl24EFHjsNYQZ_THR4y5NMqMbO48PCwLtfvgoKO_evKbPz8lG8rQ73fEiaj9A-jPOlDq7-GGCe3ZdLhebvUrRz4tNwllLkwJbouWNm-1HahUtOC36SKE/s320/accidental+it+girl.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 250px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 161px;" />Definitely a different read. This focuses on the life of a young woman who is a top selling paparazzi photographer. We see the pictures in the magazine and if you watch TMZ you get to see some of their photographers. However, this story focuses on the life of Sadie who takes pictures of hunk movie star Ethan that results in an accident with Ethan then giving Sadie a taste of her own medicine. I don't want to say too much about what happens in the book because I don't want to give too much of the events away. An easy read that is funny and really offers a point of view of celebrities verses the paparazzi.<br />
<div><strong>Book Number 3: Stupid and Contagious by Caprice Cane </strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpWg9XUJlpw7ybdC55fYDT4KwtpqQryJufsNpPxO9l9UFRsc1n_sVUYxCDD12p_HpMMSS5R8eO0q5inM2LXm7XVpdr0XZqfkLJzCP2BX7fd1AXznMxwlcFopVlPX67j893h_l0GKpOjms/s1600/stupid+and+contagious.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623016043240633906" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpWg9XUJlpw7ybdC55fYDT4KwtpqQryJufsNpPxO9l9UFRsc1n_sVUYxCDD12p_HpMMSS5R8eO0q5inM2LXm7XVpdr0XZqfkLJzCP2BX7fd1AXznMxwlcFopVlPX67j893h_l0GKpOjms/s320/stupid+and+contagious.jpg" style="display: block; height: 224px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 162px;" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong></strong>Ok. You have to admit the title has caught your attention. Any book that says "Stupid and Contagious" makes you wonder what the story is about because oftentimes I think stupidity is contagious. I debated on if I should have downloaded this book to read and if it would be worth my time reading. The dialogue bounces back and forth between Heaven and Brady who have two different life aspirations but end up somehow taking a road trip together, against Brady's desire. Some parts of the book were a little off but the laugh out loud moments and mouth dropping events overcame the awkwardness of the book. A short read that makes you want a cup of coffee after reading. </div></div></div><br />
<strong>Book Number 4</strong>: <strong>Mating Rituals of the North American WASP by Lauren Lipton</strong><br />
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623017929741763762" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWPEzNGNmfD-zDDlWN9z3TEXs8MZzKQ4Z6v_3jkNx7YviK0K7QVexHfzASMHm66F5N7vItDFqZKPPl6ftbYy4otT0SOF2GIsymiaWZUv2qOrtcSxecHei-AidXATgDIP8yk7ZGF7ALrMg/s320/WASP.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 212px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 152px;" />So the title is a little off. When Camille asked what I was reading, her first response was, "Seriously? How wasps mate?" A New Yorker and a man who is from the old "English" get drunk one night and get married--uh oh! This leads to an insane plan and plot about the two staying married to please his great aunt and family will. This read was slow at some points and sometimes hard to get through. I felt like I kept being thrown between time changes because her New Yorker life is completely different from his old English style life. I finished it because of course I wanted to see what happens with the marriage in the end. Not really a beach read. It was a read that offered a different lifestyle view. Just goes to show be careful what you do in Vegas!<br />
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<strong>Book Number 5: Twenty Times a Lady by Karyn Bosnak</strong> <br />
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If you know me well, you know I'm an avid fan of <em>read the book then watch the movie</em>. While searching on Chick Lit Club, I found that they have a section for books that are becoming movies. This book is in production to become a movie with Anna Feris (I think). What I thought would be trashy ended up being really funny. I tried not to picture Anna Feris as the main character (the last time I did that, I was royally upset with The Last Song and Miley Cyrus). And I must say I was successful. Delilah Darling is on a conquest to reunite with her past 20 lovers and see if any "romance or connection" is still between them. What is hilarious is her past conquests that left Delilah and myself thinking, "What in the world...." It made me think what if I went back to my past loves and tried to reconnect with them to see what would happen between us. At the end, Delilah and myself realize that what we have in front of us is just perfect for us. A must read that I am crossing my fingers that the movie does not disappoint! <br />
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That's it so far. I'm currently in the middle of another read but I don't know want to report on it just yet....Strosiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10286904486379386391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507552518786798105.post-22788798361681465912011-06-23T19:04:00.000-07:002011-06-23T19:06:11.891-07:00Ta-Da!Don't you love my new layout?<br /><br />Since returning to the blogger world, Blogger finally decided to give some templates to use instead of me searching and hunting all over the world wide web to find something uber cute. And ta-da! I found one that I love!<br /><br />Chances are, however, that it will change in the next week.<br /><br />I know this isn't much of a Welcome Back Kotter Special, but tomorrow, I am kicking off the weekend with the five summer books I have read thus-far. I know you are anxious.Strosiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10286904486379386391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507552518786798105.post-27791958481376819712010-08-09T14:21:00.001-07:002010-08-09T14:25:09.424-07:00Is It True?<div>Yes, it is.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>It's hard to believe.<br /></div><div></div><br /><div>When I think about it, my heart starts to beat really fast.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I have broken into a sweat a few times today.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>My feet have grown cold because I'm nervous.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>My stomach has been knots. I don't know how I kept lunch down.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><em><span style="font-size:78%;">Oh yeah, I went to the bathroom so it didn't stay too long.</span></em></div><br /><div><em><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></em></div><br /><div>No, this can't be true.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I guess I need to put my big girl panties and deal with it.</div><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 492px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 328px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://media.rd.com/rd/images/rdc/slideshows/back-school/back-school-03-af.jpg" /><br /><div>School starts back tomorrow. </div>Strosiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10286904486379386391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507552518786798105.post-72953082242617584282010-08-05T21:47:00.000-07:002010-08-05T22:12:54.466-07:00Hurt and LoveHurt.<br /><br />It's a word that is used in several different meanings. I most often hear, "He hurt my feelings." Or I'll say, "Don't say such hurtful things to one another." But to me, those are only surfuce <strong>hurts</strong>.<br /><br />Hurt can be much deeper than that. It can be a personal struggle. It could be domestic abuse. It could emotional abuse. It could be losing someone you loved deeply for. It could mean betrayal. It could physical pain. It could <strong>heart hurting</strong>.<br /><br />A deep physical hurt can be rare and raw. I can only think of a small handful of experiences when I felt raw. My heart physically <strong>hurt</strong>. I felt like my heart had just shattered in pieces and felt like I would never move on. I <strong>hurt</strong> and <strong>ached</strong> so deeply that I thought no one would ever understand my pain.<br /><br />Certain events cause such deep <strong>hurting</strong> that few, random people truly understand the pain and emotions one experiences. Its hard for a friend to grasp the words or actions to do to ease the pain for a loved one. Do you sit there and hold their hand? Or do you stumble around on phrases to say to make it better? Do you make a joke of the situation or do you cry with the person?<br /><br />Today, I was reminded that people are placed in our lives to help us handle certain <strong>hurt</strong>. Tragic events occur in our lives that makes us question why God would put us through them. But today, God reminded me that He places certain people in our life to minister to, or for them to minister to us. Today a friend told me, "I just can't right now. I <strong>hurt </strong>too much and I'm too <strong>weak for her</strong>." She sympathized so much for our friend and could identify with the situation that she physically felt weak for her. This is a true friendship. When a friend is truly <strong>hurt, </strong>the other friend should be able to physically feel the pain because the love is so deep. Often like a mother's love for her child. My mom once told me, "I cannot identify with what you are going through, but I <strong>hurt</strong> for you because you are my child."<br /><br />God reminded me of that today when I was <strong>hurting for a close, sweet friend</strong>. God reminded me that He knows of our pain. He knows of our weakness. When we are brought to this point, then God truly works.<br /><strong></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#663366;"><em>COMPASSION</em></span></strong><br /><br />God shows compasion for the weary and weak. God never said that we will always know why we endure the hardships we do. He just promised that He would never leave us, never fail us. But experiencing the <strong>hurt</strong> I felt today for a friend is not even a quarter of what she feels. But God does know her pain. Only He can restore her and ease the <strong>hurt</strong>.<br /><br /><strong>Hurt</strong>.<br /><br />It's deep. It's true. Just as God's love for us.<br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#663366;"><em>Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His <strong>compassions</strong> never fail. They are new every morning. Great is Thy faithfulness.</em></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#663366;"><em>Lamentations 3:22-23</em></span></div><div align="center"></div>Strosiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10286904486379386391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507552518786798105.post-26516483308174746222010-07-19T20:02:00.000-07:002010-07-19T20:33:15.725-07:00Learning to cherishHave you ever known of a time that you <em>knew</em> that time or even was eventually coming but you kind of refused to acknowledge that event?<br /><br />Well I definitely faced that time tonight. One of my dearest, kindest, best friends Heather is moving to Florida this week. We went and had dinner for one last time at our favorite resturant in Greenville. I know she's only moving to FL and I'll see her again. Granted, we did not see each other every week or talk every day. BUT, I knew if I ever needed anything, she was just 10 minutes down the road. Now, it's 10 hours away. None the less, I am excited for her and this new part of her life.<br /><br />Tonight at dinner, we were reflecting on some past events from our high school, college, and present days. What has always been so great about our relationship is that one of us always remember something that the other forgot. For example, we were walking up to Soby's and she said, "Hey, I wonder if creepy kitchen guy from Ellis' still works here?" And it instantly reminded me of creepy kitchen guy (this guy was always creating awkward and weird situations for HP when we worked at Ellis'). I then reminded her of the time when she called and blessed me out for not talking to her because I was so busy (I suck at priorities). At that time I was furious, then had a break down later on that night which resulted in a phone call from her, apologizing for her meanie attitude towards me. Ohh the fights between girls and best friends...<br /><br />Of course, the conversation turned towards past relationships with old guys (this is because I was talking about my weird dreams I've been having lately about guys in my past...that's a whole other issue). We both agreed that if you cannot walk away from a relationship feeling like you learned something from that relationship, then you can't grow to be who you need to be. I felt like honestly tonight I could look back and recount each relationship with each guy and say I learned something from that relationship. But is it ok to go back and regret some parts of your past? Or can you not necessarily regret the past, but if you could go back you would kind of do some things over? I know you can't always play the what if game when it comes to what you would do in the past or for the future. But come on, it is fun to play. Of course, on our recounting of our relationships, it had me shuttering at the thought of some of them (what was I thinking of dating someone 10 years older than me when I was 18??). But at some point you have to cherish those times that you had because at one time that person meant something to you (small or big). I'm not saying that I would have taken back a relationship, but I do wonder what if I had put more work into a certain relationship or should I have just walked aways completely at the beginning? Now, don't get me wrong, I am more than thrilled and happy in my relationship with Josh. I could not be with someone more compatible. But walking down memory lane with Heather was a nice closing to our dinner.<br /><br />I reminded Heather that with all our past, one that that she has along with some of my other closest friends, is that she was there through all of it. She has watched me have emotional breakdowns in her car at 11:30 at night to laughing with me (or at me, I could never tell) when I've done really dumb stuff. She always had a special talent of wedging me open with my secrets and closed up thoughts. That's one thing that I would not take back for the world--a friend that saw the good and ugly. So, after tonight, I finally learned that I have to cherish the moments we had in the past and cherish the moments that God continues to bless us with in the future. After all, that's what Skype is for.Strosiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10286904486379386391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507552518786798105.post-4469803206551736022010-06-28T06:08:00.001-07:002010-06-28T06:21:09.328-07:00For My Catelyn<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNgfCpZtzNDxdch0Fo9ck5hAKWWk4v7tR7pl9y5FSS-vr43yf_0BYZYVU7tcwiM3C6bvqCpWGC11_MjQNhRxRycZUrftNM5TuG1Nx16tJC0onqqHXvEofuu6bwMExwDl54lB-DUnAarF8/s1600/P1000069.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487813788706823794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNgfCpZtzNDxdch0Fo9ck5hAKWWk4v7tR7pl9y5FSS-vr43yf_0BYZYVU7tcwiM3C6bvqCpWGC11_MjQNhRxRycZUrftNM5TuG1Nx16tJC0onqqHXvEofuu6bwMExwDl54lB-DUnAarF8/s400/P1000069.JPG" /></a><br /><div>I got the chance to spend a LATE Friday night with my friend Catelyn Briggs Franklin. While the boys were out doing the "boy" thing for Andy's last night before the wedding, I went over to see Catelyn. We had the opportunity to catch up and talk about life. The more I get to know this girl, the more I love her. Not only is she easy to talk but the girl loves to read! A woman after my own heart. I look forward to building our friendship! </div><br /><div></div>(I thought I had a better pic...but Saturday night was a lil bit crazy.)<br /><div></div>Strosiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10286904486379386391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507552518786798105.post-25902831969207909462010-05-19T16:43:00.001-07:002010-05-19T16:51:30.292-07:00End of an Era<div>This past weekend Josh graduated from UNCC with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. So not only did he graduate but he also accepted a job from Piedmont Natural Gas. It's amazing how we longed for this for the last three years and it all came true within one week. God has definitely had his hand on us for the last three years. There were several times I did not think we would survive but there were also some great times. Now, pay up honey, it's your turn to pay for everything.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 283px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.local-real-estate.com/home-buyers-400.jpg" /></div><br /><div>I am super excited about the next part. We have decided to start looking for our first home!! We have been crunching some numbers to see what we could afford and what we would like. We probably will not buy until this winter but I am obsessed with real estate now. I am constantly looking and researching. I think Josh is getting tired of my emails. But how fun is this going to be now??? I am more excited about decorating and designing!! So if you see any fun, classic southern design rooms, send 'em my way!</div>Strosiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10286904486379386391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507552518786798105.post-52806518653293134542010-05-19T15:22:00.000-07:002010-05-19T15:23:49.696-07:00My Wordless Wednesday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjuR3IHF_SklBuXmdLB79AM5rtyXDGozRyyTgUnwplKxm8I3V6AkGx8Yw4ZFszac36S8ddA694yuijLD6UIQVfb_QEhZJLaXRRnnGtNDT7uxcFkX1XgVVEDCisuF7CbBCx55E_gysrPvg/s1600/josh+graduation.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473110395042969090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjuR3IHF_SklBuXmdLB79AM5rtyXDGozRyyTgUnwplKxm8I3V6AkGx8Yw4ZFszac36S8ddA694yuijLD6UIQVfb_QEhZJLaXRRnnGtNDT7uxcFkX1XgVVEDCisuF7CbBCx55E_gysrPvg/s320/josh+graduation.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div>Strosiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10286904486379386391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507552518786798105.post-8597400621186636082010-04-18T17:43:00.000-07:002010-04-18T18:15:23.531-07:00Happy Birthday Alli B!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj89O16fXJ_mmwmMKmzD1xc3GGoeNnqYWDD0jXB2lkuf7mrTRWrmIfWPzvZBSuC0XfhoLXRTG1IUWSCp_Rg3XNN_tuADt6gSR0c4nts2IrmhP4WyDMlfBbM-4NCN6SOFLiCvGm-3x1MQPg/s1600/alli+12.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461650821565674882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj89O16fXJ_mmwmMKmzD1xc3GGoeNnqYWDD0jXB2lkuf7mrTRWrmIfWPzvZBSuC0XfhoLXRTG1IUWSCp_Rg3XNN_tuADt6gSR0c4nts2IrmhP4WyDMlfBbM-4NCN6SOFLiCvGm-3x1MQPg/s320/alli+12.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT_pbMXMAfoSiKfS5on2hOhviuAqAUOo9sWh2PdOcpxCOgHA_etRexBn530cBD59erdj1IJlLsb3-B8qJgx_ljmD3j3FDePSW82W8P0Da_jFP2Sr369Pobx7kBhV6I75NWv2IOdnrfObw/s1600/alli+13.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461650738710522482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT_pbMXMAfoSiKfS5on2hOhviuAqAUOo9sWh2PdOcpxCOgHA_etRexBn530cBD59erdj1IJlLsb3-B8qJgx_ljmD3j3FDePSW82W8P0Da_jFP2Sr369Pobx7kBhV6I75NWv2IOdnrfObw/s320/alli+13.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmIUBgzBgffqIhDLhLgYkY70F_1SzamWs95PlcIA-Bv50G7_mQJVDQHbUTzoMZPfnlmXuHBhOqtcABhT5_UqkReAxTutj21yjQwVirAJ_2yWiD5nq0xrTF6hvdzH9dFszeibIZu6cSwB8/s1600/alli+11.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461650655814117058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmIUBgzBgffqIhDLhLgYkY70F_1SzamWs95PlcIA-Bv50G7_mQJVDQHbUTzoMZPfnlmXuHBhOqtcABhT5_UqkReAxTutj21yjQwVirAJ_2yWiD5nq0xrTF6hvdzH9dFszeibIZu6cSwB8/s320/alli+11.bmp" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiqjw0AVlo3NM167yykA5QJQ5J0PvsPEQwPDuYGiazyF65JJBziGiQOrZBh9Ba7Krp1P4NfZDSMFdW5yT4ZDpSfIRv5I891qGTOBmrMNiu4pN7n4uQ2xJ82QhAtCsRou2KG5VNa-PXsp4/s1600/alli+5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461649760262488642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiqjw0AVlo3NM167yykA5QJQ5J0PvsPEQwPDuYGiazyF65JJBziGiQOrZBh9Ba7Krp1P4NfZDSMFdW5yT4ZDpSfIRv5I891qGTOBmrMNiu4pN7n4uQ2xJ82QhAtCsRou2KG5VNa-PXsp4/s320/alli+5.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0GK7AXngwt5S4F2tj4VAJJT7NdN_OizQ0_I1K78BLA3dYZRkG01UmDSLb1IBxcIemQGcpSYm54rNvaN4IAL6jAVQUwCzKFwdF7ya8Yy0DsfalEy9QEcr_4C503WQj7aUk8pYjAjdRF-c/s1600/alli+7.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461649542673681650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0GK7AXngwt5S4F2tj4VAJJT7NdN_OizQ0_I1K78BLA3dYZRkG01UmDSLb1IBxcIemQGcpSYm54rNvaN4IAL6jAVQUwCzKFwdF7ya8Yy0DsfalEy9QEcr_4C503WQj7aUk8pYjAjdRF-c/s320/alli+7.bmp" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6OvkP50gUdThYFZTIhelbmOz63md8lIRqOXzTSrlZryLhWZhlDL_-yCn1mzvf_maUqiIQuMb8fRsRk98LUSroT2J38-gfg8vOCZ7cRwxAT3iBwdd9N1tKhWgFLxturoPGBakgdL1apK4/s1600/alli+10.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461649375706364674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6OvkP50gUdThYFZTIhelbmOz63md8lIRqOXzTSrlZryLhWZhlDL_-yCn1mzvf_maUqiIQuMb8fRsRk98LUSroT2J38-gfg8vOCZ7cRwxAT3iBwdd9N1tKhWgFLxturoPGBakgdL1apK4/s320/alli+10.bmp" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-UM-rph97oOfIDjk0MbJo4nppFLQw6HxQskXPuAVaqElG7rop_LKAbfi3A0LGED8DimpLLtxJnF15JaD84zlXM0EP4vkWASj1uccq-JDDQfthSdG_LbjFBFhNlzfbizhzR8qp87fkvTU/s1600/alli+9.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461649234368468290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-UM-rph97oOfIDjk0MbJo4nppFLQw6HxQskXPuAVaqElG7rop_LKAbfi3A0LGED8DimpLLtxJnF15JaD84zlXM0EP4vkWASj1uccq-JDDQfthSdG_LbjFBFhNlzfbizhzR8qp87fkvTU/s320/alli+9.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixf3EPXQ7QqQZx7ydRUJcANdathqkGw0Rcycp1syMSRoj9ZJIMK2smLFekbGkVa3uLsfv7M56An8Pp4MJnGnImCOzW9EinIi8G1JB0NfLjmNgIFLBJVxnn7Zv4wkFqlKtf_VN6nU3N5Ac/s1600/alli+6.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461649144194652258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixf3EPXQ7QqQZx7ydRUJcANdathqkGw0Rcycp1syMSRoj9ZJIMK2smLFekbGkVa3uLsfv7M56An8Pp4MJnGnImCOzW9EinIi8G1JB0NfLjmNgIFLBJVxnn7Zv4wkFqlKtf_VN6nU3N5Ac/s320/alli+6.bmp" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnotylNNcfofITZGw5J8D0A8FNA7Sm8P3DEtJk3wSsMG-oRLIyKt1U-UhdEKP1EhUPZwPk9ZwUEA9C9eTQ5EgTeqrWW40LdOZKPt29_s049u7JK0WRu9CqOU8UeQbu_Z7Y3SGZwWuZU6s/s1600/alli+4.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461648992439911410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnotylNNcfofITZGw5J8D0A8FNA7Sm8P3DEtJk3wSsMG-oRLIyKt1U-UhdEKP1EhUPZwPk9ZwUEA9C9eTQ5EgTeqrWW40LdOZKPt29_s049u7JK0WRu9CqOU8UeQbu_Z7Y3SGZwWuZU6s/s320/alli+4.bmp" /></a><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrDKwCTm4R_JNvt7b6VSnwdeiJhOQ65w6sUA_-puYz52stk1sWL6ZxyknmjpNBC83nsSDmSFF9Wrx7NVUfDQ_uip0bdiFqRaZyy-I4cWMHUO3EYMGDlt-sqvshFvLFlyVmleVZob7t6XQ/s1600/alli+2.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461648849339789074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrDKwCTm4R_JNvt7b6VSnwdeiJhOQ65w6sUA_-puYz52stk1sWL6ZxyknmjpNBC83nsSDmSFF9Wrx7NVUfDQ_uip0bdiFqRaZyy-I4cWMHUO3EYMGDlt-sqvshFvLFlyVmleVZob7t6XQ/s320/alli+2.bmp" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6BQvNjmj8xmxYC5yssDKb9hrPjVQGjzwXPr7Qo0iqmpDXWEz4KaT4sZxVYC-vrkR44YldEmLMEJuZjE7RJIyYxjT5umZCTG5AIZT1vxhd5BYggrxP3l-4gWT7MoRhqoDiWRxRanADONQ/s1600/alli+1.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461648728876934098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6BQvNjmj8xmxYC5yssDKb9hrPjVQGjzwXPr7Qo0iqmpDXWEz4KaT4sZxVYC-vrkR44YldEmLMEJuZjE7RJIyYxjT5umZCTG5AIZT1vxhd5BYggrxP3l-4gWT7MoRhqoDiWRxRanADONQ/s320/alli+1.bmp" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Strosiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10286904486379386391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507552518786798105.post-73999391806636707842010-04-18T17:36:00.000-07:002010-04-18T17:43:00.893-07:00Totally Rad 80sWe celebrated Scott's 40th birthday with a surprise 80's birthday party last weekend. Below are some pictures from the night. (Of course there were more, but we dare not mention those...)<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG4YO4gC4fMzcMzlbp6Z_czps0ElrwBUM5g3FS6zxfZHXOsRuiDoLaSsK-cbx3SHxJdLDtZmQ0p1O_brdCe3rBYj-1-3eVSQ8MXtS7Zrx0sC5ZOSwZYJOQdEbCqgFGHIa_VbGYTtGQALA/s1600/scott.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461642170823267890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG4YO4gC4fMzcMzlbp6Z_czps0ElrwBUM5g3FS6zxfZHXOsRuiDoLaSsK-cbx3SHxJdLDtZmQ0p1O_brdCe3rBYj-1-3eVSQ8MXtS7Zrx0sC5ZOSwZYJOQdEbCqgFGHIa_VbGYTtGQALA/s320/scott.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdgdzauKO-OTvEa11Jb59DsXp0CzBvNpVVMKihyiZNyuIF9LA6hymqIZRjP8bgvxA0uXy6R8jq57HUsSsZfFy48-gwsMfdouXeiQU_YN_7Fu_2tkxuBb22V1QxSbJwjl9c5arfKMlEdTk/s1600/girls.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461642085751292162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdgdzauKO-OTvEa11Jb59DsXp0CzBvNpVVMKihyiZNyuIF9LA6hymqIZRjP8bgvxA0uXy6R8jq57HUsSsZfFy48-gwsMfdouXeiQU_YN_7Fu_2tkxuBb22V1QxSbJwjl9c5arfKMlEdTk/s320/girls.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgBBaX3dYJjxcRuHbDZHwcltcN6EHzPBmqip90tv2UsmvsLUo-L3A2iKiSWbxIFyOAdqAyKXPfpjkeStC_UgHR9OkR9vVxZUq8Q_0F0fHPX95XjE4XAq4wBG5zZXJDegIaqoVnaYaB4ps/s1600/girls+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461642011487863826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgBBaX3dYJjxcRuHbDZHwcltcN6EHzPBmqip90tv2UsmvsLUo-L3A2iKiSWbxIFyOAdqAyKXPfpjkeStC_UgHR9OkR9vVxZUq8Q_0F0fHPX95XjE4XAq4wBG5zZXJDegIaqoVnaYaB4ps/s320/girls+2.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQsY5ipLETB7HO2ROEmSsBNvbDlRaAUGGVrvhLmwukiHHAeNXMj4MrCJwYKu1g4wNzXTHm9QavrNnykICyR8tJZe7Cw0r2kW2wZCEI3i6ami4kpk8b1o8VZGH3Uv_eRK4ZEIQSdjdT4dI/s1600/dance+3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461641913591411010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQsY5ipLETB7HO2ROEmSsBNvbDlRaAUGGVrvhLmwukiHHAeNXMj4MrCJwYKu1g4wNzXTHm9QavrNnykICyR8tJZe7Cw0r2kW2wZCEI3i6ami4kpk8b1o8VZGH3Uv_eRK4ZEIQSdjdT4dI/s320/dance+3.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8MdF1mfvIDpJ8t9C_1bFrrM8mbcBAyefNHQai2xFMHaq6kCXVLkkbYgQsKyO5S_9XNEcoUTJ6ePmw3-pvK4wOpC_AFh6X1yZSjIj9NSJekUW911vbE6GjIGlDMfQb6or-btIYMrjUlmY/s1600/dance+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461641833797649074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8MdF1mfvIDpJ8t9C_1bFrrM8mbcBAyefNHQai2xFMHaq6kCXVLkkbYgQsKyO5S_9XNEcoUTJ6ePmw3-pvK4wOpC_AFh6X1yZSjIj9NSJekUW911vbE6GjIGlDMfQb6or-btIYMrjUlmY/s320/dance+2.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiErBb1ZgfSxd6AwIoQJOrryVw5aelXEcqPJeLNN5XKndHRV9Ok6tQkYtzS6ilYhhbKBLOoD9zVraIaFe0DSpWePWjkCo_P-2n1eK2k1jqfQVnJ_wewID01hbsZm4w4hnCUoGGzvYB_ZlU/s1600/cousins.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 187px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461641725425460738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiErBb1ZgfSxd6AwIoQJOrryVw5aelXEcqPJeLNN5XKndHRV9Ok6tQkYtzS6ilYhhbKBLOoD9zVraIaFe0DSpWePWjkCo_P-2n1eK2k1jqfQVnJ_wewID01hbsZm4w4hnCUoGGzvYB_ZlU/s320/cousins.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5qrP9Kry6I817wAPaggs3T-coD2UX5ZK49bexvWtyr7wyXE7jYWKXrKN84WXaX3gVAuZJHrbxh0WTXEQYhQctizsbWpC9s5QS0imse_gOkctZJG2D8lyc5xPjeNpBs_GHQKi7Yhi1Ws/s1600/candice.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461641643198279970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5qrP9Kry6I817wAPaggs3T-coD2UX5ZK49bexvWtyr7wyXE7jYWKXrKN84WXaX3gVAuZJHrbxh0WTXEQYhQctizsbWpC9s5QS0imse_gOkctZJG2D8lyc5xPjeNpBs_GHQKi7Yhi1Ws/s320/candice.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpE7zSi_EG5Of6pcvDH8ix5BduMd_RjhXRsY8p4ymOe8pOrHK9GhQysShKsP0YsHORwr0RXg_mXz2pAixeoyxCUY6csB-FgNjSlgyqQrhoCyvCO-ziiGzGBS6op4PLvCjNL2NgjKR27c/s1600/cake.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461641509566752562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpE7zSi_EG5Of6pcvDH8ix5BduMd_RjhXRsY8p4ymOe8pOrHK9GhQysShKsP0YsHORwr0RXg_mXz2pAixeoyxCUY6csB-FgNjSlgyqQrhoCyvCO-ziiGzGBS6op4PLvCjNL2NgjKR27c/s320/cake.jpg" /></a> <div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Strosiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10286904486379386391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507552518786798105.post-91788006300150358572010-04-04T17:08:00.000-07:002010-04-04T17:10:23.058-07:0040 days<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfmao9Bmbeo-cihVc3IkGgmgau6sWffJKMweF8TLNGW3io3WPmXuOqMnqBkkbQKqTMes1OBeuOGAQb0pAtA9ysSKjEypHbl_kmQe7V46W7RH8aox0nue4Bsw5ilEPwl_p80B9nXhZiEvU1/s320/tired+teacher.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfmao9Bmbeo-cihVc3IkGgmgau6sWffJKMweF8TLNGW3io3WPmXuOqMnqBkkbQKqTMes1OBeuOGAQb0pAtA9ysSKjEypHbl_kmQe7V46W7RH8aox0nue4Bsw5ilEPwl_p80B9nXhZiEvU1/s320/tired+teacher.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Jesus endured 40 days of trial and tribulation in the wilderness.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I must endure 40 days of stress, Spring fever, testing, and last minute curriculum craming.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Spring Break was such a tease.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>If Jesus did it, so can I.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Strosiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10286904486379386391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507552518786798105.post-65727271415290664372010-02-16T17:19:00.000-08:002010-02-16T17:23:16.420-08:00AnnoyedI just became a "fan" of my cousin on Facebook. She deleted me and I can't add her as a friend, much less search for her. So I had to become a fan on her fan page to keep up with her. Before you know it, I'm going to see her on ESPN reporting a game. Then I'll say, "Oh yeah. Glad to see she's let her hair grow out. Looks good." Not to mention the rando texts I get from her. When I respond back, I get nothing in return. Facebook...blog...Skype...text...phone...All these ample opportunities to communicate and I'm limited to my responses from her. Kind of ironic.Strosiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10286904486379386391noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507552518786798105.post-61858362976442458162010-02-02T18:55:00.000-08:002010-02-02T18:59:32.069-08:00Truly TuesdaySetting: My classroom, 1:00 PM, Social Studies/Reading<br /><br />Audience: My 21 students plus me<br /><br />What: P.H. reading from the newspaper (mind you, he's a child that has difficulty making certain letter sounds)<br /><br />P.H.: "In order to get back at the British, the colonists dumped <strong>shiploads</strong> of tea into the harbor."<br />S.D.: "OMG! Perry, do you realize what you just said?"<br />P.H.: "No.."<br /><br />Catch: P.H. didn't say shipload. He said another word.<br /><br />My thoughts: "Yes, you could have phrased it that way. So true."<br /><br />Made me laugh. Happy Tuesday!Strosiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10286904486379386391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507552518786798105.post-4185783378828617522010-01-12T18:34:00.000-08:002010-01-12T18:41:37.915-08:00P.H. melts my heartIf you've spoken with me at all this past year, you've probably heard of my P.H. (I can't say his name) PH has really pressed some walls with me this year. He's so loud some days that Lisa has to come from her room to quiet him down. He constantly blurts out, yells my name more than any child I've ever met, and makes working in groups difficult.<br /><br />However, lately he has been a completely different child since Christmas break. Well, not completely different but he is working harder than he used to.<br /><br />The other day, we were working on a problem in our Math Morning Workbook. The question was <em>What 1/4 of the birds came to the feeder?</em> I asked PH <em>What kind of bird came to the feeder?</em> His response: <em>A hungry bird. They were looking for some food!</em> (but he has trouble pronouncing his "r"s). I just smiled.<br /><br />And his new years resolutions? <em>Goodbye 2009. It was a great year except I did not do well in math and spelling at all. Hello 2010, I am going to do great in math and spelling this year!</em><br /><p>How can you not just melt?</p>Oh, He eventually got the answer...and yelled it out during review time.Strosiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10286904486379386391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507552518786798105.post-56114100018508153232010-01-11T18:23:00.001-08:002010-01-11T18:27:34.622-08:00Belly Flop In the SnowTurn the sound up. It'll make you laugh.<br /><br />I'm such a retard.<br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxDMDkyjNB9I_dUsrRwn8tMD8aB0VO0rWCsq1bM0GVRthZkOUjOGhH2J9lvDeXfcaG8SQn48tviIvgE5b9e6g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Strosiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10286904486379386391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507552518786798105.post-68298549382960346342010-01-03T21:06:00.001-08:002010-01-03T21:37:17.488-08:00Insomnia leads to new ideasI currently cannot sleep at all. I do not know if it is from being with Josh with last two weeks and now I'm laying here without him or just anxious for the school day tomorrow. With tomorrow being my 25 birthday (technically it's today, but who's counting?) and celebrating a new decade, I thought about what all I have experienced in the last decade. Man, if you really think about it, it was alot. I'm talking getting my driver's license, a car, graduating high school and college, seeing friends get married and have babies, meeting my love, getting a grown up job and seeing my life drastically change from what I used to know...it's amazing. I truly do wonder what's going to happen in the next decade. While there are several things that I hope to happen (i.e. get married, have a baby or two, finish my masters and receive an additional degree) I cannot imagine WHAT can happen.<br /><br />In the last decade I've seen myself transform from a high school kid to a collage graduate to a working woman with a car payment and student loans knocking at my door. It's almost bittersweet. Tonight I was talking with Mom about some pretty serious deep stuff. It was almost like our roles were reversed--I was playing mom and she was playing child. With her having to "start over" I was encouraging her to have confidence, put herself out there, and be the independent woman that I know. I told her, "Where do you think I learned my great qualities from?" Her response: "Not from your father." I will admit, I laughed. I never thought I would see my relationship with my mom change from what it used to be (menopausal time) to now (post menopausal). We've been thrown into a loop where what used to be a family of 3 (four when Jason would grace us with his presence) to a family of 2 (plus 2 dogs and Jason when he's up for causing drama). How do you continue on when you're not quite sure how? I put on a front like I'm ok--I have a goal to work and have a life. Then on days like this where I'm celebrating a birthday that used to be filled with a father that I once knew that would call me on my birthday at the exact same time I was born to "officially" congratulate me on being a year older. Do I expect him to call me on my birthday this year? No. Do I expect a text message? Probably. But to be honest, if he were to call I am not sure I would answer the phone. Lord knows I am grateful for the man that raised me to be who I am today, but I also so much grateful for my mom who raised me to the woman I am. I take for granted how hard my mother works, and yes she does drive me crazy at several times throughout my weeks. But she is just grabbing hold of the most stable family member she knows. At times though I wonder if I am stable enough for her.<br /><br />I want things to be better. They told me "It's going to get ugly before it gets better." I've been plenty of ugly and I'm ready to see some beauty. I know I've grown stronger in the last 10 years, especially the last 3 years. I've seen myself grow up and move ahead of my life. I know the next 10 years are going to be dramatic, life changing, exciting, and encouraging. I'm unsure right now but I know at the end of the day I will be one more day closer to understanding it all.<br /><br />Here's a toast to my family that has survived the drama, loved through the hardest times, found laughter when it was hard, cried for me, pushed me when I was tired, and stood behind every decision I made.<br /><br />Here's a toast to my friends that listened to my rambling phone calls, sat with me through the tears, bought me cups of coffee and chocolate, made me buy fun underwear to make me feel better, kidnap me for random road trips, and continued to love me despite my errors and drama that follows me.<br /><br />Here's a toast to my love who broke down my walls, showed me what true love is in a relationship, pulled me when I pushed away, took care of me at my lowest and soared with me at my highest, and stood beside the last couple of years to make sure I knew you weren't going any where.<br /><br />Here, here! Cheers to a new decade of bigger and better things to come!<br /><br /><div align="center"><strong>When life before me is only a memory.</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>I'll wonder why God lets me walk through this place.</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>And though I can't understand why this happened</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>I know that I will when I look back someday</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>And see how you brought beauty from ashes</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>And made me as gold purified through these flames.</strong></div><div align="center"><strong>-Superchick</strong></div>Strosiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10286904486379386391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507552518786798105.post-41119806936726549862009-12-14T18:32:00.000-08:002009-12-14T18:37:49.134-08:00Wrapping Paper<a href="http://i.ehow.com/images/GlobalPhoto/Articles/4618947/presents-main_Full.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 547px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 599px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://i.ehow.com/images/GlobalPhoto/Articles/4618947/presents-main_Full.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I am really annoyed this year with wrapping paper.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Why might you ask? What has wrapping paper done to you?</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Well, I hate trying to cut the tape that comes on the wrapping paper without ripping the wrapping paper.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>So far I have been unsuccessful at this.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Why not just slide the wrapping paper in a plastic wrap to hold it together WITHOUT tape?? </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Maybe I should go green and not wrap presents this year and just hand gifts in the bag it came in.</div>Strosiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10286904486379386391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507552518786798105.post-51848204394455716312009-12-09T18:13:00.001-08:002009-12-09T18:20:38.914-08:00On the 10th Day of December...On the 10th day of December my true love gave me to me...10 new calluses on my feet (from running).<br />Nine broken pencils I picked up on the floor.<br />Eight Peanut M&Ms I keep eating out of the front office.<br />Seven pairs of underwear found under the bed from Josie.<br />Six towels I have to fold.<br />Five chapters I've read in The Time Traveler's Wife<br />Four students who had silent lunch.<br />Three buses full of kids heading to the State Museum (but turned into 2 crammed buses).<br />Two hours of Private Practice.<br />And a kiss goodbye.Strosiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10286904486379386391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507552518786798105.post-83729224936339553712009-12-03T18:07:00.001-08:002009-12-03T18:09:16.201-08:00On the second and third day of December...My true love gave to me...<br /><br />Three buses full of kids heading to the State Museum<br />Two hours of Private Practice<br />And a kiss goodbye.<br /><br />We're heading to the state museum tomorrow. Lord help me. It's gonna be fun.Strosiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10286904486379386391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507552518786798105.post-63014604017551694042009-11-29T18:09:00.000-08:002009-11-29T18:15:36.926-08:00On the first day of December...<div>My true love gave to me... A kiss goodbye! (I know it's not December quite yet but it's close)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I hate saying goodbye to people in general. I especially hate it when I'm having to tell Josh "adios" every weekend. I REALLY hate it when we spend a long weekend together, like this past weekend and we have to part ways for another week. Distance does make the heart grow fonder.</div>I also got the chance to see my Pila. She's crazy. I promised her a trip to FL in December. Maybe she'll cook her "delicious" Ranchero Huevos. Actually, I've never had them...never been brave enough to try them. Now, my Papi's eggs--I can eat those up like there is no tomorrow. But none the less, she'll cook up something amazing.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409714326233773410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqSttjQEPpmSURhsKR3i-_HL0u1i607R3b4NT4QN64gphkYeAMUFmj7_gzA3tZ_U7lFW-2sZ7ucok-u0lMo3lR3JfCop74APASWqEGumswufsfF24YSAj-P3eScOkYmH508g1NhELl7Nw/s320/Snapshot_20091129_9.jpg" /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Thanksgiving was fun but busy. Only 3 more weeks till Christmas break...</div>Strosiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10286904486379386391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7507552518786798105.post-45328906746122810392009-11-15T09:45:00.000-08:002009-11-15T09:53:12.661-08:00He pulled a quick one<div>This past Saturday my roommate Christina got engaged to her best friend Will. Words cannot express how excited and happy I am for them. I thought something was up because Will had been making comments and giving me strange looks all Saturday morning. When I asked him why he didn't tell me he said because he knew I wouldn't be able to lie to Christina. (Note: She can get ANYTHING out of me. I can't lie to her) So. Saturday afternoon they called me from the lake tell me the big news. They said my voice went up 3 octaves (and I'm sure the neighbors heard me). Will did good keeping it a secret from both us.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>So here's to Will and Christina. Congrats guys! I can't wait till we decide where to go for the honeymoon! </div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404389864239348962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 192px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHZtDE1Gy1mEvOHgpcEWFClwWD10toELVFXPadN_DkWvyq4Sy5_LrT8Tp4G6ZlJ0Vt96iqmI7T1NnPe4v91L3zTraeBHpknOpkoc-wlEIxhzCK6N7gXSIGI4f_yrlxsYoJtzEL65y7NA/s320/will+and+steena.bmp" border="0" /><br /><div></div><br /><div>(Totally kidding...)</div>Strosiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10286904486379386391noreply@blogger.com0