The year started off with the addition of Zaka & Zuli, our Rhodesian Ridgeback pups. They were just 6 weeks when we got them 4 days before the New Year. (*tear* as I look back at just how small they were).
Most of our year has primarily consisted of working around them (Dogs are HIGH MAINTENANCE! Which is probably why we have been putting off getting them for so long...). We have been trying to get them out as much as possible and give them new experiences and socialization every chance we get. We have hiked, seen snow, gone to the beach, and are frequent visitors at two dog parks in the area as well as regular parks in our neighborhood (both are completely captivated with children--I think it's because kids are down at their eye level; Dave think's it's because they are more on their energy level.). We also recently started "puppy school" and although it's still too early to tell if it's working, I have high hopes of having better behavior with company or in other locations other than our home (when it's just the 4 of us, every command is met--well almost every--and our mood is MUCH more mellow--go figure).
We also started the year by celebrating Kim's last year in her prime, with a countdown to the Dirty Thirty. We did it with a dirty, less classy style--A White Trash Bash. Although I, Kim, had more enthusiasm earlier in the Fall when the idea originated, I managed to get over my procrastination/depression hump and raid a few Goodwill and Saver's stores at the last minute to get some "goods". Other party goers had far better creativity and outfits than myself as you can see below. It was just what I needed at that time. Some good company and some good laughs.
We have also been participating in our various hobbies/social outings. Dave joined a new softball team after yet another team disband. Only on the second game of the season, he collided with a fellow teammate so hard that both ended up needing MRI's done on their knees that week. Dave has is now the proud owner of a torn meniscus and will most likely need surgery because he has already found himself favoring it quite a bit. He had to take a month and a half off after the collision, but as soon as he got the doctor’s okay--he was back on the field (such a boy). He also has had plenty of “dirt rash” from the concrete-like infield but has enjoyed himself tremendously, so i suppose that’s all that matters... I (Kim) (I don't know whether to talk about myself in the first or third person---this blogging is still new to me) got invited to play Bunco with a group of girls who’s husbands Dave use to work with. It has been a lot of fun meeting new faces or getting to know others better, but the casual Bunco night quickly progressed into “dress-up-and-play” nights as themes were introduced. If anyone reading this knows me well enough, you know how passionate and captivated I am by Halloween and LOVE LOVE LOVE to dress up and be someone else for the night. This past year has been so much fun. I am certainly looking forward to another. I have also taken a few sporadic photo classes and hopefully this summer I can experiment and flex my get my creative juices flowing again.
At the beginning of February we became an aunt and uncle to beautiful baby Anna. My aunts used to spoil me rotten and I can't wait to do the same with her.
At the end of February we ventured away from the pups and celebrated a close friend’s birthday in Vegas. It was a milder trip. Dave had the flu and the fever to prove it and Denise, the birthday girl, got a bug or a "bad concoction" the first night and felt under-the-weather the rest of the weekend. No one was too sick to gamble though, and overall, we had good food and good laughs.
We also celebrate the day of love at our now traditional spot P.F. Chang's and then delivered all of the chocolate I got from my students, along with some from my co-workers, to the home where Dave’s grandma lives (I’ve done this with the local hospital for the past few years--it feels great--and I don’t get fat--bonus!). It’s not that I don’t appreciate it, I just can’t eat all of it. We secretly left a little something at everyones door steps on both floors one and two of her wing! Then two weeks later we celebrated our love again with our third anniversary (time flies!). We had intended on going skiing and renting a cabin with the pups (our anniversary gift--3 months early). However, due to a previously mentioned knee injury, skiing would have to wait and we instead had dinner at The Tortilla Factory in Scottsdale on the actually night and then on the weekend sat our bums on a sled (more my style anyways). And we still took the pups (s0-much-fun!).
Spring Break was a bit less flashy than past school breaks with just a small trip to visit Dave’s uncle in California. He has the most beautiful house ON the ocean right now--we also wanted to take the pups for their first ocean experience and JUST got the okay to take them out in public after their final shots. SB was also full of sporadic get togethers with friends. I always appreciate everyone letting me be a bad friend and sometimes wait until work and work commitments calm down---a.k.a. no school---and get togethers are a bit more practical to come by (I have also figured out in the past year or so that I am getting older, and with that comes less energy and spunk and I now need to get to bed earlier and can no longer fill my days and weekends with 50 different things--getting old sucks.). After that...time flew. I REALLY don’t know what happened to Spring.
And now summer is here. I somehow filled out the paper that AGAIN I would participate in teaching summer school. Every year I tell myself I am just going to relax and sit at home and do things I never seem to have time for and constantly reappear on my to-do list for the following school break. However, the thought of the money that could go towards something fun (like travel) or something realistic (bills) is just too tempting. Summer school hasn't been too bad, at least not when you work closely with friends and have curriculum that is fun and hands on (I too have learned a thing or two--Did you know there are 3 different types of screwdrivers? Or what the inside of a computer, radio, or camera looks like?) Two more weeks and then I will have a few weeks off to both relax and tackle that to-do list.
This upcoming school year will be a....well a journey i guess (new years resolution--be more optimistic) as we prepare (multiple times) to close as an elementary school and say farewell to our students and families that we have come to know and love. I am really not looking forward to the chaos and heartache that lays before me but I remind myself that change is hard but everything usually works out.
Interested to see how the rest of 2011 turns out. Fingers crossed and knocking on wood for good health and good fortune for our closest and dearest.
No comments:
Post a Comment