My write-in on the ballot 2012

If you're not watching the Presidential Debate because you'd rather watch Parks and Recreation and don't have cable anyway, say HEEYY!

#pohlerforprez

For your peace of mind

Our dishwasher is fixed, our kitchen is cleaned up, and our house is smelling (fairly) normal again. Just so you don't think we're living in an absolute pig sty ... just a partial pig sty. We are in college, after all.

The Stankest Stank.

Alright y'all. Right now, our kitchen is out of commish because our garbage disposal clogged up the pipes and sent dirty nasty stank water back into the dishwasher. (Yes, this has happened before.) And for some reason, even though the issue was put through to a plumber on Monday, a plumber has yet to be seen. And y'all, this kitchen is RANK. Like, nothing we can do about it - even the sink smells bad - make you wanna cry stink. So to take my mind off that, I'm reliving Colorado pictures and listening to this.

Lookin' on the bright side, right? Or is it denial? 

Can I Ask You A Weird Question?

This is for ladies. Ladies who do a lot of daydreaming.....

(you've been warned)

(via)

Do you ever wonder what it'd be like to be pregnant? I basically spend "nap time" at work daydreaming, and I have the thought train of a rabbit on speed....and this came up. Also, I'm following a grand total of six blogs that are pregnant or have a newborn, and I have five friends in the real world with new babies/babies on the way, and it just got me thinking.

I can tell you a few things for certain: A) I will be the most hormonal pregnant woman you've ever met. Bet on it. B) I will claim to have/actually have more medical issues than anyone ever should. C) I will gain weight like a whale; not one of those cute, basketball-belly ladies.

However, I also know it'll be worth it. What about you? Do you ever think about that? Or, if you're not so weird and have actually been pregnant before, what was it like for you?

Disclaimer: I also daydream about what it'd be like if I were Italian, what I'll do when the zombie apocalypse hits (yes, WHEN), and what my future students/house/kids/job/hobbies/life will be like....so pregnancy isn't so weird right? Right??

Also, a realistic baby photo....hah!

Tired Little Pups

One of my favorite things in the world is when the dogs are out and about in the house, running around and causing commotion - and then suddenly I hear a solid flump that means that Murphy's just dropped to the floor, and a heavy, I'm-exhausted-from-all-of-that-playing *sigh* ... it's just so ... I don't know, family-like I guess. Precious and silly and happy.

The Usual...

Watching Louis C.K. stand up and drinking Italian beer while I suffer through hour number 12 spent working on my final project for Language and Literacy Instruction....

oh, the life of a college student.

Also, HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to the BEST. MOM. EVER. I really am just the luckiest daughter ever and I'm thankful for you each and every day. Thank you for blessing my life more than I could ever imagine. I hope to one day be half the mother that you have always been to me and my sister. I love you and I can't wait to spend this weekend with you!!

What I Feel Like Doing Today:

Nothing.

(via)

TGI Not Monday

I woke up at 6:45 yesterday morning, got dressed in teacher attire, and went to class. 

I got out of class at 11:57 yesterday morning and went home to eat some lunch.

I went to class at 12:35 yesterday afternoon and gave a presentation on ESL strategies.

I got out of class at 3:25 yesterday afternoon and took the bus home.

I got home at 3:47 yesterday afternoon... 

...and realized that I'd had my shirt on inside out since 6:45 yesterday morning.

wah wahhh...

(via)

Good At Things

I just discovered this new book by Andy Selsberg. I basically love anything in list form, but a published group of lists with an encouraging, funny message? Count me in. Some of the "skills" are funny (forcing people to acknowledge how adorable your baby's foot is), some are genuine (battling inner demons), and some are facetious (telling professional coaches what to do). 

What are you good at? I'm good at handling throw up (TMI? Let's be real, I'm an early childhood professional and that's basically a qualification), watching the same movies over and over (ie The Dark Knight, Inglorious Basterds, and Dawn of the Dead), and giving late birthday gifts.

...those count right? 

P.S. - While I was linking to Amazon, I discovered this book in the "More Search Results"...what a gem!

Flaunt It

I just LOVE it when people are proud of who they are. More specifically, when women are proud of the way they look. Whether that's tall and thin and model-like or short and curvy. I have a dear friend who is just barely over 5 feet and a voluptuous little thing, and she just exudes confidence about it, and I love it.

But, I also know it's easy to not think that way. I am 5'4" and curvy to be sure, and when I try something on that I know would look just SO much better if my hips were a little straighter or my bust was a little bit smaller, it's a little discouraging.


So, here are a few things about myself that I (almost always) love that society probably wouldn't encourage, just to remind myself (and yourself!) that they're beautiful anyway:

- Hips that look a little bit like any extra bit of fat on my body
just decided to settle there and hang out.

- A broken-looking nose. Not Owen Wilson-broken, mind you, just maybe like Owen Wilson
after the first time he broke it, not the fifth.

- The roadmap of scars spanning from the top of my left foot from a run-in with a 2'x4'
to the chickpox scar next to my left eyebrow.

- I wear my glasses pretty often. They're about an inch and a half tall.
That should be all I have to say.

- Calluses and permanently bent fingers that make my little hands look sometimes like a little boy's. But those calluses took a month and a half of climbing to make so I'm pretty darn proud.

- That weird, unfortunate, impossible-to-get-rid-of, under the belly button fat that doesn't go away no matter how many lower ab-workouts I do. Which, consequently, isn't that many. 

- An almost-permanent farmer's tan. I'm not even a redneck....

Be happy with yourselves today, friends! Even though it's hard to do sometimes. You are beautiful! 

Scaredy Cat

How funny are these pictures from our visit to Tyler last week? 

Rex thinks it's so funny to surprise me by hoisting me up onto his shoulders.....and I usually respond by having a panic attack. I love the third one from the top where I'm looking very overwhelmed, and Rex just has the biggest grin.

Anyway, happy Thursday y'all! It's almost Friday...rejoice!

For Your Hump Day:

Just a few hilarious, low-quality videos of what Rex and I have been up to lately:

The usual. Isn't it hilarious how much better he is than me? 

I basically just throw myself out there and hope I don't fall. 

PS - Isn't this crazy?!

You Know What I Really Like?

...the abbreviation "vom" for the word "vomit"... Is that weird? It makes such an awful word sound choppy and cute.

Also,
- A good pair of men's trousers
- The word "trousers"
- Greek yogurt
- "Treat Yo Self" days
- Stand up comedy
- Rex's new Yildiz
- When you can leave the doors open and not be afraid of a dust storm blowing through the house
- A potted orchid that makes our living room look so classy
- Teaching
- Planning trips that may or may not really happen
- Rock-climbing
- Specifically, bouldering

Taos Ski Valley

That's what I looked like coming down the mountain yesterday.

...hah! 

Y'all, I did not take to skiing very well. Not a big surprise, honestly. But this morning, I was so sore that I could hardly get out of bed. Needless to say, I let Rex conquer the mountain on his own today, while I'm hanging out in town, drinking coffee, buying gorgeous copper jewelry, and getting lost walking around and checking out the beautiful historic downtown area. 

I've made friends with a group of old men, a shop owner/potter from Snyder (small world right!?), a barista who has never left New Mexico, and about 10 different doggies (sheepdog, huskies, Aussie, border collies, and mutts galore!)...Taos is my kind of place.

Hope you've had a good weekend!

I Heart Valentine's Day

And I don't care that it makes me really girly. It's just so fun. I usually buy flowers for all of my friends and just make a big silly mess out of it. But, I was with Rex last year so I actually got to do cute stuff for the first Valentine's ever. And since, we had just gotten Murphy, we were pretty strung out and didn't give a crap about a cutesy holiday...hah! But this year is going to be so fun! 

I'm making these tomorrow to send home. I'll let you know how it goes! How do you feel about Valentine's Day? I know it catches a lot of flack. But it's so fun. And it's a widely-accepted excuse to eat and bake lots of sweets!

Munchie Mondays

The best part of a bag of popcorn, now in its own little bag! Delish!

Also...

Guess who lost 7 pounds since ... the last time she weighed herself? (a month ago, ish)

Holla atcha girl!!

Y'all.

It is the downright Apocalypse here in LBK. Who woulda thunk God wanted to started the End of Days in the armpit of the world? I guess it makes sense though, when he rebuilds His Kingdom here on Earth, who the heck is gonna want to live in Lubbock? Seriously y'all, gusts up to 75 MPH, and with all this here plowed land surrounding Lubbock, that top soil was whisked right away into the air and into our lungs in no time flat!


(Am I doin' a good enough job of soundin' like a legit Lubbockian? I'm goin' for the West Texas thing here, folks. Darn tootin'!)

Happy Monday to everyone who's not breathin' in manure and dust! And an even happier Monday to everyone who is!

Happy Friday!

Falling cows!! Oh the hilarity. Anyone have any idea where this sign exists? 

I only hope to drive past it one day. 

I hope you're all having a good Friday to end the work/school week. And have an even better weekend!

Things To Be Happy About

-Being prepared

-Driving with your puppy riding shotgun

-Soothing hot coffee when you have a sore throat

-"I love you" text messages

-Knowing what you want to be when you "grow up"

-Being proud of someone you love

-Making flowers from fabric and paper

-A light breeze

-A good night's sleep

-Giving a back rub

-Getting a back rub

-When your roommate makes too many pancakes and so you get one

-To-Do lists

-Waking up without bed-head

-Waking up with bed-head

-Nutella

Anyone care to add anything?