Adding to #95 & #98

#95
This year my parents renewed their season tickets to the Astros. Jerome and I have been to three games so far, which I think counts to my goal of going to 1 Astros game a season. =) Here are some pictures from our trips to Minute Maid Park.

#98

I have always been curious about soccer. Now with the World Cup going on in South Africa, I have been watching every match I can. Unfortunately, that means I have to wake up early in the mornings due to the time difference. I have learned more about soccer watching the games. If I have a question that doesn't get explained from the commentators, I google my question. It's helped me focus on finding out what I want to know and what I don't hear from the telecast. Of course, I have watched both USA games so far as well as England's match vs. Algeria. I know how the group play works now and how the USA can advance...we're so close!!! And of course, I was so pissed at this stupid man. He ruined our win...and took it away for a dumb reason.

#1 & #2 are done!!!!!

I totally have been forgetting about this blog and my goals. Oh goodness. So, #1 and #2 have been done for a month. I just didn't update about it.

I got all As in my masters program!! I got a 4.0! I am so proud of myself. I was worried about one class in my last semester but all my stressing was for nothing.

The second goal was to graduate with my masters. I did it on May 7, 2010. I graduated with my masters in special education in one year! All my hard work paid off.

Here are some pictures the hubby and I took around campus before his graduation the next day and my 365 pictures. And yes, I decorated both of our caps. I didn't do this for my undergrad so I felt it necessary because I am NOT graduating ever again. haha.

My cap is on the left. They are my initials and the hubby's initials. It says I love him. hehe

The hubby's is on the right. IFT is the initials of the name for his intramural team. They were the I Felta Thies (pronounced thighs hehe)

The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor

This book is a great play on the original Alice and Wonderland series but so much better!! Alyss Heart tried to share her story with a professor and he broke her heart. Alyss became Alice and a girl who dreamed up an imaginary world with a talking white rabbit and a mad hatter. The story begins with Alyss' birthday party and when her Aunt Redd crashes the party. Alyss escapes with the help of her mother's body guard Hatter Madigan. They jump into the Pool of Tears and appear in what we know as London. Alyss gets adopted and becomes Alice and is forced to adapt to her new home/world. At the same time, Wonderlanders are dealing with Redd's reign and Hatter Madigan is searching for Alyss.

This is a fantastic twist on a beloved story. The original book tended to bore me but this version was very interesting. I was intrigued by all the ways that the author incorporated the original story. He took pieces and turned them around into his version of what really happened. Give it a try. Then the rest of the series may join your reading list.

#83 is done!!

I would have posted this sooner but the end of the semester happened right after these concerts. And then we moved.

I saw 3 bands in concert that I have always wanted to see. Maybe Calf Fry doesn't count to some people but I paid to see these bands so I count it. The hubby and I saw Eli Young Band, Randy Rogers Band and Miranda Lambert in concert, LIVE!! Holy cow I loved it. I have always wanted to see these three so having it happen was so cool.

Here are some pictures from my phone. Lame, I know, I forgot a real camera with zoom.

Eli Young Band:

Randy Rogers Band

Miranda Lambert

I was trying to get a picture of her mic stand.

It's a shotgun!

#91 is done!!

I'm starting this post off by saying I know that Facebook games are a total waste of time. I set this goal so that I could prove to myself 1) that it could be done and 2) keep up with something that I started.

So, there isn't much to this post. I accomplished another goal though!

Adding to #9

The hubby and I went to visit his parents over Easter weekend. We ended up doing a lot of homework while they helped my brother- & sister-in-law work on their new house. However, it was nice to see them for a holiday. This was going to be our last Easter with his side of the family. We have been celebrating Easter with his family for the last 5 years, since our freshman year of college. Since schools don't get that holiday off, it was hard to go visit my family for that holiday.

That's been really hard for me. My family doesn't really have a whole lot of holiday traditions, except for Easter, New Year's Eve, and the Rees Christmas Party in California . My family, my dad's brother & his family, and then my aunt's family (married to my dad's brother). All of these people go to my parents ranch in Fayetteville, Texas. Easter and New Year's Eve are the only times we all get together. My aunt's parents are like my grandparents. I have hated not being there for Easter for the past 5 years. I never realize how homesick I am until Easter rolls around. I am wanting to cry right now just thinking about it. Once we move to Houston, we will get to spend every Easter with my family at the ranch. It will be too hard to travel for Easter with my job as a teacher, the hubby being a student for 3 years, and after that kids. With no days off for the holiday, it will be too hard to travel to Oklahoma for a holiday that gets no days off. Sad for the hubby but I cannot wait to finally spend one family holiday with my side of the family.

Here is a picture from our Easter this year. This was also my picture for Project 365 for that day.

Duck for President by Doreen Cronin

This is a really cute book that can help kids learn about elections. It also teaches the responsibilities of being in charge and why it's good to be thankful for the few chores you have. The author wrote another great book titled Click, Clack, Moo, Cows that Type. The pictures are really cute and clever.

Duck doesn't like doing chores on the farm so he convinces the other animals that they need to vote to replace Farmer Brown. Once he wins that election, Duck realizes how hard it is and then wants to run for Mayor. He continues to move up the chain of government positions until he is running for President of the United States.

The Secret of the Old Clock by Carolyn Keene

Nancy Drew is a classic series of a young girl who randomly comes upon mysteries. She has a knack for finding clues, trouble, and the answers to mysteries. Her father is a lawyer who can help her sort out her thoughts. This is a great series that will get kids, especially girls, reading. There is a series like it for boys, The Hardy Boys. The original hardback series, shown in the picture, is yellow on the cover and 56 books long.

This book is the first in a series. Nancy Drew finds out that someone's will is missing. The poorer relatives claim they were in the will while the wealthier relatives dispute it. She finds out that a missing clock holds a clue to where the missing will is located.

Hopefully, this book will get anyone to continue reading the series. They are easy reads and for adults could take less than 1 day to finish.

Change

I changed my Goal #10. It did have us visiting my parents once every other month once we moved back to Texas. Well, the hubby and I have decided to move in with my parents when we get to Texas. It will be rent-free. So, we should be able to save enough money to fully pay off at least one of our loans. Ok, that explains the change!

#69 is done!!!

At the beginning of March, Jerome and I decided to try and eat as many vegetarian meals as possible. We wanted to save money and also kick start weight loss. We knew that we were going to be in Houston for our spring break so we didn't need to by more food than for two weeks. I was really excited to see if we could do it. It was easier for me because I don't play intramural sports. Jerome came home from games a few times and needed some protein. I forgot one night and ate out with friends another night during this ten day span. I feel that this qualifies because every meal we have made at home has been veggie-centered. We have eaten all of our leftovers. Since we're heading to Houston, we didn't want to sacrifice any of our favorite foods at favorite restaurants when we are there.

I thought I would miss my meat. But, we found meals that we really helped us feel full. Of course, most were pasta so we could still feel full. I will post some of the recipes, if not all, on our food blog. It is http://www.therodgerscook.blogspot.com .

Started #82

So, I haven't been on here in over a month. My last semester being a student has started and is taking up a lot of my time.

I forgot to update about seeing a newly released movie. Jerome and I went on a double date to see Sherlock Holmes. HOLY GEEZ!! It was so good! I am partial to Jude Law and Rachel McAdams which helped. However, the way the movie was put together was fabulous. I loved the way that events were explained and how they played out. If the movie is not in your theater...make sure you rent it as soon as it's available.

#94 is done!!!!

Somehow, the hubby and I convinced my dad to find us tickets to the Texans game. We went today when they were playing the New England Patriots. The fourth quarter brought a win to the Texans!!!!!!

Started #11 & #41

#41

I started Project 365 yesterday, Jan 1. Since this year promises lots of changes, I think it would be great to take a picture every day to remember what happened. Here is what I have so far

January 1

January 2

#11

We went to the Rees family Christmas party on Dec 19. It was so good to see all of my cousins and catch up. I am 1 of 20 grandchildren. There are 5 children in my mom's generation and now 7+ (one cousin is pregnant) great grandkids for my grandparents. There are over 50 people there. Here are a few pictures.

Grandma & Grandpa

Uncle Mark's (deceased) Family

Uncle Marvin's Family (a son-in-law is deployed)

Uncle Kevin's Family

Uncle Scott's (estranged) Family was unable to come

Alane's (my mom) Family

ps. my mom is standing on a step stool.

#47 is done!!!

On December 30, I beat my hubby in a tickle war!!!!  This is a big deal because I am very ticklish and not as physically strong as him. I found that the key is to attack right after he rolls over to fall asleep. His back is too me and he isn't expecting anything. If I get him in the right spot, he can't recover. To ensure I would win, I sat on top of him and pinned his arms down with my knees. bahahaha. I know it sounds weird but it was fun, funny, and exciting to me. I loved it! Thankfully, he saw the fun in it and conceded. And I did it without him giving up so that I could win. I genuinely won. =)