EPIC Fail!!!

Okay, so my 31-Day Facebook Challenge has been an EPIC Fail. I got all the way to Day 16 and I fumbled because the picture I want to use is not scanned onto my computer. Since I didn't have time to scan, I just stopped doing it. Instead of skipping to the next day until I could get the picture scanned, I just stopped.

This was funny to me because I was recently having a discussion with Lauren about how I am not very good with lists. I told her the reason I don't write to-do lists anymore is because my OCD kicks into high gear and I start freaking out until I can get things done and totally crossed off my list. A list to me means it must be done before I can move on to something else.

Well, I apparently applied this logic to the list of photos we were supposed to post. Rather thank skipping one to make more progress, I just stopped. What an EPIC Fail.

...although I will say, this was a great opportunity to reflect on how I handle things.
LIFE's LESSONS... Gotta love 'em!

Just start living, that's the next thing on my list...

Recently, I started doing this 31-Day Challenge on Facebook - where you have to post a photo with a theme for every day. Day 7 was supposed to be a picture of your most treasured item... My items were symbolic of my most important relationships.

On Facebook I posted that my wedding ring and The Bible were most important to me because they were symbolic of the fact that ultimately my relationship with God and my relationship with my husband is the most important thing.

Well, today I was cleaning and had a playlist going on my iPod. The song "Next Thing on My List" by Toby Keith came on... and the lyrics really got to me. I was busy cleaning because I did not spend much time over Thanksgiving working on that - and it was stressing me out. I had spent entirely too much time working on Rockin' Spade things and not enough time getting house work done and spending time with my husband, which is really what a break is all about.

It would be ideal to live like the lyrics: "Raise a little hell, laugh til it hurts, put an extra five in the plate at church, call my folks just to chat, it's time that I make time for that. Stay up late and oversleep, show (him) what he means to me. Catch up on all the things I've missed, just start living that's the next thing on my list."

I'm not saying that I want to let Rockin' Spade diminish - but I just need to keep my goals in check from time to time. Another line of the lyrics that I loved said "I won't break my back for a million bucks that I can't take to my grave, so why put off tomorrow what I can get done today... like go for a walk, say a little prayer....."

Just a fabulous song. It moved me a stirred some emotion and much needed re-prioritizing. Thank you, Toby Keith! haha

I simply wish for one more day with you...

"Last night I had a crazy dream, a wish was granted just for me, it could be for anything. I didn't ask for money or a mansion in Malibu, I simply wished for one more day with you."

September 22, 2010 marks the 3rd Anniversary of the death of my Mother-in-law, Sheri Magers. We miss her on a daily basis. There are STILL times I want to call and tell her something or show her something I've done -- She was my Biggest Fan -- and I was blessed to have her in my life. But on this date, everything just seems to hit home a little harder. Writing the date is a horrible reminder that a few years ago, this is what seemed to be the "worst day of our lives".

What a MOTHER!!! I chose this picture because to me it just portrays how beautiful she was... and also because she was doing some mothering in this photo. This was at the 2005 Leakey Rodeo. Just before this picture someone had asked me to do something for the rodeo. She said, "You go do that, and I'll hold your purse." She just had an amazing instinct about her that just wanted to take care of everyone. It's something I had never experienced quite like this, before meeting her.

I must say I have to agree with the song... "One more day, One more time, One more sunset maybe I'd be satisfied" .... Sometimes I wish that were the case. My heart is content that she knew I loved her and I knew she loved me, so I don't have healing to do in that sense. I don't feel like I need to say something more to her... BUT, I am selfish and I'm always going to wish I had more time. More time to learn from her, more time to be loved by her... Just More. Kinda like her favorite thing to say, "Love you, More."

..."But then again, I know what it would do... Leave me wishing still for one more day with you."

I love you more, Mom! Gone, but not forgotten. Your spirit lives within me, forever in my heart!

Totally PROFILED!

We sold our old Ford pick-up recently... Yes, the green one that I have been driving since High School.... Anyway, we went car shopping last weekend and test-drove several different cars. After much difference of opinion, we finally decided that we liked the Dodge Avenger the best. A non-negotiable for me is I wanted a black car... John wanted ANY car that had decent fuel mileage.

I searched and searched online until I found this car. This was in the "Pre-Owned" inventory on the Brown Chevrolet lot in Devine, TX. One of the salesmen is from Leakey, therefore Brown was willing to deliver the car to us there.

After John and I test-drove the car, we walked around and inspected it. I commented on the tires and rims and told John, "I don't know about this, Homie!" John liked the way the car looked and thought I was being silly - so we bought the car.

The next day, my sister Brittany, brother-in-law Cole, cousin Starla, and a few friends teased John about the rims. So John came to my classroom and said, "Maybe those rims are a bit much - everyone keeps making fun of them. Let's find some others."

So, we finished out the work week, and planned to look for new tires/rims soon. Saturday, we are driving to San Antonio to do some school clothes shopping (for me) and go to the movies. We were discussing some wheels John had found online just as we were pulling up to the Border Patrol Check Point... We state our citizenship to the agents and expect to roll on through - well that didn't happen - they pulled us over and asked us to get out of the vehicle while they inspected it.

As we're walking to the bench to sit down the agent sternly tells John, "Sir, you need to get your hands out of your pocket. " So John holds his hands up in the air. Then sits down on the bench. They make John stand up so they can pat him down for weapons... And while they are doing this they are holding onto their own weapons... CRAAAAZZZYYYY!!!!!

The agent was wide-eyed and was scanning both of our faces with his eyes - I guess looking for guilty expression...? Anyway, John told him, "Man you need chill out, you are making me nervous." And when John said that, the agent kinda toned down a little.

They asked us a million questions including: Where did we get the car? Where are we from? Where do we work? How did we meet? Do we smoke? Do we smoke in the car? How long have we had the car? Have we been checked out at the checkpoint before in this car? Why are we going school clothes shopping? Did we tint the windows like that?

After all the questioning, I jokingly look at John and say kinda quietly... "It's those rims, Vato!"

The agent overhears me and says, "Dogs have nothing against rims, Ma'am. He smelled something."

So they continue to search the car, with the dog... As the search continues I get more and more anxious. The agent tells me to "Calm down, if they don't find anything, it will all be fine."

I replied, "Well, it's nerve racking because we have never been pulled over like this... and this is a new car to us. You can bet if you find something we will be calling some car salesman and chewing him out."

The agent quickly replied, "Yeah, when you get out of jail you can do that."

OH MY GOODNESS!!! Now panic has completely overwhelmed me. I mean, I joke with my BP Agent friend, Ty, about this all the time... But now, this is getting serious... and all I can think is, "I'm a 3rd Grade teacher - I can't go to jail." Then I think... What if I do? Who will come get us? Will I lose my job because south Texas can't get a handle on the drugs that are moving around this area?

FINALLY, the other agents say our car is clear. They think the dog smelled the scent of our dog in the car. (Which, I think is a crock - because Pearl, herself, has been through the checkpoint in our Yukon and has never set a dog off.) So all in all, I think we totally got PROFILED!

As we continue on to San Antonio, John notices one of those signs that says "Drink, Drive, Go to Jail"... He said, "I think they need to change it to Drink, Drive or Buy a Car used to move drugs and Go to jail!" Hahaha... So I guess the moral to the story is, be careful which rims your ride has! lol

"I was a kid when Elvis died, and my Mama cried"

"I was a kid when Elvis died, and my Mama cried..." Okay, not really. However, today on Facebook a friend had posted as her status: "Elvis died 33 years ago today". That made me think of that song Nineteen-Somethin' and it's lyrics. The thought of Elvis made me think of none other than my wonderful Mother-in-law, Sheri Kaye. Goodness, I miss her! EVERYDAY! She was definitely one of those Mama's that cried when Elvis died.

Anyway, I just got a little nostalgic thinking about this event... I wonder what it was like when Elvis died - I wonder what it was like for that generation. Don't get me wrong, that generation is not much older... But older enough to have different dynamics in their life. It seems to me life was a bit simpler then.

Sometimes I wish there was a time machine that we could go back and experience life in different generations... I often think it would make us more appreciative of what we have now. Then again, with all the hustle and bustle of modern day living, it might make us wish we could live in a more simplistic time.

It's a Girl!!!

My new niece was born today

Ryan Rae Coy

5lbs 15 oz - 19"
Her parents Brittany and Kevin are doing well.

We are very excited about this new addition to the Cline family :)
Papa Tod and Aunt Keta can't wait to see her.
Aunt Breann Ryan has been anxiously awaiting her arrival... and has been keeping the long-distance family up to date.

Welcome to the world, Ryan Rae!

PROCRASTINATION... It will get you every time!

It's almost time for BACK TO SCHOOL. I have 5 days of summer left to be exact. . . (yikes)

My classroom is pretty well in order and I have a lot of my lesson planning complete... However, I keep thinking about my summer days and wonder if I have used them very wisely. There are a lot of home projects that I had intended to get done... Like cleaning out the shop and carport, getting our jewelry website more updated, building up a ton of jewelry inventory, etc. I also planned to visit the doctor and dentist while I had time off.

I have had a million things to do, but the procrastinator inside me took over and often times I put those projects off until the last minute. Now here it is with 5 FREE days left, and I am trying to cram it all in.

Working well under pressure is one of my best-qualities, but I do not think my body or mind appreciate the elevated stress level that comes with it. I wonder, maybe... just maybe, if I did things in a more timely manner and didn't wait until the last minute, if life would be a bit easier. Then again, the procrastinator in me keeps saying, "that might be a boring life." haha