There seems to be a social divide between those who like wine and those who prefer a frosty beer. The stereotype tends to be that the wine drinkers are willing to spend more money for each sip of alcohol. They slowly swirl, smell, and let the wine breathe before taking a nice long sip. The dinners are pared with the type of wine that will compliment the flavors of the dish. While the beer drinkers are the "common folk" of the drinking world. They congregate in local bars and eat deep fat fried foods while cheering on their favorite sports team after a long, hard day at work.
Which one am I??? Both.
Sometimes I think I have split personalities (my husband may agree...). When faced with making decisions, I tend to struggle with my wine side and my beer side. For example...
Decorating the new bathroom:
My Wine Side...wants a neatly decorated and coordinated bathroom with all the matching colors and towels that are perfectly folded and layered.
While my beer side...thinks that is crazy! I want a bathroom that is usable. One where people can use and not be worried about drying their hands on the fluffy towel that just sits there. As long as it's clean, who cares...
Cooking Dinner:
My wine side...wants a simple pasta dish, light salad with a vinaigrette dressing, while the table is neatly set and the dishes all match with napkin holders and of course big pretty wine glasses at each seat.
And my beer side...wants to make pepper-jack stuffed hamburgers with homemade french fries dipped in a beer batter (of course) and fried in the hot oil deep fryer.
Decorating the Christmas Tree:
My wine side loves the pretty color-coordinated trees with a theme and matching Angel topper. Even the wrapping paper compliments the colors of the tree. Every bulb, light, and bow is evenly spaced and the lights add a perfect glow to the living room.
The beer side of me thinks of my mother's tree...nothing about it is in order. The tree is filled with ornaments that my brothers and sister and I created throughout our youth. Popsicle stars and glitter snowmen with our awkward 4th grade picture a spaced throughout the tree. It is like looking back on my life through craft projects and hot glue. I love that tree...
Going on Vacation:
My beer side wants to get a camper and spend our vacations from one camp site to the next, swimming in the lake and roasting marshmallows by the fire.
But my wine side says "you hate bugs" and wants to stay in a nice air conditioned hotel room with a pool and concierge who recommends all the best restaurants.
However there are times when there is no decision to be made. Sometimes it is just a beer day or a wine night...
After coaching a basketball or volleyball game...beer
Cooking Thanksgiving dinner with my mom and sister...wine
Fourth of July...beer
My birthday...wine
Colorado Rockies baseball game...beer (Coors of course)
Get together with the girls...wine
Olive Garden...wine
Granite City Brewery...beer
Rio de Janeiro...Capriahana
Weddings...Jack and Coke!
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Honesty
Two people commented on my appearance this week...
Monday at school:
Teenage girl: You look really pretty today Mrs. Weber, there's something different about you.
Me: Why thank you! (It's probably the fact that I wore make-up for the first time in over a month...)
Monday night at home:
Ethan: You have a zit on your face here and here.
Me: Thank you... (eyebrows raised)
I wonder which one was honest and which one was trying to get something out of me.
Actually knowing my student, she was being honest and knowing my husband he was being silly. Both comments made me smile!
Monday at school:
Teenage girl: You look really pretty today Mrs. Weber, there's something different about you.
Me: Why thank you! (It's probably the fact that I wore make-up for the first time in over a month...)
Monday night at home:
Ethan: You have a zit on your face here and here.
Me: Thank you... (eyebrows raised)
I wonder which one was honest and which one was trying to get something out of me.
Actually knowing my student, she was being honest and knowing my husband he was being silly. Both comments made me smile!
Friday, November 12, 2010
Barefoot in the Kitchen
Over the last few years of my adult life I have enriched and embraced a stronger friendship with my kitchen. I have always had the general knowledge of how to do things in the kitchen, but recently I have found myself really enjoying the time I spend over the stove.
Now, I am no Martha Stewart by any means. I prefer an easier way of doing things (and more lively...sorry Martha, but I'd watch golf on TV before you). My culinary skills are more a cross between my mother and Rachel Ray. Now, I have my issues with Ms. Ray also, so I don't want to be too connected to her, but I have found some of her methods useful and recipes tasty.
I can thank my husband for the increased interest in cooking...for two reasons.
#1: We used to have "Dinner Date Nights" when we were just dating where we would find a new recipe to try and cook it together. I found myself really looking forward to those nights and those recipes. Out of all the new meals we tried, there was only one that we didn't add to the normal rotation. Not too bad of a record.
#2: There may some truth to the old saying "A way to a man's heart is through his stomach." I didn't purposely fix meals that would make him love me, but I took a great amount of pride in cooking a meal that he liked. I found myself looking for recipes that I knew he would enjoy, or that I could modify to make spicier or saucier the way I knew he would like it. And I will admit...I have a few recipes that I know to make if he's had a particularly rough day/week.
I enjoy cooking and I hope that this love stays with me through the years. Since I am sure this is not something I am likely to stop doing anytime soon. :)
Now, I am no Martha Stewart by any means. I prefer an easier way of doing things (and more lively...sorry Martha, but I'd watch golf on TV before you). My culinary skills are more a cross between my mother and Rachel Ray. Now, I have my issues with Ms. Ray also, so I don't want to be too connected to her, but I have found some of her methods useful and recipes tasty.
I can thank my husband for the increased interest in cooking...for two reasons.
#1: We used to have "Dinner Date Nights" when we were just dating where we would find a new recipe to try and cook it together. I found myself really looking forward to those nights and those recipes. Out of all the new meals we tried, there was only one that we didn't add to the normal rotation. Not too bad of a record.
#2: There may some truth to the old saying "A way to a man's heart is through his stomach." I didn't purposely fix meals that would make him love me, but I took a great amount of pride in cooking a meal that he liked. I found myself looking for recipes that I knew he would enjoy, or that I could modify to make spicier or saucier the way I knew he would like it. And I will admit...I have a few recipes that I know to make if he's had a particularly rough day/week.
I enjoy cooking and I hope that this love stays with me through the years. Since I am sure this is not something I am likely to stop doing anytime soon. :)
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Home Sweet Home...
Not long after Ethan and I started to become more serious in our dating relationship and began talking about the future, we realized that the wonderful home he owned would not be big enough for the family we wanted to have. We knew we would be left with one of two options. Move or add on.
We opted first off to try and add on. There are some things we both REALLY like about the house we are in now. One acre lot, in the country BUT 10 minutes away from West Wichita, all brick home with finished basement and HUGE kitchen. We decided that all we needed to make this the "perfect" home was a master bedroom/bath suite. Of course that meant turning our garage into a master bedroom and adding on a new 3 car garage. We were happy with that and sought out contractors to see what the damage might be. It didn't take long to realize that our dream of adding on a simple garage and master bedroom was going to be WAY TOO EXPENSIVE. We might as well try to sell and build if we're going to have a house worth that amount of money.
We have now set our sights on something different. We are going to try and sell and look to either buy existing or build something new. Right now we are focusing on getting our house ready to sell. So...if anyone out there is looking for a cute little ranch home just West of Wichita...let me know!
We opted first off to try and add on. There are some things we both REALLY like about the house we are in now. One acre lot, in the country BUT 10 minutes away from West Wichita, all brick home with finished basement and HUGE kitchen. We decided that all we needed to make this the "perfect" home was a master bedroom/bath suite. Of course that meant turning our garage into a master bedroom and adding on a new 3 car garage. We were happy with that and sought out contractors to see what the damage might be. It didn't take long to realize that our dream of adding on a simple garage and master bedroom was going to be WAY TOO EXPENSIVE. We might as well try to sell and build if we're going to have a house worth that amount of money.
We have now set our sights on something different. We are going to try and sell and look to either buy existing or build something new. Right now we are focusing on getting our house ready to sell. So...if anyone out there is looking for a cute little ranch home just West of Wichita...let me know!
Sunday, November 7, 2010
I'm Back!
At least I hope...
It has been awhile since I've sat down at my computer and written about what goes on in my not-so-interesting life. When things start getting crazy around here, the first thing I forget about is blogging... So while I lay awake early on a Saturday morning (because my body does not recognize the time change and that I actually can sleep for another hour) I will do my best to catch you up!
~ I got married. Yep, all those previous posts about the engagement and preparing for a wedding never got followed up by the actual event. It was a perfect day, even with the rain!
~ I traveled internationally for the first time. Ethan and I went to Rio de Janeiro on our honeymoon. Such a once in a lifetime opportunity and we had a great time.
~ I started my 5th year teaching...which sounds unbelievable to me that I've not only been part of a great school for 5 great years, but also that I've been out of college for 5 years. It feels like just yesterday.
~ Ethan has started the second bathroom project as we prepare to get our house ready to sell. I am confident that this bathroom project will go much quicker than the last because there is not near as much tile work that has to be done.
~ I received a new mixer from my in-laws for a wedding gift. You know one of those wonderful, do everything for you, Kitchenaid mixers. I LOVE IT! I'm doing things I never thought I would...making my own pizza dough, cinnamon rolls, and baking. Turns out baking is much more fun when you have a machine to do most of the work for you!
~ I was once again so very happy to be a part of the Cheney Volleyball Team, as they made their way to Salina for the state tournament for the 3rd year in a row. It is always such a great experience and I love that I get to be a part of it.
~ And once again since we made it to state in volleyball and since middle school basketball overlaps the high school season (I coach both sports), I have switched gears from volleyball to basketball in one day and coached my first bball game of the season after only 3 practices. We won! I love this time of year!!!
~ November has arrived, thankfully, as October is always such a busy, stressful month for me. I always rejoice on November 1st!
~ I'm looking forward as always to Thanksgiving again this year. We always spend Thanksgiving with my parents and we are a fun bunch to be around! I can't wait!
~ The dogs are doing great...they're spoiled rotten and have learned some new tricks. KC can jump the fence when there is something out there she REALLY wants, and Breck can scaled a brick wall. Yup! Your read that right...she looks like "Spider dog" as she scales up the wall to get a tennis ball that's been placed in the window.
It has been awhile since I've sat down at my computer and written about what goes on in my not-so-interesting life. When things start getting crazy around here, the first thing I forget about is blogging... So while I lay awake early on a Saturday morning (because my body does not recognize the time change and that I actually can sleep for another hour) I will do my best to catch you up!
~ I got married. Yep, all those previous posts about the engagement and preparing for a wedding never got followed up by the actual event. It was a perfect day, even with the rain!
~ I traveled internationally for the first time. Ethan and I went to Rio de Janeiro on our honeymoon. Such a once in a lifetime opportunity and we had a great time.
~ I started my 5th year teaching...which sounds unbelievable to me that I've not only been part of a great school for 5 great years, but also that I've been out of college for 5 years. It feels like just yesterday.
~ Ethan has started the second bathroom project as we prepare to get our house ready to sell. I am confident that this bathroom project will go much quicker than the last because there is not near as much tile work that has to be done.
~ I received a new mixer from my in-laws for a wedding gift. You know one of those wonderful, do everything for you, Kitchenaid mixers. I LOVE IT! I'm doing things I never thought I would...making my own pizza dough, cinnamon rolls, and baking. Turns out baking is much more fun when you have a machine to do most of the work for you!
~ I was once again so very happy to be a part of the Cheney Volleyball Team, as they made their way to Salina for the state tournament for the 3rd year in a row. It is always such a great experience and I love that I get to be a part of it.
~ And once again since we made it to state in volleyball and since middle school basketball overlaps the high school season (I coach both sports), I have switched gears from volleyball to basketball in one day and coached my first bball game of the season after only 3 practices. We won! I love this time of year!!!
~ November has arrived, thankfully, as October is always such a busy, stressful month for me. I always rejoice on November 1st!
~ I'm looking forward as always to Thanksgiving again this year. We always spend Thanksgiving with my parents and we are a fun bunch to be around! I can't wait!
~ The dogs are doing great...they're spoiled rotten and have learned some new tricks. KC can jump the fence when there is something out there she REALLY wants, and Breck can scaled a brick wall. Yup! Your read that right...she looks like "Spider dog" as she scales up the wall to get a tennis ball that's been placed in the window.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Things that Make Me Excited for Summer
1. Warm weather! I am so sick and tired of the cold weather and blowing wind. I enjoy lounging around in my tank tops and not having to pack a coat everywhere I go.
2. Tans. I refuse to fake bake. Because of this, I am as white and pale by the end of winter that one can be. I can't wait to get a little color back in my skin. That is as long as it isn't red...
3. Watermelon, pasta salads, home grown tomatoes... I just love summer time foods. There is just something about the hot sticky weather that makes me want to eat better. I rarely want a greasy hamburger and fries when I can have fresh strawberries and a turkey sandwich with tomatoes out of the garden.
4. Morning walks with the girls (dogs that is). I think I've missed that the most through the school year. We had our morning routine down pat before school messed it up. I get up feed the girls, eat my breakfast of Cheerios, we play with the ball, and go for a walk. All before 8:00 AM. I can't wait!!!
5. 2nd Annual Mystery Weekend. Last year we went to OK City, and it was such a fun trip. This year was questionable when we would be able to do it with the wedding and many other things that can take up the weekends during the summer. But we are going again this year...where I have no idea. All I know is that I have to be in Burlington by 10:30 on the Friday we leave.
6. Golfing. This is the third year that I have played golf, and I can't wait to get out on the course more regularly. I will have to because for the first time, I will be playing in a tournament with my mom and some friends.
7. No school! I love my job and I didn't become a teacher just because of the summers, but I enjoy my time off which is necessary for me to recharge and be ready to go in August.
8. Bachelorette Party. My sister is planning this one, and it should be interesting. Along with the "Mystery Weekend" I don't know anything other than it's going to be in KC. I'm super excited to see what she comes up with...I know she is having fun trying to figure to get it all planned.
9. Honeymoon. Beach. Sun. Hubby. Enough said :)
10. Becoming Mrs. Weber!!! After all the dresses, addresses, showers, and planning it is finally going to happen. I can't wait for this next step in my life and all the wonderful things that come with it.
2. Tans. I refuse to fake bake. Because of this, I am as white and pale by the end of winter that one can be. I can't wait to get a little color back in my skin. That is as long as it isn't red...
3. Watermelon, pasta salads, home grown tomatoes... I just love summer time foods. There is just something about the hot sticky weather that makes me want to eat better. I rarely want a greasy hamburger and fries when I can have fresh strawberries and a turkey sandwich with tomatoes out of the garden.
4. Morning walks with the girls (dogs that is). I think I've missed that the most through the school year. We had our morning routine down pat before school messed it up. I get up feed the girls, eat my breakfast of Cheerios, we play with the ball, and go for a walk. All before 8:00 AM. I can't wait!!!
5. 2nd Annual Mystery Weekend. Last year we went to OK City, and it was such a fun trip. This year was questionable when we would be able to do it with the wedding and many other things that can take up the weekends during the summer. But we are going again this year...where I have no idea. All I know is that I have to be in Burlington by 10:30 on the Friday we leave.
6. Golfing. This is the third year that I have played golf, and I can't wait to get out on the course more regularly. I will have to because for the first time, I will be playing in a tournament with my mom and some friends.
7. No school! I love my job and I didn't become a teacher just because of the summers, but I enjoy my time off which is necessary for me to recharge and be ready to go in August.
8. Bachelorette Party. My sister is planning this one, and it should be interesting. Along with the "Mystery Weekend" I don't know anything other than it's going to be in KC. I'm super excited to see what she comes up with...I know she is having fun trying to figure to get it all planned.
9. Honeymoon. Beach. Sun. Hubby. Enough said :)
10. Becoming Mrs. Weber!!! After all the dresses, addresses, showers, and planning it is finally going to happen. I can't wait for this next step in my life and all the wonderful things that come with it.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Caught Red Handed
I have a student in my class who is very bright but really struggles socially to know what is appropriate, and has a much lower maturity level than my other 7th graders. He has been known to just take pens off of my desk to use during class. When I catch him, I always make him put it back and then ask permission.
Today the kids were supposed to be working on an assignment and I noticed this particular student looking at his hands that were covered in bright red ink. I went over and asked him if he wanted to go wash his hands. He said “I don’t know what happened.” It was then I noticed that the pen he had was one of mine off the cup on my desk. I asked him if it was my pen and he immediately apologized for taking it. I then told him that I had a red pen leak all over my cup and all the pens were covered with red ink. He just looked up at me with these big brown eyes and said “Caught me red handed!”
I needed that today.
Today the kids were supposed to be working on an assignment and I noticed this particular student looking at his hands that were covered in bright red ink. I went over and asked him if he wanted to go wash his hands. He said “I don’t know what happened.” It was then I noticed that the pen he had was one of mine off the cup on my desk. I asked him if it was my pen and he immediately apologized for taking it. I then told him that I had a red pen leak all over my cup and all the pens were covered with red ink. He just looked up at me with these big brown eyes and said “Caught me red handed!”
I needed that today.
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