Ladies in Red

Though it's not our favorite color, I must admit that we Farewell girls look good in red.



I knew that when Katie came home for the weekend, she'd need a car, my car. Lucky for me that last weekend at the Rotary auction they had a corvette for the weekend available to bid on. I won. I figured that if Katie was driving around in my car, I wouldn't mind so much if I was driving around in a little red corvette. Sure beats the "Rent a Wreck" yugo or gremlin.

Driving a corvette is fun. A lot of fun. But truth be told, I really missed my Prius. I don't know what to do with car keys anymore. My prius keys live in my purse & my car is smart enough to know they are there. I really missed the back up camera, parallel parking isn't as much fun when you have to turn around. And finally when my cellphone rings, actually having to pick it up and hold it to my ear is just soooooo 20th century.





Katie, you sure do look cute in a corvette.

Fajita Farewell

Did you know that Katie's nickname is Fajita Farewell? Going to college, living a double life, who would have guessed??? Here she is at one of her favorite mexican restaurants in Tacoma, Azteca. Home for the weekend.



Katie came home to help her buddy Alicia make the final arrangements for her wedding (Alicia's) in June. Katie has the enormous responsibility of the Maid of Honor. They were joined at the hip all weekend long. Planning a wedding long distance (Alicia lives in Maryland) can be quite a job.



Katie can't pass through Tacoma without some serious time with her boy Derek. He's grown a lot since she saw him a month ago. But he still has a tight grip on her heart.

Baby you can drive my car!

At 2 1/2 months old, Derek looks like a pro behind the wheel of a red, hot corvette. Better start saving up Mom & Dad, that 16th birthday is mere 15 years and 9 1/2 months away. But who's counting. Just think of it this way. If you went out and bought this corvette today, it would probably be $10,000 cheaper than a fixer upper will cost you in 16 years. Ahhhh inflation. Just don't think about it & introduce him to the coolness of public transportation at a young age.






But Mom & Dad, you must admit that I look very hot in the drivers seat of a little red corvette. I would be a serious babe magnet behind this steering wheel. You do want me to be able to get a date for the prom, doncha??? I don't think they're going for it, so Katie if you're reading this, please take good care of that Prius of yours, so I'll have something vintage to drive in 16 years.

Friday Twins

Meet Julie Becklund, Franklin 2nd grade teacher, and fabulous dresser. Such style & sooooooo original.



A couple of months ago, I noticed that Julie was wearing my sweater. Such incredible taste she has. So, a couple of days later, I wore her sweater. Now it has become our Friday thing. Don't we look great. I have so much fun when I see her in the hall, telling a couple of our kids to tell her how GREAT she looks. It only takes them a couple of double takes before they figure it out. Wow are they impressed.

Monday Night Dinner

Well look who was waiting for me when I got home tonight! It's the infamous Derek. Just 7 days past his 2 month bday. I was working late (conference week at the Ol' Elementary school) and when I got home I had a house full eating around my dining room table. This is what happens when you give a key to the neighbors (alright, all the neighbors) in case of an emergency. Of course, they all consider it an emergency when I'm not home by 6 pm on a Monday night. I'm not complaing mind you. It is nice to have a house full of people and food and not have to play hostess. And did I mention that they all take turns doing dishes. Now, if I could only get them to fold laundry and organize my closets, I would have it made.


Anyway, Derek finally convinced his parents that they have no life & he needed to get out and socialize. Yeah.



He is quiet the "Thinker", don't ya think?



Ah, the family portrait. Aren't they sweet? Ric, Tiffany and their two kids, Derek & his brand new older brother, Chris.



Did I tell you that I took a class on Baby Sign Language? Ric and Tiffany couldn't make it so I picked up a book for them. As you can see, Derek is picking right up on signing. I believe this is the sign for "Quit taking pictures of me already!" OK Derek, I can take a hint.

Rock Around the Clock!

Look at we were Sandra Dees. This is my buddy, Sandy. She invited me to the Rotary 8 Auction. I like charity auctions, they are so fun. You can spend money and know it all goes to a good cause. So as I debated which little black dress I was going to wear to this shindig, I was smart enough to ask Sandy what was she going to wear. Then I found out that it was a Rock & Roll theme; Dress up? Me???


Believe it or not, I already owned everything thing that I had on, except for the hot pink "Pink Ladies" satin jacket. I picked that up at the costume store in Tacoma. Dig those green tennys! Boy am I ever getting wear out of those things this week. Katie, are you listening, this one is just for you ... "Look at me, I'm Sandra Dee ..."

Apologies

So sorry for the inconvience to all. I was off having a life when I should have been blogging. How thoughtless! How selfish!! How me, me, me!!! Begging your forgiveness here. I hope the following posting were worth the wait.

Happy St. Paddy's Day!!!

It ain't easy being green. Well, actually, it is quiet easy being green for me. It's not just a color, it's a lifestyle.

So, I wasn't going to dress up for work today. But then everybody at work was speculating on what I would wear today. So I realized that the expectations were high and I had a reputation to up hold. So I went to the green section of my closet and came up with this stunning ensemble. Looks pretty tame doesn't it? Pretty respectable. Just wait ...

I had a little surprise for all of the girls in the front office. Being a religious holiday, such as it is, you have to raise a glass to the patron saint of Ireland.

Now I know you're all jealous. I am guessing that you must be green with envy.

And now for a glimpse of the local "Teacher Bar". We all headed to the E9 (Enginehouse # 9) after work. The excuse was Christen & Tammy's birthdays, or St. Patrick's day, or heck, just because it's a Friday. If you ever wondered how your elementary school teachers spent their Friday afternoons after you went home for milk and cookies, wonder no longer. This is what they all did after you climbed onto your Schwinn Stingray with the banana seat, tassles hanging from each handle bar and road into the sunset. Didn't know that did ya?

Grand Old Opera

Tom is an Opera Star. He performed in La Boheme at the Pantages & was great. Now La Boheme, didn't Puccini get his inspiration from the Broadway musical, Rent? Peter and I had a lot of fun at the dress rehersal. Of course we were in the midst of the free tickets given out to Tacoma school kids. They were incredible during the performance, you could have heard a pin drop. Of course between acts they were in and out, up and down, back and forth. Ahhhhh youth.

When the show started no one announced to not take pictures, so I did. Click, flash, click, flash. I didn't want to be too obnoxious, but I did want to get some pictures of Tom in action. Unfortunately, the pictures didn't turn out & by act 2 they did make the announcement so I had to behave. But after the show was over, I did get this cute picture of Tom & Peter together. Handsome boys aren't they.

Lunch with the Grown Ups

Tacoma Public Schools in their infinite wisdom have created waiver days for teacher training. This is a good thing. But some of the best part is not eating lunch in an Elementary School cafeteria. Going out to lunch with the grown ups can sure be a lot of fun. So I suggested that we go to Joeseppi's, a great new italian restaurant in Tacoma. I have been their 6 or 8 times in the last couple of months and always had great service and fabulous food. Unfortunately, this was not one of those times. I won't bore you with the details, but it was not a good experience. I felt bad, because I really talked up Joeseppis & I will go back. But I am afraid the rest of the group probably won't. Sigh.

Here is the happy crew when we still thought that lunch was only moments away.


And our wonderful kindergarten teacher. This is her compassionate look. She had to get back to her training so she ordered as soon as she sat down and told the waitress that she was on a time limit. Polly got her lunch an hour before the rest of this. Do you think she knew that when I took this picture? Well, I guess it's true that everything you ever need to know, you learn in kindergarten, because Polly is the smartest person at the table. The rest of us have forgotten most of those wise lessons from kindergarten.

Derek on the Road

Look who got out and about on this sunny day! It's Mister Derek in his stylin' stroller, checkin' out the neighborhood and gettin' some fresh air.

Just so you know he didn't take the keys and head out on his own, Mom was driving. Doesn't she look great in that brand new fleece shirt that her adorable husband bought her for her birthday? Must be the green, it just makes everyone look fabulous!!!

So Derek, where are you off to next??? Headin' down to the Parkway to buy your Mom a beer??? No? Well maybe next time. Just let me know and I'll be glad to tag along.

Dr. Seuss Day

Oh Ms. Dawn? Get a late start today??? I see that you're at work, but you are still in your pajamas. Is this some kind of new fashion statement???

Nope, It's Dr. Seuss Day. Dr. Seuss was born 101 years ago today so that we might all wear pajamas to work. Wasn't that nice of him??? Here are Dawn and Tara, the dynamic preschool duo. Don't they look ready for an exciting day!

And now for the Para Crew, waitin' for the buses at the end of the day. Your line up of Tacoma Rockettes include Moi, Julie, Bonnie & Annie. It was the strangest thing this morning, getting out of the shower, putting my pjs on and going to work. Not that I'm complaining mind you. In fact, I think the world would be a better place if we all wore our pjs to work more often. Though it does take a bit of planning. You have to make sure that the night before you have clean pjs in the draw and you can't wear them to bed because they are for work the next day. Let's start a trend!

Mrs. Becklund (a fabulous 2nd grade teacher) opted out of the PJ Parade and went straight for the Cat in the Hat ensemble. Doesn't she look great. Wonder if she hit the grocery store on the way home in that outfit? She sure would have turned some heads and maybe scored a discount on catfood. That Mrs. Becklnd is the snazziest dresser on staff. She has the most beautiful green sweater, and it's just like one of mine. Such good taste she has. I will definetly post a picture of us the next time we have our own personal twins day.

And Katie, I just had to let you know that I wore our new green shoes with my pjs today. And boy did I get a lot of compliments. You sure know how to pick shoes (Miss Kate had to take 7 new pairs back to Ashland with her). I should have taken a picture of those before you left, but I don't think my camera has a wide enough lens for all of those shoes! Hugs!!!