Elvis was right..sort of

Well, I hadn't planned on blogging again before Christmas-but I'm stuck at work until 9 and I need to do something besides the word searches I got this morning to keep my mind off of it. :) The one thing, besides not wanting to be bankrupt, that keeps me from not quitting this job on a monthly basis is a quote by Dave Ramsey "Live like no one else now, so that you can live like no one else later." I just don't want to lose touch with people to the point that there's not much of a life to live later on in life, you know what I'm saying? Cause Dave's saying (in case you're not familiar with him) you work 3 jobs or whatever you have to do to get out of debt NOW so that when you're older you're not in debt and you have money and you can buy that RV and travel across America. I'm just worried that at this rate, it really is going to be just me, alone in that RV, taking pictures of myself HAHA. So yes, I'm being a little dramatic and exaggerating just a bit, but so what, that's what I do :) I got Pizza a couple of weeks ago, and I realized, after noticing how strange it was to give the name "Lizzy" for the order, that it's been a LONG ass time since I've hung out with someone that I didn't know from work or wasn't related to me. No, I'm not asking you all to start calling me Lizzy. Now, yes I did just get back from an AMAZING trip to Austin. So much fun! I don't know, as I'm sitting here typing this, I feel like I'm being REALLY over dramatic, but you know what- I DON'T CARE. All right, I'm over my little tantrum about having to work today. I'm just partially mad that I didn't sign up for the morning shift, and a little peeved that I couldn't find a public school job so that I wouldn't have to be working a second job right now....Also a little miffed that in about 10 minutes, my family is about to sit down for Christmas dinner, and for the very first time EVER in my whole life, I'm not there.. And I'm also mad in anticipation of the fact that I will stay until 9 for no reason. If I'm staying cause the family HONESTLY can't come in before like 8:30, then sure I get it, but I'm staying just in case they can't make it. Let me also take this opportunity to share my thoughts on this with you, and I would like to begin by saying "Sorry if I offend you" and I know mom and dad already know this cause I told them this morning, but when I die, I do not want you to come visit me in a funeral home. I do not want you to sit around "me" and talk about me. Sure come to the service, but then go away. Go have a drink (or 2 or 4..), Go volunteer, Go to church and say a rosary or some other prayer.

Well, that certainly turned into a big honking, bitch fest. I'm postponing posting this, cause no one needs to read this kind of stuff on Christmas Day. So Happy New Year!

UPDATE (12/29): So I got off work, well technically I closed at like 7:55, but I don't think it really mattered since it was CHRISTMAS day. I made it to mom and dad's in time to watch the nephews, niece and Cassi open their presents from me- they were all hits! :) Then I sat and ate leftovers while my sister talked. I have to say, what I thought was turning out to be a really crappy Christmas, turned into one, where I felt very blessed. For my sister to call me at work, and be like "When are you getting off? When will we see you?" and then, well, I really don't know how to explain it, but I guess maybe I could say that it was nice to be missed.
Plus, I've put some perspective on my previous thoughts. I do have friends, and we do hang out, just not as often as when I first moved back, but that makes me appreciate it more. I'll never forget one day I was at girl scout camp and the weather was ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL, slight breeze, about 65-70 degrees, blue skies. I was probably wearing jeans, a t-shirt and flip-flops :)and a couple was out there and I made the comment, "Isn't this such a beautiful day? I wish EVERYDAY could be like this," and the man said "Yes, but then we wouldn't appreciate it would we?" I don't know that I ever thought of it that way, I mean think about it, if everything was always good or happy, we would take it for granted. Just look at those spoiled kids on "Sweet 16" or whatever. I was thinking about stuff this morning that I was going to add to this blog, but it seems unimportant after this last paragraph. So instead I say to you, Thank you for being a part of my life, even if your only part is reading this blog. I wish you a blessed 2010. While making your resolutions, don't only think of yourself. Instead, think of what you can do to improve your life so that you may help others. - I know, I'm not sure where all these great thoughts are coming from, but I think it has to do with a year of blogging. Are you ready for another year? -

Who knew?!?

So to start off, lately I've really been missing my "Midland Family." They literally were my family and friends for 2 whole years, and it's been so wierd not seeing them at all! I had really hoped to visit them more, but with only 2 personal days and not a whole lot of cash, it just hasn't been possible. Well, after this evening, I'm reminded of why exactly I decided to move back to Amarillo. My brother had a jr. high christmas concert for band this evening- and I've NEVER made it to one of his concerts! So tonight, it turned out that I was able to go! Even though, they only played 2 songs, it was REALLY GREAT! I even got a button with his picture on it! The fun part really came afterwards when we went out to dinner with some other folks, friends of the family and such (they have kids the same age as Bobby.) Anywho, it was FUN!

Ok, so it's now like a week later and I'm finally coming back to finish the blog...(Sorry Neon)

Unfortunately I've forgotten what else I was going to blog about that day- I know it was good, but the moments passed.

I said I had some lists to blog and so I do. The first is ideas for resolutions for 2010 (FYI- no matter what the resolution- I WILL KEEP BLOGGING ............. ....................... ....................... ................. ...................... ............... okay you can stop cheering now so I can make my lists :)

1. Read at least one NEW BOOK a month and blog about it, without giving any endings away of course. I think this will help add balance to my reading habits, plus help my vocabulary for the AFOQT.

2. Write a letter instead of an email when I think of a friend. I like this one because I've been wanting to get a REAL ADDRESS BOOK [*CHRISTMAS IDEA*] and keep track of people's addresses, phone numbers and birthdays instead of relying on Facebook to do it for me. Plus it's an adult thing to have.

3. Perform at least one Random act of kindness a month and encourage my students to do the same. I'm pretty sure I'll be doing this one regardless of what other idea I choose...

So I had other ideas, but as usual, I've forgotten them. But in brainstorming, I've just gone back to the myspace blog I typed on Monday, Jan 19th of this year. It was what I called "pre-reflections" I will now add my reflections and reflect on my "pre-reflections" (that sentence makes me feel like Mark Reinart...haha)

Excerpt from Myspace Blog "Pre-reflections"

1. Maintain a realistic, stable budget for at least 8 months.
2. Create and Maintain a realistic, healthy, fun fitness plan
3. Have an organized apartment.
4. Have an organized classroom.
5. BE ORGANIZED!!
6. Go on a REAL date (You know the kind where you get all dressed up and the boy picks you up and you eat or watch a movie or play miniature golf or something. Yeah, i've never been on one of those before...)
7. Plan and save money for a REAL vacation (You know with friends/family and sightseeing and a hotel, plane trip and/or cab ride- I don't really care where either. I'd actually consider going alone with some good books and a camera..)
8. Acknowledge and CELEBRATE every birthday of friends, family or strangers!
9. Pay off my Visa Card.
10. Play on a softball team (Anybody down??)
11. Make a difference in at least ONE person's life in some way.
12. Perform at least 8 Random Acts of Kindness.
13. Put together photo albums of ALL of my pictures.
14. Have a Kick-Ass 25th Birthday Party! All of you are invited!!!!
15. Decrease at least 3 Sizes

REFLECTIONS ON "PRE-REFLECTIONS"

1. I DID IT! YEAH and on my new salary, that's impressive...
2. Sort of. It's created but my nutrition plan is maintained!!
3. In PROGRESS
4. In PROGRESS
5. In PROGRESS (come on, you can't be surprised by those 3...)
6. Still No, but really, it's a non-issue for me. A) I don't have time or money B) I'm hopefully going to be moving away in a year or two to join the USAF C)I'm too damn independent
7. Yeah, that's not going to happen on this salary. Although I will be going to Michigan in May for Duke's wedding AWESOME!
8. I think I did that, may have slacked during the summer, but I'm back on track now- sorry if I missed you- Happy Belated Birthday!
9. Hopefully...........someday
10. This year for sure- Young Adults? ANYONE? haha
11. I'd like to think so.......
12. Unfortunately, didn't happen but I've changed it to work this year
13. Couldn't afford it, have the albums though..
14. Um, did I? Oh, I was in Keller- that was pretty kick ass! and I did go to a Ranger's game!
15. Nope, WILL HAPPEN BY MAY OF THIS YEAR!!

The last one actually brings me to my next thought. I'm in need of a little competition. Not to say that I can't do it on my own, I just think it will be more fun if I have someone to compete with as I prepare to join the air Force. So if anyone would like to compete or if you have any ideas on how to set up my own "biggest loser" sort of thing- comment, email, text, write, whatever. Thanks :)

OH, on a personal note, little announcement: my classes are changing next semester to focus solely on Math. I'm trading my Advance Science class for an 8th grade Pre-Algebra class so that I can help more middle school students in my Math Mastery class. I'm not giving myself anytime to think about the stuff that I was planning to do with the science kids cause- well I'm not a robot and I'll get a little Emotional...I am getting excited about the Math Mastery class though! It'll give me a chance to help some struggling students and I already have all KINDS of ideas- thanks partly to the Math intervention we did at Jones last year. Plus, I've had one kid in there and he's gotten a little lazy. Adding kids in there should help that.

So, I'm halfway through Semester Tests- so far so good- which means I'm almost halfway through my first year at the new school. I've got to say while I miss EVERYONE AT JONES A WHOLE, WHOLE LOT, I feel very blessed. So thanks to all of you who have contributed to that blessed feeling this past year. I know it's been tough for a lot of you. I hope I've helped you as much as you have me. I hope shared blessings are continued with all of us. OKay, I think you guys get the point...there, right? "I love you. I'm thankful for you. I hope you're thankful for me" You'll probably get one more blog before the year is over, just cause I'll be sitting at home for like a week and I don't have enough money to do anything else BUT sit at home but I won't be able to blog in the next ten days so .. Merry Christmas!!!!

Nostalgia

Hello, I'm sorry that it's already the 2nd of December and I haven't blogged yet! I don't want to keep the readers waiting! I have had a very interesting December already! So let me start by telling you about today!



A couple of weeks ago, our school librarian told me she had been looking through an old Alamo Catholic High School yearbook from the 60's and found an "Elizabeth Pace" and wanted to know if I was related to her. Well I knew that I was named after my grandma, but what I didn't know was that she worked there when my dad and aunt went there. Well, I forgot about it for a while, until today I asked her if I could look at it. It turns out it was from 1968, my dad's senior year and aunt's 8th grade year. So I found one picture of my grandma, a couple of my dad- one of which he is hanging off a horse sideways playing baseball, and a few of my Aunt Mary.

Sorry the pictures aren't that great, but I took them with my iPhone, from a yearbook, so...

Well, the fun didn't stop there today! I was hanging out in the office this afternoon and our superintendent, Bernice Noggler, was in there along with another lady, Darla Mueller, who's helping us with our accreditation. I've talked to Darla a couple of times before cause she's often there in the afternoons when I have an off period- but I'm getting sidetracked, that's not the point of this story. So, as Bernice was leaving she asked me which Pace's I belonged to. I hestitated thinking, "Oh goodness, should I just say I'm not Sam's daughter," but before I could answer she said, "Because we used to have some Pace's over at St. Laurence." I said, "Oh yeah, that's us. Donald and Elizabeth are my grandparents. David is my dad." "Oh yes, I knew them." Well she got a little distracted but I don't meet many people who knew grandma and grandpa so I brought it back around and said, "So you knew my grandma and grandpa?" She said, "Oh yes, I even taught a couple of the Pace's." I named my aunts and uncles and just had to look like a big dork cause I had a huge smile the whole time she was talking. So I explained to her why I was so interested, that grandma had passed away 2 weeks before I was born and grandpa when I was just a year and a half, so I always like to hear things about them. She said "Well, I'll tell you something. If you wanted to know who it was that supported that school (ACHS) and did it well back in those days, people would say the Pace's and (she named a bunch of other names, but I don't remember any of them now- sorry). Those people worked hard to support the school and their children. Not many people do that now, but those people did and your grandma and grandpa were some of those people." (!!!!!!!!!!!!) How cool is that? I always love to hear nice things about my family, and most especially the ones that aren't around anymore.

On to other things, Thanksgiving was pretty good, it was my first "official adult Thanksgiving." The last couple of years we've gone to either Dallas or Houston, so even though I lived on my own, it was unofficial. But this year, since we didn't go anywhere, it was official. It was cool. I know it's not really that big of a deal. I didn't have to stay AT my parents' house, but I got to see them. Oh, except, I let my sister talk me into going shopping on Black Friday. We ended up going to Toys R Us at Midnight which was Madness! Left there after standing in line for 1 and 1/2 hours, to go wait in line at Kohl's so we could be there for their 4 am opening! Which was also madness, people were RUNNING through the store! We left there about 6 am and all went home and went to bed! Did I mention that I hadn't taken a nap all day and my sister worked the Thanksgiving day from about 5:30 am to 7:30 pm? Oh yeah, we were exhausted! Well, when I woke up, I decided to go to Target cause that's where I REALLY wanted to go! And I'm glad I did cause I got almost all of my shopping done after that! Plus it wasn't nearly as crazy nor was I quite as tired!

Well, I don't really have much else to say right now. My next blog will be a few lists that I'm going to share, one of which is a list of ideas for NEXT year's resolution! :)

Have a delightful December! I hope you are staying Warm- wherever you may be :)