Yes, I am still here...

Hello all. I am still alive and kickin'. This has just been very busy year so I haven't had a whole lot of free time to get on here. But let me catch you up to speed...

First grade is getting better everyday. It is so neat to watch their young minds grow. I have some very sweet little ones and some little stinkers mixed in..but I love them all just the same.

The pommies are great too. We all survived the busiest November to date...and they did so beautifully. Between the two squads, we are getting ready for 4 halftimes and a few timeouts... But basketball season is officially here so maybe things will slow down just a little bit. Maybe.

I really appreciate my family and friends (Reece) being so understanding with my schedule and occasional crankiness. Occasional. You are all wonderful and I am blessed.

Happy Birthday Reece!

I am a little late...but I still want to publicy wish my wonderful boyfriend Reece a "happy birthday." We had a great birthday celebration week...Much like your average celebrity, Reece had 3 birthday parties...4 if you count the one at Tyson. I wish I had moore footage of the events. You will have to visit the hopper house for that.

Either way, Reece had a great 24th birthday. It is so great to watch people celebrate the man you love. Gosh I am so blessed to have Reece in my life. Love you.

Happy Birthday Dad!

Today is my Dad, George's, 55 birthday! He came up Thursday and we have celebrated all weekend! Saturday he went to get a routine haircut and came out...mustache-less! His response..."when you turn 55 you gotta embrace your youth." Oh Dad...haha
I am so lucky to have such and wonderful father. I can't even begin to describe how much I love and respect him. He's a good man, that George Palmer. And I'm lucky to be his little girl. Love you, Dad! Happy Birthday!

pom camp, flying solo, and lots of meetings

Well we are all back and survived Pom Camp '09...The girls did a great job and represented the U of A so well. Here's a list of all their awards (sorry I have to brag just a little): 4th place home routine, superior trophy for "blue ribbons", superior trophy for home fight song, a program improvement award (thank ya very much), and most importantly Most Collegiate!
Wow! I'm very proud of the girls and their positive attitudes. Watch out football season, here we come!

I flew back from camp early...my first time to fly by myself...I was just a little bit nervous. I accidentally told several fellow travelers that I'd never flown solo...oops. I made a friend on the first flight and thankfully made my connection in Memphis. Phew! What an adventure.

This week I have been attending meetings for first year teachers. Surprisingly, the 8-3 meetings haven't been all that bad. I am really looking forward to working in Bentonville.

This weekend I have alot to do in my classroom...and when I say alot I mean ALOT. and....Reece has the annual Tyson Softball Tournament this weekend...Go Deli Dawgs! :)

Dust off the pom poms...its work week.

Yep. Summer 2009 is drawing to a close and the new pom year has arrived. Tomorrow the 24 girls will arrive excited (I hope) and ready to practice those fight songs and swing marches...lung 1, head pop 2, clap 3, run 4, shake 5, wink 6, 7, 8. Okay thats not really a dance...I just made it up on the spot...and just kidding about the winks. ;)
While the exact schedule of the week is still up in the air it is not unusual to practice two or three times each day until we leave for camp in Milwaukee on the 31st. Just a side note...I will be moving some things into my new classroom this week too (WOO HOO...very excited!)
Even though workweek is busy and hectic, I am excited to see the fresh crop of pommies and get the season started!

GO HOGS!

"What Becomes of the Broken Hearted" by E. Lynn Harris

The Razorback Spirit family is mourning the loss of our volunteer cheer coach and friend, E. Lynn Harris. The Best-selling author and avid Razorback fan passed away last night after suffering from a heart attack. E. Lynn had the most generous spirit and giving heart. He showered each squad member with love and treated us like his own. All day today, I have replayed various conversations and exchanges with him. Our Razorback family was blessed by his generous and kind-hearted ways. He will be forever missed...but we are forever touched.

"What Becomes of The Broken Hearted" is E. Lynns touching memoir about growing up and facing challenges and adversities.

Roomies

Donna, Me, & Jamie 2006

Recently, I moved into a new apartment. With this move came the end of an era. You see I lived with two of my best friends for four years. Yes, you heard right, FOUR years. Almost unheard of in the girl world. Our friendship began during freshman year when we all pledged the same sorority and became "baby angels." We all had separate lives that year...I knew Jamie, and Jamie knew Donna...but when we moved into the house sophomore year our friendship took off immediately. Inseparable from day 1. Oh boy did I have fun with those girls. Our sophomore year was one of a kind. Wonderful memories that are bringing a smile to my face even as I am typing. It only got better when we moved into our very own apartment the following year. What big girls we were...and what a family we had become. We lived at the apartment on Mount Comfort for three years. I have experienced so much with these girls: joy, laughter, tears, firsts, birthdays, trips...oh I could go on and on. Jamie and I can rap the entire "Grillz" song...I'll never forget my first date with Reece...Donna called and said, "If you are having a good time say the word, octopus." so of course I said octopus in the middle of our date...how funny. I love these girls with all of my heart. I cherish the multitude of memories and I am very excited to see what the future has in store for all of us...no matter what these girls will always be my roomies. "Lizards for life. Love ya. bye."