VERY belated birthday wishes!

A very very very happy birthday to my Papa (it was on the 2nd)! I have been a bad blogger, but that doesn't mean birthday vibes weren't sent his way! ;) We have a birthday date tomorrow night. Pizza and American Idol. Yay. Here are some pics from his birthday celebration over the weekend at Petit Jean (an awesome birthday tradition, this is year #2). We had a great time- lots of good food, playing cards, and time with the fam. And it was GORGEOUS over the weekend. So HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Papa Bear. Love you muchly!!

More fun times...

After Petit Jean, Jeremy, Katie, Megan, Shane, and I went to see Lucero at the Village. I almost didn't go (gasp), but I'm glad I did. It was a great show (as always). They had the slide guitar guy from Glossary play along with them, and it was great.







.... And on Sunday we bid congratulations to all the marathon people. We drove around and tried to find them (to no avail), but it was a gorgeous day anyway, and we got to cheer others on. ;) Congrats to Karl for running the whole thing and Judith and Julie for walking the whole thing. AMAZING. Cody also ran the half marathon. IMPRESSIVE, guys. Congrats!!!

Say it ain't so.

Looks like my grandkids are going to have to migrate north by the year 2100. I know they will inherit from me a HUGE problem with what may come. Click to to read why.

Yeaaah boooooy

Aw. Look how teeny tiny Zoey was! I came across this picture today and had to share (she says with a tear in her eye). They grow so fast, don't they? Weekend update:
*Got to see Chandle and David!
*Joe is heading back to New Zealand, (yeah, click on the link, it will brighten your day, I mean it) so we had to say farewell to him this weekend
*Got to celebrate Trevor's bday! Happy birthday to him!
*Got to see Kristen and JR's new house (spoiler alert: it's a cute one! Hoooooray for them! Congrats! I loved it!)
*Our old youth group director, Brenda, is leaving CLS, so we went to a dinner for her last night. She took us allllllll over the place in high school (and slightly beyond high school...) from Toronto to south o' the border. She will be missed greatly.
*Got to eat lunch with my old CLS yearbook crew on Saturday. It was really nice to visit. And even nicer to not share a deadline with them! ;)
*Oh yeah, I filed my taxes on Friday. Sigh.. that feels better. Ugh, I hate it so. But I'm gettin' some mooooooolah back.

Overall, goooooood any busy weekend! My week is not quite as busy as it has been the past few, so gimme a hollar. I'm around! ;)

Wine o' the week

From the website...
Casillero del Diablo offers wine lovers the very special opportunity to participate in the propagation of a century old legend known throughout the world. In the 19th century, the founder of Concha y Toro, Don Melchor, discovered that his vineyard workers were sampling his greatest wines. To discourage this action, Don Melchor spread the rumor that his deepest, darkest cellar was the Casillero del Diablo (Cellar of the Devil), so that no one would dare go in there. It worked, and a legend was born. Today, this mysterious and legendary cellar continues to hold the finest, estate grown wines of Casillero del Diablo.

We've tried two of them, and this is the one we like best (they're both cheap- around $10!)

CARMÉNÈRE

	Region:	Rapel Valley, Chile
	Grape Varieties:	85% Carménère, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Syrah
	Production Technique:	The grapes are hand and mechanically harvested. 70% of the wine is aged in American oak for 8 months, 30% is aged in stainless steel for 8 months.
	Description:	Color: Dark and deep crimson red. Bouquet: Luscious fruit flavors: Dark plums and chocolate with hints of coffee and toasty American oak. Taste: Notes of dark plums and spice, generously framed by toasty American oak with a soft and well structured mouthfilling texture. Alcohol Content: 14.0% Total Acidity: 4.82g/l
Dark red crimson color. Notes of plums, black fruit, chocolate and spice on the nose. It is a well-balanced, round wine with firm tannins. Casillero del Diablo Carménère is excellent with fresh light dishes based in meats, vegetables and fresh herbs. Also a good accompaniment to ripe cheeses such as Gouda, Gruyere or a dry goat cheese.

Mmm, Gouda- my tummy just growled. Gimme Gouda.

Well, that figures

This is me after I got my test back today. Just kidding- this is me in NOLA after tasting the Hand Grenade. But seriously, 79% on that beast, folks. That's alllllllllllmost a B, so I feel pretty ok with it. I was one of the higher grades, and I think that should tell you something about the test. ICK. Now I know and will use that knowledge to beat the next test into submission. Niner.

I'm alive... barely

Just wanted to check in and let you know that I'm here... and breathing... Is it REALLY only Tuesday? This week has been killer, perhaps because preparation for this week began last Thursday. I emerged from the studies only long enough to go see Big Smith on Saturday at the Rev Room. I had never seen them live before, and it was great. Exactly what I needed. A washboard-bluegrass-good-ol-time.
Today I took perhaps the hardest test of my lifetime (regular test, I mean). Here are your choices:
a.)
b.)
c.)
a and b)
b and c)
a, b, and c)
or none

Yeeeeaaaaaaooooow. I can't do those... Reminds me of Dr. Owen's biology class my first year of undergrad (did my eye just twitch??). By the time multiple choice was over, I could just barely make it through the essay portion.
I did it to myself folks. I brought it all on myself (school full-time again). ;)

Wine makes a comeback!

Wine o' the week has taken a backseat in the past few months due to all that dang studying I've been doing. FORTUNATELY, wine has not taken a backseat in my life. ;) SouthBeach has "forced" (oh, I'm kickin' and screamin') me to get back into it. So here we go again! I've got quite an arsenal... This week's wine- Root: 1 Cabernet Sauvignon (a berfday gift from my sister)!

*85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Syrah (California's way of saying "shiraz")
*Rich in color with dark cherry, black currant, and chocolate notes
*Pair it with cheese, pasta with red sauce, steak, ribs, and that leftover V-day chocolate that you have.
*Very reasonably priced and very very tasty- I think I like almost all of them that have "chocolate notes"... Makes the color really dark and the flavor fantastic! Enjoy!
*PS, they also have a Sauvignon Blanc, which I will be looking for very soon. ;)

NASP and NOLA and ChandleDavid

I have returned to the great state of Arkansas safely! Wednesday through Friday I attended the school psychology conference in New Orleans, and then after that visited Chandle and David in Baton Rouge (I didn't take ONE picture, I can't believe it. Horrible person.). Had a BLAST and am completely worn out now. SO glad I got to see Chandle and David, though!!! Their house is beautiful and they got themselves a nice little town down there! Here are some pics from NOLA.... This one is in one of the cemetaries, and I really liked the way it came out.
The first night, we went on a ghost tour ($16, I highly recommend it). Some of the stories were a little weak, but THIS ONE freaked me out. If you're feeling brave, you can read (sort of) about it here. I don't care what you say, I see an ORB! There are lots in the pictures I took of this house but none of the other pictures..... (check it on facebook) and they are in different places. I swear. Call me a believer! Regardless, this story freaked me out. ;)

Dinner at the House of Blues.... I ate a trillion po'boys this past week (there goes my diet). Mmmmmmmmmmmmm!

And you get one picture of Bourbon St. Not quite as crazy as the time I went in '03 (with my ladies), but fun nevertheless.

Now on to some craaaaaaaazy weeks for school.... if you don't hear from me, it's because I'm buried in schoolwork. Call me. ;)

Hey, kids

Whew! LOTS of stuff going on! Sorry I have been slightly absent from the blogosphere, I shall try to do better! Here's a list:
*A very very happy (only slightly belated) birthday to the fabulous Miss Leah! I hope you had a great one, even if working! Much much love!
*This weekend we went camping at White Rock in the NWA (Northwest AR, for those of you who aren't on the up-and-up). These are pics from that excursion. The weather was awesome- not too cold at all while sleeping! The dogs loved it, as evidenced by the last doggies-passed-out-picture.
*School is reallllly kicking into gear. Good Lord, I have a million things due in the next couple weeks! Eeeeeeeeeek!
*I am leaving on Wednesday to head to New Orleans! It is the day after Fat Tuesday, yes, but that's not my reason for going (I swear)- it's a National Association of School Psychologists (of which I am a member) conference. We'll be there through the weekend then Jeremy is meeting me and we'll visit Chandle and David over the weekend in Baton Rouge!
*SPEAKING of David and Chandle.... while we were in NWA, we stopped in Siloam Springs for a reception her folks put on for her (pictures below). We even got to see V for a minute. Great times!

Congrats to Chandle and David!

Chandle's grandmama made them a wedding cake and a groom's cake. Super cute- my favorite part is that the groom's cake has Rocky's face on it. ;)

Awww.... yay! Congrats, you guys! Love to you both!!

Holla, holla!

I am officially DONE with the first 2 weeks of my diet (big sigh of relief)! That means I can start to eat some different foods (YAY!). Aaaaand (drumroll, please) I have lost NINE whopping pounds. Cheeeeeeer! Here I go on Phase II....!
Hope everyone had a good weekend. I will have a better update soon.

Feliz Cumpleanos A Nosotros!!

Happy birthday to Miss KJ, one of my favoritest people in the whole wide world!! Hope your day is fabulous!!

Happy berfday to us!

One of the perks of all having birthdays within a couple of days of each other is that we get to have a big celebration alllllll together alllllll at once! Kristen and I celebrate tomorrow... JR is Thursday... and Leah is next weekend! Regardless, it is ALWAYS a plus to find an excuse to all hang out. :D Happy (early) birthday to you guys!!
I liked this one cause it's all firepit-y. And they're adorable.
Ummmm yes, they are too....
DITTO. :D

Glad to see these girls there!

Mas fotos...

For your entertainment on this Monday...

Hey kids-
Here's a clip from Flight of the Conchords, the new source of my obsession. I think about it randomly, and it makes me laugh. I had to let go of the first disc and send it back to Blockbuster, but I'm waiting patiently for the second one to arrive soon. Enjoy. Yes, they say "motherflippin."
Pictures to come from birthday festivities... (the real day is Wednesday)!

Soy un perdedor... I'm a loser baby

Yesterday kicked off the beginning of the Biggest Loser for me, Elizabeth, and Kara (from school). We're competing with each other for 3 months to see who can lose the most weight. Here are some of the rules:

1. Follow any diet you choose. You gotta eat (that's not fair, some of us don't have self-restraint). I have chosen South Beach once again!

2. MINIMUM 150 minutes of exercise a week. Not too much, but when you haven't really been doin anything...! I did step class last night. Ahhh I missed it, and AHHHHHH my calves hurt!

3. Food journal. And exercise journal. Reminds me of when I had to do that for Dr. Bolter's class in undergrad with Chandle. HA!

4. Weekly weigh-ins. Occur Sundays. I shall keep you posted on how I do... EEK.

5. Winner gets some moolah. Wish me luck. ;) At the beginning of APRIL. I have a long way to go.... BUT...........

When I get done, I'm buying a wedding dress! ;) YAY!

JUST in case you were wondering...

What in the world IS Elizabeth going to school for? Nope, I won't be a school counselor (turns out there's a difference, who knew?). Don't be surprised this semester if I want to borrow you or your kid for IQ testing. :D If you're bored today... here's my "job description" (stolen from the official website):

What School Psychologists Do

School psychologists work to find the best solution for each student and situation; they use different strategies to address student needs and to improve school and district-wide support systems.

School psychologists work with students individually and in groups. They also develop programs to train teachers and parents about effective teaching and learning strategies, techniques to manage behavior at home and in the classroom, working with students with disabilities or with special talents, addressing abuse of drugs and other substances, and preventing and managing crises.

In addition, most school psychologists provide the following services.

Consultation

• Collaborate with teachers, parents, and administrators to find effective solutions to learning and behavior problems.
• Help others understand child development and how it affects learning and behavior.
• Strengthen working relationships between teachers, parents, and service providers in the community.

Evaluation

• Evaluate eligibility for special services.
• Assess academic skills and aptitude for learning.
• Determine social-emotional development and mental health status.
• Evaluate learning environments.

Intervention

• Provide psychological counseling to help resolve interpersonal or family problems that interfere with school performance.
• Work directly with children and their families to help resolve problems in adjustment and learning.
• Provide training in social skills and anger management.
• Help families and schools manage crises such as death, illness, or community trauma.

Prevention

• Design programs for children at risk of failing at school.
• Promote tolerance, understanding, and appreciation of diversity within the school community.
• Develop programs to make schools safer and more effective learning environments.
• Collaborate with school staff and community agencies to provide services directed at improving psychological and physical health.
• Develop partnerships with parents and teachers to promote healthy school environments.

Research and Planning

• Evaluate the effectiveness of academic and behavior management programs.
• Identify and implement programs and strategies to improve schools.
• Use evidence-based research to develop and/or recommend effective interventions.

Now you know! In case you were wondering. Which you might not have been. :)

Oh, I almost forgot...

Check out me and my best friend Cory. This was from the Lucero show on the 28th at Whitewater. Jeremy, Ryan, and I caught the last 20 minutes or so of the show, just in time for things to get nuts and the whole band to go shirtless. HA. Anyway, here are some pictures of it.... Really, Cory and I are tight now. Ha ha.
Now THAT'S rock n' roll!

Ain't nothin but a gangsta party

Feeeelin' good today, so I've decided to do a list! Here we go!

• Chandle and David got married (this post is tragically late, so sorry)!!!! I am so incredibly happy for them, and the pictures are gorgeous... go see them on her bloggity. Congrats to both of them! They should be swinging back through the Rock Town todayish, so I can't wait to see them. Hoooooooooray for great friends getting married!
• Speaking of getting married.... it's official- we've booked a location! Our wedding will be on December 20, the ceremony at CLS, and the reception will be at Cade Hall at the 4-H Center! It's going to be beautiful, and I am SO excited! More details to come as I figure everything out. ;) I will start a wedding blog soon, fear not (I know you were worried!).
  
• I start my second semester of school tomorrow. Where, oh where, has my Christmas vacation gone?? I have homework already. No lie. I got the syllabus today. I must say that I am pretty pumped about the classes I'm taking this time around, though. Should be a fun semester, yes?
• Remember when I said Jeremy was sick over New Years? Yup, he has pneumonia. That's right. Send him get-well-soon vibes. Poor guy.
• I saw "Juno" this weekend, and it was super cute. I have "Flight of the Conchords" coming in the mail. Oh, and I got "Big Love, Season 1" and "Dawson's Creek, Season 4" to get through. It's a tough life....
• The election's getting fun, eh?
  
• Alrighty, I'm done now. I will be back at work starting tomorrow as well, so I will have faster internet. You can expect more frequent updates then. Peace out!
  

Happy New Year to all!

Happy New Year (slightly late, but the sentiment is still there)! This is the year we're getting married, which means it's going to be a FANTASTIC year. I cannot wait to get really going on some planning, but mostly I can't wait to marry the love of my life (ok, sorry, moving on....!)!
This New Year, in grand tradition, was spent at a cabin with a bunch o' folks. We went to Greer's Ferry (spelling, anyone?) this time around, and it was gorgeous. The cabin was beautiful and huge and spacious, and we were right on the lake. So much fun. Unfortunately, the two of us had a cold (Jeremy was a little worse off than me), so we didn't celebrate in true form. Oh well... it was still lots of fun. And brrrrrrrrrrrrrr was it cold!! I love it. Enjoy 2008, everyone. And bear with me because many of you will be hit up for help in arts and crafts time (aka, wedding stuff). Looking forward to it!!

MAS fotos!

Rockin' out to Guitar Hero. I kind of love it... don't tell. ;)




Here are some pics of the awesome cabin..... Yay!

This year's family portrait, ha! :D

Consider this your Christmas card (since I didn't send any out this year- whoops!). It would say:

Merry Christmas!
Love, Elizabeth, Jeremy, Parker, and Zoey

Christmas, Part I

Our whirlwind Christmas extravaganza kicked off on Saturday with a visit to Jeremy's Grandma's house for a drop-in party. That's Reese there on the top left, Jeremy and Grandma Jean top middle, and his nephew Ryan on the right. On Sunday we went to the zoo, which was so much fun. I haven't been in a really long time, and it's lots of fun to go in the winter because it's not very busy and the animals are out and about (it was sunny but chilly). Check it: Jeremy ACTUALLY talked me into going through the snake house (very quickly, with tears in my eyes, with a death-grip on his arm), but I did it. I'll never do it again. On to more festivities!