Why...

...do people feel the need to cover their entire yard with darn light up inflatables?  I have never been a fan of these since the first one I saw.  I don't know what the attraction is to them.  My neighbors down the street have a giant santa sitting in boat fishing...tell me how does that say "Merry Christmas"? 

...do people feel the need to "dress up" their cars like Christmas creatures?  I have seen the reindeer cars many, many times in the past, I have seen the wreath stuck to the front of the car like road kill (side note on that...do you save the wreath year after year or get a new one?  I mean the thought of the shear number of bugs stuck inside that thing just grosses me out!!!!!), but this morning I saw a new one...a car was "dressed" as an elf.  It took me a moment to decifer what was going on because all I saw were the ears...Folks, trust me on this one...it was horrible!!!!

...do the makers of movies make Christmas movies that make you cry?!?!?!? Christmas is a happy time of year...lets make movies that reflect that!!!  I watched the movie "The Christmas Shoes" last night.  Let me say, I cried for a good 45 minutes of that movie!!!  Now if you know me, you know that I am not one to cry.  I was a blubbery, snotty nosed, puffy eyed mess after that movie was over.  I was just glad that it was Monday and I had recorded "Accidently on Purpose" and "Big Bang Theory" because I needed a good laugh!!!

My new addiction...

Many of you may know about my addiction to reality shows, some of you may not.  I think I have made mention of it in the past.  But whatever the case may be, I am addicted to reality shows.  I am more of a sucker for them if there is a guy on them that I find attractive.  My newest obsession addiction is "storm chaser" on Discovery channel.  I am terribly intrigued by these guys passion to chase and catch the "perfect storm" on video.  They are fascinating.  And it doesn't hurt that I am midly attracted to one of the chasers, Mr. Reed Timmer.  Now, I must admit that I am convinced that he does not have a woman in his life, because of a picture that is on one/many websites...

And this my friends is the photo...No woman in his life would have allowed this cheesy-ness to go on any website!  But yet, for some mysterious reason, I still find him attractive. 

Randa's Guide to Driving...

As I was driving to school this morning, I realized that there are some people that just need a guide to driving (not that any of them will actually read this...but it makes me feel better just putting it out there in the universe). Maybe one day I will publish this in phamplet form and distribute it in a very crowded parking lot around Christmas time...

1. Just to make sure we all know...the long slender, vertical pedal on the right is what makes the car go, not the horizontal pedal in the middle. That horizontal pedal actually makes the car stop or slow down.


2. When entering or exiting the highway, no matter what you have been previously taught, it is NOT okay to push on your brakes (a.k.a. the pedal that makes your car stop)---Merge and accelerate people!


3. When turning your vehicle, it is not necessary to come to a complete stop before actually turning the wheel.


4. Going along with #3...When turning your vehicle, it is usually...correction ALWAYS a good idea to turn on your blinker to indicate your intentions. Rather than just slowing down and then coming to a complete stop and then turning your wheel (see #3). Last time I checked blinkers come as a standard feature on all vehicle, you don't have to pay extra for it...so that means USE IT!!!


5. When cruising down the highway DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT apply your brakes for no reason. Now I do understand that there are times in which applying the brake may be necessary, but when there is no one around you, in front of you, etc and you apply the brake, it makes me concerned for your mental well-being. Did you imagine something jumping out in front of you?


6. If you are going to go slow, then stay to the right...don't stay in the left lane and expect everyone to go around.


7. Adding on to #6...if you notice that everyone is passing you, have the decency to move over!

Ok...I think I am done ranting and raving...I mean, helping others know the rules of driving. I am certain there will be more to come!

Let's play catch up...

First of all let me say that I am terribly sorry that I have not been keeping up with this. I have been off for the summer and just not really been up to blogging. For those of you that care...her are some things that have occured over the summer (in no particular order):

1) I "taught" summer school. I was in charge of one of the computer labs, so I had 4 classes a day for 30 minutes each...not a bad gig.

2) While "teaching" summer school, one of the other teachers decided that I needed a man and she was going to assist me with that matter. In order to assist, she created not one but three profiles for me on three different dating websites, which leads me to number 3.

3) I went on a date with a guy from one of the sites. The date was literally 50 minutes from start to finish. Bless his heart, he was shy or something...he didn't talk. And if any of you know me, you know I enjoy the talking. Literally every conversation that was started was initiated by me...not a good experience.

4) Spent the Saturday after my birthday with some of the most amazing women ever!!! Three of my dearest friends from college and three of my dearest friends from now all gathered together at my house for some good old fashioned fun! And let me tell you fun was had by all! I laughed so hard that day! I love those ladies!

And really folks, that is about all. So sorry there is not more exitement for you...but I will try to keep you all updated on the excitement which is my life.

It's not okay...

Have I come to a point in my life that I no longer am surprised by the actions of people? I know that I have not experienced as much as some in my life, but I feel the experiences I have had are what make me who I am. Some of those experiences are good, and i would not change them for the world. Others, I would not wish on anyone. Have those added together made me calloused? In the last year, things have happened either to me, my family or my friends, and honestly I can't say most of it surprised me. I can almost say I didn't have much of a reaction. This is not okay!!!! I want my emotions to be sincere. Sometimes I feel that I am reacting a certain way because that is what is expected.

Now, don't get me wrong and think that every emotion, everything that comes out of my mouth is fake, because it isn't...I do genuinely care about those in my life that are closest to me, just sometimes have a hard time reacting/feeling the way that I am "supposed to".

Tagged (again)...

Thanks Angie for tagging me in this wonderful world of blogging. And since I am sitting at work with NOTHING to do, why not...

Here are my 8 things:

8 things I am Looking Forward To:

1. Paying off student loans
2. Having a restful summer
3. Seeing my niece grow up
4. Seeing what the future holds
5. Letting God take control (I am always working on this, and don't know if it will ever really happen, but I am looking forward to it happening)
6. Texas Rangers baseball
7. The year that I don't have to attend multiple weddings
8. Being out of debt

8 Things I Did Yesterday:

1. Finished my 5th year of teaching
2. Took a nap
3. Watched "So you think you can dance"
4. Had a few text message conversations
5. Made a fantastic salad for dinner
6. Thought about mowing the lawn
7. Emptied the dishwasher
8. Got everything done at work that I needed to get done, so I have nothing to do today.

8 Things I Wish I Could Do:

1. Not be afraid of the unknown
2. Have a little more self-discipline
3. Quit talking about stuff and actually do it
4. Go out of the country
5. Find my "Prince Charming"
6. Renovate my house
7. Take chances
8. Find a summer job

8 Shows I watch:

1. The Office (oh how I love John Krasinski)
2. Ace of Cakes
3. Law & Order:SVU
4. American Idol
5. Survivor
6. The Amazing Race
7. CSI
8. The Bachelor/Bachelorette

8 People I tag:

1. Anna
2. Andrea
3. Kandy

...sadly that is all I can think of....

Pictures as promised...

So...here are a few photographs from the Memorial Day trip to Arkansas to visit the sister and her family...

After we got there, my sister wanted to go visit a place that had a "Natural Bridge"...so away we went. Arkansas is FULL of hills...and on the way to the "Natural Bridge" those hills showed up in full force. As we were going down a very steep hill, the car decided to not want the brakes to work...fine timing I know...

Me and the sister on the randomly placed picnic tables in the "park"


Me and the sister and Aileigh in front of a cave (which only went back about 5 feet...maybe). We could never get a picture with Aileigh looking at the camera, she was too worried about the bugs.


This wagon wheel was in front of the "park" so how about some good 'ole fashioned fun!


A little peaking out from behind the trees action...
My mom thought this was the GREATEST picture ever. We were in Conway, AR...home of Kris Allen, American Idol winner. We went to eat at the Waffle House...I guess when in Rome...and they had this on the window...my mom then found it very entertaining that the window stated "We love Kris" and then my brother-in-law (Allen) was also in the picture...

Outside our hotel in Clinton, AR...Aileigh insisted that my father (her poppa) and me take a picture with her...we can't disappoint the niece.

Ailiegh in her Rangers shirt with her favorite dog...Daisy.

An attempt to get a picture in front of the ballpark in the Rangers shirt holding up a #1...Aileigh couldn't quite get just one finger up.


My momma and niece kind of in front of the ballpark.

Aileigh standing in front of the new Cowboys stadium...