Mysteries

I just wanted to plug how wonderful my husband is. It's been a hard couple of weeks for us after a long summer: preparing for students, teaching, coaching, team games, lack of rest, etc. While you think that us teachers have it easier that most with summer vacations and other holidays, teaching is a lot of work and extremely tiring, and I think I forget how hard it is every new school year.

Shawn has noticed how tired and (more or less) "cranky" I've been, so he planned a great date for us last Friday (Fridays are our official date night). We promised each other to go out on a date once a week once we were married because it's so easy to get caught up in everything else going on, and we really want to try and keep our relationship fun, spontaneous, and well...just keep it!!

Shawn took me to Agatha's Dinner Theater downtown. I love theater in general, but this was incredibly fun and different. The package comes with a mystery show and a 5 course meal: appetizers, soup, salad, meal (options: chicken1, chicken2, filet mignon, salmon, veggie pasta), and dessert. Shawn ordered the beef, and I ordered the salmon, and we both clean our plates throughout the other courses. Did we mention how much we love to eat?!?! The food was delicious. As you enter, they give you an actual role in the production - Shawn was a Native American chief, and I was a singer...lucky me! In each play, there is a murder (hence the name mystery theater) and you're trying to figure out who in the audience is the killer. Between each act, they serve the food and give you about 10-15 minutes to eat and chat. The plays they perform make fun of actual plays, so the one we saw was called Annie Get Your Uzi! mocking Annie Get Your Gun! It was such a fun time, and the audience members were so hilarious. We are always trying to find new things to do in Atlanta, so here's a fun new thing! I believe they change the play every few months, so it's something we look forward to doing every now and then. Here are some pics from the night. Check out the website and reserve away!

Lost and Found

Hello everyone,

Shawn and I are in the middle of a desperate search for a home for a lost puppy/young dog. Lulu was rescued by a friend of ours a couple of weeks ago, but escaped again a few days later. She then returned to their house last week, so this dog is desperate to find a safe haven. Shawn and I offered to be foster parents to Lulu until we were able to find a home for her. Now a bit about her...

Lulu is a very young and innocent dog (she still has a few sharp puppy teeth, but most are adult teeth). While we can't figure out what breed she is, beside a good ol' classic mutt, we are guessing a mixture of lab, shephard, and possibly beagle? She is by far the most friendly, laid-back dog I have ever seen! We have only heard her bark a few times because she was playing with our dog Annabelle (which if you know Annabelle, you would bark too), and she whimpers a bit when she wants attention. Lulu is definitely a cuddler. She will either cuddle up right next to your legs, or she'll plop down in your lap, but either way she just loves to be loved by people. She basically made herself at home since the minute we brought her in the house, to include sleeping in bed with us. She seems to be house broken, but she definitely HATES the crate (trust us!). We're thinking she had bad experiences in her old home? Who knows, but we baby gate her in the house, so that seems to work. She is very clean (no scars, fleas, scabs, etc.) but we're not sure about her shot history.

Trust me when I say that Lulu would make an awesome addition to any home - big, small, with kids, without kids. I want to find her a trust-worthy home before we have to call animal control. I can't stand thinking about her in a cage waiting for adoption. While we would love to keep Lulu ourselves, we unfortunately have a very dominant dog who wants things her way or the highway. Shawn has actually debated taking Lulu over Annabelle, but I had to snap him out of it lol. We are also away from home more than we are at home, and we want Lulu to have the most attention possible in her new home!

Please: If you're not interested in having "another" dog or responsibility, or even if you don't like dogs, help us look for a couple or family who does! Lulu did not ask to be in this situation, so please help us find her a safe place to call home.

Here you go Mom

I promised my mom that I would show her my new haircut asap (following in my husband's footsteps), so here are some before & after pics.

I loved my long hair, but it was just....long! I felt like I (and it) needed a little "oomph."

Of course it's near impossible to re-create what the hair stylist did the night before, but I did my best.

**BTW Mom, I agree that it is definitely hard to take a "cute" pic of yourself. The angles were definitely off! And these I just settled for after 50 takes...or more! LOL***

Before pics

After...

with a bit more volume and shape!

A pleasant surprise

We wanted to share some pics of our little baby tree out front that blossomed recently.

Just when we thought that our landscaping was in need of a "pick-me-up,"
God gave us something pleasant and beautiful to smile about and appreciate.

Back-to-School time

As many of you know, Shawn grew his lovely locks out this summer to the point of no control. Despite my efforts to have him get a professional "styled" haircut (instead of the freebies he has given himself the last 10 yrs), he wanted me to cut his hair for back-to-school time.

So, thanks to my sturdy hand,

this...

turned to this...

Do not let the face fool you. We both actually love his new do, but you know Shawn isn't Shawn without playin' it up for the camera.

I hope these kids are ready for him.

Michael Phelps

Can I just say that this man is an amazing athlete? And not sore on the eyes either :^)

Never did I imagine myself saying that a swimmer could be the greatest athlete in the world, but I think he is proving to be just that.

There is a lot more gold in his future for these Olympic games...I hope.

Go USA!

Beijing Olympics

I am not sure how many of you are addicted to the Olympics like Shawn and I are, but I just had to share a few thoughts.

My family and I were living in Seoul, South Korea when the '88 Olympics took place there, and we were fortunate enough to attend several events. A small "claim-to-fame" for my mom: she was actually one of the Olympic torch runners during the ceremonies...Go Mom! I was obviously very young when we were there (5 yrs old), but there are some beautiful memories (many from pictures I'm sure) that are still very fresh and glorious in my mind.

Over the years, I have learned to appreciate, embrace and often times advocate for other cultures and peoples through my studies in college and the many travel opportunities I've had in my life. I have to say that the Olympic games truly touch my heart in so many aspects. There is something so amazing and heart-warming about the entire world, even countries we've never even heard of, coming together for one cause. No one cares about the physical or cultural differences of their competitors. Everyone is there to proudly represent their country, some even knowing that they have no chance at a medal. It just makes me wonder why the world cannot come together with such ease outside of the Olympic games.

If you have been watching since 08-08-08, you have probably seen many instances of people coming together, smiling and laughing with one another, taking pics of their favorite athletes (which are also their competitors) from other countries, cheering for one cause...it's as if the political views, anger, violence, etc. have paused for just a moment. Unfortunately, there have been a few acts of violence and political protests, but in the grand scheme of things, it just seems like a better world for 2.5 weeks.

I hope you all have the opportunity to see the Olympics for all the beauty it has to offer, rather than how many more golds we have than others. Share your thoughts with me...whether you agree or disagree!

GO USA!!!

and all athletes from around the world!!!