A Clean House, Part IV

The last room cleaned, the guest bedroom/computer room.


The guest room from the hallway


The computer (Yeah! everything is actually in its place for once!)


From the computer


My Schleicher County throw. I got it for Christmas one year. It's from my home town.



I only have two rooms left to clean: the guest bathroom and the utility room. Whenever I need to get things out of the way that don't have a home yet, they get thrown in the utility room. Hopefully soon I can get that cleaned as well.

A Clean House, Part III

More of the bedroom & bathroom




From the hallway


From the hallway



From the closet


Our clean bathroom!


Still the bathroom

A Clean House, Part II

I got to clean my kitchen and bedroom, as well. I also got a new china hutch to match my dining table. I figure it's all part of my birthday, Christmas, Anniversary, etc.

My new hutch


The kitchen from the back corner

My little Christmas tree on the sideboard


Our bedroom from the bathroom


Another of the bedroom. I forgot to get a closeup of my real birthday present. Reuben gave me a cedar chest. I had been wanting one for a long time.

A Clean House

Since I didn't have anything going on this past weekend, I decided to do some cleaning. Last weekend we had the Living Christmas Tree AND the Christmas Parade, and next weekend we have the Symphony, this WAS the only weekend I could really do it.

A Better Picture of the Christmas Tree and Bandit



The Living Room



More of the Living Room



I got new living room furniture, so I wanted to show it off!



Our stockings (we don't have a fireplace, so a bookshelf will have to do!)

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope everyone had an enjoyable time with their families. We didn't get out of school until 1 PM on Wednesday, so we didn't have any big plans. On Thursday we went to Abilene to eat with Reuben's grandparents, aunts & uncles, and cousins. We decided to take the two dogs with us. We have travelled with them before, but never both at the same time! It was an experience! Buddy rode in Reuben's lap while he drove, and Bandit slept in mine. We made it there in one piece and had a great time. We did cut our visit short because it started snowing hard. By the time we got home, we had eight inches of snow on the ground. It was so pretty! It's hard to believe that five days earlier it was 85 degrees outside!



Our house from the street


Bandit in the snow


Buddy in the snow



The boys and me





Since we got home sooner than we thought, I went ahead and put up the Christmas tree and decorations. Reuben protested some, but I did it anyway. I can't wait to put it up every year, but Reuben makes me wait until after Thanksgiving. I still have a Disney tree, but maybe next year I'll try and do something else. After that, I worked on cleaning my house. All of Reuben's brothers and his parents are coming here for Christmas this year, so I thought I'd get a head start. I have only cleaned 3 rooms so far: our bedroom and bathroom and the kitchen. I'm waiting on cleaning the living room because we bought a new living room set and the sofa isn't in yet. When I get everything looking decent, I'll post more pictures. I want it documented that I had a clean house at one time.
We are very excited to have everyone here. Most of all, we're glad we won't be driving. It's such a long drive, and we're getting too old to make it to Arkansas in one day! Plus, we'll get to show our two sisters-in-law around. Both of them are NOT Texans --Sara is an Arkansan and Kristina is from the North (I forget where!) so they need to experience Texas!



Our Christmas Tree

Yeah!!!!!

If you don't already know, football season is OVER for us as Big Spring High!!! I thought it would never end. We only won 3 games all year, but it was enough to put us in the playoffs. Only in West Texas sports do we reward mediocrity. So this past weekend we spent Saturday in Lubbock. It wasn't a total loss; I did get to go to the mall AND eat at Chic-Fil-A (if only Big Spring had one of those!). I got to go to the Disney Store as well, and Reuben got to buy some really special sunglasses -- ask him sometime about them!
After about 2 hours in the mall, we headed to Lowery Field for the game against Hereford. You'd think since it was November, the weather would be a bit on the cooler side -- NOPE! It was about 85 degrees at 2 PM and since we were all in black, it was HOT!! Oh well, I enjoyed the game as much as I could. All the pressure as off; who cares if the guard wasn't together, I wasn't going to worry about a thing. (Secretly I was praying we'd lose, but on the outside I was shouting "Go Steers!".) Fortunately for us, we lost the game, so Thanksgiving is saved.
Now we can go on with our "normal" lives. Fridays are free, I can go home at a decent hour, and I can move all the flags out of our office! Maybe we can even cook a meal at home now AND I can be more diligent at posting!

Hectic Days and Contest Time

Again, it has been a while since my last post; things around here have been pretty busy. Region marching contest is Saturday (20th) and then Area is next Saturday (27th). Marching rehearsals, sectionals, and flag practices have been taking up most of our time. It's times like these that I envy those elementary music teachers! I guess I can't complain, I signed up for this torture! But really I do enjoy what I'm doing most of the time. I have a pretty good guard this year--we've won the outstanding guard award at the Tall City Marching Festival (Midland) and the Abilene Wylie Marching Festival (both in the SAME day). We beat 5A schools like Permian, Midland High, Odessa High, and Abilene. I guess that means I'm doing SOMETHING right. Lately the wind has been a problem, though. The last two days winds have been over 30mph! Try tossing a flag in that! But my girls have been doing okay.

The rest of the band is doing fine. I can't honestly comment on how they're doing, since most of the time I'm looking at the flags. Reuben is working hard out on the marching field trying to get people in step and facing the right direction! I guess I have the easier job--I only have 20 girls to watch; he has over 150! The band sounds really good, so maybe we have hope of going on to state. Unfortunately we're up against some good DFW schools and even some from El Paso (boy, I'd hate to live THERE). We'll find out next week. Wish us luck.

By the way, we have 3 games left in regular season. Can you believe we beat PLAINVIEW?!?! Now all we have to do is beat one more team to go to the playoffs. GREAT. I was getting excited that football season was almost over. I guess we had better not make plans for Thanksgiving!

I'm posting a video I did of the marching show with my digital camera. Hopefully, it will come out so you can see what we've been doing. It's mostly of the flags, but sometimes you can see what the band is doing. (That's if it works!)

My Turn

Okay, so I haven't posted in a while (almost a month), but I have been reading yours! I don't want to be left out, so here's my list:

Shannon's 100

1. I am 33 years old.
2. I was born September 6, 1974.
3. I have a twin sister named Shelly.
4. I was born first.
5. I was supposed to be a boy.
6. My name was going to be Shane Daniel.
7. My name now is Shannon Danielle.
8. I look like my mother. (I show pictures sometime later.)
9. I graduated from high school in 1993.
10. I went to the same school system from Kindergarten through 12th grade.
11. I was valedictorian of my class of 42.
12. I was in band from 5th grade all the way through.
13. I was going to play the clarinet.
14. My best friend Kace convinced me that I should play flute.
15. Therefore, I played the flute. (She later switched to the clarinet.)
16. I was first chair my senior year; Shelly was first chair our junior year.
17. We were very competetive.
18. We shared a room all our lives, until we moved out to college.
19. We had matching cars--1992 Dodge Shadows; mine was aqua blue, hers was red.
20. I was the state UIL spelling champion for 2A my senior year.
21. I made the All-State band my senior year as well.
22. I had my first boyfriend in the 8th grade--it didn't last.
23. I had my first REAL boyfriend my senior year. He broke my heart.
24. I dated more in college.
25. When I first met Reuben, I thought he was an egotistical jerk; but I thought he was cute.
26. I was wrong about him being a jerk.
27. We started dating July 21, 1996.
28. We got engaged November 5, 1998.
29. We were married July 18, 1999.
30. I wanted our wedding to be on July 25, 1999 because that is when my mom passed away. I thought it would be a happy way to remember the day.
31. I couldn't get it to work out.
32. I was a real Mama's girl.
34. I have her wedding dress next to mine in my hope chest.
35. My sister and I grew apart after my mom died.
36. Reuben took me to eat at Cheddar's and to see Independence Day for our first date.
37. We went to Cheddar's the night we got married.
38. We have never had a honeymoon.
39. I got my first teaching job in Coahoma two days before we got married.
40. We moved to Big Spring two days after we got married.
41. Oh, by the way, I graduated from Angelo State University in December 1999, 5 1/2 years after I started.
42. My degree is a Bachelors of Music, with all-level teaching certification.
43. I have only lived in 3 towns my whole life: Eldorado, San Angelo, and Big Spring.
44. I worked in Coahoma for 4 years.
45. This is my 5th year in Big Spring.
46. We lived in 3 different apartments before moving into a rent house.
47. We have been married for 8 years.
48. I am a year and 9 months older than Reuben.
49. I am only 1 minute older than my sister.
50. I have worn glasses/contacts since the 6th grade.
51. I have 2 dogs: Buddy, a jack russell/blue heeler/australian sheppard/? mix and Bandit, a piebald dachshund.
52. I treat them like my children.
53. My favorite thing to do is nap.
54. A close second is shopping.
55. I love chocolate.
56. I don't like coffee.
57. I love barbeque.
58. I don't particularly like to cook.
59. I really hate to clean up after I cook.
60. I can make really good lasagna (or so my mother-in-law says)
61. My favorite color is pink.
62. I am a disney fanatic.
63. My dream was to meet Mickey Mouse.
64. I met him in 2001 when the Coahoma band went to Disneyworld.
65. I cried when we left!
66. I own more disney movies than anyone I know.
67. I am the official movie provider for the Big Spring bands anytime we go on out-of-town trips.
68. I don't keep a neat & tidy house, but it's picked up--most of the time.
69. I hate dusting, too!
70. I like having lots of pictures of family around.
71. I have two other "sisters"; Sara, Andrew's wife and Christina, Jared's wife. (Both of Reuben's brothers.)
72. I rarely make our bed; only when I expect people to come by.
73. Right now I'm refereeing a fight between the "boys" Buddy & Bandit.
74. I have an aunt that is Japanese; her name is Kazuko and she's married to my Uncle Dan.
75. I was baptized catholic in 1974.
76. I was baptized by Rick in January 2006.
77. I lost faith in God after my Mom died in 1999.
78. I found it again (sort of) after my miscarriage in 2005.
79. I went through 4 round of superovulation meds with no luck.
80. I went through IVF in 2006. It failed.
81. We have decided to adopt.
82. I do not know where, when, or how yet.
83. I enjoy playing with other people's kids. (Ry, Ray, Reese, Will, Claire, etc.)
84. I do not want to do IFV again.
85. I enjoy 80's music.
86. I have played the flute for 22 years now!
87. I read Nicolas Sparks books.
88. I finished reading the Bible!
89. I actually understand most of it!
90. I have worked for Town & Country, Bealls, and Dillards while in college.
91. Sometimes those jobs seem easier than teaching!
92. I am blessed (or cursed!) with a 26 member colorguard this year.
93. I have written the routines for the last 3 years.
94. I do not get payed extra for doing it. (Darn it!)
95. I spend more time at school than I do at home.
96. I am at Goliad at 7:15 am and sometimes don't get home until almost 10 pm.
97. I do enjoy my job--most of the time.
98. I wish I could spend more time with Reuben away from school.
99. I miss my friends! (Harmony and Lauren, this is for you!)
100. I miss my MOM EVERY DAY!!!!! Not a day goes by that I don't think of her.

Hope you enjoyed! I probably could go on, but..............

46.

My "Boys"

10 Things I Love about my "boys"

Buddy
1. He always looks like he's smiling.
2. He will jump into your arms as soon as you walk through the door.
3. He's house trained!!!!
4. He gives good hugs.
5. He'll let you love on him (as long as it's early in the morning, or he's tired.)
6. He actually does like Bandit now.
7. He loves to play with his daddy (aka Reuben).
8. He knows how to apologize when he's done something wrong.
9. He doesn't mind going to the vet (actually he LOVES it).
10. He looks like a deer when he runs and jumps! (So graceful!)


Buddy as a pup (he's way bigger now)



Buddy actually posing with his mom



Bandit
1. He's so cute!!
2. His fur is so soft.
3. He is always excited to see his mom & dad.
4. He hops when he runs.
5. He loves to snuggle with me. (He curls up around my neck!)
6. He's not afraid of Buddy.
7. He's a good lap dog.
8. He follows me wherever I go.
9. I can carry him anywhere. (I've even taken him to Walmart.)
10. He has a look of "Don't I look cute?" on his face.


The one picture that turned out of me & the boys



Bandit doing what he does best -- look cute



Okay, I have three boys in the house, so I can't leave out the most important one:

REUBEN
1. He loves me unconditionally.
2. He'll rub my back or play with my hair when I'm feeling bad.
3. He has grown to love our two dogs.
4. He mows the lawn and takes out the trash -- two things I HATE doing.
5. He always gives me roses on my birthday, anniversary, and Valentine's day. (He knows I love flowers.)
6. He spoils me rotten.
7. He has the most adorable smile when he thinks he's being cute.
8. He's a great musician and teacher, even though he doesn't think so.
9. He supports me in whatever I do.
10. He's really good with kids: patient, kind, loving. He'll make a GREAT Dad one day.

A Trip to Mansfield

After a fun-filled first week of school (that will be ANOTHER post), Reuben, Bandit, and I headed out to Mansfield to visit the Mallett family. I had been having "kid withdrawal" for a while, so the 3 day weekend seemed like a perfect time. I was worried Raylee might have forgotten me, but my fears quickly vanished when we stepped through the front door. She ran to my arms and continued to pretty much stay there until we left on Monday.



Of course, we had to take our "baby" Bandit to meet our friends. Leland and Harmony had a dachshund named AJ that passed away recently, so they were in love with him, too. In fact, Leland offered to trade two little girls for the puppy! I would have taken him up on the offer, but I knew he was just kidding. (By the way, Leland, if you're still serious, just let me know!) Raylee really liked him but didn't know how to treat him just yet. To her, he was more like a doll than a living creature; but by the end of the trip, they were best buds.



I also got to see Ryland and baby Reese. My how she has grown!! She's such a sweet baby (but all of them are). I got to hold her a lot, but didn't get many pictures of her. Ryland really loves her a lot. He seems to be very proud of her. I also got to hear how kindergarten was. It's been so long since I was in that grade that I forgot what they actually do! Harmony told me about the school, and it seems really neat, even the drop off and pick up at the school!







We went to church with them on Sunday at the Mansfield Church of Christ. I have never seen so many children in my life! (Okay, I'm a school teacher, I guess I have.) Everyone seemed so nice and friendly. The service was nice, but differend than what we're used to; but then again, every church is different. After eating lunch, we all headed home for a much needed nap. Ray, Ry, Bandit, and I took a nap together. I was worn out! I don't know how Harmony does it with three kids. I can barely handle two dogs and a husband! She's a great mom, and I love her and am very grateful that she "shares" her kids with me. I was sad to go home like last time, but I didn't cry this time! I know we'll go back again whenever we can.
Thanks Leland & Harmony for letting us come to visit you!!

Acting Out

Okay, you know how I said our "first son", Buddy was adjusting well to the new puppy? Well, I may have to eat my words. Reuben and I came home from uniform check-out last Friday to a wonderful present waiting for us in the living room. No not THAT kind of present! Buddy had totally ripped apart my brand-new JC Penney catalog. I guess he's been feeling left out, and we have been keeping him indoors because of the heat. He must have some pent-up energy (or frustration). Yesterday, I came home from the first day of inservice to find yet another catalog shredded to pieces with Bud looking at me so innocently, "Who Me?!" And the final straw was coming home today to find a headband, chapstick, and earplugs chewed up in the living room, which he got from my nightstand. Oh, did I mention he also tore up his bed?! Our dog has issues!!! He has always been good with Bandit. He plays a little rough with him, but otherwise they both get along. I don't know what to do!!!



On the other hand, Bandit is doing great. I have ended up letting him sleep on my pillow next to me because I couldn't stand to hear him cry in his crate. I am SUCH a pushover. He is such a happy little guy. I have taken about 60 pictures so far. I guess I go a little overboard, but he's so CUTE. Reuben has even taken to him. I have even taken him to Walmart with me. (If Paris Hilton can do it, so can I!)



The boys "kissing"


Their best picture yet


Bandit and his Daddy

We're new parents!!!!

Okay, no one get too excited; it's not what you think. I finally, after years of whining and begging, got my dachshund puppy. He is a miniature piebald that I named Bandit. (I wanted his name to go with Buddy's, so my first pick of "Peanut" was out!!) I picked him up on Saturday, and I have had a ball since. He is so sweet and loving, just like my other dachshunds Ginger and Gretchen my family had while I was growing up. Buddy, our "first child" has even adjusted quite well. He has been very curious about the new pup, but he hasn't growled or nipped at him at all. Although, the only problem is, whatever Bandit has, Buddy wants! I guess it's just like having children, only they are furry!

Me and Bandit on his first day home.

Buddy and Bandit playing.

The boys posing.


Two tired pups.

The Chance Reunion, Take 2

Okay, so it didn't work the first time, so here it is again.

This past weekend we went to Panhandle, Tx for the Chance family reunion. We had people from all over there: Pittsburg, PA, Searcy, AR, Abilene, and Big Spring. Okay, most of the people were from Texas. We had a good time, and we got to see people we haven't seen since Reuben's brother Andrew's wedding. We did get to see some of them last year at his brother Jared's wedding, though. You'd think we would see his relatives that live in Abilene more, but we had to travel to Panhandle to see them!! Go figure.


This is 28 members of the Chance family. There are currently 40.


We also got to see Reuben's cousin Brittany's kids: Shaylee who's 4, and Kenton who's 1 1/2.

Reuben with Kenton.

Me with Kenton.

Here's one of me with Jared's wife, Kristina.

Me and Shaylee. Isn't she so pretty?! She always wants to play with Reuben and me. Her grandmother says she's a handful!

The Chance Family Reunion

I'm SAD!!

Okay, so the Malletts have officically moved to Mansfield. I am very happy for them, but also sad for us (well, REALLY ME) because I have become so attached to their three kids. I won't get to play hide and seek with Ryland; I won't get to have Raylee help me put on my makeup; and I won't get to hold Reese! What a bummer! Reuben will miss them, too.
We both cried when we finally pulled out of their driveway on Saturday morning......if we didn't leave then, we might never leave (which isn't a bad thing!!!). But, it was time to go. Luckily, Raylee was asleep or I might have never left her!!!! I can still see her sleeping on the couch in my night shirt. (She looks so cute in Pink, don't you think Harmony?)
Well, I guess we'll just have to make lots of trips to Mansfield!!

Our wedding

So you already know how we met, now you get the story of our famous wedding. First of all, Reuben and I had lived through my sister's "wedding extravaganza", so we decided to make ours as different as possible. Shelly's was expensive; ours was "frugal" (I wouldn't say cheap, but it definitey cost less). We (I mean "I") decided to have it outdoors in my hometown of Eldorado, Tx on the courthouse lawn. I only had two bridesmaids, whereas Shelly had 7. Reuben made both of this brothers the best men. My maid of honor was Heidi Bradley, my best friend from college. I made all the bouquets and boutonnieres, as well as the table decorations my self. I went to Hobby Lobby whenever they were having a sale! My wedding dress was made by Heidi's mom as my wedding gift. Reuben's parents paid for the rehearsal dinner and the wedding cakes, so after all was said and done, we only paid $1,500 of our own money!

The funny thing is:

Reuben had jokingly told me I could only spend $1,500 on the wedding! Little did he know how it would come true!