every new begininng...

...comes from some other beginning's end.

Today is my last day in the office I've been a part of for 1.7 years (according to human resources!). It doesn't seem like a long time in the grand scheme of things, but I started shortly after we moved to Louisiana, and it often feels like we've lived here for a very long time.

I have so enjoyed my time here - but it is entirely due to the people who make up this place. I have made friendships that have seeped beyond the edges of the office and will carry throughout my lifetime. I have had the joy of being "second mama" to the students who work for me as well as those that I work for.

This week I have been treated to parties and lunches and I hope to make a quiet (early) exit today. I am a very blessed woman.

To New Beginnings!

rainy day

Yesterday was Columbus Day. Also known as "Professional Staff Development Day" for the area schools. Also known as "Mom Stays Home With the Kids Day". It was great. I cooked, baked, cleaned, washed, organized, folded, put away, wiped down and caught up with the many things that I have let slide over the past few weeks.

The view from our very wet front porch

Homemade Soup

Chocolate Chip Granola - Pre-baking

Chocolate-Chip Banana Muffins

Twister-Movie Watching-GranolaEating-ChillingOut

I know, I'm a total dork. I can't help myself. Just be thankful that I didn't post pictures of the 10 loads of laundry, the spice cabinet I cleared out and the dozens of pairs of socks that I paid the kids to fold!

extra, extra! read all about it!

I love having news. Fortunately for me, our family has news to share more often than not. What can I say, we abide by the old adage, "the only constant is change".

But I also love giving little hints and trying to make you guess just what my news may be! Any takers??

Okay, I won't drag it out...

I got a new job. Yes! My news is "job news" and it's NOT about Kelly! My last day at Northwestern State will be Friday, October 16th (pretty soon, if you didn't notice). Monday the 19th will be my first day at NSU Elementary Lab School. I have been offered the position of school secretary (and I accepted, duh). Yes, this is Claire & Nolan's school. I will have 8 weeks off in the summer and share my children's school schedule & holidays (oh, Kelly's too!).

I am thrilled. Over the moon. Quite excited! It will be tough leaving my beloved co-workers and college students, but my new role will be THE perfect fit. Quite divine, actually.

So, there you have it. Just picture me at the desk, saying "Welcome to our school!". Yay!

Our Christmas Angel

It's official. We're southerners.

And to drive that point home, Claire participated in her first pageant this weekend. If you didn't already realize, southerners hold a pageant for EVERYTHING. Seriously. Just our little town is known to have a Meat Pie Queen, a City of Lights Queen, Miss Merry Christmas and Miss Teen Natchitoches. We like to celebrate. We have festivals. Lots of them. Every festival has a pageant. And every pageant has a queen.

This weekend was the Natchitoches Christmas Angels Pageant. One queen is chosen for pre-k through 8th grade, and Claire was a participant this year. She donned a snazzy black & white dress with a hot pink sash and made her way across the stage (with a pivot turn in the middle, of course). Miss Merry Christmas (the high school equivalent of this pageant's queen) announced Claire's hobbies, favorite food & color, her ambitions and Christmas list (plus more!).

Claire did great! She was a nervous wreck the evening before at the rehearsal, not knowing what to expect. I think we both regretted signing up for this thing on Saturday night. But Sunday afternoon, about halfway through the 2 1/2 hour (!) long event, she made her appearance. She was lovely and graceful, confident and poised. Our big downfall was the lack of pantyhose. Yeah, I know! But as I watched girl after girl make their entrance, there was not one bare leg in sight! Oops. Okay, so I'm not that southern. I don't even own pantyhose!

Ultimately, Claire was awarded 2nd runner up for the 3rd grade division, and we couldn't be prouder! The nerves passed and Claire declared that she wants to participate again next year!

Our Angel and her trophy

I don't have more photos because I lost our camera last Christmas and have been using an old one of my moms (hence the blurry pic above!). Argh! Hopefully I can find someone who took pictures at the event!!