TRIPLE Birthday!

Two of the most important people in my life are celebrating their birthdays today! And another important person (also one of the most important people in my life)celebrated his birthday 15 days ago and I am a bad sister in law and didn't post!

How fabulous is it that my mother was able to have her first and ONLY son on her birthday a quarter of a century ago!! What a great birthday present! So...I'm going to go in order...Oldest first:

Momma....You are the sunshine to our days. When things have been bad, you have made them better. I can't thank you enough for always being there for our family. I am truly blessed to have you for a mother. You've taught me so many life lessons and I admire you more than anything. Your strength and guidance have made me who I am today. Thank you for being the mother that you are....I love you

Preston....
I couldn't have been blessed with a better brother in law. You have always stuck by my side through everything! Walt was so right to choose you as his best man. You are truly a wonderful brother and a fabulous friend. Thank you so much for everything that you have done for me...I love you more than words can say!

Spencer.....
I've loved every minute of having you for a brother! We have shared secrets, bedrooms, clothes (yes clothes) and even chores! I'm lucky because you are so close in age to me, so I feel I had a big brother and a little brother. You've talked me out of dating certain people and encouraged me to follow my dreams. I'm blessed to have you in my life. I love you!

HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

OU vs. OSU

Football season is here...and living in Oklahoma is hard. I'm a Baylor fan and while I know that Baylor is not the best at football, we are great at tons of other things. But... while I am on the subject of OU and OSU football....Walt brought to my attention today something that was said during one of my classes the first year I was teaching in Oklahoma.
I had forgotten about this...but now that he mentioned it to me.... I knew I had to blog about it.
My 3rd grade class in Owasso was in the library and the librarian....whom I LOVE very much was so proud of the way they had acted during her lesson she wanted the kids to stand up and do a "celebration." Obviously this was a celebration that they had done before because they were excited about it....it went a little something like this...
OU are great! (imagine your arms making an "O" and a "U")
OSU are! (arms making an "O" "S" and "U")
I just about threw up in my mouth when she said this.... and to this day when I think about it, I almost throw up... this is one of the many joys of living in Oklahoma... GO BAYLOR! ha!

CAN'T WAIT!!

Friday Night=Stud Saturday Night=Dud

This weekend I drove to Tejas for so much needed mother/sister bonding time. I spent the night at my sweet friend Emily's house Thursday night, so that Gracie and I could leave right after school on Friday. This way I wouldn't have to back track to Owasso. I ended up making it to Dallas around 7:45. Poco and I then went and ate at Mattito's, and I proceeded to order a Rumba Rita... now this wouldn't normally be a big deal, but considering the fact that I eat lunch at school, (excuse me, I should call it brunch) at 10:46... I was a little food deprived. Well, halfway through dinner I decided that I definitely needed another one. Goodness were they yummy!

After dinner Poco and I met up with some of her friends and went to Uptown Bar and Pub and then finished the night at The Loon. I consider myself a HUGE trooper for staying out until the bartenders turned on all the lights and told us it was time to leave. We got home around 2:15ish...and for me to stay out that late on any night, much less a Friday night was a huge accomplishment.

Saturday I got up and went to work with Poco (correction, Poco got up and then about 2 hours later, I drove my tired butt out there) While I was getting ready I realized that I could not find my keys anywhere. Turns out when I was getting my wallet out on Friday night, my keys, ipod and my keys to the school slipped out of my purse. Thank goodness that my description fit the keys that the nice employees picked up. My mother came over to Poco's and we then went to NorthPark to go shopping. Of course with my mother you spend ALL DAY at the mall, and walk away with nothing. My mother is the type of shopper who finds all these really cute clothes, puts them on hold, and then once we walk out of the mall she then proceeds to say something like, "Oh goodness, I really wish I would have gotten that shirt. Hey, I think those pants would have been really cute, should I go back and get them? Nah... it's ok... Ill get them another time." I love her to death, but she can't make a decision for the life of her... and unfortunately, this has rubbed off on me! We then came home and watched the UT/Rice game, ordered pizza and I was soundly drifting off to sleep around 10:30. Obviously I can no longer hang.... if I stay out late one night, the next night is shot.

Sunday morning me, mom and Poco went to Highland Park United Methodist Church...after church we went to eat at Mi Cocina. As we were walking out Poco said to us, "Gosh, I feel like everyone is staring at me." Come to find out they were.... Poco had on a gold dress... and she had on one black patent shoe, and one gold one. My mom thought people were staring because her daughter's were so beautiful (such a proud mom thing to say)but in all reality it was because Poco looked like an idiot!

I had such a fabulous weekend. I love spending time with my family and when I go to visit mom and Poco they always think of all the right things to do to make me miss Dallas even more!

Me and Poco

I always have to have a pic like this!

SISTERS!

All the girls

Oh towards the end of the night... laughing about something we were discussing

Current Faves

Nothing new to report around the Bass household here. Gracie and I spent a very relaxing weekend around the house. We got up on Saturday and Sunday and went for a nice run, although today's run was much, much nicer... that cool weather is upon us! I stayed in Friday-Sunday...except for 2 brief outings...one to watch one of my student's play football and the 2nd outing was to get my hair did. I've cleaned, cooked, folded laundry and graded over 4 hours worth of papers. I've watched The Wedding Date, Failure to Launch, Wedding Crashers and the entire Second Season of Sex in the City. I needed a weekend like this....just chillaxing. However, while I was doing all this stuff around the house I stumbled upon some current faves of mine that I feel need a shout out:

I bought these at the grocery store Friday...yes, I've had them before and they are rather addicting...not the greatest food for you...but OH SO GOOD! Totally made my weekend!

I've been making a batch of black bean soup every Sunday since school started. I take this batch to work with me all week as my lunch. I've also become addicted to this. It is very healthy 150 calories in one cup and very satisfying. I bought this cardigan from jcrew in August and it is the most fabulous cardigan I own. Comfortable, adorable and something that every teacher needs. In fact, this is the cardigan I am wearing for picture day on Thursday!

I love the way that autumn smells. I am obsessed with it actually. So, when febreze came out with a limited edition scent called pumpkin harvest and fall, I bought two bottles and two air fresheners! I have one of each at the house and one at school. I spray constantly at school and the kids love the smell. I love spraying at home and looking at my fall decorations....it makes me feel like fall is already here. (any of you parents that read my blog... if you would like to donate a bottle...feel free! haha STEPHANIE! love you!!)

Another fave is the Christian Radio Station Air 1. I listen to it in the morning on the way to school and it just puts me in a better mood. I also like to look at their verse of the day in the mornings. This radio station is also great because it is on satellite, which means NO COMMERCIALS! Here is the verse for today:

So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up. Galatians 6:9 NLT

My last thing on the list are the ponds clean sweep cleansing and make-up removing towelettes. I LOVE these things! I use them on my face before I go work out and after and when I need to remove make up. If I use this first and then wash my face I find that nothing is left on my face. These are little miracles!

*this post was done specifically for Katie... you know why...I had to post about all the great things in my life...just to get back at what you said! I LOVE YOU nokasheekalochaleeka!!