Hilarious

I swear, Austin was just having a conversation with the cat in the other room.

We have a cat, Connery, who is an extremely vocal cat. You can talk to him and he just meows back to you. Austin loves to pretend to have conversations with him. I don't know what this says about me, maybe I'm not that great of a conversationalist.

Either way, it's hilarious. Let me tell you how the conversation went... (Connery's comments are in italics. I'm inferring what Con said from Austins responses.)

Con! We missed you today. Did you watch the game?

No, you didn't leave the tv on for me!

Oh! I'm sorry, Katie must have forgotten to leave it on.

Well how did the game go?

We won, the team looked really well coached.

Who played well?

Stitt had a great game...

What about Narcisse?

Con, Narcisse sucks. He's awful, don't you ever ask about him because it's always bad.

I really like him, he reminds me of Sam Perry. I really liked Sam Perry.

Don't you ever talk to me about Narcisse again. This conversation is over.


At this point Connery comes into the room I'm in and begins meowing at me...

Austin says, "She wants a dog". Connery gives a long whimper and runs away.


Oh, the ways he entertains himself. I can only imagine how he was as a child. :-)

It's Snuck Up On Me...

My 29th birthday, that is. I totally freaked out last year about turning 28. I felt I was closer to 30 than 25 (OH how I loved being 25!) and figured I'd probably start to fall apart.

I've had it marked on my calendar, I knew it was coming, but just didn't care. Or maybe didn't have the time to care. I swear things have been so busy around here. With the snow coming and staying forever, grades being due, taking on a student teacher, the multitude of meetings, IEPS and other crap I've had to go to (there will be more to explain in the coming weeks) have just been overwhelming. I totally need another a break.

I suppose on the bright side I haven't had time to think about turning another year older, much less one year less than 30- gasp! My kids, however, haven't let me forget it. They know it's coming and it will be here tomorrow. I'm almost scared to see what will come in. They had some free time on Friday and I got about 15 handmade happy birthday notes. So sweet! They also quizzed me on my favorite candy...I can't wait to down some of it throughout my great day tomorrow.

It's funny how back in college and even a couple years ago I would celebrate my "birthday week". I would continue to have party or dinner after unnecessary dinner. I would go have drinks a few days out of the week to celebrate my extra year of living. This year, all I want is a good dinner with my best friend and to go to bed early. MY HOW LIFE HAS CHANGED.

:-) And I love it!

Back to Work

I was pretty anxious to go back to work this morning. I moaned and groaned all day yesterday to Aust, claiming my stomach hurt and I didn't feel good. It didn't work like it used to on my parents.

So I woke up about every hour on the hour last night. Once to move the cat, once to go to the bathroom, another time to move the cat (outside the room this time), another to check the clock, another to turn off Austin's watch that went off TWICE about 20 minutes before my alarm clock went off. Needless to say, I didn't get a good night sleep. I always do this, whether it's the night before a return to school from a big break, a weekend, or before a big day at work, I'm up ALL night. I can't seem to turn my brain off and am constantly making list after list of things that need to be done. I wish I had a switch that controlled my brain.

As soon as I got to work though, everything was fine. Of course I got everything done before the kiddies came striding in. They were full of smiles, hugs and tons of things to tell me. We actually started this morning off with a little sharing time because I know I'd get interrupted throughout the entire day with insignificant things if I didn't.

I always love the kids coming back after Christmas. It seems like they always seem to grow in leaps and bounds over the two weeks I don't see them. They come back more responsible, more mature, and ready to soak up every little thing I have to say. At least most of them do. 

I've realized this many times before, but it shown through to me again today- I love my job. I love being around my kids. I love getting to make an impact and be a part of their lives day in and day out. I love being a teacher and I am so lucky to have this job!

Hopefully tomorrow will be

Been A Long Time

Why is it that I feel I have to apologize when I don't blog for prolonged periods of time?

Anyways, I'm very deeply sorry for all of you who have been hanging on my last word...about 4 months ago.

Lots has changed in the Watts household.

In the past three months we have: said, "so long!" to Charleston, partially packed a house, moved to a new city (well for me), sort of unpacked our things, started two (YES, TWO- Austin is employed!!) new jobs, passed the bar, and began putting roots down in this new place.

Saying good bye to Charleston and the friends and memories we made there was difficult. I think that's why I've put off writing about this transition. I was scared to death of moving down there. I'm always scared of change and the unknown. So of course, once I got comfy, we had to move. I had no idea, though, how hard it would be to say goodbye, especially to that house! The work we put into it and our first Christmas when we didn't even have a tree, cooking my first Thanksgiving meal there, working in the yard, I could go on and on. I guess it was all my "first" home experiences.

But Greenville is a great city. I'm enjoying my new job and all the challenges it brings. The area we live is amazing- ABSOLUTELY amazing. We are so fortunate to have a place to live while we're waiting to sell our house in Charleston. I'm less than 5 minutes from my school and Austin is the same from his office. BTW, he has an office!!! Ahhhh, to have two jobs with two paychecks...glorious!

I'm lucky to have some good friends from college nearby. I don't get to see them too often because I'm so caught up in work, this being my first year in a new district I'm trying my best to kick butt to make a name for myself. But there are some girls at work that I've gotten close to. I'm thankful for those relationships. I left a school where I was extremely close to the people I worked with. I'm glad I have the same thing here.

All in all, it's been a great couple of months. Lots of changes, yes, but good changes. Lots of positive things happening for the Watts'. I'm praying they continue!!

 I'm going to try to do some changes with the blog and ACTUALLY blog more often, but don't hold your breath!! :-)

The Bar Watch

I see a light at the end of the tunnel...














Notice the addition??
Austin wrote "Take no prisoners". Bless his heart.

Hot Rod Watts

This is my absolute favorite road sign EVER. The one problem with it is that no one ever pays attention to it. And it drives me crazy!

I have recently been burning up the roads between Charleston and Greenville. Austin is the type of guy that likes to drive anytime we're on the highway. Not that he likes driving, but I'm pretty sure he thinks I'm awful- he's probably right. But I have to admit, I've picked up some pretty awesome driving skills from being in the car with him these last 5 years. Things that my dad probably tried to teach me, but I wasn't too interested in learning.

I like to go fast (said in my best Ricky Bobby voice). The speeding tickets from my high school and college years prove it. Thank goodness for Austin and his need to drive or not trusting me, whatever it is has kept my driving record pristine for a while. But now as I'm driving myself to Greenville with a LOAD of classroom stuff (yes, I'm moving my classroom all by myself! Whew! This Bar stuff needs to be over soon so I can get my Mexican helper back!) I'm finding my road rage coming back with a vengeance. It kills me to be running 85 mph passing people in the left lane only to come up on an old person leisurely driving in front of me and not willing to get over. So...I pass them on the right. Then there's the college student that will run up your butt, pass you, and then goes the same speed as you. I speed up and pass them. ON THE RIGHT.

I was watching some show about the Autobahn a few months ago. With no speed limits, they have to have other rules that you must adhere to while driving. From Wikipedia- The right lane must be used when it is free (Rechtsfahrgebot), and the left lane is generally intended for passing manoeuvres only. Drivers using the left lane when the other lanes are free may be fined by autobahn police. Heaven!

Are you a left lane driver?? Or do you leave the left lane for passing?? Either way, if you see a gold Prius tearing down the road, get out of my way!


.

5 years ago...

I met Austin. I have to admit, I wasn't head over heels in love with him at first. I didn't really want anything the relationship department. I wanted to enjoy being single. I guess God had different plans.

I specifically remember the day that I realized "whoa, I might love this guy!" Aust and I were supposed to go out the night before but there was some sprinkler problem at his house in greenville and he couldn't come (that totally sounded fishy to me- I thought he had another date). So we grabbed some pizza the next day at Todaro's in dt Clemson. During lunch he asked me to a wedding. We had only known each other about a month so I thought he was crazy to be taking me this soon to a wedding, but I was a former Clemson cheerleader, so I can understand how he couldn't help himself! Just kidding I tell him that all the time- it's now a huge joke! Well after lunch he brought me back to my old apartment and he ended up helping my best friend move her bedroom suit into a different room- how considerate!! As we walked out to his car to say goodbye, he asked me to stay in Clemson instead of going home that night so we could hang out more. I said that I wouldn't break my plans. Then he kissed me. We were standing at the curb at University Village. He was off the curb, I was on top of the curb. There was something in that kiss that made me think- Crap! I 'm falling for this guy! From that kiss we've been inseparable.

If that kiss hadn't happened then Today wouldn't be our anniversary. We've had 3 years of wedded bliss! I thank God everyday for that kiss outside of University Village!! Here are some pics of us through our 5 year journey! Enjoy!

I tried to put these in order and label them, but I'm too impatient this morning to mess with it-Sorry! :-)
                                                              

He promised me a lifetime of fun when we got engaged... he hasn't let me down yet and I'm sure the best is yet to come!! Love you, Austin!