The school year has come to an end....

Now it's time for SUMMER to begin! I had a great first year of teaching 4th grade... actually I even had a few of my old students. The group that was in 4th grade this year is the same group I taught in Kindergarten and First grade. They can't seem to get rid of me! It was really sweet to see how much they've grown in the years. Time really has flown by... I even received my five year pin this year from FISD. It seems like just yesterday I was student teaching with Kelley. Now those precious first graders who taught me how to be a teacher are going into 7th grade.

I'm so lucky to be part of such a terrific school! What makes my school so great are the people I am able to work with daily, sweet students I teach, and their supportive parents. Besides, I couldn't ask for a better team.... they're fun, supportive, loving, energetic, and caring............. maybe even a little quirky! All in all, those are just a few of the very important qualities that are the building blocks to our great team.... and they're needed when six women work together in harmony five days a week. What can I say? I'm blessed!

Farewell 2009-2010 school year................ HELLO SUMMER!

Five of MY Favorites....

Cousins....
Traveling....
Family....Flowers....

Tilly Cat....

Sweet Temptations....

Do I really love carbs or do I just want them because they're forbidden? Hmm.... I think it's most likely a combination of the two. Right now I'm craving sugar cookies from Sprinkles cupcakes, JD's Chippery in Snider Plaza and the Chuy's Special at Chuy's. Ahh, temptation!

Sprinkles red velvet & coconut cupcakes..... sweet memories....

I must say, I've found some treats I am most definitely enjoying.....

- creamed spinach (with real cream cheese!)

-bacon wrapped scallops

-rotisserie chicken (sans skin) mixed with sour cream and feta, wrapped in a low carb tortilla

Greatest discovery of all....
-coke zero vanilla + heavy whipping creme + crushed ice + a dollop of whipped cream on top = my saving grace

It's like an italian creme soda.... delicious!!!! Try it!

Here's to Day 4! =)

It's Snowing in Texas!

This year we have had more snow than I remember ever having! I love how we act like the world is coming to an end when it snows.... no one knows how to drive, we stock the pantry, winterize our cars, and practically pee in our pants when a few flurries start coming down. What would we ever do if there was a real blizzard?

Buh-Bye Elastic Waist, Hello Low-Carb!

That's right... today marks a new day for me. I have officially joined the low-carb bandwagon! I have a feeling that by the end of the week I will most definitely be a size 2.... not. Jenny and I just went grocery shopping and loaded up on all sorts of meats, seafood, and cheeses. I've already become a big fan of the Atkins snack bar that tastes like an Almond Joy.... mmm. The freezer is also stocked with Breyer's low carb vanilla ice and chocolate popsicles. Move over Heidi Klum.... Haley's back!

Stay tuned!

Spring Break '10 - Fredericksburg

Honey, Lucy, & Lilly loved playing in the water!Back of their beautiful house....



This year Laurie, Natalie, and I went the less expensive route for a spring break trip. Last year I visited Cabo, Boston, and Las Vegas... which meant it was time to tighten the purse strings. Regardless, we had an awesome time at Natalie's ranch in Fredericksburg! It was beautiful! We were only there for a few days, but we still had the opportunity to shop in the boutiques, read, watch movies, shoot skeet, and visit Luckenbach. After all, "Everybody's somebody in Luckenbach!"... or so the t-shirt says.

While there we also got to eat at Rebecca Rather's "Rather Sweet" cafe... she has a couple cookbooks out that I really want. She has the best homemade bread....mmmm. Also, her sugar cookies with icing are by far the most delicious I've ever tasted. Our fanciest meal was at August E's where we dined on lobster bisque and surf and turf. Not too bad! I must say, if you ever go there you must try to the chicken salad at The Peach Tree Cafe.... it had capers in it! Natalie and I highly recommend it... and we know a lot about chicken salad!

Hope you enjoyed the pics from our trip!

P.S. Do you like how I turn vacations into photo shoots? ;)

Wowza... how long has it been?!?!?

It appears that I have not shown my "Haley's Herald" blog any love in quite some time. Well, I'm back! I have to admit... it's a bit exhausting teaching, holding a leadership position for my Sunday School class at Prestonwood, and running a small side photography business (new venture). If you haven't seen my photos, be sure to check them out at www.plumkrazyphotography.com or www.plumkrazyphotography.blogpost.com - hope you love them! My goal is to devote more of my time to my blog, not that it is filled with any sort of knowledge that will cure our often corrupt mankind... then again, maybe it will. =)

Spring Break 2009 - Cabo Style

I'm a little late posting my Cabo trip entry, then again we all know how long it takes to recover from visiting Mexico. As you already know, 5 girlfriends and I went to Cabo San Lucas for a fun-filled 6 days & 5 nights. We stayed at the Riu Santa Fe right on the beach and loved it! We spent everyday on lounge chairs by one of the 5 pools. It was so relaxing! At night we would all get dressed up and go to one of the reservation only restaurants at our hotel. The food was okay, we definitely missed Tex-Mex. I pretty much ate fresh pineapple and guacamole the whole time.... not together of course! My most memorable experience might have to be parasailing with Erica. I'm a screamer! Ha! I think I screamed the ENTIRE time but loved every second of it. Somehow, in my excitement.... or stupor, I managed to fall off the water taxi that took us from shore out to the speed boat. Now mind you, the water taxi is basically like a little Ranger boat with a top.... you get the picture. I'm just glad I realized I was only in a foot of water and could stand before the boat ran me over! I now know that in traumatic situations I may momentarily forget how to swim... or stand. We also went on a sunset cruise around the infamous Cabo arch....breathtaking! They had the sails and music going.... talk about a good night! We did some major picture taking and dancing while on the boat. Afterwards, we went into town and had dinner at a really delicious seafood place.... who doesn't love fresh lobster? MMM!!! I only went into town 2 nights during the trip. We went to Squid Roe, Nowhere Bar, Mandala's, Zoo and I'm not really sure where else. You know how I love to dance! Anyhoo, the trip was incredible and I wouldn't have traded a second of it! I'm so glad I have such a great group of girlfriends to travel with! Bon voyage!!!

Photographers beware!

I've gone and done it! Alas, I have purchased the mother of all cameras. No more "point and shoot" for moi! The mac-daddy Nikon D60 is now taking up residence in my humble abode. I have a feeling I will be the leading photographer for Vogue any day now. Until then you may see me out and about testing out my new camera, taking pictures of strangers. Everybody has to start somewhere!

Pigs and women.... Designing Women that is!

Here I sit with Magen watching Grey's Anatomy.... the one where the crazy/sexy military doctor stabs the pigs.... which makes me think I should get a pet pig. Kinda like Suzanne in Designing Women. I always thought that was unique and pigs are cute..... and pink! Now here we sit deciding if all our friends were the Designing Women characters who would they be?! I would be Charlene.... which is okay since she ends up marrying that hot military guy Bill! Jenny would have to be Mary Jo Shively.... sweet, genuine, and always has something funny to say. Kara is clearly Suzanne.... loves livin' high on the hog and always puts a smile on my face. Magen.... well, I think she's Bernice but she keeps hitting me so I'll go ahead and say she's Julia.... always opinionated (she's bossing me right now!), and stands her ground. Katy might also have to be a Charlene.... like Katy, Charlene went through many men before finding the right one! =) Clearly we're an entertaining group!

Eww.... Bad Kitty

Tilly (my normally perfect kitten) has discovered the toilet. To us (humans) it is a necessity in our daily lives.... to Tilly it is a whirlpool of H2O adventure. Where shall I begin? The other day Tilly pounced on me while I was sitting in my chair (minding my own business), watching TV (Seinfeld... TBS, of course) and enjoying my evening. While she was laying on me, having me pet her, I realized my shirt was very wet and that she was quite wet. I assumed she had knocked over her water bowl.... nope, it was full of water, none on the tile. At this point I was a little nervous.... where else would she have found water INSIDE my apartment? As I walked toward the bathroom I knew it was not going to be good... Tilly was hiding under the couch (one of her time-out spots). Sure enough there was water ALL around the toilet! Eww! Tilly had gone for a swim.... just another reason for everyone to keep the lid down!

P-Town's Premiere Pumpkin Patch

This weekend I went home to Pittsburg to visit my family and see the pumpkins. I love this time of year because my Dad always has a pumpkin patch in the front yard. It's so fun! He grew a lot of the pumpkins at the farm but had to get some from West Texas to have enough. It's neat to be able to walk out the front door and see pumpkins, hay, and mums all over. Unfortunately I left my camera here so I didn't get to take pictures of all the Fall decor at my parents. I sure do love Fall! Happy Fall y'all! =)

Guess who....

Well, it appears that Facebook and Myspace has a new competitor....BLOGGER! Naturally, I feel that I should be a part of the new technology wave and let everyone know what's going on in my life. Stay tuned for exciting stories from the life and times of Haley! =)