Halloween at ENMU

Wanda!!!! Wanda is looking pretty snazzy in her Halloween costume that she wore today! Little did she know that sending me this picture would get her a spot on my blog! Those glasses . . . love 'em! I love the pocket protector too! Happy Halloween, Wanda Nell!

Halloween 2008 . . . a BUST!

Well, this might go down as the WORST Halloween in the Evan P. History Book. What did I do? NOTHING. It seems like no one wanted to do anything. Most of my friends who I would have done something with tonight stayed home to lay on the couch and be a bum (J2, David, Jesse, Victor, etc.). B-o-r-i-n-g! So what could have been a FUN Friday Halloween Night - was not much to write about. I felt trapped in my own house with no place to go. I even ignored the door when trick-or-treaters rang the bell. I didn't have any candy - because I didn't think I was going to be at home.

I was trying to get a group together to go to the Cutting Edge Haunted House . . . the fourth largest in the US. Tony, on Mix 102.9 radio station, said it takes about 35 to 45 minutes to go through the entire thing. It would have scared the you know what out of me - but it would have been fun. How many friends wanted to go too?? 0 - ZERO - NO ONE! B-o-r-i-n-g. So what am I doing instead?? Updating my blog . . . now that is excitement!

Dallas' Halloween Block Party 2008

Several friends and I went to the annual block party in Dallas. I DO NOT dress up and did not dress up again this year! David, Jason, and Jason just "had" to dress up - and they were hysterical! Jesse and I chose not to dress up - we were the smart ones! We had a lot of fun - and David and Jason were a HUGE hit - and many people wanted to take their picture with them. Crazy!

Jason sporting a bright red wig . . . dresses up like a "Space Girl!"

David shows off his best "space girl" moves!


Scary outfits . . . and hairy legs??

Tragic mess!

J2 is wearing his "glow-in-the-dark" pajamas and wearing a showercap???

J2 is getting his drink on!

The Golden Girls . . .

Jason, Jesse, and David . . .

The "Space Girls" are posing with the "Space Monkeys!"

Smurfs . . . .

Jason and David snap a quick photo with friends David and Victor.

Scary . . . .

This guy is from Galveston -- and shows off his recent hurricane wear!

Ken has come to the block party!

Scary, creepy clown . . .

What is a Halloween without KISS?

iHop after the BIG pary!

David and Jason take their picture with an Oscar!

We ran into Jose' from our volleyball team - so we took a quick picture!

Mexico Royalty

Why?

Why am I so on edge lately and always so irritated? I'm not completely sure what is causing this frustrated feeling that I have been experiencing lately. I wish I could put my finger on it. I need a real mood enhancer or attitude adjustment. I'm just not my normal happy self. Hopefully it is a temporary thing??

The Family that Fell Apart

This is my grandmother and Aunt Susan. This picture was taken this past weekend by Wanda at Sara's baby shower. Sara is my cousin - and I do not even know her. This family fell apart back in spring of 1985 and our lives ended up taking different paths. In a few emails back and forth tonight with Wanda and Leah, I remembered the last time I really spent time with Sara. My family went over to Susan and Buddy's house that following December ('85) to give Sara a Christmas gift. Susan and Buddy acted like nothing had ever happened with the family and everything was just fine and normal . . . we were all very confused. It was an awkward visit - but we felt very good about spending that time with our cousin Sara. We cared so much about Sara - and we waited a REALLY long time for her. We always wanted Susan to have her own child - because she always wanted to be a mom and we wanted a cousin. The sad thing - is that we never got to know her. We do not even know her to this day.

I remember that visit in December 1985 like it was yesterday. That was the last time I set foot inside my aunt's house - and our relationship began to crumble. Wow, I think about what she meant to me when I was growing up. She was the perfect aunt - easily a favorite. She would do anything for me, for us, and then it was all over. It really is a tragedy in so many ways.

They have their own life . . . and we have ours. I always wonder how my life could have been affected had this never happened. How different would my life be even today? I know it would be different.

My grandmother . . . I feel deeply for her. It makes me very sad. I have great memories of growing up with her. I like it that I can call her at any time. I will miss her more than I probably realize someday . . .

Motivating Students

I guess one of the most difficult things in teaching is the constant creating ways to motivate students in your classroom to stretch their limits and to go that extra mile. Over the years I have created many ways to do this with LOTS of success - but not everything works for ALL students. That is the difficult thing - that one or two who just don't seem to respond. Ugh! It is VERY hard reaching those kids who do not respond to much of anything and have that lack of inner motivation as well. It can really bring a teacher, "me", down. I'm struggling with this tonight. Even during volleyball tonight - I found myself thinking and worrying about this . . .

Very frustrating . . .

Halloween

Choctaw Casino

The billboards are always sayin' "Everyone's Gone Choctaw" - guess that means everyone but me! I went with Nicola and Jason to Choctaw, Oklahoma last night. It was an hour and 45 minute drive north of Dallas. We had a fun time and the casino was actually nice (unlike WinStar)! I lost a total of $1 - so that was not too bad. I guess we played for about three hours. I love a little gambling every now and then!

Happy Birthday, Nicola!

Today is Nicola's birthday! Jason and I took her out to dinner tonight at Papasitos . . . yummmmm! We also took in a marble butter cream cake from Target (SOOOOOO good!). Happy Birthday, Nicola! Wishing you the best today!

Fried Moon Pie???

Yes, you heard it right . . . fried moon pie! Let me just tell you - it was INCREDIBLE!!!!! Jason S. took this picture of me digging in my moon pie. I love just regular moon pies - but to have it fried and dripping with chocolate syrup and sprinkled with powdered sugar . . . . YUMMMMMM!!! I can't wait to go back again for more!!

Pictures of Kellie Pickler from the Texas State Fair

I was able to get a little closer to the stage after filming the video clip and got some good pictures of Kellie.

Kellie Pickler - Texas State Fair

I went to the Texas State Fair tonight with Jason, Jason, and Nicola. We were going for the first time and really wanted to see Kellie Pickler perform in concert. I remember Kellie from her days on American Idol. I was impressed with her performance at the concert - and this is a video clip of one of her most popular songs.

Cy Austin

This is my nephew -- Cy - the stud! Wow, what a great picture of him! Mom sent me this picture of him. Austin is playing football for Cinco Ranch Junior High this year. I think it is great that he is playing football and wish I could be a little closer to see some of his games. Cy is such an incredible guy with lots of personality and charm. It is fun to be around him because he is so funny. He is turning into quite the athlete too. I'm proud of him and all of his accomplishments.

Political Polls

I received this site from my friend Kevin. Wow, it is very cool - and there is SO much to it. Looks like it's showing an Obama win if the election was today with 333 to 205 electoral votes (and you need 270 to win). I'll have to check this out each day to see how it is changing over the next few weeks!

http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/