Where have the Mank's been???

BUSY!!!

I didn't even realize it had been September since I had posted last. I am sure if I had any real followers of my blog, I have lost them by now :) but so be it...

September was pretty busy. I started my new job as Assistant Principal at and Elementary school. I love it, but it keeps me busy for sure. All the changes all at once left me a little overwhelmed for a couple months. I have since snapped out of it and am floating instead of sinking :)

Riley is doing GREAT! She is back in dance classes and had her first dance performance of the year last weekend. She did great, but was very disappointed when it was over. She cried for the next hour because she wanted to be back on stage. I'm thinking this comes from her Auntie Cafern... :) She also got her first "real" haircut, and did very well. She loved the lady washing her hair. That she must get from her mom. I love people playing with my hair.

Instead of writing a whole lot, I am going to post pictures that tell our recent activities... enjoy!

Where does the time go?

I can't believe it has been so long since my last post.  Where does the time go???

Well, lots has changed since July... I did end up getting an administrative position

 at Dellview Elementary School as the Assistant Principal.  I was thrilled!!!!! I got a phone call at 9:00PM 

on a Monday night telling me to report to leadership training the next morning at 7:00AM.  Since then I have been running pretty fast to keep up.  I love it though!!! I am exactly where I am supposed to be!  

The second week of my new job, I went to drop Riley off at her school, to find out that there had been a fire the night before and they were being relocated to a different daycare for a couple of weeks.  All her teachers and friends also went to this new school so Riley was excited!  She thought it was so neat that mama and Riley both had "new schools" to go to every morning.  

In addition to Riley starting at her new school, she has also joined dance again.  I really didn't plan on enrolling her again after last year, and her apparent non-interest, but after the recital, she really wanted to be a

 part of it again.  The group she is now a part of has 2 performances a year so I am sure I will have plenty for your viewing pleasure soon...

I also took my mom and Riley to see Dora Live at the Majestic.  I wanted to take Riley because she still has an infatuation with Dora, and I wanted her to start having memories of going to the Majestic like I have from when I was young.  She absolutely LOVED it.  Hugh crocodile tears when it was time to go, and she is still talking about it.  The performance was at the end of July.  I can't wait to get another opportunity to take her to another kid friendly show.  

During my last couple of weeks of summer, I also tried to get a little home improvement done.  Here are some before and after shots.  I was pretty happy with how everything came out.  It will be awhile before I have time to do more.....

Summer fun!

For me, summer finally began the second week of July. Instead of writing a whole lot, I am just going to post a visual diary of our summer so far...
FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL--it was HOT HOT HOT

Riley's first amusement park ride on her own....

HORSE BACK RIDING

I think she liked it just a little.

SPENDING TIME WITH COUSIN HAILEY

BEACH-TIME

those are dolphins...not sharks... :)

As for me..... I am still trying to find an administrative job for the fall.  There is still a lot of movement happening in the district so it isn't too late, but I am biting at the bit to have a sure thing locked in.  I have had a couple of interviews, so my name is out there and that is always good.  I am not losing hope or motivation.  If it doesn't happen this year, it will happen soon enough....  I will keep you posted.

WHY?????

For about 3 1/2 years, my father has been telling me that Riley is a spitting image of her mother. I always took that as a compliment and hoped it would continue... About a year ago, he mentioned a phase in my life, when I was about 3, when every other word that came out of my mouth was, "Why?" Now when he was relaying this fond memory of my childhood to me, he didn't have the loving and longing look in his eye he normally does when he is remenicing about the past. I couldn't understand "Why?" that could be....
NOW I KNOW "WHY?"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Mama, WHY we aren't going to the gym?"
"Mama, WHY you have to water the grass again?"
"Mama, WHY we have to brush our teeth?"
"Mama, WHY I not going to school today?"
"Mama, WHY you being mean to me?"
"Mama, WHY you tell me no?"
"Mama, WHY WHY WHY..................

I am VERY proud of my precious girl for being so curious, and I know it will pay off in the long run, but there are days I want to change my name! Today was one of those days.

A week at the gym...

As most of you know, I have recently started a workout regimen of my own. My mother sent this to me not long after I did, and I nearly wet my pants while reading it. Enjoy!!!

A WOMAN'S WEEK AT THE GYM

If you read this without laughing out loud, there is something wrong with you. This is dedicated to everyone who ever attempted to get into a regular workout routine. AMEN!!!

Dear Diary,

For my birthday this year, my Husband (the dear) purchased a week of personal training at the local health club for me.

Although I am still in great shape since being a high school football cheerleader 43 years ago, I decided it would be a good idea to go ahead and give it a try.

I called the club and made my reservations with a personal trainer named Christo, who identified himself as a 26-year-old aerobics instructor and model for athletic clothing and swim wear.

My husband seemed pleased with my enthusiasm to get started! The club encouraged me to keep a diary to chart my progress.

________________________________

MONDAY:

Started my day at 6:00 a.m. Tough to get out of bed, but found it was well worth it when I arrived at the health club to find Christo waiting for me. He is something of a Greek god - with blond hair, dancing eyes and a dazzling white smile. Woo Hoo!!

Christo gave me a tour and showed me the machines. I enjoyed watching the skillful way in which he conducted his aerobics class after my workout today. Very inspiring!

Christo was encouraging as I did my sit-ups, although my gut was already aching from holding it in the whole time he was around. This is going to be a FANTASTIC week-!!
________________________________

TUESDAY:

I drank a whole pot of coffee, but I finally made it out the door.
Christo made me lie on my back and push a heavy iron bar into the air then he put weights on it! My legs were a little wobbly on the treadmill, but I made the full mile. His rewarding smile made it all worthwhile. I feel GREAT-!! It's a whole new life for me.
_______________________________

WEDNESDAY:

The only way I can brush my teeth is by laying the toothbrush on the counter and moving my mouth back and forth over it. I believe I have a hernia in both pectorals. Driving was OK as long as I didn't try to steer or stop. I parked on top of a GEO in the club parking lot.

Christo was impatient with me, insisting that my screams bothered other club members. His voice is a little too perky for that early in the morning and when he scolds, he gets this nasally whine that is VERY annoying.

My chest hurt when I got on the treadmill, so Christo put me on the stair monster. Why the hell would anyone invent a machine to simulate an activity rendered obsolete by elevators? Christo told me it would help me get in shape and enjoy life. He said some other shit too.

_______________________________

THURSDAY:

Asshole was waiting for me with his vampire-like teeth exposed as his thin, cruel lips were pulled back in a full snarl. I couldn't help being a half an hour late - it took me that long to tie my shoes.

He took me to work out with dumbbells. When he was not looking, I ran and hid in the restroom. He sent some skinny bitch to find me.

Then, as punishment, he put me on the rowing machine -- which I sank.

_________________________________

FRIDAY:

I hate that bastard Christo more than any human being has ever hated any other human being in the history of the world. Stupid, skinny, anemic, anorexic little aerobic instructor. If there was a part of my body I could move without unbearable pain, I would beat him with it.

Christo wanted me to work on my triceps. I don't have any triceps! And if you don't want dents in the floor, don't hand me the damn barbells or anything that weighs more than a sandwich.

The treadmill flung me off and I landed on a health and nutrition teacher . Why couldn't it have been someone softer, like the drama coach or the choir director?

________________________________

SATURDAY:

Satan left a message on my answering machine in his grating, shrilly voice wondering why I did not show up today. Just hearing his voice made me want to smash the machine with my planner; however, I lacked the strength to even use the TV remote and ended up catching eleven straight hours of the Weather Channel.

________________________________

SUNDAY:

I'm having the Church van pick me up for services today so I can go and thank GOD that this week is over. I will also pray that next year my husband will choose a gift for me that is fun -- like a root canal or a hysterectomy. I still say if God had wanted me to bend over, he would have sprinkled the floor with diamonds!!!

Riley's Recital

Riley's recital went SO well. After two weeks of her wanting to NOT put her costume on because it hurt her arms, I thought this was going to be a fiasco...however, once she saw all her friends with theirs on, she relaxed a little. TOOOOOO cute! Enjoy!

What's new at the Mank's???

Well, it has been awhile since I have posted anything, but Riley is with Darryl and I have some free time, soooo...

Since my last post, we have had Fiesta, Mother's Day, and life in general.
Fiesta was fun! Riley had a "Fiesta Parade" at her school that she has so excited about. I was sitting at the front of the parade entrance when she came out and she was soooo excited, she RAN over to me and gave me a huge hug, which brightened my day. I told her she needed to go back with her class and she jumped out of my lap to run back. She tripped on a purse strap and fell. So in the first 35 seconds of the parade, she was the MOST excited participant, and then the MOST upset participant.


After she recovered from her little fall...All was well.

In addition to Riley having Fiesta, mama had a little Fiesta celebrating too. I went down to NIOSA, but some of Steve's friends had gotten a room at the O'Brien hotel. The balcony looks over NIOSA so you can experience the festivities without the crowds. It was perfect!



After all the fun of Fiesta was over, The next event was Mother's day. Riley made me a beautiful card at school, but even more precious...on her own, after bath the Saturday before Mother's Day, she started singing Happy Mother's Day to the tune of Happy Birthday. IT was priceless!

Then Mimi decided we all needed to go buy fish for her pond. Riley thought it was a blast! One of the things she liked the most was chasing the butterflies.

NOW... we have three weeks left of school and I am counting down the days! Her ein Texas, several school districts completely closed for two weeks because of the "Swine Flu" scare. The district I live in closed and all the kids and teachers got a 2 week vacation to gear up for the last few weeks. Once people realized the panic was a little over the top, NEISD discovered there was confirmed case of Swine Flu...Happened to be at Longs Creek (MY SCHOOL). Do we close for ANY amount of time, NOOOOOOO! So, no rest for the weary and there are 14 days left :) I have been working really hard applying for administrative positions so hopefully by next year, I will be an administrator! I will keep everyone informed of my progress :) Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.

So in case I don't get a chance to blog again for another month. By the next time you hear from me, hopefully I will be an administrator! :)

Other happenings...

I haven't updated my blog lately because most of the time, I am only able to upload when Riley is with her dad. Since that doesn't happen very often, updating my blog takes a back seat :)
Easter was a blast. This is the first year that Riley "got" the Easter Egg Hunting thing... Well...it kind of took until the third hunt, but she finally got the gist.
We had a wonderful Easter...Friday, I got home from Cincinnati where I had just seen Catherine perform her Master's Recital...(more to come...). Saturday, we went over to my dad's for a bar-b-que. The whole family was back together, which doesn't happen very often these days. April, Muke, Brian, the kids, Scott, Jen, and Riley's favorite, Hailey... We had a great time and colored eggs and hunted them too...
Sunday morning Riley got up, walked into the living room, and brought me the basket "her bunny" brought her. She was so excited.... Then it was off to church and then to mom's. We hunted again and Riley did very well.
Then it was back to a fun filled week of work :(

April 8th, Catherine had the most beautiful recital you could have ever heard! I am so proud of her. It was SO good to get away and finally see where she lives and spends her day to day activities. I haven't been to ANY of her "home towns" except Denton, so going to Cincinnati was a great opportunity for me. I left Riley with my dad and her dad so she was safe, but missed dearly!!! Here are come pictures of the trip.

$45 a month for classes, $50 for shoes, $70 for costume...

Watching Riley in her dance class....
PRICELESS




At least we are getting our money's worth...I think after this year, the teacher will probably up the rates based on the amount of work she had to do with Riley...what she doesn't know is.........

I don't think we are going to continue dance classes at this time :)

She's still my little fish.

I have a little time so I thought I would share... A couple weekends ago, Riley and I went to a BBQ with some friends. The pool was heated and Riley thought she was in heaven. I'm glad to see the swim lessons from last year were worth the money!!!

Just Cause

Pictures I couldn't resist but to share...