Well I have some exciting news...

I am pregnant! I know all of you who read my blog probably already know - but I am so excited!!! I am 4 weeks and 5 days so far. There is a ticker on the sidebar of my blog that shows how many weeks I am along, and how big the baby is. My first doctor's appointment is January 9th at 8:40 a.m. so wish me luck!!

Pray for me!

I just applied for a Kindergarten job that just opened up in a school district that I really liked. (Sheldon I.S.D. - they play Crosby J.D.) They are smaller than most in Houston. So pray that I get a call back for at least an interview. Ohhh I hope I hope I hope I hope!!!!

Beach Boy Mania!

So in case you didn't hear...my dad's band opened for the one and only Beach Boys at a Hurricane Ike benefit concert in Galveston two weekends ago. It was so cool! The Beach Boys (well the two that are left) are so old!! But they totally flirt with everyone in the audience! We had front row center seats, so we witnessed all the 50-60 year old women swooning and screaming their lungs out!! My mom and I were singing along to every song! The first song they played was...you guessed it..."I wish they all could be California girls!" It reminded me of Meesh, Kristin and Val :)

Anyway, it was really cool and apparently they raised over $40,000 for the relief fund. And let me tell you girls, it was so crazy driving down to Galveston. There are still huge yachts and piles of debris all over the road. There is only one road onto the island now because the other has been washed away. I couldn;t even get a cell phone signal because the towers are still down. It smells like mildew and dead fish. It is so terrible. One of Bryan's friends from college has a house down there with his wife and a baby on the way and they had six feet of water in their house. They are living in an apartment in Dickinson right now until they can move back into their house. Its so sad. Metal signs are bent in half and the sides are just ripped off of beach houses. People don't realize how long it takes to clean up after a major hurricane like Ike. You should have seen the debris everywhere. Anyway, here are some more pictures from the concert.

Me and my little bro...he's so funny

My crazy husband and I

My dad jammin' out because he is just that cool

One of the two remaining Beach Boys, Mike Love - VERY flirtatious for an old guy

The other remaining Beach Boy, Bruce Johnson

And just for your own viewing pleasure - a picture of Bryan and Brandon cuddling and watching football one Sunday...

Times are changing...

Even though I may not have voted for Obama, I take pride in how far the United States has come. And I will pray for Barack Obama, his family and this country everyday because he is my president now. This is such a huge milestone for the U.S.A., and I pray that Obama can make some of the changes he promises.

Substitute Teaching Without a Voice

Let me just say...it is damn hard to teach without my voice. The kids cannot hear you at all. Your voice kind of blends in with their low roar during the day. Geez. But, I think first grade is officially my favorite grade, on the other hand. I am going to supply you guys with three funny stories from my last week and a half of subbing. Ready?

A. While subbing 5th graders last week ( I am not a fan of 5th/6th grade by the way), I had a student named X-Zavion (not kidding). He didn't listen and ran his mouth the whole class, and also threatened to punch some kids face in and make him look like Fat Albert. (What does that even mean?) Anyway, he proceeded to tell me that he had a girlfriend whom he nicknamed "Skittle" and her flavor was strawberry. I had to look away because I was grinning so bad and trying NOT to laugh my ass off.

B. While teaching kindergarten last week (in which I had a student named D'Lyxes - not part of my story but still funny-I wondered if her and X-Zavion had the same mother) the kids WOULD not listen. Can 5-year olds listen Kristen? Their poor attention spans are like 8 seconds long. Anyway, after threatening taking away their recess, I decided to try the old "I have your parents phone numbers and I am not afraid to use them" trick. So I said, "Class, I have each one of your parent's phone numbers, and if continue not listening to me, I will call them and tell them that you are misbehaving" This little boy named Andrew gave me this sad puppy dog face and asked, "Mrs. McDonald - why would you do that?"

C. There was a certain child named Colby in my class today who took all his work to the vice-principal for the day. He didn't even come in my class until they were almost dismissed at 2:55 for the day. When he came in he was so sweet and respectful to me,and he talked about the work he completed and what he did last weekend, etc. etc. So, the rest of the class was at P.E. and I took him with me to go pick them up from the cafeteria. The whole time I am thinking, why is this kid at the vice-principal he is so gosh-darn cute (Sarah Palin uses that word: Gosh-Darn). Well he is at the front of the line and the other kids file in behind him to head back to the classroom and the girl behind him accidentally bumped into him. Girls, he turned around and I think I literally heard a demon come out of his mouth..."G...GE.....GET YOU HANDS OFF OF ME". He face turned into a perma-scowl and he was totally non-responsive. CRAZY!!!! Moral of the story...don't judge a book by its cover.

Anyways, ladies, I just wanted to share some of my experiences the past week. Hope you enjoyed.

My New Crocs

Check these out. I copied Kellianne and got a pair. Aren't they cute? And they actually look really cute with black dress pants. So hopefully I can wear them when I substitute. I wore the shoes from HELL yesterday and I have blisters all over my pinkie toe and big toe. And I also have this really deep painful bruise that starts at my knee where its barely visible and runs 3/4 the way up my leg. Weird huh? I have no idea how it happened either. Crazy what one day with fifth graders can do to a person...

My New Favorite Musician

So I stumbled on some songs written and performed by Minnie Driver and I just love her music! I have placed one of my favorite songs on my playlist at the bottom of the blog. I love her as an actress too! Did you guys ever watch that TV series called "The Riches"? She was really really good in it. Bryan and I watched the whole first season. And of course I loved when she was on Will and Grace. She was hilarious. The reason I really love her is that she is not some actress who "decides" she wants to sing and goes and makes some stupid pop album. (Lindsey Lohan) I mean did you guys hear the new songs by Scarlett Johannson? I thought they were just TERRIBLE. Not my kind of music I guess. And what about Paris Hilton?? Did you ever hear any of her music?? It is crazy what a person can do who has a lot of money. Here is a girl who's dad is a bilionaire, and she decides she wants to act, make a music video, have a reality TV show and model on the runway. Geez. I mean look at the picture to the right- those are some great acting skills if I have ever seen them. I especially love the fake blue contacts in her eyes. I wanna be just like her. On a cool note, Bryan's Aunt Debbie did do her hair and makeup when they came through Nashville filming "The Simple Life". She has a picture of her friend Derek with Paris on her fridge. Its really weird because Paris is wearing a silver dress and next to Derek it literally looks like she is glowing. Really I am not kidding. I wonder if she glows like that all of the time.

Anyway, enough about that. I am trying to figure out what I am going to do today since I literally have nothing to do. I am going to the post office to pick up our mail because Hurricane Ike blew out mailboxes over. I may finish the book I am reading (Rebel Angels) and start the third one. Who knows?...The possibilities are endless. Kellianne thinks I should sit in my recliner in a Mu-mu and eat bon-bons all days while watching soap opera re-runs. Which, by the way, is a very enticing idea.....

Unemployed

So this is the first time in about three years I have not had a job. Its a weird feeling - a mixture of uselessness and relaxation and satisfaction all at the same time. A lot of time to read and blog right? WRONG! I feel bad for sitting here reading all day jobless so I have not read in a week or so! It is terrible! I am having withdrawls!!! So yesterday I said "Screw it" and began reading again. And Bryan's exact words were "Oh God you started reading again?" Hahaha! Well I miss you girls so much already. The weekend was too short!!

Anyway, while home during the day I have been catching up on all my celebrity gossip and:

A: I officially do not like Miley Cyrus. She is dating a guy quite a bit older than her and they shut down Disneyland for her 16th birthday. Give me a friggin' break.

B: Tina Fey does the best impersonation of Sarah Palin of ANY impersonation I have ever seen.

C: Have you seen Ironman??? That is the best movie I have seen in a long time! Robert Downey, Jr. is awesome!!! I heard he was unbelievable in Tropic Thunder too.

Also, we watched "The Love Guru" yesterday and although it was definitely kind of sucky compared to Austin Powers and I think Jessica Alba is a terrible actress, Justin Timberlake was definitely the highlight of the show!!! He is hilarious and his outtakes are so funny!

Anyway, I am off to do whatever people without jobs do. Talk to you girls later!!!

Ugh...

Can I just say that work really sucks when you know you are about to be leaving to take another job?! Jiminey Cricket this sucks!!!! And can I just give a shout out to the members of the Texa-Cali Book Club Blog"??? Hey-OOOO! Oh girls I miss you all so much and we have 1 week and 4 days until we are reunited!!! I say one night we all go have a big margarita at Chuy's or something. Seriously!

Colorado Trip

Well, Bryan and I have recently returned from Colorado, and in case you haven't heard, we are doing everything we can to move there. I am not sure how long it will take, but we are selling our house and applying for jobs. Crazy huh? Well here are some reason we wanna move:

I Bought It....

OK all you "Twilight" fans out there - I just bought the book at Target. And I have to say, after reading the synopsis on-line, I am pretty darn excited about it. My mom and I are driving to Georgetown tonight so I have a good three hours to start the book. It sounds so mysterious, so romantic, so WONDERFUL! And by the way JD and Val talk about it, I wish I could start reading it right this second! And a movie is coming out? Oh my gosh, how excited are you two about THAT? Now we can all chat about "Twilight" together, and especially about this Edward fellow. And the cover of the book is so cool! I especially like the cover on the second book. So the third one comes out in August right? I need to finish these two first so I can be REALLY REALLY excited for the third one! Maybe we can all get together and go see the movie on December 12th?! Anyway, I will let ya'll know if I finish the book this weekend!

I'm a little verklempt.....

Alright ladies....I don't even know what "verclempt" means..but that Mike Myers skit from SNL is hilarious. And I am so excited about "The Love Guru". By the way, we saw "Zohan" this weekend with Adam Sandler and it was also funny...not as funny as I would have liked... but funny. Val? Any comments? Have you seen it yet? And FYI, Dave Matthews plays a character in the movie...that's right...Dave Matthews from The Dave Matthews Band. Anyway, talk amongst yeselves....

Words Cannot Describe...

My brother-in-law Jonathan, my lovely husband, and my brother-in-law Joseph.

Our poor cat, Chloe.

I love this man.

Hair Color Blues...

Ok ladies, so as you all know I began the long process of growing my natural hair color back out (whatever it might be - cause I have no friggin' idea - been dyeing my hair since the 7th grade). So I knew it was going to be hard...but this SUCKS! My 6 inch roots look great, but the brown dye left at the bottom of my hair has faded to the color of dirty dishwater because of the blonde it is sitting on top of. I look like a hobo. Thats right...just call me "Two-Tone" from now on. So, to lessen the agony, I may try a semi-permanent hair color tonight that washes out in 15 washes or so. Maybe something like Clairol Natural Instincts. Any of you every tried it? I am a litte scared. I don't want to ruin the 8 months of growing out my hair that I have been working on.

New Post Just Because I haven't posted in months...

Well hello all my lovely ladies that read my blog, and who have anxiously searched my blog every week for a new post - only to find my dog Layla staring back at you. A couple of things that have been going on in my life:

A) Bryan's brother got married last weekend and it was the biggest fiasco/circus I have ever been a part of.

B) Bryan's half brother got his girlfriend pregnant and they are having a shot gun wedding in two weeks in Florida - but we all adore his girlfriend so its ok - I am going to be another aunt!

C) My mom's last reconstructive surgery is on June 30, so she gets a new pair of boobies.

D) I am aggresively searcing for teaching jobs and recently told my bosses I would be leaving.

E) This just in...Kellianne ain't nothin' but a hoochie mama - hoodrat hoodrat hoochie mama.

F) And lastly, Aunt Flow visited today, and let me tell you, since I have gotten off birth control, Aunt Flow has turned into a RAGING BIATCH! This is probably what I look like today because of HER:

Anyway, I miss all of you very much! I need my girlfriends!

This is Layla

As some of you know we have a new addition in the McDonald household. This is Layla...the 20 lb. lab/dachshund mix (yeah that's what I said). She is 6 months old and Mally's new partner in crime. Any suggestions on how a lab and a dachshund managed to get it on and reproduce? Anyone?

They Come in Twos...

Two names you go by:
1. Danielle
2. Danni

Two things you are wearing right now
1. White Sweater with Black Flowers
2. Black Headband

Two of your favorite things to do
1 . Cuddle With Bryan
2. Vacationing

Two things you want very badly at the moment
1. To See Jaxon!!
2. To Leave Work and Go Home

Two favorite pets you have/had
1. Mally
2. Chloe and out latest addition to the family, Layla

Two people who will fill this out
1. Kellianne?
2. JD but she already filled it out

Two things you ate today.
1. Blueberry Muffin
2. Beef And Broccoli with Rice and an Eggroll

Two people you last talked to
1. Bryan
2. My Mom

Two things you're doing tomorrow
1. Working
2. Sleeping

Two longest car rides
1. Colorado
2. The ride the Freeport the day after my 21st birthday

Two favorite holidays
1. Christmas (Food!)
2. Thanksgiving (More Food!)

Two favorite beverages
1. Sweet Tea
2. Coca-Cola

Two favorite TV shows
1. Scrubs
2.The Office (when we get to watch it)