sevenchicks

goodbye

by cubanchick~  Hello everyone.  I am extremely saddened to have to write this blog.  This chick is leaving the sevenchicks blog.  This makes me very sad.  While I know that I have not been the most avid blogger, I am still very much tied to our blog and love the other chicks dearly.  You all have read that I've moved, married and have had many changes in my life over this past year.  With each change, I have had the tinges that another piece of life was being lost as I gained the new ones.  But with the love of my husband, and the support of my dear friends I realized that although things were changing, the precious relationships were strong and would endure these changes. 

Right now, Mr. Cuban is having to venture into a new career.  He will not be teaching anymore.  Which makes It nothing but a blessing from God we have been doing insurance.  So, it looks like he will be venturing into his own insurance office and helping out his parents with family grocery store.  It is scary to think of something different, but often that is when God is there to teach us something.

So, in addition to my increased responsibilities at work this upcoming schoolyear (I am going to be our gradelevel chairperson--which just means extra work), and helping Mr. Cuban with his new adventure I am going to be more wrapped up things than usual.  If Mr. Cuban opens an office he will really need my support and help.  As much as I will miss you all, the fear that I will not be able to write often takes precedence.  Thank you all for your many comments and faithfulness in reading my blogs.   

All my love.......goodbye.   

a beautiful view

by cubanchick~  This week, we are in Ft. Payne, Alabama.  We had to leave after lunch yesterday because this is a town close to the Tennessee line.  We arrived late last night so we could not see any of the scenery I was hoping to see.  We Floridians do have beautiful beaches, but as for the land.... flat as a pancake!

I woke up this morning and look out our window and what do I see?  A building!  It was the building for the indoor pool at our hotel.  Okay..so jump to our facility.  Luckily we are placed in their sun room.  I could not be happier.  A front part of the building that does not have the elderly smell (bless their helpless hearts), two huge windows, and a room that is warm.  If you know me and how cold-natured I am..temperatures are always on the brain.  And I was able to find an internet network.  Hooray.  Most of these places don't have internet.  So anyway, I thought you might like to enjoy my scenic view.  In  way..you and I are sharing the view in the same way.  I am stuck inside and you are just getting the pic.  Neither one is outside to enjoy it..... well, I maybe i can   later.  So here is the view from the window where I am working for the next 3 days.

my camera is pretty bad..it actually looks great from my perspective.

Greetings from Greenville, AL!!

by cubanchick~ Hello everyone!  I am in Greenville, Alabama for half the week and then we move on to Demopolis.  Most people have never heard of these towns.....except for in "Sweet Home Alabama", I believe it supposedly takes place in Greenville.

I actually have a funny story of tonight's events that had me laughing for literally over an hour!

After work, we had a nice dinner at Cracker Barrell.  We ask the hotel clerk of a good ice cream place for dessert. She sends us to a gas station for dipped ice cream.  And they were out of everything.  So we decide to go with Walmart for Hagaan Daz or Ben and Jerry's. **** Let me add, that to leave the gas station, my husband did not see that there was a car in the turning lane at the red light.  He cruises into the middle of the intersection in front of the stopped car.  At this point I am planting my face in the window, laughing and mouthing the words, "SORRY" to the stopped car as they commence to burst into laughter.  At the point, we have no choice to but move--yep, run the red light and flee to WALMART. Wow, we're amazing ice cream bandits. 

Well, it was a Crapmart. We leave and head to another gas station.  Nothing.  The giggling has begun.  Head to another gas station.  Nothing. Laughing a bit harder. After the 4th gas station of looking for Hagaan Daz or even Edy's, I ask for a Wendy's frosty.  So I am happily enjoying my frosty when Mr. American (that's his new self-chosen ironic name for this blog--i know...we'll use it just this once.) keeps looking in each place and walking out with nothing.

We even go to a Super Food and ask for any Winn-Dixies.  Only alternative to Walmart is a Pig and of course, they've closed at this point.  Big surprise and more laughter and tears.

In frustration, he decides to go for a chocolate tall cake at Ruby Tuesday's.  Great.  We get down and we order to go.  We're waiting and get a nod from the waitress.  Oh no!!!!!!!  They're out!!!  So they offer us some double chocolate cake and even offer to give us two of them!  Great.  Wait, why two cakes?  Then it hits me....I am still holding my Frosty Spoon!!!  So we leave and discover there is still no ice cream on this cake!

So, Mr. American, spins the Avalon into high gear to the first two gas stations we visited....umm, no Vanilla!  Enough is enough, we head back to Crapmart and we get the original Hagaan Daz vanilla. Return to the hotel...and call it a night.  I am laughing all over again just writing this.  If it's not funny to you, I am sorry.  It was hilarious to be there!  Here is a picture of our final destination.

sweet things

by cubanchick~ While on my way to plannerchick's shower, which was amazing, i thought of this blog.  In our daily busyness, when do we stop to do something special for our husbands or special loved ones?  I would like to do something special for my Mr.  I am not sure what to do yet, so I am asking for some suggestions.  My Mr. is so giving all of the time and works so hard for me.  I would like to be able to give something back. 

Along with your suggestions, what has worked for you in the past?  What gift or gesture have you tried to accomplish that turned out to be a flop?  Thanks ladies!

* I would also like to add, that I loved getting to meet some of our readers/friends.  Ya'll are amazing women yourselves!

game question

by  cubanchick~ I have a question for you ladies that have gamers for husbands.  Our road trips are going alright, well last week was horrible, but I will remain an optimist for the future trips. We are needing something to entertain us while on trips and/or at home.  We're usually to exhausted to venture outside the hotel.  So, my husband has been looking for a game sysem for a while.  Well, come to think of it, I don't know why my husband wants entertainment for home since we're so busy when we're home.  Anyway, he is unsure which game system to buy.  He's got it down to the Playstation 3 or the Wii. 

This is a ridiculously boring blog.....Sorry.  I just want to end this "to buy or not to buy" bit.  And I don't want to buy something that is going to be left on the shelf. 

Which system is better?  The Wii looks like fun, but will we get tired of the constant hand-moving?Thanks ladies.

what do you like to do?

by cubanchick~ i woke up this morning and took a deep breath.  we've been on the road most of the week and yesterday was our first day back home.  that meant i needed to see my family and deliver some belated gifts.  it was a nice day. 

today is different.  today there is no agenda.  so i took my deep breath and thought, "what do i want to do?"  i wasn't really sure except that i wanted to be outside.  as hot as it is, i still love to be outside and active.  of course, the woman in me sees so many things that need to be done around the house.  for instance, in my decorating efforts, i have yet to hang hardly anything on the walls.  and then there's the cleaning stuff.  especially laundry, we all know that vicious cycle.

so i am wondering ladies, when you actually get a moment for yourself or time to relax with your families.  What do you like to do?  How do you like to spend your free time?

I think I'll go play tennis or walk the lakeyard....followed by a stop at the yummy hot dog stand.....and maybe this afternoon hang a few things! enjoy your weekend!

a father

by cubanchick~  last week, we celebrated father's day.  for many, this was a very happy day where children give their dad's gifts or more importantly spend time with their dad in celebrating this special day.

for me it was different.

it was a day of sad reflection.  as i sat in church, i wished that i had the relationship with my dad that the pastor was preaching about.  my relationship with my dad has been an on-again off-again thing for many years.  unfortunately since my weddidng, it's taken on a whole new turn.  this saddens me greatly.  he is my dad.  my hero for so many years.  (i will say that my relationships with my entire family have changed.  i don't think they understand that i have changed and grown.  i am not the same cubanchick i once was.  and to me that doesn't mean it has to be a bad thing.)

back to my dad. when i do go to visit or when we run into each other, i never know what to expect.  will i receive a happy greeting to see me?  will he be in a bad mood or feeling sick and dismiss me?  i wonder if he is really into his own world like that?  i long for him to WANT to see me and to know this new person that i have become.  i am different not because i was married.  while my husband has opened a new life to me, it has been God that has changed me. i just wish it were different.  this pains me.

i write this blog not for pity.  since this past weekend i keep having this wave of sadness about my father.  i cannot change what is.  but my father in heaven can.  i pray that God will change or open my dad's eyes.  that my dad will know how much i truly love him and only want the best for him (he cannot handle any correctional comment from me).

i write this because i have felt compelled to share my story and my feelings.  i have kept this pain just to myself and my husband. the happy blogs are always better.  but to any reader that is hurting just as i am, i understand.  most importantly, our father in heaven understands.  Daddy God sees our pain and sees our tears. 

while we may have our earthly fathers, our father in heaven is OUR FATHER.  we can always go to him and he will always be willing to hear to what you have to say.  when you grow as a person, he is delighted since you allowed him to make that change. our father in heaven is our source of love. he will never hurt you or betray you.  please remember that always.  whatever the challenge-the father is with you. feel free to share or if you rather email, you can write at [email protected]. Have a blessed day.

on the road

by cubanchick~  well, i figured i better take advantage of the internet here.  so i am writing again!

we are at a small town to the north west of us.  which means i am in a tiny town on the southern part of alabama.  i'm not too far from home but far enough to stay in a hotel for a few days.  in comparison to my classroom ratrace, this has been pretty relaxing so far.

i say relaxing, but our first day did not pan out as we had hoped. our first day was last week in a different town, (the day i got off of school when trained and headed off to work).  the computers were down and we had to do paper applications for each applicant which took much longer and of course, us rookies left out a bunch of information.

i will say that the small drives alone have been enjoyable.  the alabama terrain is hillier that florida and it's so pretty.  the town we're in today is so cute and picturesque.  for lunch we went to this cafe that had a small deli.  as we waited for our food, i couldn't help but wish my hometown had something like that.  between the heavily and cafe-ish decorated walls and the partitioned area for computers (the partitions were old doors painted in different colors) gave this cafe such a downhome character.  so far, this cafe has made the trip for me.  i feel like Guy on the food network's Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives.  We're looking out for unique fantastic places! 

we're wrapping up this first day here and the fact that i am ble to write a blog is amazing to me!  while teaching there is never a spare moment.  i'll keep everyone in touch on my road trips!!!  but i will try to keep the repetitive stuff out.. have a great afternoon all!

the happy end to the school year

by cubanchick~  hello everyone!  i have not written in a few weeks. sorry.  my last blog was about the craziness that entails the end of a school year.  this year was no different.  it was one high-stress moment after the other until the crash and burn of the last day.  well, it felt like a crash and burn, but it really turned out fine.  i had all my little boxes on my checklist done and initialed.

whew..the kids are finally gone and then the last day where teachers usually get to finish working on their rooms..well we had professional development!!!! so me wanting to leave as soon as i can, worked like the roadrunner the day the students left hoping to get everything done.  well, it worked because my room was stripped.

so the morning of our professional development included a lot of me walking the halls until it was time for my grade level to train.   i walked and wandered.  i also wondered how some teachers were ever going to leave (they had so much stuff still out and on their walls.  we are supposed to have our rooms stripped down to bare walls before leaving. 

so to finish that chapter was a very happy moment in my life.  while i loved and enjoyed the students i had this year, i am so very happy to have a break from the classroom.

i am currently on the road with my new job!!!  in case you missed the earlier blog where i mentioned that i am now also an insurance agent.  so i am writing this from a tiny town in alabama!  i will write and let you know how things go anytime i can access the internet. another blog to come later!!