Mini the Van

(1992 Dodge Caravan--Not the actual Skidmore mini, but it will do)

My earliest memories of car rides include a white mini van with gray interior.  However, my mom's life really started when she traded in the white and gray mini for a white and gold wonder wagon.  That's right.  The egg shell white paint of our new van was beautifully accented with gold hubcaps and a matching gold pin stripe.  Shelby and I would frequently leave school and walk half way up the big hill to meet our pimped out ride and it's owner (my mom).  We never missed our ride because there was a small rock stuck in the front right tire that would announce the coming of the skidmore mini.....CLACK..CLACK..CLACK.......just in case we couldn't spot the gleam off of the hubcaps.

The white and gold goodness on wheels carted us around for many years, only to meet a tragic end.  It happened in the parking lot of my dad's office.  Shelby was singing a tune with great gusto, and as part of her grand finale, she grabbed the handle of mini and passionately slid her door open.....right off the track...and onto the ground.  I remember looking at Shelby with disbelief, but this was quickly followed by a solid minute of laughter.  Mini was injured and we needed to act quickly.  Luckily, my mom had a couple of bungee chords in the trunk, which she skillfully used to secure mini's door to the middle bucket seat.  Mom was bound and determined to save mini...so determined that she ordered Shelby and I to sit in the bucket seat DIRECTLY NEXT TO the hanging door.  We were instructed to HOLD ON  to the door TIGHT as we puttered down the highway at a painfully low speed.  Never mind the fact that a speed bump would have resulted in our certain death.  We were committed to our hooptie.

Mini was repaired, but, sadly, the parking lot incident was the beginning of the end.  Here's to you mini.  Thank you for serving us in style for so many years.      

"You could bring your instruments..."

Allison and Randy Fuller came to visit us this weekend. Randy, being the wonderful husband that he is, surprised Al with a trip to Austin for her 26th B-day. I have to say, I have never been someone's birthday present before, and I felt so honored! The weekend was filled with good conversations, good food, and LOTS of laughter. We talked, went shopping, watched the OU game, ate at our favorite Austin restaurants (The Omlettry, Frank and Angies, Santa Rita), had table-top smores at Halceon, jammed on the guitar and piano (well, at least Randy did), and worshipped at Austin Stone Church. I told Allison that I felt like it was my birthday because I had so much fun. It's not very often that you find a friend who finds joy in all of the same things as you! As my mom told Allison, we are "heart friends," and I couldn't agree more! I am so thankful for the Fullers; every time I am with them, I am encouraged and challenged in my faith. Thank you, Randy and Al, for your commitment to Christ; you are a wonderful example to me and Christian, and we are so thankful for your friendship. Thank you, also, for your appreciation of awkward comments. Christian and Randy deserve some kind of special award for marrying me and Allison! God has blessed me and Christian with wonderful friends, and I look forward to many more memories with the Fullers!

Palin Mania!

I consider myself a moderate when it comes to politics. In fact, I am ashamed to say that I have never voted...I frankly never cared enough to get off the couch and stand in line. During this election period, I once again found myself on the fence. I was a voucher-hatin', baby lovin', anti-universal health care gal with a passion for social justice. Like I said...a moderate. HOWEVER, I recently fell off the fence and into the Alaskan wilderness. That's right. A small town mayor from the "Last Frontier" has won my heart. She's a mother of five (including a special needs child) who made her debut in "politics" as a member of the PTA...you've gotta love a hockey mom who cares about education reform. Yes, I admit that I shed a tear when listening to her acceptance speech; women have come a long way in the 88 years since we earned the right to vote. Thank you, Mrs. Palin, for inspiring me to care again.

Lakehouse '08!

I am so thankful for the friends that God has blessed me with! It was a perfect weekend.

Walk it out, Shelbs!

My little sister is in Africa right now being Jesus to kids. I miss her dearly, but I am so proud of her desire to do God's work. She told me that she has been teaching the kids to dance and they love it! Please pray for her as she continues to serve and love others.

I was missing her today and thought that I would post this video in honor of her. It has no significant spiritual meaning, but Shelby and I both think it is sick (in a good way). Seriously hilarious...you must watch!

Check out what my kids are doing (it's working now)....

World On Fire

My amazing eighth grade students have each set up blogs in an effort to review and comment on different humanitarian efforts going on in the world today. They have examined Kiva, One is Greater Than None, Data, and Invisible Children. If you have a chance, you should check out the work that these organizations are doing....it's pretty incredible. On Monday, we all watched the video "World On Fire" (see below), which rocked my world the first time I saw it. Apparently, it did the same for several of my students. Here are a few of the things that they wrote:

"i didnt now that some people around the world didnt have money, education, and homes. when i get older i promise to help and give lots of money to help people get shelters and homes."
-Drew

"One more thing is that $3,500 is being used for a production superviser instead of schooling and support for 70 children of war in Sierra Keone. So all I'm saying is that you help out down there or whatever over there, they need our help and support, it wouldn't hurt to send money or stuff like that, that includes clothes, so please help the people in those countries, please."
-Deidre

"America is spending way too much money that we don't "need". Yes we may "want" it but we don't really "need" it. It won't kill anyone if you don't spend that much money on a music video, but but it will if you don't get food, medicine,or that kind of stuff."
-Jen

"My personal reaction, is that is pretty sad, that other parts in the world are poor, and peoples ignorance is what keeps them from helping them. I think that people should think twice, before they actually do something that is not going to help the world."
-Mau

"I think that it was really thoughtful of her to do this and it is helping the african people a lot, and this video has inspired me to want to start saveing up money to give, because the video really makes me want to make a diference now."
-Gabby

Wow. If these kids are our future, then it's looking pretty bright. Blinding, even.

In honor of my masters report

This is a dolphin.

Ode to Procrastination

I planned to write this long ago
But decided I should wait
Lesson plans and grad homework
Were loading up my plate
I'd rush from work, go to my class
And then go home at night
Lesson plans still in my bag
I had time for TV, right?
I can multitask, no prob
Computer on my lap
Do a little research here
Oh, wow, I need a nap
30 minutes should do the trick
It's only half past eight
After all, I'll work much better
When I'm out of this tired state
Man this couch is comfy
Half an hour just ain't enough
I can get up early
And do that other stuff...
-Kathrine Pimentel

Christmas Break!

WOW! We had a great break here at the Pimentel Casa. We started it off by going to visit Christian's family in Cleveland, TX. It was complete with a hay ride, four-wheeling, counting cows (you think I'm kidding), presents, and great conversations about the Lord. I am so thankful to be a part of such a wonderful family.

After our brief stint in East Texas, we came home and spent Christmas eve and day with Christian's immediate family. I loved getting to cook with Linda and laugh with the Pimentels. What a blessing they are to me...I always feel right at home with them.

We then traveled to the Skidmore abode and did a mini-Skidmore family Christmas before joining the rest of the Skidmores in Plano. I love being with Mom, Dad, Shelbs, and Christian. I am so thankful that we have all developed deep friendships with one another. We have so much fun together!

Our time in Plano was great, as always; it's so good to be able to catch up with our boy cousins, Greg, David and John, once a year. I am so proud of what each of them are doing with their lives. I also loved visiting with Don, Kathy, Emily and Grandmama. I am thankful that we are all still able to get together each year!

New Years was spent with the Dishmans and the Holmes at the lake house. We are so grateful for the frienships of these two couples. They are like family to us...we always have so much fun together. We loved laughing, singing, playing games, and investigating a fire (ask me about it later) with them!

We ended our Christmas break on a perfect note! Christian took me to San Diego for my birthday and it was an absolute blast! We stayed downtown in the Gaslamp Quarter, ate some great food, went to the zoo, experienced the magic of Disneyland, and enjoyed Coronado Island. Christian is so good about doing sweet things for me; he is a great hubby! Here are some pics of our trip.

At the "Hotel Del" for brunch

Disneyland! At the "French Quarter"


At Disneyland in line for "Peter Pan's Flight"

At Disneyland outside of "It's a Small World"

Having brunch at the Crown Room at the Del

Point Loma in the distance--outside the Del

On Harbour Island enjoying the view!

At the San Diego Zoo with the camels

By the lighthouse at Point Loma--a peninsula off the coast of San Diego

Point Loma--beautiful!

What an awesome trip!