About Me

I'm Crys...or Mrs. House to my students..  I feel I should tell you that I'm much funnier in person, but I'm also a whole lot more awkward.

I call people "dude," laugh in really inappropriate situations and believe that if someone has to use an AED machine on me in my classroom, they should at least have the decency to leave my bra on my body and spare me any extra humilation.

Oh, and I'm apparently a vampire.  (I was unaware until one of my students kindly pointed out that my eyes were the same color as those of the Cullen family after a big feed.  It's my finest moment as an educator.)  And before you cleverly suggest I spend some time in the sun, I don't tan--as in can't.  My foundation color=paper.  Thanks for noticing.

I'm a high school English teacher who loves to read, edit and write.  I'm not necessarily great at any of them unless we're judging by sheer quantity which might also make me a failure depending on the comparison.

Sarcasm is my language of choice; English is the vehicle through which it arrives.
I don't like to mint my chocolate; I love anything in shades of yellow, and I don't have Facebook.  (Best. Decision. Ever.)

My husband, Favorite, and I just built our dream home, and while it may not be particularly impressive, it's exactly what we wanted (complete with cherry cabinets, hardwood floors and a walk-in master closet).  Currently, we're in the process of decorating, furnishing and finishing our abode.  Actually, a good portion of my bucket list is currently devoted to hanging pictures on the wall or purchasing curtains.

I'm surviving PCOS (I am actively working to avoid growing a beard), loss and the knowledge that I don't really balance on the crazy/hot scale.  (There's a lot more crazy here than hot.)  But to put those things in perspective, I have the knowlege that I can talk like Yoda and sing "Holding Out For A Hero" at the next round of karaoke.

I also just became a mommy in March 2013 so there will probably be a billion hilarious stories about my ineptitude as a parent.

Archimedes, the meanest shih tzu alive.

I love Jesus,
my family,
my dog,
Nichole Nordeman
twizzlers,
cardigans,
great shoes,
sleeping,
Madeleine L'Engle,
make up,
Galatians,
telling people what to read,
lesson planning,
shopping,
and, this just in, matching jewelry to my outfits (who knew how fun that was?!).

I also really love learning.  I started a master's in English in the Fall of 2011.  So far, it's been a disaster.  But I'm entering this semester with high hopes.

Recently, Favorite and I went through a recent change as far as churches are concerned.  It meant giving up Women's Bible Study--which was my heart, and praise and worship which had been my life for the last eleven years.  The transition, while hard, has been rewarding.

Thanks for dropping by.  Leave a comment so I know you've been here.  Generally, I send you an email in response.

Mostly, I feel blessed to have the opportunity to walk this stretch of road with you.  Oh, and I hope your day is find-a-fuzzy-hat-in-Target-and-can't-stop-smilin' good:

Feel free to contact me:  cryshsmn@aol.com

People you may read about on my blog (with any sort of regularity):

Favorite:  My husband.  He's usually wearing a hat or doing something...um...fascinating.
Ryan, Rhino, or Little Navajo:  My son who was born March 2013

Barky:  My dog.  Also called Bark, Bark-Bark, Archimedes
Corky:  My newest dog.  Also called Cork, Cork-Cork and Alex (usually on accident)
 

BigBro:  My older brother.  He lives in Ohio.

SILSheena:  BigBro's Wife (but my best friend first).

LilBro:  My little brother.  He lives two hours north of me in the same state.
Nik-Nak:  Lil Bro's wife
KK:  My niece
 

Mom:  My mom.

Dad:  My Dad.

Gloria & Jason:  My aunt and uncle.

JaketheSnake:  Gloria and Jason's son, and the most hilarious cousin in the world.

Diane & Gene:  My aunt and her husband.

MattiJo:  My niece

The CCL (CrazyCowLady) and PastorJosh:  My pastor and his wife (and also my very good friends)
Num-Num TheWonderChild:  CCL & PastorJosh's daughter

I'll add anyone else for a quick reference guide if they get a lot of blog play.  For now, this should keep you up-to-date.