Monday, September 5, 2011

I love 3 day weekends

Unemployment + phone call/interview/job offer in 1 day + 2 days off in 15 days = LOVING MY 3 DAY WEEKEND.

Weight: lost 2 lbs.. this is after gaining 3 the first week I joined the gym, so not sure how that all works out but I have lost 2 lbs from my original starting weight. No noticeable difference except the wonderful fact that I miss the gym when I don't go and I definitely feel better about myself. So I'm loving it

Nails: grown out! Once I get payed (which wont be until the 15th, damn you Wake County) I'm treating myself to a fabulous mani/pedi. I can't wait!

Visiting parents: never happened. But I'm planning on going up to HSC the weekend of the 17th for the first home game to see the lil bro and the parents. Trying to make more family time

Painting: all accomplished! I have a fun project for the dining nook though which I will be taking pictures of as I do them. I'd like to thank the flea market and KR for the motivation and inspiration.

Closets......... well, whatever. Not like anyone but me sees them anyway

Saturday, August 13, 2011

12 days left

I'm not weighing myself until the 25th now. I joined a gym on Wednesday (both TWF and KR go there) and I am loving every minute of it! Fingers crossed that helps. I have been everyday since Wednesday. It's amazing how addicted I already feel!

Closets: still pretty good, downstairs needs some more help.

Kitchen done, bathroom still needs some trim finishing touches.

I bought this nail strengthening/growing polish and I've been slightly better at not biting or picking at them. I think one day this week I'm taking Southern Sunshine's advice and getting the shellac manicure. Supposedly it works better when nails are short! Woop woop!

As far as going to visit the fam, well, that one isn't going to happen. Let me explain why! I GOT A JOB!!!! The secretary called me around noon, for an interview at 3pm on Thursday afternoon. At 5pm I walked out of Bugg Elementary with a job and a tshirt!! I went in yesterday morning for a breakfast with the principal. He also opened up the building today and helped me set up my room! Last year my classroom was used as the in-school-suspension room (awesome). So nothing was in it that needed to be there and a million things are in it that don't need to be there. I'm so excited and I'll still be teaching 1st grade!!! Hollllerrrrr!! So unfortunately meetings, staff development, etc start Monday morning so I all of a sudden don't have time! The mother is NOT pleased.


Sunday, July 31, 2011

11 days in

- NO progress on the growing out nails situation. I think the stress of trying to date someone new, being unemployed (still), and generally just being in a rut, this one is going to take some extra effort

-Weight: 1 lb lost!? Might just be that I haven't eaten much today.. hmmm, damn

-Closets: WELL, I've looked long and hard at the closet downstairs. The closets in my room (I have 2) are coming along great! The smaller closet is very organized right now with shoes, jackets hanging, sweatshirts, sweatpants, fleeces, etc on the shelf, bathing suits in basket, and socks and scarfs, pashminas, etc all in hanging shelves. The big closet is all organized, well, atleast everything that is in it so far. Even down to the fact that dresses are organized by sleeve length and/or designer; Maggy London, Lilly P, etc. Honestly, it has never been this organized and it fully makes me realize just how much clothing I unnecessarily have. Which is why I also have a very large bag full of clothes I'm getting rid of. I did a 'Spring Cleaning' a few months ago but I am straight up purging now. I've given up hope on so many of my clothes that "I'll fit into again one day" and I'm just getting rid of them. So I'm looking at you Junior League of Raleigh ladies, if you want some stuff for the Bargain Box, I won't be hanging onto it long.

- I was planning on going up today to see the fam for a few days, but then I got a babysitting job for Tuesday morning, and I'm watching the B family again from Thursday to Sunday. Maybe the following week. I'm worried it keeps getting put off that I won't get to it, but even if it's just a weekend, I'm going.

- Downstairs bathroom is painted. I need to go back in and touch up the trim but I love it. AND the kitchen is painted! I've painted the backsplash and realized I hated that the cabinets weren't actually white.... so... now they are!! Still a work in progress. When both are finalized, pictures will be shared.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

200th!

So you would think for as long as I've had this blog, that I would've reached 200 posts before now. Unfortunately, I am a roller coaster blogger; I come, I go, I'm active, I'm MIA. It happens.

I like to make lists. The process of crossing things off of a To-Do list may be one of my all time favorite activities. It really solidifies that somethings is complete. So I thought, in a very public (for all 3 people that might still read this) way, I will make a to-do list, then come back here and cross it off. I'll add a new page and put the list on there so I can easily access it and edit it but I will write it here. This to-do list is all under the assumption that I will have a job and the 1st day of school is August 25th. So I am giving myself 35 days to complete this list or...... well, I suck.

1) Grow out nails... I really need to stop biting them... again
2) Lose 8 lbs.... I mean seriously, I have a treadmill in my room and a pool 10 yards from my front door, no freaking excuses here
3) Visit the parents in VA
4) Organize closets.. all of them.. yes, even the one underneath the stairs
5) Paint bathroom... I think... or kitchen... haven't decided yet.. perhaps both

Now, that is 5 weeks, 5 things to do. Shouldn't be too bad. We shall see how this goes.

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Listen...

Listen to the Mustnt's child, listen to the Don'ts.
Listen to the Shouldn'ts, the Impossibles, the Won'ts.
Listen to the Never Haves, then listen close to me.
Anything can happen, child, Anything can be.

-Shel Silverstein

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Recap

Lots of catching up to do, not in order, but enjoy the pics...



My birthday we went to Lonerider Brewery... YUMMM!!! Two very enthusiastic thumbs up. We plan on going back!


This past weekend I drove up to Winchester, Va for the wedding of a wonderful couple. TWF's sister (essentially a sister of my own), got married at Bluemont Winery. With threats of thunderstorms all day, the sun was shining and the sky was blue. It could not have been a better event. I had tremendous fun.





The kids (see the yellow dress in action!)



Reconnecting with an old friend (on left AH)! and making a new fun one (AH's brother, we'll call him Munchkin ;)



*****

Back in February, TWF, Neighbor, and I went down to visit Kuz (TWF's cousin and fabulous friend of mine). It was an amazing weekend, one I desperately needed and see some of the fun we had!

Me and TWF at the Fat Pelican!! Have you ever been?! It's down in Carolina Beach and YOU MUST!!



Don't you LOVE going out of town and making new friends from back home!! Now the fun is if we ever run into each other back here in Raleigh....

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Because I said so......

Today, I will be drinking wine with dinner.


Sometimes I wonder why when I go home I get so cranky when my roommate has his shoes on my cream sofa, when my neighbor's puppy won't stop barking, when I can't find the show I want to watch, when my DVD skips, and so on and so on. But let's think about what I do ALL day, EVERY day.... I tell things what to do, and they get punished when they do not follow my directions. So when my roommate can't even remember to take his shoes off, I get cranky. When the dog continues to bark even when I will it to stop, I get cranky. Things are supposed to do what I say BECAUSE I SAID SO. I don't have a boyfriend, husband, child, puppy of my own to boss around (hehe), I come home to nothing (sounds far more drastic than I mean it to be). So I truly think I'm allowed a little extra wiggle room in the b*tch department.


If everyday you were in charge of 20 little things running around, and a grown-ass woman (my teacher assistant whom I love and could not live without), it's a little hard to shift roles and NOT be 'in charge' on the home front..... or am I way off base here?


Thursday, April 7, 2011

What shoes? and do we like?

3:30pm wedding, Saturday of Easter Weekend.....

Friday, April 1, 2011

You know you're a teacher when......

You Know You Teach First Grade When...


- Your once neatest handwriters are suddenly writing their names illegibly. Because they're attempting to write in cursive with no formal instruction.

- You've been through no less than 762 glue sticks.

- You've considered changing your name for the day just so you don't have to respond to Ms._______ seventy-eight times in an hour.

- You're fairly certain that a select few students will never recognize the written difference between a "b" and a "d" no matter how many times you correct them.

- You get just as excited as the kids do when the Scholastic book order comes in.


- You welcome inventive spelling if only to have something entertaining to read.

- You wish you got a dollar every time you told your class to "be a level zero in the hallway" or to "get on the line" when walking down the hall.


- You have at least one Dr. Jean album on your iPod.

- Calendar Time exhausts you. I don't know why, but I just hate it.


- You love your students' goofy smiles due to their jack-o-lantern-like assortment of *missing* teeth.


- On that same note, you are driven *12 kinds of crazy* when students repeatedly get up from whole group time to get a tissue to wiggle a loose tooth.

- Your heart goes pitter patter when hear your firsties read, smiling at the fact that you are the one responsible for that.

Your turn! I'd love for you to link up and tell me what things make your grade level special!

Friday, March 18, 2011

Adult decisions

I've heard oh so many people say that they don't feel their age. I babysit for couples in their 40's and they say they feel like they were my age just yesterday. My parents have said over and over "where has the time gone?". I may be 28 (gasp, I'm old) but I share their sentiments. I am attending my 10 year highschool reunion this summer. I am in the career I always wanted. I am ever so slowly getting my act together..... and then there are nights like last night where I act and feel like none of it matters. Yes, I am currently scarfing down a Bojangles chicken filet biscuit combo with a LARGE sweet tea in hopes that it will cure what ails me. I may be running on about 4 hours of sleep. No, the children are not allowed to turn the lights on and yes, we are using our whisper voices this morning. With the temperature reaching 80 today, I predict an extended recess time. If I could ever figure out how our tv/dvd/vcr situation works we would totally be watching a video. Am I looking forward to getting home this afternoon and curling up on the sofa, yes. Did I act my age, no. Was celebrating St. Patrick's day worth it..... YES.

Top o' the mornin to ya!

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Home is where the heart is.....

or at least school is!

I am back at my old school, WES, where I taught for 4+ years until the end of this past October. No, not permanently, just for a few days while I'm tracked out. I'll be there tomorrow and Thursday and next week, Mon-Thurs. I am subbing for the AG teacher. I am having so much fun seeing my former students, running into parents, and hanging out with my teacher friends. It's amazing how comfortable I feel there. I know I have only been at EGE for 3+ months, but I miss WES so much. I walk down the halls, students know me, teachers know me, the security guard knows me, the janitors know me, everyone knows me! I know this comes with time, but I've officially realized I want back... and I don't know how to get there. I walk the halls like I actually know what the hell I'm doing instead of feeling like everything I do is a waste of time, useless, or falling on deaf ears..

ON A HAPPIER NOTE: I LOVE GLEE!!!!!!!!!!!

and for a few of my girls, I've gotten in a really bad habit of some major recycling.. again.. if you know what I mean... help.

Monday, February 21, 2011

taking advice from wherever I can......

“Who are you to judge the life I live? I know I'm not perfect and I don't live to be. But, before you start pointing fingers, make sure your hands are clean.”
-Bob Marley

Monday, February 14, 2011

Phew.... made it

Today is the first day of my track-out. Though I had threatened my roommate, who had contemplated taking the day off too, all was well. I slept in (aka: stayed in bed until 930). Woke up to a sweet Valentine from roommate, completely unexpected. Went to WES to drop off the Valentines this same roommate forgot at home for his class. Grabbed some groceries, made small talk with a cute guy over pimento cheese, made some lunch, watched Secretariat, and just finished making plans to go to the most NON-romantic place I could think of; The PR (aka: The Players Retreat). A few girls and I will be going for dinner on this Single's Awareness Day.


Couldn't think of a better way to wrap up the first day of vacation after a fabulous bday weekend (which I'll write about later)...


Thanks to everyone for their kinds words and encouragement over the past couple of weeks. Things have been rough, and what your thoughts, words, and prayers have shown me, is that I can do this, I will get through, and it can only get better from here.... I can't thank you enough for that..


Thursday, February 3, 2011

All I want for my birthday is......

Does anyone else feel weird actually asking for stuff for your birthday? I just really don't do it. There are always things I would love to have, but when are you too old to ask? Maybe it's just me.



I found these clutches on another blog: www.etsy.com/shop/ao3designs

How stinking cute!!

I've had 3 pairs of these in my life... my last pair got stolen last year, not even a month after I bought them :(
www.ray-ban.com/usa/sunglasses/rb3044/l0207

BEST SHOES EVER.. and I think orange is a severley underrated color: http://store.ryka.com/product140.html

I really want something like this for the end of my bed! http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Monterey-Cubby-Bench/1459036/product.html

Or let's be real... I'd love to just go shopping ;)

Sunday, January 30, 2011

For the love....

I snapped at school. A little piece in me broke and I went to my Assistant Principal and said "he goes, or I go". Now you may ask did I really mean that I was going to quit? No, I certainly did not. I think I really only meant for the afternoon, but she took me very seriously and said she'd much rather see me be able to do my job and if the only way I could see me doing my job was to have my special friend out of the room, then so be it. We'll call him CC. This child is above and beyond anything I can handle on my own. I did not let myself admit, let alone think, this for the first 2.5 months I have been at EGES. But like I said, something snapped. Perhaps it was the bruises I now I have on my arms and legs from when I had to use my body to hold the double doors closed so he could not get out as he was banging his head, hands, and feet against me/the door. Perhaps it was my other special friend, let's just go ahead and call him Baby, when he fell to the floor in the cafeteria because another student got a fork before him in line. His tears and snot and screams after the morning I had literally pushed me over the edge. I was just standing there staring at him, trying to find the energy, will power, desire, motivation, whatever the word is, to do something. I couldn't. An assistant I have come to rely on when it comes to Baby and CC for her very stern manner, walked into the cafeteria, heard/saw the mess Baby was making, looked at me and said "Ms. T, go to your room...I've got this". I just turned around, and walked straight into my Assistant Principal's office.

This all happened about a week and a half ago. In that time, I have gotten the flu, had half my class fall ill, had my assistant out for 2 days, a flat tire, lost my drivers license, NOT been called by the boy, lectured (as a staff) by our principal, had 4 parent-teacher conferences, and all around been miserable. I have tried to shake it, but sometimes, you just can't.

I have been sitting here all day essentially, on one of the most beautiful days Raleigh has seen in awhile, trying to get myself ready and excited for this week at school. I don't have it in me. I don't care. I could not show up at school tomorrow and only because of the backlash it would create from my team/administration/parents, I could not care less. In my past 4 years of teaching, I would take a day off for whatever reason, and would miss my kids. I would miss my team, I would simply miss my school and want to be back to see all that I missed. I don't have that anymore. I didn't think of it this way at first, but I have a new student and I feel like I have to do everything in my power to protect him from this class, this school. He has come in just after mid-year and has no idea what he is getting into with my class. If I can prevent one person from feeling the angst and pain that this place gives me, then perhaps I'm doing some good after all.

How can a school be so broken that it makes everyone miserable?????

How do I get out?

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

they're free.. why not

The fabulous Miss JB and I are off to the canes game tonight. I won two free tickets from my school and so why not! There were 6 sets of 2 tickets each. When I talked to some of the other teachers that won, they are all bringing their husbands or boyfriends. When it was my turn to ask who I was bringing, I simply said "J..... and I think we're drinking beforehand so you'll have to forgive us.... we're both single and well, it's gonna be a girls' night out.... ya know?". Which was followed by silence. I think they're rather jealous.

So if you're able to watch the game on tv tonight, don't bother looking for us. We are in the top section last row..... I'm pumped.

Sunday, January 9, 2011

"Don't judge a book by it's cover"

A fellow Ms. T (http://livinlavidacam.blogspot.com) told me this past weekend to well 1) update my blog and 2) to not judge a book by it's cover. Throughout the weekend I found myself having to remind myself of this many times for many different reasons. So here I am, updating my blog.....

With my birthday coming up in a month I've been doing a lot of thinking about the future and all that jazz. Pam, a fun friend we met last night at the bar, who, at the age of 45, grabbed my hand and told me to "let it all go, don't plan and get the hell out there and do the damn thing".

I have found myself in the company of a few people lately, that are nothing like what they appear to be. Last night, this was made ever so clear. Just because you think or other people think they know someone, how do you ever truly know what they are like. I fell (just a little) for a guy that was sweet, smart, good looking, and a straight up nice guy. I wasn't planning on it, it just happened. And then last night, he showed me what he was really after. In the past, I would try and fix this situation, thinking if I just give it some more time, maybe he'll come around; I mean, I'm having fun right? HELL NO. I am who I am, and I know what I want. If you aren't OK with that, then we're done. I would rather be alone then be with someone who doesn't want more than a bed buddy(duh, right?). This was a friend of a friend. I've known him for a little while. Supposed to be safe. I guess what I'm saying is you never know what you're gonna get. So I'm done picking out books based on the cover. It may look like a great book, but there is no guarantee that you're going to actually like it. No more just picking up romantic comedies, we're going to branch out and see what is out there. I'm not good at putting myself out there but sometimes you just have to get out of your own way. You never know because one minute a boy could be making you feel utterly cheap and easy, and then the next minute you could meet a boy from South Carolina who tells you that you have a beautiful smile and should use it more often ;)

Here's to not judging a book by it's cover and to lots and lots of reading in the future.