Surprise, Surprise

Surprise, surprise, I failed at blogging again. Let's just be real here, I'll probably never be good at this. I'm glad we can all accept that and move forward.

In other news, I have survived!  I lived through 9 days straight of work!  I taught all last week, with some added stress if I may say so myself. After data team Friday I headed to my old job and spent the weekend with the kiddos. The weekend was drama filled (not surprising at all) but I made it through. I finished out strong through the two day week of evil and have lived to speak of it. I'm so thankful for a break! I woke up at 6:30 thinking of next week's lesson plans, but that's still an hour more sleep than usual.

I'm ready for a few fun days off. I plan on baking and getting a lot of holiday crafting done. I'm making each of the girls matching skirts for Christmas.  I will also be attempting handmade ornaments for each of my students. I hope to have at least 8 done by Sunday night. In my mind, they are going to be adorable. Hopefully it isn't a failure, because I can't think of anything else to do with 20 quilting hoops. I also have to license my new car, which greatly takes away the fun of a new car. Goodbye, nearly one month of pay.

Anywho, yay for break! Better go get it started!

Her 24th Year.

Per facebook friend duty, many people wished me a happy birthday today.  One true friend mentioned she missed catching up on my life through my blog.  So, here I am trying once again to be a semi regular blogger.  The goal had been floating around in my mind for a while, but I had ignored it.  But, I must give the public what it demands.  My goal is one post a week.  We'll see how long that lasts.

I figure an easy place to start is a look back at this year.  This year, my 24th, has been a roller coaster in every single way.  It has had my emotions from extreme highs to extreme lows, I've laughed, cried, thrown fits, screamed, hugged, danced, cheered, and pouted far more than I think I ever have before.

The Highlights--

• I quit my job, of 3.5 years, left my sweet babies, packed up and moved home.  All of this happened over the span of about two weeks.  In someways it was the best way to go about leaving, and in some it was the worst.  I still miss my kids terribly.  I often think about going back and forgetting this teaching business.  I enjoy teaching, but I'm not sure anything can compare to sharing your life with people you love so much.  I truly think it is probably second only to being an actual parent.
• I said goodbye to a regular paycheck for almost 8 months.  That was a terrifying thing.  Sure I worked a little here and there, but it just isn't the same.  I had saved, but not near enough to curb my shopping habit.  The Lord always provided, and it taught me to be wiser in my spending and savings and to truly trust in the Lord to provide what I need.
• I student taught for 8 weeks in Kindergarten and 9 weeks in 3rd grade at my alma mater.  All in all both placements were amazing.  They each had their struggles and their successes.  Being home was easier than I thought it might be, but it quickly became clear teaching at home probably wasn't in my best interest.
• I spent a summer doing nothing.  This may have been one of the hardest things I've ever done.  It came about through total miscommunication, but I thought I would need to be free for school stuff throughout the summer, but that totally wasn't the case.  So I kept my summer plan free, to only never have the things take up time that were supposed to.  It was a bore.
• I said goodbye to my best friend.  Looking back this may have been the hardest part.  Saying goodbye to someone you thought would be in your life forever is in no way easy, and even now the thought brings up some twinges of pain.  I know it was the right thing to do, but it came with a lot of reality.  I learned so much throughout the entirety of that relationship, and I'm thankful it happened, but it was hard.  I still wish him well, it just became clear our love for one another was in no way equal and that God had different plans.
• I said hello to my first teaching position.  I'm still not sure how I feel about this one overall.  There are days where I wonder if I will ever be able to stick with this until I'm 55.  It is hard work.  And it makes me all sorts of sleepy.  There are days where I feel like I'm drowning and there are days I feel like I'm on top of the world.  It is truly a great way to feel like a champ and a nutjob all at the same time.  I'm so thankful for the opportunity to take a large roll in each of my student's lives.  Though many of them will forget just about everything about me before their lives are over, I hope they remember the love, compassion, patience, and care I tried to show them.  I hope they remember how I wanted them to treat other fairly and with dignity.  I hope they remember the manners I taught them.  And I hope they remember the fun we shared.

While that is really not anywhere close to the entirety of my year, it is the major highlights.  I'm looking forward to year 25 mostly.  It truly feels old for some reason.  Probably because I still feel like a 19 year old on the inside.

What a Day

Oh... What. A. Day.

I have been totally irresponsible today, but at the same time so productive.  How is that even possible?  I can begin work on my classroom Monday, and a I officially start work in eight (woooooaaaahhh... just counted that up, and it's scary!) days.  And today, I didn't work on anything for my classroom.  Like nothing.  Nada.  Nunca.  Nine.  Nope.  Not a thing.

Instead I photographed and mailed off an Etsy order.  Sewed a skirt for myself and a skirt for my mom as a birthday present.  Then I ripped and sewed and ripped and sewed and once again ripped and sewed on my skirt because I put the waistband on incorrectly two and a half times.  Third time is a charm I suppose.  I also watched some sort of PBS special about a member of the Gaither Vocal Band with my parents, and cut out the pieces for another skirt.  I was going to sew it up tonight, but then realized that I pinned it incorrectly because I'm tired and my brain is mush.

So, tomorrow I should do school stuff...  I really should read that awful, boring book that doesn't apply all that much to my sweet kinders but is still required reading.  And I should write their names on some class decor.  Figure out where I can print some cute prints I saw on Pinterest to display in my classroom, work more on my bunting banners, and pack up my car for Monday morning.  Ohhhh... so much to do.  I think I'll go make a list and paint my toes.  That will make me feel less overwhelmed, right?

This weekend

This weekend I...

• Sewed my mom a new clothes pin bag.  Kind of made it up as I went, but I did create my own pattern, a first for me.
• Cut the tops off of all the Johnson Grass around our yard.  Apparently it's not a good thing to have in your field, and my dad had mentioned taking the tops off so I just did it while he was busy... and got all itchy in the process.
• Went shopping with my mom.  On the way we got stuck in a line of giant performance diesel trucks, and subsequently got caught in giant clouds of smoke at every stop light.
• Finished buying things for my classroom.  Picked out a bunch of fabric for some classroom and personal projects, raided the dollar rack at Target, and picked up a few shirts at Academy. 
• Was asked where my husband/boyfriend was at church, and the person was referring to my brother... :/
• Fixed a blueberry and cream pie, that ended up tasting more like lemon than much else, but it was pretty tasty! (Recipe found here)
• Spent some time looking up ads for my grandma so she could do some produce price matching.
• Accidentally took a two and a half hour nap.
• Went on a late night Walmart run.
• Stayed up way too late!

Mom's new clothes pin holder.

Fabrics I got for various classroom and a couple personal projects.

What did you do this weekend?

Less than productive summer...

So, let's just start off on a low point and work our way up.  It is really pretty clear, no matter how many times I decide to start a new blog, I become no better at it.  I'm an avid blog reader, and I think other people write some brilliant and insightful things.  I aspire to be as witty and wise as those ladies are.  But really, I just don't know that I have it in me.

I try to think of things to write.  I try and remember to take pictures in everyday life.  But really folks, I don't think you want to see what I've been looking like these days.  I can honestly say I think I have not worn makeup more times this summer than I have.  And I've gone out in public like that.  I know, poor Monett.  I have been doing a little better about actually fixing my hair, but to be honest, today will probably be a wet french braid day.

I have been mildly productive at getting things ready for my classroom.  My to do list is still slightly out of control and I've really got to stop adding things to it until I cross some off.  Maybe making an actual list would help.  Who knows, I've never been a list person.

In the meantime, I have majorly let my Etsy shop go.  Well it's still there, but I have done nothing to it.  Poor sitting duck of a shop.  Today and tomorrow are dedicated to getting some more things posted.

Really, and surprisingly, the only thing I've been pretty good about this summer is walking my dog.  (Insert cute picture of Millie here... I'll get to it, maybe).  She and I have logged over 40 miles so far this summer.  I have only lost about 2 pounds, which infuriates me, but whateve... I'm sure my arteries are at least a little healthier or something.

I know it's not the best picture, but you can see her cute bent tail. 

The two partners in crime.  This is how Millie spends a lot of time, I worry her blindingly white belly may burn.  Silly girl. Also notice how sweet, innocent Libby (if you ask the rest of my family) is sitting on all the toys so Millie can't get to them.

I'm sad to say that this is the end of this post, and there has been absolutely no point.  You're welcome world! I'll try and do better next time, but really, don't hold your breath.

Summer Wish List

This summer I'm living on a SUPER tight budget, but that doesn't mean my shopping addiction has gone away.  I have bought myself very few articles of clothing since quitting my job last January and it's really starting to get to me.  So, I decided I'd make a summer wish list.  It's all the things I want, but sadly can't have.  :(

Ash Calypso Canvas Women's Wedges

Please, come live in my closet and travel to school with me.  I'd be one happy and comfy teacher.

Source

b.o.c Foxglove Flat Sandal in Black
Black sandals are missing from my life, I need them so bad!  All I have are some Old Navy Flip Flops, and some old beat up Reef sandals.  It just won't do.

 

Source

AB Studio Leaf Chiffon Dress

I feel like this one doesn't need an explanation.  It just screams fun kindergarten teacher.

Source

Striped 3/4 Sleeve Cardigan

This, and like 1 million other things from The Loft.  When I get a pay check or two under my belt Tanger Outlet Mall best watch itself... 

Source

What are you looking at this summer?  Are you loving the colors this season like I am?

The One Where the Girl Starts Over... Yet Again

Hey friends!

I know that it wasn't all that long ago that I started a new blog, but it just was never quite what I wanted it to be.  I'm not sure what I thought it should be, but let's just say it wasn't it.  So, with a new phase of life, a new Etsy business, and some new thoughts about the world I've decided to give things another go.  

So, follow along with me from my Ugly Gold Pheasant Chair (more on that later) as I try and get my Etsy business up and running, begin an adventure as a first year Kinder teacher, and just try and find way through this world!