Life Lately

I don’t know how many times I’ve sat down to write about life, and then come up with nothing…or started to write a post and lost interest halfway through.  I still don’t feel like I’ve got all that much to say, but I will compile the mish-mash of thoughts and stories from life in the past few weeks.

Spring Break was good, I went into it without very many set plans but it ended up being a great break.  It started with a trip to Seattle to see “Hunger Games” with sister and Natalie.  We had a great movie date, and it was fun to see my two Seattle girls.  And let me just say, I am completely obsessed with Hunger Games. Loved the movie, came home and read all three books.

Miss Kim was able to come up for a little 24 hour visit. Can’t believe that was only a week ago. We had a great visit, and she got to see my parents who haven’t had a chance to see her on the other little visits she’s made earlier this year. While she was here we decided to play around and try to find me a man on this Christian dating website. Let’s just say, we didn’t exactly find Prince Charming – we did “meet” this guy who didn’t seem to know how to carry on a conversation at least online. And we did find out that her brother was one of my matches. So other than the brief and hilarious forray into internet dating, Kim and I spent a lot of time talking, laughing, discussing our love of Pinterest, and shopping. The visit went by way too fast, and I can’t wait to go visit her sometime soonish!

My dad took me shooting, and I absolutely loved it! He’s going tomorrow, and if I wasn’t helping my mom go shopping for my sister’s birthday, then I would be out with him. I’m not very good at hitting a target, but it’s so much fun!

I have basically been living at my parent’s house the last two weeks. Money has been tight, like I said before, but in the last month I spent almost as much on gas as I’ve been paying in rent. It’s ironic, that I move out of my parent’s house (about 30 minutes away) and then get hired at a school that is literally 3 minutes away from my parent’s house. I feel a little silly paying rent for a house I’m not living in, but the money I’ve been saving feels even better and it’s nice to have people to hang out with after a day of work.

Play season is back upon us, and I have been busy choreographing the dance number for the spring show.  I only have 8 dancers (well 9 including the monster) which has been such a nice change of pace after having 28 dancers in the last play, and these kids pick up on the steps quickly so we’ll be able to spend a good amount of time refining and making it polished. We’re dancing to “Ain’t Nothing Wrong With That” and since the play ‘Thing From Another World” which is based on the movie “The Thing” and set in the 1950s I’ve been incorporating some retro dance moves.  Oh, if you need a good laugh, look up Dancing Kim on YouTube, she’s totally rad!

School has been good, but crazy after coming back from Spring Break and then it was Spirit Week which had my kids totally thrown for a loop – they were so into it and dressing up each day pretty much took over everything else. So glad that’s finally over. I have to be observed for the second time this year in the next week or two, which shouldn’t be a big deal but it’s always nerve-wracking and the principal would like to see a math lesson which isn’t my favorite, I would much rather do a reading or writing lesson. But it’ll be fine, if you know of any good kindergarten math lessons, I’d love to hear them!

Sister’s birthday is this week, and we’ve got quite the list of birthday festivities planned, so I’m sure it’ll be another busy week.

My mind is starting to go blank, it’s been a very long day, so I think I will bid you adieu for now!

Have a great weekend!

Report Card Season

I’ve been MIA the past week, due to report cards at school.  It seems like when that time of year rolls around, things just get crazy! For every category on the report card there’s a test that I have to give my kids, it’s exhausting for them and for me.  It has been a very long week full of math and reading testing, but today will hopefully be the last day! Hallelujah! And after all this testing and since St. Patrick’s Day is tomorrow, we’re going to do a few fun little activities with Lucky Charms today!

In other new, I feel like I’ve been a little boy crazy in the last month in my posts. Sorry! Not meaning to be, just something that’s been on my mind, and so it comes out here. :0)

I had an interview for another part-time position on Tuesday (when it snowed!).  They only interviewed me and one other candidate, but I haven’t heard anything yet, so I’m thinking that they decided to go with the other person.  Which is okay, disappointing but okay.  The principal at my current school also offered me an additional part-time job, as a small group tutor essentially.  So, however it works out I’ll have more work which is such a Godsend!

Marvelous Monday

It’s Monday! Aside from having a cold it has been a wonderful day! The sun came out and it was a beautiful, and there were a few extra little things that brightened my day.

This is the journal page one of my students wrote today, it says, “I like teacher. I love teacher.” She brought it over to me and read it and then said, “that’s you!” And then she gave me a big hug. So sweet!

This wasn’t from today but I found it when I was doing some grading, it’s me as a snowman!

And, best for last…

This and a Starbucks card arrived from the far off land of Vancouver :0) Thank you Tim and Kim! Made my night!

State of the State

Well, I finally have a minute to sit and write something besides Thursday Latelies and Fill in the Blank Friday.  So here’s a quick recap on life lately…

Roommate drama has come and gone, although she doesn’t seem super warm towards the dog, things between us are okay.  So I’ll just keep working with the pup and hopefully her behavior will improve! School has been going well, my kids are super chatty lately which has been frustrating and today was a rough day in kindergarten. I’ve still been a little lonely, and after spending last week at home with my parents I miss having people around to hang out with.  I am going to visit my favorite married friends in about 3 weeks! (Can’t wait!) I have been watching large amounts of 30 Rock on Netflix! I just started a new book Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet and I am totally hooked!

And…It’s a brand new month so I thought I’d take a minute to check in on my 2012 Bucket List.

The Good

 I’ve started talking Kanga for long walks/runs in the morning which has been nice.  In the  past I’ve never been much of a runner and although I do have some killer shin splints, I’ve really enjoyed it!

My checkbook has been balanced on a more regular basis – yay!

I have cooked only 1 frozen meal (that I can think of) so far in 2012!

The Bad

My goal of posting outfits once a month didn’t happen for the month of January but it wasn’t without trying.  It is hard to take outfit pictures of yourself!

I have not done a good job having daily quiet time, my goal for February is to make this a part of my daily routine.

No progress on the 3 dates for the year, but I have 11 months left!

Ch-ch-changes

Lots has been going on since lease day! Beth got married!! It was a beautiful ceremony and a wonderful weekend. We have been living in the new house for about a week now, and most of it is all put together. We’re needing to get a few last things for the downstairs but it looks like a real house!

I started my part-time long-term subbing job on the first day of school, and it’s been busy and exhausting. We have 28 second graders and it is crowded! All the other classes are at overload as well so they are going to add a new second grade class. So there may be a job opening for me!

And…I have a job interview Thursday morning!!! For a continuing contract!! It’s a 4th/5th split classroom, and it sounds like I have a pretty good chance of getting it! I’m trying not to be overly hopeful but we’ll just have to wait and see what God’s plan is.

Fill in the Blank and A Few Notes

Okay, so I have been absent for the past week or so with packing like a mad woman for the move that is happening next week! (At least starting next week) On top of the move, school stuff is starting next week and Beth’s wedding is a next Saturday!!!! I am so excited for wedding weekend! Anyway, on to the “blanks!”

1. One of life’s most simple pleasures is…sittig on a dock with your feet in the water.

2. Trying to figure out how to fit all my belongings into not so many boxes…makes me want to punch someone.

3. I like…bows and glitter….because…they make me feel girly.

4. Flupey…is a funny word. (actually it’s not really a word, it’s one of my dog’s many nicknames Mr. Flupey.)

5. If I had to choose one beauty product to use for the rest of eternity it would be…aloe vera probably. It smells pretty good, helps sun burn, it’s good for your skin, and it can also be used as hair gel!

6. I’m happy that…my new phone came today!!

7. I would never…choose to be a nurse/doctor/EMT/watch surgery. I can deal with blood and injuries in the moment and take care of someone, but I get woozy looking at wounds, blood, etc. or even thinking back on what I’ve just bandaged, not my strength!

Life in ABCs

Here are 26 insights into my life lately…

A – anniversary sale (love Nordstrom)
B – Beth’s birthday!
C – cake
D – Dooney and Bourke (new purse!)
E – envelopes (stuffing wedding invitations for Beth’s wedding)
F – freeway
G – great coffee
H – hard work
I – invitations
J – jewelry shopping
K – Keeping busy
L – laughter
M – Michael Kors
N – Newly painted nails
O – Olympia
P – purchases
Q – quality French onion soup :0)
R – rose gold watch
S – sister emails
T – Tucker dog
U – unexpected trip (well almost)
V – Vancouver
W – wedding planning
X – “idea eXplosion”
Y – Young Life farewell
Z – zippy driving

More to come later this week with more details!

March Madness

Week one of my 30 for 30 challenge is almost over and already I’m learning why it’s a challenge. With 30 pieces of clothing total, I have to stay on top of my laundry and making sure I have enough clothes! During the week it’s not so bad (minus the fact that I have 3 skirts and 3 dresses as a part of my wardrobe and the rainy, COLD weather lately), but on the weekend I have to use those 30 pieces which include mostly nicer work clothes and not my typical relaxed weekend fare.  No torn jeans, yoga pants, hoodies, etc. Which is fine, just an adjustment. :0) I have made it through the week without buying any new clothing, accessories, or shoes! I did buy some dishes on sale at Target but since they’re not part of my wardrobe it’s a legit, non-rule breaking purchase.

For non-fashion related news, report cards are due in a couple of weeks and I’m starting to madly compile student work for the conferences that will begin in the last week of March. I think they’ll go well, I don’t really anticipate problems with parents that I was a little wary of the first time around. School’s going well. This week we are getting ready to host the monthly awards assembly.  The second graders will be singing and putting on a short play.  Our theme of the assembly is supposed to be goals and the play doesn’t really connect all that well, but that’s fine with me. The kids are so excited and it will be really cute.

YL is going well, things have kinda settled into a routine and there’s not so much passive aggressive behavior.  In two weeks, I’m giving the message at the end of club. It’s the second time I’ve ever done it and I’m not really nervous but it’s two weeks away at this point. I essentially know what I’m going to talk about I just need to flesh ideas out a bit more.

And, for Spring Break it looks like I’m officially going to be heading to the east coast to visit Beth! Ahh! So excited! Boston here I come! It’ll be perfect timing too since my 30 -for-30 will have just ended and I can go back to shopping! (I know I have a small addiction with clothes) Okay, gotta get back to lesson planning and organizing the rest of my life!

Really? It’s not Saturday…

Happy Veterans Day! My day off was spent doing a little shopping and relaxing at home. All day I had to keep reminding myself that there’s school tomorrow, the weekend has not started yet. Really, it doesn’t make any sense to go back to school, wish I could call in sick but I have nothing ready for a sub.

Not too much going on here. Things have seemed to lighten up a bit in terms of stress. YL is going better or at least I haven’t had any more issues with certain individuals. Last week I was seriously contemplating quitting, but I’m in it for the year at this point and trying to stay positive and trust that everything that happens is for the best.

On another note, on Saturday I ‘m attending the wedding reception for my best friend from junior high and high school. We are, I don’t know, I guess estranged is the best word for it, at this point in time. Have been for a while, but she invited me and so I’m going. Not exactly sure what to expect, it’ll be good to see her and to see some people from high school who I’ve heard will be going as well.

I should get to bed, since we have a full day of work ahead tomorrow. And then it’s finally the weekend!!

Overflowing October

Life has flashed by in a stream of craziness lately, in good ways and bad. I’m sleepy and have an early morning (inservice – yuck) but have some time to update.

Young Life started back up with a bang, more like an explosion! We’ve had 60+ kids at the past two clubs, AMAZING! And pretty much all of it is due to two awesome kids we took to camp this summer. It’s unbelievable, and we’re hoping that those kids will keep coming back.

I met up with one of my girls tonight. After we briefly talked at church this morning, I knew something was up and we decided to get together for a little catch-up.  Life is stressful and scary for her right now. We sat in Starbucks drinking coffee and gabbing for a long time, laughing at the awkwardness of the football game she went to yesterday and just life. She’s a treasure, and my heart hurts for what she’s going through.

She did ask me if I would speak at YL sometime soon, which makes me nervous and also excited, I told her I’d think about it, but it probably wouldn’t happen for a while. We’ll see.

I feel like I’m getting into a routine with my second graders. Who I adore most of the time. I miss being able to joke around with my 5th and 6th graders from last year, and giving them crap about stuff -  in a good way of course. But second grade has its perks. They’re so open and willing to try anything without worrying about not being cool. I love that they attack me with hugs at the end of the day and at random intervals throughout. I love that while they’re out at recess and I walk from my portable into the building they run over to say hi or wave from the monkey bars as though they haven’t seen me in years. They are wonderful in their own ways, and although they’ll never be my very first class, they are my first second class.

Ahh, and what post would be complete without an update about my nonexistent love life. I’ve decided that the potential love connection at camp (see posts from July/August) will never happen and I don’t really want it to anyway. We are not really compatible, at all.  And he’s not exactly funny, I want a guy who can make me laugh and I want a guy who I don’t know is more chivalrous, I don’t know if that’s exactly the best word for what I mean but I’m tired and vocabulary has flown out the window.

Going to Spokane next weekend for parents weekend with sister. I was there a week ago, long story short, heartbroken sister stuck on this side of the mountains until Sunday afternoon unless I drove her back early, so I did. Long weekend for me, but totally worth it to be there for her. I’m looking forward to this trip since I won’t be the one driving and I’ll be hanging out with her in a larger span of time!

One last tidbit, rehearsals for the fall play are going well. I’m choreographing two dances in addition to assistant directing and the other odd jobs I do to help out. I got 95% of one dance figured out yesterday now I just have to start teaching it to the kids! Love, love, love theater!

Alright, bedtime for me, more soon, promise.