here's to you, dunkin' donuts employee

i guess saturday's at 10:04 am are times when my brain is just completely (and uselessly) random. i think in the span of ten minutes i can go from enjoying my pumpkin latte, to contemplating what shade darker i want to color my hair, to what i'm going to wear, to christmas, to how awfully yucky it is that the days you get to sleep in are the days that you wake up even more tired then when you wake up when it is still dark outside, and then back to how darn good that latte is. who invented pumpkin-spice-flavoring? i owe you a lot of thanks and grumpy-less mornings.

but about that latte. and that lovely cheerful man working at the dunkin' on this cheery, november 3rd, forty-something degree morning. thank you. because sometimes when you visit a dunkin' at 9:30 in the morning, and a very lovely employee of said dunkin' asks if you want whipped  cream, and you reply nicely "no thank you", he says something remarkably sweet.

"oh come'on, get the whipped cream. it's been a long week and you deserve it."

i think everyone should be this cheery and nice and sweet, especially at 9:30 in the morning (and promoting free whipped cream). so hats off to you dunkin' donuts employee, and thanks.

life lately according to my iphone

i cannot believe that october is almost over. birthdays, both mine and my sweet little niece (a very happy first year of life to her) have come and gone. fall slowly decided to make her presence: leaves changing, pumpkin-flavored-everything took over foods and drinks alike, and weekend mornings spent drinking coffee and eating muffins with boyfriend became somewhat of a tradition. 

leggings, boots, and scarves have been brushing off the cobwebs and make such wonderful appearances on a daily basis. layering is back and better then ever.

and school - the first marking period is over! my mind is boggled at how fast time is flying by.

i cannot believe that october is over.

which means that - in my mind - the most wonderful time of year is approaching. i said i would hold off on christmas music until november 1st and i have held up my end of the bargain (except for that brief lapse of time during a very long drive to new york, and by all rights, it was boyfriend's idea). if life could get more hectic it is about to, and i simply cannot wait.

to all of those in new york, new jersey, and other areas greatly impacted by hurricane sandy, my thoughts and prayers are with you all.

white shirt wasted

awkward:

1. when you make a blog post title and realize that 95% of readers will probably look at it and ultimately think it states "white girl wasted". and it doesn't. just a nice simple pun to go along with the day i have had.
1.5. awkwardly realizing that the "95% of readers" is, in all actuality, very few, seeing as my total ranks in at 18. hey, a girl can dream like she's made it big here.

2. the day i have had. awkward at it's finest. because apparently it is national drop everything all over all the white articles of clothing you are wearing that day. for example: white coat, meet coffee. white shirt, meet soup. white socks, meet water.

i digress.

3. when you just can't seem to figure out what on earth someone is saying so you just keep nodding your head. and then you get caught.

4. having to ask the question, "but how did you know that there was poop in the locked bathroom stall?"

awesome:

1. finally getting to see all my college girlfriends, all in one place, for one amazing weekend. 

2. my niece finally learning how to use those little legs of her to book it around in the big world now! and just in time for her birthday too. don't you worry little S, auntie em has a post dedicated to you and your first birthday party up her sleeve...just gimme a little more time :)

3. autumn really getting her stuff together and coming at me full swing this week. fifty degree temperatures, i welcome you with open and loving arms.

4. text messages that start off my day in all sorts of a happy kind of way. 

5. pumpkin. spice. everything.

by the way, is there anything more awesome than this? Bre from oh, pish posh has got diy down like nobody else.

since tuesday is the new monday

as in monday you have the "i am going to kick this week's butt" mentality. wednesday you are half way there. thursday you know the next day is friday. and friday is, well, friday. there is nothing good about tuesdays.
but since today is the real monday, and tomorrow is just a fake monday (for all of you lucky no-school-on-monday-goers), i dedicate this day to chocolate chip cookies as a substantial dinner, thirty-some degree temperatures finally arriving, blankets, and sweatpants, and the month of october. all of which i'm currently enjoying.

i believe in...

souce.

i believe in dreams.

i believe in rainy days as an excuse to spend the whole day curled up on the couch.

i believe in family.

i believe in giving everyone the benefit of the doubt, just that one time.

i believe in pumpkin spice everything.

i believe in our Lord, Jesus Christ and all he has planned for me.

i believe in coffee.

i believe in magic.

i believe in having friends that you can always turn to, no matter what time of day or night, no matter what the circumstance - no questions asked.

i believe in doing everything you can for love.

i believe in sweet words just for the sake of them. (and i believe in warm fuzzies that fill your stomach when you receive them).

and i also believe in arguments.

i believe in a down right, red splotchy face, swollen eyed, cry.

i believe in a glass of wine, or two.

i believe in never being old enough to not act like a kid.

i believe in santa claus.

i believe in always doing everything with 120% of my heart.

i believe in a good book.

i believe in "keep calm and.." cards.

i believe in having that one song that you freak out like you just met someone famous because it is finally on the radio. and then belting it out like it's nobodies business.

i believe in spending too much time to get ready only to wear the outfit you put on in the first time.

i believe in wearing sweatpants every night when i get home from work.

i believe in children teaching adults more than we teach them, and the change they make without even realizing it.

i believe in prayer. 

i believe in taking too many pictures and never getting around to loading them.

i believe in listening to christmas music starting before thanksgiving and way after the stores have put all their decorations away. the most wonderful time of the year isn't only 25 days long.

i believe in allowing your past to change you, or else it would never bring you to the place you are today.

i know what you're thinking

girlfriend has got some serious issues.
first never posting. now posting twice in one day.
i know, even i'm creeping myself out.

but since it is rainy. and icky. and the best place to be right now is in my sweatpants, curled up with a blanket, and that second double fudge brownie staring me down, i figured, "hey self, lets do this!" and the rest, my friends, is history.

1. When you're feeling down, what do you do to pick yourself up?
this is quite a tough question which usually depends on the situation.  the top three would have to be: listen to music, blog, or eat a nice big bowl of ice cream accompanied by a sappy chick flick.  although, shopping tends to fit itself in there somewhere....the list may just go on forever....

2. If you had to live in a different time period which would you prefer?
i've got to say the 20's. i'm thinking gone with the wind. when life was simpler and men still kissed women like this.

 

3. What is the most creative Halloween costume you've ever worn?
i've had my fair share of interesting halloween costumes. convict? you got it. snow white? been there, done it. pink lady? you're the one that i want. but by far, my hand made white swan costume wins in my book, hands down.

4. Five weird things about you we wouldn't know without being told?
1) i am terrified of squirrels. terrified as in i won't leave my house if there is one standing outside my front door.
2) i have a birthmark on my scalp that makes the hair white that comes from it. pretty nifty and cruella-deville-esque.
3) i like eating chips on peanut butter sandwiches.
4) i love watching harry potter, star wars, and lord of the rings almost as much as i love watching chick flicks.
5) i hate odd numbers. and thursdays. i'm almost positive that i have a slight case of OCD.

5. What would you tell your 16-year-old self?

always keep dreaming, even if they do not turn out exactly the way that you originally have planned.

friends aren't always forever, and neither are boyfriends, but there are a select few that you can always count on, hold them close.

stop worrying what everyone else thinks.
mom and dad are always right. always.

iSpy

iSpy with my little eye, the typical tuesday instagram post.

with some little lovelies that give you a glimpse (just barely) of my life as of late.

 

 

 

 

  

hot pants, so wha?

planning, planning, planning, oh yeah and eating dinner.

finally - pumpkin spice latte numero uno of the season. (and a wonderful breakfast and catch up with my roomie)

royal blue pants and citrus colored cardigans.

open fields, wine, and friends.

my favorite way to spend a sunday afternoon, with my favorite man.

 

i do believe this about sums it up as of late. my life is consumed by my job - as it should be for every first year teacher. and might i add, i am loving every second of it. so of course some hot pants are in order to make it through the day. (can't forget about keeping it stylin')

and this past weekend consisted of a whole lot of seeing long lost friends who i've seriously missed for months now. every girl deserves to have late breakfasts with their favorite coffee and roommate and early fall evenings in a beautiful atmosphere.

and a man like mine. boy does he ever knock my socks off. (no pun intended if you take in to account the picture). sunday's with him...every girl should be able to have sunday's like i do with him.

 



let me clear my throat

remember that song way back when?
i'm pretty sure that they first time i heard that song it was in save the last dance and i could not have been more obsessed with that movie. so clearly i became all gangsta yo and it was my favorite jam.
or not.
but still. just to clarify the title.

i know my blog is not a big one (my sister's blog is totally growing by leaps and bounds! i'm so proud of her) but all 15 of you little followers i apologize for my lack of posts and seemingly lack of interest in this little blog, but before you get up and walk and and withdraw the follow-hood of my blog, let me make you a promise:
i promise to pay a little more attention to this little bloggy of mine. i promise to write a post at least three times a week (lofty, seeing as my habits as of late). and i promise to get back to the basics of why i love blogging.
i know you might have heard this before. but it is a brand new month (holy september?!) and i'm sticking to it this time. this may be more of a promise to myself, but hey readers! you're pretty dang important to this blog, so it's a promise to you as well.

promises. if my boyfriend could only see me now, making them left and right, he would about have a heart-attack. but that is a conversation for another post...

in other news! the very first week of first grade was absolutely PHENOM!
who wouldn't love running around and teaching twenty-four 6 year olds?
no? then i guess it might just be me. but it is the best darn job there is out there (again - might just be me).
i can't wait to see what the rest of this year brings for me and my kiddos in room 1-2.
of course, the post would not be complete without a few pictures of my room:

 calendar area. 

 reupholstered desk chair with some good'ol fashion packing tape.

 word wall, minus the words.

our writing bulletin board. are you using your "writer's eye?"

but for now, lost voice and all, i'm going to enjoy some family time this weekend.

nominated? moi?

i cannot believe it has taken me this long to finally write this post because i was beyond excited when i first heard the news. first hearing it, was out of the mouth of my big sissy over at nugget on a budget when she was nominated herself, twice! how cool and what an amazing honor.
of course i am getting ahead of myself here.
what i am talking about is the Liebster Blog Award!

to give a little 4-1-1 about this very special news, the Liebster Blog Award is for blogs with fewer than two hundred followers (which is this little chickey right here).  it is an amazing way to get to know other blogs, become friends, and support each other in every way.

how it works
- post five random facts about yourself.

- answer the questions the nominator has asked you and ask your own five questions to the people you nominate.

- choose five other deserving blogs with less than two hundred followers to nominate and link to their blogs in our post.

- tell the nominees you have chosen them for this award by leaving a comment on their blogs.

..oh, and no tag backs!

a little bit random but...

1...i hate odd numbers. there is just something about them i just don't like. eating cookies, got to have two or four, never three. a nice even number just makes more sense.

2...i danced from the time i could walk until i graduated from high school. doing so led me to a lot of opportunities including a two week tour in europe performing and taking classes.

3...my very best friend has the exact same name as me.

4...i could never be happier then when i am at home.

5...my favorite color is yellow.

now, questions from my norminator...

1. Who was your favorite athlete in the London 2012 Olympics and why?

hands down, michael phelps. once a phelps phan, always a phelps phan, end of story.

2. In the past year, what was the most expensive item that you splurged on?

my michael kors purse, graduation present to moi.

3. What is you favorite place to visit in the United States and why?

bethany beach, DE. it has been our family vacation spot my entire life and there is no place i would rather be.

4. If you attended college, what did you major in? If not, what made you choose the job that you currently have? (Oh, and being a stay-at-home mom IS a job!)

i majored in elementary education, minor in early childhood education.

5. Why did you decide to start a blog? (Yes I know repeat question, but you have to admit it's interesting!)

i started a blog as a way to get out my thoughts and because i have always loved to write. not to mention i was told that i couldn't do it, and there is nothing more motivating then making the "impossible", possible.

 

and now, my nominees are...

drumroll please

kaitlin leigh

clancy

baylee

sapir

ladies from wardrobes i met and liked
(a special nom to amy..over 200 but i still wanted to nominate you!)

and my questions for my nominees...

1.  why did you decide to start a blog? (i know it is a repeated question but i think it is interesting to hear how people decide to start their blogs)

2.  if you could be one disney character for a day, which would you be and why? (you know you've thought about it)

3.  craziest thing you have ever done. if you had a partner in crime, who was it?

4. guilty pleasure?

5.  what are your top three favorite blogs to read?

and there we have it! if that wasn't a post and a half, i don't know what is.



the best part of waking up

source

it may just be that it is a very rainy friday. or that i'm already feeling the symptoms of olympic-withdrawal. or my minimal sleep these days (thanks only to the olympics) are finally catching up with me. but as much as i want to write a post today, it just won't happen.

sorry folks. coffee is the only thing getting my full attention today.

i have a feeling if i weren't in love enough with coffee up until this week, i certainly will be from this point on. so much to do, so little time. busy busy busy.

although, i'm excited for some very crafty up and coming posts - mainly to do with the destruction and reconstruction of my classroom. i can already hear the coffee calling my name.

mmmmm coffeeeeeeee.

speaking of, isn't it silly how the smallest thing (like coffee) can strike up such a wonderful conversation?

happy friday all.

iSpy some american pride pt.2

 
 
 
 

the fab five = gold medalists.

the only non-olympic related instagram these days: target notebook.

michael and his gold over lochte, three-peat!

last time on the podium.

oscar pistorius - such a brave and beautiful story.

going to miss seeing that name.

it's not every day you see someone who went to your highschool, on the today show, with her gold medal.

spending my morning coffee with my main man michael.

oh hey tuesday, how nice of you to all of a sudden show up. as you can see i've been completely and utterly involved in the day-to-day events of the olympics. and following michael phelps every move. and clearly documenting it with my iPhone. (really, it's embarrassing how many pictures are on my phone right now. or how many tweets i've been tweeting. i could be a correspondent for the today show or something. move over shawn johnson.)

in other news i've been a busy bee, running here and there, and attempting to begin getting my classroom ready for the beginning of the school year. quite a task to take on as a long-term substitute getting her very own classroom. if this were an olympic event i would be in the qualifying round, well on my way to the semi-finals. we will see if this leaves me in medal contention come next week.

(like that little olympic reference?)

USA!



iSpy some american pride

 
 
 

the beginning of my olympic obsession - downloading apps

a little red and white stripe action to support team usa during the opening ceremonies

texting about the olympics
best commentators

#USA
once a fan, always a fan

my instagram account looks a little like that lately - ultimately meaning there is lack of pictures being taken due to the fact that i've succumbed to a full-blown case of olympic-itis. so this post is just a little glimpse of my dedication to my country during the next two weeks.

if you want to find me until august 12th i'll be:

peering through my fingers as the women's gymnastics team goes for gold this evening (big shoes to fill - anyone else remember the magnificent 7?)

screaming like a maniac for michael phelps and the rest of the american swimmers.

holding my breath as misty may-treanor and kerri walsh-jennings go for an unblemished record.

oh yeah, and probably getting my classroom ready for the beginning of school, which should be an olympic event in and of itself. but we are talking about priorities here people. U-S-A.

p.s. hop on over to melissa's blog and join in

on the blog-hopping fun! i sure did!