Nonsense

     Do you ever start writing a post and then delete the whole thing?  I do that nonsense all the time.  Let’s just chat for a minute.  Apparently honesty is all the rage, and I’m all for that.

     I read the other day that some bloggers don’t like when people seem too sweet and not very real.  If it was you, no judgment, because I’m sort of like that too.  Although as a general rule I try not to whine around these parts…because I don’t like whiners, but I hope I’m balancing enough real life too.

     You want to know some real life?  Graduating college was not as fun as I thought it would be.  Don’t get me wrong, sleeping in my own bed is nice, but being away from Keith is for the birds.  There were a lot of parts of college I did not enjoy, but now that I’m not there, all I can remember is what I loved.

     I want to be married like yesterday.  I am trying really hard not to wish my life away…but that’s where I am right now.  I know some girls enjoy the single life and the trend now is to wait to get married, but that’s just not me.  Plus, I have this gorgeous dress just sitting in the closet.  I kind of just want to wear it around the house...kidding.  Sort of.

     I cry every single time I watch Say Yes to the Dress.  Every. Single.  Time.  Is that crazy?  I hope not, because I don’t see this nonsense stopping any time soon.

     I have tons of candy from Christmas, and I want to eat it all. Right. Now.

     We’re getting my veil next weekend!  I may just wear it all day long.

     My camera is in NYC for the weekend with my parents…so you’ll have to forgive the lack of current photos…not that this is something new.  I should work on my picture taking.

eh…I’ll just leave it to the professionals.

Here I Go

Great I Am

I want to be close, close to Your side
So Heaven is real and death is a lie
I want to hear voices of angels above
Singing as one

Hallelujah, holy, holy
God Almighty, the great I AM
Who is worthy, none beside Thee
God Almighty, the great I AM

I want to be near, near to Your heart
Loving the world and hating the dark
I want to see dry bones living again
Singing as one

Hallelujah, holy, holy
God Almighty, the great I AM
Who is worthy, none beside Thee
God Almighty, the great I AM

The mountains shake before You the demons run in fear
At the mention of the name King of Majesty
There is no power in hell
Or any who can stand
Before the power and the presence of the great I AM

Hallelujah, holy, holy
God Almighty, the great I AM
Who is worthy, none beside Thee
God Almighty, the great I AM
.
Phillips, Craig, & Dean

     We sang this in church this morning.  Sometimes I wish I could put all of you in my pocket (because my dress has pockets) and take you with me.  Just think about those lyrics for a second.  “Heaven is real, and death is a lie.”  I love that.
     “I want to see dry bones living again.”  I want to be dry bones living again.  I had never read that passage (in Ezekiel) until a year or so ago, and I found it so convicting.  Our God can breathe life into dry bones and hard hearts and all of us.
     This really encouraged me this morning.  I have been kind of discouraged the past few days with the whole job situation and just feeling kind of stuck.  I really struggle with feeling so called to be a teacher and just a little more settled in life and not being able to get there right now, but our service this morning spoke to God’s call to His followers.  Sometimes He calls us with no explanations…and we just have to follow.  I don’t understand this stage I’m in, but I’m called to remain faithful.  It is not easy…and I really don’t like it, but I’m called to remain faithful. 

He promised that His plans are for to prosper us.  I know it’s true.  It’s time to start believing it.  Here I go.

Oh the Weather Outside Is…

…totally disgusting

     I mean really.  Four days into December (Christmas, Christmas, Christmas), and the highs are pushing 70.  I think that’s gross.  I can’t even wear my sweaters!  I saw someone today in flip flops, flip flops.  I don’t care if it’s 1, 000, 000 degrees…in December, we wear real shoes.

I know I live in west Tennessee and will never see this all December,

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but the humidity has got to go…got to.

I’m boycotting everything until it’s really December
…
that’s not true.
I’ll be back in day or so with the Christmas decorations I’ve already promised to post about.

Project Thanksgiving

     Yesterday I started my little thanksgiving experiment.  I made it a point to stop several times during the day just to thank God for His timing…even when I don’t like it.  Results?

It worked.

     The more time I spent just thanking Him (as opposed to asking Him to fit His plans to mine), the more thankful I became.  To be honest, the first few times I stopped to pray were pretty hard.  I found my mind drifting to the questions instead of the thanks.  The more I did it though…the more I liked it.
     For day two…

Tuesday
God’s Provision

    
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     Whatever God provides…is enough.  That is the truth.  In whatever situation, I must be content…because it’s His will.  I know these sentences are sounding choppy, but there is so much truth in this kind of simplicity. 
     I can be thankful because His provision is always enough.  I am called to be thankful.  I’m spending today being thankful for God’s provision simply because it is enough.  Always.

The Thief of Joy

     Hold on everybody…this week I’m going to get really honest.  Yesterday our sermon was about thankfulness…not a surprise.  What did surprise me was how thankless I’ve been feeling.  Don’t get me wrong, I love Thanksgiving, but the last few weeks have really been a struggle for me.  Given the season (and because I need this), I’m going to focus on thanksgiving (the act, not the holiday) for the next week.  I’m choosing one blessing each day, and I am going to meditate on that and pray on it and thank God for it with my whole heart.  Let’s get started…

Monday
God’s Timing

     I’m jumping in with both feet.   I’m also anticipating that this won’t be the easiest ever post to write…so I’m going to start with a list.
     1.  Salvation
     2.  Keith
     3.  College
     4.  Job
     5.  Marriage
    
     These are gifts, blessings that I’ve been given, and I really am thankful for them.  What I don’t have is an attitude of thankfulness about God’s timing in blessing me.  I’m a planner…I like to know what’s going on all the time, so to not know everything is a struggle for me.  I am really having to work on trusting in His timing.
     I believe that God is going to provide, but I also have to believe that He is providing in the right timing.  The hang up?  Comparison.  Hence the title.

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     God’s timing for everyone else is not God’s timing for me.  I may tattoo that on my forehead.  What He is doing in my life is right because it is His plan.  Is it hard to look at my life and realize that I’m not exactly where I thought I would be?  Yes.  Is it hard to look at my life and see that it isn’t following the same timeline as most people in my family?  Yes.  Is it God’s will that I compare what He is doing in my life to what He’s done for others?  No.  I’m spending today thanking God for His timing…even when it isn’t my timing…and even when it doesn’t match other people’s timing.

I’m Ready

Today...

was a good hair day,

and that makes up for yesterday.

     I got totally ready today, and almost left before I realized I had on not a stitch of make-up.  This is a sign that Friday is a few days late.  It has been a long week in my world.  We took a field trip on Tuesday to the Fun Farm.  We had a ball (pig races, corn mazes, animals), but I left cold and exhausted.  Then we had a guest speaker, Halloween, and the full moon.

I’m ready for a nap.

     Also, now that Halloween is over, my mind is all Christmas all the time.  The crazies (i.e. my mother, my sister, and I) will be decorating next weekend (minus the tree).  Before you think we’re crazy…there is a good reason.  My parents will be going out of town for Thanksgiving, and who wants to come home to an undecorated house?!  No one.

Can’t wait!

     Happy weekend!  It’s been a long time coming this week.  Stay tuned for more about Christmas, engagement pictures, and my veil (which I’ll be buying January…I don’t think it’s too early to start thinking about it)!

List

     This has been possibly the longest week ever!  I kept meaning to drop in and let you know how things are going for me…but sleep just kept calling my name.  Everything should be slowing down pretty soon, and I plan to be back with a vengeance.  I’ve got a ton on my mind these days, so I’m just going to make a little list for you:
     1.  I am 98% sure that I will have a job when I graduate!  I don’t want to count my chickens, but it seems like a pretty sure thing, and it has been the  highlight of the week.  Having even one halfway-concrete plan has given me such a peace!  Once I know for sure where all of this is going, it will mean that Keith and I can start to make real plans for after he graduates.
     2.  Being young does not make you invincible.  I got some crazy news about a friend this week, and I am asking all of you as my friends to lift  her up in prayer.  This is not my story to share, so I’m not going to get into tons of details, but just know that she has a pretty rough road ahead.
     3.  This is my last week of teaching at my first placement.  I have two weeks left, but my last week will mostly be observations and interviews.  I can’t believe that I’m halfway through my last semester!  This first placement has been so wonderful, and I am really going to miss my kindergarteners. 
     4.  Also, I joined Groupon today…and I already can’t control myself.  I almost bought a mattress within the first five minutes of being a member!  I’ll definitely be stalking it for more good deals.
     5.  I bought two Christmas ornaments today!  I can’t wait!

I Caught the Bug

     So you know how all summer long we’ve been seeing some of our favorite  bloggers take a step back?  Well, for me it was pretty much the exact opposite.  I kept seeing all of these “I need a break” posts (sad), but I felt this huge surge of blogging creativity and zest!  To be honest, this summer has been one of the best times for my blog and one of my most prolific as a blogger.

Until this week.

     Yep…I caught the bug.  I have been totally drained this past week, and I know that my blog is not the only one that’s taken a hit.  I’m not going to go so far as to say I’ve been having anxiety, but if you know me in real life (…so pretty much just my sister), you know that I’ve always tended toward the hysterics…usually unnecessarily.
     The past week or so I have been sleepy and cranky and just generally bleh.  In case you were wondering: it’s not working out so well! 
     That being said, I am doing to do better.  Starting right now.

No more cranky.
No more lazy.
No more not commenting on all of your sweet blogs…because I’m lazy.
No more non posting for no good reason.
No more nonsense hysterics.

     Before you say that I should blog for me and not to feel like I have to blah blah blah…I am blogging for me, and I feel like a total lame-o for not doing it.  I know in my heart that I am being absurd, and I’m promising myself first and you cuties second not to do all that.  We are coming up on one of my favorite seasons (I call it the slide into Christmas); every little thing for the next few months is going to be so great, and I can’t wait to share all of it with you!

More of the “crazy, happy smile,” less of the scrunched up nose pouty face.

Pre-Cap

     I’m baaaaaack!  I hope y’all enjoyed my sweet guest posters from last week – so fun.  I more than enjoyed the beach, and will definitely be recapping this week.  Before I do that, I just wanted to say a big fat thank you to all you sweeties! 
     I went totally unplugged for vacation (…is there any other way?), and I was surprised to see so many new faces around here when I got back.  Talk about encouragement!  I have got about a million things going on right now, and I can’t wait to share with all my new friends.  I’m starting my last semester of college this week…and I can’t believe it!  In a few months I’m going to be looking for a real live grown up job, and I still feel like I’m 15.  Wow.  I’m pretty excited though.
     How about a pre-cap?

*sigh*

If You Really Knew Me

     I know everybody has done one of these, and even though I’m a little late getting to it, I really liked the idea of the post. 

If you really knew me…

you would know that I am not as sweet as I may seem on here.  I have a sarcastic streak a mile wide, and I am quick to snap back .  Defensive and sassy is my go-to in tough situations.  This probably isn’t my best quality, and it is always something I’m working on.

you would know that I am the world’s worst at remembering to take pictures.  Total. Fail.

you would know that I say I don’t care what people think about me…but I do…but I don’t…but I can’t make up my mind.

you would know I plan out everything in my head: my day, blog posts, conversations (…I know), semesters, the future…I’m nuts.  I know.  I don’t even plan in broad strokes or what I like; it’s down to the specifics.

you would know I carry all my tension in my shoulders…and I don’t even have a stressful life!

you would know that I have taste out of my budget…it’s a curse.

you would know that I laugh at all my own jokes.

you would know I think I’m a lot craftier than I actually am, but I’m getting better.

you would know how much I overanalyze.  You would then likely tell me that I’m a super-nut.

     I am sure there is a ton more I could tell you, but how would I ever fit it into one post…I hope each one of you had an incredible weekend.  Mine was fabulous.  You don’t know laughter until you hear a two-year-old tell someone, “When it’s Christmas time; when it’s snowy time…then you can have a love.”  I’ll be back tomorrow with a “What I Wore Wednesday Sunday (on Tuesday).”

Sooooo relaxing.

It’s Amazing…

     What an hour at the shooting range can do to improve your mood.  Let me just review my yesterday for you…
     I went to the dentist at 9:30 A.M.  Let me preface this by saying that I genuinely like going to the dentist (weird, I know).  It was “temporary crown day.”  Now, I generally don’t think of myself as a vain person, but when we’re dealing with front teeth not being whole it’s sort of a big deal.  Long(ish) story short, I have a crown that I really don’t like for the next two weeks until I get the permanent one.  Which had better look good!  I’ll probably get over this (I hope) in a few days, but I’m wallowing now.
     I am pointedly not showing a picture because I don’t want those floating around in the interwebs for all eternity…or you know, December if you believe the Mayans…which I don’t.
     After all this, Keith takes me to firing range.  He says it was to sight in his rifle, but I like to think it was just for me to vent.  He’s a great shot with a rifle.  I hit the target twice, and that was enough for me.  I’m a pretty good shot with a handgun.  I shot the zombie straight in the teeth.
     Also, how is it that on “insecure about my teeth day” every single television show is talking about teeth?! Bleh.  The day got much better after a Sonic lunch and some time swimming.  Another plus, after about a week of random, terribly dry skin (on my face), everything seems back to normal.  If I managed to get a little bit of a tan then I’ll chalk this day up to a not-quite loss.

     

     This picture is totally unrelated to the post, but it makes me smile…which is progress for this day.

It’s My Party

     Happy Tuesday, lovies!  I hope the week is off to a great start for each of you.  As far as Mondays go, mine wasn’t terrible…and we’re already one day closer to the weekend!  I have a full week of posting planned, and I am excited about all of them.  First things first -

Congratulations
to

Kathie McAuliffe
for winning Cupcakes and Candy Canes’ first giveaway!

     I’ve sent your contact info to Kelsey Bang, and I hope you enjoy your adorable elephant.  Big, big, big thanks to each of you who entered.  This was a huge step for my little slice of the blogosphere, and I am so pleased with how it went. Thank you!
     Onto the real reason for this post – Keith and I now have a fully formed wedding party!  This is not huge news to me as I always knew it would be a small group, but it’s so nice to have it all decided and share it with you.  Keith will have his brother as his best man and one of his fraternity brothers as a groomsman.
     I will have my sister as my maid of honor (technically matron of honor) and my super-bestie, Tiffany, as a bridesmaid.  Tiff and I have known each other since we were three, and even though we aren’t at school together anymore, she is still one of the first one’s I call/text/whatever with news.  Plus she’s the type of friend that I can just hang out with no matter how long it’s been (and isn’t that the best kind?).  I wanted to do something a little cute to ask, especially since I hadn’t seen her in forever.

     I decided a little notebook and a frame would be perfect.  Tiffany is a really great writer, and the notebook was just too cute for words!  I almost wrote “reserved for a picture of me and my bridesmaid” in the frame, but I figured this was pretty classic.  In case you’re wondering, the notebook and the frame came from TJ Maxx.  Get this…when she opened the gift bag, she said, “I thought you weren’t having any bridesmaids!”  We haven’t talked about that in a long time, and she remembered because she knows me.  That was almost my favorite part of all of it – aside from her saying yes.
     I cannot wait to go dress shopping for them now!  I’m definitely still thinking navy blue…possibly with a nude shoe.  I’m also having lots of thoughts about cute bridesmaids gifts, but I can’t tell those to you because my sister reads this.  We’re another step closer; so excited!  Next on my list is booking a photographer and then meeting with the flower guy to really get some concrete ideas about looks and colors.  

In unrelated news…I’m ready to go to the beach.

Welcome to the World

     I don’t know how many of you saw my most recent vlog, but if you did, you probably heard me mention my (not-so) guilty pleasure of E! Entertainment shows like Khloe and Lamar.  What I didn’t mention is that I’m totally intrigued by celebrities and the things they do.  (To be totally honest, I’m fascinated by any group with a different or mysterious lifestyle – it’s why I watch My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding and documentaries about the Amish.)
     Apparently I’ve been living under a rock, because I just now discovered this gem – Suri’s Burn Book.  Always one for a good sarcastic commentary, I am just dying over this.  In case you live under the same rock I do, it’s written from the point-of-view of Tom and Katie’s adorable sassypants of a daughter Suri.  While the joke is not lost on me, I like to believe that she really is that hilarious.  According to her comments about the rest of Hollywood, she’s frenemies with half of the celeb-kids and nail-biting nervous about when Prince William and Kate Middleton will have a mini-royal.  Who isn’t, right?
     “She” has now written a book along the same lines as her site, and I am definitely going to have to read it.  You know that I love to read, and while I’m still totally invested in Ann Rice’s Vampire Chronicles, I love a good fluff read.  In the mean time, I’ll be sticking to the blog…and laughing every day.

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     Why do the great ideas never drop into my head?  I make fun of celebrities and their nonsense all the time…  Also, I’m pretty sure I could be besties with the author.  We clearly have the same sense of humor (assuming she also laughs at her own jokes).  Not that she needs my help in getting traffic, but you should definitely go visit; if you don’t laugh, I’m not sure we can still be friends (…kidding).

Almost Weekend Recap

     Well…I was going to do a weekend recap, but wouldn’t you know it, I didn’t take a single picture this weekend.  I did however get a lot done.  I cleaned out a closet, finally put my wedding dress in the closet (as opposed to hanging on the door), ran lots of errands, and went to a wedding – outside.  In case you’ve been living under a rock, it has been 100°+ here for the past several days.  Don’t get me wrong, I love weddings, and this one was totally adorable, but it was hot.  Really, really hot.  The bride did much better than the rest of us at not looking wilted or sweaty. 
     Naturally, the wedding did nothing but add to my own wedding fever.  On that note…I’m sure most of you have heard of ChipIt (the new paint color tool from Sherwin-Williams).  While most people have been uploading pictures to extract paint ideas for their homes, I decided to put it to use in choosing wedding colors!  A few of you may remember this post where I shared my wedding inspiration.  While I have to say that I’m not so much feeling the peach idea anymore (although I loved it), I can’t say that I have any concrete ideas as to what I want now.  If you have ever visited my Pinterest, you have probably seen about a thousand different bouquet ideas.  Last night, I uploaded a few of my favorite bouquet pictures to ChipIt to see if I could find colors that I liked.
     Mostly I just need to find good colors for the women in our families to wear.  I know that my sister will be in navy, and the men will be in grey, but between the two of us we have five grandmothers…that’s a lot when you count them and both of our mothers.  I’m not some sort of crazy bridezilla, and I definitely won’t tell anyone that they “have” to wear anything really specific, but it would be nice to have some ideas.  I do know that I want my flowers to be sort of a spring mix – not too formal and definitely not tied to one color.  Here’s what’s floating around in my head now:

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     I like this minus any of those brown colors (which are clearly not even in the picture).  The pinks are very pretty.  I’m thinking I might steer the grandmothers toward shades of pink.

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     Again, minus the browns.  Actually, this one might be my favorite bouquet.  You can see from the picture that it looks good with a blue dress, and there are so many colors to work with!

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     …I really like this one too.  I kind of like the paint chip colors from this one best…but I wish the bouquet itself had a little more pink.

     I feel like this has been sort of a confusing peek into my brain.  I hope you’ve been able to follow along fairly easily.  I’m not worried at all about what the flowers are going to look like (although you couldn’t tell it by this post).  The guy we’re wanting to do them did my sister’s flowers at her wedding and they were beautiful.  He was also really good about piecing together what she wanted without tons of concrete ideas…and not having concrete ideas is what I specialize in.  We haven’t set up a meeting yet, but I cannot wait!
     We do have a meeting with a photographer next Monday, and I really hope that we love her as much as we love her pictures.  Of all the wedding-y things, the pictures are one of my biggest focuses.  They’re the only thing that will last from the day, and I’ll enjoy looking back at them. 
     Do you have a favorite bouquet (of these or a general style)?  What was your favorite part of the day to plan – dress, flowers, pictures?  I can’t wait to hear from all of you, and I really can’t wait to keep you all posted on my plans!

     P.S. New sponsors on the sidebar – please go check them out and leave lots of sweet comments for them!

I Know and I Don’t–No. 17

     Surprise, surprise!  I actually remembered this time!  To be quite truthful, I am writing this right post about 1 minute after my shrimp and grits masterpiece because I don’t have another minute to spare.  I’m leaving work tomorrow to go see Keith for the weekend, and I like to take time off when I’m getting to see him.

I know I should be so thankful I have a job (and I really am).
I don’t know why it’s so hard to get up for work in the morning.

I know kids do strange things for attention.
I don’t know who taught them that it’s funny to slide Legos across the floor so they make that awful squeaking sound.

I know it’s bug season outside.
I don’t know if I’ll ever be okay with those gross little things getting close to me!

I know it’s practically shameful that my toes haven’t been painted in a week.
I don’t know why they don’t look as fabulous as I want them to.

I know I’ll never have movie star hair.
I don’t know what to do with my hair.

I know I have to wait a month to see my Praxis scores.
I don’t know how I’ll wait that long.

I know I have four sponsor spots left for July.
I don’t know who’s going to fill them, but I can’t wait!

I know I’m going dress shopping next weekend!
I don’t know what I’m looking for!

     Well ladies, I think the time may have come for me to make the jump into hosting a linky party.  I’ve been wanting to let you ladies link up with me for this for awhile…what are your thoughts?

     Have a great weekend!

Lately

     What I’ve been up to as of late…let’s go with a numbered list, shall we?

1.  What I’m Watching -
          Hatfields and McCoys – love!

 
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      We DVRed the whole series and watched it a few days late.  As hard as it was to ignore everyone around me talking about it, it was so worth it.  This is one of those show you’ll want to watch again (pretty much as soon as it’s over).  I was kind of sad after the last episode; I wanted to keep watching!  In case you’re wondering…I’m definitely “Team Hatfield”…although I did like some of the McCoys.

2.  What I’m Reading -
          I just finished Interview with the Vampire – wow!

 
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      This series is my mother’s absolute favorite.  It was at her begging encouragement that I read this.  This was the second time I started this book, and having finished it, but I don’t see how I didn’t finish it the first time!  I love a vampire book…or movie, and I just got so attached to these characters.  I’ve just started The Vampire Lestat, and I am so excited to really get into it.

3.  What I’m Sewing -
          …trick prompt.  I’m not actually working on anything right this second.  I already shared my bubble suit refashion, but I haven’t really done much since.  I do have a little Garanimals outfit that I’m going to spice up probably this week.  I can’t wait to show you!  It’s a yellow shirt, and I think I’ll put an ice cream cone or a popsicle on it (and there is a matching plaid skort)!

4.  What I’m Thinking -
          I probably need to book a wedding photographer.  June is a popular month, and photographers are going to get snapped up quick!  I have a few ideas.  I’m also thinking about doing engagement photos this summer – eeeeeeee!

5.  What I’m Loving -
          One of my daycare kids brought me a zucchini from her family’s garden!  She was so excited about it, and I thought it was just the sweetest thing.  We grilled some of it – yum.  I am still loving my job.  This week we’re studying Germany, and the kids are really into it.  They love learning the word of the week and hearing facts about all the countries.  It is really getting me excited about student teaching!

6.  What I’m Looking Forward To -
          First? The beach…obviously.  Second?  My Nana got me a gift certificate to get my nails done for my birthday.  While I never do my nails before the beach (because I don’t want to see them get ruined), the gift certificate is for a Shellac manicure, and I’m hoping the long-wear polish will last me through the beach.  If not, I do plan on getting it done a weekish before so I’ll have awhile to look at them.  I’m thinking I want a French manicure with colored tips.  Maybe a coral?

7.  What I’m Not Looking Forward To -
          You may have heard me mention my tooth-breaking incident in passing…if you haven’t, long story short – I fainted…and broke a tooth (my front tooth).  This summer my dentist is really wanting me to get my filling replaced with a crown.  I’m not really worried about the pain; the most painful part of the whole thing so far has been getting the shot to numb my mouth.  I’m just not excited about planning all 6584652165 office visits.  One to take out the filling, mold my teeth, and get a temporary crown (which had better look natural!).  Another a few weeks later to get it put in.  Not fun.  The upside?  Aside from having a sturdier tooth…I’ll whiten my teeth before the procedure, and since the crown won’t stain, I’ll have motivation to keep my teeth white and healthy.  I’m just hoping I won’t end up looking like Ross in that episode of Friends.

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      Well lovelies, that’s pretty much all I have for today.  I’ll probably be back in a few days with my cute little outfit for Della.  I hope all of your summers are still going just swimmingly!

I Know and I Don’t–No. 13

     Oh my goodness.  I cannot believe that I have now forgotten to do this for two weeks in a row.  I was looking back over a few old posts when I realized this…it never even occurred to me (and I don’t know why – I really like these posts).  Had I not been so lax, this would now be I Know and I Don’t – No. 15!  Now that school is over, I can get back to actually paying attention to what I’m doing.   Now let’s get to it:

I know this is not a famous post or idea.
I don’t know how I forgot about it for two weeks…sad day.

I know summer doesn’t actually start until the end of June.
I don’t know why they don’t just say it starts May 1 (it sure feels like it)!

I know I still have to student teach.
I don’t know why I’m not even stressed about it…at all.

I know I’m not nearly fancy enough to do all the things I see in Southern Living.
I don’t know why not…

I know I don’t have a house (of my own).
I don’t know why I’m obsessed with my imaginary house.

I know August 11 is a ways away.
I don’t know how I’ll wait to go to the beach.

I know blogging is a lot of work.
I don’t know when I’ll figure out how to balance scheduling and spontaneity (…this goes for real life too).

I know I’m not actually a beauty queen or a newscaster.
I don’t know why I can’t have hair like one (i.e. big).

     There we go…I feel much more on track now that I’ve actually remembered this.  I’ll do better about keeping up with it this summer.  Also, I just made a list of post ideas, and I’m even more inspired than I thought (or I just have entirely too much to say).  Also (last time I start a sentence this way – in this post – promise), I’m sure a few of you have noticed the background changing every few days or so in the last week-ish.  I am so sorry about that!  I’m not quite ready to make the jump to a professionally designed blog, so I’m just sort of winging it.  I hope it’s not too distracting and that the final (I hope) product isn’t too tacky for words!

Allyson

Summertime

     Summer is officially here – actually not ‘til June, but it’s here for me (and the rest of West Tennessee).  To kick off summer, I thought I would give y’all a few updates about me and general summery thoughts!

1.  I’ve got a new job this summer, and I am so excited about it!  It’s another daycare job, but just from the few meetings I’ve had with the director, I can tell I’m really going to love it.  The theme for the summer program is “Around the World,” and I’m working with the kids going into second, third, and fourth grade.  Even though I usually work with the babies, this is going to be such great practice to have right before student teaching!

2.  My mission for the summer is to stock up on teacher-appropriate clothes.  I’m okay in the tops department, but I am in desperate need of pants! 

3.  Back to the job – I don’t officially start work for a couple of weeks, and while that obviously means I won’t be getting paid…why would I ever complain about a break?!  Also, the director said she likes to schedule employees four long days and one day off a week…love.  I never mind working a couple of extra hours, and any day off is going to be so nice!

4.  I (and my mother) unpacked and reorganized my school stuff – another check off the 101 in 1001 – today (and yesterday), and I still cannot believe that I only have to move one more time.  I never like to wish my life away, but I am pretty sure that this summer/next semester is going to fly by.

Before.  My stuff does not always look like this – until I unpack that orange crate and green file folder.

The file folder before.  It was a pitiful mix of my personal papers and my lesson plans and activities.

After.  I’m still planning to get sticky tabs so that my subsections in the math and science sections look tidier.

5.  Finally, in true summer fashion, we had bacon and tomato sandwiches for supper and ate on the patio.  It was so nice.  I indulged in my second Coke of the day (as a reward for all the organizing) and a bowl of vanilla ice cream.

Deeelish!

Perfect summer weather.

A little indulgence.

A little begging (from both parties).

P.S.  I got my ring inspected and cleaned today – so sparkly.  It makes me a billion times more aware of it (which I so did not think was possible), and the lady who cleaned it asked about the wedding.  Even though we don’t have real plans yet aside from the date (June 22, 2013), it’s so nice to be asked and to talk about it!

I hope your summer is off to a wonderful start!

Allyson