What I Currently Want...

I am currently sitting in the O'Hare airport waiting to head back to Nashville. I thought since I am very early, I'd write a quick post on things I want.

I just got this idea while walking through the airport watching everyone play with their favorite "toy". I actually have some things on my "want" list and since I just did my taxes, maybe ill treat myself to something nice.

Thing #1: iPad
Self explanatory. Who wouldn't want one? I would also love to see if I could read books on it as easily as I can read them on the Kindle...which brings me to my next want.

Thing #2: KindleFire
I love to read and wish I had more time for it. I'm currently reading 'The Fault With Our Stars' (which is great by the way and awesomely written) and it's a huge book. It's heavy, bulky, the cover page is coming off in my purse and its just annoying. I'd much rather have a sleek thin electronic device that I can carry almost anywhere. Catch my drift?? (The pic At the bottom of this blog is a pic if my travel bag---can you see that huge blue book? Yes...pain in my butt!!)

Thing #3: Headphones
I have these somewhere but can't seem to find them. At one point I had like 8 pairs. I don't listen to music often on my phone, but for times like these, I'd really like to have them to jam out by myself. AND I Just downloaded the new Justin Timberlake cd by the way and have yet to listen to it. Ugh!!

Thing #4: A suitcase with wheels on all 4 corners!!
Come on! You have to know what I'm talking about... The ones where you can leave it right side up and just slide next to you... Yes, I want those!! You shoulda seen me trying to pull my suitcase, carry my teacher bag over my shoulder, hold onto my northface in my right hand (because of security) and trying to carry a Starbucks in my left hand. Ugh!

Thing #5: A portable WiFi hub
So when I get to the airport super early I can blog and Pin on my computer! Simple enough. But writing about my computer brings me to....

Thing #6: A new computer
Not just any computer. But a nice new MacBook (maybe even a Mac desktop) that doesn't freeze whenever I open iPhoto, that doesn't have paw prints on it from my pups stepping on it. I would also like this new computer to magically come with a new (professional-like) Dixon camera... Hey, it's nice to dream.

(Not really A) Thing #7: Money strictly for student loans
All of this expensive stuff is making me think how unrealistic this all is because I still need to pay an arm and a leg for my student loans. Oh well... It's nice to dream and have a list incase the lottery people realize that I'd be a really good candidate to win!!

I am still organizing all of my blogs on BlogLovin (follow me on the right sidebar!!) and realizing I have a lot of blogs to read. Sarah (one of my fav reads at catchyourheartblog.blogspot.com) had a good point. She said, "it makes me realize how many blogs I don't read anymore," which is so true for me. According to BlogLovin', I seriously think I follow around 300 blogs by URL (or however they track it). I realized I really only read a handful of those... I've been reading many blogs religiously for awhile and obviously I love reading new blogs but, needless to say, I need to do some cleaning up of blogs.

(Does anyone else think the airport is the best place to people watch? Because this girl does!! 👍😋) Well, I hope everyone has a great Saturday!!

I am on spring break!!!

HAPPY 200th POST!!!

 Holy cow...200 posts. Who knew that people would like to read what I write... 200 posts later!! 

And it feels great. I'm soaking up every minute of friends, family, The Boy and my pups before I head back to the south in a few days. 

Here are some highlights of my last few weeks. I apologize for being MIA.

• We celebrated my dad's 60th birthday on Saturday with a big party!!

• I also helped host a bridal shower for one of my very sweet girlfriends. It was nautical theme...did I fit in? (Me, the bride-to-be and my bestie)

• Last night The Boy and I went to RPM Italian in downtown Chicago, which is Guilanna and Bill's restaurant. Very good, but expensive.

• I received all of my letters of recommendation from my Principal, vice principal and all of my teammates the Friday before I left and I'm so thankful for how sweet they all were.
• Job hunting is at a stand still. No new news. I did contact about 12 Principals in the past few weeks, so we'll see.
• I need to be patient.
• However, I am still 100% certain of my choice to move back home.
• Since I've been home, I have completely fallen on my clean eating habit. 
• Seeing Elle's tweets about her clean eating, is making me even more eager to start back on that as soon as I get back to Tennessee. (YOU GO GIRL!)
• I haven't thought about school this week yet and it feels nice.

I did get a very reassuring response from Melisa in regards to going to a blogging conference this summer. Anyone else thinking about going to BlogHer '13 in Chicago?? LET ME KNOW!!

I hope everyone else is doing great. I still love BlogLovin', but I'm scared to mark all of my blogs 'mark as read' because I haven't gone through them yet. I have 2273 'unread' blogs according to bloglovin'. What's your thought? Should I just start clean and click 'mark as read' all 2273 of them? Maybe this will be on my todo list lol. 

That's about it. I leave Saturday, so I will blog again on Sunday (EASTER) and let ya know how the rest of life is.  

Have a great week y'all!! 

My transition to BlogLovin

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

I have converted. I never really was a googlereader but I was a blogger reader (just from my blogger homepage). However, I love the concept of BlogLovin! I can keep track of what blogs I've read and haven't read AND a secret answer to my prayers....GROUPS!!! I can now group my 200+ blogs according to subjects. That's what I've been looking for.

I have only made the categories and right now they have 0 blogs. I will needs probably an hour to go through, sort, read, and figure out what group they go under. However, I am extremely excited about this.

I also love how quick the support team is. I e-mailed them a question about why my OLD blog title showed up on bloglovin and today they e-mailed me back and changed it for me!! I am excited about this new (and improved) system.

One more blog  comment, anyone going to BlogHer in Chicago this year? Has anyone gone in the past? I'm looking into going, but I get uncomfortable at big events where I know no one. And this little blog of mine is not as big as some of the blogs I read, so I'm not sure if it's pointless or not. Suggestions? If anyone is planning on going, will you let me know? Maybe that'll give me some more reasons to go! :)

Mid lesson planning nap...

I hope everyone has a happy Sunday!! Next week is spring break for us!!! YES!! :)

Thirty by 30!!

*I just changed to BlogLovin and love it. However, I'm still getting use to it. Go over to my sidebar and add me please! SORRY I CHANGED MY URL AND THAT WAS NOT WORKING...SO MY NORMAL URL IS BACK!

I've seen this done on many blogs, but I liked how Elise had it laid out into sections. She is the wonderful lady behind Books, Bottles and Bags. I read her's and thought I wanna do that too!!! So Waa-laa---here it is!!

Goals I hope to have accomplished by the time I turn 30, on January 31^st, 2019.

Strike Through indicates the item is complete.

Italics means that bad boy is In Progress.

(I'll be updating-hopefully- every year or so!) 

Family

1. Get engaged.

2. Get married.

3. Start a family.

4. Buy a house.

5. Adopt another dog.

6. Travel with my family again.

7. Live (semi) close to my family.

Personal

8. Travel to a foreign country.

9. Read 100 NEW books. (Starting Jan. 2013)

10. Volunteer.

11. Teach myself how to use a nice camera (like the Nikon D3100).

12. Pay off 95% of my student loans.

13. Get approved for an FHA loan to buy my dream home.

14. Learn to shoot a gun.

15. Be enrolled in (or already taking) classes for my Masters degree.

Travel

16. Go to Fiji, Barbados, and somewhere in Europe. 

17. Go to a NFL game. Preferably the BEARS!!

18. Travel to Ocean Isle, NC again.

19. Travel to a new state I haven't been to yet.

Fitness

20. Get toned (before I have kids).

21. Run two half marathons.

22. Run a 5K every year starting in 2013. 

Education

23. Graduate with my Masters Degree

24. Become a certified Real Estate Agent (or something close to it).

Professional

25. Get tenure status in a school district that I love

26. Be confident in teaching Common Core

27. Balance (and hopefully master) my professional career and my personal life

Just Because

28. Be in the audience of the Ellen DeGeneres Show.

29. Buy myself a nice camera!

30. Go to Vegas (just for the experience).

What are your goals by the time you're next big milestone birthday arrives?

I can't wait to see how many I get done or in the process of doing. It also gives me more reason to keep on blogging! :)

I hope everyone has a great Thursday! 

Here is a little food-for-thought for the day.

The only reason this is up here is because I'm waking up at 4:30 tomorrow morning to workout and I'll need this afterwards to survive the day!

5 for Five: Once again

I cannot believe how gorgeous it was yesterday. I was outside for hours just reading, playing with the dogs, blogging and I loved every minute of it!
And Monday, we meet again. At least this means it's time for 5 for Five!!

5 for Five once again with Jenn and Jessica.

Last week's goals:

1. START READING A NEW BOOK!!! (let's go Kristen. You have so many books on your book list!) I'm not reading The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. So far so good! :)

2. Organize my closet (last night I cleaned the rest of my room and bookcase, so now is my closet)

3. DO NOT GO TO THE STORE!! I have enough food to make 4 different full size recipes right now!! I only went yesterday and it was because I NEEDED milk and bread! That's it, so that's pretty good! :)

4. Send out more resumes to Chicagoland districts And sent e-mails to 2 Principals. :)

5. (This might seem silly) But DO NOT pick my nails. This is such a bad habit. I pick at them when I'm anxious, nervous or have a lot on my mind. 2 weeks ago, when I told my Principal I wasn't coming back next year, I had picked all my nails. I take vitamins daily, so I know they will grow back soon, but I need a constant reminder to stop touching them!

3 outta 5...not too shabby!!

This Week's Goals:
1. STILL no picking at nails.
2. Save all my receipts for the remaining of the month.
3. Continue the book I started!
4. Work out 5 out of 7 days this week.
5. Get the packages I have out into the mail!!! 

I have a funny feeling that I'm getting observed today or tomorrow so wish me luck!! :) It'll be my last one for the whole year!! 

Source: tumblr.com via Nailah on Pinterest

Also, I'm treating myself to a new blog facelift soon AND when the times right a possible change in the blog name?? Stay tuned!! 

Stop on over to congratulate Hanna on little baby Tosh. She is one of my favorite bloggers ever... not to mention this is her 3rd baby in 3 years!!! YOU GO HANNA!

Sunday Social!!

I have been MIA but I'm glad to be back with Ashley and Neely. 


Let me just say, for the record, it is 55 degrees and gorgeous in Clarksville, TN. I am sitting outside on the porch with the pups and music blaring!! I LOVE SUNDAYS LIKE THIS! I'm just waiting for Mrs. D to walk in so we can possibly sip on some wine today and catch up.... why not?? :)

This week's questions:

1. What is one movie you are terrified to watch? I don't really do scary movies. The one that comes to mind though is The Exorcist. If I'm by myself, no way! If I'm with The Boy, I'll try to watch one. 

Source: weheartit.com via Kristen on Pinterest

2. What is one TV show you have always wanted to get into but haven’t yet? I would say Grey's Anatomy. I even bought the first season, but I just feel like I'm so far behind now, it's too late. 

3. What is one daring activity on your bucket list? I would say cliff jump into an ocean. 

4. Would you ever travel alone? Sure. I guess it'd depend where I'm going. However, I didn't like living alone (although I survived) for 6 months, I'd much rather be around people. So, I'll travel by myself as long as I'm meeting up with a group...I'll put it that way! :)

5. What activities do you like to do alone? hmmm.... good question. I prefer to go shopping alone. SHOCKING FACT: I DO NOT LIKE TO GO SHOPPING WITH MY GIRLFRIENDS!! (Only because one of my friends will literally take an hour to try on 3 things and I'm over here already in the check out line with my items that I got on clearance!)

Next Weeks Questions:

1. Favorite thing to do on a rainy day?
2. Favorite thing to do on a Summer weekend?
3. Favorite Spring accessory?
4. Favorite way to spend a Winter day?
5. What is your favorite season and why?
6. Best birthday you ever had?

I'm taking on Neely's challenge she posted on twitter a few hours ago and I'm going to comment on 5 NEw blogs today! 

I hope everyone enjoys this gorgeous Sunday as much as I am. However, don't ask me if I'm ready for school this week because the answer is NO! "Ain't nobody got time for that... when it's gorgeous out"

HELP: How do I respond to someone's comment on my blog? I can't find the e-mail option or respond to comment thingy? Any ideas?? Is it a preference thing??

Saturday night

This is what I woke up to this morning...

They were sleeping on their bed all night just fine!! And then...6 am rolls around and I have dogs licking my face wanting to cuddle. I was too lazy to get out of bed to get them off didn't care, so I just embraced their cuddles and turned on some morning HGTV for awhile.

Anyways...

My Saturday nights used to consist of pre-gaming, going out and seeing everyone from high school. Then being miserable all day Sunday because I'm hungover. Now call me a party pooper, but I am perfectly content sitting at home right now drinking wine, watching FRIENDS and just relaxing. Don't get me wrong, I still love going out with all my friends, but right now, I'm trying to save as much money as I can for my future...where ever that may be.

I know a lot of my friends aren't that concerned about their next step (right this instant), or if they are, they don't seem as worried about money as I am. I am a more simple girl and the simplest things make me happy and content.

I had a fantastic and productive day!

-Went to the school for about 2 hours and got so much done!
-Came home and worked out for an hour and a half
-Did laundry
-Cleaned my bathroom
-Organized my closet
-E-mailed my resume to some Principals
-Played with the dogs outside
-Made some amazing shrimp scampi! :)



And now, just drinking wine, blogging, pinterest-ing and doing a whole lotta nothing, which a lot more my style these days and I am completely ok with that! :)

Shrimp Scampi recipe: (Picture style)

(I took the recipe from Publix's Apron station! I love that concept and loved the recipe!)

Yum yum in my tum tum!!

I hope everyone has a great Saturday night!!

5 for Five!!!!!

Happy Monday!! I think I'm getting my last unannounced observation this week, so I'm kinda nervous! Happy goal setting!! 

5 for Five once again with Jenn and Jessica.

I did better than last week. But, still no 5 for 5! 

The pups looking so cuteee!!! I just couldn't help it!

Last Week's Goals:

1. Start the book I chose.

2. Organize my closet.

3. Finish my new resume and cover letter (story to come soon!)

4. Send out some snail mail. I love sending mail! :)

5. Work out 4 days a week. (I needed to be more specific this week)

This Week's Goals:

1. START READING A NEW BOOK!!! (let's go Kristen. You have so many books on your book list!)

2. Organize my closet (last night I cleaned the rest of my room and bookcase, so now is my closet)

3. DO NOT GO TO THE STORE!! I have enough food to make 4 different full size recipes right now!!

4. Send out more resumes to Chicagoland districts

5. (This might seem silly) But DO NOT pick my nails. This is such a bad habit. I pick at them when I'm anxious, nervous or have a lot on my mind. 2 weeks ago, when I told my Principal I wasn't coming back next year, I had picked all my nails. I take vitamins daily, so I know they will grow back soon, but I need a constant reminder to stop touching them!

I hope everyone has a fantastic Monday! 

Influenster pt. II

Last week I received my first ever VoxBox from Influenster. You can read about that unexpected experience here. I never reviewed the SkinnyGirl bar I had gotten in that box because I wanted to save it for a time when I was getting hungry and wanted a snack.

Well, I ate it last week and Oh-Em-Geee was it amazing!!! I had the banana chocolate chip bar and it tasted exactly like banana bread. I loved it because it was so healthy yet delicious. I ate it around 2:30 and my appetite didn't come back until dinner and that is a rare occasion!! 

My overall grade for it: A

This weekend I went to WalMart and Target to look for these bars and they didn't have them. So, I'm wondering if they're out in big name stores yet or still online. I refuse to buy them online because they are still $10 for a box of 5!!! Too expensive for me and I can't afford that.

However, maybe once payday comes, I'll splurge and get them. We'll see. 

It was delicious though and I highly recommend them for a healthy, yummy snack! 

Honest Adult Post

Lately, I have had a lot on my mind about how to be a 'real' adult...

-my career
-paying off student loans
-taxes
-FHA loans
-tax returns
-the stock market
-money in general
-real estate
-insurance

Wowwie, just typing that overwhelms me. I mentioned last week in my post about my 5 for Five goals, that I was working on redoing my cover letter and resume. Well, I can finally share that I will be moving back to Chicago at the end of the school year. It was a tough decision though mainly because I was choosing between a job (with the most amazing coworkers, turned friends EVER) that I absolutely loved and starting my 'adult' life back home with The Boy and (hopefully) settling somewhere in the suburbs of Chicago. And as you can see, the more personal stuff led me to decide to move back home.

I am sad because I'm moving away from some pretty amazing people and some adorable little kids, that I know consider my own (in a teacher way---teacher's would understand that) little children. I'm moving back into my parents' home with no secure job and will only receive an income through August. I did finish my cover letter and resume, so we'll see what happens.

On another note, The Boy and I have been discussing buying a house. Not anytime soon (still no ring on my finger lol), but soon enough to be talking about getting our budget in order. We're still putting money into our savings account and just started looking into FHA loans (which my parents will have to help with eventually). (SIDE NOTE: The Boy has switched careers and I couldn't be happier for him. He is now pursuing the fire fighting world!!)

Anyways, I'm very excited about another new chapter in my life. Being an adult is hard, but I am so excited to start this new phase soon!

How does one prepare to start this journey? I need advice!!!