I can smell summer...(& summer link up!)

My kids are crazy and I'm beginning to feel the same way. Summer is only 17 1/2 (school) days away. I can smell the summer air, pretty adult drinks, good books and a great summer ahead.

Bailey is ready for summer!!

I feel like I already have a lot on my plate.

• Foot surgery- yes, I have bunions...yes, I have to get surgery on them...no, I'm not 70 years old, but rather 24...and no I'm not happy about that.
• My Grandma's funeral and burial in Cleveland in late June with the whole fam!
• Running the Glo Run 5K in Chicago with The Boy on June 15th (I will run this before my foot surgery-I hope)!
• My good friend's wedding that I'm in. SUPER excited. All of those festivities are July 5th and 6th. 
• Tutoring- to make some extra $$$!
• And hopefully, getting my classroom set up for the upcoming school year. No, I don't have a job in Chicago yet, but I'm telling myself it's still early. 

 I just started reading for enjoyment about 2 years ago, so I don't have many books under my belt yet, but that is changing...I promise! I just love to get lost in good books, which is why I love these link-ups. I feel like I have missed out on so many great books that I need to read them ALL!! So bare with me here please...

Anyways, today is Link Up #2 with at Serena over at Spillerena. The topic for today is 5 books every women should read. Now, to be honest, I don't think I've read enough books to even write down 2, but I'm going to think really hard. There are many books that I want to read that would fall under that women or about being a woman category. Let me know if you've read any of them.

BOOKS I HAVE READ:
Book #1: He's Just Not That Into You
I read this book in high school before it was made into a movie. I loved it and it was written so honestly and that's why I loved it. The movie was horrible (I thought), but the book is a fast read, well written and honest. Gotta love it!

BOOKS I WANT TO READ AND MIGHT FIT INTO THIS CATEGORY:
Book #2: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin
GASP! Nope, I've never read this book but so badly want to after seeing it time and time again on so many blogs! It's on my summer reading list for sure!

Book #3: 20-Something, 20-Everything: A Quarter-Life Woman's Guide to Balance and Direction
It just looks like a good book about balancing life in your twenties...right where I'm at! :)

Book #4: The 5 Love Languages

This might not be a 'woman's book' per say, but I think anyone and everyone can work on relationships one way or another. I've heard this book explains to us (the reader) that there are 5 different ways men (and women) feel loved. Maybe I can learn ways to show The Boy how much I love him in a way that he'll understand and appreciate. The Boy and I are doing great, but communication/affection (in general) is hard. He's a man's man, which means he likes to pretend he has no feelings, puts on a very tough outer shell and has a hard time talking about anything serious or substantial. I, on the other hand, love the affection, small talk and discussions that have depth. See a difference? Opposites attract I tell ya! :)

Book #5: Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

I love her and all of her books! GoodReads says "Sophie Kinsella is a rich and sassy writer and reading her books is like hearing a best friend tell you about her day. If you’ve ever been tempted to buy to-die-for pumps or that lingerie set in the window of that upscale department store (and every girl has) that you just couldn’t afford, you’ll love this book. It teaches you a thing or two about love and life, not to mention personal finances."

Hope everyone is having a great day! Mrs. D and I did the 4 minute workout today and man, oh, man was it tough! Look into it if you want a fast but effective workout.

 It's finally nice here in Nashville and I'm excited for the end of the school year. 

If you don't already, please start to follow me through BlogLovin'. It's on my right hand sidebar! Thanks!! :)

Link Up #1: My Top 3 Favorite Books

I love this post, but it's so hard to choose just 3! Yesterday, I joined a fabulous blogger book swap and I couldn't be more thrilled!! A swap that fit me perfectly!!

My top 3 favorite books (in no particular order):

#1: The Hunger Games Trilogy (I count all 3 books as 1 book)
by: Suzanne Collins

Baily likes The Hunger Games as well!

I never thought I would enjoy these books, but geezz, Suzanne Collins had me at the sexual tension of Katniss and Peeta. I can't say enough about these books and I actually might read them again this summer.

#2: Something Borrowed (I liked Something Blue as well)
by: Emily Giffin 

I loved that these books were a fast read, yet still full of "girl" drama that I loved. If you want a quick girly read, go grab this book! I like Emily Giffin's books in general. I still have 3 books of hers that I haven't read yet.

#3: Are You There Vodka it's Me, Chelsea 
by: Chelsea Handler

I'm not sure if this counts as a book, but....I love her show. I love her books. I just love her!! She writes just as she talks and I was literally laughing out loud to myself reading this. This books is just a memoir of her life as she is just starting out in Hollywood.

I'm currently reading 'The Fault In Our Stars' by: John Greene, and it's brilliantly written in the perspective of a teenage girl with cancer. Depending on how it ends, it might be on my new top 3.

But, as you can see, I like many different books. My summer reading list has like 11 books on it. Is that normal??? Can't wait to see what other people's favorite books are. Hopefully, I can add to my summer reading list. If you haven't already, please follow me on BlogLovin' on my right side column! I look forward to meeting other great Bloggers who love to read as well!

In 23 (school) days...

I will be back to blogging regularly. I promise!! That is when school is out for the summer! I am still deciding whether I want to sign up for BlogHer or not. I want to learn so much more about blogging and I feel that would be an awesome experience for me. We'll see I guess! :)

Anyways, on to school...

One of my students, M and I today! :)

The end of the year has been crazy. My kids have been off the wall. I didn't realize how many activities there were at the end of the year. My school has TCAP, field day, fitness activity night, 5K races and so many other things, it's crazy!! I can't help to just love every minute of it though. Since I'm going back to Chicago at the end of the year, I'm trying to embrace my students craziness and loudness because I know over the summer and next year, I'll miss it and them!

On to my plans for next year...well, the lack-of plans, that is. I have applied to countless districts and e-mail, mailed, etc. tons of Principals. Still nothing...

These are all of my envelopes I've sent out with cover letters, resumes, etc. Talk about exhausting!

Sweet Mrs. D also took 'nice' pictures of me Saturday with her 'super nice' camera. So I got them printed at Walgreens to add to my letters. She's the best!

On another note, My grandma passed away last Saturday. She was 91 and lived a very full life filled with love. We will be going back to Cleveland to bury her in the summer next to my grandpa.

This is her last year on the Appalachian Trail.

I made chicken Rollitini's this week and Oh-Em-GEE they were sooooo good! I got the recipe from Pinterest of course. 

Here is the Pin that had me from mozzarella and marinara...

Here is how mine turned out... Kristen - 1, Kitchen - 0. I'd say that's a winner!

Well, I hope everyone else is having a great Thursday. I am beyond excited that tomorrow is Friday. We're going to The Bun Factory as a field trip, which makes this teacher very happy!! :)

PLEASE FOLLOW ME ON BLOGLOVIN' TO THE RIGHT ON MY SIDEBAR!! I just finished organizing all of the blogs I read and I feel so much better!! 

Happy Friday Y'all....

I'm having a difficult day. This has been the most trying and difficult day I've had in awhile. For a number of reason. I'm just thankful it's Friday.

Anyways, I found this video last night and wanted to share it.

I hope it makes you smile as much as I did.




Happy Friday!!

Life Lately...

Has been so crazy!!!

This past weekend The Boy and my dad came into town. So we went to Nashville all day Saturday and had such a blast. They left on Sunday. Only a month and a half until I'm back home with my family, boyfriend and friends.

I don't even want to think about leaving these people though... :::sad face:::

I have been back on the applitrack search again for a job back up in the Chicagoland area. This weekend I have a full on project of stuffing envelopes with; cover letters, resumes, references and pictures. Oh joy :)

A lot of end of the year stuff going on at school. Only 5 more Mondays of school and that is a very bittersweet feeling.

Anyways, I'll be back this weekend. Still have not organized ALL of my blogs on BlogLovin', but I'm not too worried about it :)

Middle Tennessee is supposed to get a major storm tonight, so we'll see how I sleep tonight. I hope everyone is enjoying their Wednesday. 2 more days until the weekend!! :)

Sunday Social

Here we go with this weeks questions...

This Weeks Questions:

All About Pinterest- My fav!!

1. What is your favorite outfit pin?



I am READY for summer!! 

2. What is your favorite food pin?





3. What is your favorite wedding pin? 

4. What is your favorite DIY/craft pin?


5. What is your favorite quote/verse/lyric pin?
I have 2....

AND


6. Share one more random pin you love.
hmmm...just ONE more?


I hope everyone had a fabulous Sunday. I'm so tired from this weekend that it is almost my bedtime...NO joke. I'll post pictures from this weekend soon!

Nashville

It never gets old! I love it here. I will definitely miss downtown Nashville.

This weekend my dad and The Boy came to visit. We spent the day in Nashville. We watched the Blackhawks game, had lunch, and drank some good drinks. I am definitely excited about moving back to Chicago, but I will definitely miss this 70+ degree weather in April.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!!!

How Awesome!!

I ran across this lovely post from Emily today as I was sorting my blogs on BlogLovin' and I got super excited!!

This is what I've been looking for people! Someone who is willing to help me, give me advice and just discuss all things blogs! I signed up and can't wait to see who my 'big' is. I promised myself I would never be mad or upset about the number of followers I have. Since I started this lil' blog of mine about 2 years ago, I always told myself it was just going to MY place to write...not about followers. Now that I have more than I ever thought, it's nice to get comments or feedback to my questions :)

However, I have to admit that when I saw I lost one follower...it stung. But oh well, I'll blog again anyways.

I also ran across Savannah's blog post about "Why she blogs" and I wish I could copy and paste it, because seriously, she couldn't have written it any better. I feel the same exact way, so just go read it yourself! (SHE IS AN AWESOME WRITER!)

I love blogging and I love making connections with other people, but it's so hard not to look at your numbers/stats or start doing things that are "in". I'm hoping I can gain something (ANYthing) from this Big & Little thing. I like link-ups anyways, so it couldn't hurt. Go ahead and join in the fun!!

My baby boy looking so cute in his KU scarf!