Five on Friday!

This is my first Five on Friday link up, so I'm pretty stoked. 

This week I've been wanting to write a lot. There is so much on my mind lately and I just find it hard to find the time to write about it. So here are all the short versions: 

1. Cancer has snuck out of it's evil hole full force recently and it sucks. I know 2 women right now that are suffering from cancer. The Boy's grandma has lung cancer. She is such an independently strong woman that she's having a very hard time with her diagnosis. The other women is a great family friend (my parent's best friends) and she has been having an on-going battle with a glioblastoma tumor (which is in the brain) for the passed couple of months. Oh, and she is a breast cancer survivor, which is has about 7 years ago. Watching these strong women go through such a vicious disease, really makes me realize that I cannot take my health for granted and that with one doctor's appointment, everything can change. 

2. School is approaching and I'm still a tad frustrated. My mom is coming to help me in my classroom Monday, so I hope to get a lot done there. I'm such a planner, that not knowing the first week's schedule or spelling words is driving me B-A-N-A-N-A-S!!!!

3. The future. And everything that comes with it. It's a little scary. How do I know if I'm ready to get married? Buy a house? Move out (or in) with The Boy. Any suggestions?? I sometimes still feel 18 even though I get told I still look it all the time. Speaking of The Boy, in November (we think) we will have been together for 4 years!! That's a frickin' long ass time. That's crazy!!! Longer than any of my other relationships and frankly, longer than I ever thought we'd last, but I'm so thankful that it has. He is one very lucky guy (as I say) and The Boy says I am one very lucky girl. Safe to say, I think we're meant for each other. What are some 'big' questions you wished you would have talked about before moving in together or getting married? The Boy doesn't like to have conversations about serious things (though we've had some), so I know we need to work on communicating about (money, the future, etc.) those things better. However, communication is something I feel can always be improved.

4. I've been really thinking about going gluten free lately. Has anyone read Wheat Belly? I'm still having stomach issues and I'm not buying the whole "you just have IBS" business. The only thing with this is that it'll take time and planning on my part. I would have to research things I can and cannot eat and make a meal calendar, so I know what I'm eating when, so I don't cheat. I'm not sure how long I'll do this for, but I want to try it at least for a month. Is any gluten-free and if so, what are some of your favorite recipes and resources for it?

5. I need a vacation. I haven't been on one in I can't even remember and that's not a good sign a very long time. I've been looking on Groupon Getaways page, Living Social Escapes page and my new favorite vacation deal spot, Jetsetter. I wanted to go somewhere this summer, but with school starting in 2 weeks, it's not going to happen, so I'm hoping spring break time? I'm crossing my fingers! 

Turks and Caicos

 Turks and Caicos

Take me there now!!!

I'm looking forward to reading some of y'alls Five on Friday topics and possibly meeting some new friends!

My first EVER SWW!

I'm linking up with Shannon for my first ever (or first in a long, long time) So What Wednesday! It's been one of those weeks days.

Today I'm saying "So what"...

-If I had a donut for breakfast this morning. I don't even feel bad about it.

-If I am addicted to throughly enjoy reality TV.

-If I haven't worked out in 2 weeks. I'll get to it, I swear!

-If I haven't written a blog posts in a few weeks...it's a work in progress!!

-If I've been looking at houses on Zillow. Not that I can afford anything right now, but it's nice to know what you want when that time comes.

-If I'm already a little aggravated at my new school. No spelling curriculum yet and don't have any pacing guides for any subjects....ugh!

-If I'm going to say I'm 'trying' out a new gym, when really, I just want the 1st trial month free. This way, I can start getting in the groove before school starts.

I hope everyone has a good Wednesday. 

5 Things I Was Terrible at as a Kid

I totally stole this idea from Stephanie at Bourbon and Glitter, but I loved it so much I wanted to do one as well.

I'm on the right. Sister's on the left. 

1. Sharing. Enough said. 

2. Trying new foods. I could have won 'pickiest child in america' gold medal when I was little. Not much has changed now. I know what I like and don't like.

3. Reading. I hated it because I was not good at it and never understood what I was reading.

4. Sports. My sister was the athletic one (and when on to play volleyball in college) in the family. Although, I loved all the sports I participated in, I never won a state medal, nor was I the best in my school. I was just an average jane that tried to play softball, gymnastics and diving. HA!

5. Waking up.  I remember my mom would come wake me up for school and I'd just yell at her, roll over and be late for school. No, not high school, more like elementary school and Jr. High. I was horrible! There were numerous time where my mom made me walk to school or call a neighbor to come pick me up because I was a selfish 6th grader. 

What were you terrible at as a kid? 

Any Takers?

Hi Friends---long time to blog!

This week I'll be taking a little break from bloggy land to get some major work done in my classroom. Teachers, you understand, the earlier you can get into your room...the better, I hope right? 

I want to see if anyone would like to do a guest post for me? It can be about anything and everything! I'm excited about this because I think it'll be fun to get a new perspective on here. Let me know if you're interested!

I have many blog posts schedule for the following week, so I'm working on those as well! :)

One of the posts I'm working on is a Q & A post. I've seen (and participated) in many blogger Q & A's posts and find them so interesting and a fun way to get to know each other...even more! So, if there is anything you want to know. just ask!! You can ask me anything. I'm an open book!

Until then, these are some things I'm currently doing:

Thinking about: Everything I still have to do in this classroom of mine.

The iPhone 5 takes panorama views! How neat!

Reading: Gone Girl by: Gillian Flynn. Oh-Em-Gee...I've sat outside every night for an hour just reading this great book. I just got to a very intense part!

Planning: In my new Erin Condren Life Planner! It finally arrived and I'm super duper excited!

Drinking: Iced creamer coffee with a dash of this deliciousness!

Dreaming: Of the next time I get to go to Ocean Isle Beach, NC. It's only 17 hours from me. Now too bad, right?

Loving: This little guy! He did so well at doggie training this week. I'm one proud fur mama!!

Finally.... OHP & What I've Been Up To

I haven't done one of these since I got my blog 'facelift', so I'm pumped!

Link up and join us

Lately, all I can think about is school and my classroom, so these first few pins are for school.

Now, onto random pins that I also love! :)

I would love to have this one day!!


Now, onto pictures. It was a long, but fun filled weekend full of all things weddings!!! I was in one of my good girlfriend's wedding on July 6th, so I'll let the pictures speak for themselves. I love you Cait and so happy for your new adventure with your Mr.

Rehearsal Dinner

 Getting ready the morning of the wedding. Bride in the middle.

 "The" dress

 Mid hair :)

 The gorgeous bride and I

 My friend, Al and I

 The Boy and Al's boyfriend went golfing that morning while we were getting all pretty. This is an 'after golf/getting a drink' pic. 

 After a long night of dancing, drinking and food....can you tell?? ;)

I hope everyone had a fantastic long weekend!! Happy Wednesday! 

#tbt

My twitter friends, you know what this means, right?

If you haven't already joined the twitter band wagon, don't worry, I'll fill you in.

The '#' sign means that it's a popular word or saying among the Twitter world.

So, the 'tbt' means Throw Back Thursday. Hence, #tbt means that many people on twitter are posting old pictures of themselves, friends or family on twitter. And I have been a frequent tweet-er when it's Thursday strictly because of #tbt days! (My fellow twitter friends, you get what I mean, right?) 

Well, I'm dedicating this post to the recent pictures I've found in our basement. Let the fun begin!!

My dad teaching my little sister and I how to play golf. 

DisneyLand

My precious little sister at Ocean Isle Beach, NC back in 1994?

 Our good family friends and us at the beach house (once again at Ocean Isle).

 My 7th (or 8th) birthday party. It was a dance party :)

 And the best for last....don't ask. I have no idea where we learned this and neither do my parents!

Oh, and by the way, follow me on twitter @kl3iva .  Happy Thursday!!!

Tio Says Don't Forget...

To follow me on BlogLovin'!!!

Tio thinks you should follow me on BlogLovin'. Don't forget!

I haven't lost GoogleReader yet, but I'm already on BlogLovin' and already "lovin'" it.

I wanted to do a quick update on my puppy, Tio. Well, he's not a puppy anymore, but he acts like one.

My sister works for a minor league baseball team here in one of the suburbs of Chicago and a couple weeks ago, the field hosted a Bark in the Park game night. So, everyone brought their dogs into the stadium and had a great night.

Me, Tio and my sister before Tio's First Fetch!!

And Coop (the mascot) wanted in on the picture too!

...still waiting for the first fetch! 

I threw the tennis ball across home plate...

...and he caught it! Makes this fur mama proud! 

Of course, Tio would only look at the tennis ball, not the camera.

Me, Coop, my sister and Tio!

My dad, Tio and I watching the baseball game!

I highly encourage you to look up dog outings in your area! If you live in the Chicagoland area, I highly suggest you head out to the Schaumburg Boomers. They have another Bark in the Park in August--look it up! :)