the last few pages...

I love notebooks. I really have to make an effort to not buy every single cute and wonderful notebook I see.  I just love them so. The best part is always writing on the first page in fresh, new, clean notebook. And the last page a little bit too. Except, that's where I run into my little problem.

You see, I have found that it is the most difficult thing to finish a notebook. Even though you know you only have two pages left to write on and fill up, every time I open the notebook those to pages seem to have multiplied ... into a lot of pages. All I want to do is use them up, but for some reason, I just have the hardest time using them up.

It wasn't too bad before our wedding. I mean, those pages went pretty quickly. I did, after all, have to practice writing my soon to be new name : ) Oh, happy.

But all of the other ones. Not so much. I have a notebook right now and there are two pages left in it, except, every time I open it up it seems like more than that. That's okay though. I'm pretty sure I can find a good use for them : )

That's about it. I hope you all have a happy Wednesday!

new toy?

Do you ever have those days where you feel like your hair is just awful? No matter how you fix it up it still looks terrible? Yes? Well, you've come to the right place! Because I can sympathize with you over that feeling. I wish I had a solution, but I'm not hair professional. Nope. It's sad, but true.

Thanks to my awful feeling and terrible looking hair these days I have been hunting around for awesome hair ideas. Simple and quick fixes. No new revelations as of yet. If you have any tips or ideas you should share them with me, mmmk? I just feel like it needs a little umph. You know?

I have been considering getting me a fancy shamancy curling iron. Normally I would let my hair curl itself, and I do every time I wash it. However due to my rash choice to chop my hair off this past fall, my curls are not curls right now. Nor will they be for about three more months. No. My hair is more of a big poof right now when I let it curl on it's own. Really quite attractive let me tell you. But I miss the curls, and that's why I am contemplating getting me a new little beauty toy. Maybe. Probably not. But maybe. I could do something rash again here soon. Or not.

Anyhow. That's the excitement going on in my life. The fun excitement any way. I will spare you the details of the awful... for now :D I know, don't you all wish you were me.

I Got Tagged :)

Wonderful and ever so thoughtful Maggie, from a carolina love tagged me in this little game. I was pleased as punch when I found this out! Thanks, Maggie! This means you guys will get to learn some new things about me here in this little post. You should be excited. Seriously.


But first, I have to share the rules (cause that's the rule and I am a rule follower :)


1. You must post these rules.
2. Each person must post 11 things about themselves on their blog.
3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post, and create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
4. You have to choose 11 people to tag and link them on the post.
5. Go to their page and tell them you have linked him or her.


1. What is the one item you have to have in your fridge/pantry? 
Right now, I would have to say Claussen Pickels. I love pickles. A lot. And I have tried many different types and brands of pickles. This one tops them all. They are pretty much the best thing ever. Hubby despises them, but hey, that's just more for me! 
2. Is there a song that evokes an emotion/memory from you no matter what? (can be a happy, nostalgic, etc)
There are a few of these. But I think I would have to say, "Viva la Vida" by Coldplay. I had the pianist play this song right after the hubs and I were hitched and were walking out of the church. She was amazing. And I love the song. Every time I hear it I go back to that moment. I could hear it a thousand times and never tire of it. 
3. What do you feel is your biggest accomplishment to date? Could be personal or professional.
Golly, I feel like there are a few things that could fit into this one too! Oh, how to pick one... I guess, I will have to say, running the Princess 1/2. I am not the athletic type. And far from the running type. In fact, I'm the type that calls the people who run 1/2 marathons crazy. But I decided to run one. And I did. It was a pretty wonderful feeling of satisfaction when I crossed that finish line. I debating about running another one. 
4. Would you rather go the rest of your life without ever watching your favorite show/movie or without reading your favorite book?
Life without my favorite movie. Hands down. Even though I love my favorite movie (who wouldn't), I could not live without my favorite book, "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers. It is one of the best books, in my opinion. Granted I have a lot of favorites, but this is one I have read about a dozen times already and I could read it a dozen more. I love the story. If you haven't read it, you should. 
5. Skydiving or bungee jumping?
Neither? If I had to choose one... Skydiving. The fall is a lot longer. And you jump from a lot higher up. But, you are strapped to a professional skydiver who isn't going to let you die. Plus, you get two parachutes if there should be a problem with one. I feel like you might even have a back up, that's four. Yep. No rope around my ankles, please. 
6. Where is the one place you want to go before you die?
Ireland. And Scotland. And New Zealand. And ... It's just so hard to pick one! There are so many places I want to visit! But if I had to pick one, Ireland. I have always wanted to go there. One day, right?  
7. If you had a book written about you and your life, what would you want the title to be?
"The Indecisive, Hometown-less, Baker." ...This is a tough one. I've never really thought about what a book about me would be called before. But for now, I feel as though these adjectives describe me pretty well. At least for tonight. I might change my mind about that.  
8. What would you want your 15 minutes of fame to be for?
Humm... this one, I don't really know about. That I wrote a book? Maybe. I'll just say that for now.  
9. Is there a hobby or activity you did when you were younger that you've given up, but wish could start again?
I feel like all of my hobbies or activities that I have or am interested in now are the same ones from when I was younger. Obviously I'm one exciting person, I've been baking, reading, writing, crocheting, and the like for 20 some years now. New hobby?  
10. What would be the hardest food to give up forever? (Mexican, Italian, cake, etc.)
Bread. I love it in every shape, type, and make of it. 
11. If you could be amazing at one thing, what would you want it to be?
I wish I could be an amazing writer. 


Okay. That's all about me! Riveting, I know :D  Now, my questions:


1. If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life what would it be? 
2. If you had to choose between never brushing your hair again or never washing your face again, which would you choose? 
3. If you had to live in one place for the rest of your life, where would it be? 
4. If you had the choice, and had to live in a different time period/era, which time period/era would you choose? 
5. What do you wish you could have the will power to do that you just can't bring yourself to do now? 
6. What super power would you like to have?  
7. Say you lost your hands and the only thing that could replace them were paws or hooves, which would you choose? 
8. You could only receive text messages or letters/cards (you know, the kind that come in the mail that the mail man brings to your house) for the rest of your life, which would you choose? 
9. If you could only wear one thing/outfit every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?  
10. Guilty pleasure? 
11. What do you want to be when you grow up? 


I am going to tag... 
Paula from Life's Little Lessons
Valerie from Along the Way with V and J
Natasha from Hello! happiness 
Kelsey from WordsthatSing 
Brittany from b.mary & blessed
Rebekah from Life with the Edwards 
Amanda from Just an Average Girl 
Ria from Life as a Wife and Mama-to-be!! 
Aimee from Runner's ID
July from a day in the life... 
Alison from Essentially Alison 


Of course, you don't have to do this, but it's a fun little thing to do and it would probably make your heart happy. Just sayin'.

accident

This week has been like no other that I have known.

On Tuesday we had a tornado warning at school. Yes. A tornado warning. In January. The students were curled up against the lockers in the hallway for 40 minutes. It was a wild. And a little bit scary. Thankfully, nothing happened and we were able to go back to class.

Unfortunately, the rest of the week only went down from there. On Wednesday after school, one of my teacher friends came into my room and told me that there had been an accident involving one of our students and that the student had been killed in a car accident. She didn't know any details, the student's name or anything. Later that evening she called me and told me there were not one but three students involved. Two were killed. One in critical condition.

The next morning we found out the student who was in the hospital had stabilized and was able to go home. Thank the Lord.

The hallways at school were empty that day. Students were there. Walking. But they weren't there. An eerie silence filled the halls. You could have heard a pin drop from the other side of the building. The day was filled with crying, hugs, and prayers. It was one of the hardest days I have experienced as a teacher.

This afternoon is the funeral for both of the girls.

It is a terrible thing that has happened. All I can do is think of and pray for the family and friends of the girls in the accident. If you think of it, please say a little prayer for the families, friends, and the school.

 

a look at lasik

I've been thinking about getting my eyes fixed. You know, getting laser eye correction surgery. Having my eyes taped wide open and letting a doctor burn them with a laser to help me see. I don't know though. I'm not too keen on lasers, especially when it comes to them burning my eyeballs. I'm very sensitive about my eyes, and very easily grossed out about things having to do with eyes.

I know lots of people who have had Lasik, my hubs and sister included, but I just don't know if I can go through with it. My fear is that I would be in the tiny percentile of people that has major complications from the surgery. For example, complete blindness. At least right now I can see blobs and blurs of colors without my glasses or contacts. I would hate to not even be able to see that much. Or to not have glasses or contacts to wear to help me see the world at all.

The Hubs and I have talked about this now for a little bit. And since I've been thinking about it for a little while I just decided to call a doctor here in town. And I did. I thought, I might as well see (ha ha : ) my options and if getting the surgery is even an option for me. For all I know my eyes could be unfixable. So I called the doctor to set up a little consultation. I thought the wait time would be several weeks or months. Boy, was I wrong. They said they could see me in four days. Four days. So I've been trying to think of as many questions about eye surgery, complications, and such that go along with it.

Have any of you had Lasik? What did you think about it? What questions did you ask your doctor? Was it awful? Did you recover? Go blind? Thoughts? If you haven't had it, would you? If you wouldn't, why not? My insurance says it is covered, which is the only reason I'm even really realistically considering getting it done. ... maybe over Spring Break... But I'm still not sure.

Though, the more I think about it, it really would be nice to be able to see my own hand clearly from more than five inches from my face. It would be nice to wake up and be able to see the clock without fumbling around for my glasses. It would be nice to not have to mess with worrying about taking my contacts out each night. It would be nice to not have to buy contacts, glasses, contact solution, contact cases, glasses cleaner... and everything else that goes along with poor near blindness eye sight. I'm not even exaggerating, I am practically blind.

I think I want to. Get the surgery that is. If I can. But there's still that little worry ... maybe I will find out on Tuesday afternoon if I'm even able to get it done at all. And if I can, the doctor will be so wonderful that I will sign up for it. We shall see (kehehe : ) and I'll let you know what the doctor says.

In the mean time, I am going to enjoy my long weekend. I hope you all have a very relaxing weekend.

See ya later! (haha. I just couldn't resist!)

I got lucky

I love pens. I have a weakness for them. It's true. I could have a dozen pens and still want more. In fact, I do have a dozen pens and I would like some more. They just make me happy. At the beginning of the fall semester I was so excited for the excuse to buy some new pens. You know, so I could grade papers and such. I found a pack of pretty colorful pens and snatched them right up. They pretty much lasted all semester. I used a few older pens I had too otherwise I probably would have used them all up.

It's a rewarding feeling I think when your pen runs out of ink. It signifies that you have worked hard on something, or done a lot or writing (or drawing perhaps). But just the same, it shows you have spent hours using that precious little pen.

My favorite pen has been hard to find as of late. But I got lucky and found them at Michael's (one of the best stores on earth). I was sooo excited, I even got a teacher's discount which made me an even happier bean. I just hate using red or black or blue ink all the time. I really don't like using red ink to grade papers at all. It makes me feel like a mean teacher. Not that teachers who use red pens are mean, they are quite nice (at least the ones that I know now, maybe not so much for the teachers I had when I was going to school : ) But just the same, I can't bring myself to use a red ink pen to grade papers. So I use all kinds of colors: silver, green, pink, purple, gold, light blue, orange, cranberry... just to name a few.

So anyhow, I thought I would leave you with a little list of my favorite pens...

these pens are quite simply put: the best. ever. 

good. good.

another favorite.

and I love these little guys. 

they are a new favorite. 

I've always been a fan of paper mate pens. 

they write so smoothly. 

But now, they come in pink ink!

and that just makes my heart happy. 

this picture is not a picture of the exact pens I'm talking about

but they are pretty darn close. 

I love them.  

Still the Gelly Roll Pens are my all time favorite and the best pens ever in the world. 

That's all! 

Happy penning! : ) 

I'd like to share some wonderfully exciting news with you... and I'd like you all to be the first to know...

Something wonderfully exciting has happened in my life. It's a pretty big deal. Just sayin... I finally got to organize my binders!!! I know! Exciting stuff, right?! I mean really though, how much more awesome could it get?

:]

You see, I like to be organized. and tidy. and neat. and clean. I like order. I cannot function when there is a complete mess around me. No, I cannot. Well, I suppose I can. But, it's just not a pretty sight. Things I am much more pleasant when my surroundings are tidy and in their proper little home.

At school I have a few binders and folders. These are for different things. I purchased several binders at the beginning of the school year because I knew I needed some and I figured I would eventually need more. I was right. At the beginning of the school year I put my papers: lesson plan sheets, standards, deconstructed standards, lesson attachments, and a lot of other teacher like things in one binder. I labeled it my 'Lesson Plan' binder. I was going to keep everything tidy and organized in there. With the help of some tabs and dividers it looked very organized. But, as the semester went on (and as the first semester is now long gone... by two week :p) my binder filled up and got very very fat. It's a good thing I like a chubby binder. However, it was also not so good. I mean, I still have a whole semester to go.

yikes.

So today I went through and pulled all the attachments and stuff I have for unit plans and ideas out and put them in their own separate binder. Because of my foresight at the beginning of the year, I was able to just pick up a very nearly empty binder, move a few papers around, and wha-la! Unit Plan Binder. ... more or less. But still. This makes me giddy beyond words. Now there is a place where all of the little unit ideas and papers and handouts and homeworks go. I know exactly where to find them (not that I didn't before, now they just look a lot prettier :). They are all there. And yes, I have some work to do to make the units perfect and exactly as I want them to be, but I am happy to have a skinny little starting place that is a lot fatter than what I started with in August. Meaning nothing.

Anyhow. I just had to share my exciting news with you guys. o golly geepers. I love organizing!  : ) it really does make my heart happy.

... speaking of organizing and my binders, I need to go get some paper to make dividers for my fancy shamancy unit binder!

toodles!

just a few little goals I suppose

Normally I don't try and set goals for myself, especially for the new year. I just don't like to disappoint myself, you know? So I don't. However, I have been thinking about somethings and so in a round about way, set a few goals for myself. I'll share them with you if you like. They're nothing exciting or wonderful. Just little goals. You know. I feel like they are realistic, we shall see.

1. Read more for myself. I used to read all the time. Not any more. I feel like there is a direct connection between getting a job and my sudden decline in reading. I hope this year I can read a little bit more. Yes. I do. I have a few books on my reading list, hopefully this year they will be read.

2. Write more. Be it in my journal, or on here, my loverly little blog. I love writing, it makes me happy. So, it would make sense that I wouldn't have a problem keeping it up. Sadly, for some reason I have been having trouble being consistent with writing. I tell my kids to write for at least 10 minutes a day, and make them write for almost as much, so I hope to keep my own writing up.

3. Having good quality quiet times. I used to be really good at doing this. But now, not so much. It is my hope to get better at this.

4. Exercise. Last year I did a really good job at this. Mostly I think because I was signed up to run a half marathon. But, after the half, I kind of gave up running and exercise of all sorts. Which is sad, because I really liked how I felt while after I exercised. The Hubs and I have talked about a way that will get me back to running or something active. Wanna know what it is? Good. Cause I'm gonna tell you anyway. Simply this: go to the gym two times a week. At least. And then on the other nights do ab work at home. bleh. As awful as it sounds, it felt really good when I was on a running schedule.

...maybe I should just sign up for another half. That's motivation. humm... run a half in 2012? Maybe. Or not. We shall see. I'm not making any promises. I mean shoot, I've already run my half. That has to count for something, right? :]

5. Leave school no later than 5:30 on an average night. I have been staying at school a lot later than that and I really just miss being home, fixing dinner, and chilling with the hubby.

Anyhow. That's my little list. I know it's nothing impressive or anything. Just a few things I would like to work on this year.

 

Happy New Year : )

Happy New Year to you all! I hope it has been a happy one so far. I know mine has been. If only every day of this year could be as wonderful as today has been (which consists of chilling at home with the Hubs and puppy, doing what ever I like or nothing at all. perfect.) this would be the perfect year ever. 

One can dream...

Welp. I felt like reminiscing and going through this past year in pictures... enjoy!

January

got to visit this little marshmallow and his family

Started Student Teaching!! 

February

Ran the Princess 1/2 with my sister! 

had some fun at Disney World before and after the 1/2 

 March 

The Hubs had a birthday : ) 

fun fun

 April

Nothing eventful happened in April, so here is the only picture I will share of my precious puppy 

 May

Finished Student Teaching and graduated from my Masters program! woot woo!

Sent The Hubs off on a month long mission trip to Ethiopia

 June 

saw some cute lil' stinkers : ) 

isn't he so sweet?

Went on a Mission Trip to the Dominican Republic 

(want to see a video clip?)

and played a little bit too

and went to the beach for a bit while we were down there. 

[thankfully -maybe- the hubs doesn't read my blog so he won't 

kill me for posting this not so flattering picture of him. it was bright,

what can I say?]

fun fun fun : )

July 

 

And when I got back I got to go to Minnesota and love on these little guys 

August

I got my first ever teaching job! bah!

which came along with my very own classroom (obviously)!

September

must have disappeared or something : )

 October

 

went Huber's with the Hubs and our Small Group

sat on a pumpkin : ) 

 November

Went to Minnesota for Thanksgiving!

Got to hang out and do lots of fun things with my sister and her kiddos

 December

Our good friend had a baby and we got to visit. 

I love babies.

And we had a very wonderful Christmas with each other, friends, and family. 

I hope you had a fun 2011 and that this year will be wonderful and hold lots of fun new adventures for you and your family! I can't wait to see how the Lord blesses us this year! We are so thankful for his blessings and are excited to see what else is in store for us. 

Happy New Year!