What They All Have in Common

What do the Federal Reserve, The Varsity, Bowling, and Tree Cutting all have in common?  A WONDERFUL WEEKEND, that's what!!!! 

So Friday I was actually out of school for the day to head downtown to the Federal Reserve Atlanta.  It sounds so silly, but going there always makes me feel way more important than I am.  I had an AP Economics meeting/workshop and the set up at the Fed is always soooo nice.  They give us tons of resource materials for our classes and feed us an amazing lunch! It's catered and always so nice.  The only drag was having to leave the house at 5:45 a.m. to avoid traffic and get a parking space right across the street from the Fed. I usually just hangout in my car and wait for the meeting to begin.  The Federal Reserve is such an interesting place and I suggest that ALL people go and visit the Fed to truly learn about economics and how the Fed sets Monetary Policy.  (Sorry, a little economics teachers' rant)  I even made my kids make Ben Bernanke (Chariman of the Fed) masks and wear them in class when we talk about Monetary Policy.  They get a kick out of it.  I had a great day and even got some bags of shredded money to take back to my kids.  We got out early from our meeting so I avoided Friday afternoon ATL traffic which was quite nice. 

 Me waiting in my car, for my "important" meeting

 My kids in their Bernanke masks

My hubby had been out of town ALL week and returned home Friday afternoon.  We spent the afternoon talking and catching up.  We then headed out for dinner at Bonefish, which is one of my absolute favs.  It was so delicious.  We then headed home to catch up on some of our shows from the week.



On Saturday we spent the morning sleeping in and relaxing and then got all our tax stuff together to take the accountant's office.  We thought we had lost one of our important tax forms but turns out they don't need it and we were fine.  Tommy had a HUGE craving for The Varsity so we headed to Norcross to let him get his fix.  We spent the rest of the day looking at furniture stores and getting some ideas for our house and then ate dinner at Taco Mac.  Our friends Joe and April called last minute and invited us to go bowling, which we were totally up for, however, I stink at bowling and it takes me a while to get in the groove! Fun times were had anyways!

 

I had on my new plaid shirt again and Tommy always tells me I look like a midwestern farm girl from Iowa.  He made a lot of jokes on Saturday but also thought I looked beyond beautiful! Oh how I love him!

Sunday we ate breakfast and then Tommy's parents called to ask to help them cut down some trees in their yard.  Tommy and his dad spent the afternoon working on the trees while Peggy and I talked.  It was a beautiful day to be outside and getting some fresh air.  We are ending the weekend by cooking some pizza rolls and watching all our Sunday night shows! Great, relaxing weekend!

(These were the pizza rolls before they were cooked)

Almost Wordless Wednesday

My one true love and what gets me through the day! Oh good friend, I know you will always be by my side.

When I Look At You

Everybody needs inspiration

Everybody needs a song

A beautiful melody

When the nights are so long

'cause there is no guarantee

That this life is easy

Yea when my world is falling apart

When there's no light

To break up the dark

That's when I

I look at you

When the waves are flooding the shore

And I can't find my way home any more

That's when I

I look at you

When I look at you

I see forgiveness

I see the truth

You love me for who I am

Like the stars hold the moon

Right there where they belong

And I know I'm not alone

Yeah when my world is falling apart

When there's no light

To break up the dark

That's when I

I look at you

When the waves are flooding the shore

And I can't find my way home any more

That's when I

I look at you

You appear just like a dream to me

Just like kaleidoscope colors that cover me

All I need

Every breath that I breathe

Don't you know you're beautiful

Yeah yeah

When the waves are flooding the shore

And I can't find my way home any more

That's when I

I look at you

I look at you

Yeah

Whoa-oh

You appear just like a dream to me

If only life were as easy as a Nicholas Sparks movie...

Loves and Football

Thursday is always my long day at school.  I have no planning period, so the only break I get is my 20 minute lunch break.  I know it sounds like I am completely whining because most people work all day without any breaks.  The problem with teaching is that you literally talk all day and repeat yourself almost every 90 minutes, which makes for a long and tiring day.  Now, I am lucky because I teach 2 American Government classes, then teach AP MacroEcon, then go back to American Government.  At SFHS we use a hybrid schedule so on Mon, Tues, and Friday, we have 7 classes, I teach 5, then have 2 planning periods.  On Wednesday we have our "even" day, where I teach 2nd period, then we go to Instructional Focus which is advisement plus study hall, then I'm off 4th and 6th, as those are my normal planning periods.  Thursday is our "odd" day and we go to 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th period, thus no break.  So Wednesday I get half the day off, and then teach all day Thursday.  This probably sounds crazy to most people, but we actually get the best of both worlds with short classes and then a few days for long classes.  This works out well for most, expect me who has the planning periods that I do.  I'm one of the rare few that got the short end of the stick and have to have a whacked out schedule two days of the week.  I say all this only to preface why I love Thursday nights so much.  I usually have no desire to cook, so we usually eat out, and then I get to come home and watch my FAVORITE show of the entire week which is Grey's Anatomy.  I got hooked on it in college, when my roomies and I had a marathon of the first season and I've been in love ever since.  I also thoroughly love the fact that my husband likes the show and will curl up with me on the couch to watch it together!  So that's exactly what we did last Thursday- went to eat at Rick Tanner's and then came home to watch Grey's.  Perfect evening.

On Friday I had to get my oil changed at the dealership in the torrential down pour outside, so Tommy went to get Lilly and I stopped by Toys R Us after I got my oil changed.  I got Lilly a cute V-Day shirt and a few other small things.  I headed home, fed Lilly dinner (as I wasn't hungry) and then we all played until it was her bedtime.  On Saturday we spent the morning cleaning the house.  Lilly loves to clean (which is so funny to me).  She wants to push the vacuum cleaner and help spray the Windex and wipe off the counter.  No complaints from me! So we all cleaned, got the house spic and span, and did all the laundry.  After her nap, we promised to take her to the mall to pick out her Valentine's Day present.  She got a "blinged" Hello Kitty watch that she has wanted for a while.  When I ask her what time it is, she now always responds with "4 o'clock" because that's when we bought the watch.  I also got her some cute clothes at Crazy 8, which always has the cutest stuff.  I got her this Lucky Lady Tee (for St. Patty's Day) and a pink plaid flannel shirt! 

Saturday night we invited Tommy's parents over for dinner and we cooked grilled chicken, green bean casserole, corn casserole, salad, and rolls.  My husband is obsessed with the corn casserole lately and would probably be satisfied with me cooking it for every meal.  I also made a HUGE thing of banana pudding for dessert and now Tommy is out of town for the week.  Kinda sad, because most of it will go to waste as I really won't eat it.  We had a great time hanging out with his parents and Lilly decided she wanted to "do" my hair.  She was so cute trying to get the rubber bands to stay in place.  This reminded me of fond memories playing "hair shop" with my dad when I was younger.  I would "shampoo, cut, and style" his hair at least once a week (all play-pretend).  He loved it!! 

On Sunday Tommy woke up with Lilly early and played to let me sleep in, as I haven't been sleeping good lately.  We then made Valentine's cards as a family.  We played for a little bit and then put Lilly down for a nap.  For the first time ever she got up from her bed and went to the potty all by herself! We were so proud of her.  She had a pull-up on but still knew she needed to get up and go potty.  She went back to sleep and I asked Tommy to paint my toes.  I really honestly expected him to laugh at me like I was crazy and refuse.  But knowing how wonderful my husband is, he agreed.  He did a really good job for his first try and I just had to touch them up.  I think this bodes well for when I get pregnant and can't reach my feet!

Later that afternoon Lilly asked to make Valentine's cookies and we did, and also I painted her nails and toes.  I told her the color was "strawberry margarita" and she was so cute saying it.  We hung around the house the rest of the afternoon and played and got ready for the Super Bowl.  I cooked chili and Tommy and Lilly played with her Minnie Mouse football for a while.  We took Lilly back late because Tommy will be out of town and will not get to see her on Wednesday.

I have entire week by myself! I almost don't know what to do and I have to admit I'm a little nervous.  I have always been Miss Independent, but last night I had a horrible dream that woke me up in panic and I even had to wake up Tommy.  So needless to say, I'm now a little nervous about being myself.  However, I have wonderful inlaws that live so close by and I know I can call them for anything! They've already called to check on me tonight.  I'm looking forward to a relaxing week and seeing what it has in store for me! Also, I bought us some new pillows tonight which we desperately needed, so maybe that will help me sleep better.

What I'm Loving Wednesday

There are many things that I am loving right now, but these are some of my current favs.  First of all, I am loving that it is February and the month of LOVE! 

I'm loving my new OPI nail polish for February.  I like to use a neutral color on my fingernails because it off chips so quickly and the neutral color is less noticeable but still adds a nice finished look.  I love using a bright pink during February to celebrate Valentine's Day.  I'm sure Lilly will be requesting this color as soon as she sees me painting my toes this color this weekend.  The two colors are Mimosas for Mr. & Mrs. and Strawberry Margarita.

I'm also loving all my monogrammed goodness that I got for Christmas.  Yes, I am obsessed with my monogram.  I think I would put it on everything if I could.  I got a new cell phone cover for my iPhone, a laptop sleeve for the school laptop, a new warm scarf, and an umbrella.  I also got a new John Wind bracelet in silver! I have a gold one already and saw the silver one in a store back in October.  I mentioned something to Tommy about thinking about getting it, and then I was totally shocked on Christmas morning to see that he got it for me!

I'm also loving my new Pink Chi that my hubby got me for Christmas as well.  My other one stopped working over 2 years ago and I have been using a Revlon one since then.  In my opinion, nothing works like the Chi.  It literally takes me only 2 or 3 minutes to straighten my hair.  This makes for a much more enjoyable morning that it doesn't take me as long to get ready! Best present ever!

I am also loving all my Housewives shows.  I am so addicted to all of them.  I would say that Beverly Hills is my current favorite and Atlanta my least favorite.  I was sad to see the Beverly Hills season come to an end, but excited about the new seasons of Orange County and New York.  These shows are such a guilty pleasure and I just think they are random and funny. 



Most importantly, I am loving that is Wednesday, my special family night.  I love my husband and little girl to pieces and couldn't imagine my life without them. 

(Aren't the curls just to die for!!!)



Resolutions and January Recap

Bring on 2011!!! I am so pumped about this upcoming year and all it has to bring.  I could say that I have many New Year’s Resolutions but my only main goal is to read more and start finding things to do outside of work commitments and family things (aka- crafting, exercising, etc.).  I have read the bible many times, but thought this would be a good year to redo the One Year Bible.  I have it on my iphone which makes it easier to read.  I am also doing the Women of the Bible devotional.  I have really been exploring the power of being a woman the past couple of months and started this devotional back in college but never finished it! I am also going to do some “just-for-fun” reading, so I started on the next book in my favorite series of all time- Mini Shopahloic.

It's funny how when I read Sophie Kinsella's books they always seem to line-up with some portion of my life.  In this book, the daughter is two and is full of spunk, which I can relate to my little Lilly!  The other books I have on deck to read this year are as follows (this is just sample, as I really have many more I would like to read)-



So January was full of lots of surprises and what ultimately brought on a lot of stress.  The first part of the month we spent some time hanging out with our friends Joe, April, and Maddy because we missed out on New Years when Maddy got sick.  The girls had lots of fun playing and I had to snap some pictures of Lilly earlier that day before we left to go over to their house.  She is such a "priss."

(Sorry for the bad picture quality, sometimes I have to act fast so I just use my cell phone)

After being out of school for 2 weeks on holiday break, we then were hit with 6 inches of snow and got snowed in for a week for what we like to call our "snowcation." We missed an ENTIRE week of school, which normally I would not complain about.  However, now we have to make up all those days and won't have another break until Spring Break! Tommy and I weren't really "snowed" in that week because he has 4-wheel drive on his truck and so we were able to get out and go to the store if necessary. 

I stayed in most of the time and watched almost every movie known to man and that was on our movie channels.  I also reorganized my kitchen, worked on writing recipes for my recipe box, washed every single piece of clothing, cleaned the house, and read.  Ultimately, being shut in for the week made me sick.  I got a sinusitis and bronchitis, which I have now been fighting for 3 weeks.  I've been to the doctor twice and they don't really know what it won't go away. So I'm on my second round of antibiotics and trying to weather the storm. In the midst of being sick my mom had her surgery and I have been struggling at school to stay energized, be able to talk, teach a lesson, and rearrange tons of dates because of the snow break.  If the week long snowcation had come in February, I think most teachers and students would have been jumping for joy.  It was just too close to our Holiday Break and threw everything off.  I've disinfected the house, my classroom, the car, and keep a supply of hand sanitizer on me at all times.  Hopefully I will start feeling normal again really soon!  In the mean time we visited with my parents the weekend before mom's surgery so she could play with Lilly since she won't be able to pick her up or get in the floor with her for a while.  We also went to my Dad's house and ate dinner with them and then played a family game of Imaginiff.  We had A LOT of fun and Lilly was even helping roll the dice, when she wasn't preoccupied with Lucy Puppy.  She was so cute playing with Lucy and going over to pet her and give her kisses.

This past weekend, we ate at Outback on Friday night for a date night and then came home to watch our Friday night shows, which consist of Oprah Season 25, Behind the Scenes (really just for me), and Goldrush Alaska (mainly for Tommy, although I like it too).  I laughed at Tommy and myself because you can tell when one of us doesn't really want to watch the show we have "compromised" on because one of us will be playing on our cell phone the entire time!  Saturday, I had to be at school from 8:30-12 for the Freshmen Festival.  This is where new freshmen come and tour the school and get to see a preview of all the clubs, activities, and sports that we offer.  We met some super cute and sweet girls that signed up for cheerleading.  I can't wait to pick the new squad! I also got a FREE hoodie from one of our cheer moms who also happens to be a football mom.  It is so cute and I can't wait to sport it for Friday Spirit Day.  Saturday afternoon I returned to the doctor because I started throwing up.  I swear everyone at school thinks I am pregnant because this "whatever I have" makes me nauseous all the time.  They gave me a second round of antibiotics and I went home to rest.  Tommy and I were supposed to go to Flip in Atlanta and then go to a movie at Atlantic Station, but I just wasn't feeling up to it.  So we decided to head to FishTales, one of our favorite local places on the lake, to eat dinner.  We then came home and curled up on the couch to watch a movie. I love my husband, he is so amazing and has been so supportive this entire month through my sickness, my mom's surgery, and all the rescheduling that has been happening!  I just don't know what I would ever do without him.  Sunday we relaxed at the house and went to Sam's to stock up on some things and get gas for my car.  They always have the cheapest gas, unless I have my 10 cents off at Kroger.  We cooked a nice meal at home of grilled pork chops, corn casserole, and baked beans.  Yummy! I wish I could have spend more time outside this past weekend with all the beautiful weather, but my body just wasn't cooperating.

I'm soooo ready for February, the month of LOVE, and all things PINK!!! I'm working on a few decorations for the house and trying to figure out what to get Tommy for Valentine's Day.  Any suggestions?  I've already got Lilly's all planned out, but he is so hard to buy for sometimes!