Spring Vacation?

So, as you may have noticed, I took a little unintenional break from blogging. I simply ran out of time. It started with a visit to South Carolina from a loved one who is stationed in Alaska... so of course, every extra moment was gladly given to him. Then it was one thing after another, a trip to Alaska (My first time in a plane! If HE wasn't waiting for me on the other end, I never would have boarded!), and K4 graduation. In case I haven't said, I teach K4... and I love it! We worked so hard on graduation, and it was incredible! I'm still looking for a video from it, and if I find it I'll post it. For graduation, we recited and did sign language to an excerpt from Dr. Seuss' "Oh, the Places You'll Go!", sang "My God is So Big", Seven days in English, Spanish, French, and Sign Language, "Fifty, Nifty United States", a song about space, a song about butterflies, "Forty-Four Presidents", Dr. Jean's "The Money Song", added to 10, and sang "Kindergarten, We'll Have a Blast" (to the tune of Summer Lovin' from Grease). Sounds like a lot for 5 year olds, huh? They were amazing and I am so very proud of them! As for my trip to Alaska... it was amazing, I have a post coming to tell you all about it!

Now, as for my crafting/sewing/general nerdiness... I have not taken a break from that! I just haven't photographed any of my work, but look for those and a few tutorials coming in the next few days!

It's good to be back!

I'm a slacker... a very busy slacker

So sorry for the lull in posting... This week has been CRAZY BUSY and really won't slow down for... a while. Holy goodness. Thinking about everything I have to do is so incredibly overwhelming, but I'm pulling through it. I've been working on a few things here and there (when I should be sleeping! I'm functional on three hours a night now! Should I be happy about this, or upset about this? We'll see) and I'll post them soon. I promise.

My Favorite Boots

So, anyone that knows me knows that I am obsessed with shoes. Really, it's a bit ridiculous, but I just can't help myself. I'm totally loving these boots right now... they are the perfect addition to any outfit. The thing about boots is where they hit your leg... I hate boots that end in an awkward place. These go right up to the bottom of my knees, so they make my legs look longer... and really, what girl doesn't want that?!







"Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world."
-Marilyn Monroe

Posting: limited

Posting is going to be limited over the next few days... I'm working on something that I'm really excited about! I'll make sure to share when I'm finished!

HAPPY HUMP DAY!

It's a WONDERFUL Life

First off, I know I've been slack on the posting over the weekend. I have several projects I've been meaning to post, but time escapes me. I WILL get to those this week. Hopefully. :)

Secondly, this is a disgustingly happy post. Read at your own risk.

Today has been so perfect, my joy is boundless. There were a few rough spots this weekend, but things are looking up, and all I can do is feel so incredibly thankful for the life that I live and the amazing people in it.

The weather here is beautiful. Seventy degrees, I believe. Perfect weather for swinging all afternoon with the little loves of my life. I really, really love South Carolina.

Granny is home from the hospital and although she's still sick, she's feeling a little better. As almost every cancer family can tell you, it's a love/hate relationship with chemo. It kills the cancer, but its effects on the body can be equally devastating. I hate cancer, but I'm praying everyday for a cure, and all I can be right now is grateful for people who dedicate their lives to fighting this killer.

I love, love, love playing the farmer's daughter. I love being outside and helping/learning/carrying on. There's definitely something to be said for a peaceful life... and the smell of hay.

It's a new project day! I LOVE new project days. I love looking at something and seeing things in my head and then making it happen.

Here's the kicker... more of the same tomorrow! Although I have troubles, I've been positive today, and I think that's made all the difference. What the world could be, if only we always magnified our blessings the way we do our trials. Life goal: be better at this!

warning: extreme negativity ahead... read at your own risk :)

Do you ever have those days that make you go "What the hell?!" Today has so been that kind of day for me. I think somebody had it out for me today, and boy did they get me good! I'm trying so, so hard to remember that my worst days are better than most people's best days, but man, sometimes you just have to cry into your coffee cup. Or just laugh at how ridiculously awful everything has gotten mixed up to be. It's comical, really. I think I could fix a lot of this if I was more assertive. Damn that southern hospitality! I was raised to be a pleaser and an accomodater... which can really take a toll on your sanity. I don't have the energy for the post I was going to write... it'll be here tomorrow. Or Friday.

Marbles = found

I love, love, love how funny little kids are without even meaning to be... They make me laugh all the time! We had one of those funny moments today. When someone is being extra silly, I always say "Are you crazy? Have you gone bananas? Have you lost your marbles?" The kids have picked it up too, and usually I have a chorus of little voices saying the words with me. They say it to each other, too. It's just one of those silly things we say, but it usually reminds them to take the crazy down a notch. I don't allow marbles in the classroom, because they are just the perfect size for sticking in one's nose, mouth, ears, and other body cavities... I would just rather not go there. I've confiscated several and I have them in the top drawer of my desk. I was hanging a bulletin board today, and asked one of my kids to grab something out of my desk drawer. She opened the drawer, and her face lit up. I was wondering what was so exciting when she reaches in, pulls out two marbles and says, "Miss Ashley! I found your marbles!" I just died, it was the funniest thing I've heard in a long time. Then came the conversation about how funny things we say don't mean exactly what the words mean. It ended with a lot of laughs all around, the best possible way.

Confessions of a Tanning Addict

Have you ever seen those drop dead gorgeous pale, porcelain skinned models? I don't look like them. My pale skin is hideous... so I started going to the tanning bed religiously. I've spent at least four years visiting the tanning bed on an almost daily basis, and a small fortune funding that oh-so-bad-for-you habit. Don't get me wrong, I never let myself get so dark that it was scary, but I always had a nice little bronze glow. After a recent skin cancer scare I decided enough was enough, that I was going to give up tanned skin for safe skin. That was all well and good, until a month went by and I wasn't so tan anymore. I hated the way my clothes looked against my pale skin, I hated the way my not-naturally so dark hair looked against my pale face. I felt... ugly... and every girl out there knows what a confidence killer feeling unattractive can be. So I relapsed to the tanning bed a few times, but I always felt super paranoid that a malignant tumor was invading my body and all I could think about was that being tan wasn't worth dying for. So, I began my quest to find a self tanner I could live with. Now, I HATE self tanners. I hate the way they smell, I hate the orange tinge they give your skin, I hate putting them on, I hate the way they streak, I hate the way they make your hands look dirty. That is, until I found the wonder of wonders. A self tanner I actually liked.
TA-DA! Fake Bake!

I was really skeptical at first, but Rebecca had it in stock when I got my hair done, so I figured, really what do I have to lose... and thus my newest addiction was born. It's wonderful. It takes me less time to put it on than it did to lay in the tanning bed. It's a little pricey for a self tanner, but way cheaper than my roughly $80 a month tanning habit. Best of all, it's way healthier than all those cancer-causing UV rays. It comes out brown so you can see where you put it. YOU HAVE TO FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS (duh, but you never know...), but the results are beautifully realistic. It was a nice day today, so I wore a short dress and boots, and at least three people commented on my "beautiful tan". They couldn't tell it was from a bottle, and if I didn't put it on myself, I wouldn't be able to tell either. One of the entries on my life's to-do list was to quit the tanning bed. Check- I finally cancelled my tanning membership today, and I couldn't be happier with my bottle tan.
For more information- www.fakebake.com

Valentines Day, Schmalentine's Day

I dislike Valentine's Day. Don't get me wrong, I'm not one of those bitter single people that are hell-bent on destroying the holiday simply because I don't have anyone to share it with. I actually enjoyed my singleness, I got to the point where I was content being alone, having faith that real love would happen for me when I was truly ready for it. That being said, is love real when it's forced or expected? I don't think so. Not for me, anyway. I think if you need a holiday to show someone you care for them, your relationship is in trouble. That, or you are lazy. Either is unacceptable for lasting happiness in love. I firmly believe that little acts of love are more important than grand gestures, and things that are done because of expectations don't mean anything at all. I would much rather find an "I love you" post it on a Monday than flowers on Valentine's Day. Well, unless the flowers are gerber daisies. Pink gerber daisies. Or cala lillies. But, I digress. The point is, love isn't about the expected. It's about the unexpected, the desire to show the one you love how much they mean to you, not running to the store for flowers because that's what you feel like you are suppossed to do. Love is precious, and should be celebrated everyday, because everyday with someone you love is a beautiful gift, not to be taken for granted. I don't believe in Valentine's Day because it puts too much emphasis on only one day to celebrate love, when I think this should be a constant thing.

Wired and I'm Tired

This describes my state of being perfectly right now. I'm exhausted, but I've had so much caffeine today, I doubt I could rest. I made the cutest Valentine lip gloss holder for two pretty, pretty princesses, and well as finished up the Valentines for my class. I will post pictures and a "how to" tomorrow. Tomorrow is Friday! Woohoo, the end to a very, very long week!
Just a quick blurb... I got my hair done yesterday(LOVE it!) and I picked up some Fake Bake while I was there (to try to quit the tanning bed!) and I tried it. I LOVE it! I don't think I'll be revisiting the t. bed... cross one thing off the life to do list! I get my hair done at Salon 864 & Boutique. It is the cutest little shop, and I love the way Rebecca does my hair. I walk in, and I instantly crave everything!
Check it out - http://www.stylebybecca864.blogspot.com
I completely missed greys anatomy and private practice and Real Housewives tonight... I just worked right through them! :( I love my thursday night trash tv!
On to try to rest, we have our V-Day party tomorrow. "Let the Wild Rumpus start!" -Maurice Sendak; Where the Wild Things Are

Confessions of a Shopaholic

So, confession...
I LOVE to shop. Clothes, shoes, jewelry, books, stuff for my classroom, gifts... you name it, I love shopping for it. After cleaning out my closet for the third time in less than two months, I've realized I have way too much stuff! I mean, I think I could clothe half of Africa, as well as keep the Chinese in shoes. It's shameful. Really, it makes me feel... extremely selfish to know that I have so much and some people have so little. So, I've been trying to cut back on my shopping habit and occupy my time with more productive pursuits... like blogging. HA! It's actually a little bit easier than I thought it would be. A little bit. As in not much. Stupid instant gratification culture... it would be so much easier if I had to really work for the things I have... and by work, I mean make or create. I wouldn't have nearly as much stuff. Or I would, but I would actually be proud of it because I'd worked hard to create it. I'd settle for either scenario. I saw the cutest pair of shoes online today... I don't think anyone can truly understand how difficult it was to click that little red x... or how much harder it was not to backtrack to that website and click the "add to bag" button. But, I did it! I resisted the siren call of a pretty pair of shoes. Wow, I have more self control than I thought :)

10 things that make me happy

Happiness... what an underrated thing you are. I got a chain email about the ten things that make you happy, blah, blah, I hate chain emails! But the more I thought about it, the more I liked the idea, so of course my over-thinking self had to come up with my very specific ten things that make me happy... so here they are:

1. My family
God bless them, I love them to pieces. They drive me bananas sometimes, but I love them more than any person has a right to love anything. I was raised to believe that family always comes first, and that's the way my parents have always treated our family. We argue like any other family, we are perfectly imperfect, but when all is said and done they are my heart, and I am happiest when I am near them. P.S. I'm an identical twin and the biggest daddy's girl you'll ever meet. Yes, I know I am twenty-three, but you are never too old to be daddy's little girl :)


2. Shoes
I know, I know. A bit ridiculous. But I LOVE shoes, and shoes make me happy. Really, really, happy. I own more pairs than I am willing to admit, and half of them I rarely wear, but there's something about a pretty pair of shoes that just draws me in. My favorite are ridiculously high heels. There is little about my life that is glamorous or sexy, but put me in a pair of 5 inch heels, and there you have it... instant glamour! I love boots too... and cute flats... and my favorite rainbow thick strap brown flip flops. Shoes just make me happy.

3. Coffee
Coffee = love. There are few things I love more than a nice hot cup of black coffee. (I know, black coffee? Who does that? Me! In several ways, I am the kindred spirit of an old man) I'm picky about my coffee.... as I am with most everything in my life. I only drink it black, and I hate Starbucks coffee. They brew it super strong so that once they add in all the syrup and milk, it still carries a mild coffee flavor, but for someone that doesn't take their coffee with any of the junk in it, it's awful! I once saw a quote that said "The answers to most of life's problems can be found at the bottom of a coffee cup." I couldn't agree more.

4. Common Sense
I know, this is a weird one, but people with common sense make me happy. I am deeply bothered by people who are utterly lacking in the common sense department, and it's quite refreshing to talk with someone with a brain in their head... most of whom are children, who haven't yet been jaded or taught how to think by a corrupt world. Please don't mistake this to mean I dislike the whimsical, the fantastical, and the fun. Trust me, I'm all about fun. (I work with children all day, there's no way not to have fun with that one!) I grew up in a small town, I was raised with common sense, principles, and a moral compass. It's hard for me to comprehend people who lack these things.

5. Children
I teach K4, and I love it. My kids make me happy. They are so full of joy, it's infectious.... You can't help but catch it. One of my favorite quotes is from a Jodi Piccoult book: "I have never understood how children know you better than you know yourself, how they can touch you when you need it most or offer a distraction when the last thing you want to do is focus on your problems." -Jodi Piccoult; Keeping Faith I can completely identify with this quote. They make any bad day better with hugs and giggles. They can be a handful at times, but the joy they give me everyday is worth it. Several times over.

6. Good music
I am a music lover. I don't profess to be a music expert or to have an incredible voice, or even to have great taste in music. I just like what I like, and I love listening to it in the car. My whole commute is filled with shuffles through my ipod, searching for the perfect song for the mood I'm in. I also have music addictions. For a while it was Party in the USA... talk about embarrassing! But now I'm stuck on John Mayer's Battle Studies... I'm not sure when I'll get over it, but for now I'm absolutely loving it!

7. Phone calls from a certain someone
While I'm not one to publicize relationships (I don't even like to put things on facebook, etc.), I have to say, those phone calls make me super happy. And that's all I'm going to say about that :)

8. Being creative
I love creating things. I'm crafty. I like to sew. I'm addicted to projects, and I'm constantly trying to fill my time with productive things (This is a somewhat recent development... the productivity part) I love love LOVE this quote: "Determine never to be idle. No person will have occasion to complain of the want of time, who never loses any. It is wonderful how much may be done, if we are always doing." -Thomas Jefferson I'm striving to make this the motto of my life, and I have found it to be true and fulfilling.

9. Doing good
I really just want to be a good person, and trying to be that way makes me happy. I know I'm not perfect, and please don't take that to mean I don't think I have flaws and faults, because I know I'm completely imperfect. It's not always the huge projects, but even just the little favors you do for people... It's striving to put others before yourself, and while I'm not always so good at this, it's something I'm working on. I've lumped philanthropic efforts in with this... Breast Cancer Education and Awareness is a cause that is very near and dear to my heart, and doing things to benefit this cause make me happy. What a filling thing purpose is.

10. Black and White pictures
There is something about black and white pictures that just make my soul smile. I LOVE them! They are so simple, classy, and elegant... the perfect combination. If I ever have a child, I'm filling every album I can get my hands on with black and white pictures of his or her imperfect perfection. Everything looks better in black and white... everything.

So, picking ten was incredibly hard, because there are so many things that make me happy... like quotes and history and politics and reading and my pajamas and lemons and hot showers and light and sunrises and love. Too many things to choose from... what a lovely problem to have!

Hello, World!

Hello, Blogging World...
I have arrived!

This little foray into blogging all stems from an entry on my life's to do list. (I've had this ongoing list since I was a pre-teen, it did not stem from the movie the Bucket List. I always feel the need to clarify this when I talk about my to-do list, because I'm so not the kind of girl that likes to copy things from movies... it's too... fake? not real? (can't find the right word, but hopefully you get the picture) for my taste). Anyway, I have a rule about my to-do list. Once entered, an item can't be removed. There's always a reason something was put there (I firmly believe that EVERYTHING happens for a reason, but that's a conversation for another day), a lesson to be learned, and even if I outgrow the desire to accomplish said task, I don't think you can outgrow the lesson to be learned. One day, I decided I wanted to blog. So, I put it on the list.... and then I put it off, and put it off, until finally we're here. I've always been undecided as to what I should blog about (I mean, really, I couldn't even decide a title, hence the "undecided, as yet" title... I'll think of it later??) because I just love so many things. So, I decided to blog it all... the good, the bad, the ugly, and the crazy. Reading this might be an experiment in terror for some of you extremely organized people... but I live my life in an organized chaos kind of way, and I absolutely love it! Warning: I'm a closet perfectionist, I'm politically conservative (liberals are welcome to read, too :) ), I love all things "nerdy"(crafting, creating, reading, sewing, writing-hence the blog, history, photography, political debate), I'm completely scatterbrained, I'm addicted to list-making, and I'm always multi-tasking.... all of which will, I'm sure, make it's way into this lovely little blog. Keep reading, and I'll keep posting. Well, actually, I'll keep posting even if you don't keep reading, simply because, well, it's on the to-do list. Hope you enjoy, learn a few things, and have a few laughs. Until next time...