At the moment.

:: Obsessing over...

A new photo app i've added to my collection called PicFrame.  It helps make photo collages on your iPhone for those w/o Photoshop skills out there like mwah!

:: Working on... 

my garden.

:: Thinking about...

-- repainting our extra bedroom.

-- training for a race. oomph. "thinking about", that is.

-- how i can't decide whether to type with capital letters or not.  or whether to center the text or left-align. or bullet or number.  i want it all to look the same, but i never can decide..... super important things on my mind right now, NBD. :)

:: Anticipating...

Chasing Fire. (Sequel to The Hunger Games)

:: Listening to...

this second, Big Bang Theory. Downloaded the Some Nights album by Fun. this week. 

:: Munching on... 

strawberry frozen yogurt with dark chocoloate chips. yummmmmm.

:: Wishing...

that my students will try their hardest on the state assessment next week!

:: Thankful for...

Springtime!  I'm loving this feeling of "new beginning"...  refreshing.

-m

My Garden.

I look at this project as a trial run for sure.  And as I sit hear typing up this post, my neighbor next door is planting his very legit garden that is making my attempt at a garden look even more measly than I origninally thought.  Well, I'm sure Martha Stewart didn't get a lush, full garden her first year either!! 

After clearing out the tree, I loaded up the garbage can with all of it's remenants.  Turns out I must have broken the rules, because although the trash man took my branches, they took our trash bin with it.  Oopsies.

I cleared a space along our fence and prepared for our garden.  I did a little bit of research (more like I read online for about 30 minutes and decided I knew enough...), then headed to Lowe's.  This website is full of great tips!  Thanks to my hubs, I have an 8' x 2' square garden.  We layered potting soil, manure, and other soil we found in our shed.  A friend told me the marigolds help keep the squirrels and rabbits from eating our vegetables.  I'm thinking I'm a little pre-mature with that step... seeing as I'm only about 20% sure I'll have veggies for those little critters to much on.

One thing I wasn't so sure about (among about 100 others) is how many seeds to plant in each little hole.  I sprinkled about 5ish depending on size.  I'll let you know how that works out :)  I'm hoping this is the first of a few little posts on this garden.  Keep your fingers crossed!

-m

Cookies.

So I was hanging out with her one afternoon where I was offered one of these cookies.  I immediately asked for the reciepe.  Turns out she was trying out a recipe that another one of our friends is having as a part of her wedding favors!  Needless to say, these are delish.

I started off intending to follow the recipe exactly.  Well, with only one egg in my fridge, I had to change routes.  I halved the recipe, and also made some adjustments:

• Added 1 cup extra coconut
• Added 1/2 cup extra rice crispies
• Added 1/4 cup flax seed
• Added about 1/2 cup oats
• Used Organic Sugar instead of white
• Used unsweetened coconut instead of sweetened

I ended up with some dough that pretty much falls apart in your hands, but the cookies taste delish! Even with halving the recipe, I ended up with almost 30 cookies.

Enjoy!
-m

Spring Break.

Spring break has come and gone, but before I forget how awesome it was, I'll make a quick list.

Spring break 2012, BABY!

• St. Patty's Day Par-tay... with bonfire.
• LOTS of yard work done.  Like from when our tree fell over last September.... or was it August? oy.
• First trip to the public library. Free books = happy.
• Speaking of books, I read The Hunger Games.  Do they have a name for Hunger Game fans? Like the Twi-hards? Well, I'm one of them now.  It's a good one.
• Catching up with some awesome buds.  Much needed, and much appreciated.  I <3 my friends.
• First sunburn, whilst reading Hunger Games.
• Watching KU win in the Sweet 16 AND Elite 8. ROCK CHALK!
• Mexican food. Twice.
• Dinner from my mama. Twice.
• Trip to the Oz Museum, Oz Winery and a cute little shop called Grandma Horner's with some of my school buds. 
• Garage Sales.  No luck there.
• Running.  7 miles. BOOM. (side note... 7 miles wasn't bad, then the next run, 3 miles completely sucked. what the?)
• NOT setting an alarm clock.
• Ironing, cleaning... the stuff that I hate to do when I don't have time.

Hope you had a good week, too!

-m

Hello Spring.

Many things loved about this season... number one being Spring Break. It's definitely a major perk of teaching and it never gets old. Funny how excited I am to spend my break cleaning the cabinets, closets, car, garage..... No, seriously. Don't worry, there will be plenty of good friends to catch up with as well. Happy Spring to you!
-m

Puppy Love.

Our pup turns 3 today. Thanks for the endless smiles, kisses and love!

Fun Finds.

I love it when I try out something new, and I end up loving it!  Doesn't always work out that way... here are a few things I'm loving lately.

:: Garnier Fructise BB Cream.  It's basically a tinted moisturizer with SPF and a little more coverage.

:: Trader Joe's Greek Yogurt Spinach and Kale Dip.  Like spinach dip, but not.

:: Revlon Lip Butter.  I have but want to try all the colors!
This gal tried out all the colors- helpful!

Enjoy! 

-m

11 Random Things.

The domesticwannabe had tagged me in a super fun post!  Thanks, friend!


Here are the rules:
1.  Post the rules.
2.  Post a photo of yourself and 11 random things.
3.  Answer the questions set for you in the original post.
4.  Create 11 new questions and tag people to answer them.5.  Go to their blog/twitter/facebook and tell them that you've tagged them.

I have no recent pictures of myself.  Fail.

11 Random Things:


1. My family is my heart and soul.  I appreciate so much what my parents have taught me, what my grandparents have taught my parents, what my aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws have taught me.  I only hope I can give my future children as much love as I have received.  I'm truly blessed.


2.  I know a lot of celebrity gossip.  It's bad.  I watch E! News, not the real news.  I'm not proud.  BTW, Snooki's preggo.


3. My least favorite chores are dishes and laundry.  I married a guy who does both.  You could call me lucky.


4. I get bored really fast.  I wish I was one of those people who could be happy doing nothing.  Ironically, I'm always wishing I was less busy, but then agian, as soon as I have free time, I'm searching for something to do.


5.  I'm a creature of habit.  I eat the same thing for breakfast and lunch every. single. weekday.  It probably freaks my co-workers out.  But my tummy appreiciates the consitency.  


6. I have this new obsession with reading about food.  I've made a goal for the year to eat less processed food, and have been reading this book. This article is pretty interesting, as well. This new goal has opened my eyes to so many facinating things about how we get the food we have on our plates. I have always had a super sensitive stomach, and I can't imagine that the chemicals and other nastiness help that out much.  I'm enjoying this new research project.


7.  I'm enjoying getting older.  Weird.  I'm feeling more and more myself with each year.  I honestly can say that each year of my life has been better than the previous.  Life's good.


8. I went to school intending to be an interior designer.  I still wonder what that would have been like. I decided to pursue my degree in teaching instead.  I really do love those 13-14 year olds though, man do they teach you a lot about life.  I think I made the right decision.


9. I am a people pleaser.  I have a really, really hard time saying no to things.  I'm working on this.  I want everyone around me to be happy, even at the cost of my own happiness.  Not to say it's bad to want others to be happy, but sometimes, it's good to put me first.  Think for myself-- do my own thing.


10. My husband inspires me in so many ways.  He's independent, intellegent and forthright.  He's incredibly humble.  He's honest and kind, and overwhelmingly generous. (as is my father-- hi dad!).  I couldn't imagine my life without him.  


11.  I'm obsessed with garage sales.  I can't NOT stop.  It's like a magnet.  I've found some neat stuff... it's all about the hunt.  I may or may not be setting my alarm to go to the one and only sale in our town tomorrow...........




The questions posed by my bud, thedomesticwannabe (hi, ash!):


1.  When and why did you start blogging?  
Hehe.  Funny you ask!  Well, someone definitely has shown me the ropes. You've got a great thing goin' over there girly!


2.  What does your perfect Saturday look like? 

Wow.  Well, these days it would probably start with an amazing workout with my hubs and pup, followed by some bruch of waffles and eggs.  I like to get the housed cleaned up, and get the laundry out of the way.  I'd love to spend the afternoon with my mama and dad, and an evening with friends and family.  Sounds good to me!



3.  What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch?  
Hence the previous question, as of late, lunch consists of hummus and veggies and some cholocate for dessert :)


4.  If you won the lottery, what would you do first (besides paying off any debts)? 
Just tonight my hubs and I were talking about adopting some babies.  I would love to save up to be able to do this someday.  My brother-in-law and sister-in-law are on this jounrney, and it is completely inspiring.   Then, we'd probably take a trip to Europe!


5.  What is your biggest pet peeve?  
Hm......... if you know me, you know I hate the sound of chewing ice.  I, personally, cannot chew ice, so the sound of someone else chewing ice makes me shiver and get goosebumps.  I also am annoyed by interupting conversation, and being late.


6.  What is your favorite childhood memory?  
Oh there are so many.  Many of which involve thedomesticwannabe :).  I sincerely enjoyed all of my time in dance, and that memory all together.  I loved all of our family vacations.  I also loved building forts and playing capture the flag with my brother.


7.  What is your dream job?  
I don't know if it's a "job", but I can't wait to be a mom.  I feel like I'm a mother to all of my students, in a way.  My dream job would be also to open a store that sells antiques, crafts, coffee, etc. (Shout out, AB!.... no, but seriously........)


8.  What is your guilty pleasure?
 Blogs...and Pinterest.  I spend way too much of my evenings online.  



9.  What do you hope your life looks like 5 years from now?  
I stopped trying to predict my future a few years ago.  It's much better if you make goals, and pursue the goals with a purpose.  I would love to have started a family, and live closer to my family.  As cheesy as it sounds, I hope to be more "my true self".  I want to be healthier, happier, a better wife, better friend, and closer to God.


10.  If you got to go on a weekend getaway with 3 other bloggers, who would you invite?  
Definitely thedomesticwannabe and thealligatorpair.  I'm inspired by her style: atlantic-pacific, their families: ashleyannphotography,taza-and-husband and her cooking and wit: http://www.howsweeteats.com


11.  Post your favorite photo you've taken from the last month. 

It snowed twice this year and lasted all of a few hours.  I'm not complaining.

Now, I'm pretty sure no one reads this blog except my mom.  (And my husband when I make him.)  Although, Ashley and Christin, I'd love if you'd join in! :)  ps- other friends of mine, if you read this, start a blog! or join in if you already have one!


I'm breaking the rules a little... if you're tagged, answer the same questions as me! 

Happy Birthday, Nate!

Today my baby brother turns 23 years old.  He's grown up to be quite the handsome, intelligent, and kind fella.  Love you!

-m

Gratitude.

 "Thank you".  Sometimes it's just those two simple words that can make or break your day.  After this week, I got to thinking about how important it is to let people know that you appreciate them.  Not it a big, overt, over-the-top, I bought you flowers, and a fancy car kind of way, just, "hey, thanks".

Thanks for opening the door for me.

Thanks for the reminder.

Thanks for taking out the trash.

Thanks for showing up on time.

Thanks for doing your homework on time (it's possible!).

Thanks...

You get the picture.

I think this has something to do with our need for acknowledgement.  To know that someone noticed you care.  Not surprisingly, I recently took the Love Language Quiz, which revealed my language is "Words of Affirmation".   (I love these kinds of psychology-type tests!).  This means this is how I like to receive love, but not necessarily how I give love.  Why is it so hard to remember to positively affirm one another sometimes?  

Not only does it feel good when someone is thankful for you, but it feels so so good to let other people know you are thankful for them.  Like a weight off your back.  

I need to work on that, too.

Now, I know I'm a big sappy mess in this post, but I just felt like spilling the beans today... er, my thoughts.  On that note, thank you to all my friends and family.  I am truly blessed.