Oh Lord

I was just reading the reviews of Skinny Italian by Teresa Guidice on Amazon.

Here's a real gem of wisdom:


"Most recipes are not authentic and are her twist on what she imagines is correct. Of course she requited help as she is not articulate nor and intulectual.I hope this is her last attempt at writing any thing."

If only we could all be so intulectual.

Who thinks that Danielle wrote that one?

Books 16, 17, & 18

BOOks 16, 17 & 18 are finished in the 25 books in 6 months challenge.
(I'm so going to meet this goal).

I lumped them all together because they were all kinda meh. I read the real housewives books because I love the real housewives. The stories were decent in Skinny Italian, but I wasn't blown away by the recipes. Bethenny always has great dieting ideas, but her recipes were boring and obvious. One of her recipes is for Oven fries. Olive oil, salt and pepper and a potato. Obvi, thanks for that.

I read the Jennifer Weiner book because I used to love Jennifer Weiner. Lately, I find her uninspiring. I hope she goes back to writing like she did in Good in Bed and Little Earthquakes (my favorites).



From Publishers Weekly
Frankel (Naturally Thin), star of Bravo's The Real Housewives of New York City, pre-sents a healthful, no-nonsense approach to eating and cooking. Comparing food to a wardrobe, she advises readers to know what classics to have on hand. Then, she adds, accessorize with items like pine nuts or sun-dried tomatoes. Frankel's book is divided in three parts: the first (The Skinny) explains her methods and philosophy; the second includes recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks; and the third part offers tips for holidays and special occasions. Frankel teaches how to think like a chef, urging readers to use the ingredients they have in their own kitchens. In fact, the 60 recipes presented become more than 1,000 with the substitution charts Frankel provides. For instance, when roasting chicken, the author suggests opting for turnip or parsnip instead of carrot; when mixing up tuna salad, sprinkle with capers; or adding pesto or horseradish to mayo for personality. Frankel describes her recipes as instructional and conversational rather than authoritarian, and encourages experimentation. She also helps readers organize and streamline their kitchens, and allows such shortcuts as boxed stock or prepared piecrusts. This fun, engaging, and easy-to-follow guide will be welcomed enthusiastically by Frankel's fans.



From Publishers Weekly
Giudice, famous for table flipping and gushing over her juicy husband, Joe, on Bravo's Real Housewives of New Jersey, offers a simple rundown of Italian standards like pesto and puttanesca sauces, veal piccata, steak pizzaiola, almond biscotti and the classic bellini in her authentic yet dishy look into food and family. Few recipes will surprise the seasoned Italian cook, though Giudice gets points for keeping dishes rather healthy while boosting flavor with fresh herbs, pungent garlic, and hot pepper. Coupled with family photos and sidebar comments about their friends and favorite dishes from Teresa and Joe, the book plays well to a younger, hipper home cook. With a focus on steering clear of reputation-ruining no-nos like jarred sauce and rinsing cooked pasta, Giudice dives into some deeper waters with coaching on making pizza dough and canning tomatoes. Though she tries a little too hard to make everything salacious, gorgeous, and fabulous, useful tips abound (the section on olive oil is titled OO, VOO, EVOO, WTF?). Take away the overblown catch phrases and effusive references to her mama, The Sopranos, and the motherland, and you're left with a solid mid-week Italian cookbook. Then again, perhaps it's the chatty Teresa and her feisty yet playful anecdotes that make this an irresistible, guilty pleasure. (May)



Product Description

Sometimes all you can do is fly away home . . .

When Sylvie Serfer met Richard Woodruff in law school, she had wild curls, wide hips, and lots of opinions. Decades later, Sylvie has remade herself as the ideal politician’s wife—her hair dyed and straightened, her hippie-chick wardrobe replaced by tailored knit suits. At fifty-seven, she ruefully acknowledges that her job is staying twenty pounds thinner than she was in her twenties and tending to her husband, the senator.

Lizzie, the Woodruffs’ younger daughter, is at twenty-four a recovering addict, whose mantra HALT (Hungry? Angry? Lonely? Tired?) helps her keep her life under control. Still, trouble always seems to find her. Her older sister, Diana, an emergency room physician, has everything Lizzie failed to achieve—a husband, a young son, the perfect home—and yet she’s trapped in a loveless marriage. With temptation waiting in one of the ER’s exam rooms, she finds herself craving more.

After Richard’s extramarital affair makes headlines, the three women are drawn into the painful glare of the national spotlight. Once the press conference is over, each is forced to reconsider her life, who she is and who she is meant to be.

Written with an irresistible blend of heartbreak and hilarity, Fly Away Home is an unforgettable story of a mother and two daughters who after a lifetime of distance finally learn to find refuge in one another.

What I Wore Wednesday (4)

Some things that I've noticed.

1) I am the queen of cardigans-- still. I own at least 25. It's a sickness.

2) I feel like I dress like a Duggar half the time. I'm so afraid of showing any cleav at school so I'm always trying to cover my chest and legs from the knees down. I have to look like a Duggar, I mean I already have third graders accusing me of dating their dads.

Wednesday -- I had to day off for allergy testing. The verdict: I'm allergic to most living things.



Gray Dress: TJMaxx
Leggings: Target
Necklace: H&M
Cat: Too cute and all mine

Thursday-- Work



Aqua Heritage Cardigan- Lands End Canvas
Jean Pencil Skirt- Old Navy
Shoes- Marshalls

Friday-- Work



Salmon Dress- Ann Taylor Loft
White Cardigan- Ann Taylor Loft
Gold Shoes- Target

Saturday-- SWEATPANTS!!!

Sunday-- More Sweatpants-- but I have a picture this time. We went to the bar to watch the Steelers whoop some a$$!



Polamalu Jersey- Priceless
Sweats: Target
Flip Flops: Reef

Monday-- Work (I swear, I work too much) HA.



Gray Sweater: Ann Taylor Loft
Skirt: Downeast Basics
Gray Flats: The Gap

Tuesday-- What do you know, I was working. Wah.





The second picture blows, which is why I took a close up. I wore it without the sweater most of the day because school was 234545234232 degrees.

Dress: Target- it's new-ish ladies! They probably still have it
Shoes: Marshalls
Cardigan: Ann Taylor

Wednesday-- La di Dah. Back to work



I ALMOST threw this dress out but I figured I'd wear it one more time before tossing it. I got 3 compliments on it today. More so than any other outfit I've worn so I guess I better keep the red dress.

Red Dress: Walmart
Cardigan: Ann Taylor Loft
Shoes: Marshalls

How we are Saving Money

I posted a few months ago about some of the steps that we are taking to save some money. We were living beyond our means and running out of savings while doing so. In June we started budgeting each month, but it was getting impossible. Each month we found that there was more month than money. 11-13 weeks ago we started Financial Peace University via Dave Ramsey and seriously buckled down, holding a weekly budget meeting. We decided to buy the homestudy kit (a cool 200 dollars later) simply because we couldn't find a class within 15 miles of us at a convenient time. Although the homestudy kit was expensive and huge investment for us poor people, I like being able to watch in my living room and the ability to keep the materials.

So far, things are working out much better. Dave introduced a budget sheet that he calls the "allocated spending sheet." It's hard to explain and it looks complicated, but it's an absolute lifesaver. Every month, we spend every single cent before it comes in on this allocated spending sheet. It makes budgeting SO much easier for us. In fact, we haven't had to tap into our savings yet (knock on wood) and we've actually managed to contribute a few hundred dollars to it.

We don't owe it all to Dave-- here's some of the other things that we're doing to help save money.

1. Looking at the "cost vs. want differential." We are not total lame-wads and we are going on a cruise for our one year anniversary-moon. However, because we're doing that, I can't buy as many clothes, we can't eat out, and we can't spend money at the bar this month. For me, a one week anniversary cruise far outweighs a weekly meal at the local chain restaurant. So in this case, the differential is huge. I'll stay at home every weekend for 3 months if it means that I can spend a week in the Caribbean.

2. We are lucky because we really do have a blast with each other. Our ideal Friday night isn't at the bar anymore. Instead, we love to watch Survivor on the DVR, drink a few miller lites, pop some popcorn and play a board game. Last weekend it was monopoly. Most weekends it's RACKO or UNO (it's hard to find 2 person couples games but we enjoy those three).

3. I meal plan. I've already touched on this before (so I won't go into detail) but it helps so much. I plan my meals out at least 2 weeks in advance and can shop for them at least two weeks in advance when certain items are on sale.

3. We cut our grocery costs down to 250 dollars per month. There are only two of us, yet we were spending almost 500 dollars at the grocery store every month. It was ridiculous. We eat just as well now- but we're smarter about it. On the first of every month I withdraw 250 bucks from our checking account and only pay cash for groceries. It averages out to about 60 dollars per week- but some weeks I spend a little more and some weeks I spend a little less. Once we run out of cash, we're out of luck and have to get creative and eat from the pantry (this hasn't happened yet-- it's a lot easier to live on less than you'd think).

5. We allow ourselves 200 dollars per month for the bar, restaurant and entertainment and we only use cash for this as well. This is not much AT ALL and usually equals out to one fun event per week. This has been the hardest part, because we could easily spend 500 bucks a month on entertainment. Thankfully, we usually hit up happy hours or use coupons but still-- this has been the hardest for us so far.

6. More cash only spending- this time at the "Marts." We allow 50 bucks per month at Target, Walmart, etc. Every time I walked into Target I'd leave 100 dollars poorer. Now that I ONLY use cash, I spend so much less. In fact, we're here at September 29th and we still have 10 dollars left in our "Marts" cash account. That NEVER would have happened if we were using our debit cards.

That's what is working for us so far. The parts that we are having the hardest time with are gas expenses and entertainment. We are sometimes invited places and will say yes despite not having the money to do so. Plus, gas varies each month and is unpredictable. I hope to get these in order soon as well.

I don't want to live like this forever, but at least until we pay off our debt, cars etc.

What strategies do you use that have helped? Got any additional ideas for us?

Quote of the Day

Today, while doing 3rd grade math one of the little boys turned to me and said,

 

"Hey, I think you dated my dad in high school."

 

"We have your picture in our photo album."

 

HA! I die.

 

It broke his heart when I told him that I went to high school in Pennsylvania.

Ten on Tuesday (48)

1. Growing up, what was one favorite item that you had to have with you at all times?
Every night I slept with my teddy bear, Ozzy and my doll, Alicia.  I couldn't sleep without them. Ever. Until I was like married. Ha.

2. Being an adult, what is one favorite item that you have to have with you at all times, and what happens if you do not have it with you? Do you lose your sanity or just go back home to get it?
Chapstick. It is pathetic how addicted I am.  I am ONLY addicted to Bonne Bell and it's the ONLY kind that will work for me.  I'm going to be the 90 year old grandma with the sparkly bubble gum flavored chapstick.  God forbid Bonne Bell ever go out of business. I'd die.

3. Where is your favorite place to be to just hide away from everything and breathe for a moment?
My house.  Either the top floor or the middle floor. I'll banish the husband to the man cave if I need a moment.

4. What is your favorite thing about your partner? (If you don't have a partner, then someone who is very close and will always be in your life)
He's adorable. He's funny. He's thoughtful (i.e., brings random flowers, random swedish fish, has written a cute poem for me) and he is so damn hardworking. 

5. What is your favorite thing about your job? (If you don't have a job, then what is your favorite thing that you do during your day?)
MONEY MONEY MONEY MONEY!

6. What is your favorite lesson that your parents taught you growing up? Looking back, is it something that you want to use to teach your children when they reach that age?
That life isn't always fair and that you have to work for what you have. We grew up in an upper middle class area most of our lives.  Our house was significantly bigger than 99% of my friends, but my parents NEVER-- I mean NEVER-- would give us more than 5 dollars for anything.  We all worked from the time that we were 14 (babysitting) on.  If we wanted to go to the movies and to the Eat n Park for dinner with our friends, my parents would give us 5 dollars.  We would have to use our own money for everything else (and lets face it-- even in 1998 movies weren't 5 dollars).  If we wanted new jeans or a new dress, we had to buy it.  It was so frustrating when we were kids because our friends would get 20 dollars at a time on top of their allowances.  That's just the way it was though, and it helped me to value money and helped me to realize that you have to work hard for what you get.

 

Our parents DID pay us for grades and I fully intend to do that as well.  We NEVER got an allowance but all three of us graduated with almost all A's and AT LEAST a 3.5 average.  If money will motivate you to study and do your homework, then I'm all for it.  My parents gave us 50 dollars for each A and 25 dollars for each B.  We had to pay them 15 dollars for a C, 25 Dollars for a D, and 35 dollars for an F.

7. What is your favorite song, that will always bring a smile to your face and make you think of something happy?
Most fun pop songs put a smile on my face. Plus, our wedding song always will as well.

8. What is your favorite things about being an American? (If you not American, what are you proud of in regards to your country)
I'm proud of what our nation stands for and for our freedom.  I would NEVER want to live anywhere else.

9. What is your favorite meal that reminds you of being a child?
Good question-- meatloaf and spaghetti for sure.  I still love spaghetti and I do enjoy my mom's meatloaf.

10. Name 3 things that other people would say are their favorite thing about you.
I'm a good problem solver, I smile a lot, I'm dependable and fiercely loyal

I want to be BLAIR

I may be too old for Gossip Girl, but get over it. I watch it and I enjoy it.

It's our Monday night thing (yes, the hubs watches too. He has a slight man crush on Nate).

My favorite part about Gossip Girl?

Blair.

Could her outfits possibly rock anymore?



I wish I had Blair's closet. She's perfect.

Blog Roll

I desperately need to update my blog roll. I keep putting it off and putting it off. I'm going to finally get to it. Most of my links are out of date and don't work.

If you want me to add you to my blog roll please comment with your blog link.

One of my favorite things about blogging is getting to review fun new items. A representative from Simply Bags asked me if I would like to review a Stylish Laptop Bag. The best part, they were going to send me a monogrammed bag to review!! I would monogram everything I own if it were socially acceptable and affordable. Unfortunately, it's not cool for adults to walk around with their names on their shirts (My future kids will be another story) but it's totally cool to have your name on your bag.



The laptop bag is perfect for me, because I hate the one that was provided to me by work. It's big, it's bulky and it's not cute. I want to stand out in a sea of ugly black lap top bags.



My new one is super cute. Patent leather is totally in this fall and turquoise is one of my favorite colors. Follow the link above to get your own!

Nose Advice

I need some advice please! I know that this is long, but please read and vote. I'm so torn over this decision.

If you've been reading for awhile, you know that I've had some nasal distress and controversy over the last year or two.

I starting going to the ENT about 2-3 years ago due to frequent sinus infections (4ish per year). I figured it was because I work in a school and I figured that it would be a simple fix. I would say that I feel good for about 2 weeks out of every month, but spend the next two weeks with a sore-ish throat, post nasal drip, and a slightly stuffy nose. It's not miserable and I live through it taking nothing more than my saline nasal rinse, but it is annoying. Basically, I spend 50% of my life feeling less than stellar due to sinus headaches and post nasal drip.

My ENT wants to do surgery. He said that I have a deviated septum and need to have my turbinates fixed. The surgery will hurt (BAD) and I'll be out of work for one week. They said that the surgery usually works and will help clear the airways in my nose.

That's all fine a good, but my top two complaints are post nasal drip and sinus pressure in my forehead, not congestion in my nose. Will the surgery help with that? He claims yes, but I'm skeptical.

Just to make sure that we're on the right track he sent me for allergy testing at a immunologist. He said that he wanted to rule out allergies before moving forwards with surgery.

Neither of us thought that I had allergies. I don't have a runny nose, my eyes don't itch, and I don't sneeze. I have none of the classic allergy symptoms.

I got to to allergist and they stabbed me no less than 45 times with a needle. I passed foods and mold with flying colors.



Everything else is another story.


It turns out that I am SERIOUSLY allergic to almost all weeds and grasses. (I don't have a picture of that bump, but it was an inch wide! Most allergies only show up as 1-2 millimeters on your arm).

I'm also allergic to dogs, all trees except oak and dust mites. The dog thing is whack. I've lived with dogs my whole life.

Anyways, the allergist recommended that I need shots. As in the immunology shots that you need to get TWICE A FLIPPIN' week for 3-4 months. He reasoned with me that allergy meds don't work for me (b/c I don't have classic symptoms) and that the allergies are causing inflammation which in turn cause sinus infections.

The allergist recommended that I do the shots before the surgery because the surgery could fail due to my allergy related inflammation.

I called my ENT and got down to business. I said I'll do shots or I'll do surgery. I'm not doing both. Shots will require me to drive 20 minutes out of my way twice a week to sit in a doctors office for 35 minutes. Not my idea of fun. Surgery will require me to be put to sleep and a serious recovery. Even riskier.

The ENT's vote? I need both. He said that my CT scans clearly shows blockages and inflamed turbinates that really should be fixed.

I am so torn.

I kinda feel like they are both full of sh%t and I'm so skeptical of doctors lately. I feel like I can't walk out of a doctors office without a new diagnosis or problem. It's crazy. My mom thinks they just make stuff up to make more money. I'm not that paranoid, but it is frustrating sometimes.

Although I feel like they are full of it I did see the CT scans and I couldn't miss the reactions to the allergy testing. I know that I have issues in both areas but it's so hard to believe because I do not have any of the classic symptoms.

According to my CT scan, I shouldn't be able to breath due to congestion, but I rarely have congestion. According to my allergy testing, I should spend my life wheezing, sneezing and itching my eyes but I never do/have.

Have you had any of the above interventions?

Mom votes that I should go with the shots because surgery could technically kill you. The hubs thinks that surgery would be better because I'd get it all over with in one week.

What would you do?

TGIF

Is there any worse sound than an elementary school orchestra?

 

I think not.

I'm No Mind Reader

I love my job. In fact, I was professing my love today. That being said, don't we all have a few job related annoyances?

The worst part about being a school psychologist:

1. People think that I'm a mind reader. Nope, I'm a simple human just like you.

2. When I observe a child, most other adults give me 4.5 seconds before asking me whats wrong and/or how to fix them. It's an art that takes time people!



3. I am spread pretty thin and I'm usually only in the same place once or twice a week. You know the kid better than me so tell me your hunch and I'll tell you if you're on the right track.

4. See #1. You see this kid daily. If you still can't read his mind, I can't either.



5. Documentation, documentation, documentation. I know that I may be trained in statistics, but anyone can document how often a child gets up out of their seat, time off task, etc. without a psychology degree. People (ahem, I) are more likely to react when you have raw data.

6. I can't whisper magic into kids ears and make them do whatever I want. It may look like I'm doing magic, but I'm simply reframing. If a kid is crying because they don't want to get on the bus and they start kicking, yelling and repeatedly crying that they refuse to ride the bus do not run up to them and say, "get on this bus now or else I will pick you up and carry you outside." Instead say, "Okay, lets just go look at the bus. Lets see who's driving it today." Although I appreciate when people say that I'm being magical you could easily do what I just did.

7. See #6- Basically I'm a professional at telling BS to little children.

JUUUUUUST KIDDING.



I know, I'm not magical, I'm not a mind reader, I'm not telepathically connected to every kid that acts a little psycho every now and then. Doesn't sound fun does it? But it is, because I CAN do this:

* School psychology is a field that applies principles of clinical psychology and educational psychology to the diagnosis and treatment of children's and adolescents' behavioral and learning problems.

* A school psychologist conducts assessments to evaluate students on criteria such as intelligence, aptitude, and psychopathology. Additionally, they often consult with teachers and other school personnel help supply interventions to aid in student learning

• Provide counseling, instruction, and mentoring for those struggling with social, emotional, and behavioral problems
• Increase achievement by assessing barriers to learning and determining the best instructional strategies to improve learning
• Promote wellness and resilience by reinforcing communication and social skills, problem solving, anger management, self-regulation, self-determination, and optimism

Losers

Losers.

 

Example A: I drove to work next to an asshat man who was not only texting while driving, but he was SMOKING a cigarette with his free hand. As if texting and driving isn't bad enough, you have to lose your one free hand in the mix.  What a loser! 

 

Example B: I thought that the Biggest Loser premiere was SO disappointing.  Almost every contestant lost a child, a sibling, a husband, had cancer, was recovering from cancer, lost their house, and had an ALL OUT, huge sob story.   What better way to respect a sob story than to make a contestant think that they have a chance to go on TV only to be told at the last minute that only 2 out of the 3 contestants would be going?  Usually, the person with the biggest sob story lost.  How depressing and degrading!  Basically, the Biggest Loser sold these people out for ratings, robbed them of their stories and is going to make them stay home where they will probably gain more weight.  What loser came up with that idea?

 

Example C: I have been back at work full time, 8 hours a day for more than a month now. I still cannot handle waking up. I need to get a grip.

What I Wore Wednesday (3)

Thursday: Work!



And a close up of the detailing...


Plum Dress: Target (this season, sold online in blue/plum if you love it)
Belt: Steve Madden, Marshalls
Plum Polka Dot Shoes: American Eagle

Friday: Work





Brown Short Sleeve Cardigan: Ann Taylor Loft
Cream Ruffled Shirt: Marshalls
Jean Pencil Skirt: Old Navy
Shoes: American Eagle
Belt: Steve Madden, Marshalls

Saturday: Drinks with a friend



Black Convertible Tube Dress: Lands End Canvas
Necklace: Forever 21
Apparently I went shoeless


Sunday: Nephew's Baptism



Dress: Anthropologie
Red Shoes: Ann Taylor Loft

Monday: Work





Pink Dress: Target
Shoes: Marshalls
Cardigan: Old Navy

Tuesday: Work

Apparently I wore the exact opposite outfit from Monday! HA!



Favorite Shoes!!


Dress: Macys
Cardigan: Lands End Canvas
Shoes: Gap

Ten on Tuesday (47)

1. What's the one thing you always do when you're stressed? Avoid, have a beer, or work out.  Thankfully, I don't get stressed too often and when I do, I can easily walk away from it.  I can be losing my mind at work, but the second I step out of the door I'm already feeling lighter and I've forgotten about what was bothering me.  It's quite strange, because I'm anxious, so although I worry-- I don't necessarily stress.  It doesn't make sense but I'll take it!

2. What's the weirdest thing you've ever done for a friend? Stood look out while she urinated in public. Ha. I'm sure I've done weirder, but I can't remember anything in particular.

3. What cleaning supply could you not live without? Lysol Antibacterial kitchen spray and my magic eraser.

4. How long do you plan on living where you currently reside?  Well, Obama dictated that we must live in our house for at least 3 years as a result of his bonus.  We've been there a year and a half.  We'll see.  I'd love to say 2 more years, but it will probably end up being more than that. I love my house and we have PLENTY of living space for the two of us (1800 sq ft. to be exact).  The only problem is is that we only have two giant bedrooms. It may make raising kids difficult. 

5. Do you usually vote straight party, a mixture, or not at all?  I usually vote straight party, but I've only been able to vote for two presidential elections so I am no professional.  I'm not opposed to mixing my vote if I really enjoy someone.

6. What's something that you love to do, but seem to never make time for? Read more, work out more, hang out with friends more, craft more, sew more.  It's hard to fit it all in.

7. What's your favorite store to buy things for other people? I like to buy things at little boutiques and/or online.  I love getting people personalized and/or monogrammed gifts.  If I don't have enough time for that, I visit the liquor store.

8. What's the weather like around you today? Gorgeous! I've had my windows open for 2 weeks now.  It's breezy and in the 70's.  This is the most ideal weather in the world. PS I'm stuck inside.

9. What's the worst book you've ever bought and read? I've read so many books in my lifetime that I can barely remember the ones that I loved.  Let alone the ones that I didn't love.  My favorite of all time-- Memoirs of a Geisha.

10. What's the closest thing to you that is yellow? A highlighter.

Meal Plan Sunday

The hubs and I have been meal planning for quite some time now. It helps our finances and it cures me of the what to make blues (which I used to experience daily).

Some people have expressed some interest in our menus, so I thought that I would try to share them every Sunday evening. I'll even post some reviews the following week if the meal was particularly good.

On the menu for this week:

Monday: Honey Glazed Pork Tenderloin and carrots

Tuesday: Chicken with Balsamic Vinegar and Garlic. Mushrooms on mine, none on the hubs. Served with a side of pasta.

Wednesday: Italian Orzo and Beef Stuffed Peppers with salad

Thursday: Leftovers

Friday: Chicken and Summer Veggie Tostadas These are old favorites! Highly recommended. I hold the zuchinni on the husband's tostadas, but load them up on mine. Served with salad.

Saturday: Out on the town!

Sunday: White Chili Casserole We've never tried this one.. we'll see if the hubs will play along.

What a Day

Yesterday I had to get a filling and a crown in my top two back teeth.

I came home to find that one of my (usually cute) little neighbor girls stuffed a half eaten ice cream cone in our "in door" mail slot. I don't have proof that it was them, but their mom leaves them unattended quite frequently and they are constantly writing us letters and opening the flap to say hi to us.

I was pissed. My poor husband. He had to deal with the aftermath.

To improve my mood we ate at the diner, popped open some wine and we're watching Survivor. This is my kind of Friday night.

What I Wore Wednesday: 2

My outfits are so uninspiring this week. Sorry folks-- I need to work on it.

Thursday: We had the day off so it looks like I didn't take a picture. I probably wore sweats most of the day- but to be honest, I can't remember what I did on Thursday. I feel dementia coming on again. It happens every September.

Friday:

Dress: Macys
Cardigan: Old Navy
Shoes: I'm pretty sure that I wore shoes to work

Saturday:
I went to the Renaissance Festival to celebrate my mom's birthday! It's an annual tradition! That being said, I look like a total moo cow in this picture. Wah.

Black Shirt: Marshalls
Shorts: Ann Taylor Loft
Necklace: H&M

Sunday:
No picture, but I wore a steelers shirt! Go Steelers!!!

Monday:

Shirt: Ann Taylor Loft
Gray Pencil Skirt: Old Navy
Heels (they didn't last): Marshalls

Tuesday: OR, what happens when your cats are attention whores....




I am so in love with my kitties!
Black Dress: Macys
Cardigan: Old Navy
Shoes: Marshalls

Do you see any trends in my clothes?

I'm a cardigan queen.

I'm addicted to Ann Taylor Loft

I buy too much at Old Navy (which isn't on purpose, I don't love their quality)

I'm misleading you to think that I like Macys.

Mostly, I dislike Macys (1. I find it too hard to find clothes in giant dept. stores and 2. most of the styles are homely grandma). I happened to find a dress for 12 bucks at Macys that I LOVE and bought it in three colors.

Tag I'm it!

1. What kind of hair(color/cut) have you always wanted but never had the nerve to do it?
I like what I have.  I was born a platinum blonde and started going a little bit darker over the course of my teenage years.  That being said, every time I get my highlights done the people tell me that my natural color is still super light. YAY.  I have SUPER STRAIGHT, SUPER FINE hair.  People actually stop me to touch my hair because it is so silky soft.  The hairdressers love it (except for the fact that it won't hold a curl) and people are even jealous about it.  That being said, don't be jeal, I'd give anything to have Carrie Underwood/Jessica Simpson volume and curls. 

2. If you haven't been/or could do it over, where would/did you go on your honeymoon?
John and I went to Sandals in Antigua and it was the absolute best week of my life.  I know that people make fun of Sandals, but I don't see why-- it is truly luxury.  No kids in sight, free food, free booze and 100% romance. The entire place is catered towards couples so it's a fantastic escape. We loved it! Antigua is probably the best island that I've been to thus far in my life. 

 

I can't wait to go to Sandals St. Lucia. I'm hoping to book that for our 10 year anniversary, because lets face it-- sandals doesn't come cheap and plane trips to St. Lucia are similar to a ticket to Antigua-- at least 700 each. 

3. What is your dream car?
This is totally lame, but true-- a silver honda pilot OR a silver jeep grand cherokee

4. If you would move anywhere in the world where would you go?
ST LUCIA! (SANDALS more specifically)

5. What famous lady would you love to be or be bff with?
Reese Witherspoon. I love her.

6. What colors did you do or do you want to do for your wedding?
Well, I wore Ivory of course.  The bridesmaids wore aubergine with champagne accents. Aubergine is my favorite color.

7. What trashy reality show are you embarrassingly addicted to?
More like what trashy reality show am I not addicted to? I love Jersey Shore, Big Brother, Bachelor. You name it, I probably love it.

8. Do you you remember your first kiss? How old were you and how awkward was it?
Obviously. It was AWKWARD. It was with my "first love" and high school boyfriend.  Our friend had a batting net in his basement. I was sitting on one side and the boy was on the other.  Within light speed the boy rushed around the net to kiss me --- missed my mouth-- and tongued my cheek.  It worked for him though, we dated for years. 

9. What is your guilty pleasure?
Chinese food and Mexican Food

10. What is your favorite chick flick?
All time faves are Sweet Home Alabama, Clueless and Legally Blonde

11. What is your favorite beverage?
Bud Light Lime

12. What is your theme song?
I can't say that I have one. I'll have to think on this.

13. Who is your style icon?
Reese (again)

14. When was the last time you cried and why?
At work on Friday.  My husband and I met a super sweet puppy at one of those adoption fundraisers a week or two ago. We decided that we may be interested in fostering it as a foster to adopt situation (the lady was insistent that our situation was better than sitting in a shelter).  Well she emailed us the following Wednesday to see if we were still available and by the time we wrote back on Thursday afternoon she said that the dog was gone. She implied that it was euthanized but I never asked for clarification.  It was too sad and I couldn't not cry about it.  I'm hoping that he was adopted, but that's not how it sounded when we talked. 

15. What playlist/cd is on your CD player/iPod right now?
I don't have a CD player or an IPOD. I use my blackberry to do Pandora. I generally listen to the Lady GaGa channel while working out.

16. What is your favorite dessert?
Strawberry Shortcake (angel food style)

 

 

YOUR TURN:

 

I can't link you at work but I tag:

 

1. Lori from My Mid Mid Life Crisis

2. Laurie from Life, Domestic

3. Brook from Flashy Soup Can

4. In a Yellow House

5. Andrea from My Chihuahua Bites

 

Book 15

I can't really call it summer reading anymore now that we're quickly approaching fall. I'm going to revise my summer reading goal and turn it into a 25 books by 2011 goal. Although I have much less time to read now that school is back in full swing, I think I can handle 10 more books in the next few upcoming months.

The library called me yesterday because five of my "on hold" books were ready for pick up. I better get cracking. I'm currently working my way through Fly Away Home by Jennifer Weiner and Skinny Italian by Theresa Guidice (yes, that housewife).

I just trudged my way through this one....



I like Tori Spelling. Okay, let me backtrack. I used to hate Tori Spelling because it seems like the thing to do. Gossip Mags hound her, people make for of her bubbies all the time, and she's generally the butt of most jokes. That being said, after watching the last few seasons of her show, I truly enjoy her. She's a normal neurotic mother that calls has daughter ladybug and has a farm full of random animals.

Although I like her as a person, she's not the best story teller in the world. Her first two books were obsessed with bashing her mom. Now they are back to being friends, but this book wasn't much better. It lacked any sort of flow. I prefer my Tori on the big screen- at home with her two kids.

What do you think?

Ten on Tuesday

1. Favorite way to travel (plane, train, automobile, etc.)
None of the above. I'd prefer to close my eyes and arrive where I want to be.

2. Where’s your favorite place to travel to that you’ve been to?
The Caribbean. Any and every location there. I don't discriminate.

3. Where’s the place that you want to go but have never been?
Spain and Italy

4. Do you deal with traffic well?
If well means screaming expletives and screaming, then yes.

5. Ever had an emergency while traveling?
knock on wood, no.

6. Do you have a passport? What countries have you been to?
Yes, and I've been to Canada many, many times, the Caribbean many, many times, and Mexico.

7. Are you’ve light packer or do you pack everything but the kitchen sink?
I think I'm a good packer. Not too much, but not too little

8. Do you take the fastest route or the road less traveled?
Fastest route unless there is a chance of traffic. Then we'll take the side roads. I hate driving.

9. Do any activities on the road? (like road games, reading, sleeping, etc. )
Swear, scream, listen to music.

10. Use a paper map or GPS?
GPS. But lets be honest, if I'm going anywhere tricky my husband drives.

TGIF

Hello, FRIDAY!

 

I'm so happy to see you.

 

My husband and I coach/co-coach an adult kickball team on Thursday evenings in the spring and in the fall.  Our first game was yesterday-- we won, we won-- and by A LOT!

 

(Fun side story: the hubs and I met playing kickball several years ago)

 

The game didn't start until 8:10 pm and more than a few beers were imbibed prior to the game and during the game.

 

I am exhausted today. 

 

Due to my beer buzz, I actually went to bed earlier than I usually do on school nights.  Regardless, I'm ready to crawl into the fetal position underneath my child sized counseling table and take a nap. 

 

My face feels puffier than puffy, but I blame some of that on my sinuses.  I went to the ENT doctor on Tuesday and he did that endoscopy treatment up my nose (that they always do).  I hate that. It always gives me a sinus headache for days afterwards.

 

Do I like a little camera shoved up my nose, past my eyeballs and into my brain while I'm awake? No.

 

It sucks actually.

 

Thank god it's Friday. I'm tired and I'm sinusy.  Not a good mix.

What I Wore Wednesday

Inspired by my friend Lori, I decided to join What I wore Wednesdays in an attempt to start dressing better and to start utilizing my closet appropriately.

I have a ridiculous amount of clothing. Seriously, you could get lost in my closet. Yet, I always wear the same thing. I can't promise that I'll get through it or OR that I'll never wear the same outfit twice, but hopefully this will help me think outside of the box a bit more (ahem, which is hard to do at 6:30 in the morning).

Disclaimer: I'm taking the pictures with a crappy blackberry for now, so don't expect a work of art here.

What I wore last Thursday (or I'm that girl that doesn't own a full length mirror)


Top: Marshalls
Cardigan: Gift from Ann Taylor
Skirt: Old Navy

What I wore last Friday (or don't you love pictures that include an elementary school toilet)?



Dress: Ann Taylor Loft
Cardigan: Old Navy

What I wore on Saturday (or I didn't try, I was running errands AND guess who bought a mirror?)



Dress: Macys
Shoes: Target

What I wore Sunday
I'm not showing you. I was tubing and in a bathing suit. That is for my eyes only.

What I wore Monday
I was camping. I wore sweatpants with a side of mud.

What I wore Tuesday (or I'm a rebel and wore flip flops to work. At least they were red patent leather).





Dress: Anthropologie (and I thank my mom a million times for buying it for me. I'm obsessed)
Cardigan: Ann Taylor Loft
Shoes: Ann Taylor Loft

What I wore Wednesday (or I didn't have any IEP meetings today so I went a bit casual)



Dress: Ann Taylor Loft
Shoes: Target
Necklace: New York and Company
NOT SHOWN: Obligatory teacher gear a.k.a. a jean jacket
Every teacher can recreate (and has many, many times) this look-- colorful cotton dress, jean jacket and some variation of flat shoes. It's a life saver.





What I've noticed: I do own more than 2 pairs of shoes but I prefer flats when I'm at work. My feet don't even know what heels are anymore. It's tragic.

Summer Reading: Book 14

From Booklist
Scotch (The Department of Lost & Found, 2007; Time of My Life, 2008) specializes in heroines at a crossroads, questioning their life choices and preparing to embark on journeys of self-discovery. Here she hews closely to this formula. Tilly Farmer is aggressively insistent in claiming that she loves her life, including marriage to her high-school sweetheart and a job as a high-school guidance counselor. She’s actually in a rut but doesn’t know it, until a fortune-teller provides her with the gift of “clarity” regarding the future. The more honest Tilly is about her emotions—especially the anger, resentment, and grief tamped down since the death of her mother—the more her perfect world unravels and the closer she comes to real happiness. Scotch creates eminently relatable characters, with a particularly excellent understanding of the way sisters interact, and has the ability to craft scenes of real emotional weight, so much so that none of her flash-forwards or hocus-pocus is necessary. --Patty Wetli

I was really torn about this book. I think that in the end, I enjoyed it, but it also made me kind of sad (I won't give anything away, but it had to do with the Tilly's marriage-- blame it on my newlywed optimism perhaps).

Has anyone read this? It's been all the rage online and on book lists. I can't say that I was quite as thrilled with it as everyone else seemed to be.

Buh-Bye Summer

I love long weekends (don't we all?)

This weekend I did a bit of drinking,
A bit of relaxing,
spent some time at the pool,
had a blast white water tubing,
enjoyed camping with some friends,
AND
accomplished some outdoorsy housework.

Why can't every weekend be a three day weekend?




We returned from our camping/tubing trip this afternoon and despite feeling icky and dirty and sleepy (camping will do that) I headed straight to the pool. Walking away from the pool left me with a little tear in my eye this afternoon. I may be in the minority, but I'm going to miss summer.

All summer I could spend my Saturdays and Sundays at the pool and it def. helped us on our quest to save money. Now, I either have to spend money to have fun (fall festivals, bowling, and various entertainment) or clean my house more to keep busy. GROSS.

THINGS I LOVE RIGHT NOW!!

Dunkin Donuts Girls
I usually HATE the workers at DD. They are rude, screw up my order, etc. The two new chicks at my local DD are adorable, friendly and always get it right. Way to go DD!

Anthropologie
I WISH that I could afford to dress like an Anthropologie model. It's my new favorite store.

Menu Planning
I work until 4, drive to the gym and don't get home until 5:30 most days. Menu planning rocks my socks. I'm planning our meals 3 weeks in advance which makes my shopping list easier to compile and it takes the guess work out of what are we having tonight. Menu planning is a serious time saver.



Eating at the kitchen table
I started a new rule for September. Every time my husband catches me eating in the living room (ahem, where the TV is) I have to pay him 5 dollars. This means less mindless snacking for me and more meaningful conversation with my husband. We were watching TV with every meal. Now, I'm enjoying talking to one another. Despite living together- we weren't talking about the random minutia of the day because we were busy pigging out in front of the TV. I've learned that my husband is way funnier than most TV shows.

Football
Enough said!




Fudgsicles
Only 60 calories and an ice cream treat. What is not to love?

Kickball
I have so much fun during kickball seasons. We may not rule, but I can't wait to see my friends every Thursday evening.

Skinny Girl Margaritas
I love margaritas but I can only handle one because they are sickeningly sweet. The skinny girl margaritas are low in cals and low in sugar. I love them. In fact, I just had one last night.



Fall TV
I can't wait for the return of Survivor. Holler.

Watermelon
More specifically, watermelon with purple grapes. My personal snack heaven.

South Beach Bars
I'm sure that the nougat on top is full of chemicals but I don't care. The smores and chocolate flavor make the perfect "on the go" breakfast.

Adios August!

I may be in the minority, but I'm sad to see August go.

 

Although I love fall and look forward to it, this past month seemed like a whirlwind.  I turned 29, I spent a week at the beach, and I started another school year.  I feel like I closed my eyes on August 1st and opened them back up to welcome September. 

 

As I've said, I love fall, but I hate it when life flies by so quickly.  Somehow, I'm starting my fifth year at my job within my county (well, 4 really working- 1 year was an internship).  Five years?!?!? How did I get to this point?