Books

So I love books.  Definitely an understatement but nonetheless I love them.  I love the feel of a book, the smell of a book, I just love books.  My only problem with them is the space they take up and the amount of clutter they cause after they've been read.  I have clutter issues in the first place but books take up a lot of my office clutter.   I've been debating over the past few months the prospect of getting a Kindle.   I was against it due to the fact that I love a printed book.  My husband has a Kindle and he loves it.  Every night we read in bed and I watch how effortless it is for him to hold his and how I have to sit a certain way for my book.

I also have been looking at the cost per book.  For a Kindle book, if its 6.99, its 6.99.  For a regular book, its 6.99+ shipping and handling.  Plus, I have to wait until it arrives for it to even be readable.  For the Kindle, its click click download enjoy.  Also, new hardcovers are cheaper on Kindle than in print.

I'm not even sure I'm going to like it yet. Sure, I've tried the hubby's just to see if I could tolerate it.  But its not "mine."  But I ordered one, it should arrive in 5-8 days.  So we shall see.  In the meantime, I have 1-2 printed books to finish before I try ebooks.


I know this is pathetic but why does it feel like I'm "cheating" on books?

Perimeter

So we successfully shopped the perimeter of the grocery store today. Yay. That was the goal. Making pit stops only for juice and oatmeal.

I Am A Young Old Lady

I have been contemplating my lifestyle lately and thinking how my interests are those comparable to a little old lady.

 1.) I LOVE HOT TEA

Red Rose tea is my absolute favorite tea.  I've been drinking it for a good portion of my life.  My first taste of tea was my Great Grandma Martin's tea (Red Rose brand) sweetened with saccharin.  So, now I'm a lifelong tea drinker. On Fridays, one of my girls and I have "tea time" as a  way to unwind after the week (for me) and start (for her) before the weekend.  Its a nice tradition that we will hopefully continue as our schedules get in the way.  But we have one of those friendships that  always pick right up no matter how much time has passed.  Always has been.  Always will be.  Its nice to have a fellow 26 year old "old lady."  I'm sure she'd agree with me as my list here continues. (well, most of it anyways ;-) )

In our 20's/30's

Will this be us in our 80's??

2.) I LOVE TO READ

This statement is actually more like an understatement.  I have a book addiction.  I usually average 1-2 books a week when I have the time.  During the summer, it could be up to 3-4 per week.  My grandma and I swap books as she is as avid a reader as I am.  She and I have some favorite authors/series:
*Heather Graham
*J.D. Robb
*Allison Brennan
To just name a few.

Lately, I've been reading a lot of Chick Lit books, especially ones set in London.  I don't know what it is about Brit Lit, probably the language and brazen personalities and opinions but I can't seem to put them down.  But give me a cup of tea (surprise surprise), my recliner, a book and I'm all set for contentment.

However, to make that scenario a bit more perfect is my 3rd item:

My 3yr old cat, Calypso

3.) I LOVE CATSI once read an article about a ranch in Florida called "The Caboodle Ranch" and what it is is a ranch full of cats!  My mother and I always joked about having a farm where we would take in stray cats and give them shelter, food, and love.  I have two cats, Calypso and Malibu.  I admit, I'm a bit crazy when it comes to them, but as I have no children they are my furbabies.  No matter how rotten my day is, they always cheer me up.  Its like they know that I need some extra love.  I can't get enough of their cuddles (well Malibu cuddles a lot more than Calypso does) and the soothing sound of their purring in contentment. Calypso was a birthday present for me from my husband.  We went to the Humane Society and I chose her from the shelter because she cried the loudest.  She isn't a very cuddlesome cat (unless on her terms) but she is definitely "mommy's girl."  She sleeps on my pillow every night.

Malibu, 1 yr old

Even now as I type, Malibu is snuggled on my legs, sleeping away.   We got Malibu from a litter of kittens I rescued.  I had been feeding the stray pregnant momma cat (who I named Rosie because she slept in my rosebush pot during the wintertime since it was off the ground).  One day she didn't greet me at my door so I went looking for her. Lo and behold she had given birth to 6 kittens!  I took them into my house (much to the displeasure of my husband) and gave them food, shelter, and love so that they would have a chance.  I fell in love with all of them over the 8 weeks and giving them up was so difficult. My husband said that we could keep one of them and that is how we got our Malibu. The hubby thinks that Malibu is his girl but we both know the truth ;-)  

4.) I LOVE OLD MOVIES

I love older movies.  The classics.  My favorite actress of all time is: Judy Garland (with whom I share a birthday and a small stature).  She had a very tragic life but was a phenomenal talent despite the constant struggles she had throughout her entire lifetime.  I have seen most of her movies and hope to own all of the pictures that she has done.  I have read many biographies about her, did my senior thesis in high school on her, and even visited her resting place at Ferncliff in Ardsley, NY.  

I love the stars and starlets of this time period.  The movies from the 30's and 40's are among my absolute favorite movies.  Black and white pictures with Gable, Garbo, Kelly, Durbin, Rooney, Astaire, Rogers, etc... I just love watching them.  They weren't about the finest effects or the most daring stunts.  They were about the mood of the picture.  They were about family values.  They were about romance.  They were wholesome not filled with scenes of graphic nature looking for the shock value.  Maybe it is because I grew up watching these movies with my grandma but I will always enjoy these films as they are the classics for a reason.

5.) I LOVE THE GOLDEN GIRLS

I own the entire set of this show.  I absolutely love the Golden Girls.  It is my favorite tv show of all time.  I was devastated when Estelle Getty, Bea Arthur, Rue McClanahan died.  They were pioneers in their time and helped revolutionize television.  Powerful icons for women.

Betty White, now 89 is STILL an icon in today's television.  She is all over the media now.  I read her autobiography which was great and insightful into her career on television.  I love her "new" show- "Hot in Cleveland."  I have it on Netflix so that I can catch up on episodes from the start.  She is just a lovely woman who is a real inspiration.

Wizard of Oz Disaster

 Once upon a time, I was planning a wedding and my mother said to me, " You should write to David Tutera and see if you could make it on his show.  He could even do The Wizard of Oz."  And I didn't write but rather planned my own and incorporated my own pieces of Wizard of Oz with the baseball theme.

And you might say that I am one of the biggest Wizard of Oz fans.  So when David Tutera, a wedding planner extraordinaire (like I said, my mother loves him), is having a Wizard of Oz themed wedding (that someone other than me requested!)- I would expect something wonderful. Since I heard my mother go on and on and on about how wonderful he is. Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeelllllllllllllll- I was actually pretty annoyed and disappointed with the ENTIRE episode.  There was so much that could have been done with it to make the theme more apparent without being "kitschy" as David called the bride's ideas.

First off, the bride was irritating throughout the whole episode.   I cannot get over the fact that she was going to have all 8 of her bridesmaids wear ruby slippers but NOT wear them herself.  Seriously?!?!?!?!?!?!  You are the bride and having a THEMED wedding of THE WIZARD OF OZ and YOU ARE NOT GOING TO WEAR THE RUBY SLIPPERS???!?!?!?!  I just cannot wrap my head around that at all.   Also, she referred to the blue and white gingham as Dorothy's plaid.  SERIOUSLY?

Now the wedding focused on yellow.  I understand her deceased grandmother's favorite color was yellow and yellow is a pretty color and soft for a wedding.  But, if you are having a themed wedding for The Wizard of Oz, you go for pop factors.  Where was the Emerald City?  Why would you line the yellow brick road runner with YELLOW flowers instead of red poppies??  Why would you have tall yellow sunflowers instead of cornstalks?  I mean, its a THEMED WEDDING.  Its ok to have some "kitsch" to it.  But the fact that yellow was the central color, just didn't jive with me.


The cake (by Tasteful Cakes) however was great.  It incorporated all the characters.  Each tier of the cake was a different character representation.  You can't really see the bottom tier in this picture but its silver to represent the tinman.  This was one of the few features I liked in the episode.

http://www.pe.com/localnews/corona/stories/PE_News_Local_W_wscrapbook17.37207ef.html

The bridal bouquet was another element that I actually liked as well.  I felt that it captured the theme.  Here's the link describing the bouquet:  http://www.flowersfirstthenfood.com/?p=15

Overall, I was HIGHLY disappointed with this themed wedding.  I expected much more.  I mean, the wedding didn't have to focus entirely around the Wizard of Oz but it should have captured more of the ideas and elements.  I felt that with his resources he could have captured and created a spectacular, tasteful interpretation and made magic.  There really was not much connection and theme in my opinion.  I'm glad that I did mine the way that I did.  And if the bride liked it, that's all that really matters.  But I'm really glad that I did not listen to my mother because if the wedding turned out the way this one did..... I would have been one disappointed, dissatisfied bride.

My Old Poetry

I used to write lots and lots of poetry.  I had an account that I used to upload my poems to.  I can't believe that was 7 years ago.  Holy wow.  I've written lots of poem, mostly emotional ones.  It got me through a lot of stuff and I forgot how much I love to write poetry.   I'd say some of my favorite work was a series of poems where a jealous wife looks upon her husband who is completely obsessed with his work.  My favorite one of the series is titled:  The Painter and His Sculpture.  Here it is:

The Painter and His Sculpture

I watch him meticulously paint on the canvas,

his moves carefully planned and thought,

he shows his tender love and admiration,

till he creates that which he sought.

Envious I am sometimes as I watch,

his love for that he does paint,

He doesn't know that I have deep inner hatred,

for to him I'm a perfect saint.

With each gentle stroke, like a caress on the flesh,

the painter makes on the canvas bare,

his sensuous passion and endless desire,

to which I find hard to compare.

I know I am foolishly stating my anguish,

of the jealousy that I feel for his art, 

but how can one conceal this deep felt sorrow,

when a canvas has stolen his heart?

I'd die for the painter without even a thought,

for my passion for him never mild,

but as I look at the canvas he's painting,

she looks in my eyes and she smiles.

Less than 3 weeks

Less than 3 weeks until Christmas... and I'm still not feeling the Christmas spirit. In fact, I've been a little on the depressed side. Jonathan did put up the Christmas tree and I decorated it.  I even had an ornament personalized to commemorate our 1st Christmas together as a married couple.  But as the day gets closer, I'm still not feeling the Christmas spirit.

Tickling the Ivories

On Saturday, the hubby and I went to the music shop and bought some music stuff.  I got a new music stand since mine was busted as well as some new sheet music. (Some piano and a Wizard of Oz  one for the clarinet that comes with a CD for you to play along with)  But anyways, we went mostly because I wanted to get a new piano book.  I go through phases of playing the piano.  I have always wanted to be able to just effortlessly play.  The only issue is my left hand.  I can play the right just fine but add the left at the same time along with thinking in the bass clef, forget it.  Not that simple.  All of the music I have had to read has been treble clef.  So reading the treble clef notes along with figuring out the the bass clef notes while playing with my left hand which is not my dominant hand takes a LOT of effort.  But with practice I will improve and it will become easier.  At least that is what I keep telling myself.

But I guess it could be worse, my poor husband has a difficult time reading any sheet music.  He used to play saxophone when he was a kid but quit.  So, while he is teaching himself guitar it is an even bigger process for him.  I should probably cut him some more slack.  I'll make sure to tell that to the cat too who cries every time he plays.

When I consistently play, I can play some songs just fine.   I have quite a few books from my musical favorites like:  Wicked, Wizard of Oz, West Side Story, Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and a few others.  Its been a while since I played (practiced) so I'm a bit rusty.  But I find as I'm playing, I don't think about anything else but the music.  Its a good way to clear my mind and soothe my thoughts.  As well as continue to learn something and enjoy doing it.  That's the hard thing as you grow up.  Even when you love doing something, when its required you sometimes get a chip on your shoulder about it.  Now as an adult, I don't have to practice if I don't want to.  I choose to because I can and I'm doing it for myself.  I have always loved music---- singing and playing my clarinet (tenor sax, too-even though I only played the tenor for one year).

I did pick up a Christmas book that has my favorite non-secular Christmas song in it:  "Somewhere in my Memory".  (The song from Home Alone)  It is such a beautiful song and I hope to be able to play it with "ease" by Christmastime.  Here is a beautiful video of it:

Well, I'm going to go do another lifelong love of mine: reading. I'm currently reading and enjoying: Betty White: Here We Go Again.  It is pretty good so far.  She's a funny lady and I just love the her intelligence.

BSB

**WARNING before you read: Yes, I know I'm a nerd.  I have come to terms with it and I embrace it.**

Oprah has been having some teenage heartthrobs on her show.  Today The Backstreet Boys were on and they brought back Kevin to complete the 5 members we grew up with.  Dana and I were texting while they were on about the show which very much reminded me of our adolescence when we would talk on the phone or watch them together.  Still, after all the time, I still really enjoy listening to their music.  I still find Nick so cute.  I still can identify with the music.

The first concert I went to was 10 years ago (age 16) at the Pepsi Arena in Albany (which is now the Times Union Center)The last concert that I went to was 5 years ago (yes, at age 21) at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. It was so funny to see the younger girls singing and dancing at the concert.  But it was also nice that a group I grew up listening to still is acquiring new following.

My husband still teases me because I record them when they're on.  A few months ago a concert was on one of the higher channels and I sat pretzel legged on the floor just like I did as a teenager, watching them on the television, and gushing over them like a young girl.

I gave a speech at Dana's wedding and even quoted some Backstreet Boys because it was a huge part of our growing up and teenage years.  It makes me sad to see some of the role models the kids have today.  Granted, the role models of 10-20 years ago had their issues and the increase of technology and other advancements just makes it more prevalent.  I worry for my students who are on the cusp of their teenage adolescence.  What "celebrity" models are they listening to?  What is the quality of the lyrics in their songs?  I mean, BSB was risque with some of their song lyrics but nothing as suggestive as some of the songs today.  And while there has always been suggestive songs and inappropriate lyrics that kids are listening to, I think that being an adult opens up ones eyes to the exposure to children.  I don't really know where I'm going with this so I'm just going to end this rant here because I just don't know.

But it was good to see the Backstreet Boys on the show today.  I think I may even look into getting tickets to see them on tour.  I mean- it is about time.  It seems I go every 5 years and its been 5 years.  So, Dana- lets get some tickets and see a show!

Here's a video of one (of many) of my favorite songs of theirs:


Backstreet Boys - Shape of my heart
Uploaded by Stella78. - Music videos, artist interviews, concerts and more.

Beautiful Day for a Walk

Day 4 of walking, I'm so happy that I've been keeping it up.  Met up with Dana and her little furbaby, Luna, for the walk today and the walk yesterday.  I was inspired by her blog to include photographs, so I brought mine along today.  Here are a few shots I got:

I love the reflection of the clouds in the water.

Laurel Grove Cemetery- path along the river

Laurel Grove Cemetery- path along other river

a dock

The weather was chilly but the sunshine and the day was beautiful.  We did our loop around St. Mary's and then walked to Laurel Grove and did a figure 8 kinda loop there.  It was nice to just walk and talk about anything and everything.  It also helped that Luna was so cute.  So much energy for such a little thing.





But I am very happy that I've actually gone for walks 4 days in a row.  I feel very accomplished and I've been sleeping better.  I love that I think about where I'm going to go and map out a path in my head.  I don't want to get bored by doing the same one every day.  I'm also happy that I'm up to 5.5 miles.  I know it will vary, especially once I incorporate some jogging.   But its nice to go for the walk and then come home and still have time to do the things I enjoy:  such as reading.

beautiful sunshine on the water... you'd never know it was cold

I loved the stone wall lining the path.

I just finished a book the other day, the third book in a week.  I just received books from Amazon today.  I'm really excited to start a new one tomorrow.  I thought I was going to start tonight but this blog took me longer than I thought.  I'm either going to start book 2 of the "Slightly" series I've been reading.  Its a "chick lit" series and the next one is called "Slightly Settled."  I to read books that I can escape in and do not have to think much.  But Dana really recommended that I read "The Noticer" which will make me think A LOT.  So we shall see what wins over.

21 Days

It takes 21 days to form a habit. Today was my 2nd day going for a walk after work. My friend Katrina has been going running and she gave me some good advice. When you get home from work, change, and then go right on back the door. I know that my biggest problem is once I'm home, I'm done. So yesterday and today, I came home, changed, and went out the door. I've been listening to Backstreet Boy radio on Pandora (yes, channeling my inner teenager, lol) and walking. The good thing about Pandora is you create a station based on something you like and the station plays that music as well as music like it. So, I was listening to those songs of my teenage years by BSB, N*SYNC, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, All 4 One, etc etc.... Its working because I'll get to a song I like and go the extra distance so that I know I'll hear the end of the song. I walked 1.5 miles yesterday and 2.0 miles today. I'm starting out walking because I'm not ready to do full out running.

I've been using a runkeeper application on my cell phone that has a GPS built in that tracks my route. This lets me know the mileage as well as the elevation, pace per min/mile, etc.. Its actually a pretty useful application. There are some other cool things about it like the calories I burnt based on the aver. min/mile. It then emails your information and provides a link to its site so that you can see the intervals of your pacing and statistics.

I just have to keep reminding myself: it takes 21 days to form a habit.

I hope its not like most of my attempts at getting healthier and in shape. I have to take it one day at a time.

Lets just hope tomorrow when I come home from work I don't fall into the temptation of "Nap Time Thursday" right after work and that I continue like today and yesterday.

Here's to tomorrow's success...

Quadrants?

So today's lesson was about scheduling your life, planning your days, and organizing yourself to be most effective. There are four quadrants and I find I spend most time in quadrant 4. This is the least productive quadrant titled "Waste and Excess." I'm sure we all find ourselves at one time or another fulfilling our days in this quadrant. For example, I know of only 2 people who subscribe to this blog so if you are reading it and aren't those two people, you read this because you saw it on Facebook. Facebook is a prime example of quadrant 4. How many times do you play Farmville, Bejeweled, varieties of Solitaire, etc etc etc?

Quadrant 4 are the activities that you spend to "unwind" "escape" if you will. Now don't get me wrong, I am by no means implying that we shouldn't engage in Quadrant 4. I would have no room to talk! My husband and I both LOOOOVE quadrant 4. I love getting lost in a book or watching my television shows. But I do wish that I spent more time in what was labeled "Quadrant 2." This was the effectiveness quadrant. This is the quadrant that you plan, build relationships, and do your most effective living. So, my goal for this week is to make my quadrant 4 activities into quadrant 2 activities.

In my defense, I believe that Jonathan and I watching a television show together and discussing the events as well as making predictions of what is going to happen next IS relationship building. It is bringing us together. It is encouraging us to discuss and have conversations.

So I guess my point is.... what is wrong with being in Quadrant 4? At least at this point in my life where I have no children. Shouldn't I use this time to its full advantage of relaxation? I know as a teacher, if I didn't recharge, I'd just burst! With all the responsibilities at work aren't we all entitled to escape for a little while? Even if its just to swap some jewels or plant some crops? I should think so.

Trying to Shift

My school district is offering a training course called "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People." What a great thing. You're probably thinking, what does that have to do with being a teacher. It has everything to do with being a teacher. The way you manage yourself as a person directly influences the way you are as a teacher. For instance, today's training focused a lot on the effects of being "proactive" vs being "reactive." I know in many situations I am more reactive than I am proactive. I don't always hesitate, reflect, and then respond. Especially with my husband. My poor husband gets the rough end of the deal since most of my patience is used from 8:20-3:20 @ school. So at home, when he asks me a simple question or wants me to help him do something small, I flip out like woah. I need to start taking a breath, even if that means counting down from 10-1, and then responding. I think some of his hesitations and reservations are direct responses to what I'm giving him. It was a very eye opening presentation today. I really enjoyed it and look forward to the next 3 classes..

And a new school year begins

A new school year has begun. It is so hard getting back into a routine. After work, all I want to do is go home and take a long snooze. But the only day I allow myself to indulge in that is on Thursday- hence "Nap Time Thursdays." For some reason, Thursday is usually my roughest day of the week and its days like that that I really need a nap.

I am getting pretty close to finishing Jonathan's blanket. Thank goodness. I am so tired of looking at the various shades of blue and gray. I have a few other projects to work on soooo I want to get this one done. Hopefully by his birthday on October 4th.

I have been having a serious case of baby fever lately. Between all the people having them as well as ones that already are around, I can't help but be sucked just a little....

testing

I downloaded an app on my phone. Wanted to see if it works. if so- more posting.

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WT...

I don't know what the hell my problem is but I cannot sleep. Everynight the same thing- toss and turn. I don't know if its that I'm thinking too much or what but I just cannot seem to get to sleep. This could be a major issue especially with school starting in about 3 weeks. I try to sleep but I don't want to toss and turn so much that I wake the hubby. So I get up out of bed and go watch television in the living room or sit behind my computer in the office. During these times I should be constructive and do some house stuff since it much cooler at night but I don't. I play computer games or read. Then once I feel sleepy I go lay back down only to toss and turn some more.

WTF..... seriously.

I have been pretty irritable lately too. Just certain things have been getting to me lately........

Finally a Mrs.

Jonathan and I finally got married on July 17, 2010. After 10 years of friendship, 5 1/2 years of being engaged... we finally tied the knot. The wedding was beautiful. The weather was gorgeous, despite a bit on the hot side, but nonetheless lovely.

My wedding weekend was like a whirlwind. Family and friends started to come in on Wednesday and before I knew it, it was Friday. I spent the day with friends/family getting nails done and rehearsing one of the biggest moments of my life. Everything was wonderful at the rehearsal/rehearsal dinner and it was great to be surrounded by the ones I love.



The wedding day came so fast. I woke up and got my makeup done by Megan. (Who did a FABULOUS job) My sister, Mandy, did my hair (also FABULOUS). Before I knew it, it was 11 and my photographer Mary Kelly was there, taking pictures. Then the flowers came, my girls came, and it was time to be dressed. In the blink of an eye, I was dressed in my gown, tiara and veil in place, ruby slippers on, and getting ready to see my Jonathan.








Waiting in the back, I was pretty calm. When the music started, I was calm. When it was my turn to go down the aisle, I was calm. When I saw Jonathan, the tears just came. I was so happy that I was finally going to his wife. The ceremony was great, even the homily had a baseball theme to it. And just like that we were: "Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Taub."





We took pictures outside and did some baseball themed pictures to go with our baseball themed wedding. We entered our reception to "Enter Sandman." We had baseball vase centerpieces, lineup cards for table seating, parts of a ballpark for table names, a seventh inning stretch, and a baseball themed wedding cake. I even was able to tie in my Wizard of Oz aspects since there is the line "There's no place like home." Our sweetheart table bore the sign along with the Lenox piece that I bought of Dorothy and the Scarecrow since Jonathan is my scarecrow.

Click here to view these pictures larger

We danced, we laughed, we ate, we drank, we cut the cake, danced some more....And just like that, the wedding and reception was over. We did go to karaoke after and hang out for a while, but the big day came to a close. And it was everything I hoped for and dreamed. <3

Four Days

There are only 4 days left until the wedding day. I cannot believe how quickly it has come. I must say, I'm surprisingly calm. Don't get me wrong, I'm excited and anxious, but mostly calm. I have mostly everything done and most of what is left to do is out of my control. I'm really looking forward to marrying my best friend of about 10 years <3

27 days to go

So there are 27 days left until the wedding day. Wow. That's all I can say.

Hello 26

Today is my 26th birthday. Time has surely flown and from what I understand it just continues to zip on by from here. Today was a very nice day and I'm truly blessed. My students threw me a surprise part @ school today and even had my favorite-- ice cream cone cupcakes. It was so thoughtful and sweet.

I have been trying to get into more meditative practices and purchased, "The Daily Book of Positive Quotations" by Linda Picone. Each day has a quote with a little musing. I felt that today's musing was very relevant to it being my birthday.

June 10- Corny but true
"There's an element of truth in every idea that lasts long enough to be corny." Irving Berlin

Basically, the musing goes on to discuss how depending on the generation you live in often determines what you find as relevant and what is irrelevant. It determines the corny from the nostalgic. The first paragraph was very fitting to how I felt today:
"The younger we are, the more likely we are to dismiss the past as being old-fashioned and irrelevant. The older we are, the more likely we are to see wisdom and virtue in 'the good old days.'" (Picone, 176, 2008)

I just felt that it was a very relevant topic when thinking about my birthday. It left you with ideas to do a musing of your own:

"Which ideas from my youth are still good today? And which should I let go of?"

I must say I am not completely sure. I think I'm going to need to contemplate this more before I can answer. I don't necessarily know whether it is ideas that I should let go of or certain items. For example, my collection of stuffed animals. I don't really look at them but I have such an emotional attachment to most of them. I just can't seem to part with them. I hold onto so many things that are not important, but make them important. I keep saying, "If I have children it would be nice to pass them down to them." When, in fact, I know that my child doesn't want my hand me downs.

But its more than just "things."Ideas. Emotions. Hang ups. I wish that I could let go of the things that clutter my judgment. I think about the different ideas I had as a child about relationships, friendships, and other aspects of life. As a teacher, I am now watching students go through the same challenges/obstacles that we did as children. The wisdom I've gained and am passing down from my "good old days" that are being cast aside as "you don't understand." Its just interesting to see the lessons learned from the past and how relevant that are in this future.


I would be remiss if I did not mention that today is also the birthday of the one and only- Judy Garland.

Today was a Wonderful Wonderful Day

I am so overwhelmed with feelings today. The wonderful people at work threw me a bridal shower this morning. I am so blessed to have such wonderful friends and coworkers. The kindness and generosity has truly touched my heart. I will always remember this. My cake was DELICIOUS and absolutely beautiful:

School itself was great today. The kids were awesome. We read about tournaments and heraldry as well as began a mini project creating customized Coats of Arms. The kids are creating some really great things. And it was such a great day we went out for recess (more thanks to Jen. I'll give credit where its due, lol)

After school, I visited with MoH for a while. We exchanged birthday presents. Hers was on May 23rd and mine is June 10th. I'm actually quite surprised because we're never on time with gifts, lol. Usually we exchange a few months down the road. She got me a beautiful old fashioned emerald green bathing suit from our new addiction modcloth.com.


I absolutely LOVE it and its beautiful. We chatted for a bit about the new book she's reading which I can't wait to read when she's done. I also did some cuddling with her little puppy Luna who is adorable beyond words.


I quickly went home before going to my mother's installation as the recording secretary of the Catholic Daughters. After that, I went to Cruizin' Port w/ the hubby to be. We met up with Trisha and her parents. It was a beautiful evening and addition to my already wonderful day. When we came home, we watched the season finale of Glee. Now, I'm very very particular about my all time favorite song "Over the Rainbow." I do not like many of the covers made of the song but I do like the ukuele version. Well, to end the season finale of the show, Matthew Morrison (whose voice I loooove) sang this version with Mark Salling. It was so beautiful and made me cry like such a baby. Search the video on youtube, its definitely worth it. I know I've been listening to it for the last half hour, lol.

Today overall was such a wonderful, beautiful day. I have so many things to be thankful and grateful for. I have a wonderful family and friends. 39 days to go before I become a Mrs.

Lets hope that tomorrow is another great day...........