Life Lately - October

I miss the blog world SO much.  I know I've said that in my last few posts, but it's true.  I wish I had time every single day to post and I wish I had a pocket of time to catch up on all of my favorite blogs! I feel so behind.

I don't want to be completely out of the blogosphere, so I just put together a little list of what's going on lately.

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- On a whim, I got my ears pierced today -- my third holes on each side.  It was traumatic as I have NO pain tolerance.  (Yes, I gave birth to a child, but that doesn't mean anything.  Pain is pain and I don't like it.  So there.)  The girl who pierced them messed up on one side, too, so she had to take the earring out and re-pierce it.  She said I flinched and made her mess up.  Whatever.  Isn't she the professional?  (Okay... I probably flinched.)

- I ended up sending back a ton of stuff I ordered from Old Navy.  The yellow plaid shirt that I loved in the picture made me look like a farmer, and the color was duller than I would have liked.  The olive puffy vest sold out before I could get one.  And I have yet to purchase the gray leggings.  Still waiting for them to get cheaper.

- I did a mini-closet clean out of my pants that was desperately overdue.  It was taking me three times as long to get dressed in the morning because it kept feeling like nothing fit me.  Lordy, lordy... I couldn't believe that so many of my pants don't fit anymore.  I seriously put at least 12 pairs in a giveaway bag.  I mean, I've gained some weight over the past year, but not too much.  Gravity is starting to take its toll on my body, though, and after having a child, things have shifted into weird places.  (And, if we're really being honest here, some of the pants I had were still from high school.  I told you the cleanout was overdue!)  Anyway, as a reward, I bought myself a new pair of (affordable!) jeans -- dark wash DENIZEN brand jeans from Target a few weeks ago...

These to be exact:  http://www.target.com/p/denizen-women-s-essential-stretch-bootcut-jean-limo/-/A-14533377

(source: target.com)

The picture doesn't do them justice.  They look way better on... trust me.  The stretch in them is A-MAZ-ING.  They are super comfy.  I highly recommend.  I also sized up on them.  I don't know if it's because I've gained weight or if they run small (or both).  Just FYI.

- I am enjoying this season of The Voice and Dancing with the Stars.  The Voice has so many awesome singers this year.  I don't even know who I'm rooting for yet.  And DWTS is addictive.  I like Bindi Irwin and Nick Carter best right now.  But I am liking the pros more and more every season.  Derek, Val, and Mark are my favs.  Derek is just adorable, Val cracks me up, and Mark's routines are creative and edgy.

- School is exhausting.  The kids are getting a little too comfortable now that it's October -- in their classrooms, in the hallways, in the cafeteria, in the library.  Wow.  Just wow.  I am ready for Thanksgiving break, but I hate to wish the time away.

- Speaking of time, I love this time of year.  Fall is always my favorite.  I love burning my pumpkin candles and wearing scarves and boots and sipping an extra cup of coffee to warm up in the mornings and looking out the window at the beautiful changes in nature.

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Here's to a great week!

School Days, School Days... and Some Shopping

As I've mentioned and as I'm sure you've probably noticed, we've been busy.  And unfortunately this little ol' blog of mine has taken a backseat.  It stinks, but I value the little sleep I get and lately I've been choosing sleep over blogging.  I do miss it, though!

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School has been INSANE.  Just insane.  Teaching in an elementary setting requires tons of energy and tons of patience.  I learned that fast.  The kids in my building are absolutely lovable, but there are a whole other set of problems in elementary school versus high school.  I say things on a daily basis that I never expected would ever, EVER come out of my mouth.

Here's the abridged version of some of my recent sayings:

• Take your finger out of your nose.
• Take your hand out of your pants.
• Sit.  Sit.  Sit.
• Put your shoe back on.
• Put your sock back on.
• Don't wipe your ear wax on her.
• Take the pencil out of your mouth.
• Don't lick that book.
• Get out from under the table.
• Get a tissue, put your booger on it, and throw it away.

Are you sensing a pattern here?  I've also had to deal with kids who don't make it to the toilet on time.  This is a whole new world for me.  I have no idea what I'm doing, either.  Quite frankly, when that happens, I panic.

But - on a lighter note - I get tons of hugs.  And hellos.  And smiles.

As the librarian, I'm like a rock star in that building.  Seriously.  All the kids know me since they all have library class at some point throughout the week.  When I walk through the halls, the kids yell out to me and wave and smile.  It really makes my day!

I feel like I'm slowly starting to settle into a routine, so that's also helping.  I wish I remembered more of the kids' names, though.  I think I've finally learned most of the staff, but there are, like, 700 kids.  I only know the names of the troublemakers right now.  I hope I learn more names fast.

In other news, my son is loving kindergarten.  We love to hear his stories from school.  A week or so ago, we were having some issues with him eating his lunch.  He insisted on packing, but he'd bring home most of his lunch.  When we asked him why he wasn't eating, his response was, "I'm so popular  that all the kids talk to me at lunch, and I have to talk back to them or else I'll be rude."  

Riiiiiight.

Oh, and I've had a bad shopping bug lately.  I have been wanting to buy so much, and I'm trying to show some restraint, but fall clothes are my favorite.  I love scarves and layers and leggings.  I have to just stop looking or else I'm in trouble.  

Old Navy has awesome sales, too.  Here are some things I've been eyeing:

(source: Old Navy)

These ponte-knit leggings from Old Navy look adorbs.  However, I think they are priced WAY too high.  Even with the current sale.  Just too much for me.  I'll wait until a really good sale.  

(source: Old Navy)

I'm also loving this olive puffy vest.  Quite frankly, I love anything olive (except actual olives).  I especially love it with the plaid shirt underneath it.  So cute.

(source: Old Navy)

I think I need this plaid shirt.  I love the color, I love plaid, I love button-ups... and we can wear jeans to work on Fridays as long as we either wear school colors (red, black, or white) or our elementary school colors (blue or yellow).  I think this would be a perfect pick for that.  Don't you?

(source: Old Navy)

I have this shirt.  I wear it as a pajama shirt with sweats or PJ bottoms.  It is super-duper comfy and super-duper cheap.  I highly recommend.  Make sure you use the promo code JACKPOT when checking out to get an additional 30% off.  Oh, and just so you know, it has slits on each side, but they don't come up too far.  

(source: Old Navy)

I love chunky scarves.  Well, I love all scarves, but chunky ones hold a special place in my heart.  This gray one would be perfect all fall and winter long.  However, it's priced a little too high for me.  What can I say?  I'm cheap.  I'll keep an eye on it for now.

We're off to some (yes, more than one!) birthday parties today, and I have to get my flu shot.  

Oh - before I go - funny story for you.  So I've gotten in the bad habit of stopping at Dunkin' Donuts for a coffee on my way to school.  This is a terrible habit that needs to stop... because I have come to the realization that if I didn't buy all that coffee, I could buy those expensive leggings I like.  I have a Keurig at home and need to start using it.  

Anyway, I digress...

So yesterday when I stopped at Dunkin' Donuts, the girl at the window asked if I got my hair cut.  I did.  The day before.  My husband didn't notice, but the girl at Dunkin' Donuts did.  I guess when a barista notices your recent haircut, you're stopping too much for coffee.  This.  Must.  Stop.

We have a nice, long Columbus Day weekend ahead of us, and we're looking forward to an extra day off.  Hope you all enjoy your weekend!