And Sickness Abounds

We're all dealing with some pre-winter sickness in our household.  Since we're all in schools in some capacity (my son in kindergarten and my husband and I both teaching), we are vulnerable to all those icky, yucky germs that get oh-so kindly passed along.  All three of us have missed so much school lately.  I always thought you were supposed to take sick days when you WEREN'T sick so you could actually enjoy them!

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My son has the worst of it, though - pneumonia.  We're hoping he makes a fast recovery.  He's been under the weather for the past two and a half weeks.  We've had him at the doctor three times in the past 12 days.  Finally, today, he was given the diagnosis of pneumonia.  I'm not happy about it, but I'm happy that the doctor prescribed medicine.  We were originally told he just had a minor upper respiratory infection that he could fight off on his own without meds.  Well, he kept getting worse.  On our second visit, we were told the same thing.  My husband and I were convinced there was more to it.  So back he went today and we got the pneumonia diagnosis.  Fingers crossed for a speedy recovery!

In other news, we haven't really done much of any Christmas shopping (I tend to avoid stores at this time of year -- I much prefer the online route), nor have we put up a Christmas tree.  We'll hopefully get one soon, and I think my decorations this year will be minimal.  Every year I seem to lose steam in this area.  I feel like I'd decorate more if we were having a big holiday party or something, but we don't have the time or energy to host anything right now.  Sometimes I feel like we should do more, but we are so busy as it is.

Hope to post again soon when we're all feeling better.  Thanks if you're still reading!  Happy December!

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Thoughts Lately

It's been almost a month since my last post.  As I've mentioned several times before, I miss the blog world.  I've been trying to keep up with all of my favorite blogs, but I am about 1,867 posts behind.  I'm thinking of just clicking "Mark All As Read" in Bloglovin' and starting fresh.  There is no way I'll catch up.

The main reason I wanted to write today is because of the recent events in Paris.  I feel like I can't even process it all.  Can you really process it, though?  How do you process something that doesn't make any sense?  It hurts my stomach, my head, my heart.

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And whether you're religious or not, I think we all have to hope that those poor people who lost their lives are somewhere better now.  They did not deserve this.  Our world did not deserve this.  How can there be so many good people in this world and so many bad people, too?  I don't understand.

That's all for today.  My heart is heavy.

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!

Groundhog Day

Hello?  Hello?  Anybody out there?

Maybe I should be asking myself those questions.  I'm here, but haven't really made much progress in the good ol' blogosphere.

Our lives have been crazy over the past few weeks.  Don't get me wrong -- I am thankful that we have food to put on the table, clean clothes to wear, and jobs to go to each day.  But that doesn't mean that it's not hard and exhausting.

I have started to feel like we are in the movie Groundhog Day.

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Here's a snapshot of our "normal" day:

5:30am - Dad (J.) wakes up, gets ready for work
5:45am - Mom (me) wakes up, gets ready for work
6:00am - Dad leaves for work
6:30am - Mom wakes up D., gets him fed breakfast and ready for kindergarten
7:00am - Mom leaves for work, Pop-Pop comes over to take D. to kindergarten
7:40am - Pop-Pop drops D. off at school

*****

2:00pm - Pop-Pop picks D. up at school and stays with him until Dad gets home
3:15pm - Dad gets home from work
4:15pm - Mom gets home from work
4:45pm - Mom starts making dinner while Dad helps D. with his homework
5:30pm - Dinner
6:00pm - Clean up from dinner and pack lunches for next day
6:30pm - D. gets a bath or shower
7:00pm - D. gets to watch a TV show (usually a Disney one) and have a snack (usually fruit)
7:30pm - Mom or Dad takes D. upstairs to read
8:00pm - Lights out for D.!  (Although most nights, this has been closer to 8:30ish...)
8:30pm - Mom does work to prep for school the next day and catches up with Dad while watching a little TV together (and oftentimes we fall asleep downstairs on the couch!)

*****

My husband and I try to head to bed by 10:30pm, though that doesn't always happen.  Because we wake up so early and have such busy days at work, we really feel it the next day if we had a late bedtime the night before.

So that's a snippet of our lives lately.  And because I'm in a new position at work, I've had a lot of "take home" work to do that I don't have time to do during the day.  So far, I'm enjoying my new job, but it is non-stop when I'm there.  There really isn't any downtime.  Even my lunch is rushed.  I try to get out of my little office to eat lunch with some of the other teachers since usually by that time I need a "brain break," but there are a lot of days when I work through my lunch and try to eat a little along the way.

I really miss blogging regularly and I have so much I want to post, but I have a feeling the blog will be a little slower for now.  I appreciate those of you who are still reading, and I'm still trying to read so many other blogs when I have a few minutes.  Right now, though, I'm not doing a very good job keeping up with that.  I currently have over 500 new blog posts in my Bloglovin' feed.  Whoops. Guess I'll need to skip a few.

I'm so glad the weekend is here, though, especially since we were in Disney last week.  This past week was basically us playing "catch up" in so many areas of our lives -- most importantly sleep.  I went to the doctor and was diagnosed with a viral infection with a side of allergies, and my husband has been uber-congested as well.  We need this weekend to recuperate for sure!

I hope all of you are doing well and are enjoying the change of season.  I love fall.  I always think of F. Scott Fitzgerald's words from The Great Gatsby:

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Have a great weekend!

All Quiet on the Blog Front

I know.  It's been a while.

We literally just returned -- like half an hour ago -- from a weeklong vacation to Disney World.  We are exhausted.  But we are excited to sleep in our own beds tonight.

I'll be back soon with a recap and pictures... after we resume our normal schedule and routines having been off them for what feels like forever.

Goodnight for now!

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(Oh, and PS -- thanks to those of you who are still reading.  I hate not blogging regularly, but going back to work in a new position and then taking a trip have definitely thrown things -- aka me -- for a loop.)

Thankful Thursday - Sickness

Guess who's sick now.

Yup.  Me.

It was bound to happen, I guess.

It's just fun times all around here.

My husband and I are like two ships passing in the night (we seriously never see each other anymore!), my house has basically become a pit stop, and my kindergartener is, as usual, non-stop. Busy, busy, busy.

But I'm thankful today that we have jobs and schedules and responsibilities because that means we are living.  I may be sick, but I have access to Benadryl and Claritin and cough syrup.  There are so many people in our world who are sick and who are dying, and that breaks my heart.  My issues are minor in comparison.

So today I'm going to focus on the good.  We are alive.  We have each other.  We are stable.  We can do this.

Can't stop.  Won't stop.

What are YOU thankful for today?