What I Love Wednesday

You know, for my first three days back things have been pretty good!

(I just totally cursed myself by saying that.)

Amazingly, my nuggets were able to jump right back into the swing of things.

I truly love those little goobers.

I'm linking up with This Kind of Love to bring you what I love on this Wednesday.

I'm loving...that our shows are back on!!  

Handsome Husband and I are watching New Girl as I type.

I'm loving...that my new nugget that started today seems to have a lot going on.

She can count money, tell the difference between a statement, question, and command, and seems super sweet.  Score!

I'm loving...that our first day of Game Day went really well.

The kids enjoyed spending time playing games during recess instead of going outside.

It was also nice for me because I got some time with kids that tend to blend in.

I'll write more about this later.

I'm loving...that I got a haircut!  

I needed one...

of course everyone around me gives me bewildered looks since it's short already.

Oh well, folks!

Plus, all of my grays are back in hiding for a while.

I'm loving...that on Friday Handsome Husband and I are having dinner with this girl and her dude.

What are you loving this Wednesday?

Mrs. B

Crafty Business

So, one of my goals was to learn how to crochet some different things.

Thanks to videos on YouTube and pinsperation I have accomplished this goal.

Thanks to Emi on YouTube I learned how to crochet a beanie for baby Jayde

and the flower to go with it.

I felt pretty happy with myself when I even added a brim on a whim.

(I'm a poet and didn't know it.)

I also rrrreeeeeaaaaallllllyyyyyy wanted to learn how to crochet this camera strap cover by Maybe Matilda.

So on Saturday, I sat down on my tushie and whipped this bad boy out;

Pretty cool, if I may say so myself.

Now, I'm working on one for my SIL Allison.

So excited to finish it and send it to her.

This one looks even better since I made all the mistakes on my own!

I didn't make my flowers the same way she did, though.

I found this idea on Pinterest and LOVE the way they turned out.

They are super easy, too.

Have you been crafty lately?

Mrs. B

Cheer, Cheer...

for old Notre Dame!

Handsome Husband and I are heading out to watch the Irish kick the snot out of Alabama.

Go Irish!

Image borrowed from Eat Dallas.

See you tomorrow!

Mrs. B

Sunday Social 1/6/13

Well, tonight marks my last night of break.

I can't believe that Holiday Season 2012 is over!

I'm linking up with Neely at A Complete Waste of Makeup to avoid thinking about school or doing anything school related bring you the weekly Sunday Social post.

This Week's Questions:

1)  Do you plan to change any of your eating habits in the new year?

Oh yeah, buddy!!

I am planning on watching my portion sizes since I have to remember that just because I'm as hungry as a horse, it doesn't mean I need to eat the equivalent of one.

I also need to work on not having a reward mentality when it comes to food.

It's hard to lose weight when any workout I do I reward with food or wine!

2)  Any workout tips to get us back in shape after the holidays?

Bwahahahahaha!

Yeah...don't follow my advice!

Just kidding.  (Sort of)

Here is what I am doing for myself:

I have a goal to work out 3-4 times a week.  Notice I didn't say go to the gym.

The gym's not always possible, but I need to try to be active no matter what.

I have started a "Workout Jar" to motivate myself more.

Each time I work out I will put one dollar into the jar.

Once it's full, I get to use the money to buy myself a new article of clothing.

It's not a new idea...I've seen it out there.

(I actually made it through Target AND Marshalls without buying any clothes.  It was HARD!)

I also got an Old Navy gift card for Christmas, but I have decided that I need to lose 5 pounds (and keep it off) before I can use it.  Also, I can only buy one thing for each 5 pounds.

I love to shop so that's a HUGE motivator.

Plus, this will help Handsome Husband and I save more money. :)

I have also downloaded the MyFitnessPal app for my phone.
It helps track my calories and exercise.
It's a way to keep me accountable.

3)  What was your favorite thing you did over the holidays?

Hanging out with family and friends always makes the #1 slot.

I also loved learning how to crochet something new (I learned 4 new things over break!);

Hanging out with Handsome Husband;

Being able to STOP THINKING;

Eating WWWWAAAAAYYYYY too much good food;
especially my FIL's antipasta...seriously...to die for!  Gah!

4)  What is something you hope to accomplish in 2013 that you did not in 2012?

I need to get serious about getting in shape.

It's not going to happen overnight, be easy or happen because of anyone but me.

5)  Name 3 things happening this year you are excited about and why.

1.  My friend Lindsay is marrying her best friend in June and I get to stand by her side.

2.  Handsome Husband and I are going to LA for Spring Break.

3.  I turn 29 in March and am looking forward to celebrating the last year of my twenties.

Next Week's Questions:

They are taking it back to the beginning and doing a get-to-know-you round.

1)  What is the name of your blog?  How long have you been blogging?

2)  Why do you blog?

3)  What is the first blog you ever followed?

4)  What is your favorite post you wrote in 2012?

5)  What are your blogging goals for 2013?

6)  What are your top 3 favorite blogs to follow?  

It's back to school for me tomorrow!

Laters,

Mrs. B

I Can't Believe It's Friday Again!

Holy guacamole, y'all!

I can't believe that I only have one measly little weekend to go until I am back full-force.

Gag me with a spoon!

Just kidding.  :)

Welp, here's my first High Five for Friday of 2013!

1) I've been slowly moving away from flavored coffee in the recent past.

I've found that French Roast is my favorite so far. 

This Starbucks French Roast is only so-so.

The Archer Farms brand at Target is by far my favorite.  

It's smooth and flavorful.

2) I picked out new glasses today.

I seriously confused the tech because I was trying to get reading glasses with a bifocal for reading on the bottom and no prescription on the top so I could still wear my contacts.

I'm super psyched to get them and start wearing them.

They aren't a huge step out of my box, but they're a step.

3) I organized the pantry today!! 

Woot woot!

It's been a long time coming and was a spur of the moment decision.

It feels so good to know that when I open that door everything is going to be organized!!

(Well, at least until Handsome Husband gets hungry!!)

4) I learned how to crochet hats!!

I'm so totally excited it's a bit hard to measure.

Seriously...I've made two in the last 24 hours.

I'm a crocheting machine.

It's that or else I'm avoiding thinking about school starting back up on Monday.

5) I'm wrapping up my week by relaxing with Handsome Husband and watching a few movies.

(Looper and Why Stop Now) 

Ok...that's enough for now.

I have to crochet some more!

Happy Friday, ladies and gents!

Mrs. B

2013 Goal Clarifications and Add-ons

So, early January is the time when many people usher in the plan that is going to make them a whole new person.

Welp, I don't want to be a "whole new me".  

I want to be the same me, but with better qualities.

So, today I am going to give an explanation for each of my goals for 2013 and add a few more.

Here we go!

(It's difficult for me to NOT sound like Mario (in my head) while saying that phrase.)

1.  Learn how to cook something new and adventurous.

So, I have recently (within the last 3 years) discovered that I REALLLLLLYY enjoy cooking and am actually pretty good at it.

That came as a gigantic surprise to me.

I used to pride myself on my inability to cook.  (Hockey puck hamburgers anyone?)

I can now cook a mean steak with roasted veggies and caramelized onions.

However, I have realized that once I get good at something I tend to cook the life out of it (meaning I cook it WWWAAAYYYY too much).

So, this year I would like to try something that scares me.

I'm not sure what that is yet, but it will probably involve baking of some kind or something with weird ingredients.

2.  Read one book a month.

I work in a profession where I encourage children to read and enjoy reading on a daily basis.

However, when I get home I am guilty of grabbing my iPad or the computer to watch some mindless drivel while I work which then extends into me watching TV with Handsome Husband while we eat and then until we go to bed.

Hypocrite much??

Last year for Lent Handsome Husband and I decided to adopt a new habit instead of giving something up.

We decided to read for 30 minutes each night before bed Sunday - Thursday (because who knows what the weekends bring!).

It turned out to be one of the most relaxing choices that HH and I could have made.

This year was a different monster.

I get home between 6:00 and 7:00 each night, cook dinner and then have work to do.

The last thing I want to do is think anymore!

However, it is something I miss and I truly believe that the reason I don't have time to read is because I don't make the time to read.

So, here goes. 

I want to read at least one book a month.

It doesn't have to be anything spectacular, but it should also be something I haven't read before. 

(I have a really bad habit of rereading books over and over again.)

3.  Get to the gym at least 4 days a week.

I am sick of complaining about the way my clothes fit or about the way I feel daily.

This is once again the sheer fact that I don't have time to work out because I don't make the time to work out.

This goal will only work as long as I stick to goal #6.

I have managed to drag my lazy butt out of the house long enough to get to the gym a few times over break and know that I will feel a million times better if I stick to it.

Plus, as I said above, I really like to cook and it's not like I cook it to look at it!!

4.  Get into the habit of putting my clothes away once they are washed.

This one is pretty self-explanatory.

I tend to be a clothes avoider.

Don't get me wrong!!

They are always clean, but I am majorly guilty of digging through a pile to create an outfit.

5.  Spend more time with friends and family.

Again, self-explanatory.

I tend to be so drained from school that I would rather spend time in bed or on the couch than going out.

I'd like to regularly hang out with people during the week (maybe only one night...I'm no Superman).

It would make me feel like I'm 28, not 88.

6.  Become more efficient and get out of school before 5:00 each night.

I love my team and co-workers, but we tend to like each other too much!

We have the best of intentions when we sit down to work, but end up getting a bit sidetracked sometimes.

Maybe this one could tie into #5...they are my friends after all! :)

I couldn't have lucked out any more than I have with my team.

That being said, I've got reading, running and cooking to do, too!

7.  Run consistently again and participate in some races.

I have done my fair share of 5Ks, two 10Ks and one half marathon.

Don't ask me for times because I'll lie. :)

I enjoy the energy, stress-relief, and empowerment that comes from running.

After my 1/2 I never wanted to think about running again.

I'm finally getting back to the point where I crave the release that running can give.

It also couldn't hurt me in my quest to lose a bit of my extra fluffiness.

There are always races coming up that would give me the motivation I need to train consistently.

Plus, the fact that I LOVE to buy shoes doesn't hurt since when you train you need to replace shoes more often than if you don't train.

Add-on #1.  Learn how to crochet something other than a simple scarf.

I was inspired by all of the amazing crochet projects I've been able to peruse over break such as 

this one from Maybe Matilda;

and these amazingly cute Pinterest ideas;

this one from Patterns Central;

this garland from About Mo and Me;

this garland from this Etsy shop;

these owl cell phone covers from Linda Cyr LOVES yarn;

and these amazingly adorable hats from Beezy Mom's Creations Etsy shop;

Aaaaannnnnddddd...that's all there is (so far) folks.

I am going to give myself permission to add more on (in a reasonable fashion) whenever I feel like it. :)

I think that's a pretty good start to 2013.

What are some of your goals for the year?

Mrs. B

What I'm Loving Wednesday 1/2/13

I can't believe my break is almost over!

These (almost) two weeks have flown by.

Unfortunately I have been SUPER unproductive.

I think school wore me out more than I either knew or was willing to admit.

It's time to hit the ground running again on Monday.

I'm linking up with this kind of love to bring you the first What I Love Wednesday of 2013.

Love #1

Handsome Husband and I went to his aunt and uncle's lake house to celebrate Christmas last Sunday.

Each year we do a white elephant gift exchange.

However, this year the pickings were slim...and hilariously bad!

I spied a beautiful I'm-not-sure-what-to-call-it-glass-thingy that I loved and Handsome Husband thought was ugly.  

Typical I-could-live-with-white-walls-and-sheets-over-the-windows dude.

Cute, huh??  

I totally would've paid for this, but I didn't have to!

Love #2

I spent my New Years Eve with my favorite person (HH in case you couldn't guess  :)).

We went to one of our favorite restaurants (The Mark) 

Here we are perusing the A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. beer list.

Seriously, if you're a beer person this is the place for you.

Not a Bud Light in sight. 

I always read the menu and I always get the same thing.

Their Mac 'n' Cheese is da bomb diggity.

There's pancetta, peas, and caramelized leeks.

It blows my mismatched socks off every time.

 After the clock struck midnight we enjoyed some champagne and Guitar Hero.

I love that I have already found that person I'm meant to be with and don't have to go out on NYE to join the rat race/meat market out there.

Love #3

Here are a couple of my favorite Pinterest pins from the last week.

Love me some scarves.

Love #4

I love knowing that no one will fault me for taking more than 2 seconds to think over my New Years resolutions, or goals as I am going to refer to them.

Here is the original list from my Sunday Social post:

1.  Learn how to cook something new and adventurous.

2.  Read one book a month.

3.  Get to the gym at least 4 days a week.

4.  Get into the habit of putting my clothes away once they are washed.

5.  Spend more time with friends and family.

6.  Become more efficient and get out of school before 5:00 each night.

7.  Run consistently again and participate in some races.

I will be revisiting these in a later post, clarifying them, and adding to the list.

Love #5

I am really digging this latch board idea from Young House Love.

I think that this would be a great fine motor activity to have in my classroom.

I ALWAYS have kids who need some extra help.

Picture from Young House Love

Love #6

I love that last week, Handsome Husband jumped on the Blogger site and became my 20th follower!

He heard me saying that I would like to break that 20 barrier since I had been stuck at 19 for a while.

So, he did it.

What a great guy! :)

I hope you all had a great week and have a great one to come!

Laters,

Mrs. B