Monday Musings...Back from Break!

Welcome back to another edition of Monday Musings! 

A late night post about everyone's least favorite day of the week!!

WAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!  LOL...just kidding!!  Well half kidding anyway!

Actually a little kindergartener really came in kicking and screaming today....I wanted to tell him that I felt the same way!

 It's never easy waking up on the Monday after a week off!  And this break was one for the books!!  It felt more like Easter Break than Winter Break!  The temps were comfortable and the sun was shining! I was even able to get to the beach!!

And after gathering all the receipts from the week, I'm fairly certain I spent enough money, that I could've went on a trip!  Oops!!

I must have wanted to come back to school today though, because I was up at 4 a.m.  Either that or my sugar high was wearing off.  My date to the Oscars? WINE!!I should've remembered that today was Monday and I was not actually attending the Oscars when I opened that bottle last night!

{Side note: How great was Justin Timberlake's opening?  HE WINS the night!!  And I couldn't stay up but have watched all the coverage of that HUGE mistake!}

But alas, Monday it is, so I woke up, brewed some coffee and got myself ready.  I will admit I am not LOVING my outfit today but got lots of compliments on it, so there's that.  And I left the house at 10 to 7....forgetting to put on eye makeup...so as you can imagine I looked fabulous!  And today the Kindergarteners told me my hair was sticking up all over the place! (thank you static)...gotta love them!

The kids were kinda zoned out today too, so I guess everyone was in the same boat.  There is both an upside and a downside to that.

I'm so excited Read Across America Day is this week.  I love teaching Dr. Seuss and am excited about my lessons.  BUT I'm even more excited we get to dress down on Thursday!! Being a Teacher-Librarian, I pitched the idea that we wear graphic t's on Thursday to celebrate!  He agreed!  YAY! Thinking of wearing this one!!

So that's something to look forward to!

Mondays are one of my early days.  I got home at around 4:15.  I'm not quite sure how it happened but I blinked, it was six, the Peapod guy was here delivering my groceries, and it was time for dinner!!

And tonight I had one of my regulars...quesadillas!  I was too tired to actually cook for real.  My quesadilla maker is my fave!  I did however, switch it up a little with Green Salsa.  Jalapeno Hot Green Salsa!  Whew....I have a fire in my belly!   But damn if I didn't LOVE IT!!  Totally delish!!

Oh and how could I forget?!?  My Monday got real great, real quick after finding out that I won a Giveaway on Instagram!!  Woo Hoo!  How cute is this teacher notepad!  Totally perfect for me!!  I know it was a computer-generated win, but I'll keep thinking they liked my answer about how I loved my coffee best....with Rum Chata of course!!

Thanks @huskylovingteacher & @littlebirdiepapers  Go follow them on Instagram!!

Settled in now for a night of The Voice and reading.  Still trying to get through my second TBB Book club pick, All the Missing Girls.  But I don't know how far I'll get to night..I already feel my eyes closing as I'm typing!

I hope you all had a great Monday!  Thanks for stopping by to read my late night ramblings!!

And since this is a late night post, I just wanted to mention after reading so many of the blogs today, I'm keeping some of my favorite bloggers and their sweet friend Manda in my prayers tonight!

A Monday Musings Post is Brewing....

Happy Monday Ya'll!  I'm headed back to work after a nice week off and you can bet after today, a Monday Musings post is headed your way!  Check back later tonight for that!  For now head on over to The Blended Blog for the last of our New Year Nuggets series: Me time!!  The girls have great thoughts and advice for a little bit of self care!  Check it out {here}!

Throwing it back to Happy Heart Day!

This February I've been using Throwback Thursday to highlight some posts that I've loved!  Today's post, Happy Heart Day definitely fits the bill.  During Summer 2015, my family and I celebrated the 10 years since my Dad's heart surgery. It was a fun day celebrating, reminiscing, and thanking God for the all the years we've had together!

37 things for 37 years!

How is it that I am 37 today?  Most days I still feel and act like I'm 21!  But 37 it is!   And this being my birthday and all, today I'm back with a round of 37 things for 37 years.  Last year's 36 is.... post was so much fun and so well received (one of my most viewed EVER) I thought I'd continue it with another 37 random facts about me!  It's all the stuff you never wanted to know...

1

I am so not a morning person....even though these days I'm up at 4 a.m.!

2

I was more brave as a child....even in my fashion choices!  

3

Coffee just tastes better with a splash of Rum Chata!

4

A girl can live on wine and cheese alone.

5

I am more of a homebody these days.

6

I love English and History but am terrible at Math.

7

I'm planner obsessed!

8

I don't attend Church as much as I should (Sorry Ma!), but am super strong in my faith.

9

I'm not a card person.

I just refuse to spend $5 or $6 on a card. And most people are not like those ones you see in the Hallmark commercials who save their cards for years and years!

(Thanks though to everyone who sent me a card in the mail for my birthday!)

10

I'm still bitter that I didn't go to Eric Church's history-making show at the Barclays earlier this year.

(and probably will be for quite some time!)

11

Reading is one of my favorite things to do!

Wish I did it more...

12

#TRUTH

13

It's easier to buy things for myself.

When it comes time to buy things for others I'm usually scrambling or cave and give money...way more than I would have spent on a gift!

14

It was beautiful and I had a great time but I'll probably never visit the DR or travel Delta again!
Find out why here!

15

Even at 37, I can still enjoy a game of Chutes and Ladders now and then!

16

Just discovered Left Right Center this year, and am obsessed!

17 

I dream of starting up regular Family Game Nights.

I think 2017 is THE YEAR!!

18

I hate talking out the garbage and getting the mail.

Where I live both require that I wear a bra while doing it....booooooo!

19

I love teaching Library and Tech, but some days I miss having my "own" class.

20

I still don't drive...

21

I'm a firm believer that Mondays should be optional...

22

I spend way more money than I should.

23

Life's so much better dressed down!

24

Leggings ARE pants, and these days I might wear them every other day!  But I firmly believe your ass must be covered while rockin' them!  :)

25

The more that gets put on my "plate" the lazier I become.

26

2017: The year of Pinot Noir.

27

But I still love my Prosecco!

28

I can spend an entire Sunday watching Hallmark movies and be totally okay with it!

29 

Restaurant is a word I spell wrong EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. 

(Just right now typing this...SPELL CHECK!)

30

I might be the technology teacher, but I still google it!

31

I am on a roll with my Penny-a-Day challenge, but think if I actually sat down and counted all the spare change I have around, it'd already equal $667.95!

32

I think I'm over Grey's Anatomy

33

On more then one occasion I've thrown away hundreds of dollars worth of food from my fridge and pantry!

34

I can't bring myself to cancel the newspaper, so I'm constantly putting it on "vacation hold".

35

It's been forever since I had to work on my birthday.  It's always been during the Winter Break!

36

I'm fairly certain I use the phrase "fairly certain" too much.

37
I will forever be 29....and holding!

Me at 29! ;)

Be you're own Valentine!

Happy Valentine's Day Friends! It's a day of love, candy, and flowers!  Not a normal single gal's favorite day of the year, that's for sure.  But I've been single so long...it's just another day!  Especially when it's on a Tuesday!  Ha!! I thought it'd be fun to put together a post about being your own valentine. And it not just for the single girls!

1- Buy yourself some flowers!

2- Indulge in all the chocolate...Valentine's Day's a great excuse!

3- Open one of the  "good" bottles of wine tonight, even if you are alone!  YOU ARE WORTH IT!!

4- Wear a red bra and panties...even if you're the only one who sees 'em!

5- Plan a Galentine's Celebration with your best girls tonight or this weekend!

6- Watch all the romantic movies...

7- Be someone's secret admirer today!

8- Share a book you love with someone you love...big or little!

9- Listen to your favorite cheesy love songs all day.

Who remembers this one!  I had to include because it's totally making a comeback!  LOL

10- Dress for the day...heart socks, red shirt, fun graphic tee, red shoes, etc.

11- Write a love letter...to yourself... and tuck it away for days when you need a little pick me up!

12- Have a good, long soak in the tub...

13- Tell someone you love WHY you love them.

14- Most of all today and everyday....

In the words of Justin Bieber, You should go and love yourself!  Have a great day!!

Snow Day Friday!

{This post has been a long time coming...I haven't been able to get my act together to post on Fridays!}


Home cozy for another snow day today after Mother Nature dumped 13 inches of snow here!  Three cheers for snow days and the unexpected long weekend!

{ONE} They call me Aunt Katie!
It seems that I've been having lots of time with my friends and their kids these days!  HA!  And I am loving every minute of it!  I always joke that "Aunt Katie crashes playdates"!  I was lucky enough to see all my sisters and their sweet kids too!  The time I get to spend with my family and friends who are family are always my favorite!


{TWO} My new normal!
I've always heard it said that it was better NOT to wash your hair every day!  I never really subscribed to that until this year!  And now I can even get away with the every other, sometimes two/three days off, thanks to my new straightener and products!  My sister was my secret santa this year and got me the 2- inch flat iron I had asked for.  With it, she threw in a bottle of Haute Spray.  This magical stuff makes my hair so shiny and straight.  I spray it on my wet hair before drying then spray it on as protectant for the flat iron.  I have been loving how my hair has been coming out! And I now also have a new dry shampoo for blondes (another thing my sister told me about) for those in between days! Helps to keep my hair looking fresh longer and it's hint of color helps with my roots!  Find both products here!

{THREE}  My essential oils bracelet

When my sister was over not too long ago,  she picked up some essential oils I had ordered for her and brought me this really cool Lava Rock bracelet, that you put essential oils on.  I'm really loving it!  And I was sniffing it like mad to keep from getting sick.  The flu, stomach virus, strep throats and bad colds have plagued my school this week, with about a third of the students out....these two snow days could not have some at a better time!

{FOUR} Movies at the Mini Theater!
My hometown has the cutest little one room theater that I always wondered why I never went to.  So in 2017, I decided I would start going!  I've already seen three movies there this year and plan to head to the theater to see the Oscar nominated Animated Shorts there on Sunday!  The theater is the BEST!  It's cheaper than the bigger theaters, and has a bar to boot! LOL

{FIVE} The R+F Lash Dash Challenge
I caved!!  I can't resist a challenge and since I have not been spending money on clothes or shoes lately, I thought I'd take some of that money and spend it on bettering ME.(More than clothes and shoes can, I guess!!)  For close to a year now, a friend of mine has been trying to get me into Rodan + Fields.   After using Proactiv, for years, I  tried one of the regimens about two years ago, but found it to be too pricey to just keep up with.  Well, lately she's been posting pics of her fabulous, full lashes...that I now know are thanks to an R+F product called Lash Boost.  When she mentioned a Lash Boost Challenge,I was intrigued.  I contemplated the three month cost, figured out a way to swing it, and was on board!! Her Challenge runs from the 30th or January to March 27th, with prizes throughout.  I thought it would be a fun, so I joined!  I've already received a few perks from the challenge and am really liking Lash Boot!

These  are my no makeup/untouched "before" lashes!! LOL

It's Friday....have you been over to The Blended Blog yet?  Lana's sharing her loves from online this week!!

Linking up for Friday Favorites with Erika and the girls!!

#TBT- Love is....

With Valentine's Day just a few days away, I thought there was no better time than now for this Throwback!!

Last year, I conducted a little experiment with my students and what it became, was one of my favorite blogs!  Give Love is... another read...

Love is all around us...we just have to look!

_____________________________________

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, I've been thinking about, teaching about, and reading lots about love lately.  In library classes, I've been reading my favorite picture book ever, Somebody Loves You Mr. Hatch  and we've been discussing who we love, ways to show and share love and ways to help and include those who don't feel so loved at all, with just a simple Hello!!  If you haven't read Mr. Hatch...please do!!  It is such a wonderful story!!  I LOVE MR. HATCH!!

Young children have great responses to these prompts!!  One student (kindergarten) even told the class that giving someone a dog was a great way to show love because then he'd have a forever friend!  (Insert: tears!!)  Lots of students told me they loved books...and that's when I fell a little bit more in love with them, too!!  ;)


I teach all students from grades Pre-K through 8 both library and tech but posed the following prompt,  one afternoon to the kids in Homework Club, part of our After Care program.  The students I talked to are in grades 3-5.  I asked them to help me with a little project (kind of extending our library discussions) and got some really great answers.  I thought I'd share them with you!


Love is...


L (3rd grade) said: a happy thing that feels good.

A (3rd grade girl) said: an expression...like I love my mom and I just can't help it!  I want to hug her and squeeze her.

P (5th grade) said: to care for one another.

J (3rd grade girl) said: My cats...I love my cats!

J (4th grade boy) said: like...happy stuff...being nice, kind and hugs and kisses.

G (4th grade) said: I guess....thinking...thinking...thinking...happiness!

A (5th grade girl) said: CUPID!

A (5th grade) said: being nice to others!

AD: (5th grade boy) said: I don't know.  I don't really think about it much.  Basically caring for others in a strong way...I guess...


I thought these were some honest and thoughtful answers!

When we go downstairs to meet up with the rest of the after care kids and I get bombarded with tight hugs from students, I feel loved and know that this is love to them.  They make me smile!

The Blended Blog has been running a series all February long called The Look of Love.  It has been outstanding.  I've been loving the varying perspectives and different takes on the topic.  This was one series for our collective that I did not participate in or contribute a post to.  Being the total single girl and having no lost loves that deserve any kind of attention, I didn't think I'd have much to offer on the subject.  Deena's post all about loving yourself hit home for me... I like me...and if that all I got, that's ok.

But I'm not gonna be sulky or lonely this Valentine's Day!!  I'll be spending part of the day with my best friends and the night in my PJs with a glass (or bottle!) of wine!!  And maybe, just maybe some flowers will show up at my door!!

I hope you all know the best kind of love in your life and share your love with others!  Not just on Valentine's Day but EVERYDAY!

________________________________________

What does love look like to you?  Let me know in the comments below!

Happy Thursday!!

January in Numbers

Back to linking up with my pal Deena for her numbers posts.  These are a fun way to reflect on the month that was.  I always joke that January is my hibernation month...but after thinking about all this and looking back at it, I guess I didn't hibernate much at all!!  See what you think...

Here's a peek at the first month of 2017 (eeekk I still can't believe it!!)


2 movies seen in a theater!

After going to the movies once all last year, I went twice in January and am already on tap to hit double digits this year! Thanks in part to my hometown theater....a one room theater with a boatload of great movies playing.  This theater has been in my town for a few years now, and I always said I wanted to go but never made it.  But really all I had to do was voice to some friends that I wanted to go and boom!  Faculty field trips were born!  LOL  In January I saw Manchester by the Sea with my sister and Lion with a few of my teacher friends!  Both great, great movies!!

4 birthdays celebrated (5 if you count reagan!  LOL)
January was full of birthdays and birthday celebrations!  Mom, dad, my nephew Tim and friend Mindy all have birthdays in January. So it was a month of celebrating, eating yummy and partying!

My first neighbor night attended!  Where I discovered Left Center Right....my new favorite game!  I left with 0 dollars!  And lost $3 and a few quarters!

Again this year I've pledged to be Shop Free for Three.  Not buying any clothes, shoes, or accessories for the months of January, February and March.  I did well.   I took January 1st off, being a holiday and all, and treated myself to a pair of leggings  from a New Year's sale at small online boutique run by a school parent.  (for only 15 bucks!), and then won a pair in a contest that day too, so it really was a win-win!!  And anything else I bought, I had a Christmas gift card for.

Also, realizing I needed to seriously get my finances in order this month, I made a number of returns!!  So got back some money there.  And am also waiting on my January ebates check, with over $100 cash back from the Christmas season, so I am slowly but surely getting back in the black...hahahahaha!!

In all honesty, all the money I do spend is on food!  I ate out or got take out  a lot in January...and am already doing the same February....oops!  Lots of Italian and tapas but only one sushi night!  WHAT?!?!?!  Must change that in February!!

All the food money I spent was mixed in with 11 fun nights out this month.  Not bad I suppose!!  I love my people...


1 formal observation completed!  Didn't go as swimmingly as I had hoped but it's over and I still have a job so...

On a more exciting note....2 trips booked!!  Off again to see my Mom in May  for our annual Mother's Day trip and headed for a meet up with the ladies of The Blended Blog the very next weekend!!!!  I've never been to Canada before so I'm so excited!!  Lots to look forward to!!

Oh Canada!

This month I started 2 books but didn't get a chance to finish either.  Hoping that changes in February, as I'm really excited for The Blended Blog's Virtual Book Club!  And there's still time to sign up to join us!!

Saved $5.63 so far in the Penny-a-day challenge!

January on the blog!
13 posts...didn't post as much as I'd like but such is life!!  Check them all out here!
1 New Series Started: Monday Musings...later posts where I recap and try to find the fun in the dreaded Monday!
Most viewed post: Fri-YAY! (My one and only Friday post this month!)
Most viewed post on FB: Monday Musings
Life on Insta: Back to my KatieDailys in 2017 Check them all out below and follow me @solitarylife101


Hope your February's off to a great start!

Throwback Thursday: LOVE Me Some Gray Monroe

January's throwback posts were tops of the last year! I liked having a go-to each week! I thought for February I'd keep the theme thing going and make all my throwback posts about things I love.  So today's Throwback is all about Gray Monroe, a clothing brand I was introduced to in 2016 that quickly became one of my favorites!  Read on to see why!