I'm over at TBB today!!

I'm over at The Blended Blog today!  Head over there to find out what some of my fashion, food, fitness and friendship goals are!  Link up your own with us!  And see what on tap for the rest of the week too! Read it all here!

Fri-YAY!!

Well this was a roller coaster of a week for me, that's for sure!!  But it's ended on a high note, so I'm sharing my faves!  It's a whole lotta random!!


1- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
I am the first one to tell you (and my students!) that I love three day weekends.  But this one comes with a reminder. I enjoy teaching my students about Martin Luther King, Jr. and all that he represents. We talk about how, even after all this time, yes, racism and injustice still exists, but it not the law!  It's in someone's heart...because it's not open to change and kindness.  In this tumultuous time we live in where so many are still divided, I thought this was the perfect quote for Dr. King.  I had not seen it before!  It's my new favorite!

2-  Facebook Fun! 
Saw this floating around Facebook this week and thought it was cute so I played along and commented!!  My three words were "Night with Family"  What would your three words be?  I'd love to know!!

Higher Perspective

3- Books, Books, Books!!
If I'm being completely honest, every weeknight this month so far I've been in bed reading at 8 o'clock.  I've been reading books and listening to audiobooks.  By nine, I'm fast asleep.  Except Tuesday night!!  Tuesday was THE WORST DAY! Among other things, I was not feeling well, so after getting in bed and shutting off my light, I put on my audiobook and I just could not stop listening!!  On a friends recco, I started reading The Art of Racing in the Rain.  It is narrated by a Dog.  And it was THE BEST BOOK!!  I stayed up reading and bawled...probably more than I should have, thanks to my awful day!! But I just loved it so. It's a must read!!
I was happy to see so many bloggers posting their January reads on their blogs this week. It seems like no one does much but read in January!!  And I'm always looking to add to my list.  Shelly introduced me to the What We're Reading Wednesday Link-up hosted by Stephanie!  I'm excited to join this one soon.

4- Good News!
This year since I'm a homeroom teacher I get to go on Field Trips with my class!  And this week I was confirmed to go to Medievil Times!!  Everyone is pretty shocked that I have never even been there!  They all say it's great fun so I'm really excited!!

5-Fun Weekend Plans 
After what feels like my winter's long hibernation, I am really excited to have a full plate o' fun on tap for this weekend.  There's Happy Hour after work today! Dinner and drinks with girlfriends Saturday night, and brunch to celebrate a teacher bestie on Sunday!  After all that, I'm sure I'll be back to hibernating for a few weeks again!!

Hope you all have a great weekend as well, whatever's on the agenda!!  Thanks for stopping by today!


Linking up today with The Blended Blog for Friday Loves, Erika for Friday Favorites, Tif for H54F

   

TBB Style: Vests

Linking up with The Blended Blog today to declare my love for VESTS!!  I'm always a day late and a dollar short lately!!

I'm not gonna lie...I already had my far share of vests {as evidenced in this post!}But apparently that wasn't enough because this Christmas, I picked up some more.  Namely the navy version of my most favorite JCrew Factory red vest below.

I have a number of vests form JCrew Factory.  They are light...which is perfect for Fall days when the night's turn chilly.  And they come in a bunch of fun colors!  I even have some in the kid's sizes!  HA!

I know this red vest is mostly covered with my blanket scarf but I just love it, so I wanted to include it!

I also scored this Old Navy camo vest for $12 during the after Christmas sale...it's still on it's way to me!!

Here are a few more of my faves!

This vest is my absolute fave.  I got it years ago on Erika's recommendation and I I wear it ALL THE TIME in the fall.  This combo is one of my favorite ways to wear it!

The vest below is a knock off of this one...that years ago when I wanted it, was almost a hundred bucks and excluded from all sales.  Now it's $35!!  WHAT!!!!????  

 This isn't the best picture of the vest but it's a close up of the pattern!

In my last vest post I mentioned that I wanted a military vest.  I got one!!  I thought I'd love it, but I don't wear it often.  I don't know if it's the vest or if it's the way I look in it.  So that'swhy I don't hae a picture of me in it! LOL 

Have a great day!!  We're one day closer to the weekend!!

Linking up today with The Blended Blog and Thursday Fashion Files

Little Letters {January}

Joining Kristin at Taz and Belly for another Little Letters link up.  These posts are always fun... help me let out a little bit of my inner Jimmy Fallon and his Friday night, thank you notes sketch.

Dear Twinstar,
Before I bought this TV stand I was happy to not know you.  When the fire place insert shorted within three days and I called and was told I'd receive a replacement insert right away, I thought, GREAT!  That was easy!!  After 12 days of no new insert, I called you again and was told nothing was done with my claim and I  should not have been told that.  What???  Instead, after another 12 days I was sent a new Mother Board, that I was told to install myself because it's was very user friendly.  Guess what? It wasn't.  A customer should not have to deal with exposed wires and cutting. Those exposed wires revealed that they were fried and the new Mother Board was not an option.  So a third call was made where I demanded a new insert be sent and after another 12 days, the whole insert was delivered and I was successfully able to install it myself.  Go Me!  So finally after two months, I can now enjoy my new fireplace in this awful weather!!  And I still hate Twinstar and their stupid customer service portal and their lies!

Sincerly,
A Disgruntled Customer

Dear Discover,
Next time I make a double payment on my account, please alert me. Thank you very much! :(

Dear Hooded Blardigan,
I am sorry I hurt you! Waaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh

Dear This is Us,
Thanks for being the only show I care to never miss.  I am constantly amazed by you. Side note: Thanks for the good cry every week. 

Dear Friends,
I can't do it anymore.  I am sorry, but I just can't. I'm stuck in the middle with you...and it's not a fun place to be! 

Dear Audiobooks,
I love you...that is all!

Dear January,
We've had a good time hibernating together haven't we? 

Dear Landline,
I'm THIS Close to giving you up! 



I think I could go on and on with these!  LOL  What Little Letters would you share?  Let me know in the comments below!!

Happy Tuesday Friends!!

Resolutions?!? Not so much...

Happy Monday!  Happy to be home today!!   Linking up with the ladies of TBB today to share resolutions...or not!

In my last post of the year I mentioned that I'm not really one to make resolutions.  I've tried and tried in the past, but by week two I always falter.  So this year instead of resolutions I'm tackling a goal.

2018 marks five years in my little house!  It's been a fun five years. So I'm making 2018 the year of the HOUSE.  I've spent to much money on fashion and clothes.  I need to get my priorities in order.   So it's the house...

 When I moved in five years ago, the place was brand spanking new.  Now five years later it's showing signs of wear.  It's in desperate need of a fresh coat of paint.  I've been wanting to do it forever so that's one of my big goals.  By the end of the year, I'd love the whole place to be painted.  And now that I've painted an accent wall in the living room, I'm even that more excited about it!!  So sooner rather than later, it'll get done.

The next two goals go hand in hand and the house!  I need a new bed.  I have not been sleeping well, and I thought changing up my mattress pad would help but it hasn't. So I need to invest in a bed. And I know it's another big expense, but it's deserved. My sister and I calculated that the bed I have now is from 1994...lol!! So clearly it's happening!!

After I get the new bed I can finally set up my old bed in my guest room and figure that whole debacle out!  Like it been FIVE YEARS!!  And then maybe after five years I can have some guests!!

Really these are a few goals under the whole umbrella of the house!  I'm confident, just saying it's one BIG goal that I have all year to complete, I know I can accomplish them!!

Fingers Crossed!!  Have a wonderful week and thanks for stopping by today!!

Friday Loves for 2018

Since this is really my official, official first friday of 2018 with out a vacation or snow day attached, I thought I'd jump into the Friday Loves pool, since I think I've got my groove back.  So here we go...

Some love from around the blogs this week:

Spread the Love Gift Exchange
The Ladies of The Blended Blog are hosting a spread the Love Gift Exchange for fun and love in the month of February. Sign up to be matched with a friend from the US or Canada and send them a little gift to brighten their day!  You can find full details and the sign up here!

Chatting over Chocolate
When I posted my final blog of the year on New Year's Eve, I wasn't sure how much I'd end up posting to the blog in 2018.  I knew I didn't want to let it go completely, but thought, the way things were going these last few months that I'd take a step back.  Then I read Brenda's 5th Blogiversary post and the 5 Ways blogging has changed her life.  I just love Brenda.  We've been fans of one another for probably almost five years!! It sparked something in me...and made me want to blog more this year, not less!! Read Brenda's post here!  I've bookmarked and saved!!

Sweet Brenda and her Beautiful Family!

Getting Linky with It!
To that end, I've decided to jump into some new link-ups this year.  It's always fun to find new link ups.  After a few bloggers posted their ten on the tenth with Erin at Perfectly Port Family, I thought I'd give it a try too.  And this first post for the new year was totally something I could do! As opposed to next month's that prompt's you to talk about your spouse!  HA!!  {Forever Single!} But maybe I'll switch it up and talk about the ten things I want in a man!!  Stay tuned!! I'm no stranger to shring all the random about me!  Head here to read more and find all the fun links and maybe a few new blogs here!

Jenny in the City
Jenny, formally of Much ado about Jenny has reimerged into the blogging world this week with a new blog and sasy new attitude.  Jenny is so much fun!  I was able to meet her briefly in real life two summers ago.  We chatted, drank, and laughed!  Nothing better.  Jenny is sweet and genuine!! On Tuesday she posted about a woman named Holly Butcher who penned a letter to be released upon her death.  People, I clearly have been living under a rock, because how did I not know about this.  Beautiful, heartbreaking, and raw!!  Jenny posted the whole letter on her blog that you can read here!!  It's another one I've bookmarked to read over and over!

Jenny and I meeting IRL!!

More of a Social Media Presence than a Blog Presence
I think lots of people these have more of a following on Facebbok or Instagram than they do a blog per' say.  That's the case with Amy Weatherly. FB alerted her to me while I was home during my snow days last week! (Or maybe I saw a post a friend liked or something) She hops on and does videos and funny relateble posts.   I started clicking around and liked what I saw.  Are you already familiar with her?  Am I late to the party??  You can check her find her links to Social media here!


Thanks so much for visiting today!  And have a great weekend!  Is it a long weekend for you as well??

Linking up today with The Blended Blog for Friday Loves, Erika for Friday Favorites, Tif for H54F

10 on the 10th

I’ve decided to try my hand at some new link ups this year as a way to help me get reinvigorated and reimbursed in the blogging world.  I’ve seen a few blogger friends join Erin at The Perfectly Port Family’s Blog for her 10 on the 10th.  I always enjoy finding new, fun blogs!  And after looking at this year’s posts, I’d love to jump on in.

Today’s post is 10 random facts about me!  This I can do!  LOL  I’ve shared fun facts about myself many times on the blog! {Here, Here, and Here!}

Here are a few more you might not know!

1- Sushi is always the answer!

I could live on sushi alone.  It’s my favorite!!

2- If I didn’t have to leave my house in the winter, I wouldn’t!  

I am NOT a winter girl.  I HATE the cold.  Sure there are upsides to the winter like bundling up in cute accessories, but I’d rather not.  When I tell people I hibernate in the winter, I’m not kidding.  I’m in bed every night at 8 with a book, and asleep by 9, because quite simply there’s is nothing else to do.  It’s dark and cold...and I just want to end the day!!

3- I get more “house chores” done in 20 minutes in the mornings than any other time of day!  

Laundry, dishes, toilets and sinks, tidying up, etc. I think it’s because when I get home, I’m just too tired from the day!

4-  I’m not a phone person...like AT ALL!  

I prefer to text and I think it’s because I hate my phone voice.  Just like I hate my voice in a microphone!  Maybe I just hate my voice in general.  

5.  I don’t do doctors!

Unless absolutely necessary.  I know this is not a great way to be , but it’s the truth.  

6-I love to travel but I am not a great “solo” traveler.

It’s true!  I must have a drink before and can’t forget my essential oils for the flight!!  I’ve decided though that the best flights for solo travelers are the Red Eyes!  When  I went to Vegas with a few ladies of The Blended Blog  back in November, Nicole and I had separate red eye flights.  Nicole, god bless her, spent 4 hours in the airport before hers to hang with me, and while we waited we split a bottle of wine.  I got on that flight, two glasses in (maybe more!), sat down in my seat, put on my Lavender and Stress Away oils, and fell asleep before we left the ground. I woke up when I heard the pilot say “prepare for landing!”  Score!  He also seemed to haul ass in the air to get us home a whole extra hour early!

7- Married at First Sight is my guilty pleasure.

Have you seen it.  It’s just crazy!!  But it really works.  The show have indeed matched happy couples.  Highly recommend!!  

8- I’m a teacher who looks forward to days off and vacations more than my students do.

9- I consider myself someone who has a lot of friends, but I compartmentalize them...  

I know this is a little weird but I do.  I’m not like my mom who has big parties and invites everyone she knows.  HA!  I feel like I have work friends, forever friends, friends I do Girls' Nights with, and town friends. There have been a few times when these friends have mixed, and I'm never comfortable with it.

10- I talk to myself!

I know what you are thinking... this is not so random, lots of people talk to themselves.  But the way I do it is... so I’ve saved the most random for last.   Living alone, it’s even worse!  I have legit conversations with myself.  Things I say to people, or wish I’d said to people.  And I imagine what they would say to me.  This is done in my kitchen, sometimes shower, sometimes at night when I can’t sleep!  Sometimes I am able to get the words out in actually conversations when I talk to that person, but a lone talking to myself, I’m more bold!!

That was fun!! I'd love to get to know more about you too! Leave me a comment with a random fact about you below! Thanks for stopping by today!

TBB Asks: New Year, New You!

We are 8 days into the new year, and I can already say New Year...same ME!!  LOL
But I'm going to have lots of fun with today's TBB Asks! Linking up with the ladies of The Blended Blog today for this month's round of  telling questions!  These are always such fun, easy posts and I love getting to know more about everyone!!  Answer the following questions on your blog or social media account and play along with us!!

1- No resolutions!
I try and I try and I always break them.  This is what 38 years of me is...Always changing and growing, yes, but I don't need to set resolutions that I know I'll break!

2-No Snow!
I'm a summer girl through and through!!

3- Austin, Texas
I don't think it's in the cards, but I'd love to be able to travel to Austin this year!  I've never been there and have always wanted to go...for the great music and food!

4- Hair Cut or Color?   BOTH
It's not often that I get my hair done, so each time, I get both a cut and color.  And right now, I am way overdue!!  Thanks goodness it's hat season and I can stick a hat on my head to cover these roots.

5-Something I'd love to do for Myself this year.... Spa Days!
When I had a Spa Day for my sister's 40th Birthday back in November, my sisters mentioned that maybe a monthly spa day is something I need.  So it got me thinking!  I'm not sure I could swing a monthly Spa Day for myself, but maybe seasonal??  I'm gonna give it a try!!

6- Least favorite thing about January...the COLD!
Hands Down!!  The cold! And it has seriously been beyond cold these last few weeks...below zero temps!!  Gross!!

I might look happy here, all bundled up for the cold, but I'm NOT!!

7- Favorite thing about January
Nothing really...lol...maybe just the newness of it all.  A fresh planner?!?


8- When do you take down Christmas Decorations?
Usually Little Christmas, January 6th.  This year though, because we had two snow days this week, I started taking them down then.  Everything is down now, except the tree, which I am dreading taking down.  Maybe next weekend!!

My Nativity, always the first thing up and the last thing I take down on Little Christmas, January 6th!

9- Diet?
Hahahahaha....nope!  Should I? Perhaps...but nah!!  My winter sweaters will cover the extra 3 to 5 pounds I might gain!

10- What area of the home do you organize the most?
Definitely the Great Room area because it's the most visible when I have guests.  So I'm always tidying up and changing out decorations!

11- Favorite Winter Comfort Food
Soup!  Nice and easy and just totally warms my bones!  If I have oyster crackers to put in it, even better!!

12- Favorite Guilty Pleasure
Is hibernating in the winter a guilty pleasure!!!???? If leaving the house in this bloody cold weather is not absolutely necessary, I'd really rather not!! I'd much prefer being wrapped in a blanket with a book!