Top 2 Tuesday...Cities

Hosted by Taylor at The Undomestic Momma

This weeks Top 2 Tuesday topic is:

Top 2 Favorite US Cities

1. Austin Texas. 

There are no words to describe my love for Austin. It's my hometown and the greatest city in Texas and in the US in MY opinion! I don't understand my husband people that don't like Austin!

If you ever go be sure to check out: the great shops on South Congress Ave., the 2ND Street District, be sure and eat at: Home Slice Pizza, Hula Hut on Lake Austin, The Oasis on Lake Travis, Kerbey Lane Cafe, Z'Tejas on 6th Street, 34th Street Cafe, Trudy's, and trust me, you don't want to miss Austin City Limits.

{via}

2. NYC.

I am fully aware that I am cheating since I have not experienced NYC like I wish I had. I have however experienced the JFK Airport while en route to Istanbul, Turkey a few years back. That totally counts right??

{via}

Sweet hubby, feel free to take us to NYC anytime!

Hurry on over to Taylor's blog to join the fun!

Getting to Know You Sunday!

Hosted by MannLand5

1. If you accidentally knick a car in a parking lot..Do you leave a note or do you get the heck out of there?

As long as it was a little knick I would so get the heck out of there! 

2. Love your body or plastic surgery?

I'm learning to love my body every day. With that said, I am not opposed to plastic surgery in the future.  

3.What about your favorite blog(s) continue to drive you back?

Blogs that are real, that I can relate to, honest, make me laugh, and include pictures.

4. What percent of your blog is BS just to make your life seem more interesting than it really is?

 Absolutely nothing on my blog is BS. We live boring lives and I'm positive that it shows on my blog!

5. If you had to give up one type of meat for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Lamb. I had it in Istanbul Turkey a few years ago and I did not like it at all.

I can totally continue to live with out it.

6. How often to you eat out?

Usually once a week. We prefer to cook together at home most of the time. 

7. Skinny jeans or boot cut jeans?

I have never tried on a pair of skinny jeans. I am afraid of how fat bad I would look in them! I wear the curvy boot cut from Gap. 

8. If you caught your spouse cheating would you forgive, divorce, or plan your kill?

Not that I believe that this would ever happen, it would totally depend on the situation, I would think about planning my kill or cut ;)

 

Happy Sunday! 

I'm an aunt!

I am so excited that our sweet little nephew was born last night!

Callen Thomas Middleton

GH and I got to love on him this afternoon. 

I am in love with him.

Happy Saturday! XOXO

Top 2 Tuesday...Biggest Indulgences

It's that time of the week again...Top 2 Tuesday!

This weeks topic is 

Top 2 Biggest Indulgences

1. Getting pampered. 

For me, this includes massages, manicures, pedicures, and facials.

{via}

2. Shopping. 

Shoes, purses, designer jeans, and things for our home are my weaknesses.

{via}

{I went to a Willow House party thrown by a good friend here in SA this past weekend, they have replaced Southern Living at Home, and I somehow managed to buy more stuff. I seriously think I own close to 75% of their products.}

Hurry on over to Taylor's blog and join the fun!

____________________________________________________________________

On a totally different subject, today was our first day back to school with kiddos! And, better yet...we all survived and no one's kids got lost! 

 {via}

I am so excited for this year! I have a wonderful class of 20 4th graders! A supportive administration, and an amazing team of teachers to work with!

Once my classroom is not overrun by massive amounts of school supplies I will take some pictures and post them...hopefully on Wednesday!

sunday funday!

It's time for some Getting to know YOU fun with MannLand5

1. If you could host a Reality TV show, which one would it be?

Hands down, The Amazing Race. I would love to travel all around the world with them!

2. Do you put your seatbelt on before or after you start the car?

After I start the car. It is way too hot to do it before the car is started. 

3. Shave or hair removal cream?

Shave

4. What's your favorite feature in a house?

{via}

I need this kitchen.

5. What is your favorite "Fall" scent?

 

Pumpkin, cinnamon, apples.I love everything about fall and can't wait until October!

6. What tv show are you looking forward to seeing the most this Fall??

I honestly don't know. I'm sure I will find something to watch though!

7. Personal Shopper or Personal Chef?

Shopper. I love to cook!

8. What is the first word that comes to mind when you think of "Fall"?

Football, orange, pumpkin pie, Thanksgiving, back to school, cooler weather.

Hurry on over to MannLand5 and join the fun! 

friday fives, on saturday

 

This week I am a little late in joining the fun over at Just Me and My Life.

This weeks topic is My Dream House

1. A nice kitchen is a MUST have in my book.

 

{via}

2. My dream house must also have a media/game room.

{via}

3. An out door living/entertaining space

 {via}

4. A cozy, inviting Great Room

 

 {via}

5. My dream closet

  

{via}

6. A craft/gift wrapping room

{via} 

7. A mudroom and laundry room in one

 

{via}

{via}

Head on over to Beth's blog to play along! 

Happy weekend!

Goulash

Ingredients:

2 tablespoon soy sauce 

2 bay leaves

2 tablespoon Italian seasoning 

1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes 

1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce 

1.5 cups water

3 cloves garlic, chopped 

1 large onion, chopped1 lb lean ground beef

1/2 tsp. garlic, pepper, and salt 

1 cup elbow macaroni, uncooked

Directions:

In a Dutch oven or large pot, saute the ground beef over medium-high heat until no pink remains. Break up the meat while sauteing. Spoon off any grease. Add the onions and garlic to the pot and saute until they are tender, about 5 minutes. 

Add 1.5 cups water, along with the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, bay leaves, soy sauce, garlic, salt, and pepper. Stir well. If adding mixed veggies or corn add them now. Place a lid on the pot and allow this to cook for 20 to 30 minutes. 

Add the elbow macaroni, stir well, return the lid to the pot, and simmer for about 15 - 20 minutes. Turn off the heat, remove the bay leaves, and allow the mixture to sit about 5 minutes more before serving. 

Getting to Know You Sunday!

1. What kind of athlete has the hottest body?

  I would have to say a golfer's body. Toned but not too muscular. My hubby is a golfer and I love to see him dressed in khakis and polo ready for the golf course!

2. Are you a planner or a procrastinator?

I like to think of myself as a planner that likes to procrastinate. For the most part I have everything planned out. However, there are certain things I would rather put off until the last minute.

3. Diet or regular {soda}? 

Coke Zero.

4. What's your one "must have" for fall? 

Fall and winter are my favorite seasons, so I can't pick just one.

Cozy jeans, tall boots, scarves, sweaters, colorful socks, and staple jackets. 

5. What is your favorite fast food restaurant? 

We honestly don't eat 'fast food'. If I had to choose I would say

Pei Wei

Chipotle 

Schlotzsky's 

6. What do you think is the sexiest profession for a guy? 

Whatever it is that he enjoys, respects, and loves to do.

7. Did you wear braces?

Nope.

8. Would you rather have a guy that is super sexy or kind?

I have to agree with Keely on this one...

Kind is sexy.

Head on over to MannLand5 and play along!

Happy Sunday!

Teacher Week: Online Resources

I am excited to participate in Babbling Abby's Teacher Week again!

I am on my home computer and most of my favorite online resources are saved on my school computer so I will try my best!

1.  The Florida Center for Reading Research

{via}

I can't tell you how many time I have used this website for games and activities. They have everything you need for grades K-5th. My favorites are the inference games!

2. edHelper

{via}

I mainly use it for my sub work, but some of the activities would be great for the lower grades.

3. Reading A-Z

{via}

You have to pay to be a member in order to use this site, but it is worth it! My campus last year bought one membership per grade level. It has awesome leveled readers that you can print out along with the lesson plan for the book and activities to go along with it for small group reading instruction. 

They also have Writing A-Z and Science A-Z

4. The Teacher's Corner

{via}

Provides tons of resources for teachers, seasonal activities, bulletin board ideas, thematic units and you can even sign up your class to be pen-pals with another class any where in the world!

5. Stuff for Classroom Teachers has hundreds of interactive resources for students listed by subject and plenty of resources for teachers. If there is something specific you are looking for {like website that allows you to print graphic organizers} go to this website first.

Happy Friday! Love!

Chicken BLT Sandwiches

Ingredients:

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

6 slices of peppered bacon 

4 slices of cheese

1 tomato

1 small onion

lettuce

house seasoning

hamburger buns

Directions:

Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium-high heat until crispy. Drain bacon on paper towels and set aside. Pour out the grease, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the skillet.

Season the chicken on both sides with the house seasoning. Cook the chicken breasts on medium-high heat for about 6 minutes on each side, or until no longer pink in the middle.

Once the chicken is done, leave them in the pan, add the strips of bacon over the chicken breasts. Lay 2 slices of cheese over the bacon. {You can use whatever cheese you like. I put Hickory Smoked Muenster on mine and Glenn put Pepper Jack Cheese on his}.

Cover the pan with a lid until the cheese is melted.

Layer the lettuce, tomatoes, onion, and the chicken topped with bacon and cheese however you like.

Enjoy!

Thank you all so much for the birthday wishes yesterday! 

Happy Thursday! 
 

26

Today I am joining the big girl club. Meaning I am not going to whine and complain each year I celebrate another birthday. Which is today!

I am a little embarrassed to admit this, but here we go.

Last year when I turned 25, I decided that 24 was such a great year that I wanted to stay 24 for ever. So last year I decided that I wasn't turning 25, and that I was 24+1. {it's okay, you can judge}

Then for the last few months I have been dreading turning 26 and getting one year closer to 30. I told everyone that I was turning 24+2 this year. {again, it's okay to judge}

Last night, the hubs and I were laying in bed talking. He told me that he doesn't want me to worry about getting older. He said that we have just started our lives together and that we have so much more to do and look forward to and that he is the luckiest man in the world because he is the one that gets to grow old with me and that he can't wait to grow old with me. 

I got a little teary after he said that and I realized just how blessed I am to have such an incredible husband! So, no more worrying about getting older. The last 3 years with my hubby have been incredible and I can't wait to grow old with him and celebrate more birthdays together!

This picture was taken on my birthday last year!

Happy Wednesday lovelies!

Top 2 Tuesday!

I know what you are thinking, 2 posts in one day, who is this woman?! What can I say, I am in a blogging kinda mood!

Top 2 Tips

(money saving tips, beauty tips, DIY tips, cooking tips, cleaning tips, blogging tips, shopping tips etc)

1. You should never fight with your spouse unless you are holding hands. 

Any time Glenn and I get upset with each other we face each other and hold hands. For some reason when we are holding hands the issue that got us upset seems so unimportant and we are able to discuss it in a calmer way. When we hold hands and focus on each other, we are able to remember what the big picture is.

2. Plan your weekly menu before you go to the grocery store.

We do this together every week. It helps us to know exactly what we need so there is a specific list. It also helps us to save money, to not be wasteful, and to eat healthier.

Hurry on over to Taylor's blog to join the fun! 

Teacher Week: Must-Haves!

Day 2 of Teacher Week by Babbling Abby is Teacher Must-Haves!

{via}

These are the best pens! I use them all the time, especially grading papers and during small group intervention! I usually by a couple of packs a year!

{via}

A good pencil sharpener is a MUST. I have gone through at least 10 cheaper ones that break within a few months. This one is about $50 but I have had it for 2 years and I have not had a single problem with it. Invest in a GOOD one!

{via}

A well stocked classroom library is a must! I wish mine looked that good! 

 

 {via}    Coke Zero and Chocolate are my life line Monday-Friday 7am-3pm. Other Must-Haves: * Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring, and Summer Break* Teacher friends*Supportive administration* I Must-Have my wonderful hubby to help me either work on stuff at home or at my school! Thanks babe!* Sticky notes, myself and my students use them constantly

--I am sure there is so much more but I will stop so I can read other blogs!--
Happy Tuesday!

Teacher Week: Day #1

It is Teacher week over at Babbling Abby!I just discovered her through Sweet, Sassy, and oh so Classy!

Kelly, one of my best teacher friends in the middle and Belinda, my former principal on our wedding day June 27, 2009.

10 Things About Me as a Teacher

1. I am entering my fourth year in education. I spent my first year teaching 3rd grade ELA in Houston Texas. The last two years I was the Lead 4th grade teacher in Waco Texas. This year I will be teaching 4th grade in San Antonio.

2. I have know that I wanted to be a teacher since I was a little girl. I would try to convince my older brother, his friends, my friends, our parents to sit in my 'classroom' while I teach them to read. My parents and relatives were the only ones who actually humored me and sat through a 'lesson'!

3. We live 30-35 minutes without traffic from my school. That has it's advantages and disadvantages. The main advantage  is that I don't have to worry about running into students and/or their parents constantly.

4. Before I became a teacher I knew that I had to teach kindergarten. I love those precious little babies! I had to find a job after college and I was offered a 3rd grade ELA position and I snatched it up! I love teaching 4th grade!

5. I am going to start my masters within the next couple of years. I will get it in Curriculum and Instruction so that I can work for the district office and help other teachers.

6. I have 6 members of my family in the education field. 

7. I decorate my classroom in animal print every year.

8. Our 4th grade team is self-contained {we all teach every subject to our own students} and I prefer it that way.

9. I have established an economic system in my class. Each student has their own job { ex: Line Leader, Attendance Clerk, Light Engineer, Paper Supervisor, etc} They get paid {in treasure bucks}for their jobs each week and get to go shopping on Fridays. They must pay 'rent' on their desks once a month. They fill out an application for their job at the beginning of every 6 weeks. I teach them about keeping their 'money' in the bank, how to write checks, and starting in January I take out 'taxes' they don't like that part!

10. Grading papers is my least favorite thing to do.

Happy Monday!

Getting to Know You Sunday!

1. Do you think mustaches are sexy?

No.

2.What's the last concert you've been to?

I honestly have no idea. That's really sad. I used to go to concerts all the time in college. We need to start going to more!

3. What was your favorite 80's sitcom?

{via}

4. Were you named after anyone?

Yes, I don't know why but I have never liked telling people this. I was named after one of my mom's favorite soap opera characters. 

5. When you buy new clothes, do you wash before wearing?

No.

6. If you didn't blog, what would you do with your spare time?

Probably fold the laundry, work out, and read more books.

7. What is your favorite department store?

{via}

8. If you were to get Laser Hair Removal...where would you get it?

Bikini line and under my arms.

Head on over to Keely's blog and play along! Happy Sunday!

Pot Roast

This is a perfect Crock Pot meal.

Ingredients:

2 1/2 -3 pounds pot roast {we use pork}

3 medium potatoes {peeled and cubed}

1 bag of baby carrots

1 medium onion {cut into rings}

1 packet of  dry onion soup mix

2 C. water

garlic powder to taste

salt and pepper to taste

1-2 tsp. olive oil

Directions:

Heat oil in a skillet. Coat the roast with salt, pepper, and garlic. Place into skillet and brown on all sides, about 2-3 minutes on each side. 

Place roast into a large crock pot. Place the potatoes, then carrots, then onions on top of the roast. 

Stir together the dry onion soup mix with the 2 cups of water and pour it into the crock pot. 

Cook on low for 8 hours. 

allergies are bad.

So, our sweet Bella has allergies. 

We knew this when we lived in Waco. Whenever she would come in contact with a different kind of grass than she was used to she would break out into a rash on her tummy and paws. Our vet there said to just give her Benadryl. It always helped her...until we moved to SA.

I made her an appointment with a great Veterinarian here in town this morning because her rash was not going away.

He said that her allergies are really really bad. He gave her two shots of steroids, as well as the rest of her yearly shots. He then gave me two prescriptions, one is an antibiotic that she has to take twice a day for two weeks. The second one is an antihistamine that she has to take twice a day probably for the rest of her life.

So, $450 and an hour later we headed home. I was planning on going to work in my classroom this afternoon. Glenn met us at home for lunch when we realized that her lips and nose were really swollen. I called the vet to let him know. He said it happens occasionally and it is just a reaction to one of the shots or to her antihistamine. He said to give her Benadryl and watch her to make sure her breathing remains normal. 

This is what she looks like

The vet is really great. He has called me every hour to check on her. 

The plan for her meds this evening is to give her the antibiotic first and make sure she doesn't react to that one. Then an hour later give her the antihistamine and make sure she doesn't react to that one either. If she is fine after taking both of those then we know it was one of the shots.  

I am staying home today to take care of my sick girl. It breaks my heart to see her this way.

Top 2 Tuesday...Simple Pleasures

This weeks topic is Simple Pleasures.

1. New school supplies. Now this may sound strange, but ever since I was 8 years old, I loved going back to school shopping for school supplies. I would lay them all out on the floor and admire how pretty they were. Think back to the Lisa Frank days.

{via}

I love being a teacher and getting to buy new supplies each year!

2. Having a clean house. There is nothing better than a spotless home! I love to clean. My favorite is having a clean home with seasonal candles burning! I simply can't wait for fall so I can burn my favorite fall candle, Mulled Cider.

Hurry on over to Taylor's blog and play along!