Stoked

Ryan and I are almost done with the bedroom, bathroom, and laundry room addition. Wow, what a job it has been. The finishing touches are proving to be the most time consuming, if that is possible, and patience testing. Ryan and TJ built the new cabinets for our built-in bookshelf today, the molding is waiting to be placed after the carpet guy comes tomorrow, and the tile is happily drying securely to the concrete floor. My mom, TJ, and I painted last week (love it). I'm just beyond stoked to have a finished space that was created by Ryan, the people we love, and I.

The winter break has been amazing, and I'm actually looking forward to returning to work. I'm starting a new unit that was inspired by students. I love how creative I get to be in my job. I'm not sure it gets any better.

Oh wait, it does get better. The baby is growing and growing. We were able to see some glimpses of our little baby a few weeks ago. I just sit and stare at the pictures for way too long dreaming about the myriad directions our lives will take us in four short months.

I will post pictures of the home improvement project on another post very shortly. I can't wait to show off all our hard work. I'm so thankful to have such a handy husband, helpful mother, and great friends to help make our home projects a reality. Yeah for good people!

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Love it/Need it ("it" is inpiration)

SourTang

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Tis the Season

My friend and mentor, Jois, likes to call this time of year "the season to be jolly". Of course she says this in her friendly sarcastic way. I'm starting to agree with her, however, this last weekend was a great kick off to our season full of jolliness. Enter: Our Christmas tree.

The senior boys were selling trees for a fundraiser. I decided to take advantage of the opportunity to help out some kids and to make the ordeal of getting a tree very easy. Easy it was. I picked up the tree, Ryan brought it inside, and we had a great time decorating the tree while sharing Christmas memories. We finished our evening by watching A Christmas Story. It's our new tradition. Yeah!

I also bought two wreaths from the horticulture kids. (Word has gotten around that I'm a sucker for fundraisers.) I hung one wreath on our door and gifted the second to my mom. They smell and look wonderful!

All I need to get is a tree skirt and we'll be set for the holidays. I guess it would be good to get some thoughtful gifts under the tree as well. 

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Home Sweet Home

Ryan carving the oven roasted turkey

Ryan and I headed over north of Spokane for the Thanksgiving holiday. I needed those five days off. We had a great time with family. The food was delicious, and Ryan was able to get some hunting in. We had an all around good time, however, it felt good to get home and relax by the fire before the week starts again tomorrow.

Mom and I baking pies

"Snipe" Hunting

As for all other good things in our life, the baby is growing so much and school is rocking. We start reading A Raisin in the Sun tomorrow. I'm happy to finally be settling into the role of official teacher. This year has brought us so much to be thankful for! I hope you all enjoyed your holiday as well.

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What is up

I landed a teaching job. I coach the debate team. We are expecting our first baby May 3rd. The end.


More to come.

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The Rain

Vector Graphic

Oh how I love these rainy days of September in the great northwest! I love the first fire of the season, Lucy inside and all cuddly, Alley Cat pissed off that Lucy is inside and stealing cuddle time from her, homemade soups, and good books. I love everything about fall!

Fall also means the beginning of school. Unfortunately, I did not get a job. Boo. However, I am all set up to sub, and I feel super lucky to have gotten on the sub list. With all the out of work teachers, it was more difficult than I thought it would be. So, I get to be in the school system/classroom without any planning, grading, or meetings. I can handle that for a year. But only a year. I really wanted to teach right out of the gate.

I have started reading Lolita. It is a tough one to get through. I've been working on it for about two weeks. The subject matter is difficult, but the writing is beautiful. Happy Wednesday!

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The Sun

How can I express my love for this magazine? When I see it sitting in my mailbox, I feel as though the mail person just gave me my first Christmas present... ever. I run into the house, make sure it's silent, put on hot water for tea, grab my blanket, and I get settled to be moved in my soul. I don't agree with everything this magazine suggests, but it always makes me think. It always inspires me. Not once have I been disappointed. 

My two mentors gifted me a subscription after I borrowed several, 40, of their archived issues. I just love it. I want to spread my joy to you. Visit their website and subscribe to their ad free fantastic magazine.

I used the magazine as a teaching tool with the juniors as well. It was a powerful week of exploring various "Readers Write" sections and having the students create their own stories based on one-word themes.

Love it, love it, love it.

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