Seriously!

I totally overuse the word seriously. Seriously! I seriously use it all the time. But, seriously, sometimes it is necessary. Recently, I have been mulling this word over in my head as it relates to a multitude of situations. See for yourself :-)

• While listening to the weather forecast each morning, I realize that the weatherman gets paid to say the same thing every day. "Today's forecast, highs in the 90's, with the heat index in the 'danger zone', chance of showers." Seriously! Every day, he says the same thing. And gets paid for it. 
• And on another related weather note, why don't the weather forecasters make use of the phrase "partly moony". Always "partly cloudy" or "partly sunny" but never, ever "partly moony". Seriously, weatherman? 
• And now a SERIOUSLY?!?! Does every picture on Facebook have to be a girl who is doing the following pose? 

Special thanks to our good friend for this one! 

Seriously, girls? This is what you want to look like? You realize that in 5 years, you will look back at these and be so embarrassed that ALL of your photos look like this. I mean, seriously, you want me to believe that this is just a natural pose? 

• And another seriously! As if this pose weren't enough, why do you insist on taking a picture of yourself in a mirror? I don't want to see your camera, or worse, your cell phone in your picture. Follow along closely here. Stand in front of the mirror, but turn your phone around. Now use your mirror to look into the screen of your phone or camera, and smile (don't smirk or pout). Then snap that bad daddy and behold! No tacky photo of your phone! Seriously! This isn't rocket science! 
• Seriously, I have said this one before, but it bears repeating. Grammar is our friend. Your is not interchangeable with you're. Effect does not mean the same as affect. And then does not mean than. They're going over there to their tent. See that? That is how these words are to be used. Seriously,  grammar!

See that? Seriously, seriously can be worked into a number of topics. I love it. No, seriously, I do:-)

First Two Weeks of School Re-cap

Seriously, we have been in school for 2 whole weeks. Already. Here are the blur of thoughts rolling around in my brain after these crazy weeks.

• Am I always this tired after school? My husband assured me that I am, but heading to bed at 8:30 seems like crazy talk. 
• My voice is a mess! It is so hard to get used to talking all day again after the summer off. 
• I have a larger class than normal this year and the piles of papers to grade are already making it clear just how much larger. 
• My tootsies are sore! Standing and walking all day is an adjustment after the summer. 
• I have a great class. Honestly. Good students who want to do what is right (most of the time) PLUS they still want their parents and teacher to be proud of them. What a blessing to have good students. 
• I am really thankful that I like the people I work with. I couldn't imagine working in an environment where I didn't get along with my coworkers. 
• I have a 25 minute break during the morning this year. I love it! I can actually get some grading accomplished during the day. 
• The beach theme in my classroom is making me long for sand between my toes and the sound of waves crashing against the beach. 
• I have hilarious students. One of them asked me if I had ever eaten a Krispy Kreme donut. When I told him yes, he said, "It's like eating a baby angel" Seriously? Where do they come up with stuff like that? 
• My classroom is next to the K4 classes. Almost every morning, we hear a little one who is crying because they don't want their mom or dad to leave. It makes me incredibly thankful for sixth graders. 
• I didn't have time to shop for a first day of school outfit this year, but my hubby did take me out to get some new things last weekend. So I had some great 5th, 6th, and 7th day of school clothes:) 
• For some reason, my house is messier than usual. 
• I feel like I am super-wife if my husband has a hot meal when he comes home. (even if it is take-out)

This is a much busier year than usual for me, but I am really excited about the challenges that are ahead for me and my students. I feel like I have more to do than ever, and at times I feel like I am not going to be able to keep up. I am so incredibly thankful that God does not require me to do more than I am able to do. I know that if He thinks I can handle all of this, then He will also give me the strength to get through it. 

Forgetfulness

Every year when school is getting ready to start, I feel like I  turn into an Alzheimer's patient. I get my mind going in a thousand crazy ways and I forget the normal day to day things. Like today, my mind is racing...gotta sort those papers, I wonder what is on those 22 new science worksheets, I need to find mini surfboard cutouts, or maybe palm trees, or hibiscus flowers, or flip flops, or something beach-y, why do I laminate when I hate to cut it out? why am I so afraid of heights that I can't stand on a chair in my classroom? Why don't I keep a list of things to do at the beginning of the year so I don't forget everything? I should make one and laminate it and keep it from year to year....but then I'd have to cut it out...You get the point. A million things are rolling around in my head. And they have time limits. School will start whether or not I finish everything.

So, when I am doing the mundane everyday things, I seem like a total crazy person. I just went to the store to pick up things for the weekend and if you were to see me there, you would be ashamed to know me.

I was going to get my hubby some diet citrus green tea. It's on sale for $4. Not bad, so I loaded it in my cart, and then decided that he doesn't need it, since $4 now seemed like an outrageous price. I went and put it back. I did contemplate abandoning the tea in the toilet paper aisle, but I thought that if another teacher came along who is suffering from the same bout of crazy that I am, that they might pick it up absently, and thinking it is TP, receive quite the surprise in the bathroom later. So I took it back to its home.

Then at the check out, I was obsessing over a gum purchase and didn't realize the lady was ready to start ringing up the groceries that weren't even on the conveyor belt yet. Needless to say, the people behind me were less than thrilled. Then I gave her my discount card and grabbed my wallet to pay, but there was no debit card in there. Now for the frantic digging. I was searching and searching and fighting the urge to tell everyone, "Yes, I really do have some money, I just can't find it" but I quietly looked instead. I gave a big sigh of relief upon finding it, paid for my groceries and promptly left my entire wallet (which now contained my debit card) on the counter. The cashier waved it at me and I went to get it and began to head to my car. Too bad I had lost my keys by this time. You guessed it. They were on the counter as well, but well camouflaged, so when I came back I could feel either pity, sympathy, or just plain disgust from all the people around the counter. I couldn't tell exactly. I grabbed my keys, trying not to make eye contact.

I got my stuff, loaded my car, headed home, where I sit now still in the teacher haze.  I can't be the only one who suffers from this! A support group may be necessary, although we may not all be able to find our way there, or remember where to meet, or when to meet, or why we are there. Perhaps I must just suffer silently.

Or maybe, the sign of a good school year is relative to the amount of crazy the teacher possesses prior to the beginning of the year. If that is the case, then prepare for the best year ever!!

Dipping Oil

If you have ever been to Carrabba's, then you have experienced that magical concoction of spice and oil that you dip bread into. My husband and I love that stuff so much. I honestly could make a meal out of it. I shouldn't, but I really could.  Because we liked it so much, I tried to come up with something that tasted just like it, but that we could enjoy at home. First, I went blindly to my spice cabinet and grabbed any spice that seemed Italian. I added oil and dipped the bread, and it was mediocre at best. Then, I scoured the internet. I found hundreds of recipes for this. One of them caught my eye so we tried it that night. It still wasn't perfect so the next time, I left out the rosemary and it was PeRfEcTiOn! It has become one of our favorite things. It is a good addition to anything Italian as well as other meals. I have served it with steak and grilled chicken.  

Here is my variation of the recipe. 

salt

pepper

red pepper (definitely adds some spice, so use a small amount if you are not feeling adventurous)

dried basil

dried parsley

dried oregano

garlic powder

fresh garlic (or jarlic, as I call it when I am too lazy to cut garlic and use the pre-minced garlic in a jar)

(I remember this recipe by saying salt, pepper, pepper, 3 green, 2 garlic)

Use equal parts of all these herbs and spices. For me and the husband, I usually do a 1/2 teaspoon of each. I double it if we have company. I also usually put a little extra of the fresh garlic in it. We love garlic in this house. Anyway, I mix the dry ingredients together with my measuring spoon, then add the fresh garlic and mix again. Then when it is time to eat, I will either divide it into small dipping bowls or leave it in the shallow bowl that I mixed it in and add the olive oil. I serve it with toasted french bread. Use any olive oil that you like, soon you will find a favorite. Our favorite is from World Market. It is fairly inexpensive, but has a rich taste. 

This is so yummy! Now I think I may want to have it for lunch:-)

Summer Projects

I love having the entire summer off from work. It is a time for relaxation above all, but like any good woman, I have filled my summer with some small projects, and some not so small ones. I feel like I have accomplished so much this summer, but I still have a thing or two left on the ole to-do list. 

First I made this: 

It really is straight:) I just can't take a picture very well. 

This hangs above our TV. I found the idea online and then went to my local Hobby Lobby for the supplies. It was pretty simple and I finished it in one afternoon. Here is the quick version of how I did this. I purchased 3 pieces of Styrofoam. They were 12"x36" and my brother cut them into 12"x12" squares. Then I put some spray adhesive on each and then put a piece of scrapbook paper on them. Scrapbook paper is already 12"x12" so there was no trimming. Then I used tacky glue to glue a ribbon along the edges of the Styrofoam. It gives them the illusion of being framed. I used picture hangers to hang them, which are really easy to attach to the Styrofoam, no hammer needed. I did put a little tacky glue on the nails just for some peace of mind. After it was dry, I decided how I wanted them hung, and my husband hung them up. I like the mix of patterns and if I get tired of them in a few years I can change the scrapbook paper. Plus it is large and fills the space perfectly. 

My next project was something I also saw online. It was super easy as well. 

Dry erase board

This was the easiest ever and it looks lovely hanging on our fridge. I found a frame this week at Hobby Lobby for $5. It was 12"x12" (which is scrapbook paper size!) I took a piece of leftover scrapbook paper from the living room project and framed it, used a pretty ribbon to hang it from 2 picture hangers (also left over from the other project). I tied the ribbon and then hung it from a magnetic wreath hook that I found at Michaels. I just love this new board. It is so cute. Plus it is functional which is important for me as well. 

I also wanted to find some perfect things to go on top of our DVD shelves. I did have a grouping of pictures  hanging above them, and some things resting on top, but it was just too busy for me. So, again it was off to Hobby Lobby. They were having some great sales, so I got some of these items for 50% off, which makes me feel better since I hate to spend money. 

makes me happy:) 

From left to right, here is the rundown. The clock is something that I have had for years. I found it at World Market. Then the two little red candle holders are from Michaels. They were only a dollar! What a deal! The "Happy" sign was my splurge. It was $12 and it wasn't on sale, but I loved it and it came in the perfect shade of red. The framed "P" was from Hobby Lobby as well and it was 50% off. Hobby Lobby has a great selection of colored glass as well and I found the red vase there and it was the perfect height. And the "flowers" that are in the vase are so ridiculous, but I love them! They are black and white feathers glued to foam balls. Then the big black candle holder is also something I have had for years. It's from Pier 1. I love the way this looks now! 

This summer I have also finished 3 classes for my Master's degree.  That is way more than I thought I was capable of. I am so thankful to have them out of the way. I have one more that I would love to finish before school starts. If I can do that, then all I have left is my thesis! 

Hooray for projects completed! Hooray for saving money! Hooray for finding things I love! Hooray for a husband who lets me decorate! Hooray for summer! 

A modest proposal for modesty

I bought my first pair of shorts about two weeks ago. First in a long time, not ever. I cannot remember the last pair of shorts that I bought with the purpose of wearing them in public. I grew up in a house where I didn't wear shorts that often. Pants were ok, but shorts, no. What was the answer then to the no-shorts rule? Culottes.

Long, past the knee, very full and skirt-like. I can remember wearing these all the time. To camp, to youth activities  and anything else where I would be running or playing a sport. And to school. I also remember sneaking shorts under them and taking the culottes off when I was out of my mom's sight. (don't tell!)

The introduction of capris pretty much was a life changer! They were long and modest, could be worn in the summer, and weren't so full and skirt-like. As I got older, I tended to wear capris or a skirt. And now, after 6 years of Bible college and 8 years of teaching in a Christian school, I tend to mostly wear skirts. I have lots and lots of them. The dressy ones, the ones good for teaching, the casual ones, etc. 

Growing up, I was very aware of modesty. My mom would constantly remind me that some girls grow up to be women, but some will grow up to be ladies. That statement was usually followed by, "Now brush your hair" or "Now cross your legs". But to me, modesty has always been a part of my life. Keeping myself covered was important. But, somewhere in the rest of the world, modesty has become a lost art. 

Now it is impossible to go out in public without seeing people, men and women, dressed immodestly. Whether it is men with their underoos hanging out because their pants are sagging to their knees, or women who are baring too much skin or leaving nothing to the imagination by wearing things that are too tight, immodesty has become the norm in American society. How sad. And even sadder still, when this obsession of being trendy to the point of allowing oneself to be immodest has slipped into our churches. I'm not one to get up on my soap box very often, but this one really baffles me. I don't want to have to worry about what my husband is seeing on people in church. There, I'm stepping off my soap box now. 

When I grow up, I would love to open a store. I would name it The Modesty Shoppe. It will contain so many wonderful and beautiful, and even, dare I say, trendy items, but they will all be modest. The skirts will be longer, the necklines will be higher, and there will be enough material in the clothing so that something is left to the imagination. You will be able to come to my shop and purchase a shirt that you don't have to wear a tank top under. And it will be super cute. The skirts will be long enough to not have to worry about them being too short when you sit. And I will sell slips. You know, those things you wear under a skirt or dress to keep them from being see-through. There will be pants that are not skin tight. And shorts, modest and comfy. Sounds like a great store, doesn't it? It's every modest girl's dream store!

Now, about those shorts I bought. I wore them 2 or 3 times and Saturday night, I ripped them when I was getting in the car. Totally ripped them. Guess I will have to pull out some capris to wear today. Or maybe I will go buy some new shorts. 

word.

A love note to Wickles

Dear Wickles Pickles,

When I first met you, I knew my life would change. I still remember the first time. The way you crunched in my mouth with that salty sweetness and sourness that only sugar mixed with vinegar can give. Then, I remember when I realized just why you are called a wickle. You bad, bad cucumber. You have been dancing around with some hot peppers, cause I could taste them on you. And I loved it.

Now every time I see you on the store shelves, I can't resist you. And when I bring you home, I just want to rip off your lid and crunch into that amazing flavor again. Good thing you are so low in calories. I have had about 10 this morning, and it's only 9:30.

I love you so much that I wrote you a poem:

My sweet little pickle,
My wicked little Wickle,
You are so sour,
I could eat the contents of your jar in an hour,
I'd like to try you on a sandwich,
I'd eat you right out of a ditch,
I like your sweet spice,
It is so nice,
I love you sweet pickle,
My wicked little Wickle.

Love,
Jill

P.S. The manufacturer of this product has not paid me for such an awesome review of their awesome pickles. I just love them. However, if they wish to contact me and send me some for free, that would be even more awesome. I just might write a song for them...and choreograph a little dance number.