Words to Live By

I found these magnets a few years ago at Barnes and Noble. And its a rare occasion that I find them or other items sold by this company locally. I absolutely adore their stuff! I own quite few magnets of my own. I often display them outside of my classroom door. (Thankfully my door frame is metal, so they stick!) It just gives anybody who comes into my room something to ponder and think about. I also own 2 canvas paintings and a few journals. Trust me, I fill those babies up, since I journal all the time. But anyways,  thought I would share the website with the rest of you. You just might be inspired like I was :)

http://www.quotablecards.com/main.html

Relax? Not Today

When I got home from school today, I was exhausted. The kids are so excited and ready for break, and well, so am I! All I was looking forward to was some peace and quiet while phil was at a basketball game. And these chances of being home alone come by far and few between. So least to say, I was estactic! But wouldn't you know, if its not one thing another? So as I came into the office to check e-mail and facebook, I turn the corner to see a big pile of mess! My little cherubs..Chloe and Buddy somehow managed to knock my ornament box off the couch. I literally screamed in panic. I just kept thinking...all of my keepsakes, and the ornaments I grew up with. I turned around to see their little faces just sitting there. And as soon as I pointed my finger at them, and asked "Which one of you did this?" They were gone! They knew they were in some serious trouble! On a positive note, none of them broke, or at least that I am aware of, thank God for that one. On a negative note, I will never know which one of them did it. Thats the only problem with having 2 : / Well, needless to say I didnt get to relax like I thought. Oh well, maybe tomorrow?

And this is after I picked most of the mess up. I swear...they are lucky they are cute...

New Mr. & Mrs. Pics

Phil and I a few weeks ago won a photography session at a Big Brothers, Big Sisters auction. Phil and I really wanted our pictures to be taken in the fall. Its both of our favorite seasons. So we had them taken in downtown Mishawaka, at the River Walk. This is also where Phil proposed to me. 

                                       

We really loved our photographer, and she did a great job.  Here are just a few pictures from our shoot. Our photographers name is Amy Bradburn or AB Photography. I highly suggest her, and does a great job!                                                      

Mental Break

And by mental break, I mean at least for 4 days. And, boy did I need it. At least some down time, with out having to wake up at 5:45 :) What I don't understand, is that I always greatly look forward to sleeping in, but it never happens.

So Thanksgiving came and went, nothing special happened. I did not spend it with my mom or the rest of the family, because of everything that has happened between us. So unfortunately she and I are no longer talking. I think its best at this point. I would rather have no parents at all, than 1 that doesn't care. We will leave it at that.

I have been going to see this really great guy for therapy. He's really awesome, and so relaxed. I think its helping a little bit, but I think most of all, when I talk he actually listens. He doesn't judge, interrupt, give his opinions, he just listens.

I guess so far, my life has been not even close to a normal, but day by day, I get through them. Especially with the help of Phil and my friends. The one frustrating point is that I always thought I could depend on family, and as it turns out I can really only depend on about half of them. But thank God for that half.

Today is Sunday, which means obviously tomorrow is Monday :/ But I am looking forward to seeing my kids and hearing all their goofy, but honest stories about their weekend. Thats the best part about have younger ones, they are still excited about school and their teacher, who happens to be Mrs. L :) And I am lucky to have such an amazing job that is so inspiring :)
Its one of the few things that keeps me going.

Another side...

Last night was the Big Brothers, Big Sisters Silent Auction. I think it went very well! I helped Meg out and decorated the night before. So Phil and I bid on a few things, and I actually won 2 items! I think I now know why I am not a gambler. I saw a whole other side of myself come out! So there was this really awesome hand painted plate I bid on. And you know me, I LOVE the artsy things! So when I saw that someone outbid me, man....did I get sassy. So I bid on it again. I then actually proceeded to stay by the table and keep an eye on it. I was like white on rice! No one, I mean no one was placing another bid on my plate. I was already convinced that it was mine. So when the table closed for bidding, I felt so proud. It was an exciting moment for me, sad…but true. (This is why EBay and I have a love/hate relationship.) I guess that maybe I got a little bit too competitive over a plate. But you have to remember the money was going for a good cause :)

The other item we won was a photography session. Phil and I never did engagement photos, and so we are excited to have some professional pictures taken. It will be nice to have some pictures of us. I told Phil that I think the cats should be included too, he laughed, not knowing how serious I actually was. I know, that it probably wont happen, but they are a huge part of our family!

In the end, I think it will be awhile until I attend another auction, because I get too competitive. I don't know why I never realized this before, or maybe I have been, and people are too afraid to tell me about it!

Almost too excited...

Phil and I lookin a little sweaty after some dancin!

Not Enough hours in the Day...

I am not really sure where the time has gone? In a few days it will already be October!



However, I am really glad fall is here, it is my favorite season. I just love this time of the year when the leaves turn all the different colors, and the sun isn't so hot any more. I also think that I am more ready for fall this year, because we didn't have much a summer. (This summer is bi-polar.) Fall also brings on the Notre Dame football season. For me, its not so much if they win or lose, but its the football parties, and hanging out with friends.



The weeks have flown by in school, and I can't believe we are going into our 6th week. I have a pretty great class. I couldn't ask for a better support team at school with some of the other first grade teachers. Some days I am just over-whelmed with how much I need to fit into our days. I often feel behind in something that were doing, and never would have imagined the work that goes into a classroom. There is always something. When the bell rings, and the kids leave, I often find myself sitting at my desk for 10 minutes. Thats because I never sit during the day! I just wish we had 1 more hour in the day so that I could feel more organized and prepared. I know that this is my first full year of teaching, and I am honestly doing the best I can to teach these little minds. But I want to be the best, and set my goals high as a teacher. So needless to say, I spend a lot of hours at school getting ready for the day. Let me just tell ya, when you see their faces in the morning and they are excited to see you, you know its going to be a good day.

Movin' On Up

Well, after several weeks of prepping my classroom with the most awesome help possible, its done! When I first walked into my room, I realized I had more on my plate than I had thought. I had quite a few things to haul out, before hauling my stuff in. So my mom helped me clean out the cabinets and wipe down the shelves. But we only made a dent in the heaps of my stuff. But it was a good start! The next day Aunt Marti came in and we dove in head first into my library, which looked like an F-5 hit it. Liz came in a few times as well to help me out in any way possible. Thank goodness for the help of my family or else I probably just would have packed a pillow and a sleeping bag and camped out in my room for a week. I just do not have a clue how I could thank them enough or repay them for all of their help and support. They are AWESOME!

So tomorrow is the day that I have planned for all summer. It's the first day of school! I am extremely excited, yet scared. I am very nervous, but a good nervous. I just keep telling myself, its sink or swim baby. With all of the hard work put into my room, I feel confident that my students are going to be able to learn in the best possible environment. I am sure that my room will grow over this school year, and I cant wait to decorate it with students work. Thats the best kind of art work. (I swear! ) Well, I will keep updating everyone on how school is going, and how I am surviving surrounded my first graders. ;)

Finally I can see my office floor :)

Day 1: Bulletin Boards finally are up

Such a mess!

My reading center.

Getting Back into the Swing of Things...

Recently, Phil has been urging me to start back up on my golf game. I played in high school and a year or two in college. I really love the game, and haven't played these past couple of summers. What it comes down to is the fact that my dad and I would play together a lot. He would come to my matches, walk with me, give me ideas or tips, and keep me calm as needed. (Which was pretty frequent). So I really haven't had anyone to go out and golf with. I played with my grandpa a few times. And my uncle..well hes just really good at the game, and me..eh not so much anymore.

Anways, Phil went out and played 18 holes with Alex last week. Phil and him came back with some funny stories and they both seemed to have a great time. So I decided that I was going to clean my clubs and try the game again. So we did. Phil and I headed out to Studebaker for 9 holes. Okay, so I played 4 balls of the first tee to actually get a decent shot down the fairway. Phil kept reminding me that this was my first time out in a few years, and not to become frustrated.

Hes so funny because, hes out there just to have fun and he's so relaxed. Me on the other hand, well..we will leave it at that. (Im just a little bit more competitive.)

It was a good time. Thank goodness for Phil and hes patience. I think I have found my golfing buddy from here on out. I also believe that I have found someone that can handle playing with me and still get me to laugh. So of course, thanks to my addiction to ebay, I bought a new golf bag, and some new Nike shoes. They are fabulous.I know that golfing will never be the same with out dad, nor do I ever want it to be. I like to keep that bond we shared to ourselves. The moments we shared out on the greens are where they should stay. But I am looking forward to making some new ones with Phil. Its going to be a whole new ball game, and I think I am starting to become okay with that.

My new bag...its pink! and thank goodness it only weighs 4 pounds!

Opposites

Over the past 2 months, it has been very nice to have some time off from teaching.

.......However, I am so ready to get back in the classroom, get my room ready for 1st grade, and rearrange things! I was so pumped when I saw school supplies out in the stores! C'mon I need to set up my tepee in my reading center! And organize all my centers and decorate! This to me is better than Christmas and my birthday! :D

On the other hand, my husband, is not. Dont get me wrong, he really loves teaching, but on a different level than I do. I think he just doesn't want his summer days to end. I think he just wants to enjoy summer a little longer before heading back to school.

These couple of months have been really crazy on our relationship. I found out that it has been pretty tough having the same exact schedule as your spouse. As for me, I enjoy my "me" time, my independence, an on-the-go daily schedule, and keeping busy with random ideas and crafty things. I love to clean and organize. I am always finding myself picking up or rearranging something. I have started 2 scrap books this summer. (1 of Phil and I/family and friends, and another one of our wedding) I have also been working on gathering things for my classroom, and trying to organize my ideas for the year. See..Im tellin ya, I just like to keep busy.

However, my lovely husband, and trust me I love him to death, but well......he's just the opposite. He spends most of his time watching TV...(which ugh..I can not see how people waste their time watching so much TV.) Is my husband the only one that still watches cartoons on a daily basis? :/ He's been hooked on playing Punch Out, and playing his PSP. Now I do understand that it is summer after all, but goodness can a girl get a little help now and then? Phil does help when I ask him to, and does little things here and there. But I swear there are some days where I just want him to pick up or do something with out me asking! I have to be honest, he has gotten a little bit better. (But still room for improvement!) I am not asking for him to sweep, clean the bathroom, dust everyday, or even fold every load of laundary. But its the little things that help out over all.

I just can not wait for us to get back to school, so we have some time apart from each other. That way, at the end of the day we have something to talk about. And not already know what each other has done all day. Thank goodness Myrtle Beach is only 4 days away!

So bottom line:

I just want to know if I am the only wife out there who feels this frustration? haha :)

Phil engrossed in a WVU football DVD.

Miss the Dress

Does anyone else miss their wedding day like I do?

Does anyone else want to wear their wedding dress, like at least once a week?

Does anyone else wear their tiara when they clean?

Ok, so I am guilty of all 3.

I just wish I could have another wedding day. I just had so much fun. It was the best, because all of my family and girlfriends were there. We danced, laughed really hard, got some men to take off their shirts, and oh yea, had my brother borrow/take a golf cart for us. (What an awesome brother he is!)

I guess maybe I am reminiscing because I am doing a scrap book on the wedding. And seeing all of the pictures are bringing back some really fun memories. (Ive learned to just block out the ugly ones)

So I am not sure if I am the only one who has crazy thoughts like this. But I would surely love to plan a party where we just wear our wedding dresses again, and drink a lot of cocktails and share our stories! :)

P.S.

I think its really time for me to find a daily hobby. I have too much time on my hands not being in school :/

Addicted to BP

I just wanted to share one of my new favorite CD's. I really can not remember the last time I had bought one. However, if it is an artist that I really like, and want to support, I buy their CD. Well Phil and I have always been huge Brad Paisley fans. And his latest CD, American Saturday Night, is really amazing. The lyrics are awesome, and most of them true :) I was reading an article, and Brad had stated how this was one of his most emotional and personal albums. Some of my favs, are She's Her Own Woman, Anything Like Me, Then, and The Pants. I encourage you to check it out! Its totally worth it :)

I will leave you with a quote from "The Pants"

"Well buddy, you need to know,

that aint how it works.

Its not who wears the pants, its who wears the skirt"

Latest News

Well as of July 3, my sister is no longer a Tobolski. Thats right. My sister got married!

Its been a strange, crazy, exciting, and interesting story about my sister and Jeremy. I am now starting to somewhat get over the fact that her now husband and I went to highschool together. (When I graduated he was a sophmore.) Told you it was a little strange. He just has a very different personality. Well, and so does my sister. I guess thats why they make a good pair. They got married in Jamaica. I just talked to my sister yesterday and she said that everything went over really great. The weather turned out well, and that Nick learned how to swim with out his floaties :) He is such an amazing nephew! He is incredibly smart and knows how to work his way into or out of any situation. I just can not believe he is going into kindergarten already! So I am sure he is going to have tons of stories to tell Grandma, me and Uncle Phil. I cant wait to hear them!

But anyways, I really honestly believe my sister is happy, and that Jeremy really loves her. He has taken on a lot of responsibility, especially with Nick. I mean, I am 24, and am not ready for a house, a kid, and many other adult things :/ So I know that I would definitely not be ready when I was 22. As long as he treats Nick and Kel with love and kindness, then I guess thats all that really matters.

Keep's Getting Shorter

Okay,

So I have always had so many changes with my hair through out the years. I figure, eh, its just hair, you can always re-color it, get it trimmed, evened out, or let it grow back out. Well, ever since the wedding, I was really tired of long hair, especially in the summer. So after my 5 1/2 inches were chopped, I have been going so much shorter. It seems like I dont want my long hair back, it was just a hassle to take care of. However, I do enjoy the hassle-free style of a ponytail. So I always tell my lady to keep it just long enough so I can put at least half of it up. (You know for those lazy days or days your hair looks like crap.) I really liked how she cut it today, and wish I could style it like this everyday. Or be rich enough to have my own stylist ;) FYI, this was taken at the end of the day..... :D

So I got in a cleaning mode. And I mean like "Get out of my way, let me do my own thing, its going in the trash, pitch it! Move the furniture to get the dust bunnies, and so on." And I must admit I love getting into this mode. I just wish it would happen more often. However, since I have been scrap booking, I thought I would take a few pictures so I could put them in my book. So, as you will notice there are not any pics of my bedroom. Let me tell you, about a week ago, it was clean. And that it is because the laundry was done ;) But now, the clothes are back on the floor, like they exploded. (And we even have 5 laundry baskets) Sad, but true. Phil and I really like living in an apartment, and we live comfortably. We are really looking forward to moving into a house, but our little abode will do just fine for now :)

Tan Lines?

Well, I have officially achieved tan lines for the first time this summer. Sad, but true. The weather has been pretty rainy and cloudy. I am not saying I dont mind a little rain here and there, but enough is enough. So for the past few days, I have been taking in all I can get, because you just never know when the sun will decide to go on vacation again. So my mom and I have been soaking up the rays at the pool! And...I must say, it has been soooooo darn nice!!! Its days like these that I wish had a few more hours in them. So it has now just turned about 6:15, and it is still 93 degrees out! Hot, but I will take hot over cold any day! :)

Proof of tan lines!!!!

P.S.- Don't mind the chlorinated hair and no make-up! I am all natrual in this pic! ha :)

Vino

Phil and I went up to the wine festival with Bobby & Liz. We had a great time. We really enjoyed the sunshine, the relaxing atmosphere, and casual conversations! :) It was the perfect summer day.


Phil and I when we first got there


A little later on, hey I wasn't ready..could you tell?




Liz and I sweatin our little behinds off :)



At the beach. Finally a nice sunny day!!!!

Too much time....

So....

I think I have too much time on my hands as of right now. My love/hate relationship revolves around EBAY at this moment. Since I have been scrapbooking and trying to be creative, I have found that EBAY has some pretty awesome stuff on it. I do have a partner in crime on this one! Liz....yea...thats right, she's in on this gig too! She bought a scrapbooking set with like 1900 pieces in it! We were both so giddy and excited when it came in the mail. So I am not sure how to take this situation. Is is a good thing to be involved in EBAY or not. They do have some pretty awesome deals. On the other hand, when I look at the clock, I wonder where in the world an hour went?

Casey's Little Pet Shop

Well, as of right now, I am supporting my husband, my 2 cats, Phil's classroom turtle, and dog-watching Rachels puppy while she is out of town. What have I gotten myself into???


Let's just say this has been quite an experience so far! Mollie, is the cutest puppy, and I believe is only about 5 months old. I have grown up in a household that only had cats. At the age of 4, we took in Lucky. And since then, thats all I have owned. Dogs are so completely different.
I haven't slept too many hours in the past 2 days. I am so paranoid with Mollie around. I am just not used to having something always following me. I am always checking to see if she if she needs to go out. I swear she finds things on the floor that the vacuum doesn't even find. Yesterday I was in the office doing some work when she brings me my bra and a tank top. I'm like, "What the heck Mollie?!" So last night, I went to PetSmart after going out to dinner with a few girls from college. I was on a mission to find this girl some things to chew on! Rachel brought over a couple of things, but she is definitely more interested in the cats things. Chloe and Buddy are very protective of their mice, feathers, and etc. And so I bought her a few things, and they really seem to be distracting her from the other stuff.
And not to mention, 2 cats. They are doing fairly well, but they watch their distance from Mollie. Mollie is so innocent and just wants to play, but I guess my "kids" are just acting to sophisticated or sassy.
I can say I have had a lot of fun playing fetch with her and going on walks, something you can't really do with cats. I mean yooouuu coouuullddd, trust me on this one! They do have strollers for cats, and if I were rich, my babies would totally have one! :)

So this morning after taking Mollie out, feeding the animals like I was filling a troft, I sat down to watch some Snapped! When I asked Phil if he had fed the turtle and turned on its UV light. Anyone want to guess what his response was? I'm sure that you are right, it was no. So when I went in to take care of Shelly, I just ended up cleaning up her tank and filter. It wasn't that bad, I just don't want things to start smelling funny :/

So all in all, life has been a little crazy lately. (I think I am running on a lot of caffeine.) Just don't ask me to take care of any more animals right now, because my heart will just say Yes. I love the "babies" and wish I could give all animals a good place to live. So if you don't own one yet, you should :) The best part about owning a pet is that the love you give to it, will always come back to you. And that's a guarantee folks!

365 Days

Today is the Day!

Today marks our first year anniversary as a married couple. Today seems like a bland kind of day compared to what was taking place last year at this time. Last night Phil and I were eating some dinner and talking. Thats when Phil said, "last year at this time you weren't here." I looked at him like he was crazy. I was like..umm, yea I was living here. Then it clicked, that he was right. After the rehearsal dinner, I went back to my moms. I didnt stay here with him. That little line triggered all of those feelings of excitement, being nervous, emotional, and chaotic moments.

People ask if the first year was harder than we thought it was going to be. I told Phil that we never said it was going to be easy, but we had our challenging moments. When Phil and I didn't live together, we would bicker and argue, but it was easier then. Because I could always go home, hang up the phone, or just ignore the issue. However, now-a-days, I can't do those things anymore. Now when we get in an arguement, we know we have to work it out, because we live with each other............and in an apartment I might add ;) I would say that we actually bicker a whole heck of a lot less too.

Some days, well actually every week or so, I look at our wedding pictures and wish book. It just makes me smile or laugh when I see these things.

So to the couples who are getting married, who are newly weds, or have been married, I think that we have to remember what got us to that day. It helps to keep you grounded together. At the end of the day, it is important to know who loves and supports you. I have come to understand that we both have a mutual understanding of each other. (Key word in that sentence is MUTUAL) If we are only seeing 100% of our own point of view, it just will not work. I have learned this the hard way.

So during those 365 days of being newly weds, life changed a little bit for the both of us, but I am glad to have made those changes with Phil. He is a challenge some days, and I often wonder what he is thinking. But some of these things are what attracted me to him 5 years ago. He is a good man. And Im proud to call him my husband.

House Pet for the Summer

Introducing.......... Shelly

Shelly has moved into our office for the summer. She is Phil's classroom pet turtle. At first I was really dreading this whole turtle thing. The first thing I thought to myself was, "I am probably going to be the one feeding it, making sure its taken care of, the water temp. is staying normal, etc." Turns out, shes really not all that hard to maintain. Im really glad she is low-maintence. Shelly and I are getting along really well. She's pretty social. I have been re-decorating her living space. I added a few rocks donated from Mom's backyard, and giving her some extra treats. The tank she is in now is much smaller than the one Phil has in his room. The one in his room is huge, like a 60 gallon or something. So I am trying to make sure feels welcome and doesn't get sassy, especially with the cats. I think she is fitting in quite nicely, and think she is enjoying a little R&R from a noisy classroom.
So, here she is.

Peace & Quiet

Phil and I spent a couple of days up at the lake house. And I must say, Liz figured out my husband! If you ever want Phil to focus on something, not talk about sports, or make crazy WV comments, just get the boy to fish. Amen....