Snow Day Ramblings

I'm out of school today for "snow."  I admit that the roads were covered this morning, but now there is just a light dusting on the grass outside.  It is kind-of a bittersweet day off because, on the one hand, it is exam week and we were supposed to have a four day weekend afterward, but now we will have to work on Friday.  But, on the other hand, I have TONS of grading to do and I never complain about a chance to do that in my pjs, in front of the TV, after sleeping until 10 and eating pancakes for breakfast.  I try to see the glass half full.

Anyway, this is going to be a random post... I think I will use bullet points. Can you handle it?

- I've tried not to be a whiner, because no one likes a whiner and I know a lot of people have it A LOT worse than me, but I'm kind-of tired of feeling sick.  This is my daily routine: Wake-up hungry and sick feeling - eat breakfast - feel good for approximately one hour until I am hungry again - get raging hungry and have to eat a snack in class - eat lunch - feel sick after lunch - eat a snack - go home, take a nap - eat dinner - feel sick - eat another snack - go to bed... I feel a little bit like a dog - as in, my life revolves around eating and sleeping - those are pretty much the only times I feel "normal."  I'm not puking, so I know I shouldn't complain.  But... I'm ready for the "surge of energy" and "slowing of symptoms" I keep hearing about in the second trimester. 

- Speaking of how I feel, I have to brag on my INCREDIBLE husband for a second.  Seriously, I could not ask for someone more patient (if you know either of us in real life, you know this is the truth.  I require A LOT of patience, and he has A LOT to give), selfless, and giving in my life.  He is THE BEST.  Case in Point: Last night he sat in the cold basement and watched the National Championship football game on my little laptop screen with a 5 second delay so that I could watch "The Bachelor" after crying about it.  (Yes, I cried about the possibility of missing "The Bachelor".  Hello hormones - welcome to my life!)  Not to mention the fact that I haven't cooked a meal, cleaned the house, or put away a load of laundry in approximately eight weeks; yet, magically, it all gets done!  I love him so much!

- And finally, what kind of blog would this be if I didn't talk about "The Bachelor"?  Are you watching?  (I typed a big post after the premiere last week, but then I had my "privacy panic" and never posted it... I'll try to make this brief.)  I like Brad a lot.  I mean, since when do we hate men who don't propose to women they don't love.  I think he's a good guy.  Plus, he's been through three years of "intensive therapy" and (clearly) some weight lifting... Get over it America!  In other news, I'm so glad the producers have finally decided to include a vampire in their mix of women --- There are absolutely NO other races besides white/Caucasian, but at least we have a vampire.  Equal opportunity at its finest.   There's a lot more I could say, but I'll stop with my four favorites right now:  

Emily - A little more blond and "Barbie-ish" than I usually prefer, but she seems so sweet.  Plus, her story had me in tears on the first episode.

Jackie - How beautiful did she look in that silver dress on the date?  Plus, I appreciate that she's not a chronic dater. I've never understood why this bothers guys.

Lisa - She seems to be the most "natural beauty" of the group.

Ashley S. - She's cute and fun (and Southern).  We didn't see much of her in this last episode, but I think he's going to like her.  She kind-of reminds me of Tenley from Jake's season.  (All photos from ABC.com)

Who do you like?

Bad Teacher: A Repost

In the spirit of exam week, I'm re-posting this little diddy from last year.  Enjoy!

*****

[with respectful apologies to Jana Mathews at The Meanest Mom]

Long after the final bell, when everyone has cleared the hallways, I crawl under my desk and plot evil ways to destroy my students. I change all of my due-dates to one week earlier and re-write tests to ENSURE that NOTHING we have actually studied is on them.

I do this because I want to ruin their futures and make myself look better by having a class full of failures.

While I'm at it, I usually break into their lockers and steal all of their notebooks and writing utensils. I also violently shred the projects they have been working on for weeks and pour soda deep into their backpacks until their textbooks are illegible.

When I have time, I use a sledge hammer to detonate their computer hard drives and randomly delete all their "Very Important Documents." And when I'm super bored after my work day ends, I stay up all night doodling with a red pen on their homework and callling parents to BEG them to disconnect their Play Station or cell phone. If all that still doesn't CRUSH their hopes and dreams, I wait until the next morning when I see them in class and then hypnotize them all so they fall fast asleep and miss all my instruction.

I am a fun stealer and a torturer of all young people.

Or so my students believe.

2011 Home Goals

My favorite decorator, The Nester, is hosting a linky party today about our 2011 Home Goals.  This is a funny topic for me because my #1 Home Goal this year is to SELL IT; but regardless, I find it hard to pass up a good linky party...

My goals for my home this year follow two main themes:

1.) Minimalize (since we plan to downsize from our house and get rid of unnecessary "stuff)

2.) Work with White Walls & (cringe) Carpet (since we will more than likely be living in an apartment or some other form of rental)

So, here's a look at what I've got up my sleeve for 2011...

- Create the perfect nursery. 

(I have plenty of time, but right now Erin's bright and happy baby room is my inspiration (notice the room even has carpet).  I LOVE the simplicity, the colors, and that dresser - swoon!)  I'm hoping - boy or girl - to use shades of yellow and gray in the room with birds (for a girl) or elephants (for a boy).  This will, for sure, be my favorite project this year.  I can't WAIT to get started (and share all my ideas, of course).

- Cover this blasted chair.

This chair is the bain of my (domestic) existence.  It is the most comfortable, wonderful thing in the world (and, for the record, we haven't been able to find anything like it anywhere) - but it is so darn hideous.  Twenty- eleven WILL be the year I finally get it covered, and it regains its dignity.

I'm thinking something bold like this from Fabric.com?

- Introduce window treatments into my life.

In our current house we have HUGE, beautiful windows.  Honestly, I haven't really felt the need for window treatments of any sort (not to mention that it would be difficult to find rods etc. that would fit) because the windows kind-of speak for themselves.  BUT, as we consider moving into an apartment, I think long flowly curtains in awesome prints and designs would be a great way to snazz up our place and make it feel more like home.  Plus, I kind-of think investing in "window treatments" is a like a rite of passage into adulthood.  No?

This is a pattern I'm loving for a little girl's room to go with the gray and yellow theme above.  (Also from Fabric.com)

- Finally complete some of my wall-art projects.

I've literally had a pile of empty frames sitting in my basement since the summer to take-on this project.  (I found this on a design blog a while back, but I can't remember where.  I'm sorry!)  I'm also wanting to make a big gallery wall of framed photos and artwork in our next home.

- Invest in a nice rug (or two).

Like this from Anthropologie


- Purchase a duvet cover I love. (And stop letting Addy sleep in our bed.)

Like this from West Elm.

I think that should keep me pretty busy - and broke.  What are your Home Goals for 2011?  Head over to The Nesting Place to link up and share!