Thankful Thursday

I stole this idea from a blog that I absolutely enjoy reading!
I think its a fantastic idea to remember the little things that we are blessed to have!
So here is my list for today!

*I am thankful to have Troy. He really does try each day to make my life easier! He also is very patient with me when I get worked up or stressed out. He just gets me and that is so nice!

*I am thankful for every single person who is involved in trying to make our wedding a dream come true. My parents, Troys parents, Jessica, Troy and all of my friends who ask me how planning is going, offer advice or ideas, bring me things that they think I might like or be interested in! I am so excited to be getting married to Troy and I am excited to see all these plans coming together, too. It is nice to have so many people who are excited for us!

*I am thankful to be a new part of Troy's family. Cindy and Warner are beyond supportive and loving! I am also happy to finally have a sister to call my own... and one that I enjoy at that! Troy's family is so similar to my own, it just feels right to be apart of them!

*I am thankful to have fabulous lady friends that I work with.

*I am thankful to have found pilates and bicycling... 2 activities that I enjoy doing. They make me strong and I never feel bored with doing them!

*I am thankful to have coffee, sugar free vanilla soy lattes and coke zero... I love caffeine!!!

*I am thankful for date nights. I think a lot of people assume that because Troy and I live together and because we are always with each other, that we get a lot of alone time together. But we actually don't! By time we get done with work and working out, we have a few hours to eat and watch tv, check email etc. Its hard to spend quality time with someone when you are exhausted from the day! This is why date nights are my fave! I think we are doing Mt Lemmon picnic night tomorrow!!! woo hoo!

*I am thankful for cute outfits and accessories... just love them!

*I am thankful for having lost almost 25 pounds since summer 2009. I am thankful that I did it through good ole fashioned exercise and diet and I am thankful that I did it just to be healthier and without any ulterior motive (like wedding dress etc.) I hope to continue to lose about 5 to 10 pounds more, but I am really feeling pretty good right now!

Hope everyone is having a great week so far! Friday is almost here!!
xoxo

Today I wish...

It's not Wednesday yet, but its close enough for me to NOT feel like I am cheating!

Today I wish I was a stay-at-home fiance. I would make homemade chocolate chip chunk cookies and get them out of the oven at just the right moment, so that they were still hot and melty in my mouth. I would eat them in some super soft jammies while watching an all day marathon of my favorite movies and shows (all while not gaining a single pound, either)! Of course I would be doing this all in my extra comfy king sized bed that had permanently cold sheets... no need for moving around to get out of the 'hot zone'. The windows would be open and the crisp 70 degree-ish breeze would be wafting in. Troy would be with me too, but he wouldn't complain about the movie selection at all... just giggle and cry right there along side me.

Doesn't that sound so delightful?

Top 2 favorite hair products!

Oh Lordy am I am expert in this department! I sure do enjoy my products!!!
Here are my top two faves for the time being... it tends to change depending on my hair mood!


Framesi Sparkling Mousse

This mousse is FAN-tastic! It is strong enough to hold styles of ALL kinds, but light enough to not make you look like you are sporting an 80's doo! I am a big fan of body too... you know the bigger the hair (within reason), the happier I am!

I also absolutely loooooove Pureology!
I am a particular fan of the Hydrate line.
It is pretty expensive, so I am not always actually using this product! But I do enjoy getting it as a present (just thought I would throw it out there!) ha ha ha


Can't wait to see everyone's favorite products!!!
xoxo

Wildcat Frenzy

This weekend was a blast!

Friday didn't quite work out the way I had planned... I really dislike plans falling through (boo) I did end up helping my cousin put together her wedding invites and that was a blast!

Saturday was all about the...


Troy and I had an AHHHHH... mazing time cheering on our alma mater! We popped around from tailgate to tailgate, trying to keep cool. It was so super duper hot outside that Troy and I had to sneak into McKale center to cool off a bit!



Being semi-sneaky...

Boygle and Brother Bear at the Wildcat Walk...

And this is why we won people... because Sunshine touched my hand! (if you look really close you can see my manicured fingers gracing his palm)

It was a great day to be a Wildcat! Unexpected win, but much deserved! Bear Down Arizona!

Happy blogging friends!!!
xoxo

weekend plans

Sooo I am super excited for my weekend plans!

After a week like this one (parent teacher conferences), I really need some fun!
Since I was at school for almost 12 hours yesterday, I get to leave by noon today! Each morning when I was waking up at the crack of dawn, I was chanting to myself, 'half day Friday, half day Friday'.
Anywho, as soon as I say adios to this place, I am off to La Encantada shopping complex to get some face wash! Not a big whoop de doo, but I have been needing it ALL week and haven't had ANY time to get some! So I am excited to finally get a brand new crisp bottle of my Bliss Face Wash. Easily excitable here! I am also going to walk through Crate and Barrel and mind register for our wedding. No real registry yet, but I can pretend! Then I am going to meet my friend Kristen for some birthday drinks and appetizers! I am happy to see her. We are both so busy that we only get to see each other about once a month, and I look forward to our friend time so much! Love you Kristen! After that I am heading over to my cousins house to assemble her wedding invites! Some bonding time and giggles are ahead!

Saturday, Troygle and I are going on a bike ride! Maybe not the most thrilling of things, but I enjoy spending time with him in whatever capacity I can! Then we will chillax (and I hope to take a nap!) Later in the day its tailgate city time! UofA vs Iowa, baby! Its gonna be a good one and we must start it off right with an awesome tailgate!

Sunday is our baby cousin's Christening (we are almost married so I think I can start saying 'our' and 'we' when referring to the fam's). I hope to get a ride in before that too! This week has been so jam-packed I have felt like major loser on the exercise front. Plus I had chicken fingers Wednesday night and I might have succumbed to my obsession with Whoppers last night (whoops)!

I also am making a promise to be better about posting (and taking) pictures! So my next post will have some awesome shots... hopefully!

Happy Weekend friends!

Time's ticking away...

Hello all!
I have been an absentee blogger and I have heard a little flak from some of my followers... some of the 4 (boo). I have this secret desire to have more than just 4 followers... it is sad!
Anywho, I am typing this lil ole post up in a moment of semi-frustration! Not knock down, drag out frustration, just mild life frustration!

I wish I had more time!!!!

I know everyone can relate to this sentiment! I just think if I had an extra 4 hours in the day, I could be soooo much more... well... everything!

Here is my theory on how having more time would help me:
If I had more time...
I could be so much more svelte, because I would be able to squeeze the bike rides and pilates lessons in more frequently!
I could be such a better friend! Here is my confession... I think about all of my friends and how they are doing while I am getting ready for work in the early morning. If I had extra time I could actually call them in the evening and see how they are! (ps... if you are a morning person and wouldn't mind getting a call from me, let me know!)
I would definitely be a better fiance. I would cook gourmet meals, make homemade cards and think of super thoughtful things to do each day for my boygle!
I think I would be a pretty amazing teacher, because I would have more time to research fun, exciting new things to do with my class!
I would for sure be less tired!

That's all... just a little rant and rave about not having enough time to be the fabulous person I really think I could be! For now, I guess "better than mediocre" will have to do!

Hope everyone is doing well in blog-land!
I am excited for my weekend plans... cocktails with my Kristen, wedding invitation assembly with my cousin, UofA vs. Iowa with my loves and family dinner!
I hope to actually get some pics up here soon... now that I think of it, I do have a pretty fun life!!!
Talk about a crazy lady!!!

Lemme 'splain something

I am a teacher because I love being a teacher. I truly, truly, truly cannot imagine doing anything else with my professional life. Will I always feel this way, I am not 100% sure, but right now this is exactly where I want to be in life.

So why, United States of America, do you continue to attempt to strip away my intrinsic motivation?

Every year, multiple times a year we are given new demands and expectations often disguised as 'goals'. I sit through every meeting, every committee and I listen and I pump myself up to accomplish said goal. I mean at the heart of it all we are ALL working towards bettering our students education and lives. And I do believe in that, wholeheartedly. (period)

Sometimes however something so completely bananas gets thrown our way that is completely hard to swallow. Like expecting ALL special education students to meet or exceed the standards! *This may or may not be something that is a big deal to anyone else, or maybe you do have strong opinions about what should or should not be done. I don't care if anyone disagrees with me or agrees with me. I am just griping AND considering that this is my blog and you are reading of your own free will, I guess I can do that.*

I believe that all students are learners, whether they come to me in pieces or perfectly put together in a nice neat little package. Sure the perfect package scenario is simple, maybe even ideal, but the reality is that most kids are not coming into the classroom this way. Do I care... hell no! I believe in all children and their UNIQUE ability to learn. Realisticaly speaking a child who suffers with a learning disability might not ever be able to do the same things to the same degree as a child without. Do I no longer believe in them? Absolutely not! Should their success be measured against a student who does not suffer from the learning disability? No, I do not believe so. People can be successful in so many ways and should be celebrated and encouraged for their successes. Growth is success. Happiness is success. Maintaining the desire to learn, regardless of the fact that learning new things may perpetually be difficult, is tremendous growth and strength.

Why is this not measured? Why is this not a part of accountability?

I am frustrated. I am frustrated because I care about children. I care about ALL children.

Top Two Simple Pleasures

Today's topic is Top Two Simple Pleasures! I am all about the little things that make our lives so much happier! So here are just 2 of the things that enrich MY life...

1. Exercising with Troy...

This might sound a little bananas, but Troy-boy and I enjoy getting our fitness on outside! We prefer to hike or ride our bikes! Whatever we are doing, we talk and chat and encourage each other PLUS we burn calrories! It is really just a simple thing, but I love it!

2. Clean house...

maybe another lame-o pleasure, but my heart melts whenever I come home from work or a long day and the house is spic and span! I am a major softie for cleanliness and order, so of course a clean house appeals to my neurosis!

Some other ones that didn't make the list (but are equally fab!)*handmade pictures from my students
*a glass of vino to take the edge off
*the smell of clean laundry

*cloudy, rainy days

*looking through old family pictures, listening to family stories

*being with good friends and family

*snuggles and movies with Troy

Alright, truth be told I could go on FOREVER, but I will stop now. I bet as soon as I post this I will have thought of at least 10 more! Head over to Taylor's blog and post you favorite Top 2!

Top Two Tuesdays are sooo much fun... I can't wait until Tuesday!

Top 2 Favorite Colognes and Perfumes
I am such a creature of habit! I always try out new perfumes and could spend hours at Sephora, but no matter what... these are my ALL time faves!

Burberry Brit
I have been wearing this for the last 6 years! Wow... that makes me sound boring! I just looooove the yummy smell of this perfume... I think it makes me smell like a special cookie :)



Viva la Juicy
Troy bought this for me as a Christmas gift and I have already used all of it up!!! I am obsessed with spraying it on me. I do not care if people think of me as the girl who wears way too much perfume... I am fine with that as long as it is Viva la Juicy!



AND for the guys... I love love love

Aqua Di Gio
Yum, yum, yum... that's all I've got to say! And yes... my Troy Boy wears this for me all the time!!!


Happy Week Friends!

Wedding Plans (yippee)

Got the boy...

Got the ring (loooove)...


Got the Church...


Got the Westward Look for the Reception...

Got the dress... but I cannot show you that! Well not yet, at least!

I cannot believe how everything is coming together! We are sending out our Save the Dates at the end of the week! AND we are 'officially' celebrating our engagement with our immediate family in a few weeks! I am so excited!!

I am wondering if any of you wonderful gals can give me some creative ideas for attendant gifts???

Hope everyone is having a fantastic Tuesday! xoxo

Its been awhile...

Sorry friends! I have been absent from the blogging scene for waaaaay too long!

I think I have a pretty valid excuse...
I'm engaged!
Yep, TB popped the question and I just couldn't resist!
Since then life has been a little hectic. We want to get married in March and considering that is 9 months away we had some important details to set right away.

Now that we have the date, the church, the venue and the save the dates pretty much ready to mail, we can we relax and enjoy being engaged!

Whew... its pretty amazing to have found the man I am going to marry!
In the words of the wise Carrie Bradshaw, 'if you can find someone to love the you, you love, well, that's just fabulous.'

My Brother

I love my brothers. In fact, I wish there was a better more fitting word than love, because sometimes it just doesn't seem to fully explain how I feel about my brothers. My oldest brother is Jonathan (left) and my youngest brother is Joshua (right).

Jonathan is a lawyer in Phoenix and Josh... he will be Vegas' new addition in about 2 weeks. (I apologize ahead of time Jon, this post is about Joshie... I owe one to you later!)
To say that I am proud of my little brothers accomplishment is an understatement. He received a promotion which is what will be bringing him to Vegas. I am excited for his new challenge and for him to spread his wings and all that fun stuff that goes along with transitioning into a new phase in your life... etc.
Unfortunately its also incredibly hard for me to keep it together right now. I wish I could separate out the emotional part of it and just be 150% pumped for you. I know about the excitement of Vegas and I know how fun of a place it is for a 23 year old man to be. I know how thrilling it is to get your very own place without 'roomies' and to start a new job, meet new people and try new things. I know all these things and the instant that I bring your moving up to ANYone, they remind me of all these things.

But I have so much emotion attached to this, that I just wish someone would take it away. I was 5 years old when Josh magically appeared into my world. I was definitely old enough to know and remember what was going on. Josh was like my very own real life baby doll! I loved to help do things for him and even though EVERYone knew Oshie was spoiled, it didn't matter to me (after a while and realizing that him being spoiled was NOT going to change. I think about him moving and I cant help but think about how little brother Josh. I remember he would absolutely NOT take a shower unless I sat in the bathroom talking to him. I dont even remember what we talked about at 3 years old, I just remember sitting on the toilet bowl listening to him gab away. I remember him screaming and crying and being so nervous when he fell backwards into the jumping cactus in our front yard, and I can remember how swollen his little body was once we finally got all the little stickers out. I can remember watching him ride his bicycle like a raving lunatic, pumping his little legs over and over and his little dardevil sunkissed face smiling the whole time!


Its very hard for me not to see my little Joshie, when I look at my brother.
Most people know Josh for the incredibly fun loving person that he is, but I know him for so much more than just that.
I so wish that I could just push it aside, better than I have been doing and just be there and be genuinely, without worry, excited for him. I wish that I could take my mom's worry away. Actually I just wish that I could give him the dream job he deserves, a little bit closer to home. I know he will be successful and just fabulous in Vegas... my brother can do anything!
I am just going to miss him so very much. He really just holds the most precious place in my heart.

Happy Birthday Troy!

Today is my loves most special day! His Birthday!?! I am very thankful to have him in my life! He always makes me laugh...

We always make time for silliness in our lives...



and smooches too!


What cannot be caught in pictures are all the other wonderful things that Troy does every. single. day.
He knows exactly what to say to calm me down when I have spun myself into a nervous or frustrated ball of energy. He knows exactly when I need encouragement or a boost to keep myself going when work or life gets a little sticky. He knows exactly how to love me best! I am very thankful to have him and his wonderful family as a part of my life!
Speaking of family, I need to thank Cindy and Warner and everybody in Troys family who has helped to make him the most perfect creature for me!
Happy Birthday TPB!!!!

Updates Baby, Updates!

Well it has been quite a while everyone! I have been up to quite a bit but I am going to limit the words and share PICTURES!!!
Here goes...
Much needed Happy Hour with the gals...

and with the guys!

Lots of silly times and laughs...




This weekend we celebrated my Troy Boys Birthday with a fun Luau!! The weather was absolutely perfect!!! Jess and I had a lot of fun planning and prepping for the big event! It was fun to have all of our families and friends meet and spend time together... all to celebrate Troy :)
The Birthday Babers!

The best friend AND best helper!

Some of the partiers!

Cake Time!!

Let's cut it!!!

The Girls After Party

Some dancin and cocktails...



So that is what we have been up to recently! Some fun, exciting things. Tomorrow is Troys actual birthday and we are going to go to a nice yummy dinner, can't say where just yet! Only 3 more weeks until the end of school... it is going to be a very busy, exciting and bittersweet time! And then there will be summer! I have to say I am really looking forward to the summer!!! Yippee... have a great week everybody!

Poopy Monday

My weekend was spent eating (homemade steak dinner Friday, dinner out at Champs Saturday and Sunday Family dinner), being entertained (saw Chicago Saturday night) and relaxing... well for the most part anyways!

I am really, really, really looking forward to sleeping tonight! Monday mornings are soooo very rough for me!! I never make it to bed on time Sunday night and I totally pay for it Monday morning! My favorite Starbucks baristas always know to make my Monday Americano a venti now! Add into the mix that today is overcast with a good chance of rain and any teacher or anybody who works with children knows what kind of Monday it has been. Oh and I have a class until 7pm today... boooo. This totally interrupts my dinner AND conflicts with my 'slim and sassy Amanda' plan (this is just my fancy way of saying 'working out'... I make it sound fun and exciting to trick myself into doing it!)

It is kind of sad when I am already looking forward to tomorrow night to get a good nights sleep! And to actually get some much needed snuggly time with Troy.
Happy Monday everyone!

The 3's of ME!

This is super fun AND super easy to do! I promise this is the last survey for awhile, and then I will be back to blogging my own thoughts! I have been so super duper exhausted recently... damn those stinkin Arizona allergies!

Three names I go by:
1. Amanda
2. teacher
3. babes, babers

Three jobs I have had:
1. 1st grade teacher (current)
2. dance teacher
3. banquet server, and so many other positions at the El Conquistador

Three Places I have lived:
1. Queens, NY
2. Tucson, AZ
and thats all!

Three favorite drinks:
1. water
2. coke zero or diet ginger ale
3. WIIIIINNNNNEEEE

Three TV shows I watch:
1. reality TV- Bachelor, Bachelorette, DWTS, AI
2. E channel reality TV- Keeping up with the Kardashians, Kendra etc
3. Cooking channel
I am ADDICTED to reality tv!!!


Three places I have been:
1. Mazatlan
2. Alaska
3. Canada

Three places I would like to visit:
1. Italy
2. Greece
3. Hawaii

Three people who text me regularly:
1. Troy boy
2. Jess, my bestie
3. brothers

Three favorite old TV shows:
1. Saved By The Bell
2. Doogie Howser MD
3.

Three favorite dishes:
1. Pizza.... nummy
2. Hot diggity dogs
3. I just really love food, it is so hard to pick favorites

Three makeup products I cannot live without:
1. Mascara
2. Black eyeliner
3. lipgloss

Three things I'm looking forward to:
1. sleeping (I am always looking forward to this!)
2. getting my MRS degree (are you listening or I guess reading this, Troy?)
3. adding my own offspring to the family

ABC... its easy as 123!!!

A few friends have been doing this fun little 'quiz'.
I love learning about people, so I figured I would do it too :)
Let me know if you do it, too... I would love to read your answers!

A - Age: 28 years young

B - Bed size: Queen

C - Chore you hate: Cleaning the tub... I just really hate that :(

D - Dog's names: Bella, although I am not sure if she is still mine as she has been adopted by my parents

E - Essential start your day item: Americano or this coffee drink Troy makes for me!!! And brushing my teeth... I cannot start my day without that!!!

F - Favorite color: Pink

G - Gold or Silver or Platinum: Platinum

H - Height: 6'0

I - Interesting fact about yourself: I am super turbo organized or anal... however way you look at it. Sometimes I worry if I have some mild form of OCD!!! I just really associate cleanliness and organization with calm and order. People laugh at me and I even laugh at myself sometimes, but I cannot relax if things are out of place or all messy or out of the order in which I think they should be. It is not unlike me to try to organize or straighten up someones 'space' without even knowing that I am doing it.

J - Jewelry you wear everyday: charm bracelet from my brothers, although not all the charms are from them, necklace from my love and another bracelet and earrings

K - Kids: I will have some of my own someday, but for now I play with other peoples kiddos all day long!!

L - Living arrangements: Three's Company style with my Troy and Matt

M - Mom's name: Donna

N- Nicknames: Manda, Mandy... I think thats all

O - Overnight hospital stay other than birth: no overnighters... I've been lucky to only have outpatient procedures!

P - Pet Peeve: not being considerate of others

Q - Quote: ...and what is done with love is well done. Van Gogh

R - Right handed or left handed: Right

S - Siblings: 2 brother bears!!

T - Time you wake up: 6am for work, maybe like 7 or 8am on the weekend! I always need sleep, but never seem to be able to sleep past 7 or 8!!!

U- Underwear: yep... have to have them

V - Vegetable you dislike: I really enjoy all veggie's... even the good ole' brussel sprouts!

W - Ways you run late: not being able to find anything to wear!!! other than that I am always on time or early :)

X - X-rays you've had: leg, wrist, hand, teeth, face, ribs, neck... I was in 2 pretty yucky accidents. One car accident where they made an Amanda sandwich out of me and once I was thrown off an atv after it rolled over my body.

Y - Yummy food you make: I love to cook food!!!

Z - Zoo favorite: giraffe

Its been too long...

So I feel as if I have been so behind on blogging... I totally apologize!!!
I have been going bananas with conferences, report cards, work projects and activities, classes and trying to balance all the other priorities in my life too!!!! I am just EXHAUSTED by time I get home!!! Troy and I are taking a 'staycation' this weekend... basically we are doing nothing!!! Well except for that community yard sale Saturday and family dinner Sunday. Oh and working out and.... see how the days get filled up sooooooo FAST!?!

Anyways... I have some exciting news about 2 of my great friends!

The first is that my friend Shelley and her boyfriend are now ENGAGED!!!
I am over the moon excited for Shelley and Clark! They are such a fabulous pair and I am super excited for their big day and all the fun days leading up to it, too!

The next thrilling bit of news is that my friend Jaci and her husband have finally sold their house in Minnesota and are moving back to Tucson! Wooo hooo!!! This has been like a year in the making so now its official... I can hear the words 'reunited and it feels so good...' playing in my head now!!!

Finally... it has been a bit of a doosey this week in my 1st grade class. Lets just say that kids know way too much these days AND parents should be very protective and aware of what their children are exposed to directly and indirectly! Anyways after dealing with all the drama and smoothing everything over (hopefully), we were walking to Music when one of my students said...

Ms. P... I love being the line leader.

(me)Even though it means you have to clean the tables at lunch??

Yep... I dont care, I just love holding your hand when we walk in line!

Talk about perspective... they have NO idea how much they teach ME everyday!

Spring Break Recap!!!!

It has been an extremely busy but EXCITING Spring Break!
I started the vacation off with a mini trip to Phoenix… Troy and I went to IKEA and picked out some furniture for the room! We then got to meet up with Patrick, Sarah and Allison for dinner! I forgot my camera so there are no new pictures of the little princess... boo I cannot believe I did that… I felt like a big ding dong! I did get some bonding time with Ms. Allison and learned a bit more about her! She likes to look around when I am holding her… she is a very curious bambino! And she toots like a champ! To Ms. Allison, I say… You go Girl!!!
Monday I went on a shopping excursion with Jess and her mom! We had a lot of fun hitting up BB&B, Target and Home Goods! We also made a little visit to Babies R’ Us and made Jess show us the major things she would pick out for Baby Agredano! I can’t wait until we find out what that little peanut is growing into!!!!
Tuesday and Wednesday I was up to my eyeballs in boxes and packing… bleh! Jess and Troy-boy kept checking in on me, because I think they were afraid I would be taken over by cardboard!
Thursday was paint day.
You might say to yourself, ‘Wow…that is all they did all day long?’
To which I would say, ‘YES… we painted aaaaallllllll day long! Boy am I glad Thursday is over (and the paint looks fantastic)!
But then the evening came and we had the 1st EVER fabulous ladies Bunco Bonanza, hosted by the lovely Nikki Churchill! We had some great snacks, conversation and fun while playing a pretty intense dice roll game! I had heard of coworkers of mine that played in a monthly group and always laughed to myself while thinking… super nerds!!!! Boy was I wrong (feel free to call me a super nerd!) We had a BLAST and unanimously agreed to have future monthly Bunco nights!
Friday Matt, Troy and I moved all of my lovely things to the house. Well let me rephrase that… Matt and Troy did most everything! I just finished packing the rest of the house, tied up some loose ends and had a mini panic attack when I saw Troy dropping things into Matt’s arms from the 2nd floor. I think it was understood that I would do most of the unpacking. And boy did I unpack! If you know me at all, you know that I had the majority of things put away that evening. The things that weren’t put away had at least had an assigned spot, for a later time!
Saturday I graded at least 100 assignments and entered them into the online gradebook. Well maybe not exactly 100, but really close to that. I also unpacked and reorganized some more.
Sooooo…. there was a little more to Saturday...it was my friend’s baby shower. This is the friend that I decided to part ways with. Seeing as I have not heard from her AT ALL, to discuss some of the hurtful things that went down, I opted to be a no show. I felt a little guilty about it… I would have loved to be there, Hell I would have loved to throw it for her. However I have come to the realization that if I do not have a higher expectation of my friendships then I will constantly be faced with these hurtful situations. By higher expectation I’m talking mutual respect, reliability and trust…not Carnival cruises and shopping excursions. At some point in my adult life I said no way Jose to negative relationships and who walks in but my Prince Troygle! Since I have let go of this friendship (and start to move past the sad part) I have been able to spend more time fostering the friendships that matter.
Anyways… back to the recap!
Sunday I finished grading the last 100 things I needed to grade… again this is an approximate. Troy and Matt BUSTED through the house repairing, reviving, plucking, filling and being the handiest of men! I escaped to some family dinner and celebrated St. Josephs Feast day (Friday) with a zeppole. For those of you who aren’t Italian Catholics and have never had the honor of tasting one of these delicacies…. I am sorry  They are divine! The best way I can describe it is… the most delicious fluffy, yet crispy on the outside donut, cut in half and filled with whipped vanilla custard, topped with fresh whipped cream….. heaven! I do not like to commit myself to a favorite Italian pastry, but this one might be it!!!
Which brings me to TODAY!!!
Today was the 1st day back after being off for 10 glorious days! I was happy to see the little rascals! I am also looking forward to learning about the Butterfly Life Cycle, Objects in the Sky and painting our interpretation on Van Gogh’s Starry night this week. Oh yea… math and writing too! Maybe even a little reading!!!! Happy Monday!!!

Oh and peeps... I need some followers!
Please and Thank you!

List Mania!?!

Happy Friday!
This is a pretty special and happy Friday as it is the last work day for me and then I am on Spring Break!

FYI... teachers love Spring Break MORE than the kids do! (its true)

There is only one down side to it... when we come back from Spring Break, there is 9 loooong harrowing weeks to get through before Summer! I say long and harrowing, not because I don't enjoy and love what I do. Its just as the weather gets warmer, the kids get antsy.

Not to mention they subconsciously know there is going to be a shift and change in their life. Kids really enjoy and crave consistency. They tend to get a little twitchy knowing that change is in the air. Anyways... summer is far off and I know we will make it through!

Sooooo... my super duper really exciting news is that this Spring Break, Troy and I are taking a ginormous step in our relationship.

We are moving in together!!!???!!!

I would like to be able to put a word on this blog that could fully describe how I feel, but I can't actually find one. Basically I am feeling all of those good, thrilling feelings that I love to feel!!!Needless to say, this Spring Break we will be doing a lot of things to get ready for this big transition.

So yesterday I told Troy I wanted to make a To Do list. Troy initially just laughed, because he knows how much I love my little lists. But he doesn't really know how much I love them. I have always been poked fun of by my family at how incredibly organized and anal I am. I don't think there is anything wrong with it, I just understand that not everyone is the same way.... so I try really hard to hide or minimize this aspect of myself. Troy doesn't pop into my work enough to see my bookshelves and desk lined with lists. Typically I de-clutter my purse of lists and notes before I get home, so I wont get caught. Its really all a little intense. Anywho, I think Troy really began to understand how important my lists are to me yesterday.... when I had my first mini meltdown right in front of him!!!

Troy and I were talking about the little things that he would like for us to do before we pack up and move my stuff. As I am listening I become immediately aware that I have reached my mental to do list limit and so it is time to bust out with the good old pen and paper. This is actually one of my favorite feelings. Its like a wave of excitement takes over as I am writing all the little projects down on the paper. I follow with the days and then start mapping out the projects. Troy is watching me do this, with a semi-perplexed look on his face, kind of saying to himself... is she really planning when we are going to fold up the tables? Well actually he said that one out-loud. It was at this moment that he realized that his girlfriend has been replaced by...

Anal (retentive) Amanda.

It was also at this moment, by the look on his face, that I instantly became embarrassed and a little defensive. Oh Bananas! Now he knows how much these little paper lists mean to me! In Troys mind he knows this stuff is going to get done, but for me I need my list to know it will get done.

My lists are like my little contracts.

In a panic I scribbled the tables out and attempted to crumple the list. Troy stopped me and wanted to keep the list going, totally for my benefit... which I appreciated.

Now here is where I got a little batty...

I want to continue this list, but there is a scribble on it!!!

I cant have this being on my list.

It is at this moment that I have the breakdown.

I want to cry because I realize that I am being ridiculous.

I want to laugh because I think the look on Troys face is so funny.

He looks as confused as I feel!

So what do I do?

I laugh and cry all at the same time (a talent totally inherited from Grams)

And Troy just hugs me and gets me a new piece of paper.

He knows why all of this is really happening.

I just want everything to be perfect for us.

And I calm down because I realize that everything is perfect.

And we make the list.... our little list :)