Friday Five...Except It's Really Saturday!

It's Friday Saturday!  You know what that means?  I'm linking up with The Sowell Life to recap the highlights of my week!



This late post is pretty indicative of how my week has been.  I feel like I've been one beat behind everyone else all week long.  The craziness of last week (school delays, canceled events, etc.) has caused me to be a bit off kilter, and unfortunately, I don't see an end in site.  At least not at the moment.  Next week, the students are off Monday (intended emphasis on students), so yet again, it won't be a normal week.  So, my Getting Back to Normal post from last week is pretty much null and void.  At least temporarily, anyway. 

I know it sounds like I'm complaining, but I'm really not.  Even amidst mayhem, it was still a great week.

1.  7th Grade Basketball Season Ended
This was my son's first year playing school basketball.  It has been quite an adventure.  He's been playing basketball since he was four.  I have loved watching him transition from baby boy to young man on the court.  I'm definitely his biggest fan!

2.  No Fast Food All Week
Anyone who knows me knows that this is a HUGE deal!  Our schedules are so busy that we turn to fast food for dinner at least 3 times a week.  Well, this week, I proudly profess that we have not donned the drive-thru window once this week!

3.  Getting in Bed by 10
I'm usually up until the wee hours of the night.  I'm always the last one to go to bed at night and the first one to rise in the mornings.  The tables have turned this week.  I'm pretty sure that I've been in bed, laptop closed and all, by 10:00 p.m. (give or take a few minutes) each night this week.


4.  End of My First Year as Cheer Coach at DJHS
Thursday night marked the end of my first year as DJHS Cheer Coach.  It's been an amazing year.  I've watched 16 girls become closer friends, more responsible young ladies, and overall better cheerleaders over the past 6 months. 

5.  Teaching Online Creative Writing Class
Teaching is what I was born to do.  I've accepted that.  I guess it's a good thing that I love doing it, huh?  Well, I found out last week that I'd be teaching an online Creative Writing class.  Of course, I'm very excited to be combining two of my loves:  teaching and technology!

Friday Five

It's time again for the Friday Five linkup with Joy over at The Sowell Life!  

It's official!  I have survived the first half of the 2013-2014 school year!  Woohoo!! It seems like only yesterday that I sadly relinquished my summer break and succumbed to teaching a rowdy bunch of energetic eleventh graders.  It's been a very exciting year and I'm honestly looking forward to a great second half--that is, after I finish relaxing and celebrating with my beloved family.

Here's my week in review:

1.  Christmas Parties.  'Tis the season!  I have thoroughly enjoyed the food, the friends, and the fun that go along with Christmas parties.  (Did I mention how much I loved the food?)  Just this week alone, I had the following Christmas parties on the docket:  Dirty Santa Earring Exchange for dance, Dirty Santa accessory party with my sweet cheerleaders, Studio Starrz Christmas Party, Delta Kappa Gamma Christmas party, Men's Fellowship gift exchange (for my husband and son, of course), and the Christmas Munch-a-thon and Dirty Santa at work.  (Now you see why I'm so excited about Christmas break?  This mama needs some rest!)

DJHS Cheerleaders Christmas Party

2.  Ever changing Christmas lists.  My son is really good about making a list and leaving it at that.  My daughter, on the other hand, needs a little work in that department.  Since November, when the first Christmas list crossed my desk, the princess has changed her list about 72 times!  I know that it's a girl's prerogative to change her mind, but seriously?  No more changes can be made to the Christmas list at this time!  Santa already has his elves busy and they can't be interrupted.

3.  Family time.  I'm so excited to be able to pump the brakes for a minute and just spend some time with my husband and children.

 4. Friendship.  I have been blessed with the best friends on the planet!  I am thankful each day for relationships with women whom I admire and who help encourage me to be a better me. 

5.  Christmas Break.  Oh, did I already mention that?  Sorry.  That's just how excited I am about it!  I hope that everyone has a wonderful holiday and that all of your dreams come true!

Still haven't finished this tree, but at least I have one up now!

Happy Holidays!

Friday Five...Christmas List Edition

Today, I'm linking up with Joy Sowell at The Sowell Life.  I'm also blogging like crazy with See Jane Write Birmingham.  So, I'm going to combine my Friday Five with my Christmas list (today's topic for #bloglikecrazy) to bring today's post.




All I want for Christmas is...


1.  A new winter coat:  I've been rocking my winter coat for several years and well...it's time for a new one.  So, Santa, if you're reading, here are a few of my favorites. 

 

2.  A mini getaway:  Nothing major.  Just a weekend at the beach or to the mountains.  Just somewhere that I can relax and take a quick break from it all.   

3.  An iPhone 5s. I'm addicted to my phone.  Normally, I'm one of that last few people to get the newest and greatest technology items.   Hence the reason I'm still using the iPhone 4s. 

photo from imore.com

4.  A Zappos gift card.  I need want new shoes.  Or, maybe a new handbag. 

photo from Zappos.com

5.  A Spa Day.  No need to explain, right? 

My Christmas list will probably change about ten times between now and Christmas.  I'm like a kid when I get new catalogs in the mail or when new commercials with "must-have" items come across the television screen. 

One thing I know for sure is that I already have more than what I need so if I don't get a single thing on this list, I'll be just fine.  It's fun to make lists and to wish for things.  Enjoy your holiday season!  May all your Christmas wishes come true!

Friday Five

It's been a while since I linked up with my girl, Joy, over at The Sowell Life.  I figured that since it's so dreary day outside,  I'd do something to brighten my day a little!  Reading the Friday Five posts makes me smile!  I love seeing what great weeks everyone has had. 

Here's my Friday Five:

1.  Thanksgiving Break:  Normally, I'm drained by the end of the work week.  However, this week was a bit more bearable knowing that Thanksgiving break is right around the corner.  So here's to the weekend, with a two-day work week ahead. 

photo from www.powerprofitness.com

2.  Basketball:  I love basketball season!  When I was a student at Auburn University, I was a member of Dunkin' Darlings (The Official Hosts for Basketball).  My son plays basketball and I'm a cheer coach, so I've had my fair share of basketball this week!  By the end of the night tonight, I will have been to 8 basketball games!  (Hence my excitement about Thanksgiving Break.)

3.  Friendship.  I'm so thankful for the friendships that I have been blessed with!  I am 100% sure that I have the best friends in the whole wide world.  I am truly undeserving of the wonderful people that have been placed in my life.  #myfriendsarebetterthanyourfriends

4.  Turkey and Dressing.  My mouth is already watering for my mom's turkey and dressing.  I'm pretty sure that I'll be posting about that, and all the other yummy trimmings, next week.  Stay tuned. 


5.  Alabama Weather.  Enough said.  My fellow Alabama residents can attest to the fact that there's nothing constant about the weather here in Alabama these days.  You have to play each day by ear.  You never know what you're going to get.  Warm or cool. Wet or dry.  Sunny or cloudy.  Here's an example:  today's high temp is 66, Sunday's is 45. Us Alabamians know better than to put our shorts and tank tops up yet.  For, only time will tell what the December temps will be like.  (Okay, shorts and tanks may be a bit of a stretch...)

I hope everyone has a great weekend! 

Friday Five!

It's the final Friday of August.  I cannot believe that yet another month has passed us by!  School has been in session for two weeks.  One more week and I should be settled back into my routine for the next eight months. 

I'm looking forward to this long weekend and I am taking the initiative to make sure that it is a restful one for me!  I hope that you all enjoy your weekends. 

Here's my Friday Five...

1.  Still more fresh veggies...

My garden didn't get the memo that I'm back at work.  Tomatoes, green beans, and peppers are still going strong in the garden!  Here's this week's harvest. 

2.  Classroom decor...

Last year, my sweet niece painted this picture for my classroom.  I loved it so much, that I decided to use it again this year.  I found the word art at The Dollar Tree in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Doesn't it look cute with the painting? 

3.  Pranksters...

When I introduce myself to my students each year, I always include a spill about my love affair with all things Auburn.  Needless to say, the 'Bama fans in the room make sure to inform me that I've made a horrible choice and usually find pretty creative ways to leave notes that include their well-known battle cry.  I've given them explicit instructions to refrain from writing on my board.  So, when I returned to my classroom after lunch today, this was on my board.  When I finally noticed it, their response was, "Hey, we didn't write on your board!"  I love my students!

4.  New Bzz Agent Campaigns...

I was super excited to receive free products from Bzz Agent this week!  I absolutely love this Word of Mouth Marketing company that allows me to try free products in exchange for an honest review of the products.  We've gotten some really cool products.  It's always fun to see what we're getting next!  Stay tuned for my upcoming reviews of these products.  (Disclaimer:  The only compensation that I receive from Bzz Agent are the products.  I do not receive financial compensation for my opinions.  All opinions are my own personal, unbiased opinions.)

Football!!!!!!!!

I LOVE football.  Honestly, I think that I love all that comes along with football.  Cheerleaders cheering, bands playing, fans screaming, popcorn popping, friends celebrating. It's just a good time had by all (football fans)!  I'm excited that it's football season again.  It's the only time of year that I can GUARANTEE that I'll see my friends from Auburn University.  I'm anxiously awaiting tomorrow's season opener!!! 

Don't forget...enjoy your weekend.  Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend!!