Are years getting shorter?

Sometimes I wonder if I missed the memo:

Dear all,

Please note that effective immediately, days will feel shorter, time will fly, and school years will seem to end quickly. This change in policy will be known as your life passing you by; however some departments may call it the creeping in of old age. 

Sincerely,
The Keeper of Time


I absolutely cannot believe that today was the last day of school. Although all of my paperwork is done...report cards done and printed, student files filled in and submitted to the office, book inventories emailed...I spent no time cleaning my classroom during the lead up to today. So, for the next few days when the weather is scheduled to be gorgeous, I will be in my classroom.  You can laugh now.

Head over to Lauren's blog to participate!

 1. The last movie I saw was Letters to Juliet.  It just came on Sho a few weeks ago and I DVRed it right away...and watched it on a school night (gasp!).  I think I liked it even more than I should have because I was high on the exhilaration of having a normal evening not filled with school work! I'm a sucker for any romantic comedy.

2. I want to not have to make a decision.  I feel like Mr. Fine and I are constantly making major decisions, negotiating our time together, and figuring something out.  I want to be able to enjoy the present.

3. Surprises are something I'm not usually good at.  Case in point: I sent Mr. Fine a card last week.  According to my calculations the card should have arrived on Wednesday.  So on Monday, I asked what he was doing on Wednesday, what time he'd be going home, and what time the mail arrived.  Pretty sure he'd figured it out by my third question.  Yep.  Surprise!

4. The best accessory is a necklace.  Long.  Short.  Doesn't matter, but homemade is my latest craze.

5. My favorite warm drink is a pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks.  But a cappuccino from my Tassimo and flavored with caramel syrup will do just fine in non-pumpkin latte season, thank you!

6. My favorite cold drink is lemon crystal light.  Water is disgusting.  Throw in some cute yellow crystals and I could drink a jug!

7. Currently I'm loving Criminal Minds marathons on A&E, that Covert Affairs is back on, chocolate chips straight from the bag, my Clarks Unstructured Pumps, and my lily pad flowers.

Happy Weekend!

A relaxing Sunday

I've had a perfect weekend so far...I got some school work done (but not too much to make it a school weekend), did some reading on the patio, watched the lily pad flowers come to life in the pond, and cut the lawn.  And as you can likely see, I did some blog face-lifting...I just need to fiddle with my signature image so the white background is transparent...but the weather is too nice to sit inside for much longer so that will need to wait!

I went out for a few minutes to capture the flora with my point and shoot and got these quick SOOC shots:

This lily pad flower is just so pretty -- my photography skills don't do it justice.  The yellow center portion is a nice complement to the light pink petals.

Photo Challenge: Yellow

 

I'm so excited that the fish have started swimming at the surface when I am close to the pond.  It takes them a few weeks in Spring/Summer to not be scared any more.  After winter, the fish always tend to hide whenever we go near the pond.  Now, they are swimming a ton and so fun to watch!

I've got a busy week coming up -- the last week of school...so a few more concepts to teach, field day, and of course, a field trip.  To top off a great weekend, I'm living off a high of grabbing a great thrifted cardigan last week.  I'm hoping the weather cooperates this week so I can wear a skirt with it! :-)

Have a great week everyone!

Good Stuff

A few months ago, Mr. Fine and I headed to D.C. for the weekend.  Mr. Fine had eaten at Good Stuff the last time he was in D.C. so it was there, of course, that we headed for dinner on Friday night.  As we were standing in line, I kept thinking to myself that I was positive I had seen the cashier somewhere before.  Me?  A teacher hailing far from D.C. recognizing a cashier in D.C.?  No, must be just their twin double.  We placed our order and stood waiting for the food to arrive.  While we waited we overhead a conversation between a random group of people to this effect:

That's him.  I should get a picture.  No, he'll think I'm crazy.  Oh, just take the picture.

Leave it to Mr. Fine.  He asked the group who they were talking about.  Why, Spike from Top Chef, of course!  So I wasn't crazy!  I did recognize the cashier (er, owner of Good Stuff).  Spike's season of Top Chef was one of the Top Chef seasons that I did watch.

Needless to say, that burger was the best burger I've really ever had.  And the fries.  OMG!

Wish I'd take a picture...but the remnants were none too pretty.  A balled up wrapper is not what blogs are made of! ;-)

A few weeks ago, I borrowed the Good Stuff Eatery cookbook from our local library.  Together (that's code for Mr. Fine) we made the Obama burger and Sunny's fries.

Our attempt at replicating our night out in D.C. took a bit longer than a stand in line...but oh, it was well worth it!

Our Obama burger and Sunny's Fries...home version

Have any of you eaten at Good Stuff?  Which burger did you order?

Back at It with Fill in the Blanks

I'm a bit worried I may have forgotten how to post.  Oops.  Life has gotten a bit busy and I've been terrible about blogging. I take a few minutes each day to read blogs but have really just been stalking.  I'm giving a shot at getting back at the swing of things with a Fill in the Blanks via Lauren.

1. If I could get away somewhere for the weekend I would go absolutely no where!  Is that allowed?  I've been away for most of the week on a class trip and am picking up Mr. Fine at the airport tomorrow morning.  A weekend of home time is much needed.  We do plan on planting the yard this weekend so I will be getting to the garden store!

2. Something I often rant about is the decisions made by our administration...that and people who drive under the speed limit.  I'm not a speeder but at least go the speed limit!

3. One item I need to have in my fridge at all time is a carton of fresh cage-free veggie fed eggs.  I typically get the urge to bake on the weekends and go nuts when my eggs have expired...which may indeed by the case when tomorrow morning rolls around.  Hmm.

4. My "life-saving" product is my iPhone.  I'm constantly checking my mail for sweet messages from Mr. Fine.  There's nothing like a quick email filled with love to keep me going through the day.

5. A friend is someone who can keep a secret!  Nothing drives me more batty than friends who gossip.

6. If I could write my own blank it would be what the latest CD someone bought was.

7. My favorite kind of art is the kind I understand! ;-)  I'm a very linear person with little creativity.  You may remember my dive into photography.  Any art that speaks to me is wonderful!

Thanks for reading...if there's still anyone still out there!  I apologize for my absence.  This year's been a bit stressful but I'm hanging in there.  Nothing a good visit from Mr. Fine this weekend can't solve!

Have a wonderful weekend, my friends!

But ohhhh, it's pretty!

I got back to school today after our Monday off and ... a SNOW DAY!  I actually thought I was dreaming when the call came in at 5:04 a.m. yesterday.  After talking to the person above me on the snow tree, I clamored out of bed for my laptop because I couldn't decide if I'd dreamed the whole scenario or not.  I hadn't even contemplated a snow day so it was a shock!  I spent the day making muffins (sadly, they've all been eaten or you'd get a picture) and doing some school work.

And ... I found this little gem, thanks to a nice email from my friend Kate Spade:

It's on sale.  And ohhhh, it's pretty.  Any guesses on the sale price?  No?  You can check it here.  $147 for some pink cow?  But ohhh, it pretty.

Happy Hump Day everyone!

A 'fine' weekend...

My self imposed pity party (Don't know what I'm talking about?  See here for the moody details) ended sharply Saturday morning with a trip to the charity shop and Target -- a bit of retail therapy (especially at cheapy prices) is sure to cure all!  And it didn't hurt that the sun was shining (finally - holla!) for the whole day!

Now, I visited Target mid-January and noticed the tiny red mailboxes that they had in the dollar section:

From Our Seven Dwarfs

I knew, knew that they were going to be a popular item (as evidenced by my google image search of "red target mailbox" so I didn't have to take my own picture), but I'm trying to pitch, sort, and reduce the teacher clutter in my life (it can really build up over a decade, let me tell you!)... so I didn't buy one.  I know, I know - only $1...but the clutter was worth more than that to me (at the time).  I had planned on using it for a small mailbox on my desk for students to put their notes in.  They are constantly writing me notes and I stick them in my pocket...and I find them later at night at home.

But - skip to this past Saturday morning - I noticed the Target $1 section had purple dot items at 50% off - I know, right!?  And looky, looky, there was 1 (it was clearly meant to be) red mailbox left.  Now, who wouldn't buy the darling little thing when there was only 1 left and it was only 50 cents?  I just couldn't pass it up.  So now, I have a cute mailbox decorated with a cute label with cute clipart...sure to bring on some cute notes from students.

Despite the 10.6 inches of snow that fell over the weekend (and which needed to be shoveled by yours truly), my long weekend was relaxing and filled with trashy romance novels, blog reading, and list catching up.

Hope your weekend was grand!

Fill in the Blank Friday

I've not done one of these in many weeks, but I figured I was due for some reflection.  I've been feeling pretty crap all week -- physically exhausted and over-worked.  Sadly, Mr. Fine told me last week that the 'old Mrs. Fine' (read: the one who works 70 hours a week and is grumpy all the time) has come home to roost.  Unfortunately, I agree.  I'm not happy about it.  I'm not happy about it at all.  And I just don't know how to get back to the 'new Mrs. Fine' (read: the one who works 60 hours a week and can enjoy life outside of work).  I should likely be napping.  But who wants to nap on a sunny (read: 45 degrees - warm for here right now) evening.  I should likely be doing something fun.  But who wants to leave the house when they're in their fuzzy socks, hoodie, and yoga pants?  Not, I!  Ack.  So -- I need to reflect.  Here goes:

1.   I am       sometimes sarcastic.  A bookworm at heart.  Thrilled to see the world with a clarity I've never known.  A sucker for Girl Scout Cookies.  An addict when learning something new.

2.  The bravest thing I've ever done was    LASIK!  But you all knew that...before that?  I don't usually feel very brave...except when I do the black diamond sections that intersect with my blue square sections on the ski hill. 

3.  I feel prettiest when       I shower before school vs the night before and my hair looks proper.  When I wear heels vs comfortable dress shoes and when I wear my pea coats.  Those and the perfect matching lip gloss.

4.  Something that keeps me awake at night is   absolutely nothing (much to Mr. Fine's chagrin).  I can even sleep on a hardwood floor within a few minutes - just as snug as a bug.  I did stay awake for several hours this past week (read crap week rant above) and it drove me NUTS!

5.  My favorite meal in the entire world is    salmon on the BBQ, rice pilaf, and cooked fresh veggies.  Strawberry crumble for desert.  A bottle of Trader Joe's $4 wine (doesn't take much for me).  All on the patio in the middle of summer.  Shucks.  Makes me cry just thinking about it...where is summer?

6.  The way to my heart is        through chocolate, patience with my annoying habits, and a good solid hug.

7.  I would like to       be happy with myself.  Truly happy.

Have a wonderful weekend, my friends.  I am going to work on relaxing, being happy, and getting some emotional clutter tidied up.  What are you up to?

A bit of this and that

So, I'm finally finding the time to sit down on the couch for some DVR time - complete with iPhone, laptop, and lesson plans surrounding me on the couch.  Ha!

I've been busying trying to catch up at work - I finally got the pile (of piles) that had stacked up behind my desk at school cleaned up.

Mr. Fine and I were at Sam's the other night -- boring, I know.  But get this -- you know how an employee checks your receipt and counts your cart items before you leave?  Usually they use their highlighter to write a line through your receipt.  This time?  No.  Instead, we got a circle.  And what was that circle circling, you ask?  This:

Find big savings for your tiny tot.  Shop us for diapers, formula, and more.

Sure, we'll have kid(s).  And sure, that time is quickly coming upon us.  But really, we're getting family planning advice from the Sam's Club employee?  On the up side, at least we looked young enough to be in the family planning zone - at least according to Sam.

I've got brownies and a cup of tea calling my name in the kitchen.  Gotta run!

Six on Saturday

Following in Nicolasa's footsteps and giving you all the low-down on my week and brain turnings...

image modified from (we heart it)

1.  Mr. Fine has arrived home and I am *patiently* waiting for him to get out of bed.  I went to bed at 9 p.m. last night and he arrived in the driveway at 2 a.m.  For obvious reasons, we're on a slightly different schedule this morning.  When I briefly woke him up this morning (which he was NOT happy about) I indicated that I needed to get to the post office, library (gotta start that Tall Tales unit on Monday), and would like to do so before the snow (again!) hits at noon.  Didn't go over well, let me tell you.  So, I'm hoping that our time together is a *bit* better than the sleep-deprived driven conversation we had this morning!

2.  I have had some really fun jewelry projects just waiting for me to get to them.  Mr. Fine was in Boston awhile back (er um 2010) and came home with some g-r-e-a-t beads for me from The Boston Bead Company.  I"m so lucky that he's got style and can just pick up stuff for me!  But alas, I NEED to do something with them...I've got some necklace ideas twirling but it's the doing part that seems to slow me down!

3.  I am feeling really happy about having kept the house super duper clean for about 3 weeks now.  I'm not a slob by any means but I do tend to have *some* school piles hanging around.  I've been really good about putting stuff away when I walk in the door...and it feels great to come home to a house that is awesomely clean.  Mr. Fine whispered in my ear last night that the house looked like no one lived in it.  Is that good or bad?

4.  When I started my personal blog in the summer, it was with the intent to push me to have a life.  I can tend to be a bit school-obsessed.  I've been struggling lately...as you can tell by the very limited number of posts in 2011.  I can't decide if I want to be a blogger that blogs for the sake of it - about anything random -- would my readers care?  Or do I wait until something fantastic happens?  Which, lately, seems to be never. ;-)  A quandry, my blog friends, indeed.

5.  I've been super pleased with my vision - post Lasik - and still marvel about how well I can see on a daily basis.  As with most Lasik patients, I can see best when the light is bright.  Contrast situations are difficult for us 'fake sight' folks.  When we're outside for recess, I can see across the playground, which is very new for me.  And of course, I'm enjoying *having* to wear sunglasses.  I'm hoping that it cuts down on the wrinkles that seem to have appeared on my face. ;-)

6.  Finally, I've been totally neglecting my Daring Kitchen duties.  Apparently you're only supposed to miss 2 a year...and I'm waaaay behind.  I'm hoping they don't kick me out!  How embarrassing to be kicked out of an online kitchen challenge!  Maybe that's one thing I can do this weekend...to be 'normal.'

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

Thursday - post snow

So the bad news is that I didn't meet my self-created goal of "being back within 2 weeks." The bad news is also that I really don't have much of anything to say today. I was, however, too aghast to see that I only posted once in January. And so, it has become that I am writing a random Thursday post to increase the number over on the right side of my so-called blog here.

I was one of the lucky with a snow day yesterday.  Because the call came in on Tuesday night, I was able to turn off the alarm (!!) and sleep until 9:30 a.m.  What a feeling!  I made chocolate chip muffins using this recipe and enjoyed a few hours of television from the DVR.  I don't have the reality show obsession that some in the blogosphere have, but I do have the 'I'm still in high school' show addiction...and watched the bachelorette party episode of One Tree Hill.

Then, I alternated between working on my learning bags (which I HAVE to post photos of) and shoveling the driveway.  Too bad Mr. Fine was not home (did I not tell you that he was away and living it up in shorts and 70 degree weather?  No?  I must have blocked that out) because I think I will never walk the same way again...I have this hunch to my walk now - as a result of lifting a TON of snow and moving it out of the driveway.  This hunch was exasperated this evening when the lovely plow came along and put those few feet of snow in the road back into the driveway...and my perfection complex meant that I just HAD to go fix the end of the driveway.  Enough. You've likely stopped reading already! ;-)

I'm excited for tomorrow, as Mr. Fine returns home and it will be Friday! 

Have a wonderful weekend...and thanks for sticking around to my loyal readers.  I will try to be a better blogger!

Six on Saturday

You may have noticed that I've been a bit absent on the blog front.  My own blog, that is.  I've certainly kept up with my reader and have enjoyed reading everyone else's blog.

Nicolasa has encouraged her readers to write our own six on Saturday -- we get to read hers each week.  So perhaps this is just the ticket to get me out of my blog writing funk [which to be honest is because my life just isn't as interested as everyone else's!]

Here's my week in six:

[1] - I've been desperately waiting for MLK day and think I might have made a To Do list a bit too daunting.  We shall see!

[2] - Mr. Fine and I thoroughly (and I mean thoroughly!) cleaned very cubby of our home this week.  It feels great...but now that the task is complete, I'm feeling a bit "what do I do now-ish?"... maybe the list from [1]? ;-)

[3] - I was really hoping for a snow day on Wednesday this week.  So much so that I woke up with my alarm at 5:30 a.m. and said, "Are you kidding me?" because I didn't get the 5:00 a.m. phone call.  Turns out a few other teachers at school were disappointed too.  I called a friend to tell her I was sending a few books over with one of my students and she answered the phone with, "Are you are depressed as I am?"  (we have call display at school for our extensions).  Priceless.

[4] - Mr. Fine made the best (and I mean the best!) blueberry muffins earlier this week.  Usually I am the baker in the house, but this may have to change.  His muffins were amazing!  They even had the muffin top like in stores.   I was busy with school work the night he made them and I sat at the kitchen table making fun of him because he meticulously followed the recipe -- to the point of even having the wet and dry bowl.  Well, I had to rescind my ridicule once tasting commenced.  Perhaps having wet and dry actually does improve baking products.

[5] - I went to a used book sale last weekend and found Alex Rider's Gadget book for 50 cents -- made a huge hit with some boys at school.  At this sale, I picked up a few key books for a project I'm tackling - I'm about to delve into the basement to make up some sets of books in bags to have some themed book sets to send home with students during the week.  I'm hoping to get at least 5 of these theme bags done this weekend.

[6] - One of my very best good friends from school and I went out on the weekend for our birthdays (each last week).  We enjoyed wonderful conversation and I had a delicious decaf hazel nut cappuccino for dessert.

Have a great weekend, everyone!  I hope to be back in less than 2 weeks from now! ;-)